He’s busy nowadays, far from what he is doing decades ago. Still, multi-talented artist and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) administrator Arnell Ignacio is set to return to the concert stage for his “Timeless… Music and Laughter” post-Valentine’s day dinner concert on February 15, 2025 at the Century Park Hotel Grand Ballroom. He will be joined by The New Minstrels Gen 5, Chad Borja, Alynna and Atty. Rene Puno, also featuring The K Gang.
When was the last concert you’ve done and what convinced you to return to the concert scene?
Ang pinagmi-meetingan namin, sabi ko mga OFWs and then, nabanggit namin si Edith, ine-echos ako na ang dami daw naghahanap sa akin, eh hindi na nga alam ng mga tao na taga-showbiz ako, na kumakanta ako. And then, nag-discuss lang siya and we bring in The Minstrels, eh ang ganda ng mga kanta ng The Mistrels, diba? Hindi naman ako kinumbinsi, nagulat na lang ako na nandun na lang ako sa poster and sa second meeting, nag-iisip na ako ng mga kakantahin. Nabuo naman namin.”
What can we expect from the concert?
“Ang pangako ko lang, we will not disappoint. Kasi nakakahiya naman kung paminsan-minsan ka lang susulpot tapos wala naman kakwenta-kwenta ‘yung gagawin mo.”
What does he miss in performing?
Nami-miss ko ‘yung instant appreciation sa ginagawa mo. Tsaka ‘yung energy when you’re on stage, ‘yun ‘yung nami-miss ko eh. That’s really hard to define, ‘yung pagtungtong mo sa stage na parang may gagapang sa’yo na adrenaline, na you generously provide entertainment. ‘Yun ‘yung nakaka-miss.”
Being a post-Valentine’s day concert, are their any love songs included in his repertoire?
“Basta kasama ‘yung routine namin ni Aiai, ‘yung Loving You routine namin, ako ‘yung nagpa-piano. So, I’ll be doing that, that’s going to be a lot of fun and hopefully maka-kanta kami ng mga kanta ng Minstrels.
Watch our coverage of the media conference below: