U.S. MARKET GETTING SMALLER FOR RP ARTISTS
[PHOTO AT LEFT - Sarah Geronimo and Sam Milby, stars of the ABS-CBN teleserye Idol]
MANILA, OCTOBER 12, 2010 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - The word from US-based concert producers featuring artists from the Philippines is somewhat pessimistic.
"The US market is getting smaller and smaller for Filipino artists," lamented one producer based in the East Coast. "Soon, we won't be getting artists from the Philippines anymore."
I presume that the producer is speaking not only for herself but for other producers in other parts of the US who have been complaining to the point of sounding like broken records against the "unfair practices" of the managers of Philippine-based artists.
"They make so many demands," continued the producer (who requested not to be identified, "aside from the artists' talent fees which we can hardly afford, such as daily allowance for members of the artist's entourage (sometimes including the artists' relatives and hangers-on) and other 'extra' amenities. Rent for the venue is expensive and we cannot sell tickets naman na masyadong mahal, otherwise walang bibili. How can we producers recoup our capital and make even just a little profit?"
Funfare learned that during a recent concert at Atlantic City, only more than 100 showed up at the venue with a 1,000-plus capacity. The concert featured a band (on one member of which the lady producer has developed a big crush, that's why she dared produce the show) but the singer-actress who was a guest performer didn't show up because she wasn't fully paid. At another concert in the East Coast, only one-fourth of the venue was filled up during the concert of a supposedly big singer-actress. In yet another concert topbilling two male singers back-to-back, the manager (of one of the singers) demanded for additional pay when the venue was packed full beyond the capacity.
"That's her policy daw," added the producer. "Kapag sumobra daw sa capacity ang dumating, uhm," holding her palm in a "give me more" gesture, "dapat magbigay ka ng dagdag. What an un-Christian practice! Ano pa ang kikitain ng kawawang producer?"
One time, would you believe, a manager even charged her talent's laundry to the producer, besides demanding that the talent and his group should have a late post-concert dinner at a restaurant (of the manager's choice!) and not at the one reserved by the poor producer?
"Sayang, sayang na sayang," said the producer. "Maybe without their knowing it, they are easing themselves out of the US market where, aminin nila, they are making good money - in dollars pa! Why are they killing the geese that are laying eggs for them?" Now, can you blame US-based producers if they give up on Philippine-based artists?
Sarah won't be idle when Idol ends
Yesterday's Curtain-raiser item got the following rejoinder from Bong Osorio, head of the ABS-CBN Corporate Communications:
Idol, which was planned to be a 10-week series, will end after eight weeks due to constraints in production and schedules. Its last episode will be on Oct. 22. Through your widely-read column, we wish to thank everyone who supported Idol.
The item, reported by Funfare's Bohol Avenue DPA, noted that Idol (inspired by the GMA Regine Velasquez-starrer kantaserye Diva in which some of the dialogues were sung) was closing ahead of schedule due to poor rating and "lack of chemistry" between its stars, Sarah Geronimo and Sam Milby.
Anyway, Sarah won't be idle after Idol. She will do a long-delayed movie with an unnamed actor (is it you, JLC?) for Star Cinema/Viva Films and finish her new album for Viva Records.
"I thank those who supported Idol," said Sarah who was named Female Recording Artist of the Year in the Star Awards for Music given by the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) over the weekend.
In February next year, she will have a big concert with Martin Nievera.
Sarah can also be called a Commercial Queen, with almost 30 endorsements.
Readers' reactions
. From "A concerned citizen" (name withheld upon request):
Last weekend, I watched Talentadong Pinoy and could not help but get annoyed at one judge who kept on giggling and laughing from beginning to end at an aging lady contestant, a retired single teacher, who rendered a declamation piece (her winning piece when she was still in college, according to her). The teacher was dressed to the nines but sadly in front of her this kind of insulting actuation from a judge(?). Disrespect to elders? I'm talking about Wilma Doesnt. I admire Richard Gomez and Tuesday Vargas for their professional attitude and inputs as judges. Need teaching of ethics and proper decorum for the channel's talents on how to behave in front of the cameras? And take note, the other jury was composed of teachers, too. A wrong tribute to our teachers?
. From Paolo Barazon, Manila:
I was one of those who saw Imortal's premiere on ABS-CBN last Oct. 4, which looked promising. The premiere episode was almost perfect, except for one glaring error: In one of the cemetery scenes, the character of Jake Roxas showed Jomari Yllana's character to the grave of his (Jomari's) son. The gravestone said that the son was killed in the 1820. According to Jake's character, the son, who became a guardia civil, was killed by Katipuneros. But as every student from grade school to college knows, the Katipunan was founded in 1897, which means there's no way that any Katipunero could have killed a guardia civil 70 years back.
. From Everett Garcia (no address given):
A rejoinder to the write-up on Janna Cachola, the other Filipina in Miss Saigon New Zealand who also appeared in some episodes of Power Rangers in New Zealand.
Her cousins, grandnieces of Mae Cachola are also beauty titlists: Maevile Cachola Gerong was Miss Freedom Day in Manolo Fortich, Miss Xavierville University in CDO and is now a flight attendant with Emirates airlines. Maeville's younger sister Em-Em, just recently was crowned Miss Holy Cross Academy, Most Photogenic & Best Ramp Model in Manolo Fortich. Their mom Matet and her sister Luningning were also beauty titlists and so was their grandma, Mae Cachola was Miss Philippine College of Commerce (now PUP).
The Cacholas are endowed with beauty and charm and musical talents. Juvy's sister Awit Cachola-Castillo is a singer/composer. She composed the hauntingly melodious theme song of Romeo & Juliet, an indie film produced by her sister, Jean Altavas. Awit was a radio singer of DZAS. She has sung in various Christian gatherings and churches in many countries of the world.
1957 Miss USA dies, 71
Mary Leona Gage, 1957 Miss USA (who represented Maryland), passed away on Oct. 9 due to heart failure in Los Angeles. She was 71. It will be remembered that Mary was stripped of her title and crown the day after her coronation when it was discovered that she was married and a mother of two. Charlotte Sheffield of Utah, first runner-up, took over.
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