"I’m sure a lot of people would want to see our show," Kuh, a self-confessed Platters fan, said. "The Platters had so many hits and certainly fellow Filipinos would love to hear these songs from one of the original members, Bobby Soul."

This concert is Kuh’s way of helping keep The Platters’ music alive for future generations, Kuh added.

Aptly titled "Music of The Platters and More," the show will be staged on March 25 and April 1 at the Captain’s Bar of the Mandarin Oriental Manila where Kuh and Pops Fernandez held their very successful back-to-back Valentine concert, "Let’s Talk About Love," so well-loved it was re-staged four times.

During the show, audiences can look forward to romantic renditions of some of The Platters’ greatest hits like "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "Only You." The latter song is enjoying resurgence in popularity after exPinoy Big Brother (PBB) Sam Milby recorded a pop-rock version that was used in the Koreanovela of the same title.

Among the numerous hit songs of The Platters include "Remember When," "Ebb Tide," "P.S. I Love You," "Who’s Sorry Now," "With This Ring," "I’ll See You in My Dreams," "Sweet Sweet Lovin’" and "Sincerely."

Bobby Soul, who now goes by the title "Bobby Soul of the Magic Touch," started singing when he was just six years old "and I’ll go on singing till I drop," he said with fervor in a recent interview at Good Earth Restaurant at Kuh and Precy Florentino’s Republic of Malate. He recalls he used to sing in the streets of Broadway until he became a gospel singer. He became one of The Platters in 1950, when he was 15 years old.

Bobby Soul has been based in Toronto, Canada ever since he went solo but he now wants to stay permanently in the Philippines with his Filipino wife Hermelinda and their 10-year-old daughter Tamika. Bobby has been coming back and forth to the country for various performances, a few times with Asia’s Queen of Songs, Ms. Pilita Corrales. At the moment, the Souls reside in Lemery, Batangas.

"I’d love to permanently stay here in the Philippines," Bobby said. "One of these days, I would like to do charity work for the street children. I would also like to record an album here."

Aside from being one of the original members of the world-famous The Platters, Bobby also made almost a hundred films, something not so well known among his Filipino fans. Among the Hollywood films he appeared in include "Bogus," "Extreme Measure" with Hugh Grant; "Mistrial" and "Women in Prison" where he played a prison guard.

His show with Kuh Ledesma is a rare treat that Bobby Soul is looking forward to with great enthusiasm. He has a special place in his heart for Filipinos, and a great respect for the talent of Kuh, whom he acknowledges as one of the country’s greatest performers.

Tickets to "Music of The Platters and More" are now available at the Music Museum and Mandarin Oriental Manila.

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From the pigeonhole:

Multi-awarded actor Christopher de Leon, actress-host Maricel Laxa-Pangilinan, respected newscaster Karen Davila, sportscaster Dyan Castillejo, and one of the most promising young talents and daughter of Kuh Ledesma, Isabella, are only some of the celebrities present at the ABS-CBN and The 700 Club Asia three-day TV Special (from March 13-15) shown after "Pinoy Big Brother Up Late."

In an unprecedented partnership with ABS-CBN, the country’s largest television network, The 700 Club Asia has launched a "Prayerthon" to rally as many Filipinos from across the world to join hands in prayer and bring before God our country’s concerns.

The recent series of crises and tragedies, including the Leyte mudslide, the fatal stampede at the ULTRA, rumors of an aborted alleged right-and-left wing conspiracy to topple the government, and the declaration of a State of National Emergency, weighed heavy on the hearts of both the ABS-CBN and The 700 Club Asia executives, thus, the launching of a three-day, one-hour special to air live from ABS-CBN Studio 1.

Televiewers will be called upon to pledge to pray and fast for the Philippines and form a massive "prayer shield" over the nation. The cry of the hour is for God to avert disaster, break the yokes of poverty, corruption and disunity, and bring revival to our land.

Through ABS-CBN’s global cable and satellite network, The Filipino Channel (TFC), this special will reach even our kababayans in North America and Europe.

Joining The 700 Club Asia host Peter Kairuz on these three days are guest celebrities Rio Locsin, Pinky de Leon, Cito Beltran, Isay Alvarez, Carmi Martin, Isabel Rivas, Audie Gemora, Felichi Pangilinan-Buizon, Joaquin Valdes, and many others.

