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Date Posted: 11:10:24 05/10/06 Wed
Author Host/IP: 202.69.182.33
2 Old concert reviews on Regine & Pops concerts together
The Sun shines brightly on Pinoys at Mohegan!
Pops, Regine & Jose Mari Chan wow concertgoers
by Grethel Bolandrina / Gretheline@aol.com
UNCASVILLE, CT—Pops Fernandez and Regine Velasquez have never
performed at Mohegan Sun before; neither has Jose Mari Chan. The
three artists performed for the first time at Mohegan Sun's nearly
packed Arena, April 2nd to a delighted Filipino-American audience.
Although the concert wasn't dubbed as Queens on Fire II like the
rest of their shows on this US concert tour, it is and it has lots
of shades of the Queens on Fire concert as I saw it in Atlantic City
last year. From most of the songs to even some of the costumes, it's
the same but in a quirky sense, a tad different. Nevertheless, it
still is not your typical back-to-back concert where the majority of
the show allow both artists to do solo acts. Pops and Regine were
together most of the time. They sang 70-percent duets and songs
turned into duets. Having Jose Mari Chan was a welcome bonus.
The "Filipino Jimmy Webb" sang his original compositions albeit all
in English, tickled the crowd's funny bones, did his famous duet
with Regine (Please Be Careful With My Heart, recorded 16 years
ago!) and stated having a dream come true, that of performing with
Pops ("My Girl, My Woman, My Friend," originally recorded with Janet
Basco). Now, the Songwriter and the Concert Queen waxed a verbal
agreement to work on not just a song but everyone heard the promise
of a love song for Pops. Wait, this is getting way ahead. I'd like
to share with you my observations at the meet and greet, the day
before the show!
The e-mail message I received reads, " Meet and greet on Saturday,
April 1, 2006 about 7 PM, very intimate-by invitation only". The
buzz was that, the event starts actually around 9ish, so, our happy
medium was 8 PM. My husband Joe and I met with Drs. Ramon and Ching
Legarda at the hotel waiting area, along with Mrs. Philippine
Centennial USA Elizabeth Arca and hubby Rommel, Jose Mari Chan and
his lovely wife Mary Ann, Ms. Dina Maningas of Odina8888 Inc., and
Regine's parents Mr. and Mrs. Gerry Velasquez. Onwards to the
ballroom, smaller in comparison to the Uncas Ballroom we were at for
the Concert launch a few months ago, but not any less impressive.
Tables laid out in royal blue, drinks flowing from the open bar, an
enormous sushi spread, a hot buffet of oriental dishes (noodles and
all) plus what seems to be an army of waitresses with trays of
various tempting hors d'oeuvres. Jose Mari Chan was introduced and
as he entered the room, he quickly disappeared in a sea of excited
fans. The intimate gathering swelled into about roughly 300 people!
Shortly thereafter, Pops and Regine arrived with their entourage.
Amidst what seemed to be a never ending flash of cameras, both found
their way to their seats. Knowing how Pops and Regine are two very
different performers, I've noticed how very differently both mingled
with the meet and greeters. Pops appeared friendlier while Regine
was very task oriented. Sign, smile, sign, pose for shots, sign
again, smile again, repeat numerous times. Mohegan Sun's Director of
Asian Marketing Juliet Dayrit-Dizon welcomed everyone, announced
that 99% of tickets are sold out and thanked the whole Filipino-
American community for their support. Announcing future Pinoy
concerts planned reciprocated by loud approvals from the crowd. Dr.
Ramon Legarda of Group Ole also expressed his gratitude to the
artists for agreeing to perform together; to Mohegan Sun management
for all that they have done and echoed the same appreciation for the
Filipino-American community and the press. Considering Pops, Regine
and their entourage were up since 2 AM, as I was told and traveled
directly from Edmonton, Canada, they were in good spirits. Pops even
held a fan's hand, walked side by side with her so their photo could
be taken en route to being ushered out of the ballroom to rest for
the evening. Teryl Ann Santos, Executive Host of Asian Marketing was
a busy bee, checking in on everyone, friendly as can be. The meet
and greet set the stage for the concert, a lot of enthusiasm and
genuine welcome. Mohegan Sun was primed for the Pinoy performers!
