Catherine Loria

MANILA, Philippines -- Young singer Catherine Loria is hoping to join the mainstream music scene.

She won WCOPA Junior World Champion when she was just 13. Catherine has appeared in various concerts here and abroad together with Sam Concepcion, Jed Madela, Vehnee Saturno, Ladine Roxas, Marissa Sanchez, Mau Marcelo, Mommy Dionisia Pacquiao, Cesar Montano, RJ Rosales and recently with Vice Ganda in Singapore.

She just had a successful two-night solo concert at the Singapore’s Esplanade Outdoor Theater for YFEST (Singapore’s Youth Festival) and appeared in various Filipino Community programs. Her single “One Heart One Body One Soul” has been released in Singapore. The song, composed by her manager and mentor Mart Ilagan, won 2nd runner-up at the Singapore’s YOG theme song competition. The single was produced by the National Youth Council for the YOG awareness in Singapore.

At 15, Catherine continues to chase her dreams and looks forward for more chances of showcasing her God-given talent. She has been nominated as the Best New Artist in last year’s 23rd Aliw Awards and this year, she has been pre-selected by the organizer of VIII International Music & Art Festival at STRUGA in Macedonia to represent the Philippines. The competition will be participated in by 18 countries. It will be a one-week contest starting on Aug. 5 and will culminate on Aug. 15. Catherine will be singing one Philippine folk song and one pop song.

Beliebers converge  SM MOA Concert Grounds

Filipino Beliebers will gather at SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds today, May 10, 8 p.m. to see their idol Justin Bieber as part of his “My World Tour” stretch. This event, with Poroetics as guest, is icing on the cake for Bieber albums’ massive success and outstanding sales achievement.

From his very first album (“My World”) down to his recent “My Worlds-The Collection” and “Never Say Never- The Remixes,” Bieber has proven to be an anthology of constant breakthrough hits and colossal following, garnering a record-high seven times platinum award for the combined sales of “My World,” “My World 2.0,” “My Worlds,” “My Worlds The Collection” and “Never Say Never.”

Meanwhile, Bieber fanatics already stormed the Music Hall of SM MOA and celebrated anything and everything about the young superstar last May 6. Odyssey Music & Video organized a full day of fun activities, prizes and surprises, putting at stake VIP access passes, premium concert tickets and exclusive Bieber merchandise. The event showcased performances from local acts Sabrina, Suy, Krissy & Ericka, 1:43, Gracenote, the Lamars, among others. The fans’ day was supported by SkinWhite, Smart Communications, Candies, SM Mall of Asia, FOX, Star World, Fantasy Kiosk and MCA Music.

Smart subscribers who will be at the concert grounds during the event may send their photos via MMS. On the MMS composer, they simply have to type BIEBER <name>/<message>, attach the photo and send to 2948.

The MMS photos that will be sent by the subscribers will be displayed in the official Smart Facebook Fan Page through LiveShare provided by Cooliris. LiveShare is a mobile and web application that allows users to create their own photo stream for any occasion, invite friends to share photos to their stream and watch everyone's photos flow in live.

For more information and to view the LiveShare photostream, “like” the official Smart Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SmartCommunications.

Geneva Cruz bares all in new PETA ad

Aside from renewing her endorsement contract with Bioessence, the latest about Geneva Cruz is posing in her birthday suit in the new PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) ad. It was a bold action on her part, but the singer-actress did it to champion Vegan Diet for the benefit of Animals, human health and the environment.

The ad has Geneva, who is a longtime vegan, posing naked in a vegetable garden while clutching an armful of tomatoes, and the caption reads “Go Natural. Go Vegan.” The ad was launched just after Geneva’s birthday last April 2.

Many may not know it but Geneva was only 15 years old when she decided to stop eating meat. Now, a staunch vegan, she says “For me, being vegan is not about the diet. It’s really about my love for all creatures.Animals who are raised and killed for food endure immeasurable cruelty and are denied everything that is natural and important to them...”

She adds: “In addition to saving countless animals every year, the health benefits of a vegan diet are countless, whereas the consumption of animal-deprived foods has been linked not to only heart disease and cancer but also multiple sclerosis and osteoporosis.”

Joel Cruz tenders thanksgiving dinner

Joel Cruz tendered recently a thanksgiving dinner for the press at his well-appointed condo unit along Roxas Blvd. It is recalled that Joel, president and CEO of Central Affirmative Inc., presented recently a spectacular show called “1@11” that launched Gary Valenciano and Charice and Xyriel “Momay” Manabat as new endorsers of Aficionado Germany Perfume, joining Erich Gonzales and Jason Abalos. The dinner was a token of gratitude for the entertainment press for the immense success of “1@11.”

The show also re-launched John Lloyd Cruz, along with Pauleen Luna, Ronnie Liang, Ejay Falcon and child star Bugoy Cariño, as endorser of Joel Cruz Signatures. Also featuring a fashion show with top models directed by Robby Carmona and Roxanne Lapus, “1@11” drew about 85,000 people at the SM Mall of Asia.

Joel’s products are also now available in many countries like the US, Middle East, China, Japan, Europe, and soon in ASEAN member countries like Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, May 10, go to Edwina Beech, Marilyn Cabarrus, Ms. Chit Salud, successful businesswoman and entertainment columnist Aster Amoyo, Mrs. Flo Owen, Mira Sto. Tomas, Florencia “Poyeeng” Mauricio, Dr. Fernando G. Cabral, Chi-Chi F. Robles, Ms. Pempe Rodrigo, Edwin Lagadi of Las Vegas, Nevada, entertainment columnist Jun Lalin, and the country’s current pride in the field of music, Charice Pempengco…