PINOY SHINES IN NEW U.S. TV TALENT SEARCH
'DUETS'
[PHOTO -Filipino
amateur singer Jason Farol in a duet with Kelly Clarkson, first winner of
American Idol, on the newest nationwide US talent show Duets. Eight duets are
competing for the Final 3 from which the winner will be decided via text
voting.]
MANILA,
JUNE 5, 2012
(PHILSTAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - Close on the heels
of Jessica Sanchez's second-place finish at the recent 11th season of American
Idol, another Filipino talent is creating waves in the new nationwide US TV
talent search Duets on ABC. He's none other than Jason Farol, nephew of Claire
dela Fuente who alerted Funfare to the boy's impressive performance now
circulating in YouTube.
"That boy is actually very shy," said Claire. "His mother, Rowena, told me
that Jason, 23, is the personal choice of Kelly Clarkson for their duet.
Clarkson is the first American Idol winner. Jason is not really a professional
singer; he's still a student who records his own songs at the garage of their
home in Torrance, California."
Eight duets are competing in the finals. After three more eliminations,
America will vote until the grand finals when the winner will be known.
Anyway, here are some comments about Jason and Clarkson's duet, culled from
the Internet:
• This is by far one of my favorite songs at this moment. I love The Civil
Wars… I thought Kelly doing this song with Jason Farol was a genius choice. At
the beginning you could tell he was nervous but who wouldn't be. He did great. I
thought that he brought it when his moment came to shine. At the end when he
cried I totally felt that. His dreams coming true in front of a Kelly Clarkson
audience, which are some of the best audiences out there. I can't wait for this
show. Congrats!
• Way to go Jason Farol! You have a great voice and you'll shine like a huge
star!! We'll watch and be with you all the way on Duets! Such a handsome and
talented man you are!
• Being that I was at the show as well. 1) There was "theater seating" so not
all the seats were assigned. The place is shaped like an oval. 2) Jason was
scared out of his mind. He did really well being thrust out there like that. I
think once he calms down on the show, he'll do really well. KC picked a great
song to sing with him that night.
Annabelle Rama: Will she run or will she not?
[PHOTO- Annabelle Rama with brother George Rama when she registered
as voter at the Cebu COMELEC. She announced that she would run for congresswoman
in North Cebu in the 2013 elections.]
Did you know that Annabelle Rama, a Sto. Niño devotee, often goes to Cebu
just to pay homage to the Little Child at the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño? She
goes there straight from the airport, meets up with relatives and then flies
right back to Manila.
The last time Annabelle was there to register as new Cebu voter at the
COMELEC, she prayed at the Basilica asking for three signs whether she should
really run for congresswoman in North Cebu in the 2013 elections. You see, her
children and some relatives were not happy with her decision to enter politics.
Her daughter Ruffa and sons Richard and Elvis were worried about Annabelle's
health, warning her that the campaign would be rigorous and would take her to
more than 50 barangays in North Cebu. Besides, she might not have enough time to
close deals for her wards, Ruffa and Richard included.
Annabelle's brother George Rama, whom Annabelle described as the "political
strategist" of the Ramas in Cebu (the latest having been Mike Rama, now Mayor of
Cebu City), discouraged Annabelle from running for reasons only he knew.
"So I asked for three signs from the Sto. Niño," Annabelle told Funfare. "And
all of them were positive."
First, when she registered at the Cebu COMELEC, it was George who accompanied
her and gave her the thumbs-up.
Second, son Richard eventually understood his mom's desire to help her fellow
Cebuanos and, although reluctantly, gave Annabelle the go-signal as long as she
would look after her health.
Third, son Elvis also relented and told his mom, "Go!" and promised to
campaign for her.
But Annabelle said she's in a dilemma.
"With all the three signs given," she said, "I have to think hard whether to
really run or not."
Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama was quoted by the local newspaper Freeman (The
STAR's sister publication) as saying, "If she's available, why not? Knowing
Annabelle, she can fight."
Annabelle has until October, the deadline for the filing of candidacy, to
make up her mind.
Meanwhile, could it be true that if Annabelle did run, she would be pitted
not with incumbent Cutie del Mar but with Cutie's father, Raul del Mar (who
served the province as congressman for several terms)?
Give Anna Melissa an ear
[PHOTO -Anna Melissa wrote three of the songs on her eponymous debut
album released by Odyssey Records. 'I write best about heartaches,' says Melissa
who once worked in the band Arko with Rico Blanco. 'Not my own heartaches but
those of my friends.' ]
When she met with a handful of movie writers the other night over dinner at
the Bayview Hotel, Anna Melissa gave a sample of her singing prowess by singing
Makakaasa Ba Ako? a cappella. Very impressive! The writers gave her an extended
applause of approval.
Makakaasa Ka Ba? is one of the selections in Melissa's eponymous album
released by Odyssey Records. She herself composed it with two other songs, also
in the album with some covers (one of them Adele's Rolling In The Deep).
Pretty enough to be an actress or a beauty queen, the Daet, Camarines Norte
native (like Ricky Lee and Atoy Co), confessed that heartbreaks inspire her to
write songs.
"Not my own," clarified Melissa, "but the experiences of my friends. Luckily,
I haven't been heartbroken."
Melissa was discovered when she was acting as alalay (factotum) of her
singer-friend (now married and living in Sweden). "Tagadala ako ng songbook
niya," recalled Melissa. "Then one night, while I was waiting for my friend to
finish her set at Sky Lounge (of Diamond Hotel), somebody connected with the
show asked me to sing. He liked what he heard and so…"
Melissa has been singing professionally for a few years, doing stints in
several venues (Bluewave, Hard Rock, 19 East, etc.). She once worked with Rico
Blanco in the rock band Arko.
Currently, she's hosting (with Jimmy Bondoc) Otso Panalo, a game segment for
Talk 'N' Text aired on the Kapamilya Mas Winner Ka program on ABS-CBN Mindanao.
Chief News Editor: Sol
Jose Vanzi
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