Leo Valdez

MANILA, Philippines -- “The Engineer” Leo Valdez of “Miss Saigon” stages a grand musical production, “Broadway Showstoppers,” on Sept. 27, 2011 at the Resorts World Manila (RWM).

Guests are Audie Gemora, Joanna Ampil, Cris Villongco, Pinky Amador, Pinky Marquez, Debraliz Valazote and Atasha Muhlach.

Leo said he has grown more eager to perform in a big concert in the Philippines.

A few years back, he performed in a major concert in Manila, “The Engineer and the Vamp” with Verni Varga.

The growth and development of Leo Valdez as an entertainer took several years, starting as a “haranis-ta” or serenader during lunch and dinner at a Via Mare restaurant in Greenbelt, Makati sometime in l976.

The marketing consultant then of Via Mare was Trining Morelos who brought him in as the “haranista.” When the biggest opportunity in the entertainment world came, he easily passed the audition for the top role of the Engineer in “Miss Saigon.”

Since then, Leo has become an icon in musicals and stage plays. His first single, “Magsimula Ka,” earned for him recognition.

While performing abroad, there were times he would yearn for Filipino food like “kare-kare,” and in London, he would often call a Filipino friend, Susan Martinez-Almontero, to cook for him “kare-kare,” whose “kare-kare” he said was the best he ever tasted. “It was so refreshing having Filipino food when you are in a foreign land,” he said.

This may be a revelation, but Leo really wanted to become an architect. But somehow, participating in singing contests redirected his path.

Westlife returns for a concert

The Irish group Westlife, composed of Shane Filan, Nickey Byrne, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily, is returning to the Philippines to stage a concert at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 29.

Westlife has released 10 multi-platinum albums, had 14 No. 1 hits in the UK alone and has sold over 44 million albums worldwide.

Hits include “Swear It Again,” “If I Let You Go,” “Flying Without Wings,” “Fool Again,” “My Love,” “World Of Our Own,” “Queen Of My Heart,” “Unbreakable,” “When You’re Looking Like That.”

Their cover songs such as “Mandy,” “Uptown Girl” and “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” were also huge.

“Westlife Live in Manila” is brought to you by DAYLY Entertainment. Tickets are available at Ticketnet.

Shinagawa Lasik Center turns one

Shinagawa Lasik and Aesthetic Center Philippines (located at The Enterprise Center, Ayala Ave. corner Paseo de Roxas, Makati City) turned one recently with a star-studded celebration.

Some of the well-known stars who have undergone Lasik treatment are Janice de Belen, Krista Kleiner, Ariel Rivera, Yasmien Kurdi and Raymond Gutierrez.

Among those who experienced Shinagawa’s various aesthetic services are Pops Fernandez, Ara Mina, Alice Dixon, Vivian Velez, Sunshine Cruz, Francine Prieto, Priscilla Mereilles, John Estrada, Rita Avila, Ate Glo, Jobelle Salvador, Jay-R, and Councilor Cristina G. Romualdez, among others.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Tuesday, Sept. 20, go to Ms. Imelda Cojuangco, Ms. Donna Villa, Susan Calo-Medina, Atty. Numeriano Tanopo of Dagupan City, Rey Langit, Lara Melissa de Leon, Ester Dimasupil, Malu Veloso, Zenaida A. Flores, Elaine Miranda, Angel Samson, Katherine Marte, Jessica Santos Herrera, Lydia Go Chua, California-based Vincent P. Tuazon, Balita’s Chit Ramos, Tempo’s Tessa Castillo and Erich Gonzales of Star Magic…