Business World

An onstage family reunion

- Zsarlene B. Chua

DUBBED THE “Elvis Presley of the Philippine­s,” during his heyday in the 1960s, Eduardo de Mesa Eigenmann (popularly known as Eddie Mesa) comes back to the Philippine­s to hold his first concert in more than 28 years on Sept. 23 at the Meralco Theater.

“I feel like I am more excited now doing this [concert] than when I was introduced in showbiz. I am excited. I am really preparing for this. I’m going to be singing a lot of songs, so with God’s grace I get to do it,” Mr. Mesa told the media during a press conference on Aug. 22 in Quezon City.

He added that the one-night performanc­e is “a dream come true” as he will be sharing the stage with his family — his children and grandchild­ren.

“[ We staged this concert] as a tribute to my father, my mother, and Mark [ Gil, her brother],” said his daughter, actress Cherie Gil, in the same event.

The concert, Sing Us Your Song Again: The Music and Legacy of Eddie Mesa, is produced by Ms. Gil’s My Own Mann Production­s,

Mr. Mesa has three children with his wife, actress Rosemarie Gil, all of whom are seasoned actors: Evangeline Cheryl Rose Gil Eigenmann ( Cherie Gil), Michael Edward Gil Eigenmann (Michael de Mesa) and Raphael John Gil Eigenmann (Mark Gil). Mark Gil passed away in 2014 due to liver cancer.

The offspring of Mark — Gabby Eigenmann, Sid Lucero, and Andi Eigenmann — as well as Michael — Geoff and Ryan — also became well-known actors.

Ms. Gil said the Eigenmanns will share the stage with their patriarch, either by dancing, singing along, or telling stories about Mr. Mesa.

Expect songs from the King of Rock and Roll as well classic songs from the 1950s and other contempora­ry songs as he is joined on stage by Pilita Corrales, Christophe­r de Leon, Edgar Mortiz, Tirso Cruz III, Ciara Sotto, and the Hotlegs.

“My father’s voice has not changed,” said Ms. Gil noting that as a singing pastor in California, Mr. Mesa has never stopped singing.

The concert will be directed by Bert de Leon with musical direction by Mel Villena.

Sing Us Your Song Again: The Music and Legacy of Eddie Mesa will be held on Sept. 23, 8 p.m., at the Meralco Theater, Pasig City.

Tickets are available at TicketWorl­d. —

 ??  ?? SINGER EDDIE MESA (center) will be joined by his children, including Cherie Gil (L) and Michael de Mesa (R), and grandchild­ren onstage in his first concert in the Philippine­s in nearly 30 years.
SINGER EDDIE MESA (center) will be joined by his children, including Cherie Gil (L) and Michael de Mesa (R), and grandchild­ren onstage in his first concert in the Philippine­s in nearly 30 years.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Philippines