Pilita Corrales

Pilita Corrales (born 22 August 1939 in Cebu City, Philippines) is a famous Filipino folk musical recording artist, who is widely referred to as Asia's Queen of Songs, having produced over 135 albums in her music career spanning over four decades.

Biography:

Pilita Corrales was born in Cebu City, Cebu in 1939, she is a mestiza, (of Spanish and Austronesian) ancestry. After finishing her studies at Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion in her native land of Cebu, she went to Spain to enroll in a finishing school in music. In 1958, Pilita began her recording career after arriving with a shipwrecked troupe of performers in Melbourne. She left her mark by becoming the first woman to make the Australian pop charts with a local recording called 'Come Closer to Me'. She became a star of the Melbourne TV circuit and her first hit, Come Closer to Me, became part of a collection on which she’s billed as one of the Grand Dames of Melbourne Radio and Television.

Pilita holds the distinction of being the first female artist to top the Australian pop music charts long before Helen Reddy, Olivia Newton-John and Kylie Minogue. Pilita also recorded at least 3 LPs in the late 1950s-early 1960s: Pilita with Arthur Young :Pilita tells The Story of Love, I'll Take Romance and This is Pilita under Astor Records. Being one of the pioneers of Australia's early television years, a street was named after her outside Melbourne. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) recently featured Pilita and several pioneering female artists in Australia in the 2nd episode of the highly acclaimed TV special, Love is in the Air. Pilita returned to Manila during the mid 1960s to pursue a career in the Philippine music industry. Her Philippine career began when she hosted a radio program La Taverna over DZPI where she sang Spanish songs and played the guitar. She performed regularly in stage shows at the Manila Grand Opera House. Subsequently, her reputation grew and during her international stints, she has performed with internationally acclaimed artists like Sammy Davis Jr. the Beatles, Bob Hope, Pat Boone, Frank Sinatra and Julie Andrews. She also appeared in movies, most of them musicals. Her film debut was a lead role in the 1968 film Miss Wawaw, and was followed by 11 more movies for the next two years. Pilita later recorded numerous albums in Spanish in the early 60s as well as numerous long playing albums in English, Tagalog and Cebuano during the 1970s under Vicor Music Corporation. Her multiawarded TV program at ABS-CBN, An Evening with Pilita (1965-1972), is widely considered as one of the benchmarks in Philippine broadcasting history.

Pilita frequently performed for Seeing Stars with Joe Quirino in IBC-Channel 13 after the martial law years where she demonstrated her range as a gifted performer of Spanish, English, Cebuano and Tagalog music. Aquarius Record Philippines produced a compilation of Pilita's Spanish songs in CDs like Noche de Ronda, Vaya Con Dios. Her signature song A Million Thanks to You was translated in seven languages. She eventually recorded songs composed by Filipino composers like Danny Holmsen, George Canseco, Willy Cruz, Ryan Cayabyab and several others. Under Vicor Records, Pilita interpreted numerous Filipino classics and introduced them to younger audiences.

Pilita first met Canseco in Your Evening with Pilita (aired on pre-Martial Law ABS-CBN) as a guest in the composers' portion of the show". For the show Canseco brought with him You're All I Love. Canseco later wrote Filipino lyrics for the song, which became Kapantay ay Langit, the first song Canseco sold to a record label in 1966. The song was first recorded by Amapola for the movie theme of Kapantay Ay Langit starring Marlene Dauden and Eddie Rodríguez. The song won for George Canseco and Amapola the Manila Film Festival award for best song of the year. The song did not fare well commercially, because Amapola had left (for her U.S. concert tours) and the song was not promoted properly, according to Canseco during an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer. But when Pilita revived the song, it turned into a classic and defied trends and time. "The song," Pilita said, "was included in my album Philippine Love Songs Vol. 1, which was released in the early 1970s."

Through the personal invitation of Sammy Davis Jr., Pilita became the first Filipino to sing in Caesars Palace. In her concert in Caesars Palace, Las Vegas during the late 70s, Pilita sang Spanish, English, Cebuano and Tagalog songs, all conducted and arranged by Ryan Cayabyab.

After receiving a 1965 Philippine Citizen's Award for TV as Best TV Female Performer, Pilita went on to receive Cecil, Aliw, Tinig and Awit and several other awards for her performances and lifetime achievement. In 1990, she received a Merit Award from the FAMAS Awards. In 1991, she was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) for bringing Filipino musical artistry to international audience. She also holds the distinction of being the first Filipino to win in an international music festival by bagging the Best Performer Award during the 1st Tokyo Music Festival (1972) where she bested numerous international artists including the highly-regarded Olivia Newton-John.

These days she operates Pilita, a restaurant-bar in Greenhills, one of Manila's prime commercial districts. She is also a highly-acclaimed host and comedy actress on Philippine television. With over 135 albums to her credit and an international profile with many appearances in Asia, the Middle East, Australia and North America, she still enjoys a reputation as “singing icon and living legend.”

In 2006, Pilita Corrales was handpicked by Associated Broadcasting Company (ABC Channel 5) and FremantleMedia to be one of the celebrity-judges for the first-ever nationwide search for the Philippine Idol together with composer Ryan Cayabyab and rapper Francis Magalona.

Personal Life:

Corrales has two children, Lourdes Jacqueline Blanco (commonly known as "Jackielou" Blanco) and Ramón Christopher Gutíerrez. Both her two children are also well known celebrity figures in the Philippine Film Industry. Corrales was married in 1963, to the late executive businessman Gonzalo Blanco and separated soon after, while her daughter "Jackielou" was still a child. Gonzalo later died in 1981.

Corrales had a brief short love affair with actor Eddie Gutíerrez, and later gave birth to her second child, Ramón Christopher, in 1971.

Christian Bautista

Christian Bautista is a Filipino singer, actor and Bench model. He was a finalist of the Philippine reality show Star in a Million shown on ABS-CBN.

Christian Bautista, Asia’s Pop Idol:

Christian Bautista is a multi-awarded recording artist and singing sensation in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

2003-2004: Star In A Million and Christian Bautista:

First thrust in the spotlight as ABS-CBN’s Star In A Million’s most popular non-winner, his future was sealed soon after with a recording contract with hit-making label Warner Music Philippines. The partnership produced the phenomenal hit “The Way You Look At Me,” and life was never the same again for the 25-year old Landscape Architecture graduate from the University of the Philippines. Christian’s self-titled album, which carried his first hit song reached Multi-Platinum status in the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Christian’s international success began with “The Way You Look at Me,” getting frequent airplay in Indonesian radio stations. The song became an instant hit among the country’s young music lovers, even if they had yet to see the artist behind the ballad.

The song, penned by American composers Andrew Fromm and Keith Follese, became so popular that record label Warner Indonesia decided to bring Christian there to the great delight of the fans whose support for the Filipino singer has been steadily growing and even spreading to neighboring countries.

2005: Completely:

“Completely,” Christian Bautista’s much awaited second album, received a Platinum Record Award on its first week of release in the Philippines. The album spawned hit songs “Everything You Do,” “Invincible,” and “She Could Be", a song which was later revived by teen idol Corbin Bleu, who is most known for his role in High School Musical, in his debut album, Another Side. Completely has also reached Platinum status in Indonesia.

In the Philippines, "Completely" was released in a different packaging. The first release of the album was on a DigiPack then on a standard version later on.

A special edition of the album “Completely,” which combines Christian’s English songs from his debut and second albums, was recently launched in Singapore. His signature monster-hit single “The Way You Look Me” also hit the no. 1 spot in popular radio stations in the Lion City.

In the first quarter of 2006, Indonesia’s largest TV station, RCTI, aired “Completely: Christian Bautista,” the young balladeer’s first-ever Indonesian TV special. Christian performed with the biggest names in the Indonesian music scene—the famous 40-piece Magenta Orchestra, the young musical genius Andi Rianto, and the country’s two female divas, Krisdayanti and Titi DJ.

Banking on his massive following among young fans in Indonesia, Bautista has been tapped by San Miguel Corporation to endorse its new line of soft beverage products in the Asian region, starting with Indonesia. Christian also endorses a new mobile content provider based in Jakarta called Star SMS, and soon for Oishi food products in the Philippines, and Indonesia.

Locally, he has been the face for Bench clothing and body spray, St. Augustine School of Nursing, Smart telecommunications, Trumpets Musicademy, Bed Head products, Skechers, and Swatch watches.

Bautista debuts as an actor on the big screen in Regal Entertainment’s 2006 Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di.” In this film directed by Joel Lamangan and written by Abi Lam-Parayno, Dode Cruz and Andrew Paredes, Christian plays Timothy a.k.a. Felix Yan, an Asian pop star, providing support to the bankable love team of Angel Locsin and Richard Gutierrez. His ditty from his second album, “My Heart Has A Mind of Its Own,” is used as the film’s theme song.

2006-2007: Just A Love Song...Live! to present:

More recently, Bautista released his third major album “Just A Love Song…Christian Bautista Live! ” also under the Warner Music Philippines label. The album currently occupies higher echelon in retail charts nationwide. The album is mainly composed of covers of different old-time hit love songs and was recorded live in a bar with a small number of audience, majority of female audience.

He launched a 4-city tour in Indonesia on January 26 to February 2, 2007. The tour included visits in Jakarta, Makasarp, Surabaya, and Bandung.

In October 2007, he embarked a concert tour named "Inspired", a one-night show in the Cuneta Astodome with guest appearances by Gary Valenciano, Tricia Amper Jimenez, Joni Villanueva and Sam Milby.

Bautista re-released his latest live album "Just A Love Song...Live" that now includes a CD compilation of different Christmas Songs.

