Noel Cabangon repeats Tuloy ang Byahe concert

December 13 & 14, 2012, 8:00 PM

PETA Theater Center

No. 5 Meynard Drive, New Manila

Quezon City, Philippines

When I started hearing feedback from Noel Cabangon’s Tuloy ang Byahe The Concert held at the Music Museum last September 28, I felt really bad for missing it. Unfortunately, this concert happened at the same time as Aiza’s Bente Singko Anniversary Concert and it’s impossible for me to split my body into two. Now, those who missed it the first time around and those who would want to see it again are in for an early Christmas treat as Noel Cabangon stages a repeat of the concert now entitled Tuloy ang Byahe, (The Repeat) Ngayong Pasko happening on December 13 & 14, 2012, 8:00 PM at the PETA Theater Center. The concert is still part of the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) fund raising efforts for its PETA Endowment Fund. They aim to raise 50 million pesos in time for their 50^th anniversary happening this 2017.

Noel Cabangon

Tuloy ang Byahe The Concert was a success with no less than President Noynoy Aquino watching. Other notables present during the show were Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas, Senator Kiko Pangilinan, Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma, and many others. This concert and the upcoming repeat performances come at the heels of Noel’s successful albums under Universal Records: the double platinum record and award winning Byahe, the original filled Panaginip (repackaged with four Christmas songs) and his latest release, Tuloy ang Byahe which has recently achieved gold record status.

Since the concert will be happening on December, there will be Christmas tunes added to the repertoire that includes songs from his albums (Byahe, Panaginip, Tuloy ang Byahe) and more. The concert’s special guests include Ogie Alcasid, Ely Buendia, Gloc 9, Aiza Seguerra, Jim Paredes, Boboy Garovillo and many more. When asked which numbers he and the guests will be performing, Noel jokingly said that they're a secret. He mentioned though that he’ll be performing Sirena with Gloc-9, but it remains to be seen whether he was serious or not with that response.

Here is yet another page of the notebook featuring Noel Cabangon this time. In it, he wrote: "There's no life in the world if there's no music!!!"

"No life in the world if there's no music!!!"

Tuloy ang Byahe, (The Repeat) Ngayong Pasko is another project to support PETA's Endowment Fund campaign, 50@50: Take PETA Beyond 50, which is meant to ensure the sustainability of PETA's cultural work and unique creative programs. The campaign aims to raise P50 million in time for the theater group's 50th anniversary in 2017.

Ticket prices:

P5000 VIP

P2500 Orchestra Center

P1200 Orchestra Side, Balcony Center

P800 Balcony Side

For inquiries:

725-6244, (0917) 576-5400, petatheater@gmail.com

Ticketworld 891-9999

Metro Concert Bar presents Bamboo in Rock-A-Ballad

December 1, 2012, 9:00 PM

Metro Concert Bar

47 West Avenue, Quezon City

Since becoming a solo artist, Bamboo’s live appearances have been rare and really sought after. I consider myself as one of the fortunate ones since I was able to witness one very intimate live session when he was a guest at Radio Republic’s Live at 2299 program. And having him perform tracks from his latest album No Water, No Moon only made that appearance more special. Since that was just an hour program, it felt a bit short and I wanted more. Now, there’s a chance for me and the rest of Bamboo’s fans to see and hear more of him as he performs in Rock-A-Ballad this December 1, 2012, 9:00 PM at the Metro Concert Bar in West Avenue.

If I am not mistaken, this will be his first concert of this nature since becoming a solo artist. Most of his gigs had either been promotional tours in support of his album or private/corporate performances. So Bamboo fans who’ve been waiting for a long time for this opportunity are in for an early Christmas treat. Rock-A-Ballad also features singer/songwriter Kristofferson. Kristofferson a.k.a. Krist Melecio wrote the song Piso which was a finalist during the inaugural edition of the Philippine Popular Music Festival (PhilPOP). It will also be very interesting to see him perform live on stage as well. Other guests for this concert will be stand up comedians Arnel La, Chikka and Jayo.

Ticket price:

P600

For inquiries:

Heyz De la Cruz (0917) 352-2499, (0946) 869-7960

Iraq’s Naseer Shamma presents the Oud at CCP concert

Oud player Naseer Shamma

December 3, 2012, 7:00 PM

Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:

Naseer Shamma, Oud

The Arabian folk instrument called the Oud, will be on the spotlight as the Cultural Center of the Philippines along with the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq and The Spouses of Head of Mission present Iraqi musician Naseer Shamma on a one night concert entitled An Oud Concert: The Spirit of Naseer Shamma happening on December 3, 2012, 7:00 PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

I’ve never heard of the Oud before and this is a great opportunity for me and the rest of the general public to know more about this instrument and its repertoire. As far as I know, The Oud is an Arabian folk instrument, an ancestor of the guitar and parent of the European lute. Its name comes from the word al`ud, which means a tree.  The Oud is central to medieval and modern Islamic music. And Iraqi Oud player Naseer Shamma, the founder and current director of the Beit Al-Oud Al-Arabi at Al-Harawi-Cairo, is the only musician who has constructed an eight string Oud instead of the usual six. The additional two strings expanded the range of the Oud. Furthermore, Shamma also composes for this instrument. So this mix of an ancient folk instrument with modifications and then coupled with modern 21st century compositions make up for a very interesting night of musical discoveries that I can not miss.

Ticket price:

P1000

For inquiries:

CCP Box Office 832-3704, 832-3706

Ticketworld 891-9999

Astroplus Blog-Connect

Astroplus once again opened its doors for the second year in a row to bloggers during the Astroplus Blog-Connect: Connecting Brands to Blogs. Hosted by Astroplus’ David Halili at the store’s The Podium branch, various record labels, dvd studios and headphones/speakers manufacturers presented their latest and upcoming releases to the bloggers present. I was able to attend the first edition which was the Bloggers' Blowout and I anticipated with excitement and curiosity what the record labels will have in store for the music enthusiast in me.

David Halili hosts the Astroplus Blog Connect 2012

David also stressed that Astropolus managed to thrive in the changing music market by hosting various events like album launches and movie premieres. One recent album launch hosted by Astroplus that I was able to attend to was Callalily’s Flower Power album launch that happened at the Eastwood Central Plaza.

Since this blog takes pride on promoting Filipino music or OPM, I will focus on the albums presented by Ivory Music & Video and Warner Music Philippines. I also included a couple of releases by classical musicians released by Sony Music through its licensee and distributor Ivory Music & Video.

Jason Fernandez’s Panimula

Moonstar88’s This Year

Luke Mejares’ Kasayaw

MYMP Anthology Collection

David Archuleta’s Forevermore Expanded Edition

My Kind of Christmas

Lang Lang’s The Chopin Album

Placido Domingo’s Songs

Astroplus Blog-Connect also featured presentations of other CD releases by foreign recording artists from Sony Music Philippines and Warner Music Philippines, concept albums from Ivory Music & Video and DVD releases as well from C-Interactive and Magnavision Home Entertainment. Thanks to Azrael Coladilla, Myke Soon and Astroplus for organizing Astroplus Blog-Connect: Connecting Brands to Blogs.