JOJO MENDREZ Rendition of OPM Classic "YAKAP" Lauded by CLAUDINE BARRETTO and Director Ronald Carballo

The country's one and only "Revival King" Jojo Mendrez is at it again as he releases his own version of the OPM classic hit song "YAKAP" originally done in 1979 by Junior aka Antonio Barretto Morales, a Spanish Filipino singer and actor based in Madrid and written by George Canseco. 

Popular YouTuber Director Ronald Carballo dubs this as something hair raising, deeply exciting when he previewed it on his online show DireKwentuhan with Ronald Carballo. He told Jojo how he felt this version was something that he could feel from the heart, and would resonate during this generation. He also mentioned how much this has recall, and relatable for ordinary folks. 

Jojo laments "You've got to be in the mood to sing songs like these, but initially, we thought this wasn't going to be released. I didn't have the voice or appetite that time to work on it, but I got to do the first few lines and managed to do it after that. I know of a Charice Pempengco version, but this arrangement is different. After recording, we had to re-do some of the lines and perfect it with the help of Jonathan Manalo of Star Music."

He adds "They have plans and so many songs to do in the pipeline. It just takes time because of the meticulous ways of recording it. I feel their love and care when we brainstormed about it. This includes the work we did with Tamis ng Unang Halik originally done by Tina Paner."

Jojo also furnished a copy of the song to Optimum Star Claudine Barretto, who immediately sent her reactions and love for his rendition of the song. Here's the screenie of that shared on socials: 

Loved by his friends, the media and pinoys who adore his OPM versions, he's also excited to announce that the track is now out on streaming platforms. Just search for his name Jojo Mendrez or the track title Yakap on platforms today.

ZIA QUIZON Signs with STAR MUSIC and Releases New Single "RETO NA NAMAN"

Just got out of the Dolphy theater this afternoon for the launch and contract signing of Zia Quizon who will be now under Star Music. Present during the occasion was Nene Atillano, Jeffrey Vadillo, and Ericson Raymundo of Cornerstone, Roxy Liquigan, Jonathan Manalo and Andy Arellano of Star Music. This is the first time they're also letting us hear her newly released single called "RETO NA NAMAN" which will be under the same label. Zia was in a very positive mood and performed for us too.

Roxy Liquigan says "I remember when we met about a few months ago, and Cornerstone has been a very good partner. Zsazsa thank you for also letting Zia be part of the Star Music family. I miss her, miss her sound."

Jonathan Manalo adds"When you hear her voice, she is her own sound. Welcome to Star Music because we will start to work on your original music which I already got to hear. Wait til we come out with it."

Jeffrey Vadillo says "We have a lot that we can work on, and the hottest music label in the country, partnering with them is just an exciting moment."

Ericson Raymundo says "To partner with Star Music means we can do a lot of things together."

Jungee Marcelo told us "I was wishing for this, after a while she asked to make this song and that was in 2018. I was confident, I got a call from Star, and Zia was the one who presented the song and the one above just knew it's time. The perfect minds just met and it would be wonderful, and everything worked out, I'm glad it is happening. Please do not change, your groove is you, and I haven't seen anyone who can sing like that. Don't second guess yourself because I would want to work more song with you, the world needs to hear you! I hope Reto Na Naman becomes a big hit like the previous releases."

Zia says "There's a lot of things happening in the country, and pressing matters but I'm grateful for those who worked here, my husband and mom is here. I'm just glad to be here! I've been busy with life, my house, getting married, but I remembered a song in 2018 that was sent to me on email. I just went back and searched for it."

She adds "Platforms have really changed, so distributing songs is different. I also listen to new OPM, regional songs, and it's easier to hear songs from other countries and how to mix it. I just try to be open to suggestions and do covers, we'll see what we can do. I was gone for a while but really, I was just busy with life. I just had time now to go and do it, I'm excited to bring joy, entertain people and hopefully it brings joy. My last project is was band centric when I was with my college mates. I really appreciate all the little things they do now, it's a team effort. I'm kinda going back, as folks are ready to rediscover music."

She's also launching a music video tomorrow November 14 around 7pm on YouTube. You can also stream her music on Spotify and available music platforms on Google and the Play store and App Store.

Take an Emotional Journey with BECOMING ICE

It's HIS time, and Ice is taking you to an emotional journey with his music under Fire and Ice Music and Star Music. It's called BECOMING ICE, a full album of original songs from Ice Seguerra. It's been a while since he released songs, so this is a welcome development for those who have been eager to listen to his songs, the emotional pipes, and the story that comes with it.

Producer Liza Diño says "Ice has been here in Noctos for a couple gigs now and thanks to them for opening their doors as a venue for Being Ice the album and Being Ice Live The Concert Experience. We've seen him transition to a lot of roles, and still wear many hats to this day. We had a successful Becoming Ice a few years back, but still we ask who he is, how he separates his professional to his personal. He is still discovering things, for the first time he is more open to share his vulnerabilities, his first all original album. Sharing these songs and bringing out his thoughts, he wants you to witness this in the album and the concert. It'll drop o. August 8 and will be performed September 12 and 13, all on his birthday, to sing with you. You will get to see it all, raw and with emotions. This is a point where he will embrace himself, all the more with the passing of Mommy Caring, I am very excited about this as it is the culmination of being in the business for 30 years!"

Ice says "Like what Liza said earlier, it took me a while to do this. Being in this industry, it was more of fear to fail in writing my own songs. It has to be a hit, and when it fails, it will fall on me. I equated it like that for a long time. I was afraid to fail and make mistakes. Maybe I've thought about doing this in the past, but I had to mature, it's a challenge to release something personal. My songs are very quiet, and I had to accept that I can move forward. I was afraid of not being successful. This is a serious job, but I can own the word artist now because I can own what I'm putting out there, my failures and success."

He adds "During the pandemic it was a hard time, when I lost my work I lost my purpose. I wrote this on my laptop, showed this to Jonathan, and said he would know how to make sense of this. Now it has structure, I hope you feel this when you are lost, to remind you that there is always hope."

I've heard a couple of his songs from the album, but hearing him live was just a whole lot different. You could feel where it was coming from, I bet there were a lot of people who cried while he was performing on stage. It was that good 

Now go stream on streaming platforms and download it today. It was a super emotional afternoon to listen to it. The album is good, but I would suggest you hear it live, grave!