Will you vote for Mitch after watching Mitch-ing? - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

Mitch Valdes is a world-class entertainer. As a human being, she is a class of her own. Her laughter is so hearty and so worldly that it is enough to convince the armed rebels in Mindanao to lay down their arms. I’m sure her voice will soothe the weary spirits of the soldiers fighting this inane, despicable war in the South. Her exquisite reading of The Rose never fails to make me cry. Mitch always reminds me of Bette Midler in the movie For the Boys.

Mitch’s life story is an operatic aria that you will hear in each song she sings, in each concert she does. It is an aria only she can perform. Mitch is simply divine. And you don’t call her a diva – there are too many of them. Call her Mitch. When she opens her mouth and sings her first line or cracks her first joke and when the spotlight hits her, look at her closely, you’ll see the crown she wears. Take note of how it sparkles – like the bejeweled crown of true blue royalty. The only difference is that, Mitch’s is a halo of jewels she wears forever.

The other day, I got a short note from Mitch about a live show she’s doing at the Music Museum on April 27 and 28. It’s called Mitch-ing de Abanse and it is produced by Soundscape Entertainment. Moralists and guardians of propriety, I presume, are invited at their own risk. Musical director is Lorrie Ilustre.

Why Mitch-ing de Abanse? It’s election time and every political candidate, from the inspired to the insipid, must have a miting-de-avance – the last cry, the final declaration about one’s political mission or aberration. Mitch has no political agenda. She says she’s tired of politics. She simply wants peace and like most of us, she wants to get on with her life. But in Mitch-ing de Abanse, she will sing and talk about her platform of good governance. "I live in San Juan for heaven’s sake. But I also want to push for a good life. It’s about time and Filipinos deserve it."

Mitch knows from whereof she speaks. As president of OPM (Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit), she has tirelessly worked for the welfare of the Filipino entertainer. She has fought for her causes relentlessly for life has not always been easy for Mitch and the Filipino singer. She took a very strong, political stand during precarious political upheavals – displaying a strength of character and courage to sing songs and speak words that defied abusive, oppressive tyrants.

In the show, Mitch will also talk about the Pinoy. The good and the bad about us. "But I’m always optimistic. We have a good track record of doing what is right, even if sometimes we do things photo finish." Mitch will celebrate the Pinoy charm, she will also parody our character flaws and strengths. Mitch promises a lot of Pinoyisms all throughout the show. "I’m a diehard Pinoy," she would often quip, "with an international soul reflected in my music."

I’m looking forward to a portion of the show where Mitch, as a campaign manager, would create and sing jingles that would highlight the packaging of earnest political candidates.

She will also pay tribute to Pinoy singers and celebrities. In her previous outings, this portion of the show never failed to make audiences laugh and relax – including the overly paranoid, the sexually starved and the morally disturbed few who sneak into shows like Mitch-ing de Abanse.

And Mitch-ing de Abanse will delve into women’s obsession on beauty and youth. Listen to Mitch’s lamentation: "Why do women undergo slicing and vacuuming of flesh to look good? We have mature women trying to look like nymphets and nymphets trying to look like Sophia Loren. Have you turned on the TV set lately? Everyone has the same breasts! Huge! Dati, kami lang ni Rachel (Alejandro) and Armida (Siguion-Reyna). Now, we’re petite. At the end of the show, credits should go, ‘Hair and make-up by Fanny Serrano. Breasts by Vicky Belo."

Catch Mitch-ing de Abanse at the Music Museum. I wouldn’t blame you if at the end of Mitch-ing you’d be raring to go out and vote for Mitch.

In my heart Mitch Valdes will always be a world-class winner.