Philippine Music bits on Pinoy bands and singers

by Phoebe Dorothy Estelle

After two years of absence in from the music scene, reigning Pop Sweetheart Yasmien Kurdi comes back with her latest album under GMA Records. Titled Love Is All I Need, Yasmien not only showcased her powerful vocals but her songwriting skills as well.

Her composition, “Love Is All I Need” is the carrier single of the album. She shared that inspiration for the song came during the taping of her fantasy series “Encantadia”, where she spent her free time mostly daydreaming under the trees.

Yasmien is very proud of her new album because she was really involved in the production.

“Ipinagmamalaki ko po talaga ang album na ito. ‘Di ba may demo song pa iyan, doon pa lang humihirit na ako na, “Kuya hindi iyan.”

The young singer-actress said that she even debated for the songs that would be included in the album. There were even spilled over tracks meant for her debut album but because of her age at that time, the songs didn’t fit to her image.

“Iyong ibang songs ko ngayon ay mga tracks sa first album na hindi ko makanta noong time na iyon. Kasi hindi ko pa kaya at hindi pa ako maka-relate.”

The track “Hayaan Mo Na” is a creation of Sandwich band members – Mong Alcaraz and Mike Dizon. The two men also joined Alwyn Cruz and Rene Salta in producing the album.

Yasmien revived “Kisapmata” of Rivermaya, which is already penetrating the airwaves. Her version is not so far from Bamboo’s interpretation except of course, she has own singing style. Her another remake is the song “Goodbye.”

“Medyo naiiba siya, I mean ibang sound naman for Yasmien, it’s technologically advanced,” Yasmien now describing her song, “Candlelight Romance.”

The song is a danceable tune powered by electronical tricks that made the song more enchanting, just like what foreign artists like Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Christina Aguillera like to dish out.

“Give Me A Sign,” “Wishing Well”, and “One Day” are songs that revealed this star’s deepest thoughts and aspirations.

The sweet and youthful Yasmien is noticeable in the two cuts “Even If” and “Take Or Leave It.” The latter is similar to her signature ditty, “I Know.” “I Know” was the theme song of Korean series “Sweet 18” aired by GMA 7 before.

“Gusto kong ma-spread out iyong music ko. Sana iyong essence noong mga songs sa album ay ma-enjoy ng mga listeners.”

Yasmien is the lead star of afternoon soap opera, “Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso,” opposite new actor JC de Vera. Apart from it, she’s a regular performer on the Sunday musical program SOP. She was able to record her album in between these regular gigs and other TV guestings.

“Kunwari kapag taping pull –out. Kapag break time, aalis muna ako to record. Alis-balik ganoon.”

“Love Is All I Need ”, Yasmien Kurdi’s second album is released by GMA Records and distributed by Paragon Music Corporation and Universal Records.

Tags: Yasmien Kurdi, Starstruck, GMA Artists, Philippine Entertainment News

By Valerie Tort

From a hopeful musician to a successful recording artist—stepping out of the Pinoy Dream Academy opened a new door for Chad Peralta in the Philippine music industry.

After several weeks of romping each day and night inside the academy, Nugen Music decided to record and release an album for Chad Peralta.

Pop alternative and pop rock patrons will surely enjoy Chad Peralta’s new songs that will touch your heart while feeling a little bit reflective and at the same time reminiscent of their “puppy love” or “one true love.” The 21-year-old singer and songwriter brought back our memories of romantic love songs that touched even our soul with an upbeat rhythm of the pop alternative genre full of emotions.

Chad Peralta graduated from the reality-based music academy armed with the cultivated talent and the enhanced voice brought by the training and the experience inside the televised school. Pinoy Dream Academy trained numerous scholars from around the globe to fulfill their dream of becoming one of the most sought-after singers in the Philippine music scene. Chad is one of the dreamers who finally made it to the top six scholars with Panky Trinidad, Irish Fullerton, Jay-R Siaboc, Ronnie Liang, and the Grand Star Dreamer Yeng Constantino.

Chad’s self-titled debut album was released this month under Nugen Music. His inclination for pop alternative genre helped him to release this debut album featuring 11 songs: Promise, Song For You, Time Machine, My Eyes Adored You, Kasalanan, Where Do I Begin?, Realist, I’ll Do Anything For You, Kung Pwede Lang Sana, I Don’t Know, and the acoustic version of Song For You.

