Sarah Geronimo's Record Breaker concert lives up to its name

For Sarah Geronimo, there's no place like home. Proving anew her status as a certified crowd-drawer, the young singer performed her fourth concert Record Breaker before a jampacked crowd last night, November 7, at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.



Sarah endearingly calls the Big Dome "home"—a claim she can rightfully make as all of her major concerts since 2005 have been done at the historical indoor sports stadium.



Each year has seen a notable increase in audience size and last night's concert perhaps drew the biggest gate attendance of all of Sarah's major concerts.



Much, of course, has changed since Sarah's solo concert last year. Aside from the platinum selling records, the former Star of the Night big winner is now also a certified box office actress, as proven by the strong showing of her two romantic-comedy films opposite John Lloyd Cruz: A Very Special Love (2008) and You Changed My Life (2009).



REINVENTING SARAH. Now a blooming young lady at 21, the Pop Princess has chosen the right path—concerts like Record Breaker—to gradually distance herself from the cute teenybopper image she had nurtured since her first foray into the spotlight as a shy but determined 14-year-old.



Sarah opened the evening with the energy-driven dance number "Unstoppable" before changing gears to "Love Game."



Sarah's repertoire that evening meandered from dance to pop cover tunes. Her beautiful rendition of Beyonce Knowles' "Broken-Hearted Girl" was one of the most appreciated. But eager crowd reaction was reserved for her early hits, like "Sa Iyo" (given an R&B arrangement that evening) and "Dahil Minahal Mo Ako."



ASAP '09 and Champions colleague Christian Bautista appeared as Sarah's first guest. Christian performed a medley of hits originally popularized by balladeer and prolific songwriter Jose Mari Chan. Next, Sarah and Christian performed a duet of "Please Be Careful With My Heart." Incidentally, Asia's Songbird Regine Velasquez, who originally recorded the song with Jose Mari years ago, was in the audience that night.



Viva Records' new all-girl group, Pop Girls, joined Sarah in singing the infectious South Korean pop hit, "Nobody." Speaking of going international, Filipino-British Charlie Green of Britain's Got Talent performed "The Way You Looked Tonight" with his "Ate Sarah." As a new addition to Viva Records' growing list of young talents, Charlie brandished those extraordinary pipes fit for standard tunes through the songs "For Once in My Life," followed by the classic Filipino ballad, "Dahil Sa Iyo."



Sarah paid tribute to the legacy left by the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, by interpreting "One Day In My Life," "Ben," "I'll Be There," and the defiant "They Don't Care About Us."



Billy Crawford, Vhong Navarro and Luis Manzano teamed up with Sarah in dishing out the music of the popular American '90s boy band, Backstreet Boys.



REACHING NEW HEIGHTS. Sarah became very emotional while talking about her struggles when she was still a beginner trying to make it big in the industry inundated by talents and aspiring singers.



Though she has gradually moved away from the old signature hits that made her a household name, Sarah knew by heart the importance of the songs that propelled her to the top and the expectations of the fans to hear them. A medley of the songs "Forever's Not Enough," "How Could You Say You Love Me," and her winning piece, which was a cover of Celine Dion's "To Love You More," brought back memories of the old Sarah.



As expected, the concert was well-attended by celebrities and other key figures in the industry. Aside from Regine Velasquez, other personalities spotted by PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) inside the venue were Anne Curtis, Iya Villania, Denise Laurel, Rachelle Ann Go, Amber, Rayver Cruz (Sarah's rumored admirer), cosmetic surgeon Vicki Belo and daughter Cristalle Henares, ABS-CBN lady executives Cory Vidanes and Malou Santos, and Viva Entertainment boss Vic Del Rosario.



One of the evening's highlights was Sarah performing the theme songs of her two hit movies, "A Very Special Love" and "You Changed My Life," complete with film scenes playing on the background wall screen.



And just like in previous years during her concerts, the audience, most notably loyal supporters, were hoping for some major announcement from their idol regarding the true status of her romantic life.



Nothing earthshaking came as Sarah maintained that she remains single and unattached. However, it didn't mean she wasn't looking and hopeful. After singing the last line of the yearning ballad "Right Here Waiting," Sarah—with the strain of the poignantly familiar notes of the song still ringing from the coliseum speakers—beamingly announced: "Kung sino ka man, dumating ka na!"



The Pop Princess has grown up, indeed, in more ways than one.


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Sarah woos Dubai at sold out concert

After a successful US tour, the reigning pop princess Sarah Geronimo once again put on a great show for her “kababayan” (compatriot) at the World Trade Centre Dubai recently.

