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By Jeffrey O. Valisno

Love songs in tough times (Valentine’s Day shows for a variety of budgets)

Under the dark clouds of lingering economic concerns, local concert performers like young singer Karylle are bracing for austere Valentine’s Day celebrations among Filipinos this year.

SINGING LOVE SONGS this Valentine’s Day are (clockwise from top) Joanna Ampil, Sheena Easton, Peter Cetera, Rick Springfield and Cocoy Laurel

Karylle, who has had Valentine’s Day concerts three years running, admits that this year is proving to be “quite challenging” when it comes to luring audiences in to watch shows and performances. This is quite surprising, considering that the Valentine’s season has always been considered the most lucrative time for concert producers and everyone in the live entertainment business, when venues are packed with couples celebrating the special day.

“We are aware that there might be those who would choose not to splurge this year, because of what is happening in the global economy,” singer Karylle told reporters last week. “Of course we are concerned, that is why we are doing our best to make sure that our performances would be worth the money that people spend for their tickets,” she added.

The global economy might have fallen on bad times, but count on the Filipinos to find ways to celebrate the season of hearts amid job cuts, financial troubles and recession fears.

For those still thinking of what to do this Valentine’s Day, here is a list of concerts and other stage performances to suit different budgets. (Note that even some of the most expensive concerts have some tickets at wallet-friendly prices.)

Ticket prices P5,000 and up

Peter Cetera at the Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, QC, Feb. 14 (Saturday), 8 p.m.

True fans of American singer-songwriter Peter Cetera may not mind spending as much as P7,875 per ticket for a night of memorable music on Valentine’s Day. The man behind immortal love songs like “If You Leave Me Now,” “Hard to Say I’m Sorry,” and “You’re the Inspiration,” among others, will be in Manila to perform in a concert with a 42-piece orchestra as part of his Symphony world tour. Ticket prices are P7,875; P5,775; P4,725; P3,150; P1,575; and P630. Call Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Ovation Productions at 532-8883 for inquiries.

Sheena Easton Live: For Your Love Only. Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, QC, Feb. 12 (Thursday), 8 p.m.

Scottish pop singer Sheena Easton will perform in a major concert for the first time in the Philippines on Jan. 12. The concert is expected to highlight Ms. Easton’s outstanding 30-year musical career with her memorable hits like “Almost Over You,” “Telephone,” “We’ve Got Tonight,” “Do It For Love,” “Strut,” “Swear,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Modern Girl,” “The Lover In Me,” “Sugar Walls,” “Morning Train,” and many more. Tickets are priced at P6,300; P4,200; P2,835; P1,575; P840; and P315 each and are available through Ticketnet at 911-555.

Kuh Ledesma: The Voice… The Violin. Captain’s Bar, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Manila, Makati Ave., Makati, Feb. 13 and 14 (Friday and Saturday), 9 p.m.

Enjoy an evening of great music as you sip cocktails at the Captain’s Bar of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Manila. Singer Kuh Ledesma performs a repertoire of standards, Broadway hits, and love songs accompanied by ace violinist Jay Cayuca. Special guest is balladeer Ariel Rivera. Tickets cost P5,150 (with cocktails); P3,090 (with one drink); P2,575 (with one drink); and P2,060 (with one drink). Call TicketWorld at 891-9999.

Tickets: P3,000 to P4,999 each

Fall Out Boy Live in Manila 2009. Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, QC, Feb. 13 (Friday), 8 p.m.

The American alternative and punk-rock group Fall Out Boy returns to Manila with a special one-night concert at the Araneta Coliseum. Vocalist and primary composer Patrick Vaughn Stump, vegetarian drummer Andy Hurley, guitarist Joe Trohman, and controversial bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz will rock the house with their string of chart-topping hits including “Sugar, We’re Going Down,” “I’m Like a Lawyer with the Way I’m Trying to Get You Off,” and “This Ain’t a Scene, It’s an Arms Race,” among others. Tickets for the concert are priced at P4,725; P3,675; P2,625; P1,050; and P525. Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets. Call 911-5555 for details.

Joanna Ampil: I Love. Music Museum, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan, Feb. 13, and 14 (Friday and Saturday), 8 p.m.

