Has he seen Paolo’s much touted sex videos? “Ay, hindi ko pinanood at ayokong panoorin. Kasi baka mainggit lang ako. Joke!” he laughs. “But kilala ko si Paolo and I know he must have been bothered by it. Mahirap yung pinagdaraanan niya. So, Pao, kung nasaan ka man, I just want you to know that I feel for you and I know na malalampasan mo ito.”
He’s a singer-comedian like the late Robin Williams. Did he also experience undergoing moments of depression like Robin? “Nagkaroon din naman ako ng struggles sa career and personal life ko, lalo na nang maghiwalay kami ni Michelle (Van Eimeren). Hindi madali ‘yun kasi sanay ako ng may bata sa bahay, maingay, lalo pag Pasko. Tapos, biglang ako na lang mag-isa. Kaya pag may naghihiwalay, maraming lumalapit sa akin na feeling nila iba-validate ko ‘yung gagawin nila kasi naging okay na ngayon ang buhay ko. Sinasabi ko talaga, wag. Hindi maganda. It’s the worst thing you can wish on yourself. Kasi, annulment, ang hirap, ang hirap talaga. Try to work it out muna. What helped me nung depressed ako was the support from my family and friends hanggang sa maka-recover ako.”
Eventually, his relationship with Michelle improved then he fell in love again with Regine Velasquez. “Dahil doon, nakabangon ako uli and I’m so happy na maganda talaga ang relationship even nina Regine and Michelle. But that didn’t happen overnight. Unti-unti rin yun.”
Now that he’s turning 47 years old and has a birthday concert, “Throwback Thursday with Mr. A”, at the Music Museum tonight at 8PM, Ogie wants to celebrate his life and career by doing something he knows best: singing.
He’ll have some friends as special guests, with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab as musical director. For tickets, call ticketworld at 891-9999.