Introducing Pinoy-hearted Aisaku

Long before K-Pop came to town, many music lovers will doubtless recall that there was a time when Filipinos turned to the Land of the Rising Sun in search of hit songs. The reason for this was a Japanese crooner named Ted Ito who effortlessly took the country by storm with his recording of Saigo No Iwake. The Japanese pop tune was given Tagalog lyrics and turned into Ikaw Pa Rin by Vehnee Saturno and it became a monster hit.

In contrast to today’s complicated and very sophisticated music of K-Pop, Ikaw Pa Rin had a very simple melody and the repetitive lyrics were even simpler. What was great about it was that it sounded like a song that could have been written by a Filipino. To top it all, listeners found it really cute that the singer was a guy with a Nihonggo accent. Ikaw Pa Rin turned Ito into a big star and established a market for Japanese ballads with Filipino lyrics.

Fast forward to some 20 years later and to an instance of déjà vu. Ikaw Pa Rin is once more in the airwaves and it is not by Ito. Instead, it is a new version by another Japanese crooner named Aisaku Yokogawa. His name means “make love” and he hopes to spread love all over the world. He is the guy in the Lucky Me Kari & Po-Ku commercial and is an Operation Smile ambassador. He professes to love all things Filipino and names Gary Valenciano as his biggest music influence. He also adores the songs of Noel Cabangon, Sitti, Gloc-9 and of other Filipino artists. 

Then in a case of dreams coming true, Aisaku can now also rank himself alongside the Filipino music stars that he admires. This is because Ikaw Pa Rin is the title cut of his debut album of Filipino and Japanese songs produced by Janette Ito with assistance from the Japan Home Center. Those who have heard the new version all agree that Aisaku is a competent singer and Ikaw Pa Rin sounds as fresh and young as it did back in the late ’90s.

It is interesting to note that in keeping with the concept of Ikaw Pa Rin, Aisaku’s album also includes other Japanese melodies with Tagalog lyrics that became popular in the Philippines. These are Isang Tanong, Isang Sagot with lyrics by Mon del Rosario which was the theme song of a movie that starred Donna Cruz; Remember Me, with lyrics by Renz Verano who also first popularized the song; Alaala Mo, Miss Kita and Sana’y Paniwalaan Mo with lyrics by producer Janette; and Honey, My Love, So Sweet with lyrics by Bingo Regino of the April Boys who also recorded the song. 

Also included is another version of Ikaw Pa Rin with sax accompaniment. Simpleng Timpla, an original composition by Rannie Raymundo; and Isang Mundo, Isang Awit, the Metropop-winning proclamation of universal love composed by Nonong Pedero and performed by Leah Navarro that was an entry into the Tokyo Music Festival. 

Aisaku is doing very well with his singing career in the Philippines. Aside from the warm response that Ikaw Pa Rin has been getting, he was also named Best New Male OPM Artist at the 2013 Asian Star Entertainer Awards.

Also from the local scene, here are the most popular videos in this week’s Pinoy MYX Countdown: Tayo by Sarah Geronimo; Bawal Sa Gamot by Banda Ni Kleggy; Unshakable by Slapshock; Midas by Abra featuring Jaq Dionisio; Lucky In Love by Paolo Onesa; Paraan by Mayonnaise; Anting Anting by Sponge Cola featuring Gloc 9 & Denise Barbacena; Kailangan Kita by Sponge Cola; Ang Parokya by Parokya Ni Edgar featuring Gloc 9 and Frank Magalona; Meron Nang Iba by Silent Sanctuary featuring Ashley Gosengfiao.

Almost Is Never Enough by Sabrina featuring Myk Perez; Sunday Morning by Sitti; Ayokong Tumanda by the Itchyworms; New Romancer by Sandwich; Rakista by Join The Club; Selfie Song by Davey Langit; Heather’s Prayer by Saydie; Beep by KA Antonio; Sana Dalawa Ang Puso Ko by the Midnight Meetings; and Sembreak by the Moonstar 88.

 Still on Filipino talents. Do check out the new Library on Metrowalk for the Viva Live line-up of shows this month. Set to perform tonight are Ray-An Fuentes with Tillie Moreno and Louie Reyes, fresh from their sold-out Circus Band and New Minstrels Reunion Concert last Valentine’s Day at the PICC. Tomorrow, Feb. 22 has more members of the all-star group, Jacqui Magno, Ding Mercado, Pat Castillo and Eugene Villaluz.

The rest of the schedule is as follows: Feb. 24, Monday, Jinky Vidal; Feb. 25, Tuesday, Top Suzara; Feb. 26, Wednesday, Sheng Belmonte; Feb. 27, Thursday, Jon Santos; and Feb. 28, Friday, Davey Langit. Showtime is at 8 p.m.