Solenn Outs New Self Titled Album via Universal Records

"I've been in the industry for 6 years and gosh I feel old. I just wanted more Filipino songs and I love acoustic. It's like chill and relaxed so my voice could stand out than the music. I showed it to my Dad and he thought it was me who wrote the songs, I love Pangako the most. I always like singing and I do that in events. It's something that I like doing like singing and painting. The album is based on different types and stages of love, it's the international language and a good theme. I'm 31 now and I'm contented, and these songs are a piece of me. I'm doing different things like acting and painting, got married this year and still have a restaurant, I have time to do the things that I'm doing. I wanna shoot more indie films and hopefully a second exhibit, I'm not dreaming super big, hopefully get pregnant end of next year so I'll enjoy this first. My first singing lesson was when I was 5 years old, I was forced and hated it but showbiz gave me the opportunity to do it and I had to do it in Party Pilipinas. I had to do things that were in my range so I won't fail, so I choose the right songs for my voice. I don't have time but I do it at home, like breathing and stuff. I'm obsessed with Argentinian salsa music, anything acoustic, even Miley Cyrus. I also had a mini concert with Lovi a couple months back and I'm going to do more in perhaps the Mindanao area, hopefully organize something over there. I like the indegenous tribes work, simple but intricate, I just have a thing for them."

"Most of the songs here are about falling in love, about breakups, it's all about me experiencing all of these. Nico doesn't even set restrictions, we're not the type that meddle with each other. What you see is what you get, I'm relaxed and chill even at home. We eat steak and do empanadas at home. I'm opening my blog soon and put my thoughts there. I interact all the time and do it in traffic, try to do videos on Facebook and bash haters sometimes. I've shared this interest in songs, I even have playlists that I put in my book. I'm into the latin beat right now. I wouldn't wanna say it's sexy but I always imagine being in bed and singing this remembering all the processes of moving on, it's a very nice song. It's not bossanova, it's easy listening and anyone could listen to it. When I recorded it, I spend a whole day and don't even do anything a day before and after the song. We record it a couple of times and sing he whole thing, re-do it again and again. Encantadia is also there and A1 ko Sayo to keep me busy, I hope that and my other lifestyle shows get people to watch. I also have a show on E! together with my lovely girls Georgina. Liz, and it's been a public personal part of my life that's going to air soon. Can't wait for people to see it!"

Solenn's album Solenn is out on record bars and digital stores worldwide. Make sure you get a copy of it if you fancy relaxed music like I do.

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!

The Manila Staging of Jersey Boys: The Story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons

I just watched The Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons in Meralco Theater this evening. Now I didn't really expect too much because this is after all the first staging in Asia and the deal is, my Dad wasn't too keen on watching it either (he's the biggest fan in the family but begged off last minute). So I went with my Mom and watched the show, I was thinking I had to lower my expectations since this is a staging in Manila, but really, I was wrong to even think of that. The show was actually good, better than I've even thought it would be. This staging of the Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group was a peek to the lives of entertainment artists, Italian immigrants who have had an VERY colorful life. It was more on the business side of things that they discussed most, a few scenes talked about their marriages, relationships, and the first act had us at the edge of our seats with Markky Stroem's portrayal of Tommy De Vito in a tight knit with loan sharks and all. It was a struggle to keep themselves in business as they had to switch to real life versus getting in jail regularly. It's a tiring facade they 

The second act was pleasing, like a bunch of realizations put together. There are some patches in choreography that might have looked good if it were more in sync but it's negligible. I felt during this second act, it was Frankie Valli coming out of his shell. His failed relationships, his not so good friends and the debt he's gone into, it was sort of showed the reason why they didn't get to the top faster as they should. You'll also get to feel his small triumphs, the small hopes that turned into reality. Then you'll fall deep into his sad stories and see what made him broken later on in his career.

I don't want to spoil it for you guys and gals. Thing is when I went up the tickets area before the show and asked a couple of ladies about how nice the show was, none of them answered back. I'd do the same for you but... okay, if you're a little oblivious to the music or not much heard of what they've sung in the past decades it would be a little hard for you to appreciate it especially the first act. But if you're like me who grew up in a household of musicians and music lovers, then you'll REALLY love it. Kudos to Nino Alejandro, Markki Stroem, Christian Bautista and Nyoy Volante for doing a good job on this musical. Although Christian might need to improve a little on making his character a little more "Jersey" and BIG for the stage, his singing was still world class. I want to commend Nyoy for making this portrayal of Frankie Valli believable from start to end, that must have been VERY hard and would need BIG dedication.  

For those who would want to watch the show, tickets are still available for the next two weeks, You can purchase them online at ticketworld.com.ph. I thought I won't like it, but it turned out I personally loved it! You will too!

KUMAGCOW.COM
Fresh Blogs Fast!

Are You Ready for NECRO Tourism?

The Ecumenical Chapel inside the Centennial Garden

This is one of the weirdest things I've covered this year, read on and I'll tell you why.

