The Voice of the Philippines is entertaining, fun, funny & at times inspiring. Congratulations!

The on-going reality TV show Voice of the Philippines at ABS CBN network is entertaining, fun, funny & at times inspiring. Congratulations to all world-class coaches and to the wonderful hosts, most specially to the outstanding contestants!

All the people connected with this show are talented, such as the four singing stars who are coaches--- Sarah Geronimo, Lea Salonga, Bamboo Mañalac and Apl.de.Ap---and the talented hosts Toni Gonzaga, Robi Domingo and Alex Gonzaga.

Of course, last but not the least, I'm very impressed and even at times awed with the contestants!

I personally admire the Cinderella "rags-to-riches" life story, immense talents, discipline, extraordinary professionalism, sense of humor and humility of Sarah Geronimo. What I noticed about coach Sarah is that she's very encouraging and positive in her words to contestants, whether chosen or not. She's also a natural comedian and very good actress, which are exhibited on this show too!

The image below, sourced from videokeman.com





I admire the international awards, Broadway stardom, talent, intelligence, eloquence, wit and gutsy frankness of Lea Salonga. She seems to be technically proficient as a singer and coach, I think she'd make a real good music professor! Image below sourced from disney.wikia.com





Bamboo is a revelation to me in this TV show, I'm acquainted with his great music and talents, but I didn't follow his life story or know his personality at all before this TV show, and I'm impressed by his intelligence and artistry as expressed in The Voice TV show. He not only can sing and can talk quite well, he is a true artist at heart and not afraid to show his emotions on TV. Image below sourced from twitter.com




Interesting to observe the talented self-made musical star Apl.de.Ap express himself and also reveal his thoughts and emotions in The Voice. This half Kapampangan is proud of his roots, not ashamed of his past as a poor boy, and he is quite sympathetic to those contestants who are struggling in life and are close to their family members. He is a talented musical artist. Image below sourced from people.com




Host Toni Gonzaga is not only amazingly beautiful and articulate, she's a cheerful, charming and good host! Image below sourced from videokeman.com




Host Robi Domingo is cheerful, positive and interesting as host, often bringing the surprise good news to contestants that they've been selected to audition for The Voice. Congratulations and keep up the great work! Image below sourced from tumblr.com





Host Alex Gonzaga is pretty to watch and pleasant to listen to on TV. Her glamorous image below sourced from abscbn.com

I admire Lea Salonga and Anne Hathaway, but I believe this is the most unforgettable performance of Les Miserables' "I dream a dream" song---by Susan Boyle in Britain's Got Talent TV reality show in 2009. Inspiring!

(Image below sourced from examiner.com)




Click and watch this video below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxPZh4AnWyk



(Image below sourced from susanboylemusic.com)




(Image below sourced from dcmetrotheaterarts.com)

Lana del Rey is beautiful, that---in my opinion---is already enough reason for this talented musical artist (singer/songwriter) to exist! :)

 

(Image below sourced from en.wikipedia.com)





(Image below sourced from raffacakes.blogspot.com)

 

(The singer is a celebrity endorser of Jaguar luxury car. This image of Lana del Rey with a Jaguar is sourced from yourstyle.com)

 

 

Frank Ocean Beats Lana Del Rey, Springsteen: 2012 Best CD

By Mark Beech - Dec 29, 2012 8:00 AM GMT+0800 Bloomberg

Lana Del Rey closes the year looking more like the future of music than just the advertising face of H&M, Jaguar and Mulberry.
Something like 1,000 review albums have come my way since her “Born to Die,” and it’s still among my favorites of 2012.

Enlarge image

'Born to Die: Paradise Edition'

Shorefire Publicity via Bloomberg

Lana Del Rey's EP "Paradise" has been added to her debut album "Born to Die," now renamed "Born to Die: Paradise Edition." The EP includes new songs starting with the single "Ride."

Lana Del Rey's EP "Paradise" has been added to her debut album "Born to Die," now renamed "Born to Die: Paradise Edition." The EP includes new songs starting with the single "Ride." Source: Shorefire Publicity via Bloomberg

She’s just beaten by Frank Ocean. He came to attention with his mixtape “Nostalgia, Ultra,” which was the freshest things I’d heard in ages. Now we have his debut proper, “Channel Orange,” crowned with the glossy, 10-minute track “Pyramids.”

