Musical magic, nostalgia come together in ‘Journey to Hope’


By Rito Asilo
Inquirer
Last updated 11:59pm (Mla time) 03/02/2007 

MANILA, Philippines -- If you’re a concert enthusiast and a theater buff, you can hit two birds with one stone by watching the special show, “Journey to Hope,” on March 16, 8 p.m. at the AFP Theater, when the Jesuit Volunteers of the Philippines (JVP) gather some of the country’s most talented performers -- Jed Madela, Karylle and Bituin Escalante -- to render some of the best songs from Broadway, West End and original Filipino musicals.

“Philippine Idol” finalist Drae Ybanez and soprano Nenen Espina will join Bituin, Karylle and Jed in JVP’s special night of music and nostalgia as it celebrates its 25th year this year.

Unwavering commitment

After two decades of service and unwavering commitment, JVP remains steadfast in its mission to assist under-resourced institutions all over the country by fielding young professionals to do volunteer work in far-flung rural communities.

The group will also look back at what it has achieved all these years as it looks forward to many more years of fulfilling service to the country’s underprivileged.

For us, what makes the concert a must-watch event is the exciting lineup of show-stopping numbers that only singers with powerful pipes can give justice to.

Of course, Jed has the uncanny ability to make even the simplest of songs a show-stopping number -- without resorting to the eardrum-smashing vocal excesses of many other singing champs.

If you have a copy of Jed’s recent album, “Songs Rediscovered,” and have heard his version of “Home” (from “The Wiz”), you know what we mean.

For the concert, Jed will sing some of our personal favorites (read: songs with a considerable degree of difficulty to sing) -- from “Gethsemane” (from the pop-rock musical, “Jesus Christ Superstar”) and “Anthem” (“Chess”) to “This is the Moment” (“Jeckyll and Hyde”) and “Impossible Dream” (“The Man of La Mancha”).

Stage version

Bituin impressed us long before she wowed theatergoers in “Rent,” and before she recorded her signature hit song, “Kung Ako na Lang Sana.” We first saw Bito nine years ago, when she appeared in her theatrical debut -- in NUT’s staging of “Sino Ka Ba, Jose Rizal?” for Musical Theater Philippines -- using her real name, Bituin Aguiluz. Then, we worked with her in the stage version of Jullie Yap-Daza’s “Etiquette for Mistresses,” alongside Robert Seña, Jenine Desiderio and former MTV VJ, Belinda Panelo.

In the concert, she will revisit a song (“I’m Changing”) from her critically-acclaimed turn in a local staging of “Dreamgirls,” where she played Effie White, the coveted role that just won for Jennifer Hudson a best supporting actress Oscar last Sunday. Also not to be missed is Bito’s surprise number from an acclaimed original Filipino musical.

Children’s musical

Karylle, who impressed theater lovers with her strong stage presence and beautiful singing in the children’s musical, “The Little Mermaid,” will cover “On My Own” ("Les Miserables”). We have mentioned eight songs so far -- and we’re not even halfway through the repertoire!

Supporting Jed, Bito, Karylle, Andre and Nenen is a formidable production team that includes musical director Bobby Velaco and his four-man band, JVP’s Joseph Uy, light designer Martin Esteva, Tcel Maramag, Julius Aguilar, Rona de Lim, Jaybee Rocutan and Kang Sonza.

Call 426-5908, or TicketWorld at 891-9999.

http://showbizandstyle.inquirer.net/entertainment/entertainment/view_article.php?article_id=52599

DREAM FACTORY
Mario E. Bautista

* * *

Bituin Escalante, who did the hit "Kung Ako Na Lang Sana," now comes up with an independently produced new album, "Ur Luv Thang," with 12 songs all written and produced by Dan Gil. How come she was not seen for a while after she left "ASAP" and "Wowowee"?

"Nagpapayat muna po ako. And as you can see, it’s unsuccessful," she laughs.

Bituin has done theater, excelling in plays like "Dreamgirls" (where she can give Jennifer Hudson a run for her Oscar singing "And I Am Telling You") and "Once on This Island." She also did two films, "Pepot Artista" and "Ilusyon." "I was also part of the ‘Kumustahan’ show for overseas Pinoys and we performed all over Europe and the Middle East. I also did shows in the US, pero ngayon, ito munang album ang haharapin ko."

Bituin works her way marvelously through various musical styles as she sings the 12 cuts in the album. She’s really one of our country’s most powerful and expressive vocalists. She renders the songs in a way only she can, from the soul-flavored reggae of "Inconsiderate" to the sensuous undulations of "Last Tango in Manila," she proves she can do any kind of song competently. The other great cuts are "Just Let Go" (a relaxed R&B number), "Not a Care in the World" (pure soul), "What You Do" (a neo-soul tour de force), "Hurts So Bad" (a sweet guitar-driven lament), the title track "Ur Luv Thang" (shows off her soul and blues influences), and the only Tagalog song, "Kung Wala Ka" (a heartbreaking love ballad).

For queries about the album that’s designed by Kalila Aguilos and with Bituin herself doing the photography, call Thirdline Inc. at 426-0103 or email thirdline@pacific.net.ph.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/jul12/ente_2.htm

Bituin in Ur Luv Thang

When a brilliant performer releases a new album in the market, it is always a cause for celebration. “Neo-Soul Diva” Bituin Escalante has finally released her independently produced third studio album titled Ur Luv Thang.

After some time spent concentrating more on her other love—the theater, Bituin returns with a soulful, heartfelt album filled with emotion and artistry. Collaborating with Dan Gil, who wrote and produced all the tracks on the album, Bituin skillfully works her way through various musical styles in the way only she can.

Long renowned as one the Philippines’ best, most powerful and expressive vocalists, Bituin does not disappoint. From the sultry pulse of “Last Tango in Manila” to the brooding, soul-flavored reggae of “Inconsiderate,” she shows she can do it all. Featuring guest performances by Dan Gil, Johnny Alegre, Artstrong, Ill-J and Alvin Cornista, among others, Bituin dishes out some serious ear candy.

Ur Luv Thang is a powerhouse collection of diverse materials; and Bituin takes charge from the very first note. Believe the hype. And let the celebration begin.

Kalila Aguilos handled the album design. Bituin photographed herself for the album.

For more album queries, contact The Thirdline Inc. at 426-0103 or 426-5301 or e-mail thirdline@pacific.net.ph

Ur Luv Thang is presented by Crossover and Liquid Post.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife2_july13_2007

Bituin Escalante releases third studio album, 'Ur Luv Thang'
July 10, 2007

When a brilliant performer releases a new album in the market, it is always a cause for celebration. "Neo-Soul diva" Bituin Escalante has finally released her independently produced third studio album titled "Ur Luv Thang."

After some time spent concentrating more on her other love – the theater, Bituin returns with a soulful, heartfelt album filled with emotion and artistry. Collaborating with Dan Gil, who wrote and produced all the tracks on the album, Bituin skillfully works her way through various musical styles in the way only she can.

Long renowned as one the Philippines' best, most powerful and expressive vocalists, Bituin does not disappoint. From the sultry pulse of "Last Tango in Manila" to the brooding, soul-flavored reggae of "Inconsiderate," she shows she can do it all. Featuring guest performances by Dan Gil, Johnny Alegre, Artstrong, Ill-J and Alvin Cornista, among others, Bituin dishes out some serious ear candy.

"Ur Luv Thang" is a powerhouse collection of diverse materials; and Bituin takes charge from the very first note. Believe the hype. And let the celebration begin.

Kalila Aguilos handled the album design. Bituin photographed herself for the album.

For more album queries, contact The Thirdline Inc. at tel no. 426-0103 or 426-5301 or email thirdline@pacific.net.ph.

"Ur Luv Thang" is presented by Crossover and Liquid Post.

