Concert of OPM icons formally launches Mall of Asia Arena

June 16, 2012, 8:00 PM
Mall of Asia Arena
SM Mall of Asia Complex
Pasay City

I can already imagine local recording artists saying that one of their lifelong dreams will be to have a concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Some of the biggest names in the Philippine music industry will fulfill that dream as they come together to officially launch the Mall of Asia Arena in a grand concert called Icons at the Mall of Asia Arena: Masters of OPM this June16, 2012, 8:00 PM.

The roster of world class talents (from legendary icons, established veterans and current hit makers) headlining this concert celebrating the beauty of Filipino music (OPM) include Lea Salonga, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Jose Mari Chan, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Basil Valdez, Freddie Aguilar, Christian Bautista, Erik Santos, Juris, Jed Madela, Piolo Pascual, Bamboo, Arnel Pineda, and The CompanY. It’s not just about the music since a handful of laughs will be provided also by well known comic personalities Pokwang and the duo of Jose Manalo and Wally Bayola. This historic concert will be hosted by Jim Paredes and Pops Fernandez and will also be directed by Johnny Manahan.

Juris and Jed Madela

Aside from the slew of venerable recording artists making up the line up for this concert, one thing that really interests me is the debut performance of the newly formed ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra in this event. This orchestra has Gerard Salonga as its music director/principal conductor. But for this Icons concert, Ryan Cayabyab who is also the show’s musical director will handle the conducting chores.

View from a corporate suite

A press conference for this concert was held recently and two of the performers, Jed Madela and Juris told members of the press that they are thrilled and excited to be part of such a historic event. The people who were there, including me, also got a tour of the Arena. I was able to see not just the dressing rooms and the dugouts, but also the corporate suites that have the most exclusive and very likely most expensive seats in the whole venue. The tour was nice and very interesting but what I’m really in for is to see the SM Arena in all its splendor during the launch when OPM’s biggest stars take center stage.

Ticket prices:
P4670 Patron VIP
P4160 Patron
P2640 Lower Box
P1630 Upper Box
P610 General Patronage

For inquiries:
SM Tickets 470-2222, www.smtickets.com

Juris Bloggers' Meet Up

Juris

Juris has been always known in the Philippine music industry as a singer with one of the most pleasant sounding voices. Her stint with her former band M.Y.M.P. brought her to the spotlight but their albums featured tracks mostly made up of cover songs. Juris then went on to pursue a solo singing career and this was when she started to explore her music horizons. Her platinum selling debut album Now Playing contained a lot more original songs and only just a couple of covers. Now, enjoying married life and her second and latest album entitled Forevermore, I had an opportunity to have a laidback, casual and somewhat intimate chat with Juris herself during a bloggers’ meet up that was held at The Kitchen of Cakes and Coffee in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

My first impression of Juris as she arrived at the venue was that she is a very shy woman. She did admit that she was indeed shy as she recalled her days as she was starting out as a reluctant singer who didn’t like performing at all. She never imagined herself ending up as a singer in the first place but now, she has grown more comfortable with her career as time went on. But she said that she wants the support of her backing band rather than be alone on stage. But she did manage to perform for the bloggers a portion of her latest single. She said that one thing that changed with her throughout the years was that she has become more vocal. And indeed she was very vocal in expressing her desire to meet and collaborate with Bono of U2.

Forevermore which is released by Star Records contains 13 tracks, two of which were already released digitally in Korea. The first single from this album that recently turned gold is Kahit Di Mo Sabihin that was written by Jonathan Manalo. I do think that the second single will further boost sales of this album towards platinum certification. Produced by Aiza Seguerra and written by former Sugarfree vocalist Ebe Dancel, Magkaibang Mundo is a beautiful and yet haunting song that juxtaposes Juris’ soothing vocals with Ria Osorio’s sublime arrangement. This track indeed stands out among the rest in this album and Juris can’t contain her joy of having one of her idols compose a song for her.

Also coming in the horizon for Juris is her foray towards penetrating the Asian market. An all English album produced by Singapore company S2S is set for release very soon (recording has already wrapped up last year) that will hopefully expand her base of listeners. She already had some tracks released digitally in the Korean market. And with this upcoming album set for international release, hopes are high for Juris as she prepares to make herself known as the Soothing Voice of Asia.

Forevermore

Tracks:

1. Dreaming Away

2. Forevermore

3. I Believe in You

4. Don’t Say Goodbye

5. Bliss

6. Magkaibang Mundo

7. Sabihin Mo Lang

8. Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin

9. Kahit Di Mo Sabihin

10. Not Like You

11. If You and Me

12. Wishes

13. Kahit Di Mo Sabihin (full length)