Per Sorensen

 MANILA, Philippines – The famed New Wave band from Norway called Fra Lippo Lippi (FLL) led by Per Sorensen, lead singer and songwriter, is coming over to Manila for a series of pre-Valentine concerts starting on Feb. 10 at the Ormoc Astrodome. Presenting the FLL series of shows is Steve O’Neal Productions with Hyatt Hotel & Casino, PCSO, Mossimo Music, Hard Rock Cafe, Business Mirror, Airspeed International Corp.; Coffee Republic, Albergus, IFM, Jack TV, ETC, 2nd Avenue, Solar Sports and RJ 100.FM as major sponsors.

After Ormoc, FLL will be at Tacloban Coliseum (Feb. 11), University of Baguio (Feb. 12), Hyatt Hotel Ballroom (Feb. 13) and NBC Tent at The Fort (Feb. 14). Several years ago, FLL was invited to perform in the Philippines where the song “Later” was recorded and enjoyed massive and successful airplay in the some local radio stations. “The Virgin Years – Greatest Hits” was also released by OctoArts in the Philippines.

FLL was founded in 1980 in Nosedden, Norway by Rune Kristoffersen (bassist), Morten Sjoberg (drummer) and Bjorn Sorknes (keyboardist), who were previously known as Genetic Control. In 1981, Sorknes left as the band was writing songs for their debut album. Kristoffersen and Sjoberg recorded “In Silence” under Uniton Records. A year later, Per Oystein Sorensen joined them as the band’s lead vocalist for their second album “Small Mercies.”

Later, only Kristoffersen and Sorensen were left to record “Songs” which received positive reviews and which sold 5,000 copies even without promotion. A few months later, the band signed up with Virgin Records. “Songs” was re-recorded and remixed for the international market in 1986. Their album included “Everytime I See You,” which was a big hit. The following year, the band released their follow-up album “Light and Shade” in Los Angeles, California. But shortly after the release of the album, the band was dropped by Virgin Records.

“The Best of Fra Lippo Lippi 85-95” carried tracks originally from “Songs,” “Light and Shade” and “The Colour Album.” Two years later, another compilation was released in the Philippines, “The Virgin Years – Greatest Hits” which featured tracks directly licensed from Virgin Records.

Kristoffersen retired from the band in 2002 to concentrate on his own record label called Rune Grammofon which recorded “In a Brilliant White,” released in the Philippines by EMI.

• • •

Edgar Alan Guzman, breakthrough performer

He is best remembered as the last Mr. Pogi grand winner and now the energetic performer Edgar Alan Guzman has come a long way. After winning the title, Edgar starred in various drama projects where he proved his mettle in acting. He has starred opposite Robin Padilla, Dennis Trillo, Sid Lucero and other actors and even got the critics’ nod for his performance in the indie film “Astig” which brought him from the Cinemalaya stage all the way to the Pusan International Film Festival in Korea and the Osaka Asian Film Festival in Japan.

This year, Edgar has been conquering new ground – he is now seen regularly in TV5’s “Party on 5” and very soon, he will be part of the comedy mini-series “Lady Dada” with Ryan Agoncillo. He had a significant guest role in “Habang May Buhay” which starred Judy Ann Santos.

In the music front, Edgar has released his own acoustic album, “Love Drive,” and his “YM (Young Men)” album which spawned a hit song, “Mas Mahal na Kita Ngayon.” The song was nominated as Best Novelty Recording in the recent Awit Awards.

Recently, Edgar faced a new challenge – he starred in a difficult two-character film “Magdamag” opposite Rita Avila.

This year, he will headline a Cinemalaya entry based on the bestselling novel “Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me.”

Edgar is also a member of a new group called Sakto. Watch out for this group.

• • •

Kapulungan ng Diyos at Concert at the Park

A musical production of Teatro Mensaheros entitled “Kapulungan ng Mga Diyos” will open Concert at the Park 2011. Written and directed by Jose Jeffrey Camanag, it will be hosted by Ms. Minette Padilla.

“Kapulungan ng Mga Diyos” aims to open the eyes of its audience to the greatness of the four classic books - “Ibong Adarna,” “Florante at Laura,” “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo.”

Concert at the Park is a regular weekly public service project of the Department of Tourism under Sec. Alberto Lim, the National Parks Development Committee, under Executive Director Juliet H. Villegas, and the National Broadcasting Network, in partnership with Teatro Mensaheros, Inc.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Jan. 2, go to civic leader Lina Aurelio, composer Nonoy Gallardo, actor-columnist Ogie Diaz, Precy Mathay, Mayor Eddie Dimacuha, former actress-producer Laila Dee, Dotsie T. Vinuya, Cesar Roxas of UK, Michelle Sacay, Ricky Gargantiel, Gil Manimbo, Mrs. Marcelina Venzon Tiu, Christy Bagatsing, Nela Sebastian, Roberto Reyes, Benadette Johnson, Nelly Cabral, Alice Samaniego, Grant L.C. Brooke, Jesus Jacinto, Ofelia Balaos, and Wowie Roxas... Mendez clinic head Dr. Joel Mendez continues to branch out supporting upcoming artists with the exhibit “Mother and Child” ongoing until today, Jan. 2 at Big and Small Art Gallery, Megamall, Mandaluyong. He told the press he will soon put up a show of paintings featuring celebrities like Ara Mina as subjects...