Crispina Martinez Belen
Jay-R has come out with his first Christmas album (and his third since he came over to invade the local entertainment scene four years ago) and if it’s entitled "Christmas Away from Home," it’s because the Prince of R&B won’t go home to the US to be with family this Christmas.
"For the past three years, I’ve always find time to spend the Christmas season with my family in the States, but this time, I’m staying in the Philippines," Jay-R said in a recent interview at the World Music KTV in The Promenade Greenhills.
With classic Yuletide songs performed with a jazzy vibe and festive feel by the Prince of R&B, the Christmas album is indeed a timely and much-awaited gift to JayR’s many fans, those who also supported and patronized his two previous albums: His self-titled work released last Christmas 2005) and the earlier, his multiplatinum debut, "Gamface," released in 2003.
Produced by JAYRS Music and distributed by Universal Records, the new CD has been borne out of the artist’s own blood, sweat and tears. Because it also marks Jay-R’s initial attempt at running his own independent record label. Turning himself into a virtual one-man production outfit, he single-handedly produced, arranged, mixed, mastered and attended to all details – including the album’s lay-out and art concept.
"It was a tough job to finish," Jay-R recounts. "I didn’t sleep much because I wanted everything handson. I arranged the music, then recorded all the session players in my studio, wrote a tribute song for my uncle at the same time setting up in my living room for the photo shoot, then recorded my vocals on all the songs with my featured guests while conceptualizing the lay-out for the album. Mixed and mastered everything, and then there’s the business side to take care of too."
He reiterated: "Trust me, it’s not an easy job. Yet it’s real fun and very fulfilling. I have to give the late Tita Bella (Tan) her props because she had it down to an art."
Jay-R’s Christmas album was actually inspired by his uncle, Reny who just passed away recently. "The entire album is actually inspired by him," he said, "from the single to the cover to the lay-out, pictures and video. His death triggered something in me, and I knew that a tribute was the best way to thank him and cherish his legacy."
Just like most artists who want to put their own personal stamp on the holiday classics, Jay-R has a soft spot for such carols. "I love Christmas songs!" he confessed. "Sometimes I just play a Christmas album for listening pleasure even if it’s not even close to the holidays. I love ‘The Christmas Song’ and I’ve always wanted to perform that song but never got the chance to for some reason or another. But now, I’m glad I have my own version."
Other songs in the Christmas album include "Winter Wonderland," "This Christmas (featuring Kris Lawrence)," "Santa Baby (featuring Amber)," "Drummer Boy," and the originals, "Tito Reny" and "Spread the Love" which were written by Jay-R and his sister Jhing, respectively. Also included are instrumental outtakes of "The Christmas Song," "Winter Wonderland" and "This Christmas."
Jay-R’s production outfit, Smash Brothaz, which includes colleagues and creative partners Jimmy Muna and Star in a Million Grand Winner Kris Lawrence, is also cooking up new materials for several artists. "Jimmy is in LA right now finishing music for KC Montero’s upcoming album," Jay-R said.
Along with his new album for which he is now busy promoting, Jay-R shares his heart-felt holiday message to his loyal fans as well. "Love your family and friends," he stressed, "because sometimes we could take for granted that they’re always going to be there. But when that comes when they’re not, it just hits you like a car going at 100 miles an hour!"
Jay-R is currently managed by ALV Talent Circuit.
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Yul Servo starrer hailed by critics
Award-winning actor Yul Servo’s latest starrer, "Sa Ilalim ng Cogon" has been hailed by internationally renowned film critics like Olay Moller who described the film as a "masterpiece."
On the other hand, "Sa Ilalim ng Cogon" was lauded by Film Comment Magazine, said to be the bible of film publications, as "truly poetic." Firecracker Magazine of London branded the feature as "memorably uncategorizable" and championed the film as a groundbreaking work that stretched the limits and notions of the genre film. Now, "Sa Ilalim Ng Cogon," fresh off its triumphant tour-of-duty in a slew of international film festivals, finally hits our shores.
