NYOY VOLANTE - GUITAR MAN

He is almost a stereotype in the acoustic OPM scene when it comes to playing acoustic guitar and jiving with it through.

If he would be crowned, he would be a king of the local acoustic industry. Rather, he would prefer grounded, enabling him to see great small things that crucially builds up his success in the long run.

His new album “In You” is another hot pan of success that would be sizzling hot on record bars. This time again he would be sizing up his success, again and again...

Aside from guitars, do you know how to play any musical instruments?
Drums and percussions, bass, piano

What's your first instrument? Do you remember your very first one?
A guitar. Yes, it was a lumanog owned by my mom!

What was your first “real” musical instrument like?
It was a gibson EM-2 ... my first ever big-ticket (for me, at least) guitar! My dad bought it for me!

How did other instruments make it into your life growing up?
Got exposed to drums and piano in high school... learned by mimicking others who play them.

You've been in the music scene for quite some time now. How do you think that's affected the kind of musician you are?
I believe I’ve improved a lot by being exposed to the masters of the industry. It’s great havin’ the privilege to see how great musicians work and be able to ask and learn from them first hand.

What's your first memory of someone else's music changing your life?
Kenny Rankin made my guitar playing the way it is today. I may not know much, but most of what I do know definitely came from him!

How did those records shape who you are as a musician?
My whole theory (if there are any) and musical perception uses them as a foundation not only in my playing but in my writing as well..

Who were your music heroes as a kid?
Vai and Satch, Billy Joel, Kenny Rankin, Tuck Andress, Ceasar Aguas, Noel Mendez

When you dealt with tough situations growing up, how much of a role did music play in helping you get through them?
It was Home! Music and Religion were the places I can always seek comfort and refuge from! still are!

What kept you pursuing a career in music?
Just the right blessings at the right time!

How important was music in your upbringing?
Very! It defined me...

What advice do you have for people searching for an artist to inspire them?
If it makes you happy, that’s probably it!

What's your ultimate objective as a vocalist and as a songwriter?
To share and inspire

For the some writers the motivation is that burden that you have to get what's inside of you out and down on paper. How is it with you?
Probably the same thing...

Was writing something that'd you'd always wanted to do?
It’s something I think I always knew how to do

Are there new bands/artists you think are worth bringing to attention?
Yes

Any tips for making live performances sound good?
Be sincere. Actually care that you have an audience in front of you.

What kind of practice regimen do you keep?
Just always have the hunger to express and you’ll find yourself practicing nonchalantly in the oddest of time and places

What particular song you'd like to be associated with and why?
“Everything I own” by Bread. Its just beautiful!

Any advice for beginning musicians?
Begin, then don’t stop!

What can we expect from you for this year?
Just started to re-create our sound (Grab our new album “In You”)! Much more to come real soon!


TOP 5 Albums to play along to:

1. Oasis (What's the Story) Morning Glory?

2. Oasis “Be here now”

3. Agot Isidro “Hush”

4. Jason Mraz “ We sing, We Dance, we steal things”

5. Joe Satriani “ The Extremist”

♫♫♫

Especial thanks to: Pinoy Song Magazine

ARIES SALES - DAVAO'S ACOUSTIC HEARTTHROB

THE ARTIST

Davao isn't just the melting pot of different varieties of fruity goodness in this fertile archipelago of ours, rather her blessedness extends up to her talented individuals. Few I would remember having them interviewed are Moonstar88, 1017 and the likes.

And now on board our recording strips in no other than the Acoustic Heartthrob of Davao, Aries Sales. An audio-video editor by professional choice and an acoustic singer by further expressive choice.

The way camera shutters capture his blithesome presence in the studio, might as well be the same fashion that we capture his inner thoughts on his “new found land” towards stardom.

It's obvious then that his yet starting to draw his best foot forward towards the promising OPM scenery, if our warrior would make to the top whatever he aspires. Nevertheless, his idealism is solid on the rocks. That one he wrought on our record as we started the ball rolling for him.

“I wanted to be remembered as a singer / songwriter who write about life experiences. Like for example, I have written a song about my mom entitled “Sa Iyo Lang”, it’s a commendable song, which any moms can relate to it. The rest of the songs I wrote are all about street, it’s like a testimony of how Filipinos live,” he commenced.

So how did it all come about?

He remembered humming his tunes at the fourth grade, “it all started when I was on my 4th grade I attended a church service in Davao, I was invited to add children church parang ganun, a kid church so I attended there and then may banda, it’s like ‘okay we’re inviting you to have a music seminar or workshop!”

He did attended the seminar and started as a base player, “so I attended and started as a bass player so when I was playing bass I was kinda bored so I tried guitar naman naman kasi mas mahirap hanggang dun nag-start ako sa church. Then in high school dun na ako parang seryoso around 2nd year in high school I secretly discovered that I can sing. So I thought I should share it why hide ‘di ba? I am also a poet, I written and put my writings and translate them to music and the rest is history (laughs).”

Aries has his own relation and differentiation towards his music, the way he completes the puzzle in his artistry. “Because I write my own songs, not because I put a different taste to other songs but of course I pour my heart to the songs that would sound differently. I’m not bragging or pulling my own chair you know, but I think here in the Philippines there are few of us (musicians) are lap-tapping, putting piano into the guitar, the first person who taught me that is LJ Tejos who’s now in London. But what I’m focusing in is the songs that I am reviving, interpreting and writing.”

Considering the musical ambiances of the two shores he had been, he's quite frank and free saying, “the music scene here in Manila is very diametrically opposite compared to Davao. Davaoneos are very hard to please, they’re very different including Cebuanos as well. Pag dating ko dito sa Manila I have to go with a trend, you have to hit the ‘masa’ first before going to the target market that you wanted. That’s what I realized here and surprisingly my first gig is the “Then and Now Music Festivals” concert held in MOA Open Grounds with international acts like Jojo, Diana King, SWV, TQ, PM Dawn to name a few with Myrus Ramirez as the opening act so nakakaba talaga since it’s in a big venue. And my second gig is “PMPC Star for A Cause” in SM North Edsa.”


