Hitik Sa Bunga by Brownman Revival

General Luna The Band

Metallica - Master of Puppets Live Version

HERE COMES THE BRIDE official full trailer

KAHIT NA - Kiss Jane

Iron Man 2

Why Nikki jumped ober da bakod By Bot Glorioso (The Philippine Star)

Just because Nikki Gil has decided not to renew her management contract with Star Magic after a four-year harmonious working relationship doesn’t mean that something has gone awry between both camps, nor she is transferring to rival station with beau Billy Crawford as mentioned in a tab blind item.

Her best friend Iya Villania and Billy, both ALV talents, have also nothing to do with Nikki’s decision to sign a management contract with Arnold Vegafria’s ALV. It’s more on how talents are being handled that convinced Nikki to jump ober da bakod.

“The change (of career management) is not an overnight thing. It has been given a lot of thought and we have been meeting with both camps — ALV and Star Magic family and we have come to agree that it would be best for me to go with ALV in order to achieve the direction that I want to take,” Nikki explains.

That direction points to an opportunity to perform as a solo artist which Nikki longs to do since she entered showbiz five years ago as a singer.

Remember that Coke TV ad where she initially let everyone hear the kind of voice first discovered by a talent scout inside a church where she used to sing as a choir member? Since then, Nikki has become a household name that captured everyone’s attention through various product endorsements. Her acting talent also paved the way for her to portray roles in the big and small screens.

But it was GMA 7’s Eat, Bulaga! that gave Nikki hosting exposure followed by a two-week stint in Extra Challenge and an appearance in S.O.P. What if there’s an offer to join Party Pilipinas as soon as her contract in A.S.A.P. XV expires in June?

“I’m a new (ALV) talent and we haven’t discussed yet as far as transferring is concerned but I will leave that to my manager. I’ll go where I’m needed.”

Is Billy excited now that they’re together in one talent agency? Are they a package deal?

“I love to be with Billy on tours but that’s just a girlfriend’s wish. The opportunity to work together is just a bonus because Billy and I try to separate business from our personal relationship,” answers Nikki who also keeps in touch with Billy’s mom.

Besides, meddling in career decisions is a no-no to both of them. But there is one thing that would make Billy frown: Seeing Nikki in a sexy pose for magazine covers. “I can wear bikini but it’s not my specialty to pose for covers. Let’s just leave it to other artists,” she says.

Singing, hosting, VJ-ing and acting, she adds, are enough to show people what she’s got. Playing opposite Coco Martin in Agimat: Tonyong Bayawak helps hone her craft while Atlantis Productions’ Legally Blonde (The Musical) which will be staged in June at Meralco Theater is another effective way to play roles that require rigid preparation because one can’t afford to have a Take 2. Nikki will be playing Elle Woods and is now attending yoga sessions and hitting the gym two or three times a week to be physically fit for the role.

“I’m not that physically active but it seems this is my season of changes — theater and a new management — so along with that transition I’m starting to hit the gym,” she says.

Kalayaan by Bamboo

Cypress Hill Performs "Insane in the Brain"

Jon Santos, Willie Nep awaken voters' minds through laughs

Gusto Ko Lang Ng Girlfriend - Eevee

Please Be Careful With My Heart - Sarah & Christian

Beginning Today - Agot Isidro

Parokya Ni Edgar - Karaoke Ni Edgar

ABS-CBN's Rosalka (TV trailer)

Election 2010 - City Of Malolos, Bulacan

Here's the list of candidates here in Malolos, Bulacan.

So for my fellow Malolenyo...Vote Wisely!

For Mayor

• Mangawang, Carolina Zamora "Ate Carol"; (NP )
• Natividad, Christian Dionisio "Agila"; (DEL PILAR )
• Tengco, Alejandro Hipolito "Al"; (LP )

For Vice Mayor

• Bulaong, Norberto Gallardo "Joey"; (NP )
• Gatchalian, Gilbert Tuazon "Bebong"; (DEL PILAR )
• San Diego, Dennis Domingo "Konde"; (LP )

