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!

Cast of MATILDA THE MUSICAL Manila Staging Announced

I have been able to see how they've been working hard to put this musical on stage since early this year. They've held auditions left and right trying to find that perfect kid, her friends, and an ensemble cast that would pretty much spell how the Manila staging of MATILDA would actually look like. It's one of the best movies and theater productions I've seen internationally and I'm sure it'll be a cinch to actually do this with a very talented Filipino cast.

Included in the cast are three greats, Telesa Marie “Esang” De Torres who came from ABS-CBN’s The Voice and the Les Miserables (for their Asian tour), Uma Naomi Martin who did A Little Princess  and Felicity Kyle Napuli who already was awarded Outstanding Child Performer in the past Gawad Musika Awards (a local award body). Aside from three great singers, they've also announced Gabrielle Aerin Ong and Maria Ericka Peralejo as Lavander, Denise Fidel Arteta and Chi Chi Tan as Amanda, Nicole Chien and Ella Gonzalez as Alice, Alba Berenguer-Testa and Chantel Marie Guinid as Hortensia, Josh Nubla and Miguel Suarez as Bruce, Rhythm Alexander and Ian Albert Magallona as Eric, Gabo Tiongson and Pablo Miguel Palacpac as Nigel and John Joseph Miraflores and Teddy
Velasco as Tommy. They will be playing the classmates of Matilda in this production.

To play as antagonists, Jamie Wilson will play the tough and mean Miss Trunchbull. I'm sure she'll be having lots of fun throwing those kids around. The caring and lovely Miss Honey will be played by seasoned premier theater actress Cris Villonco. While Joaquin Valdes and Carla Guevara-Laforteza will play as Matilda's biological parents Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, they will be very colorful, mean and dysfunctional so be ready. MATILDA's Manila staging will be directed by Bobby Garcia and their choreography will be done by Ms. Cecile Martinez. The play will be presented by Promil and Metrobank Card Corporation. Matilda The Musical will happen at the Meralco Theater from November 10 to December 10 this year and will happen only on Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays and on Sundays at 2PM and 8PM.

If you want to watch the show with kids, it is recommended for ages 7 and up.Ticket prices are Php 1500 to Php 4000. You can purchase them at Ticketworld 891-9999 or their website www.ticketworld.com.ph. For more information about the musical, visit http://atlantistheatrical.com/faq or the Ticketworld website, they have ample amount of information there.

Wish I could watch it with you! :)

GILAS PILIPINAS: FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournament

This is it! I can't wait! We've already won the rights to host the FIBA Olympi Qualifying Tournament this 2016 and we're raring to go where no Filipino has gone before (well we did in 1936 and the years thereafter) but it's been a while since we've actually had a basketball team on the world map. We've done the legwork, we've conquered huge teams and placed 1st Runner Up in FIBA Asia Qualifiers. We've beaten world ranked countries and taken Gilas Pilipinas out there, impressing even the best people in the industry... and this is our chance to bring back that glory we've been longing for.

They've already announced the final 12 players, and we've seen the exhibition games happen in other countries. As they all come home and be joined by the rest of the country, Gilas Pilipinas will attempt to win that single slot and overcome a lot of other countries to make it there.

Our first touch of eurasian country Turkey will happen on July 1 at 7PM. This is just a tune up game yet a great venue to gauge how we'll fare with other countries when it comes to the real thing on July 5-10, 2016. The other qualifiers will happen in cities like Turin, Italy and Belgrade, Serbia. The Philippines will be pit against France, New Zealand and whoever is going to rank top in those dates. Games will be at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and it will be shown live on the happiest network in the country, TV5 with updates from Sports 5 PH too.

Gilas Pilipinas' Final 12 is composed of Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Troy Rosario, Ryan Reyes, Gabe Norwood Jeff Chan, June Mar Fajardo, Marc Pingris, Japeth Aguilar, Terrence Romeo, Andray Blatche and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. Unfortunately L.A. Tenorio and Calvin Abueva are out. This was announced by Tab Baldwin before their tune up game with China in Italy. The coach was adamant declaring it was because of numbers that they decided to choose the roster but I'm sure they were NOT short of HEART. Make sure you'll be there and purchase tickets at SM Tickets (https://smtickets.com/). Ticket prices go as much as Php 14,945 for VIP, Php 12,810 for Patron, Php 10,675 for Lower Box, Php 430 for Upper Box and Php 215 for General Admission (as seen on site).

Bring your hearts, let's all cheer behind Gilas Pilipinas and say "Laban Pilipinas! Puso!" (Fight Philippines! With all your heart!).

For more information about their games:

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