Concert Queen, 4 hitmakers in one concert  

Concert Queen Pops Fernandez is excited because she finally gets the chance to do a US concert with OPM icons Rey Valera, Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison and Nonoy Zuniga.

At the press conference of “Four Kings and a Queen” on Wednesday, she revealed that this is the first time she is doing a show with the four hitmakers. Of the four, she only had the chance to perform with Marco Sison in a musical presented at the Metropolitan Theater many years ago.

“But I am just a guest. The four guys are really the headliners of the concert,” said Pops.

The US concert series is produced by Ms. Pia Legaspi of Amore Entertainment who shared that it was her love for music that inspired her to produce concerts of Pinoy singers abroad.

During the presscon, Hajji, Rey, Nonoy, Marco and Pops were asked to name their favorite song among their hits. Hajji answered “Panakip-Butas” and “Tag-araw, Tag-ulan” which were given Tagalog lyrics by Willy Cruz and Ryan Cayabyab’s “Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika.”

Rey said it’s “Malayo Pa ang Umaga” which he dedicates to us Pinoys. Marco said his favorites are “Make Believe” and “My Love will See You Through.” Nonoy said his choice is “Love Without Time.”

Pops said it’s the song “Dito” because it was released a few days after her late dad Eddie Fernandez was released from prison. She can’t finish singing the song without being sad. Her other favorite is “Little Star.”

Their tour will start at the Northern California Graton Bay Area Resort & Casino on June 25. On June 26, the concert moves to Saban Theater at Beverly Hills. The next show of Pops and the OPM icons will be at the Sahara Event Center in Las Vegas on July 1.

Other scheduled shows are at Bally’s Casino at Lake Tahoe on July 3, Bally’s at Atlantic City on July 9, Copernicus Center in Chicago on July 10, Double Tree Hotel in Portland Oregon on July 15, and at Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu on July 17.

The concert presenters are Philippine Airlines, Sendwave (a free money transfer app for sending money to the Philippines) and The Law Offices of Atty. John Ye.

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Zanjoe Marudo has no qualms doing love scenes, even if these scenes require nudity or butt exposure.

“I have done many love scenes in teleseryes and movies but I look at baring depending on how it is needed in the story,” said Zanjoe at the presscon of the “Ikaw Lang ang Mahal” on Wednesday.

“In this movie, I play an artist. I look at the love scenes as part of the journey of the character. There are daring scenes but these were called for in the story. I don’t think of doing sexy scenes as a big issue but is the love scene important to the scene? Will the scene move the narrative forward? As long as we can tell the story properly and it can be understood, a love scene is normal.”

In “Ikaw Lang ang Mahal,” Zanjoe plays a documentarist who goes to Sagada to interview three National artists. While there, he meets Lira (Kylie Verzosa) whom he falls in love with.

What is he like when he’s in love? “In real life, it takes time before I get involved especially if there is a commitment and you are getting into a relationship. I want to be sure of myself but when I get into the point that I am truly in love, I am willing to prove that I am truly in love and I won’t hurt the person I love. And I will be loyal.”

“Ikaw Lang ang Mahal” is now streaming on Vivamax.

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Multi-awarded TV and movie director Louie Ignacio continues with his winning ways. His latest film “Broken Blooms” under Bentria Productions won Best Narrative Feature at the Mokkho International Film Festival 2022 India.

The movie also won top acting honors for its lead actors Jeric Gonzales and Teri Malvar. Jeric was named Critic’s Choice for Best Actor while Therese Malvar was likewise named Critic’s Choice for Best Actress.

“Broken Blooms” also won the Gold Remi Award at the Houston International Film Festival and Recognition from the Oporto International Film Festival in Portugal. The film is competing right now at the annual Harlem International Film Festival 2022.

According to Direk Louie, “Broken Blooms” will be sent to compete in festivals abroad before it will be released in the Philippines.