Isha Ponti, Andrea Gutierrez ready to prove they’re ‘The Next Ones’

 

Isha Ponti, Andrea Gutierrez ready to prove they’re ‘The Next Ones’

Jerry Donato - The Philippine Star 

October 31, 2025 | 12:00am

Emerging artists Isha Ponti and Andrea Gutierrez come together for their first-ever concert, “The Next Ones,” on Dec. 13, 8 p.m. at the Music Museum. Isha is a singer-songwriter, while Andrea is a singer. Pop is the former’s choice of genre, and bossa nova is the latter’s.

Isha and Andrea promise music enthusiasts a showcase of their strengths and potential as performers and not a showdown.

Although both have already recorded and released songs, Isha and Andrea will introduce themselves and their music to the public. The show’s director is Calvin Neria, while the musical director is Adonis Tabanda.

“It’s mixed emotions,” said Andrea of her initial reaction upon learning of such a career endeavor in a recent chat with The STAR. “Siyempre, may takot po kasi first time namin gagawin ‘to and then siyempre, happy and thankful (of course, there’s fear because we will be doing this for the first time and then there are feelings of happiness and gratefulness).”

As for Isha, she agreed to the idea because it’s “like a way for us to pave (the) way for other artists because we started out as front acts and guests. Sila naman po yung i-ni-encourage ngayon (they are the ones being encouraged to share and show their talents this time).”

Isha was referring to their singer-friends who, like them, carry on in chasing their singing dreams.

The two Pinay singers got to know each other when they attended voice lessons. They also participated in the same singing competition, “Asia’s Best,” and became grand champions. Years ago, they met again and graced shows of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) artists such as Marco Sison and Nonoy Zuñiga. And another OPM legend and songwriter, Rey Valera, will also grace their concert.

“There are duets and production numbers,” said Andrea about what the audience can look forward to aside from the solo segments. “And the songs that we haven’t sung before, we’ll get to do them.” As front acts, their choices of songs were limited and based on the show’s theme.

Isha added that they’re “more on modern” songs, but old tunes are also part of their repertoire. They will give them a contemporary touch.

According to director Calvin, the concept for “The Next Ones” is to showcase the artists’ versatility, “but I also want the people or their audience to get to know them through their music and genres.” With that, the show will be somehow story-driven, which means “there’s a takeaway” after one watches it, added he. “The main focus is their artistry and the repertoire. There are more than 17 songs.”

They might also sing songs of their music influences. Isha said she has grown up listening to the records of Sarah Geronimo, Kyla, Nina, Regine Velasquez and Sharon Cuneta. Andrea likes Lani Misalucha and Sitti, the local recording scene’s Queen of Bossa Nova.

Andrea has recently launched the ditty, Mestizong Gwapo. The most recent singles of Isha, on the other hand, are Dyahe and You Loved Me First. She has two more to release this year: They are Kabanata and Kung Maalaala Mo Ako.

After “The Next Ones,” they see themselves recording new songs, releasing an album and topbilling shows, plus content on their social media platforms.

“I do my storytelling when it comes to the songs I write, the lyrics I write,” Isha gave her two cents on singers as storytellers. “With the sounds, you can feel the emotions through sounds. When you like interlock all of them, it becomes (or they produce) a whole story that people can interpret and they can feel a lot of emotions, a lot of meaning behind it.”

“From there, I’d also see myself as a storyteller. I feel like it’s because of the way other artists deliver their performance or music (that also makes them a storyteller),” added she.

That’s why Andrea needs to “feel the emotions, the story (of the song). Minsan, diba, kapag na-a-areglo, nawawala yung essence nung song (sometimes, the song arrangement affects its essence). I want to feel the lyrics and the story.”

Since their show is timed during Christmas season, they consider it their gift to family, friends and fans and those people who believe in and trust them.

As they unwrap the musical gift, Isha and Andrea will show what they’ve got as artists in “The Next Ones.”

They are also game to the idea of guesting in the OPM countdown show, “Vibe,” on TV5, which airs weekdays, weeknights and weekends. They can talk about their songs, music and journey as artists in the segment “Uprising.”

For ticket inquiries, visit https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=NEXTONES25.

Gone, but the music remains

SOUNDS FAMILIAR - Baby A. Gil - The Philippine Star 

October 31, 2025 | 12:00am

Gone, but the music remains

We pause to remember and say a prayer for our loved ones who have left this world. Let us think, too, of the artists who are now gone. We feel the loss and will always be grateful for the music they left behind. Among the well-loved artists who passed away this year are (clockwise, from top left) Pilita Corrales, Cocoy Laurel, Louie Reyes, Davey Langit, Freddie Aguilar, Hajji Alejandro and National Artist for Film Nora Aunor.

Eugene Villaluz has been making beautiful music with the angels in heaven these past seven years. But he has been unable to sing one of his most memorable recordings, Nothing I Want More.

