Ogie Alcasid Will Donate His 'Musikatin' Concert Talent Fee To Orphans Of SAF 44

OGIE ALCASID is known to be a good friend and supporter of Pres. Pnoy so it’s inevitable for him to be asked about the Mamasapano Massacre. He admits sending a text message to the beleaguered president. What did he say? “Sinabi ko lang na I am praying for him,” he says. “I understand naman kung saan nanggagaling ang galit ng mga tao after he didn’t come sa airport noong arrival ng remains ng Fallen 44. Talaga namang sari-saring emosyon ang mararamdaman ng tao. Everybody has a right to say what they have to say. We live in a democracy, so we all have the right sabihin ang nais nating sabihin. But I guess this is how our emotional maturity is tested. How do we face up to crises like these? Paiiralin ba natin ang galit? Okay lang magalit, tao tayo, e. Pero kung magagalit nang magagalit nang magagalit, makakamtan ba natin ang hustisyang gusto natin? So, we need sobriety, magpalamig muna tayong lahat ng ulo. This is a very difficult time for the President. He’s been judged by many, many people. So I will just pray for him. Kasi ‘yun lang naman ang makakapagpalakas sa kanya, di ba? Sana pairalin natin ang turo ni Pope Francis, mercy and compassion. Para ke pa’t nagpunta dito si Pope kung galit ang paiiralin natin. Basta kami sa OPM, nag-iisip kami kung paano kami makakapag-raise ng funds para sa mga naulila ng SAF 44. Kailangang tumulong din tayo sa kanila. Ako, ang buong kikitain ko sa ‘MuSIKATin’ concert, ibibigay ko sa mga naulila ng SAF 44. Lea Salong and Aiza Seguerra are also preparing a fund-raising concert for them.”

Ogie is personally busy with the concert destined to make a mark in Philippine Concert history: “MuSIKATin: Musikang Sikat Sa Atin”. The guests include Hajji Alejandro, Mr. Rey Valera, Michael V, Angeline Quinto, Lovi Poe, Solenn Heussaff, Gloc-9, the Dawn's Jett Pangan and Miss Vernie Varga, with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab as musical director. Tickets are available at SM Tickets. Call 470-2222 for more information.

We ask Ogie what are the other projects of OPM (Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit) for this year. “Tuloy na ang Palakasin ang OPM all day concert sa Bonifacio Global City on March 14. Dapat noong December ito but di natuloy dahil sa bagyong Glenda. Big singers will be collaborating with top bands, like me na makakasama ko ang Sandwich. The last week of July will officially be known as Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino. Puro OPM ang maririnig sa radio and business establishments. We’re also pushing for the approval of the OPM bill that will require equity and four OPM songs to be played on radio every hour.”