Life, emotions and music masters

By Nickie Wang/Manila Standard Today

There are various media we could use to communicate a message and music is one of those. Whether sadness, fear, anger, love, joy or exaltation, music has been a proven way to represent emotions and to trigger emotive responses. However, a message can have diverse impact on people depending on the genre and the level of artistry a musician possesses.

This time, let us have Kim Jongwan, a Korean six-string master, and Ryan Cayabyab and his singers to do the communication.

Another Korean invasion?

Korean drama series dominated primetime television during the previous years, and these series were accompanied by good songs that still captivate people.

Thank You Lord is Kim Jongwan’s first acoustic worship album. For people who have little knowledge on Korean writing, they might feel impassive upon seeing the cover of the album most especially when they try to look at the inside pages. The album and track information are entirely written in Korean language.

Seven out of nine tracks in the album are titled in English while two of them do not have any translation. Nevertheless, it is good to note that these tracks actually sound good that you would even try to find out what they really mean. The first is a soothing tune and the next resounds like a festival of percussions that would really entice the listeners most especially on the final two minutes of the song.

The opening track entitled “Intro” fades in very soft and easy but explodes into a soulful thumping before it fades out. It is followed by infectious “Happy Virus,” a song better played in the morning for it will make your whole day full of positivity. The track pauses right in the middle and comes back with a more playful tapping of the guitar seasoned with some finger snappings.

Kim’s “Amazing Grace” sounds very rousing; the melody creates a certain picture that brings you into a reverie filled with happiness. This level of emotion is furthered by the following track “Above All.” Plucked in a soulful manner, this pop-sounding track culminates with power chords and slows down calm and mellow.

“Lord, I lift Your Name On High” is one of the samples of Kim’s guitar flair. The track starts strong yet it is able to maintain or establish the same energy it initiated. It sounds more of a pop acoustic rather than an acoustic worship song.

Inspired by center of Jesus’ ministry, “Galilee Blues” is a three-and-a-half minute of simple guitar, the chords are mostly the same or repeated creating a certain kind of recall. “Sky, Love, Grace” is a very light arrangement of acoustic sound. This title can recapitulate the message the whole album would like to convey.

Restating that this is an acoustic album and it is not anchored by words weaved in poetic manner, the genius behind the guitar simply illustrates that lyrics is not the only possible way to convey a message and musicians do not usually have to go that far to capture an audience and stir up emotive responses.

Mr. C and his singers

Ryan Cayabyab is the virtuoso behind the successful vocal groups such as Smokey Mountain (a popular band in the ’90s that had James Coronel, Geneva Cruz, Jeffrey Hidalgo, and Tony Lambino as its original members), the 14K (the group that launched Jolina Magdangal’s singing career) and the San Miguel Master Chorale.

This time, Mr. C is back in mentoring seven fresh talents he christened RCS (Ryan Cayabyab Singers).

The RCS has just released a 12-track self-titled debut album that features the voices of its members Anezka Alvarez, Katherine Tiuseco, Kyla Rivera, Irra Cenina, Jaime Barcelon, Poppert Bernadas and Vincent Evangelista.

The album jump-starts with stimulating “Call Me, Call Me.” The lyric may be simple but the vocal is outstanding making it a good opening track to introduce the RCS as vibrant vocal group.

Two Cayabyab originals are featured in the album as revivals. The first is “Hibang Sa Awit” and the other one is “Hello Joe, Goodbye.” The first song showcases the vocal prowess of the male singers in a more sophisticated jazz tempo. Their version of the classic song would sound very well especially when performed in a big venue. On the other hand, “Hello Joe, Goodbye” sounds like a filler song. It is boring to the extent that listeners would be lulled to sleep.

“Ito Na Nga Ang Pag-Ibig” is another song that does not make any appeal. The vocal style is good but not so fitting to the song, making the track better as an instrumental. Just like “Ito Na… Ba’t Di Mo Sinabi” lacks vocal charisma. The lyric has a good humor highlighted at the very last line but still sounds trying hard.

“I’ll Make You Smile Again” promises to put a smile on a person’s face again but nobody would instantaneously smile for something too old- fashioned like this track.

Miserable love song “Paano Na ’To” is brave enough to go away with the traditional rhyming of the lyric, but the thing is, as the album’s longest track, it is plainly uninteresting.

However, there are exceptional tracks in the album that promote the vibrant talents of the RCS and of course of Mr. Cayabyab. Take the papiso-pisong pag-ibig of “Pahamak.” It captures a love story that developed through SMS. The simplicity of the lyrics somehow produced a relevant song that most youngsters could relate.

