Age no issue for ‘PGT3’ champ trio

By: Allan Policarpio Contributor
Philippine Daily Inquirer

 1share22 20

Licinio Lolo, 44, Andrew Sanchez, 40, and Bonifacio Salubre, 38, a.k.a. The Maasinhon Trio, said they first felt awkward going up against younger opponents in ABS-CBN’s “Pilipinas Got Talent 3.”

In the end, faith in their talents carried them through. “We’ve been singing together for 18 years. Kampante kami sa sarili at experience namin,” Lolo told the Inquirer on Sunday night after the “PGT3” winner’s night at the Ynares Sports Complex in Antipolo, Rizal.

Unexpected

Sanchez and Salubre fell on their knees and Lolo buried his face in his hands in shock when judges Kris Aquino, Ai Ai de las Alas and Freddie Garcia declared the trio as champions. Offstage, they were met with hugs and kisses from their tearful wives and children.

“’Di namin talaga in-expect,” Sanchez said. “Grabe ang saya!”

Garnering 22.60 percent of total nationwide votes, the trio bested 11 finalists with colorful, textured harmonies and pitch-perfect vocals in their rendition of Ryan Cayabyab’s upbeat “Nais Ko,” originally recorded by Basil Valdez.

Not a few compared the trio to the Apo Hiking Society. “We get that often,” Lolo said, “and we’re honored.”

The Maasin, Southern Leyte, natives—all very pious church choir members—have joined past competitions, such as the Bohol Pop Music Festival 15 years ago, where they won 3rd place. But with the P2 million cash prize, last Sunday’s victory was undoubtedly their biggest ever. “We’re donating part of the prize to our church,” Lolo said.

Day jobs

They sing in weddings, birthdays and other occasions, but they have day jobs. Lolo works with the provincial government, Sanchez is a warehouse chief in the Southern Leyte Electric Cooperative and Salubre is a fire officer.

Asked if they were willing to leave their jobs and relocate to Manila to pursue their music career, the three were unsure. “We’ll have to think about that carefully,” Lolo said.

For the past three years, “PGT” winners had been singing acts, and all male at that: Jovit Baldivino took season 1; Marcelito Pomoy, season 2. Also, more than half of the finalists (20 of 38) were either vocalists or musical groups.

This season had eight, including runners-up Bringas Brothers (acoustic duo) and 15-year-old heartthrob and crowd favorite Khalil Ramos, who brought home P100,000 each.

Luis’ pick

On social networking sites like Twitter, predictions had favored the aerial acrobats Synergy and shadow theater group El Gamma Penumbra. In the end, as the judges repeatedly stressed, it was the text votes that counted.

Show host Luis Manzano later tweeted, “My grand winner will always be El Gamma.”

The nine other contenders got P50,000 each.

David Foster and Charice's work relationship still on

By JULIEN MERCED C. MATABUENA

David Foster will not be producing songs for Charice in the meantime but it doesn't mean they won't work with each other from hereon (AP Photo)

MANILA, Philippines – Hit maker David Foster will not produce songs for his protégé and goddaughter Charice starting December now that he is with another record label.

David, who ended his 26-year stint with Warner Music last Sept. 30, was quoted as saying by PEP during the press conference held on Oct. 24, “December 1st will be my first day with Universal Records. Come December 1st, I won't be able to produce for Charice anymore because I can't take her with me.

“She's staying at Warner and I'm going to Universal [Records],” he explained.

However, the acclaimed music producer assured that he would continue to perform on stage with Charice.

“As for touring, I hope for many, many years we will always tour together [as long as] she has the time. She tours on her own,” he said, adding, “I love having her and she loves being with me and that's not going to change.”

Charice’s mother Racquel Pempengco likewise clarified that her daughter will continue to work with David beyond the “Hit Man Returns: David Foster & Friends” concert set in Manila on Tuesday evening. Recall that it was previously reported that this concert will be David and Charice’s last collaborative effort.

“Na-misinterpret lang 'yung sinabi ni David. Kasi magkakaroon nga ulit ng bagong album at magso-solo tour si Charice,” Racquel told abs-cbnnews.com in a report published on Tuesday.

