Showcasing Real Talents

By: Maria Girlie Pascual

 

We are now in the thick of the summer months in Chicago where soft breezes at night temper the warm, hot, sticky air of July. Although the temperatures have been averaging in the 80’sF at the time I was writing this article, prime producer GERRY REBELLO has been enjoying great feedbacks from the shows he has helped to produce in our city. Beginning with highly successful events last year with the mega-stars Sharon Cuneta and Regine Velasquez at the Copernicus Theatre where such shows elicited great support and ticket sales because they were very talented, worthy of the prices patrons paid to see them.

This has led to this year’s crop of performers starting with Marco Sison, then the Champions with Klarisse De Guzman, Mitoy Yonting and America’s Got Talent alum Marcelito Pomoy, powerful singers that gave us pride as Filipinos. Hearing their personal stories where they overcame poverty and despair by honing their God given talents, all these wonderful stars shone despite the producers’ limited production budgets and visa obstacles. All of them were on a mission not to disappoint their fans, and as true professionals, they never did. Gerry Rebello only stepped in to aid in promoting Kay Brosas and Pokwang, but the show wowed audiences and they had the audience rooting for them, laughing, applauding their antics and role playing. These funny women were singing, dancing, giving everyone a great time in that hour- long production that they regaled everyone with.

Kudos to Gerry Rebello for thinking of the show and the performers, before his bottom line. Sure, he always smiles and is happy to host the performers, but at the end of the day, Gerry does this because he grew up in and around the showbiz community of the Philippines. He loves the energy, the hustle and bustle of the production preparation, but most of all, like us, he loves the talent.

Let us continue to support and enjoy all our wonderful Filipino talents as they make their way from east to west, and who, like us, only want a piece of that proverbial pie, a chance at making a better life than what they had known back home. More shows before 2024 ends, are in the offing, Gerry promises.##

Columnist Girlie Pascual serving as co-emcee with Tyrone Tejam at Marco Sison concert last May, shown with co-producers Gerry Rebello and Melvin Sinamban.

VT columnist/MC Girlie Pascual

Mitoy Yonting (Champ of the Voice of the Philippines) with fan Sally Hunter.

Fans Nancy Abiera and Neneth Miranda with Mitoy Yonting.

The PH Champions in Chicago concert: L-: Mitoy Yonting, Klarisse de Guzman (Champ of the Voice of the Philippines), and Marcelito Pomoy (Champ of Pilipinas Got Talent)

Marco Sison in Chicago concert at Doubletree Skokie.

Talented singer Pomoy from PH.

Joel Sebag, keyboardist.

Fans swarm around popular entertainer Marco Sison.

Foremost international dancer Rose Hipona with dance partner Mark Kholostoy, in a beautiful interpretative dance number for Mother’s Day (May 17) at Marco Sison’s concert.

Having fun at Gerry Rebello’s birthday party at Ruby’s the day after the concert are Marco Sison and Melvin (front), bday celebrant Gerry Rebello, Pastor Nancy Abiera, and Veronica (back).