January 26, 2025
In was only 7:30 pm, seats were still filling up at the Skydome, but the concert proper began. Right off the bat, the screen showed three reasons why Gerald Santos was courageous: 1. when he persevered after was dropped by his network in 2010; 2. when, as a theater neophyte, he triumphed through several auditions to bag the role of Thuy in the UK international tour; and 3. when he performed Thuy in Denmark in the Danish language.
Gerald Santos came out wearing a maroon and cream checkered coat and cream pants, singing his own twist on the big song of the moment, "Defying Gravity" (VIDEO), from the hit stage musical now box-office hit movie "Wicked." He then sat on a stool, delivered his opening spiel, and sang "Always Remember Us This Way," a song by Lady Gaga from her version of "A Star is Born" (Bradley Cooper, 2018).
He expressed his resolve to try other genres of music, and shifted gears to perform the viral ROSÉ and Bruno Mars hit "APT" with his Gen Z guests Elisha and new 12-member boy band, ASTER (VIDEO). When Gerald left the stage for a costume change, the youngsters took centerstage to sing and dance to Bini's catchy 2024 earworm "Pantropiko."
Gerald came out wearing an eye-catching striped blue and bright yellow ensemble, and introduced his next set as tributes to two singers who passed away recently -- Liam Payne and Mercy Sunot. He proceeded to sing songs by Payne's boyband One Direction, namely "Little Things," "Story of My Life," and "Night Changes." This was followed by three iconic songs by Sunot's band Aegis, namely "Halik," "Basang-basa sa Ulan," and "Luha" (VIDEO).
Gerald then shared the story of how he won the role of Thuy in the UK-Ireland touring production of Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil's 1989 stage musical "Miss Saigon" in 2017 and his memorable run as Thuy in the 2019 Danish production, for which he had to sing in the Danish language. To celebrate his exciting experience, he sang a song, not by his character Thuy, but one by the American GI character Chris, "Why, God, Why?"
After this segment, he went on to sing two more Filipino ballads: "Wag Ka Nang Umiyak" from the TV series "Ang Probinsyano," and "Kahit Isang Saglit," one of three songs he sang in the finals of the 2nd season of GMA Network's "Pinoy Pop Superstar" in 2006, where he emerged the grand champion at age 15, the youngest winner of that singing competition.
Gerald then welcomed a series of guest singers with whom he sang duets. With his Pinoy Pop Superstar 2006 runner-up and UK "Miss Saigon" cast mate, Aicelle Santos, he sang the current Bruno Mars - Lady Gaga US #1 hit, "Die with a Smile" (VIDEO). With 2003 "Star in a Million" runner-up Sheryn Regis, he sang the Lady Gaga - Bradley Cooper #1 hit duet, "Shallow" (VIDEO). Regis then regaled the audience with her comeback diva hit "Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw." (VIDEO).
Gerald returned onstage wearing a suit with a blue and green vertical stripes to introduce the grand champion of that same 2003 "Star in a Million" edition, Erik Santos. He said that it was their first time to sing together on stage. They sang a rousing duet version of Erik's winning song "This is the Moment" (from the 1990 Frank Wildhorn - Leslie Bricusse stage musical "Jekyll and Hyde" (VIDEO). Erik then took solo stage to sing "Sagot sa Aking Dasal."
When Gerald returned onstage, he was wearing a new brown and black outfit, topped by a long coat with short sleeves. He sang the inspirational song, "I Believe," then segued to the most serious part of the night's show, the launch of his advocacy, the "Courage Movement."
After showing some clips of his Senate panel testimony in front of Senators Robin Padilla and Jinggoy Estrada, Gerald sang "You'll Never Walk Alone." Aicelle Santos came out to sing George Benson's "Greatest Love of All." Surprise guest singer Enzo Almario came out to sing Ben&Ben's "Leaves." The three of them then got together to sing Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey's duet from "The Prince of Egypt," "When You Believe."
Gerald and Enzo remained on stage as they were joined by Sandro Muhlach. All three young men had experienced the same dark nightmare in their past, and have now bravely stepped forward to team up and lead the Courage Movement," an advocacy program dedicated to empower the victims of sexual harassment and abuse. This also aims "to raise awareness on these delicate and sensitive issues and how to deal with it objectively."
Getting back into the concert mood, Gerald talked about his latest single "Hubad" came about. He removed his long coat first before he went on to sing it live in a concert for the first time. He put his long coat back on again before giving thanks to the Almighty for all the blessings he had received, singing a religious hymn that began with the words "I love you, Lord."
Gerald then expressed his thanks for all his family, friends, sponsors, guests and musicians. Special mention went to his manager, Dr. Rommel Ramilo, who also wrote and directed this show. For his grand finale, Gerald chose to sing a Hugh Jackman song from "The Greatest Showman" soundtrack, "From Now On," about bravely forging on forward in life without distraction and procrastination. "From now on, what's waited for tomorrow starts tonight!"