For Councilors

• Adriano, Matias Bautista "Matt Balloons"; (NP )
• Azada, Noel Tacbad "Noel"; (DEL PILAR )
• Baltazar Iii, Carlos Antonio "Caloy"; (DEL PILAR )
• Bautista, Christian P Cañete "Toots"; (DEL PILAR )
• Bernardo, Rhommel Crisostomo "Diko"; (DEL PILAR )
• Capule, Enrico Calonzo "Rico"; (DEL PILAR )
• Centeno, Francisco Jr Adriano "Unio"; (LP )
• Cruz Jr., Ignacio Cruz "Bunso"; (NP )
• Cruz, Vinson Guillermo "Vince"; (LP )
• Dayao, Pedro Urutia "Pedring"; (NP )
• Degala, Jesus Ricardo, III Carag "Jeric"; (LP )
• Del Rosario, Ricardo Pagtalunan "Ric"; (LP )
• Diamante, Fernan Martin "Fernan"; (DEL PILAR )
• Dionisio, Roberto Santos "Robert"; (IND. )
• Domingo, Laurens Jan Garcia "Didis"; (LP )
• Erjas, Crispin Gaspar "Impin"; (LP )
• Garcia, Franklin Peramide "Frank"; (NP )
• Gatchalian, Alma Andres "Alma"; (DEL PILAR )
• Giron, Isagani Bernardino "Gani"; (NP )
• Guillena, Ruoby Manansala "Ruby"; (NP )
• Hernandez, Reynaldo Hernandez "Rey"; (DEL PILAR )
• Joson, Alejandro, Jr. Ico "Jhun"; (LP )
• Lucas, Christopher Mendiola "Chris"; (DEL PILAR )
• Maclang, Margarita Dominguez "Sis. Margs"; (IND. )
• Mangoba, Dennis Cristobal Saballa "Dennis"; (LP )
• Mateo, Pricilla Santos "Precy"; (LP )
• Nicdao, Arnelio Villena "Bonnel"; (NP )
• Ople, Bernardo, Jr. Baun "Jong"; (LP )
• Pineda, Noel Galvez "Len"; (DEL PILAR )
• Pingol, Alfredo Galman "Freddie"; (NP )
• Ramos, Alberto Quinto "Bert"; (LP )
• Reyes, Manolo Lorenzo "Bong"; (IND. )
• San Pedro, Alfredo Alincastre "Onnie"; (NP )
• Santiago, Luningning Baltazar "Ningning"; (DEL PILAR )
• Santos, Lalaine Samulde "Lalaine"; (NP )
• Sebastian, Artemio Gonzales "Tembong"; (DEL PILAR )
• Tan, Ma. Gina Umali "Gina"; (NP )
• Teodoro, Felino Magpayo "Piolo"; (LP )
• Tolentino, Jemellee Saberon "Bong"; (NP )

Craig David signed, sealed, delivered

Craig David returns with a new single and album
deal with MCA Music (A Universal Music Group company). His first single, One More Lie (Standing In The Shadows), taken from his fifth studio album Signed Sealed Delivered released last month.

The album is a collection of some of the great soul hits including For Once In My Life, Papa Was A Rolling Stone, I Heard It Through The Grapevine and the title track by Stevie Wonder, reworked in Craig’s own style. The single, his first since 2008, takes a sample from the classic Four Tops hit (first released in 1966) and gives it a modern flavor.

From a UK Garage pioneer to a mainstream multi-million seller, Craig is so much more than your average artist. The Southampton born singer transcends the norm, consistently exceeding expectations and pushing musical boundaries. At 27, he has won Ivor Novello awards, achieved sales of over 13 million, two No. 1s, 13 Top 10 hits, huge success in America and sold out shows across the world.

The songs The Beatles wrote but gave away By Lambert A. Ramirez (The Philippine Star)

Years before Beatlemania became a household word in Britain, The Beatles were covering songs written and performed by their rock heroes and influences. John Lennon and Paul McCartney knew instinctively well though they could write their own materials. And so they did, first, with difficulty and, later, with fluidity from the late ‘50s. By the mid-‘60s, the Lennon-McCartney writing partnership became already a legend and helped establish the musical careers of other British acts.

Paul was always a source of challenge to John. When Paul met John in 1957 and played Twenty Flight Rock, John thought twice in recruiting Paul to the group seeing a competitor in him, whose much-advanced guitar playing was unsettling. But John dismissed this fear and saw the bigger picture with Paul in the group as an additional asset.

Another source of insecurity for John surfaced when Paul played him some of his own compositions. The first song Paul composed when he was 14 (in 1956) was I Lost My Little Girl, which officially surfaced and was given proper introduction by Paul himself in his Official Unplugged album in the mid-‘90s.

In no time, John embarked on his own project, which produced Hello Little Girl (1957), his first-ever complete composition. This creative competition will last even beyond The Beatles’ breakup, but throughout almost the career of the group, John and Paul preferred mutual cooperation. Paul claimed they never extended beyond three hours working on a song and recalled no instance when they sat down and produced no new material.

