VILMARK VIRAY Releases 2nd Heartbreaking Single "LISAN"

How did you spend your Christmas last year? Was it a happy one? For most, it should have been but not for singer and artist Vilmark Viray. The young promising singer just got his heart broken as his Dad met an accident in the shower on Christmas day. It was supposed to be a day of celebration, but unfortunately, he succumbed to aneurysm two days after. Vilmark was hurt, like anyone who would experience something like this, and didn't know how to process it. He took to writing this song called "LISAN" on the first day of the wake, and took off from that. Just like the way he sings songs, he poured emotions, things that he wanted to say, and now he was taking his heart out to dedicate this for his Dad. 

Here's a part of our interview with him this morning:

Vilmark knows, his Dad will be happy that he's continuing his dreams. Aside from being an Electrical Engineer, his passion has always been singing. Vilmark hopes that everyone who gets to hear his song would be able to relate and feel what he's going through. His Mom and Dad was always there to support him during times he was competing in The Clash. Dedicating this song to one of the most important people in his life is just proper, and he hopes when his Dad sees him today, that he would be proud of him just like the rest of his family.

Go stream his song LISAN on all streaming platforms or just search his name Vilmark Viray. He's very talented and he deserves to have his own concert which I certainly hope would come true soon!

Hitting Close to Home: Garrett Bolden Takes on MISS SAIGON in Guam

This particular achievement is something that hits close to home with Kapuso artist Garrett Bolden, The man who has succeeded to get a flourishing career in singing on The Clash, several GMA shows, here and abroad is now going to play the role of John Thomas, Chris' best friend in hit musical Miss Saigon.

He auditioned for this role and sent a video performance of Bui Doi, which means "A Dust of Life", a term used for babies born in Vietnam who have fathers in US Army/Navy/Airforce service. This wasn't something he expected to happen but once he got a call, he did several auditions and got the role later on. For those who don't know, Garrett Bolden is also a son of a GI, sadly, his Father and Step Mom passed, but glad he now has communication with his siblings that could tell him about their lives. 

 "When I looked back at my audition, I thought I wasn't going to get the role. When they told me I got it, I was nervous, this is a dream for me. First off, thank you for spending time with me today. You have all been part of my journey, our kapuso here and in Guam. For now I'll be doing a single that will be released soon on GMA Music, you can download Pwede Pa Ba on streaming sites. Let's see each other soon!"

Here's a part of the interview we had with him this afternoon:

Congratulations Garrett Bolden! Break a leg in September when the musical starts. He's leaving August 5 for rehearsals and this will surely change his life. This surely hits close to home with him, and I hope his story inspires more people.

MARIANE OSABEL (The CLASH Season 4 Champ) Releases New Single "Pira Piraso"

Grand Champion of The Clash Season 4 Marian Osabel just released her new single "Pira Piraso" under GMA Music.

Mariane says "This is worth the wait, I am glad that my supporters are happy about the single, and now, it's on number 3 on iTunes. Hopefully I'd be able to release another one this year. This song is about when a person gets a bad day, I reflect on the lyrics of my song "Pira Piraso" at the part where it says "Kaunti pang pasensys, kaunti pang panahon". I really enjoy music, I go to different places in the country now because of it, this is what I enjoy, music and travel. I am open to the thought of doing acting gigs, I did a workshop last March, hopefully I'd be able to do it soon because it is exciting and challenging. This song is also about loving someone fully, not in pieces. A thing I would advise newcomers, aspiring singers, is to TRY, don't second guess, because even if you lose, you learn something from it. I did that until I did succeed. As an artist, I put out my feelings in my music. It's a place to vent out, I write and sing that way. I am really happy now, I'm with someone that I could give my 100%, my capacity to love." 

 Mariane admits, this is about a failed love which she personally has experienced. I'm glad she got over it and is having the time of her life with someone special.

This single is now out on iTunes, Spotify and other streaming platforms so if you love hear dearly, show your support by downloading or streaming copies of it legally. Congratulations Mariane! You deserve all the success!

Asia's Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista Renews Contract with GMA

The crooner who has swooned tons of ladies across Asia has renewed ties with GMA Artist Center. In simple ceremonies last week, Christian Bautista was so happy about his decision to stay with the network. He has been in the industry for over 2 decades and he's very happy knowing that he's gotten renewed because he's treated this as a great partnership. He's been with GMA for over 8 years and plans to do various shows including the highly successful "The Clash" Season 4 and "All Out Sundays". Aside from that, he's looking forward to a future of doing GMA Pinoy TV and regional tours (sans pandemic) which will possibly get him in touch of audiences abroad as a major throng of his supporters are from other countries too. 

