Fans of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) legends Marco Sison and Rey Valera are in for a delightful treat on November 22 as the duo takes the stage for their latest concert, “Ang Guwapo at Ang Masuwerte,” at the Music Museum. Known for their sold-out shows both in the Philippines and abroad, Sison and Valera’s unique blend of witty banter and classic hits has truly endeared them to generations of audiences.
As anyone who has watched their prolific concerts can attest, these two music icons — celebrated for their chart-topping hits in the ’70s and ’80s — are just as entertaining for their playful ribbing as they are for their timeless OPM ballads. Their latest concert’s title perfectly reflects this, don’t you think?
“Sa totoo lang, ako yung maswerte (I’m really the lucky one),” Sison jokes with a grin, setting the playful tone at an exclusive media conference in Quezon City. Valera quickly follows up, “Yung mga gwapo may problema din. Ang traffic! (Good-looking people have problems too — like traffic),” excusing himself from arriving late while pulling a quick one over Sison in a single swoop.
Rey Valera and Marco Sison’s unique blend of witty banter and classic hits has truly endeared them to generations of audiences. FACEBOOK PHOTO/MARCOSISONPH
The title “Ang Guwapo at Ang Masuwerte,” they explain, evolved from years of ribbing one another during concerts, teasing who among their group of famed singers was just lucky to have made it and who simply had the good looks to go with the voice.
“One day, our producer [Mae Sarenas of Echo Jham] heard our jokes and said, ‘Why not make a show out of it?'” Valera adds. “So here we are, guwapo o maswerte man (whether handsome or just lucky)!”
This easy camaraderie has become synonymous not only with Sison and Valera but with the rest of their generation’s OPM Kings as a whole. The group also includes Nonoy Zuñiga and Hajji Alejandro, who, along with the late Rico J. Puno, have performed countless shows with Sison and Valera over the years.
When “The T-Zone” cheekily asks how they managed to “ease out” Zuñiga and Alejandro for this particular concert, Sison responds, laughing, “No one’s looking for them! At least not this time!”
Valera goes along with Sison’s wisecracks with a few more punchlines but ultimately says after a few rounds, “Honestly, we all support each other. We’ve been performing together for so long that any competition among any of us is gone. If one of us has a project, we’re all just happy to back him up.”
The kings are to be believed in this claim. Their concern and affection for one another have always been evident, whether they’re all together or in trios or pairs like this.
“We’ve become family,” Sison conveys. “After all these years, we’ve shared so much — both on stage and off — that there’s no more rivalry. It’s just about fun and friendship for all of us.”
Valera agrees, reflecting, “The longer you know someone, the more you see their ups and downs, right? So when you’re there through it all, you can’t help but feel proud when one of your friends succeeds and keeps going. That’s how it is with all of us.”
Now, with laugh-a-minute spiels practically guaranteed from this pair of kings on the night of November 22, what can audiences expect of the musical content of “Ang Guwapo at Ang Masuwerte?”
For one, the concert will pay tribute to the ‘Total Entertainer’ Rico J. Puno, with both Valera and Sison planning to outdo one another in mimicking the inimitable OPM legend in singing “Macho Gwapito,” “Lupa,” “Maging Sino Ka Man,” and “Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo” among others. Of course, the headliners will dish out heaps of what their loyal fans want to hear and sing the songs that made them the OPM idols they are today.
Sison, best known for his soulful ballads like “My Love Will See You Through,” “Si Aida, Si Lorna, O Si Fe,” and “Make Believe,” promises that their repertoire will include familiar favorites as well as a few surprises. Valera, with hits like “Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko,” “Malayo Pa Ang Umaga,” and “Pangako Sa ‘Yo,” also teases that they’ll be performing songs neither of them have sung in their long careers.
Their playful banter aside, Sison and Valera remain deeply respected in the industry, and it’s easy to see why they continue to draw crowds despite the rise of younger artists.
They are neither threatened by these new acts nor feel they need to change their trademarks. In fact, the two shared their admiration for today’s top acts, like the girl group Bini, and even let out a detail that the director was hoping to keep a surprise.
“Expect a Bini number from us because we love Bini,” Sison says excitedly. “Just imagine how either of us will sing their songs in our style?” he adds, breaking into heartier laughter.
“But seriously, I feel that Bini is setting a new trend for girl groups. Individually, they’re very good and together even better. They can dance, they compose, and they can sing. They’re the future of the industry.”
Nodding in agreement, Valera — who has made many singers and acts a success through his compositions — dutifully follows up with some advice for young musicians, saying, “For Bini and all groups like it that are rising to fame, keep your pride and ego in check. If small problems come up — and you can bet they will — be patient and let them pass. If you do this, you will survive any conflict and last long.”
With decades of experience and countless hits between them, Sison and Valera are living proof that great music — and great friendships — will surely stand the test of time. Their humor, camaraderie, and timeless appeal, not to mention the patience and humility with which they have built their careers, make “Ang Guwapo at Ang Masuwerte” a must-watch for both long-time fans and newcomers alike.
“Ang Guwapo at Ang Masuwerte” is produced by Echo Jham Entertainment Productions and directed by Calvin Nierra. Tickets are available at the Music Museum box office and TicketNet online and outlets.
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