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| Rico Blanco inspired by Pinoy entrepreneurs |
MANILA, Philippines – Multi-awarded musician Rico Blanco is working on a new project to encourage more Filipinos to become entrepreneurs and being one’s own “Bossing”—and he’s doing it the best way he knows how: by providing inspiration and hope through a song. Blanco, an advocate of entrepreneurship, believes that as more Filipinos go into business, the sooner the nation’s poverty problem can be solved.
Using his music for positive and meaningful goals is not a new undertaking for the former vocalist and co-songwriter of the legendary band Rivermaya. Blanco, for example, help co-write the song “Posible” for the Philippine delegation to the Southeast Asian Games to inspire Filipino athletes to give their best. That song has become relevant beyond its original purpose and has become an anthem for Filipinos who dare to achieve what seems impossible.
More recently, Blanco composed and recorded the song “Bangon” as his way of helping the victims of Typhoon Ondoy. “Bangon” is still available as a free download on Rico’s website www.ricoblanco.com.ph where you can also find details on how you can contribute support to Typhoon Ondoy victims.
For his latest project, Blanco is still keeping details about his new song under wraps but did give a few hints on what it’s about.
“The song is a call for Filipinos to take control of their destiny. No matter who you are and what you do—whether you drive a taxi, or you’re a street vender, or you’re a new graduate who can’t find a job—you are not a slave of your circumstances.
“The point is that Filipinos can, by changing their attitude, change their lives for the better. They can make choices that will result in a better life for them and their loved ones. It doesn’t matter whether they have a lot of education or not—it’s all about realizing that no matter what your external situation is, you can still take control and create your own fate,” said Blanco.
Blanco said his inspiration for writing the song are Filipino entrepreneurs—especially those who started with almost nothing and became small-to-medium scale entrepreneurs or SMEs.
“Filipino SMEs are the silent, unpublicized heroes of our economy. They go against all odds to start a small business and grow it through street smarts, perseverance and hard work. In the process, they not only help themselves—they help generate jobs for other Filipinos as well. I read somewhere that SMEs form the backbone, as much as 90 percent, of our economy,” said Blanco.
With private sectors like Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and nongovernment organizations like Go Negosyo pushing efforts in giving SMEs the opportunities to succeed in their business, anyone who has the drive to become one’s own boss has a greater chance to succeed. Blanco is hoping that his new song, when it is released, will help Filipinos realize that there’s still hope, and that they have more options when it comes to becoming successful in life.
“If you look at the stories of Filipino entrepreneurs, many of them don’t necessarily come from high society, or studied in private schools. Many of them don’t even have a college or high-school degree. In a way, coming from a poor background is an added incentive for them to become successful entrepreneurs,” added Blanco.
Blanco said he is looking forward to finally releasing his new song when the time is right.
“As an artist and as a Filipino, I find it very fulfilling to create the music that I love, while at the same time making my own contribution to improving our nation’s situation,” said the popular musician. (manilatimes.net) |
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| Imelda Papin ready for 'face off' against Pacmom |
By Alex Valentin Brosas
Jukebox Queen Imelda Papin has accepted Dionesia Pacquiao’s call for a musical showdown.
The Pacmom issued the ‘challenge’ at a recent press conference tendered for her.
Triggered by a longing to meet her long-time "idol," Manny Pacquiao's mother asked the scribes present about Imelda's whereabouts.
“Asan na ba [si Imelda]? Matagal na ako sa Manila, hindi ko pa nakikita...itong idol ko. Nasaan na si Imelda, ano, buhay pa ba?
“Wala naman akong balita kung saan siya. Akala ko wala na siya. Kasi maliit pa ako, idol ko na siya,” she said.
And when told that Imelda is alive and kicking---that she is, in fact, busy doing concerts in Las Vegas, Nevada---Mommmy Dionesia said: “Gusto ko siya makita para (mag-showdown) kami.”
Not about to shirk away from the challenge, Imelda said in a TV interview that she looks forward to holding the showdown.
“Buhay na buhay po ang Imelda Papin, narito ho,” she initially said to assure Mommy Dionesia that she’s very much alive.
She added, “In fact ho, hinihintay ko kayo sa Las Vegas. Matutupad na po ang pangarap ninyo. Matutupad na ‘yong wish ninyo na maka-duet ako. And thank you so much dahil sinabi ninyo na idol ninyo ako.”
In the presscon, Mommy Dionesia showed how much she loves Imelda by singing a few bars of her hit, "Bakit Ikaw Pa."
Apparently, Mommy Dionesia wasn't aware that Imelda recently visited the country to promote her forthcoming concert with Melissa Manchester at the Waterfront Hotel & Casino in Cebu City on Dec. 18 and at the PICC Plenary Hall on Dec. 19.
Imelda also performed at the first Star Awards for Music held at The Skydome SM North EDSA while in Manila. (mb.com.ph) |
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| Lea saves best for Pinoys |
MANILA, Philippines – Although international theater actress and singer Lea Salonga’s forthcoming concert "Lea Salonga…Your Songs" is her only one in Manila in 2009, she intends to make it worth the wait.
Calling "Your Songs" the concert for the fans and by her fans, concert producer AmbientMedia and Lea are currently conducting an online poll via www.LEAyoursongs.com through which people could request for songs they want to hear from the superstar.
