The last time I saw Ivy Violan perform was at the recent birthday bash of Col. Ricardo L. Nolasco, Jr. PAF (Ret.) held at Solaire Hotel & Casino. Everyone in the audience was in rapt attention as Ivy rendered her songs, as usual with heart and soul. We haven’t heard her sing for a while since she had been away, living in the US with her mom for several years. But the voice remains intact, and she still mesmerizes with that impeccable style.
Ivy was one of the more popular OPM singers in the ’80s and early ’90s, her stature enhanced by her winning awards from various international singing competitions. In 1982, she won the grand prize in the 3rd ASEAN Popular Song Festival, and she was Best Performer at the 1st Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Song Festival in 1985.
Three years later, Ivy was named champion in the Asia-Pacific Song Contest then in 1991, she was grand prize winner at the 4th International Midnight Sun Song Festival. The next year, 1992, Ivy was grand prize winner at the 3rd ASEAN Popular Song Festival in 1992.
It’s a list of notable accomplishments, indeed, for Ivy who started to show her musical prowess at age two-and-a-half with her siblings via the group Ivy And The Velboys. When she grew older, Ivy joined various bands, among them Sangkatutak Band and the Royal Flush Music Society. She later formed her own band called 8th of September.
Managed by Emmie Domingo, Ivy will be featured in “Ivy Violan: Then And Now,” a homecoming concert on Feb. 17 at the Vu’s Sky Bar of Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas. Performing with her is “Prince of Jazz” Richard Merk (who will perform with Emcy Corteza and the Poppin Jazz and Pat Castillo at the Ayala Westgrove Heights Clubhouse on Feb. 14).
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Laughter all over
It would be more of laughter and music galore at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NFAT) of Resorts World Manila on Feb. 15 when three acclaimed stand-up comedians join forces in the show “Extra Judicial Kidding” featuring Jon Santos, Rex Navarrete and Cacai Bautista.
Jon, famous for his impersonation of famous celebrities, is expected to deliver anew a political satire show that will titillate the audience like his previous shows “Rock Da Vote,” “For Voters or For Worse,” and “WTF (Wala Talagang Forever).”
Internationally acclaimed Fil-American stand-up comedian Rex said this is the first time he’s doing a non-solo show but is nonetheless excited to do it. Currently traveling throughout Asia, Europe, Australia, Canada, and for the US Armed Forces bringing his brand of Pinoy humor to a wider audience. You may have seen him on “Lopez Tonight,” Live At Gotham,” “MyxTV” and “MTV Philippines.” Rex has released comedy albums on CD and live DVDs (the most popular of which was “Badass Madapaka” which was filmed in front of the Wiltern LG Theater in LA.)
Versatile Cacai started out in theater via Tanghalang Binan’s free summer acting workshop. She was part of The Musicat theater company and went on to be part of Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Ang Pagpatay Kay Antonio Luna” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Proud to say she was formerly Lea Salonga’s wardrobe assistant, Cacai continues her journey as an artist believing in the Filipino talent. Cacai dreams to have her own theater company and school for the arts someday.
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 11, go Mrs. Milo Bondoc, Jackie Lou Blanco, Jerry S. Matias, Lulu Tan Gan, Mrs. Lulu Malvar, Larry Baring, Marilou Alejandro, Conchita de Fule, Alwyn Uytingco, Atty. Edilberto Cruz of Guiguinto, Bulacan, Ampolista Velasco, Ralph Panelo Remonte, Jonathan Cojuangco, Br. Edmundo Fernandez, director Malou Sevilla, Lourdes Virginia M. Poe (a.k.a. Lovi Poe), and my granddaughter Andrea Mariella A. Belen… Feb. 12: Mrs. Alice Lacson, Mrs. Bing Atienza, Denise Ysmael Lacon, Tessie Sioson Roque, Elizabeth Manlongat-Carino, Joe Recio, Mitos Escalambre, Honey Hazel Lim, Noemi Rivera, Lourdes Calma Bisaya, David Ty, Jr., US-based Lambert Santos, Nervin Bautista Areola, Edic J. Piano, Troy Marquez, Joey Sermonia, Karvin Grace Gerilla of Tagum City, Baby Eric Slotta, and entertainment writers Marinel Cruz, Ambet Nabus and Nene Riego…Feb. 13: Virgilio Angelo of PCSO, Marcia Buencamino, Sherry Pelbaun, Mrs. Marilou Co, Jorge Lee Mendoza, twins Cynthia and Jun Allanigue of Fortunata Village, Parañaque; Arthur Baluran Medina, Frank Macapagal, Lovely Clemor, MB photog Rudy Liwanag, Prince Stefan and Raphael Martinez of Star Magic…
Ivy was one of the more popular OPM singers in the ’80s and early ’90s, her stature enhanced by her winning awards from various international singing competitions. In 1982, she won the grand prize in the 3rd ASEAN Popular Song Festival, and she was Best Performer at the 1st Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Song Festival in 1985.
