Music icon Melissa Manchester signed up recently with 618 International Entertainment, Inc. headed by its CEO Oscar Parel, for a team-up with another music icon, Imelda Papin in a show slated for July 31 and Aug. 1-2 at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

A Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter and actress, Melissa was discovered by Bette Midler and Barry Manilow when she appeared in the Manhattan club scene and took her as one of the Harlettes in 1971. Her debut alum, “Home to Myself” where she co-wrote most of the songs with Carole Bayer Sager, was released in 1973.

Two years later, Melissa's self-titled album produced her first Top 10 hit, “Midnight Blue” which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard charts. Other hits followed such as “Don't Cry Out Loud” and “If This is Love.” In 1979, Melissa performed two nominated songs in the Academy Awards show, “The Promise,” and “”Through the Eyes of Love” (the theme song from “Ice Castles”).

Also after two years, Melissa produced her biggest hit, “You Should Hear How She Talks About You,” which won a Grammy for Best Female Vocal Performance and peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard charts. In 2008, she released a new single, “The Power of Ribbons,” to digital retailers. Proceeds from the sales of this single benefit breast cancer research.

Imelda Papin, on the other hand, created a sensation in the Philippine entertainment scene and recording industry with her phenomenal rise to stardom. Her steady, though hard climb to fame and success all started when she became regional champion of a singing contest in the Bicol Region. When her family moved to Manila, Imelda was able to find work in a small club, where she divided her time between studying and singing. Soon after, she began working in bigger cocktail lounges and established performance venues. Eventually, she was able to leave for Hong Kong and Bangkok where she did regular guestings on television programs.

When she came back to Manila, Imelda recorded a movie theme song which won an award and which easily reached platinum status. From then on, there was no stopping her ascendancy, recording era-defining hits, selling millions of records and receiving numerous awards and accolades in the process. Soon, she also starred in several films and hosted an award-winning television program.

What followed soon after were international stints – with performances in the main showrooms of Caesar's Palace in Atlantic City, and Bally's in Las Vegas wherein she was the first Filipina to do a show. Thereafter, Imelda made concert tours to Europe, Australia, Asia and in major cities of the US, counting among her audiences heads of states and royalty members. She has been a regular performer at the Orleans Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where she is accorded the honor of being the only Filipino talent included in the hotel's roster of international performers that include Michael Bolton, Richard Marx, Melissa Manchester, Engelbert Humperdinck, Neil Sedaka, Gladys Knight, Kenny G, Air Supply, Kenny Rogers, Paul Anka and Boyz 11 Men, among others.

Imelda has just released her latest CD “Voice of the Heart,” recorded under 618 International Records, a division of 618 International Entertainment, Inc. and distributed in the US and Canada under the Warner Music Group (ADA).

In the US, Imelda is also kept busy by her TV program “Imelda Papin in America,” aired every second Saturday of the month from 4-4:30 p.m. on LA 18. Moreover, she also has her two-hour radio program called “The Imelda Papin Voice of the Heart Radio Show” over KLAV 1230 AM (The Talk of Las Vegas) heard every Sunday from 2-4 p.m. and can be heard online at www.klav1230am.com.

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Hinundayan celebrates 100 years

Hinundayan, Southern Leyte is currently celebrating (from July 21-31) its 100 years of existence. Everybody is excited to watch the festivities accompanying the historic event. Each Hinundayanons has prepared well for this momentous occasion. All are glad that their hometown has reached its centennial year.

Hinundayan is the hometown of Songbird Regine Velasquez’ mother. Teresita Ansong-Velasquez who is Manila-based now. The Hinundayanons are very proud to have a kababayan who has produced one of the best singers in the Philippines.

One of the highlights of the significant event is the entertainment night on July 30 which coincides with the centennial celebration. Singer Winnie Castillo, who just arrived from a singing stint in Malaysia, heads the group of performers. With Winnie are the Pork and Beans, a wacky singing-comedy duo; the sex sensation Wow Girls who will surely delight the males, and promising singers Cecille Oreta, Michelle Monsayac and Raisa Mayer.

