By Butch Galicia

“IISA lang ang ating lahi. Iisa lang ang ating lipi (We are but one race. We are but one nation).” The voice, the poise, the lyrics, the melody, Philippine Independence Day. The girl, the laurel, the pride, the joy.

And an unexpected upward boost to another rung in the ladder of big dreams every young talented performer seeks: a shot at the stage of the Yonge- Dundas Square (YDS), Toronto’s central open-air entertainment hub dubbed as The Heart of the City, where global music greats have set foot and performed on.

Even before Vianne Gaerlan could descend offstage after a moving rendition of Isang Lahi (ironically the only Filipino and nationalistic melody that echoed through and beyond Nathan Philips Square at the Filipino Centre Toronto’s Singing Idol contest on June 12), the 12-year-old had awed the musical senses of singer-songwriter Mon Torralba, original member of Hotdog, which plugged in the Manila Sound that electrified Philippine airwaves in the ‘70s. (more…)

FRESH from sentimental yet electrifying SRO shows in Las Vegas and Los Angeles, multi-awarded singing superstar and Philippine Music Icon Imelda Papin is set to captivate her Ontario fans and friends with the same vocal power and dynamic stage presence that earned for her the latter’s respect and admiration.

But when Papin performs at her “Bakit” Concert at the Toronto International Celebration Church, 190 Railside Road, North York, Ontario (not at the Toronto Centre for the Arts as earlier advertised) at 8 p.m. of May 27, Friday, she will be doing so “for a big cause.”

Giving back

The emotion of “Kung liligaya ka sa piling ng iba (If you’ll find happiness in the company of significant others)…” and the romantic hit “Isang Linggong Pag-Ibig (A Week of Love)” will have to equal Papin’s commitment to help less fortunate kababayans (compatriots) get free dialysis and other erstwhile expensive medical treatment in the Philippines.

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THE long awaited concert of the year is now coming. If she did tremendous performances in Jenifer Forever 1 and 2, part three will be a very spectacular one. This time she is going to stage a more explosive and more extravagant performance to conclude the concert series.

Jenifer Forever 3 will be held at Capitol Event Theatre, 2492 Yonge Street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on April 8, 2011 at 8 p.m.

Jenifer, the Toronto Concert Queen, will entertain the people from all walks of life, with her absolute performance of modern, pop and R&B genre. After one year of tedious preparation, the musical genius Noel Garcia of Com 11 Studio is ready to unveil the much anticipated second CD entitled Jenifer Reveals. Songs included in the album are Centuries, Burn it Down, Modern Day Romance, Poison, Lost, and Dedication.

With her singing prowess, her active role in the community and her entire experience from her modest beginnings and success as a “Diva” in her own right inspire a lot of people and even influenced some upcoming talents to pursue their singing careers.

Shimmering every minute, Jenifer has won a lot of accolades and became one of the most sought, visible, prominent performers in the community. She is an awardee of the 2010 Most Beautiful Filipinos in Canada, Maharlika awardee of Music Festival in 2006, crowned as Ms. Lakambini 2004 by the Kalayaan Centre in Mississauga, and she received the Tuklas Female Vocalist of the year in 1996.

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