Basil a show-stopper, Ngayon at Kailanman

MANILA, Philippines - Basil Valdez’s loyal fans as well as some of the industry’s biggest celebrities and personalities all came to The Theatre at Solaire to celebrate his 40-year career as solo recording artist in his recently-concluded concert, Basil Valdez @ Solaire.

Under the musical direction of maestro Ryan “Mr. C” Cayabyab — who has been Basil’s musical director for the past 40 years — Basil Valdez @ Solaire featured the stunning talents of the 42-piece ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, the Ateneo Chamber Singers and the concert’s special guest, Sharon Cuneta.

Audiences were amazed as Basil took them to an enthralling musical journey down memory lane as he performed a solid repertoire that consisted of his original hits as composed especially for him by some of the great Filipino songwriters such as George Canseco, Gerry Paraiso, Cecile Azarcon, Manoling Francisco, Arnel de Pano and Mr. C, among many others.

The crowd applauded and roared as Basil opened the concert with his seminal hit Nais Ko with his pitch perfect and iconic baritone voice. After a modest and classy bow, Basil performed hit song after hit song that has been part of the soundtrack of the lives of every person in the audience therefore igniting nostalgia to the very appreciative people who have all been longing to witness a major, solo concert of Basil’s for the longest time.

Who could ever forget such brilliant, poetic and lyrical masterpieces such as Paraisong Parisukat, Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang, Kastilyong Buhangin, Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan and Ngayon At Kailanman, among many other immortal ballads written in Filipino that Basil breathed life into to perfection? Basil sounded as good, if not better, than ever when he performed these classics live in the concert. It was also very touching when Basil introduced his back-up vocalists Babsie Molina, Sylvia Macaraeg and Elise Cortez, who like Mr. C, have continuously worked with Basil for the past 40 years.

He then performed his original English hits such as the feel-good love song You and the inspirational ballads Lead Me Lord and Lift Up Your Hands.

Sharon, who is also a certified OPM hit-maker, was on-point and full of overflowing energy when she performed two of her own classics Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko and Tayong Dalawa. Her awe-inspiring duet with Basil in their stirring interpretation of Tubig At Langis elicited tears and a sense of wonder from the audience that it was rightfully given a three-minute applause leaving the crowd wanting more from Basil and Sharon.

The Ateneo Chamber singers, on the other hand, delivered a powerful rendition of two of Basil’s well-loved classics Iduyan Mo — which was the theme song of the late Fernando Poe Jr.’s epic film Agila — and Tuwing Umuulan At Kapiling Ka.

Personalities spotted in the audience were Mel Tiangco, Noel Ferrer, Carlo Orosa, Lani Misalucha, The CompanY, Pilita Corrales, Roderick Paulate, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Christopher de Leon, Sandy Andolong, Agot Isidro, Ambassador Jose Cuisia Jr., Tim Yap, Eugene Domingo, Girlie Rodis, Arnell Ignacio and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan, among others.

Basil gratefully concluded the fabulous concert with the tear-jerking ballad Hindi Kita Malilimutan and the audience rewarded him with the longest standing ovation in return.

Basil Valdez @ Solaire will have a special one-night-only repeat performance tonight at The Theatre at Solaire. For tickets, contact Ticketworld (tel. no. 891-9999 or at www.ticketworld.com.ph) or call NY Entourage Productions at 552-7473. For more details, follow NY Entourage Productions on Twitter and Instagram (@nsyshows) and like nsyshows on Facebook.