Truly her father's daughter

Garie Concepcion launches her self-titled debut album with its carrier single Relaks Lang Tayo under Star Records. The album contains 13 tracks which include Baby You Are, Totoo, Relaks Lang Tayo, Tayo Pala, Mula Ngayon, I Can, Bilib Ako Sa ‘Yo, Just Like Always, Mahal na Mahal, Kasi Nga Wala Ka, What If It’s You?, Inspirasyon and Walang Sandaling ‘Di Kita Minahal. The album is available in Odyssey and Astro Vision branches.

She describes her album as a compilation of songs or stories of people from different walks of life. “A song for me is like a poem with music. So just like any other poem, it speaks about different feelings that want to be expressed.”

According to Garie, the album is very special to her. “This isn’t just an album for me. I worked hard for it and it’s something that I have been praying and waiting for. This is a dream come true. To be honest, I never imagined that it would even be possible. This album allowed me to do something that I am passionate about — that is singing.”

Garie’s favorite track is the youth anthem Relaks Lang Tayo. It speaks about how one should see life and handle things in any given situation. One must learn how to relax, surrender and think that everything will be okay one day.

Garie is a Backroom artist. For details, call 435-1108 and 435-1120 or e-mail at backroominc@hotmail.com.

PAGCOR 5 headlines Paskong Pasasalamat

With infinite gratitude is how the members of the PAGCOR 5 Joyce Tanana, Charles Kevin Tan, Renz Robosa, Steve Fernandez and Hadasa Camporaso are going to celebrate Christmas this year. After successfully taking part in the OPM@PAGCOR talent search, a new path has been laid for them.

Before their big break, nightly solo gigs were what most of them lived for, with one about to leave and work for an international cruise ship. Now, each of the five winners is set to make the best of the golden opportunity afforded them.

After their very successful first Casino Filipino National Tour Reunited last October, this yuletide season will bring their talents all over the country once again, as they headline PAGCOR’s Paskong Pasasalamat 2011, a Casino Filipino National Christmas Tour. They will have performances on Dec. 8 at the Casino Filipino Heritage; Dec. 10, Casino Filipino Cebu; Dec. 11, Casino Filipino Bacolod; Dec. 15, Casino Filipino Angeles; and Dec. 17, Casino Filipino Davao. Ariel Rivera is their special guest.

“Nagpapasalamat ako sa PAGCOR for giving me a wonderful singing career,” Joyce says. The 23-year-old grand champion is set to broaden her musical horizons and make milestones as an artist. Her greatest dream, though, is much simpler: To sing the National Anthem in one of Manny Pacquiao’s fights.

As grateful is Charles, second placer, who suddenly finds life overfilled with gifts. “I’m thankful for the overflowing blessings that the Lord has given me.” Like Joyce, he has set his heart on a long path of artistic excellence. He dreams of making music that will live on long after he is gone. Thanks to PAGCOR, he has proven to himself that the Filipino talent is world-class.

Third placer Renz enthuses he has never been happier in his singing career and wants to do more: Recording, concerts and performances abroad. He owes the good life he is enjoying to PAGCOR for giving him a most needed break to show his talent. Above all, he says, to his family and his parents who have always supported him. “Gusto ko silang maipasyal sa ibang bansa.”

For grand finalist Steve, he agrees that he owes it to PAGCOR that he now has a wonderful singing career. “PAGCOR has improved my performance. Marunong na rin akong sumayaw!” If he has to give back to the world a gift, he says, it would be a song, “a song that speaks about love and peace.”

Hadasa, whose parents are now in Japan as migrant workers has another wish: “I wish na magkakasama na kami ulit nang buo this Christmas, at gusto ko na ma-experience din sana nila ang mga bagay na natatamasa ko ngayon simula nang naging PAGCOR 5 ako.” PAGCOR, she says, made her dreams come true and she cannot be more grateful. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga taong nagmamahal sa akin. Hindi ko na mabilang yung mga blessings na binigay sa akin ni God kaya super thankful talaga ako.”

All shows start at 9 p.m. Admission is free. First come, first served. For details, call PAGCOR Entertainment Dept. at 852-7758 to 60 or visit www.pagcor.ph.