ISHA PONTI Launches "LIKAS" Album

Super talented singer songwriter Isha Ponti gave us goosebumps last night at the VIVA CAFE where she celebrated her birthday and launched her new album "LIKAS". 

Isha says "If there's someone who acts like an anchor in my life, I would like to say thanks to my Mom and Dad, happy father's day! I always do this every year but this is special because being 20 means I've already experienced things and applied it to my songs. Some good, some that hurt, but it's okay. I'm good!"

She sang her singles "Darating" (an upbeat hopeful love song),  "Hinga" (a call for pause before loving again), "Proud to Say" (not part of the LIKAS album but she made this song when she was 13), "Raining In Manila" (her cover), "Kabanata" (where she proudly showed her heartwarming music video too), Man I Need & So Easy (both an Olivia Dean original- her cover), and a few more to the delight of the crowd. She also did "Warmth", "Gulong" (about a hurtful relationship), "Halika" (a ballad about asking to admit love), "Bakas" (she cried on this bit), "Kung Di Rin Tayo sa Huli" (her cover of the December Avenue song),  "Numero" (about self worth), "Riversky" (about believing in  yourself), and the finale song the danceable "Mismo" (where everyone stood up!). Isha reminds us that her new album "Likas" is all about loving, learning, and experiencing her truth and I totally agree. 

In the audience, she also had her relatives, friends from school, and press who have been helping her get her music out there. She thanked them all! 

Isha acknowledged a few artists from VIVA, a PPOP girl group and of course, one of GMA's prime actors Kelvin Miranda (who did a duet with her btw!). 

OPM is so blessed to have to someone like you Isha! Here's hoping you get to even more places. Seeing how passionate you are in your craft and how hard you've worked for it, please keep on writing and singing more songs!

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!

San Pedro Calungsod the Musical Album Set to be Released This Month

Do you remember the staging of San Pedro Calungsod the Musical back in 2014/2016/2020? Brings back memories right? Well you'll be surprised as I am because they're finally coming out with a cast album this month and will be available worldwide. 

For those who don't know, it's a very emotional story of his faith, the things he had to sacrifice, and his devotion to God and Jesus Christ. Calungsod was a Filipino catechist who lived in Guam back in the 17th century. The staging won several awards from different bodies. The songs primarily were performed by the very talented Gerald Santos. A world class actor who did the title role and composed some of the songs for the musical. This includes "Offer My Life", "The Journey" which folks have loved. There's 18 tracks, mostly made by Antonio Rommel Ramilo who did the libretoo and stage direction. It was an emotional rollercoaster to see and hear for those who have seen the show. 

In the album, Gerald is joined by Kuya Manzano (who did the role of Father Diego Luis de zsan Vitores), Hutch Perales (who did Matapang), and several other actors from the 2020 production. They gave life to him and the whole story. 

For those who want it, the album is out on May 16 at all digital platforms. Make sure you listen to it and see why it's one of the most critically acclaimed musicals of that time.