OPM's finest unite for 'Champions of the Heart'
Love takes center stage this Valentine’s Day as five of the country’s most celebrated singers come together for a special one-night concert titled 'Champions of the Heart,' happening on Feb. 14 at the Marriott Grand Ballroom in Newport World Resorts, at 8 p.m.
Headlining the show are OPM icons Martin Nievera, Sofronio Vasquez, Jed Madela, Jona, and Klarisse de Guzman. The concert is set to be one of the biggest Valentine’s shows of the year, featuring classic love songs, solo performances, and special collaborations. It is produced by Full House Theater Company in association with Starmedia Entertainment.
Director John Prats shared that the show is unscripted, with a free-flowing mix of vocals and reflections on life and love.
“Itong concert na ’to walang writer because I believe that the artists... sila mismo ang writer ng sarili nilang love, ng sarili nilang buhay,” John noted. “We want it to be organic na manggaling sa kanila ang mga kuwento. (This concert has no writer because I believe that the artists themselves are the writers of their own love stories and their own lives. We want it to be organic, coming straight from their own experiences.)
There will be no teleprompters during the show, except when sponsors need to be mentioned, he added.
“Why Champions of the Heart? Because in love, sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. But if we lose, it doesn’t mean that we’re not champions. We’re still champions because we grow as human beings,” John explained.
For Concert King Martin, the concert is special not only because of its grandeur, but for the chance to be together onstage with fellow vocal powerhouses.
“You have to remind yourself that Valentine’s budgets are high,” he quipped. "Usually I'm in a show every Valentine's. This is the first time I'm a part of a show where there's more than two people."
"Thanks to Star Media Entertainment for being brave enough to put the five of us together," Martin added. "We're going to take what we've learned for the last how many years that we've been performing together, snippets of songs, medley dito, medley doon. We've been together so long, and we know each other so well, that the blending and the gelling will become so natural."
Sofronio, who gained international recognition after winning The Voice USA, pointed out that the concert will focus on meaningful storytelling. He said he is looking forward to "connecting stories with his fellow singers so that people from all generations will watch and want to hear us more." The singing champ added that he looks forward to more concerts with Martin, Jed, Jona, and Klarisse.
Meanwhile, Jed revealed that fans can expect both powerful performances and lighthearted moments.
“They should look forward sa kulitan (playful banter) and our intense singing,” he said. “But we also want to be relatable. This time, it’s storytelling. People are going to hear songs they haven't heard for a long time, but somehow, along the journey, it becomes the theme song of their lives."
On the part of Jona, she narrated: “Given na matagal ko nang kasama sina Sir Martin at Jed, isa sa pinaka-excited ako ay makakasama ko si Sofronio at si Direk John. First time ko silang makatrabaho, so it’s really exciting. (Since I’ve been working with Sir Martin and Jed for a long time, one of the things I'm most excited about is performing with Sofronio and Direk John. It’s my first time working with them, so it’s really exciting.)
Klarisse noted that audiences should expect emotional undercurrents in their concert. Having worked with director John before, she said what excites her most is “the many collaborations where the audience will really feel the love.”
With heartfelt stories and powerful vocals, 'Champions of the Heart' promises its viewers a Valentine’s Day celebration they will never forget. Tickets are available at Ticketworld outlets and the Newport World Resorts Box Office.