ASAP Sessionistas still sticking together

MANILA, Philippines - Will the ASAP Sessionistas disband soon? The speculation came after rumors spread that another network is offering one of the seven members of the singing group a contract.

This drew mixed reactions from ASAP Sessionistas composed of Aiza Seguerra, Juris Fernandez, Princess Velasco, Duncan Ramos, Richard Poon, Sitti Navarro and Nina at the prescon held recently for its Feb. 5 concert billed ASAP Sessionistas 20.11 at the Araneta Coliseum.

“I don’t know anything about it and if there’s such an offer, I’m speaking for myself, I’m the type who’ll stick with someone because I’m happy. And we have a contract with ASAP so I doubt it, “Aiza says.

Besides, she sees no reason to jump ober da bakod considering the group is having fun working together as barkada especially during out of town shows where members, as Aiza puts it, “laugh, eat pancit and sing most of the time.”

Though Aiza admits a solo career means bigger earnings, the fun of being with the group is enough reason to perceive work as another form of play. 

Duncan agrees saying in jest, “We have a contract e at ayaw naming mademanda.” Yet kidding aside, the former band vocalist put emphasis on the kind of treatment and support ABS-CBN is giving their group. “Mahal kami ng ABS at mahal din namin sila and we love each other so much. We are solid as a group.”

Princess, for her part, is surprised upon hearing about the “disbanding” rumor considering she’s the newest addition to the group which was formed two years ago due to the endless clamor of ASAP XV viewers to see them perform easy on the ears songs together even outside the four corners of the noontime variety show stage.

“If anyone breaks away from the group, I don’t think the identity of Sessionistas will be the same because the group was formed in ASAP so it’s but natural that loyalty is expected. If one of us will be taken out, mawawalan na ng sense ang pagiging grupo,” Princess tells.

Juris believes it won’t happen in the group while Sitti is certain that they were able to foster friendship as Sessionistas.

Proving further that the singing group shares the same views as opposed to what the rumors say, everyone has convincing reasons regarding the call to regulate foreign acts in the country during the Valentine’s season.

“Safe kami d’yan kasi sa February 5 ang sa ‘min,” Aiza quips. “But as far as I know we have a market na din naman and it’s really up to the people who they want to watch, ‘wag natin sila tanggalan ng options.“

What she deems best is for local artists to display excellence during performances in order to be at par with their foreign counterparts. She, too, believes music should be shared, not regulated.

“If ever they will regulate, I only hope they will send not just popular acts like Lady Gaga but also those types where you can learn or get something from their shows. Siguro lang din sana ‘wag yung masyado suplado.”

Watching foreign artists, Sitti adds, also inspires local singers like her. She observes they usually do not mind performing a day after their arrival even if they came miles away from here.

“You could really feel their passion for their craft and the level of their performance is so high.”

Still, local artists are united in their appeal to support original Pilipino music and their call against music piracy. Aiza reveals her events company, Black Bird, plans to seek the help of the Quezon City government headed by Mayor Herbert Bautista with Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte to promote local music through music festival where artists of different genres unite to perform and display their ability to render good music for Pinoy audience.

For now, Aiza and the rest of ASAP Sessionistas are definite their show will be one memorable evening as they will render hits from the ‘40s to the present.