Chad's second coming

The last time I saw Chad Borja was, well, ages ago when I did a Conversation with Ricky Lo piece on him as a survivor of cancer of esophagus (of which Coney Reyes is also a survivor). He was in remission and he said that the experience changed him radically, thanking God for giving him a second life.

“Maybe He has a purpose for me,” said Chad at that time. “That is, keep on singing.”

And guess who I met by chance at a mall last week — yes, Chad! He was looking hale and healthy, fit and fabulous, as good as he was when he was at the peak of his career, envied by men and lusted for by women.

“I’ve been working out,” volunteered Chad who has retained his Kilabot ng Mga Whatever look (Hajji Alejandro was the Kilabot ng Mga Kolehiyala at his prime, right?), his trademark dimples digging into his handsome face as he smiled. “I’ve been taking care of my health. I’m on medication.”

Except to say that he has been attending to his family (his wife is a former flight stewardess with whom he has grown children) and some business in his native Cebu, Chad was mum on what he has been doing during his self-imposed “vacation” from showbiz.

 The good news is that Chad is on his second coming, with an album of new songs that he himself is producing, determined to catch up and make up for lost time. Correction, please: Not really “lost” because he said he has been busy composing songs for his “comeback” album.

His fans will have a chance to see the “new” Chad Borja at the Tejeros Grand Ballroom of Island Cove Hotel & Leisure Park in Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite on Feb. 11 (a Saturday) where he’s performing in the Love In The Island pre-Valentine concert with Rico J. Puno, Marco Sison and Ara Mina (guest). (Tickets are priced at P3,000 for dinner and show, and P1,900 for show only; call 8120-7878 or 470-2222.)

Chad gave me copies of his new photos (taken by the Jun de Leon), some of which will be used for his album, and the lyrics of one of his new songs which he said he’s dedicating to somebody (whom he didn’t identify) to whom he owes a lot and who has a great influence on him. Here’s the song titled Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas (written in 2006, five years before the Regal Films 2011 Metro Filmfest entry Yesterday Today Tomorrow):

Ang bawat tibok ng puso ko hanap ay ikaw;

Ang bawat awiting naririnig ko ang laman ay ikaw.

Minsa’y abot ko na ang langit ngunit nawalay pa

Ang katotohanan ngayon ay wala ka na.

Kahit kelan ang tanging mahal ko ay ikaw…

Nasaan na ang pag-ibig mo, nasaan ang ating mundo?

Nandito pa sana kung iningatan ko

At ngayon kung papayag lang sana ang panahon

Minsan magbalik at maulit muli ang ating nagdaan

Na ngayo’y sa pangarap na lang.

Kahapon, ngayon at bukas ay laging ikaw.

At ngayon may isa pang pagkakataon na

Makita ka lang kahit na sandali makausap kita,

Sa akin ay langit na.

Kahapon, ngayon, bukas ay laging ikaw.

Yeng: 23, has yet to fall in love

Yeng Constantino: It’s more fun to be single

Even if she sings love songs straight from her heart, Yeng Constantino swears that at 23 she hasn’t had any boyfriend.

Asked if she’s choosy, Yeng said, “No.” Neither is she looking. “When the right guy comes along,” she added, “I will know he is ‘it’.”

Mr. “It” has to have a vision in life, according to Yeng.

“It’s because I myself have a vision,” adding, “and a mission…which is to help my family first before I settle down.” She’s the youngest of eight siblings (her father continues to work as a librarian even now that Yeng can very well give him and the family sufficient comforts).

The title of Yeng’s pre-Valentine concert eloquently speaks of her current status — Ok Lang Maging Single Sa Valentine, set for Feb. 3 (Friday), 8 p.m. at the Music Museum, directed by Dido Camara with Jack Rufo as musical director.

“Single is just a status,” said Yeng. “In truth, it’s a season in our life that needs to be celebrated. The songs in my repertoire will prove why it’s good and it’s fun to be single.”

Her fans will be, to paraphrase Yeng’s hit song, magka-hawak-kamay in rallying behind her.

(Note: Ok Lang Maging Single Sa Valentine is produced by Cornerstone Concerts, RRJ and Qualibet Ticket prices are P2,500, P1,500 and P1,000. Call Ticketworld at 891-9999.)

What’s up?

• From reader Catherine Laud: The song Nandito Ako, sung by David Archuleta in his upcoming soap for TV, also titled Nandito Ako, was composed by Aaron Paul del Rosario and not by Ogie Alcasid. Aaron made both the Tagalog and English versions of the song.

• Corrections: In last Wednesday’s Funfare, the lady standing second from left in the group photo taken at Urth Caffe in West Hollywood is Revena Acosta (wrongly identified as Baby Castro), a paralegal staff of immigration lawyer Jemela Nettles’ office in L.A. Also, Kate Winslet’s spurned suitor in Titanic is Billy Zane (not Kane), as Mark Gil reminded Funfare.

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