“Hideaway” is one track to note just like “Let Me Love You Tonight.” Both are sensual love songs furthered by an addictive sound of the piano and perfect vocals.

Finally, “Ayoko Na,” a playful contemporary song that reflects urban landscape focused on the squabble between a woman and her boyfriend who is call center agent. Good thing, Mr. C had this track included in the album for it opens him to a new generation of audience.

Mr. C has proven his panache with all the classic hits he had in the previous years. With RCS, it is difficult to identify their sound. It would be better if they will have a front man who would sing most of the songs when they perform. Although it is a good opportunity for every one of them to showcase their individual talents, but when they always do, they can never create a unique sound that would establish them as a vocal group.

Gloria Diaz promotes healthy lifestyle

By Nickie Wang/Manila Standard Today

Why do people need to keep their heart healthy?

Based on the statistics of the Department of Health, heart disease is the no. 1 killer in the Philippines. There has been a staggering increase of mortality among men and women concerning varied diseases involving the heart.

Contrary to what most people believe that men are more susceptible than women in having heart disease, the truth is, men and women are equally prone.

Aside from being inherited, there are studies that blame cigarette smoking, excessive fat intake, imbalanced diet, and unhealthy lifestyle as major factors leading to having the fatal disease.

“According to a 2000 Health Report, heart illness is the leading non-communicable disease in the country. What is alarming is that it’s an uptrend since 1950,”said by an Abbott executive.

To create better awareness, Abbott with its product Ensure launches Gloria Diaz as new product endorser alongside with new a campaign “Think Red” that aims to promote good health among women.

“More than anything, women should be aware that they are also prone to heart disease. It’s just that women never knew really for sure. But now, it’s been tested and proven that there is a big risk. One just has to be aware and take all necessary precautions,” former beauty queen Gloria Diaz enthused.

Women often put themselves last when talking about personal health, they think of their loved ones first. “Think Red” does not just promote the product Ensure but also support healthy lifestyle among women. Since red has been a color most associated with them, the campaign aims to educate women to put high premium on their health.

As Ensure continues to be the no. 1 doctor-recommended adult nutritional drink, Abbott realized that part of its corporate social responsibility is to help its consumers in their pursuit of healthy lifestyle by producing innovative and healthy products. With Gloria Diaz as its new endorsers, Abbott officials are confident that she can further solidify Ensure’s position in promoting healthier living.

To have a healthy heart is not just about eating the right food. Although what people eat directly influence the health, it is good to mention that exercise is also advised for it ensures good blood circulation that gives cells the energy they need to function properly aside from it helps reduce other risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure.

“Women like me and most especially ordinary housewives always put our selves last. Now it’s time to take charge of our health. Have a healthy lifestyle, have a good relationship, keep your cholesterol down, and don’t spend too much, take Ensure. And don’t forget to put everything in moderation,” Diaz told the press during the launching of Ensure’s latest commercial featuring Christopher de Leon who renewed his contract as product endorser.

“I heard that the product is doing very great and I am so happy endorsing it again” Boyet said during the press launch.

Diaz claimed that she feels flattered and pressured at the same time for the product did very well without her. She is currently busy shooting for ABS-CBN’s upcoming fantasy series Utoy starring Dolphy and Makisig Morales. She will also grace the silver screen as part of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry of Ai-Ai de las Alas Ang Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat.

“I still have other projects, but I am not sure if they will push through because one of them requires me to travel out of town. Going out of town then back to Manila is too tiring,” Diaz shared. “As I’ve said, put everything in moderation, take care of your heart, drink Ensure and leave it to God,” she concluded.

Introducing Fernando Amorsolo to a new generation

Visiting art museums and galleries seemingly is something unexciting to children and teenagers of this generation.

They’d rather go to concerts or the movies than spend time in somber halls of a museum gawking at sculptures or paintings they can’t seem to understand. What they enjoy doing most these days is engaging in anything that’s physical, like sports. Yet, more often than not, these youngsters are in a state of catatonia, and looking like they are busy in their own world that is defined by new technology, like gadgets and the Internet.

This preoccupation of the young in gizmos and mind-numbing activities threaten the very existence of the visual arts.

Luckily, art enthusiasts across the country are making the initiative to introduce art appreciation to the young generation through various programs that tend to encourage them to participate and identify the importance of the arts in social development.

From now till April next year, seven of the country’s most distinguished museums will stage the biggest and the rarest art exhibition honoring the first-ever Filipino National Artist Fernando Amorsolo.

