Michael’s B-day gift to fans

MANILA, Philippines - Michael Pangilinan turned a year wiser last Wednesday, Nov. 26. And instead of him receiving presents from family, friends and supporters, he was the one who gifted them.

The special gift was his birthday concert that showcased Michael’s distinct vocal styling that crosses the genres of pop, ballad and R&B. As Michael’s friend Jimmy Bondoc put it, “He (Michael) has come into his own.” Those who attended the almost three-hour Music Museum showcase would say that Michael, the young performer, sings straight from the heart, sans any vocal calisthenics but with only a clear voice and falsetto.

Michael got the party started with the contemporary vibe of Rude, which made the young members of the crowd sing along with him. It was followed by Latch, a song Michael already performed in a Kris TV guesting. Love was in the air when Michael did his own rendition of John Legend’s All of Me and the ladies in the audience must have felt being serenaded by him with his occasional glances at them. Michael was into the “emotional zone” of the song.

He displayed his vulnerable side when he sang the Gary Valenciano hit Narito with friend Prima Diva Billy. Many will agree that Michael can do teleserye and movie themes. His voice matched Prima Diva Billy’s diva-nesque vocals. Michael showed more of this in the “lonely medley” composed of now classic pop songs It Takes Too Long, Where Is It I Belong? and Somebody’s Waiting. He had given these “female-sung tunes” a male perspective, which the young-at-heart enjoyed that night.

The evening turned light when Michael jammed with friends Jimmy, Luke Mejares and Aljur Abrenica in the Awit ng Barkada segment. Prior to that, the boys had their solo spots. Jimmy performed his hit Let Me Be The One. On the other hand, Aljur and Luke sang Ako’y Sa’yo At Ika’y Akin Lamang and Knocks Me Off My Feet, respectively.

One of the show’s highlights was when Michael introduced another friend and musical influence Jay-R. Michael held his own in Ang Saksi Ko with Jay-R. The latter took the center stage with his songs like Bakit Pa Ba?

The R&B mood turned Himig Handog when Marion Aunor performed her entry Pumapag-ibig and KZ Tandingan sang the winning piece Mahal Ko O Mahal Ako. Capping off the “reunion segment” was Michael himself, who, as expected, delivered an emotionally-charged rendition of his gender-sensitive song, Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako. And the singing was momentarily put on hold with comic relief and comedy bar entertainment provided by G, Attack and Ruel Quizon, who did an impressive “singing impersonation” of Janno Gibbs, Jaya, Jessa Zaragoza, Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid. The segment was a welcome breather. Towards the end, German “Kuya Germs” Moreno greeted and congratulated his anak-anakan Michael.

Since all good shows must come to an end, Michael closed it with a strong solo/“choir-like” performance of Angel, which was dedicated to his grandmother who recently passed away. Although everybody could feel Michael’s sadness, he never let it stand in the way of his performance.

The Michael-abot ng mga Kolehiyala (It’s My Time, Pare) concert will hopefully usher the young singer to another performance, this time, in a bigger venue.