by aLfie vera mella
The concert OPM Legends was successful in many ways. The hard work, goals, and vision of the producers, Dennis Castañeda and Mary Jean Aromin, plus the entire production team paid off. The whole event was presented well. The venue, Club Regent Event Centre, was classy and audience friendly. The parking space was very available, accessible, and convenient for everyone. The main acts were billeted in the same hotel, so it was comfortable and convenient for them—no need to transport them from one place to another.
During the concert itself, the audience turnout was relatively positive, about 80 to 85% of the projected attendance was achieved. Everyone seemed to enjoy the performances not only of the main acts but also of the show openers.
Singer/songwriter Levy Abad performed two of his original songs that many in the audience were already familiar with, particularly “Dito sa Winnipeg.” Came next was haLf man haLf eLf, which dished out three well-arranged songs each of which wowed the crowd because of the incorporation of various musical instruments and the stage presence of the group’s members. What became a crowd favorite was the rendition of Yano’s “Esem,” which featured an accordion and violin not present in the original version of the song and, most especially, the Filipino-worded song was sang by the group’s Canadian violinist Christine Mazur with flawless Filipino accent instead of its lone Filipino member, aLfie vera mella. Wrapping up the introductory part of the concert was local Rockers Traffikk Jamm, which delivered an equally energetic and engaging four-song set that included their versions of “Habang May Buhay” (Afterimage), “Ang Aking Awitin” (Side A), “Tuloy Pa Rin” (Labuyo), and “Manila” (Hotdog). Backed up by his solid-sounding band, vocalist Arnold Tongol was a natural in inciting the audience to sing along with them.
After a short intermission, the most-awaited stars of the night made the crowd ecstatic, singing, dancing, and shouting the names of their idols. Marco Sison, Hajji Alejandro, Eva Eugenio, and Rico J. Puno were able to deliver their respective distinct styles in flying colors and soaring voices. The soft and smooth crooning of Sison melted the hearts of many, while the naughty and humorous spiels of Puno effectively elicited heart laughter from the audience. Alejandro’s prim and proper personality exuded from his serious style of singing, while Eugenio wowed everyone with her vocal belting as well as her flamboyant attires.
The lobby of the event centre was like a party after the show, when the artists—despite having gotten tired—gave chance to their fans to have pictures with them taken and autographs signed.
Everyone surely went home exhausted but contented.
Overall, the concert is more of a cultural event than a simple concert because the audience included also a good number of non-Filipino attendees who enjoyed the performances nonetheless. The producers were also able to give a chance for our Winnipeg local Filipino-Canadian artists to shine in their own ways and to perform in their best forms.
As in the words of Sison and Puno, during the soundcheck earlier in that day, “Ang ganda ng venue at ang ganda ng sound system. Eto ang pinakamagandang show namin sa tour na ‘to!”
Here’s to the next locally produced Filipino cultural event!
Special acknowledgments: Jeprox Photography, HB Photography, AJ Batac Photography, Todd & Katya Labelle, Jim & Imelda of Jimel’s International Cuisine, Craig & the rest of the event center’s sound production team, Thaddeus Rosario & family, Alan Bactol & wife, Norberto & wife, Benny & wife, Rey & wife, Marby Gutierrez & wife, Rowena Valdez-Oquendo, Kelly Legaspi, and Charina Oyong.
