MUSIC as a universal language and a pragmatically quintessential articulation of human emotions has considerably undergone paramount evolutions and adaptations to fit into the demands and modes of social lifestyles. An ultimate structure of poetry fused with melody, music has indubitably streamed to limitless forms and possibilities.
Some adapted commercially pertinent genres in modern pop-music include Alternative Rock, Folk, Blues, Classical, Country, Dance, Hip-Hop/Rap, Children Rhymes, Inspirational/Hymn, Jazz, Opera, R&B / Soul, Reggae, Rock, and a variety of region-persuaded beats. However, music, by any influence, has an enduring relevance in any given generation…making this art form an explosive expression of humanity with incredible healing and soothing powers.
Filipinos have proficiently instituted their divergent brand of innate musicality not only in the Asian region but across the globe as well. At par with world-class talents and mainstream performers, Filipino singers have consistently dominated international competitions and searches…solidly establishing supreme dominance in such field.
New York, aside from being one of the world’s greatest ethnical hodgepodge and an unrivaled melting pot of cultural diversity, has also been the cradle of homegrown talents specifically Queens. The mushrooming emergence of Filipino singers in New York’s largest borough gave a strong substantiation of the Filipinos’ instinctive singing capability and performing supremacy.
Get to know the latest crop of Filipino talents who are unhurriedly creating waves while unflinchingly carving their respective niches in an arena more or less subjugated by fellow Filipinos.
Rasmin Diaz – This Gemini-born from Cagayan De Oro City was musically influenced by her grandfather from her mother side, Sharon Cuneta, and Lea Salonga. Ably armed with an AB in International Studies from Xavier University and Ateneo De Cagayan, Rasmin’s initial appearance in a high school musical show instantly fueled her magnificent obsession to perform, create an illustrious moniker, and headline prominent marquees. Honing her vocal talent included her stint as a vocal soloist of the Switch Band that played in famous watering holes and clubs in Cagayan De Oro and active participation in stage plays such as “Yellow Head Casino” and “Four Points Hotel.”
Fate serendipitously brought her overseas: first in Edmonton and Alberta in Canada where her passion in singing persisted to reign supreme despite being engaged to her professional career; and second, in New York where she currently resumes her passion and does what she loves best — singing.
Rasmin, featly equipped with a high pitched vocal range and a known belter, has just recently opened the show for Aiza Seguerra while regularly headlining entertainment slots at D’Haven, Payag and Perlas Restaurants, all in Queens.
Desiree Wisotsky – Young with a mature outlook in life, tall with a voluptuously developed physicality, passionably fashionable, and socially exposed with strapping public relations rarely common among girls her age, fourteen-year-old Desiree is undoubtedly promising and predicted to make it big in this business. She was barely four when she exhibited her potential in singing and dancing that gave her the opportunity to hog the limelight at age eight at a Philippine Independence Day Council event. She enjoyed the overwhelming admiration and praises she earned from her maiden public exposure and soon enough singing stuck to her system.
With a great amount of intelligence heritability and singing influence from her mom Margie and grandpa, Desiree’s gregarious and affable traits suitably enhance her total appearance especially when performing on stage. Her constant tagging along with mom in the latter’s various social commitments inevitably developed her personality while simultaneously honing her innate singing talent.
Young Desiree has shared the stage with Concert King Martin Nievera, Salamat Musika, Payag Restaurant, PACCAL Anniversary Ball where she was crowned Anniversary Queen, Mrs. Kalayaan and the Mrs. Philippines-America events.
Arianne Aldecoa – This BS-Nursing graduate who hails from Manila has been professionally affiliated with a popular plastic/reconstructive surgeon but just couldn’t abandon her penchant for singing. Arianne, who started singing publicly at the tender age of ten at Bistro Castellvi Restaurant and Perlas Ng Silangan Restaurant in Woodside, Queens, became a Viva artist in 2007 to 2012. She has extensively traveled from Manila to Bicol, Davao, and other key cities via mall tours in connection with her company’s record and movie promotions.
Strongly influenced by the musicality of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston, Arianne is comfortably proficient with ballads, R & B, and Pop. With her powerful voice and wide vocal range Arianne has gained extensive exposures and projects via TV commercials, singing in special events and weddings, being a member of an all-girl group under Viva Artist Agency, and front acting for Jun Polistico, Florante, Anthony Castello, and Nyoy Volante.