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Fresh from successful shows in Armsterdam and Barcelona in Europe, Ogie Alcasid is all set to kick off his "Lumilipad" tour beginning tomorrow, March 16, in Bagaberde Roxas Blvd. and March 18 in Klownz Angeles, Pampanga.

The country’s top male recording artist and concert performer has just released his much awaited brand new album entitled "Lumilipad." So, why did Ogie name his CD "Lumilipad"?

"Because that is the feeling when you are in love. It’s like you’re in cloud nine. You’re flying on air," answers the singer/songwriter.

"Lumilipad’ is Ogie’s 13th studio album, and his fourth for Viva Records. This new album contains 14 tracks, most of which are composed by Ogie himself. The album’s title track is "Lumilipad Ako." The song is also the Bench theme song, and it is accompanied by a glossy music video which pairs Ogie for the first time with Lucy Torres-Gomez. The video marks the directorial debut of Ronnie Salvacion.

The album’s second track is a haunting love song called "Minamahal Kita." The new album also includes duets with the country’s top female recording artists. "Hindi Ko Na Kayang Masaktan Pa" features songbird Regine Velasquez and Ogie singing about unrequited love; "Tangi Kong Pangarap" has Ogie singing with Sarah Geronimo about innocent love; "Just A Prayer Away" features Rachelle Ann Go in a spiritual song about faith; and other duets.

Topnotch entertainment is ensured when Ogie mounts the stage in Bagaberde Roxas Blvd. and Klownz Angeles. "I am excited to perform again. Of course I will be singing my top hits but will be more than glad to introduce my brand new songs which I hope my fans & supporters will patronize," adds Ogie.

Ogie Alcasid’s "Lumilipad Bar Tour" is produced by SummitWorks headed by producermanager Manny Valera. "We are looking forward to all the shows of Ogie in our tour. I have always been a fan and I’ve been appreciative of all his talents. It’s always a joy watching him and more so, working with him," enthuses Manny.

"Lumilipad Tour’s" other schedules are March 23, in Metro Bar; March 30 in Bagaberde, Pasig; and April 29 in Klownz, Quezon Ave. All shows will feature upcoming new artist Lovi as special guest. Lovi will be releasing her single "Never Knew Love" sometime this month.

Sponsors of "Lumilipad" are Liveraide; Yes FM 101.1; Bagaberde (Pasig & Roxas Blvd); Klownz (Angeles & Quezon Ave.); and Metro Bar.

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Married to a good-looking and successful lawyer, Dave Puyat, and the youngest among five children of Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto Romulo and his lovely wife, Lovely Romulo, Berna Romulo-Puyat, at 30 something, can just relax and live a life of leisure. After all, her kids are of school age. They are also well-behaved. No need to tell anybody that her marriage (to Atty. Dave) is just pure bliss.

But, according to Berna, she grew up in family who like to share their blessings. Thus, with the blessings of husband Dave, she organized a foundation called BRP Foundation.

The first major project of the foundation, which took place in December last year, was a free computer training not only for the youth but also for their parents as well. Courses offered included Basic Application Software and PC Assembly Mainteinance and Trouble shooting.

Berna called the project the BRPAMA Computer Literacy Hub. Aside from the AMA University, which supplied the project, with abled computer instructors, the AMA Foundation, SB Youth of Mayor Sonny Belmonte and the Batang QC Foundation, also lent their support.

Last January, a total of 70 students (three-fourth of which are now gainly employed) were able to graduate from the Computer Hub in Barangay Vasra, where its Barangay Captain, Bobby Fortuno, had an air-conditioned room served as a school-room’s for the students.

At the graduation ceremony last January, Berna had her cousins Hero Bautista and Keempee de Leon joined her.

Because of the success of the VASRA Computer Hub, another computer hub was opened last Feb. 13 in Barangay Baesa.

May your tribe increase, Berna.

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Tidbits: Happy bday greetings today, March 15, go to Mrs. Teena Sarino, director Joey Gosiengfiao, Cecile C. Limjoco, Lourdes Medalla, New York-based CPA Ray S. Sampilo, Corazon P. Velasco of Solano, Nueva Vizcaya, Linda Asco, Josefa "Tita" Ejercito, Arnold Valdecañas and Bojo Molina...Happy wedding anniversary to Johnny and Baby Go of Cherry Hill Bakeshop...