Gerald Santos will pay tribute to Nora Aunor, Cocoy Laurel in upcoming concert
Gerald Santos is set to honor the legacy of the late superstar Nora Aunor and ’70s matinee idol Cocoy Laurel in his upcoming concert dubbed “Dreams” on Dec. 3.
Santos met with select members of the press on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at a music school in Quezon City, where he discussed why he chose to pay tribute to Aunor, who died of acute respiratory failure last April 16, and Laurel, who passed away due to cardiac arrest last June 14.
“Napaka-underrated ni Sir Cocoy. And, somehow, we’re connected. Kasi he played The Engineer in Miss Saigon. So, actually, nung nag-play ang Miss Saigon dito sa Manila, I met him very briefly. He was so kind. He was so nice,” said the singer.
“I’m a fan of Miss Nora Aunor. She deserves a tribute. I’ve been wanting to work with Ate Guy for such a long time. Pero, unfortunately, hindi na po nangyari. But now, gusto ko magbigay ng tribute sa kanya. Although, I’ve given tribute na rin naman before, sa concert ko before. Nanonood pa nga si Ate Guy noon eh. Sa Music Museum and PICC. I gave tribute to her,” added Santos.
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Santos performed the track “Ikaw Pa Rin ang Mahal Ko” in Aunor’s 2011 film “Sa Ngalan ng Ina,” as well as the theme song “Hanggang sa Huli” of Aunor’s 2020 film “Isa Pang Bahaghari.”
Santos is set to perform roughly 20 songs for his “Dreams” concert, songs that he hasn’t performed before, which are a mixture of past OPM hits, theater songs and Christmas anthems.
The concert will also feature performances from special guests Marco Sison, Jed Madela, Jonalyn Viray and international theater actress Na Young Jeon, among others.
Meanwhile, Santos extended his sympathies to Viray, who recently came forward about her being sexually abused by her late father.
“I admire her courage. I admire her strength. Napaka-strong niya, kasi, all these years, may itinatago pala siyang napakabigat na baggage. And sobra akong nakaka-relate sa kanya,” he said.
In August 2024, Santos alleged that he was raped by veteran musical director Danny Tan when he was just a 15-year-old contestant in a singing contest on GMA.
Viray and Santos were both winners of the defunct singing competition “Pinoy Pop Superstar” on GMA. Viray won Season 1 in 2005, and Santos was hailed champion in the second season the following year. /ra
