Rain fails to dampen ‘Otso Otso,’ ‘Spageti Song’ concert

A strong downpour late Sunday afternoon failed to disperse the estimated 4,000 people who trooped to the Hopwood Junior High School to witness the sight and sounds of the Sex Bomb girls of the Spageti Song fame and ABS-CBN comedian Bayani Agbayani, who made famous the smash hit Otso-Otso.

Despite the rain, Agbayani and the Sex Bomb girls were able to present an outstanding performance that got the crowd dancing to their hit singles Otso Otso and the Spageti Song, among others.

Several children, in fact, went up on the stage and danced to Otso Otso, giving Agbayani a host of instant back-up dancers. Agbayani also sang a few songs—All my Life, Si Misis, and Pag-undress—before segueing to Otso Otso that had the children gyrating and swinging, to the delight of their parents.

The Sex Bomb girls also performed to Sex Bomb Blues, Dancing Queen/Venus Medley, Thong Song, Tequila, Loveless, Daisy Siete, Eat Bulaga theme, Hey Mickey, I’m Not That Girl, Halukay Ube, and Choto Mate Kudasai.

The event, hosted by the Northern Marianas College Foundation, Tan Holdings Foundation and other sponsors to benefit the Northern Marianas College, opened with Saipan’s own Big Beats band, which entertained the crowd with a medley of pop and rock hits.

The event would not have been possible without Guam’s backup band Freddy Saint, Dante Trinidad, Chris Tydingco, Carlos Laguana, and Carlos Bordallo.

According to manager Bert De Leon, Agbayani and the Sex Bomb girls belong to competing television networks in the Philippines: GMA 7 and ABS-CBN.

“They can’t perform together in the Philippines because they are from different networks there. I got them together to perform for the show because of their famous hit singles,” he said.

Before arriving on Saipan, Agbayani and the Sex Bomb girls performed at the University of Guam Field House in Mangilao with Parokya Ni Edgar.

“There were actually three groups that performed in Guam—Bayani Agbayani, the Sex Bomb Girls and Parokya Ni Edgar, but Parokya had to return home because of other commitments in Manila,” said De Leon.

Bayani will continue with his concert performance in Singapore after his return to the Philippines with the Sex Bomb girls. “After this I’ll be going to Singapore for another concert there, but this time I’m not going with the [Sex Bomb] girls,” he said.

Doors were opened at 4pm, while the concert itself started at 5pm. Tickets were sold at $15 for adults, $10 for children under 12. Children under 2 were allowed in for free.

Sponsors of the event included Tan Holdings Foundation, Pepsi, Dai-ichi Hotel Saipan Beach, Joeten Charitable Foundation, Saipan Tribune, KZMI FM 103.9, Pacifica Insurance, Marianas CableVision, Verizon, Shirley’s Coffee Shops (a third one is opening soon in Susupe), Securewest International, AON Insurance, Salon de Manila and the Century Hotel.

An interview with Bayani Agbayani

Born and raised in the Philippines, 35-year-old Agbayani was always interested in becoming an actor. “I love to talk, talk, and talk,” he said. Agbayani graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication from the Polytechnic University in the Philippines.

In his eight years as an actor, Bayani played a role in ABS-CBN TV sitcoms OK, Fine, Whatever and Yes Yes Show and movies such as Otso Otso and Cash and Carry.

From his exposure in the entertainment industry, he was introduced to Tita Angge, who is now his manager. “She was with me since the beginning, and she is still with me now,” he said.

Referring to himself as an accidental singer, Bayani said his voice is “a gift from God.”

Famous as a stand up comedian and singer, Bayani has held several performances in Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, Australia, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, St. Louis, San Diego, and Hawaii among others.

“My songs are all comedy, I like to act and sing,” he said. “I like making people laugh, it’s my job, and I love what I’m doing.”

Agbayani is the father of three girls: Rosalinda, Thalia, and Marymar.

Sex Bomb girls

The Sex Bomb girls originally started out as dance performers for the GMA TV network. Some 22 members make up the group led by manager Joy Cancio.

“Actually the girls started out as dancers, but most of them have a good voice. I made them take some singing lessons, and that’s how we got the group together,” said Cancio.

Rochelle, Jopay, Izzy, Weng, Evette, and Monique all make up the multi-talented Sex Bomb girls.

After signing with BMG recording company, the girls’ first album, Unang Putok, went platinum after a month. “The song Bakit Papa from their first album became very popular in the Philippines,” said Cancio.

The Sex Bomb girls recently released their fourth album, Bomb Threat, that features the song Halukay Ube. (Cassie Dlg Fejeran)