Personal Life:

Christian Bautista studied at the University of the Philippines in Diliman and took up Landscape Architecture, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the aforementioned course. before that he graduated high school and gradeschool at International Christian Academy which also hailed other philippine actors such as Ryan Eigenmann, Goeffrey Eigenmann, Rico Yan and Billy Joe Crawford. He was also a Table Tennis varsity player during college before focusing on singing and going into showbiz.

Christian Bautista admitted on an entertainment show called 'The Buzz' that he is currently dating fellow musician Rachelle Ann Go. He courted her for about two years and finally made their relationship public in 2006.

On November 11 2007, Christian announced that he and Rachelle are splitting up. Christian said in a full statement: "Both of us are friends now. We are in good terms. There is no third party. We tried to give our best to stay together but there were just misunderstandings and differences that we couldn't work out up to now. That is why we mutually decided to give the relationship a rest." Christian confirms break up with Rachel.
National Anthem Controversy:

In one of the most shameful acts, Christian Bautista who was singing the Philippine National anthem prior to a boxing match reportedly missed several lines in the song. The mistake repeatedly drew a lot of ire from Filipinos in the Philippines and abroad.

Commercial Endoresments:

* Greenwich Pizza
* St. Augustine School of Nursing
* Bench

Trivia:

• He's a Born Again Christian.
• He was guest appearance in "Master Showman" on GMA-7 with "Kuya Germs".
• He joined Trumpets Workshop for stageplays like, "The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe", "Joseph The Dreamer 10th Anniversary Stage Play", and among others.
• Kampanerang Kuba was his first TV show/fantaserye as Lorenzo.
• Anne Curtis was his first love interest (in a show) and first kiss on-screen.
• Mano Po 5: Gua Ai Di (I Love You) of Regal Films was his very first film.

Pepe Smith

Joseph William Smith (drummer-singer-songwriter), known as Joey Smith, and more popularly as Pepe Smith, is the acknowledged founder of original Filipino rock music, or "Pinoy Rock".

Born to an American serviceman father and a Filipina mother at Subic Bay Naval Base, he grew up in the Kamuning district of Quezon City, with his maternal grandmother from the age of three. He formed his first rock 'n' roll band at the age of eleven.

A member of the nationalistic and the seminal Philippine rock group, the Juan dela Cruz Band. Along with fellow legendary musicians, Wally Gonzales and Mike Hanopol. "Juan dela Cruz" is the recognized term for the "everyman" in Philippine society. The Juan dela Cruz Band initiated the rock music revolution in the Philippines, veering away from covers of foreign hit songs and focusing on original songwriting. The trio has always been credited of spearheading the Pinoy Rock genre in the Philippine music industry.

Albums (Juan dela Cruz Band)

• Up In Arms (1972)
• Himig Natin (1973)
• Maskara
• Super Session
• Kahit Anong Mangyari (1981)

Trivia:

• Spent six months in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. His band, the Surfer, was contacted to play for American soldiers.
• Jailed for six month for alleged drug possession in 1993. One of his constant jail visitors in Quezon City Jail was Apa Ongping. After his release for lack of evidence, Smith held a concert inside the jail.
• At 11 he had his first band, composed of his friends and neighbors in Kamuning, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
• Released in 2005 his very first solo album titled Idiosyncrasies, on Alpha Records. The 14-track album was three-years in the making; he started recording the album in 2002. The album was released simultaneously with the Juan Dela Cruz's three-CD collection from rival Vicor Records.
• Despite having an American father, he has never set foot in the USA. It's his dream to visit America. His band, during their peak, only toured United Kingdom and Asi, but never made it in America.
• In 1994, survived a car accident that damaged his signature jaw.
• One of very few Filipino performers who did opening acts during the July 4, 1966 historic and controversial first and only concert of the Beatles in Philippines. His admiration to the Beatles further strengthened his love for music.
• First album with Juan Dela Cruz band is "Up in Arms" which was released in 1972. All songs in the album were in English. It was not until the following year that "Ang Himig Natin" (Our Sound) started the Filipino rock revolution. The band's last hit was "Kahit Anong Mangyari" in 1981.
• He and his band, Juan Dela Cruz, was part of the first open field rock festival in the Philippines which was held in Antipolo in 1970.
• Of Filipino-American descent.
• Born to an American father and Filipina mother in Subic Base (once an American base), he grew up at Kamuning with her maternal grandmother at age 3.
• Acknowleged as the Father of Filipino rock.
• One of his main hobbies is collecting toy planes. His childhood dream is to become a pilot.
• A member of the nationalistic and the seminal Philippine rock band, Juan Dela Cruz. Juan Dela Cruz is often regarded as the most common personal name in the Philippines, an equivalent to John Smith in UK and other English-speaking countries.
• With Wally Gonzales, Mike Hanopol and the late Edmund "Bosyo" Fortuno in Juan Dela Cruz, they came up with seminal Filipino rock hit, "Ang Himig Natin" in 1972. Smith composed the song in 20 minutes while inside a comfort room of Araneta Coliseum where the band was having a concert.

Personal Quotes

If I am not into rock and roll... What I am, executive or executed?

Ryan Cayabyab

Ryan Cayabyab (born Raymundo Cipriano Pujante Cayabyab also known as Mr. C) is a renowned Filipino musician and was the Executive and Artistic Director of the defunct San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts. He was also a resident judge for the only season of Philippine Idol in 2006.

His works range from commissioned full-length ballets, theater musicals, choral pieces, a Mass set to unaccompanied chorus, and orchestral pieces, to commercial recordings of popular music, film scores and television specials.

Cayayab's current project includes the Ryan Cayabyab Singers (RCS), a group of seven young adult singers comparable to his prior group Smokey Mountain in the early '90s. After FreemantleMedia decided not to renew the Philippine Idol franchise, Cayabyab transferred to rival show Pinoy Dream Academy (season 2), replacing Jim Paredes as the show's headmaster. PDA 2 started on June 14, 2008.

Background

Ryan Cayabyab was born on May 4, 1954 in Manila, Philippines. His mother died when he was only 6, and his father struggled to support him and his three other siblings. His mother's dying wish was that none of her children would pursue music as a profession, knowing how hard life is for a musician with meager earnings (she was an opera singer).

Thus, Cayabyab initially took up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in the University of the Philippines, Diliman. But at the same time, he looked for a job in order to support his studies, and eventually landed with then-Senator Salvador Laurel as accompanist for the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) Chorale Ensemble. Noticing Cayabyab's exceptional talent on the piano, Laurel offered Cayabyab a scholarship which would allow Cayabyab to shift his course and pursue an education in music.

And so Cayabyab later graduated from the UP College of Music earning a Bachelor of Music, Major in Composition degree. After that, he became a full time professor for the Department of Composition and Music Theory in the UP Diliman for almost two decades.

At the turn of the century, Cayabyab was about to bring his family and migrate abroad, but when offered by Danding Cojuangco (President of the San Miguel Corporation) a command post that would give him full access in producing and performing new music that would bring forth a fresh wave to the Philippine music scene, Cayabyab accepted the offer. Today he is currently in his 7th year as Executive and Artistic Director of the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts

Credentials

As music director, conductor and accompanist, he has performed with leading Philippine music personalities at Avery Fisher Hall in the Lincoln Center in New York City; Carnegie Hall (both the Main and Recital halls) in New York; the Kennedy Center and the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.; the Shrine in Los Angeles; the Orpheum in Vancouver; even at the Circus Maximus of the Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip.

He has traveled as music director in most of the Southeast Asian cities, in the cities of Australia as well as in Germany, France, Spain, The Netherlands, Japan and the United States. He has worked in the same shows with Sammy Davis Jr. and Frank Sinatra, as well as conducted the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra for special performances of American jazz singer Diane Schuur and pianist Jim Chappel.

He has performed as music director in command performances for King Hasan II in Rabat, Morocco, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia of Spain in Manila, King Fahd of Saudi Arabia in Tangiers, Queen Beatrix at the Noordeinde Palace in The Netherlands, and U.S. President Bill Clinton in Boston, Massachusetts.

In Manila, he has conducted the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the Cultural Center of the Philippines for a concert of Philippine and American contemporary music; and the Manila Chamber Orchestra for a concert of his original works.

Ryan Cayabyab is a laureate of the Onassis International Cultural Competitions (2nd Prize), having won for original music composition for dance (2001).

He is a TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) awardee for contemporary Filipino music in 1978. He won the Grand Prize award at the first Metro Manila Popular Music Festival for the song "Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika".

As of 2006, he has won three international Grand Prix awards for his compositions; in the First Seoul Song Festival, in the Voice of Asia Song Festival in the former U.S.S.R., and in the Tokyo Music Festival. He has won the Jingle of the Year award from the Philippine advertising industry as well as Bronze Awardee at the New York Film and Television Awards. He has won a total of ten best movie score awards from the various film award-giving bodies.

TV

Ryan, Ryan, Musikahan, the television show, has won a total of fourteen awards as Best Television Musical Show and for Mr. Cayabyab, the Best Show Host in various television award-giving bodies. Likewise, as an artist, producer, arranger, and composer, he has won a total of eighteen awards from the recording industry for various commercial recordings. He has produced albums of the popular Filipino teen group Smokey Mountain, Broadway and West End's diva, Lea Salonga, and Spain's internationally-acclaimed singer Julio Iglesias.

In 2006, Cayabyab signed on as a resident judge for the first season of Philippine Idol, offering critiques for the contestants on the reality-talent show. He was said to be personally chosen by the top guns of Philippine Idol, while the other two judges, Pilita Corrales and Francis Magalona, had to undergo auditions. He also composed the them of TV Patrol and The World Tonight in 1992 and it was used until 1996.

