When classical meets pop

The Beatles is probably one of the most successful and popular bands in the history of pop music. On July 4, 1966, the group  held a historic yet controversial two sold-out concerts at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium. A few years back, the Meteor Garden phenomenon swept the country by storm and swayed the Filipinos’ adulation to these chinky-eyed Asian artists. Taiwan’s fab four JVKV (formerly known as F4) came to the country and performed in sold-out concerts. Famous singers like Ronan Keating (Boyzone), Justin Timberlake (‘N Sync), Ricky Martin (Menudo), Robbie Williams (Take That), and Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys) left their groups and embarked on successful solo careers.

Boy bands often sing pop, ballads and R ’n B except for the likes of Il Divo. Now, classical music in the country takes on a refreshing and more appealing vibe with this new breed of an all-male tenor group called Angelos. The five young and good-looking men break away from the stereotype image of boy bands by melding classical music with pop tunes. Just like its Italian origin that literally means angel, Angelos are messengers of harmony who bring classical music much closer to the hearts of Filipinos.

The group is composed of George Sison-Tagle, Floyd Tena, Jon Joven, James Uy and Angelo Ortiz. Angelos’ name was derived from their member, Angelo, who also acts as the group’s pianist and musical director. Angelos was formed last July and formally introduced in George’s concert Salute to George!: First Major Concert with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra last September at the Crowne Plaza’s Grand Ballroom. Angelos held a concert at Teatrino last month and guested on TV shows. It was featured on DZMM Teleradyo’s Music and Memories. On Nov. 20, Angelos  will be onstage at the Music Museum for the benefit of Balikatan sa Kaunlaran National Foundation.  

Let us take a closer look at these five gentlemen:

George Sison-Tagle is the son of renowned painter E.R. Tagle. He trained under the tutelage of the late Al Mendoza of the Ryan Cayabyab Music School, Abet delos Reyes, Nolyn Cabahug and Philippine Opera Company stalwarts Jay Greyoso and Karla Gutierrez. George played as Prince Tamino in Mozart’s opera The Magic Flute produced by the Philippine Opera Company. He was nominated as Best New Male Artist at the Aliw Awards in 2004. George recently launched his self-titled light CD album which includes the songs Sa Panaginip Ko, Make You Mine Again, You’re Supposed to Love Me, Give You All My Love  and the classical-pop revival of Dahil Tanging Ikaw.

Floyd Tena is a product of the Ateneo de Naga Music Ministry where he often sang as a soloist. He also dabbled in dance and musical theater as a member of Teatro Dignos. Floyd is a radio talent and commercial model who has done print and TV ads for Smart, Eight O’Clock and Rustan’s Fresh.

Jon Joven is probably the most experienced and well-traveled in the group. He has an extensive theater experience here and abroad. He played Thuy in the Miss Saigon production in Germany and Freddy Einsford Hill in the US production of My Fair Lady. In the Philippines, Jon was part of the musical version of Himala and Noli Me Tangere where he portrayed the young ilustrado Juan Crisostomo Ibarra. Jon received the first Academy Special Citation for Theatrical Excellence from the Famas Awards in 2004 and was nominated as Best Actor in a Musical Play (Noli Me Tangere) at the 2005 Aliw Awards. Jon joined the 2006 World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, California and won a gold for Broadway Music, two silvers for Pop and Opera, and one plaque for Overall Champion Male Solo for Broadway.

James Uy might be the youngest in the group but he shines in his musical achievements. He was a runner-up in the Las Vegas Pinoy Pop Superstar singing competition in the US. He discovered his passion for singing when he was five years old while watching his older brother Jon sang and performed Broadway classics. He has singing experience as a soloist and has played minor roles on stage both here and abroad.

Angelo Ortiz is the musical director of the group. He was a print and TV commercial model before becoming a recording artist. Like Jon, he also won at the 2006 WCOPA where he took home a gold for Classical Music, a gold for Original Music, a silver for the Open Industry Award (Instrumentalist category), two plaques for Overall Champion (Instrumentalist for Classical), and Overall Champion for Instrumentalist. He has three instrumental albums with a fourth one coming out soon. His album New Age Christmas Bliss was nominated for Best Christmas Album at the 19th  Awit Awards. Angelo will compose the original tracks for Angelos. “The songs are not the usual Filipino pop. They will not be your usual boy band. They will be classy and I will compose songs for them that are pop but rendered in the classical way,” he says.

Although each member has his own career, coming together as a group can only enhance their careers. “I want more Filipinos to appreciate classical music and to understand that classical can also be contemporary. Joining Angelos is our way of providing the audience with more options to appreciate music,” says George. “This is a good opportunity for us to show our musical talents especially in the classical genre. We want to give Filipinos something new and exciting,” adds Jon.