Bruce Springsteen’s “Wrecking Ball” has the energy to see off criticism that The Boss is no longer a cutting-edge star.

Leonard Cohen brought out the ever-articulate “Old Ideas,” Donald Fagen the tasteful “Sunken Condos” and Mark Knopfler the virtuoso “Privateering” -- all sticking to character. Bob Dylan’s “Tempest” has its moments, even with the overdone title track about the Titanic. Along with the Beatles, the Beach Boys and the Rolling Stones, Dylan marked 50 years in music.

Bobby Womack has recovered from health problems to make his best CD, “The Bravest Man in the Universe,” with Damon Albarn.

Ry Cooder’s “Election Special” was confidently dashed off, and so was Neil Young’s “Psychedelic Pill,” which came months after “Americana.” The White Stripes star Jack White has been going it alone, with the retro-tinged “Blunderbuss.”

Emeli Sande made an assured start with “Our Version of Events.” It does Sande a disservice to compare her to Aretha Franklin -- that’s a little over the top, though she eclipsed Jessie Ware, whose “Devotion” also showcases an original voice.

Sharon Van Etten’s “Tramp” is a beautiful breakup album and “Visions” by Grimes is even dreamier, with wispy vocals.

Taylor Swift’s “Red” places Joni Mitchell-style maturity in a pop form. Fiona Apple’s fine CD is called “The Idler Wheel Is Wiser Than the Driver of the Screw and Whipping Cords Will Serve You More than Ropes Will Ever Do.” If that seems a mouthful, keep in mind that it’s short compared with the 90-word title of one of her others.

Pink’s “The Truth About Love” rises above its brash commercialism, while Regina Spektor’s “What We Saw From the Cheap Seats” is kooky, in a good way. Sinead O’Connor’s “How About I Be Me (And You Be You)?” is an outspoken comeback.

Indie rock is finding its way forward after the demise of its patron saints, R.E.M.

Waiting in the wings to replace them we have the U.K.’s the XX, with “Coexist” taking minimalism to a new level; Django Django, making a self-titled debut; Spiritualized (“Sweet Heart Sweet Light”); Grizzly Bear (“Shields”) and Beach House (the sublime “Bloom”).

Alt-J’s “An Awesome Wave” was a worthy Mercury Prize winner, “Lonerism” by Australia’s Tame Impala gently psychedelic, and “Attack on Memory” by Ohio’s Cloud Nothings a dark slab of vitriol with catchy guitars.

The latest Mumford & Sons release, “Babel,” may appeal to Grammy judges, though it’s not a patch on the finest English folk rock once made by Fairport Convention.

From the Democratic Republic of Congo, it’s worth hearing “Bouger Le Monde,” by a group of street musicians called Staff Benda Bilili. Zimbabwean band Mokoomba fuses African and Tongan rhythms on “Rising Tide.” Blind duo Amadou & Mariam, from Mali, add guests such as Santigold to their joyful “Folila.”

One of the most dramatic returns, after 27 years, was from “Come on Eileen” stars Dexys Midnight Runners, now just trading as Dexys. Singer Kevin Rowland told me that the title “One Day I’m Going to Soar” came to him after a difficult day. It certainly soars.

In writing this column, I soon had many suggestions, but still tweeted around asking for ideas. Those I got back and liked include the latest by Cat Power, Bat for Lashes, Ellie Goulding and Patti Smith; “Boys & Girls” by Alabama Shakes; “Invicta” by the Enid and “Done for Desire” by Damn Vandals.

The music from the London Olympics was a soundtrack of 2012 for many. The two CDs of opening and closing themes are a crash course in Britpop, with the Arctic Monkeys and Underworld among the standouts.

The CDs are priced from $9.99 and download prices vary across services.

Is the on-going world tour concert of Jennifer Lopez over-rated or just unappreciated by this U.S. music critic of Bloomberg, who had watched the show and wrote this surprisingly very negative review?

J-Lo Mixes Sexy Disco With Over-Slick Pop on World Tour: Review

By Robert Heller - Nov 5, 2012 8:00 AM GMT+0800 Bloomberg

Jennifer Lopez’s “Dance Again” concerts promise sparkle. They deliver stodge.