Dubbed as His Art, Our Heart, this exhibition presented by The Metrobank Group brings together the Ayala Museum, GSIS Museum, Lopez Museum, Metropolitan Museum, National Museum, Vargas Museum, and the Yuchengco Museum in a unique showcase that will highlight the different facets of the man and his art.

“Art is an extension of our heart. To bring it back home through the press and media, that is what we are hoping to do with this project. This would not only begin on the first day but it has to blossom within the coming months. We are embracing the 21st century technology to reach the young generation,” advocate of corporate and individual social responsibility and project executive director Evelyn Lim-Forbes told the media during the press briefing held at the Peninsula Hotel in Makati City.

“Through our Web site, teachers can upload and download modules that will prepare and introduce students to Fernando Amorsolo. This landmark collaboration of seven museums is focused on introducing our first National Artist to [a] new generation of Filipinos. It’s practically going back to basic,” she disclosed.

It was announced during the media launch that Create Responsive Infants By Sharing (CRIBS) has been chosen to be the beneficiary of the Amorsolo exhibitions.

CRIBS is a non-government organization operated by a committed group of professionals, trained staff and volunteers. It seeks to provide shelter and residential care to children who are abandoned, surrendered, neglected and sexually abused.

The art’s seven

Fernando Amorsolo is said to have painted more than 10,000 pieces that reflect his mastery in the use of light and his craftsmanship evident in every stroke in his canvasses that generally describe the rural people in their high spirits.

“Women are painted like no other did,” a curator from the Ayala Museum said. As a tribute to the artist’s brilliance, The Ayala Museum will feature Amorsolo’s Maiden Concealed and Revealed from Oct. 23 to March 8. The exhibition will survey Amorsolo’s rendering of women as a means of following his career. It will showcase country maidens from the American period and Amorsolo’s studies of nudes from the post-war years.

The GSIS Museum of Art is joining the Amorsolo Retrospective from Oct. 2 to Dec. 20, with the theme on rituals. Entitled Rituals and Amorsolo, the exhibition will underline how rituals reflect values, beliefs, and shared knowledge among members of a society. The six values were deduced, namely: pagkamadasalin (piety), pagsisikap (hard work), pagkamasayahin (cheerfulness), pagkalinga (nurturing), barkadahan (friendship), and kalinisan (cleanliness).

In its attempt to re-introduce a more multi-dimensional Amorsolo to today’s artists, readers, and viewers, Lopez Memorial Museum presents Tell Tale: The Artist as Storyteller opening on Sept. 24 and will end on April 4. The displays will try to touch on notions having to do with intertextuality or the shaping of texts’ meanings by other texts by exploring how Amorsolo partnered up with figures.

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila will transform the Tall Galleries into a harvest field of Amorsolo rice-related pieces that portray the different stages of paddy preparation, planting, transplanting, harvesting, and milling, among others, as well as some of his outstanding landscape paintings. Philippine Staple: The Land, The Harvest and the Maestro is on view from Sept. 26 to Jan. 13.

At the National Art Gallery of the National Museum of the Philippines, from Sept. 25 to Jan. 15, art aficionados will have the chance to see Amorsolo’s works that speak of how an artist contemplates a sense of the every day, which translates into a moment of culture. The exhibition will show an angle of the artistic practice of Amorsolo through drawings, portraits, and memorabilia.

From Sept. 23 to Nov. 16, Jorge B. Vargas Museum’s Amorsolo, His Contemporaries and Pictures of War: Capturing Anxieties will feature the works of Amorsolo and his contemporaries spanning World War II (1941-1945) and the immediate post-war years (1946-1947). This exhibition invites the viewer to reenter these images and empathize with what Filipino artists and Vargas experienced during these periods.

The Yuchengco Museum’s Mukhang Tsinoy: Portraits by Fernando Amorsolo presents portraits commissioned by Filipino-Chinese families, some of which will be shown to the public for the first time. The Ancestral Gallery will open its doors on Oct. 1 and will close on Jan. 17.

Who is Fernando Amorsolo?

“During his lifetime, my father and his prolific body of works were showered with many honors and awards. He was known as an artist whose extraordinary abilities gave life to many colorful and beautiful facets of Philippine society,” recounted Sylvia Amorsolo-Lazo, the National Artist’s daughter, during her speech at the media launch.

She added that his father found beauty in the ordinary. Rather than paint objects of opulence, glorious scenes of victory in battle, he depicted the common folk like the farmers, vendors, and young women who went about their daily tasks and chores.

