Martin’s song that makes his mom cry

Curtain-raisers:

= Sad: The wedding of a showbiz couple might have to be postponed indefinitely because the actor has yet to have his separation from his (estranged) wife legalized. That may not take long so the planned wedding might be pushed through before end of this year.

= Sadder: Remember action star Jules King? His friend Larry Lim informed Funfare that Jules died from blood poisoning on March 1 in San Francisco where he migrated in 1972 and worked as an RN (Registered Nurse). Jules is survived by his wife Belinda and their children who are all professionals.

= Sayang: Reigning Miss Universe-Philippines Maxine Medina (photo) got her fans excited when she posted on her Instagram that she might appear in the top-rated GMA adventure series Encantadia. It turned out to be a false alarm. “Maxine was just kidding,” said somebody close to her. “But she’s willing to join showbiz if offered.” It’s Maxine’s boyfriend, model Marx Topacio who is in Encantadia as the love interest of Pirena (played by Glaiza de Castro).

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When Martin Nievera and Lani Misalucha’s hit Valentine concert Masquerade (with Rowell Santiago as director and Louie Ocampo as musical director) mounts its repeat-by-insistent-public-demand on Saturday, March 11, at the Grand Ballroom of Solaire Resort & Casino, Martin’s mom Conchita Razon will again be there to cheer Martin right on as she always does in Martin’s every concert.

I hope that Martin will sing Kahit Isang Saglit (written by Louie Ocampo for his child who died at birth), the song that happens to be the favorite of Sen. Jinggoy Estrada who never fails to request it every chance he gets.

“I like Kahit Isang Saglit,” Tita Conchita told Funfare. “It is so sad. It resonates in the heart,” adding, “I also like the way he does Wildflower and Smile, and when he does Broadway.”

Lani told Funfare in an earlier interview that if she were to sing a Martin Nievera song, it had to be Kahit Isang Saglit.

“Nakakaiyak ang kantang ‘yan,” said Lani, to which Martin replied, “And if I were to sing a Lani Misalucha song, it would be Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin but more than just singing that song, I would love to sing any song sung with her technique and training. I always wish that some of it rubs off on me every time I do a concert with Lani.”

Aside from Kahit Isang Saglit, what makes Tita Conchita cry is, yes, Smile. “The song actually makes me both happy and sad. Martin knows why.”

Tita Conchita glows with maternal pride every time she watches Martin in concert. Asked how she feels and what comes to her mind in an event like that, she replied, “Above everything else, I am grateful. He has an awesome career and a faithful following, here and abroad. That is more than most artists can even dream about. He loves what he does and it shows. Martin gives every song, every concert, his ALL. He is happiest when he is on that stage. And that is very important to me.”

How does she assess Masquerade?

“It is world-class,” said Tita Conchita. “Lani is exceptionally good. Her voice is unbelievable. I hope to be able to watch Masquerade again before they take it on tour.”

Still being finalized, the tour will cover several cities in the US and Canada… “very soon.”

On March 18, Martin will sing the US National Anthem Star-Spangled Banner at an NBA game for the Golden State Warriors in celebration of the Filipino Heritage Night at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. And on March 25, he will be the first Filipino artist (besides Arnel Pineda with Journey) to perform at the world-famous The Joint Theater in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

(The Philippine STAR is among the sponsors of Masquerade which is presented by Starmedia Entertainment in association with Solaire Resort & Casino. For tickets, call TicketWorld at 891-9999 or SM Tickets at 470-2222.)

Manay Ichu and Boots reveal age

Women guard their age with the ferocity of a tigress and it’s usually revealed only when…well, you know when.

But Marichu “Manay Ichu” Vera-Perez Maceda and Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, chairperson and president/trustee, respectively, of Mowelfund (Movie Workers Welfare Foundation, Inc.) are not embarrassed to say that they are 74 (Manay Ichu) and 72 (Boots) already.

The following letter from them explains why.

Dear Ricky,

We are Mowelfund’s “twin old souls.”

We “were there” when our Founding Chairman, now Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada, established Mowelfund in 1974 to assist the Film Industry’s marginalized workers through its “two-fold mandate of welfare benefits and film education.” Then, we were both 30 lbs. lighter, our waistlines many inches slimmer and our vision 20-20.

We have since embraced the Foundation’s mission with unwavering passion. Forty-three years later, we are still here, willing now to divulge any woman’s best-kept secret: her age. Recently, we turned 74 and 72, respectively. At our age, who celebrates a birthday?

We have, however, found a very worthy cause to belatedly celebrate our birthdays. On March 11, we will host a dinner and surprises at the Mowelfund Plaza in Cubao, Quezon City, after the 6 p.m. Mass. It will be a “fun” reunion and homecoming of old and new friends from in and out of the industry. We have invited Mayor Estrada to be the evening’s “Ninong.”

No gifts, please. At our age, our needs are few; only our “wants” are plenty. The latter, we will forego “to help raise funds for this Foundation” which has consistently served needy film workers for more than four decades now… —Signed by the “twin old souls”

Standing ovation for Miss Saigon on Broadway

The much-awaited revival of the ’90s musical Miss Saigon is back on Broadway! Hundreds of people braved the cold NYC winter to witness the first preview night last March 1. The show will formally open on March 23.

Diehard fans of the show turned up early along with excited Fil-Ams, some even traveled from the West Coast and lined up a block long outside the Broadway Theater.

Four Filipinos are main characters in the NYC shows. Jon Jon Briones (The Engineer), Eva Noblezada (Kim), Rachelle Ann Go (Gigi) and Devin Ilaw (Thuy). Another Pinay, Lianah Sta. Ana, will play Kim at certain performances.

After a standing ovation at the sold-out performance, Fil-Ams excitedly trooped to the stage door to meet their kababayan. The cast was grateful for the support of everyone and for the Filipino cast members. It was a thrill to see the big turn-out of the Fil-Am Community on the first preview night. Pinoys surely went home that night feeling proud to have seen their kababayan conquer Broadway once again!

The April 13 show has been set as “Filipino Night” where the Pinoys in the cast will have time to interact with their fans and supporters after the show. —Reported by Felix Manuel

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