Silent Sanctuary's 'MONODRAMATIC' Album Out Now!

“Gusto namin maramdaman ng listeners yung kung ano din ang mga naramdaman namin sa mga kanta.”

Composed of Sarkie Sarangay on vocals and guitars, Chino David on violin, Anjo Inacay on cello, Jason Rondero on bass and Allen Calixto on drums, Silent Sanctuary spices up their signature “classical music meets rock music” sound with the release of their new album called “Monodramatic”.

The group’s previous studio albums, Fuschiang Pag-ibig and Mistaken for Granted, proved to be a success as it both spawned hits, which dominated radio, TV, online and various music charts. For this album, Silent Sanctuary delivers a more flavorful spice without deviating much from the distinct, classic sound which was loved by many, “Marami kaming ginamit na instruments sound, and elements na di pa namin ginagamit sa mga dating album,” explains vocalist Sarkie Sarangay.

The current hit single “Bumalik Ka Na Sa ‘Kin” gives us a sneak peak of what’s in-store for everyone who’ll get a copy of album. This upbeat pop-rock song with a captivating chorus will surely occupy your mind incessantly and leave you subconsciously humming which gives a perfect balance as the lyrics express an earnest desire to get back together with a significant other. The album also features an interesting collaboration with Ashley Gosiengfiao of Midnight Meetings entitled “Meron Nang Iba”. 

Violinist Chino David has pointed out that they’ve worked extensively on the songwriting and production to deliver a worthwhile listening experience to their fans, “Iba yung treatment namin sa album nato. Maraming dinaanang revisions at pagpili sa material.” With strong melodic hooks as well as harmonic surprises, listeners will surely be glued to their speakers. “Yung vision, mag-enjoy yung mga listeners tulad ng pagka-enjoy namin habang ginagawa yung album,” shares cellist Anjo Inacay. 

‘Monodramatic’ pushes the boundaries of what Silent Sanctuary has done previously and will surely transcend emotions of love, loss and everything in between.

TRACKLISTING:

1. Bumalik Ka Na Sa’kin 

2. Meron Nang Iba

3. Abot Langit

4. Sama-Sama

5. Masanay Ka Muna

6. Sa’yo

7. Sa’yo (Orchestral Version) *Bonus Track

8. Meron Nang Iba *Bonus Track

Silent Sanctuary’s “MONODRAMATIC” is now available in music stores nationwide! Also available for download on iTunes at http://itunes.apple.com/ph/album/monodramatic/id658673200 and MyMusicStore.com.ph at http://www.mymusicstore.com.ph/album/silent-sanctuary/1174227/Monodramatic.html

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HIGHLIGHTS: The Voice of the Philippines Day 1 and 2 Blind Auditions

The Voice of the Philippines blind auditions has officially started last Saturday, June 15 and I must say Filipinos have that amazing singing talent.

And while watching the blind auditions, there were some I must say have exceptional talent.. I also liked the comments given by the 4 coaches..

Here are some of the clips that made it passed the blind auditions and have made a certain mark to the coaches and viewers --

The very first 4-chair turn - THOR DULAY..


Talk about original filipino music - CORAZON DELA CRUZ..

"may libog ang boses mo.." - Coach Lea

The hot-looking 31-year old CHIEN BERBANA,,

"i've been waiting for somebody to blow me away.. you blew me away.." - Coach Lea

"i gotta say, ca-ching! ca-ching! ca-hing!" - Coach Apl

"i love when the voice matches everything else too.." - Coach Lea

"didn't have to massage her.. didn't have to give her water.." - Coach Lea

Rock star relives Bon Jovi - JUNJI ARIAS..

"parang nabuhay si bon jovi.." - Coach Sarah

"i was blown away by that.." - Coach Bamboo

"you put the oh.. and OH MY GOD!" - Coach Lea

Watch next week's another set of blind auditions. Will there be another 4-chair turn from the coaches? 

Like The Voice of the Philippines on Facebook and follow on Twitter..

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OPM Reigns Again as Awit Awards 2013 Nominees were Announced

Pinoy music artists are again recognized with their craft as PARI (Philippines Association of the Recording Industry, Inc.) released the official list of nominees for the upcoming 26th Awit Awards.

