Champions for love

If being in love and being loved is a requirement for singing then the show Ol 4 Luv would be a goner. Produced by Viva Concerts And Events and ASAP Live, Ol 4 Luv stars Christian Bautista, Rachelle Ann Go, Erik Santos and Sarah Geronimo. They are all young, talented and attractive but loveless.

As of this writing, they are not in any relationship, not in love, unsure of being loved and even broken-hearted. By her own admission, Sarah, 19, has never had a boyfriend, let alone fallen in love. Erik has just come out of a tumultuous affair with Rufa Mae Quinto. And Christian and Rachelle Ann have also recently called it quits after nearly two years of togetherness.

As any romantic soul can easily tell, not one of these champions is in the mood to celebrate Valentine’s Day. But love is what Ol 4 Luv is all about. It is a Valentine’s Day concert, a showcase of love songs that will be held at the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 13.

With the situation their hearts are in at present, these kids should be thankful that no one needs to be loved or to be in love to sing beautifully. In love or not, they are after all, singing champions. Sarah was winner of Star for a Night. Erik topped Star in a Million where Christian was also discovered. Rachelle Ann was the champ of Search for a Star. No matter what the truth is, it is a fact that they can sing like they have all the love in the world.

I’m sure that fans will have a grand time checking out the expressions and body language of the foursome. They may be in awe of the singing prowess but will, all the while be looking for hints of any change in the romantic situation. Si Erik at si Sarah na kaya? Nagbalikan na kaya sina Christian at Rachelle?

No answers coming? Now, they may either have lots to tell or nothing to show, but they do have volumes to sing about the love lives of other people. This is because, among the most interesting features of Ol 4 Luv is the portion about the love songs of local celebrities, be they in love or out of love.

Among those who are in love and have been for years and their respective songs are: Sharon Cuneta and Sen. Francis Pangilinan, Ikaw; Judy Ann Santos and Ryan Agoncillo, Melt with You; Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres, So Many Questions; Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos and former Senator Ralph Recto, A Long and Lasting Love; Zsa Zsa Padilla and Dolphy, If; and Lorna and Rudy, Somewhere.

As for the real loveteams that did not work, there are: Sharon and Gabby Concepcion, Come What May; Albert Martinez and Snooky Serna, Endless Love; Kris Aquino and Alvin Patrimonio, One Moment in Time; Aga Muhlach and Janice de Belen, Moments of Love; Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez, Always and Forever; Diether Ocampo and Kristine Hermosa, I Want to Give It All; Vic Sotto and Dina Bonnevie, Bakit Ba Ganyan; and of course, the performers themselves, Erik and Rufa Mae, Overjoyed; and Rachelle Ann and Christian, You.

Ol 4 Luv’s musical director is former Neocolor Marvin Querido while direction and choreography is by Georcelle Dapat, leader of ASAP’s dance group G-Force. Tickets are now available at the Araneta Coliseum and all Ticketnet outlets.

Zeries @ 25

Meanwhile, these guys’ ASAP cohort Zsa Zsa Padilla also has her own Valentine’s Day concert offering this year. And it is a double treat celebration for the lovely and oh so in love Divine Diva because she is also marking her 25th year as a solo singer this year. Titled Zeries @ 25, the series is being held at the Captain’s Bar of the Mandarin Oriental Manila. The shows started last weekend and continues on Feb. 15 and 16.

Featured numbers are mostly hits that Zsa Zsa popularized like her originals, Ikaw Lamang, Kahit Na, Point of No Return, Hiram, Mambobola, her hit covers We’re All Alone, Through the Years, Don’t Give Up (On Us Baby) and her personal favorites, I’ve Got a Crush on You and Maybe This Time. Special guests are Christian Bautista and Karylle.

Call Mandarin at 750-8888, Ticketworld, 891-9999 or 0927-2074957 for tickets.