Blunders and bonds
Interestingly, those rare embarrassing incidents on stage while performing have gotten Richard Yap and Richard Poon declaring they are a band of brothers
Even seasoned performers suffer mishaps onstage – take it from Richard Yap and Richard Poon.
Even seasoned performers suffer mishaps onstage – take it from Richard Yap and Richard Poon.
“Nangyayari talaga ’yun,” Yap admitted in a recent interview, relating he once forgot the words to a song he
was singing live at a fiesta. “Talagang na-blanko ako.”
But the show must go on and Yap simply made do with quick thinking, letting the audience take over the rest of the song.
Poon, on the other hand, said he gets embarrassed when these things happen to him, as in “nega ang feeling, kumbaga
sira ’yung moment.” But he is still at it. Why?
“Inisip ko na lang na hindi lang naman sa akin nangyayari ’yun eh. Na meron ding iba na nakaramdam nu’n. Matatawa ka na lang talaga.”
Well, the blunders certainly didn’t happen during their joint concert titled “Richard X Richard: The Chinito Crooners” held last year. It was, in fact, perfect in every way – a huge success, even – with fans filling up the venue to support the two.
Instead of missteps, the two Richards remember just having so much fun that night although Yap was initially nervous sharing the stage with Poon.
“Talagang nilalamig ako nu’n,” he shared. “When we came out, two or three songs na we sang together, nanlamig ako at ang sakit ng sikmura ko kasi na-stress talaga ako.” “Ang kasama ko kasi legendary ‘di ba? So talagang stressed na stressed ako,” Yap added. “But I managed to pull it off naman and I’m very thankful sa good comments na
narinig ko after.” Speaking of good comments, Poon revealed his father is now among Yap’s fans.
“My dad had no idea talaga of what he can do. Then, after ng concert, he told me, ‘He can really sing,’” Poon explained. “What my dad like about him, and ako din
naman is… may ibang artist na marunong kumanta pero walang charisma sa stage. Si Richard naman, sobrang lakas ng charisma at talaga may strength ang voice niya.”
Performing with Yap is actually “rare” for Poon saying, “Usually kasi I get to sing with singers talaga but si Richard came from being an artista pero kaya niya.”
Yap is grateful to Poon for coaching and guiding him throughout. “Pinadalhan niya pa ako ng CD, mga vocalization practice pieces,” he shared. Yap has fallen in love with singing and is now making an effort to widen his knowledge of the art. “Nag-aaral talaga ako para mas malinis, maayos ’yung pagkanta ko,” he noted. Two-on-one album
After the success of that concert, the two continue their partnership via an album titled “Richard X Richard” under Star Music. It contains covers of 10 love songs – five sung by Poon (“Love Boat,” “Can’t Smile Without You,” “Grow Old With You,” “The Last Time,” and “Goodbye”) and the rest (“Never Find Another Love Like Me,” “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Life For You,” “You Can’t Hurry Love,” “Don’t Know What To Do, Don’t Know What To Say,” and “Promise Ain’t Enough”) by Yap.
“It’s a romantic album. We’re both very excited, especially with the songs and genres,” Poon said.
For Yap, the album is one dream collaboration.
“I think it’s very interesting because Richard’s genre is big band swing and mine’s pop ballad, and you get that in one compilation. I am really thrilled about this,” Yap noted.
The crooners shared they are targeting even the senior citizens with the album.
“’Yun naman talaga ang market kasi ng mga songs namin,” Poon said. “Like after nu’ng concert, past 12 na pero ’yung mga tao nagulat kami siguro almost 200 fans ’yun nakapila para makakakuha ng album. Karamihan sa kanila ay mga senior citizens na.” Though they don’t cater to millennials, Poon and Yap believe the young ones would enjoy their music if they give it a chance. “Nagawa ko na rin naman ’yun eh,” Yap said, citing one concert when he sang Daniel Padilla’s “Nasa Iyo Na Ang Lahat.”
Given the chance, Yap would like to hear Poon sing a rock song.
Poon responded: “Popular Chinese song naman para sa kanya.” V-day plans A man who sings well is attractive to many women but Yap and Poon don’t use
their ’yung “Walang singing pagkanta abilitiesintent para na to ma-in gamitinwin love girls sakin,”talagaover. Yap explained. As for Poon, “Nagbabanda pa ako nu’n and girls seem to appreciate it pero walang intent talaga (to use it to get girls).”
Well, it isn't as if the two are actually on the lookout having been married for years now.
So what are their plans for the upcoming Valentine’s Day?
“Me and my wife (Melody Yap), we are going to watch a concert, but before the Valentine’s kasi it falls on weekdays, so medyo busy,” Yap shared. Poon said: “Kami naman usually alam ni wifey (Maricar Reyes) na work
muna. Kasi ’yung mga songs ko usually patok siya kapag Valentine’s eh, so I think Valentine’s date namin is after na
ng shows.” (With report from Jojo P. Panaligan)
Richard’s genre is big band swing and mine’s pop ballad, and you get that in one compilation. this.’ I am really thrilled about – Yap ‘Usually kasi I get to sing with singers talaga but si Richard came from being an artista pero kaya niya. – Poon