Featuring California-raised Ilocano from Laoag City Jonathan "Athan" Andres who Sings Like A Pro

 
Athan's cover of SANA NGAYONG PASKO

I discovered Jonathan "Athan" Andres in a shared video in facebook. I thought it was one of the typical videos of people who can sing,  gone viral and have gained a following in youtube. When I saw his video posted on the wall, I thought he was passionsf who I follow in youtube so I clicked and listened to him.

Lo and behold, it wasn't passionsf but only had a resemblance to him. The shared video led me to his account and we happen to have mutual friends. The video wasn't even a youtube video but merely an uploaded video in his FB account. What surprised me even more, this talented guy with a beautiful voice is based in California but was raised in Laoag City. He took up his nursing degree at Northwestern University in Ilocos Norte, my homeprovince and is now a practicing RN in California. He comes home to Ilocos as much as he can. 

I am featuring Athan, because this guys sings like a pro.  He is a rare find, because I have not seen any Ilocano yet, who was raised in Ilocos Norte and could sing as good as he does, with perfect diction. His style of singing is likened to Ariel Rivera's in my opinion.  He is also good-looking (a plus factor).  It is a shame that he isn't discovered  in his own homecountry but I hope he gets to be discovered more in his own homeprovince of Ilocos Norte, atleast. I highly recommend him to people in Ilocos who organize events, programs and concerts to tap on this rare gem.  

Alamid's/Erik Santos' YOUR LOVE.. One of Athan's all-time favorites:

What is disappointing, like many other good singers, Athan lacks the marketing skills.    He has a youtube account but is not followed by a considerable number.  He also has a lot of videos uploaded in his FB account but not in public setting and mostly not uploaded in youtube. I even had to beg him that he upload his "Sana Ngayong Pasko" cover in youtube so I can share it in my blog. He even has his own music site but little is heard about it and I wouldn't even find out if I didn't research. I told him, "When I get to have the time, I want to do a duet with you in youtube because I am really very impressed with your voice."  I only hope he finds a manager who can market him and be able to share to a wider audience his God-given talent.

His rendition of Howie Day's Collide:

Thru Facebook, Athan and I had a Q & A thru chat and here are some bits and pieces I gathered about him:

Jonathan Andres

25 years old

California, USA

Born here in California, and moved to Laoag City when I was 5 for schooling. Raised by my grandparents.

I finished school in the PI at Northwestern University, took up BS Nursing, graduated in 2008 and then came back to the states after grad.. currently working as a Registered Nurse here in the US.

Fave Ilocano Dish is Adobo & Pinakbet.

I'll try my best to come home every year if I can. hehe.. I was just there (Ilocos Norte) last April & August.

I haven't recorded any albums (I wish though). I want to make it in to the music industry someday but I know i still have a long way to go and I need to improve and learn more. I auditioned for American Idol here in California, unfortunately I didn't make it in. But it was one awesome experience.

Dr. Robert Andres the dentist from Laoag City, is our relative. We live next to PLDT. Brgy. 11 in Laoag.

It would be my pleasure to sing with you. I use a Shure Condenser Microphone for my recordings. And i download/buy the instrumentals/minus ones that i use. Looking forward to making a collaboration with you.

Visit his music site at http://www.wix.com/athan1986/athan
Youtube Page 

Facebook Page

Laoag City Children's Choir Wins Again in National Choral Tilt!

Photo Courtesy of Christian Mark Baruela Mariano

Laoag City Children's Choir of Ilocos Norte National Highschool (INNHS) wins again in National Tilt!

INNHS's Children's Choir represented Laoag City, Ilocos Norte in the Grand Finals of the Manila Broadcasting Corporation's (MBC) National Choir Competition, and emerged as champion besting 20 other children's choirs at Aliw Theater, Pasay City last December 9, 2011. 

Ria Abad Andres, a member of the choir says,  "Because of our patience, presence of mind, and (of)our being optimistic. We (almost) made it to the top!!! We gathered as the Champion for the MBC children's choir National Choral Competition.  Congratulations to us and (For) most of all, thank you Lord and to our dearest conductor, Sir Sherberk Frez Cabrales thank you Sir..."

Photo Courtesy of Christian Mark Baruela Mariano

Maestro Robert Caluya and his treasures

Robert Caluya, the founder, main conductor and trainor of the present conductors of the children's choir is so ecstatic and proud.  He posted in his Facebook Status: 

 "CONGRATULATIONS to LAOAG CITY CHILDREN"S CHOIR! CHAMPION! MBC 2011 We are very proud of you!!!!

Conductor: Sherberk Frez Cabrales
Asst. Conductor: Egdonna Legaspi
Assisting Artists: J Michael Mugas, Sherween Frez Cabrales"

Laoag City's INNHS is set to compete in Cincinnati World Competition - known as the Olympics of Choral Competions in 2012.  It is said to be the first highschool choir to join this prestigious event. 

To the members and trainors who comprise  

Laoag City's Children's Choir of INNHS - a BIG CONGRATULATIONS 

and the people of Ilocos Norte are proud of you for continuing to soar in the world of music chorale!

