Archive for February, 2009

Charice at Oscar’s Afterparty

by admin, on Wed, Feb 25 2009 | 1 Comment

Charice Pempengco is not a diva in the making.  She is undoubtedly and without a question a diva herself.  From humble beginning of joining local amateur singing contest, to her stints in local TV talent, this Philippine pride is now literally at Hollywood’s door.  Before, I was apprehensive to write this article because I thought it would be premature and assuming but seeing Charice performs at the Oscar’s After Party erases all my apprehensions and doubt.  Charice has indeed the marks of a world class artist.

Her performance in the Oscar’s Afterparty set another milestone in her career.  She is literally at the door of the Hollywood, in fact Charice was recognized as one of the “shinning stars of 2009” together with the Academy Best Actress Kate Winslet, Robert Pattinson and George Clooney by Liz Smith in Fox News’ Lips & Ears.

I watched the her performance in the Oscar’s Afterparty where she sang her own version of I Will Survive, Listen and did the demo of her brand new song Fingerprint.   According to some showbiz buzz, Fingerprint will be the carrier single of her first international album under Warner Music with the guidance of a well-known star maker and producer David Foster.

The girl is simply brilliant; a dynamite of a talent packed in a small package.  I would like to quote the introduction made by David Foster during the Oscar’s Afterparty.

“She’s 16 years old. She is one of the most amazing talents you’ll ever ever see and you’ll gonna see history tonight because one year from now this girl is gonna be one of the biggest stars on the planet. GUARANTEED 100%. Please give it up from the Philippines, Charice! Here she is, Charice!”

It is really amazing to see a purely Pinoy world class talent being recognized by the world.  I really hope people back home would stop pulling the girl down by being silly in comparing Charice with Sarah and Regine.  To be honest, Sarah and Regine did not come close to what Charice is achieving right now and to be achieved in the future.  They are both (Sarah and Regine) are good singers but they don’t have the X factor and talent that could gain the attention of international audience.  I want to apologize to fans of Sarah and Regine, but this is the truth and you have to simply accept that.

A special thanks for Parakaycha for uploading the video.

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Joanna Ampil: The Next Big Thing?

by admin, on Tue, Feb 17 2009 | 1 Comment
Joanna Ampil

Joanna Ampil

There are many Filipino performers who have made name in the international market but only few did really leave an “indelible” mark.  Few names who are worth to mention were Lea Salonga, Liza Macuja-Elizalde and Cecile Licad.  As of the present there are few Pinoy performers whose making name in the international scene.  If I will try to enumerate this few names I could come up with Charice Pempengco, Arnel Pineda and Joanna Ampil.

Who by the way is Joanna Ampil?  If you are a fan of theater and plays you probably had witness the brilliance of this lady.  She carved her name in the international music scene when she successfully and brilliantly plays the lead role of

Joanna as Kim

Joanna as Kim

in one of the longest running musicals on Broadway and London’s West End.  She started her career in theater when she was chosen to play the role of Kim in Miss Saigon.  It was the same role that gained Lea Salonga the Tony Awards.

After her brilliant performance in Miss Saigon, Joanna was handpicked by the famous Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber to play the role of Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar.  Joanna is the first ever Filipino to be included in cast of the “Superstar”.  She also played Eponine in the Victor Hugo’s Les Miserables where she act acted with the extraordinaire actress Judie Dench.

Joanna had come a long way, she had impressed directors and producers because she had strings of musical after musicals.  She reprise her role as Kim in the Australian production, play Mary Magdalene in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Eponine and Fantine in separate runs of “Les Miserables,” Mimi in “Rent” and Christmas Eve in “Avenue Q.”  Joanna is becoming the big star in the field of musicals, and according to some critics she is becoming the Big Next Thing.

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Celebrating Valentines Day Pinoy Style

by admin, on Fri, Feb 13 2009 | No Comments

Tomorrow, Filipinos together with the rest of the world will be celebrating Valentines Day.  It is the one of the most awaited day that being celebrated with fanfare and romance.  According to survey Filipino are the most romantic among Asian people, with 72 percent who said that they religiously celebrated the day of hearts.  Being unaffected by cynicism brought by divorce, most of Filipino especially women still believe in “happily ever after” romance and the magic of Valentines Day.

So, how does Pinoys celebrate Valentines Day?  Here in the Philippines and whichever part of the world, we Filipinos love feasts.  Any occasion could not be labeled as “special occasion” without dancing, singing and food, and Valentines Day is a special occasion to majority of Pinoys and therefore it is “required” to include dancing, singing and food.  Even Filipinos who are living and working abroad take to time celebrate Valentines Day with dancing, singing and food.
Filipinos usually make a big fuss about Valentine’s Day it seems like a mortal sin if you don’t celebrate this day like the rest; with flowers, cakes, going to the movies, concert, romantic dinner (or a hotel room reservation) and little red hearts hanging over your heads.   If you’re here in Philippines, your Valentines Day celebration would depend on much your budget can stretch.  If you have some budget to spare you might go to romantic Valentine’s concert and have a romantic dinner afterwards.  If the money is tight you could always enjoy the free Valentines party at Luneta with lots of singing and dancing, all you have to provide is your own food to complete the “special occasion” ensemble.

If you don’t want crowd, Tagaytay is always a great place to be romantic and if you don’t to travel you could always hang-out at Bay Walk in Roxas Boulevard.  Just remember Valentine’s Day should not only be for overs. But a precious time to remember the people whom we love and care: our families, relatives and friends who make our life easier and better.   Wherever part of the world you are now, PinoyGigs would like to greet you a very happy valentines day.
Happy Valentines Day NoyPi!

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Arnel Pineda Failed to Rock The Super Bowl XLIII Pre Game Show?

by admin, on Mon, Feb 9 2009 | 2 Comments
Arnel Pineda

Arnel Pineda

Pinoy singing sensation Arnel Pineda together with rest of the Journey band performs at the Super Bowl Pre Game on Tampa Bay last February 01, 2008.   The Pre Game Show is the official kick-off of the Super Bowl XLIII.  The Super Bowl is considered as grand daddy of all American sports, and probably the most watch sports event in the United States.    It is watch by over 148 millions U.S viewers and broadcasts worldwide to more than 230 countries territories.

It is important for Arnel Pineda to leave a good impression this show.  His performance on the Pre Game show would be his measurement on how he fits on the shoes set by the Journey’s previous lead vocalist Steve Perry.  There are so many talks and speculations whether Pineda is worthy or not of the break, and his performance on the Super Bowl would be his barometer.

Does Arnel failed to give his 100% performance level during the Super Bowl Pre Game show?  I have read many comments from critics and fans on several forums and blogs regarding the Arnel’s performance on Super Bowl.  On my rough estimation it is about 70% saying the performance was poorly done while 30% says it was just fine.  On the standpoint of a neutral observer I should say Arnel could do better.  I would absolutely agree that he failed to rock the Super Bowl Pre Game show.  He really sounds stressed out and his voice strained.

I have been watching the guy, following his gigs and TV appearances and there is no doubt on his talent.  He could sing, and on my opinion he could even sing better than Steve Perry himself but sad to say he did not exhibit his best during the Super Bowl Pre Game show.  Could Arnel Pineda fit the shoes set by Perry?  Some of the critics say he could not but on my unbiased point of view he could even exceed Steve Perry’s benchmark.  All he has to do is to focus on his career and stop performing on some “petty” show and avoid overdoing himself.

Let me hear what you think by posting your comment.

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Posted in Entertainment | 2 Comments »