Classical Meets Pop in “Classyfied” with Jonathan Badon Sept.27, 2006 Young tenor Jonathan Badon will treat audiences to a night of timeless classics, Broadway, pop and selections from the music of Il Divo, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, and many more on Sept. 30, Saturday, 9 p.m. (Manila time) at Hard Rock Café, Makati City, Philippines. The concert, entitled “Classyfied,” will feature the versatility of Jonathan Badon, an Aliw Awardee for Best Male Classical Performer in 2004. “Classyfied” is a musical performance unlike any other, as Badon brings fresh interpretations to Broadway favorites “Some Enchanted Evening” and “Tonight,” to modern standards “Loving Arms” and “She’s Out of My Life.” Special guests are mezzosoprano Ana Feleo (the lovely daughter of renowned Filipino film director Laurice Guillen), and guitarist Kelly Badon. Badon has a bachelor’s degree in Music in Voice from the University of the Philippines College of Music. STAGESCOPE will go check this out this weekend, and tell you more about Jonathan Badon. Gian Carlo Magdangal competes in ‘Philippine Idol’ finals Saturday night Sept. 26, 2006 All-male band 17:28’s former vocalist Gian Magdangal continues to compete in the first-ever ‘Philippine Idol’ finals on Sept. 30, Saturday, 9 p.m. (Manila time) aired over ABC 5 in the Philippines. Gian, together with fellow ‘Philippine Idol’ wild card contenders Kenneth Dingle, Maureen Marcelo and Stephanie Bainbrigge, joined early top eight finalists Reymond Sajor, Drae Ybanez, Jan Kurt Nieto, Miguel Mendoza, Pow Chavez, Armarie Cruz, Jellie Mateo and Apple Chiu in the top 12 finalists’ roster. Gian movingly performed his version of Stevie Wonder’s classic “Lately” at the wild card performance night last Sept. 16 to the approval of resident judges Francis Magalona, Pilita Corrales, and Ryan Cayabyab. The rest of the Philippines turned in their votes via SMS, which officially named Gian as one of 12 finalists the day after his performance. “I was very nervous because “Philippine Idol” has been a very unpredictable show. It comes with a lot of surprises both for the audience and the contestants,” said Gian. Gian Carlo Magdangal, better known as Gian to friends, theatergoers and growing legions of fans, is on the fast track to stardom and it isn’t by accident. His pursuit of show biz success is ambitious as it is focused and unwavering. An ardent admirer of Gary Valenciano, Gian certainly moves as fluidly as his idol, and sings with the kind of effortless ease in a tenor voice that floats evanescently. Like Gary, Gian began his singing career in high school at La Salle, as part of the choral group Kundirana. This discovery of music led him taking workshops with Trumpets under directors Freddie Santos and Sweet Plantado of The CompanY. Soon, he was part of the all-male band 17:28, which produced two albums and spawned a hit song, “Sukob Na.” By the time the band broke up, Gian found himself neck-deep in school, determined as he was to get that out of the way in order for him to single-mindedly pursue his dream. After graduating from the College of St. Benilde with a Business Administration degree, Gian suddenly found himself in the midst of offers, mostly theater. He played Tony Manero in “Saturday Night Fever” for Greenbelt 3 Mall, an experience both exhilarating and harrowing for the young actor/singer. They put the show together in an impossibly short period of 7 days, and he had to learn disco dancing over his accustomed street dancing. He was also in the cast of last year’s “Beauty and the Beast,” and then commanded the attention of critics and audiences alike with his comic turn as Willard Hewitt in STAGES’ production of “Footloose.” It was a role that allowed Gian to show off not only his vocal and terpsichorean skills but his surprising instinct for comedy. While competing in “Philippine Idol,” Gian has realized this early on that being an “idol” definitely goes beyond singing and performing. “You have to reach out to the people and show your sincere heart and concern for them,” said Gian. You may reach the writer at email add. stages_pr@i-manila.com.ph “Bulig Guimaras” mini-film festival set Oct. 13-15 Sept. 25, 2006 “Bulig Guimaras” (Help Guimaras) mini-film festival, organized by newly formed Philippine Independent