Movies

Ryan Cayabyab has been a prolific movie composer and among the movies that contain his original works are:

• Deathrow (2000)
  
• Azucena (2000)
  
• Kahapon, May Dalawang Bata (1999)
  
• Tatlo...Magkasalo (1998)
  
• Anak ng Bulkan (1997)
  
• Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya (1997)
  
• Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin (1997)
  
• Vulcan (1997)
  
• Abot Kamay ang Pangarap (1996)
  
• Inagaw Mo ang Lahat sa Akin (1995)
  
• Closer to Home (1995)
  
• Saan Ka Man Naroroon (1994)
  
• Kailangan Kita (1993)
  
• Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal (1992)
  
• Hihintayin Kita sa Langit (1991)
  
• Toyland ng Dalawang (1989)
  
• Misis Mo, Misis Ko (1988)
  
• Karnal (1984)
  
• Desire (1982)
  
• Aguila (1979)
  
• Masikip, Maluwang...Paraisong Parisukat (1977)
  
• Magandang Gabi sa Inyong Lahat (1976)
  

Theater

Among his many works, his theater musicals Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo have won acclaim and have been performed extensively in the cities of Japan in 1994 and 1996, with a special NHK broadcast in November 1996, and in Kuala Lumpur in 1996. Another musicale, Magnificat, has logged in almost 200 performances.

His other popular musicals include Katy (words by Jose Javier Reyes), Alikabok, Ilustrado and the classic pop-ballet Rama Hari (words by 2006 National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera). His latest opera, Spoliarium (libretto by Fides Cuyugan-Asensio), premiered in February 2003 at the Tanghalan Nicanor Abelardo of the CCP, and is to be followed by another opera also with Asensio, Mariang Makiling at Ang Mga Nuno sa Punso, with music also by Ryan Cayabyab.

Awards

Ryan Cayabyab is 2004's Gawad CCP Awardee for Music. On February 2, 1999, he was selected as one of the 100 awardees of the CCP Centennial Honors for the Arts . He became the first recipient of the Antonio C. Barreiro Achievement Award on 4 May 1996 for significant and lasting contributions to the growth and development of Filipino music. Likewise, in 18 June 1996, Awit Awards, the recording industry awards, awarded him a Lifetime Achievement Award for "invaluable contribution and outstanding achievements in the promotion and development of Filipino music." The University of the Philippines Alumni Association has conferred upon him the Professional Award in music for the year 1998.

Ryan Cayabyab The Music Studio, a music school that specializes in developing outstanding performance artists is run by Emmy Cayabyab, Ryan's wife. Established in 1986, the music studio has trained a whole generation of young singer-performers who have become nationally known Filipino performing artists.

Ryan is married to Emmy Punsalan and has a daughter, Cristina Maria, and a son, Antonio Maria. They reside in Quezon City, Philippines.

SMFPA

Ryan Cayabyab was also the Executive and Artistic Director of the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts. He was the conductor of the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra (SMPO) and the San Miguel Master Chorale (SMMC). Under his direction, the SMPO and the SMMC have recorded seven award-winning albums to date: Great Filipino Love Songs (2004), Great Original Pilipino Music by Ryan Cayabyab (2004), The Sacred Works of Ryan Cayabyab (2004), Pasko I and Pasko II (2005), Great Original Pilipino Music from the Movies (2006), and Dancing in the Rain (2006).

But in a swift and silent move, the big bosses of the San Miguel Corporation have already disbanded the SMMC and the SMPO. Late January 2007, instrumentalists of the SMPO and SMMC were summoned one by one by the big bosses who informed them of the non-renewal of their contracts. Insider reports say that the SMC was "more inclined" on supporting its four professional basketball teams.

Ryan Cayabyab has already graced an interview regarding this, saying that he considered the experience with San Miguel as a learning one, and not at all a setback. The following are excerpts from the said interview by Rito Asilo of The Inquirer.

The experience proved that it could work -- because it did in our case! I learned so much from it. I still wouldn’t consider the group world-class, but we were getting there!

Five years is too short a time to build a good reputation. But, I didn’t really see any malice in the management’s decision to pull the plug. It might have had something to do with the viability of the company -- there may have been a clamor from inside to cut the umbilical cord. And, I understand that they also have to answer to their stockholders. Perhaps this is something you need to ask them yourself.

We had a five-year program, but it kept getting stifled and derailed because of the constant talk that we were going to get cut off. But, I loved how the group worked as an organization! It was an exercise in discipline. Suddenly, temperamental and emotional artists who were used to the culture of ‘Pinoy racket’ and bara-bara had to learn how to tow the line!

If big companies can come to the realization that the concept works, everybody will benefit from the whole experience -- Filipino artists, especially.

Discography

GREAT FILIPINO LOVE SONGS

A bestseller in major record bars and a Certified Gold Record, thereby breaking records of sorts when it was released in 2004. Under Sony-BMG Pilipinas.

GFLS was the first locally-produced album to feature full-blown orchestral arrangements of well-known Filipino classics. It was produced and recorded in a span of 3 years.

It emerged as No. 2 album in sales charts upon its release in 2004, and after a week became No. 1, surpassing the sales of contemporary mainstream artists like Usher, Josh Groban, Maroon Five, Beyoncé, and Evanescence.

According to sales reports, the album has been bought by bulk by many customers as presents and give-aways among families and corporations for all occasions.

The album earned phenomenal success despite minimal advertising.

Track List:

• Bato sa Buhangin
  
• Maalaala Mo Kaya
  
• Ikaw
  
• Minamahal Kita
  
• Dahil Sa Iyo
  
• Hindi Kita Malimot
  
• Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig
  
• Buhat
  
• Gaano Ko Ikaw Kamahal
  
• Ikaw ang Mahal Ko
  
• Katakataka
  
• Minamahal, Sinasamba
  
• Saan Ka Man Naroroon
  
• Lahat ng Araw
  

GREAT ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC BY RYAN CAYABYAB

All songs in the album composed and arranged by Ryan Cayabyab. All songs recorded in 2001, except tracks 5, 8, and 9, which are SMMC a capella tracks and were recorded in 2004. This album received three nominations in the 18th Awit Awards aside from winning Best Musical Arrangement for Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka. Under Sony-BMG Pilipinas.

• Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka (winner, 18th Awit Awards, Best Musical Arrangement)
  
• Iduyan Mo
  
• Kahit Ika'y Panaginip Lang
  
• Paraisong Parisukat
  
• Tunay na Ligaya
  
• Nais Ko
  
• Limandipang Tao
  
• Tsismis
  
• Da Coconut Nut
  
• Iniibig Kita
  
• Paraiso
  
• Awit ng Pagsinta (Epithalamium) - from Ryan Cayabyab and Bienvenido Lumbera's pop-ballet Rama Hari; lyrics by Lumbera
  
• Hibang sa Awit - lyrics by Jose Javier Reyes
  

PASKO I

Festive Filipino Christmas classics, all songs arranged & conducted by Ryan Cayabyab and performed by the SMPO and the SMMC. Certified Gold Record. Under Sony-BMG Pilipinas.

• Kampana ng Simbahan
  
• Heto na Naman - music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab
  
• Namamasko
  
• Tuloy na Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko
  
• Sa Paskong Darating
  
• Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon (Ang Pasko ay Sumapit)
  
• Kumukutikutitap*
  
• Mano Po Ninong, Mano Po Ninang
  
• Noche Buena
  
• Heto na Naman ang Pasko**
  
• Maligayang Pasko**
  
• Pasko na Naman
  

*from Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes's musical Bituin; lyrics by Reyes

**from Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes's musical teleplay Pasko sa Amin; lyrics by Reyes

PASKO II

Mellow Filipino Christmas classics, all songs arranged & conducted by Ryan Cayabyab and performed by the SMPO and the SMMC. Certified Gold Record. Isang Taong Lumipas won as Best Christmas Song during the 19th Awit Awards. Under Sony-BMG Pilipinas.

• Ngayong Pasko*
  
• Pasko Na Sinta Ko
  
• Paskong Walang Hanggan*
  
• Himig Pasko
  
• Miss Kita Kung Christmas
  
• Isang Taong Lumipas*
  
• Ang Aking Pamasko
  
• Ang Mahalin Ka**
  
• Anong Gagawin Mo Ngayong Pasko - music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab
  
• Ang Naaalala Ko**
  
• Munting Sanggol - music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab
  
• Payapang Daigdig
  

* music by Ryan Cayabyab, lyrics by Jose Javier Reyes

** from Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes's musical teleplay Pasko sa Amin; lyrics by Reyes

SPOLIARIUM: THE OPERA

An neo-opera in three acts based on the life of renowned Filipino painter Juan Luna. Music by Ryan Cayabyab, libretto by Fides Cuyugan-Asensio.

THE FILIPINO CLASSICS

A collection of Filipino classics from the '20s up to the '60s. All songs arranged & conducted by Ryan Cayabyab and performed by Basil Valdez accompanied by the SMPO. Sequel albums 2 and 3 are said to be produced if this first album performs well in the market. This album became No. 1 at Tower Records in one month's time since it was released. Certified Gold Record. Under Viva Records.

• Diyos Lamang ang Nakakaalam
  
• Babalik Ka Rin
  
• Dahil Sa Isang Bulaklak
  
• Bituing Marikit
  
• Kung Nagsasayaw Kita
  
• Madaling Araw
  
• Sa Ugoy ng Duyan
  
• Bakas ng Lumipas
  
• Sapagka't Kami ay Tao Lamang
  
• Lagi Kitang Naaalala
  
• Bayan Ko
  
• Mahiwaga
  

THE SACRED WORKS OF RYAN CAYABYAB

Religious compositions of Cayabyab. Misa was his thesis composition for his graduation at the University of the Philippines College of Music. Misa 2000 was composed for and won as Original Music Composition for Dance in the 2000 Onassis International Cultural Competition in Greece. This album won as Best Religious Album in the 2004 Catholic Mass Media Awards. Under Sony-BMG Records.

