(DONDON SERMINO)

***

Sa March 7 at 8 na mapapanood ang concert event ng taon, ang Golden Divas, na pinangungunahan ng tatlong concert divas na sina Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña at Carmen Soriano.

Ito ang unang pagkakataon na magsasama sila sa isang concert, kaya maraming fans ang exci­ted na mapanood sila sa Music Museum.

Sa totoo lang, wala pa ring kupas ang tatlong original divas. At sabi nga, never nating mai-imagine na puwedeng pagsamahin ang tatlo sa isang grand showdown ng taon na ang Viva Concerts ang naka­gawa.

Siyempre, kakantahin nila ang mga paboritong kanta noong `60s at `70s. Pero, kakanta rin sila ng mga sikat na kanta nga­yon, tulad ng mga kanta ng *** Cat Dolls, Britney Spears at Madonna.

Si Gerry Matias ang musical director ng Gol­den Divas, at ididirek ito ni Al Quinn.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/mar0308/ent_other04.htm

DIRECTLINE By Boy Abunda
Monday, March 3, 2008

This is Pilita CD

Pilita Corrales began her recording career in the ‘60s and continues to record in the new millennium, making her career one of the longest in the local music scene. Despite excellent recordings at other times, the ‘60s recordings may be regarded as her best. These are compiled in an album, This is Pilita. The CD assembles the best of Pilita’s recordings for the Jonal label which is released under Alpha Records. Among the cuts in the album are This Is Pilita, If You Go Away, My Faithful Love, Cherry Red, Yo Te Amo, I Say A Little Prayer and a duet with Eddie Gutierrez, Can’t Get to Losing You, among others. There is also a Spanish version of The Music Played.

This is Pilita is available at all leading music stores nationwide. For details, call 725-9061 or e-mail at writeus@alphamusic.ph.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Entertainment&p=49&type=2&sec=31&aid=2008030251

March 04, 2008 07:05 PM Tuesday

Good old days with the Golden Divas

NOSTALGIC for the days when you dropped coins into the jukebox to hear your favorite songs or played those LPs on the phonograph till they got scratchy? When only your rich neighbor could afford a color TV and you had to make do with a black-and-white set with the indoor antenna that needed constant adjusting?
   
That era had its own pantheon of singing sensations, and Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña and Carmen Soriano were on the A-list. The three helped define  the music of those times with their style, class and versatility.
   
On March 7 and 8, the three bring back the good old days of the 60s and the 70s with a concert, The Golden Divas, at the Music Museum.
   
Pilita, Asia ‘s Queen of Song, will render her unforgettable signature song, A Million Thanks to You.
   
She will prove that she still has what it takes to capture audiences with her unique performing style.
   
Carmen Pateña, whose singing career, like Pilita’s, covers international venues, will make audiences remember why she was dubbed the “Shirley Bassey of the Philippines.” She is expected to bring back memories with such songs as Wonderful Dream, The World’s Greatest Clown, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Ballad of a Sad Young Man and others.
   
Carmen Soriano, she with the face that has romanced the screen with many a dashing leading man, will show music lovers she still has what it takes to keep them asking for more.  She will render her signature songs, Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig, Bluebird, Bulung-Bulungan, Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak, Dalagang Pilipina and others.
   
But that’s not all. The golden threesome will add a touch of modernity to their repertoire by spicing up their act with the Madonna and Britney Spears treatment.
   
The Golden Divas promises to be a blast, not just for those who remember the ‘60s and ‘70s, but for today’s generation, who enjoy Madonna and Britney’s moves and grooves.
   
The series of shows is produced by Viva Concert and Events and directed by Al Quinn. 

People's Journal

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-03-04&sec=3&aid=51438

THAT’S ENTERTAINMENT Ni Master Showman Kuya Germs
Tuesday, March 4, 2008

* * *

Aba, pati yata ako hindi makakabili ng tiket para sa concert na Golden Divas sa March 7 & 8 sa Music Museum.

Kung sabagay hindi naman nakapagtataka, sabik ang mga tao na muling makita’t  marinig ang tatlo sa pinaka-magagaling na singer natin nung kanilang kapanahunan, at marahil magpahanggang ngayon, sina Pilita Corrales, Carmen  Pateña at Carmen Soriano.

