Inquirer.net | Ogie bats for more local gigs

By Pocholo Concepcion
First Posted 21:57:00, 08/16/2010

“There are very few local concerts in major venues these days,” said Ogie Alcasid at a press con recently. “Competition is tough with many foreign acts coming in. We need support from the Filipino audience.”

The singer-songwriter, now president of Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit, aired his appeal in connection with his gig “O.C. at the PICC,” for which he teams up with composer Ryan Cayabyab. The show, set October 8 at the Philippine International Convention Center, features Noel Cabangon and the Ryan Cayabyab Singers.

The concert, aside from providing work for session musicians whom Cayabyab will be playing with, is likewise a good opportunity, especially for young fans, to discover Filipino music classics.

Cayabyab, who’s also the show’s musical director, said the repertoire will include hits by George Canseco, whose works Alcasid covered in his latest album “Ngayon at Kailanman.”

“He’s the greatest Filipino songwriter,” Cayabyab said of Canseco.

On a lighter note, Cayabyab made an off-the-cuff comment about Alcasid’s coming wedding to long-time girlfriend Regine Velasquez: “Ako na lang gagawa ng bridal march.”

Alcasid was visibly elated.