Disc 1:

• Misa 2000
  
• Kyrie
  
• Gloria
  
• Credo
  
• Sanctus
  
• Agnus Dei
  
• Te Deum
  

Disc 2:

• Misa
  
• Kyrie
  
• Gloria
  
• Credo
  
• Sanctus
  
• Agnus Dei
  
• Aquesta Me Guiaba
  
• Aba Po, Santa Mariang Reyna
  
• Anima Christi
  

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Songs from the Philippine run of the musical Beauty and the Beast, arranged and conducted by Ryan Cayabyab, performed by the musical's main cast with the SMPO and the SMMC.

• Home (KC Concepcion)
  
• Beauty and the Beast (show version by Pinky Marquez)
  
• A Change in Me (KC Concepcion)
  
• If I Can't Love Her (Jett Pangan)
  
• Beauty and the Beast (pop version by Luke Mijares)
  

GREAT ORIGINAL PILIPINO MUSIC FROM THE MOVIES

Well-known and well-loved theme songs from Filipino movies. Recorded live on July 2006 and released December of that year. Mainly featuring the SMMC, accompanied by the SMPO. Choral arrangements by Ryan Cayabyab, Jesus Carlo Merino, Ed Nepomuceno and Nathanael Arnel de Pano (the latter 2 being section leaders of the SMMC Tenors and Basses, respectively), and Eudenice Palaruan (SMMC Principal Conductor). All orchestrations by Ryan Cayabyab. Under Sony-BMG Pilipinas.

• Sana'y Wala Nang Wakas
  
• Kahit Isang Saglit
  
• Pangako
  
• Pangarap Na Bituin
  
• Pagdating Ng Panahon
  
• Kailangan Kita
  
• Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Walang Hanggan
  
• Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw
  
• Iduyan Mo - music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab, from the movie "Agila" (1980)
  
• Hanggang Ngayon
  
• Tanging Yaman
  
• Sinasamba Kita
  
• Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin
  
• Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan
  
• Paraisong Parisukat - music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab, from the movie "Masikip, Maluwang...Paraisong Parisukat" (1977)
  

DANCING IN THE RAIN

Latin jazz pieces (mostly instrumentals) written, arranged, and produced by Ryan Cayabyab. Recorded live on August 2006 and released December of that year. Under Sony-BMG Pilipinas.

• First Glance
  
• Feels Like This Love Affair Is Gonna Last Forever
  
• Frap For Two On A Beach In Cebu
  
• Photographs Of You And Me, Together
  
• Like Children Dancing In The Rain With Nothing On
  
• Alone, Drenched In The Red, Orange and Gold Of A Manila Sunset
  
• Grey Clouds! Grey Clouds! Its Beginning To Drizzle
  
• Its Getting More Difficult To Explain Why I Do Things The Way That I Do
  
• Almost Sunup And I Haven’t Slept
  
• Last Trip To Boracay
  
• This Is Beginning To Sound Like An Old Song
  
• It Isn't The First Time Someone Left Me
  
• Letting Go
  
• Last Look
  

ONE

Features old Filipino classics and some of Cayabyab's earliest hits, performed a capella by Ryan Cayabyab's 16 voices.

• Bakya Mo Neneng
  
• Mamang Kutsero
  
• Hindi Kita Malimot
  
• Saan Ka Man Naroroon
  
• Tsismis
  
• Dahil Sa Iyo
  
• Limandipang Tao
  
• Minamahal, Sinasamba
  
• Maalaala Mo Kaya
  
• Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika
  

ONE CHRISTMAS

A collection of classic Filipino Christmas songs, including original compositions performed a cappella by Cayabyab.

• Heto Na Naman - music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab
  
• Miss Kita Kung Christmas
  
• Kumukutikutitap - from Ryan Cayabyab and Jose Javier Reyes's musical Bituin; lyrics by Reyes
  
• Ang Aking Pamasko
  
• Anong Gagawin Mo Ngayong Pasko - music and lyrics by Ryan Cayabyab
  
• Ang Pasko ay Sumapit
  
• Noche Buena
  
• Pasko Na Sinta Ko
  
• Himig Pasko
  
• Payapang Daigdig
  

ONE MORE

All songs composed, arranged, and performed a capella by Cayabyab.

• Da Coconut Nut
  
• Sa May Bintana
  
• Paraiso
  
• Nais Ko
  
• Kahit Ika'y Panaginip Lang
  
• Kailan
  
• Awit ni Isagani - lyrics by Jovy Miroy
  
• Mama
  
• Paraisong Parisukat
  
• Hideaway
  

ROOTS TO ROUTES (Pinoy Jazz II)

Ryan Cayabyab's first album, featuring jazz arrangements of well-known Filipino tunes.

Sitsiritsit Alibangbang

Itik Itik

Ang Pipit

Pen Pen Di Sarapen

Telebong

Singkil

Manilac Lay Labi

Lulay

Leron Leron Sinta

THE SILVER ALBUM

A collection of Ryan Cayabyab's hits throughout the years, performed by various well-known Filipino artists.

• Limandipang Tao (Lea Salonga)
  
• Araw Gabi (The Company)
  
• Tunay na Ligaya (Ariel Rivera)
  
• Iduyan Mo (Grace Nono)
  
• Magbalik ka na Mahal (Kuh Ledesma)
  
• Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako (Celeste Legaspi)
  
• Once Upon a Life (Jay Cayuca, on the violin)
  
• Mamang Kutsero (Apo Hiking Society)
  
• Paraiso (Lea Salonga)
  
• Kahit Ika'y Panaginip Lang (Agot Isidro)
  
• Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka (The Eraserheads)
  
• Nais Ko (Francis Magalona)
  
• Sometime, Somewhere (Cocoy Laurel)
  
• Kailan (Cayabyab's friends)
  

Future Albums

Other music albums are said to be in the pipeline, like:

A compilation of popular folk songs representative of different regions in the Philippines; e.g., "Atin Cu Pung Singsing," "Usahay, "Ay, Kalisud," and "Sarungbanggi." A compilation of popular novelty songs including "Ocho-ocho," "Pito-pito," and possibly "Boom Tarat-Tarat," all to be performed in symphonic style.

Wikipedia site for Ryan Cayabyab

Gloc 9 [Aristotle Pollisco]

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://glocnine.multiply.com/

Gloc-9 (born Aristotle Pollisco) is an Awit Award-winning Filipino rapper. His fast-flowing vocal style has made him one of the most successful hip-hop artists in the Philippines. He has won the award for Best Rap Artist at the Philippine Hip-Hop Music Awards for three consecutive years (2005-2007) and has also been recognized by the MYX and MTV Music Awards.

Gloc-9 has also contributed to the soundtracks of several films, including Star Cinema's "Jologs" and "Trip."

Star Records:

Dubbed as the fastest rapper in the Philippines, GLOC-9 has released his self-titled and highly anticipated debut album under recording giant Star Records. It is no secret to GLOC-9 aficionados that this guy can easily rap up to 200 words per minute. So fast yet so clear, that one can easily understand and relate to the words he is expressing.

For GLOC-9 (or Aries Pollisco in real life), rap is an expression -- an expression of both his thoughts and emotions. A story of what he went through or is still going through now, especially of what he dreams of becoming in the not so distant future.

“The name Gloc-9 was given to me by a friend, Ronald Solanga of Death Threat,” according to the artist himself. “It was probably associated to me because of the way I rap -- the speed, the clarity of the words,” he added. Gloc-9 went on to share that, “It was when I heard the song Cold Summer Nights of Master Rapper Francis M., that I got inspired and decided to get into rapping.”

All the songs in the album were either written or co-written, arranged and produced by GLOC 9 himself. It includes the massive hits Isang Araw; Jologs; Sayang; Simpleng Tao; Hinahanap Ng Puso; Sikat Na Si Pepe; and the duet Bakit, which he performed with Cookie Chua for the 2002 Himig Handog Love Songs Competition. It also includes Banal Na Aso, the theme from the TV series Nginiiiig.

His song Isang Araw received an award for the BEST RAP RECORDING from Katha and Awit Awards. Incidentally, industry bigwigs once again recognize GLOC-9's talent, creativity and music artistry. He has earned nominations for Favorite Male Recording Artist and Favorite Music Video (for the song Sayang) in the MTV Pilipinas Video Music Awards 2004, as well as for Best Rap Recording in the 17th Awit Awards.

"Being recognized for my craft is an honor enough for me," GLOC-9 reveals. "I live for music. It's an expression of what I am and I'm happy being where I am right now." GLOC-9 is just like his hit single "Simpleng Tao" in real life. He is cool, fun-loving and indeed very simple despite the fact that he has already marked a niche for himself in the music industry. He doesn't have airs and keeps his feet firmly planted on the ground. His friends and co-workers all agree that GLOC-9 hasn't changed a bit even with the fame and fortune he is amassing right now.

With all the achievements he has earned, GLOC-9 cements his reputation as one of the country’s finest and fastest rappers. So come along, join the journey and listen to the numerous cuts in the album, to know what this artist has inside of him.

Sony BMG:

Rapping these words from the title track of his new album "Diploma," GLOC-9 may not have achieved an actual college degree yet, but deep in his heart he knows already has one - his compositions, his songs, his hits - achievements that made him who he is in the music industry today.

Nonetheless, it doesn't mean he is turning his back to a real college diploma. GLOC-9 or Aristotle Pollisco in real life, in fact, is currently a second year nursing student. Indeed, that's why he called his latest album just that. "It can mean two things: one is stated in the song and the other is me going back to school to finish college," the award-winning rapper said.

Now signed with major label Sony BMG Music Entertainment, GLOC-9 couldn't be any prouder with his third album.

