JaDine, Tatlong Bibe and other memories of 2016

While it does seem unfortunate that the tune by which we will remember 2016 is Tatlong Bibe popularized by Acapellago, it does not mean that the Filipino state of local music has hit rock bottom. One reason why was because only a few of the big stars came up with new albums. Julie Ann San Jose, Alden Richards, Darren Espanto, Parokya Ni Edgar and Sam Concepcion did.

Sarah Geronimo, Daniel Padilla, James Reid and Nadine Lustre took a break. Then established hitmakers like Martin Nievera, Donna Cruz and Ogie Alcasid chose to do covers of old songs. As a result, there was not really much new music to choose from and the singles with potential were not able to stand up against the surprise phenomenon of Tatlong Bibe going quack, quack, quack.

But that was only as far as recording new songs was concerned. In everything else, Filipino music, musicians and artists all emerged winners. In fact, Star Music, the music arm of ABS-CBN, was recently honored for having reached a million YouTube hits. Although it is happening slowly, we are certainly making progress in consumer use of the new technology.

Theater, for one, was at an all-time high in 2016 led as it was by the magnificent homecoming performance of Rachelle Ann Go as Fantine in the touring company of Les Miserables at The Theatre in Solaire. Rachelle Ann has taken leave of Les Miz to prepare to reprise her role as Gigi in the new Broadway production of Miss Saigon in March 2017.

There were also outstanding local productions of Fun Home, starring Lea Salonga and Cris Villonco at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of RCBC Plaza, and Jersey Boys with Nyoy Volante, Christian Bautista, Markki Stroem and Nino Alejandro at the Meralco Theater from Atlantis Theatrical. There was also Annie, which was brought to life anew at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila.

And it was not all Broadway and West End shows getting the local touch, Filipino music also got its share of the spotlight via musicals. Fueled by the massive success of Rak of Aegis these past two years, PETA produced Three Stars and a Sun featuring the music of the departed Francis Magalona and Josephine with the compositions of Yeng Constantino.

Not to be outdone, the concert scene was alive and kicking high with one show after another. Why not? Pinoys eager to watch their idols live willingly flunked down big money for tickets to these concerts. The foreigners came to town in all shapes, sizes and ages from the 50ish Madonna down to the teen-aged singer-actress, Hailee Steinfeld. And assorted sounds, too, from classical tenor Andrea Bocelli to hard rockers Death Cab for Cutie.

Somewhere in between those were the Red Jumpsuit Apparatus, Nate Ruess, Chicago, EXO, The Vamps, Before You Exit, The Tide, Dan Hill, The Platters, Dennis Lambert, Libera, Boyce Avenue, Bon Iver, Sergio Mendes, 5 Seconds of Summer, Chris Botti, Richard Marx, Il Divo, Melissa Manchester, David Pomeranz, Afrojack, Austin Mahone, Big Mountain, Little Mix, Fifth Dimension, Jason Derulo, Culture Club, One Republic, Bebe Rexha, Engelbert Humperdinck, Bootleg Beatles, Selena Gomez, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Puth, The Stylistics, The 1975, James Bay, Elle King, Panic! at the Disco, Twin Pines, The Chainsmokers, Alesso, Tiesto, Pentatonix, A1 and Pat Boone. Tom Jones and Shawn Mendes were also supposed to perform but did not.

For sheer kiligan though and box-office appeal, nothing beats the James Reid and Nadine Lustre’s On The Wings Of Love show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. The love team of incredible chemistry was topping the ratings game with their teleserye of the same title. They were also selling a lot of albums, books, pillows, magazines and everything that they affixed their mugs to. It was a fun, enjoyable kilig to the max evening topped by James’ heartfelt “I love you” to Nadine on the open microphone while on the Big Dome stage. The loveteam was for real and he wanted to tell the world about it.

Other talents of varied persuasions who graced the concert stage in 2016 were Cecile Licad, Jose Manalo, Wally Bayola, The CompanY, Martin Nievera, Regine Velasquez, Erik Santos, Angeline Quinto, the Circus Band, the New Minstrels, Joey Albert, Lani Misalucha, Daniel Padilla, Arnel Pineda, Richard Poon, Richard Yap, Vina Morales, Yeng, Kyla, KZ Tandingan, Jonalyn Viray, Kim Chiu, Julie Ann, Ogie Alcasid, Rey Valera, Louie Ocampo, Sarah Geronimo and Sharon Cuneta.