TITLES, TITLES – Sarah Geronimo is billed Pop Princess, but at 28, she’s really more Pop Queen. Even more aptly, Sarah’s Singing Sweetheart, her beautiful voice heard onscreen (TV and movie), radio, recording, concert.
The Pop Princess title may well be given to a younger singer.
Celeste Legaspi used to be First Lady of Song. Now that Celeste no longer sings, the title, if you ask this columnist, belongs to Regine Velasquez.
How about Asia’s Queen of Song?
Can’t think of anyone. And so it’s still the timeless Pilita Corrales.
Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano is no more. Then give the titles to his son Gab.
Ah, Martin Nievera remains Concert King.
Concert Queen? Lani Misalucha… with blessings from the original Concert Queen Pops Fernandez?
El Divo? Jed Madela, hands down.
Romantic Balladeer? Erik Santos tied with Christian Bautista.
At 50, Zsa Zsa Padilla still looks and sounds great. She remains the Divine Diva.
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NO ONE ELSE – The following titles belong to no one else but:
Superstar – Nora Aunor.
Star for All Seasons – Vilma Santos.
Megastar – Sharon Cuneta.
Diamond Star – Maricel Soriano.
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‘QUEENDOM’ – After Sharon and Maricel, circa the ’80s, there are no more movie queens for the simple reason that there is no “Queendom” anymore.
Sure, Judy Ann Santos, Claudine Barreto, Bea Alonzo, Toni Gonzaga, Angel Locsin, Marian Rivera, Angelica Panganiban are big names. But their turfs are more of television and commercials or recording and commercials. Not identified with the decades they were at their peak.
Ditto Kris Aquino, Dawn Zulueta, Vina Morales, Sarah Geronimo, Jolina Magdangal, Kristine Hermosa.
Just to remind readers of past movie queens: Carmen Rosales and Rosa del Rosario (’40s), Gloria Romero and Nida Blanca (’50s), Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes (’60s), Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos (’70s).