The story of A.I.
With no apologies, Agot Isidro stood her ground in a two-day concert to celebrate her 60th birthday. While many women would hide their age, Agot was without regret celebrating her form and style. More than that, she was unapologetic about her substance, even cussing on stage to address her bashers who have continuously hurled online vitriol on her simply because she chose to stand her ground against misogyny and injustice.
But that's going ahead of the story.
Before Agot's politics became fodder for her online vilification, she was first showbiz's girl-next-door of the '90s. That was what the onstage Al screen prompt also said at the beginning of the concert last night titled "The Story of A.l." at the Globe Auditorium of the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in BGC. The concert had Ejay Yatco as musical director and Rowell Santiago as stage director. Both directors helmed the night with ease.
Agot opened the show with a Donna Lewis original, I Love You Always Forever. She sauntered the stage with all her saccharine nerves camouflaged only by her sleek black-and-white power suit. Her voice was sweet, soothing, angelic still even with the passing of time. Her outlook was strong. She made it through despite a little challenge here and there. With her now sultry style and developed chords, she roused the crowd who threatened to not just be content lounging on their seats. They were preparing themselves to groove. But the concert had barely started. The first number defined the night. It would be a chill night. And it was.
Agot is a raconteur. Engaging. Real talk is her domain. Her gift of gab is a currency of the night.
When she sang Swing Out Sister's Am I the Same Girl, the crowd swayed their shoulders left and right, hands tossed in the air, fingers snapping, while they were seated. By that time, Agot got a full foothold of her audience. She owned the spot; she owned the night. And she exceptionally delivered her part.
Chasing memory ensued with Beginning Today, a classic Agot Isido song. "From now on, I'll be right by your side. And I swear, other things I'll put aside, beginning today," Agot sang, her eyes closed, perhaps reminiscing a sweet past. Her voice was warm and airy. Instead of big vocals—that had never been her singing style—she used a laid-back tone. Her voice was soft, silky, raw. It was the voice loved by a generation-and it was heard again on stage.
Her respective duets with Maris Racal (Olivia Dean's So Easy to Fall in Love) and Belle Mariano (Olivia Dean's Man I Need) showed Agot's successful attempt on neo-soul and contemporary R&B.
Then she drifted back to slow chill with her cover of Cranberries' Linger and Zombie; and Alanis Morissettes Hand in My Pocket. She slowed rock to those songs like she spawned them, like they were her own, like the pains and joys of those songs were her own joys and pains. But who knows?
Agot's concert was a celebration of life and friendship. Her Girls Just Wanna Have Fun number with 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila OG girls Melissa de Leon, Bing Loyzaga and Amy Perez was hilarious and explosive simply because the performance was a warm slice in the two-hour concert.
Agot started her career in show business as a backup singer for The Sharon Cuneta Show, together with her two sisters Olive and Tina. While walking around ABS-CBN compound, celebrity maker and talent manager Johnny Manahan spotted her and recruited her to pinch in for then pregnant Melissa de Leon for 'Sang Linggo nAPO Sila. She became a mainstay. That would become her biggest break.
Of course, an Agot concert would not be complete without the remaining APO Hiking Society singing with her. Jim Paredes, Buboy Garovillo and Agot sang Kumot at Unan. It proved to be one of the best performances of the night with regards to harmony, blending and vocal range of the artists. Jim and Buboy took the stage with When I Met You, allowing Agot to prepare for the second part of the show.
When Agot reappeared, she scintillated on stage in her chartreuse skirt with a white top that revealed her toned form. She channeled with ease and paean Ben&Ben's Kathang Isip and Up Dharma Down's Tadhana.
When she sang her original Sa Isip Ko, the lively crowd settled to themselves in revelry and reverence of the singer who had the ability to rouse them one moment and quiet them the next. It was a velvety number only Agot could sing.
Agot was always in her best element when she sang her own songs. She shone brilliantly in Every Day, too, one of her hits in the '90s. (What a pity that she only sang three of her original songs that night. There should be more Agot songs. Sandali na Lang should have been added. And there should be a repeat of this concert!)
Agot was one of those who dominated the airwaves in the '90s. She earned the moniker Crush ng Bayan and two of those who confessed on stage that they had a crush on her were her guests that night: Jericho Rosales and Piolo Pascual.
With Sugarfree's Makita Kang Muli, Jericho and Agot connected through a duet. On the other hand, Piolo sang a heartfelt Kailangan Kita with Agot. And in both occasions, kilig ruled over the night.
The third time Agot changed outfit, she wore a gold dress. Gold is the color of stature. That night, it was also a color of conviction. This time, she discussed her politics, her activism.
"I am brave. I am bruised. I am who I'm meant to be. This is me," she sang with fangs the song This Is Me from The Greatest Showman.
When she sang it, you felt the woman frequently vilified by online bashers just because she chose to stand up against injustice. She was attacked for her personal appearance. She was diminished, dismissed, discouraged to march on. But she stood her ground. And Agot sang her pain and victory that night.
"My activism has become my identity," she said at the end of the concert. "It's just a part of me. How do I handle the bashing? I know how to handle it because it is not true."
"We are living in very dark times. People suffer because of the whims and the sins of the few," she added after singing "Mad World." She was mad!
Then the Al screen prompt on stage blurted out: Do you want to block the bashers?
Agot's voice was heard on the same screen: "No! F@#% them!"
And the audience clapped. That night, Agot Isido carried the voice of a 60-year-old victor.
