On The 'B' Side

We think therefore we speak.. pleasant or harsh. happy or sad. funny or cheesy. everything or nothing. you or me. love or other things.

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The Gayest Greeting of All Time

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Daybreak

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"Sweet Enchantress"

“Sweet Enchantress,” is how we call this talented young lady by another name.  Rachell Precioso Bartolome, our contender from Cagayan Valley, is a 22-year old nurse.  Rachell’s music inspiration is something that evolved somewhere close to heart - at home - from her Mother who is a big music lover.  Her favourite genre is acoustic pop with Celine Dion and Bryan Adams as her fave musicians.  Not only does she possess an enchanting angelic voice she also has a gift in playing musical instruments like the flute and the banduria.  She believes in the words “I can and I will’ - words she promises to harness in trying to become this season’s Jeddah Pop Icon.  This singing enchantress gave a stunning audition by her flawless rendition of Alicia Keys’s  ‘If I Ain’t Got You’ which rightfully earned her her spot in the Finals. 

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"Mr. Pure Soul"

Voice quality. Check! Vocal ability. Check! Pop star quality. Check! Three main ingredients in the formula to making a Jeddah Pop Icon are already innate to this contender.  Dennis Bernardo aka “Mr. Pure Soul” is a soulful ballad singer who can effortlessly play the piano and the guitar. He loves the music of Gary Valenciano whose song ‘The Warrior is a Child’ is his favourite piece.  25-year old Dennis is just on an official  transient work here in Jeddah with a three-month assignment as Passenger Service Agent at the King Abdulaziz International Airport.  Despite that he is still fully determined that he will finish the competition and end up as the Jeddah Pop Icon Season 4 winner before finally going back to the Philippines.  As Dennis believes, ‘Many people dream but only a few make those dreams happen.’  And this soul singer is one of those few who want to make a move and make that dream happen.

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"The Concert Prince"

 “The Concert Prince” Bryan ‘Yan’ Canero De Vera is another pop ballad artist in this competition.  His favourite artists are all high vocal ranged singers - Eric Santos, Jed Madela, Michael Bolton, and Celine Dion.  By looking up to these powerhouse artists, Yan has definitely set a high standard for his own singing style.  He has acquired a major part of his musical influence from his parents, At his age of twenty eight joining talent-based competitions is not new to this contender.   He has previously joined two local singing competitions, Himig ng Kalayaan Season 2 and JPOP Season 1.  This artist from Pangasinan says he believes in the power of his dream and that dream is to be the next Jeddah Pop Icon winner. His go-to line in life, by his own words, goes something like this: ’If you want to reach the top, in the middle of the road don’t stop.’

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"Neo-Soul Balladeer"

‘Music is my life’, says our “Neo-Soul Balladeer” Efren ‘Fren’ Baybayon Dignos from Masbate City.  Joining Jeddah Pop Icon Season 4 is an entirely new experience for the 22-year old singer who was very excited when he was declared as one of the finalists.  Aside from his singing voice he has also been endowed with a talent in playing the guitar and from early on has fostered the influence for the love of music with a musically-inclined group of friends.  Fren’s type of music is R&B ballad and his personal favourite is John Lennon’s classic piece ‘Imagine’ and his favourite male and female singers are Michael Buble, and Jaya, respectively.  Fren goes by the words ‘Live Life!’ and is determined and wants to be the next Jeddah Pop Icon.

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"The Power and Soul Diva"

Janina ‘Jaja’ Partoriza Singson - “The Power and Soul Diva”.  Janina is definitely one powerhouse singer to watch in this competition.  Having stamped her name on a string of singing contests both in the Philippines and here in Jeddah, one of them being JPOP 2012 First Runner-Up, Janina clearly has some pressure up her sleeves.  But this artist is very determined and does not seem affected - as she shares that her music inspiration comes from OPM’s royal couple Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid - her ideal artists when it comes to grace under pressure.  Her in-born vocal range has proven she can wrestle with almost any high-hitting classic pieces by legendary divas, from the 70’s Jennifer Holiday to present day artists like Jessie J while in the process giving each song her own spin to it. With these accolades and her dynamic vocals at hand do we envisage a sure spot for Jaja?  Her own answer to that question: ‘I believe I have the talent and the guts to be the next Jeddah Pop Icon!,’ confidently says this feisty singing nurse.

