TWO very anxious sets of fingers would have remained crossed for most of yesterday at Malacanang Palace, the official residence of the Philippine head of state. For presidential daughter Jo Ramos was in concert at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium and burning up sufficient energy to set the stage alight - while back at home her ''very supportive mum and dad'' (President Fidel Ramos and First Lady Amelita, in case you wondered!) would have been waiting for news on how it all went. ''I won't be surprised if they call me from Manila later'' she told Keeping Posted as she recovered in her dressing room from a high-voltage performance that she confessed requires almost 36 hours of work-out every week. ''I've got my dad to thank for my stamina,'' asserts Jo. ''When I was young he encouraged me to play a lot of sports. Now that basic training serves me well on stage.'' This was Jo's first overseas concert since going solo, and was arranged at short notice as a prelude to her tour of the United States and Canada next month. And if the idea was to use Hong Kong to test the market, it was certainly inspired. The mainly Filipino audience lapped it up. And the pulsating action was infectious, many of them responding to the beat by dancing in the aisles. ''That was a good audience. And when the audience relates to you in that way it certainly helps your confidence,'' the petite performer said. ''I'm also glad that we were able to bring a little treat for the many Filipinos here. Some of the money raised will be donated to help Filipino domestic helpers who face abuse in Hong Kong.'' But her concert over and done with, Jo's mind was very much on another family first back in Manila later this week. ''My mum will be giving her first solo piano recital in aid of charity later this week, and I have to get back for that,'' she explained. with a hint of pride.
