Only 17, Zyrene Parsad already owns a beauty salon and has released a CD album!

To top them all, Zyrene will sing the Philippine National Anthem during the world championship fight between world boxing champion now congressman Manny Pacquiao and Margarito in November this year in Las Vegas.

A number of Pinoy singers had sang the Philippine National Anthem during the previous championship fights of Manny Pacquiao, but none had sang it right. Most criticized of them all was Martin Nievera who practically “violated” the anthem as composed by Prof. Felipe de Leon. The song has a “march” tempo, and the notes at the conclusion of the anthem should not be extended – with “birit” – as Martin did.

A law covering specifically the Philippine National Anthem provides that it be sung in Tagalog and with a march tempo and that no other arrangement or “style” be added or mixed with it. A penalty is also provided for any violation of the law.

The anthem stays as composed and arranged by Prof. Felipe de Leon.

Zyrene was so excited when she learned that she would be singing the Philippine National Anthem in the forthcoming world championship fight of Pacquiao versus Margarito.

One of her friends earlier informed Pacquiao that she was coming out with an album and if the congressman could try her to sing the National Anthem during his forthcoming fight.

Three weeks after, Pacquiao called her.

Zyrene was so excited, she jumped with joy! She started learning the song – she went to the National Historical Institute and also consulted Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

Her album, titled “Zyrene,” features the following songs: “Someone’s Waiting For You,” “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You,” “I Just Don’t Wanna Be Lonely,” “Love On A Two-Way Street,” “Later,” “Do That To Me One More Time,” “What Do We Mean To Each Other,” “Whenever I Call You Friend,” “You Were There,” “Emotions,” “Let’s Wait Awhile,” and “Zoom.”

Zyrene is among the latest talents introduced by Viva Artists Agency during a recent presscon. The other artists are Sam Pinto, Jeff Gaitan, Meg Imperial, and Jill Yulo.

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Sisters get recognition from 23rd Awit Awards

Congratulations to sisters Krissy and Ericka who were awarded for Best Performance by a New Group in this years 23rd Awit Awards. The Awit Awards of course is known to be the premiere music award-giving body organized by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI). The major award was won by the acoustic guitar-playing duo that utilized a catchy original song entitled “Surfs Up.”

“I was so nervous that night and did not think that we would win in such a category with big names to contend with,” Krissy tearfully shared while proudly holding their glass plaque award. Krissy and Ericka was pitted against some big names like Franco, the well-known Super Band, Momoy Palaboy, Pop Girls and Escabeche, all of whom were also deserving to win the award.

Both girls used song, guitar playing and lyrics to inspire and communicate to a broad market range not limited to a Philippines audience but also in Asia after also releasing their albums in Thailand and Indonesia. Their significant online media presence, which attracts millions of hits (8 million actually!) and smart remarks, justifies that these girls mean business and are well deserving of such a prestigious award.

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New child wonder now Kapamilya

ABS-CBN has a new member in its ever-growing list of Kapamilyas, the latest being a five-year-old Boy Wonder named Owie Boy Gapuz. Only recently, Owie Boy signed up a contract with Star Cinema where he is now part of the movie “Tanging Ina” with Ai Ai de las Alas. The contract-signing was held at the Star Cinema office with Malou Santos, executive director, and Owie’s manager, Ms. Arma.

Owie Boy is also in the cast of another filmfest entry, “Rosario,” where he plays a very important role and is among the young model-endorsers of Natasha. Owie Boy is expected to be given the lead role in an upcoming TV series of ABS-CBN.

At the moment, the new Kapamilya child star has been undergoing acting workshops to further hone his talent and has had guesting stints in some ABS-CBN shows.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 3, go to Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, Mabel Abano, Evelina Ramos-Cavett, Atoy Perez, Eric S. Tagle, US-based singer Amapola, Babylyn Velasco, Pamela Joyce Escobedo, Maria Manna T. Merk and Nikol Xandra Ikolai N. Vicencio…