Anna’s dream now within reach - DIRECT LINE by Boy Abunda

As a little girl growing up in Toledo, Cebu, Anna Fegi would join amateur singing contests without her parents’ knowledge. Often, she would win and give her prize money to her parents. Life was hard then for little Anna and her siblings. Singing was their only outlet to while away the time and they all excelled in it, participating every week in the church chorale. The Fegi family could have well been the Von Trapp family of Toledo.

As brothers and sisters grew up, they each pursued other interests, but not Anna. She believed music was her life and she held on to her dream. She auditioned to be part of Smokey Mountain and was accepted. She then flew to Japan with the group. After six months, she returned to Cebu to continue her studies.

Only in her second year of college, Anna decided to test her luck again. She flew to Manila where she did not know a single soul. But fate landed her on the lap of talent manager Bibsy Carballo. She made the rounds of different lounges and bars where she showcased her vocal prowess and did musical theater via Jesus Christ Superstar and Rent in Singapore. She was then tapped by ABS-CBN to join the ASAP family and finally released her debut album under BMG Records entitled Anna Fegi: Every Step of the Way. It was formally launched at the Hard Rock Café with LG Collins as sponsor.

Says Anna: "My album is the fulfillment of a dream. Now I hear my own songs. One day, it would be a thrill to hear other singers and people on the street sing my song."

And Anna will fulfill that dream, with dogged determination every step of the way. Of course, she’s done it before.

The Hunks

At the press conference for ABS-CBN’s new group called the Hunks, Bernard Palanca was conspicuously absent.

Only Diether Ocampo, Carlos Agassi, Jericho Rosales and Piolo Pascual were present making some reporters comment, "Aba?!?! Totoo nga! Wala na si Bernard sa Hunks!"

But the four were quick to defend Bernard, saying he wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t make it to the media launch. Deo Endrinal, ABS-CBN Talent Center executive confirmed this, saying rumors of Bernard being booted out of the group are false. This prompted Walden Belen of Manila Bulletin to say, "Si Deo na lang ang isang hunk!"

Despite Bernard’s absence, Jericho, Carlos, Diether and Piolo were presented to the press. One of the first questions thrown at them was, if plans for a movie featuring the Hunks will push through, how will they be billed in the movie? Carlos answered, "Maybe alphabetically. As long as we’re together, it’s OK. We don’t mind how they will bill us." Jericho quipped, "Palakihan na lang ng it…!!" Everyone laughed.

Aster Amoyo challenged the four if they think they‘re really hunks. "That’s what they say," answered Piolo. "Oo naman, Tita!" Jericho retorted unabashedly. Carlos gave the safest answer, "Being a hunk is how you carry yourself. It also depends on your confidence. We just show that we’re in good health. And with the kind of discipline we exert in maintaining our bodies and with clean living, I think we’re hunks."

Asked to describe each other, they all say Piolo is the quiet type, Carlos is makulit and the tactless guy in the group ("I’m just honest!" he explains), Jericho the comedian and Bernard the intense one. Diether was teased as the most senior, the "lolo" of the group. This comment elicited laughter from the Hunks and the press.

The atmosphere was fun. Asked if they’re always that fun, Piolo answered, "When it’s time for fun, we’re always like this. But if it’s time for work, we’re very serious."

On July 11 at Music Museum, the five will have a major show which Diether describes as a "fun concert." "We’re very excited about this," he says.

This strictly-invitational event is presented by Bench Fix Hair Gel, Walker, Hammerhead, Hanford, Jag and Lee. The concert, directed by Johnny Mahanan with Homer Flores as musical director, will be covered by Star Studio and recorded live by Star Records for an album which will also include two original cuts. The CD will have a bonus VCD featuring exclusive behind-the-scene and actual show footages of the Hunks concert. There are plans for a US tour before the year ends. The group will also guest in ABS-CBN’s TV special for Dolphy’s birthday to be aired this month.