Last week we reported about the circumstances that led to the closure of popular dance club Privé in Bonifacio Global City (“Why Privé closed…,” Oct. 29), which, one of its co-owners told us, involved Privé’s house DJ and manager Boyet Almazan—who is being asked to account for cash, “P16 million for 2016 alone.”

Privé, which had 12 business partners, opened in 2015 and shut down middle of this year.

Recently, more details emerged. The co-owner—who requested anonymity due to an ongoing investigation on the case—said a lawyer for a bank went to Privé and informed management that Almazan owed the bank P150 million, and that part of the collateral were Privé’s lights and sound equipment.

“So, that’s why we closed,” the co-owner admitted. “The bank had to pull out Privé’s equipment.”

Another co-owner we talked to clarified that Almazan was actually the majority owner of Privé, having taken over from its previous owners who went on to set up The Palace Manila (consisting of Valkyrie, Palace Pool Club, etc.).

“Boyet encountered problems with his main business, which is lights and sound equipment,” said the other co-owner, adding that the only reason Privé got involved was because Almazan owned the club’s equipment.

On a positive note, Privé is set to reopen in December—with most of its partners but with a new name.

‘Soundtrack’ of Ogie’s life

We asked Ogie Alcasid at the press con for his coming concert, “The Soundtrack of My Life,” on Nov. 30, Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila, to name his top three musical influences.

“The first time I saw Rico J. Puno sing, I was mesmerized,” Alcasid said, adding that he wondered, “Who is this man who thinks he’s so pogi… but can sing like a black man. As a kid, I saw him as revolutionary. I was aping him as a young singer.”

Alcasid pointed out that he really identified with Puno’s singing style, so much so that he’s dedicating an entire medley to Puno at the concert.

“The very first album I bought,” Alcasid continued, “was by Barry Manilow.” That was Alcasid’s awakening, he said, on how to write songs.

“I’m not a poet like George Canseco,” he added, “I write in ordinary Tagalog. But Rey Valera, in just so many words, captures the imagery that he wants to convey.”

“Ogie Alcasid: The Soundtrack of My Life” will feature Regine Velasquez as special guest, and the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra with maestro Rodel Colmenar. Roxanne Lapus directs.

Call Ticketworld at 8919999; visit ticketworld.com.ph.

Let’s Be Sili’s ‘sisig’

The quaint little eatery called Let’s Be Sili on Maginhawa’s food row is getting known for its “thrice-cooked” sisig—whose linamnam or tastiness is due to the mixture of other parts of pork aside from the pig’s cheeks. There is also no raw egg which, when spread over the sisig, tends to hide its true taste.

In any case, Let’s Be Sili now serves beer—the perfect drink to wash down its soon-to-be-famous sisig.

Let’s Be Sili, 108 Maginhawa St. Teachers Village, Quezon City; tel no. (0917)9460525.