"Bogans" in the Philippines!

This is a sad and disgusting conversation between a Call Center in the Philippines and a Citibank customer, who has been pissed off to the max!!

Diverse Talents of Asian Divas

Yes, I have to admit, I am one of the people who more often than not watch YouTube for almost everything; as my references in thesis and other feasibility studies, tutorials, or just pure entertainment.

As I watch videos on YouTube, especially listening to great singers, it is a normal occurrence to read comments that will just simply piss you off. Fortunately, I came across with YouTube’s user ID thegreatavatar23 and we exchanged messages and yes, both get’s annoyed, infuriated, to the point of gnashing our teeth about comparing talents to the extent of humiliating and corrupting one’s culture, class, ethnicity and heritage even it is not related to the topic being brought up or video being showed!

He came up with the idea of putting some great singers in Asia, and I supported him.

Here’s the list of artist he included on his video, and yes, there is a remarkable and enormous talents out there, if you spot one, create you own as well and we will link it here from time to time. If you feel you wanted to share some thought about your know singer, then feel free to drop by and give me some comments and information! Who knows, we can create a one full website dedicate to this….hehehehe

Datuk Sharifah Aini binti Syed Jaafar

I try to look at the internet about this Diva but can’t find one who is tag in English language, though, what I found out is that she is a Malaysian Superstar born on 2nd of July 1953.

Pilita Corrales

(born August 22, 1939 in Cebu City, Philippines) is a famous Filipino singer and actress, who is widely referred to as Asia's Queen of Songs, having produced over 135 albums in her music career spanning over four decades.

Anita Sarawak

Known as Singapore's diva supreme of the 1970s, Anita Sarawak won the hearts of many with her famous husky voice. The talented singer has put Singapore on the international music map: she now performs at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, where she migrated 14 years ago.


Jasmin Tye

(December 1987). After being crowned 2nd runner-up in the Singapore Idol 2006 competition, Jasmine has gone on to become the 2007 spokesperson for Jean Yip Slimming. She was invited to perform at the annual “Wish Upon A Star” charity TV Show and has also headlined events held at SAFRA Mount Faber and the National University of Singapore.


She started singing at 8 and has never stopped since. Trained under accomplished vocal coaches such as Babes Conde and the late Nicole Lai, she has the ability to sing bilingually and tackle many genres or music.

Recently, in her first try at mandarin pop, Jasmine was a finalist in the nationwide Stardust 2008 singing competition organized by the NUS in conjunction with Lee Wei Song School of Music. Jasmine was also invited to perform at the NSS Countdown 09 Concert in front of a packed crowd of 10,000 audience including Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.


Currently a lifescience undergraduate at the National University of Singapore, Jasmine plans to continue in the music pathway after she graduates.


Anggun

Anggun Cipta Sasmi (born April 29, 1974, in Jakarta, Indonesia) is an Indonesian singer/songwriter with French citizenship. Having already had tremendous success in her homeland Indonesia since she was 12, she decided to pursue an international career and left Indonesia in 1994. After a year in London, she settled in Paris, France and met producer Erick Benzi, who later helped her sign a record deal with Sony Music France and recorded her first French album, Au Nom de la Lune, in 1996. In late 1997, Anggun made a history for being the first Asian artist to break into international music scene by releasing her first international album Snow on the Sahara in Europe, Asia, and America. This album produced her biggest hit to date, "Snow on the Sahara".


Jaclyn d/o Joshua Thanaraj Victor

(born December 4, 1978) is a singer who won the first season of Malaysian Idol. Victor, popularly known as Jac, was the first to gain the title of Malaysian Idol. As a result, she won a recording contract under Sony BMG Entertainment. She is under the management of The 8 Unit. She also participated in the first Asian Idol, losing to Hady Mirza of Singapore Idol. Powerful Voice



Ning Baizura

Ning began her commercial career in 1992 and signed up to become a recording artiste under various international labels such as Sony, BMG, AMS Records Japan amd currently Warner Music Group. Singing within the genres of pop and R & B, Ning’s achievements include nine full studio albums (two of which are English albums), as well as numerous compilations. She has also won various industry awards and prizes, and has performed in the UK, Italy, France, China, Indonesia, Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Pakistan and Monte Carlo in Monaco.

