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The Power and Beauty of Vocal Prowess in PPO CONCERT VII this March

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra continues its landmark 41st season with its seventh concert on March 13, 2026, 7:30 pm, at the Metropolitan Theater. Led by music director and principal conductor Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, the evening features British soprano Katerina Mina in a program that showcases the orchestra’s remarkable versatility and artistic excellence.

With the concert season featuring masterworks, world premieres and collaborations with top local and international artists, this upcoming concert, billed as CONCERT VII: OPERA blends classical repertoire with pieces that highlight the power and beauty of the vocal prowess.

Versatility in Italian, Swiss, German, and Filipino Notes

Featured works are Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s La forza del destino: Overture, and La forza del destino: Pace, pace mio Dio; Italian composer Umberto Giordano’s Andrea Chénier – La Mamma Morta; Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca: Vissi d’arte; Swiss composer Stephan Hodel’s Angel of Fire; and German composer Richard Wagner/Filipino composer Jeffrey Ching’s Ring Symphony.

A four-act opera, La forza del destino (translated as The Force of Destiny), premiered in 1862 in St. Petersburg. Based on a Spanish drama, it follows Leonora and Alvaro, whose forbidden love is destroyed by fate, resulting in accidental deaths, family revenge, and a tragic, dramatic climax.

La mamma morta is a famous soprano aria from Act 3 of Giordano’s 1896 verismo opera Andrea Chénier. Sung by the character Maddalena di Coigny to Gérard, the aria recounts how the lead character’s mother sacrificed her life to protect her child during the turmoils of the French Revolution.

Vissi d’arte is a famous soprano aria in Act II of Puccini’s Tosca. Blending dramatic, often tragic storylines with lush, melodic, and emotional music, the aria is sung by the titular character as she laments and questions why God has abandoned her despite her piety.

Ring Symphony is a large-scale orchestral work of Jeffrey Ching based on Richard Wagner’s The Ring of the Nibelung cycle.

Arias from Verdi, Giordano, Puccini, and Hodel

Soprano Katerina Mina will grace the stage for PPO Concert VII this March, performing masterpieces by Verdi, Giordano, Puccini, and Hodel. Among the highlights is Hodel’s “Angel of Fire,” a piece originally featured on Mina’s 2018 debut album. The work was composed specifically for Mina after she shared some of her poems with Hodel, which he then set to music. Notably, her 2018 album was recorded under the baton of Maestro Grzegorz Nowak and was even presented to King Charles of Britain.

Born in Cyprus and based in London, Mina is a prizewinning artist renowned for her powerful stage presence and wide-ranging repertoire, from Verdi and Puccini to Wagner and contemporary works. She recently starred in the world premiere of Three Women and has performed leading roles in classic operas, including Turandot, Tosca, Brünnhilde, and Isolde.

Mina’s vocal performances through the years drew raves from various critics, citing her “deeply passionate vocal sound,” having “added layers of depth and visualisation to the work that any singer coming after her will be hard put to replicate…”, with a “mature voice that has a given place in any Music Hall. Critics praise her as “one of those clear-as-a-bell soprano voices, displayed with great charm to the top of the register, and with generous volume.”

A versatile concert performer, Mina has performed with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Cyprus Symphony, and other orchestras across Europe, Japan, and Mexico. Mentored by British dramatic soprano Susan Bullock, Mina has received the Stockholm Culture Award in recognition of her contributions to opera.

The PPO concert tickets are priced at ₱3,000, ₱2,500, ₱2,000, and ₱1,500 and can be purchased at TicketWorld, with discounts for Senior Citizens, PWD, Government & Military Personnel, and Athletes. Be a PPO season subscriber to get an exclusive 20 percent discount. Email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph or call the CCP Box Office (+63931-033-0880).

For more updates on the PPO’s performances, visit the CCP’s website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph. Check out the CCP and PPO’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube for more information on future events.

#PhilippinePhilharmonicOrchestra #CCP #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

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Michael Buble’s Newest Single, ‘I’ll Never Not Love You’ Out Now 

Multi-Grammy winning superstar Michael Bublé has announced recently that he will be releasing HIGHER, his 11th studio album on Warner Records / Reprise Records on March 25th. Pre-order HERE.

