Tenor Sal Malaki

MANILA, Philippines — Filipino-American operatic tenor Sal Malaki, who has made the country proud with his achievements abroad, comes home for a series of performances.

A graduate of UP College of Music with degrees in Flute and Voice, Sal is a veteran of the Los Angeles Opera Company, the 4th largest opera house in the US under the general direction of “Maestro” Placido Domingo. Sal holds the distinction of being the only Filipino member of the group.

Before he joined the LA Opera Company in 1995, Sal was a faculty of the UP College of Music and St. Scholastica’s College and a member of the UP Madrigal Singers.

Among the highlights of his career are a Grammy Award for the LA Opera production of Kurt Weill’s “The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahogany,” a live DVD recording carried by Euro Arts. Sal was also this year’s tenor solo of Verdi’s “Requiem” staged at the Claremont College in Pomona, California.

“In Christmas Showers of Grace” with soprano Tricia Amper-Jimenez, Sal performs with a six-piece string ensemble. The concert series kicks off at the Cebu International Convention Center on Dec. 2. Other shows are scheduled on Dec. 4 at Bohol Cultural Center and on Dec. 11 at Star Theater, CCP Complex.

Produced by Spring Rain Global Consultancy, Inc. and handled by Hype Worx Events Management, the concert series is for the benefit of the Oblate Sisters of the Most Holy Redeemer.

Solon believes in showbiz impact

Rep. Jack Enrile, son of Senate Pres. Juan Ponce Enrile and former Ambassador to the Vatican Cristina Castaner-Ponce Enrile of the 1st District of Cagayan, works hard to help his constituents improve their standard of living. But it isn’t enough that he helps them recover from their losses (especially after the onslaught of typhoons).

“It also makes me feel good to see them happy. I believe in showbiz too. Nakakatuwa talaga tayong mga Pinoy. Most of my friends, when they read newspapers, lagi nilang binubuksan ang entertainment page muna bago nila basahin ang ulo ng mga balita. Grabe ang impact ng showbiz sa tao,” he said.

Rep. Enrile has tied-up with TV host and entertainment columnist and producer Jobert Sucaldito’s Front Desk Production for concerts and variety shows especially for the people of Cagayan.

He is married to former Cagayan Province Rep. Sally Santiago with whom he has two kids: Sara, 18, and Samuel, 10. He also has two children from a previous relationship: Kriska, 32, and Ina, 30. He now has a grandson, Matteo, 10.

Muzikademy 2011set at Fontana

This year, the “2nd Muzikademy Song Writing Competition and Music Camp” under the auspices of Janice Hung Arts and Sports Foundation (JHAS) will be held at Fontana Hot Spring Leisure Parks on Nov. 25-26. Co-presenters of the two-day music camp are Fontana Parks and Jimei Group.

At Muzikademy, music educators, artists interact with the youth, Hung said.

This two-day music camp will culminate with a concert on Nov. 26 at 7 p.m. at the Fontana Concert Plaza where the scholars would be performing with Mcoy Fundales, Tricia Garcia, Nyoy Volante, Elaver and Chinoy Republic Band.

The music camp is open to all unsigned solo, duo and trio artist or bands with maximum of five members, 15-28 years old. For details, e-mail muzikademy@yahoo.com.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 24, go to Mayor Damian G. Mercado of Maasin City, talent manager Becky Aguila, Baby Tan, Mrs. Alice Sandejas, Christopher Arredondo, Eleanor Macapagal, former actress Jolynne, Marites Uy, Joey Antonio, Heherson B. Bala, Manolita Morales, Cecille Fields-Pili, Gerard Reyes, Mark Jacob, Consolacion Escalona Castro, Rowena Mendoza and Chicago-based playwright Abel Molina… Happy wedding anniversary to Orly and Cel Alinas… Siblings Josie C. Guerrero, Erjean Cadiente, Nelson Cadiente and Junior Cadiente came home recently to bury their mother Josefa B. Cadiente. The Cadiente siblings, originally from Santa, Ilocos Sur, are now residents of Alaska, Colorado, and Las Vegas USA...