A never-ending love story

You could say that Ogie Alcasid has become a mastermind when it comes to songs about love – make that songs about different kinds of love.

"I’m now identified as someone who writes love songs," he states. "Of late, my songwriting has leaned toward different love songs so I might as well play the part."

And he has been playing the part rather well, churning out chartbusters not just for himself but for other artists as well. For his newest Viva album, Mga Kuwento ng Pag-Ibig, which has turned gold barely a month after its release, Ogie waxed his own versions of his past compositions popularized by other singers like Kailangan Kita, initially performed by Gary Valenciano and Piolo Pascual; Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka, sung by Regine Velasquez as a solo and as a duet with Ogie; Lumilipad, which Ogie wrote for Rufa Mae Quinto for her Super B soundtrack; and Pangako Ko Sa’Yo, which became a much-requested wedding song after it was recorded by its original singer, Tootsie Guevarra.

Ogie’s songs have always been embraced by music lovers as part of the soundtrack of their own cinematic lives. What’s the secret of an Ogie song? What about it strikes a chord among Pinoys? What makes it so unique?

"I don’t know," the songwriter himself replies, genuinely surprised. "I’m not sure. I think it has a certain heaviness to it. It’s sort of angst-y. The songs that I really enjoy singing are the ones with a lot of angst in them. If it‘s just a happy song, okey lang. But if it’s full of angst, I tend to appreciate it more."

And Pinoy music lovers certainly appreciate Ogie’s songs.

"I guess it‘s because all of us have gone through those feelings at one point or another in our lives," he elaborates. "And they understand the language. They understand the song’s message."

Filipino music lovers have nurtured an intense love affair with Ogie the hitmaker for the past 15 years, and yet he is showing no signs of slowing down, of letting up.

In fact, he will mount the Araneta Coliseum stage for the nth time tonight with a special anniversary concert billed as OA At Fifteen. He will be joined by Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Piolo Pascual, Kyla, Jaya, Janno Gibbs, Michael V, Antonio Aquitaña, Wendell Ramos, Francis Magalona, Dingdong Avanzado, Salbakuta, Sarah Geronimo, Manilyn Reynes and Rico J. Puno.

"I am very excited with this concert because this is the culmination of my 15 years of hard work and determination," Ogie says enthusiastically. "After 15 years in the business, I think I’ve become more giving as a performer. Whether it’s a small or a big venue, I always give my all. I never take for granted the fact that mine is a wonderful job! And I’ve learned never to let my desire as a performer burn out. It’s the one thing that keeps me going."

Indeed, it’s a never-ending love story – that, in sum, is Ogie’s enduring romance with the listening public. It’s fervent and yes, forever, too.

Avia Launch Avia, a leading American sports performance footwear brand has now entered the Philippine market.

Since its inception in 1979, Avia has continued to fly high with its breakthrough designs in athletic footwear. The footwear brand was established by American entrepreneur Jerry Stubblefield in Oregon. While flying on a jet, Stubblefield thought of the word "avia" – derived from the Latin term meaning "to fly" – and used it as a brand name for a sports shoe to suggest aviation.

Stubblefield and his son Don, an engineering graduate from Stanford, developed shoe designs that revolutionized athletic footwear. The father and son tandem created many innovative shoe designs, such as the widely imitated cantilever sole, which helped make Avia an industry leader.

Due to the strength of the Stubblefields’ creative vision, Avia broke into the basketball market and signed up professional basketball giants like Robert Parish, John Stockton, Scottie Pippen, Jerome Kersey, Clyde Dexter, Robert Pack and Dell Curry.

Today, Avia is one of the top 10 sports and athletic footwear brands in the US. It ranks sixth in both running and cross-training categories and fourth in walking.

Avia has become popular worldwide. It continues to be a strong sports shoe competitor in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Canada, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Italy, Germany, Ireland, England, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Greece, South Africa, Switzerland, Poland, Turkey, Israel and Denmark.

Avia is sure to become a favorite of Pinoy athletes, sports enthusiasts and fashionistas now that it has landed on the Philippine market. Avia will be launched tomorrow, Oct. 11 at the Podium mall, 6 p.m. via an exciting show featuring its endorser Aubrey Miles.