OPM Pride - Thor

I found a new hobby – listening to Thor’s music. I fell in love to this balladeer for his unique and sweet voice that almost reminded me of Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder and Brian Mc Knight. He feed my need for good and quality music. Let’s get to know more about this guy. He is Philippine pride – Thor.

Thor was born in Panabo City, Davao del Norte; he was a choirboy who began singing professionally at the age of nineteen. He graduated from Ateneo de Davao University before trying his luck in Manila with his band, Extreme Mix, now known as Myxtreme. He has also provided backing vocals for artists such as Luke Mijares and JayR.  

At the age of 19, he started getting into professional singing together with his band Myxtreme, which also meant doing backup vocals for various artists, singing jingles and sessioning for other bands. At the age of 24, Thor released his self titled album THOR under Evolution Music distributed by Warner Music Philippines. On 2007, Thor released his second studio album entitled " Soul Obsessions" Duets with Thor, under Ivory Music Philippines, conceptualized from his radio segment on Wave 89.1.

The album was Thor's collaboration with the Philippines greatest artists like Jay Durias of South Border, Luke Mejares, MYMP, Nina, Amber Davis, Jinky Vidal of Freestyle, and a lot more... All of these led Thor to various awards including, Most Promising Male RnB Performer ( Awards and Recogniton Association of the Philippines), Awit Awardee ( Best Performance by a Duet on the song "The Closer I Get to you" with Nina) and the 2007 Metro manila Film Festival Best Theme song "Kasalanan Nga Ba" from the movie KUTOB.

While Gigging at a bar here in the Phillipines, international Soul Jazz musicians Marcos Sainz and Juan Galiardo was impressed and approached Thor after his set. The two asked him to sing some tracks in their album. After two months, Thor flew to Spain for recording sessions and was then asked to become a part of the band. Their album was released in some parts of Europe last 2008 entitled, SHINE A LIGHT. Now, Thor is one of the lead vocalists of the international Soul Jazz Funk band SATYA PROJECT while still pursuing his solo career here in the Philippines.

On the last concert of David Foster and Friends, Thor get the chance to share the stage with world's renowned musician. 

Thor’s Awards and Recognitions:

Philippine Excellence Awards (June 28, 2005)
2005, Most Promising R&B Performer

19th Awit Awards (June 15, 2006)
2006, Best Performance By A Duet: "The Closer I Get To You" by Nina & Thor

Metro Manila Film Festival Awards (January 6, 2006)
2005, Best Movie Theme Song - "KUTOB" Kasalanan Nga Ba? by Thor

Philippine Builders Excellence Awards (April 28, 2005)
2005, Most Promising Male R&B Performer

Wave 891 Urban Music Awards: 
2010, Best Remake: Thor with Amber (“Spend My Life With You”)

My next project for the whole month is to collect all Thor’s CDs. I wish one day I could get a chance to meet him in person :D


Thor's Official FB page: https://www.facebook.com/thor.mightythor
Official Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/thor_dmighty

AJ RAFAEL KICKS OFF RED ROSES TOUR

AJ RAFAEL kicks off his Red Roses Tour in Southeast Asia produced by Monsoon Productions. The tour kicks off on January 13 and will be visiting Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. The tour includes the AJ Rafael Band consisting of AJ Rafael, Noah Bartfield, Danny Morledge, Andrew Rhim, and guest artists Krissy and Ericka Villongco from the Philippines. The second leg of the tour, produced by Nojon Entertainment happens in Australia visiting Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

It should be noted that one of AJ’s major musical influences is Gary Valenciano whom he recently performed with live on ASAP 2012 when he was formally introduced to the mainstream Filipino music-loving market. AJ also took notice of Gabriel Valenciano’s and Kiana Valenciano’s cover version of Chris Brown’s “Yeah Yeah Yeah.” AJ saw their performance on YouTube and liked it and corresponded with Kiana via Twitter. Today, AJ finished collaborating with Kiana as they recorded a song with Gab as the producer.

AJ's ASAP 2012 guesting

Alongside the tour and through a partnership with PhilDev, AJ has adopted the CRIBS Foundation, a welfare institution committed to the care and recovery of abandoned and abused children in the Philippines. Proceeds from red roses at the Manila concert will go to CRIBS. AJ, during his trip is exploring additional ways to give back to the Philippines. AJ and his team are in discussions with the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation on how to partner for future advocacy and campaigns.

“We are excited to have AJ Rafael perform for the first time for his fans in the Philippines, Southeast Asia and return once again to Australia, where they have been long time supporters of AJ. We are grateful for the opportunity to bring AJ’s music here. More importantly we are fortunate to have great partners to help us introduce non-profit organizations who need assistance in the Philippines. This first visit marks beginnings and new opportunities for many,” says Christina Luna, AJ Rafael’s manager.

AJ’s show in Manila happens at the Music Museum on Jan. 18.


