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Not hits yet? No problem. Isha Ponti and Andrea Gutierrez are ready to step into their own spotlight with their first joint concert called 'The Next Ones.'

The opening act days are over. After years of performing before OPM legends, Asia's Pop Sweetheart Isha Ponti and Bossa Nova Princess Andrea Gutierrez are finally seizing the spotlight. They are taking a major leap with their debut headlining concert, "The Next Ones," set for Dec. 13 at the Music Museum in Greenhills.

The promising performers are excited to mark this career milestone as it represents the launching point for a new and significant chapter in their young lives.

Under the helm of director Calvin Murphy Neria, the concert will feature special guests like Rey Valera, Aquila Packing, Nathan Randal, Graciel Hizon, and Raymond Gorospe.

Isha, who's prolific songwriter and admires the musicality and career trajectory of Maki, said during a media conference in Quezon City, "Why are we doing this concert, e wala pa naman kaming hit song, kumbaga? The reason why we agreed to do this is because we want to break free from our 'cage.' Instead of makita lang kami as 'front acts lang' we want to go out there and prove it na this is our start, this is our beginning."

Andrea, who looks up to Lani Misalucha, initially had her hesitations, but she ultimately felt that while being an opener offered valuable training, it was the right moment for them to step out of their comfort zones. "Since baguhan, siyempre ang worry ko po e baka po walang pumunta, walang mag-support, wala pong nakakakilala sa amin."

The concert's musical director, Adonis Tabanda, asserted that the two artists possess the maturity to headline their own show.

"Meron din po ibang artists na na-handle at the start of their careers, pero po iba po ang experience dito kina Isha and Andrea. Si Isha, seven years na po kami magkakasama. Kita mo talaga yung passion nya sa pagkanta and yung support din po ng fans niya. Gano'n din po kay Andrea, na na-meet ko four years ago. Sabi ko, 'Napakagaling netong batang 'to.'

"Nakita ko yung potensyal nilang dalawa. At saka may desire din po talaga akong makatulong pa, lalong gumanda ang kanilang career, at mailabas yung artistry nila sa concert.

"Kaya sobrang honored po. Actually sabi ko nga, 'Pag nag-concert kayo ha, ako ang kunin n'yo ha.' Kasi siyempre nakita ko yung journey nila, kaya sobrang saya ko rin na ako yung nakuha po for this project."

Indeed, The Next Ones concert represents a significant gamble, particularly since Isha and Andrea are relative newcomers (but not exactly inexperienced) in the scene.

From left: Andrea Gutierrez, Isha Ponti, and musical director Adonis Tabanda

Admittedly, Isha wasn't exactly enthusiastic about her singing career at the outset because her original intention was to work quietly behind the scenes as a record producer.

"My focus talaga was production, and to help others, hindi po talaga singing," she said. "I love helping other artists, too, through production po talaga."

Eventually, she's learned to embrace her talent and share it to the public. "But songwriting and singing grew in me, so it felt it was the right time to showcase and share my talent to others. Narealize ko na ang dami ko palang natutulungang mga tao because of my songs."

Given her focus on bossa nova, Andrea Gutierrez is frequently measured against Sitti, the artist known for popularizing the genre in the Philippines some years prior. "Dati po kasi nagbibirit-birit po ako, and then ballad. And then kinanta ko po yung 'Para Sa Akin,' ang dami po nagsabi sa akin na bagay daw po sa akin yung song, kaboses ko raw po si Sitti, may similarities daw po kami, so do'n po talaga nagstart."

Andrea sees the comparison more as an advantage than a challenge. "Advantage po. Actually kapag ina-ano [search] ko po yung name ko sa internet, may lumalabas na po na 'Bossa nova princess' so talagang advantage po sa akin yon."

Asked if she's interested to explore acting since she's already in the Entertainment industry, Andrea answered that she's not too keen about it but she's not exactly closing her doors on the possibility. "Focus ko po ngayon singing po, pero kung mabibigyan po ako ng chance, ang crush ko po kasi si Joshua Garcia, so if ever naman po, siya ang gusto ko maging leading man po."

While the road ahead is steep and unknown, Isha Ponti and Andrea Gutierrez plan to continue what they've been doing in the past: staying true to themselves.

Isha said, "Because sometimes we tend to forget [about who we are] and conform to the things just for the sake of going viral. Sometimes we lose our morality because of it and our principles as a person. I don't want the youth to end up in the wrong path."

Andrea seconded, emphasizing the importance of doing what's good for her and for the people who matter to her, "Kung saan po ako masaya, ipagpapatuloy ko, for as long as wala po akong tinatapakang iba."

With “The Next Ones,” Isha Ponti and Andrea Gutierrez are not just waiting for their big break. The Next Ones, in many ways, becomes both a declaration and a promise: they're here, and they're only getting started.

For reservations: 0999 881 6848 | 0918 985 3984. VIP P2,800 | Orchestra P1,800 | Balcony P800