Ogie Alcasid's The Songwriter and the Hitmakers Press Conference

Ogie Alcasid

I find it hard to imagine that it’s been almost 25 years since Ogie Alcasid burst into the music scene. I remember that he used to appear in television programs wearing clothing with keyboard motif which was his signature look back then. Now, Ogie has firmly cemented his position as one of the big guns in the local music industry not just as a recording artist, but also as a sought after songwriter. He is also the current president of the Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-Aawit (OPM). He is celebrating his 25^th anniversary in the industry next year but the lead up to it has already begun with the release of his newest album, The Songwriter and the Hitmakers, released by Universal Records.

The Songwriter and the Hitmakers is an 18 track album combining Ogie’s old and new songs sung by him and by some of the Philippine music industry heavyweights. Ogie sings in two tracks namely Ikaw ang Aking Pangarap and Ang Puso Ko while the rest of the tracks in the album feature 

Guest artists in the album include his wife Regine Velasquez-Alcasid for the track Sino Ako and the husband and wife duet of Tayong Dalawa. Other guests artists in the album include Gary Valenciano (Kailangan Kita), Martin Nievera (Pangako), Kuh Ledesma (Walang Iba), Sarah Geronimo (Tanging Ikaw Lamang),  Christian Bautista (Ikaw Lamang), Angeline Quinto (Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka), Rachelle Ann Go (Mula Ngayon), Noel Cabangon (Ikaw ang Pag-Ibig Ko), Richard Poon (To You), Jed Madela (Tanging Ikaw), Piolo Pascual (Kung Mawawala Ka), Arnel Pineda (Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw), JayR and Jaya (Mga Nakaw na Sandali) and Kyla (Why Don’t We Give).

Ogie Alcasid had a press conference for the album that was held recently at Patio Carlito. At the press conference, he performed several tracks from the album and then responded to the question why his biggest hit Nandito Ako, was not included in it. The response was simply because he wasn’t the one who wrote it. The song was written by Aaron Paul del Rosario instead.

Ogie promotes album at Party Pilipinas

A few days after the press conference, I was able to see Ogie Alcasid once again when I watched Party Pilipinas live inside the GMA Network studios. The program had a production number solely devoted to the album. In it, Kyla performed Why Don’t We Give, Mark Bautista did Ikaw ang Pag-Ibig Ko and Ogie himself did a rendition of Walang Iba which was capped by Kyla and Mark joining him.

Mark Bautista, Ogie Alcasid and Kyla

The Songwriter and the Hitmakers is now available in record stores nationwide. Thanks to Universal Records for inviting me once again to the press conference. Thanks to Richard of LionhearTV for letting me watch Party Pilipinas.

The Songwriter and the Hitmakers

Tracks:

1. Ikaw ang Aking Pangarap

2. Sino Ako

3. Kailangan Kita

4. Pangako

5. Walang Iba

6. Tanging Ikaw Lamang

7. Ikaw Lamang

8. Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka

9. Mula Ngayon

10. Tayong Dalawa

11. Ikaw ang Pag-Ibig Ko

12. To You

13. Tanging Ikaw

14. Kung Mawawala Ka

15. Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw

16. Mga Nakaw na Sandali

17. Why Don’t We Give

18. Ang Puso Ko

The Moviemov: Italian Cinema Now 2012 Experience Part 2

The Opening Night

The first ever Moviemov: Italian Cinema Now back in 2011 was such a success that people asked me for months whether there would be another Italian International Film Festival again this year. Well, there is indeed a second one and it just officially opened with a splendid cocktail reception over at the Ayala Museum. The event was made more exciting not just by the presence of several Italian actors, but also by some Filipino celebrities as well. Invited guests who were dressed to the nines enjoyed the abundance of Italian food and wine, the fine display of Vespas and a Ferrari, and the fine company they find themselves in. After the dining and socializing, they were led towards the Greenbelt 3 cinemas to view the opening film which was Cesare deve morire/Cesar Must Die.

Piolo Pascual

For the second time around, I walked the red carpet leading to the Ayala Museum. But this time, I gamely posed for some photographer friends although the other picture takers there probably had no idea who I was. Compared to last year when the spectacle and the sheer number of guests overwhelmed me, I was not as uneasy this time. After having been a guest to numerous diplomatic and cultural events for the past year, I think that I’ve grown a lot more comfortable since I usually get to see very familiar and friendly faces like the Italian Ambassador Luca Fornari and his wife Madame Silvana Novelli-Fornari.

Sam Milby

The “unfamiliar” faces during that night belonged to the Italian personalities who flew in for the film festival. During the cocktails, I was able to meet actor Salvatore Striano who looked like he had a great time taking photos of everyone and everything, especially the cake. Also present there were actors Alessio Gallo, Davide Iacopini and Andrea Bosca. I tried looking for the other Italian VIP’s that were supposed to arrive for the festival but there were so many people that finding them proved to be difficult.

