“No politics involved,” was the reply of singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid to the question if the fund-raising concert “Pilipino, Kaya Natin ‘To” to be held on December 5 at the Mall of Asia concert grounds has political undertones. The concert, featuring some of the biggest names in the music industry, was put up by Ogie for the benefit of the victims of the typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng, in cooperation with Gawad Kalinga.
Because Ogie wrote the song “Hindi Ka Nag-iisa” for Senator Noynoy Aquino and the music video has been airing on TV, some quarters were also quick to label the concert “Pilipino, Kaya Natin ‘To” and the song which Ogie composed as part and parcel of Noynoy’s presidential campaign.
“While I admit that I am supporting Noynoy, this fund-raising concert for the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng is not in any way connected to the political moves of the senator. We all saw the extent of the damage done by Ondoy and Pepeng and we know that despite the help that had been extended to them, there’s still a lot to be done in terms of rehabilitation and the building of the houses for the victims. This fund-raising show has nothing to do with Noynoy but this just a show of force of the many OPM artists who want to help,” said the singer at the presscon of the mammoth concert that would feature more than a hundred singers and bands.
It was Ogie’s idea to put up a benefit concert so he sought a meeting with Rowell Santiago (who’s directing the concert for free, same with the artists who are also performing for free) and Ms. Girlie Rodis to put up this show. “Even the recording of the song ‘Kaya Natin ‘To’ didn’t plan to have that many artists but we were all very happy because a lot of singers volunteered to participate,” said Ogie.
As for Gawad Kalinga headed by its Chairman, Mr. Tony Meloto, the group is very happy to be a part of this noble undertaking and is likewise thankful for the artists’s show of support not only by participating in the recording and appearing in the music video, but by joining the benefit concert to be held on December 1 as well.
Among the singers and artists who joined the recording of the CD single are Aga Muhlach, Aiza Seguerra, Charice Pempengco, Christian Bautista, Gary Valenciano, KC Concepcion, Karylle, Piolo Pascual, Mark Bautista, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo, Sharon Cuneta, , Zsa Zsa Padilla, Yeng Constantino and Joey Generoso of Side A Band just to name a few.
The “Kaya Natin Ito” CD is now available at the music stores this week for P150, with minus one. The music video directed by Dante Nico Garcia will be aired simultaneously on “ASAP” of ABS-CBN Channel 2 and “SOP “ of GMA 7 on Sunday, November 22. The tickets to the “Pilipino, Kaya Natin,” directed by Rowell Santiago from the script of Noel Ferrer, with musical direction of Marc Lopez, are also now available. Featured in the concert are top stars of the Kapamilya and Kapuso networks and other friends from the showbiz industry who want to do their share of helping the victims of the devastating typhoons.
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KC Concepcion said that she would love to work with Robin Padilla in a movie, but rued that it doesn’t seem right because the action star, known as the bad boy of Philippine movies, was paired with her mom Megastar Sharon Cuneta in the past. But given the chance, she really would love to work with Robin, and other actors who became the screen partners of her mom. Of course, KC is also looking forward to doing a film with her dad Gabby Concepcion. This is said to be her next movie project and her mom gave her the blessing to do the project.
KC is the newest endorser of Swatch and she revealed that as a young girl, she had been wearing the brand as she was often given Swatch watches by her Tita Virgie Ramos (the Swatch Lady) as gifts. But what she liked in being the endorser of Swatch this time is that the brand is supporting her advocacy for the World Food Program of the United Nations where she is the Philippine ambassadress. She has already gone to several places both in Mindanao (where she had been five times) and abroad to appeal for the World Food Program and to seek help to address the problem of hunger.
For every single Swatch watch to be sold, P10 would go to the feeding program of UN. Ms. Virgie Ramos urged the press to buy Swatch watches, even the least expensive ones, so that they could help more kids in the feeding program. P10 is enough to feed a child for a day.
KC also revealed that she had long been wishing to be a part of UN. While she was in Paris, the UN headquarters was her neighbor and she wished that she could write for their publications. Imagine her thrill when KC was chosen to be the Philippine ambassador for WFP.
KC is kept busy by the soap opera “Lovers in Paris” and is elated at the good comments regarding her acting skills, although she was quick to admit that she still needs to improve a lot.
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After Manny Pacquiao’s magnificent victory over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto last Saturday (Sunday, Philippine time) in Las Vegas, there is now a clamor for him to run for senator, or even, vice-president. In the news released by Lakas Kampi CMD, their statement said that the political party headed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is not closing its doors on drafting the Pambansang Kamao to join their senatorial line-up.
But if we go by Manny’s original plan with regards to his foray into politics, the popular boxer is bent on running as congressman for the new district of Saranggani, which is now his place of residence.
However, the recent turn of events with regards to his family life and the news reports linking him to actress Krista Ranillo, which reportedly what made his wife Jinkee cry, are not going to help Manny’s cause to ensure victory at the polls.
He had tasted defeat before in politics when he ran for a congressional seat in 2007 and the negative publicity now hounding him with regards to the real score between him and the sexy starlet Krista might spell doom for the boxer.
The negative news notwithstanding, Manny can test the waters as his newest movie titled “Wapakman” under Solar Films is set to compete in next month’s Metro Manila Film Festival. With the euphoria over his victory over Miguel Cotto, would it be possible that Manny’s newest film would ring merrily at the box-office ?
