RPN lets the laughter go on and on as it turns 44

Updated 11:35pm (Mla time) Aug 07, 2004
By Jocelyn Valle
Inquirer News Service

Editor's Note: Published on page C2 of the August 8, 2004 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer.


TALENT, more than star value, makes for a thoroughly entertaining show.

This was the thrust of RPN 9's anniversary concert, "Seriously Funny," held at the Aliw Theater Tuesday night. And a lot of talent was what the audience got.

The performers were Willie Nepomuceno, Andrew E., Ara Mina, April Boy Regino, Candy Pangilinan, Eugene Domingo, Giselle Sanchez, Toni Gonzaga, Patricia Ismael, Tuesday Vargas and Nolyn Cabahug, with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) and the Whiplash Dancers.

Willie Nep set the tone by opening the show as comedy king Dolphy, a former vaudeville performer who found stardom in movies and on television shows such as RPN's old gem, "John and Marsha." Right away, the audience warmed up for an enjoyable evening.

Andrew E jammed with the MPO with his instrument of choice-a mechanical typewriter placed on top of a white baby grand piano. He then sang the Salbakuta hit "Stupid Love," still with the classical musicians and their conductor, RodelColmenar.

Unlike in other concerts where the orchestra is relegated to the background, the MPO was part of the whole act of "Seriously Funny." Violinist Merjohn Lagaya, in fact, stole the thunder from singer Toni Gonzaga, whom he accompanied in her rendition of the Sharon Cuneta original, "Ikaw."

Clad in a trench coat a la "Matrix" and ad libbing, Merjohn was a budding comic finally discovered.

Eugene, who's popularly known as Lorelei in the fantaserye "Marina" in another network, belted out "Someone to Watch Over Me" and managed to squeeze in a few punch lines. She thanked RPN for giving her early acting jobs on the sitcoms "Ready na, Direk" and "Buddy and Sol."

Patricia, who used to work as a production assistant for RPN and now acts in several shows on other channels, did a schizophrenic rendering of Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles." How was that? Well, she was prim and proper in the slow part of the song, but suddenly turned frantic as the tempo became faster.

When April Boy started his spiel with an aside on William Hung and the orchestra started playing "She Bangs," it was obvious that he would be aping the "American Idol" wannabe, but somehow the jukebox king still did the number his own way.

Willie Nep proved he's the master mimic when he disappeared into several personas--from Erap to Cookie Monster, Popeye, Lone Ranger, Charlie Chaplin, to Marlon Brando and Kermit-all in one number.

Tuesday made the audience forget that she sang the current novelty hit, "Hindi Ako Bakla," with her rendition of a Larusso pop tune.

Ara Mina, however, failed in her attempt as a torch singer. She mumbled the words to, and lost the drift of, Linda Ronstadt's "I've Got a Crush on You."

Tenor Nolyn Cabahug dedicated "Vesti la guibba" ("On with the Motley"), an aria from "Pagliacci" (or "Clowns"), to all comedians. The MPO played a combination of music from serious and funny films-"Elephant Walk," "Charade," "Theme from the Pink Panther" and "Days of Wine and Roses."

"Seriously Funny" was RPN's way of celebrating its 44th year anniversary. The concert was taped as live at the Aliw Theater and will be shown tonight at 9.

"Comedy is a staple in RPN," Cerge Remonde, the network's chair and president, said in a speech. He cited as examples "John and Marsha," "Duplex," "Joey and Son" and "Buddy and Sol."

"And this is our way of giving a tribute to the artists of comedy especially those who've been part of RPN," he said. "Let the laughter and the wide smiles go on and on."

And although the likes of Nida Blanca, who led the slide show during the concert, are already gone, there is the group of "Seriously Funny" that carries on with the tradition. They sang Chaplin's anthem, "Smile," as a fitting closing to a two-hour show of pure entertainment. And that was what the audience had on their faces as they filed out of the venue.

who is laughing at the philippines?!

RPN is a local Philippine commericial televsion station which is clebrating their 44 years in business.