What's the best way to enjoy the romantic month of February?  Well, a rare concert with full of love and laughter, that's what it is in store for lovers this coming leap month.   Read more of the romance...

Asiansations Christian Bautista and Karylle exhibited undeniable chemistry in the musical West Side Story, the international series The Kitchen Musical, but the two singers never had the chance to work on a concert together. This February 29, this team-up debuts on the concert stage with Love & Laughter, a Post-Valentine cum Leap Year show, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater at the Resorts World in Manila. The concert is produced by Resorts World, in cooperation with Ultimate Entertainment and Stages Talents.

“Karylle and I work together in so many gigs, even before,” says Christian. “But doing this Post-Valentine concert with her is something new and very exciting to us.” Karylle played leading lady Maria to Christian Bautista’s Tony in STAGES’ staging of The West Side Story, where the two received glowing reviews both as individuals and as partners.

“Christian and I are so alike in so many ways,” admits Karylle. “We have always been good friends and I am excited to do this show with him and the other talented artists who will join us.”

Christian and Karylle will dish out memorable love songs of different themes in the show- from falling in love to heartbreak to reconciliation and moving on. Comedienne Nanette Inventor, known for her hilarious skits, will give this show a funny dimension.

“Leap year only happens once every four years,” says Nanette. “So the concept of this concert is also a rarity. With the immense talent of Christian and Karylle, I am sure viewers will fall in love and travel back in time with such beautiful love songs that they will perform.”

Opera Belles and Primo are also guests of the show.

Tickets may be purchased at the Resorts World Manila Box Office located at the main casino entrance or all Ticketworld outlets nationwide.

It was really quite a feeling for a blogger to have been a part of the success of different people.  Though it was indirectly and virtually, at least I get a share of their success through my writings on this blog.  Specially that it is about the success of OPM Artists.

I was able to watched the awarding in ASAP and together with the other OPM Artists they received recognition like the Platinum Records Awards.  Yes!  Two of OPM Artist whom I have attended their blogger's night event and also written something about them have made it to receive a Diamond Records Awards.  Congratulations to Christian Bautista and Sponge Cola for their Diamond Records Awards.

Read the full story here...

CHRISTIAN BAUTISTA starred in his first international film A Special Symphony. He is part of the first Pan-Asian musical TV series The Kitchen Musical. He is also the only recording artist to receive a 4x Platinum Record Award for Romance Revisited: The Love Songs Of Jose Mari Chan for 2011. He worked with Grammy-nominated pianist Jim Brickman, K-Pop R&B trio One Way, and fronted for the concerts of K-Pop sensations Rain and 2NE1. He also topbilled jampacked concerts here and abroad. He also has numerous endorsements tucked under his belt coupled with billboards all over the Metro and has consistently won numerous awards and citations.


With all these career highlights, Christian Bautista remains humble expressing and thankful for all these blessings. “Ever since I took the very first steps in my career, I cherished all the lessons and experiences I’ve gained through all those years- the ups and downs, the highlights and the difficult moments. These helped me hone my craft and led me to doors of opportunities. Every recognition that goes my way, favorable or critical comments on my work challenge me to do better because I owe it to my audience that I utilize my full potential,” says Christian with a smile.

It is a dream of many artists and performers to collaborate with some of the most respected people in the international recording scene. But the chance of it happening is pretty slim. That is unless you are Christian Bautista.

Today, Asiansation Christian Bautista adds another feather to his cap as he launches his first international album Outbound.


Outbound features Christian’s collaboration with music producers and artists he met and worked with from the United States, Korea, Japan, Singapore, and Indonesia.

“It’s the first time that we want to try and attempt to do more outside the country. [And] Yes, I’m very proud of this album,” says Christian, smiling.

The album consists of eight songs which is a good mix of slow and upbeat ballads. The first single All That’s Left offers Christian’s new, bolder sound, and further proves that he is more than just a balladeer.

“Slowly nag-build up kasi ‘yan because of The Kitchen Musical. Parang nabigyan ako ng confidence to try something na kakaiba, na mas current na contemporary. So I told myself, sige let’s try this,” says Christian.

