Still Freestyle after all these years

QUANTUM POST GOES TO CANNES! Quantum Post head Carlo Francisco Manatad made it to the Semaine de la Critique (Cannes Critics Week) with his short film Judilerks de la Cruz, Employee of the Month, starring Angeli Bayani, Ross Pesigan, Grace Ria and Ogie Tiglao, in competition! Out of 1,700 short films, 10 were selected to compete with Judilerks described as “forceful and touchingly inventive.”

LATER TIME SLOT FOR ‘THE BETTER HALF.’ Jeffrey Jeturian’s blockbuster series, The Better Half, a Shaina Magdayao, Carlo Aquino, Denise Laurel and JC de Vera starrer, will take the time slot of The Greatest Love.

‘MKK’ GOES VIRAL. “May husay din sina Khahil Ramos, Nyoy Volante and Meryl Soriano na gumanap sa Noven Belleza story, At filmic talaga coverage pag si Nuel Naval ang director,” comments Maalaala Mo Kaya creative director Mel Mendoza-del Rosario about its outstanding production.

MIGS BUSTOS ON FREE TV. “I contribute stories for news programs, but also with ANC. Since we’re all under ABS-CBN company and umbrella, it’s all integrated naman po. So I do both,” comments hot ANC anchor Migs Bustos about reporting for TV Patrol and DZMM Teleradyo.

FREESTYLE IS STILL HERE. With such unforgettable hits as “Before I Let You Go,” “So Slow,” “This Time” and “Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang,” Freestyle remains very much active after more than two decades in the local music scene. Despite the change of frontliners, Freestyle has stood the test of time. The band is now under 1Entertainment Inc., with Celeste Pacana as manager. Present line-up of members include Joshua Desiderio and Mike Luis on vocals and keyboards, Rommel de la Cruz on bass guitar and Ava Santos, female vocalist. Drummer Gerd Banzon and lead guitarist/back-up vocals Tat Suzara are the only two original members remaining today.
They have admirably survived the change of frontliners through the years. “They did it with great optimism,” says Celeste. “They always believed that change is always for the good, too.”
In 2015, Freestyle released an independent album, Mga Kwentong Kinanta, featuring newest member, Ava. The album is trying to create a distinct and unique sound for the new members.
For instance, Ava can hold her own with the original hits of Freestyle, but she also developed her own interpretation of some OPM songs to make it her own. Joshua, for his part, came out with the hit, “Half Crazy” and Mike interpreted other songs like “Changes” and his infectious and entertaining Michael Jackson songs.
With the ever-changing trends in the local music scene, Freestyle has admirably coped with being a popular band. The band believes they must be aware and conscious of the present circumstances and embrace the new trends. It’s a struggle though, but the band knows they need to roll with the punches and get with the program.
Basically, Freestyle knows how to “keep working hard, despite the new responsibilities and even the distractions.” More originals are in the works and churning them out as quickly as they can online and hoping for the best all the time.
At present, Freestyle regularly performs at 19 East, 12 Monkeys, Eton Centris Walk, Historia Boutique Bar and Restaurant and Chaos at City of Dreams. On May 3, the band will regale guests in the town fiesta in Sta. Cruz, Lubao, Pampanga. On May 20, they will be featured at the Azul Bar at Aquatico in Laiya, Batangas and on May 27, they will be one of the performers in a fundraising concert at University of Santo Tomas.

‘BABY BOSS’ FLIES. Blackbird singing in the dead of night / Take these broken wings and learn to fly / All your life / You were only waiting for this moment to arise.
“Blackbird” by The Beatles opens the blockbuster animated film, The Baby Boss, as part of the plot at various points throughout. Paul McCartney wrote it as a metaphor for all Black women in the US. experiencing civil rights persecution. A new baby’s arrival impacts a family, told from the point of view of a delightfully unreliable narrator — a wildly imaginative seven-year-old named Tim.

APRIL’S FINALE WEEK AT HRC. Hard Rock Café (HRC) culminates the month of April with an exciting line-up of special shows by some of the country’s most exciting and talented musical acts. Hard rockers can look forward to a solid week of non-stop hits and homegrown favorites as they party with the music of Silk (April 25), go on the ultimate musical throwback with Kudos Love 80s (April 26), jam with Red Picasso (April 27), power their nights with Part 3 (April 28 and 30), and groove to the unstoppable beat of Leni.
HRC has been one of the top industry leaders for almost 25 years and the venue has been consistent in providing its loyal patrons quality entertainment featuring the best OPM artists and international acts as well as its most scrumptious signature dishes coupled with the world-class service it offers to every “hard rocker.” All shows start at 9 p.m.