By EDMUND M. SILVESTRE

So it wasn’t the smash hit everyone thought it would be. But the South Border-Jasmine Trias concert on April 8 at the ROXY Club in Manhattan was definitely one of the most engaging and most fun shows we’ve seen in years. Even the concert’s front act, the New Jersey-based band Higher Ground, was a welcome treat.

This is South Border’s first East Coast concert and they did not disappoint. They sang their original songs with gusto, including their trademark phenomenal hit “Kahit Kailan,” their feel-good ballad “Rainbow” and the Visayan classic “Usahay.”

The band connected well with their awed fans — both male and female. Although the stage lighting was a little dim to our taste, the sound was excellent and not once drowned the artists’ voice.

Midway through the show, South Border treated the audience with a nonstop medley of great choices of pop and R&B that transformed the show into a big party. The band kicked off the 40-minute straight dance salvo with Michael Jackson’s “Don’t Stop ‘Till You Get Enough,” “PYT” and “Wanne Be Startin’ Somethin.’”

The crowd was a bit slow getting to their feet for the first few minutes, but the band’s magnificent music was too good to resist and the people found themselves dancing or twirling in their seats to the tune of Usher’s “Yeah,” Black Eyed Peas’ “Let’s Get Retarded,” Queen’s “We Will Rock You” and Earth Wind & Fire’s “September,” to name some.

Even the band’s rap number — that would have sounded annoying if it were other bands — turned out to be very good.

Jasmine was also a revelation. Her vocal prowess may pale in comparison to Christina Aguilera’s, but her radiating stage presence and high wattage smile did the trick. The moment she got on stage, the audience was all hers.

Jasmine proved she’s not that innocent when she turned flirty and sexy performing her dance hit “Lose Control.” In a white tank top and tight, low-cut blue jeans, Jasmine shook her booty across the stage sending everyone cheering and screaming.

She also did her own OPM “Sana Lagi” and other cuts from her self-titled debut album, that has turned gold and is nominated in two categories in the forthcoming Awit Awards in May. But the night won’t be complete without her “American Idol” trademark “Inseparable,” the Natalie Cole original that catapulted the Fil-Hawaiian singer to the psyche of “Idol” viewers worldwide.

On a scale of 10, the concert should easily get a 9.

GMA teleserye in N.Y.

Cameras began grinding last week in Queens, N.Y. for GMA 7’s upcoming TV series “I Luv New York,” featuring the love teams of Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal, and estranged real life sweethearts Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado.

Sixty percent of the series, directed by Louie Ignacio, will be shot in New York, and the remainder in Manila. The cast will be in the Big Apple for a three-week shoot.

Two scenes were filmed at the Perlas ng Silangan restaurant on Roosevelt Avenue — one where Mark bought “lugaw” (porridge) and “adidas” (chicken feet) from Perlas owner Nel Castellvi (who is appearing as himself); and one where a star-struck Jolina sought an autograph from “American Idol” finalist Jasmine Trias, who was dining at the place.

“Abangan mo, I have a brief dialogue,” Nel tells the Filipino Reporter.  Marvin reportedly got an apartment where he will stay for the duration of the taping. His new manager, Orly Ilacad, the president of OctoArts, which produced three of Marvin’s Metro Manila Filmfest entries, is with him.

Jolina, on the other hand, will have a chance to meet up with her U.S.-based lawyer boyfriend Bebong Muñoz.

Meanwhile, fans back home are hopeful that this trip will rekindle the special friendship of Mark and Jennylyn that might lead to their reconciliation.

BIR now after Ruffa, Eddie, Annabelle

Actress Ruffa Gutierrez and her parents Eddie Gutierrez and Annabelle Rama are facing charges of tax evasion for some P3.285 million in unpaid taxes.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) filed criminal charges against Royale Era, a production company owned by the family with Eddie as president, Annabelle as managing director and Ruffa as treasurer.

The BIR said the Gutierrezes are charged for “willful failure to file value-added tax returns and to pay value-added tax,” or VAT.

BIR commissioner Jose Mario Buñag said the bureau had issued a letter of authority against the company for the examination of its books of accounts and other accounting records covering the taxable year 2004 and unspecified prior years.

However, Royale Era did not open its books and failed to present its records to BIR auditors.

Buñag also said Royale Era has been producing films since 1996 but did not register at the BIR until 1998, or pay the registration fees as required by law.