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| PAGCORs homegrown talents 2014–The Viktors, Dash as One Rhythm, K Menn, and Krazy Chikz |
A team of vocal champions, three men with some unexpected mashups, a “Dash” of vocal superiority and four women who are as wacky as they are sexy.
These four groups make up the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation’s (PAGCOR) 2014 roster of homegrown talents who are set to shine way beyond the PAGCOR stages.
The Viktors, Dash as One Rhythm, K Menn, and Krazy Chikz were presented to media last week and after performing their respective sets, it was quite clear that the groups left a very strong impression on the appreciative audience.
Bong Quintana, PAGCOR’s Assistant Vice President for Entertainment, said it has been the state-owned gaming firm’s commitment to discover and develop its own artists into world-class Filipino performers.
“The PAGCOR management is a staunch supporter and believer in Pinoy talents. Our own homegrown artists are PAGCOR’s biggest contributions to the Philippine entertainment and music industry. It is the mandate we have been given and continues to be our firm commitment. For the past three years we have formed numerous partnerships with the music industry, talent managers, event organizers, media and anyone else who can help us achieve this dream. And despite the difficulties and challenges we have never wavered in the quest to find the best and brightest Pinoy performers.
“Today, we have come together to celebrate the latest the newest and the best products of our efforts. These talented young Filipinos have undergone a rigorous search process months of training and development and shed pockets of blood sweat and tears to where they are now.
“Nais namin na mabigyan sila ng pagkakataon na maipakita ang kanilang talento kaya sila ay binigyan ng PAGCOR ng chance na maging featured performers sa Casino Filipino,” And now, we are launching them to the mainstream entertainment arena.”Quintana said in his speech.
Quintana said they always believed in the adage “the more, the merrier” and that was the inspiration for creating these groups of individually talented performers. “Individually they are champions, beauty queens, and winners, so we experimented by putting their talents together, and so far we are very happy with the results.
Quintana said although these groups are under contract with PAGCOR, they are not exclusive to performing at the PAGCOR Casinos. “This is the reason why we invited media so we can formally introduce them to the mainstream.”
According to Quintana, the successful shows of PAGCOR’s in-house singing group – the PAGCOR 5 – inspired them to form new musical groups that will suit the varied preferences of casino patrons and the general public.
“We intend to capitalize on the buzz generated by the PAGCOR 5 as we launch our new set of talents for 2014. I am highly positive that this level of exposure can help our homegrown artists make a breakthrough in the mainstream music industry. At the same time, we know these fresh talents can give our Casino Filipino guests and patrons something new to look forward to,” Quintana added.
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| THE VIKTORS |
Expect no less that performance pieces as well as OPM, ballad and contemporary songs from “The Viktors” which consists of the champions of the OPM@PAGCOR Talent Search Season 1 Joyce Tanana, Season 2 Froilan Canlas and Season 3 Karl Tanhueco.
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| K MENN |
The K Menn will be focusing on novelty songs, ballads and classics. The singing trio formed in 2013 on the other hand, are armed with surprising mashups such as one that blends the Masculados “Hotdog” and Boyz to Men’s “On Bended Knees.” The members, Steev Fernandez, Mykle Benedicto and Eeboy Quizol, were also finalists in the last three seasons of the OPM@PAGCOR nationwide singing search. Besides their striking similarities to several celebrities such as Erik Santos, Anthony Taberna and Ogie Alcasid the trio also does sound-alikes with other singers as part of their act.
KRAZY CHICKS WITH THE KMENN
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| KRAZY CHICKS WITH THE KMENN |
Perhaps the biggest surprise were the Krazy Chicks— Raine de Guzman, Reyna Yamanouchi, Carin Ramos and Kim Parajes – all Miss Casino Filipino 2012 pageant winners whom Quintana describes as “beauty queen-turned-models-turned-dancers-and-trying to be singers.”
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| KRAZY CHICKS |
“It’s their brand, given na magaganda sila and nagmomodel sila fashion shows, eventually they suggested that they also wanted to sing. The “Krazy title came in much later, because as you just saw, they can be quite crazy but they sing with such conviction.”
And whatever theses Krazy Chicks lack in voice quality they more than make up with their beauty, sexy grooves and very bold ambitions.
Aside from Whitney Houston they also want to do Katy Perry and Spice Girls, a repertoire of Lea Salonga songs and even belt out some Aegis favorites!
Finally, there is “Dash as One Rhythm” featuring PAGCOR 5 member Dash Camporaso and the band One Rhythm. Easily the most recognizable voice among all the performers, Dash and her band will be playing almost all genres in their set. Expect to be blown away by Dash’s rendition of Adele, Alicia Keys and her other covers of other vocal powerhouses.
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| DASH as One Rhythm |
Dash who has been part of the PAGCOR 5 for years promised to promote OPM through her own musical style. “The audience can expect new song arrangements. As we all know, PAGCOR is promoting pinoy talents and giving importance to OPM, so as an advocate of OPM, hindi po mawawalasa list ng band namin ang mga OPM songs pero bibigyan po namin ito ng panibagong tunog or areglo para magkaroon po ng twist and more excitement,” Camporaso explained.
Joyce Tañaña – a member of the Viktors – lauded PAGCOR for giving budding local artists like her a chance to showcase their musical flair. “Malaking tulong ang break na ibinigay sa amin. Sana ipag-patuloy pa ng PAGCOR ang pag-tulong sa mga Filipino singers na katulad ko na magkaroon ng trabaho at makapag-perform sa lahat ng branches ng Casino Filipino. Maraming nagsasabi na OPM is dead. Dahil sa proyekto ng PAGCOR, naniniwala ako na mas umangat at nabigyan ng buhay ulit ang OPM,” she said.
Tañaña was the grand champion in the first season of OPM@PAGCOR Nationwide Talent Search held in 2011.
Froilan Canlas, also a member of the Viktors and the grand champion of OPM@PAGCOR Season 2, shared how performing at Casino Filipino has changed his life. “Sobrang thankful at happy ako sa kung anong meron ako ngayon. Noong manalo ako sa OPM@PAGCOR 2, maraming nangyari na nagpabago ng buhay ko. I was able to perform with different celebrities like David Pomeranz, Randy Santiago and KZ Tandingan. Maituturing ko itong learning experience. Nakapag-patayo din ako ng business, music school, recording and rehearsal studio,” Canlas narrated.
Through regular training and workshops, PAGCOR artists develop their confidence and at the same time learn the importance of discipline in their profession. Their voice workshops are handled by Elmer Blancaflor PAGCOR’s in house musical director, dance and choreography by Donald Galang, while Quintana himself mentors them in hosting and spiel delivery.
Don’t be surprised to see one if not several of these talented artist on the next season of The Voice or some other singing competition in the near future!
For more information on Casino Filipino’s entertainment offerings, please call PAGCOR’s Entertainment Department at (02) 854-4688 or 852-7760 or visit www.casinofilipino.ph and www.facebook/casinofilipino.