Three years later, Ivy was named champion in the Asia-Pacific Song Contest then in 1991, she was grand prize winner at the 4th International Midnight Sun Song Festival. The next year, 1992, Ivy was grand prize winner at the 3rd ASEAN Popular Song Festival in 1992.
It’s a list of notable accomplishments, indeed, for Ivy who started to show her musical prowess at age two-and-a-half with her siblings via the group Ivy And The Velboys. When she grew older, Ivy joined various bands, among them Sangkatutak Band and the Royal Flush Music Society. She later formed her own band called 8th of September.
Managed by Emmie Domingo, Ivy will be featured in “Ivy Violan: Then And Now,” a homecoming concert on Feb. 17 at the Vu’s Sky Bar of Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas. Performing with her is “Prince of Jazz” Richard Merk (who will perform with Emcy Corteza and the Poppin Jazz and Pat Castillo at the Ayala Westgrove Heights Clubhouse on Feb. 14).
• • •
Laughter all over
It would be more of laughter and music galore at the Newport Performing Arts Theater (NFAT) of Resorts World Manila on Feb. 15 when three acclaimed stand-up comedians join forces in the show “Extra Judicial Kidding” featuring Jon Santos, Rex Navarrete and Cacai Bautista.
Jon, famous for his impersonation of famous celebrities, is expected to deliver anew a political satire show that will titillate the audience like his previous shows “Rock Da Vote,” “For Voters or For Worse,” and “WTF (Wala Talagang Forever).”
Internationally acclaimed Fil-American stand-up comedian Rex said this is the first time he’s doing a non-solo show but is nonetheless excited to do it. Currently traveling throughout Asia, Europe, Australia, Canada, and for the US Armed Forces bringing his brand of Pinoy humor to a wider audience. You may have seen him on “Lopez Tonight,” Live At Gotham,” “MyxTV” and “MTV Philippines.” Rex has released comedy albums on CD and live DVDs (the most popular of which was “Badass Madapaka” which was filmed in front of the Wiltern LG Theater in LA.)
Versatile Cacai started out in theater via Tanghalang Binan’s free summer acting workshop. She was part of The Musicat theater company and went on to be part of Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Ang Pagpatay Kay Antonio Luna” at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Proud to say she was formerly Lea Salonga’s wardrobe assistant, Cacai continues her journey as an artist believing in the Filipino talent. Cacai dreams to have her own theater company and school for the arts someday.
• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Feb. 11, go Mrs. Milo Bondoc, Jackie Lou Blanco, Jerry S. Matias, Lulu Tan Gan, Mrs. Lulu Malvar, Larry Baring, Marilou Alejandro, Conchita de Fule, Alwyn Uytingco, Atty. Edilberto Cruz of Guiguinto, Bulacan, Ampolista Velasco, Ralph Panelo Remonte, Jonathan Cojuangco, Br. Edmundo Fernandez, director Malou Sevilla, Lourdes Virginia M. Poe (a.k.a. Lovi Poe), and my granddaughter Andrea Mariella A. Belen… Feb. 12: Mrs. Alice Lacson, Mrs. Bing Atienza, Denise Ysmael Lacon, Tessie Sioson Roque, Elizabeth Manlongat-Carino, Joe Recio, Mitos Escalambre, Honey Hazel Lim, Noemi Rivera, Lourdes Calma Bisaya, David Ty, Jr., US-based Lambert Santos, Nervin Bautista Areola, Edic J. Piano, Troy Marquez, Joey Sermonia, Karvin Grace Gerilla of Tagum City, Baby Eric Slotta, and entertainment writers Marinel Cruz, Ambet Nabus and Nene Riego…Feb. 13: Virgilio Angelo of PCSO, Marcia Buencamino, Sherry Pelbaun, Mrs. Marilou Co, Jorge Lee Mendoza, twins Cynthia and Jun Allanigue of Fortunata Village, Parañaque; Arthur Baluran Medina, Frank Macapagal, Lovely Clemor, MB photog Rudy Liwanag, Prince Stefan and Raphael Martinez of Star Magic…
