Cherie to young people: Don’t smoke

When she had throat surgery due to Reinke’s edema, Cherie learned a lesson she wants to share with young people.

“Don’t smoke,” she begs the youth. “Had I known smoking is really bad, I would have stopped it in my youth (Cherie started smoking at 15).”

After the surgery, Cherie’s Boston-based doctor warned her not to smoke or drink. She herself planned to stop smoking even before the surgery last June 4.

So she’s walking the talk.

Going under the knife has made Cherie realize how important a person’s voice is.

Actor’s instrument

“The voice is an actor’s instrument,” she said an interview for “Nine,” the Tony award-winning musical where she plays fabulous film producer Liliane Le Fleur.

“You should take care of it.”

Cherie also sees voice teacher Kitchie Molina twice a week for therapy and watches what she eats.

The voice therapy lessons were eye-openers for Cherie.

“I’m re-learning how to use my voice as an instrument. I’m also getting to know myself better using my music. I never realized I can make a song!”

Her drive to sing again six years after her last musical, “The Sound of Music,” hastened Cherie’s recovery. And now that she almost lost her chance to sing again, Cherie is making up for lost time.

“Nine”, which runs from Sept. 21 to Oct. 7 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at RCBC Plaza, Makati, is a fitting comeback for Cherie where musicals are concerned.

She will trade lines with musical theater stand-outs Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Jett Pangan, Eula Valdez (remember Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah?), Sitti and Carla Guevara-Laforteza.

Cherie is bent on picking up the pieces of her rudely-interrupted musical theater work. Cherie will play the seductive Mrs. Robinson in Repertory Philppines’ version of “The Graduate” next. And she’s excited.

“It’s a different jargon,” she explains. “You have to deal with the orchestra. You have to think of so many things. Magkamali ka, damay yung iba.”

Her voice may still sound a bit raspy. But with therapy and a couple of musicals to exercise that voice, Cherie is positive things will be back to normal.

That’s the fighter in her; the kind moviegoers get to see in those feisty characters (e.g. Lavinia in “Bituing Walang Ningning) that have made Cherie’s performances a benchmark of acting excellence.

Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Why Noel Cabangon is doing revivals

Although he prefers making original music, Noel Cabangon is not opposed to doing covers or revivals in his albums. In fact, he sees it as a means to maintain the “balance” between his craft and the business side of his music.

“Kasi, ako naman, I’m not just doing a revival. There’s also artistic input in coming up with music. And we’re also conscious in raising a little bit of the aesthetics or the artistry of the song,” Cabangon said in an interview with Yahoo! Philippines OMG! and other members of the press.

The singer-songwriter added doing revivals, at least in his case, isn’t simply a matter of singing an old song “na ganun-ganun lang.”

“There’s a fresh take, there’s a fresh idea involved in doing the revival, the cover,” he explained.

Cabangon’s latest album “Tuloy ang Byahe” (like his 2009 top-selling “Byahe) is composed of revivals like Basil Valdez’ “Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka,” Freddie Aguilar’s “Anak’ and even Smokey Mountain’s “Kailan.” But Cabangon is quick to explain that his output before that, “Panaginip,” is an album of original songs.

“Mas gusto kong gumawa ng bago, pero syempre it’s also a decision of the record label to (make revival albums). It’s a question of economics. Kasi they put a good investment, kailangan bumalik din yung investment.”

New music

There’s obviously a market for revivals. But Cabangon also believes there’s a market for original music. Record labels and artists themselves simply have to find ways to reach their intended audience.

“There’s a market for original songs. Ano rin yan, ang marketing din kasi, you have to persuade the listeners to buy it,” he said. “There has to be a venue for music to be heard. Kasi kung hindi maririnig talaga, hindi malalaman ng tao, it’s not going to be heard.”

The venue and the ability to market their music are what’s lacking among independent musicians in the country, he added.

“Naniniwala akong maraming magandang kanta sa indie, sa alternative, pero walang venue na marinig at mapromote. Yun yung isang challenge.

