Louie Ocampo’s 45 Fruitful Years

Listening to the music of Louie Ocampo never fails to create a symphony of memories in my heart. This extremely gifted composer, musical arranger, lyricist, songwriter, record producer has been regaling the souls of many generations for the past 45 years. As a friend and die-hard fan, it has been a joy to follow him throughout his fruitful journey, reaping those much-deserved rewards.

At the tender age of 19, Louie collaborated with his classmate Rowena Arrieta at the Greenhills Music Studio on a pop song. Louie created the melody, she wrote the lyrics. To their surprise, “Ewan” won second place in the Metro Pop Music festival. It was performed by Apo Hiking Society and became an instant hit. This became a favorite of my generation. To this day, just hearing the introduction drives my siblings into a fit of girly giggles reminiscent of making pakipot to teenage suitors, in the good old-fashioned tradition of playing hard to get.

Louie is a romantic who wears his heart on his sleeve. I fondly recall one day in the early 80s when Louie came home from the States. He was visibly happy. Giddy with boyish excitement, grinning from ear to ear, gushing over a girl named Annna and her homemade grasshopper pie. This summer love produced a hit song named “Anna,” a very upbeat tune that makes you want to get up and do a happy dance. Though the romance was short lived, the two songs produced were not at all. Brokenhearted Louie wanted to know: “Where did I go wrong?” Thus the song “Tell Me” was born. This composition touched so many hearts and hit the top of the charts. It was originally sung by Joey Albert, co-written by Allan Ayque and later recorded by Ariel Rivera with Regine Velasquez in a duet winning yet another award for best recording.

Louie found his calling as he used his God-given talent. People fell in love with his songs. I recall another hit song called “Forever” that he wrote for a feel good movie about a young heiress who ran away and found true love starring Aga Muhlach and Mikee Cojuangco, which garnered him an award in 1994.

“You Are My Song” sung by Regine in 1997 turned out to be another phenomenal hit and there was no stopping Louie from doing what he did best!

I was ecstatic when Louie finally met and married the love of his life Jojo Marquez Ocampo, a lovely lady gifted with grace, a beautiful brain and a golden heart. “Say That You Love Me,” which he co-wrote with Allan and dedicated to Jojo became another hit! On their wedding anniversary, he surprised her at home after dinner when Gary Valenciano came down their staircase singing Louie’s gift entitled, “To Love You Once Again.”

Their marriage is blessed with four wonderful children whom Louie dearly loves. Partricia, Roberta, Isabela and Quito. So inspired was he by fatherhood that he composed Patricia’s lullaby, which won an award for best instrumental performance in 2000.

Louie’s creativity, humor, kindness and generosity are legendary. I will always be grateful for the multiple times he has shared his time and talent. In 2004, he was musical director for our Assumption high school batch ‘79 grand homecoming Velada production. In 2018, he performed in a fundraising concert for our mission school the Divine Healer Academy of Sorsogon. He helped my better half Benny (who is his number one fan) by being his musical arranger, and gamely accompanies our talented batch hubbies on the grand piano allowing them to sing and shine during our batch reunions. Never a dull moment with Louie around. He fills our hearts with heavenly music.

With a lot of prayers and good works Louie’s career bloomed, making him a most sought-after musical director here and abroad. Fans enjoyed his multitude of concerts with Sharon Cuneta, Sarah Geronimo and Martin Nievera to name a few . One of the many crowd favorites beautifully sang by Martin in his concerts is a heartfelt song they wrote together aptly called “I’ll Be There For You.”

His numerous movie scores, TV and radio commercials are unforgettable. My favorite jingle entitled “Closer You and I” used in those iconic Close Up commercials originally sang by Gino Padilla, still gives me the chills.

And the list goes on and on…

These and many more songs are what I look forward to in Louie Ocampo’s 45th anniversary concert titled “Composer Ka Lang.” It will be held in the Theatre at Solaire on Feb. 4 and 5, 2023 at 8 p.m. Louie and his special guests Martin, Sarah and Sharon as well as Basil Valdez, Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Katrina Velarde, Janine Tenoso, Lyca Gairanod will surely create a fabulous evening filled with music and memories of the most beautiful kind.

About the author

Michelle Dayrit Soliven is a happy wife, mother, jeweler, joyful servant, and two-time cancer survivor who believes in miracles.

Propelled by her passion for family, she wrote an inspirational bimonthly column in the Allure section of The Philippine Star entitled "Family Jewels," which featured heartfelt stories of life, love, and relationships, from 2013 to 2021.