"This is very special to me because I never imagined how different my songs will sound from my previous albums. "A lot of effort was put in musicality and arrangements which surprised me. I never thought it could be done in rap music as what most people do with mainstream pop."

"Diploma" marks a 360 degree turn in GLOC-9's songwriting. Part of his mission nowadays is to bring positive influence to his audience.

"Before, I would just get a pen and write songs not really knowing its effect to the listeners. Now I think of its consequences especially with children. Likewise, I learned to enjoy every moment of writing a song."

But still, GLOC-9's lyrics are as real as you can get, yet dishes out a bit of wisdom. Taking him a year to finish the 14-track all-Tagalog album, he culled his songs from various motivations: a good song, a good film, a person or his/other's personal experiences.

One of those borne out of these inspirations is the carrier single "Lando." A song mirroring the reflection of our harsh society, GLOC-9 brings to life a story of a taong-grasa.

"Whenever I see one, I always wonder what led him to a life like that. I thought of a story about two lovers. The boy is poor, the girl is rich but still they fell in love despite the difference in social status. But what they thought was a perfect life suddenly went tragic because of a crime that eventually caused him to become a 'taong grasa'," It was a moving story, very affecting especially after seeing the music video which was helmed by the young and upcoming director Jay Pacena II.

Aside from being his most memorable song to date, GLOC 9 considers the track a blessing for two reasons: "When I wrote 'Lando', it was like someone was already dictating the next line to me. I finished it in three and a half hours." The second is his rare collaboration with two of the most respected names in the industry - master rapper FrancisM and Parokya Ni Edgar vocalist Chito Miranda.

FrancisM, which GLOC-9 considers as his first and his biggest influence, lent his voice to sing the song's refrain written especially for him by Miranda. "I'm so grateful and it was really a big honor to have worked with both of them."

Other guests in "Diploma" include teen singer/actress Lovi ("Lov na Lov"), Czarina Rosales ("Blues Niyang Itim"), Loonie of Stick Figgas and Konflick of Death Threat ("Sila") and Mitchell ("Kayo").

Rock meets rap as Gobas and Reg Rubio of Greyhounds joins GLOC-9 in "The Task Is Done," a track encouraging people to live their dreams and that nothing is impossible. Vic Mercado of Bamboo mans the drums in the interlude "Demo Tape."

Nelly's hit "E.I." was such a personal favorite, GLOC-9 decided to adapt the song to a new single he called "B.I." Likewise an Eraserheads fan, he sampled the band's hit "Torpedo" with JP Cuison of Kiko Machine doing the refrain vocals.

GLOC-9 further expresses who he is as a rapper in "Lapis at Papel" while he enumerates the bad experiences people had to go through and tells the listeners to just dance the problems away in "Sumayaw Ka."

Hailed by critics and respected by his peers, GLOC-9 worked with established names in the industry like FrancisM, Cookie Chua, Bayang Barrios, PKSO and Dice & K9 to name a few.

Kuh Ledesma

Kuh Ledesma (born March 16, 1955) is a popular Filipino pop and jazz singer. Kuh Ledesma has been performing for 25 years in the musical industry which encompasses more than 300 concerts, numerous awards in the Philippines, and 18 albums in the Philippine recording industry. She was the first Filipino singer to become a recipient of the Salem Music Awards in London in March 1989. In 1997 she released her international debut album Precious in collaboration with the best American and Filipino songwriters, arrangers and musicians.

Personal:

Kuh Ledesma was born Maria Socorro Ledesma on March 16, 1955 in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, Philippines. She has a daughter named Isabella Gonzalez.

Career:

Philippine and international music industry - Ledesma's career in music began when she joined the Lastiko band (formerly known as Ensalada band) in Bacolod while she was still a Nursing student in college. Ledesma and her bandmates Toto Gentica and Jet Montelibano later went to Manila to form the Music & Magic band which became pivotal for her career. She later received the lead role in the pop ballet Rama Hari by Alice Reyes. She eventually went solo with Dito Ba?, Ledesma's first hit song.

1980's - In the 1980s, Ledesma has performed during solo concerts at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the Araneta Coliseum, PICC and the Philippine Folk Arts Theater.

In 1982, Ledesma launched an all-Filipino concert, Ako ay Pilipino (I am a Filipino) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines that featured a repertoire of ethnic sounds, classic kundimans and beautiful pop songs, tapping into the rich node of indigenous art and contemporary pop music to produce alternative approaches to songs. Her show eventually became a television special followed by two albums. This was immediately followed by another production at the CCP, Inspired Madness in 1983, which was created in collaboration with Philippine film director Peque Gallaga and musical director Ryan Cayabyab.

During the political ambience of the 1980s, Ledesma paid tribute to Ninoy Aquino at the end of one of her shows at the CCP by singing her a cappella rendition of Impossible Dream and You'll Never Walk Alone (Hindi Ka Nagiisa). From 1984 to 1986, Ledesma joined the Apo Hiking Society in Ang Pinoy Nga Naman (1, 2, and 3) at the Folk Arts Theater.

In March 1989, Kuh Ledesma was chosen as the first Philippine singer to be the recipient of the Salem Music Awards after competing against other top singers from Asia at the Royal Albert Hall in London

1990's - In the 1990s, Ledesma had a series of concerts with foreign artists Noel Pointer, Jack Jones, Kenny Rankin, The Platters and Michel Legrand followed by other concerts with popular Philippine song artists such as Regine Velasquez (U.S. tour, 1999), Pops Fernandez and Jaya (Power of Two, 1999). After Ledesma's four-night concert with the jazz violinist, Noel Pointer, she released the album, The Voice, The Violin. In February 1994, Ledesma had the Two of Hearts concert with balladeer Jack Jones. During 1995's Valentine's season, she performed with Kenny Rankin. Ledesma started the new millennium in a Valentine show with The Platters. In 2002, Ledesma had Valentine presentation with Michel Legrand.

Ledesma has her own production company Headline Concepts and built concert venues such as the Music Museum (a combined theater-restaurant built in 1988 at Greenhills, Manila) and the Republic of Malate. The Republic of Malate is a facility located along Mabini Street in Manila, which houses a restaurant, a bar, a watering hole, a game room, a tobacco area a dance club and a theater. However, The Republic of Malate was destroyed by a fire in November 2001. Ledesma has plans of rebuilding the facility.

Kuh Ledesma had a regular monthly television special called Akuhstic Café which is a musical travelogue that presented viewers the urban night life of Metro Manila by visiting clubs, lounges and concerts. Akuhstic Café was a grand finalist in the Asian Television Awards in Singapore for best musical program.

In April 1997, Ledesma became the featured artist of the ‘’Muling Aawit ang Pasig’’, a benefit concert of former Philippine First Lady Ming Ramos for the restoration of the Pasig River.

In 1998, the centennial year of Philippine Independence, after producing a Valentine concert at Fort Santiago, Manila, Ledesma was commissioned by the National Centennial Commission to stage a three-night centennial concert of the year, Lahi…Kami ang Pilipino which was held the Expo Center at the former Clark Airforce Base.

2000's - Ledesma also owns Bravo Records, a music recording studio. Ledesma is known for building careers of new talented singers.

Ledesma celebrated her 25th year in the music industry by holding a series of shows at the Captain's Bar of the Mandarin Oriental Manila (Kuh Ledesma Presents). Ledesma has a goal of publishing a book of photographs to chronicle her career.

Kuh Ledesma is also a member of the Artista Para Sa Pagbabago (Artists for Change), an organization comprised of artists, environmentalists and businessmen. She was also the president of the Restaurant Owners Association of Malate.

During the 2001 Philippine national elections, Ledesma was chosen by the PINATUBO (Pinag-isang Lakas Tungo sa Pagbabago) Party as a first nominee for congress. The PINATUBO Party has the goal of alleviating poverty in the Philippines through grass-roots development.

Apart from performing and producing concerts and special shows, Ledesma also travels widely in the Philippines and abroad to deliver values formation lectures, and inspirational and motivational talks.

Philippine cinematography - Ledesma has appeared in films such as Oro, Plata, Mata, Tinimbang ang Langit, The Year of Living Dangerously.

Philippine theater - Ledesma performed in Rama Hari and Kapinangan

Philippine television - Ledesma produced several TV specials including the award-winning program, Kuh by Special Arrangement. She was also a co-host in the Sunday variety show A.S.A.P. Mania.

International performances - In March 1990, Ledesma appeared as a guest performer in a Gilbert Becaud's television show in Paris where she sang Bulaklak (The Rose) in three languages (Filipino, English and French). In July 1990, she was the Philippine's representative-performer at the international television special, Earth 90 in Tokyo, Japan. Earth 90 was a show that celebrated the importance of the environment and was aired simultaneously around 80 countries. Ledesma was then on stage with artists such as Olivia Newton-John and John Denver. On the same year, Ledesma also joined the NHK-KAYO parade in Tokyo.

In 1991, Ledesma accepted the invitation to become a member of the panel of judges during the Miss Universe Beauty Pageant in Las Vegas, U.S.A.

In 1984, Ledesma was chosen by international director Peter Weir to play the role of Tiger Lily in the film, The Year of Living Dangerously, to work with actors Mel Gibson and Sigourney Weaver.

After becoming a model for Lux soap in the Philippines from 1984 to 1990, Ledesma also appeared in a series of print ads and television commercials for Lux in Singapore from 1988 to 1989, and in Indonesia in 1992.

Ely Buendia

Eleandre Basiño Buendía, popularly known as Ely Buendia, and also once adopting the stage name, Jesus "Dizzy" Ventura, (born November 2, 1970) is a Filipino writer and musician, who gained fame as guitarist, songwriter, and lead vocalist in the popular Pinoy rock band, The Eraserheads. His gift in songwriting, in which he contributed heavily to the band, has earned him a reputation as one of the most respected icons in the country. He currently performs as guitarist and lead vocalist for the band, Pupil.

