Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera will have a one-time only repeat staging of As 1 in the US East Coast on Feb. 28 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

US Filipinos just can’t get enough of Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano, thanks largely to rave reviews and word of mouth.

By popular demand, the critically-acclaimed and commercially hit As 1 back-to-back concert of the Concert King and Mr. Pure Energy will have a one-time only repeat staging in the US East Coast on Feb. 28 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Showtime is 4 p.m.

According to Edmund Silvestre, Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent, “As 1 is the highest-grossing Filipino concert in the US in 2009. The US tour was sold out, including the Oct. 25 performance at the Mark Etess Arena of Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, produced by Group Ole and Lemar International.”

The return engagement will be produced this time by the newly-formed Di Ba Entertainment, Inc., a group of Fil-Am nurses in CT in their first concert venture, with Carousel Pinoy as line producer.

“Martin and Gary gave a superb show that everyone kept talking about it, prompting these nurses (producers) to bring them back to the East Coast and this time in Connecticut,” Edmund quoted Terry Badiola of Carousel Pinoy as saying.

Di Ba Entertainment says it is restaging the “concert event of the year” in response to strong public clamor to fly back the reigning kings of Philippine music.

The staging of Martin and Gary’s show at Mohegan Sun Arena (located within the luxurious Mohegan Sun Casino & Resort) will come one day after the Black Eyed Peas take center stage in the same venue.

Reminded Edmund, “Black Eyed Peas, of course, is one of the world’s most popular bands, with one of its members a true-blooded Filipino, Allan Pineda (a.k.a. apl.de.ap). Its song Boom Boom Pow is the most downloaded single in 2009.”

[Ticket prices for As 1 at Mohegan Sun Areana are $150 (VIP), $98, $78 and $58 and may be obtained by calling (203) 300-9830, (203) 407-9421, (203) 530-8711, (646) 912-3896, (718) 470-0181, (401) 943-3710, (508) 476-0009, (917) 691-2335, (908) 265-1430, or (201) 886-1705.]

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Tickets are available online at www.tiketanonline.com

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Martin and Gary return for second leg of AS 1 Tour
By Ted Reyes

NEW YORK- For the fans of Concert King Martin Nievera and Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano who live in the US, the two singers' spectacular 2009 show, AS 1, should be on an endless run.

Likewise for the two production outfits bringing this show together: Di Ba Entertainment-formed by a group of nurses from Connecticut and Carousel Pinoy, a little bit more of a great thing won't hurt either.

So it was agreed: On Sunday, February 28, 2010 at 4:00 PM, the legendary Filipino singers will kick off another leg of the AS 1 tour at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut.

The show was just too successful a show not to be repeated. It was one of those rare concerts in 2009 that totally meant a lot to Martin and Gary's fans. In fact, it was one of the few shows that made people forget the rough effects of the recession and how bleak the forecasts appear. If entertainers can do such things-make people forget their worries, then that is entertainment of the highest order and thus indeed deserve an everlasting run.

"AS1 was such a memorable concert for me," said Chiqui Arnaz of Queens, New York, who traveled down to Atlantic City to see her two idols perform. "I will gladly watch them again and again."

This upcoming show in February promises to be even better than its predecessor as the two titans of Philippine music share one stage and bring their hit songs to the audience up close and personal. More so, the choice of the Mohegan Sun as the venue is a masterstroke on the part of Carousel Pinoy and its fellow producers. Mohegan Sun is such a dazzling place where only good things can happen.

According to Ronald Lao, a musician, it is rare to have these two legends perform in one stage knowing that they used to be rivals back in the 80s: "This is unprecedented," Mr. Lao, said. "It is like having the Beatles and the Rolling Stones perform together in a show back in the late 60s. It is just fantastic that this is happening."

Generally, 2009 was not the perfect time to hold concerts. People, uncertain of their futures due to the financial meltdown, were apprehensive in spending money on things that don't fall under the necessities list. However, Martin and Gary's AS 1 proved that great entertainment must be in the necessities list. Few would argue. Only entertainment could alleviate the ill effects of a depressed economic situation.

Thus it is a brilliant idea to stage this second leg on AS 1 early in 2010. For this would set a positive tone throughout the year, and perhaps even a lifetime.

Martin Nievera is the son of legendary Filipino balladeer Bert Nievera. Martin began his own singing career in 1982 with his debut album Martin...Take 1, which hit platinum status in just a few months after release. Martin became an instant success and in no time found himself hosting television shows, particularly Penthouse Live with future wife, Pops Fernandez, and his own show Martin After Dark. Martin continued to belt out hit songs even up to now, and he still hosts several shows on television like ASAP. With hit numbers like Be My Lady, Holiday, Ikaw Ang Lahat sa Akin, and You Are My Song, Martin is a certified Filipino music icon.

Recently, Martin became a resident performer in one of the world class hotels in Las Vegas. He has become such a draw in the Vegas circuit that he successfully crafted a non-Filipino fan base, who frequent Vegas for amazing performers.

While Martin hit superstardom in Manila back in 1982, another performer was magnificently creating a stellar career with his electrifying dance moves and powerful vocals. When the young Gary Valenciano burst into the Filipino entertainment scene in 1983, nothing was the same. Gary, aside from his Jackson-esqe dance routines have written and recorded a string of unforgettable hits that became soundtracks to a whole new generation: Sana Maulit Uli, Di Na Natuto, Reaching Out, Take Me Out of the Dark, Shout for Joy, Hang On, and many more. To see Gary live is to see energy in the flesh, hence his moniker, Mr. Pure Energy.

Gary has performed all over the world and has been with some of the best names in the world of entertainment, including Ricky Martin, prince, Santana, Craig David, Charlotte Church and the likes.

Now having two artists with this kind of hi-wattage careers in one roof for one show is a dream come true for their fans, and for themselves as well. This alone make AS 1 a historic entertainment event. And who wouldn't want to witness something of this magnitude? Nobody, that's who.

After the Mohegan Sun show on February 28, the tour will move to Tampa, Florida on March 6 at the Ford Amphitheater , then to Los Angeles, California on March 21 at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, and then to Las Vegas, Nevada and Vancouver, Canada.

Tickets for the Mohegun Sun show are now on sale for $150 (VIP), $98, $78,58 For more information on the Mohegan Sun show please call 203.300.9830 / 203.407.9421 / 646.912.3896 / 718.476.0181 / 917.691.2335 / 201.886.1705. or visit www.carouselpinoy.com or www.tiketanonline.com. The Mohegun Sun is located at 1 Mohegun Sun Blvd., Uncasville, CT 06382.

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