Bobby is right: Not goodbye but ‘see you again!’

It was hell. I was scheduled to meet Bobby Barreiro in his Makati Office. I had decided to say goodbye. I was moving to ABS-CBN. Even on that hellish moment, Bobby was a friend. He was so kind, I wanted to change my mind. The big smile was there, although it hinted a bit of pain which I of course caused. And he looked at me straight in the eye, and listened intently to my story. Bobby knew that I had made up my mind. And he understood. And he made me feel alright.

We talked about things I don’t remember anymore. We were in a huge conference room with a long table and huge chairs where important people talk about the fate of programs and stars. It was like talking to a friend you have wronged inside a church.

Bobby made it easy for me. He knew I was struggling in pain from within the confused corners of my heart and mind. I wanted to cry. But I was afraid Bobby might have thought I had secret carnal desires for him. I held back. I was totally devastated. I could not possibly hurt the feelings of the man who got me into television. But he saw the bigger picture. And he understood. He wished me good luck and I will never forget what he told me at the end of our conversation.

"Boy, let’s not say goodbye, let’s just say, see you again." You are so right, Bobby. We ran and walked in the same circles. We crossed the narrow paths of our lives. We remained friends. The times I saw Bobby in the three years I have been with ABS-CBN, nothing changed. Mr. Bob remained the Bobby I knew. I realized how good a man, how good a friend Bobby Barreiro is.

Salamat, Bobby! Journeys of the Heart

For all this many triumphs in show business, most notably in the theater, Cocoy Laurel pretty much keeps a low profile. Outside of his family and close circle of friends, his public would assume he is still in some part of the world doing Miss Saigon, the Cameron Mackintosh that has brought him – and his countrymen – much to be proud of, including some exceptional notices from such publishing institutions as the Sydney Morning Herald which described his turn as the Engineer in the Australian production of the award-winning musical as "rich in subversive humor."

But, yes. Cocoy has been in town for the most part since ending his Miss Saigon run in the later part of the 1990s. Apart from his Music Museum foray some months ago, however, he has kept himself well outside the usual show business madness, busying himself with his other passions that include painting. "It’s another avenue for self-expression that I like to lose myself into," he says with a radiant smile, then adds half-jestingly, "And also, I already owe so many people who have been asking me for the longest time to do something for them."

As a way of thanking God and all the people who have been so very loving and supportive of Cocoy throughout the years, Cocoy is holding a concert, Journeys of the Heart, at the NBC Tent Fort Bonifacio today under the direction of Douglas Nierras with Ian Monsod as musical director and Leo Rialp as set designer. According to Cocoy, the concert reflects the journeys – emotional, intellectual and spiritual – he has been through and the wisdom he has picked along the way. His repertoire includes Traveling Boy, Once Upon a Time, Let’s Fly Away, La Vie En Rose, Eleanor Rigby, Lumayo Ka Man Sa Akin, Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko. "There will also be lots of surprises that are not included in the list of songs that we’ve released to the media."

Journeys of the Heart will have as guests Powerdance and the Madrigal Singers.

NU 107 Summer Shebang

This summer is hot but make it hotter by partying with NU 107 Home of New Rock’s Summer Shebang on April 27, 3 p.m. onwards at The Fort Global City. The NU 107 Summer Shebang is an all-day, all-play outdoor party, kicking off with wall-climbing contests, a skateboarding competition by the country’s top skaters, a kite-flying clinic, car displays and loads of games. There’ll also be a concert by bands that will play punk/ska, rapcore, metal and "stuff so new we haven’t categorized it yet," says Ron Titular, the network’s operations head. Among the bands who confirmed their appearance in this event are Sandwich, Battery, Brownbeat All-Stars, Imago, Jeepney, Joyride, Moyg, Neighbors, Cheese, Chico Science, Rayyn, Cynthia Alexander, Badburn, Pin-up Girls, Monsterbot, Itchyworms, Fatal Posporos, Chernobyl, Ciudad and new, unsigned bands culled from NU 107’s radio show In The Raw.

There will be a live coverage of the event provided by Progressive Broadcasting Network’s edgy new TV station unTV on UHF Channel 37 and on Home and Destiny Cable Channel 59.

For more information, keep tuning in to NU 107.