“Ugat the Concert” is expected to be the musical event of 2010 as it features the country’s legends of Pinoy folk rock. This is another presentation of Viva Concerts and Events and it will definitely cap another successful year with it.

“Ugat the Concert” will be staged at the Araneta Coliseum on Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.

Leading the performers are the guys who started it all, the Juan de la Cruz Band composed of Joey “Pepe” Smith (“Balong Malalim”), Mike Hanopol “Laki Sa Layaw (Jeprox),” and Wally Gonzalez (“Walt’s Blues”).

The Juan de la Cruz Band will be performing for the first time together with Sampaguita, dubbed the “Queen of Pinoy Rock” (of “Bonggahan,” “Tao” and “Laguna” fame); Lolita Carbon of Asin and Nene of the hits “Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran,” “Pagbabalik,” “Itanong Mo Sa Mga Bata;” Heber Bartolome and Banyuhay with “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy,” “Nena” and “Almusal;” Gary Granada of “Kahit Konti,” “Salamat Musika;” and Florante with the hits “Handog,” “Ako’y Pinoy,” “Abakada.” Florante will be flying in from the US expressly for “Ugat.”

New folk rock star Noel Cabangon of the big hit “Kanlungan” will also join them in the show directed by Roxanne Lapus.

At the recent press conference for “Ugat the Concert,” Sampaguita, Mike Hanopol, Pepe Smith and the rest expressed excitement over their forthcoming concert. They all said they are doing it for Boss Vic who has succeeded in staging concerts featuring, among others, the “Golden Divas” Carmen Soriano, Pilita Corrales and Carmen Patena; the “Jukebox Queens” Imelda Papin, Claire dela Fuente and Eva Eugenio, and the “Hitmakers” Rico J. Puno, Nonoy Zuñiga, Rey Valera, and Marco Sison.

Sampaguita recalled her “glory days,” first as a model under then First Lady Imelda Romualdez-Marcos’ Bagong Anyo, then as a singer. She “retired” when life became “too dangerous, with sex, drugs and rock and roll, rock until you drop,” she laughed. “But no regrets at all. I didn’t do anything I knew I’d regret. I did what I love to do,” she explained as she added that “our generation was the age of awareness. Parang high school experience like ‘Glee.’ But unlike ‘Glee,’ we weren’t choreographed.”

When she stepped out of the limelight, Sampaguita got into other productive endeavors like interior designing, painting, sewing, and even baking, would you believe. You can’t imagine how much talent she had in addition to singing which was put on hold for a while.
By the way, tickets to the “Ugat the Concert” are now available at all SM Ticketnet outlets and at the Araneta Coliseum.

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Star-studded 10th anniversary bash

As they say, better late than never. We’re referring to the 10th anniversary bash of Infinite Ideas which we are writing about only this time. We apologize to Infinite Ideas chairman and founder Gelo R. Serrano.

Anyway, about the star-studded and momentous event that happened at the Rockwell Tent, Icel Argana, managing director of Infinite Ideas and its sister company Excite, said “this event is our way of thanking our clients and partners for being with us for the past 10 years.”

The event was hosted by Tuesday Vargas, Drew Arellano and Iya Villania. Performers were G-Force, Vhong Navarro, Billy Crawford, Jed Madela and Joanna Ampil who flew in from London. Rowell Santiago orchestrated the program.

Among the stars and special guests included Aga Muhlach, Tirso Cruz III and wife Lyn, Amy Austria, Yayo Aguila, Rayver Cruz, Jackie Aquino, Duke Ventura, Nikki Gil and Cebu Rep. Cutie del Mar.

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Musical matriarch marks 80th birthday

Mrs. Lita Alejar Faustino, beloved mom of renowned musical directors/arrangers Mon and Tek Faustino, recently marked her 80th birth anniversary at the Manila Polo Club’s Cameron Forbes. Looking ageless and elegant, the celebrator wore a simple red and white ensemble.

The Japanese buffet lunch was followed by a program where guests were asked to render a song or two. The highlight was gospel singer Tricia Amper-Jimenez’s rendition of “Light Of A Million Mornings.” Another performer was Lita’s eldest daughter Emy, who serenaded the audience with “The Very Thought Of You.”

Lita’s friends – Lillian Pickard (founder of the Rhapsody Club), Sally Roldan, Zeny Bonifacio, Grace Tanchangco, Nene de Guzman and Viring Ongkeko – also sang for the celebrator, and Lita in response, sang “Ikaw.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 6, go to Shaina Magdayao of Star Magic, noted PR practitioners Edd Fuentes, Joy Buensalido and Rene Nieva, Dr. Raul Guanzon, Dona Rufina Saldana, Leonarda Camacho, Bong Obligacion, Letty Caparros, Clara Francesa Tagasa, Michael Bermundo, Mely Tuazon-Rubiano, Manu H. Pili, Gee-Ann Abrahan of Star Magic and MB’s Pinky Colmenares… Condolence to the family of Cely Kalaw who passed away last Nov. 3... Sir Raminad “Hang Time” Ong of Friday’s Morato won the top prize, his third, at the recent T.G.I.Friday’s Bartending Competition. A culinary arts student and self-trained bartender, Ram was 1st runner-up at the Asian Bartending title in Taiwan in 2008.