BOYZ II MEN IN MANILA

Boyz II Men; The Four Time Grammy award-winning vocal-group is set to serenade Filipinos on September 17,2014 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City

Ovation Productions is bringing back the vocal group behind the hit songs On Bended Knees, I'll Make Love To You, End of The Road, A Song For Mama, Water Runs Dry and many others.

MUSICAL NOSTALGIA

No matter how our taste in music has evolved, we stay attached on those songs we obsessed over in the past years. When it comes to a capella, catchy R&B tunes and soulful ballads about heartbreaks, we can definitely say that BOYZ II MEN does it perfectly.

Members Nathan Morris(baritone) ,Wanya Morris and Shawn Stockman on tenors gained their fame in the 90's with the release of their first single, ''End of the Road'' which stayed at the No.1 spot at the Billboard  Hot 100 for 13 weeks and outstripped the record held by Elvis Presley. Their music captured greater attention after the release of their song I'll Make Love To You and One Sweet Day (collaborated with Mariah Carey) and broke a new record of staying at the No.1 Billboard Hot 100 for the longest period of time.

Boyz II Men, through the ubiquity of their songs til the present, makes them as one of the most successful R&B group in the music scene.

THEIR RETURN IN MANILA

After the group's concert at the big dome last August 13,2010, also promoted by Ovation Productions, they will be returning once more on September 17, 2014 again at the Smart Araneta Coliseum to serenade and will surely enthrall their audience through their soothing harmony and blends.

BOYZ II MEN LIVE IN MANILA is produced by Ovation Productions and presented by Fox International and Imarflex Inverter Airconditioner in cooperation with Air 21.

For tickets, please visit www.ticketnet.com.ph & for more information, call 911-5555

JESSIE J IN MANILA

JESSIE J performs TOMORROWat the Smart Araneta Coliseum!

Award winning brit-pop singer/songwriter Jessica Ellen Corninsh also known as JESSIE J is about to set Manila on fire with her greatest hits such as ''Price Tag, Domino, Who You Are, Do It Like A Dude'' and more at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Monday, July 14,2014. This event is made possible by MIDAS PROMOTIONS in cooperation with FUTURE ENTERTAINMENT, co-presented by Viber, sponsored by Sumosam, Guess, and Edsa-Shangrila. Thanks to the following media partners: Sound Check Manila, MYX, Manila Concert Scene, When in Manila, PEP, Inquirer, Monster RX 93.1, Astroplus, Oddysey and more!

WHO IS J.J?

2011's Breakthrough of the Year, Best Newcomer and Best New Artist, 2012's Most Inspirational Artist and Best Female Solo Pop artist; also with millions sold worldwide and show stopping performances globally, I can say that Jessie J is on top of the lists of my favourite artist. 

(*same birthday) Jessie J, born on the 27th of March 1988 in London started performing with her sisters' Rachel and Hannah at the age of 7 and they were called The Cornish Pasties. By nine, she was starring in the West End in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical ''Whistle Down the Wind''. All of this with a heart condition that had her spending time in Great Ormond Street Hospital, sometimes being allowed out on day release with her heart monitor to attend rehearsals. Despite her heart condition, J said on her past interviews, ''I'm intelligent but I'm not academic, I'm not someone who can work out massive sums and that singing and performing was the only thing I was good at''

J has already signed for four years before she became a ballyhoo on youtube. It seemed that Lava Records were impressed with her talent which made the ''crazy deal'' happened, a joint venture with Lava Records and Universal Republic.

J ON HER AWE-INSPIRING SONGS

One would describe her music as CANDY FOR THE SOUL. As for me, her raw and controlled voice makes her stand-out and noticeable on the radio, eargasmic songs with a heavy pop feel on it makes her sensational and globally known for having such incredible music. 

''Price Tag'' performed with B.o.B and written by J herself charted at number 1 in 19 countries  becoming Jessie J's biggest hits to  date and was also the biggest-selling collaboration of the year in United Kingdom. This song having a feel-good and vintage backbeat also has a message that money doesn't matter and people not to take stuffs too seriously. One of my favorite song, ''Who you are'' with an influence of RnB talks about revivifying something and being true to yourself, she said in an interview that she wrote this song during her lonely years and was about to give up music but certainly the song moved everyone which made it the highlight of the album. The song ''Domino'' released last August 29,2011 with its electropop and an influence of disco music became the second number-one single in the UK and peaked number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 becoming her most successful single in the US.

J, BEING AN INSPIRATION

When J shaved her hair, it had been a front-page stuff worldwide. Ever since, she always wanted to do charity works at the Great Ormond Street Hospital and somehow along the way, she grabbed the opportunity to help the children who lost their hair during cancer treatment and shaved hers as a sign of support and sympathy.

