Bamboo

Fans of rock bands will surely have a blast with the forthcoming concert billed “Rock Overload,” scheduled at Metrobar on April 16. Featured are the country’s top bands: Bamboo, Parokya ni Edgar and Kamikazee.

Produced by Vivre Fort Entertainment Inc., “Rock Overload” delivers the music and stage charisma of these three popular bands with certified hits and a combined catalogue of more than a dozen chart-topping albums. This is the first time this kind of exciting mix is being stirred for one big night of live rocking music.

Musically the most complex among the three, Bamboo is counted as last decade’s flagship band in the same vein as Eraserheads led the ’90s alternative movement. Its main man Bamboo Mañalac was a big loss when he moved out of Rivermaya back in the ’90s, but his return into the music scene in 2004 proved to be major event and resulted to the rise of one of today’s more influential local acts. With Bamboo in the group are Nathan Azarcon, Vic Mercado, and Ira Cruz all experienced musicians who have tasted fame prior to playing for Bamboo.

The enduring Parokya Ni Edgar led by the talented Chito Miranda has survived two decades of competition and ever-changing musical landscape, making them a ’90s holdover that maintained its audience appeal. Their hits include their breakthrough single “Buloy” and now classics “Harana,” “Inuman Na,” “Halaga,” “Maniwala Ka Sana,” “Silvertoes,” “Picha Pie,” and “Mr. Sauve.”

Parokya’s so-called brother band Kamikazee has captured the hearts of all ages with its signature piece “Narda,” no doubt one of last decade’s biggest OPM hits. The hugely popular record recently gained heavy TV airplay after it was picked by the latest teleserye version of “Darna” starring Kapuso star Marian Rivera.

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Balitang Amianan anchor

“Balitang Amianan” (or news from the North) is now being shown back-to-back with GMA-7’s multi-award-winning newscast “24 Oras,” and it’s interesting to know that the anchor, Jorge Richard P. Guerrero, in spite of being successful now in his chosen career, continues to improve himself academically. He did not close his books when he embraced his broadcasting endeavor. By the way, Jorge is a full-blooded Ilocano who was born in Laoag City. Jorge will turn 41 on April 23.

In a recent interview during the launch of the back-to-back broadcast of Mel Tiangco/Mike Enriquez’s “24 Oras” with regional newscasts, Jorge said he finished AB Philosophy at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and Bachelor of Laws at Northwestern University in Laoag City. “I also took up Masters in Criminal Justice Administration at the Graduate School of Law in San Beda College which I plan to continue next school year,” he added.

Jorge formally started his media profession in 1990 in the different local papers and radio stations in Ilocos Norte. “And in 1994, I became a reporter for ABS-CBN DZMM.”

In 2007, GMA invited him to audition for the Anchor position for their Dagupan station. “Fortunately, I passed. I was then hired as Anchor and Supervising Producer for ‘Balitang Amianan,’ which consistently topped the ratings since its launching in May 5, 2008.”

For those who want to know of fresh news from the North (Dagupan City and neighboring places of Ilocandia) “Balitang Amianan” is aired at 5:50 p.m. before “24 Oras.” Other regional newscasts shown back-to-back with “24 Oras” are Cebu’s “Balitan Bisdak” with Bobby Nalzaro and Atty. Rose Versoza; Iloilo’s “Ratsada,” with Jonathan Gellangarin, and Davao’s “Testigo,” with Tek Ocampo.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on April 14 go Sen. Rodolfo Biazon, Chito Bertol of the Manila Seedling Bank Foundation, Jerome John Hughes, Gloria Garcia Ramirez, Jason Ricketts, Agnes B. Mohamad, Linda A. Carera, Francis Lumunsad, Naida Ongping, Vicky Divina, Amante Galang, Nanette Manebo, journalist Cito Beltran, Mrs. Mitzi Piad and Kristina Snell of ABS-CBN Star Magic. “Babe I Love You” international screenings: April 16-22, San Francisco-UA Stonestown Twin, San Diego-UA Horton Plaza, Las Vegas-Regal Village Square Stadium, Seattle-Parkway Plaza Stadium 12, LA-Cerritos Stadium Cinema; April 14-22, Guam-Micronesia Mall; April 30-May 6, Honolulu-Regal Dole Cannery Stadium 18.