First Time @ 25 Josie de Leon Sings Venhnee Saturno: A Review

First Time @ 25 Josie de Leon Sings Venhnee Saturno: A Review

Nov 11, 2006. At the onset of the cold days, Josie de Leon set out to warm her audience’s hearts once again with renditions of hit original Pinoy music. It was the first time outside of the Philippines that songs written by the prolific award winning Philippine based Vehnee Saturno were collectively featured in one show. Mr. Saturno is the composer behind hits such as “Be My Lady” which catapulted Martin Nievera to fame and a secure spot in Philippine showbiz.

First Time @ 25 was conceptualized and directed by Rei Ching. Rodney Ronquillo was musical director. The duo assembled together a refreshing showcase of Filipino-Canadian musical talents who together with Josie de Leon, interpreted love songs by Vehnee Saturno. A harmonious balance of violin (Alex Cheung), acoustic guitar (Grace Pinon), keyboards (Rodney Ronquillo and Gary Yankech) and percussion (Gary Yankech) set the mood for reminiscences, reliving wonderful memories amongst a crowd gathered at the Gateway Centre for New Canadians. Back up vocalists were Chyrell Samson, Ross de Leon and Mavic Ignacio-Palanca.

Michael “Mpire” Masangkay opened the show serenading the crowd with his personal performance of “Be My Lady.” A memorable duet of “Ikaw na Sana” with Chyrell Samson thrilled the young once audience.

Josie de Leon enthralled her audience with an almost close to personal love story with which the audience identified. In a way that is peculiarly Josie’s style, she made every Saturno song that night her own, every lyric reverberating viscerally. Some guests who came up to her for pictorials after the show unabashedly admitted they were brought back in time with the songs. Who would forget first crush, first love, first heartache? —milestones captured in music and lyrics by the songsmith Vehnee Saturno who sent his personal message through a video presentation at the start of the show. Josie de Leon once again, singing her heart, baring her soul— without fail left her audience that night asking for more.

The show was to advance efforts to raise funds and build The Centre for the Performing Arts at the Gateway Centre for New Canadians.
(M. PALANCA)