On the other hand, Charice said in the same PEP report, “Ang paghihiwalay, hindi yun mangyayari kahit lilipat siya sa Universal [Records].”

“I always tell David that I'm always here for him. He's always been there for me and whatever he wants to do with me, I'm in. We're a team,” she was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, David expressed his interest to work with Tony Award-winning theater actress Lea Salonga. On Monday afternoon, “doctor to the stars” Vicki Belo posted on her Twitter account that she’s having lunch with David and that he “wants to get in touch” with Lea.

On this, the hit maker said that Lea’s name “just came up” during the course of their conversation.

“We actually argued. I said, 'I thought she was part of Mulan the musical. And they said, 'No, she was part of Mulan [the Disney movie].'

“I remembered her voice and that she was from the Philippines. She is an amazing singer. I would love for her to come to the show and experience all of this 'coz she's a great singer,” said he.

Vicki’s fiancé Hayden Kho also announced on Twitter the same day that David and Michael Bolton – who’s also part of the “David Foster & Friends” tour with Ashanti, Russell Watson and Philip Bailey – were “super impressed” by R&B singer Kyla. During the same press conference, David quoted Michael as describing Kyla as “super amazing.
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Bamboo bounces back in high style with an orchestra

By: Allan Policarpio
Philippine Daily Inquirer

 4share30 26

Bamboo Mañalac has walked away twice from bands he had fronted—Rivermaya in the 1990s and Bamboo only nine months ago. Recently he emerged as a solo artist at the “Tanduay Rhum Rockfest: Year V,” held at the SM Mall of Asia open grounds.

Contemplative

The crowd of thousands broke into ecstatic shrieks when Bamboo’s name flashed on the videoscreens. The din escalated as the singer, known for his intensity as a performer, appeared onstage.

Backed by a four-man band and a string ensemble—two cellists and 10 violinists—Bamboo reined in his fire and did a contemplative rendition of The Beatles’ “Across the Universe.” Weeping violins drenched the song in sentimentality.

He picked up the pace with U2’s “Sunday Bloody Sunday,” followed by Buklod’s “Tatsulok.” The strings certainly added a new texture to Bamboo’s sound. But this intriguing element was drowned out when the repertoire rocked forth.

Bamboo slowed down again, staying faithful to the sobriety of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” The string ensemble resumed the magic, playing a passage that let Bamboo segue seamlessly into his own “Hallelujah.” The mad crescendo of guitars and drums leading to the chorus drove the fans wild.

At that point, people wondered aloud if he would perform new material. Bamboo, apparently reading their minds, capped his set with “Questions,” a rock ballad. The song, said to be the first single from his coming album, “No Water, No Moon,” featured a lengthy, piano-driven instrumental ending.

The crowd wanted more. To say the fans missed Bamboo would be a gross understatement.

The rest of the rock fest lineup included Bamboo’s Rivermaya cohort (now solo artist) Rico Blanco, Ebe Dancel, Ney, The Dawn, Moonstar 88, Orient Pearl, Hilera, Dong Abay, Gloc-9, Siakol, Grin Department, The Youth, Paco Arespacochaga, Up Dharma Down, Urbandub, Hungry, Young Poets, Color It Red, Franco, P.O.T., Tropical Depression, Typecast and Razorback, as well as the 2011 Tanduay First Five national concert tour acts Wolfgang, Chicosci, Sandwich, Kamikazee and Parokya ni Edgar.

Sampaguita redux

Another highlight was the appearance of Pinoy rock queen Sampaguita. “Am I too old for this?” she teased the audience. A middle-aged guy behind us shot back: “Hindi! Liligawan pa kita!”

In a flashy outfit with animal prints, Sampaguita reprised “Bonggahan” and “Tao,” two of the most brilliantly crafted songs of the great Pinoy rock canon of the 1970s.

While the older fans reveled in nostalgia with another Sampaguita hit, “Nosi Balasi,” the younger ones were pleasantly surprised. “Ah, siya pala kumanta niyan,” a girl beside us said.

Organizers said one of the concert’s aims is to show how our artists have evolved. Seeing Sampaguita back onstage, if only for a while, the twenty-somethings had a crash course in Pinoy rock classics appreciation.