The multi-talented artiste is best known for her live stage performances, an extensive repertoire and her versatility especially in cross-over projects. She is also an actor and has taken roles in a musical, seven major films, a short film and several tele-movies. Most significant is her critically acclaimed performance in the short film 'Malaikat Di Jendela' (Angel by My Window), directed by Osman Ali. The short film took part in a number of film festivals in Cannes, Rotterdam and Singapore. Besides singing and acting, Ning is also a violinist and played her first violin in the National Youth Orchestra in her teens.

She then went on set-up her own recording company, 'Artiste United Records (AUR)'. Her stable of artistes include her proteges, Nicolette Palikat or 'Nikki' from Malaysian Idol’s Season 1 and Siti Surianie Julkarim (Yanie) from Mentor’s first season. She is currently in the midst of recording her next Malay studio album. Meanwhile her latest English album 'East To West' was released in Malaysia on the 10th of March 2008, ahead of the release of the album in the European market later in the year.

She has been the brand ambassador for TIME.com, IMEDEEN, F1 Malaysia, The Singapore Tourism Board, Curlers & Trimmers, Yuzari Batik, and has had strong brand associations with Christian DIOR couture, Christian DIOR perfumes, the Carat Club and REDKEN in the past. NING is currently the brand ambassador for SSANGYONG and was recently appointed the Judo Ambassador by the Judo Association of Selangor to create awareness of self-defence for women.

Ning also has chalked up a string of awards following the release of her 11 record-breaking albums and for her acting prowess in eight movies. One the movies, “Diva” was filmed at the Limkokwing University of Creative Technology’s main campus in Cyberjaya in July 2006. The university students were given the opportunity to meet with the star and it also allowed them the opportunity to see the insight of the film making industry. She has also done the country proud by showcasing her talents in various Asian countries including Singapore where she performed with the legendary singer Julio Iglesias.

Sheryn Regis

Sheryn Regis (born Sheryn Mae Poncardas Regis) The Modern Jukebox Queen is a Filipino pop singer and composer. Sheryn was a consistent top scorer of Star in a Million, where she eventually ended as runner-up to Erik Santos in January 2004. She is a member of ABS-CBN home-grown talent, Star Magic. Recently, because of her undeniably vocal range and clearness of her voice, she was tag as the “Crystal Voice in Asia”.

Regine Velasquez

Not only is she a talented, award-winning singer, but she is very beautiful as well. A mention of her name is usually followed by panting and perspiration. Almost anyone who has lived in the Asian subcontinent over the past 10 to 15 years will have heard of Regine Velasquez.

She is to Asia what Jennifer Lopez is to Americans, a stunner, multi talented singer, and performer. She has been appropriately called Asia’s songbird, a fact, which can be attributed to her vast repertoire of work including albums such as Drawn, R2K, and Nineteen 90. All these albums have been smash hits, and her vocal talent is widely revered in her home country and neighboring countries as well.

Born Regine Encarnacion Ansong Velasquez into a loving and supportive family on 22 April 1970 in Manila, her gift for singing was recognized by her parents at an early age. Regine was enrolled in local and national level singing contents and though she didn’t win every one of these contests she did perform very well.
Regine is a trained singer with tremendous lungpower, a fact that has been proven in many of her songs and collaborations with other International artists of repute. She was considered as one of the elite Lyric Coloratura Singers. She can boast of having participated in over 200 contests and having won 67 of them. One such contest was the Bagong Kampeon Competition, where Regine sang In Your Eyes and delivered, what is still considered as her best performance of her life and won the award. Soon she was flying high on the wave of success and was signed for her maiden single.

