James Morrison talks about his music and tough past

Englishman James Morrison is in Manila for his concert tonight (October 9) at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. He was excited for the chance to promote his latest album "The Awakening" this side of the globe.

"I'm really pleased to be here. I'm excited for the gig," he told the pool of selected Filipino interviewers on Monday, October 8.

The 26-year old singer-songwriter admitted to a past toughened by poverty, though he liked putting it as his path to a solid foundation for his musical depth. His debut single "You Give Me Something" gave him instant fame the same year he released it in 2006.

He said, "We didn't have a lot of money then. But my upbringing made me strong and in my view, I think I'll have it hard than easy."

His first ‘proper’ album

Morrison's new album, his third and released by MCA Music, is being described as a "worthy platform for his extraordinary singing voice."

He said it was an album he enjoyed doing because he didn't need to be extra conscious and careful about making songs for the purpose of achieving mainstream success.  Morrison simply "sang how I felt and it all just came flooding out."

He also called "The Awakening" as his "first proper album," with his first two being "practice shots."

Soul is music with ‘meaning and purpose’

Two of his biggest hits, however, came from those practices: "Wonderful World" and "The Pieces Don't Fit Anymore."

He mentioned Stevie Wonder as a distinctive voice that made real impression on him and the late Michael Jackson as one of his artistic inspirations, emphasizing that the King of Pop "wrote songs of depth."

He acknowledged his description as a white soul singer and simply categorized soul as "just music with meaning and purpose."

Cliché advice?

As for touring the world, he saw it as his way of "bridging the gap" among people. He said of the concert tonight, "This makes me feel like bringing the people together."

His piece of advice for aspiring musicians may sound cliché, but it rings true coming from a certified big seller. "The main thing is you just have to stay true to yourself. I'm conveying truth through music," he said.

As his way of standing out among tortured souls who keep on writing gloomy stuff, he assured, "I'm into good, old-fashioned music and I always wanna write positive songs about life."

Yugel Losorata | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Janice: I can’t campaign for Aga

Janice de Belen can’t campaign for CamSur congressional bet Aga Muhlach, her ex-boyfriend and father of her eldest son Luigi because her religion, Iglesia ni Cristo, won’t allow her to.

“Pinag-usapan na namin ito  ni Aga,” Janice said in an interview at the presscon of her upcoming horror film, “Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles.”

It will be recalled that Janice converted from Christianity to Iglesia ni Cristo for her ex-boyfriend, a law student at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Luigi, however, will campaign for his dad.

Back to back projects
Meanwhile, Janice de Belen's career is in an upswing.

[More] Janice can't believe her career resurgence

“Overwhelming at bonggang bongga itong nangyayari sa akin,” she gushes.  “Sobrang happy ako.  And my way of giving back is to make sure I do my job right.”

Janice adds that she is so busy she has no time to dwell on matters of the heart. She admits she has bouts of loneliness every now and then, but she soon snaps out of it when she realizes she has a lot to be thankful for.

“My heart is all fixed.  Walang space sa ibang tao.  Ang ginagawa ko ngayon, dapat ginagawa ko nung 20 or 25 years old ako.  Hindi na ngayon. But I’m enjoying.  This is me time.”

She admits finding it awkward at first to act as the wife of real-life brother-in-law Ariel Rivera’s wife in the ABS-CBN soap “Ina, Kapatid, Anak.”

She had to ask those behind the soap if they’re sure of the casting.

“Other people may not understand it,” Janice explained.

But she later realized that she had to get past that fear and get on with the job.  After all, even her sister, Gelli de Belen, Ariel’s wife, just  laughed Janice’s fears away.

Versatility

Now on her 35th year as an actress, the former child performer  wants to prove her versatility by taking on other roles beyond the goody-two-shoes ones she has portrayed.

“Importante sa artista na ma-challenge ka, whether on TV or the movies.  I want to explore other roles.”

And if that means playing villain roles, so be it.

Janice is fast becoming known for horror films.  This year alone, she has done five of them.

“It’s crazy, pero masaya,” she notes.

[Watch trailer] “Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles,” directed by Erik Matti, also topbills Dingdong Dantes and Lovi Poe. The film, shot entirely on green screen and using full computer-generated imagery (CGI) effects,  opens in theaters on October 17.

Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Why Mel Tiangco won’t run for office

Kapuso broadcaster Mel Tiangco is the first to admit she likes challenges. But there’s one challenge that she doesn’t want to engage in: entering politics.

“I’m not a politician,” she said during a press interview for the upcoming return of the drama anthology show “Magpakailanman” held at the GMA-7 compound in Quezon City on Friday, October 5.

The newscaster, who is also the executive vice president of the Kapuso Foundation , said she doesn’t need to be a politician to help those in need.

“I do public service. I don’t need to have a position to do it,” she said.

Her current position also allows her to “make things move with a snap of my finger.” Mas madali akong tumulong pag andito ako,” Mel explained.

