SAMPAGUITA, the Pinoy rock queen at her peak in the 1970s.

MANILA, Philippines—"The songs need to have meaning," says Pinoy rock queen Sampaguita, on the prospect of her writing new material for another shot at recording an album.

The gregarious mother of three children, still full of wit and energy, confesses feeling anxious as she prepares to go onstage again in the concert "Ugat, The Legends of Pinoy Folk Rock" on December 3 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The gig, which she describes as a "class reunion," also features the Juan dela Cruz Band, Lolita Carbon, Florante, Heber Bartolome, plus two from a younger batch of folkies, Gary Granada and Noel Cabangon.

While hanging out and talking shop with guitarist Arnold Jallores at her farm in Tagaytay, Sampaguita admits being inspired enough to consider making songs again.

"But I want songs that have something to say," she tells the Inquirer while playing her collaborative masterpiece with Gary Perez, "Tao," on her acoustic guitar.

After going through a number of relationships, the former Tessy Alfonso has fully settled down and lives with Miguel Romero and their daughter Jacinta, 23, in BF Home subdivision in Parañaque City.

"Now Jacinta wants to be a singer, too," says Sampaguita. "What can I do, well, I can guide her."

Mother and daughter look at each other and smile like they've seen the future.

SAMPAGUITA, at left with daughter Jacinta Romero.

 

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AT HIS recent album launch at Hard Rock Cafe, jazz singer Arthur Manuntag persuades Jinkee Pacquiao to jam on a pop tune.

"This is such a wonderful surprise," says jazz singer Arthur Manuntag at the launch of his new album, "My Kind of Christmas Is You," at Hard Rock Cafe Makati, recently.

The hefty performer was expressing delight at the number of people (including Jinkee Pacquiao, with twin sister Janet) who turned up to watch him sing with a quartet composed of keyboardist Romy Posadas, bassist Tom Galang, drummer Cesar Cruz and second keyboardist Joey "Whitebird" Casal.

The world-class caliber of the performance is something to crow about; Manuntag has, through the years, perfected his tone and phrasing and just about everything one needs to hone as a jazz vocalist.

Veteran radio DJ Barr Samson even got up onstage to proclaim Manuntag as "Asia's King of Vocal Jazz."

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WORLD-RENOWNED opera singer Rachel Gerodias

"It's equally challenging," says internationally renowned Filipina opera singer Rachel Gerodias, when asked if she finds it difficult to perform for her countrymen, aside from her audience overseas.

Gerodias performed a few numbers with the University of Sto. Tomas Singers during the lighting of the 50-feet tall Christmas tree at the SM Mall of Asia, recently.

Among many familiar Yuletide tunes, Gerodias names an obscure one, "The Light of a Million Mornings," as her personal favorite. "It was originally sung by the American gospel singer Sandy Patti from the Christmas album "Everlasting Light," says Gerodias. "The song has been an inspiration to me and it has never failed to move my audience."