Requests, reunions, romantic remakes

Every year, Inquirer Entertainment helps readers pick a show for that special day, by asking the concert artists to talk about their gigs… and romance.

The Shows

“The Music of the Heart, the Magic of Love”

Kuh Ledesma and the Music and Magic; Feb. 14, 8 p.m., The Theatre at Solaire; call 8919999 or 8888888.

BASIL VALDEZ with (from left, back row) Jacqui Magno and Pat Castillo, (from left, front row) Louie Reyes and Tillie Moreno

“All Requests 4”

Jed Madela; Feb. 12, 8 p.m., Music Museum; call 4702222, 8919999 or 7216726.

The Interviews:

Which of your love songs do most fans connect with the most, and why do you think that is?

Kuh Ledesma: “Till I Met You” because it’s what we say to the one we love, and it’s also a ligaw (courtship) song for the guys. Many couples have made it their theme song.

Jed Madela: “The Past” pa rin. The song has become a part of me after I revived it. I’ve performed it many times, but I make sure to perform it whenever people ask for it.

What’s the most important thing to remember when doing a Valentine show?

KL: To just keep things positive—no sad songs because almost all, if not all, the people who watch Valentine shows are in love or want to be in love.

JM: To keep in mind the age bracket of my audience. Most of my followers are couples, young professionals and older people. That’s what I consider when I make the lineup—songs that they know, can relate to and grew up with. I have segments featuring tunes from the 1950s to the present.

JON SANTOS

What’s the sweetest thing a fan has done for you? Has anyone dared to ask you out on a date?

KL: I think it’s sweet when fans bring not only one album, but their entire collection of my albums for me to autograph. And yes, there were fans in the past who tried to ask me out.

JM: The mere fact that they went out of their way to watch my concert, and wait in line after to meet me and tell me a couple of words of appreciation means a lot to me. To know that they enjoyed the show and was affected by the songs is my reward; it’s like a pat on the back for a job well done. I do the show for the people.

What can we look forward to in your concert?

KL: This reunion Valentine concert will be a lot of fun, filled with nostalgia. Expect a power-packed show because when Music and Magic performs, it’s all about energy and passion.

JM: I’m looking forward to performing the OPM segment I call “Stages of Love,” which tells about how Filipinos fall in love, about meeting their special someone at mga away-away, through songs. I think everyone will agree with me that we have theme songs for every memorable part of our lives.

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Side A and Jon Santos, ‘High on Love’

Side A band will perform its lineup of love songs, while comedian Jon Santos will do funny impersonations in “High on Love,” on Feb. 13 at the Grand Acacia Ballroom of Acacia Hotel Manila. Cocktails will be served at the Grand Ballroom Foyer at 7 p.m. The show will start at 8:15. Call 7202000.

KUH LEDESMA

Basil Valdez in ‘Here’s to Love’

Singer Basil Valdez will perform with “’70s Divas” Jacqui Magno, Tillie Moreno, Pat Castillo and Louie Reyes on Feb. 14 at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resorts and Casino. For tickets, call TicketWorld (8919999) or Viva Live (6877236).

Pilita and Divos’ ‘A Love Affair’

Pilita Corrales and The New Minstrels Divos will perform together for the first time in a Valentine’s Day show, “A Love Affair,” at Fernwood Gardens in Las Piñas.

The “Asia’s Queen of Song” will sing classics with the group—an offshoot of 1970s show band The New Minstrels—whose current lineup includes Eugene Villaluz, Ding Mercado, Chad Borja, Rene Puno and guest Ray An Fuentes.

Fernbrook Gardens is located at Daang Reyna, Vista City in Las Piñas. Tickets are priced at P3,000 each, inclusive of buffet dinner. Call 7108545, 0917-8105654, 0918-9036027 or 0917-7908138 for tickets.