Nyoy & Mannos for Valentine

Vicor Music Corp. is not only releasing reissues of its classic albums to commemorate its 40th anniversary. It is also making new versions of its old hits as performed by its new contract artists. One of these is OPM Klasiks featuring the music artistry of Nyoy Volante & Mannos. The band is made up of Volante on vocals and guitars, Glenn Dalit on cajon and other percussion, Jerome Nunez on violin, other strings and percussion, Cocoy Aranas on bass guitar and additional vocals and Maynard Albis on percussion.

Although this young group started out as one of the regulars in the once trendy acoustic circuit, it is now a fact that they have transcended those beginnings and is moving towards bigger things. Credit this feat to Volante’s versatile and expressive vocals and the unique arrangements that fuse various types with which they approach every song. At this point in their career, it can be safely said that Nyoy and Mannos have already established a solid footing on the road to becoming one of the great Filipino artists of the future.

Still, it must have been quite daunting to have been assigned to perform songs immortalized by the likes of Basil Valdez, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano and even the Juan de la Cruz Band for this new album. Fortunately Nyoy and Mannos have a style that is their very own. It is quite daring really as they have no qualms about mixing rock with classical with country with etc. etc. So in a case such as theirs, all they had to do was perform the songs, the way they usually would in their live sets and feel confident that the results would be OK.

It is. Of course I would have wanted to hear Volante’s take on George Canseco’s immortal Ngayon at Kailanman but they chose to do this as an instrumental track. It came out sweet and nice, thanks to Jerome’s gorgeous-sounding violin, but that was still a bit of a cop-out. As for the rest, Nyoy and Mannos are not likely to receive complaints from the esteemed composers who wrote the songs. In fact, I already smell a hit or two with Each Day with You, Binibini and Sana ay Ikaw Na Nga. The other classics in the album are Beep Beep, Naaalala Ka, Eto Na Naman, Narito Ka, Reachin’ Out, Umagang Kay Ganda and Sumayaw, Sumunod.

Take note too that oldies is not all that OPM Klasiks is about. Nyoy & Mannos have also included some new works that they hope will be among those that Vicor will be celebrating with in another 40 years. All composed by Nyoy, these are Nasaan, Dinggin, Parang Kapiling and Dahil Wala Ka Na.

Incidentally, Feb. 14 this year will find Nyoy & Mannos in Love Letters at the Lobby Lounge of the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel at the Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong together with the very pretty Karylle. In keeping with the season, the intimate dinner-concert will showcase love songs with sentiments such as those usually expressed in love letters. Among these are the originals popularized by Nyoy and Mannos like You are My You and Nasaan? and Karylle’s Pagbigyan ang Puso.

Aside from the great buffet dinner that will be served, the Lobby Lounge will also be transformed into veritable lovers’ paradise for those celebrating Valentine’s Day. These together with the love songs will surely be the perfect setting for a very romantic evening. Dinner starts at 6:30 so it would be best to come early. Better yet, make your reservations early by calling EDSA Shangri-La at 633-8888 extension 2738 and 2739.

Faces of Love

Also for Valentine. It will be Gary Valenciano and Zsa Zsa Padilla together on stage at 8 p.m. on Feb. 14 and 15 at the Le Pavillon in Pasay City. The show is titled Faces of Love and proceeds are earmarked for the victims of the tsunami in Asia and of the landslides in the province of Quezon in the Philippines through the Shining Light Foundation.

Everyone is enjoined to help in this worthy cause through media support, sponsorship, cash donations or to simply buy tickets to the concert. The latter are assured of an enjoyable evening with these two great performers as well. Tickets are priced at P3500 with cocktails and P2500 for show only. You may call telephone numbers 721-4406 or 725-1937 for other details.