WELL-LOVED couple Franco and Ayen Laurel will headline a special concert, billed as Kitang Dalawa (You & I), at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) this Thursday, October 11.
“I am very excited to be performing with Ayen in our first concert together,” enthused Franco, adding that the show is part of the concept-themed Triple Threat concert series of the CCP.
Now in his mid 40s, Franco shifts between his many roles and duties as a husband, father, blogger, social-media influencer, brand ambassador and singer-actor. He recently joined the cast of the popular long-running weeknight series, Ang Probinsyano after what seemed to be a long hiatus from acting for the small screen. “I’m glad exciting things are slowly unfolding and the artistic adventures continue. It’s important to be passionate about anything that one sets his heart and mind into, because that passion will serve as the fuel to allow you to go the distance and scale newer heights, “ he shared.
On the other hand, Ayen will also be back on TV very soon, having said yes to a project of Dreamscape Entertainment for ABS-CBN. The show is tentatively titled Mea Culpa, and Ayen will play a strong woman with a lot of authority, clout and voice.
“I had to take a break after getting pregnant and giving birth to my fifth child, Lucia Illena, but I’m really glad to be back,” she said
But what gets Franco and Ayen to be on their toes at the moment is the special concert this week. “For one night, we will be performing a carefully chosen repertoire in a very special concert that we both have wished for since we became a couple. You can say that it’s a dream come true,” remarked Ayen.
She added, “I’m excited because all the songs that will be part of this one-night-only concert are very dear to us, both on a personal and a professional level. I look forward to performing these songs at this particular time and giving them new meaning because we have both matured as individuals and as a couple, too.”
“Like what Ayen said, the songs we have chosen are very personal to us. Most of these songs have been part of our careers since we started in the industry,” shared Franco, adding, “Our repertoire is composed of songs from musicals we have done in the past and some are from roles we dream of playing someday. We will also have original Pilipino music [OPM], pop, gospel and a few jazz numbers. All in all, the songs are those we both love and those that have affected us through the years. This show is also a testament of God’s unfailing love and favor in our lives.”
The Laurel couple first crossed paths in 1998, when Ayen produced the much-talked about musical Rama at Sita at the University of the Philippines Theater, and Franco was cast as one of the actors, playing Bharata, the youngest brother of the lead character Rama. Frequent rehearsals and regular performances paved the way for the two to strengthen the foundations of friendship which later blossomed into physical attraction and, eventually, romantic love.
Three years after, the two got married. Ayen already had two kids at that time from previous relationships, so Franco sort of became an instant daddy. He legally adopted Mariella, Ayen’s firstborn, in the same year that he married Ayen. Mariella is now a promising actress, acting for theater and television. The couple have three other daughters, Angia, Sofia and Lucia.
We’re very sure the friends, family and all those who adore this lovely couple will reserve their Thursday night this week to watch the show and cheer for them.