Filipino Youtube Sensations

Since the beginning of Youtube in 2005, many young social networking and internet savy has been hooked to its entertainment. Filipinos around the globe never fails to participate in this global phenomenon. Videos and music has been uploaded in this social networking site for convenient entertainment in just a click. Music videos, live performances, and lot of nothingness has been uploaded by each user and globally spread out for the sake of fun and leisure. 


Filipino talents wouldn’t pass this severe entertainment line. As a young and entertainment thirsty kid back in the early year of youtube, the first videos I browse were of Regine Velasquez’ and Mariah Carey and Utada Hikaru. Watching their live performances back to back to back would satisfy my cravings for music and amusement. Also, youtube helped me watch concerts of Destinys Child, Justin Timberlake, Missy Elliot and many more.


Now, almost 10 years since the birth of the networking site, Youtube also gave birth to the entertainment industry’s biggest name today, with the likes of Justin Bieber, Marie Digby, Rebecca Black, Jessie J, Greyson Chance, and our very own Maria Aragon and Charice. Youtube is continuously introducing new talents to the world - from singing to dancing to acting to theater to how tos etc.


Now let us celebrate the greatest Filipino Youtube sensations that marked their fame via worldwide world. The simple video uploaded to give us entertainment, love and inspiration. Let’s roll the red carpet and make way to the ‘Famous Filipino Youtube Sensations’.

Singing 

Singing Multitudes of Filipinos know how to sing. Singing has been a passion for everyone in the Philippines. Since the earliest days of radio and television, singing contest are there left and right. These contests gave birth to the names of Donna Cruz, Kyla, Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo and many more. Thousand of hopefuls joins singing contest for fame and living.


But after the birth of Youtube, a twist arrived. Passionate singers went online and uploaded their videos. Some are lucky enough to gain fame and global attentions. And this is the start of Filipinos making mark on the worldwide web. 


 Charice Pempengco 





The kid turned lady, dubbed by Queen of Talk Oprah Winfrey as ‘The Most Talented Girl in the World’. After being third place in a local singing contest in TV, Charice and fans never lose hope. 2007 was the most remarkable year for this young caliber, after performing in Korea’s Star King; she was invited by America’s Most Popular Talk Show host Ellen DeGeneres to perform to the latter’s show.


Charice performed back to back big ballads that made Ellen and her audiences wowed to this kid and even gave her a standing ovation. Since then the rest is history for Charice, concert around the world, guestings, top charting album and singles (first Asian singer in history to land in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 albums chart) and landed a role in Glee. Charice could have been the female counterpart of Justin Bieber that made it big to the Hollywood, both are children of youtube. 






 Maria Aragon, Darren Criss, Rin on the Rox




Canadian born Filipino kid Maria Aragonpave her way to youtube sensations after her version of ‘Born This Way’ became viral. Entertainment blogger Perez Hilton pitch the video to Lady GaGa and the latter twitted this youtube video to her official twitter account and reached over 11 million views in no less than a week. She was also invited by the pop star to share the stage and sing in GaGa’s Canada leg of her concert tour.She was also invited in Ellen DeGeneres’s show and became a worldwide sensation. Next thing she knew she have an album and back to back specials. 






Darren Criss over a million hits and millions of view earned after his theater performance of ‘A Very Potter Musical’ has been uploaded to youtube. Now, the theater actor, singer and composer became American household name via Glee. This cutie is a product of Filipina mother and European father. 






Rin on the Rox earned hits after hits after hits after singer their covers of popular songs ‘Hush Hush’, ‘Halo’ and many more. Almost 46 million hits have been gathered for this Fil-Am duo that landed an appearance in Ellen’s show. 




 Aj Rafael, Jeremy Passion Manongdo, Gabe Bondoc





 





Aj Rafael is a Filipino American and certified youtube sensations and internet superstar. Arthur Joseph to his family and friends is a simple kid from California that dreamt of making it big and singing it to the world. With God’s perfect timing and superb talent, AJ made it big across the globe, with millions of hits and sold out concert in the key cities in globe including in Manila. Aj continue to inspire young hopefuls to never stop to fulfill their dreams until it come true. 



Jeremy Passion Manongdo is another Fil-Am who makes it big in Youtube land. With over a million of subscribers Jeremy, also known as ‘Passion’ became one of Youtube stellar. The name Passion was chosen by Jeremy for "the passion I had for music and the passion and love I had for my Lord and Savior Jesus. Without Him, I am nothing, and I'm forever thankful for His love and His blessings." His influences, as referred to on his Soundclick site include Christina Aguilera, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder and many more.




Gabe Bondoc is a pop/acoustic singer based in California. He rose to fame through his acoustic sessions covering famous songs in his youtube channel with millions of hits. He gained a lot of attention with his laid-back attitude, smooth voice and amazing guitar skills. Even country pop superstar Taylor Swift became a fan this Fil-Am with his version of ‘Love Story’. 

Dancing 

Justin and Jeremy Garcia, Jabbawockeez









Justin and Jeremy Garcia is Filipino twin toddlers became household names in the US after the viral videos posted by mom and dad caught the attention of The Huffington Post, NYmag.com and CBS news. Currently, they have more than 6 million hits for their dancing video ‘Hey Ya’. Just recently, they were featured in US Entertainment show, The Insider. 




