The launching of Isabella’s debut album at the Teatrino last Thursday was like a mini-command performance! And she answered questions very eloquently during the brief interaction with media which followed the show. Is Isabella out to outshine her mother (pop diva Kuh Ledesma)?

Isabella’s answer: “I would like to establish my own identity, I want to make an impact on the music world,” and she expressed her gratitude to her mom for greatly supporting her in the production of her first album entitled “Identity ISABELLA.”

“I first pursued painting,” Isabella said. “But then I changed my mind and decided to pursue a career in music.’’

There are 12 songs in the album, the carrier song a remake of “I Can’t Fight This Feeling (Any Longer)” originally by the rock band REO Speedwagon.

Some of the songs are “Believe,” lyrics by Isabella and Radha; “Divine Reminder,” lyrics by Isabella and, re-mixed by John Paul Zaragoza; “I’ve Been Searching,” lyrics and melody by Isabella, music by Keith Martin; “I Know Someone,” music and lyrics by Keith Martin; “Fatherless Child,” music and lyrics by Isabella; “Care and Give,” lyrics by Keith Martin and Mark Julius Dollentes.

Isabella’s father, Louie Gonzalez contributed his song and composition, “Dance In Your Light.”

Bravo Records produced the album which is being distributed by Viva Records with the support of the Music Museum group and Mossimo Music.

• • •
Akira Vane is SM’s Little Star

It was a shining moment for six- year-old Akira Vane Sapla when she was named SM’s Little Star during the Grand Finals held at the Music Hall of the SM Mall of Asia.

Akira, who represents SM City Manila, loves playing with Barbie dolls, collection toys, and reading.
Judges including actress Aiza Marquez, Angeli Pangilinan Valenciano, and singer-songwriter Top Suzara had a hard time choosing from the finalists.

Apart from Akira, other SM Little Star winners included First Runner-Up Johnny Regana of SM City Cagayan de Oro, Second Runner-Up Nicole Morgan of SM City Baguio, Third Runner-Up Lexus Libres of SM City Bicutan, and Fourth Runner-Up Kenet Africano of SM City Pampanga. Kenet also received the Cherifer Tangkad Sagad Special Award.

The event was also graced by the presence of three pairs of SM Little Stars winners from the SM malls in China. SM Xiamen’s Chen Dany and Guo Ziqi, SM Jinjiang’s Lin Jun and Zhuang Jingjing, and SM Chengdu’s Hu Benjamin Junzhe and Zhang Xinyue charmed the audience with their talent and star quality.

• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings for Sept. 8, go to Che-Che Lazaro, Sec. Orlando J. Sacay, Fe Ramos-Esteban of Casino Filipino-Pavilion, Ramon Ting, Maricris Bermont, Long Espina, Natividad Licud-Aventura, Naty B. Rodriguez, Debbie Yu-Chan, Naty A. Pappas, director/manager of Orpa Phil. Shipping; Elo Pacheco of Rosy’s Pansit Malabon, Natalie Castel, Irene Gianan, Mary Jessica Dailo, Mico Angelo Omac, Nestoria M. Coronel, Juliana Torres Gomez, Graciella N. Martinez, Yosef Elizalde and Cesar Saavedra, 2001 Bagong Bayani awardee… Happy wedding anniversary to Beaver and Jackie Lopez… Congratulations to Ma. Elenee Lagana Raguindin of Our Lady of Fatima-Valenzuela for passing the 2010 Nursing Licensure Examination...