A smorgasbord of Valentine shows

Today is Valentine’s Day. A friend has literally become catatonic since midnight because he claims this is his fifth Valentine’s Day alone. I’ve been trying to stop him but he insists on going to the breakwater behind Folk Arts Theater where he wants to weep facing the murky waters of Manila Bay. After which, he wants to jump to the oil-rich waters of the bay and drown his sorrows. He plans to wear an all-white ensemble for a statement. "What statement?" I screamed at him. "Basta," he replied. "I’ve been celibate for the past five years. From today on, I will be on a rampage." Exasperated, I said goodbye and wished him a meaningful Valentine’s Day.

My two-year-old nephew, Jake, sends text messages faster than me (I can put a drunk snail to shame). I’m a slow operator of the cellphone yet I struggled to send this friend of mine a message that read: "Funny this may sound, but who knows, you might just find your sirena in the garbage-rich Manila Bay. Anyhow, you have a heart. If nobody wants it – for Christ’s sake – use it to love yourself!"

Twenty-four hours later, my loveless friend sent me a text message – "Hey Boy, what show do you think can I watch with my new friend, Bernard? And by the way, I met him at the breakwater."

Well friend, read on and take your pick:

Choose between OA Sa Puso with Ogie Alcasid (which opened yesterday at Onstage Greenbelt and will run until Feb. 15. Or the Regine Velasquez-Michel Legrand concert Songbird Sings Legrand which opens today and will also have performances tomorrow and on the 16 at the PICC.

But if retro music is more up your alley, then catch Rachel Alejandro as she performs ’70s music with Route 70 tonight at the Lobby Lounge of the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

Although she was born in 1975, Rachel considers herself more a part of the ’80s, the time when she came of age and joined show business as part of the Wednesday group of That’s Entertainment.

This affinity with the ’70s also made it easy for Rachel to bond with the members of Route 70.

Route 70 is composed of Dingdong Eduque (former member of the Manila Band), guitarist Butch Elizalde (former member of the Music and Magic); Toots Almazan of the Family Birth Control Band, Kearney Lising (former vocalist of Mulatto), bassist Dante Remigio, drummer Benzon Ong; keyboardist Danny Favis; Danny Romasanta on trumpet; and Oscar Hernandez on trombone.

Rachel and the members of Route 70 have a fascination for ’70s music. Their repertoire consists of both slow and dance favorites from the ’70s like Betcha By Golly Wow, Love’s Holiday, You Make Me Feel Brand New, Trapped In A Stairway and other ’70s classics. It will be the kind of show where you start out safely ensconced on your seat and finish the evening dancing like you’ve never danced before.

For inquiries and reservations, call the EDSA Shangri-La hotel at 633-8888 (extension 2738 or 2739).

Another concert hitting Manila tonight is Boyz II Men Live in Manila at the Fort Open Field. The six-time Grammy winning group will serenade fans with their most unforgettable songs like I’ll Make Love To You, End of the Road, Four Seasons of Loneliness, On Bended Knees, A Song for Mama, Water Runs Dry and their latest single The Color of Love.

Tickets to Boyz II Men Live in Manila are available at SM Ticketnet outlets (911-555 or 373-5734).

Goodbye, my friend, and may you and Bernard have a blessed Valentine’s Day! See you at the breakwater!

Buddy Walks

February has also been declared the National Down Syndrome Consciousness Month by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. As such, the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines has scheduled a series of activities that aims to raise awareness of the disease so those affected can support and accept the realities of Down Syndrome and those afflicted by it.

The Association was founded by parents who wish to make a difference in the lives of children with Down Syndrome. It is estimated that one child with Down Syndrome is born every two hours. Activities include the Buddy Walk, Golf Tournament, special Olympics and Free Clinic.

In the Buddy Walk, children and adults with Down Syndrome, together with their buddies and many other supporters like doctors, teachers, therapists, parents, movie and sports personalities will walk tomorrow at 8 a.m. from the San Lorenzo Gym to the Makati Commercial district. Simultaneous Buddy Walks will also be done in Cebu and Davao. Those interested to be a buddy can call the Down Syndrome Office at 895-9642 or 895-3606.

Celebration in Malabon

Malabon Citisquare and ATMACS/Events On Line celebrate the love month with Angelene Aguilar, Dennis Trillo, Crossmovers and Mosang. The affair will be on Sunday, 4 p.m. at Malabon Citisquare parking lot.