Showbiz Music fans to take the stage at the MYX Music Awards this year

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Don’t miss out on the MYX Music Awards, the only music awards show in the Philippines that is aired live on television and is available for streaming over MYX’s official website (www.myxph.com).

The past year saw walls being torn down in the local music scene, where songs and music videos went past what the Philippine audience is used to. When it comes to music, even borders between local television networks and record labels don’t seem to exist anymore.

This year, not only the country’s top bands and musicians who are nominated for different awards will be part of putting together the Philippines’ biggest awards night for music—even showbiz’s stars who are dedicated fans and followers of the local music scene will be taking on the stage to show their support at the MYX Music Awards this year.

The crossover between music and videos stands out even more this year, with the likes of The Voice of the Philippines contestants taking the stage, along with Julia Barretto, Jodi Sta. Maria, Kaye Abad, Tom Rodriguez, Dennis Trillo, Janella Salvador, Jane Oineza, Khalil Ramos, Marco Gumabao, Meg Imperial, Robi Domingo, Gretchen Ho, and many more.

Apart from that, expect intense performances from top music acts, such as Up Dharma Down, Jonalyn Viray, KZ Tandingan, Christian Bautista, Jay-R, Kyla, Sam Concepcion, Quest, Thyro, and Yumi.

This year, MYX will also be declaring the highly anticipated announcement of 2014’s MYX Magna Awardee, given to a historically groundbreaking music act. The MYX Magna Award was given to those who have shaped the local music scene. Over past years, this award has been given to the likes of Lea Salonga, Ryan Cayabyab, Regine Velasquez, Jose Mari Chan, the Eraserheads, Gary Valenciano, Apo Hiking Society, and Sharon Cuneta. This year’s awardee delivered some of Pinoy rock’s catchiest tunes, often adding their own unique humor into their songs.

Don’t miss out on the MYX Music Awards! Check out the streaming over MYX’s official website (www.myxph.com). Catch it on Wednesday (March 26) at 9:00pm, with replays on March 28 at 7:30pm, March 29 at 2:30pm, March 30 at 10:30am, and March 31 at 1:00am.

Join AKAPELA OPEN (Contemporary Group Acappella Singing Competition)

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The first Contemporary A Cappella Group Competition in the Philippines this October.

Join AKAPELA OPEN (Contemporary Group Acappella Singing Competition) and deadline for submission of entries is on September  28, 2013.

AKAPELA OPEN is presented to you by: The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab, PLDT-SMART FOUNDATION, One Meralco Foundation. Brought to you by: PCDA (Philippine Choral Directors Association), Crossover 105.1.

LOG ON TO: www.akapelaopen.com

LORENZO, a musical, places the first Filipino saint alongside the OFW in exile

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Featuring music by Ryan Cayabyab, direction by Nonon Padilla and book and lyrics by Juan Ekis and Paul Dumol with the collaboration of Joem Antonio

Lorenzo Ruiz (Lorenz Martinez)

This September, Christopher de Leon through Green Wings Entertainment Network, Inc. presents a new musical directed by Nonon Padilla: LORENZO, which features the musical stylings of Ryan Cayabyab and libretto by award-winning writers Juan Ekis, Paul Dumol, and Joem Antonio. The musical, which tells the story of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz’s escape to Japan and subsequent martyrdom there, is framed within a play that tells the modern-day story of Laurence, an OFW whose imprisonment in a Middle Eastern country and imminent execution prompt him to reflect upon the struggles of his historical countryman and cope with the inner struggles of his own predicament. Lorenz Martinez and OJ Mariano star in these roles respectively.

LORENZO is deeply relevant to Filipinos from all walks of life as its themes span the unquenchable rage of the suffering man to the cathartic acceptance of one’s circumstances, the struggles of our ancestors to our struggles in the ever-changing contemporary world, being apart from one’s home to inspiring others with one’s sense of being a Filipino in a foreign land. And in line with the declaration of 2013 as the Year of Faith, LORENZO especially touches upon the theme of faith as a heroic virtue and how faith moves one to make the most powerful albeit difficult choices.

Lorenzo Ruiz and his wife, Rosario

The Missionaries

LORENZO will be staged at the SDA Theatre, located on the fifth floor of De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde on P. Ocampo Street, Malate. It will run on September 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, and 14 with shows at 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM. 

Tickets may be reserved through the LORENZO official website:www.lorenzorocks.com.

