JIM PAREDES

After 41 years with the APO, Jim Paredes thought it was time to go solo. This was also the consensus of his two other APO members, Danny Javier and Boboy Garovillo who since they disbanded a few years ago, had embarked on their own respective different career paths. Danny has gone into full-time business, while Boboy is now more into acting.

For his part, Jim still wants to continue writing songs (he wrote many of the APO hit songs and some of the country’s well-loved pop songs such as “When I Met You” and “Batang-Bata Ka Pa”) and to sing. In fact he is set to stage his first major solo concert on Oct. 11 – at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila no less.

In his concert entitled “Live, Laugh and Sing,” Jim will have as special guest performers Yeng Constantino, Noel Cabangon, Ebe Dancel and Jett Pangan. They will be accompanied by an orchestra. Musical director is Ernie Baladjay.

The concert will also showcase Jim’s talent at photography. Photos taken by him, as well as some videos especially made for the event, will be shown. As to the concept of his concert, Jim explained: “I want my audience to experience a Jim Paredes that will delight and surprise them.”

“Live, Laugh and Sing” is a production of Mauve Management and Entertainment in cooperation with G-Power Guyabano Juice Concentrate, Air Asia, Maxims, Max’s, No other Bar, Smart Alternative Magazine, VEVE Gravure, Think Green Media, Philippine Star, The Ramp and Bunuan Catering.

Tickets to “Live, Laugh and Sing” may be purchased via Ticketworld at www.ticketworld.com.ph.

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Paula Blanca Wins Two Awards

Paula Blanca has proven that she has what it takes with two awards she received recently: Best New Female Recording Artist, PMPC Star Awards for Music; and Best Female Artist for her carrier single “Napakasakit Naman,” Tambayan 101.9 FM Awards. Right now, Paula is in Las Vegas, a gift from her proud father, Danny Cuneta.

Paula, a magna cum laude graduate of MassComm from St. Scholastica’s College, has five songs in her album, two of them original compositions of Vehnee Saturno: “Napapaluha” and “Napakasakit Naman.”

Paula will stage a concert at Pagcor Theater in Airport Casino Filipino on Nov. 9. Billed as “Rockphilia,” it will benefit those suffering from hemophilia. Presenting the concert is Haplos Foundation.

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Paulo Avelino Releases Album Today

Paulo Avelino has also become a recording artist.

His debut album under Universal Records is scheduled to be launched this afternoon at SM Sky Dome. Paulo is expected to sing the songs in the album, among them his own version of Basil Valdez’s “Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan,” Alamid’s “Your Love,” APO’s “Yakap Sa Dilim,” Boyfriends’ “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal” and “If You Believe.”

He is basically an actor, but Paulo is also blessed with a good singing voice. He admitted during his presscon at Universal Records that he never dreamt of being a recording artist, but he has always wanted to do something else aside from acting, and he is thankful to Universal Records for entrusting him this recording stint. “It is something I’d like to offer my fans as a way of thanking them for their support,” Paulo said.

The album’s single “When She Cries,” and Paulo’s favorite line in the song is “I pray this time, I can be the man that she deserves.”

Paulo has three movie projects under Regal Entertainment, among them “The Bride and the Lover” with Lovi Poe and Jennylyn Mercado under the direction of Joel Lamangan. Last year, Paulo also co-starred with Lovi in Regal’s “Aswang.”

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 7, go to Ma. Victoria Jasmin of DOT, Nelly Campos, Linda Punzalan, Ira Maniquis, Vanessa Valderama, Shoona Teves, Brenda Villasin, Norihide Joseph Ono, Mrs. Po Suan Velasco, Virgie V. Mariano, Engr. Abraham S. Gumatay, Anna Larruccea and former Parañaque Mayor Joey Marquez…