Dulce, OPM Greats Serenade Richard Merk

Posted on February 7, 2019

Dulce was THE showstopper in a star filled night. The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

In a night that featured icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), Dulce was undoubtedly the showstopper. She started out with WHAT I DID FOR LOVE. Her vocal prowess is already well known. There’s soul, power if you put that together with her ease in conveying the emotion of a song that’s what puts her over the top.

She can ‘birit’ (belt out) with the best of them at the same time have tremendous soul, depth, lower registers in her range. Everything from her eyes, hands even a throwback lean like Cebuana province mate Pilita convey emotion. The result is overpowering. The audience had an immediate standing ovation.

from left: Michael Williams and guitarist Billy Melendrez. The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Resort’s World Manila Artistic Director and theater stalwart Michael Williams had the misfortune of following Dulce’s unforgettable performance. He relied on his wit telling the audience ‘What can I do to follow that???’ Williams, however, gave a great account of himself singing a Broadway worthy IMPOSSIBLE DREAM and EMBRACEABLE YOU.

Some of the best names in music came together in a concert entitled RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE to raise funds for their comrade at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019.

Isay Alvarez and Robert Seña; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Artists

The prestigious list includes: Kuh Ledesma, Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez, RJ Jacinto, Rannie Raymundo, Marco Sison, Isabella Gonzales, Dondi Ong, Arpie & the Multivitamins, Brod Pete, Carina Dignos, Champagne Morales, George Sarakinis, Chris Ang Ping, Henry Katindig, Jeannie Tiongco, Jane Joseph, Jong Cuenco, Megan Herrera, Michael Williams, Nants Del Rosario, Progeny, Rachel Ann Wolfe, Route 70.

Kuh Ledesma; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Many more artists were in the line up but were not able to take the stage: Kris Lawrence, Margaux Salcedo,Mike Hanopol, Jazz Almonacid, Joey Bautista, Tosca and Rox Puno, Sal Panelo. Presidential Spokesperson Sal Panelo was already sighted at Johnny B. Good but was pulled away to Malacañang on urgent business.

It wasn’t just the singers but the top instrumentalists were there to lend their support: Henry Katindig (keyboards), Billy Melendrez (guitar), Colby Dela Calzada (bass), Mar Dizon (drums) and Vix Lucero (saxophone).

Marco Sison; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Jazz Royalty

Richard Merk is considered as Asia’s Prince of Jazz and has carved out a name for himself as singer since the 1970s and 80s. His mother Annie Brazil isAsia’s Queen of Jazz was also there to watch the concert in spite of her frail condition. Brazil is recovering from a stroke since last year but willed herself to the momentous occasion. Richard’s sister Rachel Ann Wolfe came from New Jersey to sing to her brother and mother, who were both wheelchair bound.

from left: Annie Brazil, Rachel Ann Wolfe and Richard Merk. The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Declining Health

Richard has a host of health problems after an accident 3 years ago, injuring and wounding his leg. It got infected and acquired Necrotizing fasciitis, a flesh eating disease. Because of his diabetic condition, it has not been able to heal as quickly. The past New Year his situation got worse and was confined to an intensive care unit.

During the night of the concert he declined to be interviewed, as he could not speak at length. He recently had five of his teeth extracted. All of this resulted in an accumulation of medical bills that has been a huge burden, hence the need for a fund raising.

Dulce encourages Richard Merk as Michael Williams looks on. The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Depression

The past years have not been kind to Richard. He is currently embroiled in a legal battle that has drained his dwindling financial resources on top of his medical expenses. The resulting emotional stress has taken a toll. Siblings Rachel and Raffy Wolfe have feared a turn towards suicide. They sought the help of a psychiatrist who diagnosed him with depression. He has since been prescribed anti-depressants. They added that the recent deaths of friends Rico J. Puno and Pepe Smith have also affected him.

from left: Bernard Cruzata, Dulce, Michael Williams, Richard Merk (in cap) and Brod Pete. The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

PAANO

During the concert Dulce sang her original hit PAANO, from 41 years ago. The song has the line Paanoba Aking Mahal? Paanoba Ito? (How can this be, My Love? How can this be?). The words speak of the underlying context of Richard’s legal problems. Bago ka lumisan sanay maturuan mo, Naiwasan ang bawat nakasanyan ko, At limutin na ang maghintay lagi sayo, Paano ba Aking Mahal?