HIS MUSIC

Like any typical tenners he would usually learn to tie his shoes scamper on the playing ground, learn to laugh and cry. “Syempre as a child puro laro lang ang iniisip natin. Medyo nung una tinatamad ka by the time you’ve learned how to play the first chord on the guitar, ma-eexcite ka then you gonna get addictive yung music.”

Then that sole excitement planted on the fertile plane of Davao mushroomed into some sort of jazzy oriented music hunk everybody's starting to wow at. “The least genre I played is R&B but mostly I love Jazz, I am a Jazz oriented person. Before I started, when I was around 14 years old I started singing pop as I getting matured in music I started to love jazz, blues so I incorporate all of my compositions to that genre.”

What kind of music are you into?
I’m into jazz and acoustic. I always incorporate jazz to my music, may touch talaga pero hindi standard jazz ha na parang napaka-sosyal na jazz parang may mga songs that are with seventh chords, mga ganun.

How easy or difficult it is to play and sing Jazz to jive into other music?
Though I’m not exclusively singing Jazz, I’m actually giving a fusion to different kinds of music. My musical influences include Jason Mraz, Jamie Collum which is a jazzer from Europe, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews Band.

Who are some of your musical heroes growing up?
International? It’s Jamie Cullom, the way he writes songs, saludo ako parang parehas kami he writes on how to brush your teeth, normal living…narrative. That’s the songwriter, narrative and very conversational, yung kwento nilapatan ng music. Ganun si Jamie Cullom, that’s what I admired him. Also, Jason Mraz and Jack Johnson. Sa local naman, I like the songs of Rico Blanco. Sa poetry and music I like Gary Granada especially his songs “Saranggola sa Ulan” and “Bahay”. Also my bestfriends, LJ Te and Dennis Ceballos when it comes to guitar playing.

In 5 words or less, why we should dig to your music?
It’s fun, you can learn from it, you’ll reminisce or feel nostalgic and you will feel what I feel when you hear my songs.

How would you want to describe your sound?
At first, I wasn’t a fan of myself (laughs). I really dunno if I sounded good. Probably the people who heard me said ‘you sound great and different.’ So okay, I believed in them and continuing doing it so when I said on how would I interpret and describe my own music, I know it’s a song from my inner self. Music runs through my blood, it’s like when I’m sad that’s how I pluck my guitar out and when I’m happy that’s how I strums my guitar out.

What’s the biggest crowd you’ve played so far?
Yung sa ‘Then and Now” concert at Mall of Asia Open Grounds. I cannot call it front act kasi parang mas marami pa yung kinanta namin compare to the foreign artists. Nakakatuwa lang, it’s really an honor to us being the only Filipinos on that stage.

As an artist, did you consider the message of the song or not at all?
Of course it should be positive, that’s very important for me. Mainly because I am a Christian, I have to live with it, you were called a Christian because you should be like Christ or you should posses good things and positive music. Yung mga kanta kasi those are stories and testimonies of life like how to appreciate your mom, stuff like that.


HIS ALBUM

So far what are you working on while preparing for your upcoming album?
I dunno yet if we’re going to put my compositions on my debut album yet. I’m focused on the arrangement of cover songs actually we have a long list of songs to choose from and we will pick the best out of it. I wanted the album to come out as an acoustic album which is differentiated, it’s like an ‘avant-garde’ project na parang ‘oh, iba ito ah!’ it would sound as very Filipino but with a different taste.

Who are some of the OPM artists you’ve worked and performed with so far?
Myrus Ramirez of course because we have the same manager. Also Davey Langit from Viva Records. We recently guested on Yeng Constantino’s Music Uplate Live!

Since you will be coming out an album anytime this year, what can we look forward to about it?
A lot of fun, anyone can relate to it. Pero depende pa sa concept na gagawin namin kasi it’s on going palang of course I’m there to surprise people on what’s it’s gonna be on my debut album.

What are you hoping to accomplish with your upcoming album?
Syempre with humility, I am praying na sana magustuhan ng maraming tao.


OTHERS

Aside from your music what other music have you gotten in lately?
Old school music (laughs). Ang sarap to reminisce and to feel nostalgic sometimes. I just turned 22, sometimes it’s awkward to sing those ‘oldies songs’ pero minsan ang saya especially when you sing and make it sounds new.

If you’ve given the chance to collaborate with other OPM artists that we have right now, which would it be?
Ely Buendia and Rico Blanco, they are really legendary in the OPM music scene.

How would you describe your first gig here in Manila?
The “Then and Now Music Festival” concert? Ang saya, I really enjoyed it kasi once you enjoyed performing anything can happen. Awkward at first considering that I just got here and really knew in the music business but when you heard an applause parang nawawala yung kaba mo. I considered that night as my memorable gig for me.

Aside from music, what other things are you into?
I also do magic tricks (laughs). I’m into net surfing. I’m into computer graphics.

What’s in store for you this year? Any shows or concerts?
Hopefully we release my debut album within this year, that’s the target time frame.

♫♫♫

Especial thanks to: Pinoy Song Magazine

CHAMP AND CHINO - SHARES BOTH-SIDES STORIES & THEIR MUSICAL TANDEM

It's been with pleasure working with bands having several men standing tall at the forefront of the admiring sea of humanity. We've been sneak-picking at their music-studded lifestyle years after years, face to face, skin to skin and heart to heart till the bear essentials of their thoughts and senses blow you mind.

At this point your OPM authority would like to single out certain hunky to comely figure of the rock band industry, no other than Champ Lui Pio of the band Hale. Nonetheless, it would be a “buy one take one” issue. Will have to take a shot on his other brother, Chino Pio. It's a back-to-back of musical prowess as well as brotherhood.


