Jackie, Oh! by Jackie Regala-Katigbak

The No. 1 band in the Philippines known as South Border makes another breakthrough as their original recording of the song “Sweet” (composed and arranged by the band’s music director and keyboardist, Jay Durias) hits mainstream airwaves via 93.5 KDAY FM.

This is the first time ever that a song recorded and performed by Filipino artist has been played over 93.5 KDAY!!! http:?/935kday.com/.. As of this writing, the station has been receiving phone calls and requests for the song "Sweet."

Let's help make the first Filipino Artist No. 1 in a mainstream radio station! Call the request line at 310-552-5329.

There’s no stopping South Border right now! The group is hot! They successfully filled the theaters and clubs of New York, Washington DC, Chicago, San Diego, San Franciso, the Viper Room in Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles and The Gig in Melrose, LA. Coming up next is their performance this Friday, May 19, at 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Rhythm Lounge located along Pine Avenue and 3rd in downtown Long Beach. Incidentally, the show at Rhythm Lounge is only open to ages 21 years and older.

The management of Rhythm Lounge is quite excited about South Border’s gig, another mainstream club whose lines have been very busy getting inquiries about the Friday show. The club is on a limited capacity so try to come in at 7 p.m. if you are planning to buy tickets for the show. Only a few tickets left up for grabs! For additional info, you may call Jackie or Gerry at KATZ Entertainment at 562-529-8680 or 562-787-9030 to 31; Jojo and Kaye Morales at Unicare Family Medical Group, 562-377-0670 or Gary Cruz at 562-335-5327. Tickets are also available at Goldilocks in Cerritos and Pinoy Bistro.

For those who wish to catch the show on another playdate, South Border hits Hollywoodville when they perform on June 3, Saturday at The Knitting Factory (near Kodak Theatre in Hollywood Blvd). They are set to bring the house down not only with their soulful R&B tunes but also with their pop, dance and a dash of hip-hop flavor!

Tickets for both shows are priced at $42.00 (includes entrance to the Club and the Show itself)… now, that’s a real bargain! For info, call KATZ at 562-529-8680.

South Border is composed of lead vocalists, Duncan Ramos and Vince Alaras; bass guitarist, Tata Balane; lead guitarist, Butch Victoriano; drummer, Paul Benitez; saxophonist and flutist, Ric Junasa and the band’s music genius, Jay Durias who is keyboardist, vocalist and musical director of the band.

South Border: A Smashing Success

Viper Room, Los Angeles - In as little as 30 minutes, South Border, the famed band from Manila captured a motley type of audience, not limiting themselves to entertain only Asians or Filipinos but mainstream club goers as well at the famous watering hole of Hollywood music artists, Viper Room in Sunset Blvd. last weekend.

South Border opened the show with “Sweet” their current hit song followed by one party music to the next such as Playa, The Show, and Brown Hand Smash among many others. Obviously, South Border has successfully taken on a grittier, harder urban feel on their music. They have diversified with their choice of music. While still sounding great with covers, we are surprised that the band has now taken their original songs on stage and sounded best than when they do other people’s songs. Music whiz, Jay Durias, the best kept secret of the band should receive credit for growing out of the box as far as music choices and performances of the band.

Back at Viper Room, the crowd cheered and danced from one song to the next. The enthusiastic response surely made a very good impression with recording executives present that evening. In fact, right after the show, the group has been offered to do a gig at House of Blues. Some approached their managers, Sharon Inductivo and Lucy Slattery and offered to do a recording project with South Border.

With the success of the Viper Room showcase, KATZ entertainment could not be happier when they bring back the group via two more party gigs. On May 19, be ready to party with South Border at the Rhythm Lounge (along Pine Ave and 3rd in downtown Long Beach) and on June 3 at The Knitting Factory in Hollywood (near Kodak Theater). The show at Rhythm Lounge is for 21 years and older while The Knitting Factory is open for all ages. Due to both clubs' limited capacity, early ticket purchase is encouraged. Tickets are priced only at $42.00 for the all-night gig.

South Border is also brought to you in Los Angeles by The Law Offices of Roman P. Mosqueda, Friendster and Unicare Family Medical Group.

