The Bloomfields’ Louie Poco on bass and lead vocals. They got the party started at The Sun Life Rocks One Under The Sun Grand Celebration last May 29, 2012, World Trade Center. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

This is for Rocky Collado of Bloomfields, who is celebrating his Birthday May 30, 2012. I just photographed their gig last night in probably one of the biggest parties of the year: Sun Life Rocks! The most successful insurance company has formally taken the number one spot in the country.

from left: Slash, Madonna (Sun Life Pres. and CEO Rizza Mantaring), Roxette’s Marie Fredriksson (Sun Life Chief Mktg. Officer Mylene Lopa), David Bowie from the film “Labyrinth” version. The Sun Life Rocks One Under The Sun Grand Celebration was the biggest party of the year held last May 29, 2012, World Trade Center. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Bloomfields’ drummer Rocky Collado is also a singer. They got the party started at The Sun Life Rocks One Under The Sun Grand Celebration last May 29, 2012, World Trade Center. Photo by Jude Bautista

To celebrate the achievement they put up (in my mind) a dream band list: The Bloomfields, The Dawn, Juan Miguel Salvador, Arnel Pineda, Itchyworms and Parokya Ni Edgar. Piolo Pascual and Ogie Alcasid drove the female Sun Lifers insane. I was fearful I was going to get crushed as thousands pushed against the stage trying to touch Piolo’s hand.

Sun Life Pres. and CEO Rizza Mantaring was “Like A Virgin” era Madonna. She is surrounded by KISS. The Sun Life Rocks One Under The Sun Grand Celebration was the biggest party of the year held last May 29, 2012, World Trade Center. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Bloomfields’ rhythm guitar Dino Pascual got the party started at The Sun Life Rocks One Under The Sun Grand Celebration last May 29, 2012, World Trade Center. Photo by Jude Bautista

The bigwigs of Sun Life came in dressed in their favorite rock / pop icons: Sun Life Pres. and CEO Rizza Mantaring was “Like A Virgin” era Madonna, Sun Life Chief Mktg. Officer Mylene Lopa as Roxette’s Marie Fredriksson. There are quite a lot more I haven’t identified which exec was in which costume such as a complete KISS band and even legendary guitarist Slash.

The Bloomfields’ lead guitarist Lakan Hila got the party started at The Sun Life Rocks One Under The Sun Grand Celebration last May 29, 2012, World Trade Center. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Bloomfields’ rhythm guitar Dino Pascual got the party started at The Sun Life Rocks One Under The Sun Grand Celebration last May 29, 2012, World Trade Center. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Bloomfields represented the golden age of rock and roll and got the crowd shaking to the twist, La Bamba, Johnny Be Good, Good Golly Miss Molly, Beatles hits: I saw Her Standing There and hard Day’s Night. I will be posting more pics and articles on that memorable night. Happy Birthday again Rocky!

The Bloomfields’ Louie Poco on bass and lead vocals. They got the party started at The Sun Life Rocks One Under The Sun Grand Celebration last May 29, 2012, World Trade Center. Photo by Jude Bautista

The Bloomfields’ drummer Rocky Collado is also a singer. They got the party started at The Sun Life Rocks One Under The Sun Grand Celebration last May 29, 2012, World Trade Center. Photo by Jude Bautista

That’s Katy Perry touching her big inflatable Pussy named Katy Puuurrrry.

Written and photographed

By Jude Thaddeus Bautista

Before anything else, these pictures are from the 2009 concert. Katy Perry now has an upcoming concert this weekend “The California Dreams Tour”, Jan 22, 2012 at the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds. And yes, the “Katy Perry Rocks for Relief” concert 3 years ago was a lavish, extremely fun, high production show.

Katy holds up her cherry Chapstick.

Katy goes down to the crazed fans.

If Katy herself sees the headline above, she’ll get a kick out of it. She knows the Big Pussy we’re referring to is a huge inflatable cat whom she named ‘Katy Puuurrrry’! And to be perfectly honest I wasn’t a fan of hers before I saw the show but she really is as adorable, sexy and talented as she is famous. She was very articulate and nice during the Press conference at Conways in Makati Shangri La Hotel. These days Ex hubby Russell Brand could not handle Katy becoming far more successful and famous than him. Friends have matched Katy for high profile football star and all around good guy Tim Tebow.

The crowds filled the huge venue. Thousand are expected again for this weekend’s concert. Get your tickets now.

If the California Dreams Tour is only half as well produced as the previous one it would still be worth watching. She comes back now with even more hits like Last Friday Night (TGIF), The One That Got Away, Firework and Teenage Dream. I particularly like the lyrics of Firework, which I think, is very inspiring for the youth.

Katy’s hot, hot, hot, fans went wild when she went down to get close to them.

