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Valentine serenades

02/12/2009

Cocoy Laurel at Teatrino

“Be My Valentine” is Cocoy Laurel’s latest concert at the Teatrino on Feb. 13 and 14 at 8 in the evening. Cocoy promises a romantic evening as he sings immortal love songs with the sweeping music of the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of music director, Rodel Colmenar. Cocoy has included his own original composition “If I Were The Sky” in his 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 these gifts as my hymns of praise,” Cocoy noted.

Sharing the limelight are his sister, Iwi and nieces Denise Laurel and Nicole Laurel Asensio.

Theater goers will remember him in Repertory Philippines musicals such as “The Fantastiks,” “Guys nad Dolls,” “West Side Story,” “Camelot,” “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Sweeney Todd.” Recently, he starred in Ryan Cayabyab’s “Ang Mapaghimalang Birhen ng Caysasay” under the direction of Nestor Torre.

One unforgettable milestone in Cocoy’s life is his international exposure in Miss Saigon in London and later in Sydney where he received rave reviews in the many periodicals of Australia.

Tickets are available at the Teatrino. For information, call 722-4501 local 116 or 723-8420 or visit www.cocoylaurel.com.

Nyoy Volante at the Diamond Hotel

Diamond Hotel Philippines begins the year on a note of love by offering the perfect pre-Valentine date event. “Sentiments” a Valentine show featuring the King of Acoustic Pop, Nyoy Volante, will delight lovers this Feb. 13 (Friday) at 9 p.m., with an opening performance by Firm Session. It’s an unforgettable evening of passion as Nyoy captivates the female audience with his amazing voice and his own renditions, while verbalizing the sentiments of the men with his multitude of classic hits “Nasaan,” “You’re My You” and “Kahit Kailan” among many other romantic tunes.

At P2,500 net per person, it is more than just a Valentine show. It’s a night spent in luxury at Galaxias at the 27th floor filled with soothing music, a glass of sparkling wine, luscious cocktails and a fantastic view of the Manila nightscape. Ticket holders may also avail of a 15 percent discount at the fine dining Restaurant Le Bellevue on the same night.

For ticket inquiries please call 305-3000 local nos. 1167, 1121, 1912 and 1905.

Diamond Hotel Philippines is located at Roxas Boulevard, cor. Dr. J Quintos Street, Manila. For inquiries and reservations, call 528-3000 or 305-3000, e-mail bizcenter@diamondhotel.com or visit www.diamondhotel.com.

Isabella at Hacienda Isabella

Hacienda Isabella, now famous for the most romantic weddings, presents Isabella in a show called “One Beautiful Valentine” on Feb. 14.

Isabella the multi-talented daughter of Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma promises the audience a night that they will remember.

“I’m a romantic and I believe in love and the power of love songs,” says Isabella. She has put together a repertoire of beautiful love songs ranging from ballads to jazz to pop. “I’m so blessed that my dear friend Keith Martin, who just came back from the States, is my featured guest performer in this show,” she adds.

Keith Martin, known for his mega hit “Because of You,” and Isabella are working together, writing and composing songs for her debut album called Identity. Keith is arranging and producing most of the tracks in the album.

Experience this love-filled and enchanting evening with Isabella in this first of Hacienda Isabella’s annual Valentine Love Celebration Events.

When asked why one should spend Valentine’s Day with her at Hacienda, Isabella says, “Because this year I am giving the people something unique and memorable, because my dear friend Keith Martin and I are there to create a wonderful experience, and because Hacienda Isabella is more than just a romantic place, it is one beautiful world.”

Tickets prices are P1,000 for the show, P1,500 (with dinner), and P3,500 (includes dinner, room accommodations, and breakfast the next day). For more information, call Headline Concepts at (02) 551-7253 to 55 or visit www.haciendaisabella.com.

Backroom artists all over

After the box-office success of her movie Ang Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat, the Comedy Concert Queen Ms. Ai-Ai de las Alas returns onstage with two Valentine shows. On Feb. 13, Ai-Ai will have a show titled “Ai-Love You” at her Ai-Sarap Restaurant located near ABS-CBN. She is also busy preparing for her show “Love and Laughter” on Feb. 14 at The Tent, Manila Hotel. Joining her onstage are Rico Puno, Rufa Mae Quinto, Pilita Corrales and Danita Paner. Homer Flores is the show’s musical director with Jobert Sucaldito as stage director. Expect a night of laughter and romance with Ai-Ai’s livewire performance that only she can pull off. Indeed, nobody does it better than Ms. Ai-Ai de las Alas.

Prince of Pop Erik Santos will have a string of shows billed “Pop Icons” with fellow heartthrobs Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Christian Bautista and Mark Bautista. They will serenade audiences with beautiful melodies on Feb. 13 (CSI Stadia, Dagupan), Feb. 14 (Waterfront Hotel, Cebu) and Feb. 21 (Araneta Coliseum).

Who will be Rufa Mae Quinto’s date on Valentine’s Day? The sexy comedienne will celebrate this romantic occasion with a Valentine show titled “Love and Laughter” on Feb. 14. Although she has been doing comedy, drama, hosting and movie producing, Rufa Mae still gives time to her singing career.

Bossa nova queen Sitti is busy preparing for her show “A Valentine Concert with Sitti” on Feb. 14 at the Cebu International Convention Center with Lloyd Zaragoza as her special guest.

The country’s premier vocal group The Compan will hold a Valentine show “An Everlasting Love” on Feb. 14 at the In Land Resort, Butuan City.

Ariel Rivera is a special guest in Kuh Ledesma’s Valentine show “The Voice, The Violin” on Feb. 13 and 14 at the Mandarin Hotel. K Brosas guests in Jed Madela’s “Let Me Love You... Jed Madela Live in Dagupan” on Feb. 14 at the CSI Stadia, Dagupan City.

For inquiries, call Backroom at 435-1108 and 435-1120 or e-mail at backroomtalents@pldtdsl.net.

Art at the Shangri-La Plaza

Shangri-La Plaza celebrates Valentine’s and the National Arts Month this February. From the New Zealand Trade Fair and Photo Exhibit to concerts every weekend, the metro’s ultimate lifestyle destination fills the love month with entertaining and enriching activities for everyone.

Be swept away by romantic piano and violin performances on Feb. 13 and be serenaded by the sensual and powerful voices of Anna Migallos and Ervin Lumauag in a classical Valentine’s Day Concert on the 14th at the Grand Atrium.

The Shang, together with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, presents Ani ng Sining, the first Philippine International Arts Festival, celebrating the fruits of Filipino artists’ creative efforts in the past and the evolution of artistic modes of expression available to the Filipino imagination. The festival features performances by the UP Singing Ambassadors and Novo Concertante on Feb. 20 to 21 at 7 p.m. at the Grand Atrium.

End the month with a date with up and coming acoustic pop artist Sabrina as she launches her new album “I love Acoustic” at the Grand Atrium, Feb. 28, 5 p.m.