The Filipinos are the best fans in the world, stated original Cascades’ member John Claude Gummoe during an intimate welcome dinner for him, Charles “Chuck” Crews and John Ford Coley, at the Ritz penthouse unit of Ms. Lenny de Jesus. (For those who do not know, Lenny is a guitarist who performs with the Electromaniacs every second Thursday of the month at Merk’s Bar and Bistro in Greenbelt 3. Also playing the guitar with the group is TonyBoy Cojuangco.)

Gummoe also expressed amazement at the “unique situation” in the country in that they have more hit songs here than anywhere else in the world, including the Cascades’ country, America. “Yes, we have many hit songs here that we don’t have in the rest of the world,” he stressed. These songs, including what Gummoe called the Cascades’ “Magic 12,” he rendered in his own distinctive and inimitable way at their dinner concert at the ballroom of the Heritage Hotel.

Among them were “Rhythm Of The Rain” (the Cascades’ most successful song and for which John, as the composer and singer, still receives a hefty royalty), “Dreamin,’” “There’s A Reason,” “Angel On My Shoulder,” “My First Day Alone,” “Let Me Be,” “Shy Girl,” “The Last Leaf,” “And “Lucky Guy.” The 13th song which he always sings after the “Magic 12” is the well-loved classic “First Love Never Dies.”

It delights John to recall that every time he does a concert, fans always come with their list of these songs which they’d like him to sing. He obliges with gusto all the time, like at the Heritage Hotel ballroom where his fans couldn’t get enough of him, singing along and even dancing to the tunes.

At the Heritage Hotel, the first of a series of their ongoing concert tour of the country, John Ford Coley did the front act, together with our very own Ciara Sotto. Accompanying John on the guitar is of course, Charles “Chuck” Crews, who joined the Cascades in 1994. John said, “Chuck is the only one from our group who I acknowledge to this day as my good and true friend.”

This is John’s fifth visit to the Philippines, courtesy of Steve O’Neal Productions. “All my concerts here are under Steve O’Neal Productions. I trust only one Filipino producer – Danee Samonte! I am very loyal to him,” John declared.

Five years ago, Danee found John in the US. “He thought I had perished in a plane crash and seeing me alive, he invited me to come over to the Philippines to perform. That was in 2004. We also made a pact then – to shave our heads!” John said with a hearty chuckle. He’s now 72, but many say he looks youngish – even sexy! – without his hair.

On his second performance in the country, John couldn’t forget doing a duet with Nina (“Love Moves In Mysterious Ways”). “She’s very good, she’s my sweetheart.”

By the way, the Cascades performed in Cebu last Oct. 8, in Tacloban on Oct. 9, Ormoc on Oct. 10. Today, Oct. 13, they will have a show at Subic, Oct. 15 in Iloilo, Oct. 16 at Pagcor Angeles, and Oct. 17 at the Pagcor Grand Theater in Sucat, Parañaque.

The Cascades’ concerts are presented by GMA-7, QTV 11, Manila Bulletin, RJ100FM and Steve O’Neal Productions, in collaboration with PCSO, San Miguel Corp., Business Mirror, Heritage Hotel, Zest Air, and Hard Rock Café.

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Gabby Concepcion proud of ‘White House’

Gabby Concepcion said he is very proud of his latest movie “White House,” which opens today nationwide. Directed by Topel Lee from a screenplay by Aloy Adlawan, the movie is unlike past movies he’d made.

“White House” is another Regal offering, and come to think of it, Gabby recalled that he did the best films in his acting career under Regal. Among these were “Katorse” with Dina Bonnevie, “Sinungaling Mong Puso” with Vilma Santos (which gave Gabby a FAMAS Best Supporting Actor); and “Narito Ang Puso Ko” with Lorna Tolentino which earned for the former matinee idol the Gawad URIAN Best Actor trophy in 1993. This is not to mention the movies he made with his former wife Sharon Cuneta and superstar Nora Aunor.

Gabby believes in the supernatural and in ghosts but not in tikbalangs, he said.

In “White House,” Gabby plays a psychic who can communicate with ghosts. Also in the cast are Iza Calzado, Maricar Reyes, Lovi Poe, Joem Bascon, Mo Twister, Megan Young, Jairus Aquino, Sarah Lahbati, and Janus del Prado.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Oct. 13, go to Tito Sy, LA-based publisher Oscar Jornacion, Letty Ruiz, Dr. Charing M. Santos, Vangie Jacinto, Inday Morales, Carina Dacer, Marlette Pineda, Katrina E. Panlilio, Elizabeth Hammond, Rene Perez, Eriel Cortez, Annette Africano, Pinky Masigla, Irma S. Gumatay, Joy Velasco, Jayson B. Brizuela of SMC, Jennifer Pagallilauan, Cherrie Balictar, Arby Laraño, Far del Mar, Pinky Carreon, Caiths Quiamco, Leah Llanes and Rose Garcia… Belated b-day greetings to Erlinda Rooney and MB’s Myra Liezl Abando and Ronald Jeffrey S. Lim (Oct. 11), and Angelica Jade Boaquina (Oct. 12)...