Christine and the Queens

The French act Christine and the Queens has three top 10 hits in My Weekly Top 10 countdown.

This week, Nuit 17 a 52, slips to #9 in My Weekly Top 10 countdown.

2015 - Christine (#2)

2017 - Saint Claude (#8)

2017 - Nuit 17 a 52 (#5)

Here's a video of the song. It already has 4,951,655 views.

A Refreshing Repertoire from the PPO as they perform Gershwin and Arturo Marquez

Breaking from playing traditional classical music, it was really refreshing to hear the PPO play different stuff last night.

When I saw their playlist for last night's show, I was pretty excited because I am a big fan of George Gershwin's work and of Latin music.

I hope in the future, they will do a full Gershwin repertoire, since it's very rare that symphonic jazz is played live in Manila.

If you watched La La Land, the influence of Gershwin on that movie's composer is very obvious and because of it - I appreciate the movie now, more than ever.

I was not familiar with the composer of the Latin music, but he turned out to be Arturo Marquez of Mexico and his works last night (El Conga del Fuego and Danzon No. 2) were crowd pleasers and the audience gave the PPO a standing ovation!!

I stood as well because it was exhilarating to hear all those percussion sounds being played (which is very rare in a classical concert).

Apparently, Mr. Marquez infuses his Mexican roots into his music, making it sound more vibrant you can even dance to it if they'd allowed you to stand up and groove!

That's why even the encore got a standing ovation!

I'm so glad I was able to watch the show, thanks to Melinda Magallanes for arranging everything!

Supporting Young Talented Classical Musicians

I cannot play an instrument to save my life - and that has been one of my life's biggest tragedies.

And it's not for the lack of trying! When we were kids, Mama sent us to this excellent piano teacher, Ms. Loyola, but to no avail.

When I became an adult, I did take keyboard and guitar lessons but my only claim to fame is playing Fergie's "Big Girls Don't Cry".

In other words, I have no musical talent. I could hear the notes when I sing, but when I play the instrument, I am totally lost!

And that quietly pisses me off up to now.

I could easily write an essay on the Syrian conflict and its implications on the refugee crisis in Europe - but I couldn't play Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on the piano!

Life is so unfair!

Because of that setback, I am always in awe of people who can play well - so well that they can ask people to pay to watch them play!

That's why I'm such a big fan of classical concerts and musicians because of the discipline they have to have just to play at such a high level!

One wrong note and tataas ang kilay ng audience mo! It's an unforgiving craft!

So anyhow, the guy beside me is Bryan, he's the son of my former teacher, Evelyn Ariza Cimafranca, the proud mom, and he was part of the violin section of the PPO last night.

I loved the part when the violinists used their hands to pluck on the instrument. I know how fragile the violin is and to pluck it to achieve that sound, composer Arturo Marquez wanted, could have easily broken a string.

It was great that he was there because last night's repertoire was something I truly enjoyed and loved to hear live!

Little Mix

The British all-girl group Little Mix has three hits in My Weekly Top 10 countdown.  Two of them went all the way to #1.

2016 - Hair (with Sean Paul) (#10)

2017 - Touch (#1)

2017 - Secret Love Song (with Jason Derulo) (#1)

This week, Secret Love Song, their collaboration with Jason Derulo, slips to #10 in My Weekly Top 10.  It already has 137,441,848 views.

Karla Estrada

Karla Estrada has one #1 hit in My OPM Top 10 countdown.

This week, her collaboration with 6cyclemind, Di Na Atin, slips to #4 after staying at the top spot last week. 

2017 - Di Na Atin (with 6cyclemind) (#1)

Here is the video of the song.  It already has 21,696 views.