Viva’s rising stars

Inspired by his star-making strategy, Viva big boss Vic del Rosario Jr. is determined to build up five talents categorized under its Rising Stars Series. They are (at random now):

• Miguel Aguila, 17, who looks like a new  face to some people even if he has actually already amply proven himself in the music industry.

•Marvin Ong, dubbed as Mr. Golden Voice, who is following in the footsteps of his idols Ogie Alcasid and Jose Mari Chan.

•Yssa Alvarez, 16, who matches her good voice with good looks.

•Paula Bianca (the relative of a big star) who specializes in “glam rock” and heavy metal.

•Ronnie Liang, the most known in the batch, who emerged second runner-up in the reality-TV talent search Pinoy Dream Academy and who has a few records to his name (one of his hits is Ngiti).

They are scheduled to perform at Teatrino (Promenade, Greenhills, San Juan City on: April 12 (Miguel), April 26 (Marvin), May 17 (Yssa), May 8 (Paula) and June 14 (Ronnie).

Who among them will be another Sarah Geronimo, Mark Bautista, Rachelle Ann Go and, why not, Sharon Cuneta, who are among the talents handled by Viva?

A Kapuso kiss for a Kapamilya

New Kapuso Christian Bautista kisses Kapamilya Karylle during a celebration at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for each having hit the one-million mark among their Twitter followers. They were joined by their fans, friends and celebs like Sam Concepcion, Audie Gemora, Butch Jimenez, director Mark Reyes, Onion’s Kimpoy Feliciano and Gensen. It was also a celebration of Karylle’s birthday.

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Arthur wins audience’s heart in Hong Kong show

Two weeks after he did a concert last March 10 at Grappa’s Cellar in Hong Kong’s Jardine House Central District, Arthur Manuntag remains on Cloud 9 because of the warm reception he got from a mixed audience of Filipinos and HK-based Caucasians.

I’m sure Arthur’s medley of songs by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Andy Williams, Johnny Mathis and other music greats, with him imitating their styles with amazing likeness, was a big hit in Hong Kong as it always is anywhere he performs (and, sometimes even as a front act, he usually steals the show from the topbiller).

The general manager of Grappa’s told Arthur that it was the first time that a Filipino drew a jam-packed audience to the 300-capacity venue.

“Edgar (Mortiz) was there and I sang to him the walang-kamatayang If I Ruled The World, Tony Bennett’s song arranged by the Lando Bernal Bigband,” Arthur told Funfare. “Edgar was with Smokey (Manaloto), Bentong and Yobs. Also present was Madam Ody Lai, said to be the only Filipina barrister in Hong Kong, and those from the Philippine Consulate and the leaders/members of the Hong Kong Musicians Union.”

The show was produced by Medy Lalap, an HK-based Filipina who runs Profiles Events & Management.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)