Baihana and Pinopela join forces in Akapela concert

April 23, 2016, 7:30 PM

Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium

RCBC Plaza, Makati

Featuring:

Baihana

Pinopela

Contemporary a cappella music is in full swing here in Manila as Baihana and Pinopela join forces to present Akapela, a one night concert where the human voice reigns supreme happening on April 23, 2016, 7:30 PM at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati.

Baihana, composed of Krina Cayabyab, Anna Graham, and Mel Torre, burst into the music scene as a jazz/doo wop trio with tight harmonies in the vein of the Andrew Sisters and with each member possessing lead singer capabilities. Not only a frequent performer at jazz festivals and corporate events, the trio has also showcased their versatility by covering current hits with their own brand of a cappella that can be viewed online.

Coming from Baguio, members of the Saint Louis University Glee Club originally formed Pinopela to join the inaugural Akapela Open competition back in 2013. Pinopela became one of top contenders in the field as it placed second in 2013 before finally bagging the championship in 2014. Soon enough, the group found itself the performing/gig circuit here in Metro Manila. The current roster of Pinopela are made up of Ingrid Payaket, Roxanne Omilda, Sheevani Brylle Sibayan, Charmaine Irish Suyo, JJ Valiente Pimpinio, Anthony Castillo, Deo Ramirez, Timmy Go, and Zsaris Mendioro.

The one night concert Akapela is presented by the Philippine Contemporary A Cappella Society spearheaded by Krina Cayabyab and JJ Valiente Pimpinio. The concert also serves as a fundraiser for Pinopela to shoulder their expenses as they head for international competitions later this year including one in Singapore.

Akapela’s artistic team consists of Mara Paulina Marasigan (Director), Krina Cayabyab and JJ Pimpinio (Musical Directors), Stephen Viñas, Nicolo Magno and Delphine Buencamino (Choreographers), Joseph Matheu (Lights Designer and Technical Director), and Joee Mejias (Video Design).

Ticket Prices:

P1500 Orchestra Center

P1200 Orchestra Side

P1000 Loge

P800 Balcony

For inquiries:

Ryan Cayabyab Music School 914-5055, 637-9840

JJ Pimpinio (0917) 678-0952

Ronah Rostata (0906) 451-1926

Jazz trio Baihana holds concert at the Music Museum

August 24, 2012, 7:30 PM

Music Museum

Greenhills Shopping Center

San Juan

Featuring:

Baihana

     Anna Achacoso

     Krina Cayabyab

     Mel Torre

Baihana, the vocal trio composed of Anna Achacoso, Krina Cayabyab and Mel Torre are regularly seen and heard as back up singers of Sarah Geronimo on the television program Sarah G, Live! This coming August 24, 2012 at 7:30 PM at The Music Museum, these three talented women will grab the spotlight as they showcase their exquisite harmonies in a concert entitled Love, Baihana.

Mel Torre, Krina Cayabyab and Anna Achacoso

I first saw Baihana perform live during my first visit over at Radio Republic and I immediately became a fan when I first heard their first chord. The trio specializes in jazz and bebop repertoire (which means complicated chords with lots of bent notes) and whenever they take on songs from other genres and make them their own, I am always left mesmerized. They’ve also mesmerized the judges at the recent Katindig Jazzfest eventually winning the Best Jazz Band award which gave them the chance to represent the country in the International Jazzfest in Malaysia.

Baihana performing

Several bloggers were invited to catch a preview of Love, Baihana over at The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab. Krina, by the way is the daughter of Ryan Cayabyab. Since I was already familiar with the kind of music that these ladies can make, I got more excited for the others who were there especially those who have never heard them before. The trio performed a handful of songs that included Sunday Morning by Maroon 5, an a cappella version of Zia Quizon’s Ako Na Lang and Krina’s own composition and entry to the Katindig Jazzfest Talk to Me among others. As expected, the trio demonstrated strong vocals with each member capable of singing the lead. But what really captivates me was how they harmonized with such ease although they do those complex jazz chords.

Banjo, Pael and Enzo do a vocal improv

Also in the preview were three young guys Banjo, Pael and Enzo who will be special guests at the concert. The trio does vocal improv based on a single word given by the audience. During the preview, they did vocal improvs from the words serenity and marshmallow. Immediately after the guys finished with marshmallow, Mel couldn’t resist and led Krina and Anna to do a vocal marshmallow improv of their own.

Since this was just a preview, what they showed to us was just a portion of what people should expect from them this coming August 24, 2012. Aside from a bit of dancing that they did during the preview (although very limited since the microphones they used were wired), Mel teased that there will also be a bit of theater/acting at the concert. Beyond that, she and the other two refused to give out spoilers. I guess that one has to find out what the other surprises will be by going over to the Music Museum and see Mel, Krina and Anna strut their stuff in Love, Baihana.

For inquiries:

The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab 637-9840, 914-5055, (0917) 909-6484