Meet Anna Puno, Miss ‘Ultimate’

Because she is able to put four music greats together — at random: Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Gary Valenciano and Lani Misalucha — in one concert (Ultimate, set tomorrow, Feb. 13 and Feb. 14 at MOA Arena), Anna Puno could be described as Miss “Ultimate” for scoring the casting coup which has remained only an impossible dream among other producers.

Maybe because she knows how to keep secrets. Ask Anna how much each artist is paid and she just smiles. Ask Anna how she managed to do the billing of the four artists “that way” (without any of them raising a howl) and she just smiles. Ask Anna how she was able to juggle the busy schedule of the four artists (Lani has to come from Las Vegas where she is based with her famnily) so they could rehearse together and Anna just smiles.

Experience is the best teacher.

So who is Anna Puno and how come she is able to accomplish, well, the “ultimate?”

Anna is no stranger to show business. In fact, her Starmedia Entertainment could be considered one of the biggest independent producers of local concerts in the country today.

Her career in live entertainment started way back in the ‘80s when she became the executive secretary/production coordinator of KAMPI (Kapisanan ng mga Mang-aawit ng Pilipinas) with its then president Rico J. Puno (Anna’s ex-brother-in-law), an organization that had the vision of bringing singers in the Philippines together. There she was exposed to the industry, built relationships with the artists and continued on to learn the craft — from booking artists and venues to concert production itself.

In the late ‘90s, she joined Maximedia International, a production company founded by her late brother, Felix Co, that was involved in the production of local and foreign shows. As its executive vice president, she had her first hands-on experience in importing foreign talents from abroad with group bands like America, Chicago, Paul Anka, Dionne Warwick and Patti Austin. Maximedia was also involved in producing local shows in Manila with top Filipino entertainers such as Gary, Martin, Regine, Ogie Alcasid, to name a few. She also spearheaded its international arm and started bringing in local concerts to the US and other countries. ?

In early 2004, she started her own production company, Starmedia Entertainment. Being an astute businesswoman and a champion of Filipino music and artists, it’s her way of continuing to give her vision a solid ground to work on. Since then, she has produced numerous shows locally and abroad and has built a strong network and relationship with key people in the entertainment industry.

Some of her notable shows (most of which are original concepts) which have been staged locally and/or brought on tours are:

• Queens on Fire featuring Regine and Pops Fernandez (2005, ULTRA/US and Canada Tour;

• GMA Pinoy TV Grand Launch in the USA (2006);

• Wowowillie Namamasko Po! (2006, USA);

• Forever After: A Fantaconcierto with Regine, Ogie, Ai-Ai delas Alas and Rico J. in a fantaserye setting complete with a storyline and stage props (2006, Araneta Coliseum/US and Canada Tour);

• Love 2 Laugh with Ogie and Ai-Ai (2007, Manila/US and Canada Tour);

• As 1 with Martin and Gary (2008 Manila, 2009-2011/US and Canada Tour);

• The Main Event with Regine and Lani (2009, US and Canada Tour);

• Ang Ganda, Diva? with Vice Ganda and Lani (2010, US and Canada Tour);

• Mr. And Mrs. A with Regine and Ogie (2012, Araneta Coliseum);

• Three’s Company with Martin, Pops and Ai-Ai (2012, US and Canada Tour);

• Manny Many Prizes with Manny Pacquiao and the MMP Cast (2012, Universal Studios Hollywood);

• Foursome and Foursome the Repeat with Martin, Pops, Regine and Ogie (2014, MOA Arena);

• Macho Gwapita with Ai-Ai and Rico J. (2013, Manila/US Tour);

• Side A and KZ Tandingan, Live! (2013, US and Canada Tour);

• Voices of Love with Martin and Regine (2014, MOA Arena);

• YouTube sensations Sam Tsui and Kurt Hugo Schneider in Manila (2014); and

• An Evening with the OPM Legends with Rico J., Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera and Marco Sison at the Palacio De Maynila (tonight at Palacio de Maynila, Roxas Blvd., Manila).

Anna’s partner for the project, Cacai Mitra and I-Music Entertainment (IME), have been behind the Songbird’s major solo shows like Silver, the much talked-about 25th-anniversary show of Regine in 2012, its equally successful repeat in 2013 and many more in the previous years.

There you are. Now you know who Anna Puno is and why artists, great and promising, can’t say no to her.

(With the Philippine STAR among the sponsors, Ultimate will be held at the Mall of Asia Arena on Feb. 13 and 14, Friday and Saturday at 8:30  p.m. Tickets available at all SM Ticket Outlets — 470-2222 [www.smtickets.com] and at Starmedia Entertainment — 854-3300/901.4562 [www.starmediaentertainment.com]. It is also presented by PLDT Home MyDSL and Belo Medical Group, with other sponsors Victoria Court, Pacific Blue, Farlin Baby Products, Zim Cleanser and Luxent Hotel. The show is also for the benefit of World Vision Philippines, PMA Makatao Class of 1989 Foundation and Police Regional Office 3 PNP.)

What surprise awaits Heart and Chiz at wedding?

My guess is that Cecile, the mother of Heart Evangelista, will spring a surprise on Heart and Sen. Chiz Evangelista during their wedding on Balesin Island on Sunday, Feb. 15. Otherwise, Mom Cecile might regret all her life if she snubs the most important occasion in her daughter’s life. I’m sure that eventually, especially when Heart and Chiz have their first-born, Mom Cecile’s heart, like any mother or grandmother, will melt. Doctors will tell you that harboring resentment and/or bitterness is bad for the health and can cause serious illnesses.

Meanwhile, as per request by Funfare readers, here’s the wedding entourage:

• Principal Sponsors:

• Mr. Jose L. Acuzar and Mrs. Lolita T. Dy

• Mr. Ramon S. Ang and Dr. Aivee A. Teo

• Mayor Adelbert W. Antonino and Mrs. Lilybeth G. Rasonable

• Mr. Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Mrs. Gretchen O. Cojuangco

• Mr. Vicente del Rosario Jr. and Mrs. Betty G. Ong

• Atty. Gilberto M. Duavit and Ms. Corazon G. Leocadio

• Gov. Faustino S. Dy Jr. and Mrs. Marivin T. Arayata

• Mr. Dakila B. Fonacier and Mrs. Marnie P. Manicad

• Mr. Eduardo V. Garcia and Hon. Mayor Esther E. Hamor

• Mr. Lance Y. Gokongwei and Mrs. Lourdes Jacqueline B. Dabao

• Atty. Felipe L. Gozon and Ms. Bibeth Siguion-Reyna

• Mr. Eugenio L. Lopez III and Mrs. Margarita V. Osmeña

• Mr. Roberto V. Ongpin and Mrs. Jesusa S. Poe

• Mr. Hans T. Sy and Atty. Judy Roman Antonio

• Dr. Andrew L. Tan and Ms. Carmela C. Tiangco

• Bestman: His Excellency President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III
• Bridesmaid: Jennylyn Mercado, Carla Abellana, Solenn Heussaff, Alessandra de Rossi and Lovi Poe
• Maid Of Honor: Ms. Camille P. Ongpauco
• Women Of Honor: Ms. Lissa Maria P. Quirino and Ms. Marie Michelle M. Ongpauco
• Candle Sponsors: Mr. John Raymond N. Hong and Mrs. Jenevie Karen B. Sytin
• Veil Sponsors: Mr. Rafael M. Florencio and Hon. Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares
•  Cord Sponsors: Mr. Tristan Charles A. Ongpauco and Mrs. Irene L. Flores

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)