She even quipped: “I don’t need to be a politician to earn well, GMA pays me very well. It’s clean money, all above board, all supported my documents.”

‘They know it’s not for me’

But more than that, the “24 Oras” news anchor said she’s afraid to be “sucked by the system” if she does enter politics.

“Kasi I’ve seen people who have been sucked into the system,” Mel shared. “Ayoko, I like myself. I love myself.”

But hasn’t the idea of running for office ever crossed her mind?

“No,” Mel answered. “As a matter of fact, kung minsan, I go to sorties, public service projects, tapos dating mo doon sasabihin sayo, ‘tatakbo ka ba?’”

“But now nagsawa na sila. They know it’s not for me.”

With over two decades worth of experience in Philippine television, is there any else Mel wants to accomplish?

“I don’t know. Basta ang alam ko, meron pa akong magagawa,” she said.

“What it is, I don’t know. But I’ve seen so much poverty out there. I’ve seen so much neglect everywhere. I’ve seen children really sick with no hope at all. I’ve seen the worst in our country.”

‘Pakialamera ako’

And it’s not like Mel has a lack of hurdles to confront, as she is set to host “Magpakailaman.” The newscaster hosted the drama anthology show during its five year run from 2002 to 2007.

The network considered a new host for the show’s reiteration, but GMA executive Redgie Acuña-Magno said they later realized no one else can headline “Magpakailaman” but Mel.

For her part, Mel said she agreed to do it again if they incorporate new elements on the show.

“Sa lahat ng shows ko, pakialamera ako,” she joked.

Mel explained: “Sabi ko sa kanila, ilagay ninyo yung elements ko, yung persona ko doon sa show. Hindi 'yung andun lang ako, (nagbabasa) ng script. Put it into the concept that I a Mel Tiangco, I am a news personality, I am a public servant, and i-incorporate ninyo doon sa show. 'Yun 'yung request ko sa kanila.”

The new show, she added, will feature the “real story behind the story,” with more in-depth research and not just simple dramatization and subject interviews.

“That’s where my personality comes it,” she said. “We want the show not only to be an entertainment show, but a show na talagang kapupulutan ng tao ng… something good. Whether aspiration or something informative.”

“Gusto naming may mapapala yung televiewer sa panonood.”

They’re planning to feature the life story of Katrina Halili for their first episode but this hasn't been finalized yet.

Are they ready to face their old rival, ABS-CBN’s long-running drama anthology show “Maalaala Mo Kaya?”

“Ay siyempre naman,” Mel enthused.

“Magpakailaman” is set to premiere this November on GMA-7.

Chuck Smith | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom

Creed tickets to Manila show ‘running out fast’

They were big in the 90s for gazillion-selling inspirational rock anthems  like “With Arms Wide Open.”

Apparently, they still are.

As soon as local promoters announced that the Grammy award-winning band would be in Manila on November 11 as part of their current world tour, fans were said to have rushed to designated ticket outlets to secure their tickets for their show at Smart Araneta Coliseum. Patron and upper box tickets are selling fast.

Creed ruled the mid-90s as earnest rockers who sang about their faith, leading some to label them as a Christian band. While they do acknowledge their Christian beliefs, they said their spiritual imagery was more metaphor.

Since their debut in 1997 until their breakup in 2004 due to tensions among members, the band released three albums that sold more than 40 million units worldwide.  

“When we split, nobody thought that we would ever get back together again,” said guitarist and founding member Mark Tremonti. “But five, six years go by and things change. What we realized was what we had built was more important than any of our individual quirks.”

Vocalist Scott Stapp, who was said to have become addicted to alcohol and painkillers following a car accident, had been so out of it during a December 2002 show that he forgot the lyrics to his songs. After a year-long hiatus, the band announced it was breaking up.

“Scott is definitely a more humble guy now,” Tremonti wrote on the band’s website. He has respect for everyone around him, but we’re all more mature, grown men with families of our own. We’re playing nice.”

They’re not just nice, they’ve also built on what they built for their fans in the first place: a post-reunion album of new songs released in 2009 called “Full Circle.” Certainly, it loops back to what fans love about Creed the most: thrilling bombast, earnestness and lotsa ringing guitars.

For ticket inquiries call 911 5555. For VIP, Meet & Greet and Sound Check Pass, call 921 8883 and 0929 260 3399.

OMG! staff | Yahoo! Special Projects 

Sarah: We didn’t fire stylist

Sarah Geronimo  insists it was a case of miscommunication that led to reports that her mother Divine fired her stylist, Eric Pe Benito and makeup artist Jing Monis for being partial to Gerald Anderson, who was pursuing her for quite some time.

“Mahal ko ang mga taong 'yon.  Habang buhay ang utang na loob ko sa kanila.  Never namin gagawin 'yon ng pamilya namin, lalo na kami ng nanay ko na ipa-ban ang  isang tao. Sino ba naman kaming gano'ng ka-powerful,” Sarah said after the presscon which introduced her as the newest endorser of Cherry Mobile.