The South Border club gig is primarily designed to keep you up on your toes for more than an hour of solid R&B, dance remix, hip hop groove, pop-jazz and a sprinkling of mellow love tunes. Of course, they will still incorporate their famous ballads “Rainbow” (theme from Crying Ladies and most downloaded ringtone in Manila); “Wherever You Are,” “Love of My Life” and so much more.

At the moment, South Border continues to capture concert enthusiasts in San Diego, San Francisco, Los Angeles and on to Seattle. Their musical episodes continue on May 13 at South San Francisco Auditorium; May 19 in Rhythm Lounge and June 3 at The Knitting Factory. This early a second leg tour is up in the can by September. This is to accommodate all the other additional requests from promoters in the US.

From the US, South Border has a series of singing engagement in Canada (Toronto Music Festival) and a five-city tour in the Middle East before we see them again in the US.

South Border is led by Jay Durias, musical director and keyboardist; Vince Alaras and Duncan Ramos, lead vocalists; Ric Junasa, saxophonist and flutist; Paul Benitez, percussionist; Tata Balane, bass guitarist; and guitarist Butch Victoriano.

KATZ Entertainment proudly presents the most sought-after band in the Philippines today known as South Border. The band is best known for their catchy and popular R&B-jazz-pop music mix with an OPM flavor. SOUTH BORDER in Long Beach, CA Friday, May 19, 2006, 8PM at the Rhythm Lounge, 245 Pine Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802 and SOUTH BORDER in Hollywood Saturday, June 3, 2006, 8 PM at Knitting Factory, 7021 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028. The Rhythm Lounge show is for ages 21 and up while the Knitting Factory show is for all ages. For tickets and more information, you can call KATZ at 562-529-8680 / 562-787-9030.

Famous songs: "Rainbow" (from Sharon Cuneta's Crying Ladies), "The Show," "Wherever You Are," "Ikaw Nga" (from GMA 7's teleserye Mulawin), "Habang Atin ang Gabi," "The Way We Do" and the current hot seller, "Sweet." Their recorded albums include "South Border" (triple platinum), "Bump" (which turned gold), "South Border... Live" (platinum), "Episode III" (platinum/gold).

Make Way for Jenevi Bakch!

Born in Korea, Jenevi has lived in Las Vegas since she was baby. When she was just 14 Jenevi was cast in the lead role of Mei Li in the Broadway hit “Flower Drum Song.” Her other early acting credits included the roles of Tuptim in “The King And I” and in “South Pacific.” Later in her career, she played the lead role of Mitzi in the production of “Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus” at the Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas.

With her natural talents in singing and dancing and a love of live performance, Jenevi’s career quickly expanded beyond acting to include her own musical review at the Del Webb Hotels. Less than two years after her review debuted, her artistic talents drew the recognition of Mr. Las Vegas himself, Wayne Newton, and she soon became a featured entertainer in his stage productions. Jenevi has since had the honor of performing alongside with Wayne for audiences that have included such notables as US presidents and foreign royalty.

Her favorite performances however, have been for the men and women of the US Armed Forces, during Wayne’s many US tours to Iraq, Bosnia, Italy, Afghanistan, Korea, Kuwait, Qatar, and other locations throughout the world. She has performed with well known celebrities like Jessica Simpson, Rob Schneider,&nbs p; Gary Sinise, Kid Rock, Chris Isaak, and Britney Murphy to name a few.

One of Jenevi’s latest projects is performing as a guest singer of The Concert King and International recording star Martin Nievera. She will be the featured femal vocalist in Martin’s forthcoming shows in key cities in Texas such as San Antonio, Mc Allen and Houston. Jen will also be Martin’s lead female guest in his soon-to-open, running gig at Steve Wyrick’s Theater in Planet Hollywood Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas (formerly Aladdin Hotel).

Although Jenevi continues acting and recording, her greatest joy will always be performing before a live audience.

(Ed’s note: Jackie Regala-Katigbak has been writing and doing promotions in the entertainment business since the 1980s. The past two decades saw her columns and articles published in the Philippines via the Manila Bulletin, Panorama, Manila Standard and Philippine Times Journal. Currently her articles are published by www.CarouselPinoy.com, the Asian Journal publications and in various newspapers in Southern California. For correspondence, you may send her an email at JackieRegala@verizon.net. Thank you.)

HOME