Filmmakers Multipurpose Cooperative (PIFMC), will run from Oct. 13-15 at Robinson’s MovieWorld indieSINE, Ortigas Center, Manila. “Bulig Guimaras” presents a collection of 17 documentaries probing on the recent Guimaras oil spill disaster in this southern island of Mindanao. On August 11, MV Solar I, an oil tanker chartered by Petron Corporation carrying 2.1 million litres of fuel oil sank into the rough waters off Nueva Valencia, Guimaras Island. To date, 200,000 litres of fuel oil has leaked from the tanker, affecting about 220 kilometers (137 miles) of coastline, 450 hectares (1,112 acres) of mangroves, and 116 hectares (287 acres) of seaweed plantations in the province. This has been the worst environmental disaster, and worst-ever oil spill in the Philippines. “Bulig Guimaras” will provide a venue for an open forum about the disaster on Oct. 13. A DVD collection of the featured documentaries will be launched as well. Part of the proceeds will go to selected non-governmental organizations, local government offices, and to Guimaras Island. For more information, you may log on to www.indiefilmcoop.bravehost.com The Dawn releases 20th anniversary album Sept. 21, 2006 Legendary rock band The Dawn’s 20th anniversary celebration reaches fever pitch with the release of “The Dawn, Tulad Ng Dati,” a commemorative album encapsulating the band’s own brand of rock music in the last two decades and more! The Dawn releases this landmark album, fresh from the critical successes of their semi-biographical film “Tulad Ng Dati,” which won Best Sound, Best Editing and Best Picture in the recently concluded 2nd Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival at the CCP. The film was produced and directed by big rock music fan and a good friend of the band, Mike Sandejas. Just like in the film, “The Dawn, Tulad Ng Dati” features the band’s definitive hits, including “Enveloped Ideas,” “Isang Bangka Tayo,” “Salamat,” and “Tulad Ng Dati” in a two-disc CD pack manufactured and distributed by Warner Music Philippines. These songs have been painstakingly re-recorded and re-arranged with the help of the band’s newest member Buddy Zabala (bass guitar). The addition of Buddy Zabala strengthens The Dawn’s solid new-wave rock foundation. “Buddy has new inputs. He spearheads songwriting for our 20th anniversary album. He can think faster than we can act,” says Jett Pangan (lead vocals), who is joined by JB Leonor (drums) and Francis Reyes (guitar) in the present line-up. Since the commemorative album also shows off the band’s continuing drive to dish out exciting new music for years to come, three new tracks are added including its carrier single, “Ang Iyong Paalam,” a love song for those who don’t have the penchant for cheesy love songs. Another treat to fans is the inclusion of a second disc in the new album, which compiles the rock band’s past music videos and all things “The Dawn.” For booking inquiries, call Fran Ribano (63917)812-0217 / Alvin Rodriguez (63919)813-4984 or visit The Dawn’s official web site at www.thedawn.ph. STAGES secures license to mount Disney's "High School Musical" Sept. 20, 2006 STAGES recently got the nod of Disney Theatrical Productions and Music Theatre International (MTI) to mount the newly adapted stage musical based on Disney Channel's hit original movie "High School Musical" in the Philippines. Auditions will be held in November. STAGES mounts "High School Musical" as a fitting follow-up to its successful staging of another youth musical, "Footloose," late last year, which starred RnB Prince Jay-R and Myx VJ Iya Villania. Since Emmy-winning "High School Musical" premiered on Disney Channel U.S. last January, it has been televised 13 times and was seen by over 37 million viewers. Its maiden telecast alone set record-breaking ratings for Disney Channel. The TV movie has since established ratings records in Australia and South East Asia. In the Philippines, "High School Musical" ranked no. 1 in its timeslot beating all other kid TV channels during its premiere telecast. Moreover, the TV movie's soundtrack is the top-selling album of the year to date in the U.S., selling over 2.7 million copies. Its DVD release has sold over 2.3 million copies since May, making "High School Musical" the best-selling TV movie on DVD of all time. A