Whispers from Gapuz's heart

Ray Gapuz never comes up with anything half-baked. Even with the ultra success of his R. A. Gapuz Review Center nationwide, he still allotted so much time and talent in making his debut album Whispers From The Heart. This album is not just a diversion — it’s fruition of a vision.

In Whispers From The Heart, Ray chose to do covers that other singers would not even consider. What Kind Of Fool Am I (a duet with belter Primadiva Billy), The Greatest Love Of All (done with his nephew Owie Boy Gapuz and likely the next single), Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala… these are contest pieces that not only require wide vocal range but good vocals. Compared to other “accidental” singers who can merely carry a tune, Ray proves that he truly has talent to offer to the Filipino music lovers, which he got from his late father who happened to be a band member.  

And it’s not just the songs. Believe it or not, all the tracks in his album already have music videos that Ray helped conceptualize. Putting each song in context, Ray gave his inputs in writing the script and in directing the music videos.     

The storyline for the music video of the album’s promotional song, Bakit Miss Kita (a Vehnee Saturno opus), draws inspiration from Filipino Overseas Workers whose main channel of communication with their families back home is the telephone. In Kung Kailan, a successful professional ends his search for the missing picture in his life. The video for Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala gives a glimpse of the life of ordinary Filipinos in the suburbs.      

Ray spared no expense in bringing his concepts to life even if it meant building a set on location from scratch or getting the acting services of celebrities such as model Hideo Muraoka, beauty queen Venus Raj and Gloria Romero. More of a creative outlet than a money-making venture, Gapuz said Whispers From The Heart could be his first and last album, automatically making it a collector’s item of sorts.

The release of Whispers From the Heart coincides with the publication of a coffee-table book titled The Exit. The title takes its cue from US Secretary of State and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Henry A. Kissinger who once said, “In whatever you do, know when to exit.”

The Exit is the story of how Ray transformed his life by trading the dog-eat-dog world of a businessman and a celebrity nurse-reviewer for that of someone who puts a premium on living a balanced lifestyle. Many of the chapters in the book show the treatments, products, regimen, diet and makeover tips that he used to lose weight, instill a more positive outlook and recognize when enough is enough. It even has a self-assessment questionnaire at the end of every chapter in order to motivate the reader to go deeper into himself.   

Pictures of a reinvigorated Ray that are featured in the book would surely inspire people. Indeed, anyone who saw him just a little over a year ago will surely give the pictures a second look, hardly able to believe that such a turnaround is possible in so short a period and in a healthy manner, too.

Then again, would you expect anything less from such a man? Bravo, Ray!

PAGCOR funds 50 new classrooms

Incoming pre-schoolers from various parts of the country have more reasons to be happy with the opening of classes this June. The Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has funded the construction of 50 new classrooms in selected public elementary schools nationwide.

“We will have 50 Sibol Kindergarten classrooms ready for the opening of School Year 2012-2013. Based on a progress report last May 16 submitted to us by GK Foundation, a total of 25 Sibol classrooms have already been turned over to their respective public schools, and about 11 are ready for turnover. The remaining 14 are due for completion prior to the start of classes on June 4,” PAGCOR chairman and CEO Cristino Naguiat Jr. said.

The construction of the Sibol Kindergarten classrooms which began in February is being carried out by PAGCOR in partnership with the Department of Education (DepEd) and Gawad Kalinga (GK) Community Development Foundation.

According to chairman Naguiat, PAGCOR allocated P65M for the construction of 100 learning centers in communities nationwide where GK serves. The GK volunteers help build the classrooms while the DepEd will manage the schools upon completion of the construction.