Jasmine is back to do an album

Curtain-raisers:

• A panawagan from Donna Cruz who left her ipod photo 60gb (white) on a PAL flight (868) from Cebu to Manila last Friday, the 13th. Donna was travelling with husband, Dr. Yong Larrazabal, and their two daughters. They occupied seats numbers 12A and 12C in the Business Class. Donna is appealing to whoever found the ipod to contact her manager Shirley Kuan at these numbers: 0918-9305245 and 413-7219. A reward awaits the finder.

• Did you know that a group of 60 stars and crew members of a top-rated Korean telenovela is now in Cebu shooting 16 episodes (good for one season), showcasing Cebu’s scenic/tourist spots? The group is billeted at Shangri-La Mactan.

• After denying to death for months, Nancy Castiglione has finally admitted that she and Bullit Jalosjos, son of former Zamboanga Rep. Romy Jalosjos, are really going on together. Denial Queen! Will Nancy also deny that she once went steady with (in chronological order) Drew Arellano, Luis Manzano and Paolo Contis? Good for Nancy to be, uh, counting her "blessings."

* * *

Barely seven months after she took the Philippines by storm with a three-week visit, American Idol discovery Jasmine Trias is back. But unlike her first visit when her arrival created pandemonium at the airport, she slipped back in from Hawaii last Wednesday, May 18, very quietly.

Three hours after she (with her mom Nora Soriano-Trias and manager Rhiza Pascua) checked into the Linden Suites, Jasmine met with Universal Records execcutives Kathleen Dy-Go (general manager), Ramon Chuaying (executive vice president) and Peter Chan (operations manager) to sign the contract for one album.

Negotiations between Jasmine and Universal Records were started last year by Bella Tan, UR general manager, who didn’t live long enough to see Jasmine actually do the album.

"That’s what I came back for," Jasmine told Funfare, "the album. I’ll be here for five days to record the songs. It’s a short visit. I’m also doing a photo shoot and a music video."

The album, tentatively titled simply Jasmine Trias, will include Inseparable (which she sang during the American Idol elimination round) and two Filipino songs (one composed by Vehnee Saturno and the other a Korean song adapted into Tagalog).

Before the UR deal was closed, according to Jasmine, she got two other offers from US companies.

"But Universal came up with the best offer," said Jasmine, so...

Jasmine said she has been wanting to come back.

Asked what her fondest memory of her September 2004 visit was, Jasmine recalled, "I had a very hectic schedule. Very hectic! I was like a machine, I just kept on going. I remember that the moment I arrived at the airport, there was a media frenzy! There was some kind of craziness that I’d never experienced before. That was overwhelming for me. When I look back, I tell myself, ‘Wow, it was amazing!’ I can never forget that."

So "amazing" and "memorable" it was that Jasmine said she never got that kind of reception anywhere else, not even in her native Hawaii. "It wasn’t that big," she said, referring to the way she was welcomed by her fellow Hawaiians after she landed among the Top 3 in American Idol. "No, it wasn’t that big."

Even after she left the Philippines, in contrast to her arrival, quietly and without fanfare, Jasmine has been highly visible on billboards and commercials she did for McDonald’s, Smart, Hapee Toothpaste and Bench.

"My visit this time is quiet because I’m focusing on my music, my recording."

Aside from the recording/pictorial, will she squeeze in a little time to visit relatives and enjoy herself?

"I don’t think so. In five days, I have to record four songs and shoot the video. I have a pretty tight schedule."

How does she find the stifling Manila weather, compared to that of Hawaii?

Smiled Jasmine, "It’s sooo hot here! Hotter by far than the weather in Hawaii. But I actually like it better hot than cold because I’ve been travelling a lot to New York and it’s sooo cold there."

Doesn’t it affect her voice?

"Actually, it does. Coming from hot Hawaii to cold New York kind of took a toll on me... more on my health than my voice. I got sick, actually. I had a very bad cold, I was coughing and I had a runny nose. But I got over it quick and I’m okay now. How do I protect my voice? I take a lot of vitamins. I even had a flu shot."

And what has she been doing since her visit here last year?

"I was actually doing a lot of press. I was in New York promoting my (other) album. I was also doing some shows for Coca-Cola (in Indianapolis, Texas, etc.). And then I went to L.A. to do more press for the album (titled Jasmine Trias, produced by Clockwork Entertainment)."

The other good news is that Jasmine is set to break into Hollywood with a movie called All-Girl Band, with Hillary Duff (of Lizzie McGuire fame) as topbiller, where Jasmine plays a drummer. Shooting will start soon after she goes back to Los Angeles (release maybe next year yet).

Through with high school, Jasmine plans to enroll in a business course once she sets her schedule in order.

How has success affected her?

"It has affected me in a big way. I’m living my dream in a way that I have never imagined. It’s amazing!"

Jasmine is leaving Sunday night for Hawaii where she and her family are still based.

"But I will be back in August in time for the release of my album (Universal Records)," she said. "Maybe I will stay longer by then."

* * *

E-mail reactions at [email protected]