The very personal sound of ‘Pick-Up’
For singer-comedian Ogie Alcasid, it was very personal. He described “Boy Pick-Up,” his popular character on the GMA 7 gag show “Bubble Gang,” as a favorite creation.
So when “Pick-Up” spun off into a movie (now in theaters), he quite understandably took a hands-on approach on all aspects of production, including editing and scoring, with the help of director Dominic Zapata, of course.
Alcasid pointed out that many other comedians, from Charlie Chaplin to Adam Sandler, had taken charge of the music in their own movies. Locally, Dolphy, Vic Sotto, Michael V. and Joey de Leon have done this, too.
The “Pick Up” soundtrack, released by Universal Records, became a personal crusade for Alcasid.
Filipino-American hip-hop group Q-York helped him on the six-track album. He met Q-York through stand-up comic Eri Neeman, who plays his assistant, Boy Back-Up.
Neeman has his own song in the soundtrack: “Henyo Ka.” Leading lady Solenn Heussaff recorded a duet with Alcasid: “Pick Me Up, Boy.”
Unfamiliar terrain
Q-York contributed “Ratsada”; Alcasid performed on the tracks “Kape Ka Ba” and “Gawin ang Pick-Up” (where Alcasid’s wife Regine got to help as well).
“The score sets the mood for the entire film, so it’s important,” Alcasid said. “I wanted a new sound—hip-hop, rock, a little dance.”
Hip-hop is unfamiliar terrain for the pop balladeer and president of Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mangaawit. But because he champions new Filipino music, he is open to all genres.
He recalled that “Boy Pick-Up,” a street poet spouting non sequiturs, was inspired by FlipTop, young local rappers first seen on the Net. “[‘Bubble Gang’ costar] Michael V. and I watch FlipTop videos on YouTube,” Alcasid said.
Some FlipTop masters agreed to do cameos in the movie, produced by Regal and GMA Films.
“Loonie, Mike Swift, Dello and Abra guested in our movie,” Alcasid said. “I wanted to pay homage to them.” Also in the film is Reg Rubio of Greyhoundz.
Joey “Pepe” Smith plays Boy Pick-Up’s sensei. Alcasid recounted that he was awed by Smith. “He has a wealth of experiences, but for him, work was just fun. He taught me to enjoy the moment.”
The movie reunites Alcasid with his costar in the “Yaya” episode of “Shake, Rattle & Roll III”: the inimitable Lilia Cuntapay. “Nanay Lilia plays Boy’s mother. When you see her, you understand why Boy Pick-Up turned out the way he did.”
