They are Boyce Avenue, a budding band. The vocalist’s name is Alejandro Manzano. (And man is he hot.) I accidentally stumbled upon one of their videos while I was looking for Rihanna’s live AMA performance of Umbrella. I’ve been in love with them since. Here are some of their other covers:

Umbrella | Rihanna
So Small | Carrie Underwood
Lovestoned | Justin Timberlake
Without You Here | Goo Goo Dolls
Before It’s Too Late | Goo Goo Dolls

They also have originals posted on Youtube and their Myspace account. Enjoy.

..

Status: Frantic
Music: Wait for You - Elliot Yamin

Yep, it’s true! After the Queer Eye for the Straight Guy hosts and Nigel Barker, the Ayala Malls is bringing Elliott Yamin to the country. Don’t you just love Ayala Malls? Hahaha. Elliott has always beeen one of my favourite American Idol hopefuls (all seasons). And man, am I delirious! First, Christina Aguilera, now Elliott. But there’ll be no big concert. It’ll just be a simple mall tour. Simple. Interactive. Intimate.

Anyways, here’s the schedule I got from Elliot’s myspace:

September 21 - Trinoma, Quezon City
September 22 - Glorietta, Makati
September 23 - Alabang Town Centre
September 26 - Ayala Mall, Cebu
September 28 - Market! Market!, Taguig

Oh Elliott, I’ll surely wait for you.

Status: What a humid day. Whew.
Music: Candyman - Christina Aguilera

When they said that they’d be bringing the greatest show to be staged in the country in years, they weren’t exaggerating. The concert was fantastic. I know this post is a bit late, and a lot has already been written about the concert, but I still want to blog it. You know, to remember, in the future.

Weeks before the big night, I was desperately looking for someone who could go with me to that concert but it was tough. Everyone wished to go, and would go had the tickets been not that costly. Until I finally brainwashed a high school friend, Isa, into going with me. We met up in Makati and planned to just take a cab to The Fort (Bonifacio Open Field) in Taguig. Before we left, she was “warned” by a colleague of hers that Christina gets tired easily and her singing suffers after a short while. I just shook the comment off.

Christina opened the show with Ain’t No Other Man. And I just couldn’t believe I was already seeing her perform live. I knew she was great, but I never expected she was DIVINE. I had several goosebumps attack. The first was when she performed Slow Down Baby, one of my two most loved tracks in the album. The other one was Understand. But it didn’t have any massive effect on me that night for she sang it so soon. I was also hoping she would perform some of her old songs from her teeny-bopper days to her bitchy ones. And I wasn’t disappointed.

The theme of the concert was 1930s-60s (?), of course, and it was nice how they were still able to perform Come On Over Baby (tango-like, jazzy, whatever) and What A Girl Wants (no idea what arrangement that was, but it was great and funny) without breaking the theme.

But there was a sudden change of theme halfway. The first part was the vintage theme and all she wore were all white. The second part was very wild, colourful, and grandiose: circus. And man, did I adore the production. It was magnificent. She was handcuffed on a target board, then she was riding a carousel horse, yadda yadda. It was crazy! She was really having a great time, and we were, too.

When drunk navy guys (dancers) emerged chanting “Tarzan and Jane swingin’ on a vine,” the place was almost destroyed with the fans’ tremendous hollering. For starters, those male dancers were oh-so-sexy. To be honest, before that concert, Candyman was not one of my favourites. But after her performance, I realised it was an incredibly fun song. She also performed Dirrty to which everyone was singing along, and as she was dancing there, I noticed someone in the background setting up a couch, and I knew right then that the next one was gonna be Lady Marmalade. It was one of the best parts of the show.

And the best part of the evening? Beautiful. The most beautiful moment was when she performed Beautiful and everyone was singing with her, raising and swaying our arms together. It was sooo moving. I almost cried. Not because I could relate to the song (but maybe I did or do) but because I just couldn’t believe that my most favourite female artist was singing my most favourite record of hers. Gawd.

I laughed everytime the crowd went crazy each time Christina belts out something. But damn, she really deserved all those cheers and applause. Although I was a little disappointed that she didn’t perform her songs which are her biggest hits in the country Genie in a Bottle, I Turn to You, and A Voice Within, I just said to Isa, “My night’d be complete if she would just sing ‘Fighter.’” She did. It was her last song. I was the happiest fan in the world. And then she shouted, “Mahal Namin Kayo!” (”We love you!”) Wow. I swore I could see angels coming down from heaven — NOT. But it was close. Hehehe. Man, I love her.

After the show, I told Isa, “Whoever said she gets tired easily.”

Status: Silly, silly me
Music: Everywhere I Go - Katharine McPhee

Before anything else, I would like to announce that I have just finished the certificate program in Foreign Service in Ateneo. *clap, clap* The graduation was held last night and I was really happy and fulfilled. This year proved to be a fantastic one for me. I have accomplished a lot, but I know there’s still so much left to accomplish so it’s not time to really celebrate yet. Anyhow, I feel really good right now. Our Social Graces class yesterday was really funny and interesting. Our instructor taught us formal rules for fine dining. I thought I knew enough about table manners and etiquette. I was surprised to have to learn so many things especially when dining with diplomats. Hmmm.

Anyway, when I checked the Billboard Hot 100 this morning, I was surprised to see Carrie Underwood’s Before He Cheats in the Top 20. Hey, don’t get me wrong. Of all Carrie’s songs, it’s the one that I love the most. But it’s been in the Hot 100 for 41 weeks already. It’s the longest staying single in the upper half of the countdown. Her other songs have come and gone (Wasted, I’ll Stand By You) but Before He Cheats remains strong up there. Good for Carrie. It was only yesterday that I saw its video and it’s pretty nice. I really adore Carrie. She deserves everything she enjoys right now.

And he don’t know…
That I dug my key into the side of his pretty little souped up 4 wheel drive,
carved my name into his leather seats…
I took a Louisville slugger to both headlights,
slashed a hole in all 4 tires…
Maybe next time he’ll think before he cheats.

I also downloaded last night mp3s of Carrie’s performances on American Idol 4. She’s really amazing. It’s nice to relive her journey.

Sitting comfortably on top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart is Umbrella by Rihanna and Jay-Z. Ehehe. For weeks, this song had been in my head. This record has a powerful recall. Hear it and you’ll spend the rest of your day singing this:

Now that it’s raining more than ever
Know that we’ll still have each other
You can stand under my umbrella
You can stand under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)
Under my umbrella
(Ella ella eh eh eh)

But Umbrella is out of my head already. It’s been replaced by Katharine McPhee’s Everywhere I Go. This song rocks. I don’t have Katharine’s album but I downloaded a few tracks through the net. I wouldn’t know about this record had Lei not mentioned when he commented on this post. I’ve never been hooked to a song this much since Stacie Orrico’s I’m Not Missing You last year. Not to mention that I can really, really relate to this awesome song. Damn it. I just hope this single be released.

And I want it to be over
I so want it to be through
In the end somehow it always comes back to you

Why are Rascal Flatt’s albums not distributed in the Philippines? I love them. I love them. I love them. And I feel guilty downloading their records illegally. Huhuhu. Calling the attention of Ms. Deane Briones and Ms. Maw Wong, how would you like to give me a copy/ies of their albums? Come on, don’t be shy. While you’re both in the US, please find some time to go to a record bar and buy a copy of any of their albums (but preferably Me and My Gang) for me. Please. For our friendship’s sake. Hahahaha. 

Is it just me, or the chorus of Yeng Constantino’s Cool Off really sounds like Parokya ni Edgar’s Mahal na Kung Mahal?

