ISHA PONTI and ANDREA GUTIERREZ Takes First Step with THE NEXT ONES Concert

The Philippines has certainly gotten the nod of the world when it comes to singing, and what Ms. Lea Salonga wished for recently made so much sense when she said "I hope I won't be the last!" to achieve something that could mirror her career, rightfully so, I agree with her 100%!

There ought to be "THE NEXT ONES", a new generation of artists that not only could replicate her success but hopefully surpass it. Ponti Entertainment Production is staging a concert of the same name showcasing Isha Ponti and Andrea Gutierrez at the Music Museum on December 13th, 8pm. They will also be performing with OPM icon Rey Valera.

Asia's Pop Sweetheart Isha Ponti says "The concert is collaborative and they didn't force us in a certain genre, they wanted us to shine with what is comfortable for us. We base it also with what people want, I'm into Nina and Kyla. I'll be performing Walang Kapalit which wasn't revived yet by anyone. We also did a music video for it. It's also a tribute for Sir Rey Valera, also add our advocacy for the youth to hopefully pave the way for the next generation. This concert was a request from our producers, when they told us this was happening I felt unsure. We're not in the mainstream yet as we don't have hit songs, but the reason why we agreed is to break out of our cage. We wanted to go there, our start, our beginning."

She added "We picked artists that are current, but fits our genre. We will have older artists too but that's going to be a surprise! Recently, we watched the Filipino Music Awards and I was so impressed with Maki. I'm trying to write songs and sing it, if I get to be like him that's amazing! This is a major show, so as early as now we're already memorizing and practicing on top of school work. I prioritize it on Sundays and also try to dance a bit. I love it and I hope to integrate it on the show."

Bossa Nova Princess Andrea Gutierrez "I ventured into Bossa Nova because people who heard me sing compare me with Sitti and other Bossa artists. Maybe we can announce, Sir Rey Valera gave us songs to perform and we're excited to do that in this concert. Yes, we get pressured because we're headlining. We're practicing practically everyday and we hope the audience would appreciate that. I hope I get to have hit songs after this step. Ms. Lani Misalucha is my idol, I hope I get to sing songs like what she's done in the past years."

Other guests include Graciel Hizon, Raymond Gorospe, Aquila Paquing, Nathan Randal, including their front acts PPOP acts DIV9, AZTER, wonder kid Maurice, The Boxers, and the Roshe Performing Group. Tickets are available via TICKETWORLD and at the Music Museum Box Office.

It's time to support the next generation of artists, take a chance on seeing and hearing them live!

ICE SEGUERRA Set To Do Repeat of Videoke Hits OPM Edition (Isa Pa) at the Music Museum

With the success of the previous one, it just needs repeat. Ice Seguerra will be doing his Videoke Hits OPM Edition (Isa Pa) this coming November 8th at the Music Museum in Greenhills San Juan City. This is under FIRE and ICE Live, the concert production arm of Fire and Ice Productions owned by Ice and Liza Dino Seguerra.

As you may already know, Ice has lots of hits being played on Videoke playlists all over the country, aside from that, she's planning to give life to the best hits the medium has, and this will surely be something to look forward to on that date.

Karaoke is such a huge part of Filipino culture, and with the advent of us winning competitions left and right around the world, Filipinos are being feared when holding microphones. Ice is such a force to reckon with, even if she sings soft and emotional, it just sounds so beautiful even if she sings a phone book.

Ice says "This is quite difficult to make a lineup because even at the end of the week, I couldn't choose singles because there are so much OPM songs I could choose from. Now I'm stuck with medleys so I could sing everything. It's a smorgasbord of all the things I want to sing and hear, rearranged in a different way. As much as possible we want to have different genres because it's not just one thing, but it's fun. The first part are the things I really sing in the Videoke world, my personal list. The second part is the requests of people at the venue, then third are the re arranged ones. You know I've been thinking of releasing a few that came out quite nice because my band was crazy good. That's when I saw how the ones we arranged had different flavors."

He adds "I really didn't want to work on a date near my birthday because I want to give my 10,000 percent all the time. It's just the pressure I didn't want to experience, but I'm so happy that one sold out. The energy was also different and we were three hours running. My wife gave me a motorbike, and I couldn't believe it. I even fell the first night I drove it. I even was sweating because of the outfit. I fell in front of her, but I'm training now." 

"This show will also include "Salamin Salamin" and "Gento", but I felt the dance numbers. It was tiring, and couldn't breathe after, I really have to pace myself."

