The third week winner of the newest and breakthrough singing star search “Born Diva” of ABS-CBN is 23-year-old Rochelle “Raki” Vega who hails from Mandaue, Cebu. Like most who succeed in the field of singing, Raki started dreaming to be a singing star at a very early age. In fact, she started singing at age 3 and before she got into her teens, she has become a veteran of many amateur singing contests in Cebu.
Raki’s humble beginnings did not deter her from pursuing her dream to be a singer. In fact, it was her love of music that led her to a career of teaching. She said she found utmost fulfillment in teaching music to kids who, like her before, are budding singers. In Cebu, she is also active in church activities (“I’m a Marian devotee,” she said) and worked for an advocacy group for human rights and environment and against corruption.
Aside from teaching music, Raki was also a call center trainer in Cebu, but she had to give up her job now that she’s here in Manila, trying to find her place in the music world. Raki related that someone told her to audition for “Born Diva” and luckily she got in.
So what did the cosmetic surgeon change in her? “My eyes, po, ginawang deep-set, and my nose, pinatangos nang kunti,” she said candidly. Asked what her family and boyfriend had to say about it, Raki said “they’re very supportive and happy for me. They know that it’s been my long-time dream to be a singer and now is my chance to prove myself. I was born with a talent and I have to use it and share it with people.”
Raki idolizes Barbra Streisand, Celine Dion, Lani Misalucha, Anna Fegi, and Lea Salonga of course.
Her boyfriend, Jon Siu, is a classical guitarist in Cebu and both of them are members of the Guitar Foundation of the Philippines, Inc. A software engineer, Jon works with the National Cash Registers USA. They plan to get married someday, “pinag-iipunan pa namin,” she said.
We asked what she learned from the “Born Diva” contest and Raki said “I gained a lot of friends, I developed a closer and more meaningful relationship with the Lord, and I learned to appreciate myself more...”
Raki stressed that she is happy for what is happening to her now and she looks forward to the finals in November and their forthcoming recording under Star Records. The album will feature original songs by Trina Belamide.
Incidentally, Raki has been to Taiwan twice, the latest of which was to compete in the 2003 Venerable Master Hsing Yun’s Verse and Poetry International Songwriting Competition where their team won the Grand Prize for People’s Choice Award for the song “We Are One;” and for Best Interpreter/Vocal Rendition.
The song “We are One” made it to the Final 10 out of thousand of entries, Raki said.
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R&B artist Jay-R’s first major concert set tonight
Today, Sept. 25, Siegquel Production headed by Raquel Okada, in cooperation with J&G Entertainment will present Jay-R, the “Prince of R&B” and 2004 Aliw Awards Most Promising Male Performer in his first major concert billed “Gameface Reload!!!” This will be held at the Folk Arts Theater no less and the production people request everyone not to be late because at the opening, Jay-R will be doing a big surprise number.
If you’re wondering what will it be, just read from what Jay-R has said: “I told you that what I did sa Bench’s ‘Understatement’ fashion show was nothing. Here in ‘Gameface Reload’ expect the most unexpected of me. Marami akong gagawin dito na never ko pang ginawa sa concert stage.”
Ms. Okada did not think twice to produce Jay-R’s concert after she watched him perform at the Music Museum. She believes Jay-R is ready for the bigtime and she decided the Folk Arts Theater is the ideal venue for Jay-R’s solo concert. To add excitement, Ms. Okada will also be giving away four units of 7610 cellular phones to lucky patrons after the show.
Guesting in “Unang Hirit” a few days ago, Jay-R said he’s so excited of this concert, “especially so because I have special guests, Ms. Regine Velasquez, Ai Ai de las Alas, Kyla, Sandara Park. And Pretty Trizsa and Anton Diva as front acts.” Louie Ignacio is director of the show.
Jay-R added that they prepared special and exciting production number for “Gameface Reload. “Talagang pinaghirapan namin ang mga ito,” he said. “It will be a lot of fun, that I can promise.”
Following his super hit song “Bakit pa Ba?,” Jay-R captured our hearts once again with his second single “Kung Mahal Mo Siya” under Universal Records. It has consistently stayed at the top of the industry’s music charts for quite a time already.
Sponsors to the show are Uniliver, PCSO, Philippine Airlines, Q Club London, Arkdia, Universal Records and Bench. Media sponsors are ABS–CBN and GMA–7, 90.7 Love Radio, 93.9 i–FM, 101.1 Yes! FM, Star FM (Bombo) WRR 101.9 For Life and DZMM 630.
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Weekend concert series at Bodega starts tonight
The Sonny Parsons weekend concert series dubbed as “Music Then and Now” will start tonight, Sept. 25, at Bodega City along Quezon Ave. in Quezon City.
Launched with so much hope and expectation, the weekly concert series is a daunting challenge to the capacity of its marketing arm to bring in the crowd, much more, make the show last.
For the performing group of “Music Then and Now” identified with Hagibis is certain not to run out of talents and mischief on stage to keep the audience awake and laughing.
But, a concert series that will show for months will need extensive ticket line selling backed up with all-out publicity.
Indeed, this project will need a network with ticket outlets all over Metro Manila, as it will strain to the fullest the line-selling organizational mettle of Sonny Parsons and company and Bodega City.
Although Sonny Parsons promised a turn-out of Hagibis fans who never tire of the mischiefs woven in their chauvinist songs, in the end, the heart string that will reach out farthest is nostalgia, and the irresistible urge to feel for the last time the objects of warm memories of those days that were.
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Marvin earns best actor nominations
Marvin Agustin earned two best actor nominations for his compelling true-to-life portrayal of boxers Rolando Navarette in ABS-CBN’s drama anthology, “Maalaala Mo Kaya” in the episode, “Boxing Gloves.” Marvin’s citations came from the Star Awards for Television of the Philippine Movie and Press Club to be given out of Oct. 23 and the Golden Screen Awards of the Entertainment Press to be handed today, Sept. 25.
Marvin cannot be any happier with the acting nominations he received. “That was a very memorable portrayal I did of Navarette’s life story,” Marvin said. “The nominations are enough to inspire me to do better in my craft.”
Marvin remains busy with his showbiz commitments. After making a mark in last year’s “Malikmata,” he is now filming “Spirit of the Glass,” with Dingdong Dantes, Paolo Contis, Ciara Sotto, Rica Peralejo and Alessandra de Rossi, under OctoArts Filmbs and directed by Joey Reyes. The movie is intended for the Metro Manila Film Festival this December.
Marvin will also start work on “Dark Room,” a movie which he will bankroll under his own independent outfit Martian Productions. It will start principal photography next month for release early next year.
Marvin, however, likes to maintain his versatility as a performer. On TV, he also displays his comic skills in ABS-CBN’s Sunday night sitcom, “Tanging Ina,” where he plays the eldest kid of Ai Ai de las Alas.
Moreover, Marvin hosts ABS-CBN’s weekly entertainment show, “EK Channel,” which airs on Saturdays at 2:30 p.m.
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Sept. 25, go to Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., Bobby Velasco of Cafe de Malate, Rey Bautista of Tito Rey’s Restaurant, Carla Martinez, Dino Guevara, Salvador Bigay, Sandra Garcia, Guia Castillo, Tess Lapuz-Lardizabal, Jimmy Vicente, Jun Nardo, Cory Elizabeth Endozo, Aldin B. Pastrano and Edwin Galvez, PR and marketing communications consultant...Happy wedding anniversary to Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Pilapil...
