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Celeste Out,
Regine In
FUNFARE by Ricardo F. Lo
Source:philstar.com
That, ladies and gentlemen, is the big switch in the casting of the
three-day tribute (Lagi Kitang Naaalala) to three great Filipino
artists Atang dela Rama, Lucio San Pedro and Levi Celerio at the CCP
tomorrow and on Sept. 7 and 8.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime show, something not to be missed and
something that will never happen again in a long, long time, not
with the same array of performers who are donating their services
for a good cause – the organization of a National Artists Gallery.
Among them are (at random now) Anna Fegi, Bituin Escalante, Calvin
Millado, Ciara Sotto, Dianne dela Fuente, Elizabeth Ramsey, Franco
Laurel, Isay Alvarez, Jaya, Jeffrey Hidalgo, JM Rodriguez,Piolo
Pascual, Rachel Alejandro, RJ Rosales, Robert Seña, Zsa Zsa Padilla,
Karla Gutierrez, Geneva Cruz, Carlo Orosa, Noel Rayos, Tonipet Gaba,
Sheila Francisco, Waya Gallardo, Gabby Eigenmann, Tin Arnaldo, Emmy
Cayabyab, Verni Varga and Tiara Sabas Aracama, now minus Celeste
Legaspi whose name has been included in the press releases for the
concert.
Now, why did Celeste back out only a few days before the concert
date?
According to a Funfare DPA at the CCP (which is co-producing the
concert with ABS-CBN), Celeste was "disappointed" when she learned
that she wouldn’t be doing the opening number, so . . . goobye!
"Celeste must have felt that being the most senior in the group,"
said the DPA, "she should have been given that ‘honor’."
But then, if seniority were the rule, then it should be Elizabeth
Ramsey who should be doing the opening number, shouldn’t she?
The "honor" was given to Regine Velasquez who very readily said yes
without making any "demand." Regine wasn’t included on the list
because she was scheduled to do concerts in Toronto and Winnipeg
which were cancelled due to kinks with the producer who failed to
meet terms in the contract.
"You see," said the DPA, "even in a concert-tribute like this, which
is for a good cause that wil benefit Filipino artists, you can’t
avoid last-minute aberya."
Lagi Kitang Naaalala showcases the immortal compositions of Levi
Celerio and Lucio San Pedro and songs by Atang dela Rama, to be
interpreted by today’s pop singers. Isn’t it a nice idea to record
the concert as "live" and release it as a special album? (For
tickets, call 832-3877.)
More on Regine’s aborted Canada concert
In yesterday’s Funfare, Boy Abunda explained why Regine Velasquez’s
concerts in Toronto and Winnipeg slated Aug. 31 and first week of
September respectively, were cancelled, never mind if they were sold
out.
I got a letter late Tuesday night, after we put to bed yesterday’s
issue, from a reader who simply signed her e-mail "Eloisa," one of
the thousands who bought a ticket to Regine’s show. I’m putting out
the letter so Funfare readers will know how Regine’s fans feel about
the cancelled concerts.
Here it is, in full:
Good day to you, Mr. Ricky Lo. I hope that you are doing very well.
I am glad that you mentioned the cancellation of Regine’s concert in
Toronto. I was one of those who eagerly waited for this event and
was grossly disappointed with what appears to be a big scam after
all.
From the very start, I was sort of wary about the authenticity of
this concert. Not much was heard of it, no promotion, no regular
advertisement from the Filipino community tabloids here and the
contact phone that was earlier given by the producer was not being
answered nor did it have an automated voicemail. I know the name of
the concert producers but I still want to give them the benefit of
the doubt to air their side. But once it was proven that they used
Regine’s name for their own selfish motives, these people should be
exposed and future Filipino talents are warned of their ill doings.
Now, there’s a lot of finger-pointing going around. Like I heard the
producers of the show are hiding or denying that they have anything
to do with it. I would say that Regine or an authority from her side
should come out and address this fiasco. It certainly smeared her
image, nay, reputation, in the Filipino community in Toronto.
Unfortunately, she’ll suffer the consequences of this scam unless
she clears her name.
(Regine did just that through Boy Abunda, her adviser. – RFL)
My heart went out to people who either traveled as far as our
neighboring states like Chicago and New York just to watch the
concert or those who cancelled their weekend plans and out-of-town
trips. You could just imagine the tremendous inconvenience it has
caused us all. I am really seeing red!
I hope you’ll help us get to the bottom of this and the proudcers of
the show or whoever is responsible prosecuted.
Thank you very much. All the best and God Bless!
P.S. I still considered myself lucky because I bought our tickets
from the box office of the concert venue, Massey Hall, and we were
promised a full refund.I heard those who bought their tickets from
the producers are facing a blank wall! |
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