Linkin Park coming for concert in June

Here’s good news for fans of Linkin Park:

The rock band is coming for a concert on June 15 at the Old ULTRA Open Field, so better start saving for this rare musical event.

"It’s definite," said the producer who was also behind the recent successful concert of Incubus. (For inquiries and reservations, call SM Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.) "Linkin Park is the biggest rock band in the world today and it would take many years before they perform again in the Philippines. Who knows, its first concert here on June 15 might be its last."

Oops! Correction, please: Linkin Park is not just a rock band.

"That’s the biggest misconception about us," said Linkin Park guitarist Brad Delson. "We believe that our music is a cross-section of many genres, a hybrid of what the six of us have grown up on."

The title of the band’s debut album (and also its original band name), Hybrid Theory, describes both the band’s artistic goals and its approach to making music. Fans, of course, know what the Linkin Park sound is: A melting pot of heavy alternative rock, hip-hop and electronic flourishes, utterly their own, an accomplishment strengthened by the band’s remarkably powerful, organic songwriting.

Linkin Park fans will hear exactly that sound– and more– at the band’s Old ULTRA gig.

Be there.

More On The Political Trail

• Still another name left out of Funfare’s roster of stars in politics was Red Sternberg who’s running for Councilor in Pasay City. Turning 30 this month, the former Viva star and member of the GMA 7 youth-oriented show T.G.I.S. decided to enter politics because he felt that he would be in a better position to help the youth. Said Red, "Being young is a wonderful experience but it is also a delicate period where some people can sometimes find themselves losing their grip and self-control." If elected, added Red, he would put up a center for the unemployed youth and create summer jobs for students.

• Lawyer Roman Romulo, who’s running for Congressman in the lone district of Pasig City, is often mistaken for Senatoriable Mar Roxas. On the campaign trail, people call him "Mr. Palengke" (Mar’s "copyrighted title") and Roman acknowledges the mistake with a smile and a friendly wave of his hand.

"It’s flattering," said Roman who, like Mr. Palengke, has a background and pedigree to be proud of. He has many things in common with Mr. Palengke, aside from being romantically linked to a showbiz star, Mr. Palengke to Korina Sanchez and Roman to Regine Velasquez (now on a concert tour in the US with bosom buddy Ogie Alcasid).

Roman, who turned 37 last Feb. 28, is the grandson of Gen. Carlos P. Romulo (the first Asian head of the United Nations, among many other achievements) and the son of Executive Secretary Bert Romulo. A UP Bachelor of Laws and AB Economics graduate, Roman was an associate of the Quisumbing Torres and Evangelista Law Office (1994-1996) and the Sycip Salazar Hernandez Law Office (1996-1999), and is currently senior associate also of SSHLO (since 1999).

What’s Up?

• From reader Helen Esmero: I’ve been living in Italy for 15 years now. Last February, Morris Albert (singer of Feelings) participated in the annual music festival in Italy. He’s married to Filipina singer Becca Godinez, isn’t he? (Note: Used to be. They have separated.)

• From reader E. Morgan: My friends and I saw the movie Connie and Carla (starring Nia Varsdalos of Big Fat Greek Wedding fame, with Toni Collete and David Duchovny of X-Files). We were surprised to see a young Filipino who played one of Connie and Carla’s drag friends. His name is Alex Mapa (could he be related to Jao Mapa?). Alex was effective as an English-speaking-with-Pinoy-accent gay dancer-singer and he got good feedback from the predominantly-white audience.

(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)