Fans brave storm to watch Mocha

Author: Remy Umerez
Column: A Little Bit

TYPHOON Cosme did not prevent Mocha from celebrating her birthday with a big bang at Bluewave, Macapagal last Saturday. Her fast-rising all-female group, named after her, is the local counterpart of The Pussycat Dolls. They displayed their sexy moves to the delight of every red-blooded male who braved the rains and strong winds just to be with the statuesque birthday celebrant.

You name the dance and Mocha (the group) will deliver them just the way you like it— hot, sizzling and non-stop. Once they hit centerstage, all systems go as they gyrate with the infectious beat. Their repertoire is a mix of everything: from current hits to new wave and for nostalgia, the memorable music of the 70s. Mocha's rapport with the crowd is intoxicating. She succeeds in capturing everyone whether male, female and kids alike.

Everyone in the group has her own dance specialty. Bambie is called the "It girl who is into ballet and jazz dancing. If your trip is hip hop, Hershey is the one to watch. Mocha calls her booty shaker.

Grace is the youngest in the group and she is daring with the breathtaking stunts she does on stage. And lastly, there is Bez, a former member of "SOP's" dance group who loves ballroom dancing and simply adores Jennifer Lopez.

Record-wise, the group's single "Patcha" continues to dominate the airwaves. Presently, they are promoting their third single, "Twirl It" and "Shake It. "

The emergence of other female singing groups is no cause for alarm for Mocha because they have a wider market and their talent is not only limited to dancing and singing. Mocha has appeared in numerous TV shows and got favorable feedback.

Mocha whose birthday wish is for them to be together for a long, long period of time, regularly performs at Mugen, Metrowalk on Tuesdays, Bluewave, Macapagal on Wednesday and at the Hard Rock Cafe every Friday.

NO TO GAY ROLES

COUNT Dingdong Dantes out when it comes to portraying gay roles. What with his image as a dashing and sexiest man alive, forget the thought "kahit sabihin pang magkaka-awards siya afterwards. "

For the record, a few of Hollywood top actors who consented to do gay roles include: Greg Kinnear in As Good As It Gets, Tom Hanks and Antonio Banderas in Philadelphia and Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal in Brokeback Mountain.

Locally, just about every male talent like Marvin Agustin, Patrick Garcia, Polo Ravales, Rodel Velayo, John Prats, Sid Lucero and Ricky Davao have worn gowns and put on excessive make-up on the screen.

Dingdong Dantes who became a bankable star via "MariMar" is not even toying with the idea. "I don't think I would feel comfortable with that kind of role. I won't even look believable and pretty as a girl. My performance would surely be disastrous," he tells us.

The bottomline is actors have to maintain and protect an image.

MOTHER HOPES ERIK FINDS A LOYAL GIRL

ONE program that is interesting to watch is "Spoon" on Net 25. Hosted by Janice de Belen, it features celebrities demonstrating their skills in the kitchen.

We caught singing champ Erik Santos cooking his own creation of seafood pasta and from what we have seen, the dish looks good and appetizing.

He reveals: "One time I had no schedules and I stayed home kaya naisipan kong magluto. Hinalungkat ko ang cupboard to see if all the ingredients are there. I became very focus on my pasta dahil gusto kong ito ang pinakamasarap na pasta na aking titikman. The secret is what you put in sauce. I always put liverspread and you should try it also when cooking adobo. Super linamnam ang resulta. I learned that from my mother. "

Later in the program while sampling desserts with Alaska cream on it, people who care for Erik expressed their individual wishes for the singer who was once the boyfriend of sexy comedienne-host, Rufa Mae Quinto.

What was his mother's wish? "Sana ay huwag kang magbago at matagpuan mo ang babaeng magmamahal sa'yo. Swerte ka sa maraming bagay pero laging bigo sa lovelife. Sana ay makakita ka ng someone na hindi ka lolokohin," she says.

Was she talking in general or referring to someone?

We believe that Erik is a good chef. More than this, he is also a good son who provides his family all the comforts in life.
LIKE FOOD RELIEF

STILL on " Spoon," we noticed that tokens like a basket of products the show is endorsing are being given away to guest artists. The trouble is, sometimes they are badly wrapped. They look like some food relief for calamity victims. How we wish the manufacturers of these products would be more generous, too.

Source: People's Journal