Her first single wasn’t much of success, though this in no way affected her celebrity. In 1987, she was invited to appear on a local talk show for a live performance and interview. Here she met Ronnie Henares, who was highly influential in the Asian music industry. Impressed by young Regina’s talent, Henares agreed to become her manager, and helped Regine released her first self-titled album the same year. The album was a commercial and critical success.

Soon after there was no stopping Regine and since then she has gone on to release several multi-platinum albums such as Drawn, R2K, and Regine Live! Today, Regine has achieved success, fame, power, wealth, and many accolades. However, she still needs to gain celebrity status in the international music arena, but considering her talent, it is not impossibility.



Zaina Zain

She known as Whitney Houston and won many competition in Malaysia and international as well. Ziana Zain is one of the rich singer in Malaysia. Besides singing, Ziana Zain also ambassador in product such as Omega, Nutrimetic, Slim World, Vono and the lattes is Fendi and Loreal.


Siti Nurhaliza

Siti Nurhaliza was born in Berek Polis Kg. Awah, Temerloh, Pahang, Malaysia, to father Tarudin bin Ismail, a policeman, and mother, Siti Salmah Bachik, a housewife. Initially, Siti was labeled a tomboy because of her active attitude and her tendency toward boyish appearance. When Siti was young, she wanted to be a policeman like her father. As she began to attend Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Clifford, she took on a more feminine appearance; and her mother's grooming shaped her into a well-behaved and elegant Malay girl. In her school-year, she's had involved in many various school activity especially sports and speeches, that made her one of the most successful students in her school.

Siti is the fifth child in the family of of eight siblings. She came from a musically inclined family. Her grandfather a famous violinist, her mother a traditional singer famous in Pahang, her brother and almost all in the family can sing. It's her uncle, a former singer for a local band who influenced her the most. At a tender age of 5, her parents approved of her to follow her uncle to invitational shows like wedding ceremonies and dinner parties to give her exposure performing live and she was well received by the local community in Kuala Lipis and as far as Kuantan. When children her age plays with dolls, she was determined memorizing lyrics and practicing to follow her uncle to shows as long as she could sing.

Siti Nurhaliza's family performed at many local ceremonies at their hometown, such as weddings. At the age of twelve, Siti began to learn traditional songs from her mother. Later, as she continued to work on her singing, she participated in numerous local singing competitions. She won the Merdeka Day Singing Contest in 1991 and the another contest during the Karnival Lipis. At 16, she competed in the 1995 RTM Juara Bintang competition. While there, she met Adnan Abu Hassan, a locally-famous composer. He tutored her and helped her with her vocal performance, thereby helping her to win the contest. After that, she was granted a contract with Suria Records, where Adnan worked, and in 1996 released her first album, Siti Nurhaliza. Making her first album was a challenge because she had to balance working on her album while preparing for and taking the SPM examination. Despite this, her first album was a great success, and this would pave the way for her extremely successful future albums.

After her first album, Siti Nurhaliza became a well-known figure in Malay pop culture. She continued to have numerous hits, her songs spanning a broad range of genres, such as pop, R & B, and traditional Malay. Her voice and lyrics proved popular with teenagers throughout Malaysia. Thanks to this, she dominated national award shows for years.

In the second 'self-titled' album, 'Aku Cinta Padamu' shoots her to stardom in the year 1997. This catchy song was so good that it penetrated the demanding Indonesian market for the first time and was well received by the music lovers there. A feat, that only a handful of Malaysian artistes were capable of doing. She was then invited the same year to perform a special one-hour show for a television station there. This move made Siti even more popular in this region.