What Paul loved most about John was how John suggested alternative lyrics to his own. In a TV special in 1986, he talked fondly about this partnership with BBC’s Richard Skinner. I Saw Her Standing There was a case in point. The original first verse had the following opening lines — “Well, she was just seventeen, never been a beauty queen,” which John immediately vetoed and replaced the second phrase with the more insinuative “…and you know what I mean.”

In 1968, Paul wrote Hey Jude, this time all by himself. The Beatles had by then increasingly become individual artists, each of them nurturing different creative pursuits. Paul recalled intimating to John his plan to alter the line in the song’s refrain “…the movement you need is on your shoulder…,” thinking it meant nothing. John immediately assured Paul that was the best line of the song.

One wonders about the artists John and Paul benefited with their songwriting gift. Brian Epstein, the famed manager of the group, secured a steady supply of songs for the other artists under his management and relied primarily on the Lennon-McCartney writing team for potential singles. Billy J. Kramer is one foremost recipient. He recorded Do You Want to Know a Secret? which went to No. 2 in the British singles chart and a host of other Lennon-McCartney compositions: From a Window, I’m In Love, I’ll Be On My Way and I’ll Keep You Satisfied. John’s composition Bad to Me went to No. 1 in the UK charts. These songs earned him international fame and a favorable place in British pop music history.

John introduced Cilla Black to Brian and helped build her musical career with Lennon-McCartney compositions. Cilla remembers Paul approaching once in those early days and offered her the song. Love of the Loved. She protested knowing the song was already dated as The Beatles were singing it back then in Hamburg. She recorded it anyway as her debut single, which peaked modestly at No. 35 in the British charts. Following two chart-topping singles not written by The Beatles, Anyone Who Had a Heart and You’re My World, Cilla recorded another Lennon-McCartney original It’s For You, which enjoyed similar success and worldwide fame. Paul gave her Step Inside Love in 1968 that guaranteed her another chart hit. In between these periods, Cilla recorded covers of other Beatles songs.

Another Liverpool group called The Fourmost enjoyed access to the early Lennon-McCartney materials, which gave it modest success in Britain. The group recorded John’s first compositions Hello Little Girl and I’m In Love, which reached No. 17.

The biggest hit makers though were Peter and Gordon. Paul wrote for them A World Without Love, a chart-topping single in both the US and Britain. Other Paul-penned materials the duo recorded included Nobody I Know, I Don’t Want To See You Again and Woman. The preferential treatment from Paul was most likely on the account of Peter Asher being the brother of Paul’s then theater-artist girlfriend Jane Asher.

Most of these songs remained unrecorded by The Beatles themselves, but some came officially out in The Anthology, specifically the highly in-demand Decca audition repertoire where the Fab Four were turned down in the New Year’s eve of 1963.

The Rolling Stones got a boost in their career when The Beatles gave them a single with the Lennon-McCartney byline. One afternoon in 1963, Mick Jagger and Keith Richard, on the way to the studio, met John and Paul and asked the writing partners if they had any song for them. Entering the studio, John and Paul asked for some time to finish off a song they were working on. After a few minutes, both emerged from one corner of a room and played the Stones’ I Wanna Be Your Man, which the Stones recorded and released as their next single.

This incident was monumental for the Stones because John and Paul inspired the then-would-be The Glimmer Twins to write most of their materials from then on.

Not everyone The Beatles offered their songs to would record the Lennon-McCartney pieces. Paul, who fancied writing for Frank Sinatra, came up in the early days with Suicide, which he offered to the Chairman of the Board in the mid-‘70s. Sinatra declined probably for the same reason Paul refused to include it in his first solo album.

Much earlier on, John offered Helen Shapiro, a budding star in the early ‘60s for whom The Beatles fronted, the song Misery, which appeared in The Beatles’ maiden album, but her management turned down the offer probably seeing the song’s mismatch with her public persona and song style.

In the same way, Billy J. Kramer revealed missing out on a big opportunity when he turned down a song written by Paul. It was 1965 when, after several years, Billy again met Paul and asked him if he had any song for him. Paul played him Yesterday, but he did not dig it. Three decades later, Ray Coleman, author of the monumental Lennon biography, devoted a whole book to this most popular song of all time.

The Beatles slowed down in giving songs away when their songwriting departed from the usual dose of “poppy stuff” that typified their early classic compositions. Besides, by the mid-‘60s, most of the artists under Brian, the one egging John and Paul on to produce chart hits for these artists, had already peaked in their careers. And, by this time, artists were already covering Beatles songs as they pleased: From Ella Fitzgerald and Petula Clark to The Supremes and The Mamas and the Papas; and from The Beach Boys, Kingston Trio and The Four Tops to Ray Charles, Otis Redding and Jose Feliciano.

