Ever since Ogie Alcasid became a World Vision ambassador, he has been celebrating his birthday quite differently from other celebrities. He and wife Regine would visit one of World Vision's supported communities and spend quality time with beneficiaries.
Since Ogie was turning 50 and World Vision was marking its 60th anniversary in the Philippines this year, however, both parties agreed to pour efforts into a much bigger celebration.
The bigger celebration turned out to be a benefit concert at the Kia Theatre last weekend which gathered some of Ogie's beloved friends in the industry. Dubbed as "NakakaLokal," the show was named after the singer-songwriter's latest album which was released in July. Proceeds from ticket sales will directly fund the projects of World Vision Philippines.
It was a star-studded evening made even more magical by the presence of the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, which anchored the guest performers' voices with its dazzling repertoire mainly composed of Ogie's songs, as well as other OPM hits, and cleverly arranged medleys.
Ogie kicked off the show with "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika" and the title track from his latest album. Moments were intermittently light and moving, with Ogie's comedic timing making sure emotions were constantly at bay.
The presence of guests like Iñigo Pascual, Lovi Poe and Solenn Heusaff, performing mashups that included Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick's "Can't Stop The Feeling" and Justin Bieber's "What Do You Mean," brought youthful energy to the stage. Leila Alcasid, Ogie's daughter, found herself on stage, singing with with her dad.
Basti Artadi, Davey Langit and Lara Maigue's set had rock 'n' roll written all over it; with covers of Rivermaya's "Awit ng Kabataan" and Bamboo's "Hallelujah."
Ogie performed a medley of well-loved OPM classics that included Ric Segreto's "Don't Know What To Say" with Men and Music, an ensemble of his friends from Kundirana that also included '80s singer-heartthrob Dingdong Avanzado.
Former World Vision sponsored child and opera singer Richard Supat showcased his vocal chops as well. In between songs, he introduced Ogie to 13-year-old Mark Jade Prado, a boy from Misamis Occidental whom Ogie had been sponsoring through World Vision for the last six years. Coincidentally, Mark shared the same birthday with Ogie.
This exchange proved to be very emotional for the birthday celebrant, as well as for some members of the audience, including his wife Regine who tried to hold back tears all throughout.
"Tawag ng Tanghalan" finalist Alfred Relatado was given the opportunity of a lifetime, sharing the spotlight with Ogie at one point during the concert.
Arguably one of the evening's most moving performances was Ogie and Jaya's heartfelt rendition of "Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang." It truly was a spontaneous combustion of world-class OPM talent.
Next to join Ogie on stage was Erik Santos, who sang "Kung Mawawala Ka" right after Ogie's powerful solo performance of "Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala."
While most—if not all—of the song numbers were memorable, nothing could probably be as endearing as the moment when Ogie asked his wife to take a seat on stage while he sang songs that he wrote specifically for her.
Included in this special list are the following: "Hanggang Ngayon," which Ogie sang with Kyla; a duet of "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw" by Ogie and Angeline Quinto; and "Pangarap Ko Ay Ibigin Ka," which was sung by Yeng Constantino and Ogie himself.
In between the serious song numbers were episodes of boisterous laughter, with Ogie reminding the audience that apart from being amulti-awarded singer-songwriter, he is also a very talented comedian. The crowd laughed the hardest when Ogie sang what he initially introduced as a Korean song he wrote, but which turned out to be a humor piece titled "Taba Ko Na Bes," sung in pun-injected, Korean-sounding Tagalog.
No concert of Ogie Alcasid would be complete without a performance of his most iconic hit, "Nandito Ako." This, along with "Sa Kanya," would have been the perfect songs to cap off a heart-wrenching concert experience, but Ogie the Pogi opted to close it on a jovial note, dancing and singing to "Sumayaw, Sumunod" mashed up with other songs he had performed at the beginning of the show.
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