7 Sarah G Performances that Prove She’s Her Generation’s Ultimate Pop Star

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In the Philippines, a land with no shortage of artistic talents, Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli is the quintessential triple threat.

But long before she carved out her name as one of the most versatile Filipina artists today, she was a singer first.

At two years old, the Manila-born act had already started publicly showing off her vocal chops. And like many youngsters blessed with a beautiful voice, her childhood was punctuated with various stints at singing shows.

However, it was in 2003 that she experienced her most pivotal win: She was declared the grand winner of the Regine Velasquez-Alcasid-hosted “Star for a Night.”

This May, the Popstar Royalty is set to once again conquer the Araneta Coliseum to commemorate her 20th year in the industry. Tickets for the show had already sold out a week after it was announced.

As she herself will direct the show alongside Paolo Valenciano, her avid fans called popsters can only expect an unforgettable celebration of her unparalleled showmanship.

The long wait is over.

The Popstar Royalty is coming back to The Big Dome.

SARAH GERONIMO
The 20th Anniversary Concert
Araneta Coliseum
May 12, 2023

Directed by: Paolo Valenciano & Sarah Geronimo pic.twitter.com/nnqt0WuPSE

— VAA LIVE (@vaa_live) March 16, 2023

In honor of the said milestone — and as Women’s Month comes to a close — here’s a round-up of performances that prove that she is, indeed, her generation’s ultimate pop star.

“To Love You More,” Star for a Night

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The date was March 1, 2003. Many Filipinos were glued to their TV screens as they watched the culmination of GMA’s year-long singing competition, “Star for a Night.”

Sarah was 14 and clad in a white, subtly shiny gown. Completing the ensemble was a white shawl that she would dramatically took off in the middle of the performance.

When she delivered Celine Dion’s “To Love You More,” everyone knew that it was bound to be a winning piece — it was touching through and through. Looking back, that moment, which gave birth to a once-in-a-generation star, can be considered one of the most memorable performances on Philippine TV.

“Forever’s Not Enough,” ASAP debut

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When you’re just in your teenage years, your concept of love and forever won’t be as deep. It’s why a singer must have that exceptional storytelling ability to convey the emotions that a song demands. This was the case when Sarah recorded and released “Forever’s Not Enough” months after her iconic win.

The ballad about faithful love, composed by siblings Doris and Vehnee Saturno, proved to be a hit. And as it was seen in her debut performance on ABS-CBN’s Sunday noontime show, “ASAP,” the young pop artist sure knew how to use her full voice to bring such a heartfelt OPM song to life.

“Sino ang Baliw,” Perfect 10

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In one of the highlights of her “Perfect 10” concert in 2013, the big screens showed a six-year-old Sarah performing “Sino ang Baliw.” The Mon Del Rosario-penned opus, originally popularized by Kuh Ledesma, is a well-known singing contest piece in the country.

That snippet was a prelude to her rock-heavy rendition of the OPM classic. Though the number was a stark musical contrast to her earlier theatrical version, her talent of persuasively interpreting songs serves as a riveting common ground. It was a testament to her innate gift, something that she so successfully honed throughout years of performing.

“Ikot-Ikot,” The Great Unknown: Unplugged

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UylGJqBF-A4

In the local concert scene, pop belters are revered for their powerful capacity to hit high notes. But, every now and then, they step out of the mold; they render songs that are stripped down to the core, putting their emotive singing to the fore.  

In 2016, Sarah staged an entire show more intimate than the 10 big-venue concerts she held in the country before. Seeing the Popstar Royalty in that kind of setting inevitably became a special night for her supporters.

Before a sold-out audience at the New Frontier Theater (then Kia Theater), she performed unplugged versions of “The Great Unknown” tracks and some of her earlier hits. In this fan cam, you’ll see her casually sitting, sipping a glass of water, and singing her 2013 smash “Ikot-Ikot.”

“Tala,” ASEAN Japan Music Festival

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More than the irresistible melody of “Tala,” it’s the song’s story of resurgence that really made it one of the most important OPM pieces of the last decade. And in this video, Sarah performs it on a global stage where it rightfully deserves to be seen.

In 2018, she represented the country at the ASEAN-Japan Music Festival and introduced the hit song before foreign audience members. Though it’s common practice in the industry to play a plus-one accompaniment during song-and-dance numbers, the pop star nonetheless delivered a captivating performance — complete with dance breaks and live singing that displayed the power of her voice.

“Kilometro,” This 15 Me

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff0Qtg1ebMs

In CNN’s 10 best songs of the 2010s, two Sarah G hits made it to the list: “Tala” and “Kilometro.” They defined the latter as a crucial track that saw her transitioning into “an adult pop star that knows how to break new grounds and leave fans with something new every era and release.”

A few years back, she sang this song in a simple white-shirt-blue-jeans attire to close out her 15th-anniversary concert, “This 15 Me.” Like many encore performances of any spectacular show, it brimmed with much energy — and an overflowing sense of gratitude — that came from both the artist and the crowd.

Before her finale number, it’s noteworthy to mention that fans had just given Sarah a standing ovation for her performance of “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing.” The lingering astonishment rose to another satisfying peak when the “Kilometro” act performed one of the most essential songs in her catalog.

You can watch the entire film concert on Netflix.

OPM Medley with Regine Velasquez, R30 Concert

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“I won’t get over the fact that the one I look up to, the Asia’s Songbird, is someone I’m able to perform with.” This is what Sarah said in the vernacular when she was asked how it feels to share the stage with Regine in this interview.

Throughout the years, the two have shared many full-circle moments. One quick search on YouTube and you’ll find several occasions where they’ve taken the spotlight and performed together. Earning millions of views is this sweep of Regine’s hits during her “R30” concert at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Sarah opened the medley with her rendition of “Sana Maulit Muli.” Regine joined her for “Ikaw” and shared a duet with her throughout the remaining songs, “Dadalhin” and “Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin.” Beyond the immense singing talents that they showcased, it was their mutual respect that made the performance even more endearing.

Throughout the number, Sarah’s humble demeanor was also unmistakable. And, surely, if you ask her long-time fans, it’s one of the characteristics that made her the icon that she is today.

Ready for more performances from the Popstar Royalty? Catch Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli as she stages her 20th-anniversary concert on May 12, Friday, at the Araneta Coliseum. The show is presented by VIVA Live.

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Written by Emmy Borromeo

Editing and design by Pauline Bolaños and Kathleen Manalo

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