Filipino movie idols need to catch up with the music-makers
BINI. Photo by Leony Garcia
Look who’s topping the box office nowadays. Unfortunately, it’s no longer the movie and TV idols and personalities. Save, of course, for some highly-executed movies or those whose stars showed remarkable, if not excellent performances.
Indeed, movie houses rarely fill up these days for local movies. And their box office intakes are infrequently remarkable for years now. Do we blame it to the proliferation of free and affordable streaming platforms that lets one watch unlimited movies in the privacy of his home? Or anywhere as he pleases right on his mobile phone?
Truth be told, the ones who have been grossing the highest in the box office these days are the music-makers: the singers and the bands and their concert producers.
For one, BINI, acknowledged to be the Nation’s Girl Group, reportedly has all tickets sold out for the opening salvo of “BINIverse World Tour 2025” on February 15. There you go. Finally, there’s a Pinoy band that has filled the Philippine Arena, a favorite concert venue for foreign artists being the biggest indoor venue in the world which could seat 55,000 attendees.
BINI also holds the record to be the first Pinoy pop band for a highly successful three-night concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in November 2024. It was originally planned to be just a two-night event, but demand from BINI fans merited a third night.
Then there’s TJ Monterde who also filled the rafters of the Big Dome on 1 to 3 February, 11 days short of Valentine’s Day. The amiable singer-songwriter from Mindanao, the husband of fellow singer KZ Tandingan, is now on record as the first-ever solo vocalist to hold three sold-out nights in a row at the famed Quezon City coliseum which is said to seat up to 16,000 for concerts.
KZ Tandigan and TJ Monterde. Photo by Leony Garcia
The nearby New Frontier Theater which seats only a few thousand was also filled up for two nights last year by the soft-spoken Monterde.
Even the awards night cum concert is a hit among Pinoy music lovers. Touted to be a celebration of music and charity, the 10th Wish Music Awards (WMA) held at the Araneta Coliseum on January 9, was well-attended not only by fans but by the artists themselves. WMAs’ biggest edition yet, the much-awaited event honored two musical icons Ogie Alcacid and apl.de.ap, in recognition of their contributions to the industry.
And look who attended the milestone event and take home some trophies, too? No less than the big names and crowd-drawers on the concert stage, the likes of SB19, BINI, Maki, Dionela, KZ & TJ Monterde, Christian Bautista, Karylle, G22, Regine Velasquez, Moira dela Torre, Jay R, Janine Tenoso, IV of Spades, Arthur Nery, Toneejay, Hev Abi, Rob Daniel, Noel Cabangon, Al James, and a host of upcoming singers and bands.
Another popular concert venue that gets sold out is the Mall of Asia Arena, where Gary Valenciano had very successful two-night concerts last year. JK Labajo’ concert there last year was also well-attended.
There are also open-air grounds that have been serving as huge venues for concerts attended by the youth who can stand up for hours or sit on the ground to relish watching their musical idols.
Queen Isabela Park and Isabela Sports Complex located in the City of Ilagan in the Queen Province of the North are some of these huge venues that’s filled up especially in the month of January for a week run of Bambanti Festival’s Music Festival and grand concert. But that’s another story to tell.
Indeed, Filipino movie idols have to do a lot of catching up with the music-makers.
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Could this be the reason why an actress is making herself visible in the concert scene? Here’s the tea.
No doubt, this actress could carry a tune. In fact, she has recorded songs in the past which also makes her a certified recording artist. And she was a hit among the crowd who gamely sang with her a song from one of her hit movies.
However, “whisperers” at a recent provincial festivity concocted another reason for the actress’ participation in the province’s grand concert.
Reportedly, the beautiful actress in her late 30s, is in search of her knight in shining armor. Provincial “Maritess” claimed that the drama actress has started rounding key cities and rich municipalities to start her adventures — to find her luck in the love department — after a string of failed relationships.
“Di ba uso naman ang artista na may boyfriend o asawa na provincial politician? So, she she’s looking for one now,” one Maritess claimed.
After the successful run of her primetime drama series, the actress is set to do movies and other projects.
Are out-of-town musical events part of her other projects? The actress has repeatedly mentioned in prior interviews that she’s not in a hurry for love. “If it comes, then I’ll be open for it,” she said.
Well, we sincerely hope for her success. Like local showbiz’s drama queens who are happily married or are in stable, happy relationships, we wish the same for this actress we found to be empowered and genuine.
