‘ Hugot pa more’ with Aegis and the PPO
THE VIDEOKE “birit” queens are back for a special pre-Valentine’s day concert at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
After the very successful collaboration between the OPM pop rock group Aegis and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra ( PPO) last November, the two groups will collaborate once more for the concert Aegis in Symphony, Symphonic Aegis: The Repeat,
Hugot Pa More on Feb. 11, at the CCP’s Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater).
The 1990s rock band best known for its birit or belting style of singing, became a hit thanks to its singles “Luha,” “Halik,” “Basang- basa sa
Ulan,” and “Sinta,” which are videoke go-to-songs. A new generation has become familiar with the group’s oeuvre thanks to the very successful PETA musical Rak of Aegis which features the group’s songs. Aegis is composed of sisters Juliet, Mercy, and Ken Sunot on vocals, Rey Abenoja on guitars, Stella Pabico on keyboards, Rowena Pinpin on bass, and Vilma Goloviogo on drums.
“We have to give in to PPO purists and Aegis fans. It’s a cross in between,” the show’s director Ariel S. R. Yonzon said at the show’s press launch on Jan. 31 at the Cowboy Grill, Quezon City.
He said the concert will feature a mix of opera, ballads, and dance numbers by members of Ballet Philippines and the Philippine Ballet Theater, among other things. The PPO, led by Herminigildo Ranera, will play a symphonic medley of popular Valentine hits, while Aegis will render a crossover performance of classic love songs with the PPO and a love duet with tenor Arman Ferrer.
CCP President and acclaimed pianist Raul M. Sunico will also be joining in. Mr. Yonzon said he has a spot in the orchestra, and he will be playing piano for a special “rockestral” number to be sung by Aegis.
“We did started with the idea of fusing the PPO with Aegis and put elements in the show that you wouldn’t expect in a symphonic concert,” the director said.
He, however, noted that the concert may be a repeat when it comes to the melding of the PPO and Aegis, but in reality it is a very different show. “My personality is not liking repeats. This is a totally new show and seldom do we hold Valentine’s day concerts.”
As for Aegis, Ms. Pabico said they will be performing songs that are very much in tune for the occasion.
“Eto kasi ’yung mga kanta ng mga tao simula ng umibig at nasaktan, tamang-tama sa Valentine’s Day kaya hugot pa more (These are the songs of people from the start of their love to the pain, perfect for Valentine’s Day since they draw out strong emotions),” she told Business-World.
She said the band draws its inspiration from their own struggles — where some of the members married late and some focused on working for their families.
“When you go to different places and meet different people, that is where our
hugot (strong emotions) comes in,” she said. “Probably the reason why a lot [of people] can relate to us.”
Aegis in Symphony, Symphonic Aegis: The Repeat, Hugot Pa More
is a fund-raising event presented by the CCP Complex Employees Organization, with the support of CCP and Harbor Square, for the benefit of its health and wellness programs and other projects for the welfare of its members.
Concert tickets range in price from P300 to P1,500. For details, contact the CCP Box Office at ( 02) 832- 3704 or TicketWorld at 8919999. —