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NEW YORK – Search for a Star champion Sarah Geronimo packed the 2,900-seater Hammerstein Ballroom of the Manhattan Center last Sept. 15 with enthusiastic fans, young and old, that welcomed her with loving and adoring cheers. We thought that with the way she is amassing fans in the US and in the Philippines, it won’t be surprising for her to wake up someday sitting on a throne as the new Concert Queen. Did we hear right that in a California venue, Sarah’s concert drew a much bigger crowd than Regine’s?
Anyway, at the Hammerstein Ballroom, many were disappointed that there was no available Sarah Geronimo CDs for them to buy. At the entrance where the sponsors’ tables displayed their products and services information (among them Western Union, MyWorld, Nel Castelvi’s Perlas ng Silangan Restaurant, MerkMedia and Pinoy Global Access), fans of Sarah expressed hope that the next time around, her group should bring along enough CDs to sell.
The concert, billed as "Sarah Geronimo in Motion," had for special guest performers Mark Bautista, Erik Santos, Raymond Manalo and Kris Lawrence. Hosting the almost three–hour show were former beauty-queen-turned TV/movie actress and recording artist Rachel Anne Wolfe, and Barry White.
Sarah opened the show with fast numbers where she showcased her terpsichorean skills and which was well-applauded by the audience. She sang a few Tagalog songs after, and between them she shared the crowd with interesting changes and moves in her showbiz career. We all know that the singing champ didn’t attain success and fame overnight, but through hard work, perseverance and determination. She was only two (!) when she first did her public stint in a mall tour, singing "Pasko na Naman" with Pinky Marquez and Richard Reynoso. At four, Sarah was auditioning for the various TV programs and later became part of "Pen-Pen de Sarapen," "Ang TV," "Next" and other kiddie shows. With her ever patient and supportive mother, Sarah also joined many singing contests and performed in malls and hotel lounges. She was also one of the performers during the 1995 visit of Pope John Paull II.
But it was Viva Records’ "Search for a Star" which catapulted Sarah to stardom. From thence, there was no way but up for the simple, unassuming and exceptionally talented Viva artist. She came out with hit albums and singles, appeared in top-rating teleseryes one after another (the current one being "Pangarap na Bituin" with Jericho Rosales), did commercials and even hosted a talent show, the "Little Big Superstar" on ABS–CBN where she is also a regular performer on "ASAP 07."
Between his songs ("Somewhere Down the Road," a Barry Manilow songs, and others) Raymond Manalo, also a product of a talent search and who's on his second visit to the Big Apple, said Sarah has remained humble despite her achievements and maybe this is one of the secrets to her success. Mark Bautista, another singing champ, later expressed the same admiration for Sarah’s humility and simplicity. The singing champs also went on a US concert tour last year.
On her third change of costume (a golden outfit), Sarah related after singing Louie Ocampo’s composition "I’ll Be All Right," that it was also one of her big dreams to act. This of course has been realized through the many teleseryes and movies she has starred in.
Adidas endorser Kris Lawrence (amazingly, he now speaks Tagalog very well), rumored to be Jasmine Trias suitor (the audience asked him about it but he gave them a safe answer), and who’s currently recording his second album, sang among others a Tagalog song.
Also in Sarah’s repertoire is the song "Bakit Ako Mahihiya," popularized by former singing sensation Didith Reyes, which Sarah sang playfully. After that, she sang a duet with Mark Bautista. When she changed into another costume, jeans and boots this time, Sarah performed fast numbers again, and after acknowledging the sponsors and the band, she went down the stage to greet her US-based lola who she said she hasn’t seen since she was born.
After this, Sarah did duets with her guest performers (who gave her red roses every after their respective songs) and for a while we thought it was the only performance of Erik Santos in the show. It turned out that Erik has his own integral portion of the show. It was his first time in New York, he said, and so expectedly was so excited. He sang "Maging Sino Ka Man," after which he announced that he’s single and available and the audience roared and cheered him.
We realized once more that one doesn't just need a fine singing voice to make it as a singer. He/she must also have the ability to connect with the audience and establish rapport with them. Erik was good at that and that is why after singing his songs "Bukas na Walang Hanggan," "I Believe I Can Fly," and of course his signature "This is the Moment," he was given a standing ovation.
In her finale numbers, Sarah (in a red-flowing gown) rendered "The Prayer" and did more than justice to the Celine Dion song. She later said: "Ang dasal ko, kahit anong mangyari sa buhay at mga awit ko, fast or slow motion, sana manatili kayo sa susuporta sa akin. Because I am not blessed without you and the Lord of course," she expressed.
And then she thanked the producers: Cathy Uy, Marisse Panlilio, Cossette Malig, and Eleanor Parelo of SCAT Production and Bad Boi Entertainment whose goal is to penetrate mainstream entertainment in the US with Filipino artists. Last December concert produced South Border’ whose goal is to penetrate mainstream entertainment in the US with Filipino artists. Last year, the group produced South Border’s concert and last July, MYMP with Geneva Cruz. They hope to be able to produce more concerts for Filipino artists in the US, Cathy said.
An after–concert party was also held at the Hammerstein Ballroom where fans had the chance to interact with Sarah and her guest performers who also gladly did autograph-signing and photo opportunities. Band music was provided by various musical groups.
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congratz sarah...