Album track listing:

01	Each Time We Say Goodbye: Bituin works this sensual groove with confidence. Heartbreak, fear of loss, and accountability are the themes this song runs through.
02	Hurts So Bad: Guitar driven and lilting, this sweet lament sees Bituin in a confessional frame of mind. The track features an introspective tune and an uplifting bridge.
03	Inconsiderate: A slow-sizzling blend of soul and reggae, this brooding piece features an irresistible groove, and some of Bituin's sweetest singing. An album highlight.
04	Just Let Go: One of the album's more urban-flavored tunes, featuring Dan Gil's groovy electric piano. This song is a relaxed R&B number with some laid-back organ riffs cooking in the mix.
05	Kung Wala Ka: The only Filipino track in the album, this heartbreaking ballad should remind everyone just what a formidable Bituin Escalante is - effortless phrasing and amazing control. The track features Alvin Cornista on alto sax.
06	Last Tango in Manila: Latin and hip hop meet in this fresh, dancy tune, featuring Ill-J.
07	Ur Luv Thang: Soul-flavored, funk-tinged and easygoing, this track features Bituin showing off her soul and blues influences, going through the entire range of dynamics.
08	Not A Care in the World: Sexy and thick as molasses, this song rolls along at a sensual pace with Bituin riding a wave of pure soul.
09	Right About You: This track plods on with a syncopated insistence and a strong R&B determination.
10	There's No Single Thing: Featuring the jazz guitar of Johnny Alegre, this is the album's fun offering. Bituin weaves her phrases through the sticky groove, trading lines with the guitar all the way.
11	What You Do: On this, Bituin's Neo-Soul tour de force, she shows everybody how it's done. Dan Gil's tenor sax and electric piano take the song to the heart of '70s soul; and Bituin lighthearted, celebratory singing makes this song another album highlight.

July 10, 2007 07:37 PM Tuesday

By: Mario E. Bautista 

FREEHAND

BITUIN BOUNCES BACK 

BITUIN Escalante, who did the hit “Kung Ako Na Lang Sana”, now comes up with an independently produced new album, “Ur Luv Thang,” with 12 songs all written and produced by Dan Gil. How come she was not seen for a while after she left “ASAP” and “Wowowee”?  “Nagpapayat muna po ako. And as you can see, it’s unsuccessful,” she laughs.

Bituin has  done theatre, excelling in plays like “Dreamgirls” (where she can give Jennifer Hudson a run for her Oscar singing “And I Am Telling You”) and “Once on This Island.” She also did two films, “Pepot Artista” and “Ilusyon.” “I was also part of the Kumustahan show for overseas Pinoys and we performed all over Europe and the Middle East. I also did shows in the U.S., pero ngayon, ito munang album ang haharapin ko.”

Bituin works her way marvelously through various musical styles as she sings the 12 cuts in the album. She’s really one of the country’s most powerful and expressive vocalists. She renders the songs in a way only she can, from the soul-flavored reggae of “Inconsiderate” to the sensuous undulations of “Last Tango in Manila,” she proves she can do any kind of song competently. The other great cuts are “Just Let Go” (a relaxed R&B number), “Not a Care in the World” (pure soul), “What You Do” (a neo-soul tour de force), “Hurts So Bad” (a sweet guitar-driven lament), the title track “Ur Luv Thang” (shows off her soul and blues influences), and the only  Tagalog  song, “Kung Wala Ka” (a heartbreaking love ballad.)

For queries about the album that’s designed by Kalila Aguilos and with Bituin herself doing the photography, call Thirdline Inc. at 426-0103 or email thirdline@ pacific. net.ph.

People's Journal

http://www.journal.com.ph/index.php?issue=2007-07-10&sec=3&aid=24118

Piano, Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Hammond Organ, Beats, Synth Programming by Dan Gil
Horns section and trumpet solo courtesy of First Call Horns

Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Liquidpost Studio, Makati
Recording Engineer: Noel Nunez
All tracks produced and arranged by Dan Gil

Photography by Bituin Escalante
Design by Kalila Aguilos

Dan Gil
Dan Gil and Bituin Escalante
Dan Gil and Sach Castillo

Wednesday, July 18, 2007


Bituin Escalante makes a comeback
By Camille R. Magsadia 

AFTER being absent for some time, Bituin Escalante’s star makes a comeback in the recording circuit. With the influx of younger singing contest champions and reality search winners, Bituin and her equally talented batchmates Anna Fegi and Luke Mejares suddenly found themselves pushed to the sidelines in terms of television exposure and live performance gigs. Anna opted to go to Hong Kong Disneyland and is enjoying a regular high-paying job in the Disney production of The Lion King, while Luke, for lack of better things to do, has chosen to join a group of has-beens for a weekend show called Sabado Boys on RPN-9.

