Ogie A.: Nothing is original

It seems only yesterday when Ogie Alcasid (for want of a better word) burst into mainstream showbiz, fresh from his stint with the Kundirana of his alma mater La Salle, the same group in which the likes of Gary Valenciano and Dingdong Avanzado started their singing career (another member was Leo Dominguez who is now Ogie’s manager). That was 25 years ago. How time flies, ‘no?

“I can’t believe that I’m actually celebrating my 25th year in the business,” Ogie told Funfare.

Through that decade-plus, Ogie has established himself as a foremost singer-composer, a natural comedian (you never miss him in the long-running GMA gag show Bubble Gang Friday nights, do you?), an in-demand concert artist and a successful restaurateur (he’s a co-owner of the Ryu Ramen Japanese restaurant on Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City), besides being a happy survivor of one failed marriage (to Australian Michelle van Eimeren with whom Ogie has two daughters), and now married to Regine Velasquez (with whom he has a son…and two or three more kids coming?). Ogie and Regine are friends with Michelle and her new husband (a New Zealander) and, as extended families, they sometimes spend vacations (and special occasions like Christmas) together in Australia.

As you can see, Ogie has a good reason to celebrate. On Aug. 16, he’ll mount a concert at the MOA Arena, titled 25 Years: I Write The Songs featuring 25 songs and, reminded Ogie, “more than 25 guests” led by Regine whose throat should be in tip-top shape, free from the effects of acid reflux, by that time.

Included in Ogie’s repertoire are songs that he has written for Regine like Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka and Kailangan Kita.

Asked for three good reasons why he has to celebrate (even if it’s SOP to mark similar occasions), Ogie said, “One, it’s my way of giving thanks to the wonderful industry that has been very good to me and my family; two, I want to celebrate via a concert because that’s how I started as a singer and as a songwriter; and three, I want a night where my fans and people who have been following me will again experience the same songs that I’ve been singing from the time I started up to the present.”

And the song that capsulizes his feelings about himself and the industry?

“Nandito Ako,” said Ogie. “It will always be Nandito Ako.” (That song was used as title and theme song of the movie in which Kris Aquino and Phillip Salvador became close and fell in love.)

In English, it means “I’m here,” which speaks for Ogie’s decision to stay as a Kapuso for the meantime even as his contract officially ended last Sunday, June 30.

“Starting yesterday (July 1) until my concert on Aug. 16,” clarified Ogie, “I will take a leave,” and promptly corrected himself, “actually, it’s not a leave because technically wala na akong trabaho. I really want to focus on making my concert special. I won’t be doing anything else, except rehearsing, promoting and selling tickets.”

But he will keep on appearing on the new GMA Sunday show SAS (Sunday All Stars) which some sectors are criticizing for being a “copycat” of US talent-search show The Voice (franchised by ABS-CBN with Lea Salonga, Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo and Alan “apl.de.ap” Pineda).

“Truth be told,” explained Ogie, referring to The Voice, “it’s not an original idea. In showbiz, nothing seems to be original. Mas nauna pa nga ‘yung That’s Entertainment ni Kuya Germs noon which used that kind of format (with star-hosts divided into competing ‘teams’ named after the days of the week when they go on air). That format is therefore nothing new.”

He qualified, “What makes the show unique is that it gives a chance for the other people to shine, for the younger people to show what they are capable of. Dati kasi, the teams were relegated to production numbers assigned to them. But on SAS, the teams are given a chance to think of concepts that they want to do and perform.”

By the way, between now and Aug. 16, will he decide whether to stay on GMA, move to another network or be a freelancer?

“I don’t want to talk about it yet. But in the meantime, my manager (Leo) will be doing the negotiation for me.”

(Note: 25 Years: I Write The Songs set for Aug. 16 at MOA Arena is sponsored by Bench, Pacific Blue and Victoria Court, with M. Lhuillier, McDonald’s and Wyeth as minor sponsors. Ticket prices are: P5,280 for VIP-A, P3,700 for VIP-B, P2,640 for Patron, P1,590 for Lower Box A, P1,060 for Lower Box B, P530 for Upper Box and P320 for General Admission. Call SM ticket office at 470-2222 or check out smtickets.com)