When Brian McKnight meets the press early this afternoon at five-star Makati hotel, I’m sure he will be asked if he has formally invited Manny Pacquiao and Martin Nievera to his concert Friday night, March 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum (with another show Saturday night, March 17, at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City).
You see, in an exclusive phone interview with Funfare last week, McKnight revealed that he’s a big fan of Pacquiao’s and he has seen Pacquiao fight only on TV, but is set to watch Pacquiao “live” during his match with Timothy Bradley in Las Vegas in June.
Pacquiao’s name came up in our interview when I asked McKnight how he kept fit, sustaining a sound mind (and a sound voice) in a sound body.
Said McKnight, “I play golf and I box because Pacquiao is my idol. I want to spar with him.”
Told that Pacquiao also sings, McKnight added, “I would like to do a duet with him…any song of his choice…and I’m inviting him to watch my concert.”
McKnight is also inviting Martin to the same concert and, why not, also do a duet with him. McKnight revealed that he had worked on a song called The Sorry Song with Martin and it would be nice if they could sing it together “live.”
Funfare Update asked Martin about McKnight’s invitation and he texted back, “I would love to. Unfortunately, I cannot because I’m in Australia for a concert.”
What’s interesting in McKnight’s concert is the participation of his sons Brian Jr. and Niko who will accompany their father on the song Marry Your Daughter which has garnered more than 28 million views to date.
Star Power winner Angeline Quinto is also on the show.
Incidentally, I got the following letter from reader Zeny Rodriguez-La Rocque:
Dear Ricky,
Thanks for sharing your interview titled Brian McKnight: Believe in Yourself. It’s really interesting and informative since I’ve seen him perform in Boston in a musical comedy play called It’s Cheaper To Keep Her at the Citi Performing Arts two years ago.
Grammy winner McKnight made his first acting debut in this production. He was such a cool guy. I got his autographed CD and had a photo opportunity with him after the show.
In It’s Cheaper To Keep Her, McKnight played a doctor named Raymond Mays who’s wanting to divorce his wife Morgan (played by Vivica A. Fox) while she wanted an alimony. The story includes an ex-love of Morgan’s coming back, with Morgan trying to win her back. In the end, matrimony prevails, showing that it’s cheaper to keep his wife.
McKnight is not only a great singer but also a good stage actor. He’s very accommodating towards his fans.
Your article brought me my fond memories of meeting McKnight in person.
Best regards,
Zeny Rodriguez-La Rocque
(Note: Back With Brian McKnight is presented by MJM Productions. Ticket prices are P4,500 Patron A, P4,000 Patron, P3,000 Lower Box, P2,000 Upper Box A, P1,000 Upper Box B and P500 General Admission. Call Ticketnet at 911-5555.)
Kuh Ledesma (below) has invited David and Glendae Hauser (right), who are both directors of the Institute of Healing at Living Waters Christian Fellowship in California, for a healing seminar at the Hacienda Isabella on Saturday, March 17.
Kuh said that the couple has been involved in training healing teams in Yukon and State of California. They are the founders of the Healing Rooms of Pasadena, a God- inspired ministry from Los Angeles that satisfies a spiritual hunger for God’s supernatural touch through divine healing. They have worked in counseling, inner healing and intercession ministries.
‘The ministry of David and Glendae Hauser is not to draw attention to themselves but to always point people to Jesus Christ who provided both redemption and healing,” explained Kuh. “Their ministry was one healing touch, one miracle, one move of love and compassion after another and another and another.”
Located in Indang, Cavite, Hacienda Isabella is part of this healing experience which marks the start of Hacienda’s wellness program that will deal with the entire body using holistic approach for mind, body and spirit.
(Note: For inquiries and other information, call the Hacienda Isabella head office at 726-6485 or 470-6541. Or visit www.haciendaisabella.com.)
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit http://www.philstar.com/funfareor follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)