As for the current mainstream artists, Cabangon cited rapper Gloc-9’s “song “Sirena” as evidence that Filipinos are still open to original Filipino music.

“Ito, isang social commentary (pero hit). Kaya hindi mo rin mabasa (ang gusto ng tao),” Cabangon enthused.

“Yung love kasi, how far can you go, what else can you say about love. Everything has been said and done and siguro ibang experience, ibang anggulo siguro on how to approach it.”

“Kung titignan mo yung audience, may hinahanap sila na unique, genuine. Kasi tignan mo, si Gloc-9. Who would have thought si Gloc-9 would sing about the gender issue?”

Meanwhile, Cabangon is gearing up for a fundraising concert for the benefit of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) on September 28 at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan City.

Chuck Smith | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

The Wanted gladdens Pinoy fans’ hearts

Filipino fans who stormed UK boy band The Wanted’s concert at NBC Tent, Taguig City last Friday, Sept. 14 repeated the group’s line “I’m glad you came” many times over.

Band members Max George, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran, Jay McGuiness and Tom Parker wowed the crowd with their hits, “Glad You Came,” “Chasing the Sun” and “All Time Low” plus over ten more other songs, including “Warzone,” “Lose my Mind” and “Rocket.”

"This is going to be an amazing night! Let's see how loud you can be," Tom told screaming Filipino fans after the opening song "Invincible."

The guys impressed fans by hitting the notes right while dancing and jumping around the stage. The Wanted also performed a couple of Coldplay hits such as “La Vida Loca,” “Every Teardrop is A Waterfall” and “Fix You” while playing the guitar and keyboards.

Some of the guys showed their love for the country by wearing bracelets and necklaces with the word “Philippines” printed on them. Siva even wore a shirt which displayed the Philippine flag.

Big dance party

Unlike other boy bands known for polished choreography, The Wanted admit they’re not good dancers. But it was cool watching the group groove to their songs. The concert was like a big dance party with fans singing, dancing and jumping along to the upbeat music and dance club-inspired songs.

The intimate venue allowed The Wanted members to get closer to fans and reach for their hands. The guys even allowed thrilled fans to kiss them.

They raised the excitement level some more by handpicking a few fans whom they serenaded with the song “Heart Vacancy" on stage.

As added treat, The Wanted performed their new single “I Found You” for the first time ever on stage.

“This is a special night because this is the first time that we’re going to perform this new single. And it’s happening here in the Philippines,” Jay said.

The band capped the show with their number one song “Glad You Came” and pointed to fans while rendering the familiar lines.

“We’re definitely coming back here. This has been like the best day ever. You’ve been amazing. You’re all beautiful,” Max told elated fans.

Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

X Factor contestants defend mentor Charice

She’s only being true to herself.

“The X Factor Philippines” contestants Allen Sta. Maria and KZ Tandingan defended their mentor Charice from those who criticized her new image and hairstyle in the show.

“Sa amin masakit kasi bakit kailangan mong i-judge ang isang tao kung saan siya masaya? Siguro kung saan na lang siya masaya. Pero 'yun pong nangyayari sa kanya na iyon, nagiging lesson sa amin yon kasi sinasabi niya kung saan ka magiging masaya, saan ka maggu-grow, gawin mo iyon,” Allen said at the press presentation of “X Factor Philippines” Top 6 finalists in ABS-CBN compound on Friday, September 14.

KZ added that Charice’s new hairstyle also caught her by surprise. But she thinks what matters is that Charice is happy with the way she looks.

“Dati parang iba yung porma ni Charice. Pero sabi po niya, iyon ang nagpapasaya sa kanya. Sa amin, kahit hindi naman ganoon yung way namin ng pananamit, pero kung iyon ang magpapasaya sa kanya (okay lang),” KZ said.

See gallery: Charice through the years

Unfazed

Despite the flak she’s getting, KZ and Allen agree Charice remain unfazed and gives her best in mentoring them.

