Songs to slash your wrist by Vincent de Jesus

I hope that nobody takes the title of this album to heart or even takes the time to consider the suggestion seriously. It is Songs To Slash Your Wrist By by the multi-faceted, extremely prolific Vincent de Jesus. Come to think of it, the songwriter, arranger, producer and everything else of the album probably just meant the opposite. This is not an album to slash one’s wrist by or to be blunt about it, to commit suicide.

I have a feeling it was actually devised to channel a heartbreaking, traumatic experience into music. As the ages have oh-so-clearly proven, this sort of pain can be translated into art and into cash and in a lot of cases, that means making money out of the experience. Songs To Slash Your Wrist By which is available on iTunes or directly from Vince, has already sold over 3,000 copies.

Vincent (Vince for short), who majored in voice and piano at the University of the Philippines College of Music, is one of those extraordinarily gifted artists who excels in anything he does. That means being a record producer, songwriter, composer, arranger, singer, actor, host, comedian and as musical director for television shows, motion pictures, stage plays and musicals. 

Among the titles that instantly come to mind are Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank, Dream Dad, Mano Po, Crying Ladies, Praybeyt Benjamin, Bilangin Mo Ang Bituin Sa Langit, Kokey, Do Bi Do Bi Do and so many others. And not to forget, he also teaches. Last I heard, it was musical theater. But given his expertise on almost anything, I will not be surprised if he were sharing his talents about other subjects.

He is also very good with heartbreak songs. He writes pretty melodies and lyrics that ring true. If you are one of those people who like to wallow in pain, you will find much to enjoy in Songs To Slash Your Wrist By. It is filled with love, memories, regrets, recriminations. A friend, who listened to the songs, called it a sustained pambabatok sa sarili. Ouch! And you know how Pinoys are with such sentiments. With those inherent masochistic tendencies in full play, there is no way they can resist these songs.

“Kitang kita ko sa iyong mata/ may lihim na ibig kumawala/ kahit pagtakpan unti-unting napapansin/ tumatabang na ba ang pag-ibig sa akin,” he asks in Nanlalamig Naglalaho. He is more direct with Hindi Na Kita Mahal, “Hindi na papayagan pang ako’y muling saktan/ Sinubukang unawain/ ngunit di na kakayanin/ dapat noon ko pa sinabing hindi ka kita mahal.” And finally coming to total resignation in Ako Lang Ang Nagmahal, “Ang init ng iyong halik/ naglahong parang panaginip/ ako lang siguro ang nagmahal.”

Those are not all that you will find in the album. Enterprising producer that he is, Vince made sure that he has a stellar cast performing these songs. I say not merely stellar but also excellent interpreters for his works. It is quite a line-up and they all rose up to the heartbreak challenge. These are:

 Tahimik Lang by Daryl Ong; Sabay Sa Ihip Ng Hangin by Diohanna Plantado-Tiongson, Saan Ba Nagsimula by Myke Salomon; As Long As by Jett Pangan; Nanlalamig, Naglalaho by Daryl Reyes; Hindi Na Kita Mahal by Gail Blanco; Suspended In Mid-Air by OJ Mariano; The Man Of Steel by Kalila Aguilos; Duwag by Noel Cabangon; and a reprise of Ako Lang Ang Nagmahal by Aiza Seguerra. Vincent, who has a sweet pop tenor voice, sings Twenty-Four Years Old and Ako Lang Ang Nagmahal.

And speaking of musicals, you still have this weekend to catch Disney’s Beauty and The Beast at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Roxas Boulevard. I know, I know, the prices of the tickets are quite expensive. But just think, it is still much less than what you would pay on Broadway, not to mention the cost of airfare to New York and your hotel bill. And you get something that is exactly the same.

Everything that has delighted Broadway and other parts of the world is in this touring production. And it is of the same excellent quality. The music, the actors, the costumes, the staging, the overall production and needless to say, you also get the same enchanted feeling watching this fabulous musical. Kids and adults are loving every bit of it.

Watch your favorite characters like Belle, Beast, Gaston, Mrs. Potts, Chip, Lumiere and others come to life. Hear the beautiful songs. Marvel at the production numbers and at those special effects like seeing Beast transform into a handsome prince right before your very eyes.

Remember, you have only from Jan. 30 to Feb. 8 to see it all happen.