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Nonoy Zúñiga marks 50 years in music with 'Beyond Gold' concert

Entertainment | Music and Concerts

Nonoy Zúñiga marks 50 years in music with 'Beyond Gold' concert

By Annalyn S. Jusay

Nonoy Zuniga (Facebook)

The Philippines’ King of Pop Ballads, Nonoy Zúñiga, is set to celebrate five decades in the music industry with a milestone concert Beyond Gold: Songs of a Lifetime, on Sept. 5 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, joined by an all-star lineup of guests and a program designed to revisit every era of his career.

Nonoy’s 50-year journey began long before he became famous with his legacy hit "Doon Lang.". Not many people know that this medical doctor started as a folk singer.

"Forty plus years na ako as a recording artist. Count to that five years sa banda and two years sa folk singing,’ he recalled. Before he entered showbiz, Nonoy was part of the Family Birth Control Band, and it was in one of their gigs that a bomb explosion occurred in 1980.

He survived that tragic incident with an amputated leg and transitioned to a solo career. With this move, he became known for singing some of OPM’s most iconic ballads such as Never Say Goodbye, Kumusta Ka, Doon Lang, and Love Without Time, among others. Nonoy's powerful voice and heartfelt delivery earned him the title “King of Pop Ballads” and a loyal following that spanned generations.

For his Beyond Gold concert, Nonoy is bringing back songs that reveal lesser-known parts of his career. One highlight is his performance of Basang-basa sa Ulan, which many associate with Aegis. ‘Hindi ko naman na-promote yon, e. Pero ako ang original ng kantang yan (I didn't promote it, but I sang the original of that song),’ he said.

Also on the setlist is Ako Ay Ikaw Rin, which is a sentimental choice for him. ‘It’s a song that's very personal for me. This is my song for the disabled, which I don’t normally sing,’ Nonoy shared, recalling how the late Willy Cruz discovered him when he performed it as a guest in the 4th Metropop.

Singer Nonoy Zúñiga with his concert special guests (from left): Raymond Gorospe, young artists Isha Ponti and Andrea Gutierrez

At the age of 71, Nonoy’s voice remains solid. Still, he is mindful of the realities of time, especially with the passing of his contemporaries from their group "The Hitmakers" - Hajji Alejandro and Rico J. Puno.

"Yung mga nauna, ay nakakalungkot. Kasi sabi ko, bakit ganun? Mga bata pa sila," he said of Rico and Hajji. ‘Kailangan talaga, may yearly o twice a year nag-check-up. Parang maagapan."

(It's sad that they had to die early because they were still relatively young. A health check-up once or twice a year is necessary for preventive maintenance.)

Staying relevant

Nonoy acknowledged that it is challenging to remain relevant after 50 years in showbiz, and expressed gratitude to Vice Ganda for giving veteran performers like him a platform on Tawag ng Tanghalan in "It's Showtime," where he is a judge.

‘Thankful ako kay Vice. Yung mga Gen Z, at least nakikita pa ako ( I am thankful to Vice.At least the Gen Z still see me),’ he said.

He also noted how the industry has shifted from physical albums to streaming. While he misses the era when fans could buy records, he is grateful for his nearly 300,000 monthly Spotify listeners and the millions of streams for his songs.

Looking ahead, Nonoy hopes to collaborate with the new generation of OPM stars, where he hopes to combine his classic style with modern pop sensibilities. He ticked off the names of Erik Santos, Daryl Ong, Morissette Amon, and KZ Tandingan. Also among his wishes is a duet with Megastar Sharon Cuneta.

Ageless King of Pop Ballads Nonoy Zúñiga

A concert with narrative

Concert director Calvin Neria promises a show with storytelling at its heart. ‘What we want to give our audience is something that hasn’t been done or has been done but with a twist,’ he explained. The concert will revisit Nonoy's folk singer roots, and he will play his guitar onstage - a side fans rarely see.

There will also be a special number featuring Nonoy's siblings who belong to The Opera band. Most-requested hits will be reimagined with special concert guests such as pop diva Kuh Ledesma, Rey Valera, Marco Sison, and Lani Misalucha, plus performances by Andrea Gutierrez, Isha Ponti, and Raymond Gorospe.

‘We make sure that it has a narrative. Kailangan may kwento (there needs to be a story),’ the director said.

Beyond Gold: Songs of a Lifetime will be staged on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are available via TicketWorld online and outlets nationwide.

Ticket prices are at P7,500 (platinum), P6,800 (SVIP), P5,500 (VIP), P4,500 (gold), P3,000 (silver), and P1,800 (bronze).

Entertainment | Music and Concerts

Nonoy Zúñiga marks 50 years in music with 'Beyond Gold' concert

By Annalyn S. Jusay

Nonoy’s 50-year journey began long before he became famous with his legacy hit "Doon Lang.". Not many people know that this medical doctor started as a folk singer.

"Forty plus years na ako as a recording artist. Count to that five years sa banda and two years sa folk singing,’ he recalled. Before he entered showbiz, Nonoy was part of the Family Birth Control Band, and it was in one of their gigs that a bomb explosion occurred in 1980.

At the age of 71, Nonoy’s voice remains solid. Still, he is mindful of the realities of time, especially with the passing of his contemporaries from their group "The Hitmakers" - Hajji Alejandro and Rico J. Puno.

"Yung mga nauna, ay nakakalungkot. Kasi sabi ko, bakit ganun? Mga bata pa sila," he said of Rico and Hajji. ‘Kailangan talaga, may yearly o twice a year nag-check-up. Parang maagapan."

A concert with narrative

Beyond Gold: Songs of a Lifetime will be staged on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are available via TicketWorld online and outlets nationwide.

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Entertainment | Music and Concerts

Nonoy Zúñiga marks 50 years in music with 'Beyond Gold' concert

By Annalyn S. Jusay

Nonoy’s 50-year journey began long before he became famous with his legacy hit "Doon Lang.". Not many people know that this medical doctor started as a folk singer.

"Forty plus years na ako as a recording artist. Count to that five years sa banda and two years sa folk singing,’ he recalled. Before he entered showbiz, Nonoy was part of the Family Birth Control Band, and it was in one of their gigs that a bomb explosion occurred in 1980.

At the age of 71, Nonoy’s voice remains solid. Still, he is mindful of the realities of time, especially with the passing of his contemporaries from their group "The Hitmakers" - Hajji Alejandro and Rico J. Puno.

"Yung mga nauna, ay nakakalungkot. Kasi sabi ko, bakit ganun? Mga bata pa sila," he said of Rico and Hajji. ‘Kailangan talaga, may yearly o twice a year nag-check-up. Parang maagapan."

A concert with narrative

Beyond Gold: Songs of a Lifetime will be staged on Friday, Sept. 5, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are available via TicketWorld online and outlets nationwide.

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