Love is what makes the world go 'round

Cliché but true: It’s love, sweet love, that makes the world go ‘round.

Three of the foreign acts coming to Manila this month will prove it — and take you on a spin:

• Engelbert Humperdinck, a frequent Manila visitor, will perform at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 15, at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel & Casino on Feb. 12 and at the Manila Hotel on Feb. 14. (Produced by Ovation Productions. Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Ovation Productions at 532-8883 for the Araneta Coliseum show; 032-2326888 and 0917-6228705 for the Cebu show; and 527-0011 and 911-5615 for the Manila Hotel show.)

• Avril Lavigne, one-time Manila visitor, will perform also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 16. (Produced by Wilbros Live! Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Wilbros at 374-2222.)

• James Ingram, who has also performed in Manila, will have a concert on Feb. 17 also at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and at the Cebu Waterfront Hotel & Casino on Feb. 18, with Lea Salonga as special guest. (Produced by That’s Ntertainment Productions. Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 for the Araneta Coliseum show and [+6332]232-6888 for the Cebu show.)

Excerpts from separate exclusive phone interviews with the three singers:

What are your fondest memories about Manila?

Engelbert: Every time I am in Manila, my good friend Jorge Araneta always hosts a private party for me and I love it!

Avril: It’s always a great experience performing in Manila so I love going back there.

James: I love the people and the way they treated me. They were very warm and very welcoming.

What’s your favorite love song?

Engelbert: When I Fall In Love. It’s a very beautiful song. (Proceeds to sing) When I fall in love, it will be forever. Or I’ll never fall in love…I also love My Funny Valentine.

Avril: I like my song I’m With You because it’s a feel-good song. I will perform it in Manila.

James: How Do You Keep The Music Playing. It talks about how you keep love alive, you know.

(To James) Please give us a little background about Just Once and One Hundred Ways, two of your popular songs in the Philippines?

James: Just Once was my memo song. They gave it to Quincy Jones and he asked, “Who’s the singer?” That song launched my career. One Hundred Ways is on the same album as Just Once and I like it just as much.

What’s your most memorable Valentine?

Engelbert: There’s none, really. On Valentine’s Day I’m usually working onstage. That’s my normal procedure because as a singer of love songs, I have to make lovers fall in love with one another even more especially on Valentine’s Day.

Avril: It’s still yet to come.

James: I can’t think of any. Like other singers, I’m busy with shows on Valentine’s Day.

So you are never able to spend or enjoy Valentine’s Day (how sad!)?

Engelbert: My wife and I celebrate the day after I’m done with my show. That’s what we have been doing all these years.

Avril: I usually spend it with my fans because I have a show on that day. My fans are all I care for right now.

James: Oh I can, and I have to. I spend it with my family. On Valentine’s Day when I’m not working, which is very rare, my wife cooks at home.

(To James) In your concert on Feb. 18, you are performing with Lea Salonga. Have you met her?

James: I heard the name but I don’t know her personally. I’m looking forward to meeting her. We’re doing a duet. I still don’t know what song it will be.

Which of your songs do you relate to?

Engelbert: Release Me because it’s the first song that I recorded and that started my career as a singer. I also like After The Lovin’ for personal reasons.

(To Avril) Why is your latest album called Goodbye Lullaby (released locally by Sony Music)?

Avril: It’s inspired by Goodbye, the last track on the record. Goodbye Lullaby stands for departure and moving forward and change and opening of a new chapter in life.

If you were to serenade a lady with your song on Valentine’s Day, what song it be?

Engelbert: My Funny Valentine. (Proceeds to sing) My funny Valentine, my comic Valentine, you make me smile with my heart…

James (sings instead of answers): Compliment what she does; send her roses just because…Hahahaha! See you all in Manila!

(To Avril) If you were to be serenaded by a man on Valentine’s Day, what song would you like to hear?

Avril: Hmmmm, I don’t know. Oh remember to watch my show. It’s about me and my fans, a mixture of old and new songs; it’s not going to be a big production, it will be all about music.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit http://www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on http://www.twitter/therealrickylo.)