It was the birthday of Johnny Manahan or Mr. M and greeting him that day were people from ABS-CBN and that alone is a lot of people. While watching ASAP 20 on television that day, we espied the presence of Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano, Lani Misalucha who together with Regine Velasquez would be holding their Ultimate concert on Feb. 13 and 14 at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena. There was also Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo who announced the launch of their Star Cinema movie titled Crazy Beautiful You.
Also present were Charice, Toni and Alex Gonzaga, Rayver Cruz, Lea Salonga and Miss Universe finalist MJ Lastimosa who did a sexy dance much to the delight of the audience. Arnel Pineda was also there, announcing the launch of his newest album.
If we were to count the number of persons who work with or are associated with ABS, we would run into the hundreds. There is Yeng Constantino with the sessionistas, Richard Poon, Kean Cipriano, Aiza Seguera and of course, Piolo Pascual, Jericho Rosales, Zanjoe Marudo, Bea Alonzo, Pokwang and many others.
There are also those associated with ABS-CBN like network boss and icon Charo Santos-Concio and the team of Bobot Mortiz and his army of Bulilits. We would also count in those affiliated with the word Filipino as in Original Pilipino Music (OPM) like that group of Rey Valera, Marco Sison, Hajji Alejandro and Rico J. Puno. Rico J says the group has always been pro-OPM from the days when they used to travel the world performing at every nook and corner with the audience crying out for more.
Today, they are still at it with an upcoming pre-Valentine show set on Feb. 12 at the Palacio de Maynila on Roxas Boulevard. Nowadays, they are called the “Legends” and we are certain this name will stick just like the “Hitmakers” did for years and years. According to Rey, the public will always expect a good-time portion and a good laugh, and naturally a “bastos” part that only Rico J can deliver with the audience demanding for more, more, more!
Expect a “guess who popularized this song” part with such numbers like May Minamahal, Maging Sino Ka Man, May Bukas Pa and My Love Will See You Through. Someone in the audience of a past show asked if each would do a solo show and that is when Rico J would shout out “natural, and the show would be called Hitmaker, get it?”
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