Illustrado Magazine – Filipino Abroad

Category: Music

Artist Spotlight: Lakshmi Ramirez – Filipino Musician

Artist Spotlight: Lakshmi Ramirez – 36 yo

My Style

Since 1999, I have been obsessed with the vintage era from the 20’s to the 50s. From fashion, music, cars, & furniture. I collect vintage hand painted silk ties, hats, shoes, braces (suspenders), clothes, and vinyls. My music is from the Trad Jazz of the New Orleans, Big Bands, Jump Blues, Rockabilly, Western Swing, and Doo Wop. Why do you love it? It just adds colour to everyday life. dressing up uniquely with vintage clothes that you don’t normally people wearing around you , greasing up my hair with pomade, listening to music from my vinyl collections.

My family inspires me and people around me to create music. I just want to show and reintroduce the era’s music to the younger crowd.

I wouldn’t say my music is an original style, but being influenced by Western Americana music and the Filipino’s Kundiman Music, I can say my original songs are distinct.

What have been highlights in your journey as an artist so far? Please share stories, significant events, exhibitions, developments, etc. –

As a musician, I am very fortunate to work with International and Local artist, either playing live or recording. Launching our self titled album “The Fabulous Bembol Rockers” was one of the highlights, performing in different music festivals around the world. And knowing that we, The Bembol Rockers, were invited to Las Vegas for Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekender, and my other UAE based band The Swing Revue nominated in Dubai for the best live act.

What’s your hope/plan for the future (in connection to your art)?

I hope to create more swinging and rockin music that can make people happy

Any advice you wish to share with others who wish to pursue their art?

Love what you do and don’t let anyone stop you from doing it!!!

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October 12, 2016
Illustrado Entertainment: Muhaisnah Four, Actor Jake Ofrasio & Artist Therese Malvar

Muhaisnah Four drops summer track “Signal”

Filipino Indie music producer, Cromwell Ojeda, the driving force behind Dubai-based electro outfit Muhaisnah Four, has just released their second single “Signal”, a track off their upcoming debut album “A Memoir”.

Ojeda, also known for his work in bands Parallel Soundsystem, Goddamn Electric and as session bassist for international band Juliana Down, describes his latest work as a collection of personal stories from his experiences as a struggling musician in Dubai.

Signal, which also features New York-based artist Veblen Good of the band Turbo Goth, dishes out a wistful summer soundtrack great for the desert weather. Laced with synths and peppered with just the right dose of handclaps, the song also hints of 70s-disco Manila sound upgraded to match today’s current hipster sensibilities. Other songs in the upcoming album will also be featuring international talents, including UK-based singer Melissa Le Rue.

Fans of indie-electro music can check out more on www.muhaisnahfour.com

Photo credit : Oscar Cablao

Filipino Actor Jake Ofrasio Tapped for Star Trek

Dubai-based Filipino actor Jake Ofrasio recently revealed that he was among those tapped to play a key role on the current film franchise hit Star Trek Beyond.

The 33-year old video editor and part-time model recalls his excitement on being shortlisted for the role of Hikaru Sulu’s husband in the highly-anticipated remake of the legendary Science fiction film. “I didn’t expect it. I mean to be part of a Hollywood production, and an iconic film no less, was already incredible and then I found out it was for the key role of playing Sulu’s Husband I was even more ecstatic”, Ofrasio shared.

The role was eventually given to the film’s co- writer Doug Jung but for Ofrasio to be considered for the role was a big honor.

“I wasn’t disappointed. I was just honored to be considered for such a significant, and maybe even controversial role, and for me it was really just an amazing experience to be part of a Hollywood production,” the actor adds.

Apart from the occasional film roles, Ofrasio has modeled for several TV commercials in the gulf and has been acknowledged in the Philippines for his stint on Independent films Numbalikdiwa (2006), Rakenrol (2011) and Putot (2006).