J-Lo, as she is best known, is on her first world tour at 43. She’s been playing in the U.K. where her curves have been the star of every show she’s done.

Jennifer Lopez on stage at Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands. J-Lo is on her first world tour, "Dance Again," at the age of 43. Photographer: Rob Verhorst/WireImage via Bloomberg

J-Lo sings onstage in her "Dance Again" world tour. She has moved from the U.K. and will now perform in Sweden, Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia and more before traveling to Asia.

Photographer: Rob Verhorst/WireImage via Bloomberg

There’s also an army of dancers that includes her current boyfriend, 25-year-old Casper Smart. Of the clunky pop music, the least said, the better. Her vocals, a little on the shrill side, are satisfactory, not show-stopping.

Consider yourselves warned if you live in continental Europe, where J-Lo heads next. After that, she’s off to Asia and Australia.

Lopez possesses what’s said to be the most revered bottom in the world, with many urban myths about how much it’s insured for. Her prime asset is unashamedly exploited onstage.

A large portion of her hit “I’m Into You” is sung with her back to the audience, the renowned backside smack in the spotlight. Background video graphics regularly linger in the same area.

That alone isn’t enough to explain J-Lo’s success. She’s a Hollywood actress, a judge on “American Idol,” has her own range of perfumes and sold more than 70 million records. She maintains an astute portfolio of liaisons with international brands, in fashion and beyond. On her website, brand-heavy pages devoted to “Style + Beauty” and “Body + Mind” have equal footing to those devoted to her music.

Body Worship

Her dancers’ lithe Latin routines require them to unashamedly worship her body, clad in a succession of tight glittering outfits.

The glamorous photos in the tour program, the diamond painted on the stage curtain and the video sequence of luxury goods that accompanies “Love Don’t Cost a Thing” suggest dazzling entertainment. Instead, we get cheap and hackneyed staging: not much more than a flight of steps that sometimes light up, like a 1970s light-entertainment television show set.

The choreography, bar a brief salsa blast for “Let’s Get Loud,” lacks set-piece spectaculars. We get Broadway-on-a- budget chorus lines and dubious hip hop gymnastics.

All would be forgotten if the music was up to scratch. The paltry 90 minutes of the show (encores included) suggests that Lopez could use a few songs with real depth. Her onstage chatter is inane.

 

Sloppy Smoochy

When Lopez first came to pop prominence, hip-hop and R&B dominated the U.S.; a slick groove and a hollered hook were key components of chart success. She jumped on the bandwagon. With 10 years’ perspective, 2002’s “Jenny From the Block” sounds generic and uninspired. The 1999 debut single “If You Had My Love,” played as an acoustic ballad, is sloppy rather than smoochy, as if one’s innamorata had passed out from boredom and was dribbling on one’s shoulder.

Other songs explore the euro-dance sound. “Waiting for Tonight” bumps along like a 2 Unlimited classic demented with a determination to take itself seriously.

“On the Floor” is a hellish mash of blunt dance beats, with “Llorando Se Fue” (infamously known as the “Lambada”) fused with second-hand lyrical cliches about generic “party people” who -- no great surprise there -- are “in da club.”

Lopez is clearly a celebrity with considerable business acumen. This is a truly poor show.

Rating: *.

The Jennifer Lopez tour has moved to continental Europe after gigs in the U.K. She plays Stockholm tonight, followed by concerts in Finland, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Bulgaria and Serbia. Shows later this year are in Dubai, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Puerto Rico. Information: http://jenniferlopez.com/blog/post/on-tour

What the Stars Mean:
*****      Fantastic
****       Excellent
***        Very Good
**         Good
*          Poor
(No stars) Avoid

(Robert Heller is a music critic for Muse, the arts and leisure section of Bloomberg News. The opinions expressed are his own.)

COMING SOON! Philippine singer Regine Velasquez to hold "Silver" concert on Nov. 16, 2012 at SM MOA Arena.

This will surely be one of the year's best and most awaited concerts

Last night at an intimate dinner in her beautiful and already Christmasy home in Quezon City, the Philippines' foremost singer dubbed as "Asia's Songbird" Regine Velasquez Alcasid said that she's looking forward to her upcoming 25th anniversary concert in SM Mall of Asia in the Manila Bay reclamation area, Pasay City, Metro Manila. Regine told me that she's excited and not stressed out preparing for this major concert.




