POPS FERNANDEZ and hitmakers Hajji Alejandro, Nonoy Zuniga, Marco Sison and Rey Valera have no doubt all produced many hit local songs through the years.
But which ones are their personal favorites among their hit songs?
“With me, it’s my first hit song, ‘Dito’,” says Pops. “Hindi ko na makanta ngayon kasi it brings back so many memories at naiiyak ako.
"Kalalaya lang ng daddy ko noon (Eddie Fernandez, who was jailed for many years) so I cannot forget the song. Another personal favorite is ‘Little Star’.”
“For me, una yung first hit single ko, ‘Panakip Butas’,” says Hajji. “Doon ako talaga unang nakilala, followed by ‘Tag-araw, Tag-ulan’.
"Malaki ang kinita ko sa mga kantang yan. Also close to my heart is the Ryan Cayabyab song that won sa Metropop, ‘Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika’.
"Next year, I will be celebrating my 50th year in showbiz. I intend to have a special concert at kakantahin ko lahat yan.
"It’s in 1973 when I became part of the Circus Band and we were singing sa popular venues then along Roxas Blvd. like Rino’s and Flames. Then I went solo and I’m just happy that I’m still here.”
How about Nonoy Zuniga?
“Ako naman, favorite ko ang ‘Love Without Time’ written by the late Willy Cruz. It came at a time when I was having a struggle sa schooling ko and sa lovelife ko.
"I’m asking myself then, which is more important between them. Siempre, I chose my studies at dahil doon, nakatapos ako ng medicine.
"Other favorites are ‘Doon Lang’, ‘Kumusta Ka’ and ‘Never Ever Say Goodbye’ na naging movie with Vilma Santos.”
Marco Sison has two personal faves.
“Dalawa sa hit songs ko ang lagi kong kinakanta. Una yung breakthrough song kong ‘Make Believe’. Doon ako unang nakilala.
"Then yung love song na naging classic, ‘My Love Will See You Through’. Isa pa is ‘Si Aida, Si Lorna o Si Fe’ na naging hit movie rin.”
And for Rey Valera?
“Sa akin, yung song kong ‘Malayo Pa ang Umaga’, kasi it reminds me of our country.
"Compared to other countries na napuntahan ko, lalo na kapag nakapag-abroad ka at bumalik ka na rito sa atin, talagang malayo pa ang umaga sa atin kumpara sa mga naging progreso ng ibang bansa. Nakakalungkot.”
The “Four Kings and a Queen” US concert tour of Pops and the Hitmakers is produced by Amore Entertainment and will start this June 25, Saturday at Rohnert Park, California and June 26, Sunday at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California, to be followed by shows in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Chicago, Portland and Honolulu.