A September to remember for families

MANILA, Philippines - Living up to its international image as the country’s retail, entertainment, and tourism hub, the Greenhills Shopping Center has lined up a number of musical, consumer, and other special events for the whole family in the next two months.

Among the shopping attractions is the signature band competition Greenhills Sessionistas 2010 set on Friday, September 17 and 24 with a finals night on October 1.

For the first time, Greenhills Sessionistas now includes school bands from the provinces vying for top honors against those from Metro Manila as they play with professionals joining this event as guests.

Among this year’s guests is Pinoy rock icon Joey “Pepe” Smith of the Juan dela Cruz band of the Ang Himig Natin fame. This historic Filipino rock composition and album of 1973 virtually ushered in the rise of original Pilipino music (OPM) that has since generated a huge following up to the present.

The well-attended event gathers the top bands from different schools in a friendly competition, dazzling shoppers and music buffs with popular and original compositions.

“The competition’s huge following has turned Greenhills Sessionistas into an annual event that provides school bands with a venue to showcase their talents and promote music as a wholesome medium of expression and entertainment for the young generation,” says general manager Cathy Casares-Ko of Greenhills Shopping Center.

Those who have passed the auditions include bands whose members come from San Benildo Antipolo, Mapua Institute, De La Salle, GSIT, UP, Unciano College, EARIST, City of Malabon University, Pamantasan Lungsod ng Pasig, St. John Don Bosco, St. Paul University, Southville International School and Colleges, Rizal Technological University, ICCT College, Adamson University, Our Lady of Fatima University, University of the Philippines Los Baños, and De la Salle College of St. Benilde, among many others.

Aside from Juan dela Cruz, other popular bands participating in this year’s Greenhills Sessionistas are Imago, Rivermaya, Urbandub, and 6-Cycle Mind — all giving the contestants a feel of how to perform like a pro.

At the end of the fourth Friday night, the three finalists shall be determined. The judges are Chikoy Pura of The Jerks, drummer Andre Soler formerly of Mullato, and Francis Reyes of NU107.

“Prizes include cash, gift certificates from the Greenhills Shopping Center Tiangge, and a four-night gig as a professional band at the Tiendesitas, where bar owners from various CBDs (central business districts) hunt for up-and-coming bands,” Ko points out.

Now the nation’s top retail bargain center, Greenhills is owned and operated by real estate and property developer, Ortigas & Company, Limited Partnership, also the owner and developer of the Ortigas Center and CBD, and many other major property developments in other parts of Metro Manila.