La Diva: Maricris Garcia, Jonalyn Viray, and Aicelle Santos

Exciting, exemplary and exceptional aptly describe the recent debut concert of the all-female trio La Diva.

Held late last year at the Music Museum “Only La Diva” was one of the most refreshing concerts this season as it featured great solo singers putting their egos aside to unite and create music that is based on cooperation and coordination.

“Pinoy Pop Superstar” champions all, each of Jonalyn Viray, Aicelle Santos and Maricris Garcia has her own forte: Jonalyn is in command of the high notes, Aicelle fills in the midrange while Maricris provides the base. With the assignment, it’s easy for them to make beautiful music as a force, captured in intricate vocal blendings and contrapuntal melodies.

The synergy was most appreciated in such songs as “Apologize” (originally by OneRepublic) “Stand Up For Love” (Destiny’s Child), “Free Your Mind” (En Vogue), “Best Of My Love” (The Emotions) and “Broken Vow” (Lara Fabian).

More, they can and do alternate in singing the main melody of and within a song. This is not usually heard from other vocal groups but since each of La Diva is an accomplished singer in her own right, it’s inevitable that they shone as individuals, too. These happened in “Mahal Kita” for Maricris, “I Am Changing” for Jonalyn and “I Believe I Can Fly” for Aicelle.

Maximizing the aural texture such a group offers is “Only La Diva” musical director Danny Tan. The award-winning composer-arranger wisely stayed to the original arrangements of most of the songs so the focus stayed on the voices and the dynamics that came to play. The only time he innovated was when he knew a new arrangement would better canvass the singing (e.g. updated version of “Kung Liligaya Ka” and a sombred up “Nobody”).

He also ensured that no one sang more than the other. This way, the show didn’t come across as a showdown; this, even when one of the singers was delivering the “highlight” of song, or when one did vocal calisthenics after the other. La Diva is so giving that they even allowed their non-singer guests to shine namely Dingdong Dantes (Nov. 28) and Aljur Abrenica (Dec. 5). That if the two male celebrities sounded like professional singers, it’s some thanks to the vocal support La Diva lent them.

It is apparent that Jonalyn, Maricris and Aicelle are real friends who respect each other’s capabilities. Indeed, the generosity they accord each other onstage is such magnanimity to behold; truly the exception in the cutthroat competition in the music scene. If only for that, La Diva deserves many times over the standing ovation they got at the end of the concert.

The other songs La Diva sang at the concert were “I Have Nothing,” “Lady Marmalade,” “Through The Fire,” “In Your Eyes,” “Out Here On My Own,” “I’m Yours,” “Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas,” “Bakit,” “Now That You’re Gone,” “Never Ever Say Goodbye,” “Sometime Somewhere,” “The Climb,” “Dream Girls,” “Kasiping Ka” (first single from their debut album), and “Angels Brought Me Here.”

“Only La Diva” was produced by Sunny Side Up Productions in cooperation with GMA Network, Inc. The show is presented by Aficionado & Joel Cruz with support from Sony Music Philippines, PLDT Call All, in cooperation with Creative Hair Systems by Arnel Ignacio.

The show’s choreographer is Regine Tolentino, stage director is Louie Ignacio, and costume designers/stylists are Pepsi Herrera and Edwin Tan.

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Piracy is TV5’s battlecry?
 
Faced with the reality that it needs known on-cam personalities in its roster in order to compete with the leading TV networks, this early, TV5 has begun pirating talents. GMA-7’s Paolo Bediones already joined TV5, and a few others, who are not so busy with projects at the moment, are expected to follow.  

Apart from on-cam talents, TV5 is said to be eyeing network executives to switch camps. A few network executives from leading TV station GMA Network are said to have received overtures from TV5 “emissaries” but quickly turned them down before they could even make offers.  

It’s not surprising why GMA Network executives are receiving such overtures. After all, the said TV station boasts of very competent executives, who have helped GMA Network remain on top for quite a number of years now. GMA Network’s stature as the industry leader has clearly made the company the employer of choice.  

TV5 may have tremendously “juicy” offers to make, but the uncertainty of their future versus the stability of the leading networks makes the decision of not moving over to their camp a no-brainer, we were told.

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Rotary ends Presidents Elect Training Module

Rotary International District 3810 has just concluded its Presidents-Elect Training Module I in Kimberly Hotel, Tagaytay City. District 3810 is the premier district in the Philippines consisting of Rotary Clubs in Manila, Pasay, Cavite and Occidental Mindoro. The Rotary Presidents-Elect were trained in order to prepare them on their year of service in 2010-2011. The event was attended by almost 70 club presidents from the four cities and provinces, and at least 50 other future leaders of the District. Rotary International is a global network of volunteers who serve without compensation and promotes “Service Above Self.”

District 3810 will be under the leadership of District Governor Elect Tranquil S. Salvador III in rotary year 2010-2011. He gave a motivational speech during the training that inspired and moved his presidents-elect to action. DGE Tranquil is a lawyer by profession. A partner and hear of the environmental law department of the prestigious law firm of Romulo, Mabanta, Buenaventura, Sayoc and De los Angeles. President of the Intergrated Bar of the Philippines-Quezon City Chapter. He is a recognized bar reviewer and professor of Remedial Law in Ateneo, Far Eastern University, University of the East, San Sebastian College and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila. He was the former Dean of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay and a member of the University of the Philippines Law Center Committee that proposes answers to bar examination questions. He is also an Awardee in Law by the Huwarang Pilipino Foundation for 2001 and 2005. A noted mining and aviation lawyer of international publication Chamber Asia, and was invited to join the International Association of Defense Counsel.  

The institutionalized project of Rotary International consist, among others, with Local and World Community Service, Youth Exchange, Peace Scholarship Grants, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, Rotary Community Corps (for communities), Rotaracts (College Students), Interacts (high school students), literacy, hunger and poverty alleviation, health care, environment protection and its flagship Polio plus.

With the able leadership of DGE Tranquil Salvador and the commitment and dedication of the Presidents-Elects whose enthusiasm are incomparable we will expect a Rotary full of service, fun and fellowship not competing with anyone but trying to outdo the rotary standard that will set.
  
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Jan. 2 go to former actress/producer Laila Dee, composer Nonoy Gallardo, civic leader Lina Aurelio, Precy Mathay, Nelly Cabral, Alice Samaniego, Mayor Eddie Dimacuha, Ricky Gargantiel, Gil Manimbo, Dotsie T. Vinuya, UK-based Cesar Roxas, actor-writer Ogie Diaz, Michelle Sacay, Mrs. Marcelina Venzon Tiu, Bernadette Johnson, Roberto Reyes, Merylyn T. Dizon, Christy Bagatsing, Jesus Jacinto, Ofelia Baloais, Nela Sebastian, Grant L.C. Brooke and Dadi Wowie Roxas.