“Siyempre po, masakit din na naririnig namin na parang bina-bash siya o may sinasabi sa kanya ng masama. Mentor namin siya. Hindi na lang namin pinapansin kasi as a mentor ginagawa niya ang dapat niyang gawin kahit hindi kami laging nagkakasama. She makes it a point na gumawa ng demo namin para magkaroon kami ng arrangement,” KZ said.

The two girls denied they’re trying to mimic Charice’s performance. KZ and Allen stress that Charice guides them, but they add a personal touch to their performance.

“Kasi yung performance ko last time, ako nag-suggest lahat, na medyo sayaw. Pati yung mga damit ko rin, inapprove naman niya. Wala namang gayahan na nangyayari,” Allen insisted.

Mysterious Charice

KZ and Allen still find Charice “mysterious” even if they’ve been working together for months.” Unlike mentor-judges Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera, who hang out more often with their respective contestants, KZ and Allen said they seldom meet Charice. But the international singer makes sure she gives KZ and Allen the best pieces of advice.

“Mysterious kasi kapag nag-uusap kami. Hindi namin madaling masasabi kung anong masasabi niya, yung tunay niyang nararamdaman. Hindi kami madalas magkasama. Pero kapag nagkikita kami, kinakamusta naman niya kami,” Allen revealed.

Allen and KZ are competing for the top 3 slot, together with other four finalists Jeric Medina from Paranaque, Gabriel Maturan of Dapitan City, Kedebon Colim of Cebu, and Daddy's home composed of Allan Silonga, Herbert Silonga, Eric Dacanay, and Jerome Icatar.

Gary, Martin, fellow mentor Pilita Corrales and host KC Concepcion urge viewers to vote for their favorite contestants.

"The X Factor Philippines" will air its finale in ABS-CBN on October 6 (performance night) and October 7 (results night).

Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Angel Aquino: I easily fall in love

Angel Aquino must be so romantic she’s fallen in love more than twice, and fallen out of love the same number of times. Her latest relationship went kaput in April, four months after she and the businessman officially got together.

What gives?

“I easily fall in love,” Angel admits. “That’s the problem.”

This heart-over-head attitude has seen Angel in her relationship with the father of her two daughters, a band member, and yes, the businessman. When she falls in love, she does so completely, failing to see the warning signs along the way.

Angel failed to see how incompatible she and the businessmen are in terms of upbringing and other things as well. So they wound up in splitsville.

Angel’s smiling face doesn’t show any sign of grief.

“A door closes. All windows open,” she explains. “Siguro ganon nga. We have to empty our hands para ma-fill out ni God ng mas madami pa.”

It helped too that Angel cried on her daughters’ shoulders.

“They see me in and out of relationships. And it’s getting embarrassing,” Angel owns up.

She doesn’t want to have it any other way. Angel wants to be as transparent as possible with her daughters, Iana and Thea, hoping “they’d pick up something from my mistakes.”

Heart-to-heart

Heart-to-heart talks with her girls have become common bonding moments. Now that they’re in college, Angel treats her daughters as her big sisters.

“They know what I’ve been through. And they inspire me,” she admits.

Angel recalls her conversation with her daughters. “We agreed not to let anyone go between us. No matter who we choose to be with, our relationship will never be strained,” says Angel.

The mother-daughter bond is such that Angel’s mother sometimes reminds her that she may be too lax on the girls by allowing one of them to go home at 3 a.m.

Angel allays her mom’s fears by saying her daughter 19, has not gotten into trouble, studies hard and therefore deserves all the trust she can get.

“Kahit alas-tres ng umaga o alas-tres ng hapon, kung may masamang mangyayari, may masamang mangyayari,” Angel futher tells her mom.

What matters most to Angel is that her daughter doesn’t hide anything from her. Angel feels proud that she even knows her daughter’s boyfriend.

Overwhelmed

Meanwhile, Angel herself is overwhelmed at the way her career is going these days.

“Hindi nila ako ma-pair off because I was married, with kids. It won’t work commercially,” she observes.

How time flies! “Biktima” pairs Angel off with Cesar Montano for the first time. The drama thriller, which opens on Wednesday, September 19, casts them as husband and wife.

