REY VALERA, Hajji Alejandro, Rico J. Puno and Marco Sison
Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icons Rico J. Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Rey Valera and Marco Sison have been performing together for some years now and they are still very much a big draw in the concert scene. Their secret? Humor.
Marco explained, “Para maiba. Hindi ’yung normal na concert na lalabas ka (sa stage), kakanta, tapos labas na ulit.”
He added, “Binubuhos namin lahat ng nakakatawa sa simula pa lang para masaya sila kaagad.”
Rey, however, said they are careful with the jokes they tell, choosing those that do not offend audiences.
“Wala ka dapat tatapakan na delikadong issues. Siguro pwede ka maging sarcastic minsan pero bawal ang mga bad jokes,” he said.
Then again, sometimes, green jokes just come out naturally, especially when it comes to Rico J.
“Hindi umiiwas sa bastos na jokes ’yan. Minsan mas nagfo-focus pa siya dun,” Rey kids.
In the end, fans still want to hear the songs they love, and this foursome always delivers the hits that are now considered by many as OPM classics.
The group has actually tried adding new songs to their repertoire, but fans still clamor for their big hits from the ’70s and ’80s.
“Iba ’yung makikita mo na reaction sa mukha nila… mas inaantay nila ’yung hits namin,” Rey related. “Ang gusto nila ibalik ’yung memories ng nakaraan.”
The fan connection is understandable. Rico, Hajji, Rey and Marco have, after all, been singing songs that have become the soundtrack of many people’s lives.
Rey feels quite fortunate having made hay in the ’70s, a time he says when “talagang may respect ang tao sa music.”
He shared, “Marami ngang mga bata na lumalapit sa akin nagsasabi na sana pinanganak sila noong panahon na ’yun. Maganda ang music nu’n… at ang fashion.”
Marco, however, pointed out it wasn’t easy making a name in the industry back then. “Mahirap magka-pangalan… swerte ka kapag nagka-break ka,” he said.
These days, Rey laments that non-singers are brashly marketed as such. “Meron kasi na hindi talaga singers, pero dahil sikat, papakantahin sila,” he said.
The practice proliferates because unscrupulous producers tolerate it. “Inuudyok sila na (tipong), it’s your time… i-maximize natin ’yung kasikatan mo,” he said.
Rey was quick to laud the likes of Anne Curtis, however, citing how the actress only wants to “entertain” her fans.
“Hindi naman siya pretentious na, ‘Ah, magaling ako kumanta.’ ’Yung iba lang ’yung feeling magaling sila,” he said.
As for singers who cover their big hits, Rey said, “Compliment ’yun. Basta ’wag lang nila bababuyin.”
Although they could have kept performing individually, Marco maintained they have so much more fun when they are together. They’ve gone through a lot of trials but they’ve surpassed them all.
“Through the years, natutunan na namin makisama sa isa’t isa. Parang nagkaka-amuyan na kami sa kung ano ang tama at mali… hindi na kami nakikipagsabayan kapag mainit ang ulo ng isa,” he said, adding, “Nag-grow na kami. Dati siguro may sapawan sa stage, pero ngayon wala na.”
The group performs regularly on weeks leading to Valentine’s, and this year is not much different. It can be a bit of a hassle because working around that time means less time to spend with their families, but they’ve learned to make adjustments.
Hajji said, “Ang ginagawa ko, sinasama ko family ko sa venue nu’ng show. Tapos after nu’n saka kami aalis.”
Marco, meanwhile, does not make a big deal of Valentine’s Day.
“Kasi sine-celebrate din naman ’yan every year,” he said. “Hindi rin naman ako pala-bigay ng gift… kaya trabaho na lang muna.”
Hajji, Rico J., Rey and Marco will perform on Feb. 12, at the Palacio de Maynila, Malate, Manila, in a concert billed as “An Evening With The OPM Legends.”
Tickets for the concert are now available at the venue.
Fun times four
Source: Mb.com.ph (January 26, 2015 at 08:28AM)
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