Bumalik na ng bansa sina Carmen S. at Carmen P at dito na sila mamamalagi. At kapag nakikita ko silang tatlo, buddy buddies sila, parang hindi naging magkakaribal nung araw, ibang-iba sa breed ng mga singers ngayon na  nagdededmahan kapag nagkikita.

Nakakatuwang napanatili nila hindi lamang ang maganda nilang pangangatawan kahit may mga apo na sila kundi maging ang mga boses nila. Talagang kaabang-abang ang first time nilang pagsasamang tatlo.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Showbiz&p=50&type=2&sec=58&aid=2008030310

SEEN SCENE
Wednesday, March 5, 2008

SEEN: Malakas ang bentahan ng tickets ng Golden Divas. Ang Golden Divas ang concert nina Pilita Corrales, Carmen Patena at Carmen Soriano sa Music Museum sa  March 7 at March 8. Mga senior citizen ang mga bumibili ng tickets ng Golden Divas.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Showbiz&p=50&type=2&sec=58&aid=20080304152

Golden Divas’ fashion showdown

As fashion designer for the Golden Divas, Alberto Figueras has his work cut out for him.

Albert is in charge of creating the wardrobe for the show’s three headliners: Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña and Carmen Soriano. It’s not an easy task, deciding what style fits the individual performer. Will it be a sultry terno for Pilita, a sensuous flowing gown for La Pateña or flashy number for Carmen Soriano?

Albert isn’t telling, but the audience can look forward to a fashion showdown on stage.

Golden Divas at the Music Museum on March 7 and 8 promises to be weekend of nostalgia as Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña and Carmen Soriano take you back to the glorious ’60s and ’70s.

Pilita, Asia’s Queen of Songs, will render her unforgettable signature song, “A Million Thanks to You,” complete with that famous back-breaking stance. She will prove that she still has what it takes to capture audiences with her unique performing style.

Carmen Pateña, whose singing career, like Pilita’s, covers international venues, will make audiences remember the good old days when she was dubbed the “Shirley Bassey of the Philippines.” She is expected to bring back memories with such songs as “Wonderful Dream,” “The World’s Greatest Clown,” “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” “Ballad of a Sad Young Man” and others.

Carmen Soriano, she with the face that has romanced the screen with many a dashing leading men, will show music lovers she still has what it takes to keep them asking for more. She will render her signature songs, “Ang Tangi Kong Pag-Ibig,” “Bluebird,” “Bulung-Bulungan,” “Dahil sa Isang Bulaklak,” “Dalagang Pilipina” and others.

But wait, there’s more. The golden threesome will add a touch of modernity to their repertoire by spicing up their act with the Madonna and Britney Spears treatment.

The Golden Divas promises to be a blast, not just for those who remember the ’60s and ’70s, but for today’s generation, who enjoy Madonna and Britney’s moves and grooves.

The series of shows is produced by Viva Concert and Events and directed by Al Quinn.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife2_mar5_2008

Mga bagets excited na rin sa Golden Divas

Thursday, March 6, 2008

In fairness, ang dami palang excited na manood ng Golden Divas nina Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña at Carmen Soriano sa March 7 and 8 sa Music Museum.

Kung sabagay, mako-consider na isang concert event ang pagsasama-sama ng tatlo na mangyayari for the first time.

Sumikat ang tatlo noong dekada 60's and 70s. Actually, may mga bagets na nagsasabing hindi sila nakaka-relate but on the second thought, na-realize nilang kailangan nilang mapanood ang show na once in a lifetime opportunity dahil minsan lang ito mangyayari.

Sabagay, nangako ang tatlo na ibabalik tayo sa nakaraan sa glorious `60s and `70s kung saan muli nating maririnig ang mga kantang nagpasikat at nagbigay sa kanila ng permanent spot in the music industry.

Pilita, ang Asia's Queen of Song, will render her unforgettable signature song, A Million Thanks to You, complete with her famous back-breaking stance. Patutunayan niya that she still has what it takes to capture audiences and have them at the palm of her hands with her unique performing style.

Carmen Pateña, whose singing career, like Pilita's, covers international venues, will make audiences remember the good old days nang tawagin siyang ‘Shirley Bassey of the Philippines.' Inaasahang ibabalik niya ang memories with such songs as Wonderful Dream, The World's Greatest Clown, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Ballad Of A Sad Young Man at marami pang iba.

