GARY VALENCIANO Set to Stage PURE ENERGY: One More Time at the ARANETA COLISEUM

It ain't enough to stage a state of the art concert in Mall of Asia Arena, because yes, it's happening AGAIN at the Araneta Coliseum this coming December 20 and 22 for PURE ENERGY: One More Time with Mr. Pure Energy himself, Gary Valenciano. 

For those who don't know, this is the same place where he held his first MAJOR concert about 40 years ago, so in a sense, this had to happen. Gary performed in the biggest venues here and abroad including Hong Kong, LA, and Abu Dhabi a couple years ago. Last year, he did Music Museum too. Everybody thought it was his last hurrah because of his pronouncements on interviews, but he's still at it. No health scares, no drawbacks could stop him from performing on stage, because as always, his music and life story is truly inspiring!

The concert will be directed by his son Paolo Valenciano and musical direction will be by Mon Faustino (who did his past ones too). This is possible with the help of his sponsors ABSCBN, Soundcheck, Novotel, PLDT, GAOC, Philippine Airlines, Naproxen Sodium Skelan from UNILAB, JB Music, Globaltronics, Power Mac, designer Francis Libiran, Toni & Guy, Young Living Essential Oils, French Baker, Tung Lok, and done for the benefit of the Shining Light Foundation (as with their previous shows). You'll get to know more about it too at the concert.

For those who would like to see the concert, you can get tickets via TicketNet (ticketnet.com.ph) or their email addy tickets@garyv.com and price ranges from Php 750 to Php 15,000. They highly encourage to get tickets early because they run out of it fast. If you want to know more, make sure you follow Gary Valenciano's social channels because updates about the show will be posted there! 

Just to let you know, I've seen his Music Museum and Mall of Asia Arena concert, and it's one that I could say... that is WORLD CLASS! I thought I wasn't in the Philippines when I watched it, so it's a treat to see it happen at the big dome!

ELLA MAY SAISON and SOUTH BORDER To Bring 80's-90's Hits at Soundtrip Sessions Vol. 3 Concert

I would have wanted to start this article with a little story about ME but that would be funny. See, I sing quite often in Karaoke places and part of my repertoire would actually include very iconic female singers, with so much gusto in fact, I'd be doing it in every session I could take myself to. I'm a big guy, so it is unbecoming for someone who looks like this to have a voice too high pitched for comfort. Enough about me. 

See, I was told a few nights ago about this chance to actually interview two artists. The first being Jay Durias of the famous band South Border, and two, the iconic vocalist, Ms. Ella May Saison. Just thinking about it made my jaw drop, and guess what, I was super late because of a prior event (kahiya!). They patiently waited for us, it was really so nice of them to do that.

The concert is entitled Soundtrip Sessions Volume 3. The previous Soundtrip Sessions had artists like Luke Mejares, Jinky Vidal (for Volume 1), Nyoy Volante and Juris Fernandez (for Volume 2). This time, it'll be their turn (on November 9th!).

Ms. Ella May and Jay are actually not new to the band scene, it was something that was common to both of them. Back in the days, Ms. Ella May was part of Artstart Band, it was something she did because she's one of the few who could excellently do all the hits, whether it's jazz, blues, and RnB. She left the band and got a lot of hit songs in the airwaves later on, cementing her status in the music industry then, and now. She went to the states and had the pleasure of working with some of the greatest singers, music producers, musicians our generation has ever known. She had a shot at a career in the US and took it. She's now back singing the way she did, even better in 2024. 

Jay on the other hand could do pop, ballads, and also RnB. They both could also write songs, legibly produce it, much of which have become hits for other artists (i.e. MAPA of SB19 and more). You wept to his songs "Kahit Kailan", sang along with "Rainbow", wished for one in "Love of My Life" and a few more in his repertoire. He told us how much of a dream this is because once he got a call from the producer and heard the name Ella May Saison, he immediately said YES without hesitation. Jay told us about the first time she saw Ms. Ella May, where she described him as a "genius!". Here's our interview with them that evening:

They are making history just by being seen together in this concert. What to expect? All their hit songs, some of which will be sung in duets. Imagine Jay singing Ms. Ella May's songs, and the other way around. Wouldn't that be a sight for sore eyes? Aside from that, they have a few songs up their sleeves which will be revolving around the 80's and the 90's music. An added plus to this is that they're performing at The Theatre at Solaire which houses some of the country's best acoustics, I think it is the perfect venue for it. This will also be a family affair for Ms. Ella May Saison as she will be with her sisters and her brother Elhmir Saison who will be directing music for the show. I am as excited as you. This will be one epic musical night!

