Sometimes, things don’t quite turn out the way you planned. Most of the time, fate has other ideas for you, like in the case of Ogie Alcasid.
Ogie was one of the prized talents of GMA, and then of TV5. And why not? Ogie is an icon, with almost 30 years in the entertainment industry behind him. He is unique in his branding: an exceptional singer and a prolific songwriter who is also a master of comedy. He is like the male local Bette Midler, or—dare I say it?—Barbra Streisand.
Now, Ogie has jumped ship and is now with ABS-CBN doing a number of projects. He is now regularly seen as one of the judges in the “Tawag ng Tanghalan” on It’s Showtime. Next year he is set to take on another task as a one of the judges of Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids.
For the latter, Ogie will sit in a jury alongside Gary Valenciano and Sharon Cuneta. The musical competition, which will air this January, will totally transform eight kiddie celebrity performers impersonating local and international music icons to provide viewers with a concert-like entertainment experience. The celebrity kids are child star Alonzo Muhlach, The Voice Kids seasons 1 and 2 champions Lyca Gairadno and Elha Nympha, Voice Kids talent Justin Alva, Yey! Channel host Sam Shoaf, child acress Xia Vigor (of Langit Lupa), FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’s Awra and Dance Kids champ AC Bonifacio.
In the press conference held in ABS-CBN to announce Your Face Sounds Familiar: Kids, Ogie was obviously excited and revealed that he will be the pilyo judge. “The kids are very talented, and we will be there to guide them and comment on their performances. Gagamitan ko ng humor ng konti kasi positive pa din dapat ang pag-critique. Ang talented ng mga batang ito. Sila naman ang bida ng show na ito and deservedly so. Sa tingin ko talaga maaaliw ang mga taong panoorin sila,” he said.
Ogie was also quick to clarify the rumors accompanying his transfer to ABS-CBN, like his being ungrateful to his previous employers. “I want to take this opportunity to say that I will always be grateful to GMA and TV5—to the bosses and the staff, to everyone I’ve worked with. I’ve had no regrets naman with either network; in fact, pleasant naman ang aming relationship,” Ogie remarked.
Meanwhile, another issue thrown at the singer during the press conference was him booting out Your Face Sounds Familiar judge Jed Madela. “Ay hindi naman,” he said. “Iba lang requirements ngayon, kasi mga bata nga sila. So, I think, they wanted a parent for this show.”
As for his career on ABS-CBN, Ogie is looking forward to keep on giving his best. That’s what he always believes in, and we can see the results in the longevity of his career. “I still want to do a lot of things. I want to write songs, perform…basta madami pa,” he said. In fact, given the chance, one of the immediate things he wants to do is write a song for Vice Ganda. “Magaling naman talaga siya kumanta,” he revealed. “Dapat mayroon siyang isang solid na ballad, ’yung may hugot. Although sabi niya sa akin na baka hindi gusto ’yun sa kanya ng audience kasi gusto sa kanya ay mga joke-joke lang, I told him na subukan niya kasi singer naman siya, eh. I hope he would take me seriously because I would really love to write a song for him.”
Indeed, we can learn a thing or two from Ogie. Especially now that we are welcoming a new year, we should not be complacent with what we already have. Like Ogie, we have to keep striving for more and do our best in everything that we do. And, of course, keep our sense of humor all the time.