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He isn’t called The Romantic Balladeer for nothing. At 50, Marco Sison still excites — and how!

“It may be hard to believe that women are still smitten by the charm of the Philippines’ original pop prince,” reports Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre, “but there he was performing Friday night (Oct. 12) at a full house Perlas ng Silangan Restaurant in Woodside, Queens, New York, before shrieking women of all ages (well, mostly in their 40s, 50s and 60s) who took turns hugging and kissing (some obviously with lust) the boyish balladeer as he performed.”

According to Edmund, one of those in the audience was Manhattan make-up artist and stylist Imogene Raypon who was just probably a toddler when Marco became a household name as Student Canteen’s singing champ in the early ’80s.

“But even Imogene can’t dismiss the appeal of Marco who was responsible for some of the chart-topping songs of the ’80s and ’90s, among them Make Believe, Always, My Love Will See You Through and Si Aida, Si Lorna O Si Fe,” says Edmund. “While many of his contemporaries have gone gray, Marco seemed to have found the fountain of youth and managed to preserve not only his suave looks, physique and vitality, but also his impeccable Student Canteen voice that could put many younger singers to shame.

Hear him sing the Latin beat Sway and see how a middle-aged man can bring sexy back.”

Edmund was impressed by Marco’s jaw-dropping performance with his medley of Basil Valdez’s greatest hits.

“Belting Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan, Hanggang Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan, Tuwing Umuulan, Nais Ko and Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga, capped with Ngayon at Kailanman, he sent chills down the spine of his audience, who reciprocated him with defeaning applause and cheers.”

“He never overdoes his singing because he knows his voice is superb just the way it is,” Edmund quotes Zoila Mendoza of Manhattan’s DNZ Travel and Tours as saying. “No screamfest, just pure talent...and sincerity.”

“He’s got class, never boring,” Mendoza’s husband, Danny Tan, was overheard saying.

I’m glad to know that Perlas ng Silangan owner Nel Castellvi (nephew of former action star Romano Castellvi), who hosted a dinner for our group when we were at Perlas two years ago, was happy with the huge turnout for the $45-per-head dinner show. Nel’s restaurant features New York- and Manila-based artists.

“I know he still has lots of followers everywhere, but I didn’t know he’s still that hot,” Nel told Edmund. “I will definitely bring Marco back.”

Jessa to perform with The Cascades

First, the “bad” news: Jessa Zaragoza’s husband, Dingdong Avanzado, is scheduled to undergo a gall bladder surgery in California (the Avanzados’ new home) anytime now.

“At first,” Jessa told Funfare. “We wanted to have the surgery here para marami ang mag-alaga sa kanya.”

And now, the good news: Jessa was contacted by the New York-based United Animation International (UAI) to perform with The Cascades on Dec. 14 at the LaGuardia Community College Performing Arts Center in New York.

“Up to now, The Cascades are topnotch performers that’s why it’s really flattering and surprising that they chose me,” Jessa told Edmund Silvestre who relayed the news to Funfare.

Even now that she and Dingdong, together with their daughter Jayda, have migrated to the US, she continues to hold the “title” of Phenomenal Diva.

UAI’s marketing and project director Baby Lantin told Edmund that it was a unanimous decision to pick Jessa from a short list of Filipino divas with great talent.

“It’s Jessa’s stage presence and alluring beauty that got her the project,” Edmund quoted Baby, herself a long-time concert producer for her own Miracle Entertainment, as saying. “We want someone who is not only talented and charming, but also with international appeal. We want The Cascades to be proud of their guest artist, and the mainstream crowd to enjoy the Filipino talent and beauty.”

Jessa and daughter Jayda are currently in Manila (sans Dingdong) for personal business. Mother and daughter will fly back to L.A. on Oct. 28 in time for Jessa and Dingdong’s series of shows in the US and Canada.

The Cascades regularly perform in Manila where their fans can’t seem to get tired listening to their hit songs, including Rhythm of the Rain, Shy Girl, The Last Leaf and many others.

philstar.com

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