Si Carmen Soriano, na minsang na-link sa namayapang dating presidente Ferdinand Marcos na naging dahilan kung bakit siya nawala sa Pilipinas noon, will show music lovers she still has what it takes to keep them asking for more. Maririnig natin ang kanyang mga signature songs tulad ng Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig, Bluebird, Bulung-Bulungan, Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak, Dalagang Pilipina at marami pang iba.

Pero hindi lang pagbabalik alaala sa mga ginawa nila noong nakaraan ang mapapanood sa Golden Divas concert.

Hahaluan nila ang concert kung saan makaka-relate ang hindi nila masyadong ka-age dahil kakanta sila ng mga *** Cat Doll songs, Britney Spears and Madonna na first time din siyempre nilang gagawin.

The Golden Divas promises to be a blast, not just for those who remember the `60s and `70s, but for today's generation.

The series of shows is produced by Viva Concert and Events and directed by Al Quinn. (SVA)

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Showbiz&p=50&type=2&sec=58&aid=2008030543

***

Mamaya at bukas nang gabi na ang Golden Divas concert nina Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña at Carmen Soriano sa Music Museum.

Magso-showdown ang tatlo sa pagkanta at sa pagka-fashionista. Babanat sila ng ‘60s at ‘70s hits, ganu’ndin ng mga awit nina Madonna, Britney Spears at *** Cat Dolls.

Ang palabas na ito ay prinodyus ng Viva Concert and Events, at idinirehe ni Al Quinn.

http://www.abante-tonite.com/issue/mar0708/entertainment_alfie.htm

 MovieGoer
Pilita forever
Nestor Cuartero

TALK OF perfect timing. Just when an old but new act called ‘Golden Divas’ is hitting the concert scene on March 7 and 8 at the Music Museum, Alpha Music releases a vintage Pilita Corrales album entitled ‘This is Pilita.’

The CD gathers the best recordings of the durable Asia’s Queen of Song for the defunct Jonal label and counts among its cuts classic hits like ‘If You Go Away, My Faithful Love’ (theme of a 60s movie that starred Pilita and Eddie), ‘Yo Te Amo,’ ‘I Say A Little Prayer,’ plus a duet with former beau, Eddie Gutierrez, ‘Can’t Get Used To Losing You.’

Rounding up the collection is a Spanish version of ‘The Music Played,’ which was released at that time only as a single.

An air of nostalgia permeates throughout the album, a quality which Pilita shares with two other new releases of old albums by Alpha. We are referring to The Best of Dolphy and Panchito, a collection of novelty songs and non-stop comedy skits, some of which go by such titles as ‘Family Planning,’ ‘Walang Tubig, Utos ni Meyor,’ ‘Tuksuhan.’

Last but certainly not the least in Alpha’s nostalgia mode is ‘This Is Diomedes,’ an album featuring classic songs recorded by the late balladeer, Diomedes Maturan. ‘This Is Diomedes’ captures 50s and 60s standards and pop ballads that catapulted Diomeng to the top. Songs like ‘Oh, My Papa,’ ‘I Believe,’ ‘The Way It Used To Be,’ ‘Il Mondo,’ among others, bring back listeners to an innocent, more beautiful, more peaceful time and place.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/news.php?aid=36959

HINDI ako nagsisi na mas pinili namin na panoorin ang second night ng Golden Divas sa Music Museum kesa sa coverage ng 2008 Bb. Pilipinas Pa­geant Night sa Araneta Coliseum noong Sabado nang gabi.

Nagustuhan namin ang show nina Pilita Corrales, Carmen Soriano at Carmen Pateña na maikukumpara sa Valentine’s concert ni Connie Francis sa Araneta Coliseum dahil mga senior citizen ang karamihan sa mga nanood.

Hindi pa rin nagbabago ang husay sa pagkanta ng tatlo kaya matunog na palakpak ang natanggap nila mula sa audience.

Parang si Pokwang si Carmen Pateña na natural na natural ang galing sa pagpapatawa.

Senior citizen man sila, hindi pa rin kumukupas ang ganda ni Pilita at ng dalawang Carmen, lalo na ang kanilang mga legs na kitang-kita dahil sa mahabang slit ng kanilang mga gown.

Hindi nakapagtataka kung magkaroon ng repeat ang Golden Divas dahil sa success nito.

Ang mag-asawang Lucy Torres at Richard Gomez, Lloyd Samartino, Claire dela Fuente at ang mga socialite mula sa Makati ang ilan sa mga nanood ng successful concert ng Golden Divas.

