Karylle unravels a story through music

By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today

Karylle’s reconstructed heart, figuratively we mean, is amazingly strong for she just throws unpretentious smiles when asked about her failed relationship with actor Dingdong Dantes.

Instead of letting herself be doomed to frustration and heartbreak, she comes up with a project that serves as an avenue of her creativity. Truly, people cannot just find love nor depend happiness on other people alone.

Certain that she is in the moving-on phase, Karylle is vocal on how she deals with people asking how she’s doing. She has learned how to be sincere to people she meets and who subsequently seek her advice on how to cope with failed relationships.

“Even though I would rather be quiet about this whole situation, I guess it’s time to speak up and share what I’ve learned to [sic] other people,” Karylle told writers at the launch of Time For Letting Go.

The songs in the album basically show the stages of moving on. The CD comes with a booklet that contains the lyric of the songs plus an explanation of the stages of her life during her troubled times. The 11-track album is a collection of her most favorite songs, including eight covers and three originals. The album showcases a duet with Martin Nievera (“The Best of Me”) and collaboration with mother Zsa Zsa Padilla (“I Live For Your Love”).

Denial and anger

“Denial is when you keep on saying ‘I’m okay’ even when you’re not.”

Although she doesn’t have a song selected to define denial, Karylle explained that in the beginning, she chose to believe that everything was fine even if something wrong was really happening. When she finally realized the truth, her anger was released through rock songs, loud angry songs. For the album, nonetheless, she chose to cover a Regine Velasquez original “You’ve Made Me Stronger” and a Sheena Easton ballad, “Almost Over You.”

Anger is the emotional state that inhibited Karylle to have a sound and clear thinking. As her depression was tough, she relates to the song “I’ll Never Get Over You, Getting Over Me,” the album’s kick-off single borrowed from the ’80s vocal group, Exposé. It is her outlet to express what she felt at the height of her much publicized breakup with Dingdong.

Depression and bargaining

Right after the denial stage, Karylle had to comprehend reality pushing her to write songs and include them in the album like “Minamahal Kita,” and “Hulog ng Langit.” She revealed that “Wala Na Ba Ang Lahat” is actually a song that she co-wrote with former boyfriend three years ago when their relationship was still sunny.

“I asked for his [Dingdong] permission, I don’t remember if I called him up or simply sent a text, but I told him that I’m going to use to the song for the new album. When I recorded for the album that I also produced before, ’di ko siya sinama dahil malas kasi siya, now is the right time,” Karylle said in a very teasing tone.

Sense of peace and calm

“These are some things that I have come to accept and appreciate that after everything that happened, and being so open to everyone, we’ve reached a certain level of friendship. This is my way of saying to other people na kaya niyo rin ’yan,” Karylle said.

As she accepts reality, the songs “Something New In My Life,” and “Leaving Yesterday Behind” are musical tales that narrate her being brave in facing the new promising chapter of her life. Just like what the songs speak of, she begins to find a new purpose and meaning to her existence.

“It was hard in the beginning when they told me about the concept [of the album], when they gave me the list, it was the whole list of top 100 breakup songs. It was another emotional journey, all the emotions were involved but we tried to find a way around it by listing the stages in my life, na kapag may mapulot ka naman something dito, and if you think of it that way if, ‘eto na yun,” she said in reference to the question about the hardest and easiest part of recording the album.

As the album launch concluded, Karylle said some inspiring words about what she had learned while going through all the trials she had of late.

“In every opportunity that is presented to you in life it’s really how you handle it. I think it just so happened because it was so publicized. Had I handled it the different way, I don’t think that the result could have been the same. I consulted so many people and prayed so hard,” she ended.

Karylle had two albums recorded in 2001 and 2005, Time To Shine and You Make Me Sing, respectively. Both CDs were released under Universal Records. Her latest offering Time For Letting Go under Polyeast Records is now available at all record bars.

Francis M. raps no more

After eight months of treatment and four excruciating chemotherapies, actor and Philippine rap icon Francis Magalona (Francis M. to his fans and Kiko to his friends), succumbed to leukemia yesterday, 12 noon at The Medical City on Ortigas Avenue in Pasig.

The news of the death of the 44-year-old rap star was heard across the Philippines when Vic Sotto announced it in Eat Bulaga. Magalona used to be one of the hosts of the popular noontime show until August last year, after he was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia. The illness is the most common form of leukemia and is a fast- growing cancer that attack the blood and bone marrow. It was after the Eat Bulaga show in the United States when Francis, complaining of fever and body pains, went to a specialist and found out about his condition. From then on, it was a series of medication and chemotherapy until he was finally declared clinically dead at 12 noon yesterday.

