Round and round with Tony Hadley

The ’80s, known as the pop-rock and new wave era, is probably one of the most exciting and memorable eras in the international music scene. The British band Spandau Ballet dominated the airwaves during that time. Its hit songs include True, Round and Round, Highly Strung, Through the Barricades, Lifeline, Only When You Leave and Gold.

Relive the ‘80s as Spandau Ballet’s Tony Hadley (frontman) and John Keeble (drummer) will have a two-night major concert titled Gold at the Clark Expo Pampanga on Aug. 8 and at the Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 9. Joining them onstage as front acts are Top Suzara, Luke Mijares, DJ Myk, Paolo Santos, Mike Chan, Jimmy Bondoc and the Mirahel Band.

Hadley and Keeble are expected to perform Spandau Ballet’s greatest hits during their concerts. Hadley will also sing his songs from his first solo album, The State of Play, which was released right after the group disbanded.

Gold is a production of Live Artists Production, Inc. and Steve O’Neal Productions. For ticket inquiries, call Ticktenet at 911-5555; Live Artists Production, Inc.,  929-4568 and 929-8206; or visit www.ticketnet.com.ph.

Co-presented by ABS-CBN, A.S.A.P. ‘08, One World Music Productions, Inc, Myx, PCSO, SMART, PLDT, and Mendez Medical Group.

The concert is also sponsored by A. Venue Hotel Makati, Chrysler 300C, Hard Rock Café-Makati, Manila Bulletin and Pusong Pinoy in America. In cooperation with PAGCOR, Metathion, Marina, Binalot, Ping Ping Lechon, The Manila Times, Nature’s Spring Mineral Water, Edward dela Cuesta Photography, Dream Artists Production, APD Air-conditioning Sales and Services, 90.7 Love Radio, 101.1 Yes FM and Magic 89.9.

Promising Iriga City

I truly love Iriga City. (It’s so much like my birthplace, Borongan City, Eastern Samar.) It is the City of Crystal Clear Springs with more than 30 natural springs spread around the thriving city. It is also known for its most prominent natural landmark, the majestic Mt. Iriga that offers a spectacular view of the entire Bicol River basin area. Of course, it is most importantly the birthplace of the one and only Superstar, Nora Aunor.

Iriga City’s Mayor Madelaine Alfelor-Gazmen is the current Public Information Officer of the League of Cities of the Philippines. She recently represented the organization in a United Nations-funded assembly of the United Cities in Local Governance (UCLG) in Pattaya, Thailand. The event was attended by city mayors and governors from South East Asia. Important issues like environmental protection, drug and disaster management were tackled during the assembly.    

The hardworking mayor has all the reasons to celebrate these days.

Iriga City topped the regionwide National Achievement Test (NAT) in both elementary and secondary levels given at the close of school year 2007-2008 by the Department of Education. Iriga Central School also placed fourth in the Top 10 nationwide. For four consecutive years, Iriga City got the top place in the Regional NAT.

Iriga City also recently received the Saringaya Award from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in recognition of its environmental program. Mayor Gazmen personally received the award on behalf of her people. The Saringaya Awards is the highest award given by the DENR to individuals and organizations with outstanding environmental programs.

The Irigueños wowed the international music community when the University of Northeastern Philippines (UNEP) Chorale won the gold and silver medals in the 2008 Hong Kong International Youth and Children’s Choir Festival which was held last July 14 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall. The UNEP Chorale lorded over some 20 contenders from around the world.

In the folklore category, the UNEP Chorale received the gold (first place) while in the Youth Choir, SATB, the UNEP won the silver (second place). This is not the first time that the UNEP Chorale won in international competition. In 2006, the chorale won the highest Silver Diploma Award in the Fourth World Choir Games in Xiamen, China.