They were once upon a time a romantic couple who were about to get married, but things didn’t work out for Dingdong Avanzado and Rachel Alejandro, being young and quite immature then. “It wasn’t meant to be,” Rachel said when we asked why they split. “But it’s all right because I’ve seen how happy Dingdong and Jessa (Zaragoza) are in their marriage.”

It is recalled that after three years of being together, Dingdong and Jessa ended their relationship and went on with their separate lives. But because of their profession, they would every now and then cross paths, and so their separation wasn’t as painful as some couples would have experienced.

Something beautiful even came out of their separation. On the day Dingdong moved out of their place, Rachel’s sister found a letter which he wrote for Rachel. After reading it, she was so touched she cried, Rachel said. When she herself read the letter (which was in English, “alam niyo naman si Dingdong, englisero yan.” Rachel said), she was herself moved, and she told herself it could be made into a song.

That was how “Paalam Na” was born. The song won the Awit Award for “Song of the Year” and “Best Ballad Recording of the Year” in 1995. “The lyrics were by Dingdong and the music was mine,” Rachel said. And this is why they named their reunion concert “Music & Lyrics.” This will be held tomorrow night at the Metro Bar along West Ave. in Quezon City. Showtime is 9:30 p.m.

Dingdong was asked how he was able to convince Jessa to allow him to do a reunion concert with his ex-flame. “Arnold, my manager, talked to her first na dapat lang naman, about the project. When she agreed, pinag-usapan na namin ang show,” he said.

Their reunion concert (their first to share the stage in a major concert after 14 years, although in the US, Rachel had guested in some of Dingdong and wife Jessa’s shows) was conceived by their managers, Girlie Rodis and Arnold L. Vegafria. “This was supposed to be a Valentine concert, but we didn’t have the time for it. Besides, there were a number of foreign performers here for the Valentine season. Saka to mount a show, pinag-iisipan talaga,” Rachel said. “Lahat may panahon, and now is the time for it,” referring to their reunion concert.

Considering their stature in the industry, and being both great achievers (Dingdong was a multi-platinum singer/songwriter, and Rachel was a two-time Awit Awardee and actress, too) “Music & Lyrics” will indeed be a very interesting show to watch.

They will be singing their hit songs and some of the songs representative of their era – the late, 80s and the, 90s when they became two of OPM’s well-loved icons. Dingdong is remembered for writing such hit songs as “Tatlong Beinte Singko,” “Maghihintay Sa ,Yo,” “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal” and “Basta’t Kasama Kita” to cite just a few. Rachel, on the other hand, is known for the songs “Mr. Kupido,” “K.S.P. (Kulang sa Pansin),” “Kay Tagal,” “Bulag sa Katotohanan,” “Much Longer” and “Nakapagtataka.”

Presented by ALV Events International and GR Creative Exchange, “Music & Lyrics” is sponsored by Bioessence Skin Slimming Spa and Liempo Boy. Tickets are available at all Ticketnet and Ticketworld outlets.

Singer-actress now a proud mom!

Singer-actress Shermaine Santiago, who’s a co-host and regular in German Moreno’s “Walang Tulugan” show, is now a proud mom to her and Neil Eugenio’s three-month-old son Tristan Reefe. The boy was baptized recently by Fr. Steve Tyran at the St. Benedict Church in Don Antonio Heights in Quezon City.

Principal godmother was Betchay Perez Nakpil, while principal godfather was Douglas Ramsy. The other ninangs/ninongs were Jackielou Blanco, Aileen Eugenio, Dr. April Cheryl S. Macugay, Mrs. Douglas Ramsy, Christopher Perez de Venecia, Mr. and Mrs. Jaypee de Guzman, Lyn Tamayo and Direk Pat Perez.

Reception was held at Albergus la Piazza in Capitol Hills, Diliman, Quezon City. Shermaine and Neil were products of Kuya Germs’ “That’s Entertainment.”

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 6, Gretchen Barretto, Sony/BMG exec. Rudy Tee, Mark R. Ablaza, Vicky Amalingan, Roberto Reyes, Meden Espino, Norma Williams, Felicidad Tabios, Robald Castillon, Anacleta Rubang-Velasco and Archie Alemania…Happy wedding anniversary to Alex and Ana Cayabyab… Belated happy b-day greetimgs to MB's Sharon Sze (March 4)...