Ogie sings for a cause

Ogie Alcasid starts his birthday month with a concert at the Batangas Sports Complex on Aug. 7.

The City of Batangas is very close to Ogie’s heart. "My mother is from Taal, and as a kid I used to spend my summer vacation in my grandmother’s house here. I also got married in Taal, so I really consider it my home, next to Manila," he said.

The concert is produced by Taal Charms Foundation. Proceeds from the show will be utilized for the restoration of the 150-year old Taal Basilica which is also known as the Basilica of San Martin de Tours.Taal-Charm stands for Taal-Church Historical and Authentic Restoration Movement Foundation Inc.

Located in the heart of Taal the Basilica, the church was initially built by Father Diego Espina in 1575 in San Nicolas. It was destroyed after a volcanic eruption in 1754. It was rebuilt at the present site in 1755, but was destroyed by another earthquake in 1849. Construction of the present church started in 1856 which was supervised by architect, Lucina Oliver.

The Basilica of San Martin de Tours is said to be the biggest church in East Asia. Unfortunately, is slowly deteriorating and is in great need of a major renovation. Alarmed by its state, a group of concerned Taaleños banded together to preserve and conserve the Basilica. Thus, the Taal-Church Historical and Authentic Restoration Movement or Taal-Charm was born. The movement started in 1987 but the restoration has not been fully undertaken due to financial constraints.

The concert is one of the many fund- raising projects of the movement. Billed Ogie Alcasid Live in Batangas City, the show features the songwriter’s best loved hits as well as his new compositions. The audience can look forward to an evening of emotional songs which includes Ogie’s hits like Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang, Kailangan Kita and his latest single Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala from his soap series Hanggang Kailan. The show’s special guest is Regine Velasquez.

Fresh from the successful US concert tour, The Songbird and The Songwriter, a back-to-back concert with Regine, Ogie promises a memorable evening of fine music for Batangas. "I always like my concerts simple, with no special effects. Just good music. I know people come and watch my shows because they like my music," he says.

Aside from mounting concerts, Ogie is a mainstay of SOP and Bubble Gang. He is also a noted hit-maker and album producer. He has produced Piolo Pascual’s two successful albums and is working on an album for Jaya.

For tickets and sponsorship inquiries for Ogie Alcasid Live in Batangas City, call Asia On Stage Inc. at tel. no. 633-2095 or 634-6913.