Si Vic del Rosario ng Viva Films ang produ­cer ng concert at hindi siya nagkamali na pagsamahin sa isang show sina Pilita, Carmen S. at Carmen P.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/mar1008/ent_jg.htm

Monday, March 10, 2008

* * *

Nag-enjoy ang mag-asawang Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres  sa panonood ng concert ng Golden Divas - Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña  at Carmen Soriano the other night sa Music Museum. Meaning mahilig ang mag-asawa sa old music kaya nang maglabasan na, say ni Lucy nag-enjoy sila sa concert. Parang nakita ko pa ngang namimili si Goma ng CDs na binibenta sa labas ng concert venue.

Aside from Richard and Lucy, nasa audience din si Ms. Boots Anson Roa, Arnell Ignacio, Mr. Ben Chan  at marami pang iba.

Kung sabagay, kahit malayung-malayo ang generation, mai-enjoy mo talaga ang show dahil nakakatuwa ang tatlo.

Hindi rin naman ganun kaluma ang mga kinanta nila kaya kahit paano, familiar ang songs nila.

As expected, dumagsa ang maraming lolo at lola sa nasabing two night concert na idea ni Mr. Vic del Rosario  ng Viva Concerts and Events.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Showbiz&p=50&type=2&sec=58&aid=2008030996

March 11, 2008 06:43 PM Tuesday

Lolit Solis, ayaw mag-public apology

By: Nel Alejandrino

Tattle

“GOLDEN” divas Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña and Carmen Soriano proved they still have what it takes when they performed at the Music Museum last Saturday.
    
Aba, intact na intact pa rin ang kanilang mga tinig at kaseksihan na minsan ding hinangaan, kundi man pinagnasaan, ng kanilang male following. Bagama’t of course, may mapapansin nang excess pounds here and there.
   
Isa pa, taglay pa rin nila ang glamour at beauty na associated with them when they were all nasa rurok ng tagumpay.
   
What we found adorable was their exchange of banter, yes, about their respective age, children, men in their lives — past and present — and how they’re coping with life now.
   
For example, sabi ni Carmen P., she is not ashamed to say that she turned 67 on her last birthday. Do you know that Carmen P used to be married to a member of a royalty in Thailand? But they have long been separated. She and her current husband are based in New York.
   
Carmen S, meanwhile, related that she was at first hesitant to accept Boss Vic’s (del Rosario of Viva Entertainment) offer to do a concert with Pilita and Carmen. Said she: “At that time kasi, I was quite big. When I finally decided to do the show, nag-work-out ako. I had no idea how my voice would be. Pero, sabi ko, ’pag nagkataon dadalhin ko na lang sa pagpapaseksi.”
   
For one her age, ang seksi pa rin ni Carmen S. at wala pang ka-pele-peleges ang kanyang pair of legs.
   
The trio not only wore gowns with plunging neckline but slits up to their, pardon the word, singit.

People's Tonight

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2008-03-11&sec=3&aid=52239

'Golden Divas' still have it

At the "Golden Divas" concert of Pilita Corrales, Carmen Patena and Carmen Soriano at the Music Museum, the trio bantered about their ages (Carmen P revealed she turned 67 on her last birthday), their children and well, the men in their lives, past and present. Of course, they also touched on the subject of coping with life as senior citizens.

Carmen Soriano, who now resides in America, related: "When Boss Vic (del Rosario of Viva Entertainment) proposed that I do a concert with Pilita and Mameng (referring to Carmen P.), I was hesitant. After all, I've not performed for sometime. Besides, I've grown big.

"When I accepted Boss Vic's offer, the first thing I did was go on a workout. And I must say it worked. I think pa nga, it also helped enhance my voice."

At the end of the concert, Pilita was offered a bouquet of flowers by daughter Jackie Lou Blanco, who came with her three children and the kids of Pilita's son, Ramon Christopher.

By the way, Jackie is married to actor Ricky Davao, whose uncle was the husband of Carmen S.

***

Pilita's new husband is an Australian. He manages the family-owned restaurant in Greenhills named after Pilita.

Carmen P. was once married to a member of Thailand's royalty. Now she resides with her new husband in New York.

So, how was the concert?

Splendid, we'd say. The three have maintained their beautiful voices, plus they performed with aplomb that they displayed in their younger days.

