John Prats finds that his most meaningful projects often come unexpectedly. While on a quiet family vacation in the United States, a call from his manager altered the course of his holidays — and set the tone for a Valentine's Day he will never forget.

“My manager called me when I was on vacation. Sabi niya, ‘Direk sorry alam ko nag-ba-bakasyon ka pero may balita ako, sobrang good news siya noong Christmas.’ I was really looking forward to this — sa birthday ko pa!”

Prats' surprise appointment as concert director for Champions of the Heart, which takes place on 14 February, coincides with his 42nd birthday. Rather than pressure, the timing was poetic.

What excites him the most is the opportunity to collaborate with a lineup of OPM powerhouses he is directing for the first time: Martin Nievera, Jed Madela, Jona Viray and Sofronio Vasquez, as well as longtime collaborator Klarisse de Guzman, whose solo concert he previously directed.

“Hindi ko siya naisip na challenging,” Prats explained. “Mas naisip ko siya as exciting. Si Klarisse, three times ko na siyang nakatrabaho, but sila Jed, si Sir Martin, si Jona, si Sof — first time. I get it from them. We exchange inputs, we visualize together. Ang sarap magtrabaho with artists na all in — hindi lang ‘I’ll sing, bahala ka na.’”

Fresh from a banner year that saw him steer a 40-show local and international tour for TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan, Prats says his approach to directing is rooted in openness — especially when creativity strikes at odd hours.

“Actually, Sir Martin has been messaging me until 4 a.m. about this concert,” he laughed. “And ang sarap nun. I always say I’m the kind of director you can call anytime. Kasi creativity hindi siya pinaplano. Minsan when you drive, minsan when you go to the toilet — doon pumapasok ang ideas. So, tawagan mo ako agad para hindi makalimutan, and then we create it.”

That spontaneity will define the show’s storytelling. “Even how we handle the whole narrative — transitions, flow — we’ll make it different and unpredictable,” he said.

Champions of the Heart is set for 14 February, 8 p.m. at the Marriott Grand Ballroom, Newport World Resorts. The concert is directed by John Prats, with musical direction by Marvin Querido — a Valentine’s celebration powered by collaboration, creativity and a whole lot of heart.