Boyz II Men

The concert scene will explode with the electrifying sound of some of the greatest R&B hits of the past two decades when internationally-acclaimed R&B band Boyz II Men mounts the stage for its highly-anticipated return engagement tonight at the Araneta Coliseum.

Billled as “Boyz II Men: The Love Tour!,” the one-night-only concert by Ovation Productions is the Manila segment of the band’s ongoing world tour in support of its latest album, “Love.”

Originally formed as a quintet in 1988 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that ended up as a three-man vocal group, Boyz II Men first captured international attention with its 1991 debut album (from Motown Records), “Cooleyhighharmony.”

The record made the Top Five and hung on the Billboard Top 200 for an astonishing 133 weeks, with sales of over nine million copies in the US alone and earning for Boyz II Men its first Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

“End Of The Road” won the 1992 Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and was added to subsequent pressings of “Cooleyhighharmony.”

“I’ll Make Love To You” surpassed Boyz II Men’s own chart record set by “End Of The Road” when it captured and held the Number One spot for 14 weeks. It earned the group its fourth Grammy Award, for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.

In 1995, the group collaborated with Mariah Carey on “One Sweet Day,” a track from her best-selling album, “Daydream.” It became another multimillion-selling single.

“Boyz II Men: The Love Tour!” is presented by Ovation Productions in cooperation with ETC Entertainment Channel, 2nd Avenue, Hallmark Channel, Imarflex Home Appliances, Edsa Shangri-La Manila, The Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, BusinessWorld, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge, RJ 100.3 FM and ABS-CBN.

Other supporters include Magic 89.9, Monster Radio RX 93.1, 97.9 Home Radio, 90.7 Love Radio, 99.5 RT, 96.3 Easy Rock, Wave 89.1, Jam 88.3, Mellow 94.9, 105.1 Crossover and OptimaSignsolutions.

(Tickets are available at Ticketnet outlets at SM Department Stores.

• • •
‘Fresh Music’ for the Filipino soul

With the spirit of nationalism continually rising among us, evident on more Pinoys wearing t-shirts with Philippine maps or Pinoy theme designs, comes a new breed of songwriters , carrying on the legacy of well-loved artist like Francis M. (Magalona) of “Mga Kababayan Ko” fame.

One of them is indie artist and songwriter Marlene M. Francisco a.k.a. Honey in the Rock, who first came out with a self-produced Gospel album entitled “Listen to my Heart” in 2007. A UST alumnus, she holds a BFA degree major in advertising and worked for several multi-national companies doing radio, TV, cinema commercials among other things before going into full-time freelance work as a Christian artist.

“Panawagan” and “Pinoy Ako,” her latest creations, aim to stir up Filipino hearts and help bring out the best in every Filipino.

For details of the “Panawagan” CD lite project, visit and check out www.missionacts.multiply.com.

• • •
Velvet telecasts Miss U pageant

Velvet, the country’s premium entertainment channel for women, turns the spotlight on the most prestigious beauty pageant on television – the 59th Miss Universe Beauty Pageant of which our very own Maria Venus Raj is a participant.

Aside from her controversial dethronement and eventual reinstatement, Raj is now faced with a bigger challenge of ending the 11-year drought for the country in the Miss Universe competition. It is recalled that the last time a Filipino made it to the semifinals was in 1999 when Miriam Quiambao was ranked first runner-up.

The spectacular two-hour Miss Universe 2010 will be aired on Velvet straight from Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, via an exclusive double primetime telecast on Aug. 24 at 6:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.

• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings Aug. 13 go to ABS-CBN’s big boss Gabby Lopez, Gen. Vidal Querol, Ambeth Ocampo, Mrs. Aurora Udarbe Gonzalez, Concordia Goco, Ace Palabrica, Menchu Suntay, Rosita Arcinas, Prof. Reynaldo A. Tamayo, Daisy B. Vergara, Cedric Tuazon Ranada, Joel M. Garcia, Mrs. Nellie Samson, Josephine Zarate-Angelo, Rysa Richelle Tobias Rigos and Joaquin Anton Cu-Unjieng.