By Nestor Cuartero
JUST A THOUGHT: There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it. – Edith Wharton
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TAKEN, OH YES: Except for Erik Santos, the three other outstanding balladeers who make beautiful music together in a show called #pa MORE come February 10, at the Mall of Asia are all taken, or have been taken at some point in time.
Not that Erik has not been taken, in a manner of speaking. The youngest in the company that includes Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, and Regine Velasquez, has had his share of little romances here and there. They have not led him to the altar, however.
Nonetheless, Erik is hoping, not against hope, that someday, that day, too, will come.
Martin, Ogie, Regine and Erik topbill the pre-Valentine concert produced by Ana Puno, the Lady of OPM Concerts. Note that the first letters of the aforementioned singers, put together, creates the acronym MORE. Thus, the witty title.
Ms. Puno states that “#pa MORE” stands for more songs, more laughter, and of course, more love as the show comes close to Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.
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OPM VERSUS FOREIGN ACTS: At the media launch of #paMORE, talk shifted to the influx of foreign acts in the Philippines, especially during Valentine season.
Ogie Alcasid, Organisasyon ng Plipinong Mangaawit (OPM) president, said the local singers’ group has limited jurisdiction over the matter. Only government can flex its muscle here, he said.
Regine Velasquez lamented the exorbitant ticket prices on foreign acts. Funny thing is, Filipinos buy them, she stressed.
The cost of the highest priced ticket to a local act is usually just a fraction of the highest priced ticket featuring a foreign show. Seated nearby and dwelling on the same subject, Regine’s husband Ogie confessed that he himself recently spent 45,000 pesos on a ticket to an imported act!
Nevertheless, the artists and we in the media expressed hope that #paMORE can survive the high cost of competing with foreign artists on our own shores.