It was love at first hearing.

As Korina Sanchez recalled, she fell in love with M.Y.M.P. (Make Your Momma Proud) duo Juris and Chin a few years ago when they sang Ill Never Get Over You Getting Over Me on her and Kris Aquinos show Morning Girls with Kris and Korina.

"They were only starting then," related Korina, "but Juris and Chin sang that song with so much feeling that I became their instant fan."

Not long after that, M.Y.M.P. continued to win more hearts with their sentimental (and, may I add, "unhysterical") style of singing, with their beautifully-blended voices, rising over and above the ear-splitting sound of bands and creating their own exclusive niche on the music scene.

"I was impresssed all the more when I learned that they drew SRO crowds during their two concerts at the Araneta Coliseum," added Korina, "with many of their fans reported to be jumping over the bakod in a scramble to get in ahead of the others."

Thats why Korina and bosom friend Vivian Sarabia gladly joined the creative team of the group which is producing the M.Y.M.P.s Sentimental Tour (of four cities around the country) when they were told that the M.Y.M.P. was topbilling it.

"I can listen to them sing Ill Never Get Over You Getting Over Me over and over again without getting tired of it," said Korina.

Asked why, she said half-jokingly, "It hits a soft spot in my heart. You see, ilang beses na akong iniwanan ng boyfriend. Well, mayroon din naman akong iniwanan and what I know is that nagsisisi silang lahat."

Dared to name names, Korina begged off. Suffice it to say that she and her boyfriend, Sen. Mar Roxas, have been happy together for four years now (their "anniversary" falls on May 21, birthday of Nora Aunor), never mind if they havent set a wedding date yet.

Vivian ("Eyewear Stylist to the Stars") has been an M.Y.M.P. fan herself way back when she heard the duo sang Especially For You (original by Kylie Minogue, a cancer survivor like Vivian).

"Tinamaan ako where it should," said the sentimental Vivian, pointing to her heart. "Matindi!"

By coincidence, one of M.Y.M.P.s most-requested songs hits people bulls-eye in the heart. Yes, Tell Me Where It Hurts, which should be included in their Sentimental Tour repertoire (plus the songs theyve been singing in their past concerts and selections from their new album).

Juris and Chin have just come back from their successful first US concert tour that covered San Francisco, San Jose, San Diego and Los Angeles in California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Chicago; and New York.

I know for a fact that the duos New York concert last Sept. 23, produced by Baby Lantin, was sold out weeks earlier.

"At first," Baby told Funfare, "I was a bit worried because the M.Y.M.P. hadnt proven themselves yet in the US concert scene. They are different from other artists who perform as they sing. I mean, they are all over the stage entertaining the audience with more than just singing. The M.Y.M.P. is a mellow kind of artists. Kumakanta lang talaga sila."

But Babys worries vanished when tickets sold like pre-paid cellphone loads.

"Their concert was successful," said Baby. "Everybody went home happy after enjoying a different kind of concert."

Commented Mario Bautista, "I like the M.Y.M.P. because, unlike some singers, they dont scream; they simply sing. Its very relaxing listening to them."

Guesting on the M.Y.M.P.s Sentimental Tour is Nyoy Volante who said he can perform with the duo "spontaneously" even without rehearsing.

"I can jam with Juris and Chin anytime, anywhere," said Nyoy who denied rumors that he and Jimmy Bondoc are having a misunderstanding over Nina, Jimmys "ex" and Nyoys "current."

"Before I courted Nina," said Nyoy, "I first asked Jimmys permission. Jimmy and I are still friends."

(Note: The M.Y.M.P. Sentimental Tour will be staged on Oct. 3 at the CPU Gym in Iloilo City; Oct. 14 at the De La Salle Gym, Bacolod City; Oct. 20 at the Folk Arts Theater in Manila; and Oct. 28 at the Waterfront Hotel Ballroom, Cebu City. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are available at Ticketworld outlets or call/text 0918-4216160 or 0921-4123257; Cebu at 0917-6271800; Bacolod at 0920-9475161; and Iloilo at 0917-6222622.)

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