April 2, 2006—the entrance to the Arena by the Casino of the Earth
was as close to a fiesta atmosphere as you could get. Friends
greeting each other, some lining up at the box office to pick up
reserved tickets, others purchasing tickets on the spot. It was
about 2:35 PM when the show actually started. Opening song was
Cristina Aguillera's "Stronger." Pops and Regine wore the same
glittery, skin toned outfit (low cut, short, displaying ample chest
and lots of legs) from last year, very Hollywood-ish. I'm seated
second row to the left of the stage, between Ezra Aldea, a charming
young lady from Groton, CT and an equally charming woman I'll call
Millie (she made me promise to maintain her anonymity). Still the
same comedic line opening ala ReyCards duet (Pops stated she'd have
to be Rey!) Laughter throughout the Arena, which I noticed had extra
sections opened (making it more than 99% sold out.) Pops sang and
danced to a medley of "Love you baby, Feeling sexy and Baby boy".
She did a remake of "You take my breath away" giving what appeared
to be sincere smiles and her signature regal curtsy. Quickly
establishing rapport with the audience, explaining how the show is
about love, how life is good and how life is also how we choose to
live it. Millie, to my right, verbalized being a bit disappointed,
this being her first Pinoy concert, "why are they singing all
English songs?" Ezra on the other hand, a self-confessed Regine fan
now excitedly says she likes Pops now too!
Regine comes out in a low cut, fitted apple green gown,
singing "Hold me," hitting the highest notes. Pops (in a
conservative flowing teal gown) rejoins her and they joke about
Regine's nose. Their very special guest, Jose Mari Chan joins them
at this time, sings duet, then solo after which Millie smiled and
said, "I'm not disappointed anymore!"
They sang "Fever" with the same grit and passion (same glittery tux,
short shorts complete with hat and cane to the Kelly sisters'
Chicago). There too was the cabaret style of "Oops! I Did It Again"
ending with both exposing naked upper bodies a fraction of a second
before the lights went out (initially behind heart shaped, high
backed chairs). This time, I saw their flesh colored tubes. The
cornball-style dancing of Regine and her comic "money collecting
spoof" earned a lot of laughs. And a few extra dollars for the
children (Sam & Libby!) Ezra gleefully welcomes all of Regine's
antics and had her in stitches. Ezra keeps saying "she's sooo cute".
Pops did a Tagalog medley "Kaya pala", "Hanggang kalian" (gaano kita
kamahal), "Magmula ng magkalayo" (hindi ko kaya) of Mulawin.
Regine, effortlessly rendered soaring ballads "color me/call me",
Mariah Carey's "Butterfly," "My all." The entire show still
encompassed many musical genres: rock, pop, dance and OPM. From what
I gather, Filipino Americans on this side of the US yearn for more
OPM. "Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman" rendered sensual, exotic
and bold as both Regine and Pops were in their red gowns. They did
the "Power of Love". The encore had Pops and Regine, still in their
red gowns doing a medley of '80s favorites "Gloria," "Girls Just
Wanna Have Fun," "What Have You Done For Me Lately," "I'm So
Excited", "How will I know", "Wanna dance with somebody", "Lucky
star", "Borderline", "Holiday", "Chip off my shoulder", "Jump"
and "Telephone". Both were in their element, stepping off stage on
speakers/partitions to have their photos taken by very eager fans.
Silver and gold confetti showered the audience who lingered a bit
longer after curtains closed. I thanked the ladies I sat with,
promising Ezra I'll send her a copy of my review. I had a photo op
with the elegant Consul General Cecil Rebong, the gracious Teryl Ann
Santos and the powerhouse of ladies Dr. Ching Legarda of Group Ole
and Juliet Dayrit-Dizon who reminded all the concertgoers that the
$1000.00 winner will be announced at 6 PM over the entire Mohegan
Sun. Looking forward to coming back to Mohegan for another Pinoy
concert or sooner to even just to see the world at play and maybe
bump into some more "Kababayans".
=============== 2 concert old review ================
Red hot Pops and Regine set Atlantic City ablaze!
by Grethel Bolandrina
Photos by Nestor Ramirez
Pops and Regine have performed many times before, in Japan and
Europe. They even performed early this year in the Philippines
(February at the ULTRA), at a pre-Valentine offering. This came to
be what they took on a US concert Tour: Queens... on Fire. It is not
your typical back to back concert where the majority of the show
allows both artists to do solo acts. Here, it was really Pops and
Regine, together, most of the time. It seemed that they sang 70-
percent duets and songs turned into duets. Save for Star In A
Million champion Erik Santos, now the Philippines' Prince of Pop. He
was the only guest in this show and he held his own. Santos is all
praises for both Pops and Regine. It is safe to say that, the entire
audience felt the same. Queens... on Fire is indeed a collaboration
showing unexpected concepts, new ideas and surprises highlighting
the Queens' individual talents.
Pops and Regine are two very different performers. Regine belts out
so well, while Pops is more into dance music. A wonder initially, as
to how the show would flow. But it is this fact, their very diverse
styles that made the show highly interesting. The variety was
pleasing to everyone. There was a little bit of everything for
everybody. They opened with comedic lines ala Dolphy and Panchito to
which Pops was quick to claim she's Dolphy. Onwards to maybe
ReyCards duet to which again, Pops maintained she'd have to be Rey!