Regine said that there will be "some surprises" as well as guests performers among the country's top-caliber singers who have been part of her quarter century career as a multi-faceted entertainer.

She has also been slimming down in the past months, after she gave birth to and had breastfed her son Nate.

Married to singer/actor Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez is an award-winning singer, actress and television host.




Among the various accomplishments of Regine Velasquez include:

***She won the 1989 Asia Pacific Singing Contest in Hong Kong

***She is the first Asian artist to stage a solo concert at the Carnegie Hall in New York City as part of Carnegie Hall's centennial-year concert series

***Her first Asia-released album Listen Without Prejudice---produced in 1994 by Polygram Records--- sold more than 700,000 copies in Asia. One of the songs in this hit album was In Love With You, which featured Regine singing with Asian superstar singer/songwriter/actor Jacky Cheung of Hong Kong.

This Listen Without Prejudice international studio album of Regine was released in 1994 through Mercury Records---thus making her the second Filipino entertainer to be signed on an international record label (the first being fellow singer Lea Salonga through Atlantic Records in 1993).


Regine Velasquez Alcasid is one of the finest musical talents in the Philippines.


Why hold 25th anniversary concert this year, when Regine is already 26 years now in showbiz?

Although 2012 is already her 26th year in Philippine entertainment, Regine Velasquez shall perform in her special 25th anniversary concert  entitled “Silver” on November 16, 2012 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena because she got pregnant and gave birth to her son last year.

For many admirers of Regine, this will be her first major solo concert in six years.

Regine Velasquez and her husband Ogie Alcasid are among the biggest stars of Philippine TV network GMA 7, with shows like the Sunday noontime program Party Pilipinas and showbiz talk show H.O.T. TV.




Where to buy tickets & how much?

For the information of admirers of Regine Velasquez and of good music concerts, here are informations about ticket sales:
.
***VIP A (ROW A-O) Reserved Seats - Php 5,280
***VIP B (ROWS P-EE) Reserved Seats - Php 3,960
***PATRON Reserved Seats - Php 3,170
***LOWER BOX Reserved Seats - Php 2,640
***UPPER BOX Reserved Seats - Php 800
***GENERAL ADMISSION Free Seating - Php 370


Telephones number (+632) 470-2222 for informations or or buy online at SM Tickets link here: https://www.smtickets.com/event/view/941.


Companies supporting the "Silver" concert of Regine Velasquez Alcasid are: 

Co-Presentors: Belo Medical Group, Bench

Major Sponsors: Sunlife Philippines, Smart Telecom, Victoria Court, Pacific Blue Shades

Minor Sponsors: McDonald's, Cravings, BDO, Snacktime, SM Cinema, Digipost

Media Partners: Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, Pep.ph

(Regine and Ogie with their son Nate)

NEWS!!! Sting's Philippine concert on Dec. 9, 2012 transferred to Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City---instead of SM MOA Arena---due to legal dispute over 182 trees in Baguio City

The official website of superstar singer Sting has announced that his one-night Philippine concert on December 9, 2012 will now be held at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Metro Manila instead of the original venue SM MOA Arena near the Manila Bay area.

The environmentalist pop star Sting reportedly cancelled the concert at the original venue due to an on-going court case between environmental activists and SM MOA Arena's sister firm SM Baguio mall over 182 trees that would be affected by the expansion of SM Baguio.

Sting's official website had this statement: 

Local promoters Ovation Productions confirmed today that the Sting: Back to Bass concert previously scheduled at the Mall of Asia Arena will now be held at the Araneta Coliseum. There is no change to the show date, which remains Sunday, December 9th, 2012.

Back to Bass features Sting performing many of his greatest hits, stripped down, with a 5-piece band featuring his longtime guitarist Dominic Miller, Vinnie Colaiuta (drums), David Sancious (keyboards) Peter Tickell (electric fiddle), and Jo Lawry (vocals).

Tickets may be exchanged beginning October 25, 2012.

How to exchange concert tickets?

Fans who had previously purchased a reserved seat ticket will receive a reserved ticket for the new venue. Reserved seat tickets have been carefully reassigned so that fans that had a reserved ticket at the MOAA will receive a comparable reserved ticket in the new venue.

