The CompanY they keep

Many thought The CompanY’s 20th anniversary concert would no longer happen. But they were mistaken. After an avalanche of odds that seemed insurmountable, The CompanY survived and went on to stage its 20th anniversary concert. It was a smash hit.

As confirmed by CCP employees, not since Cameron Macintosh’s Philippine run of the international hit musicale – Miss Saigon has the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines been that filled to the rafters. CompanY20 was the hottest ticket and show in town that weekend (in spite of the stiff competition from Nina at the Araneta Coliseum and MYMP at the Music Museum). It was only then that the CCP board of officers decided to install four additional rows on the orchestra pit area. Within one day, those 117 coveted additional seats also sold out. The CompanY presented a stunning performance that was a crossbreed between musical theater and conventional pop concert, a fusion of high brow performance art with snippets of jolog fare. The performance was a showcase of the group’s impeccable vocal virtuosity, brilliant versatility and razor sharp wit.

The CompanY ran the gamut of material in its CompanY20 show: ‘40s swing music, Stephen Sondheim showstoppers, choral masterpieces by Bach and Tchaikovsky, pop standards, a cappella tour de force numbers, vaudevillian novelty numbers, a slew of CompanY original pop hits, electronica and dance music and recycled pop hits.

The CompanY was definitely in good company that evening with a stellar line-up of certified concert and television stars weaving in and out of the show in cameo roles. In top form that evening were Ai-Ai de Las Alas, Regine Velasquez, Jose Mari Chan, Nanette Inventor, Erik Santos, Anna Fegi, Aiza Seguerra, TUX, Ayen and Franco Laurel, Eugene Villaluz, past members of The CompanY (i.e. Meus Bartolome, Tom Calisterio, Carol Diaz and Tetet Tolentino), and the G Force Dancers. Of course, I also helped out my wards as I introduced The CompanY’s stage alter ego – Ang Tapsi Ni Vivan Chorale and Ploklorik Troupe.

CompanY20 took two years to prepare and it was a labor of love for everyone involved. Kudos goes out to director Floy Quintos, writer-arranger Moy Ortiz, musical director Beth Martin, costume designer and CompanY20 costume exhibit presentor Danilo Franco, choreographers James Laforteza and Georcelle Dapat of G Force, production manager Peggy Sangco and the officers, management and staff of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Special thanks also goes to the CCP, Erlinda Quintos and Beth Martin for deciding to finance and salvage this dream concert. The CompanY’s online community also known as the CompanionS also financed and produced a commemorative CompanY20 magazine/programme.

At the end of the evening, The CompanY was awarded two jubilant standing ovations by the jam-packed main theater.

Simultaneously, The CompanY also found its brand-new album perched on the No. 3 slot of Tower Records’/M1’s charts. Its new album entitled The CompanY – The AnthologY is a first-of-its-kind CD box set released by Viva Records. This double disc release contains most of The CompanY’s original hits, unreleased tracks, rarities, jingles, remixes, radio edits and interviews and complete videography.

The limited run of The AnthologY’s accompanying 44-page book easily sold out and even left the members of The CompanY without copies. A second printing of the book is scheduled.

Sadly, the concert CompanY20 also marked the departure of two members. Andre Castillo decided to migrate and join his entire family in America while Reuben Laurente opted to start his solo career.

The group has taken in a new member – Jay Marquez, a jingle producer and composer and former member of the Noisy Neighbors and the Q&A Band. The CompanY has also decided to reconfigure themselves as a vocal quintet (five members).

The CompanY is composed of Moy Ortiz, Annie Quintos, Cecile Bautista, Sweet Plantado and Jay Marquez. It is managed by Backroom, Inc. For details on The CompanY, visit thecompanysingers.com.