As a journalist who resurfaces and revisits a painful past, Angel shows fear, rage and horror one after the other.

It’s the same range of emotions she expresses in many “Maalaala Mo Kaya” episodes. And it’s the same expressive eyes her audience follows with bated breath.

And now that she has proven she can be a bankable actress, thanks to “Amorosa: The Revenge,” Angel hopes the winning streak continues – with or without a love life.

Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Bwakaw named PH entry to Oscars

"Bwakaw," Jun Robles Lana’s drama-comedy about growing old alone, is the Philippines’ entry to the Best Foreign Language Film category for next year’s Oscars awards.

Leo Martinez, Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) director-general, revealed this in a text message to Yahoo! Philippines OMG! He added that the FAP selection committee headed by National Artist for Film chose “Bwakaw” among other possible entries.

“Bwakaw” stars Eddie Garcia, Armida Siguion-Reyna, Rez Cortez, Gardo Versoza, Bibeth Orteza, Soxie Topacio, Soliman Cruz, Allan Paule, Joey Paras, Beverly Salviejo, Luz Valdez, Jonathan Neri and May-I Fabros had their shining moments in the film. “Bwakaw” is Lana’s tribute to his writing mentor the late Palanca awardee Rene O. Villanueva.

The indie film won a Best Actor award for Eddie and got Audience Choice honors at the Cinemalaya Film Festival. Rated A by the Cinema Evaluation Board, “Bwakaw” is competing at the Toronto Film Festival and New York Film Festival. Last year's entry was "Ang Babae sa Septic Tank."

Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Is KC ready for a new relationship?

After going through a rough patch in her love life last year, KC Concepcion is “not in a hurry” to get into another relationship because she is taking her time in getting to know people.

KC recently revealed to the public her new admirer, Pierre Emmanuel Plassart, a filmmaker whose family is well-off in France. She maintained that they are not yet a couple.

“Hindi pa. I mean, hindi ko iniisip na kailangan officially kailan puwedeng sagutin or what. I'm meeting people. I'm going with the flow. Ang hirap din kasi we're not in the same country, so parang paano mo pagaganahin? But let’s wait and see. I’m not in a hurry naman,” KC said at the press conference of “The X Factor Philippines” on Friday, September 14.

The “X Factor” host said she doesn’t want to reveal much about her French admirer because he is non-showbiz.

“He’s not artista. Wala naman siya sa showbiz para gawin kong public yung buhay niya. So, I wanna give the public enough lang. Pero ayaw ko naman na parang masyado, kasi kawawa naman yung tao, siyempre private citizen naman iyon.”

Moving on

KC appreciates Pierre for making her happy and being her friend.

“It was something I owed my friends, I owed the guy na mabait sa akin na i-acknowledge siya na nakakapag pasaya talaga siya sa akin ngayon. But at this point natatakot pa din ako. Hindi biro yung pinagdaan ko last year. It was really something traumatic. So, ngayon it's nice that I'm moving on but I'm taking my time,” she said.

Her flourishing career and budding love life make KC feel more secure.

She admitted praying for a fruitful year after going through ups and downs.

“Sana naman sa lahat din ng pinagdaanan ng pamilya ko at ako in the last year, iyon lang talaga yung hiningi ko na, 'Lord, marami din naman akong napagdaanan na criticisms, ups and downs. Sana naman ang 2012 maging fruitful naman.’ Iyon talaga ang pinagdasal ko’.”

KC is happy for the good feedback she’s getting for her work in “The X Factor Philippines.”

“Siguro yung four years na nandito ako na may hinost din akong shows, parang ngayon siya namumunga talaga sa mga live show. And God-willing maging continuous yung success niya. Kasi hindi naman porke’t global show siya, it will do well sa bansa mo, di ba? Tamang-tama naman na nagustuhan ng Pilipinas ang ‘X Factor’ and I’m very grateful.”

ABS-CBN’s “The X Factor Philippines” will air its finale on October 6 (performance night) and October 7 (results night).

Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom