Sugarfree: From empty to fully loaded

Author: Edgar Cruz
Column: BuzzStation

"Sabi ko in 1999, last try ko na and if itd fail, its not really for me," Sugarfree lead vocalist-songwriter Ebe Dancel says on the difficulty of starting out in the local music scene. "But we got a record deal with Viva and we prepared for our first album. By 2000, ready na yung 12 songs namin, but Viva put it on hold. Nainip kami and we asked to be released. We brought the record to EMI Philippines and it was finally released in January 2003. Ang tagal. But (it was) worth the long wait kasi sold out agad."

After running on empty for five long years, Sugarfree speeded up, fully loaded. It picked the right record label, PolyEast Records (former EMI Music), which allows its artists creative freedom and backs them up fully, marketing-wise. This is probably the reason PolyEast Records is widely regarded as the countrys number one music label as proven by its award-winning and high-selling CDs.

The Sa Wakas CD won the band the NU 107 Rock best new artist and album of the year awards. In July 2004, they released their next LP, Dramachine, which produced the hit "Hari ng Sablay." Their next CD was Talaarawan, which won the 2007 NU 107 Rock best artist, vocalist of the year (for Ebe), album of the year and best album packaging awards. The rock trio need not wait for another 10 years to release a new album. Its doing this with Morning and Airports CD as released by PolyEast Records.

Sugarfrees new CD tackles the more serious side of living and loving. Ebe reflects, "The album represents the joys and pains our band experienced in the past 10 years. Were now more focused, more grounded. Hindi na kami sugod nang sugod at tanggap na namin who we are. We have the right people showing us the right directions."

Kick-off single "Hay Buhay," now playing on FM radio stations, has a music video directed by Quark Henares and Nico Puertollano. Ebe explains the carrier single: "Kay hirap din palang hanapin ang iyong sarili/sa isang mundong laging nagmamadali."

The CDs 14 great tracks include songs about life, love, longing, distance and reflection like "Feels Like," "Mornings and Airports," "Wala Nang Hihilingin," "Hangover," "Patawad," "Get Over It," "Pagkatapos ng Lahat," "Wala," "Mamang Driver," "Heto Na Naman Tayo," "Where Do We Go," "Form Factor" and "Walang Paalam."

The album will be launched on Aug. 19, 9 p.m., at Saguijo in Makati. They will have their 10th anniversary show, "Dekada," at the Music Museum, 8 p.m., on Aug. 28 and 29.

Carlo and Cecile

will be National Artists

Made up mostly of hired movie extras, a group of demonstrators was gathered to show support for troubled "National Artist" Carlo Caparas in front of the National Commission Culture and the Arts (NCCA) building in Intramuros, Manila. It was very clear these were "hakot" demonstrators as they were familiar faces in movies and television shows. Whether they were hired or volunteered was out of the question. They were organized as evidenced by the similar placards with identical painted messages.

It was clearly to balance the demonstrations to be staged later that same day by the so-called legitimate National Artists. They proclaimed the death of the National Artists awards by placing a wreath with the National Artist logo on NCCAs doors in a stylized demonstration, complete with honor guards guarding the coffin and grieving women in black. Buzzstation will give this burial a high grade for its artistry. No doubt it was planned out by National Artists.

Both happened last Friday during the press conference called by NCCA chairman Dr. Vilma Labrador. She explained that it was not the NCCA that recommended Carlo and Cecille Guidote-Alvarez. She said Malacañangs Honor Committee selected them and it is President Arroyos prerogative to add or remove from the list submitted by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and NCCAs selection committees.

Now, did Carlo and Ceciles press conference (to which Buzzstation was invited, but which my representative, komiks dealer/collector Dennis Villegas failed to make) change public perception of the issue? It did not, but through media interviews, I got the side of Carlo and Cecile: They say they did not influence President Arroyo to declare them as National Artists. While this effectively removes the blame from them, they are also not inclined to reject the honor even with issues attached to it.

Buzzstations point is there are other artists more qualified to receive it, like Dolphy and Lea Salonga. In the case of Carlo, quantity is never an issue in excellence awards. He might have produced very good komiks novels, but his movies are mediocre. Cecile deserves to be recognized for initiating educational theater, but her selection is tarnished by her being NCCAs current executive director.

How do I read this issue? If what Carlos and Cecile are claiming is true, we are all of victims of President Arroyos so-called "strong" leadership style. (It looks to me more like dictatorial.) Whether we like it or not, Carlo and Cecile will be National Artists so to protest is useless.

Lea by special request

Lea Salonga will hold a very special concert on Dec. 11 and 12 at the PICC Plenary Hall as produced by AmbientMedia.

In the concert aptly entitled "Lea Salonga... Your Songs," Lea will sing your requests, performing under the direction of Bobby Garcia and musical direction by Gerard Salonga, together with the 47-piece FILharmoniKA Orchestra. Joining her for the evening are comedy concert queen Ai-Ai de las Alas, balladeer Richard Poon and the dance group Philippine All Stars.

For the first time ever, you can be a part of creating Leas concert by sending in your requested songs through her Web site, www.LEAyoursongs.com. You may suggest your favorite songs, the songs of your life, the songs of your loves, the songs of your dreams... or simply the songs youve always wanted to hear Lea sing.

AmbientMedia is a media and entertainment company whose aim is to bring the talents of both artists and entrepreneurs together to create things that last in the memories of their audience. It recently produced the successful concert "Quick Change," featuring Jon Santos and The Company.

Vic saves Jose

in Love On Line

Jose Manalo has been eased out of his co-hosting job in Eat...Bulaga! because of the financial troubles in which he and his wife for embroiled. But its Eat...Bulagas host Vic Sotto whos helping him out not to be forgotten by the public. They are appearing together in Love On Line (LOL) with Thai model-VJ Paula Taylor. Produced by M-Zet-Octoarts-APT Films it is set to open on Aug. 19.

Vic plays Samson whose picture is used by his friend (Jose) in order to meet beautiful women through Internet chatting. Paula is Lily, who becomes a "cyber" friend to Samson until they eventually agree to meet ("eyeball" in Internet language). What follows is a rollercoaster ride of events that are spiced with magic, adventure, fantasy and, yes, love in the tradition of almost all of Vic Sottos blockbuster movies.

Love On Line (LOL) also stars Manilyn Reynes, Star Magic artists Matt Evans and Melissa Ricks, Dominic Roco, Gina Pareno, Ricky Davao and Leo Martinez.

Want star magic?

Star Magic holds another series of public acting workshops from October to December 2009. To discover and develop potential stars, Star Magic Workshops once again opens its doors to aspiring actors and actresses to hone their acting skills through the support of award-winning directors and actors from the film and television industry.

Bodjie Pascua, Mel Chionglo, Phil Noble, Vangie Labalan, Ricky Lee, Jake Macapagal and Edna Mae Landicho Star Magic artist training director Rahyan Carlos are spearheading the group. Aside from the acting workshops for teens and adults, there will be acting workshop for kids as well as dance workshops.

Registration is on Aug. 30 and Sept. 6. Limited slots only! For inquiries and enlistment, call ABS-CBN Star Magic 415-3828 or 415-2272 local 5142 or text workshops to 2366 or e-mail starmagicworkshops@ABS-CBN.com.

E-mail your comment to imagineph@yahoo.com or text 0928-4531158.

Source: The Daily Tribune