Foreground from right: A1 Mark Read, Ben Adams, WILBROS Head Winston Llamas, WILBROS Exec Glenn Llamas, Jeff Timmons, BLUE members Anthony Acosta and Lee Ryan. 2nd level: from right: Christian Ingebrigtsen of A1, Simon Webbe and Duncan James of Blue. Photo was taken at the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

The Greatest Hit Tour by WILBROS with boy bands A1, Blue and Jeff Timmons (formerly of 98 Degrees) were gamely answering questions during a press conference a day before their concert at the SMART Araneta Coliseum last Feb. 25, 2012. WILBROS Head Winston Llamas said, “Even here at the hotel, fans are already trying to get a peek of these talented performers. We’re actually bringing the tour to other countries around Southeast Asia, like Indonesia and Singapore. We’d like to thank the Philippine media for being so supportive of the tour.”

from left A1’s Christian Ingebrigtsen, Ben Adams and Mark Read at the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

From left: Universal MCA Music Mktg Dir. Wilson Cruz, A1 Mgr. Michelle Teh, MCA Universal Managing Dir Ricky Ilacad and A1 Mgt. Rep Marita Svartdol. Photo was taken at the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

Anthony Acosta of Blue at the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

The press conference was attended well by TV networks including GMA reporter Kata Tibayan and Myx VJ Joyce Pring. Inside Pinoy Showbiz was represented by Jamie Ortega, Mark Sablan and Marylin De Mesa of MEGA Publishing.

from right: WILBROS Head Winston Llamas poses with GMA reporter Kata Tibayan. Photo was taken after the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

Lee Ryan at the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

from right : Mark Read, Ben Adams, Christian Ingebrigtsen the A1 boys sing with Jeff Timmons. Photo was taken at the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

A1 was able to talk about their new album “Waiting for Daylight.” Jeff Timmons announced that Jay Durias and some members of South Border will be backing him up during his performance at the concert. Blue members Simon Webbe and Anthony Acosta expressed their admiration for Cong. Manny Pacquiao. Simon said, “I would love to rap in his song. I’m looking for his album in iTunes right away.”

Francesca of Monster RX 93.1 hosted the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

BLUE sings from left Duncan James, Lee Ryan, Anthony Acosta and Simon Webbe. Photo was taken at the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

Blued from left: Simon Webbe, Tricia Pablo, friend, Lee Ryan and Polyeast Mktg mngr Ethel Cachapero. Photo was taken after the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

from right: WILBROS Head Winston Llamas poses with Sara Skoldnes Ms Norway 2009 and Ben Adam’s ladylove. Photo was taken after the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

Among the pictures here are Sara Skoldnes Ms Norway 2009 and Ben Adam’s ladylove. She is the first Young Life Goodwill ambassador, raising funds for underprivileged Filipino children. A1 went to CEBU to lend their support for the Young Life Goodwill Foundation before proceeding to Manila for the Greatest Hits Tour. Watch out for more articles on the individual bands and the concert right here in zc-lab.org.

Sara Skoldnes was Ms Norway 2009 and Ben Adam’s ladylove. Photo was taken after the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

from right Myx VJ Joyce Pring with Jeff Timmons after the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

From right: Inside Pinoy Showbiz Mark Sablan, Marylin De Mesa friend Eizel Nocon and famous Twitter Celeb Jamie Ortega. Photo was taken at the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

from right: Lee Ryan of Blue and long time loyal fan Jesa Mari Brofar. Photo was taken after the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

Center in white: Lee Ryan of Blue (WILBROS family from right) Alma Navarro, Vil Bayaca, Jhen Bataquin and Arnold Nacional. Photo was taken after the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

Duncan James of Blue at the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

Fans were at the Press conference in EDSA Shang Rila Hotel Feb. 24, 2012 a day before the Greatest Hits Tour concert in SMART Araneta Coliseum. Photo by Jude Bautista

Blue members from left: Duncan James and Lee Ryan from the airport they were whisked off immediately to their official residence EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. They are in town for The Greatest Hits Tour with A1 and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees produced locally by WLBROS, which will be held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Feb 25, 2012. Photo by Sherwin Guzman