*Photos courtesy of pigduck.com, media.canada.com, and imageshack.us

Status: Ecstatic
Music: Save Me from Myself - Christina Aguilera

It’s confirmed: Christina Aguilera is coming to the Philippines for a concert on July 6 at the Bonifacio Global City Open Field.

Tickets to Christina Aguilera’s concert are priced at P7,350 for VIP seats, P3,675 for patron and P1,050 for general admission. Special discounts will be given to Globe subscribers.

Tara. Nood tayo. Heto na ang pinakahihintay ko! Waaaaah!

Photo courtesy of aokeevents.com

Status: Lost
Music: Never Again - Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson is getting angrier and angrier as the years pass by. And I’m lovin’ it. From the sweetie A Moment Like This to Since U Been Gone to Because of You to her latest single Never Again, Kelly has never failed to amaze me. She’s becoming one of my on-a-pedestal-slash-to-die-for favourite female performers along with Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey. People keep on comparing Carrie Underwood with her (like who’s gonna be the more successful artist between the two Idols), but I love them both. I love the single Never Again. I love the video. I love the angry Kelly Clarkson. But somehow I kinda miss the sweet Kelly.

And another thing that I really miss is Avril Lavigne’s “angsty” image. Whatever happened to the always tipped, vengeful rocker girl? Oh, she’s now singing “Hey, hey, you, you, I could be your girlfriend.” (I actually like the song but) Gawd, that’s just sooo un-Avril. With the Britney dance steps and all (more like Mandy Moore’s actually). Whether deliberate (parodic) or not, it sucks. And the video. Seeeesh. It was an utter crap. The only good thing in that video is Bryan McMullin, the guy the stupid Avril girls are fighting over. And her new single When You’re Gone is so un-Avril, too. I mean, damn, the Avril I know doesn’t get lonely when broken-hearted, she gets homicidal. Tell me Avril, did Kelly Clarkson steal your angry image?

Bebs sent me a text message the other day, “Eew. Ang pop na ng Maroon 5.” I did not reply. But here’s my take on this. Never have I considered Maroon 5 a rock group. NEVER. From the very beginning, they’ve sounded so poppish to me. Come on, tell me one Maroon 5 song that really sounds rock. This Love? Nah. She Will Be Loved? Nah. Harder to Breathe? Hmmm. A little. But not quite. Not that being pop is a crime. (I love pop. Damn, I LOOOVE POP. Right, Bebs?) So this new Makes Me Wonder single did not really surprise me ergo did not disappoint me in any way. And I’m lovin’ it. I like the little techno twist. And I love Maroon 5. Pop.

Sexy Gwen Stefani claims that of all her songs, 4 in the Morning is her favourite. Wow. At least Gwen and I have something in common. No, not the sexy part. Of all her songs, 4 in the Morning is my favourite. Might be the only one I really liked. Since she went solo, I never really loved any of her songs. Sure I liked Cool, and Hollaback Girl, and Sweet Escape. But they’re the kind of “like” that lasts until I enter the restroom and when I come out of it, I totally forget that I ever liked the song. But her latest single has been on my playlist for weeks. Weeks, baby.

“You are my sweetest downfall. I loved you first. I loved you first.” Yeah. That’s Samson by Regina Spektor and that’s one hell of a song. Ang galeng. I didn’t really like Fidelity but this one… this one soars. Way to go Samson! Er… Regina. So it really pissed me when Asta told me that fuckin’ PBB uses it as one of the Wendy-Bruce crap theme songs. Tama na ang babuyan. Baboy other songs but not this. Damn Pinoy Big Baboy.

Robin Thicke is my favourite male performer right now. Blue-eyed R&B. Hmmm. The first time I heard Lost Without U, I told myself I gotta find out who the man behind that sexy voice is. And I found what I was looking for when I was watching MTV once. But more than the sexiness of his voice, I really think that the record is good. And he is a good singer/performer, too. I know downloading is bad (and illegal) but yeah, I downloaded most of his songs from the net and whew, I fell in love with his songs right away. When I Get You Alone is my most-loved and I was surprised that Blake Lewis performed it on American Idol. His version was good but I still prefer Robin’s. I’ve been urging everyone close to me to buy me a copy of the album The Evolution of Robin Thicke.

