Petra Mahalimuyak hosts Kanta Pilipinas webisodes

Petra Mahalimuyak

Kanta Pilipinas, the newest reality talent competition here in the Philippines hasn’t even been shown yet on television aside from the audition snippets, various clips and of course Lea Salonga’s music video regularly shown over at TV5. But one can see what has been happening through the various auditions nationwide through the Kanta Pilipinas videos that are already posted online. Aside from these online videos there will also be webisodes as well. Hosting these webisodes is a familiar face in the online community: YouTube sensation Petra Mahalimuyak (Ashley Rivera in real life).

Jhai Ho

The premiere episode of the Kanta Pilipinas webisode was launched recently at Roboto San Japanese Grill Buffet in Taguig. Hosting the event was Jhai Ho, Ang Pambansang Angry Bird ng Pilipinas (the National Angry Bird of the Philippines), who also hosts the nationwide auditions. He introduced Petra Mahalimuyak as the host of these webisodes during the event as well. And when the two got together, it was a laugh riot that extended not just to the guests of the launch but also to the rest of the patrons dining over at Roboto San.

Aside from hosting the online webisodes, Petra Mahalimuyak will offer feedback to the audition videos and also provde tips and advice for those who plan to audition online since it’s been announced that Kanta Pilipinas now accepts online auditionees. The webisodes will also feature notable personal stories of the auditionees from the inspiring to the heartbreaking. And what talent search audition reel would be complete without the hilariously bad auditions? Since Petra is known for her funny antics on her online videos, the webisodes will give her a chance to do just that as viewers are encouraged to send in their dares that she will attempt to accomplish. But she stressed that the dares would be screened to avoid any headaches from everyone involved. One must indeed think of the children’s welfare.

As I’ve said earlier, people at the launch were able to see the premiere episode and it featured a mock audition by Petra herself. She later said that she did actually audition but didn’t make the cut. Instead, she got offered a hosting gig for the webisodes. Then she was asked if she really had the vocal chops to really make it to Kanta Pilipinas or if she’s just messing around. And in a very Petra Mahalimuyak way, she responded to the question by dropping the bomb along with a twirl of her hair that she has just inked a recording deal.

The Kanta Pilipinas Team

The show proper of Kanta Pilipinas is still scheduled to be broadcast on television during the second half of the year. And to see how the show and the auditionees are shaping up as the premiere television episode draws near, the webisodes were produced to create more interest and raise the profile of this show. And adding Petra Mahalimuyak to the mix makes it an interesting program that combines talent, laughs and the Pinoy touch as well.

French urban dance to electrify CCP with Elektro Kif

May 30, 2012, 8:00 PM

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:

Elektro Kif

Blanca Li, choreographer

The dancing never stops as the Embassy of France, the Alliance Française deManille and Rustan’s in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines present Elektro Kif, the new choreographic work by Blanca Li on May 30, 2012, 8:00 PM at the CCP’s Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater). This event is part of the International Dance Festival Manila: Focus on European Contemporary Dance.

In this performance, eight male dancers will showcase the urban style of street dancing mixed with the theatrical and the contemporary while accompanied with music by Tao Gutierrez that mixes techno with electro house, afrobeat, and classical music. Press release for this event mentioned a style of dance called the teknotik which originated in France during the 2000’s. I still can’t imagine how urban dancing having the contemporary touch this will look like since contemporary dance usually offers the unexpected. All I know is that it will be an interesting learning experience for me especially if the music is promising just like how it was described.

Dancers are really in for a treat as the summer season winds down since here is yet another dance performance for them to enjoy. I am no dancer and yet I still look forward to seeing this performance and broadening my horizons in this field.

Ticket price:

P400

-50% student discount

-20% senior citizen, AFM members and for persons with disabilities discount

+3% service charge on Ticketworld outlets/online purchases

For inquiries:

Sabrina Durand 895-7585, 895-7441, (0917) 892-8968, sabrina@alliance.ph

CCP Box Office 832-3704

Ticketworld 891-9999

Filipino artists 1:43, Myrus and Princess headline Independence Day concert in Singapore

I’ve always enjoyed it whenever cultural institutions and embassies bring over foreign artists to perform here in the Philippines. But what makes me more excited is when it’s the other way around: Filipino artists going overseas and giving audiences abroad a taste of what Filipino culture is all about. And the Singapore audience will get exactly that as boy band 1:43, singer/songwriter Myrus and acoustic artist Princess Velasco headline the Philippines: One World Concert 2012 happening on June 10, 2012 at The Coliseum located at the Hard Rock Hotel in Resorts World, Singapore.

