OPM icons Martin Nievera and Lani Misalucha will headline a virtual concert which they hope would be the start of new days to come.
Aptly titled "New Day," the virtual show will beam much hope and optimism through songs and banter to our kababayans around the world during these very difficult times.
Martin said that he is excited to perform once again to Filipinos around the world during the pandemic.
"We want to go back to what we used to do. We want to assume that this will be the start of the new day - new shows, new audiences and even new performers. We will have a live band, real musicians, human beings on the stage, with a real director. I am really looking forward to this one and hopefully this will be the start of many new days for us and musicians," said Martin during a Zoom press conference on May 21.
Lani said that it is always an honor to perform in a musical extravaganza for Filipinos abroad, although she admitted she is a bit down due to personal health issues.
"I am not going to lie. Emotionally and physically (I am not okay). But as the saying goes, we have to go on. That's what I am trying to do now. May mga events na nangyari sa buhay ko recently, and it was a medical situation. It has affected me emotionally, immensely," she said.
Lani added: "I even reached a point telling myself I don't want to be part of the entertainment business anymore. I told myself I think I don't know how to sing anymore to that extent. I don't want to sing anymore if it's going to be this way. I am a bit disabled, but I think it will not stop me from singing. There maybe some struggles in my life but I want to be normal again, feel the usual vibrant and energetic Lani."
Martin and Lani shared the story behind the title of their show "New Day" which will be staged at The Theatre at Solaire in Manila and will be streamed globally on June 5 (Sat) and June 6, 2021 (Sun) via KTX.ph, iWantTFC, and TFC IPTV Pay-Per-View.
"Yan ang hinahanap ng lahat - new day. Laging naka-lockdown, bawal dito at bawal doon, mag mask kayo, alcohol, my God! Paranoia is very fashionable today. We're all waiting for that new day when we can go out and do what we used to do. We can hug our parents and grandparents, and each other," said Martin. (That's what we're waiting for - a new day. We're always on lockdown, you are not allowed to this, wear your face mask, use alcohol, my God!)
Martin added: "Because it's TFC, that's bringing us to you, all over the world, every day is not the same day on TFC. Like actually June 5 is June 6 here. So it became a way of telling you how we're all connected, and we're all after the same mission. In the case of TFC, they responsible to keep us always bringing something new every day, so it's a new day."
"It may not be a new formula 'cause Lani and I have performed together many, many times. But we're all hoping that it's gonna be a new day," he said.
Lani said that she's waiting for those new days when people can go out without fear in their mind.
"After what's happening at the moment, we are always hoping for a new day, one beautiful day that will come - that we will always be smiling without our mouths covered. We're all counting every single moment that somehow we would wake up on this new day, that we can go out without any inhibitions, without fear in our minds that we would get sick," she said.
Anna Puno, producer of the show, said that tickets are selling well in US and Canada.
"It's a risk for any producers to go into virtual concerts kasi you cannot really sell tickets physically. You have to go to Internet and social media especially with our crowd, they are not too tech-y. So we really have to explain to them how they can purchase tickets online. Tickets have been well because it is streamed globally. We have lots of ticket buyers in US, Canada and Manila as well," said Anna, also owner of the popular Thai Restaurant Doon Thai.
Guest artists are OPM Hitmakers, Marco Sison, Nonoy Zuniga, and Rey Valera; with the special participation of talents from the other side of the world, Fil-Am artists: Marvin Aritrangco, Rasmin Diaz, Sharon Tanyag, and Temi.
A production of Starmedia Entertainment, New Day is under the stage direction of Paolo Valenciano and musical direction of Mr. Louie Ocampo.
Tickets are available via KTX.ph, iWantTFC and TFC IPTV pay-per-view at P2,500 (USD 52) VIP - concert access with virtual meet and greet and P1,200 (USD 25) – concert access only.