New boys record Pinoy originals

The local music industry is still in a bad way. Piracy remains rampant, CD sales continue to decrease and with online record sales still waiting to take off. That one takes getting used to. Despite this situation though, there is never a shortage of newcomers in search of that big break. They remain eternally hopeful about becoming stars and that success will not be complete without that chance to record an album with their favorite songs. Here now are some of those singing hopefuls with their new albums.

Gerald was the big winner of the second season of the TV search for talent competition, Pinoy Pop Superstar. He has since then appeared on TV, as host of SOP Rules and in the cast of the series, I Luv New York. He has performed in concerts, he had one at the Music Museum a few days ago, and recorded albums. The Prince Of Ballads is his third CD. He has previously released A Day On The Rainbow and Pinakahihintay.

Gerald with his smooth baritone is the Martin Nievera of the batch. I like it that he has chosen to record Filipino songs. Lucky for him, one of these is a new composition by Ryan Cayabyab. Included in the album are Ikaw Lang, originally by Chad Borja; Paminsan-minsan by Richard Reynoso; Hindi Magbabago by Randy Santiago; Maghintay Ka Lamang by the Japanese singing sensation Ted Ito; and Cayabyab’s Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Mahal Ko. This song was used as the theme of the mini-series Sa Ngalan Ng Ina, that starred Nora Aunor. Then there are music minus ones of the first four cuts just in case guys listening to the CD also want to sing along.

Award-winning actor, model, TV host and one of the most successful StarStruck discoveries ever, Paulo Avelino has now chosen to add recording artist to his list of accomplishments. This is his debut recording and should have a ready market among all those fans, who religiously watched him in the TV series Ina Kasusuklaman Ba Kita, Alakdana, Kahit Konting Pagtingin and the top-rater of them all, Walang Hanggan. This is also an opportunity for the curious to find out if the Urian Awards Best Actor choice for his work in the movie Ang Sayaw Ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa can also sing.

I say that the very attractive Paulo is not likely to win singing contests, but he has a nice voice that works well with his song choices.  Happy to note, too, that four of these are Filipino pop classics. Paulo Avelino by Paulo Avelino has Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan by Basil Valdez; Your Love by Alamid; Yakap Sa Dilim by the Apo Hiking Society; and Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal by the Boyfriends. Also included are When She Cries and If You Believe, plus also music minus ones of all the cuts for aspiring singers.

I do not know if the Pinoy teenager from New Zealand dreamt of getting into showbusiness, when he posted his first blog, but that was what happened and Kimpoy Feliciano is now a star. The kid was discovered through a blog. Not just any blog. His jokes, little films or his take on just about anything became so popular that he acquired followers from all over the world. So you can now find Kimpoy on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, etc. You name a site, there is something by or about Kimpoy in there. And because, although he grew up and lives abroad, he is still of Filipino parentage, and we just had to get him out here and into show business.

Kimpoy Feliciano by Kimpoy Feliciano marks his recording debut. Take note that for his extras, Kimpoy provides music videos of all the songs in his album as directed by Jake Soriano. This I must say is absolutely in keeping with his blogger image and association with the Internet. Now I know you may have already seen these on the web but I still like the idea that there are six of these videos that can be accessed in one place where I won’t be bothered by a bad internet connection.

It is also nice that like Gerald and Paulo, he has Filipino songs in the album. These are Ngiti, Una At Huling Mamahalin, Alipin, and coincidentally, he also has Chad Borja’s big hit Ikaw Lang. Kimpoy and Gerald differ in their treatment of this classic but both sound good. Just goes to show you can never put a beautiful song down.