Ogie now a Golden Boy
In barely a week, Ogie Alcasid is turning 50 and he’s celebrating his Golden Year in Paris with his wife Regine Velasquez and son Nate, along with his ex-wife Michelle van Eimeren and husband Mark Murrow and Michelle’s daughters (with Ogie) Leila and Sarah. Why in Paris? “Because Nate (Nathaniel James Alcasid) is serving as Ring Bearer at the wedding of) Dr. Vicki (Belo) and (Dr.) Hayden (Kho),” explained Ogie whose daughter’s birthday falls on Sept. 1, just about the time of the wedding. “So we might as well celebrate na lang together in Paris since andoon na rin naman kami.”
Ogie’s birthday is on Saturday, Aug. 27, two days after his special concert Nakakalokal at the Kia Theater (for tickets, call 911-5555), which is so titled because Ogie will be doing an all-OPM repertoire with his guests Angeline Quinto, Erik Santos, Jaya, Teng Constantino, Solenn Heussaff, Lovi Poe and his daughter Leila. Ogie is doing the concert gratis et amore for the World Vision Development Foundation, Inc. whose advocacy includes children who are victims of sex abuse.
“It’s my way of saying ‘Thank you’ for all the blessings in my life,” said Ogie who, thanks to his “cuteness,” doesn’t look 50 at all (in jest, the press release says it’s his “21st birthday” concert, hehehe!!!).
Asked to give 50 reasons why turning “golden” is extra-special, Ogie could mention only two: happy home and well-raised children.
“It’s nice to go home to a happy family,” said Ogie. “I do Facetime with my kids, with Regine, with Michelle and Mark. Ang saya ng feeling na sa
bahay mo walang conflict kasi pag toxic sa bahay mo, ang hirap, eh. Toxicity ang
talagang papatay sa pamilya mo.”
And there are his children, with Leila (the eldest) now living with Ogie and Regine. “I’m happy that Leila is back home,” continued Ogie. “She has started a career here and she’s not in a hurry. She’s grateful for the blessings. She has been here for only six months
at nag-Bench na siya, naggi-guest on TV at kinukuhang cover girl ng magazines. When she posts something on her blog, may bayad na s’ya at maraming
nagpa-follow sa kanya. I was teasing her, ‘Anak, 30 years na ako sa showbiz, I keep on posting and posting and I’m not getting anything.’
“One time, I got a call from a student from La Salle (Ogie’s alma mater where he was a member of Kundirana, the school’s singing group. — Ed.). Leila daw is his classmates’ favorite and they wanted to invite her as their muse. I asked the student about their age range at ang sabi, ‘Year 6.’ Wow, Year 6 talaga ha,
hehehe!!! Very millennial.” Just like Leila’s kind of music — very millennial. Like her dad, Leila is also a songwriter and an ardent fan of OPM. A few days ago, Leila started recording her own composition under Marion Aunor, with Lara Maigue as voice coach.
“Once,” recalled Ogie, “I did an areglo for Leila and I submitted it to a producer. When Leila listened to it, ang sama ng hitsura niya. Hindi niya gusto. So I told her, ‘Anak, hindi tayo bagay sa isa’t-isa.’ Then, we found Marion. Perfect! She’s very good, ang galinggaling! So medyo hindi ako masyadong nakikialam sa career niya.”
While pursuing her own career, Leila will resume her studies (started in Australian where she used to
stay with her mom) either at UP or Ateneo. “She’s a good writer. Malawak ang imahinasyon. Sometimes, I would ask her to check if my grammar is correct,” said Ogie who has collaborated on a song with Leila.
It was Ogie himself who prepared the family itinerary in Paris.
“Nothing grand,” he assured. “Maybe we will just eat out.”
Asked what the best thing is about turning 50, Ogie smiled.
“My children have grown up and they are nice to talk to. In business, I have become choosy with what I do. Slow down na and enjoy life more, unlike in my 30s and 40s when I was always on the go.”
Showbiz-y bets in the 2017 Miss World-Philippines tilt
Did you know that two showbiz daughters are among the aspirants for the 2017 Miss World-Philippines (MWP) crown?
They are Winwyn Marquez, daughter of Joey Marquez and Alma Moreno, who finished among the semi-finalists in the 2015 Bb. Pilipinas pageant won by Pia Wurtzbach (who went on to win Miss Universe); and Zara Villanueva, daughter Cris Villanueva and his wife Zhar Carbonell (a model-turned-businesswoman). Zara’s brother Gian is competing in the 2017 Best Global Model search in Portugal.
Four other titles are at stake in the pageant set for Sept. 18 (to be covered by GMA) at the UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City: Miss Queen & Beauty Universe-Philippines, Face of Beauty International-Philippines, Miss Princess of the World-Philippines and Miss Diamond of the World-Philippines.
Meanwhile, Darlene May Reyes was chosen by the organizers to compete in the Miss Tourism Queen International in China on Sept. 16. Darlene shouldn’t be confused with another MWP contestant, Sheila Marie Reyes, the younger sister of Daisy Reyes who was one-time Bb. Pilipinas World. Darlene was handpicked since the Philippine representative has to leave Sept. 2 for China.