You only get to watch Jose Mari Chan on Philippine television back home or, of late, on youtube. But his Melbourne fans saw an altogether different charm revealing his funny side. He kept cracking jokes sometimes forgetting he had to sing. These were clean, fresh and really funny jokes.
He sang his hits like “Refrain” and “Can We Just Stop and Talk a While?” And in between these songs, he endeared himself easily to his audience by telling them jokes on family, love, marriage and even sperm cells! The audience kept laughing and it seemed for a while they were transported to his own universe.
Jose Mari has this gentle, unique way of touching different emotional sides of a romantic relationship. He has captured the familiar romantic plot lines and quandaries of the lyrics of his songs like the famous, “Be careful with my heart”. No, he doesn’t register as a chick boy but instead a lover who keeps professing his undying love for Mary Ann, his wife of 42 years. He then asked, “Where is my wife? I cannot see her from here.” Then a hooting reaction from five or six girls raising their hands while the love of his life was quietly sitting at the back corner of the venue. Then a fan of the 67-year old crooner blurted out loud, “I hope he is my man.” Secretly, the girls wish they have a Jose Mari in their lives.
Jose Mari seemed larger than life for those who had only watch him from a distance. To the rest of his Melbourne admirers, he is one big star shining in everyone’s heart.
Front acts of the concert were Joey Santos, Raul Roxas, Charlene Sotelo and Grace Iwasaki. The concert, held last 21 October 2012 at the Millennium Reception Centre in Sunshine, was produced by Liz Honey Promotions and Entertainment.
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