Aisaku has new single

K-Pop tunes maybe all the rage these days but Aisaku Yokogawa remains true to the calling he has taken on for himself. And that is to make music that is both Filipino and Japanese.

Aisaku’s love affair with Filipino music continues with the release of a new single. The song is Imadamo Aishiteru which means Until Now I Love You. This is very much in-keeping with Aisaku’s name which means “make love” in Japanese. It is a composition by Robster Evangelista to which the Japanese balladeer has added some Nihonggo lyrics. Well, actually it is just the line that became the song’s title. Still, it is more than enough to once more focus attention on Aisaku’s fascination with things Filipino.

Aisaku was born in Japan but came to the Philippines as a boy and has since then adopted Filipino ways. He grew up into one multi-talented guy. He is now an artist, a commercial model, an adept translator and interpreter for Japanese, English and Filipino and a much in-demand host for various events both here and abroad. On special occasion, he might even put on a stunning balloon show with some magic tricks thrown in.

Aisaku is a born musician who grew up surrounded by Christian church music. He started out doing jazz but he soon discovered Filipino artists, whom he admires very much. It is out of this that his love for Tagalog songs took root and grew. He still sings in church. He also has not really ditched his jazz gigs. He still sings jazz, sometimes mainstream and sometimes Latin, occasionally in popular nightspots. But Aisaku has also hopped aboard the OPM bandwagon and is now known as the guy who sings Japanese-tinged Filipino pop songs.

This was why he was so happy to be able to record his own Filipino album a year ago. This was Ikaw Pa Rin where the big-selling tune from the ’90s by the Japanese crooner Ted Ito, was the title cut. A good Tagalog speaker, Aisaku did an excellent job and his light-singing style gave the popular oldie a new, youthful spin.

In keeping with the theme of the album, he also included other Japanese songs with Filipino lyrics that became big hits here like Isang Tanong Isang Sagot, Remember Me, Alaala Mo, Miss Kita, Sana’y Paniwalaan Mo, Honey My Love So Sweet plus a new original Simpleng Timpla and his big tribute to Filipino music, his own version of the Metropop grand prize-winning song popularized by Leah Navarro, Isang Mundo, Isang Awit.

Aisaku is now at work on his second album and Imademo Aishiteru is his first song. It will also include his own compositions, one of which is Daijobu Dakara which means Kaya Pa Naman. All of the cuts will have Japanese lines or titles translated into Tagalog. This means that the Japanese vocabulary of Aisaku’s followers will be richer by several lines and a lot of words just by listening to his songs when his album comes out.

Until then, his fans can enjoy the single Imademo Aishiteru which is now available on downloads. I also say that they should check out the romantic video, which airs on MTV Pinoy and for which Aisaku, the artist, did the cute animation.

Good news. Hotdog is going to Manresa. The Manresa School Parents Auxiliary (MSPA 2014-2015) presents Hinahanap-hanap Kita Manresa, a Musika’t Kantahan with the famed Hotdog band. This will be held at the Manresa School Gym in BF Homes Parañaque on March 1 at 7 p.m. Tickets are now on sale at Manresa School, the Pergola Mall, Vitamin World, Fats Melts Diner and Red Carpet Shoes at BF Homes Parañaque.

Even better news. Tickets to the concert costs only P500. This means that the Hotdog has agreed to do the show at a reduced talent fee. Therefore, it means that the audience will have the time of their lives grooving to all those classic Hotdog songs at the price of only five hundred bucks. These guys really put on a fun, entertaining show every time and it is always a treat to hear again Pers Lab, Manila, Panaginip, Annie Batungbakal, Bongga Ka Day, Beh Buti Nga, Langit Na Naman and all those other Manila Sound hits live.

Call Manresa at 0917-8888920 for tickets and inquiries.