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"The Star Balladeer"

“Practice makes perfect.” As cliché as this catchphrase may sound these words have always rung true for Pop Icon contender Edgar ‘Ed’ Dela Torre Miranda.  Ed Miranda also dubbed as “The Star Balladeer” has always lived by this line and for him he should not stop until he believes he has perfected whatever it is he is putting his energy into especially in his craft – his singing ability.  29-year old Ed who works in Sales for upper end supermarket chain Danube is not inexperienced in the field of singing and singing contests as he has previously qualified as finalist in JPOP Season 2, an experience he vowed to use to his advantage in future.  And such future is here  – only a few months after he again made it as Finalist in Jeddah Pop Icon Season 4 to sing it off with other talented artists.   Musicality-wise he is into ballads singing popular solos by his favourite Gary Valenciano. He also loves the gorgeous voice of La Diva Jonalyn Viray.  With talent and pop star factor in hand Edgar is more than ready to conquer the Pop Icon stage.  

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"Charming Diva"

“Charming Diva” Lyran ‘Lyra’ Buhawe Gandalera is living proof that gender and size are no deterrents to a powerful voice.  Lyra, 24 and originally from Ilocos Sur, currently works as a nurse at Saudi German Hospital.  She is a power belter whose favorite female artist is the Philippines’ Pop Princess Sarah Geronimo.  She also loves the music of R&B superstar Alicia Keys whose famous song ‘Girl on Fire’ is one of her top faves.  Lyra actually gave a perfect ‘Lyra-style’ interpretation of this song in her auditions that wowed the panelists.  For this petite Ilocana belter, her style of music is in the pop genre, and so her guitar playing flair also follows the same music contention.  As with a few others of her co-contenders in Jeddah Pop Icon Season 4, Lyra has also been in a previous talent competition - she was a grand finalist in the recent JPOP 2014, another singing contest in Jeddah where she ended up as 6th Placer overall.  She is a firm believer of her natural singing talent and is confident this will catapult her to be the next Jeddah Pop Icon.

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"The Serious Balladeer"

Manila-born Ricardo ‘Ricky’ Romano Estrada is another first timer in joining a major singing competition. He is one of the 19 contenders who will be giving their best attempt at becoming the next Pop Icon on the Finals Night come 14th November.  Ricky, for his well defined affection for ballads is also known in this competition as “The Serious Balladeer”.  He loves the music of OPM legends, Concert King Martin Nievera and Asia's Nightingale Ms. Lani Misalucha. Like his batchmates, Ricky also has strong faith in his talent  - the reason why he is a part of FAME’s Jeddah Pop Icon 2014 and believes he truly deserves a shot for the grand prize.

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"The Gulf's Soul Siren"

She is not called “The Gulf’s Soul Siren” for just simply nothing.  Kristine 'Tin-tin' Bernadette Prestoza Solis is a multi-faceted artist.  Not only is she a very talented singer Kristine is also a full-fledged beauty queen.  At 19 she has already made a name for herself both here in Saudi Arabia and in the Philippines.  She was Miss Philippines-KSA 2010 First Runner-Up, UST’s Miss College of Rehab Sciences 2012 First Runner-Up, and outstandingly won as Grand Champion in the Pinoy K-Pop Star 2013, a nationwide Korean Pop singing competition in the Philippines.  Aside from singing, Kristine is also into dancing, acting, modelling, and cosplaying.  It should not surprise anyone why this young lady has her heart and soul entrenched in music. She has been classically trained in playing the guitar, the piano, and the viola. She takes her musical style from her favourites Brian McKnight and Christina Aguilera and her smash hit ‘Reflection’ is Kristine’s personal favourite. She also loves the music of Jessie J. and adores Disney songs.  When asked in the audition interview why she believes she should be the next Jeddah Pop Icon – Kristine, in her most beauty-queenly attitude articulates ‘Because spreading music, love, and happiness has been my passion and being Jeddah Pop Icon will only make it easier for me to continue my goal.’  

