Friday, May 30, 2008 Sharon on Gabby By Roger Serna Sounds and images
BY now, barely two weeks away, Cebuanos and those from nearby places must already be aware that two major concerts are happening in Cebu a day after the other.
That of “the world’s most popular duo,” Air Supply, comes alive onstage at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel Pacific grand ballroom on June 13. Air Supply brings back beautiful memories with the songs that shot to the top of the charts and brought the duo to global consciousness in the 70s like Lost in Love, All Out of Love, The One That You Love, Now and Forever, Two Less Lonely People in the World, Here I Am, Even The Nights Are Better and others.
Dubbed “Air Supply From The Heart… Best of Ballads” is the duo’s 30th anniversary show, that’s a good three decades from the time Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell started out in Sydney, Australia and impressed Rod Stewart when they were invited to open his Australian tour that eventually paved the way for them to hit the big time.
Let’s travel down memory lane with those songs that, in one way or another, formed part of the soundtracks of our lives, or so they say.
Oh, the early bird promo that affords ticket buyers with certain discounts is still on.
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While Air Supply deals with syrupy, sentimental and bittersweet ballads, the other group that mounts the stage the day after, June 14 to be exact, focuses on praise and worship songs. Venue is still the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel Pacific grand ballroom.
The band, Sonic Flood, is credited for “helping push along the modern rock-worship movement that began by putting electric guitars and audio effects to lyrics that directly worship Jesus as Lord and Savior” with songs like Here I Am to Worship, I Could Sing of Your Love Forever, and Cry Holy – songs that are essential stuff in church services.
Sonic Flood prides itself in having released eight albums, sold over two million records, received awards and a Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Rock Album in 2001 making it a truly modern worship band.
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Fresh from her successful free Mother’s Day concert at the SM City Cebu Northwing and a surprise appearance in the Clothes for Life spearheaded Santacruzan at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Cebuano diva Dulce has been to two other functions in her native province.
I could have watched both had it not been for an urgent meeting. In the first event, Dulce entertained guests of birthday celebrant Lito Barino in his newly finished plush dwelling overlooking the panoramic vista of Yati, Liloan.
Lito later sang Usahay with Dulce while his wife Fe also joined the fun by singing Memory with the multi-awarded songbird.
The celebrant can readily attest that it was one of his most memorable birthday celebrations.
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Haven’t I told you that megastar Sharon Cuneta is such a loquacious interviewee? Colleagues who had not met the megastar before had the surprise of their life as media practitioners during recent the press conference for the movie Caregiver held at the Pino Restaurant when Sharon gave very lengthy answers to their otherwise simple questions.
No, she did not beat around the bush but was just too eager to volunteer and provide the necessary backgrounds and all the
trimmings surrounding the things that were asked of her.
With Sharon that afternoon was child actor John Manalo who plays her son in the movie. Ate Shawee had nice words toward John saying, he is “mabait sa lahat ng kasama at kaibigan niya pero hindi lahat minahal niya” to which John almost shed tears if not for Sharon’s warning for him not to do so.
Pino’s owner, Amparito Lhuillier, obviously enjoyed listening to Sharon as she and promo diva, Josie Pereyra, sat side by side and flashed winsome smiles during the entire proceedings. Sharon described Caregiver as a very honest movie with no sugarcoating that, according to her, viewers can almost hear her heartbeat while watching.
As a professional, Sha is not against the possibility of pairing off in a project with ex-husband Gabby Concepcion again. It’s just that she doesn’t want people she loves to be hurt in the process.
On daughter KC, Sharon earnestly shared that comments like “ang bait ni KC” make her so proud as a mother. How blessed can she be.