Beginning Thursday, October 25th there will be a special window at the Ticketnet Office located at the Araneta Coliseum that will handle all ticket exchanges. Fans may exchange their tickets up to and including show date but we recommend that this be done in advance to avoid lengthy queues.

If a refund is required due to the change in venue, these tickets must be refunded at SM Tickets no later than Sunday, November 18, 2012.

Ticket Purchase details and apology by Philippine concert organizers

Tickets for Sting’s concert at the Araneta Coliseum will go on sale beginning October 25, 2012. Ticket prices remain 1030.00 (General Admission), 3700.00, 5,810.00, 7920.00, 10,560.00 and 15,840.00 PHP.. Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets or could be purchased online at www.ticketnet.com.ph or call 911-5555 for info.

Ovation Productions and Live Nation Global Touring apologize for any inconvenience to fans as a result of the venue change.

SM MALL OF ASIA ARENA Statement

SM Mall of Asia Arena statement: "We regret to announce the cancellation of Sting's Back to Bass Tour at the Mall of Asia Arena slated to happen on December 9, 2012. The Mall of Asia Arena managements, with its commitment in providing its patrons with choice entertainment, has exhausted all measures for the show to push through. However, we recognize and respect the fact that the show's cancellation is the artist's own decision."

"For ticket refunds, ticket-holders are asked to kindly contact Ovation Productions at (02) 532-8883 and (02) 747-2143. We hope for your kind understanding and thank you for your usual support."

EXCLUSIVE!  STING’S ABORTED CONCERT AT PHILIPPINES' SM MOA ARENA, Background News about on-going Legal Battle

What are your opinions on this controversy? Any fans of Sting out there, your views?






EX-LAWYER OF 'PROJECT SAVE 182' WROTE STING AGENTS ON MANILA CONCERT

A certain Cheryl L. Daytec-Yangot posted on Facebook: “I wrote a letter to Sting’s agents appealing that they abandon SM-Mall of Asia Arena as the venue for the musician’s December concert. Sting, a voice of the oppressed, cannot sing in the halls of an oppressor!”

Daytec-Yangot used to be the lead counsel of the group Project Save 182 who filed a case against SM for its Baguio branch’s redevelopment plan.

The case is now awaiting the judge’s final verdict, but the months before that was a busy episode for the anti-SM group who fought their own battle against the company via online – mostly via Facebook and blog posts.

SM MOA ARENA'S EXPLANATION ON SEPERATE SM BAGUIO CASE

The SM MOA Arena has nothing to do with the case in Baguio except for the fact that it is also under the same holding company as the Baguio branch.

SM MOA Arena defenders told me: "However, with this letter to Sting, it seems that the activists behind Project Save 182 are bent on taking down the SM brand in general."

STING IS ENVIRONMENT ADVOCATE, SM PRIME HOLDINGS FAILED TO CONVINCE

SM Prime Holdings revealed that it exerted all efforts to work things out with Sting and his management.

Understandably, the well-known environment advocate artist Sting was left with no choice in spite of the SM representatives’ appeal.

So in the midst of all the anticipation of the upcoming December 9 concert by Sting, SM MOA Arena management has confirmed that the event has been cancelled upon the decision of the artist himself.

Those who have already bought their concert tickets will most likely not take this development lightly, but the MOA Arena management also respects Sting’s final decision.

SM BAGUIO CITY PLANS


For the record, SM Baguio City plans to redevelop its facilities in order to address a topsoil erosion problem covering its private property. In the process, 182 trees will be unavoidably affected through earth-balling.

SM Baguio stressed: "The redevelopment plan has complied with all applicable laws and obtained all the necessary government permits, including the DENR and Baguio City government."

DEFENSE OF SM MOA ARENA

With this successful move to stop Sting from holding the concert at SM MOA Arena, and referring to the venue as an “oppressor “, SM MOA defenders told me "it is now looking more like the court battle has extended from saving trees, to ruining a corporate giant’s reputation completely". Do you agree?

Please share your opinions?

Should the Sting concert in Manila have been spared this controversy?

Defenders of SM MOA added: "This is no longer just about a court battle between environment activists and corporate entities. We are also talking about the possible detrimental effects it will have on the Philippines’ image in the global entertainment industry."