Written by

Jude Bautista

The top boy bands Blue and 98 Degrees’ have arrived at the airport recently for the Greatest Hits Tour. A1 also arrived from Cebu the next day from CEBU. The SMART Araneta Coliseum is expected to be jam-packed. WILBROS Head Winston Llamas said “Even from the airport fans have already come out to welcome these big names. They are already lined up to come out in TV shows like BANDILA and Showtime. Blue will have another interview with the ‘Boy’s Night Out.’ We’ve rolled out the red carpet for these guys. We’re also thankful to all the media partners such as ABS CBN and Magic 89.9 for their support.”

Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees arrived at the airport yesterday, he was whisked off immediately to the official residence EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. He is in town for The Greatest Hits Tour with A1 and Blue by WILBROS, which will be held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Feb 25, 2012. Photo by Sherwin Guzman

After a quick rest at the official residence in EDSA Shang Rila, it’s a non stop media tour for the bands. Listed below is Blue’s interview with DJs Slick Rick, Tony tony and Sam YG of the Boy’s Night Out. The members of Blue include: Duncan James, Anthony Acosta, Simon Webbe and Lee Ryan.

Welcome Blue!

Duncan James: Flew in from London from Gatwick to Dubai. We’re on a tour at the moment. After we finish here. We’re going to a few other places it’s good to be back man! It’s good to be back in this part of the world hopefully we’ll be coming back again.

Slick Rick: What have you guys been up to?

Lee: The album’s been done. We’ve been in the studio in what feels like about a year now. We went to the States, we went to Miami and went up to L.A.. We met Red One he’s amazing. Literally he’s done half the album. Now we’re ready to rock and roll and release it.

Blue members arrived in Manila yesterday From left: Simon Webbe and Anthony Acosta from the airport they were whisked off immediately to their official residence EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. They are in town for The Greatest Hits Tour with A1 and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees produced locally by WLBROS, which will be held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Feb 25, 2012. Photos by Chris Lucas

Tony tony: How is the group different now to what it was before?

Duncan: Before there was no YouTube, no myspace, not anything. For us it’s as if we’re a new band. We’re ten years older but we’re coming back out. As the boys have said we’re here in Asia. So many boy bands have come out: JLS, One Direction in the UK. We just wana be a part of that scene. We want to do what we love doing and that’s dancing and singing.

Tony tony: How did you guys get back together?

Lee: We always said we’d get back together for our tenth anniversary. We just did and I guess the rest is history.

Anthony: People didn’t realize it but we wrote “One love” and “Alright”, “Fly by” and most of the big singles that you hear we actually wrote. Again we collaborated for this album writing it together. We’ve written some amazing songs. Our writing abilities are still there. If anything it got stronger. I think that shows in this album

Blue member Simon Webbe arrived at the airport yeaterday he was whisked off immediately to the official residence EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. He is in town for The Greatest Hits Tour with A1 and Blue by WILBROS, which will be held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Feb 25, 2012. Photo by Chris Lucas

Slick: 10 years ago who’s the craziest person? And who’s the craziest person now?

Simon: Lee or Duncan probably. One’s a fire and one’s a gasoline.

Lee: How are you not crazy?

Simon: Just because I got crazy tats in my arms doesn’t mean.

Anthony: Were going out there and be insane again!

Tony Tony: Are you guys going to stay here longer?

Lee: Hopefully we’ll be coming back doing our own concerts. And doing just Blue, just Blue.

Duncan: We’re just happy to be here.

Tony tony: All of you worked on the album?

Anthony: it’s about getting the sound right.  Its as if we’re a new boy band again. For us we’re a man band now.

Simon: I jus took a Twit pic of you guys. I’m just taking a pic of the Boy’s Night Out here. Check us out on: Official Blue Twitter

Blue members arrived in Manila yesterday From left: James Duncan and Lee Ryan from the airport they were whisked off immediately to their official residence EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. They are in town for The Greatest Hits Tour with A1 and Jeff Timmons of 98 Degrees produced locally by WLBROS, which will be held at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on Feb 25, 2012. Photos by Chris Lucas

Slick: in the music scene  now who do you guys like?