One of Awit Awards objective is to promotes the Philippine music industry, artistry and legacy as well as showcase talents in an vent dedicated to music.

The nominees are as follows --

Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist
I’ll Be There – Julie Anne San Jose
On My Own – Lea Salonga
With A Smile – Aiza Seguerra
Saan Darating Ang Umaga – Angeline Quinto
Tao – Sarah Geronimo

Best Performance by a Male Recording Artist
Piso – Joey Ayala
Kontrabida – Sam Concepcion
Ipadarama – Martin Nievera
Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan – Gary Valenciano
Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka – Noel Cabangon
In Your Eyes – Gary Valenciano

Best Collaboration
Himig Ng Panahon – Duncan Ramos, Luke Mejares, Loonie, Thyro & Yumi
Lipad Ng Pangarap – Angeline Quinto and Regine Velasquez
Sirena – Gloc 9 featuring Ebe Dancel
XGF – Sponge Cola featuring Chito Miranda & Los Magno
With A Little Help From My Friends - Tria Bascon with The Company

Best Performance by a Group Recording Artists
Love You Like A Love Song - Stephanie & Kim
12:51 – Krissy & Ericka
Minsan    - Callalily
Pick Your Poison - Sponge Cola
Buksan – Where’s the Sheep?

Best Performance by a New Female Recording Artist
I’ll Be There – Julie Anne San Jose
Ayaw Na Kung Ayaw – Cathy Go
That Time of Year – Shiela Valderrama
Wag Ka Nang Umiyak – KZ Tandingan
Inseparable – K-La

Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist
Kesa – Daniel Grospe
Maria – Jason Fernandez
Biglang Liko – Ron Henley
Grow Old With You – Daniel Padilla
Kung Ako Ba Siya – Khalil Ramos

Best Performance by a New Group Recording Artists
Bigtime    - Baihana
KPL – The Oktaves
Got to Be Real – Aka Jam
Dying To Meet You – She’s Only Sixteen
Alive – Never The Strangers

Album of the Year
Julie Anne San Jose – Julie Anne San Jose
Find My Way To You – Cathy Go
Tuloy Ang Biyahe – Noel Cabangon
MKNM Mga Kwento Ng Makata – Gloc 9
Pure OPM Classics – Sarah Geronimo

Song of the Year
Ayaw Na Kung Ayaw – Mike Villegas
12:51 – Krissy Villongco
Paboritong Tag-ulan – Jonathan Manalo and Jericho Rosales
Sirena – Aristotle Pollisco
Magkikita Pa Rin Naman Tayo – Moy Ortiz

Best Ballad
I’ll Be There – Julie Anne San Jose
12:51 – Krissy & Ericka
Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan – Gary Valenciano
Tuwing Umuulan At Kapiling Ka – Noel Cabangon
Tao – Sarah Geronimo

Best Rock/Alternative
Tayo-Tayo Lang – Ebe Dancel
Maria – Jason Fernandez
KPL – The Oktaves
Better Days – Franco
Halik – Kamikazee

Best World
Muli – RJ featuring Sitti
Pinoy Na Krismas – The Company

Best Novelty
Pusong Bato – Alon
Brown – James Leyte
Kesa – Daniel Grospe with No Problems
Mahal Kita Kasi – Kedebon Colim
Kape Ka Ba? – Boy Pick-Up (Ogie Alcasid)

Best Dance
Kasayaw – Luke Mejares
Your Name – Young JV
Pinoy Ako 2012 – Toni Gonzaga
Matinik – Matinik
Sayaw – Rico Blanco

Best Inspirational/Religious
Bawa’t Hakbang – Mark Bautista & The Akafellas
Liliwanag – Acel Van Ommen
Lipad Ng Pangarap – Angeline Quinto & Regine Velasquez
‘Wag Ka Nang Umiyak – KZ Tandingan
Buksan – Where’s The Sheep?

