JoAnne Lorenzana celebrates 35 years in the music industry

I have witnessed JoAnne Lorenzana’s growth as an artist, songwriter and Original Pilipino Music (OPM) icon. She’s not only someone whose talent I admire, she’s also a good friend.

As she celebrates her 35th anniversary in the music industry, I’d like to congratulate JoAnne, who is married to the very supportive Brant Blower, with whom she is sharing a happy home in California.

Her latest show, JoAnne@35 Love Songs and Lessons celebrated her 35th year in the music scene, where she first made waves as an OPM artist with a string of hit songs like I’ll Never Let You Go, You, Kung Alam Mo Lang, Back in Your Arms and Bayan Ko.

The worldwide streaming was scheduled last Aug. 14 with the Natatanging Guro Foundation as beneficiary.

Guests were Jun Polistico, from Manila, The Quarentados Choir, made up of Filipino medical frontliners and those in allied fields based in various countries, and JoAnne’s niece Kylie Lorenzana Fonacier from Canada.

King of OPM Ogie Alcasid, who, like JoAnne, was trained by their first manager Nonong Pedero, had a special participation in the show.

JoAnne performed her hits and her new song, My Everyday Valentine, which she dedicated to Brant.

Support had been pouring in from Senate president Tito Sotto, Lea Salonga, Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, Mitch Valdes, Kuh Ledesma and others that JoAnne has performed with through the years. They sent video messages to greet her on her 35th year in the industry.

Asked what she will tell God if she has a direct line to Him, JoAnne answered, “I would ask Him for more time, so that more people will get to know Him and that each of us would find a stronger sense of courage to use our gifts individually to serve that purpose, to fulfill His will, while we are still on earth, before He comes.

“This is one of the reasons we created this virtual show. It may be a celebration of music, the gift He gave me and my friends, but the ultimate purpose is to give glory to Him and fulfill the service of joy and entertainment to others at this crucial time of our lives.”

The show was presented by NeoMonde Productions and Cream Silk. Participating sponsors were District Homes California, Kickabeat Records US, Klein Financial Services, Heavenly Ice Cream, Jacobsen Pilot Services, Petron MAV Servicenter and Waterblocks Tube Ice. Media partners were The GFN Channel, Filipino TV UK & The Sonny Laragan Show, Mellow 94.7, Radio Pinoy 94.7 Calgary Canada, Love FM 98.4 Tele-Radyo, Philippine News Today and Light TV.