Siti's increasing popularity meant that demand for her endorsement is high. She sung themes for movies ( i.e Puteri Gunung Ledang )and corporate jingle for Maxis. She has also been featured in various advertisements and become spokewoman to many well-established brands such as Maxis, Maybelline, PEPSI, Jusco, TMnet,Konica Minolta, Nippon Wiper Blade, Olay skin care, and Samsung. The list of her endorsements keep increasing from year to year. For her successes at her young age, Puteri Umno named her Teen Princess of Malaysia in 2002


Jaya

Jaya is known in the Philippines as the Queen of Soul. Born Maria Luisa Ramsey-Gotidoc on March 21, 1969 in Manila, Philippines, the name Jaya came from an American producer when he signed her to a record deal in the U.S. in 1989. Her mother is comedienne-singer Elizabeth Ramsey, who is of Afro-Jamaican and Spanish descent.[citation needed]. She has three siblings: Ike, Anna, and Susan.

She started in show business at the age of 10 as a back-up dancer to her mother. It was only in 1982 when Jaya, then known as Luisa Ramsey, started giving solo performances.

Jaya barely knew her father. He and her mother separated after a seven-year relationship. Jaya also was not able to finish high school in the Philippines because of her busy lifestyle as a young performer. However, she got high grades in school and became a class president.

Her mother decided to leave for the U.S. in June 1985 and brought Jaya with her. Young Jaya continued her solo singing stints there, performing with other Pinoy artists like Tillie Moreno, Eddie Mercado, Lerma dela Cruz, and the veteran duo Reycards.

Life in the U.S. was likewise difficult for both Jaya and her mother. They stayed in different cities in California. She ran away from home in 1988, after finishing high school. She went to New York with a friend and landed a job as a back-up vocalist to the group of musician Stevie B.

Jaya is also the first ever Filipina to cover for the men's magazine PENTHOUSE. It was sold out in every nation.



Ruth Sahanaya

Ruth Sahanaya (born 1 September 1966 in Bandung, West Java) is an Indonesian singer. She is currently one of the three members of a vocal group along with Titi DJ and Krisdayanti called 3 Diva. She is married to Jeffry Waworuntu. She is one of the many Christian Indonesian singers that are a part of Christian Gospel band called True Worshippers.



Idayu

Idayu is a Malaysian's Mariah Carey who capable to do whistling. She is indeed one of the greatest singer in Malaysia, and the only singer who has 5 octaves vocal range. Born from the Malaysian reality TV shows, Akademi Fantasia, she is considered as the greatest participants of all time, other than Jaclyn victor from Malaysian Idol.



Nikki Palikat

Nicolette Louisa Palikat (born November 1, 1985), better known by her stage name, "Nikki", is a Malaysian singer from Tambunan, Sabah, and a finalist in the first season of Malaysian Idol. She is known for her vocal belting and her ability to sing in the whistle register.



Agnes Monica

Agnes Monica (born Agnes Monica Muljoto on July 1, 1986) is an Indonesian pop singer, dancer, actress, songwriter, and producer. Her first teen album "..And The Story Goes" (2003) made her popular as a teenage singer.[1] Its a big success in Indonesia with the singles "Bilang Saja", "Jera" and "Cinta Mati". Then she released her second album "Whaddup A.. '?!" (2005). Her second album is a success too, with her hit single, "Tak Ada Logika". It sold 50000 copies in 10 days. It's big for any Indonesian singer. Then after her second album, she wants to prove to herself that she can produce her own album. This can be seen from her third album "Sacredly Agnezious" (2009), with her greatest hit single, "Matahariku".

Her success has brought her fame not only in her homeland, Indonesia, but also in neighboring Asian countries such as Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Philippines and even Dutch-Indo in Netherlands. Her performance in 2008 Asia Song Festival in Seoul, Korea, have opened up doors for her fame in Taiwan, Korea, China and the rest of the Asia-Pacific region. She is the only singer in Indonesia who has own dance group called Nezindahood, that always come along whenever Agnes perform.[2] This year, her plan is "Go International". That's why she is learning Chinese Language even more. And as the result she played in 2 Taiwan Series "Romance in the White House" with Peter Ho and "The Hospital" with Jerry Yan. Although she is not the leading role in the 2 series but its a big step for her and for Indonesian actress.



