Ogie Alcasid talks about network transfer, concert

ALCASID has a new musical-variety show with Sharon Cuneta.

Before signing his contract with TV5 on Aug. 6, Ogie Alcasid, through his Twitter account, asked his fans for their blessing, and to pray for him as he embarked on what he described as “a life-changing event.”

After 18 years with GMA 7, Alcasid is now officially a Kapatid.

While the singer-actor politely declined to disclose how much his three-year contract was worth, Alcasid did share that he would head the network’s music business unit, which is an executive position.

“I will be in charge of conceptualizing and creating music content for the network’s teleseryes and other shows,” Alcasid told reporters at a press con for his  25th anniversary concert, “I write the songs… Ogie Alcasid: Live!” tonight at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

His first project on TV5 will be a musical-variety show with Sharon Cuneta, “The Mega and the Song Writer,” which will debut on Sept. 15 and will be aired Sundays, 9 p.m.

Like many established artists who had transferred to TV5 such as Cuneta and Derek Ramsay, Alcasid wasn’t spared from harsh criticisms and insults, especially from fans on social networking sites.

“I totally respect their (fans) opinion,” Alcasid said. “But the thing is if they want me, they will follow me wherever I go.”

Alcasid said his anniversary concert would be inspired by “Hitman: David Foster and Friends,” which featured Foster on the piano, as various artists sang to the famed Canadian songwriter-producer’s biggest hits.

“We really loved the concept of that show. My guests will do the singing; my songs will be the highlight,” he said, adding that the concert’s repertoire will consist of songs he had written for drama series and films, as well as hits he had composed for himself and other artists.

“Except for a song or two, the set list will feature all my original songs,” he said.

According to Alcasid, all the songs will have new arrangements to keep things fresh for the listeners. He added that fans could also expect to hear interesting mash-ups with various young artists.

“I’ll have numbers with Daniel Padilla and Abra,” he said. (Both Padilla and Abra were recently named as junior envoys of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit, which Alcasid currently heads.)

The concert will benefit World Vision, particularly its efforts to provide shelter for Aetas in Zambales who were displaced by the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo back in 1991.