August 28, 2019

Christmas came early as Pat Boone serenades Filipino fans

With just only two weeks to go before Christmas, legendary pop crooner Pat Boone already gave his Filipino audience an early Christmas treat by performing his most endeared Christmas songs and a series of classic hits at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last December 6, 2016.

Pat Boone grandly enters the stage and perform his classic hits

Pat Boone greeting his Filipino fans

Filipino-American singer Aliya Parcs warmed up the night with cover versions of Frank Sinatra’s “Misty”,“The Way You Look Tonight” and Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E” which Parcs described these songs as sexy yet effortless. She shared that performing as front act for Pat Boone is a musician’s bucket list.

Aliya Parcs showcases her sultry vocals as special guest for Pat Boone’s concert

A video was flashed on screen telling tales and highlights of Pat Boone’s journey in the entertainment industry, afterwhich Boone took the stage dressed in a white suit designed with gold sequins, oozing with charm, and still swaggy at his age. Accompanied by a 15-piece band including the All Star Jazz band and Boone’s touring band, he opened the night with an upbeat song, “Tutti Frutti”, and interspersed his performance with some stories behind the song.

Pat Boone is all smiles throughout his classic performances

Boone poured his heart out as he perform his timeless hits in front of his Filipino fans

“This is historic” Boone said as he recalls performing ten times at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in 1961, 55 years ago to be exact. He took his audience, comprised of folks 55 and over, to a trip down memory lane through his classic songs.

He performed “I Almost Lost My Mind” with his famous warm baritone voice then followed by “Bernardine” which was the #1 hit on the Billboard Best Sellers in 1957. Boone also sang “Love Letters in the Sand”, and “Moody River”.

Boone went down onstage and gave a bouquet of flowers to Star, his chosen fan

He also sang “April Love” which he reiterated the song as being tender, sweet, and innocent. Boone went down onstage and gave a bouquet of flowers to one of his fans named Star. It was then followed by a joyous performance of “Speedy Gonzales” and “Don’t Forbid Me”.

Aio Hernandez as Technical director, stage design by Paolo Valenciano, visuals by Neil Reyes, lighting by Dom Gallardo

After the first set of his performance, he then continued with the Christmas Carols wherein the stage turned into an embellished one with an impressive display of festive colors.

Boone, at the age of 82, didn’t fail to amaze the audience with his sultry and velvety voice which he was loved for. It is indeed a great way to celebrate the holiday season with the one-and-only Pat Boone. Hats off to Ovation Productions for mounting this memorable event.

Set List #1

April Open

Ain’t That a Shame

I Almost Lost My Mind

Bernardine

Love Letters in the Sand

Tutti Frutti

Moody River

April Love

Speedy Gonzales

Don’t Forbid Me

Blueberry Hill