Behind every song is a beautiful story

Did you know that behind every hit song is, almost always, a sad story?

Take for example Kahit Isang Saglit (used as theme song of the Star Cinema movie of the same title, starring Piolo Pascual, Leandro Muñoz and Judy Ann Santos), the original of which was by Verni Varga and popularized by Martin Nievera. Every time that song (Sen. Jinggoy Estrada’s favorite) is played, it makes people cry.

“That song was composed by Louie (Ocampo) for his child that was born premature,” related Martin. The song, as it does to many people who have suffered the same loss, never fails to make Louie cry…making Louie beg for even just a moment…Sana ikaw’y muling makita ko at damhin ang tibok ng puso mo…to just hug him. “Louie just came from a show and when he arrived at the hospital, his child was already dead.”

Or Sana Maulit Muli by Gary Valenciano, also used for a movie of the same title starring Lea Salonga and Aga Muhlach. Asked what memories the song brings back to him, Gary recalled a story somewhat different from what people close to him have told me.

“The original was written in English and it was Angeli (Pangilinan, his wife) who translated the lyrics into Filipino,” said Gary. “What people don’t know is that the song was written for Julie Vega (the actress who died at a tender age),” just like The Warrior is a Child which Gary wrote for Rico Yan. (Another Gary V. hit is How Did You Know, originally sung by Chiqui Pineda.)

For Regine Velasquez, it’s Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw which was composed and originally sung by Ogie Alcasid who would become her husband.

“I fell in love with the song the first time I heard it on the radio,” said Regine without elaborating on the story behind it. When she starred in a Viva movie with Robin Padilla, Regine asked Ogie for permission to use the song as theme. “And, of course,” added Regine, “there’s also Leader of the Band which has a sentimental value to me because it was my father’s favorite song,” referring to Mang Gerry, Regine’s great mentor, who died early last year.

Funfare talked to the three artists during the recent presscon for Ultimate, their Valentine concert set for Feb. 13 and 14 at the Mall Of Asia (MOA) Arena, presented by PLDT Home DSL and Belo Medical Clinic for the benefit of World Vision Philippines, PMA Makatao Class of 1989 Foundation and Police Regional Office 3 PNP. (For ticket inquiries, call Starmedia Entertainment at 854-3300 or 901-4562; or SM Tickets at 420-2222.) Also performing on the two shows is Lani Misalucha who was abroad during the presscon so Funfare wasn’t able to ask what song touches her the most.

But rest assured that the four of them will have more stories to tell during the shows which live up to the title because, bar none, it’s the ultimate casting coup.

“It took me many years to be able to put them together in a show,” admitted producer Ana Puno. “There was always conflict of schedule.”

Martin and Gary have done shows together, and so did Martin and Regine (mostly in US tours), Martin and Lani, and Gary and Regine (who’s performing with Lani for the first time).

Asked who gets the highest talent fee and whose name gets billed first, Ana said there was a problem about them.

The question of who will draw the biggest applause from the expected SRO audience remains to be seen come concert dates. Tickets reportedly sold fast the very moment the news was fed to the Internet.

Of the four, only Martin is un-married.

What does he think is the biggest threat to a marriage (his one and only so far was to Pops Fernandez with whom he has two grown-up sons, Robin and Ram).

“Survival,” said Martin, the voice of experience.

And what’s the best lesson that he learned from falling in and out of love?

“You never bounce back. That love the second, third and fourth time around is sweeter than the first.”

Like their concert, the second, third and fourth time around is touted to be the best, the “ultimate,” until the next “ultimate” concert comes around.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)