Botti coming again with Renee Olstead

Chris Botti came to the Philippines in November of 2011 to formally launch Radio High 105.9 at the Greenbelt Fashion Walk with a live gig, which also featured Lisa Fischer who has performed with the likes of Luther Vandross and the Rolling Stones. Botti returned June 19 this year, and will be back on Dec. 4 and 6.

 Botti, known to be the largest-selling jazz instrumentalist in the US, performed last June in Chris Botti Live in Manila at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of Resorts World Manila (RWM), with a prelude of jazz master vocalists Verni Varga and Richard Merk. In addition, Bryson Andres, Fil-Am violinist and YouTube sensation of two million hits, also performed. A surprise performer was JP Sta. Ana, product of the Young Musicians Development Organization (YMDO) of Irene Marcos Delgado, who so impressed Botti that he called him onstage to duet with him, which JP did on his beginner’s trumpet. Botti promised to mail him a professional trumpet.

For Christmas with Botti, again at Resorts World, American jazz artist Renee Olstead will be introduced to Manila audiences. She had appeared in films and commercials from age eight onwards, attended theater school and won the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a TV Series Still Standing in 2002. In 2004, she released a self-titled album of jazz songs and pop standards for Warner Records, which signaled her move from acting to singing.

Renee, whose singing style is reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan, is said to have been discovered by composer David Foster who produced her 2004 album. She performed with Foster in The Oprah Winfrey Show. She recorded for Botti’s 2005 album To Love Again: The Duets and appeared on the 2006 DVD Chris Botti Live with Orchestra and Special Guests.

Thy Womb director Brillante Mendoza (center) with stars (from left) Mercedes Cabral (left) and Nora Aunor in a presscon for the premiere of the film in Davao City

The Philippine Montessori and Temple Hill International Instrumental Ensembles will play the National Anthem after which jazz veterans Merk and Jacqui Magno who keep the jazz fire burning and get the show on its way. Of course, we shall be exceedingly disappointed if Botti’s discovery JP doesn’t make an appearance, now with his professional guitar.  

Christmas with Botti is an event for the benefit of Children’s Hour by Radio High 105.9/fm. You can get your tickets through www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999.

Nora Aunor, Brillante Mendoza on a winning spree

Considered by most Filipinos an icon, actress Nora Aunor won the Best Actress award and Brillante Mendoza Best Director for the indie film Thy Womb (Sa Sinapupunan) in the sixth Asia-Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) held in Brisbane, Australia on Nov. 23. They were, however, unable to attend the ceremony as they were in Davao for the premiere night of Thy Womb for Sineng Pambansa National Festival, Ikalawang Yugto, a project of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), when the announcement came. The theater at the new 4,745-square-meter SM Lanang resounded with applause from all in attendance. Nora is the only Filipino actress whose films have competed in the three oldest and most prestigious film festivals: Bona in Cannes, Himala in Berlin and Thy Womb in Venice.

In Venice, Thy Womb won the La Navicella and P. Nazareno Special Mention for Brillante and the Bisato d’Oro for Nora. In the movie, Nora plays Shaleha, a Badjao midwife in Tawi-Tawi who copes with her infertility. All APSA winners and nominees are inducted into the academy. “It proves that Philippine cinema will continue to have a strong presence in world cinema,” said Brillante who is the first Filipino director to be recognized by the APSA.

At the December 2012 Metro Manila Film Festival, Thy Womb will again be in competition. Clearly, it is the season for direk Brillante and his star Nora, whom he calls a “National Treasure.”

(E-mail the author at bibsymcar@yahoo.com.)