Richard Yap, Richard Poon redefine ‘bromance’

MANILA, Philippines — Filipinos might have celebrated Valentine’s Day last February 14. But for the Chinese, Valentine’s Day does not happen until the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, which falls on August 28 this year.

For the Filipino-Chinese community, who include singers Richard Yap and Richard Poon, Chinese Valentine’s Day is the most romantic celebration of the year, where the main participants are singles looking for their soulmates. Wishes for happiness, wealth, longevity and a good partner are done on this day.

According to Yap and Poon, Filipino-Chinese weddings are a big market for the entertainment industry in the Philippines that are often overlooked. A lot of Filipino-Chinese couples get married each year and yet there are very few singers that can sing Chinese love songs, said Poon.

Thus, from a cook in their family restaurant, Poon followed his sister’s advice to join her in becoming a Chinese wedding singer since they virtually have no competition in this niche market in the Philippines.

Recently, Poon also collaborated with his namesake, Yap, to provide novelty in addressing the entertainment needs of their community.

From their team-up, Yap realized how big the Chinese community is in the Philippines.

“Nakakapag-gold ng album ang mga Chinese dito at nakakapag-full house sila ng concerts,” he enthused.

After Yap and Poon’s concert last year, their first collaboration album “The Chinito Crooners” got sold out after the concert.

 “Some artists, they need a plus one because they find it difficult with the pitch,” said Poon. “But Richard (Yap) is different.”

According to Poon, his dad is a good critic when it comes to singers. After the concert, his dad told him that Yap does not only sing well but can even carry a tune with strength. Yap also possesses a strong charisma on stage.

Yap in reality was so nervous during the concert. “I was stressed so much…There were high expectations. Thankfully, I managed to have pulled it off.”

While he has done a lot of shows with Poon, it was their first major concert wherein they had to belt out 12 songs each, unlike then when he only had to render three to four. When he forgets a line from a song, he makes the audience sing it for him.

Yap began singing in high school as a tenor. He used to listen to “Bohemian Rhapsody” a lot. He was influenced by The Carpenters, Kenny Rogers, Barry Manilow and their mellow songs.

Becoming a singer, he said, “just adds to your marketability as an actor, so you can sing in promos or mall shows.” But albums are hard to sell, so he barely earns from them. Besides acting and singing, he has to take care of his business.

He said his project with Judy Ann Santos will not push through as she still enjoys taking care of her baby. But he will be starting to shoot for a new series in March.

Although he has already worked with Poon for the concert of the former hit TV series, “Be Careful with My Heart,” Poon will not try his luck in acting as it is not his forte. His strength is in arranging songs, but he enjoyed watching his friends Sitti and Nyoy Volante in musicals.

In time for Valentine’s this year, they launched their second album, “Richard x Richard,” a compilation of their favorite old love songs.

For Yap, “Lady” is the most romantic song ever, while for Poon, it is “The Last Time,” the most requested wedding song from him.

Poon yearns to hear Yap sing a full Chinese classic. Yap, on the other hand, wants Poon to sing rock which he already did in the variety show, “ASAP.”

For Yap, the next big thing in singing is James Reid, but for Poon, it is JK or Juan Karlos Labajo.

According to Poon, it is always easy to work with Yap as their songs complement each other.  Similarly, for Yap, it is always a pleasure to work with the other Richard.

WATCH: Richards Yap and Poon greet you a Happy Valentine's!