“PAMANA” the first docu-musical on Ninoy and Cory Aquino set to open on August 21

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A theatrical revolution, “PAMANA” is the first docu-musical on Ninoy and Cory Aquino.

PETA’s Pamana pays tribute to Benigno and Corazon Aquino.  On August 21, the Ninoy & Cory Aquino Foundation, Inc. (NCAF), in partnership with Indie.go Media, and the Philippine Educational Theater Association, Inc. (PETA), proudly present the gala premiere of PAMANA – an original docu-musical written by Rody Vera and music composed by Ryan Cayabyab and Manoling V. Francisco, S.J. 

NCAF, Indie.go Media and PETA brings the audience back in time as they re-tell the lives of three generations of a Filipino family recalling the EDSA revolution.

PAMANA is about three generations of a Filipino family with differing points of view on the effects of the EDSA revolution.

Malou de Guzman as Lola Azon; Bodjie Pascua as Turo

Leading the cast is Malou de Guzman as Lola Azon; Bodjie Pascua as Turo, Azon’s husband; Jett Pangan as Edgar, son of Lola Azon and Trina’s father; and Kakki Teodoro as Trina, grand daughter of Lola Azon.

Jett Pangan as Edgar

Kakki Teodoro as Trina

The ensemble is composed of Raul Alfonso, Kiki Baento, Raflesia Bravo, Roi Calilong, Buddy Caramat, Joan Co, Karen Gaerlan, Gio Gahol, She Maala, Benedict Manaois, Gie Onida, Norbs Portales, Gino Ramirez, Victor Robinson, Angela Samson, Nica Santiago, Miela Sayo, Ian Segarra, Gold Villar and Yeyin Dela Cruz.

Lending support as chorus is Viva Voce under artistic director Camille Molina. The artistic and creative team of PAMANA is led by Rody Vera (Playwright), Maribel Legarda (Stage Director), Melvin Lee (Associate Stage Director), Jun Reyes (Video Director and Executive Producer), Manoling V. Francisco, S.J. and Ryan Cayabyab (Composers), Vince de Jesus (Musical Director), Batche Tan (Choreograper), Boni Juan (Set Designer), Carlo Pagunaling (Costume Designer), Jonjon Villareal (Lighting Designer and Technical Designer).

Synopsis of PAMANA

Three generations of a family: Lola Azon, her son Edgar, and a granddaughter Trina relate their lives and relationships with each other in the context of the historical developments of the country since Ninoy Aquino died up to the present time.  Lola Azon, 35 years old then, when Ninoy was killed at the tarmac of the airport, is a streetsweeper (Metro Manila Aide), when she experienced her own “epiphany”. She witnesses the hordes of people who marched through the funeral of a man she hardly knew. And through the years of protest rallies and struggle to end a dictatorship, she found hope and strength in the power of a people guided by a higher Power through prayer.

Edgar, however witnesses the fading and the corruption of that pure hope as the years of “democracy” went by. He was witness to the EDSA People Power 2 and how it even went rock bottom when corruption and scandals got worse than what the people clamored against. Edgar becomes disillusioned and heads for Saudi Arabia to seek a more stable life for his daughter and mother. His cynicism about the Philippine condition never changes. He has always become skeptical about how this country could ever redeem itself. After a long separation from his mother and daughter, he comes back with the hope of bringing his family to immigrate to Canada.

Trina was 13 when Cory died. She relates how her father’s cynicism rubbed off on her at first. But upon seeing the funeral, the same “epiphany” came upon her, the way it did to Lola Azon way back in 1983. She was overwhelmed by the huge farewell funeral march given by the Filipino people to a woman who died in silence—serving and loving her countrymen. This struck her. Is her father’s cynicism true at all? Can’t a country rediscover this strong faith in spiritual transformation to recover from national despair and fatigue? 

When finally in the present time, Edgar comes back to tell the “good news” of his decision to bring them all to Canada, Trina refuses. She is undergoing her own journey since Cory’s death and has arrived at certain decisions for her own life as well.  There are so many things that one can do. So much potential, so many possibilities. Rather than go to a country she doesn’t even know or care for, here she can fulfill her dream, a dream that could be shared by her countrymen.

In the face of all their differences, Azon quietly passes away.

Interspersed with our “front story” are the words of Ninoy and Cory, who through their lives have insisted on a life of service and love for their countrymen as the singular manifestation of loving and serving God.  This presentation aims to locate Ninoy and Cory’s commitment to God and the Filipino  in the context of our ordinary lives.