Meanwhile, John, Paul, George and Ringo had reached the summit of their popularity, sealed by the record-breaking audience that invaded Shea Stadium in the Summer of ’65, which ushered in what is now known as stadium rock.

Exposed to the music of Bob Dylan and folk artists that headlined the cultural wagon of the civil rights and anti-war movements in this period, The Beatles consciously left their comfort zone where they had nothing left to further prove anyway and helped write the soundtrack of this emerging counter culture. John took to introspection with In My Life and Nowhere Man and pursued Paul started experimentations with tape loops in Tomorrow Never Knows. For his part, Paul reflected about alienation in Eleanor Rigby, while George reserved acerbic remarks about taxation in Britain with Taxman and fused his interest in Eastern religion with the band’s music. All these efforts would peak with The Beatles going psychedelic in full regalia in Sgt. Pepper and Magical Mystery Tour. The back-to-basics approach by the group to the double-disc White Album seemed to signal, however, The Beatles’ renewed benevolence toward other artists.

It was also Brian’s departure, ironically, that drew The Beatles back to cooperation with other artists. In 1968, the group took over the management of their business and started Apple — a concept born straight from the anti-establishment venture that sought to level the playing field for artists who have the talent. The Beatles soon signed up artists including James Taylor, The Iveys, which evolved to Badfinger, Jackie Lomax, and Mary Hopkins of Those Were the Days fame.

Paul wrote Come and Get It for the Badfinger and Goodbye for Mary Hopkins. Towards the close of the ‘60s, Paul remembered writing a song in most unusual circumstances. In a BBC Radio program broadcast last November, he recalled taking a break in Portugal, which brought him one night to the bar of a famous golf club. Admitting not being in full possession of his senses, Paul remembered taking over a drum kit and singing about the name of the club oblivious to the crowd around him. Someone must have recorded this session, because Paul later received a phone call asking for permission to record the song La Penina. It was rush-recorded in 1969 by a local artist Carlos Mendez.

George, by this time a full-fledged songwriter himself, gave Sour Milk Sea to Jackie Lomax, where Paul also played bass, Ringo drums, and Eric Clapton guitars.

Apart from writing songs for their Apple recruits, George also co-wrote Badge with Eric for the farewell album of one of the best blues-rock trios in history, the Cream. George recalled Eric already figured out the chords so he just started scribbling lyrics on a sheet of paper facing Eric. Following the first verses, George wrote “bridge” to indicate the middle part of the song. In front of him, Eric looked at what George was writing upside down and asked “What’s that badge?” George laughed and Eric took that as the title of the song.

Conspicuously absent in the scene was John who was busy in his newfound world with Yoko Ono producing experimental solo albums such as the series Unfinished Music No. 1 — The Two Virgins, Unfinished Music No. 2 — Life with the Lions and The Wedding Album, and recording concert album Live Peace in Toronto featuring Eric, Klaus Voorman and Yoko.

He would write a song though for Dr. Timothy Leary, the reputed LSD guru, who approached him for a campaign song. Dr. Leary elected to run for governor of California in 1968. John wrote Come Together but opted to record it himself when the candidate did not come back to claim his song.

Despite the acrimonious breakup of The Beatles, the four remained personal friends. John, Paul and George continued writing songs for another artist, but this time it’s Ringo himself. In the drummer’s self-titled album in 1973, John, Paul and George all wrote for the album. It was actually the closest to a Beatles reunion that could happen, wrote the music critics correctly enough. John penned his semi-autobiographical song I’m The Greatest for Ringo to sing, Paul gave Six O’ Clock, while George collaborated with Ringo in Photograph and wrote two more songs for the album — Sunshine Life For Me (Sail Away Raymond) and You and Me (Babe) co-written with one of the Fifth Beatles, Mal Evans, a buddy closest to The Beatles.

The following year in 1974, Ringo would release Goodnight Vienna, his fourth album. John wrote the title track and rearranged Only You, The Platters’ big 1950s hit, for Ringo. Two years later, Ringo would release Ringo’s Rotogravure where he would see the other three Beatles chipping in again.