Best Christmas
This Christmas – The Morning Episodes
The Morning Episodes – Chan-Parpan & Franco Chan
Paskong Puno Ng Kasiyahan – Juris
Pasko Na Sinta Ko – Basil Valdez
Kumukutikutitap – Rachelle Ann Go

Best Rap
Biglang Liko – Pow Chavez
Tao Lang – Loonie featuring Quest
Rock This Town – Young JV featuring Laze & Yumi
Sirena – Gloc 9 featuring Ebe Dancel
Bagsakan – Parokya Ni Edgar featuring Gloc 9 & Frank Magalona

Best Jazz Recording
Big Time – Baihana

Best R & B
Enough – Julie Anne San Jose
Himig Ng Panahon – Duncan Ramos, Luke Mejares, Loonie, Thyro & Yumi
Dota O Ako – Aikee featuring Sabrina
Dance With Me – Liezel Garcia

Best Regional Recording
Basi Pa Lang – 3BU
Usahay – Noel Cabangon

Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play
Nag-iisang Bituin from the teleserye “Princess and I” – Angeline Quinto
Growing Up from the teleserye “Growing Up” – Yeng Constantino
Dahil Sa’Yo from the teleserye “E-Boy” – Juris

Best Musical Arrangement
Piso – Krist Melecio
Makita Kang Muli – Jimmy Antiporda
Send In The Clowns - Homer Flores
Tonight – Bobby Velasco
With A Little Help From My Friend - JD Villanueva

Best Vocal Arrangement
Bawat Hakbang – Karl Villuga
December 25 – Robert Delgado
Got To Be Real – Cezar Aguas & Jimmy Antiporda
Overjoyed – Mon Faustino
With A Little Help From My Friend - Moy Ortiz

Best Engineered Recording
Alipin Ako – Dante Taňedo, Bellhaus Recording Studio
Roll The Dice – Pat Tirano, Pocket Universe Studios
Send In The Clowns - Willy Villa, U.R. Recording Studio
I’m Old Fashioned – Dominic Benedicto, Asiatec Pink Noise
Amats – Rico Blanco

Best Album Package
Moonstar 88 – This Year
3D Tatlong Dekada
Piolo Pascual, Decades III
Doin’ It Big, Young JV
First Class: Outbound Expanded Edition (Book Bound)

Music Video of the Year
Ligaw – Moonstar 88
Sirena – Gloc 9 featuring Ebe Dancel
Halik – Kamikaze
La Belle Vie – Tria Bascon
Amats – Rico Blanco

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Philpop 2013 Star Studded Interpreters Revealed

After Philpop announced the 12 finalists last April 30th, recording of each song began. And finally, the interpreters were revealed today in front of sponsors, media and bloggers.

The interpreters were chosen hand in hand with Universal Records and the finalists. What's cool about this year's album production is that not only Universal Records who had some of their artists be part of it but also other record labels like MCA, PolyEast and Warner Music also lend their own line-up of artists. Talk about unifying for one cause -- and that is to uplift and strengthen our own music.

Starting June 5, Philpop has open its text voting to the public for the Smart People's Choice Award. It's open to all Smart, Talk and Text and Sun subscribers (P1 per text).

Here are the artists who interpreted each song --

Marion Barnuevo with interpreter Christian Bautista
(Text P1 and send to 5656)

Ganny Brown; interpreters - Jose and Wally
(Text P2 and send to 5656)

Thyro Alfaro and Yumi Lacsamana; interpreters - Sam Concepcion, Tippy Dos Santos feat. Quest
(Text P3 and send to 5656)

Johnoy Danao with interpreter Ney Dimaculangan
(Text P4 and send to 5656)

Jungee Marcelo; interpreters - Sitti Navarro and Julianne Taroja
(Text P5 and send to 5656)

Joey Ayala; interpreters - Joey Ayala and Gloc-9 feat. Denise Barbacena
(Text P6 and send to 5656)

Myrus Apacible with interpreter Kimpoy Feliciano
(Text P7 and send to 5656)

Lara Maigue with interpreter Karylle
(Text P8 and send to 5656)

Paul Armesin with interpreter Yael Yuzon
(Text P9 and send to 5656)

Adrienne Sarmiento-Buenaventura with interpreter Ace Libre of Never the Strangers
(Text P10 and send to 5656)

Raffy Calicdan with interpreters Banda ni Kleggy and Kean Cipriano of Callalily
(Text P11 and send to 5656)

Kennard Faraon with interpreter Six Part Invention
(Text P12 and send to 5656)

The winner of this special award will receive P100,000 pesos while the grand winner will take home 1 million pesos. All trophys are created by national artist Ramon Orlina.

