Another Filipino talent, Catherine Loria, captivated the world with her amazing voice when she bagged two grand titles in the 2008 World Championships of Performing Arts: Junior Vocalist Grand Champion and Junior Grand Champion Performer of the World. Catherine bested representatives from 42 countries with 5,000 acts in a week-long grueling competition.

Truly gifted with a rich and soulful voice who projects refinement as a singer, this young lady from Tiaong, Quezon continues to inspire the young generation in fulfilling their dreams.

After her win in Hollywood, Catherine was invited to perform in different top-rated local TV shows in the Philippines like in “ASAP ’08,” “Rated K,” “TFC Connect,” “ABS-CBN 2008 Upload” and in NBN-4 “Ani Ng Sining” (Harvest of the Arts) and “Bantay OCW Galing Ng Pinoy.” In recognition of her talent, and in bringing honor to the country with her winning  in the so-called Talent Olympics, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has awarded her with a plaque of appreciation.

She had done a couple of concerts with Jed Madela nationwide, did a special appearance on Sam Concepcion’s birthday concert and recently performed in Singapore through a charity concert with the 1st Philippine Idol Mau Marcelo together with Pinoy talents in Singapore.

This month, Catherine Loria’s album under MART production (Music Avenue for Real Talents), owned by Mart Ilagan, a songwriter, talent manager and a record producer based in Singapore, is expected to be finished and this will be launched in Singapore on May 2 at the DXO Esplanade for another charity event.
The album is being collaborated in  by MART the acknowledged hitmaker of great Original Pilipino Music (OPM), Vehnee Saturno. Very promising songs had been selected carefully they will soon be heard in  different radio stations in the country.

Seven original cuts had been included in this album. One is “Care About” with  music by Vehnee Saturno and lyrics by Popsie Saturno. This is a moving song that tells us to care about our humanity. Another song from the Saturno tandem is a feel-good music about a love blossoming in the life of a teenager, “When I’m With You” which is a potential hit.

Festival songwriter, performer and producer from Singapore, Sean Wong who will be representing Singapore in WCOPA 2009 offered his song to Catherine upon seeing and hearing her video clips in YouTube under marlon1112 channel. The song “I Believe In You” with a touch of a contemporary Chinese melody brings out an inspiring message of a true believer.

Mart Ilagan penned four songs about love, hope and faithfulness. “Pag-ibig Ko Ay Ikaw” (You Are My Love) is the only Tagalog song which could be a classic song for a wedding ceremony and could be a potential theme song for a movie or a Pinoy teleserye. On the other hand, “One Dream, One Hope, One Nation” was written to bring a message to the world that the Philippines is a nation bound by true love with rich Filipino culture and harmony. “Keep On Dreamin” with a pop and R&B tune, conveys a message that there’s always hope in the power of dream.

The album title “This Is My Moment” is such a moving song for someone like Catherine who had been through a lot of hardship and trials, who experienced early failures and defeats but instead of stopping her dreams, she continues to move on ’til the right moment in her life finally came true upon capturing the hearts of the judges in Hollywood via 2008 WCOPA with her moving rendition of “I Believe I Can Fly.”

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Shane Ortiz launches debut album

“My album is for the ‘bagets,’” Shane Ortiz said. “I sing for the young people.”

That’s how Shane described her way of singing during the recent launching of her album, “How Am I – Shane Ortiz.”

And she did prove it. When she was presented to the media last Monday, she introduced herself by immediately singing four songs from her album:  “Anong Petsa Na,” “Sana,” “How Am I To Live Without You,” and “Mr. Disco.”

The other songs in her album are: “Dreaming of You,” “First Love,” “Maaalala Mo Rin Ako,” and “Sensya Na.”

An American citizen and based in Chicago, Shane is no stranger to showbiz. She has done several guest appearances in some TV shows and stage productions. She was a member of the Philippine Folkloric Dance Company in Chicago, and in 2002, 2005 and 2006 she performed at the Paradise Productions’ annual singing showcase.

During the International Modeling and Talent Competition in New York City, she won 3rd Place in Sitcom.
Shane also undertook training at the John Robert Power Chicago for advanced Sitcom Presence, Advanced Television Presence, and Advanced Competition Training. She also took practically the same courses at the Barbizon Chicago.

She is here in the Philippines to try her luck in showbiz. “It’s more important that I stay here – and for good – if I make it here. I want to share my talents with you here!”

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‘Seven Last Words’ to be aired on RPN  9

ABC Promotions, Inc. in cooperation with Airlink Tours, Meteor Philippines and Mediterranean Tour Operators, will present the “Seven Last Words” on April 10 from 12 noon to 3 p.m. over RPN 9.

Hosted by actor Gino Padilla with Meng Canlas as executive producer, the program was shot partly in Holy Land from Feb. 22 to March 1, 2009. Fr. Eymard Ocampo discussed the Second Word (Today, you shall be with me in Paradise). He is the school director of St. Catherine Academy in Porac, Pampanga.

Other speakers are: Fr. Nonnette Legaspi, STL (Father, forgive them for they know not what they do); Fr. Larry Sarmiento (Woman, behold thy Son; behold thy Mother); Bro. Arnel Cariño (My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?); Fr. Ramil Capulong (I thirst); Fr. Ric Fernando, SDB, vice-chaplain of the Salesian Theological Center in Jerusalem (It is finished); and Bishop Pablo Virgilio “Ambo” David, DD (Father, into Your hands, I commend my spirit).

St. Catherine Academy Glee Club, Angeles University Choir and Fr. Joseph Skelton will sing in between segments. Other guest singers are Cinelli Ng and Aaron Cabagay. Major sponsors are Fortune Life, Fortune Care, Fortune General Insurance, Eternal Gardens Memorial Park, Eternal Plans, Inc. Baguio Oil, Fern C, Pagcor, Alyson’s Chemicals, Gibson Shoes, Macro-Pharma Corporation, DWIZ, Lakan Metal Corp., ITALFIL Tiles.

“Seven Last Words” is directed by Meng Canlas. Photo documentation and production assistant is Edith Santiago.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 7, go to Rep. Satur Ocampo, Richard Gomez, KC Concepcion, Nadia Montenegro, California-based singer Yolly dela Torre, PR man/columnist Donnie Ramirez, Manila Standard entertainment editor Isah Red, Puring Asuncion, Zaida Kawarai, Marites Ignacio, April Teoseco, Evelyn de Boda, Carmelyn Caringal, John Fiel Meria, Ana Mary Landingin, Manolo Villacorta and Carmencita Genato…