ON THE RECORD

As the ball keeps rolling we've given them a seat on our record to pull-up brainier write-ups and story to tell on our issue. Champ commenced on his brotherly role as the eldest “Of course, as a brother I am very proud and I know how he is, he's very reserved and now seeing him opening himself up is a huge deal for me and my family 'coz it means he's going out of his comfort zone, expressing himself more. It's a good thing.”

Chino on the other hand, recapitulates momentum in his life where he was given brotherly advice by his kuya, “Well advices? I would say he's given me a lot. So he's been in the industry a lot more than me so he has the experience. He just told me na just be yourself and try your best every time and always try to fit in that is very important.”

Well, with good advice great gift each my have given.

“Shot blocks sa basketball. Whenever we have free time we hangout and more than material things, as a brother, I'm there for him whenever he needs me. Whenever I go out of town, I make it a point that I give everyone a little something,” expresses Champ. Chino Delves deeper into his conciousness, “the gift of love and brotherhood. Since I own a clothing line sometimes kapag may bago binibigyan ko siya.”

When it comes to brotherly intimacy, Champ confess that his actually close to Chino despite being collegial to all of them. “Definitely Chino, the eldest may conflict kami lagi n'un. The youngest naman, the gap is too wide so I'm really close to Chino because we share the same passion which is music and sports so that's our common denominator, that's where we jive.” Chino stress, “si kuya Champ. Since we're guys and our age gap is very small we have the same interest so I guess you really can't deny na it's hard not to be close with him.”

They tend to be calmer as both of them took it hard to stress their wild-side story, “we both have a different side to what usually people see. Wala eh parehas kami. We tend to be crazy sometimes but then not too much. We go out of town. We go to the beach with friends that are where we loosen up. Siguro when we drink together it's gonna be a blast.” Chino further stressed, “we're good boys. I must say wala kaming ganyan.”

At this point the two of them might have a little disparity, such as partying or merry-going-around on free time. Champ explains his side, “well we're both highly sociable pero party-goer si Chino siguro mas marami siyang events na pinupuntahan. I'm very picky with the events I go to usually friends or very important events lang that's the only time I really go out. On a normal day, I just stay home or hangout with friends pero si Chino fashionista 'yan eh.” Chino justifies, “well I'm not gonna say party-goer. I go out a lot more than him. Well, before I really can't stay at home for one day pero ngayon since I'm always out because of work medyo I've learned to love the feeling of being at home. Sometimes I really want to go out with my friends, it's not really partying it's basically hanging out.”

Even just being tepsy, might might not even be on each one's vocabulary. “I'm a very happy person when I'm drunk. I usually want to share my positive feelings but I tend to over share sometimes. I usually say things I don't usually say when I'm normal so it's kinda dangerous for me when I get drunk,” (laughs) laughs Champ. Chino made it clear to, “we drink socially. Nakikisama kami sa mga tao when it comes to partying.”


MORE ON THEIR WILD-SIDE STORIES

Who’s the vainest between the two of you, like in what way?
Champ: Si Chino. I'm more laid back. I'm more hommy. Chino's more conscious on what he's wearing, how he presents himself. There's a borderline between vainest and hygienic. I think facial is okay since like phrophylaxis it's like cleaning your mouth. Sometimes kapag nagpa-facial ka, using facial wash is not enough. That's normal that's hygienic but when you say nagpapa-treatment walang gan'un sa amin. In terms of wearing clothes, si Chino mas maarte sa sinusuot. I'm more the type of person who usually prioritizes comfort over looks.
Chino: It depends. When it comes to clothes siguro me. When it comes to facial wash, shampoo that's him.

Describe the ideal future Mrs. Lui-Pio for Chino?
Champ: I don't see him getting married anytime soon but if he does get married the girl should share his beliefs in life religiouswise like spiritualwise and she loves going to the beach. I'm thinking of an outgoing person who loves the outdoor would be a good fit for him. Someone who's more like kailangan matapatan 'yung pagkalakwatsero niya.

Who uses the phone most?
Champ: Ako siguro because Chino's using prepaid. I'm the one who has three phones.
Chino: Definitely him. I don't usually call, I just text. Well, tumatawag ako pero not to the point na magtetelebabad ako. I'm not a phone person. I'd rather talk to you personally.

Who has the worst handwriting? Champ: Si Chino.
Chino: Parehas lang kaming hindi maganda ang handwriting pero sabi niya mas magaling siyang mag-script so I'd have to attest to that but when it comes to the normal handwriting I do not considering if its all caps or script I guess I can compete with him. It's gonna be a tight race. (laughs)

Who is the best listener?
Champ: Ako 'yun kasi mas mature ako. Since my sister is in the States, technically, I'm the eldest at home so I voice out certain things that has to be done kapag may problems. So I usually take charge.
Chino: Definitely him not me. Siya 'yung magaling d'un hindi ako.

Who leaves the room in the biggest mess?
Champ: Chino. My room is very organized siya wala nakakalat 'yung mga damit sa kama.
Chino: ME! Medyo magulo ang kwarto ko. Kuya has the most organized room. I'm one of the extreme people 'coz if I don't clean my room its really gonna be messy but once I get the feeling na I wanna clean my room its gonna be really, really clean.

What do you find most frustrating about being in an entertainment business?
Champ: Why K-pop is invading the OPM household.
Chino: K-pop is okay 'coz they have a big market here but I'd prefer that our local market listen to OPM of course it's what we have, it's what we own but what can we do? They're a booming industry the K-pop things so hopefully we can adopt it here in the Philippines magkaroon tayo ng sarili nating P-pop.

How do you describe each other’s fashion statement?
Champ: I'm more beachy, hommy, laidback. Chino is more experimental with clothes.
Chino: Baduy siya ako hindi.(laughs) He's more laid back and comfortable ako well I can I say that I'm also comfortable with what I'm wearing but I'm more conscious with what I use when I go out so I've been like this every since. I'm more meticulous and fashionable definitely.

How do you know when one of you is in-love?
Champ: You don't see him at home.(laughs)
Chino: Naku kapag parating wala sa bahay ibig sabihin ay'un na y'un.

