BY NEIL RAMOS
FOR the first time, Sharon Cuneta and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid are teaming up for a concert.
Dubbed “Iconic,” the two-night shindig happens Oct. 18-19 at the Big Dome.
No doubt, it is a dream-come-true for fans.
Then again, both Sharon and Regine feel the same way.
The Megastar shared, “Matagal ko na ding pangarap ito, I mean, years ago pa, gusto ko na makatrabaho si Reg. We did a couple of shows na guest ako, guest siya, pero never na kaming dalawa na ganito. Ewan ko. Hindi magkatugma ang schedule namin eh! Pero, ito nga, now that’s it happening, I could only be thankful.”
The Songbird, on her part, intoned, “Actually, mas dream come true ito for me. The idea started years ago. Kapag nagkikita kami, she will tell me, ‘halika, mag-concert naman tayo,’ and I’d say, ‘gusto ko talaga yan.’ Kaso nga, hindi natutuloy kasi we’re from different networks then eh. So ngayon na puwede na, wow, diba? I mean, biro mo, kasama mo ‘yung idol mo? Sharonian kasi talaga ako ever since.”
She related, “Pumila pa ako noon sa Meycauayan for her movie ‘Bukas Luluhod ang mga Tala’ in 1984! At nung makapasok ako sa showbiz tapos na-meet ko siya, sobrang starstruck ako. Kaya kahit kinakausap niya ako, hindi ako nagsasalita. Hiyang-hiya ako.”
“Akala ko naman noon suplada, mataray siya,” Sharon added. “Magkasama kami sa dressing room, kinakausap ko, hindi man lang kumikibo. I told myself, ang suplada naman nito.”
The two eventually got to know each other better through the years.
“We’re really close,” said Sharon. “I mean, I knew Ogie far longer like 80s pa, magkakilala na kami pero Reg and I, we have formed a bond na talaga and I consider her one my closest friends in showbiz.”
As to their upcoming concert, Sharon said, “Masaya ito. We’re very different as singers eh. Iba ang Regine. Alam naming natin na mas mahusay siya sa akin. Alien ‘yan eh! Grabe bumirit, eh ako mababa lang ang boses ko so, the contrast I think will work wonders when we do duets.”
“And one thing more, I really adore Reg, kasi as much as she is one of the best singers that we have, she’s very generous na hindi siya nangangain o nananapaw ng kasama niya. I’m an alto, unlike her na kaya lahat ng notes and range. She has a good heart and even teaches me how to reach high notes. I have only good things to say about her.”
“Iconic” is directed by Rowell Santiago with musical direction by Raul Mitra and Louie Ocampo. Tickets now available at the Araneta Coliseum box office and at Ticketnet.