After more than a decade of being a gay Nora Aunor impersonator, Ate Gay is ready for his acid test. On November 30, he will face the biggest challenge of his career by staging a major concert at the Mall of Asia Arena, with Nora Aunor herself as special guest.
When the concert was proposed to him by producer Joed Serrano, Ate Gay knew immediately that the show would not be complete without the participation of the person to whom he owes his very identity as a performer, the superstar also known as Ate Guy.
“Nung hindi pa sumasagot si Ate Guy, talagang kabadung-kabado ako. Baka mabigo ko ang mga Nunalians. ‘Yun ang tawag ko sa mga fans ko na karamihan eh Noranians din,” he said.
Naturally, he was overjoyed when La Aunor confirmed her guest appearance on the concert. For a while, he had been worried that she would decline the invitation due to some people’s perception that Ate Gay’s act is disrespectful of the superstar.
“Binabalahura ko raw siya? Napanood na ako ni Ate Guy. At hindi naman po sa pagbubuhat ng bangko, siya naman ang nagsabi na mahusay ako,” Ate Gay said.
There are more than a few Nora Aunor impressionists on the comedy bar circuit. And while others may exceed him in terms of physical resemblance to the legendary singer-actress, Ate Gay possesses far and away the most Nora Aunor-like singing voice of the lot.
Nora herself agrees. And considering that the superstar has unfortunately lost her singing voice due to an allegedly botched medical procedure, Ate Gay may be the next best thing for die-hard Noranians who miss hearing Ate Guy sing.
“Kasi ako nga ang kaboses niya sa rami namin na nag-a-Ate Guy,” said the performer best known for his covers of “Pearly Shells” and “Tiny Bubbles”.
Ate Gay had always dreamed of performing on the same stage as his idol, but he never thought it would happen in such a major venue as the Mall of Asia Arena. He admits he is a little intimidated by the challenge.
“Malaking venue, oo. Sabi ko naman, mapuno o hindi, ang mahalaga eh ‘yung ma-entertain ko, kasama ng mga guests ko, ang mga manonood,” he said.
Ate Gay, whose real name is Gil Morales, has come a long way from his humble beginnings as a member of the Barrio Fiesta restaurant chain’s The Singing Cooks and Waiters for five years.
During one performance, one of the diners was actress Snooky Serna, who told him that he did sound like Nora Aunor. She also suggested that he should go solo as a comedy bar performer. He did, and he has been a staple on the comedy bar circuit ever since.
Had he not been a part of The Singing Cooks and Waiters, Gil or Ate Gay could have ended up a teacher or a secretary.
“Nung nag-aaral ako, gusto ko nga mag-teacher kaso ang paborito kong subject ‘yung elective namin na Steno. Kaya ‘yun nang ‘yun ang kinukuha ko every school year. Eh bumagsak ako sa NCEE (National College Entrance Examination). At dahil na rin sa kapos sa buhay noon, hindi na ako nakapagpatuloy at nag-enroll na ako sa secretarial course. Nagamit ko ang Steno,” he recounted.
Needless to say, Ate Gay is determined to give the performance of his life during the concert, entitled “Ako Naman!!! Ate Gay sa Arena”.
“Oo ako naman. Pinaghahandaan ko na ang buwis-buhay kong opening number. At syempre binubusisi ng aming director na si Mamu (Andrew de Real) ang number with the superstar. Sisiguruhin naming may pasabog,” he vowed.
The other guests are The Company, Aiza Seguerra, Aegis, and the Talentadings trio of Al Arayata, Joel O, and Kim Idol.
source: interaksyon.com