For Champ, how did you incorporate your music to Chino?
Chino usually updates me with the new trends in the music scene. He's the type of person who loves to research. I'm the one who likes to create so he's the one who updates me. He gives me new materials to listen to, to broaden my horizon. He doesn't play any instrument but he loves to listen. I think he has a good ear in music.

Chino, do you think you will be like Champ in the near future, say coming out an album?
Chino: Naku! Iyan ang pangarap ng daddy ko pero mukhang hindi mangyayari iyan. Dad, I'm sorry. I want to pero h'wag na nating pilitin pero hindi dapat.

Tell us your bonding moments without work?
Champ: Our bonding time is playing basketball once or twice a week. We watch games together like sports F1, MMA, basketball.
Chino: We usually play basketball together. Watch movies, TV. Go to the beach, the usual stuff brothers’ do.

Things we should know about about Chino?
Champ: Chino loves clothes. I think that is one of his passions. He's very passionate about basketball, about Bert Navinsky in particular and then he has a very good personality. He's very fun to be with especially when you're in the beach drinking.

What’s the most memorable movie/s that you’ve watched together?
Champ: Recently Avatar. The whole family watched Avatar in 3D sa IMAX at Mall of Asia.
Chino: Avatar sa IMAX. Me, my dad, my mom, my sis it was all our first time to watch in IMAX. Okay siya. It was a nice and great experience for the two of the whole family and us.

How do you handle when one of you is in bad mood?
Champ: Wala lang, we just ignore each other. Give each other space to cool down and then we talk. We know our place we don't just explode and rant so usually when someone's in a bad mood we're usually quiet or we just go to our own room and lock ourselves the whole day and when we go out its usually calm.
Chino: We usually talk about it. Ang mangyayari diyan is once the problem happens we usually give each other time first maybe a day or two days after that we talk. So alam mo 'yun para hindi na masyadong mainit ang ulo ng mga tao when everybody's calm down so it's better to talk that way less emotions with everyone and wala basically gan'un lang talaga. Whoever is at fault should say sorry and the other one forgives you.

Things that you usually fight when you were a kid?
Champ: Baketball. Before play station the NBI live or something. We usually have different teams so when we play playstation or watch TV whenever are teams are fitted against each other the conflict begins.
Chino: We don't usually fight when we're kids.

Share to us your fave songs to sing a long together?
Chino: May be listen together not sing together. I guess I can say na we sing it together in our own ways. Kapag kunwari nagplay na 'yung song wala ka ng magagawa mapapakanta ka na talaga. Coldplay, Death Club for Cutie those types of music or band.


CREDITS:

Words: ROLDAN A. ANCAJAS
Interviews: AYELSKI & ROLDAN A. ANCAJAS
Photographs: NIEL TAYAO
Pictorial Direction: AYELSKI
Makeup & Grooming: CHER NORAGA of Yuricka Salon

Especial thanks to: Pinoy Song Magazine

♫♫♫

XLR8 - NEWEST PINOY POP SENSATION

Meteor showers have long been invading the Philippine archipelago captivating young and not so young minds and hearts with the advent of a Taiwanese drama series Meteor Garden with cast commonly known as F4. With packaged theme songs, their figure used to typify the other consecutive invasions such as Korean television series commonly known as Koreanovelas and few other Korean pop groups.

These neighboring oriental influences went on to flag down at the hearts of the young bloomers as the new millennium went onwards. We'll have to admit we once upon a time went gaga on them and still counting ever after.

Television stations who triumphantly herald them to the top of their broadcasting prowess might perhaps gleam on this as a tenable business shot, while on our couch it's an entertainment at par!

You might have seen or at least heard them making stories on our television or you yourself wrestle with the mob to have a peep on their tinny polka dots getup on one of their appearances such as the 2NE1, Super Junior, Wonder Girls, Girls' Generation, Big Bang, Shinvi and so on.

Few Filipino fans have traveled coast to coast to witness their performances bringing home the bacon with lots of autographs, memorabilia, low atmospheric pressures and jet lag.

Now, we'll have them localized for you – if you'll let them be, it's up to you! You don't have to worry cause they sound like, look like, dance like and smell like their foreign contemporaries. Under the recording courtesy of Viva Records comes a new label so called P-Pop to represent, more in particular, a collective teens who sing and dance to an upbeat, pop and frenzy scores just like the Korean dance tropes. Nonetheless, here, we would like to put it in our own color, perspective and Filipino musical style.

At this juncture Your OPM Music Authority would like to present XLR8! You might technically mistook there name to a phone hub, but their name simply just quote ACCELERATE! So, you have XLR8, perhaps for aesthetic reasons. XLR8 as a derivation from the word accelerate says it's a smooth, fast and elate motion which will exactly describe the group.

XLR8 is KIKO, AKI, CALEB, the twins MJ and MM, ARKIN, AJ and CARLO. They are young bloods from pure to mixed breed Filipinos. They have been carefully selected from auditions to man for this new pop concept. Now they are to vie and size-up themselves for the greater challenges and responsibilities as entertainers.

We love to deal with their new piece offering to the OPM music scenery. Their self-titled album is whipped with considerable original hits. However, at first glance you might mistaken them for a sort of Korean groups not only after few lines that you hear Tagalog lines among all those techno-synthesized songs.

Their songs like “You're So Hot,” “I Love You Girl,” “Miss Beautiful,” and “Dance With Me” are few of those you might notice in the album. Some of them were composed by one of their members, MJ. However, all the members are with cooperation with the album's birth.


ON THE RECORD

While personal assistants, make-up artist and the studio itself is being set for their photo shot, we took them for a moment of interview sessions. Nonetheless, group interview has been set after long series of shots at the canvas. I myself as an associate to the editor of Pinoy magazine, done my part in by putting them on the record one by one. Here is an encounter with this fresh-looking hunks skin to skin, eye to eye brushing shoulders with the power of eight.

