For an e-concert dubbed OPM Live, it was fitting that it trained the spotlight on the classic compositions of prolific hitmaker Vehnee Saturno who is marking his 40th year in the industry.
The new normal concert staged by The Wishfuls last Oct. 25 naturally made a big impression on the songwriting stalwart who had to contend with the effects of pandemic in celebrating his career milestone.
"Thankful ako sa ginawa niyo sa akin to showcase the hit songs I wrote," expressed the former Metropop grand prize winner who went on to become a record producer and now owns a recording studio/music label bearing his trademark name.
The Saturno tribute featured the girl group singing his known songs as well as guest stars performing their respective hits which he composed. Concert King Martin Nievera sang "Be My Lady" and Jessa Zaragoza interpreted "Bakit Pa?"
On air, Nievera told Vehnee, "I am so blessed to have you as a friend during the time when I was a nobody. You trusted me with your song and I'm thankful for that."
Other seasoned guests included Jaya, JayR, Dingdong Avanzado, and Sheryn Regis who joined The Wishfuls in the Saturno playlist finale. The show became the second trending Twitter topic of the night as 18,000 viewers joined the online happening. Breakthrough and Milestones Productions International (BMPI), Inc., which handles The Wishfuls, partnered with communication app QONEQ to deliver the spectacle that saw its talent appear in a classily-designed concert stage set-up at La Verdad College Auditorium in Caloocan.
"OPM is resilient in these hard times so The Wishfuls warmly paid homage to the hits we grew up with and continue to love and cherish," said BMPI Talent Center specialist Adjes Carreon.
The Wishfuls are composed of belters from Wish 107.5’s online singing competition Wishcovery. Members include Princess Sevillena, Kimberly Baluzo, Louie Anne Culala, Carmela Ariola, Ace Bartolome, and Rhea Basco. Their popularity among music fans have made them a huge draw during pre-pandemic shows at the Araneta Coliseum and in Dubai, UAE. They also performed with even bigger stars in Wish Music Awards, the Songs for Heroes in MOA Arena, and the 90’s Upload, also in Dubai.
Their triumphant series of performances resulted in them participating in the local reality talent competition Your Moment aired over then free TV giant ABS-CBN.
The Wishfuls also scored a platinum record award after the release of their album Wishful 5 Journey distributed by Star Music. Last year, the group was applauded at a show of BMPI talents titled This Is The Time.
BMPI is making a strong head start in helping revive the live show scene through online concerts. Its recent concert featuring the trio Bradz drew 15,000 livestream viewers.
Carreon added, “BMPI, Inc. is now set to stage more virtual events in the coming months for other signed Filipino artists."
Indeed, OPM is alive.