OGIE ALCASID was supposed to have the “Kilabotitos” concert with Ian Veneracion last March but they decided to shelve it because of the pandemic.
Now, finally, it’s pushing through on March 26, staged from the Music Museum and shown via KTX.
“We pursued doing the concert kasi kating-kati na kami ni Ian to do this,” he says. “Nabitin kami, when we’re so excited to do this.
"Sayang naman ang pinrepare namin. We already had many rehearsals then. A lot of people were disappointed nang di namin itinuloy.
"Ang dami na kasing bumili ng tickets, then we had to return their money. Now, this is something new for us.”
The past year is truly a memorable one for Ogie.
“My dad passed away. It’s a big blow kasi hindi namin siya nakita because of the pandemic. Then what happened to ABS-CBN and to our shows. Who would have known this would happen?”
After a while, he started getting bored doing nothing during the lockdown.
“It’s hard, just being here in the house. Kating kati ako to do the things I used to do, so i started doing live streaming. Ang ganda ng response ng audience, so I bought the right equipment.
"I needed it at first for myself, but I saw the audience really appreciated it. so hindi ko na binitiwan.”
And then people started getting him and Regine to do gigs.
“Nakakatulong daw kasi para mawala ang anxiety nila. And it’s also a way for us to earn a little bit of money.
"Before, kung may show ka, pupunta ka pa sa venue, dala mo lahat ng gamit mo. Now, nasa bahay lang kami, doon na kami kakanta.
"Pero siempre walang kapalit yung face to face experience with audience, na kita mo ang response ng tao kapag kumakanta ka.”
“KIlabotitos” is a full concert with a band and some guests.
“We’re doing it sa Music Museum, para maganda ang audio and video ng show. Guest namin si Lara Maigue and my daughter Leila.
"Lara will sing classical stuff so watch out for her. Ian and I will have some funny banter. Parang sitcom na musical ang flavor ng show so you’ll surely enjoy it.”
They’re spending more for the show because of safety protocols they have to follow after Regine’s concert was postposed when someone involved in it became infected with the covid virus.
“Grabe ang naging stress level namin dahil doon. Now, we have a safety office guiding us and we followed the safety protocols to make sure that everyone in Music Museum will be safe.”
How did he feel when his daughter Leila was bashed after she posted her photos with boyfriend?
“Nagulat ako sa bashing that Leila got because of that. E, sumagot siya. She got emotional, kasi mahal na mahal niya ang boyfriend niya.
"I understand her, she has to protect her own relationship, but I told her, kahit sumagot ka ng sumagot diyan, walang tigil yan, so hayaan mo na.
"So sabi ko, huwag ka ng pumatol kahit na-hurt ka. And she said, all right dad.”
How is it working now with Ian?
“Ian is really younger than me, but Im surprised that lumang tao siya. He enjoys the songs of my high school years. Music from the 70s and 80s.
"We chose songs that we feel na magugustuhan ng audience namin. They don’t make that kind of music anymore, so i’m sure nami-miss na rin ng mga tao ang music of that era.
"Also, I’ve collaborated with many artists, they get nervous, pero si ian parang hindi kinakabahan. He just loves the stage and he just loves to sing. Enjoy na enjoy siya, he loves what he’s doing. And that’s the mark of a good performer.”
Janno Gibbs is a good friend of his as they’ve done several projects together. What can he say to Janno who’s now controversial after he lost his hosting job in Net25 due to his tiff with comedian Kitkat?
“I honestly feel for him. I sent him a message. Pero tatawagan ko na lang siya kapag malamig na ang lahat. I know him, he’s a good friend, and in all what he has been through, he knows im always there to support him.”
Ogie tells concertgoers that it’s so easy to get tickets from KTX to watch them.
“Madali lang po. Just go to KTX.ph. You’ll pay them by Gcash or credit card, then they’ll forward your ticket to you.
"Sa isang ticket nyo, buong pamilya kayo na you can all watch, or your buong barkada.
"Just turn on your big TV and instantly, the concert will transport you to the time when we’re all young again and relish the feeling of nostalgia. At puede pa kayong sumabay ng pagkanta sa amin.”
