Ogie now into inspirational songs; won’t influence Regine to turn Kapatid
Singer Ogie Alcasid is also known as “The Songwriter” for his love songs, particularly the big hits “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw” and “Kailangan Kita.”
Singer Ogie Alcasid is also known as “The Songwriter” for his love songs, particularly the big hits “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw” and “Kailangan Kita.”
Now that he is “fully committed” to being a Born Again Christian and has even been writing “spiritual” songs of late – some of which will make it to his next album – the title of that Carole King song comes to mind which he might want to ask his fans: Will you still love me tomorrow? “Hindi lang naman puro inspirational songs ang magiging laman
ng next album ko, but, yes, I’ve been writing a lot of them especially after our weekly Bible studies,” he said to that effect. “And, yes, some of these have been recorded and will be heard on my next album due October.”
Ogie may not turn full gospel artist soon but he is forming a praise and worship band that will have his wife Regine Velasquez and R&B singer Jaya as members.
“We’re gonna start rehearsing na,” says Ogie. “We want a band that can sing in any church. We all love Jesus at ’di naman kailangan pag-usapan ang
doktrina (sa mga performances
namin)...”
But back to the question, will fans embrace his inspirational
songs as much as his love songs? Is it easier or harder for him now to be even more of an artist who takes risks with his music?
“It’s easier because I don’t need to...” he began before taking a roundabout route in explaining himself. “When you’re younger and you’re impressionable, ang dami mong gustong gawin. Ang dami mong dreams and insecurities kaya your
music gets experimented on. Ang dami
mong gustong subukan...
“But when you’re older and presumably more established, you know yourself already. So when you do your music, it’s not pretentious anymore but selfexpression.”
Ogie’s most previous album came out two years ago. The only inspirational he recorded in the past was “Panginoon,” back in the ’90s. But he’s been Born Again Christian since the ’80s “then medyo
nag-iba ng konti.” His faith only solidified after marriage, he said.
“If you follow my Instagram and Twitter, makikita mo na kaming mag-asawa, we do our part in sharing the word (of God). Sa mga kanta na sinusulat ko lately, andu’n ako sa celebrating life and the Lord, just how amazing He is.”
The singer-songwriter knows that his influence extends even to present generation that’s why he is careful with his career moves.
“A lot of younger songwriters tell me they listen to my music,” he said, smiling.
“Natutuwa ako lalo at I didn’t think that. I
thought they just listen to newer stuff.”
The wife on TV5?
Ogie also addressed the “showbiz” stuff in our interview.
Is he trying to convince Regine to turn Kapatid? Her contract with GMA-7 is said to be expiring soon.
“No,” Ogie said. “Regine is very happy with GMA. I don’t know her future career plans – ’di naman niya ako manager, I’m just her husband.”
He said that the only advice he gave her about it was to pray and do fasting before coming up with a decision. He, himself, will go on a fast after their vacation in June, their “last hurrah for beach,” as he put it.
Ogie wants to stay with TV5 beyond next year when his contract with them expires.
“I’d like to stay if they would have me. Hindi ko pa kasi nakikitang naaccomplish ’yung gusto namin. We’re inching, getting there but it’s a long way
pa. I’d like to be part of that success when it happens.” With Regine? “All I know is my wife is dedicated to be the best mother and wife she could be,” he said. “That’s what I see in her and that’s what makes her happy.”
‘Happy Truck’
Ogie is part of “Happy Truck Ng Bayan,” a game and musical variety show featuring a roving truck that can transform into a real stage. The truck will go around the Philippines and will hold shows wherever they make a stop. The show premieres on June 14 at 11 a.m.
Also on the show are Derek Ramsay, Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Mariel Rodriguez, Gelli de Belen, Vin Abrenica, and Mark Neumann.
Oh, and Janno Gibbs who, like Ogie, had transferred to TV5 from GMA-7.
In jest, we told Ogie that we heard Janno say the former had a hand in the latter’s latest career move. “Sipain ko siya!” he quipped
as a joke. “Wala akong kinalaman
do’n.”
According to a release, “Happy Truck Ng Bayan” will extend weekly happiness and cheer to 10 barangays of various well-populated areas in the country. The stars will give away big prizes coming from the program’s game segments namely “Barangay’s Most Wanted;” “Bida Ng Dance Floor!;” “OCW: Ooooh… Construction Worker!;” “Barangay Bayani;” “Ta-Wattpad;” “Ready, Set, Goma!;” “Sing-Ko;” and “Kwarta o Kwar-truck.”
The truck is equipped with a remote-controlled hydraulic system that transforms a 12-foot high, 17.58foot wide and 34-foot long vehicle into a mobile stage.