Juicy gals with juicy voices

Add Philippine Juicy Fruits to the growing list of all-female song-and-dance groups making their presence felt in every corner of the entertainment arena today. Count the group, too, among the few that display vocal calisthenics and dance routines enough to elicit oohs and aahs from the audience the way it recently did on NBN 4’s Pilipinas, Ngayon Na hosted by Undersecretary Robert Rivera.

Named after the local fruits, Larah Beth Rebong a.k.a.  Kaymito Bayabas, Jhoana Marie Elaurza (Mangga Rambutan), Marvic Madrigal (Makopa Santol) and Sheena Marie Fructuoso (Langka Duhat) comprised the group formed by its mentor-manager Bella Dimayuga who heads Bellestar, the company that hones and promotes Filipino talents here and abroad.

“Their names, in a way represent the Philippines abroad and they have the same characteristics as our local fruits — sweet, fresh and something you can be proud of,” Bella says.

Why not, when each of the girls possesses a golden voice that already earned a number of recognitions in talent competitions? They, too, have guested on TV shows prior to becoming a group. Larah, who took up voice lessons at Center for Pop Music, is named champion in Search for Singing Princess Walt Disney under Viva Records. She was a grand finalist in the DZME singing tilt and Birit Bulilit. She has guested on ABS-CBN’s Umagang Kay Ganda and GMA 7’s Walang Tulugan with the Master Showman. Larah has also appeared in the Sen. Jinggoy Estrada-Lorna Tolentino starrer Katas ng Saudi.

Marvic, student of Dela Salle University, on the other hand, was a weekly champion of Rush TV The Hits Contest. She attended workshops in Center for Arts Foundation, CCP and Perfect Rhythm Music Center. She also trained at the Bellestar Academy. 

Jhoana, meanwhile, showcases her vocal prowess by performing in different hotels. She polished her  dancing skills through lessons in Japan. She was a stage drama actress in the US where she finished her elementary and high school. She is currently enrolled as Fine Arts student in an Arizona university.

Fourth member Sheena is a UP Associate in Arts student. She won first prize in Wow Magic Sing, was a finalist in DZME’s singing tilt and was one of the contenders of GMA 7’s Pinoy Pop Superstar in 2004. She did the front act for Bobby Soul’s concert four years ago. Sheena took up voice training at Center for Pop Music and attended voice lessons under Kitchy Molina.    

This time, Bella is not letting the girls wear those heavily-sequined vests, colorful feathery costumes and headdresses the way the Bellestar dancers used to during production numbers. Larah, Jhoana, Marvic and Sheena are in more appealing get-ups that suit their age and complement the discriminating taste of today’s generation.

“The girls are all truly determined to make it big and I’m helping them realize their dream,” Bella says.

Only on its second month into performing as a group, Philippine Juicy Fruits has already confirmed bookings to perform in the US. The quartet will first hit the stages of San Francisco’s show venues soon.

The Philippine Juicy Fruits is finally off to a good start.