OPM is more than alive and kicking
THE grand finale of May in the entertainment scene is buzzing with exciting news in the music industry. It is a clear sign that OPM is not just alive and kicking but genuinely thriving. Even if the first part of today’s T-Zone is about the world-renowned American producer and songwriter David Foster. How so? Just the sheer faith this music genius declares for the Filipino’s musicality should be a testament that Original Pilipino Music will always endure.
Believe it or not, the music legend that is David Foster is about to mount his fifth performance in Manila when he brings anew his celebrated “Hitman: David Foster and Friends Asia Tour 2024” to the Smart Araneta Coliseum on June 18.
Since its inception in 2008, the show’s simple yet ingenious concept of gathering high-profile singers on a single stage with Foster and his cherished grand piano has seen the “Hitman” tour stage over 70 shows in approximately 16 countries.
Unquestionably a global sensation, what local media wanted to know from Foster during a small Zoom meet at the TV5 headquarters in Mandaluyong City, is why the show keeps returning to Manila.
The 74-year-old music legend wasn’t just quick to give his reply, but he was emphatic.
“Let me just say this straight off the bat. There is no place I love more than playing in the Philippines,” Foster declared. “Every time I come there, it’s very special for me. And now for Katharine (McPhee, his wife) as well, and, of course, Brian (McKnight) [who are both performing with me there].
“It’s just an incredible place. The more the audience loves the music, the more it reaches the better. It’s just really great.”
Besides his talented “American Idol” discovery of a misus, McPhee (best known for her biggest hit, “Over It”) and R&B icon McKnight (“Back At One”), the equally beloved R&B group All-4-One (“I Swear”) is also due for the show.
But of course, whenever Foster performs on these shores, he never forgets to include Filipino performers in his lineup of “Friends,” given his tremendous admiration for the Filipino artist.
Lucky and deserving youngsters JV Decena of 2015’s “The Voice Kids Philippines” and Joaquin Garcia of 2018’s “The Clash” have practically won the lottery as they have been handpicked by the multi-Grammy Award winner himself to join him onstage this visit.
With four batches of top OPM stars experiencing the honor of becoming a “Foster Friend” through the years, The Manila Times Entertainment especially asked the man behind the colossal hits “The Power of Love” (Celine Dion), “I Will Always Love You” (Whitney Houston), and “The Prayer” to name not even the tip of his tremendous and prolific body OF work, who among his Filipino friends have become his favorites.
Evidently thrilled by the coincidence that he was wearing a jacket given by one such OPM friend, Foster enthused, “Martin [Nievera] is very fabulous. I love him like a brother — this jacket he gave me.
“There’s also Jake, formerly known as Charice, who’s amazing. I still get people [telling] me every day, ‘Thank you for Jake.’
“And then, of course, there’s Morissette, who I think is a global superstar. I’ve worked with her before, and she’s amazing,” Foster said, naming his Top 3 Filipino musical buddies.
He needn’t say more, though, that the Filipino audience holds a special place in his heart, and yet the legendary David Foster ended the Zoom exchange expressing, “We received so much love from Filipinos in last year’s concert, and we’re so grateful for that. It was a worthwhile moment performing here in Manila with such amazing artists. This year, we can’t wait to meet our Filipino fans again and give them a truly enchanting night of memorable performances.”
Presented by MQLive and Mwell, tickets to “Hitman: David Foster & Friends Asia Tour 2024” at the Big Dome on June 18 are available via Ticketnet at ticketnet.com.ph.
With David Foster’s overwhelming CONfiDENCE IN PHILIPPINE MUSICIANS, this second item is the perfect followup to further assure everyone involved in OPM — and even budding musical talents out there — that the industry is thriving and sure to endure.
My Instagram post regarding OPM ICON AND OUR OWN PROLIfiC SINGER-SONGwriting genius Ogie Alcasid says it all.
UPLOADING FROM THE fiRST-EVER TRADE launch of his young yet immediately respected full-service artist and events management company aptly named The A-Team, it read: “OPM is always going to be A-OK with this man in the middle of it all [insert my stolen shot of a proud and pensive Ogie overseeing his new and remarkable commitment for the biz].
“Huge congratulations [go out to] to the A-mazing, Ogie Alcasid, Original Pilipino Music’s iconic singersongwriter and A1 Advocate, on the highly triumphant trade launch of the Alcasid Total Entertainment and Artist Management, Inc., [better known as] The A-Team.
“Tonight, we got a sneak peek of the many exciting concerts he is set to produce featuring the irreplaceable Concert King Martin Nievera, the incredibly talented opera singer Lara Maigue and the genius idea of a Street boys dance reunion with Vhong Navarro et. al., among others.”
The jam-packed event was held at the swanky CWC Interiors in BGC, Taguig City, and drew not only figures from the advertising world but also a spattering of renowned celebrities and personalities.
Anticipation was high from the moment the trade launch opened its doors, as everyone knew the party would serve as a platform for the A-Team to unveil their exciting plans for the rest of the year and through to 2025, each with that all-important Ogie Alcasid stamp of quality and excellence.
So watch out for Martin’s “The King Forever” at The Araneta; Lara and Gian Magdangal’s concert at Gateway; Noel Cabangon and Friends’ “String Fever;” Jed Madela, Bituin Escalante, and Poppert Bernadas’ “Power X3;” the reunion dance concert of the Street Boys featuring Vhong Navarro and Jhong Hilario at the New Frontier Theater; and Ogie’s own four-concert series; along with 12 other musical shows heading your way.
As everyone knows, Ogie — who has long headed the Orginasayon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit — already has an overflowing plate of commitments. He goes live on camera seven days a week as one of the co-hosts and prime performers of ABS-CBN’s daily noontime program, “It’s Showtime” and its Sunday alternate, the long-running concert party, “ASAP Forever.” He is also a popular choice for corporate gigs, in the thick of writing a musical featuring his all-time hits while never ceasing to compose original Pilipino music. To top it all, he is a very handson dad to incoming high schooler Nate (Ogie even drives his unico hijo to school) and ever-supportive husband to Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez (lately serving as her personal running and fitness coach too).
So, going back to my IG post, “We had to ask this of Ogie, ‘Do you really have time for all of this, still?
“His awesome answer? ‘It’s for OPM. Kailangang alagaan [we need to take care of it].”
What else is there to say but good on you, Ogie. Salt of the earth, you are an ace guy indeed, and truly worthy of support from this column beyond.