New ballads from Marco Sison

People close to him are wondering why Marco Sison has returned to recording. They say, he has no need for it anymore. He has hits enough to last a lifetime: My Love Will See You Through, Make Believe, Si Aida, Si Lorna o Si Fe, I’ll Face Tomorrow, Always, Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang with Lani Misalucha and others. The oldies are all that his fans want to hear from him in his shows anyway. Besides CD buyers are now a diminishing breed. Do you think Marco’s fans will go online to download his new songs? Not so sure about that. If far from home or if they need a new copy, you can count on them to download his early hits. But it might take a while for them to warm up to the new songs. 

Marco has an illogical but still understandable reason for going back to the studio three years after his last album, Hindi Ko Akalain, produced by the late Bodjie Dasig, and more than 30 years after he was discovered in a contest in the TV show Student Canteen. “I need to record,” he explains. “I need to sing new songs. I still dream of having another hit or more.”

He is now comfortable spending his time in his farm in Laguna. But Marco remains, primarily and will always be, the singer. “I need to sing” and he does gigs everywhere, solo or with his Greatest Hits cohorts — Rico Puno, Rey Valera and Nonoy Zuñiga — and occasionally recording. 

The new album titled Isang Pagkakataon is very special. It marks Marco’s debut as a songwriter. Included in the CD is Sabik Na Puso, a very commercial ballad, which came to him late at night while he was driving home to Laguna. It is now part of his payback goal. “I had been very fortunate in my career,” he says. “This is because I came at a time when Filipino music was selling well and I was given beautiful original songs to record. That is another reason why I keep on recording. I want to give back more songs, that people will be able to sing in the future. Now I am happy to say that I wrote one of those songs.” 

For the rest of the album, Marco turned to his old friend, the ever-reliable songwriter and producer Vehnee Saturno, who easily came up with seven new compositions. They are Selos, K’wento, Ikaw Pa, Dahil Walang Ibang Mamahalin, Sa Iisang Puso Mo, Kahit Na Minsan and the title track and first single release Isang Pagkakataon. Though at times lighter than his usual ballads, all of the songs present Marco’s smooth, easy-listening style at its best. The years have not changed the silky tones in any way and listening to him has made me realize that we don’t get balladeers like him anymore.

So check out Isang Pagkakataon for a sweet romantic break and don’t let great voices like Marco’s end up like the CD, steadily dwindling in number and in danger of extinction soon.

Speaking of great voices, I am sure you will agree that Regine Velasquez-Alcasid is one of them. So how nice it is then that on this year when she is celebrating her 25th anniversary in showbuiz, Vicor Music and Viva Records have combined forces to release a special commemorative collection of her biggest-selling and most memorable recordings. 

Remember it was while under contract with those labels that The Songbird started her career, Urong Sulong, covered the great contemporary classics, Tuwing Umuulan At Kapiling Ka, and also where she recorded those beautiful theme songs for her successful films like You Are My Song from Wanted Perfect Mother with Christopher de Leon.

And so here it is, Regine At 25, the ultimate Christmas present for the Regine fan or for anybody who loves great singing in your gift list. They are all here, beginning with Urong Sulong and Promdi, down to On The Wings Of Love, Buhay Ng Buhay Ko, Pangako, Maghihintay Ako Sa ‘Yo, And I Am Telling You, Isang Lahi, Dadalhin, Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Ebb Tide, Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka, Narito Ako, Hanggang Ngayon, I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing and many more.