‘Stupid’ in an artistic way

It’s not every day that pop stars get to shine on the CCP stage. As such, when the Cultural Center of the Philippines thought of putting up a different kind of musical revue, the country’s topnotch pop stars readily accepted the invitation – albeit, with a little trepidation.

The CCP is going pop in a grand fashion – with the year’s most hotly anticipated musical event, entitled Something Stupid. . . Called Love!, starting tonight and March 1. Described as a "concert with a story," the musical extravaganza boasts of the local pop scene’s brightest stars: Soul Princess Kyla, power voice Dessa, high-caliber vocal group The CompanY, talented balladeer RJ Rosales, and manic comic Jon Santos.

Needless to say, these pop stars are determined to measure up to the challenge that the CCP presents to every artist.

Dessa promises "to give my very best. Like in all my performances, I’ll give my all. As much as possible, I’ll be present in all the rehearsals. It’s because I’m also tense about it," she chuckles throatily.

"I’m also very nervous about it," The CompanY’s Moy Ortiz says. "That’s why I will really go beyond the call of duty. I don’t mean to sound pushy, but I will really encourage everyone to attend all the rehearsals. I really want the show to work."

The CompanY’s Cecille Bautista concurs: "It’s outside our comfort zone." She jests, "we’ve psyched ourselves up. We’ve prepared ourselves. We’ve come to terms with the fact that we’d look stupid onstage."

"But we look stupid in an artistic way," The CompanY’s Annie Quintos chimes in. "Looking at the concept and the work load, this show reminds me of the work we used to do in the early ’90s, when we used to do a lot of little operattas, funny 20-minute skits in the middle of our concerts. We did a little acting and singing in them."

Annie, however, is quick to point out: "But this is a full-blown thing. That’s why it feels good to have Jon Santos and the other artists there. And to have Dennis Marasigan to direct us."

Annie waxes optimistic: "I am looking forward to it, but I am also a little apprehensive because it is something unfamiliar to us."

"Hopefully, the nervous energy will pull us through," Moy crosses his fingers.

The CompanY’s Reuben Laurente affirms that performing at the CCP gives him a different kind of high: "It’s very fulfilling.To get the approval of the CCP crowd, it is the ultimate affirmation for us. It makes us feel like real artists."

The CompanY’s Sweet Plantado, who started in theater (at the CCP’s Tanghalang Pilipino, in fact) knows very well just how finicky the CCP audience is.

"They’re familiar with operas and ballets," Sweet confirms. "But with this show, we aim to offer something different. This will be part of the National Arts Festival, which started this February. We hope to show people that there is more to the arts than just ballet and piano recitals."

RJ, who has performed on the best stages in Singapore, Australia, and the United States, considers this CCP show a thrilling homecoming of sorts. "It’s my privilege, an honor to perform at the CCP."

That’s precisely why he is willing to give his vey best to make this show a success. "As usual, I am determined to give 100 percent. To practice nonstop. Especially since the songs I will be doing are quite challenging. I’ll be singing This is the Moment, from the musical Jekyll and Hyde, the signature song of Martin Nievera."

Dessa, for her part, will be given the chance to go mellow with such songs as On My Own and I Needed Someone New In My Life.

"People expect me to belt all the time," Dessa declares, "but with this show, I’ll show them a different side of me as a performer."

Kyla will also be allowed to showcase her versatility, says Rado’s Jason Alvarez. "She’s not just the usual ingenue. She’ll be singing a slightly naughty song, Enough is Enough, the Barbra Streisand-Donna Summers duet."

Presenting a show like this, a show that allows pop artists to strut their stuff in the country’s premier theater, Jason reiterates, "also allows the CCP to attract a younger market."

Jon Santos agrees, Jon, in fact, finds himself being drawn more and more to the CCP.

"I’ve discovered that so many of my schoolmates in UP ended up in the CCP, in the different department there," Jon relates. "I end up going there, not only to watch their projects, but also to have meetings with them there."

Soon enough, it became a matter of bridging their two worlds. "How to combine what I do and they do, in order to make a piece worthy of the CCP. We wanted to CCP-ify my stand-up comedy act."

Jon welcomes this opportunity to expand his horizons. "In this show, for instance, pop artists will be featured in a show that will be mount in the national theater."

The CCP’s own Dennis Marasigan is enthusiastic about this collaboration between high and pop art.

KES alumni homecoming

The Kamuning Elementary School (KES) is holding its first Grand Alumni Homecoming tomorrow (March 1) at the Kamuning Elementary School Campus with Northern Samar Governor and former Congress Deputy Speaker Raul Daza as guest speaker. Registration starts 3:30 pm. Admission is free.

The program includes the awarding of Outstanding Alumni Awards to distinguished KES Alumni: Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas, Commissioner of Civil Service Commission Jose Erestain Jr., Northern Samar Governor Raul Daza, former Monte de Piedad Savings Bank president Fidel Abeleda, former Land Bank of the Philippines executive vice president Reynaldo Gregorio, Retired General Juanito Acquias, former Quezon City Councilor Bayani Hipol, Union Square Enterprises general manager Jose Leo Caparas and singing doctor Nonoy Zuñiga who will also participate in honoring the retired teachers of KES with a musical program.