No grand production number, no elaborate stage design. But that’s not how thousands of people who trooped to the CSI Stadia in Dagupan City would remember GMA Entertainment Content Group and GMA Regional TV’s production, 3 Stars, 1 Heart. Instead, they would remember it as a showcase of world-class music talents that an international audience needs to see.
Regine Velasquez, Julie Anne San Jose, and Christian Bautista delivered a spirited series of performances last Saturday highlighting a plethora of timeless covers, OPM classics, and well-love hits.
The powerhouse trio brought their 3 Stars, 1 Heart concert series to Pangasinan’s first class city in time for the annual Bangus Festival. They sang together, blended in duets and showcased their amazing vocals and own music catalogue solo set.
The show’s opener was a medley of U2’s “Pride (In The Name Of Love),” Gloc-9’s “Sirena,” and Bamboo’s “Hallelujah” with Julie Anne showcasing her rapping skill. The crowd erupted in applause when they ended the prod with a powerful rendition of Little Mix’s “Secret Love Song.”
First to perform solo was Christian featuring his jazzy affair with Nat King Cole’s “Smile,” and Frank Sinatra’s “Come Fly With Me.” He punctuated his number with his latest single “Kapit” by going down the stage to serenade the audience.
Then, Regine and Julie Anne went back onstage and introduced the next portion of their show. Regine chatted with the crowd and said that all of them were products of singing contests and they’re glad to share with them the songs that launched their respective recording careers.
For her part, Regine sang a soulful version of “In Your Eyes,” her winning piece in Ang Bagong Kampeon (1984). Julie Ann belted out Christina Aguileira’s inspirational ballad “The Voice Within,” which made her the grand champion in the second edition of Pop Star Kids. Christian, on the other hand, sang his signature cover of Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up,” which he performed in Star In A Million in 2003.
Christian went backstage and left Regine and Julie Anne to do the first duet of the night. The seasoned singer sang a new single, a cover of UDD’s “Tadhana,” while the younger chanteuse was on the piano doing the backing for the Songbird.
Amazed by her young counterpart’s skill, Regine complimented Julie Ann saying that she admires the young singer for being a versatile music artist and encouraged her to write more songs.
“For some reason, that’s the only thing that I cannot do…write songs. It’s a gift,” she said.
“Actually up until now, I feel nervous whenever I do a duet with Ate Regine. It’s a surreal feeling just to share the stage with her,” Julie Anne retorted in vernacular.
The lavishly dressed belters sang a few songs that the Asia’s Songbird popularized including “Sana’y Maulit Muli,” “Ikaw,” “Dadalhin,” and “Ikaw ang Lahat Sa Akin.”
The second duet of the night then followed. This time, it’s Julie Anne and Christian. They both dished out enduring love ditties including “Suddenly,” “After All” and “I Finally Found Someone.”
Another highlight of the concert was a number that trained the spotlight on Pangasinan native Renz Robosa, who represented Luzon in the 2014 reality talent reality show Bet Ng Bayan. Robosa shared the stage with the three singers lending the song “The Prayer” an almost surreal feel.
With adrenaline still high, Regine and Christian did a duet of “Please be Careful with My Heart,” and was immediately followed by Julie Anne’s solo number. The 23-year-old singer waltzed onto the stage with her smash hit “Nothing Left” and left everyone amazed with her powerful version of the popular motion picture soundtrack, “Never Enough.”
Nearing the culmination of the two-hour show, the three huddled onstage for the “exchange hits” segment. Christian sang Julie Anne’s multi-platinum single “I’ll Be There.” Julie Anne performed Regine’s timeless love ditty “You Are My Song.” And lastly, Regine sprinkled Christian’s “The Way You Look At Me,” with her signature sound.
Then, for the last solo act of the night, the Asia’s Songbird hit the stage with a song that kept everyone on the edge of their seats. Calm yet powerful, and without any hint of vocal strain, she rendered a version of Michael Bolton’s “Go the Distance. “
For the show’s last stretch, Regine, Christian and Julie Anne paid tribute to George Canseco performing “Hanggang Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan,” “Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo,” “Ngayon At Kailanman,” and “Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan.”
Then finally, the stage exploded with a dynamic encore of Eraserheads set with the trio sashaying the centerstage with “Huling El Bimbo,” “Overdrive and “Magasin.”
3 Stars, 1 Heart will have its international debut on June 16 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
