All the love songs

THEN: Feb. 19, 1986 — 24 years ago.

All the love songs will be heard this month with several personalities lining up shows for the love month of February. First on the list is the irrepressible Mitch Valdes who gets to perform with the APO in Apat Na Puso Sila on Feb. 14 at the Philippine Plaza. The Apo is the big hit this season with their shows playing to a sellout crowd even more than the Martin and Pops concerts. Mitch and the APO have been together several times in the past but this is the first time they are really putting their act together and insiders say it will be a riot.

Mitch has always respected the talent of the APO and the three guys are also comfortable with Mitch and her working style. Their timing has become just right and this is very important in musical comedies. Somebody throws a line and Mitch can catch it with that perfect timing that makes an enviable comedienne.

The APO will again show their inimitable brand of humor and considering that this is just after the election, people will be curious about how the script will fit the situation. We know the APO’s penchant for political digs in the current political fever. Danny Javier, the most vocal of the three when it comes to political jokes, said that he will know how to work out the script depending on the outcome of the election. This we have to see.

The new year has been lucky for Mitch. The last time I talked with her manager, she told me that Mitch is excited to get her new car the next day. Her team-up with Nanette Inventor in Tit for Tat was the longest musical comedy act last season. And it opened that kind of show to the public. Since then, other talents have come up with their own version of the funny act.

Celeste Legaspi will once again show the versatile performer that she is in her Valentine show at the Intercontinental Ballroom. This time with Richard Tann in Lighthearted. She shows an entirely different side of her: The Celeste who can be funny and light, away from the classy and sophisticated image she projects.

Among other things, Celeste is appreciated for her involvement in causes. She is one artist who is not afraid to speak her mind on issues and to offer her services for causes she believes in.

And now, Sharon Cuneta herself is coming up with a funny Valentine theme with Rico J. Puno in My Simple Love Story. Sharon and Rico J. were derailed by their election activities, both of them campaigning for the same team. Now they are busy rehearsing for the show which will be held at the Intercontinental Ballroom on Feb. 16.

My Simple Love Story is going to be a fun show. Rico J. regales us with the concept and the new repertoire. Then there is Richard Merk to complete the funny musical act.

“This is a difficult show to do. I have to rehearse a lot of musical numbers with Rico J. But ok lang kasi he is one of my favorite people,” Sharon says.

Whereupon Rico J. insists that “Ka-batch ko si Sharon,” and Richard reminds him that was when Sharon was 12.

Sharon and her husband Gabby Concepcion have seen busy campaigning. Sharon is her father’s daughter after all, and with the way it goes, she can be the biggest asset to her husband, if and when he decides to join the next election as vice mayor of San Juan. But when Gabby was pressed to comment on this when he guested in See True, he demurred, saying nothing specific. Later, Gabby told me that he had to talk with Erap (Joseph Estrada) first. Of course, Estrada, as mayor of San Juan will have a big say on the matter.

Sharon, the consummate politician, refuses to comment on her husband’s political plans. She gives everyone that mysterious smile and takes the cue from Gabby in keeping her lips sealed.

NOW: Jan. 9, 2011 — 24 years later.

Mitch is as active as ever, doing concerts and as guest on television. The same with Nanette. Celeste is retired, though she comes out once in a while to package her own projects for the arts. Her last project was a commendable one that brought art to provincial schools and stages.

Sharon is still the Megastar, ruling over television, concerts and movies. As everyone knows her marriage to Gabby was annulled and she married Francis Pangilinan who, with her at his side, is now a senator. She is happily married and has two adorable daughters by him. KC her daughter with Gabby, has become a big star herself.