Even in the ebb of Ringo’s musical career, John, Paul and George were there for Ringo. In his 1981 release Stop and Smell the Roses, he approached his former band mates. Paul, coming on the heels of the success of McCartney II that yielded the No. 1 hit single Coming Up, gave him two songs, Attention and Private Property, and produced a remake of Carl Perkins’ Sure to Fall, part of the early repertoire of The Beatles. George, busy with his own album Somewhere in New England, made a demonstration of Wrack My Brain for Ringo to perform. Interestingly, Ringo approached John, who had then recently reemerged from retirement with a new album Double Fantasy and readily gifted him with two songs: Nobody Told Me and Life Begins at 40. Both agreed to record on Jan. 14, 1981. But before this programmed recording session could happen more than a month prior, John would be murdered.

Meanwhile, Paul supported his brother’s (Mike McGear) musical career all the way in the early ‘70s. Paul co-wrote most of the singles Mike released and gave away a song for Mike’s album Woman (1972) and co-wrote most of the materials in McGear (1974).

John did collaborate with several artists in the early ‘70s. David Bowie had his first taste of a chart-topping single in the US with Fame, co-written with John, from the Young Americans album. During his long lost weekend, an 18-month separation from Yoko, John managed, albeit in the least ideal circumstances, to produce Harry Nilsson’s album, Pussy Cats, to which John contributed Mucho Mungo.

Much earlier, he gave God Save Us to Bill Elliott/Elastic Oz, and Rock and Roll People went to blues maestro Johnny Winter for his album John Dawson Winter III.

George demonstrated generosity throughout his solo career as well. In 1970, he helped Billy Preston in his album Encouraging Words and co-wrote for him You Give Me Joy and with Ringo, Gonna Get My Baby. Ronnie Spector got from George Try Some Buy Some for his single in 1971, which George also included in his 1972 album Living in the Material World, and Tandoori Chicken for the B-side of her other single a year later. George in 1972 co-wrote The Hold Up with David Bromberg. In 1973, Alvin Lee, front man of the renowned Ten Years After, recorded the song So Sad, which later also appeared in George’s album Dark Horse.

By the mid-‘80s, George would contribute two songs, Celebration and Focus of Attention, both co-written with Jimmy Helms, to the soundtrack of the film Water. In 1989, George wrote Run So Far for Eric’s album The Journeyman. George’s version of the song posthumously came out in 2002 in the album Brainwashed. Aside from helping out on the production side of Gary Moore’s album Still Got the Blues, George gave him That Kind of Woman to be included in this highly successful 1990 album.

Ringo also contributed his songwriting talent to some artists aside from Billy Preston. He co-wrote How Long Can Disco On with Harry Nilsson in 1980 for the latter’s album Flash Harry. And in 1976, he gave Band of Steel, his own composition, for Guthrie Thomas’ Lies and Alibis.

Paul proved generous as well with his songwriting. In 1974, he wrote Fourth of July for John Christie, Mine for Me for Rod Stewart’s Smiler, and Let’s Love for Peggy Lee, probably his way of thanking her for the song Till There Was You. In 1977, Roger Daltrey, The Who’s front man, recorded Giddy for his album One of the Boys. Denny Laine co-wrote with Paul Send Me the Heart for his post-Wings album Japanese Tears.

Further on in the ‘80s, Paul would write On the Wings of a Nightingale for The Everly Brothers, John and Paul’s model for vocal harmony, for the duo’s compilation with Mercury. He would also give soundtrack composer John Williams The Honorary Consul in 1983 for the film adaptation of a Graham Greene’s book of the same title and co-wrote with country legend Johnny Cash in 1988 the song New Moon Over Jamaica for the Cash album Water from the Wells Of Home.

Throughout their musical career, The Beatles contributed willingly their songwriting talent to other artists who needed it. It served as an accessible means for them to collaborate and nurture friendship with other artists belying the common perception that The Beatles were an exclusive group. Indeed, The Beatles interested themselves in other artists’ music and, whenever time allowed, made music with them — a blend of great musicianship and generosity the Fab Four personified.

I-Witness wins Peabody award

Living up to its title as Philippine television’s finest hour, I-Witness wins the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award with its episode Ambulansiyang de Paa. In its 69th year, the Peabody Awards shall bestow accolades to 36 critically-acclaimed programs all over the world.

Hosted by Kara David, Ambulansiyang de Paa showed how residents of a poor Mangyan community of Apnagan in upland Oriental Mindoro transport their sick and injured to medical care. It aired March 2009.

“Condemning deplorable conditions while celebrating neighborly valor and ingenuity, the report shows how people in a poor village carry their sick and injured over dangerous terrain to distant medical care using ‘ambulances on foot,’” the Peabody Awards site states.

This is the second time that the Kapuso Network was recognized by the Peabody Awards. In 1999, the documentaries Kidneys for Sale and Kamao by Jessica Soho and her I-Witness team and Jay Taruc’s child labor story on Brigada Siete brought home the country’s first ever Peabody.

