It started quietly and modestly, hardly noticed by even the most avid and zealous observer, until it snowballed with such fervor and intensity into an awesome experience rarely seen during the past few years in popular music and culture.

This is the Lady GaGa phenomenon, the magical spark of wonder and brilliance inspired by the remarkable music and theatrical act of the hot new pop star who has taken the world by storm with her mega-hit singles, “Just Dance” and “Poker Face.”

The massive public interest and attention triggered by the singing sensation – considered as the biggest name to emerge in the international music scene in the past three years – is expected to reach fever pitch when Lady GaGa invades Manila for a one-night-only performance on Aug. 11 at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

To be mounted by Ovation Productions, “Lady GaGa Live!” brings to the local concert scene a fresh, original and talented pop singer who gained international prominence as a singer, songwriter and musician during her brief but spectacular career in music and entertainment.

Considered as today’s most exciting female pop artist, Lady GaGa, who was born 23 years ago in Yonkers, New York as Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, seemed to have the makings of a future singer and entertainer since she was a child.

She learned piano by ear at the age of four, wrote her first piano ballad at 13, played open mike at New York’s The Bitter End club by night at 14, and at 17 became one of 20 kids from all over the world to be admitted to New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she studied music.

She started performing in New York’s Lower East Side club scene, playing with bands Mackin Pulsifer and SGBand, and initially made a name for herself with the infectious dance-pop party song, “Beautiful Dirty Rich,” and wild, theatrical and often tongue-in-cheek “shock art” performances.

She became known by her stage moniker, Lady GaGa, which she adapted from the 1984 Queen song, “Radio Gaga.”

At the age of 20, she was writing songs for other artists (such as Fergie, Pussycat Dolls, Britney Spears and New Kids on the Block), until she was signed up by Interscope Records, which also assigned her to create songs for its stable of artists.

Later, she entered into a label deal via Streamline/Interscope and was partnered with singer-songwriter Akon, who, recognizing that GaGa also had vocal talent, convinced Interscope to sign her to a joint deal with his own label, Kon Live Distribution.

In 2007, Lady GaGa collaborated with go-go dancer and performer-artist Lady Starlight in playing gigs at downtown club venues like Mercury Lounge, The Bitter End and Rockwood Music Hall with their live performance art piece, “Lady GaGa and The Starlight Revue.”

After initially focusing on avant-garde, electronic dance music, GaGa ultimately found inspiration for her act in the music of glam rockers such as David Bowie and Queen and pop singers like Michael Jackson and Madonna.

Greatly influenced by fashion, she established a reputation for her provocative sense of style and her influence on other celebrities.

In 2008, after relocating to Los Angeles, GaGa worked closely with the record label to finalize her debut album, “The Fame,” for which she wrote all of the lyrics and melodies and played most of the synth work.

“The Fame,” which was described by her as “about how anyone can feel famous,” turned into a huge success, peaking instantly in countries like the United Kingdom and Canada and earning rave reviews from critics.

It spawned the international No. 1 singles, “Just Dance” and “Poker Face,” with “Just Dance” reaching No. 1 in seven countries, including America, where it hit No. 1 in 2009 to become GaGa’s first US No. 1 single.

“Just Dance” was also nominated for “Best Dance Recording” at the 51st Grammy Awards.

“Poker Face,” which reached No. 1 in nearly 20 countries, including almost all major music markets in the world, became GaGa’s second consecutive No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in April 2009.

GaGa’s first North American tour, “The Fame Ball Tour,” which kicked off last March 12, 2009, won widespread acclaim.

In the tour, fans are treated to a more polished version of what they saw and enjoyed at the singer’s critically successful (American music festival) Lollapalooza show in August 2007 and her Winter Music Conference performance in March 2008.

She won the Best International Artist Video awards for the music video to “Poker Face” during the recent 2009 MuchMusic Video Awards, where she also performed.

Other nominations and awards she received were: “Nomination for Best Video for “Poker Face” from MTV Australia Award, nomination for herself for Best Breakthrough from MTV Australia, and nomination for People’s Choice: Favorite International Video from MuchMusic Video Award.

On a more contemporary note, Lady GaGa is among the select group of top singers and artists like The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond and The Jonas Brothers whose music are included in the Sony-ATV Music Publishing Catalog, where Michael Jackson owns a substantial stake and which is listed among the estate of the late King of Pop.

“Lady GaGa Live!” is produced by Ovation productions and sponsored by Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.

Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets at SM Department Stores.

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Jackie Regala, Outstanding Concert Producer of 2009

Congratulations to Ms. Jackie Regala-Katigbak, my former assistant who was named “Outstanding Concert Producer of the Year” during the 11th Annual Celebrity Chronicle Awards held recently in Glendale, California. Jackie was also recently honored as “Concert Producer of the Year” by Reflections Awards.

One of the most successful concert producers in LA, Jackie and her company Katz Entertainment have been producing some of the biggest concerts (featuring Philippine-based performers) in LA for the past 12 years. Among the big stars that she recently brought to the US for performances include the megastar herself, Sharon Cuneta, and her daughter KC Concepcion who wowed a near-capacity crowd at the famous Shrine Auditorium.

Jackie has likewise brought to LA Concert Kings Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano, Concert Queen Pops Fernandez, the original Pop Diva Kuh Ledesma, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, The Nightingale Lani Misalucha, Soul Diva Zsa Zsa Padilla, the “Eat Bulaga” cast, top bands Side A and Freestyle, Basil Valdez, hitmaker Ogie Alcasid, Piolo Pascual, Pokwang and MYMP.

A graduate of Communication Arts from Assumption College, Jackie was originally hired to write for the Lifestyle Section of Manila Bulletin (then called The Bulletin Today), but was later transferred to the Entertainment Section. After her stint at MB, she joined Philippine Times Journal, then became entertainment editor of Manila Standard.

She also formed her own PR company (JYR & Associates) and among those she promoted were concerts by foreign singers including Paula Abdul, Julio Iglesias, the Swing Out Singers, Gloria Estefan, Duran Duran, James Taylor, Basia and Patti Austin.

When she moved to LA, Jackie was made entertainment editor of MixMax magazine and later wrote for the Asian Journal Publications. Her columns are syndicated and appears in various publications and on Carousel Pinoy.com.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, July 22, go to singer Dulce (Maria Teresa Llamedo in real life), Susan Valdez, Yvette Bautista, Nela Legaspi, Anthony “AJ” Violago, Estela Lazo Diongzon, Mita Rufino, Jean Cua, Mimi Valero, Anne Therese N. Clarino, Herminio A. Frias, Deanna Loreta Basilio-Bernardo, Dan Calleja, Jane Oineza, Mary Cerrada of Pallmall, Fairview Park, QC; and singers Christopher “Nino” Alejandro and OJ Mariano.