The noticeable greenhorn aura on their face and the whip of eagerness on their minds. Physically, you'd notice a Korean of sort in their figure; not unless you have started your interview and they kept answering you in Talgalog. In fact one of their member who was raised in Japan can barely speak English and a little in Tagalog. He begged me to speak in Tagalog instead – and yes we made it! Luckily, I wasn't the one who transcribed the recording. And so the the ball starts rolling for them under my baton...


How did you guys hooked up together?
Kiko: Nauna po apat lang kami. 'Yung original four po si Carlo, Aki, Caleb and ako. Nag-present po kami sa VIVA na apat pero sabi po nila parang may kulang so with the help of boss Vic and Tita Geleen nadagdag po si Arkin tapos we performed for VIVA again tapos sabi nila parang mahina pa 'yung group hindi pa malakas tignan so nadagdag po 'yung twins tapos nadagdag po si Adrian after a while. Lahat naman kami dumaan sa audition.

What can we expect from your live show?
AJ: S'yempre 'pag live, live din po namin kakantahin 'yung songs habang sumasayaw. Makikipag-interact kami sa audience and maaasahan nila na hindi masasayang 'yung oras nila sa pagpunta sa show namin talagang masusulit.

How excited are you guys about coming out with your debut disc?
MM: Sobra po kaming excited kasi matagal na po naming inaantay ito. Finally po n'ung nai-launch kami sa Party Pilipinas nasulit po lahat ng paghihirap namin sa training ng singing and dancing.

Can you share your bonding moment without work?
MM: Nanunuod po kami ng sine after rehearsals. Sleep over sa bahay nila Tita Cris at Tita Andy. Nag-arcade kami at eating together. Partying and swimming.

Since you're starting to build your name in the music scene how would you want people to know you?
KIKO: We're the first P-Pop male group of the Philippines.

What other projects do you have in the works? KIKO: As of now we have mall tours line-up. And as far as we know, kasama po kami sa nationwide tours ng Party Pilipinas. Regarding our 2nd album wala pa pong plans na gumawa. Sana po makagawa po kami ulit at sana po maka-compose si MJ ng maraming marami pang kanta.

What was the toughest thing about putting together with your debut album? KIKO: 'Yung pag-accept po ng tao sa single po namin na “You're So Hot” kasi po marami pong may ayaw kasi katunog raw po ng kanta ng Super Junior na “Sorry, Sorry” pero marami naman may gusto kasi mas maganda 'yung tunog.


ALBUM TALKS

We made few inquisition regarding their debut album and obviously its been the chorus of the boys toward the album's integration and conception. The album contains the feel, the sound and the tandem of the boys vocals and comely figures.

They've had different ideals towards the album and respect and taste towards the songs that gives beauty in their diversity. One likes the danceable tone, the other would prefer the lyrical messages the other is for singing.

It's not that easy as eating an apple pie in the making of their album. They've underwent mess in schedule and nights of late sleep, strict regulations and lots of practices before they've handed to us the complete puzzle of their songs. We might have the strong feelings of their future stardom, but they'll have to prove it yet under the heat of the sun.

At record bars, FM stations and on our personal players their album talks about them. At this juncture I let them talk about their album...

Individually, can you share your favorite track on the album and why?
KIKO: “For You” isa po 'yun sa song na maipapakita namin 'yung emotion namin sa pagkanta.
ARKIN: “You're So Hot” kasi danceable and upbeat siya. Talagang iyon po ang mga hilig kong beat. AJ: Sa fast song it's “Miss Beautiful” kasi kahit ilang beses ko siyang pakinggan hindi ako nagsasawa. And for slow song it's “For You” kasi parang 'yun 'yung naiibang kanta sa album namin, it's very catchy.
MM: Of all the songs, I like “You're So Hot” because it's our carrier single. Honarable mentions will be “Dance With Me,” “You're so Beautiful,” “I Love You Girl” and “I'll Be There”.
CALEB: My favorite the most is “Tonight's the Night” dahil siguro doon ko po na-express 'yung feeling when I'm singing that song.
MJ: For me, my three compositions on our album: “Dance With Me” and “Miss Beautiful” high school palang ako n'un nagawa ko 'yun then 'yung “I Love You Girl”. Iba po kasi 'yung pakiramdam na ikaw 'yung nagsulat ng kanta, ikaw 'yung gumawa ng tono, maririnig ng iba at kakantahin pa namin.
CARLO: I like “You're So Hot” kasi upbeat siya. Talagang nakaka-raise siya ng spirit and lively 'yung song and then parang makabago 'yung dating n'ya. I'll give 55 per cent for singing and the rest for dancing.
AKI: “You're So Hot” because it's so timely since it's summer. I also like the beat at 'yung ibig sabihin ng kanta.

Of all the songs included, is there a particular song that is challenging for you to record? In what way?
KIKO: Still “For You”, we had difficulty recording that song because we need to harmonize, the chorus has a lot of falsettos at 'mataas 'yung parts ko.
ARKIN: “You're So Hot” mahilig ako sa pop pero 'yung genre ng boses ko hindi siya pang-pop so I was trained para kumanta ng pop.
AJ: 'Yung sa “You're So Hot” 'yung line ko doon ko sa verse 'yun 'yung pinakamahirap sa akin kasi parang iba 'yung pagkaka-pronounce ko d'un sa salita so yung tono iba yung lumalabas kaya every night before I went to sleep I have to look back to that song para makuha ko y'ung tamang pagpro-pronounce especially the part na . 'yung you stole my heart sa isang tingin' hirap akong sabihin 'yung “ngin” dati.
MM: “For You” kasi po 'yung song na ito more on blendings kami.
CALEB: “She Was Mine” the rap part po kasi po kami 'yung nag-isip ng rap part.
MJ: Sa grupo po kasi namin halos ako 'yung bumibirit. “I Love You Girl” and “Dance With Me” kasi 'yun po ang may pinakamatataas na birit.
CARLO: Siguro po “For You” kasi more on artificial voice, more on falsetto and different kind of voicing ang ginamit d'un. But it wasn't that hard because I was with them.
AKI: 'Yung “Money Money” kasi 'yun po ang pinakamabilis na kanta namin pero parang sobrang nabubulol ako d'un.

