After one-year in the business, Rachelle Ann Go can’t believe how lucky she’s been.
"Sobrang suwerte ko. I feel so blessed," says the "Search For A Star" champion, who has gone on to even greater success as a recording and concert star. Her self-titled debut album has been certified platinum and has already spawned three hit singles, among them her version of "Don’t Cry Out Loud," which has since become her signature song. The other hit singles are a revival of South Border’s "Love of My Life" and "You and Me (We Wanted It All)," a duet with Christian Bautista.
Up to now, Rachelle Ann says she’ll never forget the day—March 13, 2004—when her name was called as the winner. She was so nervous that her hands were frozen stiff. "Yung mga kamay ko, namamanhid!" she exclaims. "Sa sobrang nerbyos ko nga, n’ung tinawag yung pangalan ko, parang di pa ako sure na ako talaga ‘yon."
If she was unsure then, now is a different story. With her huge fans following and all the blessings that have come her way—including a regular stint on "ASAP Mania" and the honor of representing the country at the Seventh Shanghai Song Festival where she won a silver medal—there can be no doubt that Rachelle Ann has earned her place in the industry.
Because of her success, Rachelle Ann has been dubbed the "Ultimate Champion," a title that she says is "very flattering." While the idea of a ‘title’ makes her a bit nervous, she welcomes it, because it puts pressure on her to do her best everytime she’s onstage. "To me, that’s what makes a singer an ‘ultimate champion’ kapag every performance mo, binibigay mo ang best mo," she says.
Incidentally, "Ultimate Champion" is also the title of Rachelle Ann’s first major solo concert at the Aliw Theater on April 29. The concert, which will be directed by GB Sampedro with Archie Castillo as musical director, will feature Rachelle Ann with her special guests Christian Bautista, Mark Bautista, JayR and singer-songwriter Ogie Alcasid.
This early, Rachelle Ann is already looking forward to the concert. She’s been excitedly contributing ideas, and doing her part to make sure that her voice is in tiptop shape. She’s been seeing a doctor at St. Luke’s, who suggested that she start by vocalizing as soon as she wakes up in the morning. "Pag-gising daw kasi, ang boses, galing sa pahinga, kaya dapat, i-warm up muna," she says.
Among the numbers she’ll be singing will be a Mariah Carey medley. Rachelle Ann also intends to surprise her audience by doing things you don’t normally see her do onstage, like dance and play the drums. "They will see all sides of me," she says with a smile.
This makes "Ultimate Champion" one of the most-awaited debuts in the local concert scene this year. "Ultimate Champion" is a production of Viva Concerts. For ticket reservations, call 687-1125 or 687-7794.
* * *
Eventful two years for Mark Bautista
From the pigeonhole:
It has been exactly two years ago since Mark Bautista competed in the "Search for a Star" contest on television. He lost out to Sarah Geronimo but he still turned ou to be one of the most successful losers in history.
Since March, 2003, Mark has recorded his first solo album, played the male lead in the soap series "Teen Princess Sarah," became a regular in the Sunday variety show "ASAP," joined other successful singing contest discoveries in the "Night of the Champions" concert series around the Philippines and abroad became one of Jollibees top endorsers and played the title role in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Lastikman."
It has indeed been a very good two years. "Hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala," says Mark, "para bang lahat ng pangarap ko natupad agad." Although he was taking up architecture in college Mark had always wanted to be a singer and was already trying his luck in various contests whenever possible. It was however when his father got sick that singing and what he can earn took on added importance.
"I had to stop studying because we couldn’t afford it anymore. I wanted to help my parents by singing." Mark landed in the second tryouts of "Star for a Night" held in Zamboanga and was asked to come to Manila for the semi–finals. His family could not afford the fare but a friendly ship captain agreed to take him in a cargo boat. "Mahirap ang biyahe," he recalls, "pero I was really thankful because nakarating ako sa Manila."
Mark made it to the finals singing "Ngayon at Kailanman" and the rest as they say, is history. At present he is one of the hosts of the TV show "Search for a Star in a Million" on ABS–CBN where he is now doing the searching. He left last March 24 for a two- week stint in Japan with Sarah.
Come April, Mark, who enjoys traveling, and the other champions will embark on a tour of major cities in the United States to be followed by shows in the Middle East. He is set to begin work o n his second album and is one of the guests in "Search for a Star" winner Rachelle Ann Go’s first solo concert which will be held at the Aliw Theater on April 29.
With his success, Mark is very happy that he has been allowed to help his family through the hard times. Now that his parents ware comfortable, he is starting to look after himself. For a start, he recently bought his very own townhouse.
"I am very thankful talaga sa lahat ng tumutulong sa akin," he says in the self-effacing manner he is now known for. "Laki nang pasalamat ko sa Viva, sa ABS–CBN, sa mga kasama ko saka sa mga fans na tumanggap sa akin at hanggang ngayon ay hindi nagsasawa."
* * *
Bollywood Bistro opens
A place to visit one of these days is Bollywood Bistro Bar in Greenbelt 3, Makati City. At its recent opening, we had the chance to meet the Indian Ambassador, H.E. Navrekha Sharma who led the ceremonial ribbon-cutting.
After the ribbon-cutting, the guests were welcomed by JT Isaac and past Bb. Pilipinas–Universe Karen Agustin.
Joining the amiable lady diplomat on this special occasion were other special guests: Larry J. Cruz’s business partners and friends, including M. Rajaretnam, former DoT Secretary Gemma Cruz Araneta, Atty. Katrina Legarda, Richard and Roni Merk, Becky Garcia, Mrs. Elenita Guerrero, Dionnie and Beng Guerrero, Roy Rodrigo representing his brother Allen de Guzman, HK restaurateur Ranjan Isaac, Bollywood Indian food consultants Hanish Salni and Mr. Kalki of the Curry Pot Group, Gen. Sonny Yan, Claude Tayag, Mike Toledo, officers of the Phil–Indian Chamber of Commerce led by Vishnu Hathiramani, Dilip Budharani, Ram Sadhwani and Naresh Mirano.
While the guests were arriving, Joey Valenciano played on his sitar, the most well-known of the Indian musical instruments, with CJ Wasu accompanying himon the tabla, the "king" of the percussion instruments. While guests were partaking samples of Bollywood’s cocktail food, Bollywood movies were being shown on the flat TV screens inside the bistro bar. A henna tattoo artist was also busy painting her art on the hands, arms, and shoulders mostly of the lady guests.
While some of the guests stayed inside to listen to the music sof the Sing India Music of the Soul band, others were enjoying the outdoor breeze at the verandato smoke the shisha and where there’s a bar too and cozy swing seats full of cushions for lounging.
By the way, Mondays and Tuesday at Bollywood will have Joey Valenciano rendering sitar music, Sing India performing every Wednesday and Friday, and Desi nights every Saturday with DJ Lavz.
* * *
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, April 4, Snooky Serna, UK-based Nelly Teves Marshall, Myra Aquino, Josefina "Pining" Guizon, Carlex Lasaga, Vicente Jimenez, Ma. Theresa de la Paz, Rosyln Go, Irene Martel–Santiago, Dr. Adolfo Ferrer, and Vidal de Guzman… Belated 25th wedding anniversary to Boyong and Myra Encarnacion of Urduja Village Novaliches and Batangas City (March 28)…