“Winning the Peabody for the second time is a great honor and blessing for GMA News and Public Affairs and the Philippines,” GMA Network’s SVP for News and Public Affairs Marissa Flores said. “We are inspired to do even better.”

“It hasn’t sunk in,” said host Kara. While happy, she also admitted to feeling guilty about winning an award when “there has been little change” in the subject of her documentary. A year after the documentary aired, she said there is still no health center in the barangay.

Executive producer Angel Directo adds, “More than the honor this award brings, we hope that this will draw more attention to the plight of those without proper health care in the country so that their conditions may finally improve.”

Director Nowell Cuanang, on the other hand, said shooting in such a remote, rugged place was an enlightening experience.

“I almost fell off a cliff, almost got bitten by a snake. But we were touched by the Mangyans. Despite their conditions, they weren’t complaining, and were always smiling… Their foot ambulance required unity and team work. It was a triumph of the human spirit,” he said.

Other members of the I-Witness team are former program manager Kristoffer Brugada, cameraman Disney Carreon and researcher Wilma Sesaldo.

Being the only news and public affairs organization in the country to be awarded with the prestigious award for excellence in broadcast journalism further affirms GMA Network’s position as the country’s undisputed authority in news and public affairs.

The 69th Annual Peabody Awards ceremony will be held on May 17 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City and will be hosted by Diane Sawyer, the award-winning anchor of ABC’s World News.

Rico: Hello, world! By Peachy Vibal-Guioguio (The Philippine Star)

Rico Blanco’s musical journey has taken him new heights of recognition and fame in his home country and he is now ready to move into the wider musical scene overseas — with Singapore as his first stop into the burgeoning Southeast Asian market. Rico’s cross-cultural or international appeal was evident when he was asked to present two of his songs for the Singapore Radio Awards 2010 held last March 17, at MediaCorp TV Theater with Singapore’s Acting Minister for Information, Communications and The Arts Lui Tuck Yew as guest of honor.

Rico, who was prepared to perform his popular English compositions, was surprised when asked by Simon Nasser, Warner Music Singapore marketing director, to include in his repertoire Yugto, the signature song of his highly popular and critically acclaimed record album, Your Universe.

“It’s a good song with a good melody that has a universal appeal,” explains Nasser. “Moreover, it’s the most-requested song by MediaCorp, the producers of the Awards program.”

Mediacorp is the leading media company which sponsored the Singapore Radio Awards 2010 in partnership with Warner Music Singapore. The awards night became a sort of launch pad for Rico’s breakout into the regional music market considering that Singapore plays a strategic and central position not only by its geography but more because many global and regional media organizations operating in Southeast Asia have their regional headquarters there.

Flerrie de Leon, business development director of Warner Music Philippines, explains how Warner breaks new artists into the regional/international music scene. According to her, as early as January, Rico’s Your Universe album was already released in the Singapore market. Since that time, the album’s carrier hits Yugto and Your Universe have been constantly hogging the radio airwaves. Shepherding the record album from its first radio play to countrywide success is Nasser’s handiwork.

Asked for his formula in steering artists for the Singapore market, Nasser had this to say, “Initially, we try to promote the album of the artist here through traditional media like radio stations. Then we make sure we launch the artist at the right time.” Right timing means the artist’s song is already popular and enjoys a following among their target audiences.

Rico, on the other hand, feels nostalgic on this latest gig. The last time he performed in the Lion City was when he was still with his former band, Rivermaya. This time, he plays solo on center stage: The situation that has its appeals to the consummate performer that he is. “I miss this feeling of playing for an entirely different set of audience that is seeing me perform for the first time.” And Rico, who had wowed Singaporeans before, did not disappoint this time around as his high octane performance was one of the highlights of the awards program. As predicted, the hit song Yugto resonated well with this multi-cultural and international audience. Singapore organizers asked him to do a Filipino song, further reinforcing Rico’s feeling of self-fulfillment.

Nasser, who’s also credited for packaging Rivermaya and Christian Bautista for the Southeast Asian market, put forward the idea of including Rico on this show to MediaCorp because he wanted Rico to showcase his talents before this top-level gathering of movers and shakers of Singapore’s advertising agencies, biggest companies and well-known media personalities. “It is an opportunity for him to impress them with his musical genius,” he said. Moreover, he believes that one needs to look at the long-term payoff for success in the music business
, hence the need to invest the necessary talent and resources. “Success cannot happen overnight. We have to keep producing and turning out records so that he (Rico) will be established in the domestic market until such time that he is ready for an international audience,” Nasser averred. Given Rico’s dedication to his craft, Nasser believes it’ll be soon when either Rico gets a crack at the international arena or an international artist would collaborate with him.