And speaking of American Idol, Jordin Sparks’s single This is My Now debuted at #15 on the Billboard Hot100 chart. Blake Lewis’s You Give Love a Bad Name entered the chart at #18. We’ll see how they’d play the real game this time.

Clive Davis may have (sort of) bashed Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee while praising (Chris) Daughtry, but I still love Katharine. Forget about Taylor (I never liked him. I was rooting for an Elliot-Katharine finale then), but Katharine will make it big in this industry. And Elliot Yamin, too. Not as big as Daughty yet but they will be someday. I’m just a little weirded out by Katharine’s choices of songs to be released. There are much better songs in her album than Over It and Love Story.

Song choices, huh? Christina Aguilera’s song choices are a little annoying, too. Candyman is one of the few not-so-good tracks in the Back to Basics album. Why not Slow Down Baby or Understand? Grrr. Anyway, she’s coming to the Philippines for a concert. Hmm. I better start saving.

And I just don’t understand why Jason Mraz’s and Stacey Orrico’s careers won’t take off?! I mean, they have fantastic songs. They’re brilliant singers. And they’re unique. Damn. Come on people, give them a friggin’ break they deserve.

Photos courtesy of marco-schueler.de, blogs.sohh.com, and actionradio.com

Jordin Sparks
Wins American Idol 2007!!! Yehey!

(more…)

Status: Starved
Music: Candyman - Christina Aguilera

Asta and Dohna have told me a number of times that I am very picky when it comes to food. Actually, they didn’t use the word picky; they said I’m too maarte. If I were a different person, I would’ve felt bad. But apparently, it’s true. I’m really maarte, but only on food. And I’m not just picky. I’m strangely picky. Here are some of my strange habits and preferences:

3. Aside from Filipino and Chinese cuisines, the only Asian foods that I munch on are Thailand’s tom yam, Indonesia’s nasi goreng, and Japan’s chicken teriyaki and pork tonkatsu. Anything else — thanks, but no thanks. I love the Korean people, but….

2. I won’t eat carrots once they’re cooked. And I won’t eat tomatoes until they’re cooked. Fresh carrots and cooked tomatoes taste better. But aside from that, I’m like this for health reasons. Recent studies show they’re healthier.

1. I don’t eat beef. I don’t know why. My brain must have had repressed the memory of my experience that made me hate beef so much. I throw up because of the mere smell of beef, raw or cooked. And nope, not even hamburgers I can stand. Ironically, everyone in my family is a beef-lover. And they love preparing kare-kare, beef steak, caldereta, bulalo, etc., so whenever they cook something with beef, I lock myself in my room so as not to smell anything… beefy.

When I was younger, my parents made a rule that I had to eat, or at least taste, anything that they were serving on the table. But I guess I was just a severely spoiled brat they did not succeed in any way. How? Because I really would not eat and starve myself, and my parents would show pity on me, and prepare something else. Since then, they never forced me to try beef again.

Status: In awe again.
Music: Making Love Out of Nothing at All - Sarah Geronimo

This was Sarah Geronimo’s breathtaking performance on ASAP ‘07 two weeks ago that received a standing ovation and gave me the longest series of goosebumps I’ve experienced since I watched the film The Devil Wears Prada. I never really liked Air Supply’s Making Love Out of Nothing at All until Sarah came up with this very powerful version. This clip has been very popular in cyberspace, causing people to compare this rendition to Carrie Underwood’s a couple of years back for American Idol Season 4. Anyway, I actually don’t care because I like their renditions, and I love them both. All I am sure of is, this performance is unforgettable.

Click here to see the video clip.

So… what do you think?

*Photo: sarahgeronimo.com and asap 07