Arranged as a duet, it needed a very special partner. So why not bring in Louie Reyes, a fantastic singer, jazz artist, vocal coach, voice teacher and former New Minstrel.

So, Louie was called in to join that gathering of singers in the great beyond. She passed away in her home in the US last Oct. 26. She was married to New Minstrels founder Cesar de la Fuente for almost 50 years and had two sons.

Time now for her to join Eugene and sing again that showstopping chorus, “I don’t understand the reason/ I told you so before/ for when I’m with you there’s nothing I want more/ I want more…”

The grim reaper has had quite a time harvesting well-loved people in the music scene this year.  As the old joke goes, somebody up there must be forming a band to provide entertainment for some heavenly event. And some of the best were taken to be in that forever gig.

The talented singer and songwriter Davey Langit, 37, also said goodbye last Oct. 21 from a rare form of infection of the spine. Among his works were Paratingin Mo Na Siya and Dalawang Letra.

As we do during this time of the year, we pause to remember and say a prayer for our loved ones who have left this world. Let us think too of the artists who are now gone. We feel the loss and will always be grateful for the music they left behind.

And now for this year’s star-studded departure list, which I pray will not get any more additions:

Quincy Jones, 92, on Nov. 3, 2024. One of the greatest American composers and producers. Q, as he was fondly called, steered Michael Jackson to the top of the world with the albums “Thriller” and “Off the Wall.”

Marianne Faithful, 78, on Jan. 30, 2025, was the British rock and pop singer best known for As Tears Go By.

Roberta Flack, 88, on Feb. 24. The pop and R&B singer popularized The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Killing Me Softly with Your Song.

Richard Chamberlain, 90, on March 27. An actor and singer, he was Doctor Kildaire and later Father Ralph de Bricassart of “The Thorn Birds,” whose theme Three Stars will Shine Tonight was his big hit.

Johnny Tillotson, 86, on April 1. The rock and roll singer from the ‘60s was known for Poetry in Motion and Tears on my Pillow.

Pilita Corrales, 87, on April 12. A singer, actress and comedienne, she was Asia’s Queen of Songs, who gave a new spin to native music with her album “Philippine Love Songs.”

Nora Aunor, 72, on April 17. As the Superstar, she went from singing champion to global acclaim. She dominated the charts with her songs and the box office with her films. She was the country’s first Best Actress winner in a major film festival, “The Flor Contemplacion Story” in Cairo.

Hajji Alejandro, 71, on April 4, 2025. The member of the Circus Band-turned-pop idol was dubbed the “Kilabot ng mga kolehiyala.”

Freddie Aguilar, 72, on May 27.  Olongapo folk singer whose song Anak became the first Filipino song to hit big internationally.

Sly Stone of the funk band Sly and the Family Stone, 82, on June 9. Big hits were Everyday People and Dance to the Music.

Brian Wilson, 83, on June 11. Founder of the Beach Boys, the American rock and roll band who introduced the Surfin’ sound.

Cocoy Laurel, 72, on June 14. The multi-talented actor, singer, songwriter, poet and painter was The Engineer in “Miss Saigon” and Nora’s leading man in “Lollipops and Roses.”

Lalo Schifrin, 93, on June 26. A pianist, arranger and conductor, he provided music to “Mission Impossible” and “Enter the Dragon.”

nnie Francis, 87, on July 16. She was the girl singer of the ‘60s era with hits like Who’s Sorry Now and Pretty Little Baby.

Alan Bergman, 99, on July 17. He and his wife, Marilyn, composed The Windmills of Your Mind and The Way We Were.

Cleo Laine, 97, on July 24, was a British jazz singer and actress.

Chuck Mangione, 84, on July 22, was the instrumentalist who introduced the flugelhorn to pop music with Feel So Good.

Ozzy Osbourne, 77, on July 22, was Rock’s Prince of Darkness and creator of heavy metal sounds.

Jane Morgan, 101, on Aug. 4, was the singer and actress of the iconic recording of Two Different Worlds.

To all of them, let us say, thank you for the music.

Davao City Welcomes 500 GSM E-Taxis

 Davao City Welcomes 500 GSM E-Taxis

A fleet of 500 VinFast Green GSM electric taxis has just arrived at Davao Port, marking a major step toward cleaner and smarter transportation in the city.

Following its successful Metro Manila launch last June, the Davao rollout will soon bring zero-emission, long-range e-taxis—offering quiet, efficient, and comfortable rides for passengers.

This milestone builds on the earlier Maligaya E-Taxi project, pushing Davao ahead as the first city in Mindanao to embrace an all-electric taxi fleet.

With Green GSM’s entry, Davao continues to drive toward a modern, eco-friendly, and future-ready transport system—truly living up to its title as the Crown Jewel of Mindanao.

Padayon lang ta!