SERGIO MENDES

MANILA, Philippines—The curtains go up at 8 tonight (April 24) at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum for a show dubbed as “Sergio Mendes & Brasil 2012 Live In Manila,” which will spotlight the bossa nova legend from Brazil as he showcases his wonderful and easy-listening sound and style that made him the most popular musician in South America and an international star in the past 50 years.

Mendes will treat the audience to a string of great bossa nova hits, such as “Mas Que Nada,” “Constant Rain (Chove Chuba),” “For Me,” “Night And Day,” “The Look Of Love,” “Fool On The Hill,” “Scarborough Fair,” “Pretty World,” “Never Gonna Let You Go,” “Rainbow’s End,” “Olympia” and many others.

After forming his own group, Sexteto Bossa Rio and recording “Dance Moderno” on the Philips Record label, Mendes moved in 1964 to the US where he organized Brasil ’65 and recorded for Capitol Records.

It was as Brasil ’66 that his band achieved instant success following the release on A&M Records of its self-titled debut album that featured a mix of light jazz, a bossa nova beat and contemporary soft pop melodies. The LP rose to Number 6 nationally on account of the strong performance of the single, “Mas Que Nada.”

Mendes attained mainstream prominence when he performed the Oscar-nominated Burt Bacharach and Hal David song, “The Look Of Love,” on the Academy Awards.

From 1968 onwards, Mendes was concededly the biggest star in the world of music, riding on a wave of immense international popularity and performing on a variety of venues, from stadium arenas to the White House, where he gave concerts for both Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon.

“Sergio Mendes & Brasil 2012 Live In Manila!” is presented by Ovation Productions in association with Imarflex, Philippine Airlines, 2nd Avenue, Diva Universal, Talk TV, Universal Channel, Edsa Shangri-La Manila and RJ 100.3 FM.

It is also supported by Manila Bulletin, Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, Crossover 101.5, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Radio High 105.9 FM, Mellow 94.7, 97.9 Home Radio, OptimaSignsolutions and ABS-CBN.

Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets located at SM Department Stores and at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum ticket office.

• • •

‘Pusong Bato’ Still 

A Much Requested Song

Though recorded several years back, the song “Pusong Bato” is still making waves on the airlanes.

“I’m so happy about it,” singer-actress Aimee Torres said. The song was the carrier of her album entitled “Aimee Torres: Pusong Bato.”

The album featured 10 songs, among which was “Sana’y Laging Birthday” and “Silang Nasa Ibayong-Dagat,” very popular among OFW families.

But fans were wondering why Aimee was, for a while, absent from the limelight. We were informed that she is planning for a grand comeback in the form of a concert, maybe at the Music Museum.

Aimee honed her singing prowess at the weekly “Celebrity Night” of the National Press Club, where I served as its chairperson for several years. Among those who “grew up” there were Imelda Papin and Rico J. Puno.

Aimee is not veering away from showbiz, but she had to attend to a very important spiritual obligation, the construction of the Archdiocesan Shrine of Nuestra Señora de Guia at M. H. del Pilar St. cor. Flores St., Ermita Manila.

Aimee is coordinating the construction, with Arch. Joseph A. Palafox, AIA, UAP, donating his professional services.

The shrine is owned by the Diocese of Manila, with His Excellency Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, Fr. Sanny de Claro, Sr. Cora San Diego, and Tony Ramirez.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 24, go to former DOLE Sec. Pat Sto. Tomas, Amb. Raul Goco, columnist Mons Romulo Tantoco, Norma Ledesma, Alicia Lim, Joey Ting, Michelle Daniella M. Dee, Marvin J. Villegas, twins Hershey and Hazel Hermano, Nolita Natividad-Valdez, Rosemarie Ferrer of Bais City, Atty. Jesus Santiago, Christopher Silan of Queens Village, New York, and “Unang Hirit’s” Lhar Santiago…