Denise Laurel

Not so difficult to find were the local celebrities from Star Magic since they were always surrounded by guests who wanted to take photos with them. I was able to see Piolo Pascual, Sam Milby, Xian Lim, Diether Ocampo, Maricar Reyes, Maja Salvador, Ejay Falcon, Denise Laurel, Victor Basa and Tessa Prieto-Valdes. Matteo Guidicelli was the only one who was a guest last year whom I saw again this year. Unfortunately, I think that none of these local stars stayed long enough to view the opening film of the festival.

Ejay Falcon

Gerald Anderson

Maja Salvador

Maricar Reyes

Matteo Guidicelli

Victor Basa

Xian Lim

Diether Ocampo and Maricar Reyes

Cesare deve morire/Cesar Must Die

The main selling point of the film Cesare deve morire/Caesar Must Die for me is that it was a movie shot in prison with actors who are actual prisoners as well. This was more than enough to forget my aversion to Shakespeare since the bard’s Julius Caesar is an integral part of the movie. And I couldn’t discount that this multi-awarded film is also Italy’s entry to the Academy Awards’ Foreign Language Film Category. Lastly, after seeing a very enthusiastic Salvatore Striano earlier during the cocktails, I couldn’t help but be excited about the film as well.

The film did take the guests to a completely different world very much different from the glamour and color of the cocktails a few moments before. Shot mostly in black and white, the film is simply about the prisoners who are in the midst of rehearsing a production of Julius Caeser that was to be presented in the prison theater. During the course of the rehearsals, the line between life and art becomes blurred as their daily routine inside the facility started to revolve around the rehearsals. And then during rehearsals, their personal issues, emotions and yearning for freedom were brought to the surface adding more layers and putting more weight to the play Julius Caesar. And the last line from the film really summed up the whole movie which resonated in me a lot. One who is expecting a typical summer blockbuster, special effects laden movie will be up for a huge disappointment. But for someone who longs for a story that focuses on humanity, then one should give this film a shot.

Salvatore Striano

Actor Salvatore Striano played Brutus in the film and like all the other actors there, he also served time in prison. But unlike the other prisoners in the film, Striano was pardoned and now enjoys a career in film and theater. It was surreal seeing him in person right after viewing the movie. The characters in the film longed for freedom and it was only Striano who made it out and is now seeing the world. All these elements made the film a whole lot more than what I saw on the big screen which reinforced how powerful art really is.

Davide Iacopini

After viewing the film, those who watched were asked to fill some forms that will determine the winning film of the festival. These forms will also serve as raffle coupons for the three pairs of Ray-Ban sunglasses that would be up for grabs by the end of the festival. Then, some of the guests returned to the Ayala Museum and continued to dine and drink. It was another chance for me to hang out with friends, to discuss the film with them and and make new acquaintances as well.

Andrea Bosca

Alessio Gallo

Moviemov: Italian Cinema Now 2012 is supported by the General Direction for Cinema of the Italian Ministry of Heritage and Culture and the Film Development Council of the Philippines, organized by the Embassy of Italy, Playtown, the Philippine-Italian Association, Rustan's, The Peninsula Manila and the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Madame Silvana Novelli-Fornari and Ambassador Luca Fornari

The Moviemov: Italian Cinema Now 2012 Experience Part 1
The Moviemov: Italian Cinema Now 2012 Experience Part 3

Rama Hari

Christian Bautista

Karylle

The first staging of Rama Hari happened more than 30 years ago when I was still way too young to watch at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Throughout the years, I’ve heard so much about this pop musical ballet based on the ancient epic Ramayana. I learned that this was a work of collaboration by Ballet Philippines’ founder Alice Reyes (choreography), Maestro Ryan Cayabyab (music), National Artists Bienvenido Lumbera (libretto) and Salvador Bernal (set and costume design). I was able to see Rama at Sita, a musical adaptation of this ballet more than a decade ago and yet this only served to heighten my interest on the original Rama Hari. Fast forward many, many years later, at the time when my appreciation of dance in general is on a high, I finally get to see this production which is already considered a classic masterpiece in Philippine dance.

Jean Marc Cordero

Carissa Adea

I admit that despite my excitement, I’ve had a bit of reservation on whether pop singers Christian Bautista and Karylle would be able to pull off the singing roles of Rama and Sita respectively They do have big shoes to fill following the footsteps of Basil Valdez and Kuh Ledesma who originated the roles. Composer Ryan Cayabyab assured me otherwise that they would do great and would bring freshness in this production. Seeing videos of the two of them singing the signature songs from the production (Rama’s Tagistis ng Ulan and Sita’s Magbalik Ka Na, Mahal) eased my mind and yet the two of them managed to surprise me during the opening night.

