SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF Playboy Philippines rolls its annual Rock music issue, with a bevy brilliant, skilled in the realms of music. Cover ladies of this month, Pretty Young Thing the arrestingly and similarly talented Nichole Enriquez, Dania Soan and Ava Jugueta of PYT, shows us that it’s definitely possible to have a fusion of exceptional good looks and riveting musical ability.
They aren’t run-of-the-mill pop stars, these are diligent, dedicated and disciplined young women who know what it takes to put together a smashing performance. They’ve trained tirelessly since they started out in 2008, and are now at the top of their game with varied repertoire. They’ve been likened to Destiny Child, but with a broader range and a richer sound.
“Grabe ang training na pinagdaan ng PYT, parang military training from voice lesson, body movement on stage while performing and dancing. Maraming nag-audition pero only the best ang kinuha namin. ‘Yung alam mong may dedication sa craft nila as a singer-performer at may focus sa trabaho,”say ng manager nilang si Jeffrey Tan ng Bellhaus Entertainment, Inc.
Nicole, Dania and Ava, better known as R&B pop group are of the same opinion.
“Karamihan kasi sa mga pop music ngayon parang wala lang, hindi mo ma-feel ‘yung song pulos beat lang ng instrument. Kinakanta lang siya pero hindi mo maramdaman ‘yung lyrics ng song na kinakanta ng singer. It’s a genre I fell in love with. I like stuff that’s a bit below the radar like Talib (Kweli) and Common. Gusto ko ‘yung intelligent rap, nasa local hip-hop community rin ako. Ngayon kasi, hi-tech na kahit hindi maganda ang boses mo nadadaya sa recording. Ang labanan ngayon kahit walang minus one o banda na marunong mag-accapella. Pangarap ko ring maging sikat na TV host like Toni Gonzaga. I love every minute being in the group, it’s such an experience. Doing what you love can only be topped by getting props for being a performer,” sambit ni Dania na dating ramp model and journalist.
“For me, ‘yung song natin ngayon hindi na siya sincere kahit maganda ang lyrics ng song. Kinakanta lang pero hindi nanggagaling sa puso. Iba ‘yung mga kanta noong araw, punong-puno ng emotion kaya kapag kinanta mo, tumatagos sa buo mong pagkatao.
Kung minsan nga nakaka-relate ka sa song na kinakanta mo lalo’t love song, nadadala ka ng emotion through a song kasi na-experience mo ‘yun.
Mahilig akong makinig sa mga old songs like jazz and classic rock. Malalim ang lyrics and very meaningful, hindi tulad ngayon kinakanta lang pero walang laman ‘yung song. Ako ‘yung classic rock, my dad was a radio DJ, malaki ang na-influence niya sa akin when it comes to music,” pahayag naman ni Nicole.
Ibang klase naman si Ava, ang vocalist at Diva sa group. “Iba-iba kami ng forte, kaya nagbe-blend kaming tatlo, may chemistry. Ballad talaga ang forte ko. Type kong makinig ng soul music, mahilig kasi akong mag-emote. Ha! Ha! Ha!Ako ‘yung kumakanta ng mataas na nota, like Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, Barbara Streisand, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin. Bawat isa naman sa amin ‘pag nag-perform may kanya-kanyang solo number. Walang sapawan kapag nagsi-show, were like sisters kaya I’m happy to be part of them,” pagmamalaking sabi ni Ava.
When they settled on their current line-up, the group’s management put them into musical and choreoraphic boot camp for a year to hone their talents to the next level and smooth out any sharp edges.
Right now, the girls are so fit for the stage that they can do three sets a night (Spicy Fingers, Makati and Club Phil, Metro Walk, Pasig) for certain bar tours.
Pretty Young Thing’s type of songs are hip-hop, dance, soul and power ballads. Right now, nasa Papua New Guinea sila for a series of shows and they’ll also gearing for a multi-State tour sa US.
Their first album will be released soon under the auspices of the renowned Francis Salazar. They have recently been selected to endorse the famed beauty clinic of the Calayan Medical Group. Para maging hot and stylish, co-designer Tessa Aquino and Jade Sierra of Costura Graphica and London-based high-fashion master/entrepreneur Jerry Ocampo provide their haute couture wardrobes.
AYAW Paawat!
by Eddie Littlefield
