Last chance to see Champs
as Viva concert group

Show-biz watchers predict that “The Magnificent 7, The Return of the Champions,” the Re-Al Entertainment show opening at the Colden Center in Queens on Sunday, May 22, at 4 p.m.,will be the last time audiences will see the original singing champions together in one stage with Sheryn Regis, Frenchie Dy and Raymond Manalo.

Soon Sarah Geronimo, Rachelle Ann Go, Christian Bautista and Mark Bautista will go their separate ways as solo artists, capable of standing on their own merits and no longer drawing strength and power from their amazing talent pool. In short, the Champions will cease to exist as a group.

There’s no official word on this yet from Viva itself but all indications point to the fact that this current tour of the Champions may be their last as a group.

The termination has nothing to do with internecine fighting or professional rivalry. It is simply a career move, a management maneuvering necessary for the professional and artistic growth of the singers.

Sarah Geronimo has already proven herself as a solo artist. So has Christian Bautista. Both have cut CDs that have reached gold and platinum status in the briefest time and mounted sold out solo concerts.

Recently, Rachelle Ann Go launched her own show in Manila and, from all accounts, it was both a commercial and critical success, boding well for her transition from a team member to a fine solo act.

Among the four champions it is Mark Bautista who has not yet had a concert of his own although he had already gone solo in another medium — film — when he starred in “Lastikman” with Sarah Geronimo in last year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. Although his first CD took rather long to reach gold standing, Mark has the makings of a great solo artist. He has great lung power and his voice is somewhat akin to that of Martin Nievera’s. What’s more, Mark has un-matinee idol looks that is not intimidating to the masses. Mark connects well with the multitude and therein lies his big edge. Given the right repackaging, Mark can very well become the next Idolo ng Masa.

And so, in view of the eminent disbanding of the Champions, wouldn’t this be a perfect time to watch them as a group before they go their separate ways? And all for the price of one. Just think, the next time you see them in each of their solo acts, you’ll have to pay one admission price for each of them.

When you watch “Magnificent 7,” you only pay one admission price for the four of them plus a great bonus: Sheryn Regis, Frenchie Dy and Raymond Manalo. That is seven great acts for the price of one. No other show can beat that.

And not to forget, there’s 9-year-old Janessa Cortez, a Re-Al discovery from Connecticut, in a special performance.

“Magnificent 7, The Return of the Champions” is another big production of Re-Al Entertainment, the same outfit who brought the group here last year on its first U.S. concert tour. It is presented by Metrobank with Orient Star, 180 Degrees Designs, Emiliana Jewels, Rod’s Classic Cars and Perlas ng Silangan as the other sponsors.

The Colden Center for the Performing Arts, Queens College at 65-30 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing, N.Y.

For last minute purchase of tickets, call (212) 751-5620, (917) 445-4437, (718) 507-2302, (201) 328-4647, (646) 267-0926, (914) 415-0757, (718) 591-7291 or (201) 714-9860.