He doesn't want to lost the magic of being intimate because Music Museum is closer. Through you cannot do it in the balcony, you can go around. The last time he did this, people were involved in most of the numbers. It was wild and they would participate. He says "From seniors to 7/8 year old, they were singing, they were game whoever had the mic in front of them. I want to make them feel it's okay to do it. There's something about this that is therapeutic. It's fun, and we started this in 2016, I think that is why there's magic in the show."

Here's our interview with Ice this afternoon:

Aside from that, they're planning to do a repeat of their previous project called CHOOSING which was staged last July, the difference is that it's going to be done in Quezon City at an even bigger venue. Ice says 'We're planning to do it again soon, this was done previously for pride month, but feel it brought to the next step as it's a mix of comedy, drama and stories of different people from the same community. It's going to be a great way to bridge gaps, to put more people in their shoes in hopes to give them a deeper understanding of what and how we go through things."

Again, if you feel that it's time to enjoy a concert with friends and family, tickets are now available at Ticketnet or at the Music Museum box office. Ice promises that it will be even more fun than the previous one!

DESSA, TROY LAURETA, DK TIJAM and DK Talents Set to Perform "By Request: Your Playlist Live on Stage" at the Music Museum

 

August 16 is a special day for OPM artists Dessa, Troy Laureta and DK Tijam as they do "By Request: Your Playlist Live on Stage" at the Music Museum. They will be performing with Toronto based DK Talents Kayleigh Cerezo, Keeana Cerezo, Antoinette Targa, Chelsea Star and Bella Magbag. This is produced by DK Talents, Orange Magazine (who's celebrating their 14th Anniversary btw) and Backstage Entertainment. They will be singing your favorite pop songs, OPM greats in one venue, taking your online streaming dreams into life, live on stage... so you get to enjoy it even better!

 

Kayleigh Cerezo

Keeana Cerezo

We got to talk to DK Tijam, sisters Kayleigh and Keana Cerezo during a press conference last August 8, 2024 at Orange Magazine's 14th Anniversary Thanksgiving event held at Joy Nostalg Hotel and Suites in Ortigas.  The last time I got to talk to him was a few years ago during a homecoming meet with his fans in Quezon City. He also did a concert back in 2017 called RESTART at the Teatrino in Greenhills, so this new one is going to be in a bigger venue.

Keeana has been trained by DK and has been winning several competitions in Canada. It was obvious when she sang a few songs at the event, especially with RnB songs, her rifts were crazy. Kayleigh on the other hand is part of Mini Pop Kids, a performing group with several equally talented kids performing in Toronto and nearby cities, she also has a Netflix show, very successful in her own rate. It was so nice to see them perform, this time in Manila.

Keeana says "I've trained with him since I was 15 and helped develop my sound, specializing in more R&B. This also developed my artistry, how I perform and develop my voice."

Kayleigh adds "I've known DK Tijam half of my life. He literally watched me grow, albeit being a very busy person, he really taught us the technicalities of singing. This is what we appreciate the most about him."

DK says "This coming Friday, we will be having a concert at the Music Museum. We will be performing with DK Talents and a few more from Canada. We also have Ms. Dessa, a very powerful belter, when you say high notes, she's it. Her stage performance is also monstrous, and we've become friends on the KUMU platform. She also invited Troy Laureta to perform with us on this concert, a David Foster prodigy. He's worked with Arianna Grande, Jordin Sparks, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera and a whole lot more. We would be so happy to see you there! Being able to perform at the Music Museum is a dream of mine, and we were just joking around in doing this first but now it's all coming true!" 

Here's our chat together with the crowd at the event. Hearing them sing, I'm quite excited about what's going to happen at the actual concert! This is just the tip of the iceberg!

The concert is also supported by PLDT Home, Air Asia, AGENTS International Inc., Joy Nostalg Hotels and Suites Manila, and our love, beauty brand Beautederm.  They also send their thanks to AirAsia Move app, Grab, Tai Chi, Morninga Vita, Pascual Laboratories Inc., Mang Inasal, Red Apron and ALPAS Consultancy.

Tickets are available on Ticketworld.com.ph or at the Music Museum box office. You can also order via Dianne Edosma 09352057132 or Owlan Alvar 09275939673. If this doesn't convince you to see them live, I don't know what will. They're absolutely world class!