While the show will be catered towards the Filipino community there, Singaporeans are also  expected to watch. Director and concert organizer, Singaporean Jaden Zanders of Jaz-E Entertainment even said that they’ve heard that some Indonesian and Malaysian fans will be flying over to see the performances of these Filipino artists as well. And these audiences from all over South East Asia will be treated to hits by 1:43, Myrus and Princess as well as their covers of popular Filipino music (also known as OPM).

1:43

Boy band 1:43, composed of Anjo Resurreccion, Kim Nicolas, Gold Aquino and Yuki Sakamoto, is currently enjoying the success of their latest single Sa Isang Sulyap Mo (loose trans. In One Glance) which is part of the Mang Inasal Mang Aawit Music Advocacy Campaign. Already a hit in YouTube, the song has further reached a much a wider audience this summer season when the song got included in the soundtrack of Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Teen Edition 4 shown on ABS-CBN.

Myrus

Making his mark in the industry as a singer/songwriter (Sa Isang Sulyap Mo is his composition as well), Myrus has recently released his sophomore album Wanted released by Viva Records that boasts an all original content lead by the single Pusong Lito (trans. Confused Heart). A radio hit in Greater Manila and in various cities around the country, the song is further boosted by airplay in Mang Inasal outlets as part of the Mang Inasal Mang Aawit Music Advocacy Campaign as well. Myrus, along with 1:43 also had a successful concert at the Metro Bar recently.

Princess Velasco

Princess Velasco on the other hand is no stranger to viewers of the Sunday noontime variety show ASAP. A regular performer at the Sessionistas portion of the show, she has also released albums under Vicor Records with her debut album Addicted to Acoustic achieving platinum status.

I do have high hopes for these three emerging artists that contribute much to the diversity and excitement in the local music industry. And having the opportunity to spread Filipino music in other territories is something that I always support. Like what I’ve said before, I’ve always enjoyed my experiences whenever foreign embassies celebrate their national/independence days here highlighted by performances by musicians that they brought over here. But as a Filipino, it gives me great pride when it’s Filipino musicians who will be performing abroad as part of the Philippine Independence Day celebrations. All I can say to that is Mabuhay ang musikang Pilipino! trans. Long live, Filipino music!

The 64th Anniversary of the State of Israel reception

Israel Ambassador Menashe Bar-On

It is no secret that I’ve had a good relationship with the Embassy of Israel for some time now. It all started when pianists Yaron Kohlberg and Haroni Bishara were here during the 62^nd Israel National Day back in 2010. Since then, I’ve been a guest to many of their events especially those that were related to music, culture and the arts. This year, I was honored to be a guest once again at the 64^th Israel National Day celebrations held at the Grand Ballroom of the InterContinental Manila.

Invited guests in this event included members of the diplomatic corps, local government officials including Rep. Imelda Marcos, and noted personalities in various fields. Being among these distinguished guests could’ve left me dumbfounded and uncomfortable. Thankfully, also present in this evening were a few people from the cultural scene whom I regularly see at concerts like Rey Sison of ROS Music Center, pianist Lorenzo Medel and Martin Lopez of FilFest Foundation and FEU. Seeing them there helped me feel at ease and be more comfortable.

Rep. Imelda Marcos (middle) with guests

This year also marked the first time that Ambassador Menashe Bar-On and his wife Madame Esther Bar-On hosted the celebrations. The Embassy invited over writer Eran Katz (Where did Noah Park the Ark?: Ancient Memory Techniques for Remembering Practically Anything) who has helped numerous people around world to improve their memory. Katz gave about an hour long lecture, offered tips on how to improve memory and even demonstrated the extent of his amazing capabilities in remembering things. He recalled from memory twenty random numbers given to him on the spot and even recited those numbers backwards. A few days after, he also had a book signing and a mini-workshop which I was unable to attend due to urgent tasks that I had to attend to over the weekend.

Lorenzo Medel, Eran Katz and RAd

This was my third year to attend the Israel National Day celebrations and I am very grateful to the Embassy and all the people who work there. And it’s not just for inviting me to be part of their celebrations but also for giving me the opportunity to experience Israeli culture through music, cuisine and cinema. Coming up on the horizon is yet another opportunity for me to experience a different branch of Israeli art/culture which is dance. Now, I just hope that the Embassy do not require me to dance.