Music Zone: OPM Artist Of The Week: Sitti

Every Wednesday starting today, an OPM artist will be featured in this blog site. I thought of this so that there will be variation every week since Music Zone is featured twice a week.

If Bossa Nova is the topic of the crowd, one name will sure be on the top list... and that is no other than Sitti Navarro, more known as Sitti. She holds the title "OPM Bossanova Queen". She idolizes Astrud Gilberto, also a bossa nova queen. Spotlight first turned on Sitti when she joined MTV Supahstar: D Super Search.

She had her debut album entitled Cafe Bossa and she became known because of the song Para Sa Akin.

Sitti have other albums released and they are selling in the market. She is currently part of ASAP Sessionistas who serenade us every Sunday in ABS-CBN. Really, she is the original OPM Queen Of Bossa Nova and nothing compares to her.

Music Zone: My Top Girl Groups Of All Time

Last week, if I can remember, I've featured boy bands that made it in industry of the 90's. This time, on Music Zone, it's the girls turn. Presenting, my top girl groups of all time. Get ready as they shake their booties, be enticed with their charm and get to know the real meaning of GIRL POWER!

All Saints - a British/Canadian group consist of four ladies, namely, Melanie Blatt, Shaznay Lewis, and the sisters Nicole and Natalie Appleton. Their best song for me is "Never Ever".

Pussycat Dolls - an American female group led by Nicole Scherzinger together with Melody Thornton, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta and Kimberly Wyatt. Nicole has a Filipino blood that is why this group was loved in the Philippines. They are very well known when it comes to their singing, sexy and amazing dance moves. Their best hit was 'When I Grow Up".

TLC - an RnB and pop female group consists of Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins, the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes and Crystal Jones. I like their song "No Scrubs".

Destiny's Child - debuted in 1997. Originally, they were four in the group however, one left and the group still continue to manage to entertain audience with their singing and dancing capabilities. Led by Beyonce Knowles, the other two members were Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams. I'm so thrilled everytime I hear their song "Emotions".

Spice Girls - the best girl group for me. They are the best selling girl group of all time and made the words "GIRL POWER" a craze. The group is composed of Melanie C. (Sporty Spice), Melanie B. (Scary Spice), Geri Halliwell (Ginger Spice), Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) and Emma Bunton (Baby Spice). They've been through a lot, Ginger Spice left and came back and they even had a reunion concert as well. If I'm gonna pick their best song, that would be "Stop".

Can't get enough of the songs featured? Each group has other songs that became hits and their songs will remain forever! Go Girls!

Childhood Nostalgia: Bible-Inspired Cartoons

For today's Childhood Nostalgia, we will first give way and focus on the Lenten season. Who would ever think of using the bible characters to amuse children? I can still remember when I'm still young, every Sunday, after we attend the mass in the early morning, I would ask my parents for us to go home before 9:00AM just to catch the two cartoons that were derived from the bible. I'm not sure if there were other cartoons created at that time which were based on the bible, but definitely, I can name two. The Flying House and Superbook.

The Flying House - this show was originally aired in 1982 - 1983. This is a story of three kids who met a robot and a professor inside a house that is intended for an experiment, a house turned time machine. The show featured different characters in the Bible, specifically, in the New Testament. The main characters are Corkey, Angie, SIR, Justin, and Professor Bumble.

Superbook - a 52 episode cartoon divided into two series and each series having 26 episodes. It is the story of Christopher, Joy and a clock toy robot Gizmo as they travel back in time to the early events of the Old Testament. Here, they faced the characters such as Noah, Moses and Abraham.

Both cartoons showcased not only fun for kids but lesson as well, that God is everywhere and we should always have faith in him, all the time!

Attack Of The Gleeks: Character Of the Week: Will Schuester

Our Glee character of the week is Will Schuester. The role is being portrayed by Matthew Morrison. He is the Spanish teacher who accepted the additional task as the director of New Directions. He is often seen wearing a vest in all episodes.

