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!

Celebrate 20 Years of TOYCON PH!

If you're a toy collector and live in the Southeast Asian region, there's certainly one event that you should look forward to go to in the Philippines. They're celebrating their 20th year, TOYCON PH, the longest existing pop culture event in the Philippines.

From its humble beginnings of just a single a room, it now is being held at the SMX Convention Center in Manila with all sorts of toy brands showcasing their wares for toy lovers everywhere! This includes exclusive toys that will be released just on this occasion courtesy of toy designers from the region and the US. These limited edition TOYCON items won't be seen anywhere but here, so if you're seriously considering getting them, come to the show.

Brands like Funko, Lego, Bandai, Hot Toys, Pop Mart, JoyToy, tons of others are going to be seen in the event plus exclusive releases of Quiccs, Wetworks, Creaon Chknhead, Arman Kendrick plus a whole enchilada of artists that only will release their merch on the 20th edition of TOYCON PH. Globe is also their co-presenter, and will dedicate a Globe Playboxx Booth where Globe susbcribers will be treated to VIP status if you get Premium and VIP passes. You'll get access to Creon Chknheads CCW Buck Philippine Colorway and Punk Drunkers Pops, which would be relatively hard to find in these conferences.

For classic fans, Voltes V Legacy artists, and their Director Mark Reyes will be there too. Aside from that, Masked Rider Black and Black RX star Tetsuo Kurata or Robert Akizuki will be in the Philippines to grace the event. If you're also a fan of Maskman, Ryosuke Kaizu who played Red Mask in Hiraki Sentai Maskman will be at the event via the Toku Spirits Booth. There will also be a Cosplay event plus a Cosplay Photography Workshop done by Jay Tablante if you're into that.

All of these will happen on July 7 to 9 at the SMX Convention Center, and this will surely be BIG since this is their 20th year. Make sure you use the hashtag #TOYCON20NA if you are posting on social media, to become part of the fun. Tickets are sold via SMTickets.com or on the event location, so head on to SMX Convention Center on this dates! Globe Premium Passes are going to be via Tickelo.com. See you on TOYCON 20!

IAN and OGIE Continues Concert: VIRTUALLY YOURS, KILABOTITOS

This was postponed last year because of obvious reasons, but it had to be done. The country's most good looking Uncles, Ian Veneracion and Ogie Alcasid will be doing their concert called Virtually Yours, KILABOTITOS which is happening March 26th.

Ian Veneracion told us how he was called Tito and says "So I had a project with Bea Alonzo and when we introduced ourselves, she suddenly asked if she could call me Tito, I immediately told her "Tito mo mukha mo wag kang magkakamali! (in jest)" but it was a little heartbreaking, we can't stop aging."

Ogie on the other hand said "The first time I got called Tito was when I was 13 and my sister got pregnant. Aside from that, it was Lovi Poe who called me that since we were with the same manager. Then after that, when I transferred in ABSCBN all the other singers called me that way, these days, I'm like used to it and I'm already 53 so I think it's okay now to call me that."

 Here's more of the short interview we did with them today!

 

 

 

The two will be making your post valentines day blues away and will give you the hit 70's and 80's music which you were binging on during this pandemic. Though it will be held live online, Virtually Yours KilaboTITOS will still make you swoon because these guys still have it. Tickets are sold on KTX.PH or Ticketnet.com.ph and I heard they're almost sold out.