PLAYWRIGHT’S NOTES

RODOLFO VERA

"The germ idea of this play was brainstormed by by Jun Reyes, Maribel Legarda and I in one of a few conversations over coffee and merienda. In the course of our conversations, we realized that a more fitting tribute to our heroes does not need to be a retelling of their lives and achievements per se. The importance of heroes can only be manifest through the numerous lives of people that they have inspired. How their ideas and their historical decisions in life resonate in the daily, mundane lives of ordinary people like Azon, Edgar, and Trina. This is the main compass that guided the main direction of this work. It does not only pay tribute to Ninoy and Cory themselves, for while their lives are exemplary, admirable and inspiring as they are, their greatness can only be complete and total if the power of their legacy touches the lives of millions of their countrymen. 

This is how we remember our heroes. Not just through monuments or declaring official holidays, but more importantly in connecting them in our daily struggles and tribulations. Our collective vicissitudes that define our history as a nation, taken together will be marked by the light they have shown to guide us."

All performances will be held at the Meralco Theater, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Here's the show schedule:

        August 21, 2013          :     7:00 pm

        August 22, 2013          :     8:00 pm

       August 24-25, 2013      :     3:00 pm and 8:00 pm

For further details, call PETA Theater Center at numbers 725-6244 or 09064817333.

Tickets are also available through Ticketworld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph 

Follow online through Facebook 

http://www.facebook.com/iamninoy.iamcory 

http://www.facebook.com/JourneyAlbum<> 

http://www.facebook.com/NCACL

and Twitter (@iamninoyiamcory)

PHILPOP Music Festival 2013 Announces Final 12

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“Your theme, your genre, your song”

PhilPOP Musicfest with the main message of “Your theme, your genre, your song” encouraged Filipinos from all over the world to write song limited only by their creativity. The response to the call for entries was tremendous, generating a record breaking 3,383 submission!

The majority of the entries come from Quezon City, Makati, and Manila and outside the country like Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, Germany, China, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, Australia, Canada, Norway, Saudi Arabia, the United States, Ireland, UK, Thailand, and Macau. Most overseas entries came from the United States, official entries are down to the Final 12.

As announced by Philpop MusicFest Foundations’s Executive Director Ryan Cayabyab here are this year's finalists and their song entries:

(Photo c/o PhilPop )

Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana "Dati"

Myrus Apacible "Sana Pinatay Mo Nalang Ako"

Paul Armesin "Segundo"

Marion Aunor "Do, Do, Do"

Joey Ayala "Papel"

Marlon Barnuevo "Araw, Ulap, Langit"

Gani Brown "Askal"

Raffy Calicdan "Space"

Johnoy Danao "Kung 'di Man"

Lara Maigue "Sayo Nalang Ako"

Jungee Marcelo "Pansamantagal"

Adrienne Sarmiento-Buenaventura "Sometimes That Happens"

Philpop MusicFest Foundation’s executive director Mr. Cayabyab shares that this is the most diverse collection of entries.

“I heard a lot of rock, pop, rap, hip hop, folk, R and B, ballad, a sprinkling of swing and dance music. There are some attempts to do a modernized kundiman and quite a lot of novelty songs that visibly entertained the adjudicating panel. I can’t wait to hear the top 12 that this year’s special panel will present in the finals night on July 6, 2013!”

Respected and renowned industry professionals, from record label executives, musicians, composers, singers, artists, radio personalities, and people from the academe make up the adjudication panel. The organizing committee had to fill around 140 seats throughout the 4-stage screening process.

“It was mind boggling at the start. Going through more than three thousand songs is no joke but Philpop has almost perfected the system. Maraming puedeng winners. Maraming puedeng hits. More than half of the 12 finalists were consistently in the top of the heap. 4 sets of panelists could not have been wrong. Dark horses made it too. It’s thrilling,” Cayabyab adds.

With the hands-on leadership of business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, the foundation, with the endeavour to involve itself in nation building through music, have set out to identify deserving songwriters who can inspire and spark positive change through their songs and are given the opportunity to shine. This is reinforced by its board of directors headed by Ricky Vargas, Ogie Alcasid, Noel Cabangon, Doy Vea, Al Panlilio, Patrick Gregorio, Randy Estrellado and Butch Jimenez.

The million-peso champion of the first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival is former Akafellas member Karl Villuga with his song “Bawat Hakbang”. The composition, which was about overcoming a personal crisis, was interpreted by Villuga along with his former groupmates and balladeer Mark Baustista.