Bublé’s first single, “I’ll Never Not Love You” finds the multi-Grammy, multi-Juno and multi-platinum selling global superstar entertainer at the peak of his vocal and creative powers. Listen HERE and watch the lyric video HERE.

Produced by Greg Wells and Bob Rock along with Alan Chang, Jason ‘Spicy G’ Goldman and Sir Paul McCartney, HIGHER is Bublé’s first studio album in three years and follows his hugely successful sold out two-year global “An Evening With Michael Bublé Tour” as well as the 10th year of the massive success of his classic Christmas album.

Standouts on the new album include a magical duet with Willie Nelson of his song “Crazy,” a Bublé heartfelt version of the Sir Paul McCartney penned song “My Valentine” (produced by McCartney), the Bob Dylan classic “Make You Feel My Love,” and three Bublé penned originals including the new single “I’ll Never Not Love You.” Other highlights are Bublé’s take on the Sam Cooke’s classic “Bring It On Home To Me,” “You’re The First,  The Last, My Everything,” and the joyous “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square.” The album closes with a dramatic and breathtaking version of “Smile” accompanied by a gospel choir.

Commented Bublé, “This time out, I opened myself up completely to trying new things. I dug deeper while working and surrounding myself with the greatest music makers on the planet with gigantic imaginations.  Whether it was sitting down to write with Ryan Tedder and Greg Wells, recording three songs in one day with my pal Bob Rock along with 40 of the most amazing musicians off the studio floor who hadn’t played music in 15 months, dancing around laughing and crying in my underwear in my home studio when a song sounded just right, every moment felt magical or that the universe was conspiring to bring me to this moment in time 20 years into this amazing ride I’ve been on. I have never been more excited after completing an album.”

“Michael Bublé is a great dance partner. He gives me lots of credit but I credit him for opening up his trust to try working with a new team. He’s a phenomenal hitmaker,” commented Greg Wells.

Added Bob Rock, “Since I’ve worked with him, this was the most focused and inspired Michael has been. He understood the record he wanted to make. He had a clear vision. As soon as we started, he stuck his neck out to make each song get to the place that he was hearing it in his head.”

Global artist

Michael Bublé started singing at age four in his family’s home in Burnaby, Canada and hasn’t stopped since that time. His self-titled debut album on Reprise Records was released in 2005. A series of multi-platinum, No. 1 albums followed including Call Me Irresponsible, Crazy Love, To Be Loved and Christmas. His most recent album Love debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200.  He has sold over 75 million albums during the course of his extraordinary career.  His Christmas album, released ten years ago continues to sell and stream in the millions and billions and his voice has become synonymous with the holiday season.

As a performer, Bublé has enjoyed enormous success these past several decades as one of the most exciting global touring artists out there with sold out shows in over 30 countries. His most recent tour, “An Evening With Michael Bublé” from 2019-2022 was seen by over a million fans around the world.  He loves hockey, fantasy football, TikTok, and singing. He is the proud father of Noah, Eli and Vida.

Follow Michael Buble:

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Website

 

#MichaelBuble #newsingle #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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His Music Touches the Heart

Just like his songs, David Pomeranz has shown to us a part of his being. He is a truly caring soul who shows so much compassion and humanness through his music.

 

Some famous songwriters and entertainers are recognized the world over by their music alone. One of them is David Pomeranz – the voice behind the breezy and heartwarming hits like “King and Queen of Hearts,” “Got To Believe in Magic,” “The Old Songs,” “If You Walked Away,” “Undying Admiration,” and “Born For You.”

In an interview with David some years back, he related that he had visited Manila four times already. “I love Manila. That’s why I keep on coming back,” he said in his soothing voice. “The people are great, gorgeous, artistic; how they live here is so different from other countries. But I haven’t seen enough of the Philippines.”

He shared that his stay in Manila was something he will always treasure. David conveyed his wonderful message to his Filipino fans: “Thank you for liking my music and for opening your arms to me and letting me in. Expect more albums and more performances from me in the coming years.”

He revealed that his wife, Kelly, has been his inspiration in creating good music. They don’t have kids. It’s David’s third time getting married.

An enduring hitmaker

David was born in New York City and was raised in Long Island. At an early age, he showed signs of “things to come” by pretending to be a musical conductor while his father’s records were being played inside the playroom and putting on shows for neighbors in the backyard.