"We will choose songs that I don’t usually sing in my concerts or those that are already on DVD or CD. If I have to learn an all-new repertoire, I’ll do that just so my fans are happy," she said.
Not one to hold a generic type of concert, Lea always comes up with an interesting concept for every show she does. Some of the themes she has used in the past are Broadway, OPM and standards.
"Your Songs," however, has got to be her most anticipated concert ever because she has had fans waiting for it longer than usual. Since start of the year, Lea has been busy holding shows abroad in such countries as the US, Singapore, Bangkok and Canada.
Some of her fans even thought Lea might have already forgotten about them–until their idol proved that she was merely saving the best for last. Beyond singing the songs that they have always wanted hear from her, a lucky fan of Lea who had sent in a video request that makes the repertoire will get the chance to join Lea onstage at the concert.
"We’ve had the most eclectic requests — from Lady Gaga’s ‘Poker Face’ to Michael Jackson songs. Some of the songs sent in have me thinking that my fans are geniuses in that they make me go, ‘Wow! Why didn’t I think of that before?’" said Lea.
As expected, the www.LEAyoursongs.com website has been clogged with traffic since it was opened. Within the first week alone, at least 1,300 requests have been made with "Bayan Ko," which Lea sang during President Cory’s Funeral Mass, topping the list.
The concert will be held PICC on Dec. 11 and 12. Produced by AmbientMedia, it will have Richard Poon, Philippine All Stars and Ai-Ai de las Alas as special guests.
It will be under the musical direction of Gerard Salonga together with the 47-piece orchestra FILharmoniKA. (MNS)
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| Stephanie Reese shines on |
By Reyllen Bangsal
STAFFORD, Texas – Filipino-American Stephanie Reese is making her mark in show business whether here in America, Europe or Asia. She is an international star in her own right. She was tagged as the “Standing Ovation Queen” in Los Angeles after holding a successful concert that wowed the crowd in which she received three standing ovations. She is a singer, composer, actress and a humanitarian.
Reese was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and is the middle child in a brood of three. When asked at what age did she discover what she wants to do in the future Reese said, “I’ve always known that this is what I wanted to do. It’s not really a question of what but how I’m going to get there.” She further related that for as long as she can remember music has been a part of her life.
Humble beginnings
The talented entertainer told the Filipino Press that she started singing when she was a little girl. She joined the Northwest Girls choir when she was only 8 years old. This music group gave her the opportunity to travel the world and hone her skills in singing. She performed in Australia, Hungary, New Zealand, Fiji Island, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Austria and Yugoslavia. Reese later hosted a local TV show called Music Magic where she interviewed people in the city of Seattle about music. Growing up and recognizing her passion for the arts, Reese took voice lessons to get better at it. She also learned to play the piano and violin as a young kid.
Making it big
Aside from singing, Reese is into acting. She tried her luck in doing theater and in 1998 she luckily landed the role of Kim in the German production of “Miss Saigon.” Following this, she played Esmeralda in the Disney World Premier of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” This show was brought to Berlin after its huge success in New York. Adding to her impressive resume, Reese was Princess Tuptim of “The King and I” in Palladium Theater in London’s West End. Upon the conclusion of her remarkable stints in Europe, Reese went back to the United States and worked on two theatrical shows dubbed “The Journey” and “The Gifts” which she wrote, directed and starred.
Stephanie Reese moved to Los Angeles fours years ago to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. Her decision to do so opened more doors for her. Reese was offered by local producers to do a series of concerts in different parts of the US catering mostly to Filipino-American audiences. She has become an international phenomenon conquering not just America and Europe but including Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, China and Thailand. She also took Russia and Canada by storm. She takes pride in her most recent concert at the Carnegie Hall in New York last November 7th, where she is the first Filipino-American to perform there.
The lovely artist has released three albums so far entitled “The Voice,” “Stephanie Reese at Her Best” and “This Is My Life.” Another one is currently in the works and is scheduled to be in the market early next year. Reese will be flying back to Manila in January to work on her next CD.
Her music
The versatile singer said she sings pretty much everything from jazz, OPM songs to ethnic music. Though, she is more known for singing theatrical pop opera contemporary music. She could sing Tagalog and Bicolano songs but admittedly said that she is still learning to speak and understand Tagalog.
Extending a helping hand
Her unforgettable shows at Carnegie Hall in New York on November 7th, at Stafford Civic Center in Stafford, Texas on November 14th and at Julie Rogers Theatre in Beaumont, Texas on November 15th allowed her to continue helping the poor and the needy. Her latest charity work is donating all the proceeds of her most recent concerts to Gawad Kalinga, which helps build houses for the poor in the Philippines. Thirty families will be awarded a house and lot in her name.
Reese is no stranger to doing outreach projects. Her extraordinary charitable acts include partnering with Seattle’s Rise n Shine Camp, where she shared her knowledge in acting with children who are infected with AIDS and HIV. She also raised funds for Bantay Bata 163, Make a Wish Foundation, The American Red Cross and for the victims of Hurricane Katrina as well as for the victims of the mudslide in Leyte, Philippines. In addition, Reese joined the cause of the Asia and Pacific-Islander Wellness Center for AIDS awareness and prevention, The White Ribbon Campaign to end domestic violence and other AIDS awareness benefits. Lastly, she is admirable in her efforts to help a 4-year-old girl suffering from terminal brain cancer whose parents cannot afford their daughter’s treatment. She staged a benefit concert called “Music for Mindy.”
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