Filipina theater actress Joanna Ampil will have her first major solo concert at the Music Museum on Feb. 13 and 14. The concert, directed by stage actor and singer Carlo Orosa, will highlight Ms. Ampil’s musical journey through the roles she has played in various theater productions like Maria in West Side Story, Christmas Eve in Avenue Q, and Kim in Miss Saigon. “The repertoire will mainly be songs that have influenced and inspired me to do what I am doing now,” Ms. Ampil said in a statement. “[The songs] will be performed in a way that will tell my story, and define me as a person on and off stage,” she further said. Tickets for the concert cost P4,400; P3,300; P2,200; and P1,100 and are available at the Music Museum box office (721-6726), and all TicketWorld outlets (891-9999).

Rex Smith: Let’s Make A Memory. Heritage Ballroom, Heritage Hotel and Casino, Roxas Blvd. corner EDSA Ext., Pasay City, Feb. 12 (Thursday), 7 p.m.; Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Feb. 13 (Friday), 8 p.m.

His chart-topping hits like “Simply Jessie,” “Forever,” “You Take My Breath Away,” and “Let’s Make a Memory,” have become sentimental favorites among Filipino romantics. No wonder, American singer Rex Smith has repeatedly returned to the country to entertain his fans. This year, Mr. Smith comes for his third Valentine performance in the Philippines, with concerts at the Heritage Hotel and at the PICC. Tickets for Mr. Smith’s concert at the Heritage Hotel costs P3,811 each (including dinner). Tickets for the concert at the PICC are priced at P3,605; P2,575; P1,545; P1,030; and P824 and are available at all TicketWorld outlets located in National Book Store branches, Robinsons Department Stores, Ayala Malls, Tower Records stores, and Music One outlets. For inquiries and reservations, contact the TicketWorld hot line at 891-9999.

Karylle: The Magic of Love. Lobby Lounge, Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City, Feb. 14 (Saturday), 7 p.m.

Singer Karylle cannot recall the last time she celebrated Valentine’s Day as a single woman. But after her much-publicized breakup with longtime boyfriend actor Dingdong Dantes last November, the singer marks the day of hearts without any romantic attachments. “I am happy being single at the moment,” Karylle told reporters last week. For her dinner-show at the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, Karylle plans to mesmerize her audience with a poignant musical repertoire including classic love songs like “At Last.” While still nursing a broken heart, the singer promises that her show “will not have sad songs.” “My recent experiences will help me in my performance because there are no more walls. I want to let people into my heart as much as I can,” she said. Tickets for the show costs P3,500 (including dinner). Dinner starts 7 p.m. followed by Karylle’s performance at 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to wear red. For reservations, contact Edsa Shangri-La Hotel at 633-8888 local 2777.

Tickets: P1,000 to P2,999

Laughter and Hits. Tejeros Grand Ballroom, Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park, Binakayan, Kawit, Cavite, Feb. 13 (Friday), 8:30 p.m.

Expect hearty laughs, as Filipino music legends Rico J. Puno, Richard Merk and Marco Sison join forces with theater actress Jenine Desiderio in a wacky musical extravaganza at the Island Cove Hotel and Leisure Park. The show promises a repertoire of OPM hits and love song duets. Tickets for the show (including dinner and wine) cost P2,625 per person. Tickets for the show alone cost P1,575 each. For inquiries and reservations, contact Island Cove’s Manila office at 810-7878, or Ticketnet at 911-5555.

Be My Valentine. Teatrino, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan, Feb. 13 and 14 (Friday and Saturday), 8 p.m.

Stage actor and singer Cocoy Laurel promises a romantic evening as he sings immortal love songs backed by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Rodel Colmentar. He will also perform his original composition, “If I Were the Sky” in the lineup. “I want to share more of the many gifts God has given me. He is the source of all my inspiration and I want to give back to Him the gifts as my hymns of praise,” said Mr. Laurel in a statement. He will be joined onstage by his sister Iwi Laurel, and nieces Denise Laurel and Nicole Laurel Asensio. Tickets cost P2,500; P2,000; P1,500; and P1,000. For details contact Teatrino at 722-4501 local 116, 723-8420 or log on towww. cocoylaurel.com.

Love to Love to Love. Araneta Coliseum, Cubao, QC, Feb. 15 (Sunday), 8 p.m.

After their highly successful Back to Back to Back concert last December, popular bands Side A, MYMP and Freestyle return to the Big Dome for a second helping of romantic ballads, sentimental OPM hits and funky dance tunes. This time, the concert is called Love to Love to Love, as the three bands dish out their versions of timeless love songs. Tickets are priced at P2,625; P1,750; P1,150; P525; and P263 and are available through Ticketnet at 911-5555.

RJ Jimenez: Sailing. Aboard Realship Yacht, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Feb. 13 (Friday), 5 p.m., 6:30 p.m., and 8 p.m.

