Markki Stroem opens comebacking Triple Threats concert series  

Musical artist Markki Stroem is one of the headliners (the others are Arman Ferrer and Poppert Bernadas) in this year’s “Triple Threats: Three Tenors” from October to December at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater) at 7:30 p.m. After the successful event last 2013 to 2018, this series is now back on track.

“Triple Threats” is a series of solo concerts featuring the stalwarts of Philippine Musical Theater. Each concert is an intimate evening of beautiful music, personally selected by the artists themselves, from their vast repertoire of favorite songs from Broadway, West End, original Filipino musicals, and the movies.

Dubbed as a series of “concept concerts”, the narrative of the performance is dictated by the song choices. It is a rare opportunity for the audience to see a different facet of the acclaimed theatre artist being featured. The definition of a “triple threat” is someone in a particular field who exhibits the three skills that are necessary to excel – can act, can sing, and can dance.

Opening the series in the concert titled “Leading”, is Markki, known as today’s Contemporary Crooner. At the event’s press conference, he admitted being somewhat nervous because he is opening the concert series. He likewise revealed that there is a portion in the concert where he will dress in drag – which he has no problem with.

“I have to do my best. You don’t always get the chance to have a show produced by CCP,” said the crooner. “This is a big challenge for me because a concert has a different demand compared to musical theater.”

Markki is a veteran when it comes to musical plays but this is the first time he’s doing a concert as a solo artist. He was a finalist on ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent Season 1 and had nine theater credits including Henry in Next To Normal (Atlantis, 2011), Shane Gray in Camp Rock (Repertory, 2012), Tommy Ross in Carrie: The Musical (Atlantis, 2013), Leading Man in Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady (Dalanghita Production, 2015), Tommy de Vito in Jersey Boys (Atlantis, 2016), Gabby in Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Ballet Philippines, 2016), Claude Hooper Bukowski in Hair (Repertory, 2017), Terry Connor in Side Show (Atlantis, 2018) and Joe Pitt in Angels in America (Atlantis, 2019).

Aside from theater, he also dived into the television industry as he became a part of the variety show, ASAP’s Boys R Boys (BRB) and won as Most Promising Male Group in the Guillermo Mendoza Box Office Awards. Stroem was then nominated as Best Actor (Cinema 1 Originals Awards), Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actor (Golden Screen Awards), Best Breakthrough Actor (Gawad Tangi), and New Movie Actor of the Year (PMPC Star Awards for Movies) for Cinema One Originals 2012 Slumber Party. He also produced and directed music videos for artists – Rachelle Ann Go, Christian Bautista, and Noel Cabangon. His first album, “Thousands of Pieces” tapped the Astroplus top-selling album charts in 2012.

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ABS-CBN artist Loisa Andalio believes in the so-called seven-year-itch but she trusts that her relationship with Ronnie Alonte is solid as a rock.

“Even if I believe in the seven-year-itch in relationships because there was a couple who split up after seven years, I am confident that Ronnie and I have a very strong bond,” said the lead actress of the series “Love in 40 Days” which is ending in two weeks.

Loisa said she and Ronnie had gone through a lot in their relationship. Yes, they do fight sometimes and get into a misunderstanding but they never let these affect them.

They always hold on to each other and they keep their communication lines open. “If there is a conflict, we talk about it so it won’t get out of hand. That is something we agreed upon,” added Loisa.

She is very thankful that ABS-CBN got them together to star in “Love at 40 Days” since being together in the lock-in taping helped them to become even closer with each other.

“Besides, being in a lock-in taping is a good idea because we as actors are more focused in our respective roles. We were in character during the taping because we were just in one place for a month to shoot our scenes.”

Don’t miss the finale of “Love in 40 Days” weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, and Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page. Viewers who use any digital TV box at home such as the TVplus box only need to rescan their device to be able to watch “Love in 40 Days” on TV5 and A2Z. The show is also available to viewers in and out of the Philippines on iWantTFC.