Foster: I’m happy to see Charice performing again

MANILA, Philippines - Concert-goers beat the rush-hour traffic on the way to the Smart Araneta Coliseum last Tuesday night to attend the much-awaited comeback of David “The Hitman” Foster. It has been four years since the first David Foster and Friends Tour made a stop in Manila.

First on the list of Foster’s friends was Gerphil Flores, his Golden Buzzer in Asia’s Got Talent (AGT), who proved that Filipino talent is definitely world-class. Gerphil sang Impossible Dream, the same song that won her third place in AGT and which she has been performing in events due to popular request. Next on line was Mark Mabasa, X-Factor Philippines finalist, who sang a heartwarming version of Eric Benet’s The Last Time.

The crowd sang along with singer-songwriter Natalie Cole when she started her set with her huge hit Miss You Like Crazy, followed by a virtual duet of Unforgettable with her late dad Nat King Cole on the big screen. American Idol Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard sang his own rendition of Michael Bublé’s Home. He impressed the audience with his talent to compose songs on the spot.

Foster is known for letting the members of the audience have their own 30 seconds of fame during his concerts. Among those who got the chance were theater actor Vic Robinson, Philpop 2015 winner Yumi Lacsamana and The Voice Philippines grand winner Jason Dy.

Charice wowed the crowd with Through The Fire. The whole coliseum, led by Araneta Center big boss Jorge Araneta and his wife Madam Stella Marquez de Araneta, gave her a standing ovation when she sang her heart-rending version of Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin. The crowd wouldn’t let Charice go until she sang the Whitney Houston hit I Will Always Love You.

“I am happy to see Charice performing again,” said Foster, his face lit up with pride for his protegé.

As the whole world knows, Filipinos are unmitigated music lovers. When Foster sang a few lines from the songs that he composed (telling the audience a short story behind each song), he saw that the cameraman was singing, too. So, he promptly handed the mic to him and allowed the cameraman his own seconds of fame. Foster took the cameraman’s videocam and recorded his performance.

American R&B vocal group BoyzIIMen serenaded the audience with their classic love songs like Water Runs Dry, I’ll Make Love To You and End of the Road.

For the finale, Foster and his Friends gathered onstage and sang Hey Jude. The concert was definitely worth the wait. The crowd went home with a smile on their faces and I’m sure that they were looking forward to The Hitman’s next concert. Text & photos by Kimberly L. Lee