Both settled to some other comparisons like the WEA twins, if the
audience could relate or even the Aldeguer sisters. We did see a
more dancing-side of Regine, albeit done cornball-style. She was
game and a good sport. Both Queens showed genuine onstage rapport.
Just like regular friends shooting the breeze or chatting over a cup
of tea, they mentioned their similarities: love of shopping, eating
and mostly, their availability (that of being loveless at the
moment). Both subscribing to the philosophy of constant reinvention,
both dared to try new things, in music and clothes. Or the lack
thereof, almost like the Kelly sisters (Chicago) in glittery tux
complete with hat and a cane, Regine commented on their costumes'
lack of pants. They sang "Fever" with grit and passion. Then there
was the cabaret style of "Oops I Did It Again" ending with both
exposing naked upper bodies a fraction of a second before the lights
went out (initially behind heart shaped, high backed chairs).
Regine, as Asia's Songbird effortlessly rendered soaring ballads and
show-stopping tunes like Fantasia Barrino’s "I Believe," the
Metropop hit "Shine" and South Border’s "Wherever You Are"
(rearranged to include a rhythm section). She did justice to "A
Little Bit," "Suntok Sa Buwan" and "Wag Na Wag Mong Sasabihin". As
for her costumes, one outfit in particular, a tan glittery dress was
shorter than Pop's, showed more cleavage and cut lower in the back.
One would be apt to ask, this is conservative? Those days must be
gone because Regine here is anything but that. She's daring and
baring!
Pops, the Concert Queen flawlessly delivered hip-hop hits, the
latest dance craze and lavish production numbers. Her Beyonce
(Naughty Girl, Lose My Breath and Crazy in Love) and Christina
Aguilera/Britney Spears (Dirrty and My Prerogative) medleys makes
one want to get up and move to the beat. True to being Concert
Queen, Pops did her dance moves so well and looked extremely
attractive with her fit and shapely physique emphasized in outfits
that almost always showed off cleavage and legs. Her other well
applauded numbers were "You take my breath away" and a medley of
tunes done originally by male Filipino singers (Hanggang, Di Ko Kaya
and Ikaw Nga).
Beyond all the grandeur of Atlantic City's Trump Taj Mahal Arena,
the exciting production numbers, fresh musical arrangements, the
fabulous gowns and costumes, the lively dancers, brilliant
choreography, the entire show encompassed many music genres: rock,
pop, dance and OPM. It was the ultimate showdown witnessed by proud
Filipino Americans on this side of the US. This was highlighted by
their vocal powers displayed when they did "Sana Maulit Muli"
and "Kahit Isang Saglit" separately with Erik Santos only to
conclude with all three artists and both songs culminating jointly
in the end.
Of note, the show was a celebration of music, friendship and
womanhood. Featuring songs about love, sentiments, fantasies and
passions, the Queens aimed to empower women through music. "Have You
Ever Really Loved A Woman" rendered sensual and exotic gives the
males in the audience something to ponder. When someone
yelled "Marteeeeen!" to Pops, she took it, tongue in cheek.
Commented only on the shouter's accent. Said something about moving
on. When someone else yelled "I love you" to Regine, she coyly
responds "we'll talk later!"
The encore had Pops and Regine, in denims and identical white tank
tops with huge red hearts, doing a medley of ’80s
favorites "Gloria," "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun," "What Have You Done
For Me Lately," "I’m So Excited" and "Telephone". Pops, again was in
her element, complete with cute pigtails. All in all, the Queens
brought out the best in each other, even with all their personal
revelations, no one was cast in bad light, there was no rivalry
apparent. Having the audience privy to their shortcomings just made
them more endearing. Their entire repertoire lent them most
entertaining, hot and most definitely, on fire!
Kudos are in order for the powers that made Queens... on Fire
possible in Atlantic City. Congratulations to Ms. Ana Puno,
President of Starmedia Entertainment and Drs. Ramon and Ching
Legarda of Group Ole Incorporated. Big thanks to Smart Padala, the
Law Offices of Michael J. Gurfinkel, Five Star Sea Cargo, Inc.,
Continental Airlines,and to TFC, Planet Philippines,NY, Perlas ng
Silangan, and Diamond Hut Jewelers.
----------- >
Both reviews came from
http://www.carouselpinoy.com
< -----------------
rv_thebirdnest · Regine Velasquez Fans Bird Nest Group!
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/rv_thebirdnest/
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http://insidebuzz.tripod.com
;-)
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