CAN you imagine a Randy Santiago concert without his biggest hits like Babaero, Hindi Magbabago and Siguro?

It never happened before, but it will certainly happen soon in Randy’s club-themed one-night concert, EyeCon… The Club Experience, at the PICC on April 12.

“It’s very true that I will not sing any ballad in this concert,” disclosed Randy. “When we were doing the line-up, wala talaga ang mga songs ko. We will bring the audience to the ‘80s, ‘90s and the new hits. Kinalimutan ko muna ang mga songs ko for this concert.

“We want to bring a different experience to the audience. Aminin ko na. I’m turning 64 this November. My movements now hindi na tulad before. But we are giving the audience a club experience.

“Bahala na. Lagi namang ready ang musical director ko (Rey Cantiong). Foreign hits and fresh tunes ang mga naka-lineup. Lagi ko naman kinakanta ang Hindi Magbabago in every concert.

“The moment you enter the PICC Plenary Hall, you will feel you’re like at Clubhouse at the Palace or Xylo at BGC.”

Randy had the personal hand in lining up his guests for EyeCon. “Marami tayong kaibigan,” he said. “But if you will look at this, magastos ‘tong EyeCon. Hindi ko na hinahangad pang mag-perform sa Mall of Asia (Arena).

“Of course, inuna ko na muna ang pinaka-malalapit sa puso ko. Batang-bata pa kami, magkakasama na kami performing together onstage. Since 1986, Triple Treat pa lang, kasama ko na si Gino Padilla. It has been 38 years.”

Gino, meanwhile, is always thrilled to share the stage with Randy. “When I perform with Randy, the experience goes back to our Triple Treat days. Always fresh.”

Rachel Alejandro was only 17 when she first performed with Randy in the latter’s concert tour, Wild Eyes: Maximum Intensity, around the Philippines. “Since then, we were always together in mostly corporate shows,” Rachel said.

Randy got the help from his brother, ABS-CBN production executive, Reily Santiago, to provide the young performers to perform in the concert.

Joining EyeCon are JM Yosures, grand champion of Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 4, Lyka Estrella is Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 6 champion, while Jezza Quiogue, third placer from the same season, will also perform. Khimo is Idol Philippines Season 2 grand winner.

Marielle Montellano and JM de la Cerna are winners of Tawag ng Tanghalan Duets. Anne, Elle, Denise and Dain are collectively known as the all-girl quartet and P-pop group, Calista.

Pops Fernandez leads the stellar line-up of Randy’s guest artists as the latter is apparently returning the favor when he previously guested in Pops’ solo concert, Always Loved, last February at Newport World Resorts.

Nina and Juan Miguel Salvador are also in the line-up.

“We didn’t give the artists a hard time,” Randy said. “What Rachel will do ostage, ganu’n din ang gagawin ni Pops at ni Nina. The audience will all enjoy the performance of the artists onstage.”

Although he will not render Hindi Magbabago, Randy feels emotional whenever he reminisced how the ballad got to the album, Ninja Kids, in 1986.

“It was one of the songs, but the ballad only soared when I became a host on Lunch Date and when I was seen on TV everyday, Hindi Magbabago, became a hit,” Randy said.

To be called “legend” is a compliment for Gino. “It doesn’t matter to me,” Gino admitted. “If you’re an artist, you certainly want to still be seen as a young person. But for me, I welcome comments like that.”

Teenage kids call senior artists “alamat” and it’s flattering for Randy. The young people look up to them.

“Nakakataba ‘yun ng puso,” Randy admitted. “That doesn’t mean na mamamatay na kami. Hindi naman gano’n. Ang gusto nilang ipahiwatig ay respeto.”

Rey Cantiong of Six Part Invention is the musical director, while the band will be Randy’s back-up. Director is Jay Klio Bermudez. Producers of EyeCon… The Club Experience are Yuri and Beth Mercado.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio