After 4 decades, Music & Magic reunites for a cause

Their emergence was seen in performance venues such as hotel bars.

Among the popular ones was Music & Magic, with members such as Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma, singer-comedienne-and-actress Fe de los Reyes, talent manager Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano, Jet Montelibano, Vicky Sevilla-Pangilinan, Nonoy Mendoza, Butch Elizalde and Bobby Taylo.

Replete with singing and dancing, their signature performance also banks on a solid concept, a well-curated music arrangement and a repertoire that tells a story, as The STAR, along with other media platforms, could gather in a recent group interview, joined by Fe, Jet, Kuh and Vicky.

With that kind of creativity, plus the visuals like well-thought-out costumes back then, Music & Magic may be considered a “theatrical” band, which put their own flavor on every cover or Top 40 hit or song they took on.

In that meet-up, these members of Music & Magic couldn’t help but look back with a smile on their faces and excitement in their voices.

“Noon kailangan memorize naming lahat ang lyrics (we had to memorize the lyrics),” recalled Fe, who has appeared in the TV series “Saving Grace” and will share the center stage with Mitch Valdes for the repeat of “Sex and the Seniors.” “Walang iPod, iPod. Walang teleprompter (there were no iPod and teleprompter back then).”

“We were younger then,” Jet chimed in.

They added that technology is helpful, but the performing landscape now is different.

The showband Music & Magic forayed into the live performances in 1979, under the tutelage of its manager, Sandra Chavez.

“Her first job as a manager was the Music & Magic,” shared Kuh, recipient of the Excellence in Music and Performing Arts Award from the Legacy Awards 2025. “Actually, legend si Sandra (she’s a legend).”

She, Jet and Fe remembered that Sandra managed before the careers of Gary Valenciano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ray-An Fuentes, Kuh and Jacqui Magno. For some time, she also worked with Sharon Cuneta and Tessie Tomas.

Their collective talent was first showcased at the Regent of Manila and its Alibi Bar. They had to show what they could offer against the established ones. The F&B manager saw the group’s potential for a committed performance and the ability to draw a crowd.

From performing on weekdays, Music & Magic eventually had their weekend gigs.

There was even a time when even celebrities couldn’t find seats. They considered the Alibi Bar stint as their peak.

From there, Music & Magic ventured outside the Philippines by having tours and shows in North America, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Singapore and Malaysia.

And then the inevitable came: the band disbanded in 1986 as members went on their personal endeavors such as going back to school, pursuing solo careers and living abroad. But they also came together and had a series in 1988 for the opening of the Music Museum.

What’s inspiring about them is they have remained in touch with one another through the years.

“We’re like family. Nagkikita pa rin kami. Nag-uusap pa rin kami (we would see each other and talk). We have a chat group. So, we’re connected in more ways than one,” said Fe.

With that, it’s somehow easy for them to come up with a showcase like “The Music & Magic and Friends” on Aug. 20, 8 p.m. at the Music Museum, especially if most members are available. Jet is in town for a holiday, while Fe has some shows here.

They talked about it during the birthday party of Nonoy and the idea of mounting a reunion concert became clearer when their former manager Sandra Chavez celebrated hers. Since she’s recovering from a health condition, Music & Magic made it as a benefit show.

“We’ve been wanting to do a show for her,” said Fe. “We’ve always wanted to do a show, a reunion.” In 2020, they had their 40th anniversary show at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. This year, they will celebrate their 46th year, including the 45th milestone last year.

Since everyone’s mind was into it, as Jet shared, they were able to do the poster and rehearsal schedules for “The Music & Magic and Friends” in no time. And the Music Museum is available on the show date.

Given the years that they were performing together, they naturally remembered the lyrics of the songs, the choreographies and the materials when they had their first rehearsal. That’s what one may call muscle memory.

“It’s all memories. It’s a journey back to the memories and we sing the songs that we love,” said Jet about their line-up of songs for the forthcoming concert.

“This show is dedicated to our dearest Sandra,” added Fe.

During the interview, the showband members were also inquired about pieces of advice they could give to new bands to have that lasting friendship and enthusiasm to come together that Music & Magic enjoys.

“I think if there’s no talk about money and work. ‘pag masyadong ma-trabaho, and then, the love is reduced,” said Vicky. “If you do everything out of love (and) passion, and then you become kinder in terms of what’s in it for me, and it’s more of… like this show, I want to join, I want to share also… that becomes more meaningful atsaka walang away.”

Jet agreed with Vicky by saying, “It goes with the saying that the best job in the world is when you work and… you don’t feel it’s work.”

Kuh shared, “It’s because everybody loves the fact that they’ll be able to sing and perform” and they’re all good people. “If you love what you do and you do it well, you will make it.”

Fe, on the other hand, said the talent and skill of each member should be recognized and the respect for each other is present.

If there are discussions, they should be productive, and humility is important, as one could also glean upon their answers.

Let’s take a walk down musical memory lane by watching “The Music & Magic and Friends” and enjoy the singing and dancing they’re known for.

For details on tickets and reservations, call 0999-9097614, 0960-8850288 or 0920-2868895.