Friday, March 09, 2007 Serna: On the airwaves By Roger Serna Sounds and images
NO doubt about it. The day of hearts’ biggest event as far as the Cebu entertainment scene was concerned was that of internationally-famous stage actress, singer and recording artist Lea Salonga’s show, her second major concert so far in the queen city of the south held at the grand ballroom of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino.
Days before the scheduled appearance, tickets were reportedly sold out such that the organizers deemed it wise to maximize the available space left to add some more tables to accommodate persistent requests.
The venue was jampacked as expected. Lea obviously was overwhelmed by the huge turnout as evidenced by her soulful rendition of every song in her repertoire. Her male guest performers were equally good.
John Joven matched Lea’s showmanship. He used to be a member of the cast of the German production of Miss Saigon. Jed Madella showed the so-called hard-to-please Cebu crowd the wares that made him the grand champ in the 2005 World Talent Olympics.
In awe, Lea exclaimed: ‘You’re not human!’, to which Jed merely flashed his now familiar smile. Needless to say, the show made the celebration of the day of lovers more meaningful and memorable.
Of course that also includes those who were mending broken hearts and those who were expecting to meet their respective significant others in the not so distant future.
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In that show, yours truly shared the table with The Freeman’s Mayen Tan; Cebu Daily News’ Ma. Niza Mariñas, Mimi Lijauco and Jonas Rey Panerio; Sun.Star Cebu’s Atty. Julius and Nelia Neri, Jude Bacalso and yours truly.
With the line-up of performers that night, everything would have been very enjoyable had it not for the less than impressive performance of the waiters (it was a dinner show for those in the ground floor area).
While watching the performers do their thing onstage, we joked of the possibility of the show’s coming to a close without us being served our dinner.
Had it not been for Steve Alfafara’s help, we could have been totally forgotten by the waiters. Sigh.
What a spoiler!
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Among the more familiar and distinguishable ditties on the airwaves these days are Joey de Leon’s Itaktak Mo (thanks to its constant exposure over Eat Bulaga), Mau Marcelo’s Try It On My Own which was responsible for making her the first Pinoy Idol, Manomano’s Sulat, Callalily’s Magbalik, Cueshe’s Walang Lamang (Mas Hihigit Sa’yo), Lovi’s Kung Pwede Lang, Marri Nallos’ Imagine, Pin-up Girls’ Nilamon Ng Gabi and Sexbomb Girl’s Hombre.
On the foreign artists’ list, Justin Timberlake’s What Goes Around… Comes Around, Christina Aguilera’s Understand, John Mayer’s Gravity, Shayne Ward’s That’s My Goal, Westlife’s Total Eclipse of the Heart, Incubus’ Dig, Five For Fighting’s World (yes, the guys who made a big splash via the song Superman a few years ago are back), and Julio Iglesia’s new version of Crazy (with some Tagalog lines).
These songs are actually from the recent album releases of Sony BMG Music Entertainment’s contract artists, worthy additions to your fast growing collection.
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Despite the fact that I have been passing by that place along Juana Osmeña st. many times in a month, he never noticed that there’s a bunch of watering holes hidden from public view by a much bigger establishment.
That group is collectively known as Cabanas. I was one of the few (along with Jonas Rey Panerio) who were invited by the lovely Emma Antigua to the opening of Blur on the last week of February.
The bar’s spicy sisig, calamares and other mouth-watering delicacies went well with the drinks (a choice of beer, red and white wine). Mario Malacat who acted as the joint’s PR man that day (or is it a regular job?) and Emma had scheduled another session with vodka as the main drink.
No problem here. Ha-ha!
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Showbiz observers have taken notice of the gradual transformation of young star Roxanne Guinoo from a sweet young thing to a sexy, seductive young adult star which Roxanne herself announced as a career move.
The transformation was evidenced by her landing on the cover of a men’s magazine and in huge billboards around Metro Manila where she bared some skin. Come Mar. 16, Roxanne will meet her Cebuano followers and give them a glimpse of the new Roxanne as she guests in Gaisano Main and Country Mall’s A Million Thanks promo upon the invitation of Rosemarie Gaisano.
She’ll be in Balamban earlier that day before proceeding to the Country Mall at 8 p.m. for the promo’s third grand draw. Will I finally win the vehicle of his dreams? That’s the question.
