Matteo minus Sarah

When Matteo Guidicelli mounts his first solo concert, MG1, at the Music Museum starting at 8 o’clock tonight, the audience might wonder why Matteo’s girlfriend Sarah Geronimo wouldn’t be present either as a guest performer or a spectator. Early on, Matteo has been saying that Sarah wasn’t showing up (unless she springs a “surprise” on him) presumably because Sarah herself will have her own concert, From The Top, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Dec. 4 and 5.

Are the sweethearts going through, uhm, rough sailing? Neither Matteo nor Sarah would comment but Funfare sources said that lack of quality time between the sweethearts seems to be the problem, besides the fact that Sarah’s parents haven’t given Sarah total freedom.

But special guests Martin Nievera and Morissette Amon should be more than enough for the concert directed by Frank Lloyd Mamaril with Marvin Querido as musical director. (Producer is Hills & Dreams Events Concepts Co. Ticket prices are P3,000 for Orchestra Center, P2,500 for Orchestra Side and P1,500 for Balcony. Call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or 721-0635/721/6726.)

It’s Matteo’s second time to perform at a concert. His first was in Dreamboys staged a few months ago with Daniel Matsunaga and JC de Vera. During the lunch reception hosted by the Aquino sisters (Kris, Viel, Ballsy and Pinky) for the wives of world leaders after a tour of Fort Santiago, part of the just-concluded APEC, Matteo was among the actors who serenaded the ladies.

Recalled a Funfare source who was there, “Matteo sang Corner Of The Sky. Naraporn Chan-o-Cha, wife of Thailand Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-Cha, was so impressed that she even took a picture of Matteo singing.”

Matteo told Funfare that Corner Of The Sky was the first song he ever learned.

“I realized that I could sing when I joined the musical Pippin when I was in senior high school.”

Speaking of Sarah, neither is Sarah guest-performing on Matteo’s debut album which he himself is co-producing with his manager Joji Dingcong and Star Records, to be formally launched maybe on tomorrow’s edition of ASAP.

The album will carry some original compositions, a remake of John Denver’s You Fill Up My Senses, an APO song and Matteo’s duet of an Ogie Alcasid song with Regine Velasquez-Alcasid. It was Matteo himself who selected the songs because, according to him, “They mark the stage of the journey of love that I am on.”

Did he get any pointers from Sarah?

“No,” stressed Matteo. “Everything comes from my heart.”

Pressed what his and Sarah’s theme song is, Matteo begged off. “Secret muna. You will find out soon.”

If and when he and Sarah get married, what song would he like to be played?

“I don’t know yet what particular song,” Matteo blushed. “But all I know is that it will be a dream come true if Tito Martin (Nievera) would be the singer.”

Said Joji, “We thank Martin for supporting Matteo in his concert. He’s doing it for love of Matteo just like Regine and Ogie who didn’t accept payment for the arrangement and for their participation on the album. Regine insisted talaga that she sing a duet with Matteo. We can’t thank Martin, Regine and Ogie enough. Thank you, too, to Louie Ocampo.”

Incidentally, Matteo is busy with the indie film Tupang Ligaw and Single/Single, his series with Shaina Magdayao co-produced by The Philippine STAR and Cinema One, airing Saturday nights at 8 o’clock with replays on Sundays at 10 p.m. and Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m.

Speaking of Sarah, sales of tickets to her (eighth major) concert was so brisk that its producer, VIVA Live, Inc. decided to hold it one more day. From The Top is directed by Paolo Valenciano (who co-directed the MOA show for the APEC guests) with Louie Ocampo as musical director. (Ticket prices are P4,770 for Patron; P3,700 for Box Premium; P3,180 for Box Regular; P1,590 for Upper Box; and P400 for General Admission. Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or VIVA Concepts at 687-7236/687-5853 local 656.)

Briefly Noted

• Kris Aquino (photo) is said to be happy with her first cousin Sen. Bam Aquino’s vote against the disqualification case filed against Sen./Presidentiable Grace Poe at the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET). On her Instagram, Kris posted that she was proud of Bam, accompanied by a photo of Bam’s along with the lyrics of the Mariah Carey hit song I Made It Through The Rain. Kris: “I admire Sen. @bamaquino’s decision on the SET issue of natural-born citizenship (w/ reference to Sen. Grace Poe). Pinili niya ang prinsipyo at hindi lamang  partido…”
• During his guesting on TV5’s Happy Hour forum, Sen./Vice Presidentiable Chiz Escudero (photo) revealed the secret of his improving relationship with his in-laws, his wife Heart Evangelista’s parents. “Anuman ang rason o dahilan,” said Chiz, “palaging ang may kasalanan ay iyong mas bata. Aminin mo lang iyon, mas magkakasundo kayo.” According to reports, Heart’s mom Cecile Ongpauco is supporting Sen. Miriam Defensor-Santiago who’s running for president with Sen. Bongbong Marcos as running mate. But Chiz added that he and Heart will try to convince Cecile to support Sen. Grace Poe with whom Chiz is running.
• Heart Evangelista (photo) accompanied husband Chiz to Ilocos Norte, known to be a Marcos baluarte, when Chiz went there to condole with his friend Rep. Rudy Fariñas on the death of Rudy’s son JR in a motorcycle accident. Heart said that she was happy to revisit the province where she shot the Regal movie Temptation Island and the teleserye Ang Panday in which she played leading lady to ex-boyfriend Jericho Rosales.

(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.)