Mikoy, Rita, Frencheska and Dion for Artist Center Jam Sessions

Frencheska Farr, Rita De Guzman, Mikoy Morales and Dion Ignacio

It was a great evening of music and artistry when we went to Route 196 in Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. GMA network's very talented artists namely Frencheska Farr, Rita De Guzman, Mikoy Morales and Dion Ignacio. I honestly haven't seen them perform live yet to tell you honestly so this is one thing I'm a little excited about. It's a good thing that they did not disappoint me. I had so much fun that evening.

Mikoy Morales

I've seen Mikoy Morales during his Protege days and of course he was one of the few who was to be taken notice because he's got a very unique voice. It's a bluesy, rnb kinda thing. He was a little quiet at first, maybe because he hasn't met me yet; but once that the program started he looked really friendly.Now remember, I haven't heard him sing live yet so this is a first. I tried to record their performances one by one and upload them real time. Check out this number by Mikoy during the jamming sessions.

That's really good. He felt what he sang and made us all feel the same way. If you get to be affected by a song, what more an album soon. In the mean time, please make sure you subscribe with his Youtube channel to check out his covers and original compositions. His songs are also going to be featured in up coming films and programs in GMA. He's going to be in some of them too so you better watch out for this talented chap on the same channel!

Rita De Guzman

As pretty as the girl you dreamed of last night, she's one fine lady with a very powerful voice. I actually like her style, a more deep kind of belting with very controlled dynamics. She sang an original called "Bilang Ikaw" (Just Like You) which I must say is a good OPM song which was fit and styled perfectly for her range. I'm so sorry I didn't get to record her video as I was still uploading Mikoy's song. She only sang two songs that evening and I thought there was going to be a next one. My bad. Anyway, since she's this good... GMA Records is actually already in the works to release her new album. It's going to have original ones so you have to watch out for that. 

I kinda hated her in Villa Quintana because she was really evil in that role but seeing her here was just great. I didn't know she sings this good, proving her worth as the grand winner of Popstar Kids. She knows how good she is too and that exudes confidence, just like when she sang that evening here. We can't wait to see how her new songs will fare on the airwaves because she is indeed so promising!

Frencheska Farr

I didn't recognize her probably because of her hair. She's Frencheska Farr, and I kinda knew her because she has worked with my Sensei Xander Angeles and Niko Villegas. Those were stunning photos. I also saw her debut album called "Inside my heart" which was more so represented who she is as a recording artist. Her voice is good and I liked what I heard that evening from her. You be the judge on how good she sounds like here.

Her album is still out on major record bars and stores nationwide. If you like what you're hearing in this bit, you'll even love the album. She's a very talented gal and I'm sure you're gonna hear a lot more songs from her in future ones, right GMA Records? :) Aside from that, Innamorata was awesome with you in it. I hope we get to see you in more projects in GMA, you're a nice gal... you deserve it. By the way, she'll also have a benefit concert entitled YOLO this July 25 at the Music Museum. This is for cancer patients and survivors, a really good cause. Tickets will be available at the venue, online and shops nationwide. Make sure you don't miss it!

Dion Ignacio

Seeing a good looking guy like Dion Ignacio makes me a little jealous. He's tall, chiseled like a demigod, has got the face that would make women fall on their knees... and I thought that was all. This evening was a really good eye opener because this wasn't just the Dion I knew all these months that I got to know him. I didn't know that he freakin sounded this good!

This is the first time I've heard him sing live. To my surprise, I couldn't help but tell him how good he was after his set. His background in working with a band also came in handy because he played the drums and the in different songs during the event. Sometimes, I don't get it why people are almost made perfect. Anyway, he's going to have a new album that will be under GMA Records. It's about time! He's a way talented individual to just be limited to dramatic roles he's been doing lately. Congratulations Dion! Proud of you! ;)

The guys and gals are talented and with GMA Artist  Center and GMA Network as a whole working on them, I wouldn't be surprised if they get to where they want to be career wise. I'd love to see another one of these jamming sessions soon! We totally had fun! :) What a way to introduce artists to the public!

For more information about their artists:

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Chef Boy Logro, Kevin Santos and Pekto Celebrates Birthday with Street Kids

Birthday boys Pekto, Kevin Santos and Chef Boy Logro

These guys from GMA's stable starting with comedian Pekto, actor Kevin Santos and the nation's well loved Chef Boy Logro celebrated their birthday at the post Quezon City Sports Club just a few days ago. They got kids from Onesimo Bulilit Foundation, a charity center from Quiapo in Manila to be their beneficiary this day. That's because they all love kids. I guess pretty much like some of the media guests, it's their first time in a place like that. I actually had my Junior-Senior Prom in this place (the bigger ballroom) a couple of years ago and this is kinda exclusive. Letting the kids and some of their parents experience that alone is a big deal. Aside from that, instead of the celebrants getting the gits... the kids will be the ones getting lots of perks because as Pekto, Kevin and Chef Boy says... they want them to be extremely happy that day!

