Vehnee Saturno

The FILSCAP Foundation, Inc. has announced the start of its songwriting competition. The contest aims to provide incentives to established composers, to discover new talents and provide the winning works national and international showcase through radio/TV, print and other media exposure.

FILSCAP trustee Vehnee Saturno, one of the country’s most prolific composers, sees this as an excellent way to give Filipino music a much needed boost. “I was very fortunate when I was starting out because Filipino music was getting a lot of support from the government and the record companies,” he said. Vehnee was himself a winner of various songwriting contests here and abroad.

Among his winning songs were “Isang Dakot” which copped the Grand Prize at the 6th Metro Manila Popular Music Festival and “Be My Lady,” a finalist at the 5th Metropop, which became a big hit for Martin Nievera.

“Filipino music now has to contend with competition not only from America and the UK but also from Korea,” added Vehnee. “There is also piracy and the economic situation. Konti na ang bumibili ng CD. So we thought we should do something to get composers writing hit songs again and FILSCAP is the best organization to initiate the effort.”

There are four categories in the competition: Pop, R&B, Rock and Novelty. Entries can be in any Filipino dialect or in English. Contestants can submit only one entry. Entries will be accepted until Feb. 15, 2010.

At stake for the winners are cash prizes in the amount of P200,000, Grand Prize; P50,000, First Prize; P30,000, Second Prize; and P20,000, Third Prize for every category; P10,000 for each of the 12 finalists; a commemorative album with top singing stars performing the 12 finalists; and a trip to Australia for the Grand Prize winner to be part of the Song Summit 2010 Conference in Sydney on June 19-21, 2010, which will feature internationally acclaimed artists and songwriters and panel discussions on topical issues regarding the music industry at large.

The contest is open to Filipino composers and lyricists of all ages except members of the board of the Filscap Foundation, of the Filscap Board of Trustees, of the competition steering committee, employees of Filscap and Grand Prize winners of past songwriting competitions. “We thought it best to disqualify previous winners,” says Vehnee to give others a chance.

Entries can be sent via MP3 through the FILSCAP songwriting website, songwritingcompetition@Filscap.com.ph or sent to the FILSCAP  office at 140 Scout Rallos St. Barangay Sacred Heart, Quezon City.

The FILSCAP Foundation is the music nurturing arm of the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. It was established to preserve and make known the music legacy of the Filipinos; to provide incentives for composers and authors to continue making hits; and to discover and nurture the talents of young composers and authors who will provide the hits of tomorrow.

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Former child star named Miss Good Grooming

Victoria del Rosario Haynes, a former child star and “Home Along the Riles” mainstay performer, is now a lovely 20-year-old and on Jan. 8, she will be proclaimed and crowned as “Miss Good Grooming Philippines 2010.” The coronation will held at the New Gateway Suites in Araneta Center at 5 p.m., according to Jojo Montemayor, Finesse and Founding Director of Good Grooming Philippines.

Vic is the only child of Norman and Jojo Haynes. She is a student at the University of Asia and the Pacific where she is in her last year of studies in Liberal Arts major in Humanities.

Victoria has been with Good Grooming Philippines since she was six years old. She attends the annual summer workshops held in Baguio City. By the way, Vic’s launching movie is “Sanib2 666,” directed by Celso Ad Castillo.

Victoria’s first official duty as Miss Good Grooming Philippines 2010 will be to attend the Panagbenga Flowers Festival Parade in Baguio City on Feb. 25, 2010. Reportedly, she will ride in the float of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

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Four by Four for Antonio Hairdressing!

Premier salon Antonio Hairdressing is celebrating its 4th anniversary!

For four years now, Antonio Hairdressing has provided excellent service and artistry led by Pin Antonio who is also the creative genius behind Salon de Manila. Pin, by the way, has just returned from her studies at the Vidal Sassoon Santa Monica.

In line with its fourth anniversary, Antonio Hairdressing proudly announces the opening of its fourth franchise recently at the Ortigas area. It was a simple but meaningful affair led by Pin Antonio and business partner Sonny Mangundayao with Mir Ochengco and Vic Wenceslao and graced by longtime celebrity client Aiza Seguerra. Also present were Say Alonzo, Chen Sarte, Diego Castro, Michelle Van Ruyen, Ric Chua and more.

Stars have always relied on Antonio Hairdressing for their tresses. They include Claudine Barretto, Angel Locsin, Mariel Rodriguez, Valerie Concepcion, Yeng Constantino, Rufa Mae Quinto and Willie Revillame.

For this season, Pin Antonio unveils her latest hairstyle which is called “Assymetric.” As suggested by its title, the hairstyle has uneven but studied cuts. Depending on the facial features, lifestyle and look, it can range from long layered hair to a more pixie-ish, short style. “It’s all about highlighting the facial features you want, and giving you an edge,” says Pin.

While for color, purple, blues and bright pink has ruled the runways and Pin has decided to bring it here in the country with shades appropriate for Pinoys. She has personally trained her stylists to “rightly blend color. It’s easy to apply but blending it to flatter a person is different.”

Antonio Hairdressing provides haircutting, hair coloring, hairstyling, permanent wave, make-up, facials, spa facilities including sauna room, and splendid massage techniques and therapy to time conscious professionals, housewives and youngsters in a modest salon environment who has intensively trained professionals whose priority is to continuously render fast and efficient and quality services style to meet customer satisfaction.

Antonio Hairdressing is also open for franchising for entrepreneurial people who easily want to go into the beautification business but backed by the credibility of Pin Antonio.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Jan. 7 go to former Rep. Dante Liban, former Manila Councilor Lou Veloso, Rosemarie Lopez, Zenas Lozada, Ina Bautista, Rhea Vanessa “Mutya” A. Lorenzo, Tootsie Eduque Marco, Belgium-based Louise Belle Baterna-Hubert, Salvador Bernal, Graziela Belen of Canada, Apa Ongpin, Rose C. Teodoro, Ana Marie Costes Lomboy, Marichelle B. Recio, Ricky Medina, Ditas Rodriguez and MB Entertainment staff Jecelyn V. Macahindog.