We won't hesitate to watch their concert again if there's a repeat.

How about it, Boss Vic?

http://www.malaya.com.ph/mar12/ente_1.htm

Gams, glitz and... gumption


By Bayani San Diego Jr.
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:11:00 03/12/2008

MANILA, Philippines—The last time we saw these many gray heads was at Taylor Hicks’ concert in Greenbelt Makati.

On Friday and Saturday, fans of the “Golden Divas”—Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña and Carmen Soriano— trooped to Music Museum.

“They didn’t mind climbing up the stairs,” said Corrales. In a phone interview on Tuesday, she recounted: “Before my turn, I watched from the wings and overheard someone ask: ‘I wonder how old they are?’”

Pateña readily owned up: “I’m 67.” Friday was her birthday. The following night, Soriano declared that Pateña was the youngest among them. Corrales snapped: “Speak for yourself!”

Such easy rapport rubbed off on the audience, who lapped up every number, especially Patena’s “The Greatest Performance of My Life,” Soriano’s “Eres Tu” and Corrales’ “Kapantay ay Langit.”

And oh, those slits on the tantalizing trio’s gowns— which, by the way, they wore with some measure of mischief.

A ‘great’ crowd

“It was a great crowd,” Pateña said, also on Tuesday. “It’s a performer’s best reward. You could hear a pin drop while we sang, but after each number, the applause would be deafening. It made me cry.”

Soriano agreed, saying that it was, for her, “unforgettable.” She had asked two silver-haired ladies in the gallery, “Where do you used to watch me?”

They responded, “Bulakeña!”

Both nights, the audience couldn’t get enough of the divas. The encore number segued into a request portion.

To think this show almost didn’t happen. “I owe [Viva Concerts producer] Vic del Rosario P1,000,” Pateña said. “I had bet that he couldn’t pull this off.” Corrales jested that this was because Soriano wanted to first “get back in shape.”

Viva is planning an encore on May 2 at the SMX Convention Center in the SM Mall of Asia. Also in the works is a Cebu stop in May and a US tour in June, said Pateña.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080312-124323/Gams-glitz-and-gumption

Tiyempo
Isang gabi, tatlong diva
Chit Ramos

Nakakabuhay ng dugo

I have to thank my sister, Ethel Ramos dahil kinaray-karay tayo sa concert ng tatlong beteranang divas – Pilita Corrales, Carmen Patena, Carmen Soriano – sa Music Museum noong Sabado. For once in my life, I had 100 percent satisfaction watching a concert.

Ang gagaling pa nilang bumanat ng kanta, malakas pa ang *** appeal at sa maniwala kayo o hindi, nakakabuhay talaga sila ng dugo.

The audience went wild nang awitin ni Carmen S. ang ‘Till’ at ‘Amor.’ Saglit kong nakalimutan kung paano ako nagdusa para lamang maakyat ang napakataas na hagdan ng Music Museum.

Medyo wala sa lugar ang jokes ni Carmen P. pero nang banatan niya ang ‘It Must Be Him,’ pinatawad siya ng audience.

Kung nagmumura ang mga legs nina Carmen S. at Carmen P., hindi nagpahuli si Pilita. Pinili niyang sa gitna ilagay ang slit ng kanyang gown, sa halip na sa tabi. Siya nga naman ang nag-stand out with her rendition of ‘You’re My Everything,’ ‘Twilight Time,’ ‘Great Pretender,’ ‘My Prayer’ at marami pang iba.

Inulan ng congratulations ang Viva big boss na si Vic del Rosario matapos ang concert. Hiniling ng mga nanood na mag-record ang Viva ng mga awiting pinasikat ng tatlong diva. Higit sa lahat, sana’y magkaroon ng repeat ang concert na iyon.

By the way, kaabang-abang ang kasunod na concert na ipro-produce ni Kuya Germs sa Pro-menade, kung saan itatampok ang Elvis Presley of the Philippines na si Eddie Mesa.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/news.php?aid=37042

HighSpeed
Ronald Constantino

•

http://www.tempo.com.ph/news.php?aid=37067

FEEDBACK
Pilita & the two Carmens


Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:01:00 03/17/2008

May I ask when Pilita and the two Carmens are bringing their show to Cebu? How much are the tickets?

Will keep you posted.— Ed.

