By Evelyn C. Diao
In his more than four decades in the music industry, romantic balladeer Marco Sison gears up as he pays tribute to OPM that shaped music scene through the years in his forthcoming concert on July 25 to be held at The Theater at Solaire.
Dubbed “Seasons of OPM”, this will be Marco’s first major concert where he will showcase a different repertoire that his followers and fans have not seen him perform in the past.
During his mediacon held recently in Quezon City, Marco narrated his musical journey where he had non-stop wins from the time he joined the contest on “Student Canteen until he became a recording artist and a hit maker at that.
As he looked back, Marco considers he is lucky to be where he is now. “I consider myself lucky to have such hit songs which I did not expect,” he said. He recalls that when the song “Make Believe” was offered to him, he was quite hesitant to record it because as a young man then, he wanted a song he would be comfortable singing. Yet, he recorded it, and he was thankful it became a hit.
When Nonoy Tan asked him again to record a song he composed for his late wife, “My Love Will You Through”, still, Marco was somewhat adamant until Nonoy told him, “kung ayaw mo ibibigay ko sa iba,” so he recorded it and we all know how that song has fared in the tin pan alley during that time, until it became a national anthem in various karaoke joints, a musical piece in singing contests even to this day. Marco was more than delighted with the result and so thankful he gave in to Nonoy Tan’s offer.
One hit after another followed, like “Always”, an upbeat song “Si Aida, si Lorna at si Fe”, which he also didn’t like at first, until another threat that it would be offered to somebody else. “Laging may threat, eh! Pero wala akong regrets kasi luckily, nag-hit din,” Marco laughingly said.
He attributes all his achievements to luck, and of course, how he has been taking care of himself and how he has built a pretty good relationship with his fans and followers whom he never denied a selfie with, with a ready smile despite being shy and timid at times.
Having known Marco for quite some time, from my first interview when he was still 23, this romantic balladeer has stood the test of time in showbiz and still thrives, all because of how he has been dealing with people with the innate kindness of his heart.
In this forthcoming concert, musically directed by Louie Ocampo, Marco believes his voice is better now, with a wider spectrum, his range is higher than before and has learned a lot through the years. “I think I am a better singer than before, more courageous,” he confidently said leaving off his timidity behind.
Call it a breakthrough when Marco was caught on the spot and was asked to dance on It’s Showtime. “Pinasayaw ako ng pinasayaw. Hindi akalain ng tao na kaya kong gawin, sinabihan lang ako ni Jackie na ‘Sir Marco, sundan mo lang ako, hindi mahirap ang steps na gagawin, pero Diyos ko, mahirap na steps pala! Alam mo yung ganun? Kakaiba, so ayun. Naka-23 millions views yun ha?”, he proudly said.
There will be new numbers Marco will render in this concert like doing songs popularized by Gen Zs, which he admitted are quite upbeat than his songs albeit he has rehearsed them with constant familiarization.
He will be joined by another balladeer Martin Nievera who, he acknowledges as being too kind to assist him, the super comedic Vice Ganda, who he never had a hard time asking if he could guest in his show, which only started in a small banter during his “hurado” moment on It’s Showtime.”
“Vice was supposed to have a concert with Regine Velasquez, pero he said yes after niya ma-check and schedule niya. Sobrang helpful niya,” Marco thankfully expressed.
His fellow “Great Hitmakers” Nonoy Zuniga and Rey Valera will be on hand of course in this concert as this will also be a tribute to the two Great Hitmakers who have gone from earth to eternity—Rico J. Puno and Hajji Alejandro.
Also asked if they—he, Nonoy and Rey—would find a replacement for them, Marco stressed that the two are irreplaceable. They may hold shows but they would rather just have female artists with them, just like what they had with Pops Fernandez.
This concert will not only be nostalgic moments, but Marco’s gifts to his fans. Produced by Jham Entertainment and Toplex Advertising, tickets are sold at Ticketworld and at Solaire.