Christian understands that it's a bit difficult to make plans because of the COVID-19 restrictions so he's probably going to wing every opportunity that comes with this renewal. He also did a project called STILL with Julie Anne San Jose and other artists which is produced for the VIU app. It's more of a series that's got a lot of music involved in it. This will be out soon so his fans still have a lot of things to look forward to, hopefully this year. 

These days, Christian is also doing YouTube and he says "It's a bit difficult now, but everybody is doing it. Your fans will enjoy how you share your life, so we (he and his wife) decided to do it. As for digital concerts, that's a lot to think about. Producing, getting sponsors, the timing, it's a bit difficult. Renewing in GMA is surreal, at this time, at this age, it was a nice feeling that people believe in you. I wish for a project that would be celebrated around the world. Whether it may be in front or the back of the camera, I'd like to see that happen. Right now, this show with Julie, it's outside the Philippines and I'd take it. Being with people who love working together, with a purpose, it's something that I want to do. These days, you think about how you would get to earn as an artist during this time. I'm grateful to God that I'm not getting neglected. I want to focus on The Clash as a mentor and judge, hopefully I'd be able to help them. I want to also write songs, be a creator, not just sing."

Recently, the MET was inaugurated and opened by the city of Manila. One of the performers who were invited during that historical opening was Christian Bautista. I asked about it casually and he says "The experience performing again on stage was surreal, I was both excited and elated about doing that again after several months of getting locked in at home. Even if it was 2 seats apart during that day, the live audience really was a different experience. I liked what it was, and I loved to see what it can be again after all these restrictions are gone. In the future, there would probably be online shows, live shows, to blend them might be right. The Clash was getting a nomination in New York just meant that I was doing something right. It's for the directors, the people behind the show, not just us artists and contestants. No one in particular but everyone who joins The Clash, you can feel that they really do want it. It's just sad that opportunities are not given to them all, but hopefully they would try, and not get discouraged."

Here's the rest of the interview on video:

The Clash is going to be bigger and better, so will all the celebrations on AOS. You'll see Christian there and all the talented artists of GMA. 

Jessica Villarubin Releases Debut Single AKO NAMAN

 

Just got off the press conference of THE CLASH Season 3 Champion Jessica Villarubin as she talks about her beginnings, her struggles, her story before she actually did it in this year's competition. She's very bubbly, very positive, but here she shares how she had to make ends meet and pay back her Mom and Dad's kindness as they had struggled a lot during her childhood.

Jessica says "Bullying has affected me in the past, it's like it wasn't enough to have talent, my physical appearance, yet they don't know me, who I am, it kinda got my confidence low. I'm happy and grateful that I got enhanced by Vicky Belo, before I was only watching her on TV, I shared my experiences and I'm very grateful how she helped me in my journey. Yesterday I performed in All Out Sundays and I'm happy how I was received, they were really happy for me. During the finals, I didn't expect to be the grand champion, I prayed about it and if it was meant for me, it was for me, but if not, I still trust the Lord. I'm grateful when they announced my name, I thought I was in a dream state, my Clash friends were also happy for me, also my family. When I was given the song by Mr Christian Bautista, it's a dream come true, I am personally thankful for the opportunity, to hear myself sing my own song, finally." 

 

She adds "When I won, I couldn't sleep, I carried my medal around because of taping specials, in the morning, I got so many congratulatory messages. I had my gown, I still couldn't believe it. In just a few months, I also had my own song so I just couldn't believe it. Ako Naman is all about traditional love, on getting a dream come true. I waited so long for it, and the message is just pefect timing. It tells about your time, like in my life, I left so many things before I got here. I went here for it, I really couldn't believe I won. Aside from my Clash family, I want to be with Alden, Aicelle, if I could perform with them, that would be a dream. Now, I am concentrating on singing, but I'm open to learn things if it is offered to me. Based on my experience, I faced so many failures and rejections, I had to many auditions that I didn't get accepted, I wanted it to be my time, this song is about that. About the right time, I had to wait for it, I am blessed. Winning the CLASH was my biggest achievement, I will forever cherish that. I am proud of myself, because of all the hardships in work and family, I thought I couldn't make it, but I did, and I have achieved my dream. It was all worth it."

Here is part of the interview we had with her this afternoon:

Ako Naman is now streaming on different digital platforms worldwide. Go check it out on Spotify or YouTube for the video as well. This is under GMA Music.

 

Congratulations!