A gift from Ogie

It took a long circuitous route, but the star and his fan finally met. Thirty-two year-old Ralph Guzman has always admired one of the country’s most prolific artists, Ogie Alcasid. 

When Ogie was still with GMA network where Ralph also used to work, he would often bump into his idol but never had the opportunity to be introduced to him. The chance to finally meet Ogie in person finally happened a few Sundays ago on TV5’s newest primetime program The Mega and the Songwriter, and Ralph could not have been any happier, and luckier. As it were, Ogie, in his segment Ask The Songwriter, chose Ralph’s story over a hundred entries and specially wrote a song for the soon-to-be groom. 

“When Ralph was in the (TV5) studio, he greeted me and mentioned that he used to work at GMA. I never met him there. I thought initially that he was with TV5 and was just checking out the show,” Ogie enthuses. 

It was actually the production team who chose Ralph’s letter to which Ogie was supposed to come up with a song in less than two weeks’ time. He was even told to just rehash some old songs he has written but he declined. â€œI was not too happy with that.”

He was then briefed by his production staff about Ralph’s story and Ogie, upon hearing it, started writing the lyrics. â€œI played it first in minor key and beg an to like what I hear. And of course, the story of Ralph and his fiancé, TJ Ramos, became my inspiration.” Thus was written Ikaw Ang Buhay Ko, a tribute to finding one’s true love and a heartwarming take from the Philippines’ original kilig singer-songwriter.

There are very few multi-talented people in showbiz who are passionate and really focused about their work and Ogie is one of them. He has no qualms about trying anything and believes that every project is a challenge for him to better his craft. He is happy with The Mega and the Songwriter as this gives him the opportunity to create songs and jam with other artists and musicians. “The chance to work for the first time with the Megastar, Miss Sharon Cuneta, is one huge opportunity alone.” 

TV audiences would sure have a treat in this new musical offering from TV5 as the two artists have between them, some of the most memorable and iconic masterpieces of Filipino and foreign music.

But if there is one project that is making him jittery nowadays, it is, The Gift, a made-for-TV drama that pushes Ogie to the edge of the envelope, so to speak. â€œThis is a full drama which wrenches me out of my comfort zone as I have to go through a whole gamut of emotions,” explains Ogie. 

Direk Mike Tuviera really “dares me to do the extremes… pigang-piga ako dito.” This is a forthcoming project that will air on TV5’s primetime sometime during the first quarter of 2014.

Much as he enjoys the challenges of a drama show, doing comedy roles, Ogie says is actually more difficult than it looks. “Making people laugh is very rewarding and you feel good when you see them having a good time.” 

Ogie also headlines TV5’s new comedy show, Tropa Mo Ko Unli, that pays homage to Tropang Trumpo, Ogie’s groundbreaking gag show on what used to be ABC 5 and it also features fellow Tropa alum Gelli de Belen along with Edgar Allan Guzman, Empoy Marquez, Alwyn Uytingco, Eula Caballero, Ritz Azul, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and the top scholars of Artista Academy.

Though singing is his first love, he still feels that he does not possess a great singing voice and humbly defers to Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano. But writing songs is one special talent that he nurtures. And when he writes songs, Ogie makes sure that his wife, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, hears it.  So when Regine got back from the States and Ogie let her in on the song Ikaw Ang Buhay Ko, “she immediately liked it.”

Ogie’s move to TV5 has kept him very busy with projects but he isn’t one to complain. He swears he is enjoying every second of being with his new home. “It does not feel like any different from GMA because I am working with people who I used to work with like Ma’am Wilma (Galvante) and a lot of people from production.” He feels honored as well, to be working with TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) who “I’ve known for more than 20 years and I am happy that I’m actually working for him, and is now my boss.” 

In a few days time, Ralph will tie the knot with his fiancée, TJ, whose special day will be made even more memorable as they march down the aisle serenaded by Ogie’s love song that celebrates the joining of two hearts into one life; one lifetime. And who knows, if luck is truly on their side, the songwriter might even be the one serenading them.