An impossible dream come true
Manila, Philippines – In the celebratory closing of Icons, the star-studded concert that officially unveiled the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena last Saturday, the country’s state-of-the-art entertainment and sports venue reverberated with the power and meaning of the song Impossible Dream brought about by the combined voices of the OPM icons who shared the stage.
After all, to have gathered a lineup of who’s who in the country’s music and entertainment scene despite their busy schedules and network affiliations for a singular event could very well be an impossible dream made possible. Not to mention the venue is like no other, with its 20,000 full seating capacity, corporate suites, VIP-level services and amenities plus an array of food and merchandise.
“We are very happy to be here at this landmark occasion as the MOA Arena is a testament to the Filipino people and its spirit — resilient and persevering in the pursuit of excellence. Through the MOA Arena, we hope to give Filipinos a taste of world-class entertainment in a truly innovative and luxurious setting,” said Hans T. Sy, president for SM Prime Holdings, in a speech during the ribbon-cutting.
Icons at the MOA Arena, hosted by Pops Fernandez and APO Hiking Society’s Jim Paredes, commenced with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab playing the strains of the latter’s Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika.
What followed was a presentation of the timeless works of iconic OPM composers through fresh interpretations and re-inspired renditions by some of the country’s iconic and big-name artists.
There was Jose Mari Chan, who was joined by The CompanY and Christian Bautista, who not very long ago recorded an all-Jose Mari Chan album. Of course, the composer himself sang Beautiful Girl.
The belters came out next with Dulce, Verni Varga and Rachel Alejandro singing the haunting love songs of Louie Ocampo (Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin, Kahit Isang Saglit, etc.) in a showdown that had the audience breaking into applause several times (especially for Dulce), prompting Jim to liken it to a vocal olympics. “I’m in birit heaven,” he added.
Freddie Aguilar, whom we rarely see on TV or in concerts nowadays, performed an updated version of his Anak (extended intro plus orchestral support). One never gets tired of listening to the song which achieved iconic status in the ’70s after it was translated in 28 languages.
Another composer whom the concert paid tribute to was Ogie Alcasid. With the number of Ogie compositions performed by Jed Madela, Juris, Richard Poon and Piolo Pascual, we were reminded of two things: The Kapuso artist’s extensive body of work and that many of his compositions have been used as theme songs for Kapamilya teleseryes. The songwriter himself emerged with his musical muse and wife, Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez, performing powerful duets of Pangarap Ko Ay Ibigin Ka, Hanggang Ngayon, among others.
OPM Icons also had comic relief courtesy of the Eat, Bulaga! tandem of Wally Bayola and Jose Manalo (who are concert artists in their own right having staged a sold-out concert early this year). The duo first
came out as their signature impersonations — journalists Rey Langit and Mike Enriquez, respectively, before jointly welcoming “Jessica”— no, not the popular GMA 7 journo — but “Jessica Sanchez,” the American Idol runner-up, Pokwang-version, complete with “No, no, no way” singing lines in mouth-wide-open fashion. (Remember Jessica with Jennifer Holiday? You get the picture.)
And the impersonations kept coming, sending the audiences in stitches (including ABS-CBN’s lady big boss Charo Santos-Concio) — from Gary Valenciano (Wally), Martin Nievera and Willie Revillame (Jose), plus Nanay Dionisia Pacquiao (Pokwang). The trio ended their segment with a song from the late novelty king, Yoyoy Villame.
The concert also gave its nod to OPM rock, with a rousing number from Bamboo (formerly frontman of such iconic bands as Rivermaya and Bamboo) singing Pinoy Ako.
What is an all-star show without Lea Salonga and Journey singer Arnel Pineda, Pinoy icons of many a Filipino artist who dreams of making it big internationally? Lea and Arnel performed individually and dueted to the songs of Odette Quesada, and the late Ric Segreto and Gerry Paraiso — a segment that highlighted great Filipino songwriting not just in Filipino, but also in English medium with Don’t Know What To Say (Don’t Know What To Do), Hold On, Till I Met You, etc. It was also a first for us to watch Arnel singing sweet-sounding songs, as opposed to the anthemic, arena numbers of Journey.
Meanwhile, Basil Valdez, Martin Nievera and Erik Santos rendered the songs of the three C’s (and if we may add, pillars of the Great Filipino Song Book) — (Ryan) Cayabyab, the late (George) Canseco and (Willy) Cruz in one big, nostalgic and soaring medley, from Cayabyab’s Nais Kong Lumipad, to Canseco’s Bituing Walang Ningning to Cruz’s May Minamahal.
Gary V., on the other hand, performed in a special music video that fittingly gave honor to visionary and SM Supermalls founder Henry Sy, Sr.
As expected, some of the audience members at the end of the concert wondered out loud on the absence of other Pinoy singing icons like Sharon Cuneta or Kuh Ledesma (they who, of course, popularized some of the songs performed on stage). Zsa Zsa Padilla was also part of the roster based on the press releases, but with reports coming out about the Comedy King Dolphy’s latest condition, the non-appearance was expected.
Nevertheless, true to what was promised, OPM Icons became a truly iconic event that celebrated Filipino artistry.