Someone new would always enter the music scene but there would only be one Jessie J who would be an inspiration and make songs about reality and self-empowerment.



Get your tickets at http://www.ticketnet.com.ph/

Ticket Prices:

PATRON VIP: 5,550 PHP
PATRON A:  4,550 PHP
PATRON B:  4,050 PHP
PATRON C:  3,550 PHP
UPPER BOX A: 2,550 PHP
UPPER BOX B: 1,550 PHP
GEN. ADMISSION: 850 PHP
( Plus Service Charge )

METEOR GARDEN'S AIRING BROUGHT HEAT IN ITS COMEBACK

THE COMEBACK

The first Asianovela that aired 11 years ago has finally returned! METEOR GARDEN has really captivated the hearts of every Filipino. The story of the poor girl San Cai who studies in a wealthy university and has her life unbearable when she draws the wrath of F4; sons of Taiwan's most affluent families ( Dao Ming Si, Hua Zi Lei, Mei Zuo and Xi-Men). 

LOVE

Despite Dao Ming Si's cold and fiery temper, he'll just go head-over heels for San Cai. I think Jerry Yan did a great job of portraying Dao Ming Si as a nuanced character. He doesn't lose sight of the fact that hidden behind Ah Si's arrogance is a sad, lonely boy. He's never quite redeemed for being a total jerk, but his kryptonite-style weakness for his leading lady is so endearing that it's almost impossible to dislike him. I think San Cai's unrelenting stubborness and brave personality made DMS fall in love with her even more. 

On the other hand, fans would often say they like Hua Ze Lei more, the fact that he is there whenever San Cai is in trouble or in need of a shoulder to cry on.

If there is one thing I love about Taiwanese drama is that physical intimacy and emotions are more seen and is often delivered really well. The characters played their part really well and make us believe that it's true.

F4 Fever HITS Philippine Anew

F4's hairstyle was a major trend 11 years ago! From DMS' pineapple haricut, to Hua Ze Lei's fly away hair and Mei Zuo straight hair, it's kind of funny to think guys years ago would let their hair get long and be it done that way. Even customized shirts were all around the place. My cousins and I even collected posters and CDs weekly. It's really weird that I can even sing their songs ( not thinking if the lyrics is correct ) until now  "Meteor Rain", "Ask For More", "Season of Fireworks", the themesong "Qing Fei De Yi and "Ni Yao De Ai", Jerry Yan's "I Really Really Love You", Vannes Wu's "Everywhere", Vic's "Make A Wish" and Ken's  "Show Me Your Love". 

Meteor Garden has been on a social trending topic for two weeks since it aired last March 31,2014. With the hashtags #CHOOSEday #WedNURSEday and more creative hashtags relating on the episode in that day.

Since I've been missing an episode last week so I watched the whole Meteor Garden episode for three consecutive days.

I'M AN F4 AFICIONADA

I amaze everything about the existence of F4. Different charaters made them so recognized and eminent. From DMS' cute dimples whenever he annoys San Cai, his jealous antics and the way he fights for his love. I love Hua Ze Lei for being so quiet  and mysterious, and his patience on waiting for San Cai to love him back. For Mei Zuo and Xi-Men, despite the playboy character they're portraying, their protectiveness over San Cai is a major TURN-ON for me.

THE STORY

Thumbs up for putting the characters in college instead of being in highschool. Even if most of the characters are still kids at heart, it's nice to put this story in the context of young adults rather than teens and it makes their problems more adult and destinies closer at hand. I would also like to commend the story for focusing on friendship and family.

All About GEO ONG

Rap music has been an essential part of our music industry. From Salbakuta to Andrew E to Gloc 9,rapping has arguably inspired the current generation of tagalog rappers to place much more emphasis on multi-syllable rhyme schemes, punchlines and metaphors than before. With the emergence of several new Filipino rappers, including Abra, Loonie, Pio Balbuena, Batas, Dello, Anygma, this newfangled music is surely expected to come forth in the following years.

Last March 2, 2014, McJim's Classic leather started their talent search for all aspiring artists who wanted to have their own single and music video plus a chance to win a 50,000php. For more details, check out @soundcheckmnl 's blog http://soundcheckmnl.tumblr.com/post/78106539789/special-feature-dreams-get-real-talent-search-by . The boyband 1:43 , Kimpoy Feliciano and Geo Ong performed that day and we ( soundcheck manila ) were lucky to interview Geo.