The Eraserheads:

In December 1989, Ely Buendia, Raimund Marasigan, Marcus Adoro and Buddy Zabala formed the Eraserheads in their collegiate school, the University of the Philippines, Diliman. The band found that they weren't good at covering other people's hits, so they concentrated on writing their own materials instead. "After all, if we committed a mistake no one would recognize it since they don't know the song, right?," Buendia explained. Performing their original songs live soon earned them a cult following in the University, which gradually spread outside the campus. One of the songs, a pop song entitled, Pare Ko, which Buendia wrote, became very popular, partly because of the lyrics which included a few swear words.

The Eraserheads eventually signed a three-year deal with BMG Pilipinas. Their debut album, "UltraElectroMagneticPop!" featured no less than Pare Ko and a host of other novelty pieces that had people listening and discovering more about the quartet. The album also brought the underground college rock scene into public awareness. 1993 saw the emergence of "Eraserheadsmania" because of successive hit singles, sold-out concerts and thousands of fans.

Buendia continued to write songs for the band, many of which became hit singles and classics. The Eraserheads' lasted for ten years before finally breaking up with Buendia and Adoro's departure. During those 10 years, the band produced eight studio albums along with other EPs and singles. Their gigs took them out of the country, with tours in the U.S. and other countries. One album, "Aloha Milkyway, was released in the Asian region. The Eraserheads were also the first ever Filipino artists to receive the "Moon Man" trophy for winning the 1997 MTV Asia Viewer's Choice Award for the video of their song, "Ang Huling El Bimbo." This hit was also written by Buendia, like many others that the band produced.

The Eraserheads had one of the most influential runs in OPM history. Their prolific contributions to the OPM repertoire backed by remarkable sales led their record company, Sony-BMG to dub them "The Beatles of the Philippines". Buendia had correspondingly been dubbed the John Lennon of OPM. Ely remarked, however ,that he does not relish being a "John Lennon of OPM" as he craves for his own identity and to be known as "Ely Buendia of OPM."

Leaving the Eraserheads:

After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed that Buendia had left the band in mid-March 2002 for "reasons unknown". However, in subsequent interviews, Buendia pointed to business matters as the cause of the band's break-up.

In an interview, Marasigan said he was eating in SM Megamall, a local shopping mall, when he heard of the news (how he heard of it, was not clear). He said he was "semi-surprised" and wondered if Zabala already knew about it. Adoro told of the story now famous among Eraserheads fans about Buendia's cryptic text message. He said Buendia stated in the text message that he had already "graduated." Adoro quipped in the same interview that Buendia being the first to graduate was natural, since he was in batch '87 in their school (UP, Diliman), while they were in Batch '88.

Zabala confesses in an interview that disbanding had not been that far away from the members' minds. He said that there were so many occasions where they could have disbanded but they did not. Adoro expressed the belief of some people that the band was getting too old and that it was "selfish" for the band to continue, likely referring to comments about how it's time for other bands besides the Eraserheads to shine. The band made it clear, though, that Buendia's departure from the band wasn't in any way violent and there was no shouting (sigawan) or any confrontation.

Without giving up, the three remaining original Eraserheads decided to continue on. Within just a few weeks, the "new" Eheads debuted at Hard Rock Cafe in Makati City on April 19 featuring a female singer-guitarist, Kris Gorra-Dancel from the band, Fatal Posporos. However after a few months, Adoro also quit the band. The remaining members of the Eraserheads added Diego Mapa and Ebe Dancel to their lineup and renamed their band, "Cambio."

The Mongols:

After leaving the Eraserheads, Buendia formed the band, The Mongols. It was composed of guitarist J. Astro (also known as Jerome Velasco) (of The Teeth), bassist Yan Yuzon, drummer Bogs "Boga Man" Jugo (of the indie pop band Daydream Cycle), and Buendia on guitars and vocals, under the stage name Jesus "Dizzy" Ventura. The band was managed by Buendia's wife, Diane Ventura.

The Mongols released a self-produced underground EP in CD-R format with factory-printed sleeves in April 2003, "A Fraction of A Second". It contains five tracks, "Case Logic", "No", "Tomorrowland", "KSP" and "Abstraction of A Second". It was released under "Redrum Records".

After a few months, the Mongols decided to have their self-produced album distributed by Neo Records Inc. under the major label VIVA Records. The result is a thirteen-track album called "Buddha's Pest" (tracks are: "Keeper," "Bulakbol," "Bakit Nga Ba?," "Pony," "Teka Muna," "Candy Flip," "Heroine," "Wig Out," "It's Over," "Irish Spring," "Odd Even," "Your Bushido" plus an instrumental album filler). It was produced by "The Genghis Klan" under "Criminal Records".

Pupil:

Shortly after The Mongols' guitarist, J.Astro, left the band, the remaining members renamed their group "Pupil." Buendía chanced upon the band name while reading a medical book. The band is enjoying more mainstream popularity, in contrast to the Mongols.

Solo Acts:

Buendía had a solo project, even before leaving the Eraserheads. He recorded ten tracks in his home studio, "Suite 16 Studios." The album was called "Wanted: Bedspacer," and it comprised of the tracks "Wanted Bedspacer," "Monday Mundane," "Kakaiba," "Santo," "Over 18," "Tapos Na," "Acid Tongue," "Oras," "Shallow Breathing," and "Hotchik".

The cassette version of the album has a bonus track titled "In the Midnight".

In mid-2008, Buendía commenced a series of solo gigs. He mostly sang Eraserheads songs accompanied by indie bands or sessionists, without his band Pupil. First he had a local performance with the Oven Toaster band in the Mag:net Cafe, the Fort. Then he performed an all-Eraserheads number in Manning Bar, Sydney, Australia (dubbed "The closest to an Eraserheads reunion" ). Apparently, most fans have been intrigued by these events as there were no issued press releases or announcements regarding his recent solo performances. He also made a new version of "Ang Huling El Bimbo" with FILharmoniKa orchestra for Kumpas compilation.

Eraserheads Reunion:

Buendía will join Marasigan, Adoro, and Zabala for a one-night only reunion show on August 30, 2008 at the CCP Open Grounds between Manila and Pasay City.

Newspaper Columnist:

Ely Buendía had a broadsheet column, entitled "CURSOR," published weekly (every Saturday) in the Entertainment Section of the Manila Bulletin. Some entries are “Cloning Music,” “Crude Little Robots,” “Biocast Entry No. 13,” “A Dystopian Holiday,” “Event Horizon,” “The Answer,” “Misguided Tours,” “A Well-Documented Review,” “Parking and Flying,” “Soaking Up the Bar,” “Mental Floss,” and his final article, “A Cause for Elevation.” Due to Buendia's busy musical career, CURSOR had ended and was last published during the first Saturday of September 2006.

Health:

On Sunday, January 7, 2007, Ely Buendia suffered a heart attack or acute myocardial infarction secondary to arterial blockage. It began when Buendia complained about finding it a bit hard to breathe while they were on the way to a gig in Laguna. But he dismissed it as mere heartburn. After some time, Buendia was reportedly in the middle of a song during a gig in Calamba, Laguna when he felt a sudden pain in his chest and left arm. He was rushed to an Intensive Care Unit at the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in Alabang, Muntinlupa. "It turns out that he'd been having a heart attack for the last five hours." according to ex-eheads manager Jessica Zafra. Doctors performed an angiogram on the frontman and it confirmed the heart attack as two of his arteries were blocked. Buendia's condition was confirmed stable after an emergency angioplasty operation headed by Dr. Benjie Luna during the same night. According to Dok Sergio, “Ely is fine, successful yung surgery last night. (Last night's surgery was a success).”

Doctors pointed out that the cause of the heart attack was stress. Buendia's band was booked solid during the holidays. "The first operation addressed only one arterial blockage, There's another one that requires immediate attention." according to Ms. Day Cabuhat. Ely Buendia was transferred to The Philippine Heart Center on the evening of Tuesday, January 9, 2007 for his second angioplasty. "It was Ely's first heart attack and it could have cost him his life, One of his major arteries was 100 percent clogged and the other, 95 percent." says Diane. The doctor said that Ely was genetically predisposed to heart attacks as few of his family members and relatives also suffer from the same ailment. However, when he was transferred to The Philippine Heart Center, Doctors found a third arterial blockage.

The second angioplasty operation conducted on Ely Buendia on January 10, 2007 was successful and is secured from having heart attack recurrence. “The operation was a super success. He is totally out of danger and heart attack recurrence is not expected.” according to Buendia’s attending physician and cardiac surgeon, Dr. Wilfred Dee. Diane, Ely's wife, is a capillary-carcinoma survivor who's now free from cancer cells during the past two years.

On behalf of Pupil, Ms. Day Cabuhat and Diane Ventura gave thanks to everyone who called, visited and expressed their concerns to Ely's condition such us fans, writers, editors, media, sponsors, networks, producers, and most especially to local musicians such as Yael Yuzon, Japs Sergio, Francis Magalona, Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Kiko Machine, Menaya, Rico Blanco, Urbandub, Buddy Zabala, Marcus Adoro and many others.

Buendia was finally released from the Hospital and was allowed to stay at home and rest by his doctors on the night of January 15, 2007. "I’ve got a bionic heart now," joked by Buendia.

This event prompted rap artist Francis Magalona, a longtime friend of Buendia and the other Eraserheads, to state the following in his personal blogsite: "Fast forward to right now, 9:58 am, Jan. 9, a lot of what ifs scenarios pop in my head. What if the E-heads members are back, like long-lost blood brothers? What if "the most significant OPM band of Pinoy Rock" would be in one room, what would happen?" And in postscript he adds, "Para sa akin panahon na para mag-reunite ang E-heads. Sugod na mga kapatid...rock & roll na hanggang umaga." which roughly translates, "For me, it's time for E-Heads to reunite. Let's go brothers...rock & roll until the morning comes."

