Nonoy Zuñiga wows crowd in Saturday concert

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

IT was a Black Saturday and it rained all day but it didn't dampen the spirits of those who watched Filipino balladeer Nonoy Zuñiga in his “Kamusta Ka” concert at the McKnight Hall, Cone Center at the UNCC campus in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The venue was sizable enough for the audience who included Dr. Malette Aquino-Oliveros, president of the Filipino American Association of the Carolinas (FACC), 1st vice-president Michael Borja and wife Tracy, 2nd vice-president Kathryna R. Antone whose two daughters sang the Star Spangled Banner, Terry Laabid and Blessel Arcamo-Butler.

Seen also was last year's FACC president Florami Lao Cordero Lee who came with friends. 

Among the performers in the concert were the Dust ’N D' Attic with the special participation of Dr. Ed Tautjo; Rene Escarcha who did his signature Elvis Presley performance; Chrystle Mactal, Gelnda Mori Blair and Marissa Olarte-Helbing who were accompanied by Silver Moon Rising band members Adam Yabez and Glenn Espiritu. The youngest performer, 14-year-old Alexis Riley, sang an Adele song. 

The concert was hosted by Myra Tranquillino, who encouraged the audience to sing with Nonoy and the rest of the performers. Since most of the songs were Tagalog they found it easier to participate.

The songs also took the audience to a trip down memory lane and the star performer who helped them in their evening journey to their memories, Nonoy Zuñiga, was like wine that gets better with age.

It was also my first time to watch Nonoy sing live. His songs “Never Ever Say Goodbye,” “Doon Lang”, “Kumusta Ka” and “Live for Love” were impeccable but it was his rendition of “The Way You Look Tonight” was the best for the night.

“Nonoy is not only a singer but an entertainer,” said Dorena Reynolds, herself a singer who came with her mother. “It was fun I enjoy watching him with his humor,” she said.

My sister Betty Alombro and her husband Medel are big fans of Nonoy Zuñiga and they couldn't help comment on my Facebook post about him. “Request Never Ever Say Goodbye, Love Without Time, Kamusta Ka and Doon Lang, Medel's favorite,” Betty said.

The Alombros are now in New Zealand. Grea Tulio-Penilla, owner of Grey Oven also commented how she loves Nonoy “laughing at his own expense.”

I didn’t know that Zuñiga has a good sense of humor towards his artificial leg, which he got after losing his own in a bomb explosion at the height of martial law in the 80s in the Philippines.

Nonoy told the audience how he and his mother talked over what to do with his detached leg. He said they discussed that if it is buried then they would be visiting the leg every All Souls day and the epitaph on the tombstone reading would be “Here lies the leg of Nonoy Zuñiga the rest would follow.” So mother and son decided to preserve it.It is a long story though because of typhoon Ondoy.Trust me- separate writing for that.

The concert was the initial production of Core Visions Productions and while Nonoy was thankful at the turnout, he asked whether those who attended were the only Filipinos at Charlotte, North Carolina.

I agree with him and I could only wish that the next concert of a Filipino performer should be fully supported by the Fil-American community here.

I would be writing about the performance of Dust ‘N D' Attic and Marissa Helbing in my next post. All things considered it was a success. Thanks Nonoy Zuñiga for the music and laughter.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who works as a nanny in North Carolina. This page will serve as a venue for news and discussion on Filipino communities in the Carolinas. Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
Susan also has her website at susanpalmes-dennis.simplesite.com You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)