Ogie on a creative high

Those who thought singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid had a banner year in 2002 are in for a big surprise. From the looks of it, the best is yet to come for Ogie in 2003.

The prodigious music-maker, in fact, welcomes the new year with fireworks – specifically, with a "Valentine" concert series, OA sa Puso, set at Onstage in Greenbelt Makati, starting today, to Feb. 15.

OA sa Puso is expected to repeat (10 times over) the huge accomplishment of OA sa Hits, Ogie’s much-hailed Araneta Coliseum concert last year. (The live CD of OA sa Hits was released by Viva Records recently).

Although Ogie is on pins and needles, he remains determined to enjoy every minute of the concert series. His only expectation for the Onstage show is to have fun.

Fans, for their part, are expecting Ogie to perform his biggest hits – an impressive body of work that spans 15 years of inspired music.

Ogie, in fact, is now basking in the "second" glory of a once-neglected, newly-revitalized songwriting career.

Since he was busy with other (multi-media) concerns, Ogie’s songwriting was pushed to the back burner for a while.

"It was as if I myself forgot that I could write songs," Ogie relates, half-joking."I took it for granted."

The turning point came in the form of two Ogie classics, Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang? and Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw.

Ogie looks back: Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang? is a song Pops Fernandez and I always do in our shows together. So when she had a concert with Freestyle, she suggested that they sing a duet of Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?"

A monster radio, hit, that song reminded everyone (from listeners to producers) that Ogie was not only a gifted singer’ he was also a brilliant songwriter.

Regine Velasquez was among those who rediscovered Ogie the musicmaker. The Songbird asked him to whip up a song that would serve as the theme of her movie with Robin Padilla. The result was, of course, the platinum-minted Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw.

That started the ball rolling again for the prolific songwriter.

Before he knew it, a bunch of artists started reviving his songs and just as many began hounding Ogie for new songs. The likes of Gary Valenciano, Piolo Pascual, Rufa Mae Quinto, Ayen Munji-Laurel, Karylle, and Zsa Zsa Padilla are but some of the more recent recipients of Ogie’s songs.

From all indications, it seems Ogie is experiencing an all-time creative high, the most fruitful stage of his songwriting career. His latest creation, in fact, is Kailangan Kita, the theme song of the hit Star Cinema movie starring Aga Muhlach and Claudine Barretto.

"Well, yes, I am inspired by the overwhelming response of people to create even more songs," Ogie admits.

New technology also gave him a big push.

"My new phone (which has a recorder) helps me in my songwriting," he reveals. "Whenever a good idea crops up, I sing to it and record it immediately. Then I just get back to it when I’m working."

Usually, he begins with the chorus and tackles the verses and melody at the same time.

"As they say, melody is king," Ogie expounds. "The hook is in the chorus. That’s what people remember."

He normally does all his songwriting chores late at night, after 12 midnight. "While my wife Michelle and two daughters Leila and Sarah are sleeping, I go to my music room and work on my songs, he says.

That he reads musical notes slowly and isn’t a formally- trained composer, Ogie believes, actually help him in the creative process.

"Since I don’t have the technical knowledge, I just go by how I feel. I think it has become and advantage for me," he declares.

Among all of his compositions, Ogie considers Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang? and Kung Mawawala Ka two of his favorites.

Among other music-makers, he looks up to George Canseco and Rey Valera.

"Canseco because there is no one else who writes like him," Ogie elaborates. "He writes in beautiful Tagalog. And Valera is very significant. I think a lot of my style, a huge chunk of it, is Valera-inspired. It’s simple and pure."

Among the contemporary and younger music-makers, Ogie singles out Wency Cornejo as a kindred spirit.

A case in point: If there is a song he wished he wrote, it is the one Wency Cornejo popularized, Habang May Buhay.

Ogie promises to sing his classics, the very best from his ‘arsenal’ in the OA sa Puso concert series.

With the triumph of OA sa Hits and the anticipated success of OA sa Puso, Ogie is now touted as the "Other Concert King," a worthy successor and rival to reigning royals Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano.

Quite frankly, Ogie is not comfortable with this development.

"I don’t like it at all," he professes. "I don’t believe in those titles anyway. I was really shocked when I first learned about it. Where did that come from? Feeling ko, I am just starting that I’ve only just begun. That I am just scratching the surface."

Even though he has logged in 15 years in the biz, he surmises he still a long way to go.

Indeed, the best is yet to come for Ogie. If 2002 was a big year, will 2003 be an even bigger year for the "Other Concert King?"

"It’s going to be crazier," Ogie quips.

OA sa Puso goes on live at Onstage in Greenbelt Makati starting tonight. Other show dates are Feb. 8, 13, 14 and 15. Special guests are Kyla and Karylle (Feb. 7 and 8), Jaya (Feb. 13, 14 and 15) and the Hotlegs, with the special participation of the Sex Balls on Feb. 13 and 15. For ticket information call Viva Concerts at 413-2572.