Sweeter the second time around

MANILA, Philippines - Love may be sweeter the second time around, but in Kuh Ledesma’s case, reuniting with her fellow bandmates from the Music & Magic and playing Cupid on Valentine’s Day promise to be even sweeter.

You see, the long-delayed reunion, dubbed The Music of the Heart, The Magic of Love, to be held at The Theatre, Solaire Resort & Casino tomorrow, Feb. 14, marks the much-awaited follow-up to the Music & Magic’s first major reunion (held at the PICC last October) after almost two decades.

Looking hale and vibrant after their arrival from the US last Friday, Music & Magic’s core group, composed of Eva Caparas, Fe delos Reyes, Vicky Sevilla-Pangilinan and Jet Montelibano, joined their de facto leader and frontliner for an intimate huddle with the entertainment press.

TV Patrol’s Mario Dumaual teased them if they’ve accepted the fact that Kuh is their main “diva,” to which Jet quickly replied, “The group was actually formed for Kuh, and that formation proved to be successful, as we can all see from her legacy.”

Fe, who also carved her niche as a comedienne, added, “When you’re comfortable with the success of someone you love, you’re comfortable with your own. Mahal na mahal ko si Kuh, and from the very beginning, that was the concept. It’s like Diana Ross and the Supremes.

But she quipped, “Pero hindi siya sisikat kung wala kami!”

Amused by her cohorts’ witty repartees, Kuh humbly retorted, “We are all stars in our own right. “

Such indeed is the musical caliber of the performers who have made Music & Magic one of the highly-acclaimed showbands of their era. With their compelling vocal harmonies, flamboyant outfits and infectious wit and showmanship, Kuh and her gang have amassed a multitude of loyal fans who continue to be hot on their trail.

“Last year’s turnout was actually a surprise,” she recalls. “Aside from the bad weather it was also one of those hectic Friday weekends, and yet, it turned out to be a full house.”

Their fans should be in for a treat as the group reprises its classic catalog of showstoppers, replete with matching costumes and choreography.

“We’ll be doing our own take on some current hits like All of Me, Happy, and of course, Fe will be reprising her inimitable version of Let It Go. She brought the house down with that last time!” Kuh fondly reminisces.

Providing musical counterpoint to the retro-themed shindig is classical tenor Jack Salud, who impressed the media guests with his short but powerful rendition of Nessum Dorma.

Visibly nervous about performing for the first time with such iconic artists, Jack confesses, “It’s an honor to be sharing the same stage with Ms. Kuh and her colleagues.”

A US tour is already in the works this coming April, and other regional shows may also be part of their itinerary this year.

Kuh also showed her group’s full support for Korina Sanchez-Roxas’ Tsinelas Campaign, which is the concert’s beneficiary. “We’re glad to do our share in improving the lives of our poor children, and what better time to do this than on the Day of Hearts,” she enthuses.

The Music of the Heart, The Magic of Love is sponsored by Robinsons Land, Chocolate Zzuff, Novuhair, ATC Healthcare, McJim, Global Port, Air Asia, Silka, Bench, Blue Water Day Spa, Joel Cruz Signatures, Quiznos, Reducin, Redox Fat, with 97.9 Home Radio, 96.3 Easy Rock, PDI and The Philippine STAR as media partners.

Showtime is 8:30 p.m.