While taping for The Kitchen Musical, Christian never stopped to get in touch with some of the region’s movers in the music industry until he met Tat Tong, composer of the anthemic All That’s Left.


In a phone interview, Christian shares, “Tat Tong kasi is a friend of Kewei [Tay]. Kewei and I did a duet for Please Be Careful With My Heart in Singapore. She later on, introduced me to Tat. And then through e-mail, I asked him: ‘Hey! I’m coming up with a new album. Do you have songs?’ So he gave us one [and] we all liked it. After that, we told him na, ‘Okay, make three more! Haha. [And] With Tat Tong kasi, steady lang kami e. We would throw ideas and stuff. And if it doesn’t work out, we would always tell na okay let’s do the thing tomorrow. We write and write and we never stop…”

And write they did. The remarkable results were All That’s Left and the other song Unphotographable.

Tat’s other masterpieces-original songs in Outbound include What Can I Do and his masterful arrangement on Christian’s cover of George Michael’s Faith, which is very special for Christian because it was used in his first big solo number in The Kitchen Musical.

Aside from Christian’s collaborations with Tat, Outbound gathers its noteworthy works with Grammy-nominated multi-platinum instrumentalist Jim Brickman for Never Far Away, the K-Pop R&B trio One Way for Wrong Number, Indonesian songwriter Satrio for the hit song I’m Already King, and with Avex Japan’s amazing Baby M for the lovely duet Sakura.


Christian’s music videos always feature familiar and beautiful female celebrities: from Anne Curtis, Georgina Wilson, Solenn Heusaff, and Angel Locsin (in Beautiful Girl) to Cristine Reyes (in I Remember The Girl) to Paula Taylor (in Tell Me Your Name) to Carmen Soo (in Afraid for Love to Fade) to Angelica Panganiban (in Nakaraang Pasko) to Sarah Geronimo (in Please Be Careful With My Heart).

n All That’s Left, it features CosPlay Queen Alodia Gosiengfiao. When asked what’s like working with her, Christian says, “Alodia’s beautiful, she’s talented, she stayed up with us [from] 8 PM to 8 AM. We danced all night long until 3 AM. It was fun.”

And while it’s apparent that Outbound has drawn him out of his comfort zone, Christian admits that it does not mean he will stop being a balladeer.


“For this album talaga kasi medyo half-half. Half experimental, half-medyo ballad pa rin naman siya. [And] Easy listening pa rin naman. Pero definitely I’m not going to drop the ballads,” he says, smiling. “Kasi siyempre, nagsimula ako sa ballads and du’n naman talaga ako kumportable. So hindi ko p’wedeng iwanan talaga ‘yun.”

As a performer, Christian believes he’s improved, but he’s not reached his peak. “Honestly, I do feel that I’m at my best so far. [But] I just hope I’m not at my best.”

He adds, “[And] As I continue this journey, I have reached another turn on the road ahead. This is the right time to pursue new paths and directions. And there is no better way to begin this new and exciting phase than to share my latest work with you. With your support and a personal sense of renewed energy and devotion, I am ready to face the challenge of the future.”


Outbound is out now in all major record bars nationwide under Universal Records.

TRACKLISTING:
1. All That’s Left
2. Unphotographable
3. Faith
4. I’m Already King
5. What Can I do
6. Never Far Away
7. Wrong Number
8. Sakura

A live performance of Christian Bautista singing "I'm Already King"





Plus signing of his Album.  


Christian Bautista’s Bloggers’ Conference is brought to you by Universal Records in cooperation with Pinoy Magazine and official online partner Orange Magazine TV. Special thanks to Ever Bilena Blackwater.

FREE Christian Bautista “ALL THAT’S LEFT” Ringback Tone! For GLOBE users text UD344 and send to 2332. For SMART users text FALT and send to 2728. Text GetSong[space]6151903 to 2728 for SUN users (P15 for 15 days).