KNOW MORE ABOUT GEO

Don Angelo Villaver Ong aka GEO ONG was born on March 15 at Puerto Princesa, Palawan and was raised by his parents; Elsa and Angelito Ong. The freelance rapper decided to pursue rapping two years ago and has appeared in Net25, Master Showman, Pinas FM, Barangay LS and Rap Sessions (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isEYboSCTf4) . These are the few questions we've asked him after the show:



SCM: Tell me about your song "Apoy"

GEO: "Yung apoy para sakin talaga yun eh, sinabi ko dun yung mga bagay na dapat gawin ko mismo tulad ng magsipag, tyaga, dasal, yun, kaya may apoy"

YOUTUBE LINK TO WATCH "APOY" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7OHdmcvZNU


SCM: Story behind your song "Samantha"

GEO: "Samantha naman is a song na akala nila may tinutukoy ako or meron talagang Samantha. Pero wala nalalaliman lang ako sa pangalang samantha tsaka Romantic yung ganung name eh. Ginawa ko ng title ng song. Mahilig kasi ako mantrip na pag may nakilala ako oh may pinakilala sakin iiba ibahin ko na yung pangalan sa twing kakausapin ko siya. Tapos gumawa ako ng kanta wala pa talagang title, wala pa kong naiisip, kelangan na gawan ng demo kaya nirecord naSo nag-isip ako ng pangalan na astig, catchy tsaka oldschool so yun Samantha yung naisip ko. Yun na siya"

YOUTUBE LINK TO WATCH "SAMANTHA" : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhpcIeCeglE


SCM: If given a chance to work or perform with someone, who will it be?

GEO:"Chris Brown sana".

SCM: What makes you different from the present rapper? What makes your music unique?

GEO: "Sa ngayon wala pa e. Hindi ko pa alam kung ano yung pinagkaiba ko sa kanila. Hanggang ngayon hinahanap ko pa rin sarili ko."



SCM: What makes RAPPING so important to you right now?

GEO: Naisusulat ko lahat tsaka masasabi mo sa lahat sa Rap Song.



SCM: Any song you're working on?

GEO: Madami akong sinusulat, record na lang



SCM: Any song you're into ( What's on your playlist? )

GEO: Puro kanta ni Rey Valera

SCM: Celebrity Crush/es

GEO: Maja Salvador. Ang galing niya sumayaw e tsaka uamrte. Ang lakas ng dating niya

SCM: Type mo sa isang girl

GEO: Unang una syempre mabait, simple tsaka hindi mayabang

SCM: Craziest thing a fan did

GEO: Parang sikat lang ako no? Talagang “a fan did” hehe. Siguro yung kagabi nabasag niya yung phone niya habang nanunuod ng Walang Tulugan”

SCM: Tips to all freelance rapper like you

GEO: Sipag lang. Kung gusto mo talaga paglaanan mo ng oras.



GEO'S SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS:

Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3SlZOliPNljzh4G1YGEY6A
Twitter and Instagram Account: @imgeoong

SHOWS: "Homeworkz Bar Tour"
-March 13 Conspiracy Bar
-March 22 Flare Metrowalk
-April 4 Giant Bar Antipolo
-April 11 Xclusive Bar Adriatico  Malate
-April 12 Bagaberde
-April 15 Starwood Cafe Makati
-April 25 D Publiq Las Pinas
-May 15 Keg Bar Makati


Geo, aside from his looks is passionate and is continuing to work in his craft. Rapping was never easy, I tried once and I sounded really funny and awkward. In addition to observances of all nuances, rap is more than just dope beats and rhymes. Its lyrics tell stories with insights and common isuues in our society and is continuing to enter the mainstream conversation in our music industry.


To end this blog, these are the scheduled weekly elimination for the "McJim's Get Real talent search"

March 2, 2PM, SM Center Las Pinas
March 9, 2PM, SM City Masinag
March 16, 2PM, SM City Clark
March 23, 2PM, SM City Calamba
March 30, 2PM, SM City Manila

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis in Manila

Winners of 4 Grammy Awards, including Best New Artist, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are all set to party in Manila on March 16, 2014 at the MOA Arena. "It was a rollercoaster of a year to go through. What better way to celebrate than to come over to you guys and play a show!", said Lewis. Presented by Viber and Wize and Ope, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are ready to give every ounce of their energy as they perform and party their hearts out with the Filipinos.

Ben Haggerty aka Macklemore started writing music when he was fourteen. He first met Ryan Lewis in 2006.  Did you know that Lewis spent a few years working on Macklemore's promotion as a photographer  and who would've thought they've become not just friends but bestfriends sharing the same passion through music. 

What I've loved about this duo is that they've been making incredible songs so effortlessly, no gimmick, it speaks from the heart, no intimidation, people who will hear their music will surely rape the replay button because it's just that amazing.

And now they're coming to Manila on March 16, 2014 at the Mall of Asia Arena for a one epic party you shouldn't miss!

Tickets are available at all SM Tickets outlets, and online at www.smtickets.com or call 470-222. Tickets prices are: Moshpit,  P 5940; Patron, P 4770; VIP Standing, P 3180; Lower Box  A, P 3500, Lower Box B, 2650

This event is co-presented by Concertus Manila