The Great Big Iconic Concert of Regine V and Sharon C

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

GERRY REBELLO, producer, director, and recently the SOLE investor from Chicago, put in his more than six-figures into his dream of finally being one of the producers (half of the liability belonged to the show’s owners) to bring the ICONIC CONCERT with SHARON & REGINE to the Windy City last July 15th. Although it was an eight-city tour with over 28 members in the show’s entourage including the main performers. Their personal assistants, hair & makeup artists, the musicians, technicians, co-producers and managers, the bulk of the responsibility of hosting such a big “circus” fell upon Gerry’s shoulders and with only three months to find the venue, market to sponsors and the public, plus arrange for the lodging, transportation, and other logistics, Gerry pulled the rabbit out of the hat, and the ICONIC CONCERT was the first biggest event in Chicago after two long years of Covid.

He also tapped my nephew Arsenio “Miki” Pascual to be one of the front acts, and along with Father (yes, a bona fide parish priest) Sunny Castillo, and three-year Philippine resident, national boy band contest winner and performer, Russell Reye. These three singers wowed the audience with their songs and obvious talents before the headliners took the stage. Regine and Sharon did not disappoint, no, in fact, they exceeded expectations and gave the audience what they paid for, and more. With two of the best musical directors from the Philippines, the very versatile, mild-mannered, and very popular Louie Ocampo, and the young arranger, composer Raul Mitra, it was a show that brought the audience to tears, to their feet, and, yes, to heaven. Singing songs from different eras and genres, from movies and “tele-seryes” or TV soap operas, high-school songs, romantic and weepy ballads, Regine & Sharon proved to everyone that talent does not diminish if nu rtured properly, but only grows along with their stature and personal journeys that make these events successful.

Behind the scenes was another matter, unfortunately. Yes, the tickets were quite expensive, the prices STARTED at a whopping $128 (which includes Ticketron fees & taxes) and the first five rows from center stage were selling at $378 each. Between the front and back seats were tickets for $175, and up. Yes, the ticket-pricing was based on what was spent by Gerry, but he did work very hard to at least get his initial investment back, and the good news is, he did. But the drama that ensued from the Philippine camp and Gerry was another story. Sure, we can all give our ten-cents and our advice will be useless, since it’s now all history, but Gerry, being Gerry, still wants to work on these upcoming shows that will hit Chicago up to the end of 2022. His “can do” attitude and belief in his fellow men (and women) was not daunted, although now, his risks will be smaller, his financial exposure, more limited and under supervision by experts. Lesson learned–everything SIGNED and IN WRITING, down to the last room and meal, down to the last agreed appearances and interviews. Still, Gerry remains our most prolific, and successful producer/director in Chicago, and we hope he will continue to bring in these iconic talented performers from our old country to remind us of the “good old days” and hopefully, through them, share these moments with the families and relations have in this country we now call “home”. Good job, Gerry Rebello, and congratulations! Until next time…

Onstage at the Final Bow (L-R) with sponsor Jan Paul Ferrer of Stanley Morgan, emcee Girlie Pascual, Russell and Miki Pascual with Sharon Cuneta & Regine Velasquez

Girlie Pascual doing what she does best hosting the ICONIC Concert of Sharon & Regine last July

Congratulations to my nephew Miki Pascual from me and my son Kristoffer

The concert singers (L-R) FR Sunny Castillo, Russell Reye & Miki Pascual with emcee extraordinaire Ms Girlie Pascual

With my nephew Miki Pascual prior to showtime

Ready for their performance ! Congratulations to Miki Pascual, FR Sunny Castillo & Russell Reye