Ogie Alcasid (left) and Regine Velasquez
Support for ABS-CBN’s franchise renewal, from the public and politicians alike, seemed to have grown over the past weeks. But while that “feels good” and is heartening to see, Ogie Alcasid can’t rest easy just yet.
“Everything’s still hanging at the moment. In your head, you still can’t help but wonder, ‘What will happen?’” he told reporters at a recent press conference for “Kilabotitos,” an upcoming concert that he headlines with Ian Veneracion on March 20 and March 21 at New Frontier Theater.
For now, all he and his colleagues could do is hope “for the best” and “take one day at time.” “We’re solid and we’re all in this together,” Ogie, who has been performing with his wife, Regine Velasquez, at solidarity events for the embattled network, told the Inquirer. “This issue has made us stronger. Whatever happens, we’re rooting for each other.”
Naysayers and ill-wishers, however, will always be part of the equation. And it’s best, Ogie said, to just ignore and not let them get the best of them.
“Life is not without challenges. Perhaps it’s God’s way of telling us He’s in control. So the negativity they try to throw at us, I let it pass, because it’s not going to help us,” he pointed out.
Still on online bashing, Ogie also defended Regine from people criticizing the latter’s “insensitive” advice to newlywed couple Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli. In an earlier interview, Regine jestingly suggested that the two should have lots of sex “in a Christian way.”
According to Ogie, his wife simply has a “strange sense of humor” at times. “That’s just how she is, but she doesn’t mean any disrespect. It wasn’t her intention. If she has offended some people, I know that, in her heart, she’s very apologetic,” he said, adding that sex is but normal among married couples.
“She just wanted to make light of things. After all, when you get married, you do … [what married couples do], correct? I don’t think it’s bastos,” Ogie said.
He stressed that he and Regine have nothing but love for Sarah, whom they serenaded at a recent episode of the variety show “ASAP Natin ‘To,” in celebration of her marriage.
Sarah Geronimo
“We’re so happy for her. And it was obvious that she’s happy herself. She was so radiant that day—words aren’t enough. Everyone who sees Sarah tells her how happy he or she is for her. It was only fitting that we gave her a tribute” he related. “She’s a private person, so she wanted to downplay these things. But nevertheless, she let us celebrate with her.”
Mounted by A-Team, “Kilabotitos” will have Ogie and Ian jamming together to their favorite 198’s hits (call 8911-5555). “I’m a singer who dabbles in acting; he’s an actor who dabbles in singing. We love music and arts—that’s our common ground. And we’re especially fond of songs from the era we grew up in,” he said.
“I usually sing my own songs in concerts, which is to be expected. But this time, I want to shake things up. I would like to sing songs that have influenced us and represent what we feel and who we are,” Ogie said.
This show, Ogie added, is about embracing the fact that he and Ian are on their way to becoming—if they weren’t already—titos. “I don’t mind if my younger colleagues call me that. It’s a fact of life. You get older. It’s a natural progression. The more you embrace it, the more comfortable you get in your own skin,” stressed the singer-songwriter, who considers Tirso Cruz III as the quintessential tito.
“He’s someone who naturally commands respect. He’s not only a great actor, but he also sings well. He has a great demeanor, and you can’t help but feel admiration when you see him in person—for his humility and everything he has contributed to the industry, through his craft,” he said. “He’s the complete package.”