Rianne Avendula-Philips – Rianne’s musical orientation and ardent pursuit of her passion in singing started at the young age of five which was ably capped by her sterling performance at seven with the Center For Pop Music. While her mom Radia stands behind that influenced her to sing and play the piano, Rianne takes the easier path to achieving her goal: enrolling at La Guardia High School of Music & Arts and Performing Arts where she’s currently a 12th grader.
Mastering both Pop and Classical music, the Cebu-born artist has performed professionally as follows: as front act artist for Aegis at Laboom Club and the Tribeca PAC, Marco Sison at Payag, Jam Morales at Payag, and at the GMA Kapusong Pinoy 10thAnniversary at The Town Hall.
Arianne has also graced a number of well-attended events at prominent venues: the Grand Masonic Lodge, EVR Longe, Astoria World Manor, Double Tree by Hilton, Philippine Consulate New York, Salamat Musika, and with the Prince of You Tube, David Dimuzio.
Christopher Corro – Despite being already armed with a double course, Associate as Medical Assistant and BS in Accountancy, Christopher opted to strongly hold unto his lifetime passions — singing and dancing. Another Cebu-honed talent who had consistently won top prizes in amateur singing contests back home, this affable son of Alberto and Carmen Corro has never ceased wearing his dancing shoes and incessantly whetted his terpsichorean skills since he was ten. He’s mighty proud of his expertise in Professional Latin and Standard following his scholarship training as part of Cebu City Dancesport Team.
Since dance is another form of expression more eloquent than words and in itself considered as poetry in motion… while music is an ethereal expression of emotion fused with rhythm and melody, Christopher becomes an archetypal paradigm of a true-blooded performing artist.
Currently a professional dance teacher while singing on the side whenever his hectic schedule permits, Christopher has had exultantly snatched two championship titles: Latin Champion from the Atlanta Dancesport Championship in 2014 and Standard Champion at the New York Dancesport 2013.
Take the Stage Band – The advent of boy bands in the earlier part of the 20thcentury gave rise to the prominence of all-male vocal groups that offered not only their versatile instrumentations and well-blended vocal blending but oftentimes energetically choreographed performances, as well. In the local music scene, a three-member band is slowly gaining a massive following and wide fan base.
Garcia brothers Hans Samuel, Shane Stephen, and their cousin Juan “Kiel” Calonzo, collectively, Take the Stage Band, are typical teenagers who just found themselves addicted to musical instruments and music. With an unusually catchy name that was lifted from the lyrics of a song, the group literally broke all norms and omens and invaded center stage three years ago that showcased their innate talent and their youthful magnetism.
Hans Samuel Garcia, 16, is the band’s lead guitarist, vocalist, and keyboardist. The eldest son of Hannah and Sam, Hans is a junior at Talent Unlimited High School and already a prolific songwriter-composer at his young age, having been influenced by Michael Jackson, The 1975, Catfish and the Bottlemen, Rise Against, All Time Low, Twenty One Pilots, and Green Day.
Shanne Stephen Garcia, Hans’ younger brother and barely 12, is a 7th grader at The Louis Armstrong Middle School who also does vocals, plays the piano, guitar, ukulele, and principally the band’s drummer. Young Shanne was also influenced by the same groups with the addition of Two Door Cinema Club.
Juan “Kiel” Calonzo – the Garcia brothers’ first cousin and son of Zosima and Elmer, is a junior at Bergenfield High School who is powerfully fascinated by The Offspring, Green Day, and Blink 182 and the band’s bass guitarist who can also do vocals.
Sans neither formal musical training nor tutorial session, the boys’ common avidness to music and collective interest in musical instruments motivated them to form the band. A family incident in the Garcia household (when mom was wheelchair-bound for months following a street accident) could have actually motivated the brothers to lean towards music out of boredom…and paid off!
Take the Stage Band has performed with Parokya ni Edgar, Philippine Independence Day celebration in NYC, Glenn Jacinto, and different watering holes around the Queens area.
Incidentally, all the above Filipino talents have significantly impressed Vince Gesmundo of VYNZ- NY Entertainment who assembled them for an upcoming grand project.
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