Show business continues to thrive not only because of its A-listers, bankable love teams, crooners and chanteauses, but aslo because of the arrival of newbies and young bloods.
These upstarters may be the next big thing. Some of them will be easily be forgotten. A few will make people stop, look and listen because of one thing, talent.
Two of the most talented encounters recently by this Manila Standard columnist are Zcentido that recently launch its first album Unang Hakbang and Miguel Villasis, who gave a sampling of his first single “Date Tayo.”
What are Zcentido and Villasis’s unique selling proposition then? For Zcentindo, it’s a Pinoy Ska band. We have become familiar with this genre in the ‘90s when Put3ska wowed the public with “Manila Girl.”
The Pinoy SKA band is composed of Richard Cruz, (who was also part of the Myra Ruaro group) who acts as band leader/drummer and wife MJ Cruz as lead vocalist.
Other members include Gary Ragay (bassist),Christoph Alday (guitarist), Joseph Jamorol (keyboardist), Patrick Blanco (trumpet), and Jericho Garcia (thrombone).
The reason behind the name, MJ explains, “It came from the Spanish word sentido, which means sense. We changed the letter S to Z, which stands for Zhen, which is my nickname; while C is for “Chard,” or “Richard,” who built this group.”
As of the moment, Zcentido is so gung ho in sharing in their original OPM compositions, such as “Ikaw Ako Tayo,” their carrier single from the album of the same title. Other ditties include “Your Smile,” “Pag-Asa,” “Dream, “Puso’t Tadhana,” “Ulan,” “Underneath The Big Oak Tree” and their rousing cover version of the “Mamang Sorbertero.”
The ska-version of the Celeste Legaspi classic makes it, livelier, a definite winner and crowd pleaser. When one hears it, the swinging and swaying, the grooving and moving, comes naturally. Looking forward to hear live the other OPM cover, Pilita Corrales’ “Ang Pipit.”
The band is set to perform live at PhilSka Music Festival 2018 on Dec. 1 at Mayflower Parking, Greenfield District, Mandaluyong City, 2:00 p.m..
Miguel Villasis, this newbie of twenty screams hearththrob and matinee idol. Tall, brown skinned, well built, with the kindest set of eyes and quite a charmer.
He is all set to conquer the showbiz singing arena with his newly minted single “Date Tayo,” composed by Rapido (fliptop sensation) and arranged by Von Magno Florida.
Produced by PSRstudios, together with Philippine Showbiz Republic (PSR.ph), the song tells the tale of a young man who dreams of dating a young miss he fancies.
His single is one of the soundtracks for a short film billed Two Strings Down, which is for submission to festivals here and abroad.
With his matinee idol looks and drive to improve on himself and make a name because of his talents, without a doubt the future is bright for Miguel Villasis.
“Date Tayo” is currently available in leading online platforms and soon, a music video will be playing in YouTube.