Dingdong ‘surprised’ by Ogie at first concert in over a decade

MANILA, Philippines — The “Original Prince of Pinoy Pop” Dingdong Avanzado has amazingly been in the music business for 37 years. Undoubtedly, he has made his mark as a singer-songwriter in the local entertainment industry.

“All that I could think of, when I look back, is gratefulness,” admitted Dingdong. “I just feel so grateful for everything. Not just for the good but even the bad contributed to all that I am as an artist today.

“I’m not perfect. I’m far from perfect. But I’m a real artist. What I give out to all of you, it came from the heart. It’s something that I value. What I do here onstage, everything is for you.”

When Dingdong saw his good friend, Ogie Alcasid, onstage, he was visibly thrilled and surprised. Ogie was not in the lineup of special guests. It turned out, he did a corporate show at the Solaire Ballroom that night and dropped by The Theatre.

Yet, Ogie readily obliged to join the number without any qualms. Ogie, Dingdong and special guest Randy Santiago sang OPM hits — Dito sa Puso Ko, Babaero, Raining in Manila and Di Bale Na Lang.

Dingdong opened his “Original Prince of Pinoy Pop” show with Bon Jovi’s You Give Love a Bad Name, followed by two of his familiar hits — Ikaw Lamang and Tatlong Beinte Singko.

He then rendered covers of buwis-buhay tunes — Chicago’s You’re the Inspiration, Peter Cetera’s Glory of Love and Kenny Loggins’ Forever.

When he later sang a few more of his familiar hits, such as Makapiling Ka Sana, Hindi Mo Na Ba Minamahal, Paniwalaan Mo and To Love Again, audience members remembered his songs and could even sing the lines with him.

“There were so many special memories attached to my music,” said Dingdong. “My songs were able to cross generations.”

“Tawag ng Tanghalan” duets champions Marielle Montellano and JM de la Cerna gave powerful, new versions to Dingdong’s early hit ballad, Paalam Na, which was sung with The Juans’ version of Hindi Tayo Pwede.

Dingdong then rocked the stage with young artists Khimo and LA Santos, as they did Michael Jackson hits such as PYT (Pretty Young Thing), Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough, Thriller and Beat It.

Dingdong, who is one of the judges (hurados) in the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” segment on “It’s Showtime,” exerted great efforts to mount a concert that will please the crowd. He delivered sentimental and romantic tunes, did choreographed movements, performed with his guests and did more to delight his audience.

Dingdong’s daughter and only child, Jayda Avanzado, played the keyboards to carry out her new single, Right Lover, Wrong Time. The young lady impressed the audience with her soaring vocals. She also did a duet with her dad in Wish I Could.

The loudest screams of the night came when SB19’s singer-composer Pablo emerged onstage as one of the much-awaited and much-applauded guests of Dingdong.

One of the “brilliant minds” of his generation, as he was described, Pablo started his stint with his newest solo single, EDSA, that was released only last month. Midway, into the song, Dingdong joined him onstage.

They sang Mapa together, one of the popular hits of the leading P-pop group. Pablo then acknowledged his parents — Ted and Grace — who were in the audience that night.

Dingdong and his daughter Jayda with guest performers (from left) Pablo of SB19 and Randy, as well as director Jay Bermudez before showtime.

The son disclosed his parents fell in love with Dingdong’s early hit, Basta’t Kasama Kita, so Pablo and Dingdong regaled the audience with a duet of the song.

Meanwhile, Dingdong thanked designer Lloyd Arceo for his colorful outfits that night while rendering Freddie Aguilar’s Estudyante Blues, the theme of Mike Relon Makiling’s youth-oriented comedy film of the same title where he also starred in 1989.

He crooned the achingly beautiful A Song for You, while playing the keyboards and segued it to one of his biggest hits, Mahal na Mahal Kita.

Dingdong and wife Jessa shared the stage and rendered the latter’s hits — Bakit Pa (1997), Paano Kaya (1999) and Di Ba’t Ikaw (1997).

After his last major concert in 2012 when he marked his 25th year in the business, it has taken Dingdong more than a decade to do another major concert and return onstage.

“It’s very important that you are able to evolve as an artist,” Dingdong said. “That’s the secret to longevity. You can’t be a one-trick pony who’s always doing the same thing repeatedly.”

Director of Dingdong’s Solaire’s show is Jay Klio Bermudez, who extended his help in planning and staging the major concert. Musical director is Elmer Blancaflor.

Dingdong ended the concert with Maghihintay Sa ‘Yo, but returned for an encore, a mash-up of Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko and Go Up, with Rick Astley’s Never Gonna Give You Up and Together Forever.

It really took a lot of convincing for Dingdong to return to the live concert stage, although he has performed abroad a number of times. But he proved he is one artist who can still manage to delight the audience and perform live again.