Rachel Alejandro-Jessa Zaragoza vocal showdown at tribute show
Guess who stole the show?
Nostalgia, middle-aged stars, classic songs, colorful outfits, and the ghost of girlfriend past lit up the star-studded tribute show for teachers held at the Mall of Asia Arena last Sunday, October 5.
The “Grand Gathering” with a throwback party theme, staged by PLDT Gabay Guro (2G), generated cheers and curious looks from Gabay Guro shirt-wearing spectators as stars mostly from the not-so-distant past showcased their classic hits and old-school dance steps.
Break-up song
“Parang maraming nakaka-alala sa inyo ng kantang ito, ha,” reacted singer Rachel Alejandro while belting her melancholic tune “Paalam Na.”
The number that included Rachel actually got the loudest cheers as it gathered four contemporary voices singing their signature hits. The other three were Manilyn Reynes who performed “Sayang na Sayang,” Jessa Zaragoza who sang “Bakit Pa” and Dingdong Avanzado who rendered “Basta’t Kasama Kita.”
Needless to say, the presence of both Rachel and Dingdong in the same number solicited an intriguing reaction from the crowd considering they were popularly acknowledged as ex-lovers. That Rachel chose to sing “Paalam Na” pushed that undertone even more.
At the end of the number, after all four sang Rey Valera’s “Pangako sa ’Yo,” the audience was clearly awaiting for Rachel and Dingdong to interact, or at least Rachel and Jessa. None of it seemed to have transpired, with Dingdong and Jessa opting to leave via the center stage exit and Rachel and Manilyn on the left side of the stage.
Stars of the past
Manilyn appeared first to sing her hit song—to loud applause as if reminding her that she was once dubbed “The Star of the New Decade.”
Next came Jessa, brandishing, for whatever reason, a serious look which made her appear hotter than she already is.
Third was her husband Dingdong. Then Rachel almost stole the thunder from everyone with her emotionally intense vocal acrobatics.
Honorable mention
The husband and wife-tandem of Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid led the stellar cast of personalities that graced the occasion and performed in front of an estimated more than 20,000 people.
With them in the roster were Pop Fernandez, Alice Dixson, Dulce, Sam Milby, Derek Ramsay, Noel Cabangon, Jodi Sta. Maria, the band Side A, and news anchor Mike Enriquez whose punchline-punctuated hosting clearly won the hearts of the crowd.
Apart from that curious number, comedienne Ate Gay and acoustic act Noel Cabangon earned the nod for their funny antics and heartfelt delivery, respectively. Ate Gay brought the house down when he said, “Ako po ang kaboses ni Nora Aunor na kamukha ni Vic Sotto!”
Noel touched hearts singing raw and strong the song “Kanlungan.” He said, “This is my first time and it’s a privilege to sing for teachers who are heroes of our society.”
Alice, for her part, entertained everyone by dancing to Debbie Gibson’s “Electric Youth.”
Raffle prizes galore
Raffle prizes were given to teacher-attendees, including a house and lot (from Camella Homes), a car (Haima), three-wing van (Auto Italia), PLDT Home Cyberya Internet Café setups, retailer phone kits, SIMs (from Smart and Sun), laptops, tablets, a tricycle, a motorcycle, and a trip for two to Hong Kong.
2G, a flagship project of PLDT-SMART Foundation, already awarded 1,000 scholarship grants to aspiring teachers, donated classrooms to various public schools, and built classrooms in Bohol after the earthquake last year.
Regine is the voice behind the Foundation’s theme song.