How is it working with your producers like Marcus Davis?
Si Marcus masaya siyang kasama. He allows us to play with the songs and ilagay po namin 'yung sarili naming style sa kanta.
ARKIN: Madali siyang katrabaho kasi ilalabas n'ya 'yung inner potential mo kapag nakita n'yang may edge ka na tinatago mo pa tutulungan ka n'yang ilabas mo pa 'yun.
AJ: Mabait si Marcus at cool lang siyang mag-record parang kahit paulit-ulit okay lang sa kanya talagang hinahanap n'ya 'yung magandang line ng pagkaka-execute.
MM: Sobrang professional na katrabaho at mahaba ang pasensya niya.
CALEB: Sobrang galing niya. He help us beat our deadlines to come out the album on time. We were so happy when we finished recording the entire album.
MJ: Sobrang nakaka-inspire kasi idol ko si sir Marcus Davis. Actually n'ung ipinasa ko po sa kanya 'yung mga kanta ko hindi po siya gan'un talaga kaganda pakinggan pero n'ung inareglo n'ya 'yung music napaganda n'ya po 'yung mga kanta ko.
CARLO: He's a very nice guy. He's cool. Meron siyang sense of humor. He makes you feel at home para makapag-relax ka during recording. Gagawan n'ya ng paraan in a way na hindi n'ya dadayain ang voice mo.
AKI: Okay siya. Magaling siya gumawa ng kanta.

What are the preparations you need to do for the album?
KIKO: There are times na ibibigay lang 'yung kanta sa amin a day before the recording so sobrang ngarag, replay ng replay para makuha namin yung particular song. Minsan naman, on the spot na sa recording babaguhin 'yung iba or kung ano ang sabihin ng producer 'yun po ang gagawin namin.
ARKIN: Six months of training hindi lang sa vocals pati sa sayaw. May exercises kami na habang sumasayaw kumakanta talaga.
AJ: S'yempre nag-voice lessons since I am not much of a singer. I excell most on playing musical instruments. Practice nung kanta especially 'yung mga lines. Nagpapayat ako kasi mataba ako. Sa akin kasi parang y'ung effort na ibibigay ko sa singing should be 100 per cent kasi kung sa dancing natural na siyang lumalabas kaya ine-enjoy ko na lang siya. Sa singing kasi hindi talaga ako singer kaya kailangan kong ibigay yung full attention ko d'un.
MM: Disiplina sa sarili. Kapag may recording kinabukasan hindi masyadong iinom ng malamig na tubig, matulog ng maaga at vocalization bago mag-recording.
CALEB: We had vocal trainings. Nagkaroon kami ng two vocal trainers si sir Eugene at si Ms. Marissa. Tapos sa choreography si kuya Miggy Tanchangco for “You're So Hot”.
MJ: Kapag alam kong may recording kinabukasan dinidisiplina ko ang sarili ko. Hindi kami umiinom ng malamig, natutulog ako ng maaga at prinapraktis namin y'ung lyrics kasi sa recording namin halos ako 'yung gumagawa ng demo n'ung ibang song kaya medyo familiar na din ako.
CARLO: Nag-start na akong mag-voice lessons n'ung high school and same goes for dancing, nag-workshop ako just to stay fit.
AKI: Nag-practice ako ng English at Tagalog. At laging voice lessons everyday.

How easy or difficult doing your debut album?
KIKO: Minsan kapag hindi namin nagagawa 'yung gusto ng producer na medyo mahirap nagagalit 'yung producer namin.
ARKIN: Easy in a way na there are some songs na genre ko like ballad. Difficult in a way na the album has a lot of genres like may pop, may halong R&B. I have to adjust my vocal. Pero masaya naman 'yung outcome ng album maganda naman siya.
AJ: Easy siya in a way na hindi ko naman napapansin 'yung oras kasi nage-enjoy ako. Mahirap siya sa akin vocally.
CALEB: Kaya siya naging madali kasi dahil sa mga ka-group ko tulung-tulong kami at very supportive kami sa bawat isa. Nandoon na kasi 'yung strong bond sa halos two years na pinagsamahan namin. Difficult po siguro 'yung time na ginugugol namin sa rehearsals actually galing po ako ng Bulacan lagi so medyo mahirap po 'yun.
MJ: Kapag nilagyan mo ng feeling 'yung kanta mas madali siyang kantahin. 'Yung hard part naman s'yempre kahit minsan nilalagyan mo ng feelings kung high parts pa rin lalagyan mo ng technique para mapaganda 'yung pagkakanta mo d'un sa song.
CARLO: It's almost two years in the making.
AKI: Mahirap talaga because I came from Japan. I've been here for two years now and still having difficulty speaking English and Tagalog kaya nag-aral talaga ako.

How did you guys motivate yourself when recording for each song?
KIKO: This is what we dreamt. Kung wala kaming ginagawa kumakanta kami or naglolokohan. Siguro 'yung motivation namin are family, friends, special people in our lives.
ARKIN: S'yempre tinignan ko 'yung mga idols ko like Jonas Brothers, Michael Jackson and High School Musical casts. I watch their movies and listen to their music. I even watch their behind the scenes, paano 'yung mga preparations nila so parang pinanuod ko 'yun as my motivation.
AJ: Firstly, my loved ones since I came from a showbiz clan. Kung kaya sana ma-achieve ko rin 'yung nagawa nila saka s'yempre 'yung love ko sa music kasi mahilig ako sa instruments.
MM: Unang-una my family, friends tapos po andun din po 'yung pangarap. Dito ko po nakikita 'yung future ko as an entertainer, artist, singer and dancer.
CALEB: Kapag kumakanta kasi ako naiisip ko talaga family and close friends ko na sinasapuso ko po 'yung bawat kanta. Inspired din sa album kasi sa lahat po ng hirap na pinagdaanan namin nabuo namin ito with the help of boss Vic, Ms. Veronique, Tita Geleen.
CARLO: Iniisip ko po na may sarili akong character from the others para mas makilala kami individually kahit na as one kami kinikilala. Basta maganda 'yung surroundings mo, positive ka lagi for sure maganda 'yung kalalabasan.
AKI: Our fans for their never-ending support.