A Few Reasons To Watch GARY VALENCIANO's "Gary V Back at the Museum"

Had a really fun time at the Music Museum attending the concert of Gary Valenciano called "Gary V: Back at the Museum". It was officially his 93rd time to perform there and the show was pretty much a huge time travel, of things he's done at the Music Museum and even have video synced in almost every number he did at that venue.

It was fun to see how several big stars of today were in the audience, and much of his fans in those years still attend the show. As Mr. Gary Valenciano puts it, he says "Music Museum is the most intimate venue, and this is why it's important for me because much of my songs and it's messages are meant to be done that way."

Sure enough, we got that treat. Music Museum has the audience placed very close to the stage and Gary could actually see much of our face unlike other venues which is why he prefers it. It's like he could talk to people, sing his songs while you are actually there. It felt very personal, but he's not even shortchanging anything even the dance moves.

Gary V performed with Kianna Vee for a little Father Daughter number

Mind you, the Manouvers that are dancing with him are actually 4th generation (Manouvers Ignite). They all retired (I think) and he's still dancing? What?!

These are just a few of the reasons why you should watch the show. Gary Valenciano is also helping a few charities that cater to kids, those affected by health conditions (those with diabetes) and the poor. Even though I barely did catch what they did in the 80's and early 90's, his music transcends all these and have really good lyrics. It's like poems come alive, and I couldn't keep up with the crowd that evening even if I was extra energetic. If you're a Tita/Tito, Mom/Dad, Lola/Lolo, millennials or Gen XYZ, you'll enjoy his music and the memories that come with it. There are still a few dates left this August 12, 19 and 26, so get them tickets at ticketworld.com.ph and celebrate his birthday too!

Btw, make sure to watch out for the "request" part of the show and get heard by Mr. Pure Energy himself and sing your favorite Gary V song. (It was my favorite part of the show!)

Congratulations Sir Gary!

Gary V: Back at the Museum this August!

Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano is celebrating his 40th year in the showbiz industry. It's also his birthday on the 6th of this month which is a cause for celebration. He's ready to go back to the Music Museum this coming August 4, 12, 19 and 26 for a series of shows not just to celebrate his career and achievements, but to also help in his partner organizations.

The venue itself holds so many memories for him, it's very intimate, and he has held over 100 shows in this place since he started his career. Through Gary V: Back at the Museum, he wants to help the Shining Light Foundation to help with medical assistance for folks that are indigents, provide scholarships for children and aid those who are in need.

Together with Gary, he's going to perform with his daughter Kiana (flying from the US just for this). He's also going to perform with the Manoeuvers and will be directed by son Paolo, with Mr. Mon Faustino directing music for this concert. This is produced by Manila Genesis (who's celebrating their 37th year) and is supported by ABSCBN, ASAP Natin To!, AIA Philippines, Skelan, Forti D, Conzace, Powermac, Universal Records, the Philippine Star, Globaltronics, Jollibee, Toni&Guy, Partners in Christ, The Monochrome Events Place among others. Tickets are priced 5K, 3K and 1,500. You can get them now on Ticketworld or 09279675179 or 09696231564. If you prefer getting them online, visit https://bit.ly/GARYV-backatthemuseum .

 

Much of these will be documented and shared on Gary's social channels so make sure you're following him there! Come celebrate with the phenomenal Gary Valenciano and see why he's loved by many.

SHERYN REGIS is BACK : Back To Love!

I remember how I always used to sing Come On In Out of the Rain in the shower couldn’t hit the last few notes because yes, Sheryn Regis is a legend. 

The Crystal Voice of Asia is back in the Philippines and yes she’s doing something she LOVES which is singing and performing on stage. So they aptly named her comeback concert BACK TO LOVE: Sheryn Regis. Undoubtedly, she is one of the most powerful singers this country has produced. I did root for her during a singing competition she joined years back. She chose to live a simple life and live with her family, to take care of kids in Houston Texas. She’s had a round of Cancer scare, depression, but she has mustered strength to overcome all these trials and healed wonderfully. After a while, she worked with TFC shows in the US and enjoyed raising her kids til now that they could fend for themselves. She knew what she wanted to do, asked permission from them and they gladly tell her to go for it. She went back to the Philippines and signed with March On Entertainment Inc. The concert will happen at the Music Museum on February 28 8pm. This will be directed by Alco Guerrero and will fortell Sheryn’s life story, all expressed in music. She promised to perform several of your favorites, and introduce a brand new Sheryn Regis too. 