Ely’s first on-stage public appearance after his heart attack was on Saturday, February 10, 2007 as his band, Pupil, performed at The Music Hall in SM Mall of Asia, in an Animax event called “Love Is In The Air”. The event featured a Speed-dating event as a welcome celebration for Valentine’s Day and live performances from other local artists such as Callalily, and Amber. Pupil is also part of “Super Proxy Jam”. It is an event that is hoping to spread awareness for the importance of Cardiovascular Health and for the benefit of The Heartist Foundation Inc. Francis Magalona & The Hardware Sydrome, Parokya Ni Edgar, Gloc-9, Dicta License, PiKaSO, and Dice & Mobbstar are also participants in the said event. Heartist Foundation Inc. is another collaborative effort between Ely Buendia and Francis Magalona.

Fund-raising Concert:

Musicians from the OPM industry gathered at Eastwood City on Sunday, January 28, 2007, for "LivELY: A Fundraising Concert for the Benefit of Ely Buendia." The concert, began at 3:00 PM at the Eastwood Central Plaza, and featured Filipino artists including Parokya ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Kitchie Nadal, Rivermaya, Itchyworms, True Faith, Cynthia Alexander, Sponge Cola,Hale,Dicta License, Francis M., Chicosci, Greyhoundz, Up Dharma Down, Paramita, Ciudad, Moonstar 88, Join the Club, Lahi, Oprressed, Makatha, Salindiwa, Rocksteddy, Swissy, and Julianne. The project was organized by local radio station, Magic 89.9, former Eraserheads road manager, Julie Pacañas, director Joyce Bernal, PMX Audio, PhilMusic.com, and friends of Buendia, to raise funds to cover his hospital bills and medical expenses as he recovers from his recent heart attack. The event was open to the public and cash donations were accepted at the event. A huge part of the collected funds was also used to set up Heartist Foundation, Inc.

Notable in the event was the surprise appearance of former Eraserheads lead guitarist, Marcus Adoro who played reggae renditions of classic Eraserheads songs. There were also other special guests, such as Yan Yuzon of Pupil who played guitars for Sponge Cola.

Personal Life:

Ely Buendia is married to Pupil's manager, Diane Ventura. He has two children, Una Aurea (from an early relationship), and Eon Drake (with Diane). Buendia was once romantically connected with She Elgar, who is now married to Mike Elgar of Rivermaya.

In several interviews, such as in the local music magazine, Pinoy, he has expressed a fondness for Stephen King books and history. According to a local television show, Pipol, he wanted to be an architect in his youth. He also loves movies, comics and especially videogames; from classic Nintendo systems up to next-gen consoles as he declared on recent interviews.

Other Works:

* Ely Buendia co-produced Sugar Hiccup’s “Oracle” album with Raimund Marasigan.

* Ely Buendia and his sister, Lally Buendia wrote the songs “Black Whole," “Sucker” and “Marble” for Domino's Fair Tales album. His wife, Diane played Glockenspiel on “In Your Arms and Pedalpitch on “Provocatrice”. Fair Tales was co-produced by Ely (together with his sister), and was mixed by him as well (together with Lazyboy). Domino was fronted by Lally Buendia and the album was released commercially under Viva Records in 2003.

* He composed True Faith’s “Kung ‘Di Rin Lang Ikaw” with Lyrics by J. Bacasmas and arranged by Ron Soriano for OctoArts International. Bacasmas is the vocals behind Ultraelectromagneticpop's “Ganjazz.”

* "Magasin" which he wrote was sampled for the track “Girl On Da Magazin” by Legendary Flip-Hop group, Legit Misfitz.

* He wrote the songs “Mga Babae” and "Something Always Brings Me Back To You" sung by the female funk, R&B, rap, and soul music group, Novia under BMG Pilipinas.

* Buendia wrote a song called "Stone's Throw" for Sponge Cola's debut album "Palabas".

* He also collaborated with Pinoy Rap artists in the song “Private Diane” with Francis Magalona and Death Threat. It was released under Sony Music.

* He used the codename “MH Hesus” when he sung back-up vocals for Parokya Ni Edgar’s “Hosanna Ngayong Pasko” Christmas song in the “Jingle Balls Silent Night Holy Cow” album. MH actually means Maalalahanin, it is the street somewhere in Teachers Village, Quezon City where Ely Buendia used to live.

* Ely played a cameo role in Rufa Mae Quinto’s movie entitled, “Masikip Sa Dibdib” where he was playing and singing “Keeper” by The Mongols in a live stage set with audiences going wild and enjoying the music.

* Buendia also sang "Suntok Sa Buwan", an APO Hiking Society original. It was included in the OST of 2000 Viva Films movie "Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw", starring Regine Velasquez and Robin Padilla.

* Ely Buendia was included in a commercial project for San Miguel Beer's Red Horse product line, alongside various Filipino Rock icons: Karl Roy from Kapatid, Marc Abaya from Kjwan, Reg Rubio from Greyhoundz, Basti Artadi from Wolfgang and Pepe Smith from the Juan Dela Cruz Band. He also became a top endorser of the Red Horse Muziklaban. During the 2007 Muziklaban, he performed "Nasaan Ka?" with Kjwan as his ad hoc band.

Text LUK4:

As early as January 2006, there were reports that some of Pupil’s fans have been hearing a new song called “Luk4 Jingle”, as it was played on some radio stations and also during the ending credits video of the original episodes of Studio 23’s Barkada Trip. Although due to lack of indications and confirmations from the band and related organizers that time, it was quite unclear if the song was actually from the band or was an old solo project of Ely or the vocals of the said song just sounded like Ely. Until recently, the song was finally confirmed, heard and witnessed when the band played it (titled "Text LUK4") live during the finale of DPC Yellow Pages' "Luk4 The Million - City Adventure Challenge" held on December 8, 2006 at the Metrowalk. Although Pupil plays it during live performances, the song itself was a side project of Ely's.

Rey Valera

Reynaldo Valera Guardiano (better known as Rey Valera) (born May 4, 1954 in Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines) is a singer, songwriter, music director and film scorer from the Philippines. He wrote and produced songs that were recorded by various singers, most notably Sharon Cuneta.

Personal Background:

Reynaldo Valera Guardiano is the second of three siblings, and the surname Valera was derived from his mother's maiden name.

He still lives in Meycauayan, Bulacan with his family. He has a son and three daughters.

Career:

Rey Valera started his recording career in 1977 after becoming a band member from a group called Electric Hair Band for seven years. He waxed his first single as a solo singer - songwriter with the song Ako si Superman, which he created supposedly for Rico Puno. His former boss at Vicor Records gave him the opportunity to sing his song and at the same time hired him as one of Vicor’s in-house producers.


Rey also made songs for other artists such as Rico Puno's Sorry Na, Pwede Ba, Daigdig Ng Ala-ala; Geraldine’s Pangako; Pol Enriquez’ Ayoko na Sa ‘Yo and many more. While he made songs for his peers, he made albums for himself such as Naaalala Ka, Rey Valera Vol. 2, Walang Kapalit, Hello, The Rey Valera Christmas Album, Gabay Mo Ako, Rey Valera’s Greatest Hits Vol. 1,Rey Valera’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2, Pirapirasong Ala-ala, Sa Kabila Ng Lahat, Kung Sakaling Iibig Muli, FM Ka, AM Ako, Home Sweet Home, Ang Mahalaga, etc. Most of these albums made golds and platinums.


In July 2005, Rey Valera released the "Panghabangbuhay" album, with his children's band called "Saling Ket", and they have been performing together ever since.

Recently, Vicor Music Corporation compiled all of Rey Valera's recorded songs in their library in a 4 disc set album entitled, "Walang Kapalit" as part of Vicor's 40 year anniversary.

Mr. Dj and Sharon Cuneta:

One of his initial projects was to make a song for a twelve-year-old mayor’s daughter named Sharon Cuneta (who later became known as the "Mega Star"). It was a daunting challenge, as Rey initially could not figure out what kind song would be fitting for her; she was too young to be taken seriously to be given a love song, and a bit too old to be given a nursery rhyme.

It dawned upon Rey to write a song about the people who were responsible for playing songs on the radio; the DJs. Wherever radio station the song would be submitted in, it was almost always guaranteed that it would be played and continue to play because it is their song. The song happens to be Mr. DJ, followed by Kahit Maputi na ang Buhok Ko. It made remarkable sales on the chart.

Sharon states in a recent interview by Deborah Kan in Star News Asia, that she has been always thankful for and grateful to Rey, for writing her first hit song. "Mr. DJ".


The two have been friends ever since, and in 1992, Sharon paid tribute to her favorite composer when she recorded Sharon Sings Valera.

When Sharon Cuneta and her then husband Gabby Concepcion separated, Rey composed the song, "Kahit Wala Ka Na" (Even When You're Gone). When Sharon and Rey met at Cinema Audio, she asked, why wasn't he writing songs for her anymore. Rey replied that he did wrote one for her, and submitted the song to VIVA for it to be an inspiration or a battleground for Sharon. Both of them found out that the song has been shelved for two years at VIVA. Sharon immediately recorded the song, and used it in her movie, "Single Mother"(former title). It was retitled to "Kahit Wala Ka Na".

Sharon’s biggest blockbuster movies were lifted from popular songs of Rey, thus Sharon singing Valera is an always-tested winning chemistry.

