Paramore is composed of (from left) Jeremy Davis (bass guitar), Hayley Williams (lead vocals) and Taylor York (rhythm guitar)

Paramore, the renowned rock band that popularized the hit songs “Crushcrushcrush,” “The Only Exception,” “Misery Business,” “Monster” and “Decode is set to rock the local music scene anew when it returns for a concert on Feb. 15 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Dubbed “The Return Of Paramore Live!” the one-night musical presentation from Ovation Productions is part of the Asian leg of the American rock group’s current world tour that also has stops in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur before going on a six-date, five-city tour of Australia that will cover Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

Featured as special guest is mewithoutYou, another rock band which is behind the albums, “Catch For Us The Foxes,” “Brother, Sister,” “It’s All Crazy! It’s All False! It’s All A Dream! It’s Alright!” and “Ten Stories,” among many others.

Paramore invaded the local concert and music scene more than two years ago with its “Brand New Eyes Tour” debut at the Mall of Asia open grounds on March 9, 2010 that drew more than 19,000 fans in what was dubbed as “one of the coolest and biggest rock concerts” that year.

Formed in 2004 by Josh Farro (lead guitar/backing vocals), Zac Farro (drums), Jeremy Davis (bass guitar) and Hayley Williams (lead vocals), plus Jason Bynum (rhythm guitar) later, the band instantly made its mark in the music scene with its 2005 debut album, “All We Know Is Falling,” which reached No. 30 on the Billboard’s Heatseekers chart.

Paramore was named as “Best New Band” that year and Hayley Williams as No. 2 “Sexiest Female” by readers of the British magazine Kerrang! In 2007, it was voted by the British magazineNME as one of the bands to watch in its “New Noise 2007” feature.

Paramore’s song “Decode” was the lead single for the novel-based film, “Twilight,” while another single, “I Caught Myself,” was also featured on the movie’s soundtrack.

Despite the departure in 2011 of founding members, brothers Josh and Zac Farro, the band under the present line of Hayley Williams, Jeremy Davis and Taylor York continues to retain and keep alive the signature Paramore sound.

(“The Return of Paramore Live!” is produced by Ovation Productions and brought to you by Etc, 2nd Avenue, Diva Universal, Jack TV, Discovery Channel, History Channel, and MMI with media partners Manila Bulletin, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Mellow 94.7, 97.9 Home Radio and OptimaSignsolutions. Tickets are available at all SM Tickets outlets. For ticket inquiries and reservations visit www.smtickets.net to buy tickets online.).

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Things Many Don’t Know About Risa

She may have become a household name on account of her various advocacies and the fact that she is a congresswoman (Akbayan party-list representative) who almost became a senator in the last elections, but there are a lot more that people don’t know about Risa Hontiveros.

For one, the fashionable solon can carry a tune and in fact, she once performed with topnotch singers like Lea Salonga and Monique Wilson in a local production of the well-loved musical “The Sound of Music.” So, when she goes on the campaign trail soon (she is one of the senatorial candidates under the Liberal Party’s Pnoy Team) she can do her own song-and-dance routines unlike other candidates who hire showbiz celebrities to attract the crowd for them.

Risa, by the way, is also a broadcast journalist, becoming one while she was still an undergraduate at the Ateneo de Manila (she graduated with an AB Social Sciences degree, and Cum Laude at that). She worked with GMA-7 and in 1994, she was even awarded the Golden Dove for Best Female Newscaster by the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP).

Even before she entered the political arena, Risa has already identified herself with the poor and marginalized sectors and fought for their rights and welfare as an activist and street parliamentarian. She consistently supported the peace process, people’s empowerment and women’s rights and welfare. She took part in various protest actions against wrongdoings and corruption in government, something she will vows to relentlessly pursue if elected senator because she strongly believes in the “matuwid na daan of President Aquino.”

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PNoy Leads Bulong Pulungan Awardees

Bulong Pulungan, a weekly luncheon media forum composed of editors-in-chief, section editors, columnists and veteran journalists held every Tuesday at Sofitel Philippine Plaza, awarded President Noy Aquino its “People’s Choice Award.” Other awardees were Pagcor’s Bong Naguiat for “Exemplary Award in Corporate Government;”DPW Sec. Babes Singson for “Exemplary Award in Public Service” and Consul General Robert Lim Joseph for “Exemplary Award in Travel and Tourism.” The awarding coincided with the recent Christmas party of the group.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 6, go to Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Mayor Amy Sison Navarro of Santiago City; Ms. Daisy Romualdez, Eddie Gutierrez, Pining Espina, Edward Chan, Marissa Dela Cruz, Lilia de Vera, Beth Lim, Rosario N. Clarino, Michael Luga, and broadcast journalist Aljo Bendigo… Happy wedding anniversary to Jeffrey and Wella Chan…