So where’s the pig?

MANILA, Philippines – The first remark I hear from Russell Hitchcock (of the rock duo Air Supply with Graham Russell) whenever I pick him up from the airport is “Where’s the pig?” with a big smile. Just like world-class chefs Anthony Bourdain and Andrew Zimmern, Air Supply has become a big fan of our very own Lechon Cebu and Lechon de Leche.

Back in 2008 when I brought Air Supply to Cebu, I served them Lechon Cebu for dinner. The moment they set eyes on the lechon, their knee-jerk reaction was to cringe and request it to be removed immediately from the table. How could I have forgotten that Australians are not used to seeing food served at the table with the head included even if it was just a small shrimp. Instead of removing it, I chopped up pieces of the crispy skin and asked them to just taste it.

After that evening in June 2008 in Cebu, it was my obligation to serve them a whole lechon in the dressing room and for dinner after the show.

It has been an honor to tour with Air Supply for almost a decade not only in the Philippines but in faraway places like Doha, Qatar and I have nothing but wonderful experiences and memories with this talented duo who have stayed together and solid for 40 years.

Being close to Russell and Graham has taught me a lot about professionalism and personal relations. They always oblige to help producers promote their concerts and attend socials when necessary. I once had Mrs. Marcos greet Russell and Graham on their birthdays (Russell and Graham’s birthdays are just three days apart) and they returned the favor by surprising me on my birthday.

The tandem of Russell and Graham is one of the most hardworking teams I’ve ever met, working an average of 130 concert dates a year in almost all continents, from South America to North America to Asia to the Middle East and beyond.

What is more remarkable is that you can watch each and every concert, which I’ve done several times, and they are almost always flawless. I tried counting their hits or at least, the songs I am fairly familiar with and I came up with 42 out of their 22 Platinum and Gold albums. And they are still writing new songs. For their 40th anniversary, they are promoting a new love song I Adore You, which I am very sure will be another hit and concert mainstay.

I am very excited with the second Asian leg of the 40th anniversary tour that began yesterday in Malaysia because I am fully involved in it.

The Manila show, on the other hand, will be at The Theatre of Solaire on Dec. 7. They will be in Davao for a concert at the SMX Convention Center on Dec. 9.

Scheduled to be performed for the 40th anniversary tour are the Air Supply standards All Out Of Love, Lost In Love, Every Woman In The World, Sweet Dreams, The One That You Love, Even The Nights Are Better, Here I Am, Just As I Am, Making Love Out Of Nothing, Goodbye and many more. Complementing Air Supply is the legendary quintet The CompanY as special guest.

Tickets are on sale at all TicketWorld outlets for the Manila show and SM Ticket outlets for the Davao concert. Air Supply’s 40th anniversary concert is presented by Grand Leisure Corporation, Solaire Resort & Casino, New World Manila Bay and Steve O’ Neal Productions.