Songs about love and romance

You might have enjoyed My Chemical Romance and are eagerly looking forward to watching Incubus and Maroon Five, but I must recommend that you back off from those rockers for the moment. It is February, the time when the thoughts of all Pinoys turn to love and romance. You might think of Valentine’s Day as banal or tacky but there is no escaping it.

Everybody celebrates love. This is a chance for people to show their love or that they want to be in love. At the very least it is a great time to watch shows and concerts which seem to be at their best at this time of the year. The songs and the music will certainly be the romantic kind and cynics and unbelievers may complain. Nobody will listen to them. Love is what has inspired and continues to inspire beautiful music and it is all that matters around here nowadays.

Ask Jose Mari Chan. The guy has composed love songs that will last through the ages. Afterglow, Deep in My Heart, Refrain, Beautiful Girl, Constant Change, Please Be Careful with My Heart. I’m very sure that millions of Pinoys through these past many years have at one time or another looked upon a Jose Mari Chan hit as their very special theme song.

Jose Mari also sings a lot of love songs, even if these are not his own. Take what he has in his latest album, which I was glad to find out is a hit. It is titled Love Letters and Other Souvenirs and has songs like You and I, Windmills of Your Mind, April Fools It’s Not for Me to Say, September in the Rain, Our Love is Here to Stay and others.

The CD is all about love and memories and there is one cut in it which, I believe, conveys the message of true love best. It is Anywhere the Heart Goes, a beautiful composition by Henry Mancini used in the mini-series The Thorn Birds. “I’ll hold you inside where my love never dies/ and you will always live somewhere in me,” says the lyrics by Will Jennings.

Of course no Valentine’s season is complete without a concert by Jose Mari. This year’s edition is titled A Heart’s Journey and it will be a combination of his original works and the old favorites he loves to do. Presented by Dome Events Production and Dental First, it will be held at the Music Museum on Feb. 13 and 14. For details, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or Music Museum at 721-6726.

Looking for The Lettermen

Got this sweet letter which I think says a lot about what Valentine’s Day and love songs mean to Filipinos. The note is from Abigail Palermo, a nurse working in the Middle East. She wrote: “I will be taking my vacation in the Philippines this February and I want to ask you if The Lettermen will be performing in a show on Valentine’s Day. My parents love The Lettermen. Their theme song is The Way You Look Tonight.

“They have always wanted to watch them in a show but because we are eight brothers and sisters in the family, they could never afford to go. I promised them that I would treat them to The Lettermen when I can afford it and I can do it this year. I have asked around but nobody seems to know if The Lettermen will be coming.”

I’m very sorry Abigail but I do not think that The Lettermen will be in town this year. But take heart, those guys are still active and might just pop in again anytime soon. You just be ready with the cash for Mom and Dad. Now if you really want to treat your parents to a special show this Valentine’s Day, I think your best bets would be either Jose Mari Chan at the Music Museum or Connie Francis at the Araneta Coliseum.

For something just as romantic but a bit different, there is Love’s What Matters Most at the Reception Hall of the PICC in Pasay City. This is a dinner-concert that features three artists, John Lesaca on the violin, Tots Tolentino on the saxophone and Noelle Cassandra on the harp.

You know how sweet sounding string instruments are and how sexy is the sax. The show should be a respite from all the singing going on around town and come to think of it, might even be more romantic.

For details, call 911-5555 or 891-9999.