Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera

From the pigeonhole:

Philippine concert royalties Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez continue their decades-long tradition of holding a Valentine concert in 2010 via “One Amore Time.”

Unlike many of their past Valentine gigs, however, “One Amore Time” is concept-driven; that is, it will channel the passion and vibrancy of Latin teleseryes into a musical extravaganza that’s bound to be the sexiest and most daring for its stars.

According to concert producer Mae Vinluan-Dolonius of Mauve Management and Entertainment, “One Amore Time” will base its repertoire and dance numbers on a teleserye-ish storyline. The concert to be held on Feb. 14, 2010 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Mall of Asia will be directed by Rowell Santiago.

Martin considers “One Amore Time” special because he and his ex-wife will once again get to celebrate love in a way only they can.

“When Pops and I do a show together, it’s more real compared to others because we had a past even as we have a present because of our kids,” said he, adding that their son Robin thought up the title “One Amore Time.”

Pops, on the other hand, looks forward to singing songs in the concert that they have not done before.

“It’s one Valentine’s show in which you’ll feel love just by watching it whether you already have someone special or not. We’re looking into doing old and new songs, either hit or obscure, that we’ve not done before so it’s something new both for us and our fans,” she said.

The two revealed that they have spent most Valentine’s Day together even before they got married and after they parted ways.

“We’ve hardly had a Valentine’s Day dinner, let alone a full date on Feb. 14 because we usually have shows together, solo or with other artists that day. Then again, that’s not so bad because we at least make our fans happy… make them feel the love,” said Martin.

Pops joked: “Yes, the highlight of many of our Valentine’s Day together is greeting each other, ‘Happy Valentine’s’ – and then snoring the rest of the night away.”

“One Amore Time” is nothing to sneeze (or even snore) at especially because it is by one of the most enduring and loved concert partners in Philippine music history. It is recalled that Martin and Pops have done at least a dozen well-received Valentine’s concert together beginning when Pops sang back-to-back with Martin in “1984: Looks Like Love” at the Manila Hotel Fiesta Pavilion.

And although “One Amore Time” may not bring back Martin and Pops into each other’s arms, the two promised one thing to their fans.

“All the questions they may have about our love life, they will find out in the concert.”

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Colegio de Sta. Rosa wins in Crissa Teen Synergy tilt

Colegio de Sta. Rosa Makati bested 17 other schools to win the grand prize in the recent Crissa Teen Synergy Dance Competition held at the SM Mall of Asia.

Organized by top fashion label Crissa and the only dance competition endorsed and accredited by the Department of Education, the Crissa Teen Synergy Dance Competition is the biggest, most anticipated and longest-running all-girl dance competition in the country. Now on its fifth year, the dance tournament has become an important venue to showcase high school dance enthusiasts’ artistry, creativity and coordination as well as to establish friendship and camaraderie among them.

The dance tilt, which was hosted by TV personality Valerie Concepcion and Channel V Philippines’ VJ Alvey, featured exhilarating performances by Gentle Angels School-Marikina, Colegio de Sta. Rosa, St. Paul College-Pasig, Deparo High School-Caloocan, Saint Pedro Poveda College, Manila Cathedral School, Arellano University-A. Mabini Campus, Holy Light School, St. Mark’s Institute, Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino Sr. High School, Lagro High School, Ismael Mathay Sr. High School, Juliever Academy, Colegio San Agustin, Marikina Science High School, Maria Montessori Holy Christian School, Systems Plus Computer College Caloocan, and Miriam College-High School.

Judges for this year’s dance competition were Jhong Hilario of Streetboys, Jojo Zafra of Maneuvers, Lema Diaz of Philippine All-Stars, choreographer Ickay Eusebio, and Dr. Noemi Bellosillo of the Department of Education.

The dance team from Colegio de Sta. Rosa stood out for their futuristic theme and space-inspired costumes, as well as their unique dance routines and synchronized moves. The winning team went home with the grand prize of P100,000 and also bagged P5,000 for winning the most stylish dance group award who best exemplified the Crissa “fashionably fun” concept on the stage.

Also declared winners were: Saint Pedro Poveda College, 1st runner-up winning P75,000; Miriam College-High School, 2nd runner-up, winning P50,000; and Gentle Angels School, who won Best Crowd Cheer and P5,000 in cash.

Aside from the exciting dance competition, the event also featured fun games where fans won great prizes from the sponsors, photo booth and dance performances by Vhong Navarro, the Streetboys, the Philippine All-Stars, Pinoy Republic, and the Claret Hataw Boys.

The Crissa Teen Synergy Dance Competition was made possible by Smart Bro, Fres Soap, Time’s Trading/Carla Craft, and PH Care.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Jan. 12 go to hunk/heartthrob Piolo Pascual, Gregorio Araneta II, Dr. Reynaldo P. Gabriel, Mark Laurence Esguerra, Ned Laurence Esguerra, Roda B. Josue, Imelda Cruz, New York-based Remy D. Davila, Ruby Anna, Evangeline Lee, Tina Ursua, Edgar Pajaro, Bentong of “Wowowee,” Fraz Yap of Star Magic, Regal contract star Carla Abellana, and Kane Choa of ABS-CBN Corporate Communication Dept. Happy wedding anniversary to Dr. Jorge and May Neri.