Will Ogie ever go rapping?

MANILA, Philippines - Don’t be surprised if one day one of the most renowned balladeers in the country, Ogie Alcasid, decides to do a rap album.

That is not a remote possibility considering his high respect for the genre. “I get a certain high when performing a rap song,” said Ogie in a chat with the press during his contract renewal with Universal Records earlier this month.

The multi-faceted showbiz personality has been seen performing the rap verses of the super hit Gloc-9-Ebe Dancel collaboration, Sirena. He did the trick during the finals night of Philpop 2013 at the Meralco Theater and once more at his silver anniversary concert at the MOA Arena.

He noted in jest, when describing the degree of difficulty of doing something he’s not accustomed to, “Nabulol ako!”  

Seriously, he has more to say about rap, which traditionally is the genre songwriting purists frowned at because it essentially does not offer melody lines. His support for the movement makes that clear. “Hindi mo na maitatanggi ang success ng rap. It’s infectious and it’s an effective storytelling.”

“I believe that we should make rap more mainstream. And my wish is that maabot din sana ng hip-hop community ang kind of recognition rock has already enjoyed.”

Universal compiled two of his previous albums and turn it into a double album of classic OPM covers. Called Koleksyon, it is a harbinger of things to come for Ogie as the label is planning to release some of his songs via vinyl which sounds good for collectors.

“I wanna do more collaborative work. I want to work with bands,” he visualized.

After leaving GMA 7 and letting go of his famed Boy Pick-up character, the OPM torch-bearer is now busy working for his new mother network TV5. He is now hosting with Sharon Cuneta a show called The Mega and the Songwriter and acting in a teleserye titled The Gift, which tells the story of a musician taking care of an orphaned child.

“TV5 is still starting and we’re still trying to get more people to watch us,” he said in reaction to observation that he and Sharon were beaten black and blue in the ratings game.

Well, there’s this new TV5 series likely to get lots of audience with its treatment of an alarming issue — HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

This primetime drama series ironically titled Positive presents the negative atmosphere that HIV infection brings in the lives of its victims and how does that affect the people around them, especially their loved ones. In so doing the soap is poised to enlighten televiewers in embracing the facts and breaking the myths about it.

Director Eric Quizon shed light on the matter and stated, “We’d like to say we’re blessed to be given this sensitive project. What we’re doing is not just showcasing a dramatic story that deals with this disease but really to present one that is really informative on the subject. The HIV cases the past two years are alarming and through this we will be able to educate people by way of a family drama.”

Martin Escudero is getting his biggest break as the central character of Positive, playing the role of a BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) officer expecting his firstborn, only to discover he is infected with HIV.

Martin’s support cast includes Bing Loyzaga (who plays his mother Esther), Felix Roco (portraying Peejay his bestfriend), Helga Krapf (acting as his wife Janis), Bianca Manalo (the other special woman) and Rufa Mae Quinto, who in the teaser clearly describes herself as a mother who engages in an illicit sex.

Felix, son of Bembol Roco, told The STAR of his experience interacting with persons with HIV as part of the character immersion he did prior to the shoot. He shared, “The real issue here is people are not aware of most of the facts behind HIV. Magugulat ka na lang talaga kasi ‘yung nakausap ko, hindi mo iisiping infected siya. Pero hindi din dapat kabahan ang tao kasi hindi ka naman basta mahahawa ng sakit na ito. This series is our way of letting people know more about this disease.”

Positive begins airing on TV5 starting Oct. 17 at 9 p.m.