Katy’s hot, hot, hot, fans went wild when she went down to get close to them.

Katy’s hot, hot, hot, fans went wild when she went down to get close to them.

Given the huge production, the importance of sponsors should never be underestimated. If it weren’t for them Katy would not have been able to hold her concert here. Since the “Katy Perry Rocks for Relief” was also a fund raising effort for Ondoy and Pepeng victims, sponsors’ assistance has an even greater meaning. This is the list for the previous concert’s sponsors: “Katy Perry Rocks for Relief” is presented by: Smart Buddy, me na me talaga!; co presented by: McDonald’s, SM Mall of Asia and U92; with the participation of: Selecta;

Official Hotel Residence: Makati Shangri-La Hotel; Special thanks to: 7 Pecados, Armvet Printing Company, Music Management International, Penshoppe, Pioneer Insurance and Polyeast Records – EMI; Official carrier: Philippine Airlines; Offcicial transportation: Ford Global City; Official TV partner: ABS-CBN; Official Media partners: Business Mirror, Business World, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer and Web.com.ph; Official Radio Partners: RX 93.1, Mellow 94.7, 96.3 WROCK, Yes FM 101.1 and Y101 Cebu

The crowd went wild for Journey’s Arnel Pineda and Neal Schon.

“Katy Perry Rocks for Relief” was ALSO very special because it featured a host of great acts to go along with it. Two of Journey’s members also played that night: Arnel Pineda and guitarist Neal Schon. Vocalist Jed Madela and U.S. band MAE were also there. Arnel came leaping out of the stage, singing with Journey guitarist Neal Schon.

Jed Madela does rock- Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody and We will Rock You

The crowd went wild for Journey’s Arnel Pineda and Neal Schon.

Dave Elkins vocals of the band MAE was part of the Katy Perry Rocks for Relief last Nov. 2009

American band MAE who was the front act was so impressed they went out in the audience just to watch Journey as fans. Right after the short set, the audience started chanting, “Journey! Journey! Journey!” An unlikely addition was balladeer Jed Madela but he was able to make use of his operatic voice to belt out rock anthems “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “We will Rock You” by Queen.

Zach Gehring shoots the crowd with his cell. He’s a guitarist of the band MAE who were part of the Katy Perry Rocks for Relief last Nov. 2009

The Brewrats from left: Ramon Bautista, Arvin ‘Tado’ Jimenez and Angel ‘Erning’ Rivero

The night however still belonged to Katy Perry. Her concert was postponed last October  2009 due to the devastation of typhoon Ondoy. The delay helped organizers add more acts that made the concert even more impressive than the original show. MAE has a local following that was glad to see them for the first time. And all artists mentioned came together to raise funds for the Phil. National Red Cross aiding typhoon victims.

from right Sarah Meier and another hottie Vicky Herrera

The young and sexy Perry held the audience in the palm of her hand. Thousands of screaming girls were going wilder with each song. Perry came running out to sing her hit “Fingerprintz”. She was dressed in a pink bustier and short tutu that showed her long legs and curves. Her mic stand had a bowl of fruit as its base. Pink flamingos stood guard at each end of the stage.

She didn’t seem to run out of theatrics going into the pit and touching fans using her mock cherry chap stick.  Her songs have bisexual themes not least of which is “You’re so Gay”, “One of the Boys” and “I Kissed A Girl”. The latter is her biggest hit. Most of her songs also deal with young romance, “Thinking of You”, “Hot N Cold”, “Use Your Love” and even materialism “Afford Me”. All of them are fast paced danceable tunes that have captured the teeny bopper crowd. A huge inflatable cat called “Katy Purry” came to life by the encore.

The up and coming ,The California Dreams Tour is Presented by SMART major sponsors include: Lee, Little Asia, FOX. Star World, SM Mall of Asia, Official carrier, Phil Airlines, Official online partner Yahoo Phil. Special thanks: MMI, Polyeast, EMI, Astroplus, The Penninsula, FILSCAP Media partners ABS CBN, Business World, OK! PEP, Phil STAR.com, juice.ph, RX 93.7, Mellow 94.7, 96.3 Easy Rock, Home Radio 97.9 and Y101 Cebu

Jacob Marshall on drums, the band MAE was part of the Katy Perry Rocks for Relief last Nov. 2009

Charice had a sexy look during the national anthem. Her sexy look was first revealed at Shang Rila Plaza Mall entitled: ‘Women of Allure 2011 Photo Exhibit’.

Written by

Jude Bautista

Arguably, there was a bigger showdown between the anthems than the main event. Charice Pempengco of Glee fame sang the Philippine national anthem (Lupang Hinirang) while Tyrese Gibson of the Fast and the Furious 5 sang the ‘Star Spangled Banner’. Mosley was not able to back up his claim knocking out Manny Pacquiao, far from it. Pacquiao outscored him every single round and even knocked him down on the 3^rd round. Sports fans yearned for more action than Sugar was willing to engage in.

