Ladies with some attitude and talent

MANILA, Philippines - A group of lovely, multi-talented ladies and a couple of vocally strong solo acts are now out in the open to provide more weight to the girl power currently electrifying the music scene.

Batchmates, the latest girl-group creation of artist-manager Lito de Guzman, is making waves in the gig scene not merely for the members’ looks, but because of their skill at combining singing and dancing.

Composed of Aura, Cath, Jonah, Marie, Sophy and Vassy, Batchmates recently launched its self-titled debut album comprising of five songs including the likable track Di Na Mahal, with its lyrics penned by mainstream rapper Blanktape.

Proof of Batchmates’ seriousness in doing it well in front of Filipino people is their effort to perform in Singapore and Malaysia prior to officially coming out. It is touring Padis Point outlets in the Philippines, with the bar’s marketing manager Paulo dela Cruz positively stating, “Magaganda ang feedback sa bawat branch na sinasalangan ng Batchmates.”

Lito attested to the effort of his pool, “Sumailalim sila lahat sa training at nag-perform sa iba’t ibang lugar at audience kaya tiwala ako sa potential nilang makilala sa industriya.”

Album producer is Kazuhiro Watanabe — known for having discovered and musically guided M.Y.M.P. and other now-notable acts. According to a record label executive, Kazu at the controls assured a product of that magic wand from someone who knows how to inject classy Japanese pop to Filipino mainstream sound.    

The album released under Polyeast Records is available at Odyssey and Astroplus outlets.

Speaking of magic, it is something hitmaker Vehnee Saturno hopes to capture once again for the debut album of newbie solo singer Summer which he produced. The album, titled Secret Love, showcases the voice of an American-bred young woman whose mother is a Filipina.

It boasts of his composition Huwag Mong Sabihin Lang, the opening track Summer herself describes as “beautifully composed.” This, along with another song he wrote Kung Para Sa ‘Yo, and some others penned by the likes of Larry Hermoso and Tito Cayamanda, makes the package loaded with numbers crafted by veteran tunesmiths.

“Sana with regards sa magic, may matira pa sa kanya,” quipped Vehnee, referring to his deep well of hits that came off the ground and propelled unknown singers to household-name status.

Summer’s passion for singing began early on, or in her words, “since I could talk.” Once she decided she had to be in the Philippines to pursue a singing career, she prepared dead serious for the album, including losing 60 lbs. off her weight obviously to be more fit in the eyes of the arguably picky Pinoys.

Interestingly, even if she has yet to learn the Filipino language, she insisted on recording Tagalog songs. Vehnee argued the move was positive, as he felt it gave her delivery a different touch. He added, “Mas gusto niya Tagalog. She’s sincerely trying to learn our language.”    

Summer, who contributed her own composition Your Love, to her album released by Universal Records, meaningfully shared, “I’m always open to trying new things whether that’s singing in different languages.” 

Meanwhile, Rachel Alejandro is raring for a big comeback months from now as she is providing spectators with some classy appetizer of what she can still do. She recently performed to an intimate audience at Salon de Ning (at the Manila Peninsula in Makati City) — a special crowd that included her father Hajji Alejandro and friend Vina Morales.

Her two-set repertoire showed Rachel’s voice being strikingly fit as her figure (well, she’s a co-host of the cable show Sexy Chef). Looking at and listening to her, one won’t bother that she released her early singles when cassette tapes were still the fad.

Surprisingly, she opened her show with a recent club music hit then sprinkled the line-up with covers from the Beatles, Michael Jackson and Queen. Somewhere in the middle came the highlights when she sang two of her hits, her rendition of Nakapagtataka and the touching piece Kay Tagal. Some of those watching must have realized the value of her catalogue listening to her sing them live. Not to mention she did not sing her two other pop gems, Kulang Sa Pansin and Mr. Kupido.  

Rachel returns to Salon de Ning on July 19. The place fits the singer’s pleasing personality well since it provides a cozy atmosphere of specially-conceptualized spaces that combine artistic interior and good ambient lighting.