Although Bituin remains consistently astonishing in terms of her incomparable musical artistry and signature vocal prowess, she also found herself retreating to a corner and accepting road shows for the Filipino communities and overseas workers in key European and Asian cities.

And now, she’s back after a hiatus that allowed her to re-evaluate which musical direction she really wanted to pursue. She’s got a new sound and a newly released independently produced studio album Ur Luv Thang.” The one is a soulful, heartfelt CD filled with emotions and artistry, so different from her past albums, which were more into the pop genre. Bituin brings into play her distinct style in collaboration with Dan Gil who wrote and produced all the tracks on the album.

According to Bituin, most of the songs are kind of like “make-out songs,” slow and sultry mixed with an urban flavor, like “Inconsiderate,” which is a slow-sizzling blend of soul and reggae. This brooding piece features an irresistible groove, and some of Bituin’s sweetest singing moments. On the other hand, some of the songs are upbeat like the “Last Tango in Manila,” which is a Latin and hip-hop dance-y tune, featuring Ill-J.

“This has always been my kind of music,” Bituin shares, when asked why she switched from pop to this new genre. She says that when she was  singing pop, she felt that what she was doing was more of mimicry of what was “in” at that moment, though she says that she liked what she was doing then, she just realized what she really wanted to do now. “It’s time I sounded like myself, to thy own self be true, you can’t be happy if you can’t be true to yourself,” she adds.

Bituin is known as the singer behind “Kung Ako Na Lang Sana,” which was considered the biggest OPM hit of 2003. She also took musical theater by storm with outstanding performances in the Manila production of Jonathan Larson’s RENT and Andrew Lloyd Weber’s Jesus Christ Superstar. Her much raved-about performance as Effie White in Dreamgirls has earned her rave reviews from theater critics.

R&B, soul, jazz, reggae, Latin, hip-hop and a little bit of everything, Bituin shows she can do it all. Featuring guest performances by Dan Gil, Johnny Alegre, Artstrong, Ill-J and Alvin Cornista, among others, this CD is certainly worth your money.

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/july/18/yehey/life/20070718lif2.html

Piano, Fender Rhodes Electric Piano, Wurlitzer Electric Piano, Hammond Organ, Beats, Synth Programming by Dan Gil
Horns section and trumpet solo courtesy of First Call Horns

Recorded, mixed, and mastered at Liquidpost Studio, Makati
Recording Engineer: Noel Nunez
All tracks produced and arranged by Dan Gil

Photography by Bituin Escalante
Design by Kalila Aguilos

Dan Gil
Dan Gil and Bituin Escalante
Dan Gil and Sach Castillo

Discovering and enjoying creative freedom 

By Cilicia Sagad
ONE-time music sensation Bituin Escalante is ready to reclaim her spot in the local music arena.

When the young singer won Himig Handog’s grand prize with the song “Kung Ako na Lang Sana” she was an instant hit, and Viva couldn’t pass the chance to sign a singer with very strong potential to become big. The result is a 12-track eponymous debut CD.

That was six years ago. And during that time, she was also belting out her voice every Sunday in the variety show A.S.A.P.

Bituin’s star was shining so bright, her tight schedule couldn’t even fit one for her family. And all her efforts seemed to have paid off.

In 2003, she bagged Awit Award’s Best Female Recording Artist Singers.

Not a few singers openly expressed their envy over Bituin’s success.

Time passed. The landscape of the music industry also changed.

The advent of reality TV affected the industry as well. Every Tom, ***, Harry, Jane, and Eve wanted to be a singer.

