Patricia’s dance trance

Thanks to the pervasive influence of multimedia technology, buxom actress Patricia Javier is now leaving her Marc – er, mark – virtually everywhere.

For some time now, Patricia’s well-stacked assets have figured prominently on the pages of gossip-riddled tabloids. Flip through any of the glossies and you’re bound to find a more nattily-attired Patricia flaunting her keen fashion sense.

She’s even got her own website now. Heck, you can even have her on your cell phone. And if you get lucky enough by joining in the Talk ’N Text fray with ZED, you can even get a chance to date her!

But so much for eye candy. Nowadays, if you can manage to push the right buttons, you can get a glimpse of Patricia’s "hidden asset" – a facet of hers that most hot-blooded males can only fantasize about.

With the flick of a finger, she can be all yours for the taking – not only to ogle at but to hear as well. You see, the long-time sexy model cum bold star has released her debut album under EMI Phils. With more than enough meat to its credit, her value-plus album also boasts of its AVCD features.

Simply put, an AVCD is both an audio CD and video CD in one, where the audio tracks could be played as regular CD by CD players, computer CD-rom and all CD compatible devices. The videos, on the other hand, could be played in all VCD or DVD players, and all computer CD-rom and DVD-rom and all mpeg1 compatible devices as well.

Patricia’s CD contains 10-minute behind-the-scenes documentary of the singer at home, at work and at play. A voyeur’s delight, if you may call it. But that’s not all. The album also has a steamy uncut version of the music video for Siya Ba Ang Dahilan? as well as a collage of photos that range from subtle tease to mild seduction.

As revealed by the sneak preview of her behind-the-scenes footage, the real Patricia is a far cry from the vampish image she projects. In a shoot done at her parents’ humble abode in Antipolo, Patricia’s lifestyle shows none of the typical showbiz glam that any established celebrity would want to put across on cam.

Indeed, without the make-up and the revealing clothes, Patricia glows with an almost rustic appeal – the kind of girl who would rather stay home and cuddle in bed with her mom, play with her dogs, or with the kids next door.

In one interesting sequence, she even climbs atop a guava tree – a feat she claims to have done countless times as a kid. "I could even say that that’s probably how I developed my voice," she shares, "from eating all those guavas!"

But why, oh why did they have to show that shower sequence? In a presscon setting, that seemed a bit tacky. Indeed, amid the sea of noise, you could still hear the faint giggles and hushed remarks.

That night was a reunion of sorts for Patricia and former boyfriend Marc Nelson, whose unflappable charm and wit make him one of the most in-demand hosts this side of town. The press launch cum party, presented by Smart Zed and Jag, Talk ’N Text and Asia Brewery, started out with trivia games and raffles. By 10 p.m., Patricia made her entrance, clad in her usual eye-popping outfits that leave little to the imagination. With her back-up dancers in tow, Patricia breezed through her opening numbers with élan, easily making her a worthy contender to the title "Dance Pop Princess." Do we see a J. Lo in the making?

As for the album, most industry insiders may have been aware that Patricia released a giveaway CD sampler a few months back. Titled Baby I’m Yours, the Tats Faustino original is again featured on the album with a heavier dance groove and boasts of the same sonic power that could shake the roofs off most clubs and dance halls.

Much of the album’s credit belongs to the powerhouse production tandem of Ferdie Marquez and Francis Guevarra. Both were former members of the True Faith band who have slowly branched out into their own respective careers as freelance musical arrangers and producers. Incidentally, Francis is now the A&R manager of EMI Phils., and is largely responsible for giving Patricia her big break as a recording artist.

Sizzling with a dominant techno and dance groove, Patricia’s album features such cuts as Siya Ba Ang Dahilan?, a remake of Jessa Zaragoza’s heartbreak anthem composed by Richard and Melanie Tanhueco. "Jessa is one of my idols," Patricia confesses. "And I love that song since it reminds me of an ex-boyfriend of four years." The other perky cuts include Baka Lasing Ka Lang, Poging Suplado and Baby I’m Yours.

Patricia shines as well on the plaintive ballads, such as How Can I Let You Go?, Huwag Mo Akong Lisanin, and Higpit Ng Yakap, that clearly evoke that jukebox-friendly vibe. It’s definitely a throwback to the styles of Imelda Papin and Didith Reyes. Why, she even gets to sing her own composition, Minsan, which she wrote two years ago.

The big question now is – can Patricia slowly shed off her sexy image and build her name as a noteworthy singer, the same way Jessa Zaragoza did?

Keep abreast.