MANILA, Philippines - The Manila Sound is as original Pinoy as traditional harana. It’s the musicthat we never get sick and tired of. Founded in the ’70s, the Manila Sound eventu- ally gave birth to OPM (Original Pilipino Music) and is a mainstay on most Pinoy bands set list whether perform- ing in the Philippines or abroad. It has been revived and rearranged countless times through the decades. Fortunately, most of the artists from this phenomenal music generation are still alive and well and still do concerts and performances every now and then. Two years ago, three of the main archi- tects of the Manila Sound movement got together and decided to join forces and become one entity. The union had a shaky start but as time passed, the group got cohesive and better. They have the distinction of being the debut concert artist chosen by the management of Resorts World to perform at the newly constructed Newport Per- forming Arts Theater. Since then, they’ve done solo concerts at Aliw Theater, Teatrino, Dusit Hotel, Hard Rock Café, Ynares Center, Legaspi City, Angeles, Pampanga, Tagaytay, Davao, Subic, Panga- sinan, etc. Manila Sound Project is touring again this year and started with a New Year’s Day concert at Clark, Pampanga. The current Manila Sound Project is composed of Sonny Parsons, Joey Abando and Male Rigor.
Sonny was one of the lead singers of Hagibis. When the group broke up, he dabbled into politics, had a successful movie career as an action star playing lead or co lead in over 20 movies, did several TV series and sang as solo artist. Joey was the lead singer/composer of the Boyfriends. The group has not totally disbanded and still perform every now and then locally or in the US. Before
joining Manila Sound Project two years ago, Joey had a flourishing singing career in Seoul, Korea. Male was an original member of VST & Co. that included brothers Tito, Vic and Val Sotto and his own brother Spanky. When VST & Co. split up, Male concentrated on non-music concerns liketravel agencies and finance. The Manila Sound Project is ably backed
by Carlo Gaa as musical director and keyboard player. Carlo is also the favorite musical director of Bobby Kimball (Toto), John Ford Coley, The Cascades, Peter & Gordon, Rex Smith, China Crisis, Von Trapp Children, Dan Hill, Chris Montez, Matt Monro Jr., etc, together with the Rex Band plus female vocalists Lara Cuevas and Grace Cano.
Their set list is strictly OPM and includes the Hagibis hits Katawan, Legs, Nanggigigil Kami, Ilagay Mo Kid; Boyfriends hits Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal, Nais Kong Malaman Mo, Dahil Mahal Kita, Sumayaw Sumunod, Salawahan; VST & Co. hits Awitin Mo Isasayaw Ko, Rock Baby Rock, Ipagpatawad Mo, Disco Fever plus hits of other OPM artists.
Ahead of Valentine’s weekend, Manila Sound Project has a concert at the home of OPM artists Music Museum on Feb. 9. Tick- ets are now on sale at Ticketworld and at the Music Museum box-office. For details, e-mail maddie@circlesentertainment.com.