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THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 5 Number 11 | AUGUST 2015
ENTERTAINMENT
Music with excitement The Platform Band
THEY rocked and the audience swayed
to their music. It was a night of great
entertainment at the Mounties in Mt.
Pritchard last month at the performance
of the pop rock party band Platform.
THE Platform ‘Reformed’ show featured the talents of the seven-piece
band which was formed in June 2011.
Band members include Joanna Camille Banal and Sharina Espinosa on
vocals; Norbert Tomitit (rhythm guitars, vocals); Ogie de Jesus (keyboards
and vocals); Rey Cruz (drums and vocals), Wrenn Ferrer (bass and vocals),
and Jeff Hizon on lead guitar.
With more than 30 years of accumulated musical experience between
all the members, Platform is now
emerging as one of the top bands to
watch. All of them have a passion for
music and everyone contributes in the
vocal part of the band providing their
group with an abundant style of music that can catered for different events
whether for parties or simply a jam of
the classics.
They can cover a wide variety of
styles ranging from 60's to present
mainstream music that everyone hear
in FM radios thus building up a collection of songs to cover. The band specialises in dance music that make a fantastic and enjoyable night for the audience watching their performance.
As Platform Band continues to
build their repertoire, their main goal
is to make people dance, be merry and
most of all have fun!
[For bookings, call 0430 481787 or
for upcoming events and further information on Platform Band, you can visit their Facebook page at http://www.
facebook.com/PlatformBandSydney.]
The Platform Band. From left: Wrenn Ferrer (bass and vocals), Rey Cruz (drums and vocals), Sharina
Espinosa David and Joanna Camille Banal (vocals), Ogie De Jesus (keyboards and vocals), Jeff Hizon
(lead guitar) and Norbert Tomitit (rhythm guitar and vocals).
Cyrus Villanueva
Stardom beckons for Wollongong teen
ONE of the great things about producing our own
talent show is we spot the raw talent before everyone
else does. Urbanstar has done just that as we have
unearthed another amazing young crooner from
Wollongong City. Meet eighteen-year old Cyrus
Villanueva, a dashing, handsome and gifted FilipinoAustralian artist. He plays the guitar and the piano,
and happens to be our reigning Urbanstar Wollongong
champion. Soon he’s about to blaze an exciting new
trail on a reality TV show. I had a quick Q&A with young
Cyrus.
By MARCO SELORIO
IG @mrhoopdreamz
MS: What’s your nickname
and date of birth?
CV: People call me Cy. I
was born on the 20th June 1996.
MS: What’s it like to live in
Wollongong?
CV: Yes! I absolutely love
it here. Living close to both the
mountains and the sea is one of
my favourite parts, because I
love spending time outdoors, especially in summer. I also love
the music scene in Wollongong.
There are so many young, talented artists across so many
genres, and it's so motivating to
see everyone giving there all to
pursue music.
MS: Which artists have influenced you in your music career thus far?
CV: As of right now, Ed
Sheeran is a big musical inspiration to me. To me he is the most
genuine an artist can get. Who
else can play sold out arenas
with just a guitar, a pedal and a
mic? That's what I want to do.
Also, an artist called Gabe Bondoc. My playing style is quite
similar and heavily influenced
by him.
MS: What kind of music do
you want to share to the world?
CV: I want to share personal, but relatable music. Stuff
people can dance and sing to,
but also sit down and appreciate.
I enjoy singing many different
styles so i want to share my interest with the world.
MS: What was your experience like in Urbanstar talent
quest?
CV: Urbanstar was amazing! I think the best aspect was
just being surrounded by other
driven, humble talented young
artists, of to this day, I am still
good friends with. I love how
music has the ability to bring
people together, and meeting
the people I did at Urbanstar and
witnessing their gifts made the
night one never to forget.
MS: If you had a chance to
work with three artists in the
world, who would they be and
why?
CV: 1. Ed Sheeran! His
acoustic pop interest is very
similar to mine, and would be
awesome to jam with him! 2.
Stevie Wonder. Stevie is one of
my all time favourite musicians,
and not only for his music. His
entire, humble personality is admirable. 3. Michael Buble. My
favourite current jazz singer,
he proves that less is more. He
doesn't need to do anything fancy with his vocals to sound as
faultless as he does.
MS: Have you been to the
Philippines before? Do you see
yourself performing there one
day?
CV: Yes! Love it there. Of
course I would love to do shows
there! Music is such a huge part
of the filipino culture, and to
be able to share my music with
such a crowd would be amazing!
[Follow Cyrus Villanueva
on Facebook @CyrusVillanuevaMusic]