A lot has changed in the music scene over the years. But no matter how much the industry shifts, nothing quite compares to looking back on the firsts—those defining moments that shaped a career and left lasting memories on the heart.

So join Ogie Alcasid in this throwback fest as he looks back on his most memorable 'firsts' as a singer-songwriter.  

Your first talent fee will always be special, right? No matter how big or small the amount. When asked about his first major purchase from his earnings, Ogie recalled that his first-ever gig as a singer didn’t actually pay him in cash. Instead, he received a ₱7,000 gift certificate from the shopping center where he performed. And he used it to buy himself a new cassette player.

He also looked back on his bar gig days, where he earned ₱800 per night for two sets. He would save up his earnings, and at the end of the month, reward himself or buy something for his parents.

Some songs just have that timeless magic; they never fade, only evolve with new generations. One good example is "Nandito Ako," Ogie's first monster hit in the '90s and is still being played to this day. In 2024, he released a reimagined version of "Nandito Ako" to cater to new generations. 

He also looked back on his first-ever solo concert, billed as “Radioactive,” held at the Folk Arts Theater over three decades ago. Since then, he’s been blessed with sold-out shows, something he’s truly grateful for. But he admits, no matter how long you’ve been in the industry, there’s always that little insecurity about how many people will show up. His longtime fans have stayed, and that's expected, but what really warms his heart is seeing younger audiences vibe with his music as well, proving that great songs can bridge generations.

With all the concerts he’s done, whether as the main act or a guest, Ogie has had plenty of unforgettable moments on stage. But there's one incident that still makes him laugh—during one of his earliest shows, he walked on stage completely unaware that his zipper was wide open.

Fans only see artists when they hit the stage, but what happens in those last few moments before the spotlight turns on is just as interesting. Martin Nievera does last-minute vocal warm-ups, Zsa Zsa Padilla strikes a power pose to boost her confidence. As for Ogie, he takes a deep breath, looks up, and imagines the face of God to remind himself who he’s truly performing for.