PAGCOR’S Homegrown Artists: The Next Big Thing In 2014

From the PAGCOR Casinos to the TV screen?

Making quite an impression with their performance in front of entertainment media last week, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) homegrown talents are definitely headed for bigger things this 2014.

Whether it’s joining The Voice of the Philippines or any other reality TV talent shows, these four groups could easily give even veteran performers a run for their money—especially with the continued support and training by PAGCOR’s Assistant Vice President for Entertainment, Bong Quintana.

“The PAGCOR management is a staunch supporter and believer in Pinoy talents. Our own homegrown artists are PAGCOR’s biggest contributions to the Philippine entertainment and music industry. Nais namin na mabigyan sila ng pagkakataon na maipakita ang kanilang talento kaya sila ay binigyan ng PAGCOR ng chance na maging featured performers sa Casino Filipino,” And now, we are launching them to the mainstream entertainment arena.” Bong Quintana cited.

According to Bong Quintana, the successful shows of PAGCOR’s in-house singing group – the PAGCOR 5 – inspired them to form new musical groups that will suit the varied preferences of casino patrons and the general public.

“We intend to capitalize on the buzz generated by the PAGCOR 5 as we launch our new set of talents for 2014. I am highly positive that this level of exposure can help our homegrown artists make a breakthrough in the mainstream music industry. At the same time, we know these fresh talents can give our Casino Filipino guests and patrons something new to look forward to,” Bong Quintana added.

The musical groups formed by PAGCOR’s Entertainment Department include “Dash as One Rhythm” featuring PAGCOR 5 member Dash Camporaso; the “Krazy Chikz”, the “Viktors” which consists of the champions of the OPM@PAGCOR Talent Search Season 1 Joyce Tanana, Season 2 Froilan Canlas and Season 3 Karl Tanhueco; and the “K Menn”, a singing trio formed in 2013 whose all-male members, Steev Fernandez, Mykle Benedicto and Eeboy Quizol, were also finalists  in the last three seasons of the OPM@PAGCOR nationwide singing search.

According to Bong Quintana, the singing groups will focus on different genres which will give casino patrons more choices of entertainment. “Dash as One Rhythm will be playing almost all genres. The K Menn will be focusing on novelty songs, ballads and classics. On the other hand, the Krazy Chikz will be dancing and singing pop and modern songs. The Viktors meantime will be rendering OPM, ballad and contemporary pieces,” Bong Quintana explained.

At the press conference The K Menn did a very surprising mashup of the Masculados “Hotdog” and Boyz to Men’s “On Bended Knees” before they were joined on stage by the Krazy Chicks as they sang Blurred Lines.

The Krazy Chicks were perhaps the most entertaining surprise of the day— Raine de Guzman, Reyna Yamanouchi, Carin Ramos and Kim Parajes – all Miss Casino Filipino 2012 pageant winners whom Bong Quintana describes as “beauty queen-turned-models-turned-dancers-and-trying to be singers.”

And whatever these Krazy Chicks lack in voice quality, they more than make up with their beauty, sexy grooves and very bold ambitions.

True enough, the four ladies were “crazy” enough to take on the songs of Whitney Houston and said they also want to include Katy Perry, Spice Girls, Aegis and even Lea Salonga song in their repertoire.

Quintana later answered all the questions from the press, from how they formed each group—saying they believed in “the more the merrier concept” to the preparations and training each of them have to further improve their performances.

PAGCOR’s musical director Elmer Blancaflor serves as their voice coach and helps them arrange their mashups and repertoire of songs; Donald Galang handles dance and choreography, while Bong Quintana is their mentor for hosting and spiel delivery.

“We are very excited about the group’s upcoming performances because they are the best of the best. They have proven their talent after winning either as grand finalists or champions in PAGCOR’s nationwide talent search and pageants,” Bong Quintana cited.

Dash who has been part of the PAGCOR 5 for years, said those who will be watching the One Rhythm Band shows can expect more from her as an artist. She also promised to promote OPM through her own musical style.

“The audience can expect new song arrangements. As we all know, PAGCOR is promoting pinoy talents and giving importance to OPM, so as an advocate of OPM, hindi po mawawalasa list ng band namin ang mga OPM songs pero bibigyan po namin ito ng panibagong tunog or areglo para magkaroon po ng twist and more excitement,” Dash explained.

Joyce Tañaña – a member of the Viktors – lauded PAGCOR for giving budding local artists like her a chance to showcase their musical flair. “Malaking tulong ang break na ibinigay sa amin. Sana ipag-patuloy pa ng PAGCOR ang pag-tulong sa mga Filipino singers na katulad ko na magkaroon ng trabaho at makapag-perform sa lahat ng branches ng Casino Filipino. Maraming nagsasabi na OPM is dead. Dahil sa proyekto ng PAGCOR, naniniwala ako na mas umangat at nabigyan ng buhay ulit ang OPM,” she said.

Tañaña was the grand champion in the first season of OPM@PAGCOR Nationwide Talent Search held in 2011.

Froilan Canlas, also a member of the Viktors and the grand champion of OPM@PAGCOR Season 2, shared how performing at Casino Filipino has changed his life. “Sobrang thankful at happy ako sa kung anong meron ako ngayon. Noong manalo ako sa OPM@PAGCOR 2, maraming nangyari na nagpabago ng buhay ko. I was able to perform with different celebrities like David Pomeranz, Randy Santiago and KZ Tandingan. Maituturing ko itong learning experience. Nakapag-patayo din ako ng business, music school, recording and rehearsal studio,” Canlas narrated.

K Menn member Steev Fernandez also thanked PAGCOR on behalf of his group, “We are very thankful na may PAGCOR na patuloy na naniniwala sa aming talents as Filipino artists. Without their support we won’t be able to showcase our abilities as entertainers and singers,” he enthused.

For more information on Casino Filipino’s entertainment offerings, please call PAGCOR’s Entertainment Department at (02) 854-4688 or 852-7760 or visit www.casinofilipino.ph and www.facebook/casinofilipino.

——-

Article contributed to Orange Magazine by Lou Ventigan of Lemon Greentea Blog.