There's an 8 hectare property over at Macabling, Sta. Rosa in the province of Laguna that we visited a couple of days ago. Right now, it serves as an establishment in the front for Phoenix Memorial Chapels and Crematorium, and the rest of the land serves as the Centennial Garden. It belongs to a corporation that aims to provide unparalleled compassionate memorial service that's available 24/7.

Launched in 1999, Centennial Garden is a Greek inspired memorial park with state of the art facilities in Sta. Rosa Laguna. It's filled with statues of gods and goddesses, with easy and affordable lots. They also built a colombarium and crematory facility in late 2003 to serve as a respectable and solemn place for rest for those who have already departed.

This is OLYMPUS, a fully air conditioned 3 floor facility that houses urns for the dearly departed.

It's their 17th year, and they're making this a little different because they're launching a leisure place, and dubbing this whole area as a tourism spot and not just a memorial park. You heard that right. It's going to be housing a full museum, to show a glimpse of history coinciding with their necro and Greek theme. It's a bit different from the other ones with the same business. You also might think it's expensive for what you think people might have been getting but they say it's going to be reasonable. It's something that they have been working on for the past few years.

Phoenix have walk in packages as low as 25K, it's not that expensive and if you think about the amenities for your family, it's worth it.

Their thrust is, it's not going to be just for the rich and famous. These air conditioned rooms, the large buildings, all will be available for people who have their plans and not only that, they've been doing concerts, events inside the Phoenix memorial park. When the project for an eco tourism facility pushes through, they're going to be some sort of an attraction as they want to be different from other parks. Theirs is fun, a little festive and their current clientele is alreasy appreciating this believe it or not. 8 hectares means a long list of upgrades too so if you're already impressed with what they have right now, you can look forward to more in the future. In the coming months, they are also celebrating Halloween like never before. 

This is the ACROPOLIS. It houses 2 chapels that can fit up to 200 people. It also has a working loft, with 2 rooms, airconditioning and a shower. If you wish to spend a night or two here without going out, or if you live quite far from the property, it's easy to stay here.

The planned museum will also be housed at the bottom of this structure and we already saw some of the items they're planning to put there. It will be like a necro tour so people would know how people around the world take care of the dead.

There's a section of the land dedicated to a full play area, plus an indoor airconditioned one so you can hold parties and sing to your heart's content with the karaoke machines. I'm sure you've never seen anything like this right?

For good luck, and a more Grecian feel, they have this Water Plaza right in the middle of everything. It makes the place more relaxed, and serene.

 

They're going to have a full concert, allow kids to play on their pens and even have several videoke facilities ready for the adults. If you are part of the Phoenix Memorial Chapels and have availed of their services, this can be part of the things you'll enjoy when celebrating the life of your loved ones. It's unorthodox, I know, but who says that you have to be always sad when remembering someone you love right? I've even heard relatives celebrating their birthdays there with kids included. Putting up facilities like that must have only come from those who want to really care not just for the dearly departed, but for those who you have left in the real world. I know tons of people who would prefer it that way rather than the usual. That's what Phoenix Memorial Chapels and Crematorium provides and if you're interested, you may contact them on their channels below!

Email: coo@onephoenix.com.ph

Website: http://onephoenix.com.ph/

Photo Credits: Phoenix Memorial Chapels

For more information about their activities and services:

Phoenix Memorial Chapels and Creamatorium

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://onephoenix.com.ph

NAIA Terminal 1, Other Ports Now Powered with Smart Wifi

I'm really excited about this big news from our friends at Smart. 

I woke up around 7 ish and braved through the early morning cold, the traffic all the way to the south because I wanted to be part of history. I'm a stern believer in technology and the country's biggest network just put up SMART WIFI on Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1. It's the country's premier facility that caters to tons of international air carriers and thousands upon thousands of tourists and returning Filipinos pass through this particular airport everyday. Internet connection is VERY important in communication and business and without it on these parts of the Philippines, it would make these things difficult to accomplish. 

As a great challenge by the current Philippine President and the Department of Transportation and Communication, they went ahead and put Smart Wifi now in Davao's Francisco Bangoy International Airport, Laguindingan Airport in Misamis, Bacolod-Silay International Airport, Iloilo International Airport, Roxas Airport, Zamboanga Airport, Clark International Airport, Dumaguete-Sibulan Airport, Laoag International Airport in the north, GenSan International Airport and Kalibo International Airport. They also have installed Smart Wifi in Batangas International Port in Batangas City plus the very far Calapan City Port in Mindoro. This means they now have carrier grade internet connection for FREE in these government facilities and it will benefit millions of people in the Philippines.

That's not even it, they're also planning to put up the same in even MORE ports like the one in Caticlan in Boracay, the lovely Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Tagbilaran Airport in Bohol, plus all the MRT and LRT stations in Metro Manila. Aside from that they will also provide connection in public offices, parks, hospitals so everyone would enjoy a connected life.

I personally tried it out and uploaded about 2 days worth of video from events I covered that time. The event there wasn't even finished yet but I got all my video interviews on Youtube uploaded in just a few minutes. You've got LTE on mobile phones, you've got Smart Wifi in selected areas. Now how's that for starters? 

Remember, this is just the beginning!

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!