The singing governor

MANILA, Philippines - Ai Ai delas Alas (left) has a new co-performer in Face to Phase...of Love, Life, Laughter and Beauty, which is set on Saturday, Sept. 12, 9 p.m. at Aliw Theater.

She’s Jade Ecleo (right), the governor of Dinagat Islands.

The bubbly lady not only breaks into a weepy Didith Reyes number. She can also shift from sentimental to sizzling in a hot Beyoncé or J. Lo number. She can even lapse into a hot Tango Argentine performance and belly dance for all she’s worth.

Ecleo is temporarily taking time off from her official duties to headline the concert, which will help raise funds for Jade Ecleo-Villaroman Foundation. The two-year-old Foundation gives scholarships to poor and deserving high school and college students from the Dinagat Islands. The Foundation also has programs for the elderly, gives financial aid for treating medical/surgical conditions and provides wheelchairs to the disabled in the community. Other beneficiaries include Associacion de Damas in Manila, White Cross in San Juan, Philippine General Hospital’s Pediatric Charity Ward, Golden Acres and Hospicio de San Jose’s Home for the Aged.

Ecleo used to perform in New York as vocalist of Inner Circle band, a group of professionals. The band performed thrice a week from 1994 to 1996. She also did the rounds of various night spots in Manila as lead singer of Amadeus Band.

 Ecleo also performed one folk number after another as member of the Bayanihan dance company. — Maridol Rañoa-Bismark