Jojit Paredes and Ronnie Henares Reunite for Two of Us After 40 Years
ON September 29, 2007, popular singing duet 'Two of Us' will once more harmonize in Hollywood, California as hundreds of fans and friends are expected to flock the scene for this emotional and historic reunion. Ronnie Henares and Jojit Paredes, the two voices and two guitars that laid the foundation for acoustic music in Manila, will once again unite after many years of separation.
The 'Two of Us' will perform their greatest hits from the 60's and 70's, including original songs they composed and many songs written by and made hits by other artists like The Beatles “If I Fell,” The Everly Brothers “All I have To Do Is Dream,” Chad and Jeremys “Summer Song,” “From A Window,” “Mr. Diengly Sad,” and many love songs that take you back to the days of sweethearts, roses, and love unrequited.
The 'Two of Us' story started when Jojit and Ronnie were invited to spend a weekend at the Laurel beach house in Matabungkay, Batangas. They sang on the beach with their acoustic guitars just hanging out with Suzie, Lynnie, and Cocoy Laurel, Vicky Lopez, and other friends who came to party. They were astonished by Jojit and Ronnie’s phenomenal vocal blending. The ‘‘two of them’’ were surprised by the clamor. By the sands of Matabungkay Beach, the 'Two of Us' was born.
Shortly, they became widely popular among college and university campuses around Manila that they could not cope with invitations. In the early days their invitations were mostly from exclusive private schools. Later on they transcended socio-economic barriers and found themselves invited to school campuses public or private all over Metro Manila. They were spreading their fame by connecting rich and poor with the universal language of music.
Their popularity exploded from school campus on to radio, print, and television. After their first appearance on “ABS Musical Extravaganza,” a noontime TV show, the phone board was jammed with calls. The next show they were back by popular demand. Their meteoric rise in Philippine showbusiness was phenomenal. Soon the 'Two of Us' had gigs on prime time TV doing musical specials, live shows, road tours, concerts, radio shows, and numerous personal appearances.
Lem Balagot, Ronnie's classmate at the Ateneo, introduced them to Tower Productions where they composed "Tina" for Tina Revilla and their first movie theme “Funny Girl.” Famous DJ celebrity Ike Lozada introduced them to Tony Santos, director of the highest- rated primetime TV show, ABS-CBN Ch. 3's “D’Sensations” with Vilma Santos. They were offered “permanent cast” status on the spot by Director Tony Santos when the studio audience broke into a screaming frenzy at their first song. For a couple of years, every Sunday evening the 'Two of Us' serenaded audiences all over Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao in a prime time TV show that transformed them from teen heartthrobs to Philippine Idols.
The Asian Journal, Best Western Mikado Hotel, SHARE, Inc. in cooperation with Marissa Entertainment are proud to present the 'Two of Us' Concert on September 29, 2007 at the Celebrity Center International Garden Pavilion in Hollywood, California to raise funds for the Street Children of the Philippines Foundation, V. Luna Hospital- Pediatric Ward, Philippine Anti-Crime Emergency Response (PACER) against kidnapping of children, Bata Foundation, Philippine Heart Center Children’’s Charity Ward, and other registered children’s charitable institutions.
The show will be directed by Jet Montelibano, one of LA's most creative and prolific directors. Special guest star is Sheila Ferrari, 2003 Miss Philippines Universe USA and the first Pinoy Pop Superstar USA Champion. Presently, she teaches voice lessons at Platinum Vocals, a school she helped found in Granada Hills, California. She has performed at popular Hollywood shows. She is considered a local celebrity in Southern California through her numerous performances in community and mainstream productions.
(Major sponsors are Aroma Resort Development Corporation, My Angel Travel www.ytbtravel.com/angelrice, Vangie Willis and Mark O'Toole CWS Water, Inc., American Ranch & Seafood Market. The minor sponsors are Estela Skin Care Clinic, Forex Cargo, and O' Skin Care. Media sponsors are Kababayan LA at LA18, Valley Balita, Diaryo Pilipino, Philippine Times, Siklab News Magazine, Manila-US Times, and Mygringos.com. For inquiries, please call Marissa at (818) 219-2009 and Darna at (323) 258-4879.)