Pinoy tales from international hitmakers

MANILA, Philippines –  One has an interesting experience with the Marcoses late in the ’70s. The other has learned much about our country by way of the Pacman. And the third simply “has to watch out for

balut.”

Yvonne Elliman, Dan Hill and Stephen Bishop are due for a concert come Feb. 11 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Q.C. What they have in common are not just their attachment to love songs “when music was still music,” but their separate experiences having to do with the country they’re visiting, or more appropriately, serenading.

 Hill, the voice behind familiar love tunes Can’t We Try, Never Thought (That I Could Love) and Why Do We Always Hurt The Ones We Love, expressed pride that he is working with Manny Pacquiao the singer, even noting that he is singing back-up vocals to the boxer’s upcoming version of his signature hit Sometimes When We Touch.

In the course of his work with the decorated Southpaw, he admitted learning so much about the Pacman country, like going through a class called Philippines 101. “Because of my work with Manny Pacquiao I’ve come to learn a great deal about the history and struggles and triumphs of people living in the Philippines. I am tremendously moved by the courage, humanity and romanticism of the people in this wonderful country.”

Probably seeing the logic why Philippines has a boxer who sings, he related, “Because music is the heart and soul of the Philippines, more so than any other country I’ve performed in, I am thrilled to be performing in Manila and surrounding cities.”

Bishop, the one who popularized now classics It Might Be You, On and On and Separate Lives, has no Pacman to back-up to, but he is as proud as Hill is, considering he was joined by Kuh Ledesma during his successful tour in the US last November.

“I know some things but I’d like to learn more about the Philippines,” he said, sounding as if his multiple past visits in the land of Juan dela Cruz are not enough. “I’ve been to the Philippines five times before this trip. I always have a good time and everyone is really nice.”

Then, for whatever reason, he quipped, “I just have to watch out for Balut!”

Of the three, Elliman is the one who has quite an experience in front of a Pinoy audience. Known for her hits, I Don’t Know How To Love Him, Love Me, I Can’t Get You Out Of My Mind, Moment By Moment and the Grammy Award-winning hit, If I Can’t Have You, she was once invited to a private party arranged by friends of former First Lady (and now Ilocos Norte Rep.) Imelda Marcos. That fateful day in the late ’70s happened when Martial Law was still in effect and the Crispa-Toyota games were treated like Pacquiao fights.  

“I actually have been here before, after If I Can’t Have You enjoyed its place on the charts,” she recalled, spilling the intrigue that filled up her visit. “I remember only random things like the drive from the airport to the Presidential Palace, where the stark contrast of rich and poor was so evident by the cardboard boxes serving as ‘homes’ vs. the palatial dwelling that I was delivered to.  There I was asked to teach Bong Bong (Marcos’ unico hijo) a few chords on the guitar, which I did, and then I was escorted to a birthday celebration held elsewhere, for the Marcos’ daughter who was turning 16.” 

 Clearly she couldn’t recall the name of the celebrant. But she won’t forget the uneasy feeling going through the motions of the party. “That was all very fine and well, except for the blocking which had me standing amongst the crowd of invited guests with the lovely 16-year-old standing on the stage just smiling at everyone as I sang If I Can’t Have You to her — she with the spotlight and me in the dark. Which is OK, because it’s their party and I aim to please. But it just felt so awkward and strange.  Perhaps if they told me first I would have acted it out better.”

Times have changed since Elliman’s Philippine palace experience. Come concert time, she may be facing people from her generation, only older and probably tagging along their children. But the mood will definitely be different from then. For one, the one currently seated in Malacañang is already the son of the man who inspired Filipino commoners to unseat the family she entertained in that “dark” set-up. Rest assured, too, she will be in spotlight this time.