***

From Nancy (via e-mail):

Saw them on “Sis.” Wow! I salute them … unlike some young stars who can only try to sing.

***

From txcookie (via e-mail) :

You young whippersnappers need to keep in mind that if it wasn’t for us GRAY heads, you little farts wouldn’t be here.

Author is a “grayhead,” too.— Ed.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view/20080317-125115/Pilita--the-two-Carmens

Timing
Chit Ramos

Masalimuot, masaya

After her very successful concert at the Music Museum with fellow golden divas Carmen Soriano and Carmen Pateña, heto si Pilita Corrales at masayang ikinukuwento ang dalawa niyang anak with two different fathers.

Masalimuot ang istorya tungkol sa pakikipaglaban ni Pilita para hindi matakas ng ama patungong ibang bansa si Jackie Lou (Blanco). Pero nagtagum-pay siya. Napunta sa kaniya ang custody ni Jackie Lou ang sanggol pa lamang ito.

Monching, on the other hand, ay produkto naman ng pagmamahalan nila ni Eddie Gutierrez. Kung paano siya nakaligtas sa galit ni Pilita ay hayaan ninyong mapanood sa ‘Sharon’ one of these days.

Suffice it to say that Jackie and Monching are very close. Jackie is so fond of Monching. And she treats him like a little baby, little brother.

Pareho nang may pamilya sina Jackie at Monching pero nanatili ang closeness nilang mag-anak. Every now and then, nakakarinig tayo ng kuwento na maghihiwalay na sina Jackie at mister nitong si Ricky Davao. Pero ang nangyari ay sina Monching at si Lotlot (de Leon) ang natuluyang nagkahiwalay.

Still, intact ang buong pamilya ni Pilita. Nasa kanya ang mga apo niya kay Monching at kasosyo niya si Monching sa kanilang resto business, ang Pilita’s sa Greenhills Theatre Mall.

Dahil madalas dumalaw sa kanila si Lotlot, aware siyang gusto na ring pasukin ang pagko-commercial model ng panganay nito kay Monching. As a matter of fact, nabanggit din ito sa atin ni Lotlot.

It seems, wala namang problema si Lotlot kay Monching, at kay Pilita. One of these days mapapanood na rin natin ang anak nila sa mga commercial.

http://www.tempo.com.ph/news.php?aid=37128

Reliving the golden years of music
By Bibsy M. Carballo
Monday, March 24, 2008

It was again a stroke of genius that Viva's Vic del Rosario, Boss Vic to all, would think of gathering together the divas of the '60s in one grand undertaking. It just goes to show that he hasn't lost his touch at all, despite the conglomeration of young Turks aiming to displace him.

For who hasn't heard of Pilita Corrales, Carmen Pateña, and Carmen Soriano whether they be in their teens, 30s, or 60s? Of the three, Pilita is the most visible since she has always been based in the country, leaving only to give concerts abroad, and has hundreds of recordings compared to the two Carmens. Pateña had been based abroad for 20 years where she was actively performing. It is Soriano who has been inactive for at least 10 years, but her reputation as a performer and her beauty have stayed with her.

Few thought it could happen. Unbelievably, the trio had never performed together in their heydays, so much so that they were constantly pitted against one another. Pateña was so confident Soriano would not come out of hiding she bet Boss Vic a thousand. Of course she lost that bet.

The Golden Divas showed at the Music Museum for two nights but weeks before, sale of tickets was already brisk. Boss Vic revealed he didn't expect that big a success. We remember the Greatest Hits group of Rico Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Nonoy Zuñiga, Rey Valera, Marco Sison which was similarly launched some years back to great success, and went on and on, going on twice yearly tours to destinations here and abroad.

Just like Greatest Hits, the germ of the Golden Divas started when Boss Vic called Pilita broaching the idea. Pilita and Carmen P. had already been doing provincial shows together; Carmen S. would be the difficult one, all surmised. She had lived abroad for years, had returned home but not to the glare of showbiz lights as would have been expected. Would she agree to go back to the crazy world of show business? It was said that she had put on weight, one reason she shunned being seen in public.

Catching the trio at rehearsals, we asked Carmen S. what the story was. She admitted to having put on weight. "I couldn't come out in public looking like that. I went on a diet. If I would be coming back I had to look good," she told us. And indeed she looked ravishing, even more svelte than her two other colleagues.

As to why it had taken her so long to come back, Carmen S. said, &qu