3 weeks ago
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MANILA, Philippines — Singer-theater actress Gab Pangilinan’s first solo concert could have happened earlier as she had been consistently offered to perform live onstage the past, few years. Yet, for some reason, even if there had been offers, no concert happened even at the right place and the right time.
Apparently, Gab simply had to wait for the right opportunity. “But it was always the wrong timing or I was preoccupied with something else,” Gab shared. “Everything just aligned this time.”
And the dates came, perfectly last 14 and 15 at the Globe Auditorium BGC Arts Center. The title of the concert, “This Is Not a Musical,” even had to be a disclaimer. Through the years, Gab was mostly seen in theater plays and musicals.
Originally scheduled for only one night on Valentine’s Day, another performance date had to be added in “This Is Not a Musical” to accommodate more ticket buyers.
Interestingly, the seating sections at the Globe Auditorium in BGC Arts Center were named after the roles that Gab essayed the past decade she has been acting in theater.
Joy is for the not-too-high-priced tickets at Level 1. It was the role Gab played in “Ang Huling El Bimbo,” her most memorable character to date. Roxanne is for Level 2 center, her character in “Mula sa Buwan.” Jopherlie is for Level 2 side, her role in “Rak of Aegis.”
Catalina is for Level 3 center, her portrayal in “Pingkian” and Florencio is Level 3 side, Gab’s other role in “Pingkian.”
The concert marked an intimate evening of Gab’s decade as a theater actress essayed in her songs and spiels. She was only 15 when professional theater beckoned in 2007. She joined Trumpets/Stages’ “High School Musical.”
It was not the first time that Gab performed live onstage. She had done concerts in the past. It was the first time she was staging a solo concert ever. “It just so happened that it’s Valentine’s Day,” she said.
Gab (right) performs with younger sister Kara.
There were no curtains to rise, no characters to play for Gab this time, even if everyone present was aware of her illustrious theater career. “You cannot critique me,” Gab smilingly told her audience. “This is not a musical.”
To say that the venue was packed on the second night they added to the schedule is proof that Gab’s solo venture into the concert scene was a success, “This Is Not a Musical” was a successful venture. It deserves a repeat.
Understandably, her set list was filled with vocally impressive musical theater songs, starting with Waiting for Life from “Once On This Island” that she opened the show with. Then she immediately crooned Journey to the Past from “Anastasia.”
Gab did not mind introducing herself to her audience. She clarified she is Gab Pangilinan, not Gab Valenciano (who is her cousin) and the son of Gary Valenciano. Not Michael Pangilinan, who is also a singer or not Manny Pangilinan, the business tycoon.
Her choices of songs were diverse. Aside from well-loved songs from musicals, she included pop tunes (Sugarfree’s Prom and the hauntingly sentimental ballad, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow) and a mash-up of Gloria Estefan’s Coming Out of the Dark and Get On Your Feet.
Gab included even ‘80s music her mom, dentist and former Music and Magic member Vicky Sevilla Pangilinan, used to sing. She enjoined her mom who was in the audience to sing Together Again with her.
“Everything in life is earned, not inherited,” Gab emphasized.
The two-night concert came about because of Gab’s manager, Noel Ferrer’s encouragement and belief in her talent. Everything just fell into place.
“It really wouldn’t have been possible without him,” Pangilinan earlier insisted. “He (Noel) messaged me one day asking if I was okay to do a Valentine’s show, because he had a possible venue and he thought of me. As simple as that. And I remember thinking, ‘When would an opportunity like this happen again?’”
After Noel presented the venue and the date, Gab modestly said, “I think I’m ready.”
Gab (left) with singer-actress Kayla Rivera who reprised their duet of I Will Never Leave You from ‘Side Show.’
“For my first concert, I’ve always envisioned it to be a celebration of the past decade of work that I’ve done and people I’ve encountered,” Gab granted. “I am grateful to have had the chance to keep working on theater productions all these years.”
Gab shared the stage with her younger sister, Kara, who previously played Chip in “Beauty and the Beast.” The latter ventured into theater ahead of Gab. They rendered the powerful What Is This Feeling? from “Wicked.”
Gab and her guest, Kayla Rivera, reprised their duet, I Will Never Leave You, from “Side Show,” where they previously played the real-life roles of conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton.
Another guest, Shiela Francisco, was close to Gab’s heart, since they worked together in “Ang Huling El Bimbo.” To hear Shiela render Bette Midler’s Some People from “Gypsy” was a breeze.
Gab’s better half, Myke Salomon, who helped her musical director (Rony Fortich) and concert director (Mikko Angeles) in lining up her varied set list, shared the stage with her and they beautifully carried out You Matter To Me from “Waitress” and The Next Ten Minutes from “The Last Five Years.”
Myke and Gab worked together in “The Last Five Years. “That was the first time for me and Myke to be onstage lovers, with an onstage kiss and everything,” Gab shared. They were again seen in last year’s restaging of “Mula sa Buwan.”
With singer-songwriter Nica del Rosario, Gab relived their duet of the former’s original, emotion-driven tune, Rosas, a tribute to 2022 presidential election candidate, Leni Robredo.
Theater actors Topper Fabregas and Phi Palmos provided comic relief and rendered The Eraserheads’ Huwag Kang Matakot.
Celebrities in the audience on the second night included director Rowell Santiago, musical theater couple Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles, Arman Ferrer and Noel Ferrer. “This Is Not a Musical” was written and directed by Mikko Angeles, with Rony Fortich as musical director.
After singing Defying Gravity, Both Sides Now and ending with Home, Gab delivered her well-applauded encore of The Eraserheads’ Alapaap from “Ang Huling El Bimbo.” Then she took her final bow.
While it is true that Gab concluded a successful first decade onstage, she clearly sees a long way ahead as far as her career is concerned. Yet, she feels she is only starting, but ready for more challenges ahead.
