Vhong Navarro: Still making the right moves

People think that every time Vhong Navarro comes up with a movie, the release of novelty songs follows. This may be true if the bases are those hit tunes that came out after Otso Otso Pamela mela wan with Pamela Wan or Agent X-44, Totoy Bibo, or Mr. Suave or Supahpapalicious among the many others that linger in the mind and make you want to sing and groove.

Now, Vhong is about to star in a romantic comedy from Star Cinema with Toni Gonzaga titled My Only U  to be shown Oct. 29. And most radio stations keep on playing his latest ditty Ayos na ang Buto Buto included in the dancexercise audio-video CD of Vhong Navarro and the Streetboys’ Let’s Dance! under Star Records.

“Before, the songs were really intended to go with the movie but this one is different because we are offering something that is not just for entertainment but also beneficial to one’s health,” Vhong says.

Those who wish to shed excess pounds can do so in the comfort of their homes while having fun dancing with the Streetboys as the audio-video CD contains 30-minute dancexercises with easy-to-follow instructional steps fit for all ages. Others may find The Hustle and You Should be Dancing, which are included in the CD, too familiar as they had been the ‘80s hits with John Travolta performing on stage in those booty shaking beats.

“Most of us are too busy these days and cannot even do some stretching but with the CD one can be relaxed while learning some dance steps,” Vhong offers.

But what is equally interesting is the idea of Star Records for the Streetboys to perform together again on the dance floor. Vhong, Jhong Hilario, Danilo Barrios, Maynard Marcellano and Spencer Reyes are the original members of the all-male dance group which had created a following in the ‘90s with its impressive and breathtaking dance routines on every TV show’s dance floor. With the guidance of Chito Roño, the boys have also branched out to acting or singing.

During the presscon, the boys, minus Spencer (now in England) and Danilo (attending to his other show), happily share the secret of their success and sticking together for the past decade and a half even though they have been working separately either on screen or out of the country. Some are tending to their business now that dance groups have become less visible on TV.

“Respect is a must in any partnership or group because there will always be a clash of ideas if one doesn’t know how to listen to each other’s opinion,” says Maynard, who stayed for four years in England as part of Miss Saigon.

Unity, the group’s work attitude and the discipline instilled by direk Chito also play essential roles in keeping the group solid as rock for 15 years now, Maynard adds.

And though Vhong is the most visible these days, he insists not one of the members feels insecure about his stature.

“I don’t think there’s insecurity. Spencer used to be so hot and everybody is happy for him ngayon ganun pa din pareho pa din ako ng dati,” Vhong reasons out.

“We are flattered everytime someone in the group becomes popular. Ngayon pa ba that we have become more mature,” adds Jhong who had also ventured into acting before working in UK.

In their latest album, Vhong will sing Ayos na ang Buto Buto while the rest of Streetboys will do rap in Sige Igalaw and move gracefully to the infectious beat of Pata-pata-pon.

Other members of Streetboys are Nicko Manalo, Chris Cruz, Sherwin Roux, Fritz Tibay, Jonathan Granaderos, Jemarth Lalic, Carlo Quintos and Joey Andres.