MANILA, Philippines — Megastar Sharon Cuneta gets 2012 off to an exciting start with a very special Valentine concert with Martin Nievera at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 11.

Titled “Once In A Lifetime,” the show marks the first time she will share the stage with the famous Concert King.

Although they were once both under contract with Vicor Records where they began their careers over thirty years ago, Sharon and Martin have never really done a concert together which was why Sharon instantly agreed to do the show when the idea was brought up by Viva Communications CEO Vic del Rosario, Jr.

“Martin has been a friend for a long, long time. He is the ninong of my daughter Miel. I’ve always thought that there are a lot of similarities in the way Martin and I sing,” says Sharon. “I just do not know why we never had a show together or why we never recorded a duet. We seem to like the same songs and we even recorded them solo like ‘Ikaw,’ which I did first and which he later recorded. There is also ‘The Promise.’ We have our own versions. Now we will do the duet at the concert.”

Making up for that lost time, Sharon and Martin also recorded a duet which will be among the highlights of the show. This “Once In A Lifetime,” a song expressly composed and produced for the occasion by Vehnee Saturno with lyrics written by Martin himself. The song also marks Sharon’s return to Viva as a recording artist and where she is now working on a new album.

They will also perform many of their hits like “To Love Again,” “Say That You Love Me,” “Now That You’re Gone” as well as the songs that their fans have been longing to hear them sing together like “The Last Time I Felt Like This,” “Ikaw” and “The Promise.”

Sharon comes to “Once In A Lifetime” after nearly two years away from the local concert stage, while Martin will cap one of his most successful years as a performer with the Valentine show.

A Viva Concerts & Events Production in partnership with Mega Productions, Inc., “Once In A Lifetime” is presented by TV5 and Smart with co-presentor McDonald’s and media partners Manila Bulletin; Philippine Star; Business World; 105.1 Crossover; 94.7 Mellow; Radyo 5; and 101.1 Yes-FM, directed by Rowell Santiago with Louie Ocampo as musical director.

Tickets are priced at VIP P5,000; Patron A P4,500; Patron B P3,500; Lower Box P3,500; Upper Box A P1,500; and Upper Box B P800. Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets located at the SM Department Store Customer Service Area and at the Smart Araneta Coliseum ticket booths. Call Viva Concerts 687-7236 or Ticketnet 911-5555 for inquiries and reservations.

SM Cinema presents ‘Modern Heroes’

SM Cinema is launching its first “Big Shot Film Festival: Modern Heroes” on Jan. 25 to 31 at SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North EDSA, SM Manila and SM Cebu.

To be shown are three movies crafted by students who won in the SM Cinema’s Search for Students Filmmakers.

They are Archie Dimaculangan (UP) with his entry “Balang Araw,” Blanca Catbagan and Jose Antonio de Rivera (UP), “Suntok Sa Buwan,” and Krizzie Syfu (DLSU), “Tahanan.”

“Tahanan” stars young actress Lauren Young, Mark Gil, and child stars Sabrina Man, Miguel Tafelix and Khen Aldovino while “Balang Araw” stars Jao Mapa, Aleera Montalia, Shielbert Manuel, Tarhata Rico and Alex Vincent Medina. The film is Co-directed by Franne Cheska Ramos and Jono de Rivera, the movie star.

“Suntok Sa Buwan” Daniel Fernando, Nonie Buencamino and Joem Bascon, with film director Jim Libiran as the creative producer.

The three movies were chosen from 50 screenplays submitted to the SM Cinema’s Search for Student Filmmakers. SM Cinema provided P600,000 production money for the three entries.

Annie Brazil at Merk’s Place

Asia’s Queen of Jazz Annie Brazil takes center stage on Feb. 1, 8 and 15 at Merk’s Place. Regarded by her contemporaries as the grand dame of Pinoy Jazz for her unique voice and singing style, she recently performed at the 4th Annual San Francisco Filipino American Jazz Festival returns to the Historic Filmore Jazz District.

Other featured artists at Yoshi’s SF were Winston Raval, Lena Sunday, Ann Marie Santos and SF Pinoy Jazz Quartet with Rey Cristobal, Ben Luis, Melecio Magdaluyo and Richard Aguon. She has jammed with jazz greats Duke Ellington, Lionel Hampton, Ellis Marsalis and Sarah Vaughan.

Annie will also perform in a Valentine’s show at Merk’s titled, “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” on Feb. 14. Reservations are required, P900 inclusive of dinner and wine.

Jazz vocalist Jacqui Magno performs on Jan. 25, Feb. 22 and 29 in “Jammin’ with Jacqui” with Emcy Corteza and talented session artists.

Merk’s Place is located at 2F Colbella Arcade, 910 Arnaiz Avenue (Pasay Road), Makati City.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 24, go to Jeremias Montemayor, Lourna Kalaw-Tirol, Pacita de Guzman, Dr. Nellie Acosta, Dr. Marilyn Alentajan, Zebedee Zuniga, Fe Rodriguez, Mely Cheek of London, Danny Boy D. Martinez of New York, Chona Sevilla, Rachelle Arnaldo, Bernie Buenaseda, Maria Paz Arambulo Tolentino, Monica Galima, Maries Soliman, and Mrs. Minnie Seneres…