Many singers were felled down with the mania for the search for new talents on television. And that included, unfortunately, Bituin.

For a time, Bituin’s voice was nowhere to be heard. It was as if someone had forcibly silenced her.

The singer quietly retreated to where she came from—the theater. It has long been her comfort zone and that was where she always felt safe. That time, also gave her a chance to look inward, ask herself if she still had the heart for the much more competitive world of pop music.

Bituin realized that the music she used to play was not actually the music she listens to. She got tired of doing the same things and singing the same songs. She told herself, “Enough [of these]”.

Despite the success she had had before she decided to go on a hiatus, she knew too well, she was living a life of pretenses.

She confessed that, in the past, she learned to understand what “creative compromise” meant, and that most of the stuff she did were based on that assumption. Yet, she said, she had no regrets, although, if she were given the power to turn back the time, she’d do things her way.

Now, she has come back to fulfill dream. And she is well-driven.

Recently, Bituin launched her third and latest independent album Ur Luv Thang. This is her most liberating and personal album so far and she is more than proud to release it. The album includes 11 original songs, all written and produced by the Chillitees band’s guitarist, Dan Gil. This is a product of Bituin’s journey through various musical styles—acid jazz to soul-flavored reggae mixed with rhythm and blues.

The album also features guest performances by Johnny Alegre, Artstrong, Ill-J and Alvin Cornista. It is a collection of love songs filled with emotions and artistry. “It’s perfect for make-outs!” Bituin suggests.

Despite being underrated, Bituin is still proud of her album. “It is a fail-safe thing,” she states. If the album makes it, then she’s happy. If not, she wouldn’t feel bad. At least, she was given one rare opportunity to show the world the kind of music that she’d like to share with her audience.

Bituin Escalante’s creative freedom has just started.

http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife3_aug21_2007

Alfie Lorenzo

***

Malaki ang role ng music sa buhay ng bawat tao. At sa pamamagitan ng music, maraming tao ang nababago ang buhay.

At dahil mahilig ako sa music, alam na alam ko kung anong album ang dapat pag-aksayahan ng panahon ng mga tao.

At irerekomenda ko nga ang album na IDream album, na sama-samang binuo ng mga respected local and international-caliber artists na tulad nina Robert Seña, Isay Alvarez, Bituin Escalante, Agot Isidro, Jenine Desiderio, Karylle, Jamie Rivera, Raymond Lauchengco, Luke Mejares, Arthur Manuntag, Carl Balita at Tony Rebosa.

Aba, hindi basta-basta ang album na ito, dahil nilikha ito ng mga respetado ring studio musicians tulad nina Marvin Querido, Ernie Baladjay, Mel Villena at Rhia Osorio.

Hindi nga kayo magsisisi kapag napakinggan niyo ang mga kantang If I Can Dream, Sa Bawat Tagpo ng Buhay, Bridge Over Troubled Water, Imagine, Nais Ko, When You Wish Upon A Star, Somewhere Over The Rainbow, Only Hope, Climb Every Mountain, I Believe I Can Fly, Angel Brought Me Here, Corner of the Sky, at Magsimula Ka.

Sabi nga nina Isay Alvarez-Seña, executive producer ng album, pati na ng husband niyang si Robert Seña, at ni Carl Balita, president ng Ultimate Creatives, ang compilation na ito ng magagandang kanta, ay makaka-inspire at motivate ng positive thoughts at feelings ng mga Pinoy.

"IDream is an attempt to promote positive music in troubled times when even music and art have been drowned by socio-economic and political noise," say pa ni Isay.

Ang launching ng IDream album, na distributed ng Ivory Records, ay gaganapin sa Nov. 19 sa Crossroad 77 Convenarium. Pero, makabibili na kayo ng kopya sa lahat ng major music stores. Para sa mga detalye, puwede kayong tumawag sa 497-5704 (Everie), o mag-log on sa www.carlbalita.com.

http://www.abante.com.ph/issue/nov1607/main.htm

November 16, 2007 05:42 PM Friday

Renowned artists join hands in ‘IDream’