Ogie Alcasid on valuing OPM and finding his ‘Forrest Gump’

CEBU, Philippines —  A brilliant songwriter, singer and actor, Ogie Alcasid is a man of many talents. Currently on various ABS-CBN programs like the sitcom “Home Sweetie Home,” variety show “ASAP” and It’s Showtime’s singing competition “Tawag Ng Tanghalan,” the OPM icon recently made a quick stop to Cebu for his “Nakakalokal” album tour at The Terraces of Ayala Center Cebu.

His performance and meet and greet was an absolute treat for fans. Ogie sang tracks from his “Nakakalokal” album, an homage to original Filipino music, all the while drawing out laughter from eager fans. Between his faultless singing, wisecracks, and selfie sessions with fans, Ogie also took the opportunity to stress the value of OPM, saying that a lot of beautiful music came from Cebu.

In a chat over fruits backstage, Ogie shared the reason why he wasn’t able to tour his 2017 “Nakakalokal” album in a while, the fresh talents he’s keeping an eye on, and his thoughts on K-Pop sensation BTS, which he often posts about on social media.

He also talked about his film “Kuya Wes,” which promises to be a cut above the rest of the films he has done in his over 30 years in show business. Marking his debut as a film producer, “Kuya Wes” sees him playing a money remittance center employee. As the timid and earnest clerk goes through the motions, things begin to stir when he meets and eventually falls for regular client Erika (Ina Raymundo) whom he goes the extra mile to help.

Initially an entry to the 2018 Cinemalaya Film Festival, “Kuya Wes” will have its commercial release on March 13. It also made it to the 39th Fantasporto – Porto International Film Festival which began February 19 and will culminate today. It will compete in the Directors Week and Orient Express sections alongside 2018 Cinemalaya entries “Kung Paano Hinihintay ang Dapithapon” and “School Service.”

Why did you decide to kick start your “Nakakalokal” album tour in Cebu?

Cebu’s a major city, it’s a major hub. And I love my Cebuano fans. Matagal na rin akong hindi nag-show sa Cebu so it’s just fitting that we start here. I have not done my album tour in a while. My album has been out for more than a year, hindi lang ako nag-mall show kasi medyo na-busy ako. And I really made it a point na gawin ko na.

What is “Nakakalokal” supposed to mean?

The term lokal, refers to Filipino, right? When you listen to the song later, it’s all about loving your own music. I coined that term to imply that whenever you listen to Filipino music, you know straight away that it’s Filipino because of the way it sounds, the way it’s sung, and the way it’s performed.

How were the tracks chosen for the album?

I wrote all of them. Some of them were already recorded by artists like Martin Nievera and Gary V. I’m also working with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra in the album. It would be nice if I can sing the songs that I wrote for Gary and Martin, like “Kailangan Kita,” “Ikaw Lamang” and “Ikaw Ang Aking Pangarap,” my way.

Why did it take a while for you to do an OPM tribute concept?

Well, it coincided with my 30th year in showbiz. I celebrated it last year. To commemorate that, sinabay ko na yung tribute to OPM.

Are there young songwriters you’re keeping an eye on and you feel have a lot of potential? What advice would you give them?

Oh man! So many! There’s JK (Juan Karlos Labajo), Moira dela Torre, Iñigo Pascual, KZ Tandingan, Yeng Constantino, Davey Langit and Lara Maigue. I just tell them to keep working hard. Rome wasn’t built in a day. So is a career. A career is built in just churning and churning and coming up with creative work. That’s what we do – we create performances, we create songs, we create comedy. So you just keep creating in the way that God made you. You should be able to use what God gave you with the tools that you have.

You’re among the OPM icons who talk about Korean septet BTS online. How much of a BTS fan are you?

I’m not a huge BTS fan. I listen to them from my daughter and my son. I love the way they create music, the way they perform, their charisma, and their dedication to the youth. They’re really great, great people, young ambassadors. I can’t say that I know all of their songs but I know some of them.

How do you feel about your film “Kuya Wes” having its commercial release this month?

I’m glad you’re aware of “Kuya Wes”! I think we’re showing here in Cebu, too. Please watch it. It’s a film that I co-produced with Spring Films, sina Piolo Pascual – they are the same production behind “Kita Kita.” Incidentally, I’m leaving tomorrow for Portugal because “Kuya Wes” is one of the finalists for the Porto International Film Festival in Porto, Portugal.

Is “Kuya Wes” among your most serious roles?

I think so. Of course it’s still a funny film. May parts na nakakatawa. I think a lot of funny actors want to migrate into serious roles. Mga idol ko, sina Ben Stiller, Robin Williams, Adam Sandler… Steve Carell, I really love that guy. He’s funny and he does serious roles. Dolphy, too.

Are we expecting to see a different Ogie Alcasid on the big screen?

Yeah, you will. A lot of the reviews that came out were parang, “Wow. Si Ogie ba yun?” I worked hard on it. I didn’t jump in it without preparation. And okay naman. People like it, so I hope you guys like it too.

Why did you decide to do the shift from in-your-face comedy into something like “Kuya Wes”?

I’ve always wanted to do that. I was just looking for the right script. All these years, one of my heroes is Tom Hanks. He didn’t start as a dramatic actor, he was a comedian in sitcoms when I was younger. He was my hero. When I started seeing him in a movie called “Philadelphia” and in “Forrest Gump,” sabi ko “Iba talaga itong tao na to. May lalim.” And I’ve always, always wanted to look for my Forrest Gump. I think this (“Kuya Wes”) is the one. When I got the email for the script, I instantly fell in love with it. I’d love to do this film, and I hope someone produces it even if they don’t pay me. My wife and I prayed for it and sabi namin, “Do it. Kailan mo pa ba gagawin?”

What should fans look forward to from you this year?

I’m still in “Home Sweetie Home,” “ASAP” every Sunday and “Tawag Ng Tanghalan.” There are plans for a new sitcom but we’re still waiting for that. My wife and I will tour the States in May. We’re going to nine cities. When I get back, hopefully, rest a little bit. And hopefully, if “Kuya Wes” does well, we’ll go to another film. As of now my focus is for March 13, for “Kuya Wes.”