SLACK TIME, UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL

Off the record and during their unguarded moments, surely these guys are humans too. We will know what are their other interest and preoccupation during their free time. You'll know their craziest dream ever, their dream job, dream girl and lot more.

Together they'll share what's with them to make the group last for considerable time and how is it working and looking for fame. This will include their life's lesson while stepping their best foot forward on a competitive OPM environment.

If you weren't a performer , what would be your dream job?
KIKO: I guess graphic designer.
ARKIN: Stage actor or TV actor. Tatapusin ko rin siguro 'yung pag-aaral ko ng college and find a professional job like businessman or doctor.
AJ: S'yempre musician or businessman.
MM: Gusto ko po talaga maging TV director or stage play director.
CALEB: To be a missionary doctor. Nag-stop ako ng nursing I'm on my 2nd year dapat kaso nagkaroon ng audition sa VIVA sinama po ako ng pinsan kong si Carlo. Sinasama nya ako ng mga missionaries papuntang Canada noon time na 'yun hindi lang po ako nakasama kasi may midterm at finals pa ako that time.
MJ: Pag-compose ng kanta or painter basta anything about arts po like multi-media arts.
CARLO: The same thing but more successful siguro nagawa ko 'yung mga right decisions na hindi ako nagsisisi and probably by that time nakatapos na ako ng studies and everytime mas nasasanay na akong i-thank si God sa lahat ng ginagawa ko.
AKI: Pilot.

What hobbies do you have outside music?
KIKO: Gimik, party, drawing basta anything that has to do with arts. I usually hang out sa bahay or sa bahay ng kaibigan, sa mall, anywhere na may kasama.
ARKIN: I love playing playstation. Mga gadgets. Kapag may free time uma-attend pa rin ako ng mga shows like stage plays.
AJ: Swimming, fooling around with my siblings. Eating kaya mataba ako. Mahilig din akong magbasa ng books about Science mahilig kasi ako sa science medyo mahina ako sa language so mahilig ako sa Discovery Channel.
MM: Playing billiards and basketball. Playing bass guitar and working out.
CALEB: I play basketball and chess. Tina-try ko po lahat ng sports.
MJ: Past time ko 'yung paglalaro ng basketball at billiards. Watching TV, hanging out with my friends and family. S'yempre kahit sobrang busy kami ngayon hindi ako nakakalimot na dumaan ng church.
CARLO: I like surfing the net all the time. Talking to the fans via blogtv and chat with them. I like watching movies.I like playing video games as well.
AKI: Being an actor. I have a regular stint at Walang Tulugan .

What kind of music are you into right now? And which artists do you look up to for inspiration?
KIKO: Actually hindi naman po ako pop singer before, mahilig ako sa ballads and standard songs, Josh Groban and Michael Buble. Nag-adjust po ako. I listened to other singers R&B, the likes of Chris Brown, Justin Timberlake, Justin Bieber, Kris Lawrence, JayR.
ARKIN: Pop and R&B particularly Jonas Brothers, Ne-yo and Akon. Sa local si Christian Bautista.
AJ: Naghahanap talaga ako ng magagaling na solo guitarists like Steve Bay, Joss Adriani, Jerry See and Michael Angelo. Kapag sa singing si David Cook kasi dati bago ako dito galing ako ng band so medyo rock 'yung background ko when it comes to music.
MM: Gusto ko po talaga R&B love songs and R&B hip-hop and a little bit of pop. My musical heroes are Brian McNight, Boys II Men, Ne-yo, Usher and Michael Jackson to name a few.
CALEB: R&B. Pero na inspire talaga ako bago ako mag-audition kay Jason Mraz sa “I'm Yours” doon ako nahilig sa mga acoustic songs.
MJ: Napaka-versatile ko siguro kasi I can sing any genres pero my inspiration will be the King of Pop Michael Jackson, Usher, Justin Timberlake and Ne-yo as a composer.
CARLO: I like rock, pop, any kind of music kahit hard core pa 'yan gusto ko 'yan basta masaya pakinggan. I like the funny people that can sing like si Jack Black or Michael Buble. I like Lady Gaga too because of her style is crazy. Of course, si Michael Jackson hindi mawawala sa listahan and siguro nakakaapekto na rin 'yung mga J-Pop, K-Pop sa amin. But we're still trying our best not to imitate them para magkaroon kami ng sariling identity.
AKI: 'Yung composition ni MJ, “I Love You Girl”. Christian Bautista, David Archuleta, David Cook, Chris Brown and Ne-Yo.

Who is your dream girl?
KIKO: Jojo kasi magaling siyang kumanta at maganda.
ARKIN: S'yempre gusto ko mabait at intelectual kausap, fun to be with at inilalabas n'ya kung ano 'yung personality. Si Angel Locsin and Anne Curtis.
AJ:Elisha Catburg kasi mukha siyang anghel. Siya 'yung sa Girl Next Door.
MM: Anne Hathaway, Georgina Wilson and Paula Taylor. Georgina Wilson kasi napaka-perfect ng mukha n'ya.
CALEB: Someone who has a good heart, God fearing, thoughtful and fun to be with.
MJ: Sa hollywood si Taylor Swift habang pinapanuod mo siya habang kumakanta doon mo nakikita na lalo siyang gumaganda.
CARLO: Emma Watson and Taylor Swift.

