OLIVIA

Simply Olivia.

That’s what she is known as a singer-performer. She is an award-winning song-artist who has gone too far, figuratively and literally. Her kind of performance topped in the 2004 Astana International Song

Festival in Kazakhstan from where she brought home the Best Performance Award.
She has gone places from then on performing at the gigantic HongKong International Convention Center for the 2005 World Tourism Expo and at the Taipei World Trade Center for the 2006 Taipei International Trade Fair where she got rave reviews from the local media.

Only recently, Olivia had done a series of world-class performances with Japan’s world-renowned jazz pianist and 14-time Grammy nominee Ms. Toshiko Akiyoso at the grandiose Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall backed up by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Last Valentine’s presentations of the foreign-owned Steve O’Neal Productions held in Cebu City, Davao City, Bacolod City and at the Philippine International Convention Center, the 20-year-old scion of a musical family (her mother is Brenda Tirona being a famous singer in the 70s and her grandfather a popular orchestra conductor and baritone artist of his time) shared the same stage with the world-famous Rex Smith with whom she did some production numbers. And late last year, Olivia did a guest performance in the American Rock Band, Toto, show at the Hyatt Casino and Hotel in Ermita, Manila.

And come March 21, at 8 p.m., the world-class performance of the so-called Golden Girl of Jazz goes back to the local jazz bar circuit after her performances with renowned artists. She will be featured in the show titled “Here I Am,” with the Cercados quartet on a guest performance at the Merk’s, a popular jazz bar owned and operated by one of the country’s ace jazz icons, Richard Merk. It will be an intimate evening with Olivia so to speak.

The show is being made possible by Merk’s itself, ETC, 2nd Avenue, Renee Salud Couture, Tangerine Skies Artist PR, Okasyon, Manila Afterhours, Musiklokal and Dream FM. It is produced by Blues Baby Entertainment.

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Himig Ariel scholars concertize at the park

The Himig Ariel Voice Workshop Scholars presented recently its first major concert at the so-called world’s largest rotonda, the Quezon City Memorial Circle, attracting people promenading in the park that cradles historical legacies.

It was an afternoon of songs, dances and laughter since these three ingredients were showcased in the one hour and a half presentation attended by the founder himself Councilor Ariel Enrile Inton, Jr. with no less than Ms. Joy Belmonte as the special guest being the chairperson of the award-winning Quezon City Performing Arts Center.

“It is a good thing that Councilor Ariel Inton thought of this project since Quezon City has lots of talents to present not only to the city but also to the whole world,” Ms. Belmonte told the crowd. “We have many talents although some of them are not Quezon City residents, but they are Filipinos that the whole country should be proud of. Who knows some of these scholars can go international in the future.”

Ms. Belmonte also pointed out the possibility of the scholars to get support from the local government in the future, financial or otherwise. Being the head of the performers who frequently travel to the Asian nations on cultural presentations, Ms. Belmonte had also stressed that the Quezon City Memorial Circle is one of the most favorable venues for presentations because of environmental reasons.

“The people of Quezon City should appreciate the beauty of nature starting with this memorial circle where shady trees and plants abound. Here, the air is not polluted and certainly good for one’s health.”

Himig Ariel Voice Workshop is a talent development school training men and women, young and old, talented and the less talented, as well. Here, they are taught how to sing, dance and perform on stage just like any other professional artists. At the moment, the group has about 200 active scholars of which 7 years old is the youngest named Aaron Suba and Tatay Ben, 65, as the oldest. The people behind the program had previously screened the interested parties like passing through the proverbial individuals regardless of age, sex, and how much talent they possess.

But what caught everyone’s attention was the almost perfect rendition of the song, “All By Myself,” by the 10-year-old Jean Marie Abenilla who is a visually-impaired child. The blind scholar with a golden singing voice comes from a poor family in Pook Libis, Barangay UP Campus.

“Let’s accept the fact that not all who enroll are talented,” Coun. Inton said straight-forwardly. “They only have guts. They have to come forward and be recognized. That’s why they are here to be trained and learn the craft they want to acquire. Talent, though in-born in some like Jean Marie’s, has to be more successful than those talented with no interest at all.”

Last March 13, the Himig Ariel Scholars had another successful concert at the San Bartolome High School in Barangay San Bartolome, Quezon City. The effervescent public servant is encouraging more youngsters to enroll in this program.

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Miss Gay Philippines 2009 is on!

The biggest and most prestigious gay pageant in the country will be celebrating its 30th year anniversary. Miss Gay Philippines will be staged at the Music Museum today, March 17.  This event was first held in 1980 by its founder-producer Chito Alcid (showbiz personality who is presently hosting “Chito Alcid Talk Show”).  The first batch of judges then were Susan Roces, Gloria Diaz, Joji Felix Velarde, Chona Recto Kasten, Eddie Garcia, Tingting Cojuangco, Criselda Lontok Fernandez, Jessie Ejercito and Josephine Estrada.

“This project has been staged continuously through the decades during my days of glory and defeat!” Chito said.  “Of all my undertakings and pre-occupation, it is the one closest to my heart. This is my continuing commitment to genuine entertainment.  I produced this gay show not exactly to glorify gays, but only to present a unique kind of entertainment.  The pageant promises to unleash a whole lot of fun and laughter, glamour and gay-ties.”

There are five major titles at stake: Miss GP Universe, Miss GP World, Miss GP Earth, Miss GP International and Miss GP Asia Pacific.  They will receive thousands of pesos each, trophies and gifts from sponsors.  The winner will represent the country in the Queen International in Thailand. “Laging nasa top three ang Miss Gay Phils. sa international competition.  For three consecutive years, panalo sa top 3 ang Philippines: Patricia Montecarlo, Maria Cristina Dandan and Chacha Madrigal.”

Those who are interested to join the 30th year of Miss Gay Phils., please e-mail your info at alcidchito@yahoo.com.  Famous celebrities and movie stars will grace the celebration.  Dennis Banez will host the event along with invited international beauty queens like Miss Earth Karla Henry, Miss World Evangeline Pascual, Miss International Melanie Marquez and a lot more.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 17, go to Macabebe Mayor Jerry Pelayo, Teri Maniquis, Cielo Rivera, Nelda Ferrero, Ronnie Salonga, Marra Lanot, Pat Camacho, Brenda Reyes, Jessie Villarama, Dr. Elmo Belaro CGEC, Manila Health Department, and TV host Paolo Bediones…