Concert review: The Greatest Love Songs of Our Time

MANILA, Philippines - Last Feb. 13, the PICC Plenary Hall was filled not only with audience but with great songs, sweet memories and laughter. The event was the Valentine concert of Kuh Ledesma and the Hitmakers (Nonoy Zuñiga, Rey Valera, Marco Sison and Rico Puno) titled The Greatest Love Songs of Our Time.

As early as two hours before show time, ticket holders were already in line from the lobby of the PICC to the doors of the Plenary Hall. Though the show started 30 to 40 minutes late, the crowd were very patient ‘til the band played an overture of the songs of Kuh and the Hitmakers.

The concert’s first production number was a mash-up of Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling and Tonight from the Broadway musical West Side Story. The number was well-received by the audience with a loud applause and it was clear that everyone’s excited to watch Kuh and the Hitmakers for the first time in one stage.

As expected, the Greatest Hits Medley was one of the most-applauded number where Kuh sang Kamusta Ka/Hello with Nonoy, Buhat with Rico, Pangako Sa’yo/Wag Kang Mangako with Rey and Til I Met You with Marco.

Another highlight of the concert was when Kuh and the Hitmakers performed most requested karaoke tunes like Tonight, I Celebrate My Love For You, With You I’m Born Again, I Finally Found Someone and Endless Love, complete with sing-along type of lyrics on the big screen beside the stage.

But the biggest surprise of the evening was the special appearance of Willie Revillame who did a duet with his good friend Rico. Their spiels and lokohan about their respective careers and life made everyone rolling on the floor with laughter. Even Wilie’s special date that night, Councilor Shalani Soledad, couldn’t control herself from laughing on each other’s joke. Rico sang Willie’s hits and vice versa.

Everyone in the audience which included Viva’s Boss Vic del Rosario, Vehnee Saturno, Tessie Tomas, Anthony Castello enjoyed every song and punchline. Prompting Willie to say, “First time ko lang kayo napanood pero bumilib ako. Ang galing n’yo talaga!”

The Greatest Love Songs of Our Time is truly a success. In fact, a lot of those who missed the concert are insisting for a repeat whether in the same venue or not.

The show ended on a high note with (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life from the movie Dirty Dancing. As people were going out of the concert venue, it seemed that they really had the time of their life watching great performers like Kuh and the Hitmakers.