He’s only 17, yet Brian Gazmen, a Senior High School student at Ateneo de Manila University, is now making ripples in show business as the music video of his single “Ayoko Nang Makarinig ng Love Song” (by songwriter/movie director Joven Tan) was launched recently.
Brian is the youngest son of Madeleine Alfelor Gazmen, mayor of Iriga City in Camarines Sur province. She was the doting mom of the young pubescent singer when he met with members of the press at Novotel Hotel at the Araneta Center.
Director Tan who is also managing the young man has high hopes Brian would succeed not only as a singer but as an actor as well. After all, the Bicolano has had appearances in some of the TV’s highest rating drama series, like La Luna Sangre (he recalled his scenes with heartthrob Richard Gutierrez), to grossing films like Seven Sundays and I Love You to the Stars and Back. He has had some exposure in the legal drama Ipaglaban Mo.
So, how did an heir to one Bicolandia’s powerful political families get bitten by the showbiz bug, so to speak?
“Hilig ko po talaga,” he said in flawless Filipino (but he also says he’s very fluent in his mom’s dialect – Rinconada, one of the scores of dialects in the Bicol region). “I attended acting workshops and the later went to try his luck via auditions. Kahit mahirapan po I really do my best!”
Brian is no stranger to acting as even at a young age he already tried his mettle on stage when he signed with Trunpets, a theater company. He was in the cast of Hairspray: The Musical that allowed him as well to try his vocal pipes and see if he could carry a tune. And he did and so he decided to pursue a career in singing.
His mother has had no objections, albeit was very encouraging of her youngest child. I remember this young man when he was a chubby grade school kid who’d entertain the movie press his mother invited to Iriga City on many occasions. But little did I anticipate that he’d grow old wanting to be in the industry that I was moving around in.
When I saw him that day at Novotel, my eyes almost dropped on the floor. Incredulous I was to see a fit teenager that didn’t have any trace as a chubby child in Iriga.
“Ayoko Nang Makarinig ng Love Song,” is under Star Music, and Joven Tan who penned the ditty is also the guy behind “Ano’ng Nangyari sa Ating Dalawa,” interpreted by Aiza Seguerra.
I asked Brian how could he give the song justice when he told us he has no girlfriend at the moment, so, in effect, he has no concrete experience with love.
“Medyo malungkot ang title, pero masaya ‘yung music,” Brian said. “Kaya po nagustuhan ko kaagad. It also speaks about how millenials take heartbreak. Most of them think that when a relationship ends, it is the end of the world for them.”
When asked if he intends to go into politics someday, he said, “Hayaan na lang po natin ‘yon sa kapatid kong panganay.”
His next goal is to be in in Pinoy Big Brother saying, “It will build lalo my confidence, saka po para maging independent.”
As he is as excited as a showbiz newbie, he promise his mom that studies would still be his priority. He plans to take up Business Management.
* * *
A US critic has cited performances not recognized by the Academy Awards which includes Charo Santos’ performance in Lav Diaz’ Ang Babaeng Humayo.
She should have gotten an Oscar nomination, according to US film critic Glenn Heath Jr. of San Diego City Beat.
In his piece titled “The best film performances snubbed by Oscar” published online, Glenn enlisted names of superb actors and actresses as a way to “pay respect to the unsung roles the Academy failed to recognize” this year.
* * *
Pop-rock superstar Yeng Constantino is officially back after a four-year hiatus from recording, starting with a brand new electro pop single entitled “Pinipigil” produced under Star Music.
Yeng shares that her new “Pinipigil” track is about the struggle to resist feelings or falling in love. She said, “It’s either because the person got hurt before or she’s prioritizing present plans rather than letting feelings in.”
The single’s music video is already out and it features Yeng as a refugee alien, who wakes up from slumber and checks out planet Earth if it is viable to live in. But as she zooms in, she sees her leading man, played by Empoy Marquez, and instantly falls in love with him.
Wanting to really change her appearance for the video, the singer herself pitched the concept to Director Paul Alexei Basinillo. She also fell in love with its EDM vibe when KidWolf joined the production.
After the music video premiere on MYX, the song instantly entered the hit charts, and is now 4th in the MYX Daily Top 10.
Yeng wrote “Pinipigil,” which was mixed and mastered by KidWolf, and produced by Star Music’s audio content head, Jonathan Manalo.
The singer-songwriter shared that she doesn’t necessarily experience the song’s lyrics, but it’s a product of her endearment to her fans.
She stressed, “I think it’s time to write songs for people who listen to you. Because at the end of the day, their life theme song is what sticks with them.”
Aside from her new single, the pop rock princess is now working on her upcoming album to be launched in March.
Download a copy of the single “Pinipigil,” now available in digital stores. For more details on Yeng’s single, visit starmusic.ph, like Star Music on facebook.com/starmusicph, and follow it on Twitter and Instagram @ StarMusicPH.
* * *
Actress Chynna Ortaleza – Cipriano renewed her management contract with GMA Artist Center on Jan.25, at the GMA Network Center.
Chynna rose to fame via GMA Network’s successful youth-oriented program Click in 1999 and did several notable projects as a Kapuso. She has been loyal with the network for about 17 years.
According to Chynna, she’s grateful for the love and support that GMA has been giving her and she finds no reason to think about leaving. “Ako naman kasi ever since I was a kid I’ve already been part of GMA, so parang it’s my family na talaga and I don’t think I’d like to go anywhere else. I’m very happy and comfortable in GMA.”
Apart from acting, Chynna has captured the viewers with her undeniable charm in Idol Sa Kusina and with her current venture as a creative writer, the Network will continue to show its support to her endeavors.
