Advertisement

The Katy de la Cruz-Anne Curtis connection

Katy de la Cruz who?

Her name hardly rings a bell for most young people. It’s a shame, because at 18, the Queen of Philippine Jazz was the highest-paid entertainer in the country. She was internationally acclaimed and her more than six-year career was one for the books.

Isay Alvarez, who is playing Katy in yet another musical on the Queen of Bodabil's colorful life, offers lots of scenarios had she been alive in this age of social media.

“She’d be like Anne Curtis, with many, many followers!” gushes Isay.
That immense lung power would make her a threat to Beyonce, Katy Perry, even the late Whitney Houston, adds Isay.

Fashion statements

Katy’s fashion statements – fully-beaded sexy gowns with sweetheart necklines and breathtaking bustier – are the types JLo would wear in her high-octane concerts around the world.

Katy the tease thought nothing of giving English songs naughty Tagalog interpretations. But there’s a difference between naughty and vulgar. Katy would be more like Ara Mina when she sang “Ay, Ay, Ay, Pag-ibig”: sultry, come-hither, but not blatantly so.

Take note though, Katy not only sings. She acts. And she has a FAMAS Best Supporting Award to show for it.

Only Lea Salonga can pull off that kind of feat – excelling as a singer and actress -- so far.

True enough, Isay thinks that if Katy were alive today, she’d be shuttling back and forth to America and Europe to Manila, doing concerts and TV specials.
So are JLo, Beyonce, Katy Perry, Lea Salonga and Anne Curtis the Katy de la Cruz of today?

There’s just one way to find out. Watch “Katy the Musical” on Jan. 17 to 23 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Little Theater.

And bring your grandma or mom, too. They just might tell you a few more things you’d be glad you to know about this icon called Katy de la Cruz.