The enthralling Cocoy/Halloween family concert

The Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines (FCCP) celebrated its 31st year at the Shangri-La Ballroom where icon Cocoy Laurel enthralled its officers, members and guests with Broadway and other song hits.

At my table were Vicky F. Zubiri, Chic Francisco and Martin Lopez; a big screen in front of us showed Cocoy up close, both his face and voice alternately reflecting rapture, anguish, ecstacy, triumph, uncertainty. Eloquent gestures, a look, a smile, a vocal inflection – all these were enriching every selection.

With his inherent talent enhanced and honed by the Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and the Juilliard School of Music, as well as by the portrayal of dramatic singing and dancing roles in Repertory presentations and in Les Miserables and Miss Saigon abroad, Cocoy stands head and shoulders above almost all his peers.

Listeners tingled with excitement at the edge of their seats as he sustained high notes, his ringing voice increasing in power, intensity – and passion! – while reaching tremendous climaxes. Interpreted were hits from “South Pacific” – “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Bali Hai,” “Happy Talk” – La Vie en Rose, this in French, “The Impossible Dream” from “Man of La Mancha”.

In “Bali Hai,” two lovely women Snowie and Yoli Ayson, accentuated the song with graceful dance movements in slow motion; in “Happy Talk,” children of FCCP members, huddled together, mimed the words.

Denise Laurel, Cocoy’s pretty niece, demonstrated family talent which goes back to her grandfather Doy who sang, and her great grandfather Jose P. Laurel who played the violin. Denise fascinated with “On My Own,” her performance proving her own bewitching talent.

Prior to the program proper, Michael Young, a good-looking heart throb, went around serenading guests while expertly playing on a saxophone.

The Angelos, a five-member band of singers, impressed the audience, singly or together, in “Volare” and “New York, New York,” with Cocoy joining sans microphone.

The musical opened with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra in a brisk rendition of “The Phantom of the Opera Overture,” later accompanying singers, officers and members of FCCP, and their partners in the Fox Trot and “New York, New York”.

The women were Mabel Abaño, Nenuca Blardony, Lulu Castañeda, Beth Cristobal, Thelma Gana, Letty Hahn, Rose Lazaro, Nene Leonor, Chloe Romulo-Periquet, Tessie Rodrigo, Gilda Salonga, Lili Adina, Annabelle Adriano, Baby Antonio, Dolly Borlongan, Alice Briones, Linda Cruz, Marissa Fenton, Erlie Gamboa, Baby Ortiz, Mache Torres, Yoli Ayson, Maria Allgeier, Tessie Briones, Chit Bautista, Lolette Carillo, Leny Gutierrez, Nene Pe Lim, Roi Phillips, Margie Ortiz Luis and Ester Rosca.

The gallant swains in the simple choreography of Jeremy Vallejo were Mars Lambino, Frank Adriano, Jorge Hizon, Frank Evaristo, Jerome Aquino, Jeffrey Mangali, Jimmy Biglang-awa, Russell Wisden, Boysie Villavicencio, Robert Chinjen, David Ackerman and Jun Bino.

Avidly applauding were Marivic Concepcion, Alice T. Guerrero and Sol Lavadia among many others.

Earlier addressing the audience were President Beth Cristobal who talked about FCCP scholars, over-all chairperson Mabel G. Abaño and chairperson Yoli B. Ayson. Johnny Litton served as emcee.

Halloween Concert Oct. 31

“Wizards, Witches and Wacky Wands,” a Halloween family concert, will be presented at the CCP main theater on Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. by the Institute for Orchestral Development. People ages three to 93 are urged to attend the concert which aims to introduce to both parents and children the symphony orchestra in a most enjoyable manner.

Josefino Toledo will conduct the Metro Manila Concert Orchestra in “magical” excerpts from Dukas’ Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyrie, selections from Mencken’s Enchanted, an aria from Mozart’s Magic Flute, Disney and Cartoon medleys. Children should come at 2:30 p.m. in their best costumes for the Petting Zoo and the Trick or Treat, both at the Little Theater lobby.