Skin care for the stars

Celebrities always complain of their hectic schedules. They always lament that they don’t have precious moments to relax and pamper themselves. "And because of this, my skin just gets worse and worse everyday!" says one sexy star. "Kaya nga minsan, nagdadala na lang ako ng kung anu-anong products sa taping so that while I’m waiting for my takes, I just put them on and take care of my skin."

But here’s the real scoop: the skincare spotted at numerous TV studios and sets is none other than Extraderm. And why not? It was created by skin care experts at the Splash Research Institute, composed of top-notch Filipino dermatologists to suit the problems of Filipina skin.

Extraderm recently kicked off its mall tour which I hosted at SM City Fairview. We will then go to SM Pampanga on Oct. 5, SM City Manila on Oct. 12 and SM Southmall on Oct. 26. Joining me are my Etc. co-host Tintin Bersola and young star Anne Curtis with Bridge band and other surprise guests providing entertainment. Besides these, the Extraderm Fresh Face mall tour showcases a whole day of skin-pampering for mall goers with free beauty and skin care treatments (ranging from facial massages as well as on-the-spot skin analysis and consultations) from the country’s top skin care experts. Also in store are exciting raffles and games.

Personally, I can’t do without Extraderm’s Clarifying Lotion which is perfect for quick clean-ups during the day especially when I am stressed. Tintin, on the other hand, swears by Extraderm Exfoliant No. 2 and its lightweight sunblock cream. I wouldn’t blame her. Did you notice how fabulous she looks?

Ogie’s winning formula

Life would have been different if Ogie Alcasid were six feet tall. He would probably have been a basketball player like Idelfonso or a ramp model like Jon Hall. Thank God, he is who he is for what is Philippine pop music without his songs like Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang? Sing-along bars would be deprived of the Ogie Alcasid songs that have become favorites. Ogie is a prolific songwriter, having composed over 50 songs, many of which have become chart busting hits.

Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang, Sa Kanya, Mahal Kita Walang Iba, Pangako, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Dito sa Puso Ko, Ikaw Sana, Sa Kanya are among Ogie’s biggest hits. He has also composed songs for his friends in the recording industry who have nothing but praises for Ogie da Pogi.

Regine Velasquez says, "Ogie is like my lucky charm. In fact, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw is still doing very well." R&B band Freestyle reveals that Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang, a song originally done by Ogie which became a tremendous hit for them, is "One of the most well-loved songs of all time. It is an immortal song." Meanwhile, Side A attests that Nais Ko, a song penned by Ogie is a "very beautiful song. It is one of the best that has ever come out in the music industry."

The reasons for Ogie’s success in songwriting is varied. Megastar Sharon Cuneta (she interpreted Ogie’s Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga) says, "In my opinion, Ogie is one of the most talented composers in the country today. He’s a great singer pa. His songs are real, may puso in their simplicity. He’s like the new generation Rey Valera." Piolo Pascual, who recorded Ogie’s Ikaw Ang Buhay Ko Kailangan Kita confesses that he has "so much respect for Ogie. He puts so much passion in his work." And Ayen Laurel, who interpreted Ogie’s composition Bawat Gabi says it’s because "Ogie writes with his heart. It’s amazing how his lyrics flow with his melody. It’s haunting with a unique kind of mystery."

Ogie himself confesses writing a hit song is indeed a mystery. "There is no formula. In fact, I am always skeptical when I write. I always need a second, third and sometimes fourth opinion. A song is about timing. When I write, the melody comes first. You know they say that in composing, ‘melody is king’ kasi yun’ ang unang na-a-appreciate. And when you mix a nice melody with great lyrics, panalo ka."

Ogie says the longest time he wrote a song was about two weeks while the shortest time was eight minutes. "Natapos ko yung Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw in eight minutes. Tuloy-tuloy kasi ’yun eh. I was commissioned by Regine. So, ginawa ko siya. Noong sinulat ko nga, babae pa ang boses na nasa utak ko. I imagined Regine singing it."

Ogie has also written songs for Pops Fernandez (Ikaw Na Nga Kaya), Tootsie Guevarra (Pangako) and Manilyn Reynes (Kulang Pa Ba). But what will he do if he were commissioned by politicians to write or produce songs for them? He says he’s already got some in mind, like for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, it would have to be Binigay Ko Ang Lahat "because she really is giving it all." To Sen. Franklin Drilon, it would be Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang while for Sen. Robert Jaworski, it would be My Way. To Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, he says Ikaw Naman Ngayon would be perfect for him. To Sen. Juan Flavier, it would be Nandito Ako "because he reminds me of myself – pareho kaming short but we are very sincere with our work." To Sen. Ralph Recto, it would be Ako’y Batangueño and to Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, We Are The Champions. To lady Senators Legarda and Aquino-Oreta, they would have to be I Believe I Can Fly and Don’t Judge Me, respectively.

Now I don’t know if he would sing these songs in his upcoming concert. You’d have to buy a ticket to find out!

OA Sa Hits is produced by Viva Records with Regine Velasquez, Side A, Freestyle and Cassanova and the Hotlegs as guests. Musical direction is by Mark Lopez while Louie Ignacio stage directs.