His first public singing experiences were singing duets with his father in the Synagogue choir. “I loved singing those beautiful songs. They have such soul and feeling and I’m sure they have a lot to do with how I interpret my songs today,” he said in a fact sheet provided to media.

Not too long after, he learned to play the piano and taught himself to play the guitar and drums.  At 14, he began writing his first songs. During his teens, he played in numerous rock bands, including a stint as lead singer with the Cincinnati group, East Orange Express (whose members later went on to become the hit band, Pure Prairie League). His first personal manager was a pop star, Leslie Gore.

At age 19, MCA Records signed David to a multi-album contract during which time he toured throughout America with the likes of Rod Stewart, Billy Joel, Badfinger, Three Dog Night, and even a “post-Jim Morrison” tour with The Doors.

“Boy, were those wild times! They were my first experiences playing in 20-25,000 seat auditoriums and I’d stroll out with my acoustic guitar and try to create an intimate experience with the audiences,” he recalled. “It took brass ‘you know what but it was great training for me.”

 

Throwback feature on David Pomeranz by the author

 

Dubbed by Cashbox Magazine as a “positive hurricane of fresh air” David’s varied career has spanned the fields of pop records, motion pictures, television, and musical theatre. If you still didn’t know, David was the voice heard of the hit ABC series, Perfect Strangers.

Loving musical theatre since childhood, David has also become involved in writing music for some musicals. One of those was the smash-hit West End musical, Time, which starred Cliff Richard and Sir Laurence Olivier, who appeared as a giant holographic projection on stage and recited the lyrics of David’s “It’s In Every One Of Us.”

David also wrote both music and lyrics of the ambitious stage musical, Little Tramp, which was based on Charlie Chaplin’s life story, and who happens to be one of David’s artistic heroes.

The brilliant songwriter-singer is also renowned for his countless charity concert appearances over the years, which have benefited several institutions. It only proves that David is willing to share his blessings with other people.

Just like his songs, David has shown to us a part of his being. He is a truly caring soul who shows so much compassion and humanness through his music.

Featured photo courtesy of David Pomeranz Facebook page

#ThrowbackSeries #DavidPomeranz #singersongwriter #musicicon #entertainment #preciousmoments #rubyasoyph

 

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Ronnie Alonte and Loisa Andalio Star In Parokya Ni Edgar’s ‘Rosas’ Music Video

Parokya Ni Edgar’s comeback music video for their latest single “Rosas” is exuding with romantic vibes as it showcases the captivating chemistry of real-life couple Ronnie Alonte and Loisa Andalio.

Staying true to the lyrics of “Rosas”, the official music video was shot entirely in the vicinity of Marikina, paying homage to its wonderful community, scenery, and people. The LoiNie loveteam was indeed pure of passion in shooting their scenes together in the picturesque Marikina landscape, evident in the compelling final cut of the four-minute music video. (WATCH HERE)

Hours before its release on the official YouTube channel of Universal Records Philippines, ROSAS MV FT LOINIE quickly became a hot trending topic on Twitter. And quickly after the music video premiere, fans shared overwhelmingly positive remarks about its heartwarming impact as well.

“Rosas” is the lead single from Parokya Ni Edgar’s first album in five years, Borbolen. Make sure to stream their new album now on your favorite digital streaming platforms!

#rosas #parokyaniedgar #ronniealonte #loisaandalio #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph

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Coldplay & BTS ‘My Universe’ Single Out Today

Coldplay has released today their much-anticipated collaboration with BTS. My Universe, which was written by Coldplay and BTS and produced by Max Martin, is available to stream/download worldwide now.

The song’s official lyric video – which is available now – features handwritten lyrics from both groups, in both English and Korean.

 Coldplay has also teased the song’s Dave Meyers-directed official music video, as “coming very soon.”

My Universe follows Coldplay’s worldwide hit Higher Power as the second single to be taken from the band’s forthcoming album Music Of The Spheres (out October 15th).

Download images/artwork for media use: cldp.ly/MU-media

For more information, visit Coldplay.com.

Featured photo courtesy of James Marcus Haney x Heo Jae Young x Kim So Jung

#BTS #Coldplay #MyUniverse #rubyspreciousmoments #rubyasoyph