Yes, in addition to the well-known and acclaimed Viva Artists Agency (VAA) song artists (among them Mark Bautista, Rachel Ann Go and Sarah Geronimo), there are also other “voices” from the agency who may not be as busy or sought-after but equally talented.

Actually, these other “voices” are not neophytes or greenhorns in the industry. Take the case of Gino Padilla for instance. He is actually a familiar name in the music scene in the ’80s (actually he was one of the most swoon-worthy male singers of that decade) but who for a while hibernated of sort. After his return to the concert scene via the successful concert “Greatest Hits of the ’80s,” Gino signed up with VAA.

Aside from doing live shows under the auspices of VAA, Gino has been working on a new album which is scheduled to be released this month. It was still untitled at the time of their press conference but it will see Gino singing songs by some of his contemporaries, like “Don’t Say Goodbye,” “Even If,” “Falling For You” and “To Love Again.” He will also be singing “Perfect,” “So Slow,” and “Why Can’t It Be” in his new album.

Gino was formerly with Bella Tan’s Universal Records (since 1986) but when he first joined the local music world it was Ronnie Henares who was his manager. And he made a big splash because of the Pepsi commercial which he did with Tina Turner. Gino remembered Tina as saying she loved the Philippines where she has performed with ex-husband Phil. “I was so flattered to hear that,” Gino recalled.

Although he embraced a singing career quite late in his life (he was 22 when he came back to the Philippines from Las Vegas where he lived since he was 13), Gino said he had been singing since he was 7 with his cousin Zsa Zsa Padilla (Gino’s mother is a Padilla from Jaen, Nueva Ecija and his father is a Javate). In fact, it was Zsa Zsa who encouraged him to come back and embark on singing career. At first, his family was reluctant to allow him to come back to the Philippines. But after a year, his big break came via that Pepsi commercial, and soon after, his singing career flourished.

He recorded albums under Universal Records, the first of which was “Shifting Gears,” a compilation of original songs. Among the songs he recorded were theme songs like “Let The Love Begin” the theme song of a movie of the same title, “Maid To Order,” “I’m On My Own Now,” “Gusto Kita,” “I Believe In You” and “Closer You And I.”

Gino’s first album under Viva was a 14-track English OPM, all revivals. “Boss Vic wanted it to be all-revivals,” he said. It was a collaboration among Christian de Walden, an Italian mixer named Loca Vittori, Alwyn Cruz and Baby Gil.

His last album was independently produced in 2007 under Sharon Cuneta’s Mega Music. Entitled “Hands Of Time,” it featured English and Tagalog OPM songs with guest singers Tirso Cruz III, Francis Magalona, Rannie Raymundo and Zsa Zsa Padilla with whom he did a duet.

So now, watch out for Gino’s comeback album under Viva Records.

A dressmaker named Miki

Another VAA artist is Miki Hahn. And interestingly, she is also a dressmaker who sews her own dresses and those of her family and friends. The next time you saw Miki, notice her clothes, and more often than not, they are her own creations. Miki studied fashion design.

Miki was first introduced by VAA as part if the youth-oriented reality show “Debutante.” After the show’s demise, Miki went to appear in another youth-oriented show, TV5’s “Lipgloss.” Her performance as Linden High’s resident vixen Steph was well-received by fans and critics alike. Aside from acting, she is also a singer. In fact, she just finished her second album entitled “Intimately Acoustic.”

The songs in the album will be acoustic renditions of old favorites like “Aint No Sunshine,” “Annie’s Song,” “At Last,” “Dream A Little Dream,” “Never My Love,” “Son Of A Preacher Man” (yes, the Dusty Springfield song), “Tom’s Diner,” “What Can I Do,” “Whenever I Call You Friend,” “Yellow,” and “You Won’t See Me.” The album’s first single, “The Sign” has been released to radio and the album itself is now in record bars nationwide.

Miki comes from a family of singers, but her mother’s dream for her was to be a ballerina. She studied ballet but only for a year.
“Kasi wala talaga sa puso ko,” Miki said. Talent manager Jessica Rodriguez’s daughter was her good friend and when she hear Miki sing, she introduced her to her mother. “Dun nag-umpisa ang singing career ko. I really wanted to sing, but at first my family doesn’t like me to join showbiz,” Miki said.

Miki is Mikaela Mirriam Leticia Hahn in real life. Her father is half-German, and her mother is half-Spanish.

Comebacking Roselle Nava

She has not been gone actually, but the impression was that Roselle Nava went somewhere for sometime and that was why she wasn’t seen or heard from of late. “But I’ve never left the industry,” she protested during the press conference. She has always been around doing the job she loves to do – singing.

Roselle recently signed a contract with VAA and has been recording a new album, her first under Viva Records. It is expected that the singles from this album will be as successful as her previous ones, namely “Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita” and “Mula Sa Puso.” She is also slated to perform with Geneva Cruz and Rachelle Alejandro at the Skydome of SM North EDSA in a two-night concert entitled “Ladies of the ’90s,” to be held on Aug. 28-29.

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An aptly titled album from Kamikazee band

Rock band Kamikazee, true to its form as very noisy, has released its third album, “Long Time Noisy.”

“Yeah, we have always been very noisy,” the lead vocalist, Jay Contreras, said. About the album, it is one of mixed emotions.

Jay said that after their successful single, “Narda,” it took them about three years to come up with their third album. Their hectic performances gave them no enough time to write new songs. But determined to make a follow-up of their hits, like “Wala,” they launched their latest album, featuring the following songs:

“Ikaw,” “Hanggang Tingin,” “Eschoose Me,” “4:20,” “Meron Akong Ano,” “Balutin Mo Ako,” “Wala,” “Lalandiin,” “Unang Tikim,” “Alay,” “Hot Mami,” “I Love You Ninang,” “Dragon Spa Super Head,” “Caintaenyo,” “M.M.K.,” “Chismosa,” “Teyk Awts,” “Huli Na Balbon,” “Me Na Me,” and “Isplakitengtenks.”

The members of Kamikazee are: Jay Contreras (lead vocals), Joma Linao (guitars), Led Zeppelin Tuyay (guitars), Jason “Puto” Astete (bass), and Allan “Bords” Burdeos (drums).

They met at the College of Fine Arts, University of the Philippines and then formed their band, Kamikazee. Now one of the most in-demand rock bands in the live circuit, and a multi-awarded band (won the NU107 Rock Awards as Listeners’ Choice and Song of the Year for “Narda,” for starters).

“Long Time Noisy” is Kamikazee’s best and consistent album. They continue their brand of heavy rock, dosed with pop sensibilities and witty lyrical ideas. Their lead single “Wala” is somewhat uncharacteristic, a cynical social commentary song that is nonetheless laden with heavy pop hooks.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on July 14 go to PLDT’s Manny Pangilinan, Roselle Monteverde-Teo, Kitchie Benedicto Paulino, Rudy Bediones, Susan de Belen, Lucita Soriano, Nerissa G. Cabral, Romy Suzara, Dr. Mely T. Tan, Mizbee Salvador, Ricky Calderon, Mila Marquez Blanquera, Dorothy David, former Caloocan City Vice Mayor Nancy Quimpo and Esperanza Palma-Orpiano of Asingan, Pangasinan who turns 102!… Happy wedding anniversary to Alberto and Sofia Piguing.