They did it for Sweet

The CompanY, as always, never fails to amaze the crowd in spite of the surge of new singers and various genres in the Philippine music industry.

Recently, the quintet performed at the Bread From Heaven Community Church at the Shangri-La Mall in Mandaluyong City to raise funds for the ailing father of member Sweet Plantado.

Indeed, not only does the group sing in beautiful harmony, the members also work together for such a worthy cause.

"From the bottom of my heart, and on behalf of my family, thank you," an emotional Sweet told the crowd, and each of her colleagues — Annie Quintos, Moy Ortiz, Jay Marquez and Cecile Bautista — after the show.

But long before she turned into a cry baby, Sweet was in full performance level, swaying her dress side to side, and reaching the high notes that perfected each song they performed for the night.

As part of promoting the group’s latest offering for the summer season, Destination: Bossa album, the almost-22-year-old The CompanY sang most of the cuts from the said CD, such as Your Smiling Face (of James Taylor), Souvenirs (Voyage), the Police’s Every Little Thing (He) Does Is Magic, La Isla Bonita and Summer Breeze, their opening number.

It also performed hits, like Muntik Na Kitang Minahal, sung by Cecile and Pakisabi Na Lang, which Jay sang equally well as original singer and former member Andre Castillo did.

Another hit, Everlasting Love, so touched the audience. Sweet and Moy sang it for the former’s parents and husband.

If at times her singing is overwhelmed by her emotions, Annie was very good at picking up where Sweet couldn’t utter a lyric or a note anymore.

The night was not just a sentimental one though.

As expected, the chorus brought out its extraordinary skills as far as arranging songs is concerned, no matter how basic or standard or modern they are.

It was surreal but amazing to listen to their version of the Alphabet Song (English and Filipino) and the Black Eyed Peas’ My Humps.

The former was very sexy. It sounded like Ara Mina’s Ayayay Pag-Ibig, while the latter sounded as though one was inside an opera house.

Truly, it was a showcase of the CompanY’s expertise in classical music and theater.

Aiza Seguerra, one of the guests, was warmly applauded with her acoustic version of By Heart (of Jim Brickman).

She later joined the CompanY when they did a Beatles’ medley, rocking her heart out.

Another guest, Roden Araneta, former contender of ABS-CBN’s Clown In A Million, served as front act, bringing the "church" down with his unique comic antics and surprisingly wide-ranging singing voice. He belted Ogie Alcasid’s Kailangan Kita.

In an instance, all of us in the audience were subjected to Roden’s "pang-gu-good time." He asked us to stand up not for any religious or patriotic rite, but just because he just wanted us to.

We’ve been had!

Nevertheless, except for one sound box that encountered problems towards the end of the show, it was another feat the CompanY can claim triumph for.

As always, the group is a delight to listen to. You will never get bored when the members deliver spiels because we are talking about intelligent musicians.

Thank you, my friend, Tamaki Kurita, for the "CompanY" experience.