‘Pagcor 5’ hooks casino crowd

Performing in a casino can be quite a daunting task for a budding singer. But it’s not so much the size of the venue or the number of people that worries the performer. Rather, most casino patrons are there to play and push their betting luck—not really to listen to music.

That’s why, for Joyce Tañaña, grand winner of the talent search “OPM@Pagcor,” song selection is very crucial in catching the attention of the casino audience.

“Dapat love songs and standards,” she told the Inquirer during the opening leg of the “Pagcor 5” nationwide concert tour held at the Casino Filipino Heritage Hotel last October 4.

“Hindi puwedeng kumanta ng mga Lady Gaga or Bruno Mars,” she added, laughing.

Aside from Joyce, Pagcor 5 is composed of fellow “OPM@Pagcor” alums: 1st runner-up Charles Kevin Tan, 2nd runner-up Renz Ruther Robosa, and grand finalists Hadasa von Camporaso and Steve Fernandez. As part of their prizes, each singer was given open-ended contracts to perform at various Casino Filipino branches.

Show must go on

After a string of nightly solo gigs for the past three months, the Pagcor 5 also learned that not everyone will leave the slot machines or their bingo cards just to watch the shows. And there were instances when big-time players requested for the performances to stop briefly.

But instead of letting such moments dampen their spirits, the Pagcor 5 used them as fuel to power their respective acts. “Kahit isa lang ’yong nanonood sa ’yo, masaya pa rin. The show must go on,” Joyce stressed.

The October 4 show reunited the Pagcor 5 for the first time since competing in the grand finals on June 10. Fittingly, they opened the night with an upbeat version of “Reunited” by the R&B vocal duo Peaches and Herb.

The singers were admittedly tense before going onstage. But they loosened up upon seeing most of the people in the main gaming room take a break from playing baccarat to watch them.

Steve, whose baritone reminded us of Mark Bautista’s, sang Barry Manilow’s hits “Somewhere Down the Road,” “Weekend in New England” and “If I Should Love Again.”

Hadasa channeled Shirley Bassey’s vocal theatrics in “Big Spender,” “I Who Have Nothing” and “This Is My Life.”

The diminutive Renz received the loudest cheers for his powerful, yet haunting rendition of Michael Jackson ballads “Music and Me,” “Ben” and “One Day in Your Life.”

Meanwhile, jazz singer Kevin lighted up the stage with spunky showmanship as he crooned to The Platters’ “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes,” “I’m Sorry,” “Remember When” and “Only You.”

With her strong, full-bodied voice, there was no second-guessing that Joyce was indeed the grand winner. She impressed with her heartfelt, nuanced interpretations of Barbra Streisand hits “Evergreen,” “Somewhere” and “The Way We Were.”

Later on the Pagcor 5 was joined by Pilita Corrales for a group performance of OPM songs she popularized back in the day: “Kapantay ay Langit,” “A Million Thanks to You,” “Saan Ka man Naroroon,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya” and “Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal.”

“It’s a privilege to sing with Ms. Pilita,” Kevin said. “She’s an icon.”

Known as Asia’s Queen of Song, Pilita—who remains vibrant and brimming with charisma at age 72—will also join Pagcor 5’s stops in Casino Filipino Pavilion on October 14, Airport Casino Filipino on October 21, Casino Filipino Angeles on October 25, Casino Filipino Cebu on October 27 and Casino Filipino Davao on October 28.

The crowd became a captive audience as the show climaxed with a medley of ’70s disco hits from VST & Company and Hotdog.