More treats for baby boomers

There is a whole slew of foreign artists slated to perform at the Araneta Coliseum this summer. I, for one, manage to see most, if not all of them. Baby boomer that I am, and proud to be one, these are moments when I can relive my own golden moments, my salad days that can never be again as reality bites every morning when you shave before the bathroom mirror. But one can always rehash the pleasant slivers of those golden moments, during happy hours with the old college chums, or the rat pack from Bob Stewart’s RBS Channel 7 or ABS-CBN. Or through nostalgic concerts such as the ones I have been faithfully patronizing.

The most recent one I went to was Peter Noone’s of the Herman’s Hermits, again at the Big Dome. Admittedly, I was never a big fan of Herman and his Hermits, that British singing group that ruled the airwaves in the early 60s, but he is still representative of the era, and he had several good, danceable hits.

I was glad I made it to the concert with my wife Babes. The coliseum was not full to the rafters, but it was reasonably full, a decent turn-out. Well, Peter turned out to be quite a performer, even before he started on his hits. Incidentally, the front act was again the Bloomfields, an energetic bundle of young students from La Salle who belted out songs from the 50s like they were born into it. The first time I saw them was when they front acted for Gary Lewis and the Playboys a couple of months ago. In that show, they sang top favorites from the 60s, and they were such a hit. These kids are good.

Back to Peter of the Hermits. I thoroughly enjoyed his wry, self-deprecating humor. As soon as they checked in at the hotel, he had to mention the group’s name twice to the receptionist, who finally asked: Herman’s Hermits? Are they still alive?

He also commented happily on our propensity for getting aging foreign artists who were big stars in their era. We must be logging on to his favorite www.aretheystillalive.com. Well, if not for this, would we get the likes of The Lettermen and Andy Williams and the Zombies?

My top favorite for that night, though, was when he mentioned that his parents were actually celebrating their 60 something anniversary that very day. Then he reminisced that, on a particularly low day, his mom wanted a lift in spirits, and perhaps a boost to her aging body. She wanted a luxurious milk bath and ordered enough milk to fill up the tub. The milkman asked: pasteurized m’am? To which she replied, oh no, just up to my boobs.

The songs were, of course, fabulous. The guy’s voice has not aged. In fact, the guy himself can pass for 40-something, and with his sense of humor, I can see why. I had a great time singing along silently with him, but there was a guy who sat just a few seats in front of us who rocked and swayed unabashedly to the familiar tunes. That was also entertaining.

Well, Rex Smith and Santana are coming this month, and so is Paul Anka who is coming in May.

Rex Smith is the renowned balladeer who was last here in 2002. He is best remembered for his haunting love songs like You Take My Breath Away, Let’s Make a Memory and Could It Be Magic, among the many songs that were such hits here. Most of us don’t know that Rex even dabbled in movies (Pirates of Penzance with Kevin Kline), television, (Baywatch, Pacific Blue, etc.) and even theater. Such is the length and breadth of this man’s talents who started his recording career in his teens, as a rock-and-roll singer back in the 70’s. Rex matured as a singer, shed his pop idol image, and went on to greater heights as a multi-faceted artist.

He made his mark in the musical theater, notably West Side Story, Jesus Christ Superstar, Kiss Me Kate, and a host of other hits. Rex was also a stand-out in the Broadway original production of Grease for which he received rave reviews. That show marked his debut in Broadway and the newcomer was an instant hit in blasé, we’ve-seen-it-all Broadway.

Well, today is the day for all Rex Smith fans at the Big Dome courtesy of Steve O’Neal Productions with Danny Samonte on the reins. Tickets for Araneta Coliseum are priced at P2,000, P1,600, P1,200, P800, P500, P300, and P100 at Ticketnet Outlets in all SM Department Stores. Or buy directly from the Araneta Coliseum on the day itself, April 1. Or you may catch him at Hard Rock for the dinner show on April 2. For this, you can call 892-4661 to 64. Whichever day you choose, Rex promises a romantic evening of songs.

And who is not familiar with Santana? Gregg Rolie IS the original lead singer of this fabulous group, so you can be sure that you are not being lulled falsely into Santana-wannabes performing with a false name.

Gregg is the original founding member of the Santana, contributing principally to the group’s songwriting, arranging and producing. His unforgettable classics include Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, and the unparalleled Oye Como Va. That is the unmistakable voice of Gregg Rolie that you hear in those songs, at that time the group’s singing lead.

Gregg now does world tours, with Alphonso Johnson on Bass, Michael Carabello on Congas, Wally Minko on Keyboards, Kurt Griffey on Guitar, Adrian Areas on Timables, and Ron Wikso on drums. Most of these band players are original Santana players.

Gregg performs with his Santana group at the Araneta Coliseum on April 28. The following day, you can catch them at Clark Expo on April 29, and on April 30, the Iloilo folks will have the time of their lives when Gregg and the group perform at the SM Iloilo Carpark. Incidentally, if you are holders of the original tickets, your April 7 tickets will be valid for April 28, while the April 8 tickets will be honored on April 29. Araneta ticket prices are at P3,500, P3,000, P2,500, P1,500, P800 and P300.

Producer of the concert is Ovation Productions, the same outfit that produced the Beach Boys and Lettermen concerts at the Araneta Coliseum. Both were sold-out concerts. Renen de Guia of Ovation has been promoting concerts since the 70’s, bringing to Philippine shores the likes of Chicago, Sting, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Toto, Depeche Mode, and other foreign artists. Run together with his lovely wife Cel, Ovation has been making waves in the local concert scene.

Who’ll be the country’s numero uno poker player?

They now have 57 eligible players for the Main Event on April 29 and 30, 2006. This much-awaited event, the biggest Poker Tournament in the country, has attracted hordes of serious poker players vying for the championship title. The various winners of the satellite tournaments held at San Mig at Alabang Town Center, Valle Verde Country Club, Metro Walk in Pasig City, and at Rajah Park Hotel in Cebu City.

Due to unavoidable circumstances, Pagcor is requesting for a re-scheduling of the main event. The organizers, my brother Rey and his group, are a little uncomfortable with this as it might affect the credibility of the tournament. As a back-up arrangement, they have made reservations with Valle Verde Country Club for the use of its ballroom for the first day of the Main Event. For the second day, April 30, the venue need not be as big as there will only be a total of 30 finalists involved. For this, a smaller area at the Airport Casino may be utilized. Watch for further announcements.

Meanwhile, fantastic prizes are at stake in this, the biggest poker tournament in Philippine history. A total of P1,605,000 has been set aside for the top ten winners, and a distinctive gold Champion Bracelet awaits the grand champion.

Poker is a game of skill, intelligence, resource management, judgment and infinite patience – qualities inherent to many Pinoys, so why not a Piuoy World Poker Champion?

Mabuhay!!! Be proud to be a Filipino.

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