Friday, October 20, 2006 Serna: Ogie a blast By Roger Serna Sounds and images
OGIE Alcasid’s recent foray into Cebu’s entertainment scene via KomiKonsiyerto through MLhuillier Kwarta Padala was a welcome breather from the usual shows being put up around the metropolis every now and then.
The show was well-conceptualized to say the least. It started with the local group Budoy and The Jr. Kilat Band dishing out Visayan songs using the reggae beat. Budoy’s antics succeeded in whipping up the audience’s appetite for entertainment.
A danceable medley of Bongga Ka Day and Best of My Love by the main performer was made even more delightful with the very energetic dance back-up by the Maneouvres.
After all these years and after their contemporaries and even those who came into the picture much later have faded into oblivion, the Maneouvres still managed to stay on top of the heap. A medley of retro songs later with the Maneouvres in matching attires and hairdos gave Ogie’s performance a formidable backdrop.
The show showcased Ogie’s versatility as an artist. It showed his brilliance as a singer (doing his own songs and those popularized by the likes of Nonoy Zuniga, Rico Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Ric Segreto, Basil Valdez, Marco Sison and, yes, Barry Manilow), a composer (the movie themes he wrote) and as a comedian.
He and his Bubble Gang co-stars (Francine Prieto, Antonio Aquitania, Wendell Ramos and Michael V) tickled the audience’s funny bones for the ‘komik’ part of the KomiKonsiyerto which included kwarta padala skits.
The Sexballs portion with Ogie, Wendell, Antonio and Michael in leather shorts and colorful neckties was equally entertaining.
Michael’s rockstar segment Mamaw (an adaptation of Kamikazee’s Narda complete with a video backup featuring another Bubble Gang co-star Diego) was the night’s most applauded number.
The show ended with another medley of current pop-rock hits with the audience singing and dancing along. Before that, however, comebacking Miriam Quiambao and Amparito Lhuillier mounted the stage upon the prodding of Ogie himself.
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Next year’s Ms. Cebu pageant will be ‘youngish’ and will go beyond the borders of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel to reach out to the masa, as requested by Mayor Tommy Osmeña. This was the statement of the pageant organizers during the press presentation of the 12 finalists held at Krua Thai at the Banilad Town Center last Oct. 10.
For this, a fashion show featuring the finalists donning the designs of Cebu designers will be held at the Fuente Osmeña rotunda a week before the pageant. A new special award will be given this year and that is Best in Catwalk.
The pageant may even be seen even by those outside the venue through giant screens to be put up in strategic places. These are some of the innovations cooked up by the organizers to keep pace with the changing tastes of the beauty pageant lovers. Passing the basic requirement of showing grace under pressure for the title Ms. Cebu in Jan. 2007 are Katrina Isabelle Ros, Janedee Mendoza, Loise Angelique Tan, Ma. Therese Villar, Imee Sheryl Veloso, Carlisle Santos, Ma. Ruby Guinto, Joan Kristine Uy, Marguerite Taylor, Ma. Theresa Gorgonio, Anna Katrina Alcaraz and Fern Ann Medequillo.
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In one of my visits to the Coach Pacquiao Wellness and Fitness Center owned by Calixto Pacquiao located at JY Square mall, I was surprised to see some known personalities gathered in a serious huddle.
It turned out to be a preview of the new products of Nikken Philippines with country manager Enrico Garcia and Dr. Wennie Navarro in attendance. Over dinner, I was amazed at testimonies of how certain ailments and injuries were relieved and cured by the use of magnets and other modern gadgets that Nikken sells.
More interestingly, these things were natural and non-invasive and can also enhance well-being and, take note, prevent premature ageing. I promised myself to have a serious discussion with Coach Alix in my next visit, which should be soon.
*** Let me thank Pinky and Chumby Matias of 96.3 WRock for the chance to watch the premier of the movie World Trade Center which tells the heroic survival of police officers John McLoughlin and Will Jimeno (played by Nicolas Cage and Michael Peña, respectively), their unbelievable will to survive and the determination of the rescuers during the tragic event on Sept. 11, 2001 that shocked the entire world.
Some of the movie viewers were even moved to tears as the film showed the sufferings of those who were trapped in the rubbles as well as the anguish felt by their respective family members while waiting for the developments of the rescue operation.
