In an email interview on 1 October with Francis Lumen, promoter of the Eraserheads’ Huling El Bimbo concert on 22 December at the SMDC Festival Grounds, I asked: “It seems there are a number of people bankrolling the concert, including Alden Richards who said his newly formed company is part of it. Does that mean it’s an expensive show to mount?”
Lumen answered: “Yes, it is an expensive show because we want to make a statement and be proud of Filipino music. But it will be all worth it.” (https://tribune.net.ph/2022/10/01/sm-group-sprucing-up-50k-capacity-eheads-gig-venue/.)
From what I was told by a direct source a few nights ago, the show will have the AMP Band as part of the program.
The AMP is one of only a few big-band groups in the live music circuit today — with multi-instrumentalist Mel Villena as conductor, and some of the country’s best and sought-after musicians as members. The band, which I’ve seen play as a nonet (nine-piece) and a full jazz orchestra (18-piece), is regularly invited to all kinds of events — including Malacañang state functions, whoever is the president.
Imagine how the Eheads will sound in, say, “Alapaap” with the AMP, whoa. In any case, other musicians who will most probably also be onstage are two Itchyworms members, Jugs Jugueta and Jazz Nicolas. Ely Buendia likes having Nicolas in major Eheads concerts. He played keyboards at its first reunion gig in 2008.
mWell’s firsts
Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray emceed the second media conference for mWell, dubbed as the Philippines’ first fully integrated health app developed by Metro Pacific Investment Corp.
Gray was her perky self, updating reporters of mWell’s achievements in just over a year of its pilot launch.
With support from its partner-doctors, mWell has transformed telemedicine with fitness and nutrition programs, along with its “firsts”:
First health app available globally to migrant workers/OFWs.
First to offer the most affordable telemedicine with free accident insurance package via the Healthsavers Plan.
First to launch the biggest nationwide digital medical mission with hundreds of volunteer doctors simultaneously providing free consultation all over the country through the National mWell Day.
First to offer a wellness score developed by data scientists — the mWell Score which measures physical activity, steps and sleep
First to provide a cutting-edge, full suite clinic management system designed by doctors for doctors.
First to provide a portable mobile digital clinic to remote communities in the country — mWellOnTheGo.
‘Pulso’
OC Records label mates Kean Cipriano, Adie Garcia, and Unique Salonga will perform together in a concert dubbed Pulso on 29 November at the New Frontier Theater.
Paolo Valenciano directs Cipriano, former Callalily frontman, formed OC Records four years ago with his wife Chynna Ortaleza. One of its first artists is Salonga, formerly of the band IV of Spades.
Garcia is known for his breakout hit “Paraluman,” one of the biggest hits in the country in 2021.
Pulso is a Viva Live and OC Records production.