Francis was the youngest son of 1950s legendary actors and celebrity couple Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran. In 1984, he was launched in the teen movie Bagets 2 along with Ramon Christopher and the late Jon Hernandez.

Magalona seemed to have found his calling in music—rap in particular. He started doing rap and became the first to successfully cross over to mainstream music. He became an advocate of Pinoy Rap and encouraged, as he inspired, upstarts in the genre to pursue their rap ambitions. His first album entitled Rap Is FrancisM was released in 1992 and immediately became solid gold. It produced numerous hits like “Mga Praning” (Paranoids), “Halalan” (Elections), and “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy” (We Are Filipinos). Many of the young generation would associate Francis M with the anthemic “Tayo’y Mga Pinoy,” a song that has been largely used in many Filipino-themed events here and abroad.

His songs, while sounding too eclectic for the general audience, were like modern poetry that dealt mainly with the ills of Philippine society.

Throughout his career, he was always with wife Pia Arroyo who also served as his manager. He has adopted Pia’s children by a previous relationship, Unna and Nicolo, when they got married. Francis bore Pia five children, Francis Jr., Elmo, Arkin, Clara, Saab and the most popular among them all, Maxene, who was last seen in Una Kang Naging Akin.

His last project was a collaboration with another music icon, Ely Buendia. Dubbed as The Sickos Project, the album features various artists on the local music scene. The progress of the project was detailed in his blog called “A Free Mind.” It’s on the same blog where Francis posted entries that detailed his battle against leukemia and how he did with chemotherapies.

In the last entry posted on Jan. 14, the prolific rapper said:

“I look forward to the pain as I know my journey is on full speed ahead. I will not be bold to say that without asking a favor from you all. Please pray for me as I undergo treatment. Your prayers, as always, have sustained me. And am sure the Lord will listen to all our prayers. To His will I submit myself.”

Francis Magalona’s wake is at the Christ The King church in Green Meadows.

‘Unforgettable’ singer in Manila

By Nickie Wang

Manila Standard Today

American singer-songwriter Natalie Cole is on a mission to fill up the Araneta Coliseum on March 11 crooning the most beloved ballads and R&B classics that catapulted her as a hot R&B star of the ’80s.

The 59 year-old singer, who popularized the Grammy Award-winning songs “Unforgettable,” “When I Fall In Love,” “This Will Be,” and other hits like “Inseparable” and “Miss You Like Crazy,” will relive her songs in a concert called An Unforgettable Evening with Natalie Cole.

“I’m pulling a lot of stuff from way, way back,” Cole said. “When you have 25 years of great stuff in your catalog, you want to give them as much as you can, especially an audience that has been with you for all of it.”

Natalie’s first-ever concert in the country promises great entertainment as she pays tribute to her musical influences like her legendary father, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra.

She started and achieved early success as an R&B singer in the ’70s. Over the years, most especially in the ’90s, she gradually shifted her genre to a more jazzy musical style and even released singles that are pop standard-oriented. Her change of musical style is evident when she recorded the album Take A Look (1993), When I Fall In Love (1996), and Snowfall on the Sahara (1999).

The American chanteuse, who is behind 10 Grammy Awards and more than 30 million record sales worldwide, first released an album in 1975 (Inseparable) followed by a self-titled album in 1976. Almost every year from 1970 to 1991, Natalie came up with high-profiled materials that endeared her to legions of fans across the globe.

One of the most remarkable feats of her luminous career is the successful remake of her father’s classic, “Unforgettable,” which she recorded in 1991. With a little help of technology, Natalie had a duet with her father Nat King Cole, who had passed on by that time. The late legendary R&B singer’s vocal from the original recording was spliced into the new track to recreate the single. The album that included that track peaked at the US Billboard Pop Chart at no. 1 for five weeks. It also received eight times platinum certification from RIAA selling more than seven million copies in the United States alone.

At the height of her career, Natalie had to deal with the prize that came together with her overwhelming success. She had to battle a growing addiction to illegal drugs while being in and out of bad marriages (she has been married three times). In an autobiography released in 2000, Natalie admitted that she was addicted to heroin and crack cocaine. In 2008, she was diagnosed with hepatitis C, which the doctors believed she contracted from sharing needles during her rampant addiction to heroin.