As for this fan boy, he got his wish!

Tickets can be purchased at Ticketnet.com.ph or at the Solaire Box Office. Prices are SSVIP 8755, SVIP 7210, VIP 6695, Gold 5150, Silver 3605 and Bronze 2060. This is produced by Dragon Arc Events Management who did the previous Soundtrip Sessions. Again, November 9th at The Theatre at Solaire!

Don't miss this one, it'll be good!

Celebrating 10 Years: "JUAN KARLOS LIVE" at the Mall of Asia Arena this November 29th

I distinctly remember being seated beside this good looking lad at a concert in Mall of Asia Arena a couple of years ago. Even back then, he's one of the most adored artists of his generation, and I could reckon how he was at awe of how it must have been like performing on stage especially at this big venue. This year marks his 10th year in the industry and with all the pieces falling into place, it's the right time to hold his very own concert. They call it "JUAN KARLOS LIVE", happening this November 29 at the same venue.

JK says "I'm excited, but nervous, but I'm working with amazing and talented people so I'm concentrating on audio and visual aspect of the concert. Nathan Studios is working on a lot of things. I never think of it too much, it was never really set as a goal to perform in big stages, it was more of contentment wherever I perform. I think it's just the people I work with that makes it worth it. I have a song called KALAWAKAN, which is a nice song, but haven't performed it on stage yet just like a few collabs I've done in the past. Sometimes I forget it, but imagining performing those songs just have that cool aspect."

He adds "I don't think anyone could be ready for something like this, but Tita Ibyang (Sylvia Sanchez) told me not to think of what to perform, because this is for the fans that supported me all these years. It's something that I have to do for the people who believe in me, it is the direction I felt was right. With that, I just said "oo nga ano", it is for them. I'm trying to balance selfishness and selflessness, to try to balance the flow of the show that I'm just there to perform rather that complicate it. It will be intimate, a jam session, it will be an experience, no lessons, but the feeling of being in that capsule to be able to relate to those songs, and the life we went through all these years. I just feel like yesterday I was a bisaya that was just playing on stage by coach Bamboo, not taking things seriously when I was in Voice Kids as a bonding moment. I never dreamt any of these things, now here we are because of that one decision I made to please my Mom. For some reason, it was something she wanted, it made us happy. It's beautiful because I've been through a lot to be able to get to where I am now. To reflect on that, and be in this moment, it's beautiful. I am lucky and blessed to be surrounded by people who believe in me."

 

For him it was a no brainier for Nathan Studios to produce this because Ms. Sylvia was a mother figure. She was the one who pushed the concert even if the decision was made. He just said yes to it. JK also discussed his relationship with his Lola, the one who pushed him to achieve things. One that didn't talk too much, but is part of who he is. He says the things she does is cute, and he's happy she is witnessing this.

JK also lamented how he used to watch concerts, and believes how he should be a consumer before becoming a performer. He felt he was able to get a perspective of what he should see to enjoy a concert, and now that he is doing this, he is finding solace in creating songs that the populace will appreciate, make him feel good, because music was the thing that made him feel constant even if he's going through a lot. This is for the people who made him, and his songs, part of their lives.

 Here's the full press conference on video, took a long time to upload this, please enjoy!

He is honest, fragile and vulnerable, and wishes to write more songs in the near future. He has a lot in his coffers, it's just the release part that worries him and prolly his label. The viral version of "Through the Years" may or may not be played on the concert too because a lot of people are requesting for it. It's just going to be a surprise, so make sure you get the few tickets left for the concert on the 29th! We heard some sections are already sold out!

This concert is also directed by Paolo Valenciano. Musical Direction is by Karel Honasan. This is produced by Nathan Studios and fully supported by his label Universal Music Group Philippines.

Get your tickets at SM Tickets website smtickets.com/events/view/13698. He's a very cool guy, and I think I'm a fan. :)