ANGELS made it happen, says concert producer Joed Serrano (third from left), in photo with Kin Santos, Flor Santos and Ms Kelly.

Canadian superstar Celine Dion took Manila by storm on 19 and 20 July with sold-out shows at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City.

Such was the Filipino audiences’ warm welcome that she was overcome with emotion toward the end of her concert on the first night. One of her signature songs, “Because You Loved Me,” would have been appropriate.

Putting up such a show is never an easy task, but this one turned out to be extra challenging.

This is what Joed Serrano, one of the main producers of the concert, revealed to some members of the press last week.

According to the former That’s Entertaiment regular and now concert producer, “the friend who was supposed to come up with half of Celine’s talent fee backed out at the last minute,” as a PEP.ph report details.

The prospect of cancellation crossed Joed’s mind.

“It was October of last year when we were able to close the deal for Celine Dion. And then of course we paid already, with Ovation [Productions],” related Joed, referring to 50 percent of Celine’s talent fee.

Renen de Guia’s Ovation Productions has produced several other big international artists’ concerts in Manila. He and wife Celina’s son Bogie handle the company’s production, road management and security.

Joed ventured into concert production in 1998. He has helped bring oover international performers such as, among others, Korean pop sensation PSY, Katy Perry, The Jonas Brothers, James Ingram, Boyzone and Michael Learns To Rock. Locally, he produced concerts for Vice Ganda, Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Ogie Alcasid, Martin Nievera, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Gary Valenciano and many more.

Toward the end of December in 2017, Joed was shocked to find out that his friend, who had committed to shell out the money, could not deliver. With the the deadline for the payment of the remaining balance looming, Joed sought help from King of Talk Boy Abunda in what is described in sales as a “cold call.”

Admitting he and Boy were mere industry acquaintances, Joed chose to lay it all out in the open.

“I said, ‘Do you know Celine Dion?’ ‘Yeah, the one who sang ‘My Heart Will Go On.’ You got my attention.’

“’I have a problem, Tito Boy, this person promised, but did not deliver. I don’t think it will push through if I don’t get the full payment upfront.’”

In response, Boy referred a friend of his whom he thought could rescue the situation.

Joed met Flor Santos of Dreamwings Entertainment, who agreed to fund the rest of the money as Celine’s fee.

Joed, feeling grateful for this unexpected “miracle,” wanted to reveal the “angels” who had helped make the Celine Dion concerts finally happen in Manila. “Because without his help, there would not have been a Celine Dion concert. He keeps a very low profile, so I am not sure if he will like this, but it is my way of saying thank you, Tito Boy, because during those difficult times, it was a miracle,” he said in the PEP report.

Joed also expressed appreciation for the support he got from other friends. He said in a Philippine Star report, “I have other people to thank for saving me, like Tito Boy (Abunda, photo), Ms. Kelly, Bebs, Twinny Gracey, Te Cors, Louie, Ryan and Flor Santos (the mother of singer L.A. Santos). They know what for.”

Co-presentors of Celine’s concert included Smart and PLDT.