Friday, June 29, 2007 Serna: The future for Rivermaya By Roger Serna Sounds and Images
TOMORROW at 7 p.m., US time (that’s Sunday, Philippine time, if I’m not mistaken), three Manila-based Filipino designers will showcase their modern take on Filipiniana in New Jersey, USA. This is part of the month-long Phil-Am Friendship celebration in that US state.
These designers are Boying Eustaquio, Leonard Co and Joel Pros. Why the interest in them? Simply because one of them, Joel, is a Cebuano (he’s actually from my own hometown and a neighbor at that, o-ha!).
The three will present a 25-piece collection each. Eustaquio does a modern glam Filipiniana with a collection of long and sleek formals. Co’s collection features beadwork patterns, hand-painted pieces and richly colored and textured embroidery.
Pros’ collection is a modern approach to standard Filipiniana dressing emphasizing his design mantra of less being more. The show is organized by the Philippine-American Friendship Committee Inc. aimed at showing the richness of Filipino culture through fashion to US-based Filipinos.
Don’t you share their pride of being Filipinos?
***
Not a few friends and acquaintances expressed their dismay over the eviction of Nel Rapiz from the Bahay ni Kuya in the Pinoy Big Brother Season 2. Nel was earlier perceived as one of the strongest contenders for the grand prize.
These same people frown on the possibility of Wendy Valdez being included in the Big Four, especially when she showed unsavory traits and mannerisms lately. Anybody but Wendy, they say.
But then, if she’s really favored, what can we, ordinary and hapless viewers, do? What if Wendy will eventually be declared the big winner? Are we going to commit suicide?
Of course not! I can almost hear that emphatic answer.
***
Unexpectedly, I met the big boss of Psalmstre, the maker of New Placenta skin care system, in the person of Jim Acosta. Divine S. Ngujo of The Freeman facilitated that unscheduled meeting.
Jim narrated how his company started from scratch and climbed to prominence through sheer hard work and dedication, and how they were able to weather the controversy that rocked the company in the not-so-distant past.
He also disclosed that product endorser and former beauty queen and supermodel Melanie Marquez had renewed her contract as endorser. Jim also disclosed that another beauty queen from the South, whom Jim describes as cooperative and pleasant to work with is eyed as another endorser once her contract with the contest organizer expires.
Expect her to have her own product endorsement billboards when the right time comes.
***
For sure you have already known Rico Blanco’s resignation from Rivermaya. Being one of my favorite groups, I’m particularly saddened by this turn of event.
But then, just like Rivermaya, as the groups co-manager Lizza Nakpil said, life has to move on. For the group, this means pursuing the goal of invading the international market, proving once and for all that no one member of Rivermaya is greater than the whole.
Lizza admits the road ahead will be extremely difficult for the group but they ‘are ready to pray hard and work even harder to take on the task ahead.’ My best wishes.
***
I have to admit that the high price of a movie ticket has decreased my indulgence in one of my favorite pastimes. Of course there are exceptions, such as when I read positive reviews about the storyline, the acting and everything.
Another factor is when awesome, fantastic, larger-than-life visual effects abound that add to the movie’s overall impact. For these and more, the movie Transformers will surely be the latest addition to the list that has taken a slow growth because of the abovementioned reason.
***
I stand corrected. The auditions for singers and dancers that will be conducted by Little Boy Productions together with music man Ryan Cayabyab is not for the Filipino version of the Broadway comedy Art after all.
It’s for something bigger and more exciting in terms of exposure abroad (yes!). The real score will be revealed during the audition itself, that is, on July 19 at 10 a.m. at the SM conference hall for singers, and on July 20 at 9 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Center for dancers.
So if you have the talent, at least 18 years old and willing to travel, grab this rare chance. It might not come your way again.