Rey Valera's Impostor:

In 1983, Rey faced one of the worst challenges of both his career, and personal life; an impostor was using his name and was committing crimes, among them were car-napping and rape. The list even extended to marrying numerous women, and even petty crimes like "borrowing" money and personal items, all under Rey Valera's name. Rey made numerous newspaper statements announcing that there is an imposter posing as him. Rey also wrote and released a song entitled, "My Fans Are in Trouble" to warn his fans through the medium of music, with the lyrics depicting his helplessness to stop this impostor. What Rey feared most wasn't the money, but the physical harm people the impostor had fooled might do to him. Ultimately in 1984, Rey decided to quit show business at the peak of his career to protect his fans and also to make up for the time he lost with his family during his fame. When Rey made a comeback in 1988, he wore his hair long so that his impostor (who had kinky hair), would have a harder time posing as him if the impostor ever resurfaced. The impostor has never been heard from ever since.

Theme Songs for Soap Operas:

Valera ‘s songs are also favorite titles and theme songs of soap operas like “Ula, Batang Gubat” (Malayo Pa Ang Umaga), “Te Amo, Maging Sino Ka Man”, “Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako”, and the two year running soap series, “Pangako Sa'yo”, from ABS-CBN.

Recently, Rey Valera's song's have been revived as theme songs for soap operas with the same title. They are: Maging Sino Ka Man ( which has spawned a second book,Maging Sino Ka Man: Ang Pagbabalik ) and Walang Kapalit from ABS-CBN, and Sinasamba Kita from GMA Network.
Writing Music for Songs and Movies:

Rey was film scoring movies during his singing career, but after the trouble his impostor has caused, Rey focused on his musical directing career. He particularly liked scoring music for action films, giving fight scenes and chase sequences fast paced, rock-themed music, which reflects his roots as a rock band member.

Rey's songs made marks also as theme songs and movie titles. These includes several Sharon Cuneta movies such as Maging Sino Ka Man, Pangako sa 'Yo, Kahit Wala Ka Na', Tayong Dalawa; Vilma Santos’ Sinasamba Kita, Romansa, Hiwalay; Robin Padilla’s Carnap King, Barumbado, and Baby Ama; Romnick Sarmenta’s Pasong Tirad, The Gregorio del Pilar Story, Aleck Bovick's Tampisaw and most of her earliest films.

There are very few people are aware that Rey wrote music for movies, even fewer are aware that he also wrote music for R-18 "Bold" films. He accepted making music for movies and considered it an opportunity, as these projects usually pitted his songwriting skills to follow fresh and often unusual themes and topics, often deviating from pop love songs which he was usually typecasted into.

The Theme song, "Ambon" ( Raindrop ) from the filme, "Tampisaw" emphasizes on the singer's hunger and depravation of love, and that a single "raindrop" of love would be enough for her to live on.

The theme song, "Nagpapanggap" ( Pretending/Deceiving ) from the film, "Kerida" ( The Mistress ), depicts a person's awareness that her lover is only pretending to love her, and yet she has this pragmatic acceptance and is even thankful that she was loved, no matter how false that love may be.

The theme song, "Sa Gitna ng Buhay Ko" ( In The Middle of My Life ), from the film "Naglalayag" ( Silent Passage ) follows the movie's theme of a middle aged woman falling in love with a man half her age. The song relates to her life as the times of the day, asking questions such as, "why did love arrive at only NOON?"

The Greatest Hitmakers:

In 2002, Rey reunited with his contemporaries Rico J. Puno and Hajji Alejandro in a series of concerts called "Greatest Hits", highlighting the music of their own time. They also launched a VCD recording of their concert. Nonoy Zuñiga and Marco Sison joined the group in the following year. The group continues to perform both locally and internationally

Although they were formally named "The Greatest Hits", the group felt that using the name "The Greatest Hitmakers" was more proper, as the former referred to the 'songs' and not the group members themselves. The group has successfully performed even with the absence of one or two members, usually concentrating on a core trio group ( e.g. Rey, Hajji, Rico / Rey, Hajji, Marco / Rey, Rico, Marco ) and varies between concert to concert, depending on each member's availability. This flexibility of the group's roster combined with miscommunication with the each show's promoter and other reasons has often led to various names for the group such as "The Hitmakers", "The Greatest Hits", "The Great Hitmakers" "GH5", "GH4" and such.

Induction to Bulacan's Walk of Fame:

In November 9, 2006, Rey was inducted to Bulacan's own "Walk of Fame", in the "Hardin ng Mga Bayani at Sining" ( The Garden of the Heroes and Arts/Artists), Malolos City, Bulacan.

Rey was among the few Bulakeños who was given the title of "Alagad ng Sining at Kultura ng Bulacan", loosely translated as "Disciple of the Arts and Culture of Bulacan", or simply put, Great Artist of Bulacan.

An inductee was given a tile with his/her name on it, and a small pile of a then wet cement to leave a hand print. The names on the Walk of Fame embody the Bulakeños who have brought pride to Bulacan in the fields of arts and culture.

Trivia:

* Rey Valera doesn't have any formal music background. When he submitted his song at Vicor in Raon Manila, he was an accounting student at the Far Eastern University.

* it was former Record Producer Adel Ardaza and former Vicor Executive Chito Ilacad was the first to give Rey his chance for his song "Ako Si Superman"(I am Superman), to be recorded. Chito was also the one who decided that Rey be the one to sing his own compositions.

* the song, "Ako Si Superman" was originally composed by Rey in the English Language with the title, "I Will Try To Make You Smile" for his sweetheart.

* the song "Mr. DJ" was composed in a jeepney while Rey was commuting from the office.

* the first song that Rey used in a movie was "Tayong Dalawa" (Both of Us) for the movie "Stepsisters" that Lorna Tolentino and Rio Locsin starred in 1979.

* the song "Kung Kailangan Mo Ako" (If You Need Me) was first used in a movie that was starred by Vilma Santos and Edu Manzano, "Romansa" (Romance)

* the song "Maging Sino Ka Man" (Whoever You May Be) was composed by Rey for women who worked in bars and nightclubs.

Chronology:

1977

Wrote and sung "Ako Si Superman"

November: wrote the song 'Mr. D.J." and 'Kahit Maputi Na Ang Buhok Ko" for Sharon Cuneta. Both songs received Gold Record Awards.

1978

October:Received his first Gold Record Award for single entitled "Naaalala Ka". He wrote the song "Sorry Na, Puwede Ba" for Rico Puno while doing his first album that same year.

1979

Joined Blackgold Records, a sister company of Vicor Music Corporation, as a record producer. He rose to the position of assistant Vice President for Research and Composition.

That same year he waxed his record album with hits such as Maging Sino Ka Man, Malayo Pa Ang Umaga, etc.

Tried to venture in music directional jobs.

1980

Rey Valera started writing songs for other singers again, this time for Geraldine with the song "Pangako", and Lirio Vital's "Naniniwala Ako Sa Iyo".

1981

February: he was awarded the Gold Record Award for the hit single "Kung Kailangan Mo Ako".

June: he received the Gold Album Award from a compilation of his past hits titled "Rey Valera's Greatest Hits".

October: he represented the Philippines as a songwriter in the first Asean Song Festival held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

he was also awarded the Gold Record Award for the album entitled, "Walang Kapalit".

November: bagged the title "Juke Box King of the Year".

1982

Received "The King Of Tagalog Songs" award.

Tried the movies via Annie Sabungera

1983

March: He sang the song "Gabay Mo Ako", as one of the finalist in the Metro Manila Pop Music Festival. It was in March also when his long playing album "Hello" became another Gold Record.

April: Received the title "Entertainer of the Year".

May: Held the title, "King of Tagalog Songs" for the second time.

December: Rey Valera's Greatest Hits" album became Platinum Record.

This was also the year that an impostor used Rey Valera's name to his disastrous advantage.

1984

Transferred to Wea Records and waxed his last album. He wrote another gold hit song entitled, "Pirapirasong Alaala" for another female singer.

Dropped show business. Went back to his family to make up for lost days.

He joined the movie industry now as a musical director.

1985-1986

The country saw the economic crisis that led to the downfall of the local music industry. During these times, Rey Valera relied heavily on his movie scoring works, devoted his time to his promotion business, while anticipating the comeback for the Golden Era of the Philippine Music Industry.

1988

TV Personality, comedian, and fellow Bulakeño Bert Marcelo persuaded Rey to make a comeback in live performances and join him in a series of concerts called "Hatid Saya" in Europe and Middle East.

1989

Began training and introducing aspiring composers to professional songwriting and studioworks.

1992

Joined Sharon Cuneta in her Mega concert in U.S. and Japan.

1993-1994

Member of the Board of Directors - FILSCAP

1994

Nominee, Best Original Song Category - "Kung Tayo'y Magkakalayo".

2000
Joined forces with Freddie Aguilar, Mike Hanopol, Vehnee Saturno, and formed the group, SAGA (Songs And Generations After). The group recorded one album, and performed one major concert in Canada. It was their first and last concert as SAGA, and the group disbanded months later.
2002

Merged with Rico J. Puno and Hajji Alejandro, in a series of "The Greatest Hits" concerts.

2003

The group "Greatest Hits 5" or "GH5" was formed with Rey Valera, Hajji Alejandro, Rico Puno, Marco Sison and Nonoy Zuñiga which continues to perform locally and internationally.

Recipient, Lifetime Achievement for Music 8th Tinig Awards from The National Press Club

2004

Participant, Travel Advocacy Campaign, Department of Tourism, "Biyahe Tayo", WOW Philippines.

Winner, Best Song Category, "Sa Gitna Ng Buhay Ko" for the movie "Naglalayag", Metro Manila Film festival

2005

July: Released the "Panghabangbuhay" album with his children's band called "Saling Ket".

Awardee, 18th Awit Awards Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino - Lifetime Achievement Award, given by The Philippine Association of Recording Industries

2007

November 9: Inducted to Bulacan's own Walk of Fame, in the "Hardin ng Sining at Bayani", Malolos Bulacan