An Embarrassment of Riches in The Voice Kids

The director of the Bourne Legacy once said that the talent here in the Philippines was "an embarrasment of riches". Obviously, he referred to the acting pool in our country.

We can safely say that it also applies to the overabundance of singing talent in this country.

Thanks to Ma'm Ligaya Salonga and Jennifer Sy, I was lucky again to see the latest incarnation of The Voice series here in the Philippines! This time, the contestants were kids!! Last night, I watched six very talented kids vie for four slots in the final round of the competition. Sa totoo lang, ang hirap pumili kung sinong i-eliminate. 

Jennifer Sy and I were discussing it after dinner and I candidly told her who I wanted to stay in the competition, and we realized, walang matitira sa Team Lea!! 

If I were a judge kasi, just basing from last night's performance, I would pick Edray as my first pick, because she really has 'the voice'! Then Juan Karlos as second pick because he's guapo and malakas ang stage presence, then Darren as a very close third pick. This kid performs like Bruno Mars! He can sing and he can move and he can belt as well!

My fourth pick and sentimental choice is Lyca who was so earnest and sweet and so innocent in her responses to the questions. The funny thing is, among the performances last night, it was hers that I was almost choked to tears! She had that 'paawa' effect kasi and she did a great version of Sharon Cuneta's song

Playlist: The Repeat: Lea Salonga Celebrates 35 Years

Thanks to Jen and the generosity of Ma'm Ligaya Salonga, I was able to watch Lea Salonga's Playlist: The Repeat, last night! And what a night it was! Basically, 90% of the original show was intact, the Christmas songs were gone now and instead of being the one surprised, Lea finally introduced her daughter Nicole Chien to the stage for the first time! Also, Martin Nievera, who wasn't in the original show, appeared towards the end and did a duet with Lea.

If Kris can do it with Bimby, I guess Lea can with Nicole, who was adorable and really did well on her own, to think she was accompanied by a whole freakin' orchestra! What a way to debut on stage! At least now, alam ko na that Laura is doing just fine! Frankly, Laura appears to be more confident onstage than Nicole! Love your own talaga, sorry naman! Oh well, just like Lea said, what we can do is just support them and nurture their talents, and just let them enjoy their childhood.

What happened after the show was more fun than the actual show. I can't put the details here kasi gagawin daw blind items ni Kat!

My Ten Favorite Concerts of 2013

I was lucky enough to see twenty different concerts this year from a slew of local and foreign acts.  Some were disappointing but some were good enough to reach my top 10.  Here they are -

#10 Onerepublic 

 

Thanks to this concert, I was able to discover how good some of the songs were from Onerepublic's Native album, especially Preacher.  Ryan Tedder sounded kinda off though that night.

#9 Aerosmith

 

Steven Tyler growled and sang like a pro the night he was here in Manila.  Too bad I forgot my camera at home!  The stage set up at MOA was just fantastic!

#8 Lea Salonga

An impeccably well directed show, Lea Salonga has the set of pipes which even nightingales would envy.  She was in top form during her show a few weeks ago.
 
#7 Enrique Gil

 Probably the only non-singer who was given a chance to have a concert this year.  Enrique only had to take his shirt off and the Araneta Coliseum would turn into a shrieking mess!  This boy is definitely hot!

#6 Lawson

 

When Lawson came to Manila last April, they were not that famous yet but they have since gained more popularity and I won't be surprised if they fill up the Araneta Coliseum when they come back here!

#5 Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz's show didn't have too much gimmickry and he has depended solely on his earnest delivery of many of his hit songs.  Thanks to this show, I was introduced to I'm Coming Over and A Beautiful Mess.  Lovely, lovely songs!
 
#4 Gary Valenciano

A veteran already of almost 30 years of live shows, Gary V.'s series of intimate shows during the stormy month of August was probably the most cozy show I saw this year!  Gary just set the mood right for the whole show!


#3 The Killers

I don't know why I  got emotional during some of the songs that Brandon song during The Killers' concert here but I did and Brandon really performed the band's songs pretty well!  Definitely a show I would watch again if I can!
  
#2 Swedish House Mafia

One of the best concerts I have ever seen!  Electrifying opening song! Tight set!  Lots of reasons to stay dancing!

#1 Alicia Keys

Alicia's show had some wonderful surprises - it added to the already tight and exciting set she had prepared for everyone that night!  Another memorable concert!

Concert Review: A Glorious Night with Lea Salonga

Thanks to Mommy Ligaya Salonga care of Jennifer Sy, I was lucky enough again to score a ticket to see Lea Salonga's Playlist concert last night! I have never actually seen her sing live because even in the Miss Saigon's I've seen, it was a different Kim.

Anyway, if you're planning to watch any concert this Christmas season, I highly recommend that you watch this one. She has another show tonight and I'm sure may tickets pa. I have been used to the frenetic energy of the concerts of foreign artists so I was amazed by how relaxed and dreamy I got when I watched her show last night. Her voice, well, she was sooooo effortless and the notes just seemed to float in the air!

She had several guests like Mitoy, who acquitted himself with a Celine Dion song! Then Ai Ai de las Alas was there and she was very irreverent and funny! Rachelle Anne Go who is going to play Gigi in the West End production of Miss Saigon in May 2014 did a duet with Lea in A Movie in My Mind. I've always felt this kid was underappreciated here so I'm not surprised it took a West End director to finally appreciate her talents!

Lea did a very varied repertoire so don't worry about getting bored especially if you've seen her before! I will not say na lang what she sang para surprise, just in case you are watching her later. And dress up pala! It's probably the most soshyalin crowd I have ever seen in a concert this year with everyone dressed up to the nines, except me!

If you've seen a Barbra Streisand concert, that's how Lea's show felt like. It was like, you were just in your living room and you invited her to sing for you and your family. Comfy kasi pala upuan sa PICC kaya I felt that way. I haven't been to that place since the 80s pa, grabe!