Photo by Danabelle Gutierrez

New Artist Therese Malvar gains International Recognition

After gaining attention from the American crowd in the recently concluded New York Asian Film Festival, where she received the Screen International Rising Star Asia award, GMA artist center’s teen protege Therese Malvar also impressed the Russian audience who favored her the Silver St. George Best Actress award in the 38th Moscow International Film Festival for her performance in Ralston Jover’s drama film, ‘Hamog’.

‘Hamog’ features the story of young delinquents who commit crime in order to survive everyday life. Therese plays the role of “Jinky”, a child of the street, strong and confident yet cunning in her ways in order to survive. Her portrayal highlighted the piercing story that tells the sometimes sad and shockng reality of street kids in the Philippine society.

Photo from GMA artist center

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August 31, 2016
Artist Spotlight: WYWY Band

The Middle East teems with talented Filipino musicians, but every once in a while, an act rises above the crop and proves to be of a different, more transcendent and audacious sort of mettle. Case in point: WYWY. Take it from this quick profile, penned by lead vocalist “X.”

OUR BAND
The band name is inspired by The Beatles song ‘Within You Without You’ from the album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. The lyrics of the song inspire us to continuously create special things in our lives. “Special” just happened to be music.

X Alvarez –vocalist, samples and xylophone. I also sing lead forVisqueen from TseTse Fly Middle East, a sound art & noise experimental community in the UAE. I am a mentor of Rock Camp for Girls UAE.By day, I work as a Marketing Coordinator in an oil & gas company.
Mckie Alvarez – guitars and synths. He is also known as Madd Star Sounds (Reggae dub producer & DJ)
Our music is classified as ethereal wave, shoegaze and trip hop.

OUR ART
Before the two of us met, Mckie was the bassist of one of the well-known reggae band in the Philippines, ‘Collieherb,’ and I was a bedroom musician. I called myself ‘Bedroom Musician’ because I had a lot of compositions at home that I kept only for my hearing pleasure.

When we became a couple in 2006, we started creating music together and posting videos on Youtube and Soundcloud just for fun. We got married in 2010, and up to this day we continue to do what we love. We even got our son involved in a music video. Music has become a family hobby.

OUR JOURNEY
In 2013, we started an electronic dream pop trio band called Parallel Sound System. It was my first ever band in Dubai. Through this venture, we had the chance to travel and perform in some parts of the Middle East. It helped us gain more experience and connected us to the right people in the music scene. WYWY started in 2015. In the same year, we released our first original song ‘That Changes Everything.’ We didn’t expect good feedback from listeners, but to our surprise, it was featured in different international music blogs and aired on radio stations. We were also invited to perform as front act forinternational artiststhat visited Dubai.

We are very grateful for how far our work has come.The support that we get from the international music industry inspires us to continue and get even better at what we are doing. Our tracks are played in radio stations here in Dubai, Singapore, Philippines and Poland. Hopefully, our music reaches more countries soon. Recently, we were invited to play at the Fete delaMusique in Manila, which is a big music event in the Philippines. We played on 2 different stages in one night. It was one of the best gigs we ever had.

OUR PROCESS
All the songs from our upcoming album are based on real life experiences. You may call it “hugot” songs. Most often, we are struck by inspiration in very random situations – like when we get stuck in traffic in the Dubai- Sharjah road or in Al Khail Road. Sometimes, even the most plain instances can give you the most visceral flashback of the events that hurt you, or made you happy – and then you just have to give in to the moment. For us, bad traffic is a great catalyst. We come up with the lyrics and melodies inside the car, record it in a cellphone and then arrange it in our home studio. That’s how we do it.

OUR WAY FORWARD
We are working on our first album ‘You’re Blessed.’ It was supposed to be just an EP but we decided to make it a full album, as we were able to come up with the requisite numbers of songs. We want to make itworth listening to and give the audience eargarms.We are planning to launch our album this year in a small venue with an intimate crowd. Let’s see where the wind brings us. We hope it will take us to different places – not only in the Middle East,but across the universe.

TO OUR FELLOW ARTISTS
Be yourself. Don’t mind what other people say about you. Just do what you love and what makes you happy. When someone tries to pull you down, you pull them up!

Connect with WYWY!
FB: https://www.facebook.com/WYWYMusicOfficial/
SC: https://soundcloud.com/wywy-music
Website: https://wywy-music.bandcamp.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/wywy.music
TW: https://twitter.com/@wywymusic

August 24, 2016
Illustrado Entertainment: Pinopela, Rachelle Ann Go & Basti Artadi

Illustrado Entertainment:

Pinoy Acapella Group Wins International Tilt in Singapore

Filipino Acapella group Pinopela sweeps the top honors in the International A Capella championships in Singapore on Saturday. In a post on its Facebook page, Pinopela reported that it was named champion in the international category, judges choice and the overall champion in the competition.

Member Anthony Castillo also took home the Most Impressive Soloist award while another member Zsaris Mendioro took the gold in the looping category.

Pinopela performed Adele’s “Skyfall” , “All I Ask” and Bruno Mars’ “Treasure” for the contest.

Photo credit : PLDT Home – Akapela Open

Rachelle Ann Go bags West End Frame’s Best Performance of a Song

London-based Filipina singer and theatre actress Rachelle Ann Go just won the West End Frame’s 2016 Best Performance of a Song award for her rendition of “I Dreamed a Dream” in Les Miserables.

The Filipina performer is elated over the recognition and told the site that she feels blessed to be able to be doing work that she loves in the world famous West End. “I’d like to thank all those who voted for me. It’s an honour to be performing and appreciated here in beautiful London’s West End. I owe this great award to you, guys! And to the whole Les Miserables company, thank you for being so amazing and for all the support and encouragement. What a dream come true to be part of this phenomenal long running show,” she said.

Photo credit : Broadwayworld.com

Basti Artadi reveals truth about health condition

Wolfgang’s legendary rock frontman Basti Artadi is grateful for the overwhelming support he has received from fans and colleagues after he announced on Tuesday that he was suffering from facial paralysis caused by a tumor. Posting on facebook, the singer explained that what he has was a benign facial nerve tumor. “I do NOT have a brain tumor as what’s being reported in the news. I have a BENIGN facial nerve tumor that affects the movement of my face. Unfortunately, in my line of work, this means a lot. So as mentioned in my previous post, I intend to have the procedure that will help my situation. I’ve got it planned out, just waiting for the right time to do it,” he wrote.

The band vocalist is currently selling t-shirts to help him fund the procedure, which he called a facial sling, that would temporarily help his situation. Fans who want to buy Basti’s shirt can place their orders online at https://www.facebook.com/Jeepneyrockstop

Photo credit : Artist supplied

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August 8, 2016
Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – KEVIN MURPHY – The Super Performer

Most Influential Filipinos in the Gulf – KEVIN MURPHY – The Super Performer

Kevin Murphy Photo by Eros Goze for Illustrado Magazine

Kevin Murphy has carved a name for himself as one of Dubai’s most electrifying performers. He also happens to be one of the very few Filipinos with songs that ranked in the iTunes top 10, with “Fabric,” a collaboration with UAE-based EDM superstars Hollaphonics peaking at no. 4 in 2014. Additionally, Kevin was nominated for an award in the Best Local Act category of an awards show organized by a popular UAE- based entertainment publication – a truly remarkable feat, as he had only been in the country then for a little over a year.

Due to his multi-ethnic background, most people who first meet Kevin do not recognize him as a Filipino. He is always mistaken for an African-American. Instead of finding offense – or riding on – this confusion, Kevin uses it as a way to celebrate his Filipino identity. “It’s always funny when a kabayan approaches me and speaks to me in English because they think that I’m not a Filipino,” he says. “I take this as an opportunity to show to people how proud I am of being a Filipino. I’ve been a performer for a long time, and I’ve travelled to many countries. I say with confidence: angat talaga ang mga Pinoy! [the Filipinos are a cut above the rest]”

Check out other Filipino performers in the UAE

November 12, 2015