Heart, soul and Rioja

Once you get past the pronunciation of her first name, everything about Rioja Mendez (Ree-yo-ha) is simple. Take for example how she describes herself, "Mabait, God-fearing, simple at.... yun’ lang! Ha ha!"

Rioja Mendez grew up in Obando, Bulacan. She was a typical barrio lass who sang along to songs on the radio. She would sing anywhere – at home, in church, inside the tricycle. She would sing in school programs the songs of her idols Sharon Cuneta, Kuh Ledesma, Regine Velasquez and Karen Carpenter. Becoming a professional singer was far from her mind. She was content with helping tend the family business, diligently watching over their carinderia.

Then, at 13, Rioja, with her 5’8" height curvaceous body and beautiful face, was sidetracked by the glamorous world of modeling. Soon, Rioja was sashaying down the runways, wearing clothes by Ben Farrales and Inno Sotto under the direction of top fashion designers Ogie Atos and Wanda Louallen.

By the time she was 19, Rioja started to get involved in church and was singing in the community choir. Music industry pillar Ricky del Rosario chanced upon her performance and immediately offered Rioja a recording contract. "I was so shocked because I never took my singing seriously," says Rioja. "Talagang happy accident lang ang lahat na ito!"

Rioja’s album contains 10 songs: Mali Man Na Ibigin Ka, Habang Sa Bawat Puso, Sabihin Ang Totoo, The Way You Always Do, Naghihintay Pa Rin, Tunay Na Nadarama, Mula Nang Iwan Mo Ako, You Used To Be, Di Ko Maikaila and the carrier single, Ikaw Lamang Sa Puso Ko – which has topped the charts in a number of FM stations thanks to the tireless promotional efforts by Richsound Music via mall and provincial shows.

"It’s an album that would touch the hearts of Filipinos. It’s full of soul, heart and...."

And what, Rioja?

"And.... yun lang! Ha ha!"

Senators to the rescue

The entertainment industry’s movers and shakers have boldly expressed their support of the Senate Bill creating the Film Development Board of the Philippines, sponsored by Senators Tito Sotto, Loren Legarda, Loi Ejercito, Manny Villar and Ralph Recto.

The bill seeks to create a nurturing economic and cultural environment that will encourage the best in the film industry through the creation of the Film Development Board of the Philippines.

The prohibitively-onerous taxes imposed by national and local governments on the production and exhibition of Filipino films have forced producers into making movies primarily geared at making profit in the box-office. Maybe with this board, our filmmakers will be encouraged to produce more quality Filipino films.

Mabuhay po kayo, Senators Tito, Loi, Loren, Manny and Ralph and all the supporters of this significant bill.

Jesuit products

Jesuit Communications announces the release of three products catering to the Chinese-Filipino communities.

First is Songs for Worship – Translations of Filipino Liturgical Hymns into Mandarin Chinese that includes popular liturgical songs set to the Mandarin language. The second product is Weaving A Dream –Reflections for Chinese Filipino Catholics Today by Brother Aristotle Dy, SJ with contributions from Fr. Johnny Go, SJ. This is a compilation of essays ranging from historical studies to familial recollections and the compatibility of the Chinese customs, values and traditions with the Christian faith. The third product is Haha Popi, a video documenting four Chinese-Filipino Catholics talking about ethnic identity, faith and culture.

For inquiries, call the Jesuit Communications Office at tel. no. 426 5971 or 426 6001 loc. 4842.