Gerard Salonga

Gerard Salonga maybe the youngest musician-conductor in the country but his talents and achievements are things that people like him – but half his age – could only dream of having.

His induction into the Aliw Award’s Hall of Fame recently could not have come at a better time. Gerard has had a banner year in 2009, especially in the Asian music scene where he is fast gaining renown as the favorite guest conductor and arranger of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra (HKPO).

Last May, Gerard accompanied rising stars Chad Johnson, Sarah Joy Kabanuck, Rachele Gilmore, Deborah Domanski, Dominique Moralez and John Hancock in a Gala concert held in cooperation with Opera Hong Kong. Prior, Gerard conducted the HKPO’s Christmas concerts with singer-songwriter Leehom Wang.

In September, Gerard made waves during his debut with the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra. Yet few Filipinos nowadays are surprised with the news. Clearly, Gerard’s reputation precedes him. And with good reason: Upon returning to the Philippines in 1999, after graduating summa cum laude in Berklee College of Music, and working as orchestrator and music copyist at Sony Pictures in the US, Gerard quickly became one of the most sought-after arrangers and musical directors.

He produced the station IDs of the Filipino Channel in 2004 and 2005, which won the Promax World Silver Award in New York for best use of music with or without lyrics. He is so good as a musical director that by 2008, Gerard had already won his fourth Aliw trophy for the category. But naturally, named Filipino singers work with Gerard frequently, either for concerts or albums. Gerard’s strokes of genius can be heard on Lea Salonga’s “Inspired” CD, the CompanY’s “Group Hug,” Reymond Sajor’s “Coming Home” and Gary Valenciano’s remake of “And I Love You So.”

Gerard has his own albums with FILharmoniKA,a professional orchestra which he conducts and is artistic director. In what is called the “Musika Natin” series, these critically acclaimed recordings are “Lahing Kayumanggi” featuring the works of Maestro Lucio D. San Pedro; “Ugnaya” featuring the jazz compositions of Angel Matias Peña; and “Heritage,” featuring the works of Col. Antonino Buenaventura. Gerard also has FILharmoniKA on the cast recording of Broadway Asia’s production of “Cinderella” and the award-winning score of the film “Dayo.”

This season sees the in-demand Gerard working here and abroad. After “Lea Salonga… Your Songs” on Dec. 11 and 12 at the PICC Plenary Hall, he flies to Hong Kong for the opening Ceremony of the AK100 exhibit on Dec. 18.

The exhibit which celebrates the 100th birth anniversary of legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa will have Gerard and the HKPO perform Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy, and a symphonic suite from Toru Takemitsu’s score to “Ran,” one of Kurosawa’s epic masterpieces.

Christmas Eve is “Christmas with the Philharmonic” day for him. Along with arrangers Ria Osorio and JD Villanueva, Gerard, through Philharmonic, will unveil popular Christmas carols that they gave new versions at the HKPO's Christmas eve concert. Philharmonic will be joined by the Hong Kong Children's Choir, and soprano Sarah Macliver, under the baton of Maestro Philip Pickett at the concert.

Gerard’s bookings spill over to the New Year. Come Jan. 15 and 16, 2010 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre concert hall, Gerard will conduct the HKPO in a show dubbed “HKPO at the Movies.” The concert will feature the most memorable film scores of all time, with vocal performances by one of Hong Kong’s leading singers, Ms. Elisa Chan.  Selections include music from “Star Wars” and “Schindler’s List,” music from the “James Bond” series and “Cinema Paradiso.”

So young yet so successful. It’s so Salonga.

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Fresh team-up in ‘Ang Darling Kong Aswang’

Undoubtedly, Vic Sotto’s box-office record in the annual Metro Manila Film Festival remains unparalleled  up to this time. For seven straight years, all his entries were proclaimed topgrossers.

From “Lastikman” to “Fantastik Man,” to “Enteng Kabisote” series, and last year’s “Iskul Bukol,” the comedian has lorded it over the tills, truly deserving as the undisputed Box-Office King of the MMFF.

This year, Vic promises to continue his winning streak via the official entry of M-Zet, APT Entertainment and OctoArts Films’ “Ang Darling Kong Aswang” opposite Cristine Reyes. Directed by Tony Y. Reyes, the fantasy-comedy-horror flick boasts of special effects.

The love story is interesting to note as well. Vic is funny and sensible and falls for the sexy Cristine who is a reluctant aswang in the film.

Also in the movie are Jean Garcia, Agot Isidro, Richie D’ Horsie, Dante Rivero, Jackie Rice, Denise Laurel, Rafael Rosell, Empress Schuck, Allan K, Joonee Gamboa, Luz Fernandez, Jenny Miller, Gian Sotto, Wally Bayola, Tita Swarding, Mosang, Shalala, Mika dela Cruz and Barbie Forteza. Joey de Leon, Oyo Sotto, Pia Guanio and Jacky Woo do cameo roles.