“We are looking forward to again stage the biggest and most illustrious song writing competition in Philippines history with an even more songwriters vying for the 1 million pesos grand prize this 2013,” says Mr. Cayabyab.

PhilPOP is supported by Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts World Manila, TV5, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, NLEX, Sun Cellular, the First Pacific Leadership Academy, KBP, and Philex.

“Song Writing with the Maestro” nationwide tours

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Thousands have been inspired to write Pilipino songs and have been taught by no less than Maestro Ryan Cayabyab (Mr. C.) through the well-received and highly successful “Song Writing with the Maestro” nationwide tour which visited 8 different cities around the country.

It was a fantastic experience for all to be schooled by Mr. C whose program includes lectures on Pilipino music history, songwriting as a tool for nation building, self-expression, entertainment, social commentary and the like, tips and guidelines on writing songs, and musical presentations by special guests.  Accompanied by the Philippine Popular Music Festival finalists and winners, and respected music industry personalities, the program was aimed at encouraging this generation to make music.

Capping off the 5 month program was a 3-day 2-cities road show at the Holy Angel University in Angeles, Pampanga and the University of Baguio.  Both workshops were filled with Pilipino music lovers who hope to one day compose songs that will matter.

The group also went to Padcal to visit the Philex Mining community and hold a mini concert to entertain hundreds of residents at their MVP Sports Complex.  It was a fitting way to end the 2012 run of the Philpop MusicFest Foundation.

“This is what honest to goodness foundation work is all about, we inspire, we spark positive change, and we truly help,” quipped Patrick Gregorio, the VP of the foundation. 

The Song writing with the Maestro activities are aligned with the foundation’s advocacy of enriching original Pilipino music and educating this and future generations on its uniqueness and importance; resounding and preserving the vanishing perhaps forgotten musical gems from the rural areas; and empowering Filipino songwriters whose music can inspire and motivate a nation.

The foundation aims to uplift the Pilipino music industry with Mr. C, its Executive Director, and Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan at the helm, ensuring that our identity through our music is not lost.

“Through this tour, we are doing our part to ensure that this generation and future generations will have a real appreciation of our Pilipino music,” Mr C shares. 

The project is supported by Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts World Manila, TV5, Metro Pacific Investments, North Luzon Expressway, Sun Cellular, First Pacific Leadership Academy, PICC, Philex Mining, the official airline Cebu Pacific and official food sponsor McDonald’s.

PhilPOP 2013 is on higher level and is now accepting entries

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After a successful debut earlier this year, the illustrious Philippine Popular Music Festival songwriting competition is gearing up for its 2^nd run this 2013.  As early as January 1, entries are accepted on www.philpop.com.ph, with the deadline running until February 28.

The group behind this this endeavour is the PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Inc, which involves itself in nation building through music.  It seeks to identify deserving songwriters who can inspire and spark positive change through their songs and are given the opportunity to shine. 

Expecting to break the record of 3,000 participants in the initial run, Philpop, under the baton of its Executive Director Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, laid out a more comprehensive and arduous screening process to find the top 14 finalists. 

The competition is open to amateurs and professionals, participant must be of Filipino descent so even those residing abroad can join, the song entry may be written in a popular or new song genre, or a fusion thereof, in any form or structure, as lyrics may be in Filipino, a Philippine regional language, a Philippine dialect, English, or any combination thereof.

The song entry must be entirely original. It must not be licensed to any publisher; has not been printed and distributed as hard copy; or through the internet; has never been previously recorded and must not infringe on any existing copyright or any other rights. It must not have been performed live in any venue, on traditional radio and television, or internet, or pre-recorded and uploaded on the internet, or recorded on video or other format for future broadcast.

The million-peso champion of the first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival is former Akafellas member Karl Villuga with his song “Bawat Hakbang”.  The composition, which was about overcoming a personal crisis, was interpreted by Villuga along with his former groupmates and crooner Mark Bautista. First runner-up award went to Australia-based  Soc Villanueva with his R&B song “Kontrabida” sung by Sam Concepcion.  Young composer Toto Sorioso won the second runner-up prize for his composition “Tayo Tayo Lang” performed by former Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel while first timer James Leyte, who works in an IT department, won the Smart People’s Choice Award for his reggae-influenced song entitled “Brown” co-interpreted by Brownman Revival.  Maestro Cayabyab clarifies that even the past winners can still join the competition.