Tata Young

Tata Young (born Amita Marie Young, December 14, 1980 in Thailand) is a Thai singer, model and actress. After becoming a Thai superstar in her early teens, she became an international success with the release of her first English-language album I Believe in 2004. She remains one of the most popular performers in Thailand, and is a perennial "favourite" pick by magazines and music-video channels.



Lani Misalucha

Filipina singer Lani Misalucha, dubbed Asia’s Nightingale, was voted Best Singer in the recently concluded 27th annual Best of Las Vegas poll. Conducted by The Las Vegas Review-Journal, almost 8,000 total votes were cast and tallied in this year’s poll. There were two picks for best singer; the readers’ pick was Celine Dion and the staff pick was Lani Misalucha.

Born in Manila,Philippines, Lani holds shows at the Flamingo Las Vegas with the veteran Hawaiian variety troupe Society of Seven – SOS. Misalucha’s full-throated style and wide range have been frequently compared to those of popular divas such as Barbara Streisand, Whitney Houston, and Celine Dion. Since arriving in Las Vegas in 2004, she has been called the New Siren of the Strip. She possesses a comedic flair and can effectively impersonate above-named divas as well as Gladys Knight, Toni Braxton, Gloria Gaynor, Donna Summer, Tina Turner, Beyonce Knowles, and Britney Spears.

Born into a musical family, Lani started joining various bands at age 17 as a vocalist or back-up singer. After obtaining a degree in Business Management from the Philippine Christian University, Lani married Noli Misalucha, an IT expert and Mormon pastor with whom she has two kids, Lian and Louven.

In 1996, Misalucha made a breakthrough with the song “Ang Iibigin ay Ikaw” which was a finalist at the Metropop Song Festival and later conferred the Awit Award for Record of the Year. In 1998, she won acclaim outside the country when she was awarded the Best Interpreter/Singer Award at the 3rd Asian Song Festival. Misalucha received the Grand Prize at the 1999 Metropop Song Festival Artist of the Year Award. In that same year, she won the Aliw Award for Best Lounge Act, Awit Award for Best Performance by a Female Recording Artist, and Awit Award Nomination for Best Stage Actress.

Misalucha was hailed as Aliw Awardee for Best Female Performance in Music Lounges, Bars, Clubs & Restaurants for four consecutive years, 1999-2002. She became a semi-regular host in the Sunday noontime show SOP (Sobrang Okey Pare) in 2001, along with other top artists. Her first major solo concert in September 2001 at the Araneta Coliseum entitled, “Lani Misalucha, The Crossover Live Tour” was packed to the rafters by over 18,000 fans. In that same year, Misalucha received the Aliw Award for Best Major Concert by a Female Artist and the Tinig Award for Best Solo Performer. Her Crossover Live Concert album received the Platinum Award.

In 2002, she bagged the Aliw “Entertainer of the Year” award, and two Katha awards — Best Folk Song Vocal Performance and Best Traditional Song Vocal Performance. She also held her first US Concert Tour that year, performing in Reno, San Diego, Washington, Las Vegas, New York, Chicago, Atlantic City, Pasadena, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Mayor Willie L. Brown, Jr. of San Francisco declared August 17 “Lani Misalucha Day” to give due recognition to her talent as an artist.

In 2004, after being granted a US visa as an “Alien of Extraordinary Ability,” Misalucha relocated with her whole family to the United States.

In no time, Lani became the first Asian to headline in a Main Showroom of the Las Vegas Strip, performing with Hawaii’s Society of Seven at the Jubilee Theatre of Bally’s. Her stint at Bally’s ran for 15 months from August 7, 2004 to February 5, 2006, after which she and the Society of Seven moved to the Main Showroom of the Flamingo starting last August 2006. They will be staying on at the Flamingo till April 13.



