Sarah Geronimo is ‘Perfectly Imperfect’

Everything is coming up roses indeed for Sarah Geronimo. Last Saturday, Sarah won the award for Best Performance by An Actress in a Lead Role (Musical or Comedy) for the blockbuster movie “It Takes A Man and A Woman.” It was Sarah’s first major acting award and it’s too bad she was not around to accept.

On that same night, Sarah was in Fairview Terraces for a mall show to promote her newest album titled “Perfectly Imperfect” from Viva Records. While her handlers at Viva sent word that Sarah would try her best to make it to the awards night so she could accept her trophy in case she’d win, the heavy rains and the terrible traffic prevented her from doing so. The victory of  Sarah changes her showbiz status a bit – from a Popstar Princess/box-office star to award-winning actress.

That change is also true for her new album and Sarah handles it better than others. She comes up with a vibrant new sound wherein she embraces the current pop sounds of today.

The new album describes exactly where Sarah is musically these days — where she’s all about trying new things, sounds and experiences — in order to arrive at an end product she can be proud of, which in turn, she can share with the rest of her loyal followers. She’s also sure that the new album might raise a few eyebrows, but that’s okay, as Sarah’s all about letting her inner self show. Hence the title “Perfectly Imperfect.”

Right at the onset, the change is noticeable as Sarah chooses to get behind an electronic dance music track as one of the strong singles off the album. “Kilometro” is a hook-filled mid-tempo song that embraces both R&B and pop with just the right dash of EDM to make it sizzle. Fans would be prepared for this as Sarah had already given them a taste with “Ikot-Ikot,” but then she raises it to another level with this catchy EDM-laced track.

Obviously, Sarah is just at the beginning of another chapter in her music career. As she sings one great song after another, she pulls another one in the huge sounding “Bangon.” Within the framework of echoing beats and tasty keyboards, she waxes a tale of  hope in the face of heartbreak. It’s a strong song right from the start that just keeps rising as it goes.

But the coup de grace in this set are the trio of songs helmed by Canadian music producer Adam Hurstfield. Having made music for international hit artists like Ne-Yo, Backstreet Boys, Super Junior and Def  Leppard among others, Hurstfield brought a Top 40 sheen to Sarah’s sound.

With a song like “Bulletproof,” it is evident that Sarah’s voice is at the same world-class level as the acts that Hurstfield had worked with. Then there’s the title track “Perfectly Imperfect,” which brings this album into perspective. It just says that our very own Popstar Princess is ready for the world stage.

The “Perfectly Imperfect” album promotions will entail a series of mallshows that will see the “Ikot-Ikot” singer tour the Ayala Malls. These shows, more like mini-concerts, will also be on Market-Market (October 10), Harbor Point (October 11), Ayala Mall in Cebu (October 18), Centrio Mall in Cagayan De Oro (October 25), and at Marquee Mall in Pampanga on the 31st.

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It’s a good thing Kaye Abad is playing a lead role in the new ABS-CBN series titled “Two Wives,” an adaptation of a popular Koreanovela. She is playing the wife of Jason Abalos in this new drama which was given a Pinoy touch and sensibilities. It will premiere on Monday, October 13.

For quite some time, Kaye languished in supporting and villainess roles in the Kapamilya network. The last kontrabida role she did was in “Anna Liza” so it is really a welcome change to see her doing a lead role in “Two Wives.”

In the series, she plays Yvonne, the happy wife of Jason. Their happy family was destroyed when Jason got involved with Erich Gonzales, a single mom whose daughter got attached to Jason, who works as gardener in Erich’s home. Erich gets Jason as “dad for hire” for her child but the two fell for each other. There will be a twist in the story where Erich becomes the wife and Kaye, the mistress.

Kaye is thankful that her big break finally came in “Two Wives.” She harbours no ill feelings if  the ABS-CBN gave bigger and better assignments to John Lloyd Cruz and Jodi Sta. Maria who were her co-stars in the defunct Sunday afternoon show “Tabing Ilog.” She said she is happy for her friends who both deserve their current success.

“I am good friends with Lloydie and Jodi, and we are glad for each other’s accomplishments. I’m happy that my time has finally come. Nahuli lang pero thankful pa rin ako. Mas todo ang acting ko ngayon. Mas pagbubutihan ko para ipakita na they made the right decision to give me this break,” said Kaye.

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October is the anniversary month of Bubble Gang which is marking its 19th year on television. This is probably the second longest running show on GMA-7, second to “Eat Bulaga” which is 35 years old. “Bubble Gang” is probably the longest running gag show in the history of  Philippine TV.

The “Bubble Gang” mainstays have changed through the years. Other cast members like Ogie Alcasid and Wendell Ramos have joined other networks. Nevertheless, it has retained its hold on the audience. Cast members come and go but “Bubble Gang” continues to be top-rating.

For sure, “Bubble Gang” is preparing special for their anniversary show. Tonight, guest celebrities are Mark Herras, Bela Padilla and Nicole.