Ogie Alcasid: Golden boy with a golden heart

MANILA, Philippines — Singer-song writer Ogie Alcasid releases his debut album under Star Music, “NakakaLokal,” a-first-of-its-kind musical collaboration with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.

The symphonic music of the orchestra, led by its musical director Gerard Salonga, complements the singer’s latest offering to Original Pilipino Music (OPM) fans.   

“It is a dream of any artist to do an album together with an orchestra. A song always sounds best when it’s with the orchestra as there are a lot of things you can’t do with a software that an orchestra can deliver. It is a blessing that the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra agreed to do this musical collaboration with me,” said the iconic actor-singer.

The album has 10 tracks, 6 of which are original compositions including “NakakaLokal,” Ikaw ang Tanging Pag-Ibig Ko,” “Akala Ko,” “Di Na Muli,” Di Ka Pababayaan,” and “Do You Wanna Dance With Me.” In addition, Ogie has a medley with his wife Regine Velasquez which include “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw,” “Pangako,” and “Hanggang Ngayon.”

Ogie admitted that all of his songs have stories. “All of my songs, lahat may story eh. I think every song writer especially the ones that had difficult romantic relationships, they are able to write songs. I had to admit that every song I have written happened to me.”

Nontheless, Ogie admitted that the lyrics of “Di Na Muli” is an invented story. “I have to admit that that was an invented story kasi I’m too happy eh. I guess nilagay ko lang 'yung sarili ko sa mindset ng sawing tao.”

He dedicated a song for his wife Regine in this album. “'Ikaw ang Tanging Pag-ibig Ko' is a song you sing in a wedding. 'Yun para sa asawa ko talaga.”

Completing the album is the three cover songs that were used as a theme song in Star Cinema movies and teleseryes that include “Kailangan Kita” from the movie with the same title starring Claudine Barretto and Aga Muhlach; “Ikaw ang Aking Pangarap” from the top-rating teleserye “Lobo” starring Angel Locsin and Piolo Pascual; and “Ikaw Lamang” from the movie “Dubai” starring Claudine, Aga and John Lloyd Cruz.

“NakakaLokal" is now out on digital stores worldwide and is available at all record bars nationwide.

Tonight, at the KIA Theatre, Ogie celebrates his 50th anniversary with a concert that features a star-studded line-up including Angeline Quinto, Basti Artadi, Davey Langit, Erik Santos, Iñigo Pascual, Jaya, Kyla, Lara Maigue, Leila Alcasid, Lovi Poe, Men and Music, Solenn Heussaff, and Yeng Constantino.

The concert will benefit child-focused humanitarian agency World Vision and its advocacy campaign, “It Takes a World to End Sexual Exploitation against Children."

For years, Alcasid has been a staunch advocate and ambassador for World Vision, a non-government organization that currently assists over 75,000 children nationwide. One of World Vision’s successful sponsored children and now a tenor singer Richard Supat, formerly with FORTEnors, will also join Alcasid in a number offered for the children, especially those living in poor and vulnerable conditions.