The song that makes Ogie cry

Of the more than 168 songs (many of them recorded) that Ogie Alcasid has composed so far (more coming), guess which one never fails to make him cry. Yes, When I See You Smile which he wrote for his daughter Leila when she was a baby.

“I first sang that song to Leila during my concert at the Araneta Coliseum years ago,” Ogie told Funfare over a Japanese lunch at Hungry Samurai (formerly Ryu Ramen, Tomas Morato Avenue, Quezon City, which he co-owns with friends). “I don’t think she got the message at that time. I was holding back tears while I was singing.”

But tomorrow, Aug. 24, when Ogie sings that song again at his OA: Ogie Alcasid 30th Anniversary Concert also at the Big Dome, for sure Leila will be moved by the song which she herself will perform together with her dad, her sister Sarah and brother Nate.

“Baka mag-iyakan kami,” said Ogie. “I will accompany us on the guitar. When we were preparing what song we were going to sing together, Leila suggested that song. ‘O, sige, fine,’ I agreed.”

Sarah and Leila are Ogie’s daughters with his ex-wife Michelle van Eimeren who is flying (minus her husband Mark Morrow) from Australia to celebrate Ogie’s “30th” with Ogie’s wife Regine Velasquez. Nate is Ogie and Regine’s seven-year-old son.

With wife Regine Velasquez and their seven-year-old son Nate.

“He’s matalino,” Ogie said of Nate who is techie. “One time, he must have been wondering why he doesn’t look like his ates. Regine and I planned to wait until Nate was 10 before we told him the truth para mas maintindihan niya. Imagine how surprised we were one day when Nate blurted out, ‘Mommy, Daddy was married to Ninang Michelle.’ Sabi ni Regine, ‘Ha? How did you know?’ Nate said, ‘I googled it!’ When asked how he felt, Nate said, ‘I’m happy!’ Ang mga bata talaga ngayon, advance na advance dahil sa social media. But with Nate, no iPad on weekdays.

“When we told Michelle about it, she exclaimed, ‘Oh no! Is he okay?’ Told that Nate was okay, parang nakahinga ng maluwag si Michelle. By the way, between my daughters, it’s actually Sarah who loves to sing. She’s a member of the Glee Club in high school. Leila’s talent is in writing. It was only lately that she discovered she could sing.” (Leila has opted to stay with the Alcasids to pursue a singing career here. She composes songs and has already released an album.)

And which of the 168 songs did Ogie compose for Regine?

“Lahat,” admitted Ogie and named Pangarap Kong Ibigin Ka as the most memorable because he wrote it when he was still with Michelle but was already keeping to himself a “crush” on Regine.

“That song took me a long time to finish kasi magka-iba ang key ng verse at ng voice,” explained Ogie. “The lyrics are meaningful, full of longing,” and proceeded to sing part of it...Tuwing ikaw ay nariyan/sabay kong nadarama ay kaba at ligaya/yung tinig ko wari ko’y di marinig/pangarap ko ang ibigin ka...” And the song that took me only five minutes to write was Ikaw Sana, habang umiinom ng beer.”

Those two songs must be in Ogie’s OA concert directed by Paolo Valenciano with Gerard Salonga as musical director, featuring the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra with special guests (aside from the Alcasid kids) Vice Ganda, Rey Valera, Michael V, Janno Gibbs, Yeng Constantino, Moira, Bansot Mee and Regine. (For tickets, call 911-5555 or visit www.ticketnet.com.ph.)

With Nate, and Leila and Sarah, his daughters with ex-wife Michelle van Eimeren

“I will be emotional during the show,” confessed Ogie who is turning 51 this month. “Sa rehearsal pa lang naiiyak na ako. It’s going to be festive; mala-Ati-Atihan ang opening number with dancers.”

Fresh from his Cinemalaya debut as actor/co-producer of Kuya Wes (for which he got good reviews), Ogie is now planning what could be the movie the public would remember him for.

“It’s going to be a musical drama,” disclosed Ogie (who co-produced Kuya Wes with Piolo Pascual’s group because he fell in love with the simpleton character loved by everybody. “I have already written the rough draft of the story which was improved by Mr. M. (Johnny Manahan). We have met six times already. I will play a middle-aged laos (has-been) songwriter. Hopefully, we will show the movie next year.”

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