Sarah Geronimo returning to New York concert stage
Filipino pop superstar Sarah Geronimo and her U.S. concert tour promoter, Vic Perez of ICM Management in Los Angeles. CONTRIBUTED
NEW YORK — Fresh from her sold-out shows in Manila and the U.S. West Coast, Filipino pop superstar Sarah Geronimo is coming to New York’s Colden Auditorium (Queens College) for the much-anticipated “This 15 Me” concert.
“This 15 Me,” set for May 6, is turning out to be one of the biggest concerts to hit the Filipino American circuit, with VIP tickets to the show sold-out and only a few seats remaining, according to producers Robert and Melissa Mendoza.
“Everyone is excited for the triumphant return of Sarah to the New York concert stage,” said Melissa Mendoza, CEO of Mountaintop Productions, the same production company that produced last year’s “Mr. and Mrs. A” concert of Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid at the Town Hall in Manhattan.
The local artists of the “This 15 Me” tour finale in New York’s Queens College in Flushing. CONTRIBUTED
“We are incredibly honored and grateful that Sarah’s managers didn’t think twice about giving us the opportunity to host them in New York,” Mendoza added.
“This 15 Me” is Geronimo’s first big solo concert in three years. The show is a milestone celebration of the singer’s 15 years in show business. Thirty-year-old Geronimo is also an actress, host, and television personality. Her contributions to music along with her film and television work have made her one of the most successful performing artists of her generation.
Born and raised in Sta. Cruz, Manila, Geronimo started a career in music at the age of 14 after winning the television singing contest “Star for a Night.” She then signed with music label Viva Records and rose to fame with the release of her debut album “Popstar: A Dream Come True” (2003), which yielded the success of her most recognized single “Forever’s Not Enough.” The album became a multi-platinum record and won two Awit Awards.
Her music was consistently categorized as pop until the release of her 10thstudio album “Expressions” in 2013, when she added R&B and dance to her style. The successful crossover earned consecutive Album of the Year recognitions from Awit Awards for “Perfectly Imperfect” (2014) and “The Great Unknown” (2015).
Geronimo began working with television network ABS-CBN in 2004. She appeared in projects such as “ASAP” (2004–present), “Bituing Walang Ningning” (2006) and “Sarah G. Live!” (2012-2013). She was the first coach to be announced for “The Voice of the Philippines” when it was launched in 2013 and continued in the role during the show’s second season that ended in 2017.
Joining her in New York are Manila-based heartthrob crooners Mark Bautista and Sam Concepcion, with the G-Force dancers. The show also features equally talented local artists, namely “Pilipinas Got Talent” Season 3 finalist Geo Rebucas, who is directing the pre-show with his fellow front acts; Leah Mendoza, Canadian chanteuse Rasmin Diaz, Toni Gado, “Pinoy Idol New York” champion Mitch Week, Gail Banawis, Angel Ram—the first Filipina to headline a show at the legendary B.B. King Blues Club & Grill, Rock Diva Michelle Michelle, Miss RP-International Excelsa de Jesus, Asia Guzman, Artemio Tecson and World Championships of Performing Arts medalist Renz Fernando.
Since there is no photo opportunity at the May 6 show, the producers have organized a meet and greet event for May 2 at Tito Rad’s Grill in Woodside, Queens.
Mountaintop Productions’ Robert and Melissa Mendoza (center) together with children, husband and wife Patrick and Pamela (from left), Peachy and Patricia. CONTRIBUTED
Only rear orchestra ($80) and mezzanine ($60) tickets remain available for the concert. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the show will begin promptly at 7 p.m. Queens College is accessible via the Q25 and Q34 buses (Main St and 41st Ave) in Flushing–Main Street—the last stop of the Queens-bound 7 train. Those driving to the venue may avail of free parking directly across the Kupferberg Center for the Arts, home to Colden Auditorium.
Tickets are available via Ticketmaster or by phone Melissa (917) 613-4139, Robert (718) 715-6418 or Line Producer Elton Lugay at (917) 991-5524.
Event sponsors and partners of Mountaintop Entertainment Productions for the “This 15 Me” concert are Alex Santos, Galleros Koh, Lapu Lapu Foods, Pain & Injury Recovery Center, SMDC, Grace of Carol & Tesa, Tito Rad’s, LAMD Urgent Care & Medical Group, Bona Tierra Realty, GW Global, New York Life, Dr Cris Ayroso, M Events, Kuha Studios, Kalye Solutions LLC, MP Entertainment, Beyond Ink Printing, Bong Echavez, Jo’s Flowers and TOFA Awards.
Filipino food, snacks, and beverages are available onsite from official vendors Grace of Carol & Tesa and Lapu-Lapu Foods.