She will also have her Free To Love Concert in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada on Valentines Day, another one in Tallahasse, Florida on the 8th and Steinbach Manitoba Canada on the 15th. It will be a pretty busy February for her too as hey will release a single during the 2nd Quarter. She also hopes to go back to acting, a craft she loves too. For those in other parts of the world, she’s going to have her own YouTube channel to document her daily life. She’s Sheryn Regis, and she’s back... you better get ready!

Tickets are sold via Ticketworld.com.ph, go get them before they run out!

Carlo Aquino Preps for Liwanag in Concert

Carlo Aquino is stretching his vocal chords this morning for another concert at the Music Museum. We were there during Matteo and his concert which was very successful, so this is really a good time to do another one. 

Carlo shares how he feels and says “Excited and thankful because this is real. It was once just talked about, there will be some numbers where I will be playing a guitar, maybe dance too. It is going to be a journey where I loved music, I might be singing old songs, it depends on Sir Louie if he can fit it in. I want some really new songs, Ben and Ben, stuff like that. I started with my Dad, he loves music and also sings. Beatles, old Karaoke hits, bands, so when I was a teenager it was doubly hard because I was a lefty. I usually write songs when I am sad so I gave a lot on my list but I hope we get 2 or 3 of them in the concert. I was also asked about doing a remake on Rico Blanco song, so I chose 2 of them, I ended up getting approval for one which is “Balisong” and I will have to thank him personally, very soon. I hope I could rehearse now, when you mention it I am already shaking. Right now I wish I could rehearse early, we will be meeting soon to finalize things. I have inputs because this is my journey, I have several albums and I hope I get a lot of my material there. We are trying to get guests but it depends on their availability. My second single is Balisong, a Soldier’s Heart has been in the trade launch last week, maybe Bagman season 2 for iWant. I have a lot on my plate. I hope I could get my cousin here, my parents too. Everyday is a good day and I am thankful for times I wake up, I only think of gratitude. I have a happy family, happy heart, I don’t mind the bashers, there’s a lot of love out there and you have so many reasons to be happy for. I am always in love! I am in love with life, I am inlove with work. You may go ahead and agree with it. August 31 at the Music Museum, I hope you guys be there and tell your friends about my birthday concert.” 

His director adds “I called it Liwanag so you can see him, in a new light, I hope that’s exactly what you will see in the concert.” 

This is produced by Hills and Dreams Concepts Co. For tickets you may get it from Ticketworld at 8919999 or 09777819540 (Hills and Dreams) or at the Music Museum ticketron 721 06 35. 

So there! 

Sue Ramirez is Rock Chic

Hey people!

Guess who’s going to have her first concert this July 19 at the Music Museum, it’s Sue Ramirez and she’s always wanted to start performing on stage, not as an actress but a singer this time.

Sue says “It is a huge celebration for my career, and we are doing this before my actual birthday. I started singing in school but the opportunities was in acting gigs, I didn’t know how this played out but Direk and the production gave me a chance to do this, I am hesitant to do this but I asked the people around me. My handler was that one push, she told me I believe in you Sue and like what Lady Gaga said, all you need is that push. I was always that musical kid who sang in different venues, I had some contests in schools but never did join contests outside, but like any Filipino I sang my heart out in Karaoke. It was when I started loving it. I always loved Pink and her songs, also Lady Gaga, I really look up to these women. It is going to be a mix of genres, different timelines, different kinds of music. I have Kristel, Mariz and Michael Pangilinan who will serve as guests in my concert.”

Direk Lloyd Mamaril says “I saw Sue perform and it was a magical moment to see her in a blue dress and when she sang Imagine, I really wanted to produce her concert. She has proven herself in many facets, we give artists avenues to grow so this is it. When we met I was thinking of a term that would best describe her and the music she does, she’s a rocker but dresses well. She’s Rock Chic. She also adds things in the plans, I planned a year for this and I want people to be proud of this.”

This is directed and produced (under FLM Creatives and Productions Inc.) by Lloyd Mamaril and tickets will be sold on Ticketworld and at the venue. Sue promises this will be very personal, she is excited to share how to share her musical story, songs played will be about who she is as a person and hopefully you’ll get to know Sue even better.

Ken Chan and Rita Daniela for My Special Love Concert

You miss Boyet and Aubrey? You bet you do! But don’t worry because Ken Chan and Rita Daniela won’t let you down as they do the “My Special Love” concert at the Music Museum this May 11 at 6PM. This is their way of thanking thousands of their fans + more.