Lee: Adele that album 21 is amazing. It’s a great album. She’s a great artist.

Simon: For me it’s jesse Jane (sings) All about the money money money

Lee: She can really sing.

Duncan: Bruno Mars, another old guys who’ve reinvented themselves is Maroon 5. His voice I think is fantastic. The Christina Aguilera duet they did I think was the best song of 2011.

Avril Lavigne landed in Manila 11:30 PM last night and was whisked off from the airport to EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. She is here for her one night only concert produced by WILBROS at the SMART Araneta Coliseum tonight, February 16, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written by

Jude Thaddeus L. Bautista

Punk Princess Avril Lavigne lived up to her name not allowing interviews upon landing in the Philippines. The hardest working entertainment reporter in my mind, Ginger Cornejero of ABS CBN and ANC, tried her best to get a blurb from the young rock star but was disappointed. It was the second time she tried to interview her since the first visit to Manila. PUNK as defined by the freedictionary.com: 1. Slang a. A young person, especially a member of a rebellious counterculture group.

That’s Ginger Cornejero of ANC trying to squeeze between bouncers to get a blurb. Avril Lavigne landed in Manila 11:30 PM last night and was whisked off from the airport to EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. She is here for her one night only concert produced by WILBROS at the SMART Araneta Coliseum tonight, February 16, 2012. Photo by Sherwin Guzman.

Avril Lavigne landed in Manila 11:30 PM last night and was whisked off from the airport to EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. She is here for her one night only concert produced by WILBROS at the SMART Araneta Coliseum tonight, February 16, 2012. Photo by Chris Lucas.

Punk is also defined as: b. An inexperienced young man. 1. (Sociology) a.  a youth movement of the late 1970s, characterized by anti-Establishment slogans and outrageous clothes and hairstyles b.  an adherent of punk c.  short for punk rock

Fans went nuts just getting a glimpse. Avril Lavigne landed in Manila 11:30 PM last night and was whisked off from the airport to EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. She is here for her one night only concert produced by WILBROS at the SMART Araneta Coliseum tonight, February 16, 2012. Photo by Sherwin Guzman.

Avril Lavigne landed in Manila 11:30 PM last night and was whisked off from the airport to EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. She is here for her one night only concert produced by WILBROS at the SMART Araneta Coliseum tonight, February 16, 2012. Photo by Sherwin Guzman.

ERGO no interviews, but did you know that Ginger joined Miss Philippines Earth in 2006. She placed runner-up as Miss Philippines Air. She is now a regular at ANC Umagang kay Ganda and works as reporter for TV Patrol. She is definitely beauty and brains combined. Avril’s The Black Star Tour is produced by WILBROS Entertainment, Midas Productions, SMART Araneta Coliseum and SONY Music Philippines. Official residence is EDSA Shang Rila. ABS CBN

Upcoming acts from WILBROS include: A1, Blue, Jeff Timmons and Olivia Newton John,

That’s Ginger Cornejero of ANC trying to squeeze between bouncers to get a blurb. Avril Lavigne landed in Manila 11:30 PM last night and was whisked off from the airport to EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. She is here for her one night only concert produced by WILBROS at the SMART Araneta Coliseum tonight, February 16, 2012. Photo by Jude Bautista

Fans went nuts just getting a glimpse. Avril Lavigne landed in Manila 11:30 PM last night and was whisked off from the airport to EDSA Shang Rila Hotel. She is here for her one night only concert produced by WILBROS at the SMART Araneta Coliseum tonight, February 16, 2012. Photo by Chris Lucas.

Upcoming acts from WILBROS include:  Feb 25 A1, Blue, Jeff Timmons and  on March 31 Olivia Newton John

Top Boy bands on Feb 25, 2012 on The Greatest Hits Tour: Blue, Jeff Timmons and A1

Olivia Newton John from WILBROS on March 31