By Jemuel Cainglet Salterio
THE members of SB19 are apparently making their respective names for themselves. It will be remembered that Stell (Ajero) brought the house down when he performed the much-applauded “All By Myself” in the concert of David Foster last month.
For the first time, SB19’s singer-songwriter, rapper and dancer Pablo (John Paulo Bagnas Nase) will share the stage as one of the guest artists in Dingdong Avanzado’s concert, “The Original Prince of Pop.”
Pablo knows Dingdong’s songs as the former often heard the tunes being sang by his dad.
“I am familiar with Sir Dingdong’s daughter, Jayda, kasi I often work with her,” Pablo said. “Then I learned na tatay niya si Dingdong.”
Jayda is also a singer-songwriter like her father. Meanwhile, Jayda’s mom, Jessa Zaragoza, is as youthful-looking like her dad. Both of them will guest in “The Original Prince of Pop.”
“Si Jayda kasi, napakabait na bata,” said Pablo. “She’s very passionate about music. That’s why when I learned na tatay niya si Sir Dingdong, overwhelmed po ako.”
Pablo cannot be happier that the Avanzado family are fans of SB19. “They watched our concerts and watched us perform. Nakakakaba when we know they are in the audience watching.”
Pablo gets the chance to share the stage with Dingdong, tonight, July 19 at The Theater at Solaire.
“Usually, kinakabahan ako when I perform,” Pablo said. “But this time, quadruple times nag multiply ‘yung kaba ko dahil kasama ko po si Sir Dingdong Avanzado.
“Kung mag-isa lang ako, siguro normal na kakabahan, pero kakayanin. Pero habang nagre-rehearse kami, sobrang kinakabahan ako. Nanginginig ang kamay ko. I don’t know, pero siguro mataas ang respeto ko for him.
“To be able to sing beside him on the same stage, I’m very honored. I’m so thankful for the opportunity given to me to also show my skills as an individual who can sing. I rap usually. But this time, I will sing.”
Pablo is doubly excited how he and Dingdong can make their first collaboration extra special onstage. “This is not something that often happens,” Pablo said.
“While we were rehearsing earlier, Sir Dingdong was giving me instructions on how we can improve our performance. He was very collaborative. He instructed me to harmonize and what else can we add. He asked me what else was I thinking. If I want to adlib or what else do I want to do… It’s not really advise, but more of professionalism how we can make our number and performance more special.”
Pablo simply asked Dingdong to support him in their number together. “Sir Dingdong, kayo na po ang bahala sa akin,” Pablo said. “Saluhin niyo po ako.
“Thank you for this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform with you. I respect you a lot. Hopefully, we can share another opportunity to perform again.”
Meanwhile, Dingdong assured that his 27th anniversary concert will be a fascinating musical experience. “They will see something that we don’t normally do when we tour together,” he said.
“I want to introduce my music to the new generation. I’m very thankful that despite how many generations have passed, I’m still around. This concert will give me a chance to really showcase how I started out.
“Being in this industry is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. If you want to make this a career where you will last long, you need to learn the ingredients to make it last. It’s not about making it big, it’s about making it last.”
His daughter Jayda always welcomes the chance to perform with her parents. “He has never been afraid to push boundaries when he sings. Masipag siyang mag-aral ng mga bagong songs. He’s very updated with today’s pop culture.”
Wife Jessa Zaragoza will likewise share the stage with Dingdong, just like what they previously did in their concert tours in the US.
Also guesting in the concert are Randy Santiago, who was Dingdong’s rival in their earlier years in the business, although Randy started ahead. They were both members of La Salle Greenhills’ all-male singing group, Kundirana. In more recent years, they even became golf buddies.
Other guests are singing champs Khimo, Marielle Montellano and JM de la Cerna, with singer-actor LA Santos. Dingdong’s long-time director for more than two decades, Elmer Blancaflor, is at the helm.
