JESSICA SANCHEZ

COLTON DIXON

Arguably one of the top concert attractions this Valentine season is the debut solo show of international pop star Jessica Sanchez today, Feb. 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Billed as “Jessica Sanchez Live In Concert,” the musical event is in fulfillment of the promise made by the 17-year-old vocal powerhouse to return following her successful concert in Manila last year, together with her fellow “American Idol” Top 10 finalists.

To be featured as special guest in the Valentine offering from Ovation Productions is Jessica’s fellow finalist Colton Dixon, who has earned some degree of popularity himself in Manila, especially among the female fans, since his initial appearance here.

Another factor that contributes to widespread interest in the concert is that Jessica’s mother is from Samal, Bataan who married a Mexican-American. Of late, renewed attention has also been drawn to Jessica with the recent opening of Season 12 of “AI” which features a new panel of judges that includes Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban who have joined the only remaining original judge, Randy Jackson.

Recently, Jessica made waves with the release of the music video for “Jump In,” featuring apl.de.ap of the Black Eyes Peas, to be followed by the launch this year of the first single off her debut album for 19 Recordings/Interscope Records and by the release of a CD in May.

Jessica will make her US television debut with her forthcoming appearance in the fourth season of ”Glee,” the hit musical-comedy-drama TV series on FOX Television, where she is rumored to play the lead of a rival show facing off against New Directions in the regional competitions

(“Jessica Sanchez Live In Concert!” is presented by Smart. It is produced by Ovation Productions in cooperation with ETC, 2nd Avenue, Diva Universal, Jack TV, RJ 100.3 FM, History Channel, Discovery Channel and Edsa Shangri-La Manila. The media partners are Manila Bulletin, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Mellow 94.7, Easy Rock 96.3 and 97.9 Home Radio.)

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‘Foursome,’ More Than Just Beautiful Songs

Definitely the most romantic Valentine’s Day show this year is “Foursome” because it features not only beautiful and touching love songs but because it stars four romantic persons, two who are no longer a couple but once was a most endeared one as such: Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez; and the other, lovebirds Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez.

The four are excited to sing once more their beautiful songs for their fans and supporters. There are just so many of them, Martin said, so there will be a lot of medleys. “We’ll be changing partners while singing our songs; we’ll do many medleys and production numbers.”

They are even more inspired to go onstage tonight (at the SM Mall of Asia Arena) because ticket sales to the show has been brisk. Because of this, the producers (GMA Network, Cacai Vasquez-Mitra, Ana Puno of Star Media, and Pops Fernandez) now plan to bring the show to key cities of the country and even to the US and other foreign countries.

What would also be most interesting to watch out for tonight are the costume changes of Pops and Regine. “Every time we come out the audience will of course expect us to look different,” Pops said. The audience won’t be disappointed because some of the country’s top designers, among them Paul Cabral, and Rajo Laurel, are providing their gowns.

“Foursome” is sponsored by Chrysler, Meralco, Fila, Farlin and Coca-Cola.

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TV Host Offers Valentine Treat To JAM Passengers

For this love month, watch out for the special Valentine’s cookies to be given away by JAM Liner at their flagship terminal in Buendia this Feb. 14. No less than Ms. Nancy Reyes-Lumen, TV show host and celebrity foodie, will bake the delicious cookies.

Here’s some good news, too. A GMA-7 news reporter’s wallet with IDs and cash was returned by JAM Liner conductor Jessie Cicat of Bus 891, Batangas-Cubao route. (Cicat was recently named JAM Liner’s “Best Over-All Conductor,” alongside Maximo Fernandez who was recognized as “Best Over-All Driver.”)

Also cited for honesty was conductor Resty Malinao of Bus 936 who returned an expensive digital SLR camera to its owner, a frequent JAM Liner passenger on the Lemery-Buendia route. Likewise, conductor Rey Arrojo found a high-end smartphone on the LRT-Tayabas route, also left by a passenger, and returned it to its owner, also a regular on the bus line.

JAM Liner has been renewing its efforts to enhance passenger services through a series of year-round workshops and awards.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 14, go to Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile, Princess Monjera Alonto Disini, Kris Aquino, Rico J. Puno, Heart Evangelista, John Prats, Donna Cruz-Larrazabal, Noreen Marbella, Remedios M. Llave, Joanne Lorenzana, Maricel B. Mendoza of DepEd-Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo National High School-Imus, Rosa King, George Tagle, Lenny Tulio, Jet Manansala, Maira Luz Chua, Mrs. Jovith Balbanero, Chi Bayani and Maryjane Allanigue of PCSO PR Dept., Love Joie G. Juan, Annabelle V. Francisco, Victoria R. Velasco, Mandy Navasero, Ana Acelajado, Daniel Montes, Efmarie Martinez, and Roxanne Guinoo... Happy wedding anniversary to US-based Ernesto and Haydee Talampas (nee Lagana)...