Having been in the Philippine music industry since 2003 after winning the Star for a Night competition, 21-year-old Pilipina singer and actress Sarah Geronimo has broken many records throughout her career:
- Box Office Queen for her 2008 film A Very Special Love with John Lloyd Cruz
- Female Concert Performer of the Year, 2008-2009
- 2nd Most Beautiful Pilipina, 2007 (Starmometer.com)
- …and more
The powerhouse performer showed her Chicago kababayans just how she broke those records on June 4, 2010 in her Record Breaker Concert at the Copernicus Theatre. Joining her were fellow singing competition contestants Erik Santos (Star in a Million, Season 1), Charlie Green (Britain's Got Talent, Season 2 First Runner-Up), Jimmy Marquez (Search for the Star in a Million, Season 2 Second Runner-Up), and actor/dancer/host John Prats.
With such Philippine household names along for the ride, it's no wonder why the tour is called "Record Breaker."
"May (There's) thrill and excitement tomorrow," said Erik Santos at the Chicago press conference on Thursday, June 3. "Talagang record-breaking yung mga performances ‘to. (The performances are really record-breaking.)"
Sarah added, "You really have to be there."
The performers were clearly in a good mood at the Chicago press conference held at the Wyndham Hotel in Glenview, and for good reason!
"Siyempre, very excited po kami to see our kababayan sa Chicago (Of course, we're very excited to see our fellow Pilipinos in Chicago)," said Sarah. "We all are blessed."
Particularly blessed were Charlie Green and Erik Santos. Charlie's new Album, "A Friend Like Me," was just released in the Philippines and is set for release in the U.S. next month under the title, "Let It Be." Charlie sang a sample of The Beatles' "Let It Be," only making it to the first line before confessing, "I forgot the words!" But with that British accent, those dimples, and those adorable brown eyes, who can't forgive him?
Erik, on the other hand, was constantly getting pats on the back and congratulations for recently graduating.
"The fulfillment is more meaningful," said Erik. "May natapos ka even though you're sobrang busy (You finished something even though you were very busy)."
Not to be left out, John Prats and Jimmy Marquez joked about their acts for the concert. John, who blushed when his fellow performers changed his nickname from the "Prince of Dance" to the "King of Dance", joked, "'Di ako magdadance (I'm not gonna dance). I'll sing at the concert." Jimmy said, "I'm not going to sing. Magehehsay writing ako tomorrow (I'm going to write essays tomorrow)."
Thankfully, neither stayed true to their word. When the lights dimmed, three opening acts (all from Chicago, of course) took the stage to get Chicago's Pilipino community excited in anticipation. First up was Jason, singing an original that made the ladies in the audience swoon. Chicago's very own singing priest, Father Joel, kept the swoon going singing Christian Bautista's "Nasaan Ka Man" and Julie London's jazzy blues ballad "Cry Me a River." Closing out the opening acts was Manny Garcia, performing his new EP's title track, "Come With Me" and Regine Velasquez's "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw."
With a bass-pumping intro, the Popstar Princess stormed the stage with renowned Philippines-based dance crew G-Force, performing the title song of her concert "Record Breaker" and the Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling," getting the audience into the mood. John Prats kept the energy going, running through the crowds (causing two of my ates to scream and lunge for him) and dancing with the male dancers from G-Force.
Not one to disappoint her fans, Sarah sang a medley of the title songs from her two record-breaking movies with John Lloyd Cruz, A Very Special Love and You Changed My Life. She was then joined by Britain's Got Talent first runner-up Charlie Green, who despite being 13-years-old flawlessly crooned his way into all the ladies' hearts singing Neil Sedaka's "Diary" and the famous jazz song "On the Sunny Side of the Street."
Later on in the show, Erik Santos and Jimmy Marquez joined Sarah on stage for a high-energy, big-band medley rendition of the Pilipino classics, "Hahabol-Habol/Katakataka," with help from the G-Force dancers. As Erik took the stage solo, the Prince of Pop tugged on the hearts of the TFC soap opera viewers in the audience while singing a medley of songs by singer-songwriter and musical director Rey Valera, best known for composing music for Pilipino teleseryes and movies.
When Sarah returned to the stage, she also sang a medley of songs by fellow famous songwriter and composer Louie Ocampo, included "Tell Me," the song made famous be Lea Salonga. Sarah ended the show with her Greatest Hits medley, which included songs such as "Forever is Not Enough" and Celine Dion's "To Love You More."
Being the singing and dancing powerhouses that they are, a mere description of these record-breaking performances is simply not enough. Check out the accompanying pictures and videos from Sarah Geronimo's Record Breaker Concert Live in Chicago!
Related Links
- My Sarah Geronimo: Record Breaker Concert in Chicago Playlist
- Other videos from Sarah Geronimo's Record Breaker Concert in Chicago
Special Thanks to Bboy Mangubat and Jovie Calma-Santos.
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