Tiara Jacquelina Abdullah

Tiara Jacquelina Abdullah (born 3 October 1967) is a Malaysian actress and film producer. She rose to fame in Puteri Gunung Ledang, the biggest budget movie in Malaysia to date, in which she played the lead role, and sang the theme song, "Asmaradana".



Syafinaz

A familiar face in the local classical and contemporary music scenes, Syafinaz Selamat is a music degree graduate from MARA. She is indeed regarded as one of Malaysia’s Best contemporary singers.

Schmap

I was really happy today when I check my email which has the following information:

"I am delighted to let you know that your photo
has been selected for inclusion in the newly released
seventh edition of our Schmap Hobart Guide:

Tulip Festival
http://www.schmap.com/hobart/events_citycentre/p=182693/i=182693_3.jpg

If you use an iPhone or iPod touch, then this same link
will take you directly to your photo in the iPhone version
of our guide. On a desktop computer, you can still see
exactly how your photo is displayed and credited in the
iPhone version of our guide at:

Tulip Festival
http://www.schmap.com/?m=iphone#uid=hobart&sid=events_citycentre&p=182693&i=182693_3


Emma J. Williams"

The original photo can be seen on my flickr account on this address:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/edselpono/3275901026/

Mariah carey versus Regine Velasquez

It's a sad reality where people are being compared with other people, but I receive this email from a friend and I think it is very controversial. Especially, it tackles on both amazing and huge Diva's: Mariah Carey and Regine Velasquez...duh!



I am not really a fan on both but when I look at the movie, well, no doubt, they both can sing!

How about you guyz, what's your opinion?

A letter of Protest: An open letter

Ne hao friends!

I am writing in support in campaigning against the ridicule and satirical (as what the writer claims, which by the way if ever, it is done in poor taste) writing of a Hong Kong journalist against Filipinos.

I was disgusted by his piece of writing entitled “War at Home”, an article written and published in Hong Kong, insulting Filipinos as a whole, as a country and as individual. A dispute regarding “Spratly Island” ---- which has been subject for debate, not just decades, but centuries earlier before Hong Kong was even part to China. He singled out Philippines, will in fact Malaysia, Brunei are other Asian countries claimed its sovereignty as well. A very sensitive issue that should be tackled in the government to avoid confusion and conflict amongst countries, surely, one indication of irresponsible media.

Secondly, a false accusation, despising our culture, values and the written abuse he had thrown against the veracity and integrity of Filipinos who are working hard in Hong Kong. Attached a label to our foreheads as “the land of servants” which makes my blood raised after reading the article, knowing from the fact it was a journalist who wrote it. . What enrages me is that this time -being sarcastic or not- he was not only being racist, but he also sneered at people who are in a less privileged position. The woman working as aids in his father’s house is a victim of circumstances, and it's unacceptable for someone like Chip Tsao to put her down because 1) she's Filipino and 2) because she is less privileged. An unambiguous sign and obvious indication of racism reflected on his journalism towards defenseless Pinoys in Hong Kong

We heard so much bad news towards China from US, UK, South East Asia and even Australia, but by no means had our government nor our journalist spoken awful, ghastly or unscrupulous remarks towards Chinese people or judging your government. We learn how to listen and value your culture, adapt and learn from it. In fact there is a huge Chinese community in the Philippines and its culture and religion has been carried out and accepted wide open!

We don’t believe in stereotyping as this Hong Kong journalist is trying to portray to his country men. If he is truly a patriotic Chinese as what he claimed on his article, why not speak about China instead of insulting other countries? I am sure you have a lot of good news to tackle with, instead of tearing one’s integrity and culture.

Thanks God this person was totally ban in going to the Philippines! He is nothing but create conflict within countries and not instilling the spirit of true journalism. Thus, based on his writings, I conclude, as a Filipino, Chip Tsao, as western people called him the “pea-minded” journalist, is indeed, a disgrace to the Chinese people!

Did I spell his name properly? Chip Tsao or CHEAP Tsao? Hehehehehe…….