How Valentine mind-set has changed over the years for ‘Diva 2 Diva’ quartet

From left: Nanette Inventor, Kuh Ledesma, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Mitch Valdes

If Zsa Zsa Padilla and Kuh Ledesma were to describe their kind of music, it would be “classic” and “classy.”

“We both love listening to timeless classics, because they never fail to take us back in time. They make us reminisce. That’s the type of music that filled our homes when we were growing up. And of course, we love performing them, too,” Zsa Zsa told the Inquirer at a recent pocket interview for the upcoming Valentine staging of their “Diva 2 Diva” concert series.Kuh has always enjoyed singing with Zsa Zsa, because she feels that their voices mesh beautifully together.

“I also admire her professionalism. We always give our 100 percent in every show we do

—there’s no such thing as ‘just a raket,’” Kuh pointed out.

“I feel very blessed because longevity is something not all performers get to enjoy—that, despite all the hard work and talent,” Zsa Zsa said.

The first “Diva 2 Diva” show was held in 2002. The concept turned out to be a success, so much so that Kuh and Zsa Zsa toured it in different countries abroad, including the United States, Canada and Australia. This year, the singers will reunite and serenade lovers in a dinner-concert on Feb. 13 at the Manila Hotel’s Tent City (call 0920286-8895).

Joining them are two other OPM (original Pinoy music) singers, Mitch Valdes and Nanette Inventor, who will sing and bring in the laughs with their cracking comedy routines. “Our set will be composed of Broadway hits and lots of love songs from different eras; from the 1960s to the ‘90s,” Kuh related.

Excerpts from our interview with Zsa Zsa (Z), Kuh (K), Mitch (M) and Nanette (N):

What’s a diva for you? K: Someone larger than life.

M: It can have a negative connotation, but the term “diva” also gives someone premium. But it’s something you have to earn talent-wise, in terms of achievements.

N: More than attitude and ta­lent, a diva lights up the stage—she generates her own spotlight.

Has your mind-set toward Valentine’s Day changed over the years? M: Like many high school girls, I used to buy into the commercial aspect of the occasion—the rituals, the works. I used to get devastated when I didn’t have a Valentine. But as I got older, I started veering away from the hype. Maybe it’s the rebel in me, which comes out when I find myself starting to following trends. But I’m still glad that this day is around for people to celebrate romance.

Z: I still enjoy it. And I have celebrated it in different ways. I have spent it quietly at home. Sometimes, I do it overseas. But as a singer, I usually do Valentine concerts. If I don’t have one, I watch other artists. I appreciate romantic gestures; it’s the girl in me, I guess. But nowadays, just a nice dinner would do. After all, the important thing is spending the day with your loved one.

N: Valentine’s Day, as with relationships, has changed a lot, because of the times; because of social media or the digital world we live in today.

But despite everything, it’s important that we keep God in our hearts. I’m not kidding when I say that God is my Va­lentine. And the day shouldn’t be about only romantic love—it can be love for family, and of course, love for ourselves.

K: It’s fun singing love songs and doing Valentine concerts. I take them as opportunities to inspire people to love more deeply. But like Nanette, God is my Valentine, because I don’t have a “physical Valentine.”

Do you put in an effort to connect with the younger music fans? Some of your fans will surely bring their kids.M: Sometimes, during concerts, I would see some young people who, most likely, went begrudgingly with their parents. And their facial expressions are like, “Why am I even here?” But after a while, I see them starting to get into the music.

Good music is good music—you can’t argue with that. Quality is universal, I believe. Music has no barriers. So, whe­ther you’re young or old, we stop and listen when we hear something interesting, even if it’s unfamiliar.

Z: Of course, we also want to incorporate newer songs into our repertoire. But we have to be careful and make sure that the songs still suit us.

I mean, we can’t just go out there and perform Rihanna songs. For younger viewers, I guess it would probably feel like they’re watching their moms! That’s automatically funny to them. There’s already a disconnect.

I would rather draw them in with the music I grew up with … make them realize that, hey, their music is good, too. INQ