Ogie Alcasid on the craziest thing he has done for love
“Love Letters” (LL) is not just a Valentine concert. It’s a masterclass in how romance sounds when OPM (Original Pilipino Music) legends hold the pen.
Imagine Ogie Alcasid delivering hugot lines wrapped in melody, National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab conducting feelings like he invented kilig, Basil Valdez singing with the wisdom of someone who has loved, lost and loved again, and Celeste Legaspi showing us that elegance never goes out of style.
It isn’t the kind of V-day show where you scream and wave light sticks. It’s the kind where you sigh, smile, remember an old love, forgive a heartbreak and maybe text someone you should not.
“LL” will feel like opening a box of handwritten notes — some sweet, some bittersweet, all timeless — read aloud by four icons who have been soundtracking our love stories long before emojis existed. It’s a celebration of music that knows exactly where your heart lives.
“LL” will be on Feb 13, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. at Proscenium Theater. For ticket inquiries, visit Ticket World.
Here’s my chat with Ogie:
Among all the songs in the repertoire of “LL” which one best describes your love story with Regine?
“We are singing songs by Jose Mari Chan, George Canseco and Willy Cruz. So, for me, it’s ninong Jo’s (Jose Mari Chan) Beautiful Girl and Kailangan Kita of Canseco and Never Ever Say Goodbye of Cruz.”
Which song in the repertoire still gives you goosebumps?
“We haven’t rehearsed with Mr. C., but I can imagine all the classics will give me goosebumps.”
What do you hope that couples will feel after the concert? And for singles, what message does “LL” have for them?
“For couples, nostalgia. These are songs of our lifetime. For singles, to keep hoping on love.”
As a husband and songwriter, how has your idea of love changed over the years?
“Love is a commitment. It’s a decision. It is not just a feeling. You decide to love someone.”
What’s the craziest thing you have done for love?
“I think everything you do for love is crazy. So, for me, falling in love itself is crazy. It’s an act of losing all control and abandoning everything.”
What love advice do you find hard to follow?
“There’s nothing hard for me to follow when it comes to love. It is the single most addicting thing in life that can motivate us to be ‘the very best version of ourselves.’”
KimJe’s post V-Day movie
Before Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles tie the knot in March, they have sort of a “rehearsal” for marriage as they portray husband and wife in Viva Films’ post-Valentine offering, “Wonderful Nightmare,” which opens on Feb. 25 in cinemas.
Directed by RC Delos Reyes, it’s an adaptation of the 2015 Korean blockbuster. The story centers on a career woman, Lui (Kim), who wakes up in the body of a housewife after an accident due to a clerical error in heaven.
The bizarre twist of fate forces Lui to become an instant wife to Julian (Jerald) and mother to their two kids as they struggle to make ends meet. This is the kind of life that she tried to avoid before. Eventually, Lui’s perception of her situation changes.
In her past life, she never wanted to have her own family. Now, what she considers a nightmare is leaving all this behind. But the clock is ticking, and soon, she will have to wake up from the most wonderful thing she’s ever experienced.
Here are quotes from Kim and Jerald:
Kim: “Je and I make a conscious effort to attack our roles in a different way compared to the ones in our previous movies together. It’s been a longtime dream of mine to do an adaptation of a Korean movie. At first, I was hesitant if I could pull off playing a dual role in our movie, but Boss Vic’s vote of confidence in me helped me nail it.”
Jerald: “What seems like a nightmare, if I could call it that, is Kim’s habit of not putting back things where they belong. I always have to fix her messy stuff. But I have learned to live with it. I love her that much, so I embrace even her weird ways.”
Kim: “The nightmarish experience I’ve had in the biz happened when I walked into the studio for my audition, I heard someone say that I’m not pretty enough and I’m not star material. I felt so unwelcome. Then when I already made a name for myself, that girl is now chummy (with) me. She has no inkling that I overheard the nasty things she said about me.”
Jerald: “Seventy percent of our movie is Kim since she plays a dual role. So, just like the character I portray, who’s a supportive husband. I’m an ulirang fiancé on the set. I make sure Kim’s food and stuff are ready while she does her wardrobe change and make-up for her two different looks.”
Kim: “I missed my last audition for ‘Miss Saigon’ because I was busy shooting. It broke my heart, but looking back, if I landed the role as Gigi on Broadway, most likely I (wouldn’t) end up marrying Je. So, it’s a blessing in disguise.”
Jerald: “In the Korean version, the distinction of the social classes is not too evident. While in our Pinoy adaptation, the difference between rich and poor is very much felt. That’s a sad reality in our country. The rich get richer, and the poor get poorer.”
Tita Boots’ ‘nth debut/book launch
Tita Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo redefines what being a woman of substance and grace is. Eighty-one never looked and grooved so good.
At her birthday bash/book launch at Club Filipino, Tita Boots danced like nobody’s watching.
“To do a dance number in ‘ASAP’ is on my bucket list,” she said, chuckling. The showbiz icon spreads her joie de vivre around so well.
Know more about Tita Boots’ colorful life and illustrious career by getting a copy of her memoir, Grateful. (To order, e-mail [email protected])
Spanning eight decades, her inspiring journey is a masterclass in resilience, purpose and the power of gratitude, all shaped by faith, family and service.
Since Tita Boots’ brother, Alvin, is one of my besties, I’m overjoyed to be an adopted member of the Anson family. As Tita Boots said in the vid I took during her party, “Dolly is part of our wonderful, crazy family because Dolly is also crazy.”
Cheers to many more years, Ta Boots, of being wonderfully crazy and crazily wonderful.
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