The Australian-born Chad was able to showcase his pop rock and pop alternative genre while preserving the mood of the songs. Hearing his songs made me remind of Evanescence—the gothic rock style that kept haunting your emotions each time and the beat and the sorrow, nostalgic feeling in every word sung.

Fans of Chad can hear his unexpected performance and outstanding talent that can compete with other established and long-time performers. The energetic and powerful voice will drown devout fans with emotions.

The carrier single “Song For You” is dedicated for heartbroken people who still loved his special someone even if they ended up separated. The love will still remain just like before, with the longing and sadness endured through time.

“My Eyes Adored You” reminisced the times he spent with his special someone. The kindergarten romance continued to creep in his mind even if the endless years passed. No matter what their distance is, his only love will remain in his heart—so near yet so far.

His tremendous efforts and hard work inside the academy paid off when his debut album was released. A true blue romantic Pinoy at heart, Chad Peralta is a world-class performer that will serenade us in a peculiar way as the contemporary pop music sets in his songs.

Tags: Chad Peralta, Pinoy Dream Academy, Philippine Music News

By Phoebe Dorothy Estelle

The Star Dreamer 2nd runner up of Pinoy Dream Academy (PDA) Ronnie Liang, didn’t get this far that easy. Before his big break from the 24/7 reality talent search, he was once disqualified from a prestigious singing contest on television.

Ronnie was one of the strong contenders in the second season of GMA’s “Pinoy Pop Superstar.” His followers was surprised when the show’s host, Regine Velasquez, suddenly announced that he was being kicked off the show because the management found out he violated a vital rule of the contest — having his own manager.

Many were dismayed but the event served as motivation for the now “Prince of Balladeers.” Ronnie was able to move on and focus on his singing career.

“May plano si God sa lahat ng nangyayar. Things woked out for the better,” Ronnie shared.

Fresh from his triumph at PDA, the young singer beams with the debut of his 13-track album, “Ang Aking Awitin” under Universal records.

“Hindi ako makapaniwala na nag-recording ako para sa solo album ko. Nagpa-flash lagi sa mind ko iyong pinagawa sa amin ni headmaster (Jim Paredes) about sa collage of dreams. Isa sa dinikit ko doon ay iyong picture ng album at si Christian Bautista. Sabi ko, dream ko na maging katulad ni Christian na maging ‘Asian Heartthrob’ at magkaroon ng solo album,” the balladeer remembered.

The album’s carrier single, “Ngiti” is one of the most requested songs today. Its catchy lyrics and melody topped numerous music charts. It seems he brings a different spice into the genre popularized by Ric Segreto, Ariel Rivera, Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera.

Ryan Cayabyab’s composition, “Nais Ko” is also a cut in his debut album. The song happened to be his winning piece in PDA’s Grand Dream Night held at Araneta Coliseum last December 16.

“Ang message ng song ay talagang nangungusap sa akin, Nais Kong matupad ang mga pangarap ko. May isang line sa kanta na gusting-gusto ko ito ay ang: “Nais Kong Malibot Ang Mundo sa kanyang Kasuluksulukan.” Pangarap ko makapunta sa iba’t - ibang lugar at makapag-perform,” he said “

Natupad iyon at nakapunta ako sa Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, Oriental, Mindoro, Coronadal and Boracay. Higit sa lahat nakapunta ako sa Japan, Los Angeles, San Diego and Las Vegas para mag-concert and pasayahin ang mga kababayan natin. Hindi ko akalain na makakarating ako sa mga lugar na iyon. Nag-umpisa lang talaga ang lahat sa pangarap na ngayon ay natupad na.”

In preparation for his album, he maintained his usual discipline and applied the lessons he learned from PDA. He vocalized, exercised, slept early and avoided cold and sweet foods.

“Dumadating ang mga time na kapag pagod ang boses ko and kakanta or magre-recording ako, hindi talaga ako nagsasalita. Pinagpapahinga ko ang boses ko. Iyon din ang advice ng mga voice teacher namin noong nasa academy pa ako.”

The mainstay of ASAP ’07 had the privilege to collaborate with respected individuals in music industry. RnB man Keith Martin penned the song “Ikaw”, Ito Rapadas for the track inspired by OFWs, “Kung Ako’y Uuwi,” and Vehnee Saturno who created and produced the track, “Nag-iisang Ikaw.”