Robert Seña

First of all, Christian Bautista’s voice was noticeably thicker, richer and darker in tone compared to what I hear in his albums and even in the recent recording/music video of Tagistis ng Ulan. I don’t know if he plans to use this timbre in his mainstream recordings but if he doesn’t, then one had to catch Rama Hari to see what I mean. Karylle was also a surprise as she channeled a Bollywood feel with her ornamentations that gave the music more Indian flavor. I immediately asked Ryan Cayabyab and musical director Jed Balsamo if those ornamentations/turns were part of the original score. Well, they weren’t. Karylle later told me that the embellishments she did during Ginoong Ermitanyo were suggested by Robert Seña who played Ravana while they were rehearsing that song number. And I made sure to thank Robert Seña for that suggestion since that added detail made listening to the music a lot sweeter. Ryan Cayabyab himself was pleased with these additional touches.

Ryan Cayabyab and Jed Balsamo

National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera

Christian, Karylle, Robert along with Amparo Sietereales (Soorpanakha/Kooni), Noel Rayos (Lakshmana/Dasaratha), Brezhnev Larlar (Hanuman), and Melani Ligot (Kaikeyi) served as the narrators while the dancers from Ballet Philippines carried out the action. Principal dancers Jean Marc Cordero and Carissa Adea danced as Rama and Sita with choreography that is different from the classical ballet that I am used to. Instead of adhering the classical lines with the upper body ideally held upright, the dancing by the leads and the rest of the company showed more shapes, curves and levels contrasting nicely with the mostly angular, bare and minimalist stage design. Richardson Yadao (Ravana), Earl John Arisola (Lakshmana), Rita Angela Winder (Soorpanakha), and Charmaine Bianca Perez (Kaikeyi) were the other featured dancers in this production.

Alice Reyes (2nd from left) relaxes with some cast members

Obviously, two of the most awaited song numbers in this production were the timeless ballads Magbalik Ka Na, Mahal and Tagistis ng Ulan presented elegantly and without any unnecessary elements that might be a distraction rather than an enhancement. Other numbers that I enjoyed also were those that were heavily influenced by Indian music. And having the Manila Symphony Orchestra conducted by Jeffrey Solares along with the UP Concert Chorus made it sound a lot better. It would be unacceptable to have a production of this caliber performed with a pre-recorded backing track. Ryan Cayabyab knows me well and yet I have to admit that some of the upbeat numbers that utilized street language and sung by the villains felt dated. I am aware that it tried to capture what was hip and contemporary back then. But hearing it now felt like it didn’t stand the test of time compared to the ballads that I’ve mentioned above.

Kalila Aguilos, Ryan Cayabyab, OJ Mariano and Christopher Marbella

Before the show ends its two week run, I do hope that I’ll be able to find the time to catch the alternate cast’s performance with OJ Mariano (Rama), Kalila Aguilos (Sita) and Christian Marbella (Ravana) along with principal dancer Katherine Trofeo (Sita). I’ve seen OJ and Kalila in other roles before and I am very much aware how strong performers they are. I would like to thank Ballet Philippines for giving me the opportunity to see Rama Hari during the opening night. Rama Hari resumes its run at the CCP's Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) this December 5, 2012 and will have its last show on December 9, 2012.

Sophie Alour Jazz Trio performs at Bonifacio High Street

December 6, 2012, 8:00 PM

Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater

7th Ave. corner 29th St.

Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Featuring:

Sophie Alour, saxophone

Sylvain Romano, bass

Frédéric Pasqua, drums

The Alliance Française de Manille, the Embassy of France to the Philippines, Rustan’s and Jewelmer, with the support of Bonifacio Global City and Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation, present the Sophie Alour Trio, a performance by French Jazz saxophonist Sophie Alour accompanied by bassist Sylvain Romano and drummer Frédéric Pasqua. The concert is on December 6, 8:00pm at the Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater, Bonifacio Global City.  This special jazz evening will also feature the Jewelmer Jazz Band as the front act performer.

Sophie Alour released her fourth full solo album, La Géographie des rêves, in 2012.  In this album, the talented jazzwoman - considered as the female counterpart of Sonny Rollins and Joe Henderson - questions the place of improvisation in jazz music, with simple but thorough songs, introducing new sonorities by playing the clarinet, the bass clarinet and flute for the first time. These are the new horizons she aims to explore on this tour.

Sophie Alour

For her first Asian tour, Sophie Alour invites musicians she played with on two of her records: Sylvain Romano (album Insulaire / Nocturne, 2005) and Frédéric Pasqua, the new drummer of her last record La Géographie des rêves (Naïve, 2012). The trio will play an eclectic program from original compositions to traditional jazz standards. In doing so, Sophie Alour explores all the possibilities that the trio formula allows.

Sophie Alour Trio Concert is a FrancoPhil event, the French‐Philippine cultural program in the Philippines. The event is organized by the Alliance Française de Manille and the Embassy of France with Rustan’s and Jewelmer; in partnership with Bonifacio Global City and Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation and the support of Air-France KLM, the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Pernod Ricard Philippines and l’Institut Français, FrancoPhil’s official hotel partner, the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, and official media partners Business World and High Life.

Sophie Alour Trio is on tour in Southeast Asia in November and December 2012. Filipino audiences will have a chance to see them onstage in Manila on December 6.

Tickets:

Free admission

For inquiries:

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