Amorsolo was born in Paco, Manila on May 30, 1892. Just like any other artists and contemporary artists, he encountered difficulties to make both ends meet. At the age of 13, as a budding painter, he helped augment his family’s meager income by drawing postcards for a bookstore.

His first recorded win at a competition was at the Bazar Escolta organized by the Asociacion Internacional de Artistas in 1908. He won second prize for Leyendo Periodico. He made illustrations for various Philippine publications including Severino Reyes’ first novel in Tagalog, Parusa ng Diyos (God’s Punishment) and Iñigo Ed. Regalado’s Madaling Araw (Dawn). To earn more money, he also provided illustrations for the religious Pasion books. In 1914, he graduated with medals from the University of the Philippines.

His “Rice Planting” (1922) was a staple of tourist brochures and his style became most sought-after by American soldiers who wanted something uniquely Filipino to bring back home to the United States.

One such client, Capt. Robert Kennedy, brought home a few Amorsolo pieces and had them framed at the Art Center Gallery in New York. The gallery owners inquired about the artist which led to Amorsolo’s first one-man show in New York. Of the 40 pieces, 24 were immediately purchased.

His national and international successes made him a household name. Among his recognitions are: gold medal from the Unesco National Commission (1959); the Rizal Pro Patria Award (1961); Honorary Doctorate in the Humanities from the Far Eastern University (1961); Diploma of Merit from the University of the Philippines (1963); Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan Award from the City of Manila (1963); the Republic Cultural Heritage Award (1963); and the very first National Artist Award four days after he passed away on April 24, 1972 at the age of 79.

As a commercial artist, his most popular creation was the “Marca Demonio” label, which is pasted on the bottles of the world’s largest-selling gin, the Ginebra San Miguel (drinking gin is not a good way to introduce Amorsolo to young generation, however, a good trivia for them to know).

Ex-US soldier wins Mister International Philippines

By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today

Filipino-American Ryan Roberts will wear the Mister International Philippines sash in the international male pageant to be held in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, on Nov. 23.

After outshining 14 other candidates during the pageant’s night held Sept. 1 at the A.Venue Events Mall in Makati, Roberts walked home with P20,000, a trophy, and the prestige to be called Mister International Philippines 2008 winner.

Twenty-four-year-old Ryan, who practically grew up in the US, graduated at Fort Walton High School and had served the US Army 101st Airborne Division for four years in Iraq. He is a product of an interracial marriage between his Filipino mother and American father who met in Clark Air Base more than two decades ago.

At six feet tall, Ryan was a crowd favorite during the event and received an overwhelming applause when he gave his answer during the interview portion. He was asked: “Which one is more important: your family or your friends, why?” “Family is the most important thing, but friends are also important. To me, family first and then friends.”

Ryan, who is also into mixed martial arts and surfing, grinned before the judges.

Male pageant veteran Jeff Surio was announced first runner-up and Marikina’s teen hottie John Bardo “JB” Espiritu, second runner-up.

Controversial candidate Ian Porlayagan was not able to fulfill his dream but made it to the top 8. Ian was Mister International Philippines 2007 winner who failed to compete in last year’s international event held in Malaysia. Local organizer and pageant director Mike Lim told the press that he gave Ian another chance for the young man was really upset when previous local organizers were confronted by problems and failed to send him to the international competition.

“We gave him [Ian] another opportunity, after all everybody deserves a second chance,” Lim clarified. “Now, I will make sure that Ryan Roberts signs the contract as a proof that he will fly abroad to represent the country,” he chuckled during the pageant’s coronation party.

The program that started two hours late was however a record-breaking event for any pageant. It lasted for more than an hour with a fashion pageant concept—an idea of Lim who is also a Public Relations professor at the De La Salle University. There were no special awards given and everything was fast paced. The successful pageant itself indeed serves as a benchmark for all male pageants because it raised the standard and was made truly classy.

The contestants sashayed on the runway wearing creations by Eric de los Santos (Casual Wear), Barge Ramos (Barong Tagalog), Freego (Jeans) and Rickie Abad (Swimwear). They were judged according to their looks, physique and personality that reflected during the interview portion.

The contestants were trimmed down to eight and those who made it to the short list were: Leo Reyes, Bryan Baculi, Ryan Roberts, Ian Leonel Porlayagan, John Bardo “JB” Espiritu, Sary Alsiyed, Jeff Surio and Christian Ang-Cayabyab. The eight were then individually asked a question to test their intelligence. The host told the finalists that language proficiency is not a measure of intellect. Finalists were encouraged to speak the language they are comfortable withg. The questions were asked in English and then repeated in Filipino.