Other songs in the album are “Kaibigan Mo” penned by Pett Del Rosario, “Sa ‘Yo Lang” and “Walang Iba” composed by John Barnard Borja, “Saan Darating ang Umaga” by George Canseco, and “Gusto Kita” popularized by Gino Padilla.

Ronnie performed “Ang Aking Awitin” with Nikki Gil. The guy from Angeles, Pampanga personally requested the singer and MYX VJ to be his singing partner for the said song.

“It’s an honor talaga na makatrabaho ko sila and makanta ko ang mga kanta nila. Advice nila sa akin na kumanta ako using my own style. Kahit ‘di na raw ako birit ng birit sa pagkanta Kumanta lang daw ako ng suave.”

Ronnie is a neophyte in music industry and yet he already went through many challenges in his singing career. He values what he has learned from his experiences and the people he met, and he never stopped dreaming.

Ronnie Liang’s “Ang Aking Awitin” album is exclusively marketed & distributed by Universal Records Inc.

Special thanks to Universal Records and Mr. George Roca

Tags: Ronnie Liang, Pinoy Dream Academy, Pinoy Pop Superstar

By Phoebe Dorothy Estelle

What’s it like to be on critically acclaimed and awarded theatre musicals, where you have be sound good and be the best actress that you should be? For most artists confidence, skills and passion are tools for success and our very own top-notch performer Lea Salonga is the walking example of these traits.

And in spite of her international celebrity, Lea never forgets het roots — the Philippines. The only true Filipina diva is once again back with a powerful new album, Inspired, which will no doubt capture the heart of local music fans.

One hundred percent is what she gives to everything she does. Remember her shampoo commercial where it showed her requesting for another take just to get it right? Many would say that it was just press release but, indeed, her drive for perfection is very real.

The applause and fame that she received when she did the Broadway hit, Miss Saigon, has kept her in the limelight. She is the only Filipino actor who garnered citations from teh Tony, Drama Desk, Laurence Olivier, Theatre World and Outer Critics Circle, highly-respected award giving bodies in the field of theatre productions.

“This (trophy) is also goes too for everybody back home who dreams of winning Tony awards. Wake up, a dream will come true for someone else too,” Lea’s speech when she won her 1991 Tony Awards for Best Leading Actress in a Musical.

Her success playing Kim was followed by numerous offers that opened doors not only for her but to other Filipino performers as well. After Miss Saigon, she was tapped to play Eponine in the long-running musical, Les Miserables, on Broadway, she was the first Asian to play the character.

She also top billed another musical play “Flower Drum Song” and appeared on the CBS-TV daytime show “As the World Turns.” Her debut in U.S television came with the Hallmark TV movie, Redwood Curtain, where she worked with Jeff Daniels and John Lithgow.

She recently returned to Les Miserables at the Broadhurst Theatre that started March 6. This time she plays the factory worker, Fantine, who was pushed to be a prostitute.

Apart from Broadway and Philippines, the award-winning singer and stage actress also gained popularity in Singapore because of the plays she did — “In to the Woods,” “They’re Playing Our Song” and “Baby”.

In the concert scene, her first international concert was held at the Isaac Stern Hall at the famous Carnegie Hall in November 7, 2005. She was only the third Fipino to perform in the said venue. In support of the Filipino athletes during the 2006 DOHA Asian Games in Qatar, Lea graced Khalifa Stadium with an estimated 50,000 audience to perform “Triumph of the One” during the closing ceremony.

Known for having supreme singing style, she also did recordings for Disney’s animated films like “Aladdin” as the singing voice of Jasmine and Fa Mulan in “Mulan.” Back home she has has consistently topped OPM record sales from her first album “Small Voice” to her latest “Inspired.” In fact, she is one the Philippines’ Best Selling Female Artist of All Time with sales of 19 million.

“Inspired” was Lea’s most recent project before going to Broadway. The album is comprised of easy-to-listen ballads like the Jim Brickman composition “To Hear You Say” fand “Two Words,” her official wedding song written by Louie Ocampo.

