Ogie Alcasid is very optimistic about 'Party Pilipinas'

Bubble Gang inside GMA Network Center. On top of Ogie's itinerary for May is an overseas tour with girlfriend Regine Velasquez. The couple will entertain our countrymen based in the United States and Canada. Ogie is likewise busy preparing for the launching of GMA-7's new Sunday concert variety show Party Pilipinas on March 28. "Generally, it's going to be medyo hectic," said Ogie about his schedule. "But I'm trying to keep it at a pace that it won't kill me too much!" Ogie also announced the founding of an organization composed of fellow local singers and performers. Dubbed Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), the group will conduct its first election of officers this Wednesday, March 24. The idea to come up with an organization originated last year following the onslaught of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng. Ogie together with friends and colleagues from the industry organized a fundraising concert titled Kaya Natin 'To to shore up financial assistance being given to calamity victims. "I got tremendous response from all the singers and we did the concert which was very successful. We partnered with Gawad Kalinga and I was getting text messages from the singers asking, 'O, anong next project natin?'" said Ogie. He added, "So, parang naengganyo sila, so I organized everybody... I think that's the key, I would really like to help but I'm just one person. Basically, I would like to have an organization that is united and willing to help. There's strength in numbers, e." LOOKING FORWARD TO PARTY PILIPINAS. This coming Sunday, March 28, will be the start of Party Pilipinas--the revamped version of the now-defunct musical concert variety program SOP. Much has been said about SOP's gradual decline in terms of viewership and how rival ASAP cornered majority of the Sunday audience, as clearly indicated in the rating figures. Even SOP regulars like Regine Velasquez and Jaya openly discussed the problems that plagued the 13-year-old show, which eventually closed shop last February 28. Ogie, however, would rather not look back, saying "SOP is finished as far as I'm concerned." He continued, "I think I would like to move on. It was a wonderful experience being with those people. I'd like to look at it as a wonderful memory, not something that was tragic." The multi-talented Ogie looks forward optimistically rather than dwell on SOP's past shortcomings. "I'm positive for this new show," said Ogie. "What went wrong, that's not important anymore. What's important are the things that we gained from the experience. What I gained is a new set of friends, a whole lot of experience as far as performing on television is concerned. I learned that GMA-7 is all out in supporting its artists. I learned that there are supporters who are there when you are up and when you're down." -- PEP.ph Pag-usapan si Ogie Alcasid at ang Party Pilipinas sa mas pinagandang iGMA Forum! Not yet registered? Register here! Find out the latest on Ogie Alcasid via Fanatxt. Just text OGIE [your message] and send to 4627 for all networks. Telco charges apply. This service is only available in the Philippines.