Stevie bids Hi-5 a fond farewell

My (adult, I should stress) friends and I brought some kids to the show of Hi-5 at the Fashion Hall of SM Megamall last Sunday, Nov. 8, and what an experience it was! The venue was packed full with screaming kids, accompanied by their equally thrilled parents, who were treated to songs and dances all too familiar to them (the kids) because, yes, they are avid fans of the five Hi-5 members who very gladly made them sit on their laps for photo ops during the post-show meet-and-greet.

We saw first-hand what makes Hi-5 tick and click. The members have a genuine love for children (nothing “put-on” at all) and we surmised that infectious sincerity must be one of the “must-have” for the members (or anybody aspiring to be one).

Afterwards, Jenny Sy (one of those behind the Hi-5 shows) invited us to a private room of a nearby restaurant for picture-taking and chit-chat with the members (scheduled that same afternoon for another event before they fly back to Australia early the next day). The children’s musical group was launched in Australia in 1999 with “the dynamic performers entertaining children with music, movement, problem-solving and play” (a local counterpart has a show on TV5 with all-Filipino members). Hi-5 has an estimated global audience of more than 10 million children across North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Latin America.

The members known only by their first names (Ainsley, Dayen, Mary, Tanika and Stevie) were here (again!) to promote their series of House of Dreams shows on Dec. 18 to 21 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila (for tickets, call 891-9999), and the Megamall showcase gave the kids (and kids-at-heart) a nice preview.

As soon as the five members sat for a “family picture,” they — surprise, surprise! — automatically flashed the now world-famous AlDub Pabebe Wave which they did two days earlier with Alden Richards when they appeared as guest on Eat, Bulaga! Then, they asked the kids in our group to sit on their laps and do more Pabebe Wave with them.

The sad news is that Stevie is leaving Hi-5 after the December shows.

“It has been an amazing nine-year journey,” gushed Stevie who joined the group in 2007. “I’ve made many, many, many trips to the Philippines, we’ve performed in Manila and in Cebu, and I’m sure our December shows will be very emotional and memorable. I think it’s fitting to have my farewell show in Manila where we have the biggest fan base in Asia.”

Asked who would take his place, Stevie said he’d rather keep it a secret.

So what are the four other members’ fond memories about working with Stevie?

•Mary: I joined Hi-5 three years ago. I grew up watching the show and I was really nervous the first time I met Stevie. I had sweaty hands so I wiped them before I shook hands with Stevie. He has been like a big brother to us; he gave us tips and pointers, and big hugs before we’d go onstage. It’s really sad doing our last show together. I’m getting emotional. Please don’t make me cry.

•Tanika: I’ve been with the company for two and a half years. Every show is different because Stevie sees to it. He’s a big troublemaker onstage, hehehehe! We have to continue his legacy when he leaves. I guess Stevie would be there somewhere during our shows, throwing a line and making us start cracking up onstage. He has that ability to make everyone feel special.”

•Ainsley: I’ve been with Hi-5 for three years. It’s hard to name just one particular moment because there are so many. Onstage, when I would look across and something might not be going as planned, and I would see Stevie and he would look at me with that “Oh no!” expression in his face. And that happened quite often.”

•Dayen: I’m into my fifth year with the company. Yes, Stevie is a real troublemaker, hehehehe! I would do anything that he’d ask me to do onstage even if that would make me look silly. I just love Stevie and I will miss him!

Any possibility of a Filipino becoming a member of the group?

“The good thing about the company is that we come from diverse cultures and backgrounds,” said Stevie who, like Ainsley and Mary are from Australia. Dayen has a Korean background while Tanika’s family comes from Singapore. So a new member from any other country could be a member.”

How do Filipino kids differ from those in other countries?

“What we noticed is that music is an integral part of Filipino culture, and so are singing and dancing,” noted Ainsley. “The children here, more than anywhere else, love getting up and dancing and singing. They are not shy at all.”

And what would Stevie miss most about Hi-5?

“The cast, of course!,” answered Stevie. “Because the cast’s relationship is very special. We are like siblings, like a family. Hi-5 is like a fountain of youth.”

The good news is that Stevie is coming back next year to continue his association with children.

“I will do book-signing and some shows,” he promised.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)