To know more of AJ Rafael read this article:
http://kokakthefroglet.blogspot.com/2012/01/aj-rafael-on-asap-2012.html

"Glory" - Jay Z featuring his new born daughter Blue Ivy Carter

King Jay Z released a new song last Tuesday, January 10, (Manila Time) and immediately became viral on the web. The song has the title ‘Glory’ featuring his new born daughter Blue Ivy Carter. Queen Beyonce Knowles gave birth to their new angel Sunday, Jan. 8 (Manila Time).

Although Blue isn’t a week old, she has already made a mark in the music industry. She becomes the youngest person to ever appear on Billboard chart. The song ‘Glory’ will enter the Billboard chart at no. 74 next week.

The song has a refrain “The most amazing feeling I feel/Words can't describe what I'm feeling for real/ Maybe I paint the sky blue/My greatest creation was you. You. Glory.” In the song, which credits B.I.C., features the sound of Blue's cries at the end.


Listen to the song here:

M.D.N.A - Madonna's Upcoming Album

The Queen of Pop is so back with her new record!

Madonna has revealed her upcoming released of her newest album called ‘M.D.N.A.’ in her filmed interview for BBC1’s The Graham Norton Show. The album will feature her forthcoming single ‘Gimme All Your Luvin’ – a collab with sexy Nicki Minaj and M.I.A.

Based on the twitter reports, the album will be completed and due for released late March on Interscope Records. Madonna will be performing her single ‘Give Me All Your Luvin’ at Super Bowl XLVI on February 5 in Indianapolis.  According to news, the set list for the Super Bowl Show will contain "Luvin" as well as Madonna classics like "Ray of Light," Vogue" and "Music."

Meanwhile, a tapd version of “Luvin” hit the internet world last November and received optimistic reaction from critics and bloggers. With the leak and Madonna’s camp went to Twitter to say that even as they were "very happy with the positive reaction to the demo," they were "very upset with whoever leaked the song." And next thing happened was that disappointment is translated into legal action in late December, when a 31-year-old man in Zaragoza, Spain, was arrested for leaking the song.

Meanwhile, her directorial debut for movie ‘W.E’ is due to open on January 20 in UK cinemas. For sure, this will be another hit for the Queen of Pop and another fabulous year for her career.

AJ Rafael on ASAP 2012

“I was born to play music. I grew up to live for music. I have learned to breathe music. I already feel successful in a sense that I have touched someone else's heart with my music. I only hope to inspire more people to have music in their lives: that's all it's about. Popularity, money, attention, I mean all of that's nice (not that I get much of it), but that's all temporary... music is FOREVER.” –AJ Rafael. 

American-Filipino Youtube Sensation AJ Rafael, invites his fellow Filipinos and fans all over the world as he will take the center stage in ASAP 2012 this Sunday January 8, 2012. This will be a dream come true for all AJ Rafael’s fans (including me) to see him perform live. This appearance is part of his South East Asian tour with his band. On January 1, Aj posted in his official facebook account: https://www.facebook.com/ajrafaelmusic?sk=wall about his dream come true performance with Philippine pride Mr. Pure Energy, Gary Valenciano.

Aj, for all you know, is from California who dreamt to conquer the world with his passion for music. Slowly but surely, he misses no high notes and sing his heart to the world. His journey started when he is 4 years old when he learned how to play piano. He began his singing career in the summer of 2004 when he wrote his first song, “How’s San Diego Pauli”.  The following year in 2005, he had his first show where he gained the respect of local bands in Moreno Valley, his hometown. He began to play in local cities in which he had the opportunity to discover and learn more about the music industry. Later that year, AJ produced and recorded his first own album in his garage and was released by the end of 2005.

 (my supermega favorite AJ Raf song )

With the help of MySpace.com, AJ showcased his new songs to his friends and fans. In 2006, AJ was proud to start the MoVal Concert Chorale (MVCC), a choir which he founded and is currently directing. Through MVCC, AJ created the movement: Music Speaks. Music Speaks is a benefit show that supports families with Autism and contributes to the world renowned organization Autism Speaks. AJ began to perform in places out of Southern California starting in 2008, nationally and internationally. 

Within the past four years, AJ has performed throughout the United States at school venues and major theatre venues. AJ has had the opportunity to perform in other countries such as Australia, Canada, Austria and the Philippines. Wherever he goes AJ thoroughly enjoys indulging and expressing the art of music to people all throughout the world. 

check out his youtube channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ilajil

AJ Rafael has become one of the top musicians with the largest social networks online. AJ became a partner with YouTube.com with over 360,000 subscribers, has reached 40 million views on YouTube, over 200,000 Facebook fans, 11 million plays on MySpace, and 79,000 followers on Twitter. AJ is recognized consistently in the Top 20 on Billboard’s “Uncharted” Chart, since January 2011. His fans have shown their true influence when AJ’s “Red Roses” album was released in June 2011 in US stores nationwide and digitally on iTunes, charting in the Top 10 Pop albums and #13 on Billboard’s “Heatseeker” chart.

This only leaves one thing in my mind, never give up for your dreams. It can come true. With positive attitude, perseverance, and prayers - it can and it WILL come true .. its a matter of WILLINGNESS !

Jason Bourne is now in Manila ?

