Friday, June 29, 2007

Kitchie in Sydney

On Saturday night, June 30 at the Manning Bar, University of Sydney, a young generation of Filipino-Australians will be treated to a concert by a young diva from the Philippines. Her name-- Anna Katrina "Kitchie" Nadal. Kitchie is currently touring the globe when a slight, wintry breeze blew a path towards my place this morning. Took some shots and did a little interview with her for some future article.


Very unassuming, I thought of this pretty, young lady who has a double degree major in Education and Psychology at De La Salle University and where she is currently doing a thesis.

She used to be lead singer of alternative band Mojofly. In a bold move she produced a self-titled solo album Huwag na Huwag Mong Sasabihin which sold more than 60,000 copies thus achieving a double platinum status in the local marketing hype. Good for her. This young artist deserved every feather earned for her cap including best performer awards in MTV Pilipinas. Huwag na Huwag also won best ballad. Her voice soothes the most savage listener so to speak, giving an emotive, husky rendition of her OPM creations, including a rendition of Iniibig Kita as a musical theme in Rounin, an ABS-CBN tele-epic program.


Kitchie's idol is her mum who taught her piano and launched her songwriting career. Never did she expect to sing her written songs. She stays "safe" with love song genre, avoiding preachy politics
along the way. She saw first light under the Marcos regime and grew up under a woman president.
Perhaps Kitchie is a quality product of a period of Rectification, unconsciously representing a generation of hope.


Parker Fly is the kind of guitar she uses owing to its lightness. This guitar was created by Ken Parker of New York using light and modern composite materials and yet shall impress some Fender enthusiasts I think.

Listen to a sampling of Kitchie's voice if you visit her website. It sure does energize her web page. click here




So guys if you want to see Kitchie here are some contact links:

kitchie@quadboxproductions.com

Monday, June 25, 2007

58th



LVIII meant nothing for Nero who left earth AD 68. Well lucky me, I'm still here:-) The Octavians are still partying sans Caligula. Empress Menchay got us much impressed, cooking all day for a little party Saturday night (it wasn't raining, so fortunate; next day was miserable and soaked the muddy lawn again). Friends came and kept me company, some of whom have been partying with me for the past 28 years in Australia.

Thanks guys for coming! Appreciate all your gifts, tucker and bottles. Marami pong salamat. Hope you all had fun that night.


Here are photos I found in my camera. All were taken by Michael, my 17 y.o. son.

Banggaan Art Group members Mario Aldeguer, myself and Ding Roces (with partners Menchay, Irene and Lene.


Christine and Tony Concha, old friends and who are still on FM air. Tune in to 2CCR guys and
hear select Pinoy tunes courtesy of their play buttons.

And here's that big cake good ol' Ric de Mesa brought in before going to work as chef of a 5-star hotel in Sydney. Wonderful baked art was brimming with ube and macapuno! Thanks Ric and Ofie!

Didn't notice ol' friends Mario Aldeguer (with wife Lene) and Ding were taking pictures while the boys were jamming.
Here's Patch patching up missed beats in my vocal renditions.

Guys testing if cake table won't collapse, Menchie giving it a slight kick while Lisa's coaxing me to blow the candles before it does. Ala Paredes looks on. Jim, her dad, would have joined us if he were back in Sydney.

Joey Resureccion provided guitar rhythm music almost all night. Hey man that was swell jamming.

Bert gave me a wonderful guitar gadget. Here he tests the new digital wah-wah (wah-wah naman ako pag di ko natutunan:)

Doing some piano accompaniment for Jonalyn Juarez's golden voice.

Larrikin band warming up. That's Melchor Manila testing the skins.

Yo, Elmer and Dang, great friends. They brought for us a big filing cabinet of tokwa't baboy (torque and piggy:-). Oh man heaven.


My beautiful Menchay finally sat down and ate a piece.

Jonalyn ponders what song to sing next. She prepared a delicious paella dish for us.

Menchay ready for the key.

Jamaica is Jonah's youngest. She hates peanuts!

Jonah congs the congas.

Among creative people..Ding Roces, Ken Moraleda, Paschal Berry and Mario Aldeguer.

Michael played his drum kit and got some encouragement.

A close-up of the metre-square cake:)

Bert Rejante announced a text greeting from Wally Gonzalez.

Jonalyn tries the mic with Menchay.

Neria Soliman, Menchay, Lisa, Rommel, Conrad, Jess and Jerwin

Irene and Ding Roces, me and Michael.

Crowding for the aperture.

Janelle and Jamaica

Ala and Ninea


Michael and Lisa (filling in for Gus)


Labels: , ,