In "Celebration of His Timeless Hits," Sergio Mendes & Brasil 2006 will perform Mendes’ biggest hits like "Mas Que Nada," "Don’t Let Me Be Lonely Tonight," "Killing Me Softly with His Song," "Hey Look at the Sun," "I Won’t Last a Day," "I Can See Clearly Now," "The Waters of March" and "Waiting for Love" among many others.

Sergio Mendes is of course the most internationally successful Brazilian artist. From the mid-60s to the late 70s, Mendes established his legend by taking numerous albums and singles such as "Mas Que Nada" and "The Look of Love" to the top of the pop charts.

Mendes was born in Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro and started taking piano lessons as a child, switching from classic to jazz in his youth. Starting out as a professional musician just as the roots of bossa nova were beginning to emerge, Mendes embraced the hybrid of jazz and Latin music and was soon appearing alongside Jobim and Gilberto at Rio clubs. Leading a group known as the Bossa Nova Trio, he toured Europe in l963, playing at numerous jazz festivals. With the huge interest in bossa nova in the US, Mendes moved to New York in 1964 and worked with Art Farmer, Bud Shank, vocalist Wandee de Sah, Jobim and others on bossa nova recordings.

Still in the 1960s, Mendes toured many countries with different groups before rounding up Brasil 66, with whom he made records and very successful tours. The album "Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66" sold over a million copies, with Jorge Ben’s "Mas Que Nada" hitting the top of the charts in North America. Mendes did his first long tour with Frank Sinatra in 1967, performing in several cities in the US and he performed for the first time at the White House in 1971, invited by President Nixon during the state visit of then Prince Juan Carlos of Spain. He was then awarded a Grammy for his record "Brasileiro" in 1993.

By the way, fans of Sergio Mendes has a chance to win tickets to his concert and a special dinner for two at Gateway! For every R1,000 single or accumulated purchases (receipts) from any Araneta Center establishments (Gateway Mall, Coliseum Circle Restaurants, Shopwise Arcade Restaurants, Ali Mall, Farmers Plaza, New Frontier Arcade, Auto Centro, Araneta Center Bus Terminal, Value Station and Farmers Market) entitles the customer to one raffle coupon for a chance to win two Lower Box Tickets, plus dinner for two at Oasis, Mandarin Cafe & Deli at Gateway Mall. There will be three major prize winners to get two tickets each to the Sergio Mendes concert and dinner for two, and 17 minor prizes to get two tickets each to the concert. Promo ends on March 15.

In exchange of the raffle couples, customers must present his/her receipt at the redemption booths located at Gateway Mall Concierge Level 1, Ali Mall Upper Ground Floor and Farmers Plaza Lower Ground Floor. Promo representatives will assist customers.

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From the pigeonhole:

"Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy."

That’s according to Ludwig van Beethoven.

For Tricia Amper-Jimenez, music is certainly a big part of her life, having embarked on a singing career at the age of seven, joining church choirs and school presentations. The general public, though, may be more familiar with her lyrical voice that has made commercial jingles like Milo ("I need my Milo today") and Palmolive ("I can feel it") immensely popular, as well as her stage presence in productions such as "Bongbong at Kris" and "Magsimula Ka."

Tricia traces her achievements to a life rooted in music, from the time her grandfather, renowned violinist Bernardo Manalastas exposed her to classical and popular music; or her father would whip out the guitar and gather the entire family to learn "Try to Remember" (reminiscent of the Von Trapp family), to the steady presence of gospel music as the daily constant in their family life; up to her vocal lessons under Fides Cuyugan Asensio’s guidance, who broadened her talent into the classical genre.

Even in her present life as wife to GMA’s Butch Jimenez and mother to three boys, Tricia still surrounds her life. With her children clearly following in her footsteps, her eldest Miguel plays the saxophone, marimba, guitar and is part of the high school band; second child Benjamin recently recorded his first commercial jingle for Enervon C last year and youngest Joaquin loves to compose and sing.

Praise and worship songs will always be a part of her everyday life, helping Tricia commit her day to God and retain a positive mind set. One of her favorite songs "Buhay Ko’y Ikaw Lamang" by famed composer Andre Dionisio, is one she looks back to as a personal prayer to the Lord. "It asks Him to teach me to be thankful always and prioritize Him for the rest of my life. Beautiful lyrics with a simple melody that warms my heart every time I sing it."

This as well as her other songs are included in Tricia’s latest album "Through the Years," a compilation album boasting of soulful music in collaboration with other fellow Christian artists such as Gary Valenciano ("More than Wonderful"), Geri Gatchalian Gil ("Alleluia ang Awitin") and Lito Villareal ("Miracle").

In conjunction with this, Tricia pays tribute to Andre Dionisio in "Tricia Amper-Jimenez sings Andre Dionisio Songs," with her interpretation of his familiar works such as "Ulan," "Kandila" and "Kung Ako’y Maniniwala."

Both CD’s are available at House of Praise outlets and Christian bookstores nationwide.

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The Philippine Institute for the Deaf [PID], an oral school where deaf children learn to speak with its Miracle Theater, presents a musical stage production "Alice in Pinoyland" on March 16, 2006, with a 4 p.m. matinee and 7 p.m. gala shows, at the RCBC Theater, Ayala corner Buendia, Makati. PID Chairman of the Board Ms. Cynthia Romero Mamon invites the public to witness the miracle gift of speech from these special children.

Denise Limcuando, one of PID’s honor students, got the stars as "Alice," and together with other promising "speaking deaf" PID talents, they will be supported on stage by compassionate big stars like Mitch Valdes, Andrew E., Rachelle Ann Go, Jimmy Bondoc, Shiela Gamo and Erika Jill. Erika is the talented daughter of the late Gary Bautista, "the man with a thousand voices" and vocalist of the of the famed Society Of Seven (SOS) group in America, who recently passed away. All PID students will showcase their "speaking" and theater skills which they learned at PID.

The show is sponsored by SM Foundation, Audiopost, BPI Foundation, Star City, Ear Diagnostic Center, Island Cove, San Miguel, Ping Ping’s lechon and Manila Hearing Aid Center.

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A campaign for support to the hearing-impaired youth population of the country was intensified through a fundraising dinner-dance held recently at the Kowloon Restaurant along Matalino St. (near Sulo Hotel) in Quezon City.

The dinner-dance program, hosted by John Nite and Shermain Santiago, started with song numbers from the STEAM Foundation youth community who also led in the singing of the National Anthem. John and Shermain also rendered song numbers.

The fundraising event billed "Ayuda Naton" was sponsored by STEAM Foundation supporters like Reps. Catalino Figueroa, Reynaldo Uy and Bem Noel; Asec. Lourdes Varona, Judge Leocadio Ramos, Dr. Eden Divinagracia, and Cherry dela Rosa of Kaisahang Buhay Foundation.

Among STEAM’s supporters from show business include Aga Muhlach, Ethel Ramos and Veronica R. Samio.

There are 4.5 million Filipinos with hearing impairment, and through STEAM Foundation, many are now involved in productive endeavors, have gained employments and involvement in the community.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 13, go to former Makati Councilor Bong Daza, Atty. Amelia S. Tansinsin of PCSO, Connie O. Genilo of Tarlac, Tarlac; Kathy Limjoco and Erlinda de Castro...