“I guess it’s a word that describes our collective state of being. We were inspired by various things: my new baby, different artists’ albums and/or vocal stylings, experiences, people, just going about our individual days. There wasn’t any one thing I can pin down or point out, but whatever these things were, it brought out our best. I hope you all enjoy what you’ll hear,” Lea’s said of her album under Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

Lea gave birth to her baby girl named Nicole Beverly, May 16 last year. She has been married to businessman Robert Chien for three years now.

Pehaps, all her accomplishments can be summed up in her latest Hapee toothpaste commercial.

“Nakasakay na ako sa flying carpet, naging sundalo at bayani. Nakatira na sa palasyo mula Thailand hanggang London. Naging refugee at ulila. Lumaban sa rebulusyon, naging Kim sa Saigon, hanggang sa naging Mrs. Chen at mommy ni Nicole. Lahat ito nagawa ko ng nakangiti, hindi ako natakot, hindi umurong, hindi nawalan ng boses. Kahit ano pa, kahit saan pa.

Lea is not only a dreamer but an enabler, her reputation as a singer, actress, and as an artist is really an inspiration to every proud Filipino.

Tags: Lea Salonga, Philippine Music News, OPM Albums

The Lumanog name is synonymous with Philippine made acoustic guitars. As far as I can remember, when someone in the family wanted an acoustic guitar the reply is always to “get a Lumanog” coz “it’s the best”.

And since the family hails from Pampanga, everyone knows where the best of the best Lumanog guitars can be found - at the hub of guitar and music instrument shops all bearing the name Lumanog in San Anton, Guagua, Pampanga.

Authentic Lumanog acoustic guitars at ROMY LUMANOG guitar shop in
San Anton town, Guagua, Pampanga. Philippines.

Thus, when it was my turn to get my first acoustic guitar - as soon as we changed Apo Ando’s $100 gift into pesos - we rushed straight to San Anton in Guagua, me and my cousin haggled the hell out of the C.B. Lumanog music shop.

My first acoustic guitar was a classical guitar with nylon strings - it had a spruce top and rosewood fingerboard. This guitar served me well, and I player her a lot, she ushered me into the world of music. 3 months into playing the guitar, I was in the school Banduria - and my Apo was actually able to watch the banduria’s recital with me proudly plucking his gift guitar. Ah, the good old days.

Anyhoo, back to the Lumanog guitar thing. Since I was quite determined to get a local guitar that I can have lying around the house - a guitar I can pick up anytime to just strum out melodies and ideas buzzing in my head - I decided to trek to Sta Mesa Manila and get one.

But heck, I checked out five shops and the quality of the “Lumanog” acoustic guitars there were simply horrendous. These are the plywood type guitars painted blue and red no different to those hawked on the streets. Their best guitars, with the nice wood tops, were not as bad but were not good either - really messy worksmanship on the outside and inside. No Sta. Mesa “Lumanog” acoustic guitars for me.

The perfect opportunity to score an authentic Lumanog guitar presented itself when we headed to Lubao for the annual family reunion. On the way back to Manila, since it was a Sunday and the traffic was heavy, I thought why not pass by San Anton see if the shops are open - and what guitars they have.

CB Lumanog shop was closed (I always bought my acoustic guitars from CB Lumanog - 3 of them), but ROMY Lumanog’s shop was open - and Romy Lumanog himself was in the house.

I immediately asked for their best guitar available. He handed me a cutaway guitar with Langka wood and rosewood fingerboard - the action felt right, the sound was OK, the workmanship was ok (not close to perfect but was ok - clean enough, good enough). He showed me a couple more guitars but I went back to the first one he showed me, so I decided to take it - for P3,000 only ($60-$70)!

Btw, this Romy Lumanog acoustic guitar had a GIBSON mark on the headstock! As much as non-Lumanog guys are ripping off the Lumanog name, this real Lumanog is ripping off the Gibson mark, too. Oh well.

The next day I immediately took the guitar to the recording studio in Makati to find out what it sounds like as captured by quality microphones. Hmmm, not bad. Not bad at all. The sound is not big, the resonance leaves a lot ot be desired, but it is not boomy and twangy either - the tone is quite balanced across the strings. Hmmm, seems like this guitar wont just be lying around the house.

So there, something about Lumanog acoustic guitars - hand made in San Anton, Guagua, Pampanga, Philippines.

tags: Philippine guitars, Philippine acoustic guitar, Philippine luthier, Lumanog, Lumanog guitar, Guagua, Pampanga