The film, presented in conjunction with the Independent Filmmakers Cooperative (IFC) and directed by Rico Maria Ilarde and produced by Mammu Chia and US-based producer Roger Garcia, will open exclusively at Robinsons Galleria Indiesine Cinema 8 on Dec. 13. Tickets are priced at P100 per.
"Sa Ilalim ng Cogon" is a genre-bending, action-horror-mystery-love story that tells the story of Sam (Yul Servo), a former soldier who gets himself embroiled in a heist gone horribly wrong. While escaping with the loot, he hides inside a lonely mansion standing amidst a sea of tall cogon grass, and then begins to witness an accumulation of odd details: A collection of creepy photographs; a mysterious, waifish beauty named Katia (Julia Clarete) who swims naked in the mansion’s leaf-choked pool; lastly, a trail of blood that leads to the ominous jungle of grasses that surrounds the house. Sam then begins a torrid and passionate –though ill-advised- affair with Katia. Unbeknownst to Sam, he has taken the first, dangerous step to unlocking the mansion’s deep mystery and its former inhabitants’ dark and disturbing secrets.
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Greenwich conducts sampling event
Proud of its latest pizza line, Greenwich recently held the Greenwich Pizza 2007 Taste Drive, an exclusive sampling activity for celebrities and friends from the media held at the SM Mall of Asia.
Hosted by TV personality Juddha Paolo, the highly-successful affair was graced by radio’s funny tandem Chico and Delamar, TV personality Niña Dolino. Other friends from ABS-CBN, GMA 7, Studio 23, Solar Entertainment, ETC, RPN 9, Jam 88.3, NU Rock, Mellow Touch and a lot more experienced the thrill of Greenwich Pizza 2007 as guests swore by the deliciousness of Greenwich pizzas and have discovered the many scrumptious treats that Greenwich is so known for.
"We’re very pleased at the success of our Pizza 2007 Taste Drive Event, which has allowed more and more Filipinos to experience as to how really delicious Greenwich pizzas are," says Greenwich marketing manager for products, Lulu de Castro.
One of the highlights of the event was the texting game, wherein three lucky guests got to take home Greenwich gift certificates.
A day after the media launch, the Taste Drive Event then culminated in over 200 Greenwich stores nationwide, which was deluged by throngs of pizza lovers. Various Greenwich branches nationwide were visited by consumers to sample the wide variety of delectable Greenwich pizza 2007, which enjoy a huge following among consumers owing to their exceptional taste.
True enough, customers enjoyed the pizza sampling activity, which was viewed as a great gesture by pizza lovers. What’s more, the sampling activity reinforces the fact that Greenwich offers the best-tasting pizzas, thanks to its specially-baked crust and delectable toppings. During the highly-successful sampling activity, customers were seen relishing bite after bite of delicious Greenwich pizza, as Greenwich generously provided free samples of scrumptious pizza, much to the delight of everyone.
The activity was truly fun—and filling—for pizza lovers who came from every corner of the Philippines, as they all enjoyed the great-tasting goodness and deliciousness of Greenwich pizzas.
Enjoy your favorite yummy Greenwich pizza by visiting your nearest Greenwich outlet or dial 819-4000 and Greenwich’s Siguradong On Time delivery service will make sure that your orders are delivered fresh and on the dot. Provincial residents on the other hand, simply have to dial the Greenwich delivery hotline in their respective area.
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Tidbits: Happy b–day greetings today, Dec. 11 go to, Sen. Aquilino Pimentel, Kristoffer Ian de Leon, Francisco R. Sibal, Brenda del Rio, Alice Cabahug, Lovely Romulo, Mark Manalang, Vicky Salvador, Emil Anton Coronel, Nelson Navarro, Baby Nobrida, Dick Trofeo, Col. Reynaldo Cabanatan, Halina Perez, Lulay dela Cruz, Hazel Tuazon–Soriano, Lina P. Ramos, Lily Salazar, Alberto Ting, Atty. Estelita C. Aguirre–Deputy commissioner of BIR, Cecille Marcaida and Ellen A. Velasco...
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