Will Baby A. bring back Andrea Bocelli?

More than a decade after his memorable concert at the Araneta Coliseum, there’s a possibility that Andrea Bocelli might come back for an encore.

But everything depends on Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas who was responsible for bringing Bocelli here.

“Yes,” Baby told Funfare. “There’s an increasing clamor for me to bring Bocelli back. There must be a compelling reason for him to agree to come back and that’s more than just performing onstage.”

For a good cause maybe?

“Why not?” said Baby.

It took Baby four years to finalize the contract for Bocelli’s Big Dome concert.

“It was a labor of love,” added Baby. “The whole endeavor was no less than a one-woman tourism campaign. It was when I assured Bocelli that the Philippines is a safe destination and one of the world’s most beautiful places with the most hospitable people that he finally agreed to come. From then on, it was all systems go.”

That memorable Bocelli Big Dome concert was made possible by Baby in cooperation with ABS-CBN. Photo shows the contract-signing between Baby and ABS-CBN chairman/CEO Gabby Lopez, witnessed by Marco Bianchi (promoter of Bocelli) and ABS-CBN president Charo Santos-Concio.

And that was when the herculean preparation started. The joint venture between Baby’s group and ABS-CBN hired experts to ensure a world-class production. They transformed the Big Dome into some kind of, as Baby put it, “La Scala de Milan.” The state-of-the-art sound equipment came from Italy, Singapore and the US, and the stage was custom-built for the calculated moves of the visually-challenged tenor, complete with massive chandelier and an enormous wing span. “It was a world-class music hall,” gushed Baby.

Tempo’s Ronald Constantino and I were in the SRO audience composed mostly of the well-heeled and the “culturati,” and we really felt as if we were in, to use Baby’s analogy, “La Scala de Milan.” It was an experience of a lifetime. For several days, the earth-shaking voice of Bocelli seemed to keep playing and replaying in our mind. It was magical.

If ever Baby gave in to the insistent demand to bring back Bocelli (and I hope she would), it would be a déjà vu experience for her — a welcome one.

Baby’s namesake daughter, Pangasinan Rep. Rachel ‘Baby’ Arenas during a special medical mission with doctors from the US. Inset: Mother and daughter with Willie Revillame during another event in Pangasinan.

“The next time,” Baby said, “it would involve double the effort we put into the project the first time, but it would be worth it.”

A few years after his Manila concert, my friend Francis Padua Papica and I chanced upon Bocelli at the coffee shop of Four Seasons in Beverly Hills. Francis jokingly dared me to approach Bocelli and, mustering enough guts, I did. “Hello, Mr. Bocelli. Long time no see!”, I greeted Bocelli who was seated at the bar, with a bodyguard standing by. I was surprised when he smiled back and actually talked to me for a few minutes, especially after I dropped Baby Arenas’ name.

Asked about the possibility of him performing again in Manila, Bocelli said, “I would love to!”

That should be encouraging for Baby who also produced the concert here (at the PICC) of Luciano Pavarotti.

“But it was in the Bocelli concert that I got involved in all aspects of the production.”

(Postscript: By the way, during our chance encounter with Bocelli at Four Seasons, Francis’ “dare” involved a bet. I won. Francis paid for our tea and sandwiches.) 

Debutante Empress Schuck

Empress’ dream debut comes true

Now it can be told: As early as two years ago, Empress Schuck has planned for her dream debut which will be held on Feb. 20 at the Grand Terrace restaurant in Quezon City. Unlike other debutantes who go for a “grand formal theme,” Empress has chosen a Rocker Chick theme, so all guests are requested to wear chic outfits in black, pink or white.

She will wear a gown specially designed for her by Pepsi Herrera. Empress’close friends Robi Domingo, Kitkat and Melissa Ricks are the event hosts; while Richard Poon, 3 AM, The VOIZboys and Parokya ni Edgar will give special numbers. Her showbiz friends Enchong Dee, Felix Roco, Matt Evans, Ejay Falcon, Arron Villaflor, Isabelle Abiera, Beauty Gonzales and Erich Gonzales are among those who will offer Empress 18 roses and 18 gifts. Expected guests include Empress’ co-actors in Shout Out!, Abt Ur Luv, Ang TV 2 and Rosalka.

Empress started in the business as a child actress. She got her break as the title role in the ABS-CBN soap Rosalka.

Empress would like to extend her gratitude to the following: Joy for All Seasons, Fernandos Bakeshop, Ishot Studio, VS and F Classic Food International, Flower’s Unlimited, Smartshot Studio, Procter & Gamble, Vienna Cakes, Sounds After 12, Body Works and Bum Equipment.

