Focus on the Philippines: Angelica Hale brings America’s Got Talent judge to tears
Nine-year-old Angelica Hale reduced former Spice Girls singer Mel B to tears on last week’s episode of America’s Got Talent. During the show’s quarter-final round, the young FilipinoAmerican contestant performed a moving cover of Clarity, the hit track by Russian-German electronic dance music producer Zedd and British singer Foxes. “This song is so dear to my heart, and you’ve literally did everything to it. You did it so much justice,” Mel B said as she bashfully wiped away her tears. “I’m not going to cry.”
Hale’s performance received a standing ovation by the show’s entire judging panel, which also features Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, and Simon Cowell, who called Hale a “very, very special girl”.
After the show’s broadcast, Zedd shared on social media a video of Hale’s performance, writing: “This girl is crazy talented! 9 years old!”
Hale automatically advanced to the quarter-final after being awarded a Golden Buzzer during the show’s early rounds. Her audition for the show, featuring a cover of Andra Day’s Rise, has garnered close to 8 million views on YouTube.
America’s Got Talent, presented by Tyra Banks, is now on its 12th season. In the coming weeks, the quarter-final round’s 36 acts will be whittled down to 22, who will compete in the show’s semi-final on September 5 and 6.
James Reid takes on iconic film role
Filipino actor James Reid (pictured) has been cast to star in one of the most iconic roles in Philippine cinema: Pedro Penduko, a folk hero based on a 1940s comic book series created by Francisco Coching. In the series, Penduko battles evil forces aided by a magical amulet.
The character has been previously portrayed on the big screen by three actors: Efren Reyes Sr in 1954, Ramon Zamora in 1973 and Janno Gibbs in 1994 and 2000. A television series based on Penduko’s adventures, also aired on the ABS-CBN network in 2006, featuring actor Matt Evans in the lead role.
The new film, to be directed by
Dan Villegas, was announced during the first day of History Con 2017, an international entertainment convention held in Manila this week.
According to Reid, filming for the movie has already begun and will continue until early next year.
“It’s very flattering, it’s really cool. I hope I can give it justice,” he said. Reid, 24, is one of the country’s most popular celebrities. He has appeared in multiple films and television programmes, as well as recorded three chart-topping albums – including his most recent one, Palm
Dreams, which was released last month. Reid joined showbiz after winning a teenage edition of the reality show Pinoy
Big Brother back in 2010.
Morissette Amon to represent Philippines in Asia Song Festival
Pop singer Morissette Amon has been chosen to represent the Philippines at the forthcoming Asia Song Festival, to be held in Busan, South Korea from September 22 to 24.
The festival’s programme features a mix of the biggest and most promising music talents from around the region.
“Thrilled to share with all of you that I will be representing the Philippines for #AsiaSongFestival2017 next month in Korea! Thank you Lord! Let’s do this!” Amon posted on Twitter.
The 21-year-old rose to fame after appearing on the first season of The Voice of the Philippines in 2013, reaching the show’s semi-final round.
The Asia Song Festival will also feature performances by K-Pop stars Dynamic Duo, Taeyeon of Girls’ Generation, and The EastLight, as well as international acts including Shae (Indonesia), and Nakashima Mika (Japan).
The festival has also organised a gathering of music industry officials from 10 Asian countries to discuss issues related to intellectual property.
Filipino singers selected for Michael Bolton’s talent show
Two Filipino singers have been selected as contestants in Bolt of Talent, a new reality television talent programme featuring popular American musician Michael Bolton.
On the show, eight aspiring artists from all over Asia will compete for seven weeks in various challenges. They will be mentored and judged by Bolton himself. The winning singer will receive a record deal and an opportunity to perform with the musician in his forthcoming world concert tour.
Representing the Philippines are Lance Busa, a singer who performs in bars around Manila, and Hans Dimayuga, who appeared on the first season of The Voice of the Philippines.
“The show has brought me back to Asia, where I have performed and toured for over 25 years,” Bolton said. “Now, I find myself deeply moved and inspired as I discover young singers with different cultural backgrounds and upbringing, but with one thing in common – pure love of singing.”
Bolton has sold over 75 million records throughout a career that started in the 1970s. His 23rd album, Songs of Cinema, was released in February.
Produced by Fox Networks Group, Bolt of Talent begins airing this week all over Asia on Star World. The show will feature different guest mentors from around the region, including Filipino singer Morissette Amon.
Hale’s performance received a standing ovation by the show’s judging panel, which includes Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel