Thanks ELVIS, you’ve made SIN CITY more hip, fabulous and popular after you made that film with Ann Margaret with that title – the phrase added glitter and pomp. Actually, Las Vegas was given its name in the early 1800s by a Spanish explorer named Rafael Rivera. Explorers would often stop in the area to get water when traveling through the Mojave Desert. “Viva” means “Long Live” and the words “Las Vegas” translate to “The Meadows.” Parts of the Las Vegas Valley contain natural water springs and wells. At the time, these springs were surrounded by vegetation, which made the valley look like a meadow. That’s how Las Vegas got its name, but the saying Viva Las Vegas was actually made popular by Elvis. And of courser the gossip then: There’s a scene in the film where Elvis and Ann-Margret marry. Tabloids of the day shared photos of the movie wedding, claiming the two had actually gotten married.
While they didn’t wed, Elvis Presley and Ann-Margret did begin an affair on the set of “Viva Las Vegas.” Ann-Margret later said Elvis sent her flowers in the shape of a guitar whenever she began a new Las Vegas engagement.
And so, last weekend, we were back to LV on an unplanned and unexpected trip. It took us less than 3 hours to prepare, and never mind the number of hours for layover. What motivated us was not ELVIS but two musical giants – DAVID FOSTER and our very own MARTIN NIEVERA. But it was Martin’s love for us that pushed me to fly “I will meet and be with you after the show.” And there we were headed for An Intimate Evening with David Foster: HITMAN Tour at the Encore Theatre of WYNN Hotel. Need we say that David is a 16-time GRAMMY award-winning musician, composer and producer and that his featured headliner, his wife Katharine McPhee, is an acclaimed singer, television and Broadway star plus our cherished Martin Nievera, the concert king of the Philippines. Nievera, singer, recording artist, hitmaker, composer and songwriter, talk show host and actor, has garnered 18 platinum, five double-platinum and three triple-platinum albums, and one quadruple-platinum album. He has performed before SRO audiences around the world. Last March, he joined David Foster and Friends on stage at The Theater at Solaire in the Philippines.
This Vegas show was packed with Foster’s hits from Chicago, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé and more; and McPhee’s biggest hits from American Idol, Smash and Waitress. Not to mention it includied Pia Toscano (a finalist on American Idol), and Daniel Emmet (a finalist on America’s Got Talent.)
“In Manila, David and I did eight shows, two shows on some days. On March 25, we celebrated his wife’s (singer Katharine McPhee, who’s also part of the show) birthday. But instead of saying something like, ‘OK, let’s just have some cake because we have two more shows together,’ he wanted us to play music,” Martin said.
“He has been part of what could very well be millions of songs and he still wants to play them offstage or off-camera,” he quipped. “David just loves music. We were up until 2 a.m., singing – It’s not a job for him; it’s a passion.” A singer’s or performer’s job entails repetition. But there’s always joy to be had, Martin added, from every performance. “We should never lose our love for music. I have sung ‘Be My Lady’ too many times to count. But never lose the love.”
David started the show by playing piano with a video backdrop of Kenny G on his saxophone doing the all-time hit St. Elmo’s Fire. Martin, with his unstoppable wit, charm and humor brought the house down when he ad-libbed about a Pinoy couple in the audience.
The two day-concert (June 23 and 24) were heavily supported by Pinoys – the presence was felt and seen and Martin is grateful. “Beyond words!” he’s teary-eyed. Definitely certain Martin will do more performances with other internationally known celebs. Why not?
I remember vividly my first time in LV. It was the winter (February) of 1982 when I was with Nora Aunor when we did some promo-tours and she added Las Vegas to our itinerary. We stayed at Riviera Hotel for a few days and watched 3 shows consecutively – Frank Sinatra, Tom Jones and Tony Orlando. Frank’s daughter Nancy was his guest and they did “Something Stupid”. As Tom Jones did his big hit “It’s Not Unusual”, he surprised the crowd by pulling out a tangerine underwear and threw it to the screaming female fanatics. You should have seen Nora break into a guffaw! But it was when Tony Orlando did “Tie A Yellow Ribbon” that Nora joined in the singing. Later, after Tony’s show, we were approached by 2 Pinoys who seemed to be working at Caesars Palace, offering us to meet Tony backstage. In fact, a lot of Noranians had asked Guy for autographs.
“It’s dyahi (shameful), wag na lang po, maraming salamat,” Guy had told them. Guy preferred to go downtown after, we hailed a cab and watched a street show while we ate some hot dogs.