Enjoy the famous Manila Bay sunset while listening to acoustic renditions of popular love songs in Sailing. The one-hour show, which will feature former reality talent show contestant RJ Jimenez and his band, will be held on a yacht that will cruise along Manila Bay. There will be three Sailing times with each trip limited only to 45 people. Tickets cost P1,575 each. The ticket includes dinner at the passengers’ lounge, and free-flowing cocktails on-board the yacht. For inquiries, call Realship Corp. at 832-5424; Mediatrix Talent Casting Studio at 641-5952 or 0917-847-8467; and Ticketnet at 911-5555.

Aegis: Aegis Rages This Valentine. One Esplanade, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City; Feb. 12 (Thursday), 8 p.m.

Known for their belting voices and remarkably distinct sound, the Aegis Band has gained a wide base of loyal followers with their melodramatic songs. For their concert on Feb. 12, the band promises to perform their popular songs like “Halik” and “Luha” which have been among the most requested songs in videoke joints across the country. Joining the band to provide comic relief is Raging Divas — a group of gender-bending illusionists and drag queens impersonating contemporary showbiz personalities. Tickets are priced at P1,000 and P800. For ticket inquiries, contact Ticketnet at 911-5555.

Intimate: A Valentine Evening with Sitti – The Philippines Queen of Bossa Nova. Cebu International Convention Center, North Reclamation Area, Mandaue City, Cebu, Feb. 14 (Saturday), 7 p.m.

Cebuanos can celebrate Valentine’s Day with bossa nova singer Sitti who is holding her first major concert in Cebu. Sitti is expected to sing her signature hits including “Para Sa Akin,” as well as her bossa nova versions of well-known love songs like “Cross My Heart,” as well as OPM favorites like “Hinahanap-hanap Kita.” Tickets cost P1,000; P750; and P500. For more details and ticket reservations, 236-2901, 0922-322-7158, and 0915-499-0101.

Gabi ng Musikang Pilipino: A Rendezvous with National Artists. Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) CCP, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Feb. 13 (Friday), 8 p.m.

Listen to classical music at its finest as the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) performs a grand musical concert of Filipino compositions. The concert will feature Antonino Buenaventura’s Symphony No. 1 in C major, Lucrecia Kasilag’s Violin Concerto, Felipe de Leon’s Cry of Balintawak and Lucio San Pedro’s Sa Dalampasigan (for baritone, chorus and orchestra). Under the baton of Agripino Diestro, the PPO will have violinist Gina Medina and baritone Andrew Fernando as guest artists. The concert will also feature a 100-voice choir composed of five different singing groups: the University of the Philippines Concert Chorus, the Philippine National University Chorale, Novo Concertante, the University of the East Chorale, and the CCP Chorale. Tickets cost P1,000; P800; P350; and P200 each. For ticket inquiries, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704; or TicketWorld at 891-9999.

Tickets below P999 each

Ballet Manila: The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess. Star Theater, Star City, CCP Complex, Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, Feb. 13 (Friday) at 7:30 p.m; and Feb. 14 (Saturday), 1 p.m.

Ballet Manila pays tribute to renowned Russian composer Peter Tschaikovsky as they put together excerpts of three of his most well-loved works –Swan Lake, The Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty — into a single romantic show just right for the season of hearts. Tickets cost P618. Tickets for students with valid school IDs are available at a discounted price of P309. For inquiries and reservations, contact TicketWorld at 891-9999.

UP Fair 2009 Rambol: Rock Against Violence. UP Sunken Garden, UP Diliman, QC. Feb. 12 (Thursday) 5 p.m.

Watch some of the country’s top bands perform rock songs in the Annual fair of the University of the Philippines in Diliman. Among those who are expected to perform are: Spongecola, Grin Department, Join the Club, Urbandub, Greyhoundz, Typecast, Pupil, Brownman Revival, Six Cycle Mind, Imago, Hilera, Up Dharma Down, Radioactive Sago Project, Paraluman, Giniling Festival, Mayonaise, Cambio and Stonefree. Tickets cost P90. For inquiries, call Ken Rafinan or Karen Pineda at 0920-908-6594 or 0915-451-3946.

Pre-Valentine Disco Party. One Ayala, InterContinental Manila, Ayala Center, Makati. Feb. 13, 8 p.m.

It will be nonstop dancing at the former Where Else? disco with music from the 1980s and ’90s. Entrance fee is P750++ per person inclusive of a glass of wine or two bottles of beet and iced tea or a bottle of water. For reservations call 793-7000 local 223 or 262.

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