This is one of my favorite OPM mid-tempo rock songs: Daliri, by Kjwan.  Incidentally, this was their very virst single on their debut self-titled album.   This is also the first song I've heard Marc Abaya sing after he left Sandwich.  And he didn't disappoint.  Gotta love his voice.

Bastusan na !

It's always refreshing and a great delight to see other nationalities embracing Philippine music by singing some original Pinoy songs.  And this is no exception.  Here is a video of an American dubbed as "Ako si Chris" playing and singing his own rendition of Eraserheads classic "Ang Huling El Bimbo".

I consider myself a late bloomer when appreciating rock music.  Up to my teens, I only liked pop and dance tunes.  When I entered the music industry, it broadened my apprecation for all genres of music.

A friend of mine knew their music inside out and grew up to their tunes.  Her appreciation for The Dawn exposed me to their songs and made me appreciate their music too.

The release of their Greatest hits album was a compilation of their best singles.  I finally got hold of a copy of these hit songs even if they were released and popularized more than a decade ago.  

I didn't really know about The Dawn during their infancy in the music industry, so I only know the current line-up.  Regardless, I grew fond of their music, especially tunes like "Love Will Set Us Free", "Iisang Bangka Tayo", "Enveloped Ideas" and their national anthem "Salamat".

Now they're releasing a new album entitled "The Later Half of Day" with a more laid-back tone and rest from the high-energy rock they're known for.

Here's a cut from their album which is a revival from The Police -  "Message In A Bottle".

Related Links:
- "The Later Half of Day"
- The Dawn Artist Page
- Official Website of The Dawn

Louie Heredia is one of the popular OPM artists of the '80's.   He didn't jive with the Bagets movement.  Instead, he was a crooner of his time.   His strength was being a balladeer.  With hits such as "Can Find No Reason", "Nag-iisang Ikaw", "Iisang Damdamin", "O Giliw Ko" to name a few, Louie has serenaded that generation with memories of great ballads.  

Just this year, Louie, together with other 80's pop sensations Raymond Lauchengco, Randy Santiago and Gino Padilla released an album entitled "Greatest Hits of the 80's"

and held a concert bringing back all their nostalgic hits.

Here is one of my favorite Louie Heredia songs, entitled "Can Find No Reason".  

This proves that anyone can learn Filipino and sing it too.

The guy's rendition of the popular Parokya ni Edgar hit "Buloy" is one song I never perceived a foreigner to sing.  But he gives a pretty impressive rendition of the song.

and in now way is he "bulol".

Check it out !

Billy Crawford was born in the States but grew up in the Philippines.  He was discovered by German Moreno and joined the teen show That's Entertainment being the youngest member of the show.  Back then, he was more popularly known as Billy Joe Crawford.

It's that this show where he honed his skills in hosting, singing and dancing.  A few years later, he moved to the States and released an album.  One of his most popular songs, Trackin' did receive much airplay and popularity in the East Coast area.    Despite his talent, he was a struggling artist in the States competing with several other music acts.  

He was then offered hosting duties in Europe where his songs also reached popular status. 

Endemol offered Billy to host the Philippine franchise of Star Academy, named Pinoy Dream Academy, a reality TV show geared towards discovering music talents from thousands of applicants and developing the selected few inside an academy.    Billy grabbed the chance to host this for this also meant that he could stay in the Philippines for the duration of his contract.   It was a successful run and Billy did enjoy it.

Billy is a great singer and dancer.  It's evident that Michael Jackson is one of his idols as he practiced dancing Michael Jackson's dancesteps as early as a kid.  Here is Billy singing and dancing to a medley of Michael Jackson songs during one of his concerts.

Charice finally got her wish and fulfilled one of her biggest dreams when she was asked by Celine Dion herself during a recent show of Oprah to sing with her in Madison Square Garden during her concert.   And last September 15, 2008, Charice got to do that by singing Celine's classic hit "Because You Loved Me".  Her voice and skill is superb and flawless in this song. You could see Celine's reactions being very impressed and delighted with Charice.  Celine even jokingly asked Charice if she would invite the singing diva if she'd ever have a concert in Madison Square Garden.

Cogratulations to Charice for bringing pride to the Filipino talent !