“We are continuing to promote the songs from the Philpop and the album while drawing up strategies to further thrust these songwriters and songs into the spotlight” shares Maestro Cayabyab.  “We are looking forward to again stage the biggest and most illustrious song writing competition in Philippine history with an even more songwriters vying for the 1 million pesos grand prize this 2013”.

PhilPOP is supported by Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts World Manila, TV5, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, NLEX, Sun Cellular, the First Pacific Leadership Academy, KBP, and Philex.   

Hundreds Join The Songwriting with the Maestro Tours

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Hundreds more are inspired to write Pilipino songs and are being taught by no less than Maestro Ryan Cayabyab (Mr. C.) through the well-received and highly successful “Song Writing with the Maestro” nationwide tour.

After its successful launch in Manila and second leg in Davao, over 400 more have had the exceptional experience to be schooled by Mr. C whose workshop includes lectures on Pilipino music history, songwriting as a tool for nation building, self-expression, entertainment, social commentary and the like, tips and guidelines on writing songs, and musical presentations by the known and respected personalities aimed to encourage the attendees to make their own music.

The foundation is behind the Philippine Popular Music Festival

The PhilPop MusicFest Foundation (PhilPop) with its thrust is to enrich original Pilipino music and educate this and future generations on its uniqueness and importance; to resound and preserve the vanishing perhaps forgotten musical gems from the rural areas; to empower Filipino songwriters whose music can inspire and motivate a nation.

The foundation has come up with a program that uplifts this challenged industry, with its Executive Director Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan at the helm.

 

With the assistance of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), PhilPop has launched its nationwide tour in key cities, holding a workshop with Maestro Cayabyab and several music industry veterans and Philippine Popular Music Festival finalists.

San Beda College, Ermita campus was the first stop of this unique program, with its College of Arts and Science students and its SBC Symphony Singers were amongst the hundreds in attendance, along with students from La Consolacion College, and the University of Sto. Tomas. 

Philpop 1^st placer Toto Sorioso who wrote “Tayo Tayo Lang” led the cast of other budding songwriters like Krist Melecio (“Piso”), Noah Zuniga (“Dulo ng Dila”), Keiko Necesario (“3am”), Thyro Alfaro (“Himig ng Panahon”), Kennard Faraon (“Slowdancing”) and Smart People’s Choice winner James Leyte (“Brown”) who all shared their experiences, and performed their winning songs.

“The outcome was very encouraging and the students were really engaged and captivated by the lecture”, shared Maestro Cayabyab.  “More than that, they had fun!  Through this tour, we are doing our part to ensure that this generation and future generations will have a real appreciation of our Pilipino music.”

The second stop of the tour was in Abreeza Mall in Davao where local partner Phoenix Fuels gathered hundreds of students from several schools, and members of different music organizations in the region where they interacted with the Maestro, award-winning R&B duo Thyro and Yumi, and one of the industry’s best Trina Belamide.

With the tour’s official airline Cebu Pacific, the “Songwriting with the Maestro” tour will be headed to Cebu (Benedicto College on October 12), Puerto Princesa (Palawan State University on October 16) Naga (with the Francis Padua Papica Foundation on November 24), Baguio (University of Baguio on December 17) and other key cities.

The project is supported by Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts World Manila, TV5, Metro Pacific Investments, North Luzon Expressway, Sun Cellular, First Pacific Leadership Academy, PICC, Philex Mining, the official airline Cebu Pacific and official food sponsor McDonald’s.

Love , Baihana!

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I love jazz... It's good for the soul and so relaxing. its also great seeing it live. 

Baihana.....a trio of lovely, enchanting and intelligent young ladies with strong, lovely vocals who can interpret a wide range of genres in their own way - Baihananiz-ed; and a brand of entertainment that will make you laugh, that will certainly warm your hearts. They will  poison  you with endless smiles as you cap your night with lots of wit and charm.

They recently won the Best Jazz Band award in the Boy Katindig Jazz Songwriting and Band  Competition and will represent the country in the World Youth Jazz Festival in Malaysia.

Baihana is composed of  Anna Achacoso, Krina Cayabyab and Mel Torre. I have watched them as they perform "Bigtime" by Trina Belamide -- one of the finalists in the first Philippine Pop Music Festival last July.

Let them perform and entertain you with their own brand of wit and charm in Love, Baihana on 24 August, 7:30 pm at The Music Museum.

It's gonna be a night full of love, laughter and music you'll surely enjoy!

For tickets, please call 637-9840, 914-5055, 0917-9096484; or come to The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab at the Lower Level, Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas, Quezon City."

Here are some video preview of Baihana.