Banig

Since I was a kid, I would always love to watch different talent shows especially singing contest, may it be on TV, schools and even the littlest stage shows in our barangay. Maybe my frustration to join such competition forced me to watch those shows.

I used to be a regular viewer of Bagong Kampeon which was then being shown over RPN 9. One of my favorite champions then was Josephine "Banig" Roberto. A little kid with the voice of Tina Turner.

After she won the plum prize for the Bulilit Kampeon, she competed for Star Search in the US where she defeated no less than Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera

Just today, she just popped into my mind and I searched the web particularly the Youtube to check on how she is doing in the States right now and how she looks like after living in the States for several years.

I also learned that Banig has a Big Philippine Surprise!

She is currently finishing up her long-awaited Philippine album to be released in Manila in early 2008.

The album consists of original Tagalog and English compositions and a couple of revivals to assure satisfaction of all listeners, young and old. All original songs are written and produced by Banig and Jhoanna "JoJo" Roberto, a rising female writer, producer, musical arranger, choreographer and rapper, in the music biz.

This album proves another challenge in Banig's versatility as an artist, writer, and producer as this is the first time Banig is musically involved in a Tagalog album. As some of Banig's followers may recall, her very first Tagalog release, "Makinang Kumakanta" under WEA Records, was back when she was 9 years old, barely starting out in the Philippine entertainment world.