Marvin Estrella

Marvin Estrella is another talented Filipino-American who is out to prove his mettle in singing with the release recently of his self-titled album. The album features a Vehnee Saturno composition, “Huwag Nang Matapos Pa” as its carrier single.

The single is now enjoying numerous airplays in 91.5 Energy FM, 97.1 LSFM and 102.7 Star FM. The 12-track album has three revivals while the rest are Vehnee Saturno compositions. The album is being distributed by Synergy Music Corp. and it is now available in all SM record bars nationwide.

Marvin started singing at age 6, recalling that it was his sister who prodded him to join a singing contest in their community in Caloocan City. He won, bringing home a cash prize of P200, something overwhelming to someone his age.

Marvin Estrella went on to win in other singing contests here and even in California, USA where his family migrated in 1992. In a Karaoke singing tilt he won in the weekly contest and then the monthly, until he became the winner in the grand finals. He got a ticket to the Philippines as his prize but too bad he wasn’t able to use it.

After this, Marvin went to Northern California for another singing competition and won again.

These are incredible enough feats for Marvin Estrella, who interestingly and amazingly never had any formal lessons in voice. In college, he took up a Telecommunications course.

Marvin joined “American Idol” Season 7 but he didn’t make it. However, he got to perform in mini shows, and even became back-up for Jonalyn Viray, Katrina Halili and Kris Lawrence’s concerts in LA.

The album contains three revivals (“Pa’no Kaya?” “All At Once,” and “I Can’t Say Goodbye”), and the rest are originals (“Ang Aking Puso,” “Sa’n Ka Na Ngayon?,” “Wake Up,” “Taking You Home,” “Kulang Man Sa Lambing,” “Nasaan Ka Man,” “Sino ang Hindi Iibig?” and “Will You Hold Me?”), six of which from Vehnee Saturno.

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Macau launches songwriting tilt

Launched recently by the Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) Philippines is the 2010 Macau Song Writing Competition. This is intended for university students in Metro Manila.

Theme of the competition is “My Next Travel Destination: Macau.” Participants have to be bona fide students and currently enrolled in any university or college in the National Capital Region (NCR) and they have to compose and write the lyrics to a song about Macau, in any genre, for a chance to visit Asia’s most interesting tourist destination – for free!

The competition does not only promise an all-expense paid holiday to this dazzling neighboring city but can also open doors to a career in music for the participants and winners. The top two winning compositions will be professionally arranged, sung by a celebrity singer and recorded. The songs may be played on radio promote Macau and will also be performed during MGTO official dinners and events here in the country.

Top Filipino composers and musicians will be invited to be judges in the competition. By the way, the deadline of submission of entries will be at 5 p.m. on Sept. 30. To know more about the competition and the rules, visit www.macausongwriting.com or e-mail inquiries to danny_cabulay2000@yahoo.com.

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All About Adam

“All About Adam” is an independent sex drama/comedy series in a movie format, and “it offers adult fun that is light and entertaining and depicts how reality really bites,” according to Julius Roden, the writer, producer and director.

He adds: “It’s like a 20K version of the iconic ‘Palibhasa Lalake,’ only this time it’s braver, naughtier and pushes the sex theme forward but still within the context of good taste.’’

In the cast are Migui Moreno, Jeremy, Jeffrey Canlas and Mike Ignacio. The pilot episode has been shot, ready for airing, and its story like deals with safe sex and AIDS awareness.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on August 10 go to Sec. Lito Atienza, Mel Tiangco, Mark Bautista, Mariel Rodriguez, Edith Rabat, Ruby Tiong, Ruby Tan, Girlita Aguinaldo, Prof. Danny Cruz, Criselda Lontok, Johnny Litton, Toni Daya, Hazel Abella Dionela, Richard de Jesus, Ernest Gonzaga, Dado Mendoza, Ester Costes Lomboy and Adelia Manguera Gwiazda of UK.