UST Singers - Big Winner in California Festival

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The University of Santo Tomas Singers bagged prizes in the recently concluded California International Choral Festival 2009.

First Place in Required Piece Competition
First Place in Folk Competition
People's Choice Award

Congratulations Fonzy and Marlo! So proud! Go GC! Go USTE!

"Spring Awakening" Opens in Manila

The 2007 Tony Awards Best Musical, "Spring Awakening" will be staged in Manila this October. "Spring Awakening" is based on a play written by German playwright Frank Wedekind in 1891. The story evolves around teenagers Melchior and Wendla discovering first great love. The play was banned for 100 years because of the controversial scenes involving teenage sex and suicide.

Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik revived the story in 2006 when they premiered on Broadway. In 2007, "Spring Awakening" bagged 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical.

Tickets are now available at Ticketworld.

I already know the cast but I'm not sure if I can share it. ;)

American Idol 8 - Top 4 Performances

Hi! I'm in New York and I missed "Idol" again.

I'm so outdated. I haven't seen the season finale of "Heroes" and "Prison Break", 2-3 episodes of "One Tree Hill" and "Gossip Girl" and episodes seven to the most recent one of "Make Me a Supermodel."

Anyway, I'm catching up on "American Idol" so I'm watching their performances. And I think Adam is the only one safe this week since he's a rocker from the day he sang the alphabet. Allison was good, great vocals according to Simon. Kris gave a safe performance. And the worst was Danny Gokey. You're not a rocker, Danny. Yes you tried but that ending was a mess!

My ranking:

1. Adam
2. Allison
3. Kris
4. Danny

American Idol 8 - Top 7 Results

They're now down to seven and the save is still unused. Or is it?

The performance night was remarkable for me maybe because I like most of the songs they picked (though I don't know Bette Midler's "The Rose.") It reminds me of my childhood days. :)

My picks for the bottom three were Danny, Lil and Matt. But I was wrong. Danny proved that he has supporters. Anoop was in the bottom three with Lil and Matt. So what went wrong with Anoop and Matt? They're good vocally but they don't have much fan base who are dedicated to keep them in the competition.

Jennifer Hudson returned and performed. Miley Cyrus performed. Then the announcement.

Anoop was safe. And the shocker: Lil was also safe.

Matt sang one last time. You can hear his eagerness to stay in the competition. He was flat in some parts but the audience seemed to be in unison. After he performed the crowed started to cheer, "Save! Save! Save! Save! Save!"

Simon said to Matt that he thinks he can't win the competition. Then he said, "Matt it's good news. You're safe."

Simon added that the contestants shouldn't be complacent since two will be eliminated next week. The theme: disco!

American Idol 8 - Top 7 Performance

It was one of the best nights so far this season. Idol contestants battled it out with movie theme songs.

Allison Iraheta started the night with Aerosmith's "Don't Wanna Miss A Thing." It suits her voice and range (though I'm kinda used to divas belting out the last note). It was just ok. (See video here.)

Anoop Desai showed another good vocal performance singing "Everything I Do", which is a classic 90s love theme. I remember hearing it over and over again when I was a kid... reminds me of my batang kalye days. (See video here.)

Adam Lambert gave another unbelievably fantastic and energetic performance of "Born To Be Wild." The audience was on their feet (including Paula as always).


Matt Giraud's version of "Have You Ever Really Love A Woman" was kinda like the same as Bryan Adams. And I agree with Randy that he bridge was a bit pitchy. Bottom 3 again, Matt? (See video here.)

Danny Gokey was nowhere to be found. He's MIA. He's in another planet. He's somewhere else. I don't know what happened to him. He went on stage with no glasses. He looks uncomfortable. He was flat in some parts of "Endless Love." He deserves to be in the bottom 3. I don't have a video of it. I think it's a waste of hard drive space.

Kris Allen rocked another mellow song. Rocked 'cos the audience were drooling at him. He sang the Oscar-winning song, "Falling Slowly." I love this song. It bested "Listen" and other 2 songs from "Dreamgirls" a few years ago. Going back to Idol... again, they loved his performance.


And finally, Lil Rounds just bought her ticket back home with another boring performance. She sang "The Rose." It was a waste of time so I did not dare downloading it. Simon said it was terrible. Oh well... I really feel bad about this. I liked her especially when she sang "Be Without You" pre-Top 13. But now, she was out-shined by the boys and even the youngest girl, Allison.

Tata Lil! Hate your wig every week.

David Cook and David Archuleta Live in Manila - Ticket Info

It's all set! Buy your tickets now!

David Cook and David Archuleta
Live in Manila!
Saturday, May 16, 2009
SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds
8PM

VIP
PhP 3,625.00

GOLD
PhP 2,075.00

SILVER
PhP 625.00

BRONZE
Php 315.00

Call TicketWorld.com.ph at 891-9999.

American Idol 8 - Top 8 Results

(AP Photo/FOX, Michael Becker)
It's getting tougher every week. Another finalist packed his bag. The 23-year-old (an inspiration to many) Scott MacIntyre went home after a pitchy performance of "The Search Is Over."

MacIntyre was joined by Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai in the bottom three this week.

Later on, Desai was announced safe. Host Ryan Seacreat said, only 30,000 votes saved Desia from elimination. It was that close.

Judge Simon Cowell expressed his disappointment watching MacIntyre during the performance night. He said that there were more talented finalists left that's why they did not use the save.

Guest singers were Flo Rida and American Idol alum now country star, Kellie Picker who worked with Taylor Swift in a song.

Next week will be movie theme week with guests performances on elimination night from Miley Cyrus and Oscar-, Grammy-winner Jennifer Hudson.