Apart from performing at the Singapore Radio Awards, Warner Singapore also prepared a slew of radio guestings and print interviews for Rico where, in his radio appearances, he was asked to render a song. Rico, who was working the whole week of his birthday, capped his Singapore performances by doing a bar gig sponsored by Class 95FM, the No. 1 English radio station in Singapore. For this memorable outing where all of Singapore’s famous DJs watched, Rico literally brought the house down not just by his singing but by the charisma and adrenaline-pumping performance his Filipino audiences have long known him for.

If the overwhelming response of his Singaporean audiences (a racial mix of Tamil, Malay, Chinese and English) were to be used as an indicator, then Rico may be the next international star that the Philippines has nurtured in its bosom that just about now is ready to take on the world. So clearly, it’s hello world; and welcome to “Rico Blanco’s Universe”.

Kay Susan pa rin tayo! From FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo (The Philippine Star)

What some people suspected happened to Susan Enriquez when she and former ABS-CBN reporter Doris Bigornia were “detained” for two nights by the Abu Sayyaf a few years ago didn’t really happen. That was when they were covering Robin Padilla’s negotiation with the rebel group for the release of a hostage.

“We were held against our will,” said Susan over lunch yesterday at The Chocolate Kiss (Roces Avenue, Quezon City) for her new show, Sus Naman, which premieres last April 8, on Q11. “Hindi na kami pinababa from their mountain lair. They were asking Doris and me to sleep separately pero hindi kami pumayag.”

So, contrary to the rumor, “nothing untoward” happened.

“The Abu Sayyaf were kidding us. Sabi nila, paiwanan ako but I told them, ‘May anak ako.’ Sabi nila, ‘Magkaka-anak ka pa ng marami dito,” meaning many children by different fathers. “You know what could happen kapag naiwan ka doon.”

That was one of Susan’s unforgettable experiences as field reporter of GMA for more than two decades now, starting from being a news writer (initially with D’Wan radio for one year) until she rose to become a radio/TV host, for Kay Susan Tayo (which recently ended after more than six years on TV) and for the dzBB late morning program Si Susan Na, Si Arnell Pa (co-host Arnell Ignacio is on leave because he’s running for councilor in Quezon City, with Rowena Salvacion pitching in for him).

Probably one of the, if not the most, daring woman in Philippine media, the 4’11 “tall” Susan — aptly described as “small but terrible” — one time found herself and her crew stuck in a flash flood in Nueva Ecija and, in another coverage, caught in a shootout between the police and CAFGU members in Camp Abubakar.

In Sus Naman, Susan doesn’t have to put her life on the line.

While Kay Susan Tayo featured human-interest stories, Sus Naman, a 30-minute public-service program, aims “to hear out and eventually help solve the problems of the everyday Pinoys, and to give credit to concerned agencies when complaints are addressed and solved as well as to individuals who do what is right.”

The show’s format is right along Susan’s alley. As dramatized in Mel Tiangco’s defunct TV show Magpakailanman, Susan rose from the masa. Born and raised both in Laguna and Cavite, Susan Sedillo helped her family make ends meet by selling fish in the market. After supporting herself through college, graduating with a Masscom degree from Lyceum, she worked as news writer at D’Wan radio for one year before she moved to GMA, her “one and only home” since then (1989). TV5 dangled a juicy offer before her but Susan politely said no.

Because she has the same surname as Mike Enriquez, SVP for Radio Operations (GMA Network), people think that Susan is the wife of Mike or maybe the sister?

“I just happen to be married to an Enriquez,” said Susan (who has an 18-year-old daughter, her only child), “but Mike and I are not related.” But how she wished!

And, by the way, did you know that Susan has been invited several times by different political parties to run? No way, said Susan. If she ever would, she’d have a very catchy “battlecry” — yes, Kay Susan Tayo!

To Read More: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=564273&publicationSubCategoryId=70

Ito ang iyong Kapatid

With its promise of providing cutting-edge and trendsetting programming delivered through HD and state-of-the-art facilities, TV5 is sporting a new, exciting look to welcome its vigorous Bagong Pinoy audiences — the TV5 Kapatid at the TV5 Trade and Press Launch last month at the World Trade Center.

Befittingly themed after the network’s new slogan Para Sa’yo, Kapatid, TV5’s trade partners and members of the press were invited to witness the big changes that the network will carry out this year, with raffle prizes and celebrity performances enjoyed by the members of the Trade and of the Press tagged as TV5’s Kapatid.