FOLLOW CHRISTIAN BAUTISTA:
Christian Bautista Facebook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/xianbautista
Christian Bautista Twitter: http://twitter.com/xtianbautista
The Kitchen Musical Facebook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/TKMOfficial

Setting aside entertainment and foods, here's something to help an old classmate. Also this will be part of this blog's peace advocacy between Filipino Muslim and Christian. A series of understanding and learning.

Last July 23, 2011 they launched the book entitled "Kris of Justice" a novel written by Abdel Karim C. Tillah, a Filipino Muslim descendant of the Royal House of Tawi-Tawi.

Here are some excerpts from the Press Release

Image from the Press Release.

... “To come up with a peaceful and lasting solution to the never ending war between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Muslim rebels in Mindanao, we must first know the root cause of the conflict.” This was the statement issued by the the author Abdel Karim Cristobal Tillah during the launch of his novel last Saturday, July 23 at the UP School of Economics Auditorium. In partnership with the National Interfaith Consultative Committee (NICCOM) and the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, the launch was hosted by Mr. Chito Villegas. KRIS OF JUSTICE: The Story of the Greatest Race of Warriors the Modern World Never Knew, written by Abdel Tillah is the first novel that tries to explore the root causes of the ages-old conflict between Muslims and Christians in Mindanao. “How can you expect the Philippine government to come up with a just solution to the problem when the majority of Filipinos and even the members of the govt. peace panel don’t know much about the history of Mindanao and the root causes of the conflict?”, the author, a Filipino Muslim descendant of the Royal House of Tawi-Tawi, born to a Muslim father and a Christian mother, said...

Image from the Press Release.

...“The Kris of Justice is the first novel that aims to educate Filipinos in an entertaining way on the glorious history of the Moros. It is presented in a concise, comic-book, graphic novel, or movie-script style that can be easily absorbed by a generation of Filipinos not used to reading, but used to watching TV and reading Facebook, Twitter and comic books,” Mr. Larry Henares writes.

“The dramatic flow of narration along the rhythm of the history of the Muslim armed struggle and the deep longing for peace and national unity adds a meaningful value to the Filipino Muslim literature as part of national heritage,” Prof. Samuel Tan adds.

The novel is the result of the author’s extensive studies on the story and history of the Muslims in the Philippines and his experience and insights into the practice of both Islam and Christianity. Abdel was exposed to interfaith activities at an early age, since his father is a founding member of the first interfaith committee established in the Philippines {and probably the first in the world) in 1973. In 1992, Abdel Tillah composed an interfaith song entitled “God of Abraham.” This song is contained in the CD that is included with the book.

In his review of the book, Mr. Boyette San Diego, writer and a top executive of a printing corporation, narrates, “I think the journey away from simplistic portrayals of Islam and the Mindanao conflict and stereotypes begins in Chapter 9 – “Islam, the Light of the Dark Ages.” There’s so much fascinating information in the chapter – e.g., advances in science; that the first university in the world was founded by a Muslim, and a woman at that; the premium Muslims give to education, etc. – that will stimulate study and understanding and prevent rushes to judgment… The putting in context of the Muslim situation continues and is deepened in Chapter 10, “Hidden History” and Chapter 12,“More Hidden History,” which weaves superb research and scholarship into the historical origins of the current state of affairs in Mindanao. The idea of colonialism and its motivations and tactics (such as divide and rule) are fleshed out and illuminated with historical examples.”

The publication is a very interesting and engaging reading material that will help the readers, especially the youth to have a better understanding and appreciation of the Muslim culture. It hopes to foster solidarity among the present and succeeding generations of Muslims and Christians, not only in the Philippines but also in other countries. The author strongly believes that only by bringing out the truth, can there be genuine understanding between peoples of two faiths resulting in better Christian-Muslim relations, peace in Mindanao and ultimately, lasting peace for the Philippines and the whole world...

To purchase a copy of the book “Kris of Justice” with the included CD for P350.00 visit www.krisofjustice.com or if you wish to contact Mr. Abdel Karim Tillah, you can email him at truthhorizon@yahoo.com or by phone: 09178962528.