Showband Singers Arnel Arcedo, Tony Gado to Join Philippine Music Icons in Concert

New York--Showband singers Arnel Arcedo and Tony Gado have been announced to join Original Philippine Music (OPM) icons Cecile Azarcon and Lorrie Ilustre, and multi-award winning band Sounds of Manila, in a one-night-only concert, featuring an all-OPM repertoire, at Symphony Space in Upper West Side Manhattan April 27.

Ikaw ang lahat sa akin
Kahit ika'y wala sa aking piling
Isang magandang alaala
Isang kahapong lagi kong kasama...

Self-confessed '80s "OPM babies" Arnel Arcedo and Tony Gado grew up churning out those hopeless romantic lyrics of "Ikaw ang Lahat Sa Akin," written by OPM luminary Cecile Azarcon, which, apparently, was the first Tagalog single of then up-and-coming pop balladeer Martin Nievera.

"Ang hirap ng kanta na 'yun. That song is full of love, full of emotions. Pag kinakanta mo, at nakapikit ka, mararamdaman mo talaga 'yung kanta. It was well-made. Para sa aming mga artista, obra maestra ang kanta na 'yun," says Arcedo, who grew up in Batangas, where he also discovered he could sing by playing along with "minus one" backing tracks at an old friend's house.

Gado recalls, "I used to sing that, too, in high school. 'Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin' is actually still my favorite song. However, when I'm in love, I play Ms. Azarcon's 'I Think I'm In Love.' Needless to say, I grew up with her music. And I'm starting to realize how privileged I am to be performing at the tribute concert for her next month." He adds, "Ms. Azarcon is a brilliant musician and songwriter."

Arcedo, besides singing with Metropolis, a wedding band managed by the sought-after talent agency Hank Lane Music, also independently publishes his own graphic novels. His first work, "In the Name of the Father and of the Sons," written and drawn during countless subway rides for seven years, was even launched at the prestigious New York Comic Con in 2012.

Gado, on the other hand, has been performing with the FDR Drive band, New York's premier dance and party band, since 2009. He was originally from Cagayan de Oro; his father, Tony Delgado, used to act and sing, alongside Asia's Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales and legendary comedienne Elizabeth Ramsey, at the famed Cloverleaf Theatre in Manila during the '60s.

The Sunday, April 27, concert "An Evening of Original Philippine Music with Cecile Azarcon and Sounds of Manila" at Peter Norton Symphony Space (2537 Broadway and 95th Street), where both showband vocalists are set to perform, will be a musical tribute to celebrate Azarcon's timeless pop songs: "Even If," recently revived by Tony winner Lea Salonga; "How Did You Know," recently revived by Gary Valenciano; "Ikaw Ang Lahat Sa Akin" by Nievera; and "I Think I'm In Love," originally sung by the Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma, are among Azarcon's timeless hits, which have stayed on as staple favorites in the Philippines and in Filipino-American communities across the United States over the last 35 years.

"You can touch the hearts of the Filipino audience [whom Arcedo and Gado believe the 'most difficult to please'] through music and songs. When performing before a Filipino audience, you shouldn't just be singing to them. You should reach out to them, too--you need to give yourself completely to them," says Arcedo. "We will strive to do just like that in the upcoming concert."

Gado asserts, "Our concert will be a rare gathering of both Filipinos and non-Filipino family members and friends to experience our culture. It will be a great way to discover how brilliant Filipino musicians and artists are."

"The concert will also give due credit to the brilliant minds behind some of OPM's greatest songs we both grew up with," Arcedo adds.

Besides Arcedo and Gado, emerging young vocalists Tiffany Viray("X Factor" on FOX) and Jared Martin ("ASAP 19" on ABS-CBN, "The Ryza Mae Show" on GMA), who recently shared the stage with Nievera at Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, will also guest star.

As a special treat to concertgoers, Sounds of Manila, made up of Ronnie Sabangan, Hermie Angeles, Suzanne Lansangan-Sabangan, JR Gendrano, Bobby de Leon (on hiatus) and Aaron Garcia (on hiatus), will also launch in the concert one of Azarcon's three newest songs that is included in the band's debut album. Titled "Sounds of Manila Sings Cecile Azarcon," the album will feature 10 songs written and produced by Azarcon, and arranged and co-produced by Ilustre, available in April and at the concert hall lobby.

The concert is produced by Synergy Production & Marketing Inc., which has recently been formed to support and showcase Filipino-American talents.

For tickets ($60-VIP, $45-Orchestra, and $35-Balcony), visit www.symphonyspace.org/event/8306/Music/an-evening-of-philippine-music or call Symphony Space box office at 212-864-5400 from Tuesday to Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

You may also buy tickets at Synergy Production & Marketing Inc. at tel. no. 212-206-1627.

Concert sponsors include GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, Anthilla Land Corporation (ALC), Mortgage Unlimited, Directv, X-clusive Marketing , The Filipino Reporter, Filipino Express, The FilAm.net, and Pinoy Radio.