Imagine this world (when) devoid of music and laughter… two of the paramount essentials of existence that free us from boredom while simultaneously injecting that proverbial dose of stimulant for idleness.
If laughter has been proven to be an effective medicine (due to the health benefits derived from it as it releases endorphins, increases our immune system, and being an effective stress reliever) music, on the other hand, is an ideally effectual amalgamation since it reduces the perceived intensity of pain and enhances endurance of our daily bustles while offering a relaxing frame of mind.
This season with unpredictable atmospheric change and unforeseen despondencies due to varying personal quandaries, an up-coming show is sure to warm the cockles of your heart… a once-in-a-lifetime production that offers nothing but only the best ditties of the 80s, 90s and current top-charters copiously infused with funny antics and rib-tickling fun that will undoubtedly make one feel better.
Aptly dubbed AWITAWANAN Sa NYC is one “easy-to-swallow capsule” adequately loaded with the accurate components and with just the right dosage to alleviate one of pressure, wretchedness, depression, and related anxieties as fittingly formulated and prescribed by AsiaWest Entertainment.
The said full-packaged bundle-of-songs-and-laughter proudly topbills the impressive triumvirate of unprecedented talents: the Singing Sweetheart of the 80s Jam Morales, the Comic Diva Fe Delos Reyes, and the Phenomenal Diva Jessa Zaragoza.
Meet the celebrity performers
If the name Jam Morales rings a bell it’s because the well-accomplished and most travelled Asian chanteuse lucratively forayed into the Philippine music scene in 1983 via her signature single, “Even If.”
Her professional career easily soared high that eventually made her one of the country’s premier recording and concert artists and in time paved her way to invade television as guest performer and co-host of top-rated musical variety shows.
There was no stopping this promising face-and voice new-found celebrity. Her immense popularity wasn’t only confined in the borders of the Philippine shores but cogently penetrated across the foreign seas: Asia, the USA, Europe, Australia, the Middle East, and Canada.
When popular ditties such as “A Smile In Your Heart,” “I Love You, I Always Will,” and “Even If,” one could accurately identify the singer behind the saccharine voice who is Jam Morales.
She may neither be actively visiting recording studios nor having her album compiled among tin-pan-alley’s new releases but the still beauteous singing sensation has had just recently done successful live concert tours in Ireland’s key cities: Dublin, Cork, Belfast, Newbridge, and the Isle of Man.
Currently, Jam is a resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico where she fervently indulges in what she does best—singing while simultaneously operating her own music studio, Jam’s Voice Studio.
On the other hand, multi-media artist Fe Delos Reyes, with a hyper stamina who could effortlessly switch her skillful talents from being a comedienne to a serious singer, started professionally in 1979 as a member of one of the 80s most-sought-after bands, Music and Magic.
With so much more to offer other than singing, Fe opted to go solo in 1987 (after the group disbanded in 1986) to extensively release and showcase her terpsichorean prowess, comedic dexterity, and further hone her vocal capacity to the hilt.
Highly cultured, an AB Economics graduate from the Ateneo de Manila University, Fe’s performances are unmistakably class acts having appeared in well-designated venues such as the Carnegie Hall in NYC, MGM Grand in Las Vegas, and the SF Civic Center in San Francisco, California, and the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Her personal encounters about the inevitable predicaments of immigration and adversities of survival in a foreign land like America vastly offered valuable materials for her projects that eventually synthesized into her productively accepted personal-based act, Amerikana—Made in the Philippines, now on its 3rd version and continuously developing.
Aside from having been in the cast of award-winning film Oro, Plata, Mata, (1982), Abandonada (1989), and The Debut, (which was released by Columbia Tri-Star in 2000) and while relentlessly on the road for her one-woman shows, Fe is at it again with another sure-fire hit, Fe’s Book. Her latest on-going venture is an ample collection of spiels, spoofs, and song parodies conceived and delivered the typical Fe Delos Reyes’ peculiar way—zilch but extremely hilarious. The said “book” has been staged and well-received in San Francisco, Arizona, Los Angeles, and New York City.
Incidentally, who wouldn’t be familiar with the controversial singer-actress Jessa Zaragoza? Naïve-looking but fierce… coy but brazen. She won’t earn her title, Phenomenal Diva, for nothing. Gifted with a beauteous face, an enviable body statistics proportionally distributed in her voluptuous frame, a singing voice distinctly her own, plus an innate thespian ability, Jessa’s entry into the showbiz arena was rather sans the usual hassle.
Showbiz beckoned early at Jessa’s life when she joined Eat Bulaga’s top-rated seasonal segment Little Miss Philippines in 1987 at the tender age of 8. That initial itch of the showbiz bug ignited her interest to totally embrace the topsy-turvy world of celluloid via the then popular afternoon teen variety show, That’s Entertainment.
Jessa, without a cloud of doubt, was born to sing and destined to be on centerstage. In 1997 she released her first album, Just Can’t Help Feelin’ under Octo Arts-Emi Records and the rest, as they say, was history marked by her chart-topper single “Bakit Pa.” Her debut album earned for her a Diamond Record Award after it turned platinum eight times…that made it one of the biggest selling debut albums in Philippine music history.
Her home recording studio’s sister company, Octo Arts Films, launched her in “Bakit Pa?” opposite which added luster to her already glistening career. But singing weighed more and her priority was inclined towards recording.
In 2012 she released “Pag Wala Na Ang Ulan” where every single cut was adapted for GMA ‘s telenovelas and Koreanovelas, as well.
A challenging episode in her singing career came when she competed in ABS-CBN’s Himig-Handog P-Pop Love Songs writing and singing contest where she interpreted composer’s SJ Gandia’s “Bumabalik Ang Nagdaan” which won for the collaboration the much coveted Star Music Listeners’ Choice Award.
A freelance-talent with a wide scope of vocal and acting ranges Jessa Zaragoza could effectively engage in live performances and taped drama series in any existing television station and currently she’s a mainstay in GMA’s award-winning comedy-sitcom Pepito Manaloto.
Blissfully married to an equally successful actor-recording artist-turned politician, Dingdong Avanzado (now the Vice-Governor of Siquijor), their connubial union was blessed with a daughter, Jayda, who, when the right time comes, could give both of them a run for their money.
Brace yourselves and prepare to be entertained with an array of love and pop songs, tread down memory lane and reminisce the poignant years of yore while occasionally falling off your seats with boisterous laughter when the singing triumvirate of Jam Morales, Fe Delos Reyes, and Jessa Zaragoza perform on one stage at the NYC Arena (Amazura Lounge) along 91-12 144th Place, Jamaica, New York 11435 on Saturday, June 20, 2015 at 5pm.
Also hogging the spotlight and sharing the stage with Jam, Fe, and Jessa are NU7 Band, Angel Ram, Anna Templo and the maiden stage exposure of Carbs & Proteins Dancers.
AWITAWANAN Sa NYC, a night of music, laughter, and memories, is presented by another triumvirate composed of Hazel Dilla, Albert Paule, and Chris Bautista… corporately, the AsiaWest Entertainment.
For details and ticket reservation, please call: Chris @ 646-327-4183; Albert @ 914-309-9564; Angel @ 347-705-2967; Vynnz @ 718-662-1296; Edwin @ 516-270-4185; Nel @ 917-403-6495; and Jinky @ 347-738-3025 or 917-402-2665.
For comments and suggestions, please email to: [email protected].