The sexiness or maturity of Charice the teen star was first revealed at Shang Rila Plaza Mall entitled: ‘Women of Allure 2011 Photo Exhibit’. The exhibit was organized by Phil. Star and sponsored by SMART Gold

The vocalists in the pre fight ceremonies were an interesting sidelight. Charice had a sexier look with long straight hair and dress. The sexiness or maturity of the teen star was first revealed at Shang Rila Plaza Mall entitled: ‘Women of Allure 2011 Photo Exhibit’. The exhibit was organized by Phil. Star and sponsored by SMART Gold. It also featured other Filipina celebs such as: Kris Aquino, Grace Poe Llamanzares, Jasmine Maierhofer and many more. Charice has an upcoming movie project with Nicole Richie and has a hit single written by Bruno Mars entitled ‘Before it Explodes’.

Tyrese Gibson had a freer rein starting off slowly and low with a more emotional almost bluesy ending.

In spite of Charice ‘new look’, the Americans may have gotten the best of us Filipinos with the addition of Jamie Foxx singing ‘Americathe Beautiful’. Her rendition of the anthem was the most accurate based on the rules often harped by the National Historical Institute. It made Charice’ normally sparkling and powerful voice sound like she was interpreting it for a marching band.  While Tyrese Gibson had a freer rein starting off slowly and low with a more emotional almost bluesy ending. He gave a touching greeting, “God bless our troops for keepingAmericasafe.” Jamie Foxx also had a jazzy and emotional interpretation of his song accompanied by a lone bugle and snare drum.

Jamie Foxx also had a jazzy and emotional interpretation of “America the Beautiful”

The National Historical Institute has always been known for criticizing the best Filipino singers’ interpretations of our national anthem. Martin Nievera and even Arnel Pineda who sang the anthem in previous Pacquiao bouts were assailed by historians who wanted an exact replica of the beat and rhythm of the anthem. Safeguarding the faithfulness is understandable. At the same time the composition is a hundred years old or more. Making very slight changes especially ones that adapt to the voice and style of the singer, for me is acceptable. As long as it’s done with respect and dignity, the way Tyrese gave his own touch can yield better results.

Comedienne Rose Anne Barr, farting and burping her version of theU.S.national anthem (for an MLB game) was deplorable and disgusting. She received a lot of much deserved criticism for it. But the voices of Martin Nievera and Arnel Pineda which they gave to the best of their abilities makes Filipinos appreciate the anthem even more. The NHI restrained what could’ve been a very memorable performance for Charice.

LL’s rapped his hit ‘Mama Said Kock You Out’ which has become popular with fight fans across the world.

The walk ins by the fighters also had their own mini battle. LL Cool J rapped live in front of Sugar Shane as he walked in. LL’s rapped his hit ‘Mama Said Kock You Out’ which has become popular with fight fans across the world. Few people know that LL was part of Run DMC’s entourage before he became a successful rapper himself. Today LL is more known for his role as special Agent Sam Hana in NCIS: Los Angeles.

The strong guitar rifts in “Eye of the Tiger” signaled the entry of Pacquiao. Jimi Jamison, lead singer for the band Survivor who performed the hit for the film Rocky III rocked out for the walk in. This was one of the most spectacular walk ins and anthems done in any sporting event.

MP's lovely wife Jinkee, his Mommy D stayed home confident that her son would win 'even without me'

Jimi Jamison in an interview with Elie Sekbach for ES News said, “The song is no.1 inGermanyright now which blew my mind.” Jamison related that he received an email invite to perform for Pacquaio. “I said Hell yeah! I’m a huge Manny fan and never met him before, but we’re pretty good buddies now. That guy was the most challenging boxer I’ve seen. I’ve been watching boxing since Cassius Clay. I’ve seen Sugar Ray Leonard and Thomas Hearns, Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler all those guys. They were all great but nobody has shown me the total package as Manny has. I’m not just saying that because we’re friends. I’m a friend of a lot of boxers.” On a fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. he thinks the outcome is clear. “Floyd will lose his cool in the middle of the fight and Manny will rip his head off! I really do, I think Manny’s gonna tear him up.”