He is always there to defend the members of the New Directions glee club from their arch-nemesis, Sue Sylvester. He is also the former husband of Terri Schuester (Jessalyn Gilsig). He also had a romantic affair with Emma Pillsbury (Jayma Mays), the guidance counselor of McKinley Hill High. In season 2, he starts relationship with Holly Holiday played by Gwyneth Paltrow.

He also did a lot of performance on the show, may it be solo or with the group. But for me, his best performance was in season 2 episode 8: Furt. when he sang "Sway".

It's a good thing he is always there to guide our beloved glee club members! Cheers to you Will!!!

Attack Of The Gleeks: Song Of The Week: All By Myself By Sunshine Corazon

Episode 17: A Night Of Neglect is really anticipated by Glee viewers. It's not because it's their comeback episode for Season 2 but because of Charice. Charice portays the role of Sunshine Corazon, an exchange student from the Philippines. She already showed her vocal prowess in episode 1 of season 2 where she sang "Listen" by Beyonce Knowles from the movie "Dreamgirls". For this episode, she sang the best song for neglect which is "All By Myself". I really expect that she would hit the high notes at the later part of the song which makes the scene a little less thrilling. But nonetheless, it's Sunshine and her voice, we can't deny the fact that her version was good. I'm sure if Celine Dion was able to watch her performance, she would definitely say that Sunshine gave justice to the song. Here is the video and lyrics:

ALL BY MYSELF

When I was young,

I never needed anyone.

Makin' love was just for fun.

Those days are gone. 

Livin' alone,

I think of all the friends I've known.

But when I dial the telephone,

Nobody's home.

All by myself,

Don't wanna be, all by myself anymore.

All by myself,

Don't wanna live, all by myself anymore.

Hard to be sure,

Some times I feel so insecure.

And love so distant and obscure,

Remains the cure.

All by myself,

Don't wanna be, all by myself anymore.

All by myself,

Don't wanna live, all by myself anymore.

When I was young,

I never needed anyone.

And makin' love was just for fun.

Those days are gone.

All by myself,

Don't wanna be, all by myself anymore.

All by myself,

Don't wanna live, all by myself anymore.

All by myself,

Don't wanna be, all by myself anymore.

All by myself,

Don't wanna live, all by myself anymore.

All by myself...

Music Zone: The Worship Songs Of Gary Valenciano

Let's have a break from featuring international pop artists and bands and make way for the Lenten Season. Today on Music Zone, I'm going to feature worship songs that made a mark in the hearts of every Filipinos. If there is one OPM artist who can make worship songs popular, certainly, that would be Gary Valenciano.

When Gary Valenciano sings, everybody listens. His soothing voice and facial expressions is his way of making the audience feel the rhythm that comes from his songs. Here are my top choices of worship songs from him:

Shout For Joy - released in year 1991. This has an upbeat sound even if it is a worship song. Surely, anyone who can hear it would not only shout but dance as well to the Lord.

Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos? - this song was popularized in 1990. The song is about making people understand that God is always there and He would never leave us.

Warrior Is A Child - sang by Gary V. in 2001. This was a hit at that time. The song was also played when Rico Yan died in 2002.

Take Me Out Of The Dark - popularized in 1988 and I believe this is the best OPM worship song ever produced. The song has a powerful message to anyone who hears it. It talks about realizing what Jesus Christ had to sacrifice just to save all of us.

Let us all remember that our Lord gave his life to save us from our sins and we should be grateful not only during Lenten Season but as always.

Francine's Fire Soul: AJ Perez Died At 18

I was shocked when I heard the news that the young actor of Star Magic AJ Perez already passed away at 18. I just thought that his family needs all the prayers and the support they need on what happened to him..

AJ is Antonello Joseph Perez in real life. According to the reports, they were on their way back to Manila from a provincial show in Dagupan when they met a vehicular accident in Tarlac. He was declared dead at 12:20AM.

I last saw him when he became one of the leading men of Jessy Mendiola in Sabel, a show in ABS-CBN. I never imagined that he would leave early because he is in the peak of his career. I suddenly remembered when Rico Yan died, they're almost the same. Well, it's true that life is too short and we must treasure what was given to us.

Let us all pray for the eternal repose of AJ Perez's soul and hope that his family can surpass this tragic event.