Pekto, Kevin and Chef Boy saw how the kids were all so excited to see them when they came out and they obliged to of course greet, kiss and hug a couple of them when they came on stage. Together with Tess Bomb, they hosted the program and got magicians, artists and  a mascot which the kids enjoyed!

They got Face Painting sessions too! These kids were too cute!

A very touching scene when I saw kids hugging Chef Boy Logro that afternoon

The kids also enjoyed food and gifts from Chef Boy Logro's sponsor Mekeni. They had some of the best hotdogs ever! Other sponsors Sisig Hooray, Petrol, Goldilocks, Zagu, Minute Burger, Happy House Donuts, Leon Philippe (who's got milk!), Sweet Escape (the best caramel cupcakes!), Sweet Retreat, Yanyan International (who provided OK Quench Sparkling Juice drinks) were all there to share what they have for the kids too. It was an awesome afternoon organized by the good people of GMA Artist Center and Pekto, Kevin and Chef Boy thanked them for letting them spend these day with the kids that afternoon. Thank you also to Quezon City Sports Club for chipping in.

Kevin Santos and Pekto will be in a new program called "Ismol Family" which will be starred by Ryan Agoncillo and Carla Abellana. You make sure you stay tuned for that these coming week.

Chef Boy Logro will be seen still on Chef Boy Logro: Kusina Master plus his new show "Basta Everyday Happy" which is a new variety show which he'll be together with Gladys Reyes, Donita Rose and Alessandra de Rossi. It's already being enjoyed by people every morning and he's still whipping up your favorite dishes there.

Happy happy birthday Pekto, Kevin and Chef Boy! We know that you will stay blessed because you've got good hearts! :)

For more information about their artists:

Official GMA Artist Center

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Visit their official website

http://gmanetwork.com/artistcenter

Decisions On Saving, Investments, Land and Property

My short stay last week down south made me think a lot about getting my own place. I could afford it but I'm thinking about some other priorities; and second guessing if it's a worthwhile investment. A condo? A house? It still really bugs me, because the last thing I want to happen is to throw away cash that I've worked hard for. 

This goes the same for you guys who are just starting off at work. If you think you live paycheck to paycheck and still couldn't afford saving up for high ticket items such as a car or your own property, think of the things you've purchased that you don't really need. For example, you already have an iPhone but you go ahead and buy an iPad when in fact, you already have the same functions available on both your Apple gadgets. If you go out too much and party after a hard day’s work, think of the amount of money you could have saved than buying a few thousand pesos worth of beer because you think you deserve it every once in a while. You'll come to realize that hangovers and going bankrupt was not in the picture. Then you go to work late the next day and don't perform at par with your workplace standards. Not that I'm making you guilty about it, but I think my point stands. I learned that through the years and I think I did a pretty good job at it. It's a lifestyle change.

When we stop small things like these and save a lot, then we have to decide where to put the money. I got the chance to read an article at Lamudi which already lists down the pros and cons of owning a house versus an apartment. It saved me a lot of time. Then I figured, a condominium unit in a business district like Makati will probably be a better option if things wouldn't materialize. I have so many options to choose from but I thought about the pets, the lawn, the garage and the whole house to manage aside from the property I'd like to buy. I need to simplify my life if I want this to happen. I hope my investments in the stock market and money market yield more than what I hoped for.

What about you guys? Have you thought about where you want your money goes? Let me know!

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Kumagcow

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GMA Artist Center Does "Pintura Eskwela" (School Painting)

Talents from GMA Artist Center took a break from their very hectic schedules to pay a visit to Catmon Elementary School in Rodriguez, Rizal. It's one of the most depressed areas in the country and a great percentage of people who live here barely have meals or live with minimum wage work. Aside from that, the situation in their schools just tells that they are in dire straights and need help. That's exactly what they did that afternoon and they dubbed it as "Pintura Eskwela" (School Painting). It's somewhat like the government initiated "Brigada Eskwela" (School Brigade) where ordinary men and women rebuild schools, repair its facilities and help these kids have clean rooms so they can start classes. 14 artists from GMA got down and dirty to paint rooms for the same cause. We saw how bright the kids faces had become when they saw the stars rolling up their sleeves and joining their parents, teachers and friends in making the school a little better than when they found it.

Zandra Summer here saying hi to the kids and other volunteers before the painting started

Mike Tan all smiles because he gets to help these kids have a clean room when classes starts

Rita De Guzman also spent the afternoon not singing, but help paint the rooms so they could have a decent place to study. She also says she'll be back to school next semester and was inspired by the kids here.

Kris Bernal of course took time out and made sure she said hi to her fans in the area. She also went in and helped paint some of the rooms later on.