Real-life best friends Ara Mina, Jessa Zaragoza and Marissa Sanchez will kick off their "Soul Sisters Act" tour tonight at Metro Bar along West Avenue, Quezon City.

Produced by Golden Earth Events and Marketing, the show will feature each of the artists’ forte in vocal styling and even comedy. To be expected are exciting solo and production numbers which their audience will surely enjoy. Show director Dingdong Avanzado said that just the thought of combining the three in a show is already exciting, what more now that it finally happens.

"The show will showcase their different musical genres but at the same time we will be mixing them in different production numbers that their respective fans are expected to enjoy," Dingdong explained. Jimmy Antiporda also joins the show as its musical director and arranger.

And, of course, to be expected from Jessa and Ara are their respective hit songs like "Bakit Pa" and "Ay, Ay, Ay Pag-ibig" to name just two. More than her singing prowess, Marissa Sanchez is expected to have the audience rolling down the aisle with her natural flair in comedy!

"This show is really about friendship. Through our songs, people will get to know more about us as friends. We’re all excited to be performing together," they all said.

"Soul Sisters Act" will also be staged on May 20 at Café Lupe and again at Metro Bar on June 2.

Philippine representatives to the music competition, held in Taiwan, have been winners in previous years (2003 and 2004). This year, the country is expected to be a strong contender for the plum awards, what with the many good composers we have.

Musical compositions must be entered in English, Tagalog or Chinese. The lyrics have to be taken from the selected verses and poetry of Venerable Master Hsing Yun. The entries must be original compositions (have not been published or entered into any other competition) nor be a commissioned work.

All compositions must be submitted together with the musical score and audiotape. There is no limit as to the number of entries submitted by each competitor.

The preliminary competition will be held at the International Buddhist Progress Society (IBPS) of Manila located at 640 P. Ocampo St., Malate, Manila. Six will be selected from among the entries to represent the Philippine team that will compete in Taiwan against the teams from other countries.

The grand prize for the final competition is NT$100,000. First prize is NT$50,000. Ten honorary winners will each be given NT$10,000.

More information and application forms can be obtained from the IBPS of Manila office (with tel. nos. 523-4909; 525-3689). Deadline of submission of entries and all requirements is on May 31.

It was an entertaining sight to see two-thirds of the legendary Juan de la Cruz band together on stage as veteran rockers Pepe Smith and Wally Gonzales jammed at Party Central on Mother Ignacia Street, Quezon City last May 6. Only hitmaker Mike Hanopol was not around. Mike would have completed the trio that gave Pinoy rock its identity.

The show was actually a big-time prelude to the band’s upcoming reunion concert at the World Trade Center in Pasay City this June 11.

"I’m really excited about the reunion. It’s been seven years since we last played in a major concert together," said Wally who spent long years of hibernation from the music scene before returning to play regularly at various venues in Metro Manila. He found Juan de la Cruz Band’s latest recording ("Pag-aklas") "musically wonderful." "Unlike before when Pepe was playing drums and Mike was the bassist, we all played as guitarists this time and that’s something to look into."

A special gathering of officers and members of Fil-Hair Co-op (Filipino Hairdressers Cooperative) will be held at the Philippine Trade Training Center, Roxas Blvd., Manila today, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Fil-Hair founder and president Ricky Reyes will be assisted by Sen. Richard Gordon in the ribbon-cutting while guest of honor is presidential daughter Ms. Luli Macapagal Arroyo. Expected to grace the affair are officers of Asia Pacific Hairdressers and Cosmetologists Association, Thomas Wong (Hong Kong), Johnny Tai (Taiwan), Theresa Tam (Thailand) and Eddy K (Japan).

Big cash prizes, trophies, certificates and salon equipment will be awarded to the winners in the following categories: Men’s Cut, Ladies’ Cut, Commercial Make-Up and Bridal Make-Up. Regional Fil-Hair champions from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao are participating.

Special added attraction is the summer fashion show of designer-couturier Arman Remoso. To be featured are hair shows of Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Splash.

The Center for Pop Music Philippines, Inc. (CPMP) is organizing its "1st Summer Pop Camp" on May 18 to 20 at Slide N’ Dive" in Victoria, Laguna.

Butch Albarracin, founder and CEO of the CPMP, will personally conduct and facilitate the pop camp. He says, "Learning becomes more enjoyable when done outside of the confines of the classrooms and music studios."

Among the products of CPMP include Sarah Geronimo, Erik Santos, Rachelle Ann Go, Frenchie Dy, Sandara Park, Nina, Nyoy Volante, Jimmy Bondoc and this year’s CPMP singing ambassador of goodwill King and many others.

Topics to be discussed include stylizing in pop singing, spiels development and delivery, personality development, and ramp modelling—all designed to improve one’s projection on stage.

CPMP’s "1st Summer Pop Camp" is spearheaded by its south branches area manager Jeff Medes. Other featured speakers are CPMP COO Gwen Albarracin and professional model Gwyneth Albarracin.

Among the participating Center for Pop Music branches are Makati City, Parañaque City, Las Piñas City, Dasmariñas (Cavite), San Pedro (Laguna), Calamba City and Batangas City.

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