Rom-Com with Jon Santos & The CompanY

MANILA, Philippines - Jon Santos and The CompanY are whipping up a musical riot with Rom-Com (A Romantic Comedy Special) on Friday, Jan. 27, 8 p.m. at the Music Museum.

In a mini-presscon, Jon said it will be a night to “L.O.L (love out loud) and fall in laugh,” as Rom-Com will showcase the best of what Jon does and the best of what The CompanY does.

“We do love songs and he does a lot of comedy. We try to marry the two. We try to cross into each other’s worlds and see what will happen,” The CompanY’s Moy Ortiz also said.

More importantly, Rom-Com will show that Jon and The CompanY can offer more than the finely-crafted comical skits and OPM love songs that they have had popularized.

“The CompanY has been actually incorporating so much comedy into its performances. Comedy is always part of its repertoire. As a comedian, when any singer does that, it’s touching and flattering,” Jon said.

The team-up is timely, Jon added. “I am fascinated by comedy of all forms. But lately, I am fascinated with comedy that involves songs, or music as part of a comedy act.”

Rom-Com also makes a good follow-up to their first collaboration Quick Change in 2009.

The comedian himself had some serious vocal lessons in the past, but this was more to supplement his training as a theater actor. But Jon welcomes the singing challenge in Rom-Com, as he is set to do several numbers with The CompanY.

His personality sketches, both his trademark plus fresh ones, will seamlessly “vault into” fitting song numbers like “Shuncee” in Kagandahan or “Sherrap Estrada” in Mr. Suave.

Then swinging into one of his most famous impersonations, “Krissy” (taking inspiration from Kris Aquino’s famous milk commercial with son Bimby) to promote the concert, Jon said: “You’ll have a good time and enjoy the music of The CompanY because parang it’s sulit. ‘Mommy, what’s sulit?’ Sulit is when you get more than what you’ve bargained for para mas bongga. ‘Mommy, what’s bongga? I don’t really think you should learn that word right now...”

But laugh trip aside, if you can help it, Rom-Com will show what a good fit the two will make, as on and off stage, they consider themselves kindred spirits who share an affinity and ability for wit, irreverence, theatrical flair and proudly Pinoy live entertainment.

Expect both acts to mix and match their styles, which they admit is challenging to do, but should nonetheless be exciting to watch for the audience.

Meanwhile, The CompanY is celebrating its 27th anniversary this year. The award-winning quintet started out as an offshoot of the Ateneo Glee Club with a sound initially more into jazz.

Everlasting Love was the group’s first hit, which was submitted as a demo by a lawyer, who then allowed Moy to tinker with the song and write a bridge for it to make it more commercially viable. That was the ensemble’s very first pop song and the first single off its first album.

“We were then waiting in the wings for five years for a recording break, and so I couldn’t believe it became so huge when it was released. It was a blessing. That became our signature.”

The group has since survived movement and changes in its lineup, as well as the highs and lows of the recording industry, to become the country’s premier vocal harmony act. Its songs, the big hit Now That I Have You and Muntik Na Kitang Minahal, among them, have become romantic movie themes.

The group is composed of Moy (tenor 2/bass), Sweet Plantado (soprano), Annie Quintos (soprano/alto), Cecile Bautista (alto) and Jay Marquez (tenor).

“We know we’re very blessed to have the group because it’s a rarity. And it’s a lot of work (to last this long),” said Moy.

The last two years saw The CompanY taking a shift in its sound — and successful at that — by way of releasing two Lighthearted album editions which featured acoustic covers of current chart-toppers. The CompanY also did a record-breaking joint concert with the Side A band late last year.

Asked what The CompanY hopes to accomplish this 2012, Moy said, “ The recording industry is in dire straits right now but we’re still hoping to record an album. We hope to do originals apart from the covers. We also want to interpret regional classic love songs in the future, done in a more contemporary way like jazz fusion or with a Latin beat.”

For Jon’s plans for the year, on the other hand, it will be all about quality than quantity, and what better way to kick off the year but with a unique production concept that most likely will merit a repeat with its universal theme.

One thing is certain: Through the Rom-Com, Jon said they will draw out the best in each other. “You’re always at your best when you’re in good company,” he said.

Tickets to the one-night concert Rom-Com (A Romantic Comedy Special) are available at the Music Museum with tel. nos. 721-6726/721-0635 and Ticketworld at 891-9999. Ticket prices are P800 (Balcony); P2,000 (Orchestra Side); and P2,800 (Orchestra Center).