Ingram: Being in Manila is a dream come true

Grammy awardee James Ingram doesn't have a birthday wish when he turned 62  last February 16 because it already came true when he arrived in  Manila.

"Being in Manila and with these shows, my birthday wish already came true. I'm serious," he intimated at the presscon for his two post-Valentine shows, one at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on February 17 and another at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu on February 18 with Lea Salonga as special guest.

Ingram, who won a Grammy for Best Rhythm and Blues Vocal Performance in 1982,  popularized the songs "Just Once" and "There's No Easy Way" among others.

The concert’s producer, former actor Joed Serano, on the other hand, admits sealing a deal with Ingram to perform in the Philippines has always been his wish.

Joed, who co-produces the concert with Cora Rodrigo, shared that never in his wildest dreams did he entertain the thought that  he would be producing a concert for an international artist and iconic balladeer like Ingram.

"Dreams do come true. My idol," Joed commented about James.

It wasn't just sheer luck though that brought the two together. For Joed it had also something to do with prayers especially to Saint Pio of Pietrelcina (Padre Pio). He said that months ago he prayed to Padre Pio because of some trials he has been going true. A solution came and since then he has been constantly praying to Padre Pio.

"Hindi na ako nega (negative) after I started praying to Padre Pio," he relates.

Nowadays, the producer incorporates his belief in Padre Pio in his business decisions. He recalled that there were foreign artists' concerts offered to him which he passed on. But when  an Ingram show came to mind, he felt good about it. It’s the same gut feel that led him to Vice Ganda’s first successful concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last year.

Like most Filipinos, Joed is a fan of Ingram’s powerful ballads. The international artist is expected to sing his hits  "One Hundred Ways," "Baby Come To Me," "How Do You Keep The Music Playing?,"with Patti Austin, "I Just Can't Let Go," "She Loves Me (The Best That I Can)", "I Don't Have The Heart," "Where Did My Heart Go?," "When You Love Someone," with Anita Baker and "The Secret Garden" to name a few.

Next in line for Joed are major concerts for Angeline Quinto and Aiza Seguerra.