Sarah hopes that she, her mother, the make-up artist and stylist can sit down together and discuss the issues to clear things up once and for all.

She also admitted shedding a tear and feeling hurt when she read about the banning issue in a magazine.

“Never ko in-expect na magkaganoon.  As long as clear ang conscience ng buong pamilya namin, walang dapat ikabahala.”

Sarah knows her mother is just as hurt for being labeled as the culprit once more, after she was accused of being the reason why Gerald allegedly stopped courting her.  But Sarah knows Divine would rather hide these feelings from her.

“Ayaw ko ng magbigay ng detalye.  Sana maayos na,” Sarah, a trace of sadness in her voice, relates.

Meanwhile, Sarah is happy to be working again with fellow Cherry Mobile endorser John Lloyd Cruz in a movie.

“I’m happy about rekindling our friendship,”  I’m excited about this journey,” she  explains.

Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom 

Art Acuña up for International Emmys' Best Actor award

“It’s good pressure.”

That’s how Arthur 'Art' Acuña describes how he feels about being a Best Actor nominee at the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ annual Emmy Awards. 

Art, who is nominated for his performance as restaurant manager Harry Shaw in “The Kitchen Musical” hopes the nomination will make the West sit up and notice Asian talent in general and Filipino  artistry in particular.

“I feel proud of my participation as a Filipino,” he told Yahoo! Philippines OMG! via a phone interview.

But it’s just too bad Art can’t attend the awards night on Nov. 19 in New York since the event will conflict with the staging of “God of Carnage,” a play Art is doing in Singapore with Lea Salonga.

“The Kitchen Musical” director Chee Kong Cheah, Art reports, will be at the Emmys.  “The Kitchen Musical” is also nominated in the Best Drama Series category. 

“I’d definitely be wearing a Barong Tagalog if I were there,” Art reveals.

Win or lose, however, Art already feels victorious.  Being nominated, he explains, is an Emmy nod in itself.

“If we win, it’s a blessing.  If we don’t, we already won.  The others in competition are all good.  And I’m in good company.”

Winning is not new to Art.  He won the Best Supporting Actor thrice last year, courtesy of the Urian, Golden Screen and Cinemalaya awards for the indie film “Indio.”

Art is currently in Bulacan to shoot “The Strangers,” a suspense thriller and entry to the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival.  With reports from Karen Valeza

Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom 

Winning female DJs to front for David Guetta tonight

Two female DJs are bracing themselves for what should easily be the biggest gig of their lives as they're set to front for world-renowned DJ David Guetta tonight, Oct. 10, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Kat DJ and Patty Tiu, collectively known as Deuce Manila, were announced the winner last Monday night, October 8, of a DJ competition that had as top prize the privilege to showcase their skills as Guetta's opener.

The contest, dubbed "Manila Mix Off," was held at a packed Privé Luxury Club at The Fort, Global City, Muntinlupa.

Dream come true

"To be able to perform for David Guetta would be an absolute dream because we get to share the love we have for what we do and send the positive energy we have streaming out," stated the winning tandem who beat four other aspirants for the prestigious spot.

Deuce Manila survived tough competition from 19 other entrants who joined the DJ challenge presented primarily by spiced rum brand Captain Morgan. The 20 original hopefuls, mostly belonging to Manila's elite club scene, were trimmed to five finalists. The other four who competed Monday night were Bed Manila’s Arrjae Puno and Toy Armada, Electronica Manila’s Silverfilter, and 6AM Group’s Clyde Harris.

Silverfilter, an instant favorite with his live electronic set, bagged first runner-up honors while Toy Armada placed third.

The finals participants delivered a 30-minute showcase of their music and mixes, at times surprising audiences and partygoers with unorthodox song inclusions. Puno even injected The Beatles' "Twist and Shout" in his playlist.

Judges mix

An interesting mix of judges settled the issue as they looked into the finalists' mixing ability, choice of tracks, tune selection and overall performance.

Host Tim Yap and singer-songwriter/celebrity-son Robin Rivera led the pool of decision-makers who also included top DJ Mars Miranda, magazine editor JR Isaac and U.K. club luminary Alan Green.

"I really enjoyed his set and he did a good job. Incidentally he plays in a rock band," Rivera said of Silverfilter, which concluded its showcase with snippets from Queen's signature classic "Bohemian Rhapsody."

Girl power

However, the mixing prowess of Deuce Manila's one-two punch, plus the added attraction of their gender, may have swung the tide to their side. Mixing artistry was the largest slice in the criteria pie.

The winning duo will display their music-mixing talents ahead of Alesso and Kaz James, who are also opening for David Guetta tonight.

They said, "The only thing that gives us the energy to play for a crowd is the passion and pure love we have for music. That moment when you find a connection with a person through music is the best part of it all."

Yugel Losorata | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom