Kaos

This new rock band called Kaos may intrigue you with its name alone. When asked what it means, lead vocalist Francis Marion “Kiko” Linsangan said “it means as it sounds – chaos,” which intrigued us even more.

But Kiko, speaking mostly for and about himself, was quick to explain that he is in a chaotic stage in his life when the band was formed. “I was full of teenage angst; I had problems, I had frustrations. The name reflects my personal state of mind.” But he did not let this deter his musicality. It was precisely because of his problematic condition that spawned and led to his creativity. Kiko, who confessed to being a huge fan of the late Francis M., his namesake and good friend of his father, Dennis Linsangan, though sad to the point of despondency because of personal problems, was inspired to write songs.

In fact, most of the songs in Kaos’ debut album “Outta Track” which had a soft launch on Oct. 10 (Kiko’s 23rd birth anniversary) at the Topgear Restobar along Roxas Blvd., are his compositions. Carrier single is entitled “Hiram na Ngiti,” a song that says all that he feels. It’s really hard to smile when what you have inside of you are not happy thoughts. His songs give listeners a bare-naked glimpse of his innermost feelings. But his first compositions were musical renditions of the poetic love letters to his “ladies” in school.

The group performed “Hiram na Ngiti” and some other songs from the upcoming album and a music video for the carrier single was also presented.

Interestingly, the album is produced by an Indonesian lady, Putu Ana Macy who is actually a successful businesswoman involved in the garment industry and whose clothes line is carried in many big department stores in America. Kiko’s father Dennis was teaching Ana ballroom dancing when she discovered what a great musical talent Kiko has and she decided to produce an album for him and his group.

She described the music of Kaos as “a modern pop music with melodic rock and punk elements.” The group’s musical influence include Francis M., Michael Jackson and Bamboo.

Kiko said, “I love to listen to their music, not just because they are very innovative artists, they are also unique in their own styles and genres. I looked up to them…” Kiko grew up in a highly talented and creative family environment, where music and dance was always a big part of their family life, so it was a natural development to begin singing and dancing at an early age, while listening to family members and neighborhood musicians and fast developing his own creative spirit. In his early teens he started playing the guitar and began composing songs.

Kiko studied at De La Salle College of St. Benilde but had to stop awhile to pursue a musical career. He said his hobbies are surfing the Web, playing xBox, listening to music, dancing, singing and writing.

The other members of Kaos are Mark John “Dee” Ona, Randy “Agi” Bautista, Aris “Kronik” Gonzales, and Rolando “Olan” Bernaldez. A childhood friend of Kiko and also part of the “extended family,” Mark is considered the teddy bear, big in stature with a heart of gold. He also started playing the guitar as a teenager and was highly influenced by the country’s romantic singers, but he loves to express his feelings in a heavy grunge rock-oriented and raw punk-influenced manner. He plays bass guitar, and is the second vocalist and composer for Kaos’ song catalog. His personal musical influences are Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jason Mraz and Greenday. “I love the image and stage presence of these particular artists,” he said.

Mark is taking up BS in Hotel and Restaurant Management at the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA-Las Piñas City.

Agi is another good friend of Kiko and Mark. They are original Kaos trio. Growing up in the same neighborhood and attending the same school as his two friends, he is a dedicated guitarist who shares the same passion for romantic ballads as well as for more powerful shredded hard rock and punk music. Agi also takes a big creative part in the Kaos’ musical compositions.

Like Kiko, he also studied at De La Salle St. Benilde (BS in Business Administation/Management) and takes up Information Technology at the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Aris is the new addition to once Kaos trio. He is the drummer, a few years older than the others but with more live-playing experience, as he has already performed with other bands. His musical upbringing is very similar to his new band mates, starting to play an instrument in his early teens, and being blessed with the support of a very understanding family. His musical influences however deviate a bit, as Aris’ main influence is the ’70s Classic Rock with bands the likes of Grand Funk Railroad and Led Zeppelin.

Lastly, Olan is the new bass player of the group, who joined Kaos just a few weeks ago. He is an experienced musician, having performed with a variety of local bands prior to joining Kaos. He is a highly energetic and fun-loving musician whose driving bass-lines and melodic embellishments add a new dimension and interesting flavor to the sound of the band. He considers his musical influences as far too numerous to narrow down. Olan is Bachelor of Music undergraduate.

By the way, in addition to Ana Macy as executive producer, album credit also goes to project producers Frances and Dennis Linsangan, album producer Peter Heckman who also did the mixing and mastering at the Raining Heart Studio in Bali, Indonesia.

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Mother-daughter singers in a fundraising concert

Ms. Dinah Dominguez, who actually was the one who invited us to the Kaos’ band album launch, and her daughter Champagne Morales will be the guest performers in a concert slated tomorrow night at the Topgear Restobar.

Billed as “Stormy Nights Concert,” it is the first fundraising project of the Crusade Against White-Collar Crimes, with Mario P. Nieto as chairman. Proceeds will go to the typhoon victims.

By the way, Dinah now co-manages Champagne with Vic del Rosario and Veronique del Rosario, being a talent of Viva Entertainment.

Champagne has a daily cable TV show called “Celebrity Home & Business” shown on Viva Cinema Cablelink Channel 56 Parañaque and Cignal Cable TV. The show is aired daily at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. from Monday to Sunday.

Champagne interviews celebrities with them showing their homes and the businesses they’re into. Champs, as she is fondly called, also writes for Spybiz, a weekly newspaper.

She also has just finished taping for an international production entitled “Medical Center,” directed by Celso Ad Castillo. She plays daughter to Gloria Diaz, a hospital owner. To be shown in Australia, and TV5, the teleserye also stars Zoren Legaspi, Ara Mina, Mat Ranillo III and others. Co-director is Soxy Topacio.
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‘Moshi, Moshi, I Love You’ premieres Thursday

Prepare yourself for a weekly wacky, comedy show that will tickle you to the bones starting today, Oct. 15, a presentation of “SRO Cinemaserye” on GMA-7.

If Akihiro Sato is of any indication about the show, then “Moshi, Moshi, I Love You,” will bring down the house with laughter. During the press interview introducing him as the leading man of Ruffa Mae Quinto, he was so humorous, and laughing all the time, answering with gusto about his impressions on Ruffa.

“She has a beautiful body,” he said, making gestures to describe Ruffa’s breasts. Asked if he had any kissing scene with her, he again answered with laughter: “Only little, little touching of lips,” meaning just a sudden, a two-second meeting of their lips, even as he stressed his description with his right and left thumbs and forefingers on a sudden collision course.

“Ruffa is beautiful, a great actress. Sometimes I was ashame, because this is only my first time to appear on TV here in the Philippines. But Ruffa Mae taught me a lot,” he added, which Ruffa Mae confirmed.

Do you love Ruffa? “Yes, yes, I love her!”

Akihiro Sato is a Japanese model from Brazil. Then he went to Thailand, and from there, he came to the Philippines where he was spotted by GMA-7 executives who saw his potentials as an actor and immediately hired him for his role in “Moshi, Moshi, I Love You!”

Ruffa Mae plays the female lead role as Perseveranda Vindoy , a survivor of countless misfortunes. “Moshi, Moshi, I Love You!” is the story of Perseveranda who will fight tooth and nail to win the heart of her dream boy in the four-part episode.

With Akihiro, Rufa Mae unleashes her one of a kind comic genius as she plays a simple woman with a big heart and big dreams.

Perseveranda is addicted to telenovelas. She finds inspiration from the stories and characters of these shows which she believes reflect her own life. Among her favorites is the Asian telenovela “Tokyo With Love” which stars Japanese actor Akihiro Watanabe.

Her adulation for Akihiro develops into an obsession when she discovers that he plans to visit the Philippines to promote his show.

Crazed by her desire to be close to Akihiro, Perseveranda does all sorts of crazy things just to make a knockout impression on her man.

“Moshi, Moshi, I Love You!” also stars Alicia Mayer, Gloria Sevilla, Mosang and Ricci Chan.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Thursday, Oct. 15, go to SM founder Henry Sy, Sr., Justice Renato Corona, Paz Yuchengco, Leo Baluyot, Cris Villahermosa, Gary C. Villanueva, Teresa Cabigao, Tessie Isidro, Ernie Pecho, Dante Ponce, Alvin Obillo, Mely Muñoz, Billy Formoso, Mario Baluyot, Remy Go, UK-based Tessie Coronel, Mrs. Ondang Sarao Virata, Gabriel Patrick “Gabe” G. Jimenez, and MB’s Rachel Castro Barawid… Belated B-day greetings to Aldrin Cordero of design craft (Oct. 14)...