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista (for full screen gallery pics click on link)

Machete star Aljur Abrenica and top model Ornussa Cadness bared their smooth skin at the Lay Bare fashion show held recently at the Hard Rock Café.  Lay Bare is the first and only “waxing boutique” in the Philippines. They specialize in providing customers with a stress free hair removal experience by offering a full rage of professional waxing services

One of the country’s hottest models: Ornussa Cadness in a Japanese inspired make up and body painting. Photo by Jude Bautista

Since the ‘Machete’ role from GMA 7 is a statue that has come to life, it calls for muscular but hair free skin. Abrenica said, “As a professional actor I have to be able to endure the changes in my body that the role calls for. And I was bracing myself for some pain but contrary to popular belief it wasn’t that bad.” Lay Bare prides itself in the cold wax jelly treatment that eliminates incidents of nicks, cuts or burns and is relatively pain free. Aljur now is even considering continuing the treatment as a regular thing, “I enjoy how it makes my skin look. I do work out, so it doesn’t make me look any less masculine.” for full screen gallery pics click on link

One of the country’s hottest models: Ornussa Cadness in a Japanese inspired make up and body painting. Photo by Jude Bautista

Model Ornussa Cadness also shared her thoughts on Lay Bare, “There is immense pressure for model’s skin to look immaculate. And there are fashion shows where we show a lot of skin wearing bikinis and so forth. Lay Bare is a life saver in terms of minimized pain and effectiveness.”

Lay Bare Founders from left: Fiona and Monique Hilario. Photo by Jude Bautista

Lay Bare was established by Fiona and Monique Hilario back in 2006 as a result of their own frustrations with hair removal from beauty parlors. Fiona said, “I personally experienced it all, the lengthy waiting, uncomfortable beds and the not so pleasant waxing treatments in the ‘ouch’ factor. So we saw an opportunity to put up Lay Bare. We’re proud of the fact that in only five years we’ve grown to 31 branches nationwide.”

A hot model shows off her Body paint during the Lay Bare Fashion show at the Hard Rock Cafe. Photo by Jude Bautista for full screen gallery pics click on link

Monique added that, “Apart from the cold wax jelly we also combine it with patch waxing technique. Unlike the usual strip waxing method it decreases skin trauma by removing a small section of hair at a time. And ingredients are all natural.” Sponsors for the fashion show include: POND’S, PLDT SME Nation, Sassa, The Body Shop, Freshman Masculine Wash, ETC Channel, Nail it!, Bioessence, Ipanema and Hard Rock Café.

Hot models show off their body paint during the Lay Bare Fashion show at the Hard Rock Cafe. Photo by Jude Bautista

Framed pic of Arnel Pineda hitting a high powerful note at Hard Rock Cafe.

Hard Rock Café: I was in Heaven!

I have to thank the event for bringing me here again in their Glorietta, Makati branch. (There are a lot of Hard Rock Cafés around the world) Although some of the decor has changed. The first picture on the wall near the entrance says it all. Three inch golden frame, thick white space, in the center: a close up of Arnel Pineda frozen hitting a high powerful note. This was home for me.

Hot models show off their body paint during the Lay Bare Fashion show at the Hard Rock Cafe. Photo by Jude Bautista for full screen gallery pics click on link

From right: Echo and the Bunnymen has a poster framed near the stage, their guitar, followed by Paul Stanley’s guitar (of Kiss). Photo by Jude Bautista

In the circular area with the stage, electric guitars are encased on the wall. Echo and the Bunnymen has a poster framed near the stage. Andy Taylor’s (of Duran Duran) guitar was beside Stabbing Westward, followed by Paul Stanley’s (of Kiss). I don’t mind admitting that as an eleven year old, I bought vinyl of Echo & the Bunny Men and Duran Duran. It was so long ago kids today have NO idea what I’m talking about.

from left: Andy Taylor’s (of Duran Duran) guitar was beside Stabbing Westward. Photo by Jude Bautista

Duran Duran had one of their biggest hits play in ‘American Pie: The Wedding’ when Stiffler has a dance off in a gay bar. The track was ‘The Reflex’, the song sounded just as fresh and contemporary when it first came out. People who knew the song were laughing even harder than those who didn’t as 80’s memories came flooding in. Duran Duran is still around and getting younger fans all the time.

I wasn’t even able to shoot a hand written note, with lyrics by only the greatest guitar player who ever lived: Jimi Hendrix.

Hot models show off their body paint during the Lay Bare Fashion show at the Hard Rock Cafe. Photo by Jude Bautista for full screen gallery pics click on link

From one model to the other from left: Ornussa Cadness with host PDI Columnist Isabel Roces. Photo by Jude Bautista

Keith Richards (of the Rolling Stones) holds a cig on one hand while giving his creepy glare

On the same wall, Keith Richards (of the Rolling Stones) holds a cig on one hand while giving his creepy glare. Beside his photo is his jacket from their ‘Steel Wheels’ tour in ’89 and his guitar of course. Yes, Hard Rock Café is a successful international chain of restaurants. For a rock fan like me the experience is way beyond that, it’s like going to church! Thank you Lay Bare, Fiona and Monique Hilario, keep the faith!

Lay Bare Founders from left: Fiona and Monique Hilario with host and PDI columnist Isabel Roces. Photo by Jude Bautista