And this is the reason Jay-R has released his new Christmas album, “Holiday of Love,” a collection of 14 remakes and two originals brimming with his distinct touch of neo-jazz and grove-inducing R&B.

Remixed and re-mastered, the album is actually a repackaged edition that includes seven new songs in addition to seven others taken from the “Christmas Away From Home” CD, his very first Christmas album released in November 2006. The new inclusions are his jazzed-up versions of “Sleigh Ride,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?,” “White Christmas,” “Give Love On Christmas Day,” an a capella version of “Holy Night,” plus two originals, “Tito Reny” and “Spread the Love” (written by his sister Jing).

The bulk of the arranging and recording was squeezed in between tapings of GMA 7’s latest comedy series “Lalola” (starring Rhian Ramos, JC de Vera, Marvin Agustin, Wendell Ramos, Keempee de Leon, Angelika dela Cruz, Eula Valdez, Jackielou Blanco, Lovi Poe and Eddie Garcia among others) where Jay-R plays a corporate executive.

“I did a lot of the string and horn arrangements,” Jay-R said. The album also features guest performances from colleagues Amber Davis, Kris Lawrence and his sister Jing.

Another contributing factor to the album’s jazzy sound is the presence of South Border musical director and keyboardist Jay Durias. Jay-R spoke of his as “an awesome piano player and arranger, and has a really good ear. We did a lot of the tracks in his studio.”

Jay-R’s passion for music can be summarized with his statement: “There’s still this burning urge to outdo myself with every album I make!”

His “Soul In Love” album made an unprecedented success. And for the trend of his music, he said: “I seem to be working more on the mellower, jazzier side of R&B.”

His dream of global recognition may soon come true with the forthcoming release of an album which he is doing for the World Peace Federation. The album is a collaborative effort which pairs him with MYX VJ/singer Iya Villania, and it will be released in Japan and distributed among the organization’s 70-member countries.
A firm believer in sharing his blessings, Jay-R is donating the proceeds of his album sales to GMA 7’s Kapuso Foundation. “It’s Christmas after all,” he said. “With an album called ‘Holiday of Love,’ it’s only fitting that I practice what I preach. It’s all about giving.”

Jay-R has been in the movies for the last six years, with appearances also on TV, like in “LaLola.” He is presently in the United States for a two-week singing engagement with Pops Fernandez beginning in Atlantic City.

Jay-R is currently managed by ALV Talent Circuit.

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Mocha Girls: You can call them ‘energy girls!’

You can call them “energy” girls! Because they brim with energy as they twist, shake their hips, jump, turn, extend their legs left and right as they perform on stage singing their fast-beat songs! They are the Mocha Girls, formerly known as just Mocha, a sizzling girl group who took the country by storm with their alluring looks, enticing voices and hypnotic move. And they have just released their new album, “Mocha Girls Delisciosa.”

The album features the songs “Delisciosa,” “I Kissed A Girl,” “Mobe,” “Sige (Paalam na) featuring Mayonnaise.” “Delisciosa Christmas Medley,” “Patcha,” “Twirl It & Shake It,” “Hawak Mo Ang Aking Kamay,” “ Giling Mo,” and “Ladidadi.”

The new album’s carrier single, “Delisciosa” is an infectious upbeat tune written and produced by Blanktape and Diorap of G. 13. There is also a “Delisciosa Christmas Medley” featured in the album, in time for the Yuletide season. Both songs are now starting to conquer the airwaves. Bonus items in the album are Minus One versions of “Patcha,” “Delisciosa,” “Mobe,” and “Sige (Paalam na).”

It is in the song “I Kissed A Girl,” according to one of the singers, that they kissed each other on stage — lips-to-lips — and caused some kind of controversy.

The Mocha Girls, whose latest stint abroad was in Guam, also appeared in a sexy digital movie entitled “Sumpa” shot in the Philippines . “It was really sexy,” one of the girls said. “We did a lot of showing more skin!”

The Mocha Girls first burst into the music scene a year ago with the release of their debut album entitled “Patcha,” released by Viva Records, featuring the dance hit of the same title. Since then, the girls — Mocha — known as the caramel-complexioned charmers with whom the name of the group originated, and bandmates Herschey, Bez, and Grace have not just become household fantasies but have also rightfully claimed their worth as phenomenal performers.

“Mocha Girls Delisciosa” marks another milestone in the recording career of Mocha Girls. It is now getting positive response from their fans and music lovers alike. The album is sponsored by Yellow Tail, Jancen Cosmetic Surgery, Ysa Skin Clinic, Smileworks, Sundari, Arena Fitness Center and F Salon Body and Spa.
The album is now available at record bars nationwide.

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Star City ready for its Christmas Season traffic

With so much innovation and improvement with matching color schemes, Star City, a premiere entertainment park in Metro Manila, has readied itself for quite sometime already to receive a heavy traffic surge of guests and visitors this coming Christmas Season.

The entrance to the park has been redesigned so that visitors think they are entering a dream land. The play of colors at the entrance is already an attraction by itself.

The park’s Snow World features ice sculptures and the longest man-made ice slide in Asia. And a visitor can experience an actual snowfall inside the Snow World.

The Dino Island has been improved, with new dinosaur figures moving as if they are alive, using the latest technology from Korea which they call “animatronics.” Walking through the Dino Island is not only exciting but very educational as well. Dino Island has been hailed by some of the country’s paleontologists, saying that the dinosaurs there look “almost authentic.”

The Star Flyer, the newest theme park attraction not only here but in Europe, continues to excite guests. It’s the country’s only inverted roller-coaster.

Other improved attractions are the Gabi ng Lagim, The Dungeon, and Kilabot ng Mummy, among others.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 25, go to Amb. Consuelo “Baby” Puyat-Reyes, Gen. Jose T. Almonte, Rev. Alex L. Orbito, Rosario Ablaza-Syquia, Jose F. Lacaba, New York-based Corazon Jose, Perla So-An, Marcia Rodriguez, Tess A. Coscolluela, Ruth B. Vergara, Sharon K. Fletcher-Azanza, Evelyn C.O. Silagon, Carrol E. Carreon, Lulu Africa, Virgie Balatico, Norberto Abril. F. Capistrano, Dr. Rosendo Roque, Boy Carlos Lina Melendres, Mabel Gan-Carag and Ilocos Sur Gov. DV Savellano…Belated b-day greetings to top PR man Reli German (Nov. 21)