PINOY MIXX

Watching two of the most talented local performers Dulce and Dingdong Avanzado in separate concerts is like taking a respite from the humdrum of being exposed to the pollution discharged by radio and television.

Dulce after over three decades in the entertainment business has finally done a concert. In spite of numerous gigs and singing engagements both local and international, Dulce, one of the most sought after performers, seldom does a solo concert.

She is dubbed as Asia’s diva, a fitting title to someone who has reaped numerous international awards for the Philippines in singing contests. Her recent two-day concert, which I both watched, was held at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan entitled “Timeless Diva”. It was a sold out performance with guests Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, Ayen Munji-Laurel and her absolutely talented son, David Ezra.

Dulce’s powerful voice gave verve to the undying songs of legendary female singers like: Barbara Streisand, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Jennifer Holiday among others. Her rendition of “I am Changing” as an opening number instantly left the audience in awe. As she went on dishing out heartwarming Original Pilipino Music like: “Iisa Pa Lamang”; Basang Basa sa Ulan”; and “Sino ang Baliw”, the audience could not restrain themselves in shouting brava after each song.

As Dulce introduced her son to do a counterpoint duet of “Kahit Na” and “Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin” with her, the audience were not surprised at how David Ezra confidently, like his mom, instantly conquered them.

Truly his mom’s son, David wowed the adoring audience with his interpretation of the aria “Nessun Dorma” from the opera Turandot. It was unquestionably an easy task for him because he finished a degree in classical voice at the University of Santo Tomas.

The show was further pushed to new heights as Dulce and Regine Velasquez did a duet of “Narito Ako”, an OPM hit during the Metro Pop era. When Regine did her version of “Love Story (Where do I Begin)”, the audience could not help but to clamor for more. I personally think that Regine has become deeply spiritual in rendering the song. I never realized also that the song is inherently divine.

Regine guested on the first day of the concert while Ayen Munji-Laurel guested on the second day. The latter gave a distinctive interpretation of “What I did for Love”, a song from the long running Broadway musical, “A Chorus Line”.

Ayen’s duet with Dulce was a song from the Original Pilipino Musical Katy entitled “Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako”, also elicited a thunderous applause from the audience.

The song, which has become the anthem of every Filipino performer, paints in musical canvass the thankless job of being an entertainer. The baring of one’s soul and the total giving of one’s self in every performance to make the audience happy in exchange for applause is the essence of the song.

Dulce and David’s astounding interpretation of “The Prayer” had left the audience in absolute admiration of the mother and son tandem.

As the concert came to the finale, the indefatigable Dulce belted out two more songs with killer notes: “And I am telling you” and the last song, “I Believe I can fly”.

If only Jennifer Holiday was present in the concert, she would surely join the audience in giving a standing ovation to Asia’s diva’s remarkable performance.

A family affair during Dingdong concert.

Ageless Dingdong Avanzado

I thought only spiritual beings are ageless. Vice Governor Dingdong Avanzado is amazingly youthful looking. Maybe he has found the fountain of youth in his beautiful province of Siquijor.

Dingdong Avanzado was a teen popstar in the 80’s. He popularized quite a number of hit songs in that era: “Tatlong Beinte Singko”, “Basta’t Kasama Kita”, “Paalam Na” and “To Love Again”. Dingdong’s concert “Hit Back” showcased not only his numerous hit songs but also most of the OPM hit songs during his reign as a teen pop star. The concert was held at the Teatrino, just across the Music Museum, one of the busiest concert venues.

I was surprised at the jam-packed crowd. I learned later that the concert was already on its repeat performances. Not that I was doubting Dingdong’s crowd drawing power, but the crowd was simply the adoring fans of Dingdong from way back.

This for me is such a phenomenal success for any performer who started at an early age and able to maintain a very loyal horde of followers. This simply means that the performer who has crossed over to another career path and came back and is able to maintain the adulation of his supporters must be a real and enduring talent.

Randy Santiago gave a rousing performance of his hit song “Babaero” and did a duet with Dingdong.

Jessa Zaragosa and Jayda, Dingdong’s wife and daughter, respectively, also rendered stirring performances, which the audience enthusiastically expected as Dingdong described the concert as a family affair.

Jayda’s interpretation of “I will always love you” did not surprise the audience as she beautifully belted out the high notes. After all, both parents are musically gifted.

Jessa of course did not only provide loveliness to the concert but gave it a feminine touch after Dingdong and Randy gave their priapic gyrations.v

After the concert, I went backstage to congratulate Dingdong whom I considered as one of the most enduring and truly an ageless performer the local entertainment has ever produced.

Who da who?

• Who is this pretty young thing, considered as the most popular young star whose mom has now evolved to be a monster? My source said that this MOMSTER is demanding so much from her daughter not only financially, but also in anything that her daughter is involved in. A real diva in her daughter’s behalf!
• Guess this network that has gone “pikon” (sore loser) after finding out that their noontime show’s ratings have gone down to a single digit. The said network has called on employees to devise any plan just to discredit the rival noontime show because this has affected their advertising revenue. It was revealed that the said network has been resorting to dirty tricks.
• Is it true that the better half of this presidential wannabe has been told not to appear during the sorties? According to the survey, the better half is more of a liability than an asset to her partner.
• How true is the rumor that this lawmaker had undergone liposuction and wanted to look curvy and voluptuous? This earned the lawmaker the title that every woman would desire to be. The problem is that this lawmaker is a He.
• During the network’s big event, this for real couple came in together. When she got drunk she made a scene and left with another guy leaving behind her furious boyfriend.