junior novel based on the Disney movie landed on no. 1 spot in the New York Times' bestseller list (children's paperbacks). Music sheets for guitar, piano and vocals are also selling like hotcakes. "High School Musical" follows the sugar-sweet story of popular high school basketball star Troy Bolton and timid, math genius Gabriella Montez who discover that they share a secret passion for singing, and must learn to break free from their cliques' typical expectations in order for the two to fulfill their dreams. Both TV movie and stage versions of "High School Musical" boast of catchy "break into song" production numbers, which include "Start of Something New," "Get'cha Head in the Game," "What I've Been Looking For," "Stick to the Status Quo," "When There Was Me and You," "Bop to the Top," and "We're All in This Together." The soaring duet and U.S. Billboard Top 4 hit, "Breaking Free," two new songs, and a "High School Musical" Megamix complete the song list in the adapted full stage version. STAGES will hold auditions in November. "Tweeners," teens and young adults, 13 to 22 years old, who can act, sing and dance, may try out. Interested parties and show buyers may contact Tes Bolneo at tel. no. (632) 818-1111 loc. 209 or email stages_pr@i-manila.com.ph for details. STAGES' production of Disney's "High School Musical" is slated to run at Meralco Theater in August 2007. Apart from producing stage musicals, STAGES is into booking and casting models and talents, talent management, event management, and public relations. For any queries, you may contact Oliver Oliveros, Senior Public Relations Officer/Consultant, STAGES, at tel. no. (632)818-1111 loc. 225, mobile no. (63)928-7725254, email add. stages_pr@i-manila.com.ph Merfolk found in one of the coastal towns of Sorsogon, Philippines? Sept. 13, 2006 Is this true or just another “P.T. Barnum”-fabricated mermaid? I’m pretty sure that the waters of the Bicol Region is truly blessed with marine resources, including Donsol’s whale sharks (butanding). But a mermaid/merman inhabiting the waters of Sorsogon? Hmmm. Christian Bautista wins "Favorite Male Artist" twice Aug. 18, 2006 Asia’s Pop Idol Christian Bautista remains unbeaten for two consecutive years as MTV Pilipinas’ “Favorite Male Artist.” Christian accepted the award, along with this year’s runaway winner Sandwich and other local rock bands, before a mostly ecstatic crowd at the MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards 2006 held recently at Casino Filipino, Parañaque City. At this year’s MTV Pilipinas Awards, Christian garnered the highest votes done via SMS and online voting for his recent music video “Invincible,” winning over Gary Valenciano. Ogie Alcasid, Jay-R, and Jed Madela in the “Favorite Male Artist in a Video” category. “I’m very much delighted to know that MTV and my fans have voted for me again as their “Favorite Male Artist.” MTV has been a big help to all our local music artists. They have been showing my music videos, including “Invincible,” not just in the Philippines but all over Asia,” says Christian. “Invincible,” Christian’s second single from his internationally released sophomore album ‘Completely,” is a heartbreaking ballad that tells about the awkward phase of moving on after a failed relationship. The music video, entirely shot at Subic International Airport, establishes the much needed faith and courage to overcome such emotional condition as evocatively expressed in the music and lyrics by Hollywood songwriters Nina Ossoff, Dana Calitri, and Kathy Sommer. “Christian has been very dedicated and passionate about his work. During our principal shoot at Subic, you wouldn’t hear a single complaint from him while working under the scorching sun. He strives for perfection; he’s very open to suggestions. He’s top-notch in both talent and attitude,” says “Invincible” music video director Treb Monteras. Christian’s newest video for his pop-rock single, “She Could Be,” also directed by Treb Monteras, premiered recently in local music channels. A special compilation album of his English songs, including “Invincible,” has been released in Singapore. Photo credit: Jhune Aycardo, Christian's road assistant You may reach the writer at email: stages_pr@i-manila.com.ph or blog site: http://oliverpublicist.blogspot.com