Tribute showcase for three master songsmiths

Rey Valera

One of the unfortunate realities on the local show biz scene is some fans’ all too brief memories and shifting loyalties.

Youth, along with trendiness, is of the essence for starlets and stars—and, when performers and other creative artists are on the wrong side of 50, their fan base is rapidly eroded.

That’s why we keep writing about mature artists who deserve to be valued and supported, precisely because their talent has been further enriched by their vast experience.

Instead of dismissing them as old and irrelevant, they should be honored for the deeper insights they’ve acquired through the years.

For this reason, we go out of our way to boost productions showcasing mature artists, like Viva Live’s Songwriters series of shows, “Kanta Ko, Panahon N’yo,” leading off with a big-bash concert of their top hits penned by master Filipino songsmiths Rey Valera, Louie Ocampo and Ogie Alcasid, at the Kia Theatre, Araneta Center, on Dec. 2.

Singer-composer Rey Valera has been making music for 40 years. His best-loved hits include “Mr. DJ,” “Malayo Pa ang Umaga,” “Maging Sino Ka Man,” “Pangako sa ’Yo,” “Kahit Maputi Na ang Buhok Ko” and “Kung Kailangan Mo Ako.”

For his part, Louie Ocampo has come up with well-loved anthems like “Ewan,” “Say That You Love Me,” “Point of No Return,” “Tell Me,” “Kahit Isang Saglit” and “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin.”

Finally, Ogie Alcasid first made it as a star singer-comedian before he added to his already impressive cachet by unveiling his gift for songwriting, many of which have become movie or teleserye themes.

They include “Kailangan Kita,” “Pangako,” “Kung Mawawala Ka,” “Nandito Ako,” “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw” and “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang?”

Many of the three composers’ songs will be showcased in the “Kanta Ko, Panahon N’yo” concert on Dec. 2 (call 911-5555 or 687-7236), as feelingly interpreted by top Filipino singing stars.

New TV treats

On the Lifetime channel, “Man vs. Child: Chef Showdown” fields kitchen prodigies aged 7 to 12 years against professionally trained chefs many years older—with occasionally startling “upset” results (Mondays at 9 p.m.).

“Girl in the Box” tells the harrowing story of Colleen Stan’s abduction—she was imprisoned in a coffin-sized box for seven years!

And “Indiscretion” is a psychological thriller that dramatizes how a woman’s brief affair with a troubled young artist comes back to haunt her.

Stevie awards

ABS-CBN recently bagged two Stevie awards at the 2016 International Business Awards for its pioneering digital terrestrial television service, ABS-CBN TVPlus, which won a silver Stevie for best new product and a bronze Stevie for best in marketing campaign.

‘San Pedro Calungsod’

Kids Act Philippines’ new religious musical, “San Pedro Calungsod,” written and directed by Luigi Nacario, recently had a preview performance at St. Scholastica College’s St. Cecilia’s Hall. For other performances and sponsorships, call 507-3396 or visit www.twitter.com/KidsActs.