What to do with the Ampalaya Anonymous

The group’s name itself leaves a bitter taste in the mouth. Ampalaya in English is called “bitter melon.” But ampalaya is the best friend of diabetics especially when blended with four other greens (green apple, green pepper, cucumber and celery...add artificial sugar to taste) because it helps lower if not totally control blood sugar.

Using the word “anonymous” after ampalaya is a misnomer because the group’s members are known to be showbiz insiders and watchers...why not, when the members parade themselves on national television!...unlike those of Alcoholics Anonymous whose members’ identities are strictly confidential.

These past few weeks, Ampalaya Anonymous has been...to quote a Funfare reader who frowns on the group’s activity...”naghahasik ng lagim sa industriya” by ganging up on colleagues. One of AA’s “victims” is Pauleen Luna of whom two of AA members are said to be “jealous” and “pissed off” simply because Pauleen caught the attention if not necessarily the affection of the two members’ ex-boyfriends. “Kasalanan ba ni Pauleen kung mas mahaba ang buhok n’ya kaysa sa kanila?” another reader comes to Pauleen’s defense.

It’s as clear as a summer day that AA is creating divisiveness and animosity in the industry instead of fostering and strengthening friendship which is what the industry needs. To paraphrase a song, what the industry needs now is love sweet love...

Funfare readers have been asking me what to do with the Ampalaya Anonymous. Well, I have one suggestion: To settle the score once and for all, why not let them guest on the popular TV5’s Face to Face, touted as “ang kauna-unahang talakserye on local television,” hosted by Tiyang Amy Perez who keeps calm, cool and collected even if her guest-protagonists are kicking each other, hurling invectives at each other, throwing slippers and shoes (and even chairs!) at each other, or clawing at each other’s faces.

Like what happens in every episode of Face to Face, Tiyang Amy should let AA members do the same (pull each other’s hair, too!) to their hearts’ content and when they are through, they should be made to drink tall glasses of ampalaya juice, unsweetened.

Let’s see if they can burp with a straight face.

Bring back the Manila Sound

Just like many of America’s old and young generation still fascinated by the timeless appeal of the ’70s and ’80s music genre (by Michael Jackson; Madonna; Barbra Streisand; Prince; Barry Manilow; Donna Summer; Boy George; Earth, Wind & Fire; Air Supply; Tears for Fears; Spandau Ballet, etc.), Filipinos also are still enamored by the so-called golden age of Filipino music when airwaves were lorded by the grooviest bands of the time like Hotdog, Boyfriend, VST&Co., APO Hiking Society, Cinderella and The New Minstrels, as well as the coolest singers like Basil Valdez, Anthony Castelo, Jose Mari Chan, Rico J. Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Freddie Aguilar, Imelda Papin, Eva Eugenio, Didith Reyes, Sampaguita, Mike Hanopol, Nonoy Zuñiga, Florante, Rey Valera, Marco Sison, Jun Polistico, Rodel Naval, Leah Navarro, Nora Aunor, Cristy Mendoza, Geraldine, Jam Morales, Jamie Rivera, Joey Albert, Kuh Ledesma, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid and Sharon Cuneta.

No wonder every time these Filipino artists return on stage for a performance or reunion, people still pay to see them, take a trip down memory lane, and reminisce the good old days when Filipino music was so damn good — and original.

On July 4, some of the pioneers of the so-called Manila Sound will be performing at the Metrobar on West Avenue in Quezon City to bring back the golden days of OPM and remind the new generation of music buffs why they must support and help advance OPM (Original Pilipino Music).

The show, presented by Tribung Pinoy Clan, will feature The Boyfriends (Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal, First Love Never Dies, Dahil Mahal Kita), Rene Garcia of Hotdog (Manila, Annie Batungbakal, Beh Buti Nga) and Jun Polistico (yes, the great balladeer and former Society of Seven member), with special guest the Retromaniacs Band composed of singing doctors and lawyers headed by Dr. Tony Rebosa.

Dina Maningas, a Las Vegas-based concert promoter who is currently in Manila helping promote the show with husband Odi Maningas, said it will definitely be “a night of nostalgic music,” where the performers will sing all their hits that are still being played on the radio.

“It’s funny dahil barka-barkada ang bumibili ng tickets,” says Dina. “Many of them are friends way back in the ’70s and have decided to hold a reunion by watching the show. There will also be a lot of dancing for sure.”

Dina said that if the show becomes a hit, Tribung Pinoy Clan will showcase more artists from the Manila Sound and OPM generation.

(Note: Tickets are priced at P400 [general admission] and P1,000 [for VIP/donor/sponsor]. For particulars, call Joy at 0915-2921333, Honey at 0927-3875852, Remy at 0916-6054344, Edward at 0917-3500675, Diane at 0905-3241554, Patricia at 0927-3916130, Caring at landline 927-3350 or Nicy at landline 453-0348.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected] or at [email protected])