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Magpasikat 2022: Team Karylle-Ogie celebrates love through a colorful, retro-inspired musical

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

Since both of them are singers and songwriters, many us arguably presumed that Karylle and Ogie Alcasid, who’s teaming up for the first time for Magpasikat, were going to give us a production number that has a lot of singing and even original compositions in it. And that hunch materialized on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/itsshowtime">It’s Showtime</a>’s episode on Friday, November 18, as they brought us the amusing and literally colorful retro-inspired musical titled “Dito Sa Puso Ko,” which featured the timeless and legendary music of Ogie himself. The trio of Nonong Balinan, Jerald Napoles, and Benj Manalo in multicolored ensembles enthusiastically welcomed us to “4EVER MALL,” the setting of this wonderful extravaganza that was totally popping in colors. It started off with Karylle’s perky performance of “NakakaLokal” along with the back-up dancers who were in vibrant retro outfits. Her pink and purple aerobics outfit, neon pink coverup, and colorful disheveled wig indeed matched the vibe of their production and of her character Mandy’s personality, too. Ogie then emerged onstage with a guitar, wearing a black and white suit and enormous wig that resembled his character Norman’s glum and bland life after the love of his life ghosted him. The trio introduced him as a musician who lost his hope and found it difficult to rise up from his misfortune, so people started calling him “Norman The Loser”. As they encouraged him to start finding his lost love, Norman serenaded everyone with his classic hit “Mahal Kita Walang Iba.” That indeed captured the heart of the ever-animated Mandy, who spoke to him about happy ending and forever even though he got his heart broken a lot of times. Benj, Jerald, and Nonong tried to help by hollering his past flames, with Regine Velasquez-Alcasid as the first one to heed the call. Cladded in a green dress, pink thigh-high boots, and white wig, she belted out “Hanggang Ngayon” as her character still harbors feelings towards Norman despite being “friend-zoned” by him. Just when she thought that the time had finally come for them, he told her that he loves her as a friend. The viewers were indeed amused when she mentioned Ogie’s ex-flames and wittily used the lyrics of her songs “Pangarap Ko Ang Ibigin Ka” and “Dadalhin” in her parting line. The second girl to respond to their call was Jolina Magdangal-Escueta, who was in a bright red and yellow dress and sang a lively version of “Nandito Ako,” as her way of reminding him that she’s there for him “as a friend.” Being the one who got “friend-zoned” this time, Norman uttered Jolina’s ever-popular line from a movie, uttering “I’m so stupid for making the biggest mistake of falling in love with my best friend.” As they summoned the woman who loved Norman for the third time, Melai Cantiveros-Francisco suddenly appeared behind the hurados who were sitting then among the live audiences. Norman and dancers performed blues and jazz versions of “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw,” which was followed by Melai’s performance of the Magandang Buhay OST along with her co-hosts Momshie Jolina and Momshie Regine. She was seemingly obsessed with him, so he had her “chicken nuggets-zoned”. Bituin Escalante then emerged onstage in a funky get-up, and was introduced as the woman who loved him, too, but circumstances were against them. She and Norman sang a mash-up of “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang” and “Pangako” to depict that they are “pinagtagpo pero ‘di tinadhana”. Just when he was already losing hope to find again the woman who left him, Mandy advised him that he must always give his all when it comes in love and “huwag kang susuko at iyong labanan, huwag kang bibitiw bigla,” which is derived from one of the songs of Spongecola, her husband Yael Yuzon’s band. As soon as Mandy finished singing what seemed to be a new composition about letting yourself to fall in love, a woman’s voice was heard on 4EVER Mall’s PA system, searching for Norman. It appeared to be Zsa Zsa Padilla, whose character Zaza is Norman’s long-lost love and Mandy’s mother. In a grand twist of fate, Mandy was revealed to be their daughter. The three wicked stepsisters of Zaza, portrayed by Ms Q&amp;A alums led by Brenda Mage, then arrived and expressed how they object to their relationship, even after more than two decades of taking her away from him. But this time, Zaza is determined to give their relationship a second chance as she still loves, as what the song “Sa Kanya” states. With the help of the people from “4Ever Mall” who drove them away, they were able to get their happy ending. Norman reprised “Mahal Kita Walang Iba,” but this time with his family. Benj, Jerald, and Nonong once again went back onstage to remind everyone that “forever” and “happy ending” cannot only be found between two people, but also among family, friends, community, and countrymen. Even though we tend to get scared or coward towards love, we must take the plunge and continue loving “dahil sa pag-ibig, walang talo”. The production capped off with the entire cast performing another Ogie Alcasid hit “Dito Sa Puso Ko,” which is also the title of their musical, as he switched to a multicolored costume. They also reprised “NakakaLokal” as the cast members took their bows. The camera also panned to their “super team,” the band, and back-up singers as a way of acknowledging their hardships and efforts. During the post-performance interview, Ogie revealed that it’s actually a dream of his for his discography to be turned into a musical. He almost fulfilled it, but the pandemic didn’t allow that to push through. And seemingly, it is really destined to materialize via Magpasikat 2022. He also disclosed how his journey is parallel with Norman’s, who is able to correct his mistakes and patch up the pieces of his life that he thought was already nonsense. Thus, he reminded the madlang people that “love always saves the day.” Furthermore, he also dedicates their performance to his mom, who will be celebrating her 90th birthday this month, as well as to God to whom He’s thankful for for allowing us to create art through which we inspire others and express ourselves. Karylle, on the other hand, divulged how grateful she is to Ogie for being the first producer of the first-ever song she released, as well as for believing in her capabilities and guiding her, which still serves as her driving force in creating music up to the present. “Dito Sa Puso Ko: The Musical” was written by distinguished playwright and Palanca Awardee Lally Bucoy, who also wrote “Ipis At Higad,” directed by PETA senior artist-teacher Norbs Portales, and choreographed by Dan Cabrera. Team Karylle-Ogie is the last group for this year’s Magpasikat 2022 and the winning team will be announced on Saturday, November 19. Whichever team wins this year’s competition will have a chance to donate Php 500,000 to their chosen charity. “TRESElebrate” marks the return of the traditional week-long It’s Showtime celebration, two years after it was only held for a day due to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The hurados for Magpasikat 2022 are John Arcilla, Baron Geisler, Pia Magalona, Janice de Belen, Darren Espanto, and ABS-CBN Foundation Head and Executive Director for Advocacy, Creative Programs Inc. President, and G Diaries host Ernie Lopez as the punong hurado.

Team Karylle-Ogie amused and delighted us with their retro-inspired musical featuring the timeless music of Ogie Alcasid for this year’s Magpasikat! 