What's your biggest dream for the group?
KIKO: Na sana magustuhan kami ng maraming tao at malaman nila na hindi namin ginagaya 'yung Korean at Japanese. We were trying our best to establish our own identity.
ARKIN: S'yempre maging successful kami. Sana dumami at maging stable 'yung fan base. Sana maniwala sila sa amin dahil gagawin talaga namin ang best namin para maging successful. May mga issue na ginagaya namin 'yung mga Korean or Japanese groups. Naninibago lang sila siguro at sana lawakan nila 'yung pag-unawa. Hindi p'wedeng ma-stock up ang music industry na ballad, rock at alternative lang ang OPM. Kailangan natin ng fusion or combination sa mga music like hinaluan ng pop 'yung R&B, ballad din. Kapag nag- innovate din dapat makipagsabayan tayo parang patunay lang din na kayang makipagsabayan ng mga Pilipino. Hindi 'yun panggagaya.
AJ: S'yempre 'yung makapag-world tour kami 'yung sumikat kami na parang si Michael Jackson na kilala ng kahit sino.
MM: Makilala po sa buong mundo.
CALEB: Tour around the world with the group.
MJ: Matupad lahat ng pangarap namin. I want to be known not just here but to other countries as well.
CARLO: I have a simple dream: I like to work hard just to see people smile kasi una you make your family proud and stuff like that pero to next level 'yung mga hindi mo naman kilala tapos napapasaya mo pa ibang level na siya. To inspire other people because of your music.
AKI: Sana magkaroon kami ng more projects and mall tours.

What's the craziest dream you've ever had?
KIKO: Maging Astronaut pero n'ung napanuod ko 'yung Armageddon natakot na ako. (laughs)
ARKIN: Mag-play ng violin.
AJ: Siguro 'yung maging sobrang sikat na guitarist na makapag-concert ako sa moon tas televised tapos lahat nanunuod ang sarap ng pakiramdam. Gusto ko rin maglabas ng mga video video sa internet.
MM: To perform like Charice Pempengco.
CALEB: N'ung bata ako pangarap ko maging presidente ng Pilipinas.
MJ: I want to follow the footsteps of Michael Jackson.
CARLO: Ang dream ko ay malaman kung ano ang dream ko. Anything can happen and anything is possible.
AKI: To tour the whole world in a span of two years (laughs).

Have you had a girlfriend?
KIKO: No.
ARKIN: Honestly nagkaroon na.
AJ: S'yempre.
MM: Yes.
CALEB: No girlfriend since birth.
MJ: Opo.
AKI: Isa n'un nasa Japan ako.

What's life lesson you learned as a teenager?
KIKO: H'wag imadali ang buhay. Okay lang na maghintay kasi darating din 'yan kung tamang oras.
ARKIN: H'wag mag-decide basta-basta kailangang pag-isipan muna. Saka bawat sasabihin pag-isipan ng maraming beses.
AJ: You have to grab all the opportunities kasi malay mo po 'yung isang opportunity na iyon, iyon na 'yung magpa asenso sa iyo.
MM: Don't take drugs. Parang walang maidudulot na maganda ang drugs. Sabi nila panandaliang ligaya pero habang buhay na sisirain ang buhay mo.
CALEB: Dati ang tingin ko sa life paglalaro lang pero as I grow up nakita ko 'yung mga responsibilities na kailangan kong gawin. Sa tulong ni Lord nalalagpasan ko lahat ng problems.
MJ: Na tama po pala 'yung mga sinasabi ng parents natin kahit sobrang strict po sila para din pala sa amin 'yun. And never stopped dreaming kasi ilang beses na rin po akong nawalan ng pag-asa pero natutunan ko na kapag matatag ka lang kay Lord at sinama mo 'yung pangarap mo unti-unti mong makakamit.
CARLO: I learned how to respect girls. I've had a lot of best friends at lagi ko silang tinutulungan. Naisip ko na fighting is not the answer for everything. The same goes for money. You can't buy your friends and s'yempre h'wag lalaki ang ulo lalo sa mga ganitong bagay. Stay humble.
AKI: Ngayon nandito na ako sa Pilipinas natuto akong maging maawain lalo na sa mahihirap na tao.

What's the hardest part of working towards stardom?
KIKO: Nakakapagod minsan like now almost two weeks na kaming dire-diretso sa rehearsals sa GMA. Dapat nakatira na nga ata kami d'un (laughs)
ARKIN: You cannot please everyone. All you can do is be yourself. Normal lang na may mga haters pero a'yun nandoon kami sa adjustment period. Kailangan kang maging patient at h'wag mapikon.
AJ: Time po minsan kasi kahit nage-enjoy po ako sa ginagawa ko naisip ko po minsan nawawalan na ako ng time sa family at sarili ko.
MM: Time management, sobrang ang hirap like say maysakit ka kailangan mo pilitin talaga kasi kailangan mong maging professional, rain or shine, maysakit o wala the show must go on.
CALEB: S'yempre nagsimula kami sa ibaba. Sa training pa lang lahat lahat na pinagdaanan namin tapos overwhelming y'ung support ng fans namin . We are just starting pero gan'un na 'yung pag-acknowledge ng fans sa amin.
MJ: Ang layo ng byahe namin ng kakambal ko kasi uwian kami ng Laguna.
CARLO: Siguro everything like sa publicity mo or every show na gagawin mo critical 'yan parang kinu-compare ko iyan sa examinations kapag bumagsak ka p'wede ka nang malaos agad. I just pray and work hard that's all.
AKI: Sa rehearsals kahit pagod ako, dapat hataw pa rin.


CREDITS:

Words: ROLDAN A. ANCAJAS
Interviews: AYELSKI & ROLDAN A. ANCAJAS
Pictorial Direction : AYELSKI
Styling: ANNIE E. MEDINA
Photographs: NIEL TAYAO
Make-up: RUTH TUBON-SPENCE & CLARENCE CORDOVA-ESPOSO

Grooming: JR KOJIE MAGAT

Especial thanks to: Pinoy Song Magazine

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