The complete list of 15 who made it through the stiff selection process were: Leo Reyes, Bryan Baculi, Ricswartz “RS” Sibal, Mike Lee, Ryan Roberts, Ian Leonel Porlayagan, Gilbert Lopez, John Bardo “JB” Espiritu, Sary Alsiyed, Jeff Surio, Juan Lorenzo “Enzo” Quitiquit, Aaron Jimenez, Dennis Torres, Philip Ramos and Christian Ang-Cayabyab.

As people in the audience (who were mostly men or looks can really be deceiving) drooled while the 15 gentlemen paraded and flaunted their chiseled torso during the swimwear competition, proportionally, 15 judges as well made crucial decisions in choosing the country’s legitimate representative to the upcoming international pageant.

The board of judges was chaired by Bohol socialite Lani Schoof. Other judges were A.Venue’s Nancy Coo, celebrity columnist Crispina Belen, designers Paul Cabral, Barge Ramos, Ricky Abad and Renee Salud, Aficionado’s Joel Cruz, Manila Times Entertainment editor Ricky Gallardo, PR man Donnie Ramirez, entrepreneur Caloy Varela, Malayan Bank executive Chris Jalandoni, dermatologist Joni Dizon, and fashion and events director Robbie Carmona.

Historical inaccuracy in The Tudors

05 September 2008 / Manila Standard Today

Most critics look for precise details when someone dares to recreate the past through an elaborate production, either in the movies or television.

This element some filmmakers disregard and instead choose to create a different reality to satisfy visual, the artistry that they think will mesmerize their audience.

This month, HBO Signature features the story of a 15th century dynasty that shaped the history of England.

The Tudors, which kicks off its first season 10 p.m. tonight on HBO Signature on SkyCable, is about the early years of the infamous reign of England’s King Henry VIII. The 10-episode television series will flip back the pages of history to uncover the early turbulent years of this monarch played by Irish film and television actor Jonathan Rhys Meyer.

Filmed entirely on location in Ireland, this sexy scintillating Emmy Award-winning drama series also stars Maria Doyle Kennedy as the Queen Katherine of Aragon; Jeremy Northam as Sir Thomas More; Sam Neill as Cardinal Wolsey; Natalie Dormer as Anne Boleyn; Henry Cavill as Charles Brandon; Callum Blue as Anthony Knivert; Henry Czerny as the Duke of Norfolk; and Gabrielle Anwar as Princess Margaret Tudor, Henry VIII’s sister.

The Tudors creator and writer Michael Hirst, best known for his 1998 film Elizabeth, delved into history in a new and exciting way by portraying the king in a way that has never been done before—young, sexy, intriguing, romantic and infinitely more complex.

This might be the reason some critics say that The Tudors does not seem anywhere near as raunchy or as glamorous as they are currently being portrayed by Hirst. King Henry VIII had been known as an obese ruler who married six times and had a voracious appetite for food and beer.

Hirst’s contemporary version of the 15th century monarchy does not erase what had been written in history books, he just stepped back a little further and showed the other side of the infamous king of England when he was still young, attractive, and could play real tennis or go hunting.

According to Hirst, The Tudors is first and foremost about an exciting and overlooked historical figure. It deals primarily with two, interlinked, triangular relationships, both of which involve Henry. The first concerns his private life, the marriage to his dead brother’s wife, Katherine of Aragon, and his growing obsession with the young Anne Boleyn. The second is concerned with Henry’s role as king and his relations with the pious and moral Sir Thomas More and his politically cunning and imperious chancellor Cardinal Wolsey. As a royal, he appreciates the importance of tradition. As a restless young man with absolute power, he will not bow to authority.

“Michael [Hirst] has written 10 hours of drama but it’s sharp—not a slow 10 hours of period puke. Nobody wants a history lesson. It’s boring. He has this period down. He understands how these people felt, how they thought, their sexuality, their repression, their superstitions,” lead actor Meyer says about the series’ writer and creator.

The intriguing tale of King Henry VIII as narrated by Hirst comes with a question on how to handle encompassing power. It is the same question that Hirst is being confronted by. With his intuitive writing, he made royal characters breathe a new life. The Tudors is not a historical documentary that is being presented like a lesson in a history class. The drama, the glamour, and the romance definitely give it the distinction.

The Tudors will premiere with the first two episodes directed by Charles McDougall and Steve Shill. Episodes 3 to 6 will be shown on Sept. 9 and episodes 7 to 10 on Sept. 10. Encores will air at 8 p.m. from Sept. 22 to 26.