Thursday, February 23, 2006
Paolo Santos is country's Mr. AZ
By Jeffrey M. Tupas
THE stamp read priority, all caps, and it looked really ugly against my burnt skin. Boy, the ink was the shade of magenta but I was too excited that I suddenly forgot the meaning of the word protest, which more often than not I am so passionate about.
Stamped priority, I walked my way across the Parking C of Matina Town Square in the evening of February 17 and grabbed a chair close to the makeshift stage and hoped that Paolo Santos sings Jason Mraz.
And Paolo did not fail me and somehow saved me from that pathetic sense of loss that consumed me after missing Jason's show in Manila in January.
Yes the post Valentine show dubbed "Love N' Davao," Paolo sang some Jason and I felt like, well, the man is the Philippine's version of the Mr. Az.
Raise your voice and object all you want but wait until you hear and witness Paolo exaggerate pleasantly Jason's already well-gymnast signatures You and I Both, Sleep All Day, and 1000 Things.
But while Jason, a word player and fast-talker, quickly admitted in one article that he has a "bisexual mind" (whatever that means), Paolo defensively inserted rather smartly while doing the intro of Jason's Sleep All Day that "La la la, I am not gay, la la la la."
Towards the end of the show, just before hitting the first few notes of Say You Love Me in falsetto, Paolo articulated again, "Hindi ako bayot noh." I hope he said it a matter-of-factly sans the irony, and went to belt out the song in flawless falsetto to the delight of the audience.
I had the impression that it was part of the show, something that only illuminated, if not complimented, the genuine musical talent of Paolo.
It was my first Paolo show and, apart from the Mr. Az covers and the free pass -- which also meant free booze, I had no regrets I missed some of the highlights of my own friends' intimate show downtown. I always adore funny people and Paolo was one good stand-up comedy performer who dispensed lines, some of which disparaged himself.
And as if to assure the audience that they were watching the right show, Paolo repeatedly said "Hi. I am Paolo Santos. I hope you are enjoying the night..." and added "I hope you order more beer because the more beer you order, the better I sound."
Paolo's naughty side was also difficult to miss especially when he sang the Eraserhead original Magazine with his eyes coming into orbit coupled by an impish grin when he reached the line "bastos pala ang pamagat..."
He also described John Mayer's "Your Body Is A Wonderland" hit as the song about ourselves and twisted the song by singing "My body is your wonderland you use your hands."
At the middle of the post-valentine show, Paolo urged lovers to hold each others' hands hinting to render a love song only to be given Sad To Belong by England Dan and John Ford Coley and True Faith's Huwag Na Lang Kaya (the latter he punctuated with another suggestive line "naninigas ang kuwan").
I lost count but I think Paolo sang at least 15 songs, which was never enough for the audience. While plucking the last notes of Sleep All Day, Paolo smartly added, "It's time for me to sleep. I have an early flight tomorrow. I have always shows on the road and what can I do." And the audience could only scream for more. Teased, I bet.
By the way, Love N' Davao was presented by Prodigy Productions.
For Bisaya stories from Davao. Click here. (February 23, 2006 issue)
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