Dulce PAANO

Even if you weren’t aware of that context everyone was already so moved by her performance. The way she sang it was so heart rending. A Canadian theater actor Rick Schiralli, whom Dulce acknowledged in the crowd was so overcome by emotion he was not just giving a standing ovation but shooting a video with his phone. After her segment he was gushing, “This was the highlight of our whole Philippine trip!” It didn’t matter that the Filipino language is completely foreign to him. Schiralli is the star of CURTAINS a musical comedy running in Cardinal Carter Academy of the Arts, Toronto in April 4-14, 2019.

from left: Canadian actor Rick Schiralli, Dulce and J.J. Dayot. The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

This is what makes OPM so powerful, tagos sa buto na salita (lyrics that penetrate your bones). That’s what took Dulce’s act to another level. During an interview she revealed that she was in constant communication with Richard and was well aware of what he was going through. This may have colored her songs with heartfelt emotion. The audience experienced the anguish and pain of losing love through the music and words.

Widened Horizons

Dulce first met Richard Merk when they were both cast in a musical, IWAGAN way back in 1984. It was written by award winning musical scorer and composer Jun Latonio. As a newbie then Richard was guiding her professionally. More than that, Richard tremendously widened her whole concept and understanding of music and singing. His style, which she described as ‘free flowing’ was so out of the box that it encouraged her to improvise and find her own style.

She discovered that it wasn’t just her that Richard influenced but a whole generation, “Si Richard kasi kaiba. Pumasok siya sa industry nung na kilala siya at narinig ng tao nagkaroon ng ibang kamalayan. Kasi hindi tayo ganoon e. Basically tayong Pinoy lalo na kakagaling lang natin sa adaptation turn sumikat ang mga Rico J, Basil Valdez, noong panahon na yon. Pumasok siya iba yung timplang dala niya.”

Dulce – Sharon Movie Medley

This led to widening her horizons, “Sa akin kasi personally ang laki ng nangyari ang laki ng na gawa ni Richard. Sa kanya nagkaroon ako ng lawak. Kasi na ninawala ako na sa kakayahan na yon na pwede kong gawin. Kaya friendship naming na develop hanggang sa ilang taon na hanggang ngayon. Kaya sa panahon na to na nagkasamasama tayo to give support to one another is always a blessing talaga.”

Arpie & the Multivitamins; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Richard’s Help to Musicians

During his days operating Merk’s Bar and others, Richard was well known as someone who consistently organized fund raisings for musicians in need. Now they’ve all come out to support him in his time of difficulty. Dulce noted that people like Isay Alvarez, Robert Seña were the same ones going to Richard’s fund raising activities before. That’s why she feels compelled to be there for him now.

Isay Alvarez and Robert Seña; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

“Hindi lang sa panahon na ganito kung di emotionally we are connected sa craft natin sa arts natin we are all connected. That’s why we are there to help one another. Palagi ko siyang pinagpepray. Richard is very open about sa mga panahon na kelangan niya ng mga prayers at Malaya natin na gagawa yon sa isa’t isa.”

RJ Jacinto; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Incidentally, Rannie Raymundo who is also part of the OUR LOVE fundraising concert will be having a post valentine concert with Dulce in Zirkoh on February 16, 2019. HIT MEN Richard Reynoso, Renz Verano and Dulce’s son David Ezra will also be part of the show. David is truly making a name for himself having just won BEST ACTOR at the Aliw awards for BINONDO. David Ezra is also part of the EL BIMBO cast a musical based on the Eraser Heads hits, running in Resort’s World Manila again in March.

from right: Rannie Raymundo and saxophonist Vix Lucero.The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista (15)

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Brod Pete; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Rachel Ann Wolfe; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista (17)

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Route 70; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Isabella Gonzales; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Nants Del Rosario; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista (20)

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Jane Joseph; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

from left: ROUTE 70 guitarist Butch Elizalde, Bernard Cruzata, Dulce, Manny Santos and Jeffrey Enriquez. The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Champagne Morales; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista (23)

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Arpie & the Multivitamins; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Jane Joseph; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

RWM Artistic Dir. Michael Williams; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista (26)

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from left: Rachel Ann Wolfe and Dulce. The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

Jeannie Tiongco; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Michael Williams and Dulce; The RICHARD JAMES MERK, OUR LOVE fund raising concert was held at Johnny B. Good, Glorietta 3, Makati City last February 4, 2019. Photo by Jude Bautista

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