Sarah Geronimo and Bamboo (Images courtesy of Viva Music)

Contributed by Andi Requintina

Two former reality show coaches were reunited for “Sarah Geronimo x Bamboo” at the Araneta Coliseum on July 7 exactly 11 years after they performed together at the same venue for Sarah’s birthday concert.

“It’s been crazy it’s been fun. Di ba sabi nila sa buhay kailangan nila balance lahat. Balanse sa buhay. Pero sa pagkanta when it comes to performing it’s about fire, it’s about gasoline. Ganun yun eh! It’s got to burn. It’s got to burn. So, thank you very much,” Bamboo told Sarah G.

In reply, Sarah said she was happy to share the stage with Bamboo. “You are an inspiration. Your passion, artistry, dedication, your craft. Thank you, coach.”

Bamboo and Sara became close at “The Voice of the Philippines” which debuted in 2013. The two were mainstays until 2020. Bamboo has been an original coach of the reality program since its debut. He won the “kids” trophy for Elha Nympha.

Sarah recalled that during elementary, she waited for songs of Rivermaya on the radio. Bamboo was the front man of the alternative rock band which was popular during the early 90s.

“Aabangan talaga namin sa radyo ang paborito naming awitin. Kapag pinatugtog ng DJ, ‘Ay, favorite song ko yan. Parang ito yung pinapakinggan ko kapag iniisip ko yung crush ko!’” Sarah shared.

At the concert, the two performed some of pop’s best loved ballads, rock, R&B songs, and a string of their hits.  The show opened with a medley of their hits Sarah’s “Kilometro” and Rivermaya’s “Elesi”. The two then segued into a medley of Billboard’s hit rap/rock tunes “Are You Gonna Go My Way”, “Walk this Way” and “Welcome to the Jungle”.

Listening to the two belt out was divine. Sarah was a chameleon – from a pop star she turned into a rock goddess and a R&B princess churning a medley of Rihanna’s hits on her solo numbers.

Her maturity as a vocalist shone on her ballad performances. Sarah’s version of “Somewhere Only We Know” was deeply affecting while “Himala”, a plea for salvation, was poignant.

Sarah had just celebrated her 20^thyear in show business two months ago with a sold-out concert also at the Araneta Coliseum.

Dubbed “Popstar Royalty” she collaborated with Jin Chan composer, and producer for some of her recent hits. Jin was the guest performer at the concert.

It was the duets of Sarah and Bamboo that made the concert memorable, thanks of course to the marvelous arrangement by no less than musical director Louie Ocampo.  “Just Give Me a Reason” sounded fresh, along with “Iris” of the Goo, Goo Dolls”.

The two also sang Rivermaya’s “Adik ‘Sa ‘Yo” much to the delight of the Gen X fans who trooped to the concert as well as “Noypi”.  The two also sang “Thread on Water” composed by Bamboo which they performed at the concert for the first time.

Sarah G also swapped hits with Bamboo. Sarah sang “Kisapmata” while he belted out “Ikot, Ikot Lang”.

Bamboo’s solo numbers brought the house down and nearly stole the show; with old hits beginning with the rock anthem “Tatsulok” and “Hallelujah”. Bamboo sang about a generation tired and oppressed that is yearning for redemption, a theme that is still relevant today. The screams raised the coliseum’s roof!

We never really had much expectation about the concert, but we were pleasantly surprised at how it turned out - two artists from different musical genres in one fun and entertaining night of good music. It was sugar and spice – and everything nice.