It takes only one hit song to make a singer. Dito Ba? (by George Canseco) catapulted Kuh Ledesma to stardom, and so did Be My Lady for Martin Nievera, Di Na Natuto for Gary Valenciano and Hawak-Kamay for Yeng Constantino.
Pare, Mahal Mo Raw Ako didn’t win in the recent Himig Handog songfest of the ABS-CBN but, as in the case of other non-winners (APO’s Ewan, Freddie Aguilar’s Anak and Leah Navarro’s Isang Mundo, Isang Awit, all Philpop entries in different years), it popularized Michael Pangilinan. Written by Joven Tan, the song is about a man who, during a drunken moment, confesses to his best friend that he loves him but the friend, not offended, consoles him that their ties remain the same although he can offer nothing more than friendship.
Pare is in Michael’s repertoire for his pre-Valentine concert Come Sing With Me at Teatrino (in Greenhills, San Juan City) on Wednesday, Feb. 11 (starting at 8:30 p.m.), with guests Morissette Amon, Duncan Ramos and Malu Barry, with comic duo Le Chazz and AJ Tamisa. Musical director is Butch Miraflor (on a baby grand piano). The concert is produced by Michael’s manager Jobert Sucaldito for Front Desk Entertainment Production.
Funfare asked Michael to take the “Complete The Sentence” quiz.
• I hate people who are…plastic, ‘yung mga pakitang-tao, not true to themselves.
• I avoid people who are…insensitive, mahangin at mapangmata.
• My greatest pleasure in life is…when I see the audience enjoying my performance; it feels good to see them smiling and applauding.
•My biggest fear is…hmmm, I don’t want it to happen, I hope not, I don’t want to lose my loved ones. Also, losing my career that’s why I strive harder kasi I really love singing. Sobra!
• I pray for…good health for my loved ones and that I will succeed in my career so I can help more people.
•The most important one in my life is…God.
• If I were to be reincarnated as an animal, I would be a…lion because lions are kings of the jungle. If I would be king, I would be a very good king.
• My most traumatic experience happened when…I was eight years old. One night, I went with my family to a worship of El Shaddai in Parañaque City. I played in the dark, away from them, and I fell into an open manhole. Luckily, I was able to hold on to a steel bar. I was giving up, about to fall, when a stranger pulled me up by my back collar. I could not see his face clearly. He walked away slowly after leaving me safe on the ground. I wasn’t able to thank him but up to this day, I say “Thank you so much” whoever you are.
• My most embarrassing experience was…I have an “ex” who looked exactly like a girl whom I saw at the hallway of the condo building where we used to live, her back to me. I called him “Baby! Baby!” aloud but she just ignored me. So I approached her and when she turned around, hindi pala siya ‘yung “ex” ko at tinawanan niya ako. Hiyang-hiya naman ako!
• I deal with gossip by…deadmaaaaaa!!!!
• The one thing I can’t do without is…my cell phone. I can’t imagine life without it.
• The type of girls that turn me on are…’yung malinis ang paa at maputi ang kili-kili.
• The type of girls that turn me off are those who are…maangas at madaldal.
• My philosophy in life is…try and try until you succeed. May pagka-slumbook but nice, di ba?
• When I am alone in my room, I fantasize about…a sexy woman with big boobs, hahahaha! Basta, alam n’yo na ‘yon!
• I’m happiest when…I’m with my family. Iba kasi ang feeling kapag kasama ko sila. I feel so secured. Masarap pa naman magluto ang mom ko.
• I’m saddest when…nagtatampo sa akin ang mom ko.
• What makes me mad is…when someone touches my hair. Basta ayokong may humahawak ng hair ko. No explanation. Period!!!
• My ultimate goal is…to become big as a singer. I want to be the best example to others.
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. You may also send your questions to askrickylo@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)