Regine to stage concert for Robin

Asia's Songbird Ms. Regine Velasquez will do a one-night concert at the Zirkoh Comedy Bar in Timog Avenue, Quezon City on December 1 for the benefit of Robin Padilla's foundation which helps in sending Muslim children to school.

"I was the one who suggested to him that I will do a concert for free so he could raise funds for his foundation," says Regine at the blowout party that GMA Films and Viva Films gave the two stars of "Till I Met You" for the movie's success at the box-office. Incidentally, "Till I Met You" earned P40 million as of Sunday, the fifth day of the movie's release, making it a certified blockbuster.

It turned out Robin had been secretly praying for a chance that Regine would agree to do a concert for his foundation.The action star and his Muslim friends had wanted to approach Regine and ask for her help but could not find the courage to do so. But Regine beat Robin to the draw. She offered her services for free.

"I didn't know he wanted to ask for my help. Eh ako naman ho eh mahilig mag-offer ng sarili ko. Kung kani-kanino ko po ino-offer ang sarili ko," Regine jokes. "I told him that if he needs my help, he can count on me and I am willing to help him." The singer lauded the work of Robin's foundation to be of assistance to Muslim children who want to go to school but don't have the means to do so.

Regine also suggested to Robin that they do a show in a small venue first to ensure that they would earn a modest amount and that Robin could see how it is like to produce a concert. Comedian Allan K is also donating the use of Zirkoh Bar for free. Robin is very much pleased with Regine's gesture.

The two stars are also very happy with the result of "Till I Met You" at the box-office. The film raked in P6.4M on its opening day. Showing in 150 theaters nationwide, the producers of the Robin-Regine starrer are truly more than satisfied that the gross sales exceeded their expectations.

"Barang," a heart-pounding fright flick

"Barang" is heart-pounding fright movie about a provincial lass whose life and death is shrouded by inexplicable and ghastly events so affecting the whole community of Sta. Barbara. Igna (Juliana Palermo) suffers a gruesome death in the hands of a devil worshipper Nana Ursula (Liza Lorena).

The episode sows more fear on the whole town already besieged with a lot of black magic and witchcraft following the sightings of the restless spirit of Igna in search for justice and the undiscovered truth about her life prior to her death. The arrival in the city of Igna's best friend Thalia (Diane Marquez) and friends Carlo (Mike Tan), Dave (Terence Baylon) and Olga (Cristine Reyes) brings modern perception in this secluded and deep-rooted town.

"Barang" also stars Jaclyn Jose as the faith healer who unlocks the mystery of Igna's death and performs the cast-off ritual to finally rid the town of the evil Nana Ursula. The movie also features Jay Manalo, Maria Isabel Lopez, Vangie Labalan and Cloyd Robinson. Introduced in the movie is Christian Luis, the son of Gov. Chavit Singson.

The film is set among the scenic and rural areas of Vigan showcasing the rich customs of the Filipinos with utmost detail given to camera work and production. The amazing cinematic and special effects plus the superb handling of some scary scenes will definitely offer the viewers a clear sense of the strange and unfamiliar...a true Filipino horror flick to watch out for.

The Company releases Christmas album

Five fantastic voices and twelve timeless Christmas songs add up to one outstanding album. This is what The Company has in store for music lovers this Yuletide Season. The country's premiere vocal group has recorded its first Christmas album after 13 years and produced a gem that will endure for generations.

Simply titled "The Christmas Album," it presents Yuletide classics and standards in an assortment of settings, flavors, moods and rhythms. The carrier single is the heartbreaking "Isang Taong Lumipas." A collaboration between Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes, the song wonderfully captures the spirit of the Filipino Christmas in relation to the tradition of making the Season a time to spend with loved ones.

Others included are a big band version of Deck The Halls, a Filipino-flavored I'll Be Home for Christmas, Mamacita Donde Esta Santa Claus in a Latin jazz mood, a world music take on Little Drummer Boy, a funky medley of Joy to the World, Angels We Have Heard on High and other carols, a medley of The Party's Over and Auld Lang Syne, a boogie-woogie rendition of Noche Buena by Felipe de Leon and Levi Celerio plus I'll Be Home for Christmas, Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, The Christmas Song, Let There Be Peace on Earth and It's Just Another New Year's Eve.

A portion of the proceeds from the corporate sales of "The Christmas Album" will be donated to the Kythe Foundation for the benefit of children with pediatric cancer and other chronic illnesses. To know more about how you can help these children, call Kythe at 376-3454 or 0918-907-2094, email [email protected] or log in to the website www.kythe.org.