NAMCYA National Champion: The Samiweng Singers of Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Norte despite its rich heritage is known as a provincial rustic place with slow development in many aspects relatively to other provinces. I am still proud of my homeprovince though which is still my favourite place in the world and one of the reasons other than food for my Ilocano palette is - it is not dearth of talented Ilocanos, who will travel anywhere and spend every penny they have to share their passion in the arts.

One of them is The SAMIWENG SINGERS - a Choral Group founded by Robert Caluya in year 2001. It has been a champion in several choral competitions including the National Level of the prestigious NAMCYA in 2002 (National Music Competition for Young Artists) as a TREBLE-SSAA Choir in the Youth Choir category, besting highschool choirs even from popular schools in Manila.

 Allow me to share this well-written piece by Maestro Robert Caluya - the founder and conductor of this choir, who was once a coach/mentor in my singing in my younger years.

The SAMIWENG SINGERS of Ilocos Norte National High School, Laoag City: A Decade of Choral Adventure

by Robert Caluya

After working with the INNHS Youth Choir as Conductor for seven years in 2000,I thought of starting a new choir called the INNHS Samiweng Singers.  Officially established in 2001. The main reason was, I could not hear a basso profundo and there was a dearth of choral pieces for high school students. So, the first treble choir was born...

I formally started recruiting members of the 1st Batch of the Samiweng Singers in 2001 with a few number of Special Science Class students left who were members of the Youth Choir.  There were about more than 100 students who auditioned mostly students from the Special Program in the Arts (SPA). The first performance was during the 1st Quarterf Recita of l  SPA music students (First week of August). Since then, a strong number of more than 50 students became members on its first year. The choir performed in small, local programs.

I left the country for the US Concert Tour of the Sagibsib Performing Arts Troupe in 2002 (April-July) . I thought then of staying in the US for good- but one night, the Samiweng Singers just pop out into my mind- then everything changed. I came home .

On August 2002, the official number of the Samiweng Singers became 26.Joined the Regional NAMCYA FInals at the Teatro Ilocandia and was awarded First Prize. The NAMCYA Finals was not too far, the choir won 1st Prize in the  NAMCYA FInals at the CCP. The following year, the choir participated in the Samu't -Saring Tinig V- A concert of Best High School Choirs in the Philippines, the NAMCYA National Youth Music Festival at the CCP and the Province of Bulacan, and the fiisrt recording debut in 2003 and released in the Summer of 2004.Also the choir sang in most of the Province and Laoag City affairs. They also sang in the welcoming program of Ms Earth Pageant Candidates.

In 2004, I started mentoring Mr. Sherberk Cabrales, a former student and choir member who became my assistant conductor. In 2005, the choir was handed over to him officially-several odds and issues. Trial periods as they say...

In 2006, I was assigned as Officer in Charge of the MAPEH and SPA Departments and so Mr. Cabrales experimented on both the Youth Choir and the Samiweng Singers.

Several years came after and in March 2011, the Samiweng Singers embarked on its first international choral competition in Hoi An, Quang Nam Viet Nam. It emerged Over-all winner in the Children, Youth and Sacred Choir Categories. Mr. Cabrales and I conducted the same choir in different categories and were Category winners .

Now on its tenth year, The Samiweng Singers will surely continue to sing to the world...
----------------------------

If the LOBOC CHILDREN'S CHOIR became popular due to good marketing skills of their promoters/managers, I think it is about time that the SIMAWENG SINGERS must also be treated of the same level of marketing and support.  More so that we have a new Governor Imee Marcos who is more of an art advocate than any Governor of Ilocos Norte I know.  I only hope she includes you in supporting your endeavors as a chorale group in allocating her budget during her tenure.

It is about time Manong Robert. It is about time ;)

Thank you for sharing this wonderful piece. 

To the SIMAWENG SINGERS - keep on singing! Bravo!
Visit and Like Samiweng's Facebook Page


Here are  video clips of the choir group:

 

This clip was taken during the Samu't Saring Tinig Concert V at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on February 2003 featuring the best high school choirs in the Philippines.

1. Ilocos Norte National High School Choir  - who sang "O Naraniag a Bulan"
2. De La Salle High School Glee Club (1999 NAMCYA Youth Choir Category Champion)
3. Isabel National High School Youth Choir (2002 NAMCYA Youth Choir CAtegory, 2nd place)
4. St. Scholastica High SChool Glee Club
5. Ramon Magsaysay High School Choir, Cubao
6. Paref Southridge School Male Choir

with guest performance by the Kundirana Singers

INNHS Samiweng Singers' conductor: Mr. Robert Caluya

Naraniag A Bulan: Arranged by Mr. Robert Delgado

(Source: rhearmie )

 

 The INNHS Samiweng Singers goes pop singing I'M YOURS by JASON MRAZ. I'm yours arranged by Sherberk Cabrales for duet,violin,guitar,beatbox,and chorus.

(Source: winnlavqglenn)

 This time under Maestro Sherberk Cabrales (Source: apiong2007)