Philpop 2013 finalists and interpreters with Ryan Cayabyab and Cathy Go of Universal Records

Philippine Popular Music Festival Finals Night will be held on July 20, 2013 at the Meralco Theater.

But wait! There's more..

Philpop will be promoting the top 12 entries in radio stations. And watch out for the music videos with the help Sony, providing their top of the line full frame camera (Sony NEX VG900) to well-respected music video directors. Sony Ambassador and film maker Pepe Diokno will be part of the process.

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PhilPop 2013 Finalists Announced

3,383 entries submitted by aspiring composers and songwriters nationwide and abroad, trimmed all the way to 12 finalists.

On my second year supporting the Philippine Popular Music Festival, I must say the entries are getting better. These entries went through a 4-stage of screening process from people respected and renowned in their speciality - record label executives, musicians, composers, singers, artists, radio personalities and the academe.

Last April 30th, Philpop finally revealed the 12 finalists held at Napa Restaurant in front of the media, bloggers and adjudicators.

Check out how the finalists react when they heard the good news.. ^_^

Another announcement made during the presscon, Universal Records Philippines will now act as the music festival's record distributor  which is definitely good news. To be honest, I'm pretty disappointed on the outcome of last year's promotion both the finalists and the album. Moving forward, I got a chance to ask Ito Rapadas. He mentioned that UR will be very aggressive in the album production and promotion. 
Here's a preview of the 12 finalists entries -- Finals night will be held on July 6, 2013 at Resorts World Manila. Don't forget to LIKE Philpop's Official Facebook Page and FOLLOW them on Twitter for updates..

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PhilPop Levels Up in 2013

After a successful debut earlier this year, the illustrious Philippine Popular Music Festival songwriting competition is gearing up for its 2^nd run this 2013.  As early as January 1, entries will be accepted on www.philpop.com.ph, with the deadline running until February 28.

The group behind this this endeavor is the PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Inc, which involves itself in nation building through music.  It seeks to identify deserving songwriters who can inspire and spark positive change through their songs and are given the opportunity to shine. 

Expecting to break the record of 3,000 participants in the initial run, Philpop, under the baton of its Executive Director Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, laid out a more comprehensive and arduous screening process to find the top 14 finalists. 

The competition is open to amateurs and professionals, participant must be of Filipino descent so even those residing abroad can join, the song entry may be written in a popular or new song genre, or a fusion thereof, in any form or structure, as lyrics may be in Filipino, a Philippine regional language, a Philippine dialect, English, or any combination thereof.

The song entry must be entirely original. It must not be licensed to any publisher; has not been printed and distributed as hard copy; or through the internet; has never been previously recorded and must not infringe on any existing copyright or any other rights. It must not have been performed live in any venue, on traditional radio and television, or internet, or pre-recorded and uploaded on the internet, or recorded on video or other format for future broadcast.

The million-peso champion of the first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival is former Akafellas member Karl Villuga with his song “Bawat Hakbang”.  The composition, which was about overcoming a personal crisis, was interpreted by Villuga along with his former groupmates and crooner Mark Bautista. First runner-up award went to Australia-based  Soc Villanueva with his R&B song “Kontrabida” sung by Sam Concepcion.  Young composer Toto Sorioso won the second runner-up prize for his composition “Tayo Tayo Lang” performed by former Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel while first timer James Leyte, who works in an IT department, won the Smart People’s Choice Award for his reggae-influenced song entitled “Brown” co-interpreted by Brownman Revival.  Maestro Cayabyab clarifies that even the past winners can still join the competition.

“We are continuing to promote the songs from the Philpop and the album while drawing up strategies to further thrust these songwriters and songs into the spotlight” shares Maestro Cayabyab.  “We are looking forward to again stage the biggest and most illustrious song writing competition in Philippine history with an even more songwriters vying for the 1 million pesos grand prize this 2013”.

PhilPOP is supported by Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts World Manila, TV5, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, NLEX, Sun Cellular, the First Pacific Leadership Academy, KBP, and Philex.

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