“I’ve had my share of doing things that I really wish I hadn’t done,” Cole stated. “It doesn’t mean I’m not going to make mistakes again, but don’t let it be in the studio. Let that be at least one place where I can kinda get it right.”

Natalie’s illness doesn’t stop her from doing the things she loves. The international multi-platinum diva continues to tour the world to do concert and promote her music. With a career that spans four decades, Natalie continues to produce great hits.

Last year, she released an album entitled Still Unforgettable. The pop-jazz album earned Natalie her 10th Grammy trophy and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Jazz Artist. These just prove that Natalie Cole and her music are one, that’s why she is called an international artist; she has an impeccable talent that makes her an optimum songstress whose recognizable voice produced unforgettable classic hits that have touched millions of fans all over the world.

Introducing Nikki J.

By Nickie Wang

Manila Standard Today

Exceptional music talents are not the usual voices you hear over the radio. Great music and extraordinary singers must be discovered by music aficionados who posses discriminating ears and distinctive tastes.

Nikki J. is one of the intelligent singers who decide to remain away from the limelight, but that doesn’t mean she conceals her passion for music. Her artistic ability is lauded whenever she performs in corporate shows and intimate events seen by few —music listeners who like standards and whose ears are burnt out with crappy renditions of other singers who don’t even know the real science and art of music.

In October last year, Nikki J., a former member of Ryan Cayabyab’s 14K, staged a first solo concert at Teatrino Theater and Bar at Greenhills. The sold-out performance got good reviews and endeared Nikki to a captive audience, who are mostly members of Manila’s affluent lot and definitely all music lovers.

Catching up with the love month, Nikki J. is set to stage another concert called Standards in Love tomorrow at Teatrino.

Nikki J., or Nikki Junia, will croon her own interpretations of standard classics made popular by Connie Francis, Cliff Richard, Doris Day and other artists of yesteryears.

Among the songs that she is going to perform are “Stuck on You,” “Return to Sender,” and “Lipstick on Your Collar.” Nikki will also do the bossa nova versions of Elvis Presley’s classics “Jailhouse Rock,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and “Don’t Be Cruel.” All arrangements are done by guitarist and musical genius Kettle Mata.

“It’s basically the same concert I had last year but this time, we added more songs and invited different guests,” Nikki told us during an intimate talk over a lunch on a Saturday afternoon.

Her lineup of special guests includes singer-comedian Dyords Javier, and fresh talents Tina Chong and Jastine Alfonso. The concert will be directed by her father Ray Junia.

Early years

“What really inspired me to sing was after I watched Lea Salonga’s concert at Nikko Garden Hotel. She was still so young then. We just dropped by to watch her sing, and then I told my Dad, ‘I want to train, I want to sing and I want to learn how to sing,’” Nikki recalled. She was just nine years old then.

Being a former member of 4K, the first batch, of course, it is not surprising that windows of opportunities easily opened up for Nikki. In the late ’80s when she was just 12 years old, she climbed the stage of Carnegie Hall in the United States. Then, with the help of Fr. Sonny Ramirez, she did a series of concerts with other young singers who would later become top college students of the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music.

At a tender age of 13, she became the youngest Fe Panlilio OPM scholar in the class of Robert Seña. After her stint with the musical group, she went serious with gospel singing and continued studying music and eventually graduated cum laude at UST.

The road less traveled

Instead of pursuing a career in mainstream music, like what other singers would normally do, Nikki devoted her time teaching young students to learn the proper technique in singing while doing corporate shows on the side.

“The reason why studied music because I wanted to know the technique, it’s like how can you share something if you don’t experience it,” Nikki said and furthered, “When you perform you still learn a lot of things. So that’s what I teach my students, my personal experiences. It’s rewarding when you hear your students improving after a year.”

According to the singer and a music guru, she is very thankful to her past mentors because they were generous in terms of sharing their experiences. That is the same urge that inspires Nikki to share what she knows to the next generation of music artists.

“I want them to have the right attitude and discipline. They really have to work hard. Some people’s impression is that after one year you can already sing. I started training when I was nine years old, and I continue learning until now,” Nikki said and revealed that she has been teaching young music students since she was high school back in her home town in San Pedro, Laguna. Currently, she owns a music school that hones about 30 aspiring talents.

As a classically trained soprano, who can easily go from classical to pop, she doesn’t just listen to music for pleasure but studies and analyzes the material. With careful planning, the petite singer plans to come up with an album.