Ken says “This concert will surely have our story on how we reached for our dreams, we’ll be doing it with our song numbers and people can expect a lot of throwback moments. Right now, I am getting ready for the release of my single “1 Like” which has been getting airplay in LS and other radio stations because starting April 30, it will be available on streaming stores and a brand new music video via the GMA Music Youtube channel too. You will see a different Daniela here because if you see her feisty on screen, she's even more than that in person. She's got more effort put in this than I do and I am a little terrified how I'm gonna look like and not just  a mall show Ken Chan LOL. I have always said Rita Daniela isn't hard to love, if she loves someone, he will be a very lucky guy, I see how she cares for me and she is not just girlfriend material, but wife material. Rita is like me, a female version of me.” 

Rita added “I’m really excited about the people we’re collaborating with. We’ll have guests who actually have autism and or intellectual disabilities, we believe they are part of our success so we want them to be a part of it. I also have a new single called “Florita” whom I co wrote with Randy Salvador. It will be under GMA Music and is already available in major streaming services worldwide! You don't prepare when you meet your supposed husband but I do make an effort, and I think he sees that. I also see how Ken takes care of his parents, I also see how he does so good in his craft and hopefully you'll see more of that in the concert. The set list is a story so you will be seeing 4 people in the concert, it's gonna be Rita, Ken, Boyet and Aubrey. We have also chosen a charity organization that will benefit from this and they will be part of the concert. You will be seeing some of our costars and also some singers who have given their time and effort for the cause too. I can confirm we'll have our next project and it will be with Ken again, it's something you all should look forward to in the next few months.”

In the concert, they will also be having guests from The Clash alumni Jong Madaliday, Garett Bolden and Anthony Rosaldo. For tickets, you can get them via ticketworld.com.ph (8919999) or the Music Museum Ticketron (7210635). Fall in love with BoBrey all over again, you should go!

Glaiza De Castro for KUN[G]DIMAN at the Music Museum

Having been able to see Glaiza De Castro grow as an artist these past few years has really been able to make me feel safe, a bit optimistic that there is a future for OPM. Not that I've lost hope, but I'm just so happy to see someone at this day and age to actually affect me, make me see, make me feel her passion. She's nothing short of a phenomenon on TV doing tons of different roles, GMA has taken care of her career but she's not just taking her off time lightly. Singing has been her first love, always have been, always will be. When I began seeing her on different stages, performing with bands, I could see how her face just lights up. When I talk to her, you could see her emotions, genuine and undoubtedly depict her stories as if she's on cloud nine. It's as if she was telling a very sad love story, but she was sparkling at the same time.

This talented and amazing performer showed us a sample of what she could do in her upcoming concert at the Music Museum this coming October 27 at 8PM. Other than excitement during the short program, I was listening to her sing while not looking at her. I know it would have been really distracting to look at her pretty face, I think I got what I wanted. She's matured so fast in just a couple of years, even if I missed some of her presscons and blogcons, seeing her perform in a different level this day had me asking, are they doing a good job managing such a talented artist? I think her music should be more out there... honestly, I began thinking she's extremely underrated. Her songs definitely should reach a wider audience, those who would appreciate it more because she deserves it. I felt tired just seeing her efforts taking her Synthesis album a couple months back, but she's here putting out another set of songs, people, don't stop her.

About how this all began Glaiza shared "I was called into their office (Polyeast Records) and they told me that it would be a good thing to have a concert together with this album. Doing a play on the word KUNDIMAN (kungDman), we will be doing covers of great legendary OPM artists. In the concert, we will have several guests and we already confirmed Mike Hanopol which I don't know if I'm going to be excited or floored because it's so monumental. It's not going to be all original songs, I'll be also doing a special number. Some of which I'll be doing with Gloc9."

She also was asked about her time dedicated to her work in GMA and this singing habit, she explained "I think I do have following in both music and acting. It helps that I have both, it just happened and there are a lot of opportunities. It would have been good to just have it in garage band but I had the right people to help me at the right time. It was chop suey, but there were people who pushed me to concentrate on it. It helped that my fans see me on tv and then get interested in what I listen to. They now know who I am through my music."

I think we do. See more of her in these photos.

So remember, watch her upcoming concert at the Music Museum this coming October 27 at 8PM. If you love her, show her you do. Be at the gate early or purchase tickets at PolyEast Records office 3/F Universal Tower, 1487 Quezon Avenue, QC during office hours.

I see. Dreams never end.