Jabbawockeez is a seven member male hip hop crew bested in America’s Best Dance Crew season 1. Known for their masks and gloves, this crew is composed of Filipino and American members. Their performances in the reality show became viral in youtube and facebook. They have reached million hits in less than a month and still counting. 

Comedy/Parody 

Mikey Bustos, Bekimon, Lady Gagita and Heronce








 


Mikey Bustos is a Fil-Canadian stand-up first took his tricks to the worldwide world in 2006 and became famous for tutorial on Pinoy accent. Up to this very day his Filipino Accent Tutorial weaving 5 million hits. Just recently, a local product gets him for an endorsement here in the Philippines. 


Bern Josep Persia is most popularly known as Bekimon. The mother beki of Gay Lingo rose to fame after his viral self help and feel good videos posted in his youtube account. Speaking the hilarious language and strange word spellings Bekimon language became popular to the Philippines. After his viral videos he landed a role in ABSCBN drama series and many appearances. A


Vinzon Booc a.k.a. Lady Gagita and Harold Palermo a.k.a. Haronce are two friends created a sensation out of boredom. Uploaded their parody of Lady GaGa and Beyonce’s ‘Telephone’, they garnered thousands of views in one sitting. Even acknowledge by Ryan Secreast as one of the biggest and grandest GaGa follower. 






Filipino never fails to surprise the world with lots of entertainment. In less than a year, with this high-tech media streaming, another big name will be born and will show the world how talented a Filipino is. This form of social networking can even replace the watching habit of people. Come that day, lets welcome the new sets of Filipino Youtube Sensations.

Darren Criss featuring Lea Salonga for Billboard Film & TV/Music Conference

American and Broadway singer Darren Criss paved his tribute to Oscar-winning composer, Alan Menken at the Hollywood Reporter/Billboard Film & TV/Music Conference. Menken was presented with this year's Billboard / Hollywood Reporter Maestro Award by Billboard Editorial Director Bill Werde after introducing him as "the Babe Ruth of composers." Among the many Disney films which Menken has composed the music for are The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Aladdin.

WATCH THE VIDEO HERE

It was written that Darren emailed Lea Salonga to join him in the Billboard Conference. After checking her schedules, Lea said yes. Darren started a medley of hits from the various Disney movies that Alan had scored and wrote music for, as well as a couple from his musical theater shows. At the last part of the medley, Darren then started to play “A Whole New World” and began singing. After his verses and chorus, he called Lea to join him. When Alan saw Lea Salonga on stage, he jumped in his chair.

After their collaboration, Lea went ahead to her cabaret rehearsal few blocks away. Darren came to the show too along with members of family and friends. Lea wrote to her article that Darren shed a few tears when she sung “Reflection”. Darren, prior to his Glee stint became famous in Youtube for covering Disney music including ‘Princess’ songs.

Half-Irish and Half Filipino Darren will be seen on Broadway when he will take over the role of Daniel Radcliffe as J. Pierrepont Finch in the revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”. He will also be appearing in the romantic comedy “Imogene” with Annette Bening, Matt Dillon and Kristen Wiig.

Album Review: Glee Music Presents – The Warblers

Glee: The Music Presents the Warblers is the seventh soundtrack album by the cast of Glee, a musical comedy-drama television series that airs on Fox in the United States. Released on April 19, 2011 through Columbia Records, it contains thirteen covers: eleven accompanying performances from the series' second season and two exclusive to the album. Performers are portrayed on Glee as the fictional Dalton Academy Warblers, a glee club from Westerville, Ohio. Guest star Darren Criss and series regular Chris Colfer serve as lead vocalists, while the Beelze bubs, an all-male a cappella group from Tufts University, provide background vocals. 

The Dalton Academy Warblers, an a cappella glee club from a fictional private school in Westerville, Ohio, were first introduced in the episode "Never Been Kissed". The episode also introduced recurring guest star Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson, lead singer and junior member of the group. Performing a cover version of Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream", actors for the Warblers lip synced to background vocals provided by the Beelze bubs, an all-male a cappella group from Tufts University in Somerville, Massachusetts.

The album was announced by Criss on March 7, 2011, when he appeared on Live with Regis and Kelly. Its title, front cover, and track listing were revealed in a press release on March 23, 2011, as well as its release date of April 19, 2011. The cover art shows the Warblers' uniform, along with the logos of both the glee club and the school.

Album Tracks - Glee: The Music Presents The Warblers

1. Teenage Dream
2. Hey Soul Sister
3. Bills, Bills, Bills
4. Silly Love Songs
5. When I Get You Alone
6. Animal
7. Misery
8. Blackbird
9. Candles
10. Raise Your Glass
11. Somewhere Only We Know
12. What Kind Of Fool
13. Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?

The Review

Warning, this album contains stunning harmonies and arrangements, this album is so addictive. The album maintained the group’s vocal style and abilities. With the acapella approach on almost of the tracks, it turned out to be a magical and beautiful album. The soft and majestic voices of Darren Criss and Chris Colfer are a bankable talent. And adding up the voices of Beelze bubs are so stunning. Most of the tracks are love songs that are arranged and performed in a massive addictive ways. This is album is worth the waste of time.

Best Tracks are:

Teenage Dream

Hey Soul Sister

Bills, Bills, Bills

Silly Love Songs

Raise Your Glass

Misery
What Kind Of Fool

Do Ya Think I’m Sexy?