Yes, “Concert Queen” Pops Fernandez is still hopeful – not for Jomari Yllana to come back because that chapter with him in her life has definitely been closed – but hopeful for things to get much better in her life, 100% better in all aspects. “We need to really keep on hoping for better things to come,” she expressed during a break in a rehearsal the other day at Teatrino in Promenade, Greenhills.

Actually, the title of her forthcoming show at the Captain’s Bar of Mandarin Oriental Manila is “Hopeful” and that prompted us to ask what she is hoping for at the moment. The title of her newest album is also “Hope” so we were really intrigued as to what made her thought of using “Hope” as the title of her latest CD album, and “Hopeful” for her two-night solo concert at the Captain’s Bar. Did she want to send a signal to the one who left her broken-hearted?

“No, that’s not my purpose at all. Why I use it as the title of my album and concert? Wala lang, I just wanted it to mean I am hopeful for better things to come, like what I said. Yon lang. And of course I am hoping that my friends will all come to my concerts at Captain’s Bar on April 25 and May 9.”

For these shows (she will have Kris Lawrence as guest artist and Rey Cristobal as musical director), Pops said she has chosen positive songs about love and life, “songs that bespeak of the state of my emotions at certain times,” Pops said.

In her repertoire are classic songs, some incorporated in the Mancini medley for one, and well-loved tunes from the 70s and 80s. “For this show, being an intimate one, I decided to experiment a bit in the choice of my songs,” Pops added. “There will also be some off-beat songs, and three from my album ‘Hope,’ songs both sad and happy but hopeful,” she laughed.

Included in her repertoire are beautiful love songs such as “The Trouble with Hello is Goodbye,” Barry Manilow’s “One of These Days,” “My Love” by the Beatles, “It’s You,” which Pops will sing with Kris Lawrence, an OPM medley, and “On My Own” from the musical “Les Miserables.”

“I really wanted to include in my repertoire this time ‘On My Own’ because it’s been a long time since I last sang the song,” Pops said.

Pops’ two-night show at Captain’s Bar is another production of Precy Florentino’s Music Museum which for the past four years now has been handling and presenting shows at the Captain’s Bar every weekend. “Well, except when the hotel has their own events at the place on weekends,” Precy said. Among the latest Music Museum productions at Captain’s Bar were “Echoes of Dream” and Carlo Orosa’s show. A forthcoming series at the venue will hopefully feature Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano. She’s working on this project at the moment, Precy said.

After her two-night show at the Captain’s Bar, Pops will leave anew for the US to resume her “Divas4Divas” concert tour with fellow divas Kuh Ledesma, Regine Velasquez, and Zsa Zsa Padilla. Starting on the second week of May, they will cover eight to 10 cities in both the US and Canada.

“Divas4Divas” was successfully staged recently in six cities: Houston, Atlantic City, Pasadena, San Jose, Washington DC and Vancouver in Canada. In San Jose and Washington DC, Martin Nievera was their special guest performer, and in Atlantic City, Gary Valenciano was with them, Pops said.

Needless to say, Martin and Pops are now in good terms, and although “we are not in constant communication, we are good friends, and our relationship is much, much better than before, especially so because of our kids,” Pops concluded.

Christine Babao’s celebrity,charity bazaar starts today

The “Grand Fiesta Summer Bazaar,” Christine Babao’s three-day celebrity and charity bazaar, is all set to open today, April 24, at the World Trade Center Halls B and C. This is the second venture of CBB Events and Management and Christine’s undertaking with her mom Ching.

With the many celebrities who generously donated some of their precious personal items to be auctioned off, the event will definitely another big success. Beneficiaries of the celebrity auction are the Bantay Bata Foundation, Shepherd of the Hills Orphanage and other charitable organizations.

Some of the donors and their respective donations are: Dr. Vicki Belo (Louis Vuitton bags), Regine Velasquez (Rdwin Tan designer gown), Claudine Barretto (designer dress), Sarah Geronimo (autographed CDs and DVDs), Cheryl Cosim (perfume, jewelry and shades), Toni Gonzaga (boots and autographed CD), Sheryn Regis (pants, blouse and autographed CD), Bianca Gonzales (dresses and bags), Mariel Rodriguez (designer gowns), Jodi Sta. Maria (black designer gown), KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez (autographed DVDs), Joy Lim (charm bracelets), Ryan Agoncillo (Pinoy Factor autographed T-shirts), Boy Abunda (Roberto Cavalli eyewear), Kim Atienza (his signature safari hat), Maricel Laxa (children’s books which she wrote), Charice Pempengco (autographed CD and Snoopy items), Kristine Hermosa (a red dress and matching red jacket), and many others.

The bazaar’s highlights and features, according to Tintin, are a kids’ camp and playland with a Rock-Climbing Hall for both kids and adults to enjoy, a bird and reptile show, magic shows, indoor carnival rides, daily treasure hunt games, parenting forums with celebrity moms as guests; live human statues, mime acts, and balloon twisters courtesy of Party Island. There will also be Health, Wealth and Wellness seminars.

Silent Sanctuary continues its winning streak via new album

The Silent Sanctuary is expected to continue its hitmaking streak with the release of their album “Mistaken for Granted” from Universal Records. The group produced four blockbuster tunes from their debut album “Fuschiang Pag-ibig,” earning for them the reputation of being a veritable hit machine. These songs are “Ikaw Lamang,” “Ingat Ka,” “Kundiman” and “Rebound.”

The carrier single of their new album, “Hay Naku” is currently dominating local airlanes and is not being touted as the group’s next mammoth hit.

When Silent Sanctuary first entered the music scene, they were branded as unique for their inclusion of the violin and cello as important elements in their kind of music.

Silent Sanctuary is composed of Sarkie Sarangay (vocals, guitars), Allen Calixto (drums), Chino David (violin), Anjo Inacay (cello) and Jason Rondero (drums).

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 24, go to former DoLE Sec. Pat Sto. Tomas, Amb. Raul Goco, columnist Mons Romulo Tantoco, Norma Ledesma, Alicia Lim, Michelle Daniella M. Dee, Marvin J. Villegas, twins Hershey and Hazel Hermano, Nolita Natividad-Valdez, Rosemarie Ferrer of Bais City, Atty. Jesus Santiago, Cristine Galvez, Prof. Joey Ting, M.A. of FEU, Christopher Silan of Queens Village, New York, and “Unang Hirit’s” Lhar Santiago… Walker Underwear, one of the country’s pioneers in quality underwear has a super knockout summer treat from April 16-31, you can get a 25% discount on all Walker regular products available at all SM Department Store and SM Hypermarket located nationwide. Hurry now as this promo is good during weekends only...