Dionne Warwick

MANILA, Philippines – In store for local music lovers are two exciting nights of beautiful music with the legendary Dionne Warwick who is set to perform at the Araneta Coliseum on Nov. 27 and at Waterfront Cebu on Nov. 28. Arthur Manuntag is her guest performer.

Warwick’s illustrious four-decade career has made her an international musical legend. In the past 52 years, she had made over 100 hits and this cemented her reputation as a hitmaker. More than 30 of her hit songs were written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. A five-time Grammy Award winner, the first in 1968 for “Do You Know The Way To San Jose,” Warwick’s hit singles “Walk On By,” “Alfie” and “Don’t Make Me Over” are in the Grammy Hall of Fame. She is also the first female artist to win Best R&B Vocal and Best Pop Vocal in the same year (1979).

Aside from Bacharach and David, she also had the rare chance to work closely with other musical icons like Clive Davis for his Arista label where she had 14 hits, including “I’ll Never Love This Way Again,” “Deja Vu,” “Heartbreaker” and “That’s What Friends Are For.” Warwick was also the first female artist to popularize classic movie themes such as “A House is Not a Home,” “Alfie,” theme from “The Valley of the Dolls,” and “The April Food.”

In recent years, Dionne’s pioneering efforts were focused on leading the music industry in the fight against AIDS. Her Grammy-winning and chart topping single “That’s What Friends Are For,” led the way by raising millions of dollars for AIDS research.

Throughout the world, she devoted countless hours to a wide range of humanitarian causes, serving as the US Ambassador for Health as early as the 1980s.

Presented by Ovation Productions, “An Evening with Dionne Warwick” is sponsored by The Rockwell Club, ETC, 2nd Avenue, Diva Universal, Jact TV, RJ100, Edsa Shangri-La, Mercedes Benz, Philippine Star, Business World, 103.5 Wow!, Mellow 94.7, Magic 89.9, Home Radio 97.9, 99.5 RT, Monster Radio RX 93, DWBR 104.3, Crossover 105.1 and Optima.

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‘Tangoxposed’ – Asian tango event in Manila

Manila took center stage this week from Nov. 4 to 7 as “tangueros” and “tangueras” from around Asia gathered for the much-awaited Argentine Tango event, “Tangoxposed.”

Tango experts and aficionados from Singapore, Bali, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Bangkok, Hong Kong and of course, Manila and Davao gathered for the four-day celebration of the Tango through workshops, performances, private coaching, an art exhibition and a mini tango championship.

“Tangoxposed” was held at the Eugenio Lopez Center on Sumulong Highway in Antipolo City.

Every year, “Tangoxposed” features top names in the world of Argentine Tango. Those who have graced this prestigious event are distinguished Tango experts Roberto Herrera and Tamara Bisceglia (Singapore 2006); Roberto Reis and Margarita Klurfan (Jakarta 2007).

The Gala Performance last night featured two of the world’s best Tango dancers – Lorena Ermocida and Fabian Peralta. Described as a “star among the stars,” Ermocida is known for her precision, elegance and emotion in dance; and highly-respected for her over 10 years of dance experience with the late Tango luminary, Osvaldo Zotto.

On the other hand, Peralta is champion of the prestigious Campeonato Mundial de baile de Tango (Tango Dance World Championship) in Buenos Aires, the birthplace of Tango.

“Tangoxposed” was brought to Manila by Tango Oriental in cooperation with the Manila Tango Club. Supported by: Tatler Indonesia, Four Seasons - Jakarta , Casa Artista - Bali, Bali Soap. Jamu Spa - Bali, Azzucar Singapore, Sarinande - Bali, Made’s Warung - Bali, Jenggala Ceramics - Bali, Bubu Resort/Restaurant - Malaysia, Ku DE TA - Bali and Phoenix - Jakarta.

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NMG elevated to Hall of Fame

Rep. Gina de Venecia of the 4th District of Pangasinan has added another feather to her already colorful cap when her radio soap series “Nagmamahal, Manay Gina” (NMG) was elevated recently to the Hall of Fame by the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) for being the Best Radio Drama for the year 2003, 2004, 2008, and 2009. Aired for the past seven years on GMA-7’s DZBB, the daily anthology hosted by the lady solon, celebrated the triumphs of common folks, particularly victims of abuse.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 7, go to Gen. Ernesto Mata, Annabel Santiago, Alice Bernal, Mrs. Choleng Hipolito, Coke Nicolas, Aida Fandalian, Roberto Castro, Erwin S. Tagle, Rommel S. Gumatay, Vallirie Galvez, Chaze Sanculi, Dennis Odesma, Maricar de Mesa, Mickie Joy Hyatt of Star Magic, Aaron Domingo of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications and Mrs. Carol Matsuda of Networld Hotel... Zest Air supported the 1st Diether Ocampo Cup: Putt for Education Gold Invitational held recently at the Tagaytay Midlands Course. This was organized by Diether Ocampo, Anthony Suntay with Peach Mascarinas and Rima Ostwani along with Jay Ortega and his staff. The tournament was a fundraisier for the education program for Diether’s K.I.D.S.Foundation, Inc.Called “Asia’s Freshest Airline,” Zest Air heeded the call to support this very worthy effort. The airline flies to Boracay, Bacolod, Bohol, Calbayod, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Legaspi, Masbate, Mindoro, etc.