A nostalgic evening with Polistico and Soriano

By Ramon ?Bong? Boado

VETERAN crooner Jun Polistico is back on the local scene, together with the original diva in Carmen Soriano?undoubtedly two of the most enduring talents in the Original Pilipino Music industry.

Together, they mesmerized the young and old alike with their unforgettable love songs during Viva Concerts and Events? post-Valentine show billed Romancing with Carmen Soriano & Jun Polistico at Mandarin Oriental?s Captain?s Bar in Makati.

Polistico, fresh from his various stints in the United States as a solo performer and member of Society of Seven, is still in top form, singing classic standards such as Frank Sinatra?s ?You Make Me Feel So Young,? Johnny Matthis? ?Misty,? Tom Jones? ?It?s Not Unusual? and many more.

On the other hand, the ever-gorgeous Soriano was still able to reach her high notes singing the popular hits of Abba, such as ?Mamma Mia,? ?Fernando? and ?Dancing Queen? and proved that she is also quite adept at modern ditties by performing Pussycat Dolls? ?Sway.?

Soriano opened the concert with ?No Other Love,? while Polistico performed the jazzy, up-tempo ?They Can?t Take That Away From Me.?

They collaborated their talents and proved their versatility when they sang together Spanish love songs like ?Es Una Historia Mi Amor,? ?Savor Ami? and ?Eres Tu.?

Soriano, despite her age, was still captivating as she changed her evening gown three times. Her repertoire fitted her voice perfectly, with her rendition of Connie Francis? ?Aldila? becoming her most applauded number for the night and her audience yearning for more.

Polistico, as expected, showcased different voices from popular artists with their hits. He says he does it regularly to impress his audience in Las Vegas. The balladeer also mimics to the sound of Nat King Cole and even impersonates Elvis Presley with a costume while singing ?The Wonder of You.?

But while they sang the standards with aplomb, the two were simply exceptional when it came to OPM songs as they paid tribute to the local hit makers, too, when they sang classic masterpieces of Levi Celerio, George Canseco and Willy Cruz, with Gerry Matias as their musical maestro.

Their closing number was a duet of the ?Prayer,? both in English and Italian version and it brought the house down as the two were given a standing ovation by the audience. To satisfy the craving of the crowd, they gave an encore via the classic Diana Ross-Lionel Richie?s ?Endless Love.?