Rex Smith back for concert in February

The excitement and euphoria of the Christmas holidays have hardly vanished when the happy and exhilarating mood of another big, red-letter event in the social (and entertainment) calendar — Valentine’s Day — is already almost upon us.

For countless merry-makers and joy-seekers, the celebratory atmosphere is expected to continue and intensify as the countdown to Feb. 14 slowly ticks by for the universal observance of the season of love through a variety of commemorative activities and events.

The loveless and the lovelorn may scoff at it as “corny,” but to love-struck couples and the hopelessly romantic, nothing can be more loverly than an exchange of Valentine’s greeting cards (now being gradually replaced by instant, real-time text messages), the obligatory offering of a spray of roses to one’s lady love, an intimate dinner for two at a first-class restaurant or hotel, and an entertainment event (preferably a movie or a concert)  to cap the much-anticipated celebration.

For those on the lookout for musical events where they can treat their loved ones on this special day, a cinch to be an early favorite on the list of “must-see” shows is the forthcoming concert of Rex Smith, the American singing sensation behind the hit, Simply Jessie, who will return next month for a series of performances that will be highlighted by a major show on Feb. 15 at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City.

Upcoming singer Olivia will be featured as special guest.

Other shows in the multi-city concert series billed as From Rex With Love and  to be mounted by Steve O’Neal Productions are slated on Feb. 9 at Casino Filipino, Angeles City; Feb. 10, Casino Filipino, Tagaytay City; Feb. 13, Davao Convention Center, Davao City; and Feb. 14, Cebu Parklane International Hotel, Cebu City.

Smith is also scheduled to perform on Feb. 20 aboard a cruise ship of Star Cruises.

From Rex With Love will reunite Smith with his legions of Pinoy fans almost two years after his successful two-night summer concert in April 2006 at the Araneta Coliseum and at the Hard Rock Café in Makati City.

It will also mark Smith’s second Valentine performance in Manila in eight years since his SRO debut concert here in February 2000, also at the Big Dome.

Music enthusiasts are expected to rekindle that old romantic feeling as Smith performs — aside from Simply Jessie — a repertoire of other memorable  love songs and romantic ballads, like Forever, You Take My Breath Away, Let’s Make A Memory, Foolish Heart, Everlasting Love, Could It Be Magic, Speechless, Don’t Give Up On Us, Everybody Have Fun, and many more.

Fans will also be treated to a selection of the classic hits performed by Smith as lead actor in Broadway and off-Broadway productions, including Grease!, West Side Story, Phantom Of The Opera and Pirates Of Penzance.

Starting out as a rock and roll singer in the ’70s, the Jacksonville (Florida)-born artist had stints in a band called Rex and with Ted Nugent and toured with groups like Foreigner, Boston, AC/DC and Tom Petty.

He gained public attention as a teen idol whose stunning good looks landed him regularly on the pages of  16  and Tiger Beat magazines.

In  1979, he scored a hit single from the TV movie, Sooner Or Later, titled You Take My Breath Away, which reached No. 10 on the Billboard Hit 100.

He received the Theater World award in 1981 for his portrayal of Frederic in The Pirates Of  Penzance on Broadway, which he also reprised in the 1983 film adaptation, along with two other cast members, Kevin Kline as the Pirate King and Linda Ronstadt as Mabel.

His other starring roles on Broadway were in The Human Comedy, Grand Hotel, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Annie Get Your Gun and Kiss Me Kate.

His sixth album, Simply Rex, a compilation of new and old hits issued in 2000, was re-released in 2006 under the title, You Take My Breath Away, following his hit Philippine tour in 2000.

(Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets at SM Department Stores and at Ticketworld outlets at National Book Stores, Robinsons Department Stores, Ayala Malls, Tower Records and Music One.  For details, call 891-9999 or 911-5555. Those interested in booking Rex Smith’s show for public or corporate events may call (0922) 844-4153.)

Fr. Joey Faller’s healing schedule

Here’s Fr. Joey Faller’s healing schedule for January:

• Jan. 5, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., at Kamay Ni Hesus; and at 5 p.m., an Anticipated Mass at the Luklukan ni Maria, Kamay Ni Hesus, Lucban, Quezon;

• Jan. 6, Sunday, 8 a.m., NBN Channel 4; and at 9:30 a.m., SM North EDSA;

• Jan. 7, Monday, 9:30 a.m. at Kamay Ni Hesus;

• Jan. 11, Friday, 5 p.m. at St. Francis of Assisi, Sariaya, Quezon;

• Jan. 12, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., at Kamay Ni Hesus;

• Jan. 13, Sunday, 9 a.m., at SM Bacoor, Bacoor, Cavite;

• Jan. 14, Monday, 9:30 a.m., at Kamay Ni Hesus;

• Jan. 16, Wednesday, 9:30 a.m., at Buklod ng Pag-ibig Healing Center, #97 Balete Drive Ext., Quezon City;

• Jan. 18, Friday, 12 noon, Jose Reyes Hospital, Tayuman, Manila;     

• Jan. 19, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., at Kamay Ni Hesus;

• Jan. 20, Sunday, 6 a.m., at ABS-CBN Channel 2; and at 8 a.m., on NBN Channel 4;

• Jan. 21, Monday, 9:30 a.m., at Kamay Ni Hesus;

• Jan. 22, Tuesday, at Vigan, Ilocos Sur;

• Jan. 23, Wednesday, at Baguio City;

• Jan. 25, Friday, 12 noon, at Export Bank, Chino Roces Ave. cor. Gil Puyat Ave., Makati City; and 6 p.m., at Metropolitan Hospital, Masangkay St. Sta. Cruz, Manila;

• Jan. 26, Saturday, 9:30 a.m., at Kamay Ni Hesus;

• Jan. 27, Sunday, 9 a.m., at SM Bacoor, Bacoor, Cavite;      

• Jan. 28, Monday, 9:30 a.m., at Kamay Ni Hesus;

• Jan. 29, Tuesday, 6 p.m., at Our Lady of Mercy Parish, Novaliches, Quezon City; and

• Jan. 30, Wednesday, 6:30 p.m., at Nuestra Señora Del Perpetua Socorro, Sampaloc Manila.

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