Faith: It's tough to be the front act

Faith Cuneta, the Asianovela Diva would have front acted for Tom Jones’ concert at the Araneta Coliseum last Sunday. It would have been a dream come true for Faith who started her singing career at the young age of 11 as a Bagong Kampeon winner.

At 27, Faith is the voice behind the theme songs of popular Asian soap operas aired on GMA 7. She has crossed from TV dramas to being major concert promoters’ top choice as special guest to foreign acts. Faith has shared the stage with David Pomeranz, Swing Out Sisters, BoyzIIMen, John Ford Coley, Paul Williams, Dennis Lambert, Rex Smith and Matt Monro Jr.

“I know most of them by their music on the radio but now I get to talk to them in person and even be friends with them on Facebook,” Faith said. “I would really like to extend my gratitude to all the promoters who gave me the opportunity to meet and work with these international performers.”

“When my Dad was still alive, Tom Jones was his favorite singer. He used to say that Tom is like Elvis. I am honored to have been invited by Ovation Productions to perform with him.”

Opening for a foreign act is not an easy job. “The audience goes to see the headlining foreign act and they always have to bear with the front act. That’s why we carefully select the songs that would suit the audience. So people can also enjoy my 30- to 45-minute set. What’s best is that after the show, they go backstage and congratulate me. Sometimes others bring CDs for my autograph.”

Kings of Convenience performs tonight

Norwegian musical genius Kings of Convenience (composed of Eirik Bøe and Erlend Øye) comes to Manila to perform live at the NBC Tent (The Fort, Taguig City) tonight at 7:30, with Swedish indie-pop musician Jens Lekman as front act. Kings of Convenience released an album Declaration of Dependence in October last year.

Declaration of Dependence is the story of two people living two very different lives who knew that they are immensely more powerful together than apart. The album is the most adult, the most mature record Kings of Convenience has ever made.

Here’s what Erlend and Eirik say about each other:

“Erlend is a very stubborn individual with extreme belief in his own ideas,” says Eirik of his partner. “He’s very free and creative and his access to unusual and fresh ideas is very good. I find that quite unique. For some reason they are very similar to my ideas on music — we like the same unusualness.”

“Eirik’s torn between several ideals of what a good life is,” Erlend says. “He wants stability in his life, but he doesn’t want to give up the adventure. I’ve been very positive towards an adventurous lifestyle — being spontaneous. But because of my fondness for that he’s gone very stable. We like to take the opposite stance from each other. I think he envies the fact that I still haven’t really grown up — I’m still free. But I envy his stability. He has a beautiful girlfriend and a beautiful child. And I tell you that child is our future drummer. He’ll provide our new direction!”

Tickets are available for P 1,950 at Kate Torralba (2nd Floor Greenbelt 5 everyday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.), MAG:NET High Street (2nd Floor B-3, Bonifacio High Street, Mondays to Saturdays 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.), and Route 196 (196-A Katipunan Ave., Mondays to Saturdays 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.). All previously purchased tickets indicating Whitespace as the venue will still be honored at the NBC Tent gates.

Restful, refreshing Amana

Vangie Kua invites everyone to visit Amana Waterpark in Pandi, Bulacan this summer. In her story about Amana Vangie says, “In Amana, there is an instant feeling of calm and peaceful relaxation once you enter the park. From the lush mango trees at the Picnic Grove to the original indigenous trees such as Sampaloc and Acacia, that were part of the property even before the park was developed, the refreshing air and shade they provide calm our frayed nerves and provides a refreshing retreat from the stress of daily life. Amana taps into that childlike side of you that enjoys the simple and good things in life: Beautiful natural surroundings, the company of people you love, and fun attractions.

Amana has vast picnic grounds with a canopy of lush mango trees, the biggest wave pool in the Philippines, a 40-foot tall waterfall cascading onto the pool, quaint and breezy cottages, and for a whimsical touch, life-sized replicas of your fave heroes and cartoon characters.

Amana provides fun for every member of the family. It has breezy cottages and huts for mom and dad’s relaxation, and spacious pools with cascading waterfalls for the kids. Soon, there will also be a Lazy River, a giant slide with more than seven-foot waves for the more adventurous types. And while mom and dad are relaxing, the small ones can enjoy horse back riding.”

“We purposely kept the existing trees in the 6.4 hectare property to enjoy their natural beauty,” shares Amana Water Park owner Enrico Roque.” “I really explored and visited the famous resorts and vacation spots in the country to see what it was that made these places special and unique. I took the iconic elements of famous resorts and incorporated them here with that special Amana touch,” Enrico says.

Amana is also an ideal venue for corporate events. And as much as Amana Water Park may seem to have all the fun activities you and your family can possibly ask for, there is even more in store for everyone. Soon, a six-story casino/hotel with 60 rooms will rise and a two-hectare wakeboarding facility for the extreme sport enthusiasts and curious first-timers. Now you won’t have to go to separate resorts for different thrills — you can find them all here.

For details, log on to www.amanawaterparkphilippines.com or call Manila (02) 299-6612 and Bulacan (044) 661-2383 to 84.