LEGENDS (from left) Rico J. Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison, Rey Valera. Jokes have always been an important component of their shows here and abroad.
It’s a given: Loyal fans of Rico J. Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison and Rey Valera flock to the quartet’s shows for a generous dose of OPM hits. But more than the music, the four men agree, what keeps the crowd glued to their seats is what goes on between the numbers—riotous banter with a dash of self-deprecation.
Humor has always been an important component of their concerts here and abroad. For Rico J., ever the jokester, it’s not so much a choice, but a necessity: “When you know you’re not a looker, you’d better bring jokes everywhere with you! If you’re handsome, you can just stand there!”
Rey (sort of) agreed, pointing out that, in some previous shows, music seemed secondary. He said in a recent interview, “Our fans are usually smiling before we even began. They always anticipate a fun time; many of them come to our shows to forget about their problems for a while.”
Signature joke
It amuses Rico J. that one of his silly, long-winded green jokes has become as requested as his signature number, “May Bukas Pa.” He told the Inquirer, “I’ve cracked that joke countless times but audiences feel the show is not complete until I do it yet again.”
Lock-jawed fan
Hajji related that in Australia about two years ago, a woman invited them—the OPM Legends, they’re called—to lunch the day after the show. That almost didn’t happen. “She was lock-jawed from laughing too much during the show, and was brought to the hospital,” related Hajji, who now calls himself “Kilabot ng mga Nanay ng mga Kolehiyala.”
The rapport among the group, he added, is founded on friendship. Hajji, Rico, Rey and Marco have been friends for years, and have done shows together for more than a decade. “We hardly need scripts—everything is spontaneous,” Hajji said. “If the joke bombs, we just laugh.”
Perhaps most importantly, competition has no place among them. “Everyone gets a chance to shine,” Marco pointed out.
Show tonight
Fresh from a US tour, these seasoned performers share the stage again in Star Media Entertainment’s “OPM Legends: The Reunion” tonight at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resort and Casino in Parañaque City. They have a special guest, Solenn Heussaff.
Asked if talent fee was ever an issue for them, Rey admitted that they charge different talent fees. “But it’s not a problem; we rarely talk about money,” said Rey. The exposure they get from the gigs, he added, does wonders for their individual careers. “Helps us sell more albums,” he said.
Marco echoed this sentiment: “We don’t compare talent fees. As long as I don’t feel I’m shortchanged, then go!”
(For tickets call SM Tickets at 4702222; TicketWorld, 8919999; or visit www.starmediaentertainment.com.)