From Maasin City, Southern Leyte comes Brian Giles, 2009 grand champion of the Leyte Idol Singing Contest, a brainchild of Leyte Gov. Carlos Jericho Petilla, who is expected be a hit among the entertainers.

This entertainment package is actually a gift from Captain Romel and Lisa Candingan, owners of Orient Aviation Corp. in Manila. “This is my humble gift to my fellow Hinundayanons for our hometown’s centennial celebration,” says Lisa.

On the last day of the celebration, July 31, a 7 a.m. Pontifical Mass will be officiated by Monsignor Nestor Astillo. After the Holy Mass, a grand parade will follow. The drum and bugle corps will herald the street dancing festivity. The townsfolk will parade their colorful Filipiniana costumes as they sing and dance depicting both history and culture of Hinundayan.

Southern Leyte Gov. Damian Mercado, Rep. Roger Mercado of the lone district of Southern Leyte and Rep. Florencio Noel of the An-Waray Party-List are expected guests during the festivities.

Hinundayan Mayor Evelyn Lee and her Vice-Mayor, Alfredo Lagumbay, will launch Hinundayan’s very own festival called the “Opas Festival.” More thrills and excitement are sure to follow.

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Erik Santos sings ‘May Bukas Pa’ theme song

Prince of Pop Erik Santos is an award-winning performer and certified hitmaker with chart-topping record albums, hit songs and successful concerts. He is always a formidable presence whenever he performs onstage. His singing prowess is recognized here and abroad.

Erik is one of the most sought-after young male singers in the country today. He is the voice behind the inspiring theme song of “May Bukas Pa,” the top-rating primetime teleserye on ABS-CBN. The series is about a precocious child named Santino who is raised by priests. He fondly calls his friend Bro, a statue of Jesus Christ which came to life after Santino treated its wounds. Blessed with healing powers, Santino touches the lives of several people in their town Bagong Pag-asa.

“I’m deeply honored to sing the theme song of ‘May Bukas Pa.’ The series and the theme song are both inspiring. I love singing ‘May Bukas Pa’ because there’s miracle in the song – it teaches everyone about hope and love. God love us so much and He won’t give us challenges that we can’t manage. Sana maka-usap ko si Santino para maibulong ko rin sa kanya ang hiling ko kay Bro,” Erik enthused.

Erik is always a favorite choice when it comes to singing theme songs. He sang the theme songs of Star Cinema’s film “Now That I Have You” and ABS-CBN’s top-rated Asianovelas like “Princess Hours” (“I’ll Never Go”),” “Green Rose” (“I Will Never Leave You”), and “Vietnam Rose” (“Magpahanggang Wakas”) and teleseryes such as “It Might Be You,” “Maging Sino Ka Man” and “May Minamahal.”

Erik Santos is a Backroom artist. For inquiries about Erik, email at backroomtalents@pldtdsl.net

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Side A, others at Conways Bar

Side A performs at the Conways Bar at the Shangri-La in Makati City Monday, July 27.

Other bands at Conways this week are: Fat Session on July 28, Hi-Way 54 on July 29, Spirit of '67 on July 30 and Big Nite Out and Rx 80's on July 31. Shows start at 8:30 p.m.

Eva Poon, Jinky Vidal, Sheree, Aileen Balon and Drizzle also make regular stops at Conways this July.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Monday, July 27, go to Atty. Nap Rama, actresses Melissa Mendez and Kim delos Santos, former Miss Philippines Cynthia Ugalde-Tan, Carmen B. Garrido, Mila Reyes, Myrna Cortez, Lily T. David, MB’s Delia Galima, Penny Zosa, Anna Cerina Giselle O. Marquez, Dr. Dolly Baja Lasam, Jasmin M. Lazatine, Mila Reyes, Jaymee Joaquin, Malou Aguilar and AJ Dee...