JoAnne is happy 'between seasons'

After having been away for a while, she being now a US resident, JoAnne Lorenzana is back not just for a well-deserved vacation but also to promote the CD titled Between Seasons which she and her husband produced, recorded and mastered in the US under their own company, NeoMONDE Productions. The CD will be released in the Philippines by Universal Records which is, according to JoAnne, “a blessing” because she has been hoping to work under UR.

“Two years ago in March,” JoAnne told Funfare, “my husband (Brant Blower) and I decided that we wanted to professionally record our first composition together called Beyond Ago, a song that speaks of ‘taking a leap’ or embracing risks. It’s like meeting a crossroad and you reach that point where you have to make a choice and commit to that path. That is like our story. We are two people from two different parts of the world who met, fell in love and came together. From both ends a big leap had to be taken but we were both willing to go beyond what our past and our cultures or certain traditions dictate, because we are certain about our love.”

Beyond Ago is an acoustic, pop ballad with guitar accompaniment only, but rich in lyrics and melody.

JoAnne said that she then reached out to colleagues she had worked with on her past albums, as well as composers and musicians from the San Francisco Bay Area, L.A., Nashville and the Philippines.

“What came out of these collaborations were cuts that emphasized a period quite parallel or similar to a moment or experience in my own life,” added JoAnne, “such as the title cut Between Seasons which is a metaphoric expression of the various seasons mirroring the emotions one feels at that time. A haunting, R&B ballad titled You’re Hiding speaks of the pain of physical and even emotional separation between lovers with the emphasis on one seemingly imposing the distance between them. Thus the question ‘why are you hiding?’ Almost on the brink of real separation yet the voice brings up the strong bond of loyalty and resilience and the willingness to wait.”

Two of the Filipino songs on the album are Kung Kasama Ka by Jimmy Bondoc and Tumawag Ka Lang by Andrei Dionisio.

“All in all,” said JoAnne, “Between Seasons features 12 cuts, or should I say episodes, covering the whole range of emotions you experience in the course of each season in your life.”

Search on for 2010 Binibinis

Do you have what it takes to be the country’s first Miss World? Do you aspire to be the country’s fifth Miss International? Or the third Filipina Miss Universe? Take the first big step the fulfillment of that dream now.

Application for the 2010 Bb. Pilipinas search is now formally open. Contestants must be single, 17 to 25 years old, Filipino citizen, with a minimum height of 5’6”, at least a high school graduate and with good moral character.

Application forms may be secured from the BPCI Secretariat at the Araneta Coliseum. Or you may download the form from the Bb. Pilipinas official website (www.bbpilipinas.com) and fax the form to (632) 911-27-71 or deliver it personally to the BPCI Secretariat.

Prospective candidates are required to submit the following along with their application forms: NSO certified copy of birth certificate, certified true copy of high school/college diploma, Philippine passport (if any), close-up and full-body color photos. Aspirants who are 17 years of age should bring with them a written consent from parents along with their application forms as part of the requirements.

 Preliminary screenings will be held daily, Mondays to Saturdays, from 2 to 6 p.m. Deadline for submission of application forms is Jan. 8, 2010. Only those who qualify during the preliminary screenings will be eligible for the final selection of candidates.

For more details about the Binibining Pilipinas pageant, log on to www.bbpilipinas.com.

What’s up?

• Actor-endorser Tony Boy dela Rea is now being managed by Gwen dela Paz of Dreamers Casting Agency. He recently appeared in the GMA show Case Unclosed and in the ABS-CBN shows Maalaala Mo Kaya? and Lovers in Paris.

• Juan Rodrigo and Marri Nallos are featured in a show tonight at Casablanca (at the Stotsenberg Hotel, Gil Puyat Ave. corner Andres Soriano Streets, Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga). Showtime is 8:30. Admission is free.

• Officials and residents of Cotabato City under the leadership of Mayor Muslimen Sema and First Lady Bai Sandra Sema are now celebrating the 13th anniversary of the Shariff Kabunsuan Festival (until Dec. 21). Bai Sandra Sema, concurrent chairman of the Region 12 Tourism Council and City Tourism Council, vowed to strengthen her tourism programs.

• The final and biggest “CD & DVD Clearance Sale” has been extended to Dec. 19 and 20, at the 10th floor of Universal Tower (1487 Quezon Avenue, Quezon City), from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hurry up and take advantage of the big discounts.

• Vocalists Jonarey “Jay” Alfonso and Rea Ann “Mae” Mateo, keyboards player Neildren “Neil” Morales, lead guitarist Carlo “Kaloy” Suico, bass guitarist John “Nelson” Elinon, percussion players Mark Son “Mac” Corpuz and Rolly “Ohley” Dalisay, and drummer Juanito “Yuan” Sy, collectively known as the paperBoat band, brings its famous island music in Concert at the Park next Sunday, Dec. 27, starting at 5 p.m. Admission is free...Meanwhile, the Muntinlupa Dance Company under the direction of Del Micor-Camins and its affiliate dance troupes Pedro E. Diaz High School Indak-Lahi Dance Troupe and Muntinlupa Elementary School Dance Troupe, are performing also at the Concert at the Park tomorrow afternoon, Dec. 20, starting at 5 p.m. Admission is also free.

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