In weeks from now, the super spy Jason Bourne will land in Manila for his shooting of ‘The Bourne Legacy”. Metro Manila Chairman Francis Tolentino has took step to avoid chaos on the city when the newest part of Matt Damon film will start it’s filming in key cities in Manila. The shooting locations according to the reports will be in Intramuros, Recto, Binondo, Makati and Palawan. But on this installation, it will be Edward Norton who will play as Jason Bourne.

Meanwhile, in the social networking site twitter, Edward Norton, Rachel Weisz and Jeremy Renner are said to be in Ayala, Makati today (January 4, 2012). Everyone must have been so excited to see these Hollywood celebs. For the fact that many Filipinos are looking forward to see the filming of the said Hollywood blockbuster, netizens are excited to see these Hollywood celebs.

Chairman Francis Tolentino advised the residence and people around the area where the film will be shooting to always clean their places and be more sensitive to maintain peaceful and warm for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Motorists are will be advised about the alternate routes during the shooting days and there will be crowd control to be deployed in the area. This movie will be shown worldwide that’s why chairman Tolentino is very keen to protect the image of our country.

The Best of Chico and Delamar: The Morning Rush Top 10

Happy New Year!

Let us all start our 2012 with feel good vibrations – just laughter and fun.

Last December, I told myself that I deserve to give myself something special this Christmas. Nothing really got my attention, not a new phone, new clothes or shoes, or new gadgets. But only one thing caught my attention. I was grabbing some food to eat at Mini Stop a day before Christmas. There is this one book robbed my attention. I saw this ‘The Best of Chico and Delamar’s The Morning Rush Top 10”. Without any hesitation, I get the book and pay.

Enjoying my laugh while boarding on a Zest Air from Bohol to Manila last December 26, 2011

Ever since I was in high school, I am a constant listener of RX Monster 93.1. Then I entered and graduated college. I still remember when we were asked to visit AM and FM station for our Radio Subject, I choose them. For the long years now, RX Monster is giving quality and good entertainment to their listeners. Their markets have been growing from young adult to working classes. And the station is versatile enough to adjust to what the trend in audience/listener’s interest.

The Morning Rush is a weekday morning radio show of Monster Radio RX 93.1 and is hosted by Chico Garcia and Delamar Arias. The show has a cult following of listeners, who call themselves "Rushers". Rushers would usually tune in to the show while on their way to work or school. The show was first aired on Monster Radio in 1996 and was moved to 93.9 KCFM (now I! FM) in 1998, and then went back to Monster Radio in 2002. During the four-hour stretch, listeners would submit their entries via SMS and through their twitter account www.twitter.com/rxtmr (@rxtmr). The DJs would then pick the best entries and announce the bottom half starting at around 6:20 and the top half starting at around 6:50. 

The whole show would have four batches of top ten lists. There are also Saturday shows that happen every last Saturday of the month, which serves as the Rushers' monthly EB. Here, all the listeners of the show gather, will meet and greet Chico and Delle. Their Saturday show sometimes changed on special occasions. The last Saturday show of the Morning Rush aired on February 14, 2009 to make way for their Valentines Special. On their 15th-year anniversary (last July 9, 2011, the second Saturday of the month), Chico and Delle boarded as it was a regular Saturday show.

With the Morning Rush’s Top Ten book, here are my favorite Top Tens:

Top 10 Quotes on Happiness and Sadness:

1.       “With both happiness and sadness, the same saying applies: ‘This too shall pass.’”

2.       “We can do anything, but not everything.”

3.       “The only thing standing between me and total happiness is reality.”

4.       With time, looking back on tears can make you laugh, and looking back on laughter can make you cry.”

5.       “Shared sorrow is half sorrow. Shared joy is double joy.”

6.       “Smile. You don’t own all of the problems in the world. Some of them are mine.”

7.       “Don’t tell everyone about your troubles. Half of them don’t care and the other half is thanking their lucky star that it happened to you.”

8.       “Sometimes the hardest person to get over is the one you never had”

9.       “I’m so sad because I want to be happy so bad.”

10.   “The greatest enemy of present happiness is past happiness too well remembered.”

Top 10 Stupid Answers to Game Show Questions:

1.       Q: “Ano ang tinatangal sa itlog bago ito kainin? “

A: “Buhok”

2.       Q: “Sa mythology, ano ang tawag sa taong isa lang ang mata?”

A: “Abnormal”

3.       Q: “Ang mga Hindu at galling sa aling bansa?”

A: “Hindunesia”

4.       Q: “Kung vegetarian ang tawag sa kumakain ng gulay, ano ang tawag sa kumakain ng tao?”

A: “Humanitarian”

5.       Q: “Ano sa tagalong ang teeth?”

A: “Utong”

6.       Q: “Sina Michaelangelo at Rafael ay mga ..”

A; “Ninja”

7.       Q: “Ano ang karaniwang kasunod nga kidlat?”

A: “Sunog”

8.       Q: “Saan nakukuha ang sakit na AIDS?”

A: “ Sa Motel”

9.       Q: “Magbigay ng sikat na Willie”

A: “Willie the Pooh”

10.   Q: “Saan binaril si Jose Rizal?

A: “Sa likod”