She is the Megastar. She is the Songbird. Getting them together in one show is a coup. It would have been so easy to name the concert the MegaBird. But since the result of the combination of titles does not sound pleasing to the ears, it was decided to instead call the concert Iconic. Why not? Sharon Cuneta, the Megastar and Regine Velasquez, the Songbird are indeed icons and their show together can only be Iconic.
The word icon was earlier used to describe religious images of the type associated with the Eastern Christian Churches. These are very beautiful renditions of Jesus Christ, the Blessed Virgin Mary, the saints of scenes from the Bible. Over the recent past, icon also came to mean symbols for files, apps, programs or whatever you have inside your computer. If you need to open or close something, you click on the right icon.
Then there is the other meaning, icon as a symbol of something important in relation to a place or time or of an object of great affection and devotion. Like John Kennedy as an icon of the ’60s era or Elvis Presley as an icon of rock and roll or the Hotdog Band as an icon of the Manila Sound. As far as Sharon and Regine are concerned, there is no question of them being objects of affection and devotion. Their fans love them to death. As for being symbols in relation to a time or place, can you think of better figures to approximate greatness as entertainers at this moment than the way these two pop stars do.
Sharon and Regine reached icon status through hard work and the clever maneuverings of the people around them. Both started out very young before their teens. They also came along handicapped by the circumstances they were born into and had to work doubly hard to prove themselves worthy. Sharon as the rich kid, whom people were not inclined to take seriously and Regine as the contesera determined to better the lot of her family.
Oh, but how they could sing. Sharon was a hitmaker from the onset with Mr. DJ, Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko, I-Swing Mo Ako, Ewan, High School Life, Mahal Kita Mahal Mo Siya Mahal Niya Ay Iba, Langis At Tubig and others. Regine had Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang, Urong Sulong, Narito Ako, It’s Hard To Say Goodbye, Please Be Careful With My Heart with Jose Mari Chan, Sana Maulit Muli and others.
It was her decision to join the movies that sent Sharon’s career trajectory off to Megastar stardom. Starting with her team-up with Gabby Concepcion, Sharon moved to tear-jerking melodramas to romances and action comedies, most of which slayed at the box-office. These blockbusters came accompanied by packed concerts, high-rating TV shows and more hit recordings. Dear Heart, Pangarap Na Bituin, Bituing Walang Ningning, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, Maging Sino Ka Man and many others.
Regine watched those films, sang the theme songs and acted out the iconic lines when she was just starting out. Sharon was the idol that newcomers all wanted to emulate. Coincidentally, she would parallel Sharon’s success when she also decided to venture into acting. And so, the Regine movies came, Wanted Perfect Mother, Do Re Mi, Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw, Pangako Ikaw Lang, Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka and many others. Regine, who was then dubbed the Songbird, had also became a box-office star with packed concerts, high-rating TV shows and hit recordings.
The ensuing years saw Sharon and Regine grow in stature to the point wherein no historical account of Philippine entertainment would be complete without mention of their accomplishments. While they occasionally bumped into each other during events or performed in the same shows, they had never, ever done a concert together. That is until next month.
Sharon, the Megastar and Regine, the Songbird will perform together for the first time at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Oct. 18 and 19. The show, aptly titled Iconic, will be directed by Rowell Santiago with musical direction by Raul Mitra and Louie Ocampo. Tickets are selling fast. There will surely be a packed house and those lucky enough to be there will get a massive dose of hit songs, most of them showstopping duets by two of the country’s most iconic entertainers.