By Boy Villasanta, abs-cbnNEWS.comPosted at 12/18/2010
MANILA, Philippines - The legendary Nonoy Lopez and His Orchestra and its soloist, crooner Armie Zuñiga, will be taking a break from performing at the Makati Sports Club, Manila Polo Club, Club Filipino and other high end places.
It’s time for them to bring their music to the grassroots to be able to reach a wider audience.
“It’s a novel thing,” revealed Lopez in an interview.
“Matagal na po kaming magkasamang tumutugtog sa mga soyal na lugar and I think it’s high time na puntahan naman namin ang masa,” added Zuñiga who has been singing with the band for more than 10 years.
When residents of Villa Castillo Homes in San Pedro, Laguna thought of employing Lopez to accompany Zuñiga in the concert titled “Village Voices” on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at 8 p.m. at the Villa Castillo Homeowners Association, Inc. (VCHAI) Hall, Lopez and Zuñiga relished the thought of bringing urban music to an idyllic town.
“Ako naman po ay lumaki rin sa probinsiya kaya 'pag may dumadayo noon na mga musician sa amin sa Calauag, Quezon, naku, interesado talaga ako. Literally, umaakyat pa ako ng bakod ng plaza para makapanood at makapakinig sa mga singers from Manila,” recalled Zuñiga.
Lopez has been a fixture in shows attended by the ballroom dancing crowd and those from political and affluent clans in Manila.
Former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos and former Tarlac Governor Tingting Cojuangco are just two of the many society women who appreciate Lopez's music. The two would hire Lopez for their exclusive parties.
Socialite Viring Ongkeko, mom of award-winning popular filmmaker Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil, and erstwhile lady film producer Magdalena de la Paz are also Lopez's fans.
“It was an opportunity singing for Nonoy Lopez. Marami po akong natutunan sa kanya sa music,” admitted Zuñiga who now has a wide range of repertoire: foxtrot, salsa, samba, bossa nova, jazz, chacha, swing, twist, pop and contemporary music.
Zuñiga can easily shift from the music of Imelda Papin, Dulce and Didith Reyes to album covers of Lady Gaga, Charice Pempengco, Britney Spears, Whitney Houston and many more foreign acts.
“Pero ang isa pang gusto kong audience ay ang mga nasa bukid dahil madali lang silang pasayahin. I can also deliver mga Cristy Mendoza or Selina Sevilla’s songs,” quipped Zuñiga.
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