During my 26-year of residing in Los Angeles, I was always in Vegas – I have lost count of the many visits I made. After all, L.A. is only about a four-hour drive. But over-all, what still remains to be my favorite show is that of Elton John and Billy Joel together at MGM in the mid-90s. They did their solo hits first and what amazed me was when they finally did some songs together – each playing their pianos opposite each other. Billy, if you haven’t heard yet, is an Elvis diehard while Elton is a Beatle devotee. I can’t forget how Billy did “All Shook Up” and “Blue Suede Shoes”, lookin’ better-er than EP and dancing on top of his piano. Elton’s “When I Saw Her Standing There” had all the boisterous audience gyrating.
One of my best thoughts on this recent trip? Wow! Imagine, seeing a Halo-Halo pinoy kitchen booth at The Venetian, side by side with other renowned international eateries? We sampled their beef salpicao and lumpia shanghai – the line was also long! Ang Galing! But wait a minute, a bigger Pinoy food attraction was at the street food section of the new Resorts World Hotel. Called Pepita’s Kitchen, the pinoy-owned eatery boasts of LECHON DIVA (Filipino Roasted Pig) Dedet de la Fuente, who quickly made her mark on Manila’s local food scene with her exclusive, 12 course private degustation dinners, featuring her stuffed lechon creations. Her dishes captured the hearts of foodies in the U.S. in 2014, and she exhibited the All-Filipino degustation dinner when she took a trip to New York. As an unofficial food ambassador of the Philippines, she has hosted culinary superstars such as Martha Stewart, Anthony Bourdain and Adam Richman. At Resorts World, Pepita’s Kitchen’s stall offers a sampling of the Lechon Diva’s stuffed lechon staples. Whole pigs are stuffed with local spices and slow roasted over charcoal. Super wow, di ba?
I’d like however to introduce to you VIVA by Chef Ray Garcia located in the district inside Resorts World. When I told my friend Evelyn I wanted Mexican dish, she knew the best place! One of Resorts World’s fine dining venues, VIVA is a cheerful eatery where you can enjoy decadent Mexican food in a colorful, Latin atmosphere. Sought-after interiors bring homage to Mexican culture, from the choice of colors and materials to the distinct design elements. I super love VIVA! (but a little bit too pricey!) Viva also does three cuts of steak carne asada-style, served with salsa molcajete, roasted tomatoes and crispy fingerling potatoes, and also offers a curated selection of tequila and mezcal, along with a concise and colorful cocktail menu. I am telling you, do not miss this hotel. And of course I toured the place, completely captivated me. Their churros melt in your mouth!
The allure of Las Vegas does not stop to entice visitors. Sin City feels busier than ever and, If you wish to be headed to a sleepless destination this summer, this is it. LAS VEGAS!
SHORTS
Famous comedian Jobert Austria was in town recently and did a one night stand up comedy back-to-back at Intramuros and Republika RestoBar and Grill.
Both shows were jampacked and he wept at the backstage after the performance at Bathurst and Wilson. “I am so touched,” he said. In fact at Republika, some of the patrons decided to pass a hat around and they gifted Jobert with almost 1,000 $cash! They told Jobert, “Pabaon lang!”
Jobert was once among more in-demand resident comedians of ABS-CBN, and he is now a permanent resident of Calgary in Canada. No, he didn’t migrate there due to work issues. Jobert explained he simply got tired living away from his wife Chad.
Currently a hot topic among concert-lovers now is the big income generated by Eraserheads at the biggest Pinoy concert ever here held at Hamilton. Loud rumor: It earned $1.3 M!!!!! Tinuno owner Gerald Aquintey and co-producer Yana Alvaro of TALA ENTERTAINMENT are thankful…will Parokya ni Edgar duplicate the feat?
Not to be ignored in the yummy department now is Nettes Cafe. Nette Neth just opened along Wilson – her cakes and ensaimadas are so delish and best-selling. “It was only when I migrated here that I learned to bake and cook. Puede pala!” Congratulations Nette and to her amigas as well – Maria Maria (whose new delish offer is Mango enchilado in pockets) and Janet Lim with her added yummier sans rival bombs given a new dress-up this summer. You will see them again soon (you better not miss their pagkains!) at Fun Philippines Toronto Street Festival, July 22 and 23. According to Janet, Kainan Na Inc. products are now shipping to different cities in Canada!
Coming this October is GARY V – will it quake to full intensity 7 at the place he will host? No doubt. Let’s hear from Belinda Reyes later about more details.
And already, the ladies are all ready to swoon when David Pomeranz hugs the spotlight and looks straight into their eyes and romantically chant, Got to Believe in Magic, King and Queen of Hearts, The Old Songs, If You Walked Away, etc. at the Fun Philippines street fest. Tere Torralba assures a 911 assist when the girls lose their control hahaha.
Before we close, let’s get back to Martin N. Is it true he’s coming back to Toronto this August to be the very special guest of PIDC at the Mabuhay event at Nathan Square? What sez you, Ms Agnes P. Miranda? ABANGAN!!!!
Summer Fever! READY na ba ka-you?