MANILA, Philippines -- Filipino-German recording artist Michael Young shoots for international audience, what with four CDs that he is set to release abroad within the year. The first CD called “Michael Young, Scenes from My Life” contains classical piano pieces. The second is a recording of Filipino songs with a small string chamber orchestra providing accompaniment.

These two CDs will be distributed in Norway, Japan, Germany and the United States under Arena Records of Norway. The third album, intended for the club scene, will comprise of original saxophone melodies and DJ improvisation mixes. The fourth CD features a jazz/pop quarter dishing out some originals.

The sax genius is currently promoting Beverly Hills 6750. Michael goes to the clinic for Facial Dermabrasion, which exfoliates the skin’s top layer, cleanses pores and revitalizes the skin’s appearance; Facial Hydroxygen Treatment which rehydrates skin; and Oxygen Facial, which helps him achieve healthier, radiant and young-looking skin.

By the way, BH6750, a multi-specialty aesthetic institute, is set to open a branch in Timog Ave., Quezon City very soon.

Born to a German father and a Filipino mother, Michael began studying the piano with his grandmother at age 5. At 16, he made his Carnegie Hall debut and was a student at the Interlochen Center for the Arts before pursuing a B.M. in Saxophone at the University of Michigan with Donald Sinta; and Solfege studies with Marianne Ploger. He then moved to Los Angeles, California where he took up further studies while modeling and acting on the side.

While Michael lists Bruce Lee and Tom Cruise as his favorite actors, singers and musical artists he admires include Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Bjork, Sting, Glenn Gould, John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Herbie Hancock, John Legend, Miles Daves, Iggy Pop, Louis Amstrong and Fats Waller.

Michael moved to the Philippines in 2006 after earning his Doctor of Musical Arts in Saxophone. With his talent and good looks, it was easy for Michael to score assignments. His first showbiz assignment was in acting playing the boyfriend of Claudine Barretto in “Walang Kapalit,” which also starred Piolo Pascual.

Michael has done several TV commercials and is the face behind P. Mauriat saxophones of Taiwan.

Passionate about sharing his gift of music, Michael is also a professor of saxophone at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, the University of Sto. Tomas and St. Paul University Manila.

Anne Curtis, on top of her game

Another talent who is definitely on top of her game is award-winning actress Anne Curtis. She has been in showbiz for 14 years (with Viva management the whole time) and she has always been busy with TV, movie projects and product endorsements.

As a movie star, Anne has just scored another box-office hit (after “In Your Eyes”) with “Who’s That Girl?” opposite her celebrity best friend Luis Manzano. The triumph, a reflection of her ability to do both comedy and drama equally well, poses Anne to do more movies with Viva where she recently renewed her contract.

This ABS-CBN star is hosting daily the ground-breaking “Showtime” where the public sees her in her amusingly real Kikay mode. Later in the day, televiewers glue themselves to their sets watching her on the much-followed “Green Rose.” She likewise regularly appears every Sunday afternoon co-hosting Channel 2’s long-running variety show “ASAP Rocks.”

Anne’s numerous projects proves her viability as a trusted celebrity. Her current endorsements include Olay, Palmolive, Whisper, Greenwich, My Phone, F&H Perfume, Swatch, Belo Laser Hair Removal, Magnolia LifeDrink, GSM Blue, SMDC, Natasha and L’Oreal.

Anne is now going to sing too as she is bent on recording her debut album after training under vocal coach Moy Ortiz of the vocal ensemble The Company. A concert to promote her music after its release is also in the works.

“I’m very happy with all the blessings and very grateful to Viva Artist Agency (VAA) for taking care of my career,” says Anne. With all her achievements, there’s a long way to go for Anne. Probably another 14 more years of success, or even more.