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HINDI nawala si Rannie Raymundo sa music industry. Ito ang nilinaw ng magaling na singer sa re-launching at re-packaged ng grupong Himaya at sa paglulunsad ng kanilang single na, Payakap.
Ayon kay Rannie, “I never stop. I never stop. As a matter of fact, those silent years that you thought I was silent, that was the most active. I do live it’s very very clear that, I’m saying I’m great, I’m original. Those past years, I’ve been to around the world.
“I’ve been to Israel, three times, Dubai five times in one year, around Asia, around the country. I’ve been playing live to people.. I realize when I’m in my 50’s I’ve become the poster boy in other countries, in the Middle East… Mas personal ang relationship ko ngayon sa tao na andiyan ‘yung nakikikain ako sa kanila.
“But now I have my four bands. One, I still do my solo for the corporates if they can afford me, then my OPM Hitmen with Chard Borja, Richard Reynosa and RenzVerano. Then the pop-rock Tribu ni Boss, then I have the jazz group, called Simcha, and I have the jazz-trio. So I never stop. And in between in my rest house, I’m on air with Madhouse Radio and kami nga pala mayroon kaming special concert kaya abangan ninyo, a concert with Himaya.”
Samantala, nasa pangangalaga na ng Madhouse Music ang Himaya Band. Ang MADHOUSE MUSIC, na itinayo ng singer at OPM icon na si Rannie.
Ang HIMAYA Band (mula sa Visayan word na ang ibig sabihin ay “praise”) ay binuo naman ni “Rocker-Preacher” Alvin Barcelona, ang band’s lead vocals.££
Sa totoo lang, dalawang dekada na ang Himaya Band, na tumutugtog sa iba’t ibang lugar sa bansa. At sa pagdaan ng panahon, patuloy silang bumubuo ng mga original at independent produced albums at music videos.
“This year, music icon Jose Mari Chan personally encouraged me to bring out our music to more people, especially to the millennials,” pagbabahagi ni Alvin sa presscon noong Lunes.
Passion ni Alvin ang music dahil, “Music is a universal language and one of the most effective ways to send out your message. It is a gift that needs to be shared.”
Ang klase naman ng music o awitin ng Himaya Band ay, “We play mostly inspirational songs, or songs with messages of hope, faith, peace, and love. We are OFM (Original Filipino Music) advocates in whatever genre, though our basic sound is still pop-rock,” giit ni Alvin.
Ang HIMAYA Band ay binubuo nina Alvin (lead vocals, guitar), Jeric Mison (keyboards), Matthew Perez (bass), Mike Nuez (lead guitar, vocals), at ang mga batang miyembro na sina — Aio Barcelona (vocals, guitar) anak ni Alvin na isang songwriter at Gab Espinosa (16-year old drummer).
Actually napaka-versatile ng Himaya dahil nakakakanta sila ng mga awitin mula ‘60s to present, mula rock ‘n roll to classics, pop to ballad, disco to rock, reggae to rap, depende sa kung ano ba ang gusto ng audience at kung anong event ang guess sila.
Nakipag-collaborate naman sila sa Madhouse Music dahil ani Alvin, “the company is relatively a new company that does things radically and via revolutionary ways. We like that.
“We want to help each other grow. His company is a movement and an advocacy in supporting Original Filipino Music artists that’s why we help co-artists as well in the process.
“Technically and practically too, Rannie has his own online radio that plays OFM without ‘payola’ and without discrimination. People now watch and listen via the internet and he has that platform and format. We share the same vision, mission, and passion,” sambit pa ni Alvin.
At sa May 5 (Sunday), ilulunsad ang kanilang single na Payakap kasabay ang music video nito sa Spotify, Facebook, at iba pang social media platforms.
“The song will not only entertain but also inspire, move, and even bless the world which, at present, could surely use HIMAYA’s brand of music,” dagdag ni Alvin.
Kasabay din ang paglulunsad ng The Feast event sa PICC, na si Alvin ang over-all head preacher ng The Feast Bay Area District, ang pinakamalaking pista sa mundo, na dinaduhan ng 10,000-plus people tuwing Linggo.
Itinuturo sa The Feast ang practical spirituality na kumokonekta sa mga tao, anuman ang edad. “Music and The Feast are really interconnected. It’s all about the bigger mission, more than just to be known,” anang mang-aawit.
Para sa inquiries at bookings ng HIMAYA Band, contact Regie Hernandez sa 09178398830. Visit the new Facebook fan page — HIMAYA (#TheHIMAYABand).
SHOWBIZ KONEK
ni Maricris Valdez Nicasio