“We are still finalizing the concept because I don’t want to make a mistake on that. I will still be standards of course. There will be original songs that will sound like oldies and I will do some revivals that will sound like new,” she concluded.

Nikki J.’s Standard in Love concert is the latest installment of her Standards Concert Series. For tickets, call or fax J Events at telefax 869-1531 or e-mail j.events@yahoo.com.

Four failed voices trying to make it in the business

By Nickie Wang

Manila Standard Today

Less than a year after the quartet You’ve Got Male was formed to entertain the avid viewers of SOP, this fearless group tried to test the waters of performing live last Feb. 20 at the Music Museum.

On a busy Friday night, avoiding the busier thoroughfares like the Aurora Boulevard, we decided to watch Four…The First Time at the Music Museum since we already know what’s going to happen at the Big Dome. The performance we thought would be a breath of fresh air just disappointed us, or maybe we just expected too much from the four young men who aimed to introduce themselves as legitimate concert performers.

From the opening “Bohemian Rhapsody” to the closing “Time of My Life,” and an hour and 40 minutes in between, the quartet who call themselves a group and individual performers at the same time practically showed the audience why they didn’t win the respective talent searches they were once part of.

Just when they thought that boy bands are still in, the fallen talents of disparage searches paid tribute to Barry Manilow crooning classic hits like “Mandy,” “When Will I Hold You Again,” and “Can’t Smile Without You,” boy-band style of course. On the surface, the four looked and sounded good together because of excellent harmony in vocals but turning to their individual performances was a completely different story.

More recognizable Gian Magdangal, whose live outings include stage plays and guest performances in several concerts, made elaborated movements during his moment on the stage. His interpretation of Bread’s “Everything I Own” sounded as if he has just lost everything he had. We got completely distracted by his exaggerated facial expressions making him not so pleasant to look at. His unnecessary movements overshadowed the talent he had to showcase on that defining night.

Bryan Termulo, who rendered his own version of 1979 hit “Cool Change” and Rob Thomas’ “Smooth,” tried hard to act and move sexy. His attempt to seduce the female and gay people at the audience only earned him the moniker “the sissy boy.” We also noticed that his outfits didn’t fit quite well with his short and stocky thighs, except the ensemble for the final part of the show when he was groomed with a sleek white suit just like the rest of the members of the group.

The only classy member of the You’ve Got Male on that particular night, Jan Nieto, really made the fans go loud. His distinctive presence on the stage encouraged our thoughts that he has better potentials than his band mates. “I’ll Never Say Goodbye” and his debut album’s carrier single composed by Ogie Alcasid “Bakit Kailangan Pang Lumayo” were flawlessly delivered. Jan also visibly carried his outfits better than the other three members of the group.

Harry Santos, who sounded like a pale imitation of Josh Groban, nearly didn’t hit the high notes of “You Still You” and the Ryan Cayabyab’s masterpiece “Araw Gabi.” The downside of his performance is that he was associated to Josh Groban because of his being vocal in idolizing the American artist. It’s obvious that the young singer is trying to imitate the famous crooner but the problem was he didn’t even sound close.

The people who put together the four performers didn’t make fine touches on the concert’s concept. It is safe to say that it looked like a prolonged version of SOP’s segment “Three of a Kind” having You’ve Got Male occupying the center stage the whole time.

Special guest Lovi Poe was the big surprise. Although veteran singer Pop Fernandez and choreographer Regine Tolentino were also guest performers, Lovi, who sang “Someone to Watch Over Me,” saved the first half of the show when the audiences were getting restless with the middling performances delivered by Gian and Bryan.

The four performers’ excitement of having a very first concert was evident in the way they horse around the stage but it was their spiels that we found evidently canned. During the entire show they uttered phrases that didn’t have any connection to the songs they were about to sing, not to mention the long lines they dropped that gave the impression that they’re not actually included in the disorganized script.

The concert ended with a medley of the songs the quartet performed in the contests they joined. Harry emotionally sang “You Raised Me Up,” Bryan belted “Flying Without Wings,” OPM lover Jan went romantic with “Will You Say That You Love Me,” and Gian crooned with his version of “Impossible Dream.”

It is hard to tell if there would be a repeat or would we still see You’ve Got Male at a different, or perhaps a bigger, venue. The concert didn’t fill up the minuscule Music Museum, and that is despite the number of performers featured on stage.