Aside from the unveiling of a tremendous line-up of expansion projects, an eclectic mix of new, exciting programs and a pool of Kapatid stars and talents, TV5 also presents Para Sa‘yo, Kapatid Station ID that’s both fun, edgy featuring its biggest talents such as Paolo Bediones, Ryan Agoncillo, Lucy Torres-Gomez, Ruffa Gutierrez, JC de Vera, Maricel Soriano, Vic Sotto, Joey De Leon and Dolphy.

TV5 also unmasks a new logo that of a shiny cue ball hinting that the thriving network is ready for the finer points of Philippine TV gameplay.

“We hope that our presence as a relatively new and exciting player will help expand the field for the industry’s growth as a whole,” said ABC chairman Manny V. Pangilinan. “We remain committed to the vision of a TV5 that truly serves the best interests of our brothers and sisters, wherever they may be,” he adds.

With this global vision, TV5 is not just a big network to watch out for, but rather a brother or a sister who shares with everyone a spirited bond that aims to serve and unite its Filipino audience.

“We believe that TV5 is a medium that could serve the global Filipino, as well as their families in every part of the country and the world, with the quality of programs and public service that exemplifies our continuous search for excellence,” concludes the ABC chairman.

Watch out for TV5 and be entertained with its big and unique offerings that are specially served to its excited audiences. Para Sa‘yo, Kapatid.

Arnold goes 'casual' in new show By Bot Glorioso (The Philippine Star)

A crisp suit with a tie and a pair of leather shoes is Arnold Clavio’s typical get-up whenever he delivers the news early mornings on GMA 7’s Unang Hirit or late nights in Saksi.

But behind the formal look is also a funny guy.

This, members of the entertainment press found out while they talked to the news anchor in a restaurant, few blocks away from GMA. The veteran news anchor helms Q-11’s Tonight with Arnold Clavio which begins last Monday at 8:15 and every Monday, Tuesday and Friday thereafter (it will air weeknights when American Idol 9 ends).

“I’ll open the show with a dance number,” quips Arnold. And I can’t help but wonder: Will he still be in a stiff attire while doing light talk in his first primetime show?

Arnold balks at the idea of wearing suspenders the way Larry King does on his show. Arnold feels it would be more fitting to still be in his coat but this time, minus the tie. In short, he’s loosening up a bit yet maintaining his credibility as news and public affairs host.

“The Pinoy audience is different. Ayaw ng masyadong strong. So you’ll see my witty side shows and the lighter side of the guests,” he says. “I want people to get to know a certain personality beyond his role in the society or position in the government like the politicians, madi-differentiate na di lahat corrupt,” he says.

Since election time is just around the corner, Arnold is initially guesting those running for public office. “We invited them together with their wives so we could learn who exactly they are in the eyes of the one closest to their hearts.”

In the pilot show, Arnold treats viewers to an informative discussion regarding issues with presidentiable Richard Gordon and wife Kate. He prepares for each subject by reading the newspapers or browsing the Net. Arnold’s 23-year experience in news gathering has helped him take matters seriously even “if the show deals about the guests’ lighter side.”

“I always give the benefit of the doubt because I want to know every side to clear a certain issue. I’m not the type who easily points an accusing finger,” he shares.

Arnold started gathering news for the Senate in 1987 and became a news writer on DWIZ, sister company of DZRH, with Ron Macatangay and Mar D’Guzman Cruz with Bobby Guanzon as main anchor. But when Guanzon jumped ship to GMA, he took Arnold in as voice over and reporter for the Tagalog version of the news. Arnold’s first TV appearance was in 1994 via Brigada Siete.

“That’s why madami na din tayong source of information,” he says. “Sometimes, even while I’m playing golf, the caddy or umbrella girl gives details na pwedeng i-blind item.”

Does he get hate mail or death threats from those he hits hard during discussions?

“I’m after the issues, not the person,” Arnold says. But sometimes it cannot be helped that there are criticisms and I accept them because I don’t believe in monopoly of ideas.”

What does he pray for?

“More on health because I am diabetic at maraming bawal lalo na lack of sleep.”

Having been on TV and radio every day of the week, does Arnold have enough time for himself and his family?

“I wake up at 4:30 in the morning every day then take power naps in between. I spend time with my family during weekends,” he replies.

In fact, Arnold maximized the recent Lenten break by getting away from it all with his family.

And his Q-11 viewers will see a refreshed, recharged Arnold Clavio showing what the politicians are, away from the maddening crowd.

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