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"The Cosmic Divo"

Lou Rennier Cruz Bercasio, otherwise known to local entertainment circles as “The Cosmic Divo”, is a homegrown FAME talent having previously joined and became one of the finalists in the talent show Western Region’s Got Talent Season 3. Lou hails from San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, currently works as an accountant for Toyota-Jeddah, and is a self-admitted grammar Nazi.  He is heavily into the internet and social media, and a movie and Game of Thrones buff in his time away from work and other things.  This 27-year old singer’s vocal power was honed earlier on when he wallowed in theatre. Though musical theatre-trained, Lou found himself favouring modern pop ballad songs in his performance pieces.  He is also gifted at playing the piano but has not had much practice lately.   As his fave saying goes, ‘He who is innocent is as brave as the lion.’ So with ardent faith in his pure talent, Lou is boldy going into this competition with a firm resolve that he will be the next Jeddah Pop Icon.

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"The Rising Balladeer"

Jan Ceasar ‘Ash’ Belmonte Concepcion a.k.a. “The Rising Balladeer” is a pure Ilonggo from Iloilo City.  You know what they say, ‘Ilonggos are one of the best if not the best singers in the country.’ We’re talking Jed Madela levels! Besides his favourite genre - pop and love songs - Ash is also into Christian songs, thus, his partiality to Christian Bautista. Kidding! Oh but he really does like Christian Bautista whom he lists his favourite singer,  as much as listening to the songs of Cris Tomlin, Joel Houston, and Kari Jobe who are all in the Christian music genre.  With his fresh boyish looks, charming smile, and a natural vocal talent to boost, Ash is definitely yet another Jeddah Pop Icon wannabe to watch out for.  And to top it all, this 30-year old Ilonggo is also a master at playing the drums. 

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"The Pop-Classical Artiste"

Twenty seven year old layout artist Salvador ‘Buddy’ Tubil Tuballa is this Pop Icon batch’s “The Pop-Classical Artiste”.  Buddy, who hails from the province of Surigao del Norte is a first time contender.  Armed with musical influence from his father and his skill in playing the piano, he would like to share his talent by nailing an unforgettable performance during the Finals Night of Jeddah Pop Icon 2014 and try to clinch the Pop Icon title.  For Buddy, by showcasing his talent he is also thereby fulfilling his dream of being a singer.  Aside from his musically gifted Father, he also takes inspiration from the works of Josh Groban, Martin Nievera, Lea Salonga, and Sarah Geronimo as his favorite music icons.

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“The Voice of a Dreamer” - as the label goes for this 28-year old Pop Icon contender from Bukidnon - G. Paolo ‘Van Pacaldo Melendres who has a radio show on Dream Radio FM Philippines.  Paolo Melendres, better known by his stage name, Van Paolo, is a pop balladeer.  He has a profound liking for ballads and loves taking on his own versions of popular ballad pieces popularly covered by his favorite - 'The Singer's Singer' and Star Records artist Jed Madela.  Aside from singing, Van Paolo also loves doing voice-overs, another area where his well-modulated vocals are being put to good use.  He has also done some corporate shows in the past one of them was as a guest performer at a Red Cross Anniversary.  He reveals to Jeddah Pop Icon his artistic inclinations can be largely ascribed to a group of close friends who share the same love for music.  Van Paolo believes he is ready to show what he’s got on the Jeddah Pop Icon Season 4 stage.

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"Danube's Birit Prince"

Pop Icon contender Emmanuel ‘Eman’ Flores Alcantara a.k.a. “Danube’s Birit Prince” is into R&B music.  His favorite musicians include Ne-yo, Ogie Alcasid, and Regine Velasquez.  This Birit Prince finds singing by his lonesome a very relaxing pastime.  Eman admittedly shares joining FAME’s Jeddah Pop Icon Season 4 is yet his second time to join a singing competition.  His reasons in joining talent contests are primarily personal as he would like to overcome his fear – not the fear of losing but the fear of not being able to give his best performance in front of his audience – as for this 27-year old Bulakenyo becoming a singer has always been his long-time dream. And he will once more fulfill this dream as he believes he has in him what it takes.