8 ABS-CBN shows finalists at NYC fest

Eight entries from ABS-CBN Corporation made it as finalists in the prestigious New York Festivals (NYF) International TV and Film Awards 2011, now on its 54th year, the most number of finalists from the Philippines in this year’s competition.

The cinematic-style documentary Storyline by Patricia Evangelista and Paolo Villaluna received the most number of nominations among all Philippine entries as it competes in three categories namely Biography/Profiles, Community Portraits, and Social Issues/Current Events categories.

The intense Manila bus-siege coverage Bloodbath in Manila by ABS-CBN News in August 2010 made it as a finalist spot in the Coverage of Breaking News category, while I Survived anchored by Ces Drilon was named finalist in the Docudrama category.

The drama Dahil May Isang Ikaw, starring Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa, and the fashion-serye Magkaribal topbilled by Gretchen Barretto and Bea Alonzo were among the finalists in the newly-introduced Telenovela category.

The promotional spot titled Altar, created by ABS-CBN Creative Communications Management for the fire-prevention month, was also named finalist for the Copywriting: Promotion Spot category.

Finalists will be awarded and entries which will be promoted to Gold, Silver, or Bronze awardees will be announced during the awarding ceremony to be held in conjunction with the National Association of Broadcasters show in Las Vegas from April 9 to 14.

What’s up?

• Advance birthday greetings to Valentine Babies (born on Feb. 14) Kris Aquino, Heart Evangelista, John Prats, Rico J. Puno, Marc Nelson, Sen. Johnny Ponce-Enrile and my fellow Waray (from Northern Samar) Nico del Valle. Also, same greeting goes to James Yap who’s turning a year wiser on Sunday, Feb. 13.

• Watch Love Triangle at the Gardens tonight at 6 and on Feb. 14 at the Ayala Triangle Gardens. Tonight show will feature Trombones comprising of Audie Gemora, Carlo Orosa, Trish Amper, Sweet Plantado and Shiela Francisco singing Broadway love songs. Karylle will sing favorite love tunes on Feb. 14.

• Mike Gayoso, one of the owners of Gustavus (the best steak house in town), is reminding clients and other steak-lovers to reserve tables early since booking “traffic” gets heavier as Valentine’s Day nears. Gustavus offers “the most tender steak” and “the freshest oysters” in town. Located at 109 C. Palanca St., Legaspi Village, Makati City (telephone 846-2430), Gustavus is also owned by, among others, James Yap, Dingdong Dantes and Dondon Monteverde.

• The 30th Philippine-German Month celebration continues in Paco Park Presents with a tribute to the 400th year of UST, starting at 6 o’clock tonight. UST alumni featured are Armela Fortuna (soprano), Ronan Ferrer (tenor), and Heliodoro Fiel, Peter Porticos and Najib Ismail (pianists). Host is Thea Perez-Prosia. The public is invited…The celebration of National Arts Month also continues, this time in Concert at the Park, starting at 6 o’clock Sunday night (Feb. 13), in partnership with the National Commission for Culture & the Arts, with an all-Filipino program titled Tula at Awit ng Pag-ibig. Minette Padilla is the host. The show is open to the public.

• Here’s Fr. Joey Faller’s healing schedule for the rest of February: Today at 6:30 p.m., at Immaculate Conception Parish, Vista Verde, Cainta, Rizal…Feb. 12, 16, 19, 23 and 26, at Kamay ni Hesus Shrine, Lucban, Quezon, all at 9:30 a.m…Feb. 13, 9 a.m. at SM Bacoor, Bacoor, Cavite…Feb. 15, Buklod ng Pag-ibig, at 97 Balete Drive Extension, Quezon City, 9:30 a.m….Feb. 20, at NBN Channel 4, at 8 a.m….Feb. 22, at San Sebastian Cathedral, Tarlac City, 5 p.m….Feb. 24, at Parish of the Risen Lord, Southville, Biñan, Laguna, 6 p.m….Feb. 25, at Export Bank, Buendia, Makati City, 12 noon; and at Metropolitan Hospital, Masangkay St., Sta. Cruz, Manila, 7 p.m…and Feb. 27, at SM Bacoor, Bacoor, Cavite, 9 a.m.

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Ciara as AIDS- afflicted dancer in Rent

Why is Ciara Sotto smiling even if she’s hanging upside-down? It’s simply because she’s happy being back in theater after her stint late last year in the restaging of Magsimula Ka. This time, Ciara alternates with Sheree Bautista for the role of the AIDS-afflicted dancer Mimi Marquez in Rent which opens tomorrow night, Feb. 12, at the Carlos P. Romulo auditorium at RCBC Plaza, Makati City. The cast also includes Sheree’s boyfriend Gian Magdangal as Roger Davis, the songwriter. Direction is by Robbie Guevarra. For ticket inquiries, call 557-5860, 586-7105 or 0917-5545560.

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