The 21-year-old opened the show with her first hit “Forever’s not enough” and was overwhelmed by the warm applause of her fans in Dubai. “I am so happy to see you all in my second concert in Dubai,” Geronimo said. “I really work hard to give the best performance for all of you even if it’s just for a moment to ease our homesickness. You all are the reason why I kept going.”

With a dynamic rendition of English and Tagalog songs, Geronimo sustained her energy with her upbeat dance numbers. She sang songs from her hit movies “A Very Special Love” and “You Changed My Life” which raised her to fame at the box office.

Geronimo’s previous competitor from the “2003 Star for a Night” Mark Bautista also made a special guest appearance.

Alain Almoite, a 29-year-old aspiring singer and avid fan of Geronimo, said: “She gave me goose bumps. Her journey of success inspires people like me as a rookie in joining amateur singing competition here in Dubai as well as being an outlet to balance my anxiety.”

Ever Javier, President of Popster Dubai Chapter 2009, said that the support group was formed for all the fanatic Sarah Geronimo fans out there. “Aside from her singing and acting career, Sarah [Geronimo] is a youth model. If you’re an addict fan you can join the Popster.”

AREO - the organisers of the event - said: “Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo once again made 6,500 Filipinos proud and somehow eased their longings of their multi-talented artists from the Philippines.”

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Sarah embarks on local concert tour

MANILA, Philippines – “He looked depressed most of the time,” said young star Sarah Geronimo of her “You Changed My Life” costar John Lloyd Cruz, who was reported to have broken up recently with long-time girlfriend, magazine editor Liz Uy.

Sarah told a group of writers at lunch on Thursday that she had a preview of the breakup while she and John Lloyd were filming the hit movie. “At first, I didn’t think his being quiet meant anything, bumagay po kasi sa character n’ya [It suited his character]. (John Lloyd plays Miggy, her jealous and troubled boyfriend). When I heard people talk about their split-up, I realized he wasn’t just acting in character.”

Not ready for suitors

Sarah said she and John Lloyd never got to discuss the issue. “So I ask everyone to respect [the ex-couple’s] decision to keep mum,” she said.

In a separate interview, John Lloyd refused to confirm the breakup. He told reporters that the issue was very sensitive, and that, in time, “I’ll probably be able to give you clear answers.”

Sarah added: “I wish I had something inspiring to say to him to make him feel better, but I had none. I’ve never been in a relationship.”

The singer-actress said that at 20, she still wasn’t ready for a serious commitment. “I feel flattered when guys show interest in me. Maybe when I turn 24 or 25, pwede na po umakyat ng ligaw sa bahay [they can court me].”

Singer Mark Bautista has been vocal about liking Sarah. Of late, she is being linked to Mark Herras, whom she got to perform with out-of-town. “I didn’t even get to really talk with Mark. We were introduced when it was already time to perform,” she explained. “It’s not true that we send text messages to each other, or that we chat on the Net.”

Sarah said she was preparing for the re-staging of her highly successful “Sarah Geronimo: The Next One” concert. The tour starts June 12 at the De La Salle Centrum in Lipa City, Batangas.

She is also promoting the DVD version of the “Next One” concert, which features Sarah singing with Backstreet Boys member Howie Dorough via video, her duet with John Lloyd, and performances from Billy Crawford and Jed Madela, among others.

While many were clamoring for a follow-up to the successful team-up with John Lloyd (“A Very Special Love” and “You Changed My Life”), Sarah said this would not happen until next year. “We’re still looking for the perfect material.”

Sarah was asked to comment on on-line messages from fans pitting her against equally talented singer Charice Pempengco.

Different singing styles

Sarah’s fans were reportedly angered when Charice allegedly said Sarah may be a popular performer in Manila, but she (Charice) is the more sought-after abroad. “She probably didn’t mean anything bad. Charice is an inspiration to all Filipinos who dream of making it big internationally. Totoo naman po na sikat na si Charice [It’s true that Charice is popular],” said Sarah.

She also pointed out that she and Charice have different singing styles: “’Di ko po kaya ang puro birit [I can’t belt all the time]. At 20, I already know my preference in music. I enjoy singing songs I can also dance to.”

After June 12, Sarah will perform in Pampanga on June 20, Dagupan City on June 26, Cagayan de Oro on July 3, Bacolod City on July 17, Cebu City on July 31, Iloilo City on Aug. 21, Tacloban City on Aug. 28 and Davao City on Sept. 20


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