Go ahead, ‘eavesdrop’ on my private conversations

Private Conversation was born in March 27, 2000 at the Shangri-La Hotel Makati. I had my first conversation with new age philosopher Deepak Chopra. I was fidgety, not only because Deepak is a respected world figure who is the main proponent of Ayuvedic Medicine but because it was the first episode of Private Conversations.

Weeks before this encounter, I read every book Deepak had written. He has everything covered in his work – from money to sex to God to wellness, to happiness. I had structured an interview not knowing at all the rhythm of the man but I was willing to go to Corregidor or Bali (before the blasts) or France or wherever he wanted to lead me. I promised I would listen. For someone with a brilliant mind, I figured he would either be kind or (hopefully not) intellectually condescending.

It was as if I was doing my first TV interview. It didn’t help that I had to make everybody in the room feel that I was in control. I must have been smiling at the door knobs and indoor plants of the hotel like a disqualified beauty contestant – because I did not hear my Executive Producer say that Mr. Chopra had arrived. I don’t remember what I said. I found myself seated in front of one of the most celebrated men of this generation. With all his books in my head, with my cue cards where I had my game plan, with candles I lit in Baclaran the night before – I found myself starting the conversation, "I heard you could not find your belt. Did you lose it?"

He smiled and said he had to go to the mall to find one.

I realized that even philosophers lose belts, so I figured he was like everyone else so I spoke to him about anything. Three years later the conversations in Private Conversations continue to be about everything not written in books or in cue cards. They’re simply conversations coming from nowhere and everywhere.

Thank you to all who continue to eavesdrop.

Two peas in a pod

At first glance. Nyoy Volante and Jimmy Bondoc appear to be two different people. One calls himself an acoustic balladeer, while the other says he is "not a fan of titles." One loves theater and is starring in the Manila run of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, while the other’s passion is songwriting. What good is making an album, he says, if it doesn’t reflect who you are?

One is a talker, the other is quiet and serious who lets his music speak for himself. And finally, one is a product of La Salle (Nyoy graduated from De La Salle University’s College of St. Benilde in 1999 with a degree in Technical Theater) while the other is a true-blue Atenean. But even that didn’t stop the two from becoming friends.

Nyoy and Jimmy are in fact, set to do a show together this April at the Hard Rock Café. "We’ll do a lot of duets," says Nyoy.

Nyoy was discovered by multi-awarded songwriter Vehnee Saturno who saw him in Malate. The place was a small coffee shop. "Actually, I was just there to eat," says Nyoy. But there was a piano and someone requested him to sing Stephen Bishop’s It Might Be You. Vehnee was impressed, and as he got up to leave, handed Nyoy his card.

Since then, Nyoy has enjoyed mild success, good enough for a beginner. He sang the theme song of Esperanza, The Movie. In 2000, he released a self-titled album under Viva Records. But then he decided he enjoyed performing live more, so he cut his recording career short. He started doing acoustic music, and discovered his calling.

Jimmy has not been lucky. He had a stint with Star Records where he signed up to do two albums, but he only finished one. When his contract expired, he opted not to renew. But he bears no grudges against the company. "We just didn’t fit," he says, referring to Star Records and his music.

Jimmy recovered lost ground when Cynthia Alexander’s NA Records released his single, Let Me Be The One. And now, he is actively performing again, starting with show opposite Nyoy who, like him, is a big fan of acoustic music. Nyoy and Jimmy will be doing what they call "acoustic jamming" with keyboards and violin.

Don’t miss the chance to catch these two up-and-coming balladeers. Unplugged with Nyoy Volante and Jimmy Bondoc on all Wednesdays of April (2, 9, 26, 23 and 30) Unplugged is sponsored by Image Quest and supported by Mossimo, Lipton Ice Tea and Vanilla Coke. Photos by Bert Dimson.

Lani in PLDT show

PLDT kicked off summertime with an intimate concert with friends of the phone company featuring Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha. It was a night of musical magic.

Meanwhile, on April 10, PLDT is bringing back Amazing Rex featuring Fil-American comic Rex Navarette at the Dish. Another night of rib-tickling entertainment is expected.

Then, world-class theater becomes synonymous with PLDT as it partners with one of the Philippines’ leading theater companies, Repertory Philippines (REP) on its 66th season. PLDT delivers REP’s hottest season tickets to award-winning plays like Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me A Tenor, George Walker’s Power Plays, Stephen Mallatratt’s The Woman in Black and Neil Simon’s London Suite.