Merry Christmas and a Happy and Blessed 2008!

Merry, merry Christmas everyone. Receiving forwarded messages are a treat but there is nothing more than original thoughts and messages coming from the heart. Oh yes, this blog is all about Dianne Elise so here are updates on her...
She just finished another mall tour at SM Makati and this was the same day their new condo was blessed and formally "inaugurated" to family and friends. And because the condo was small - there were two batches of guests; family and relatives during lunchtime and friends during dinnertime. Dianne Elise wanted the whole band present but unfortunately most of the members had gigs and were not able to make it. Thanks to family and friends, Grandma Tita Palad; the Angcanans led by matriarch Tita Rose fresh from the U.S. and Kuya Edward, Ate Lin with son Marcus, Ate Che and whole family except for baby Sean; Tita Bing Talabis with her beau Rody Apolinario; the Eclars Auntie Malou, Ate Marian and cousin Jade, Kuya Brian with wife Eva and godson Ian; sisters Tita Marilen Ruiz and Tita Lydia Mendoza; condo neighbors Johnny and Lyn Gopez and the guards; Manager Henry Onglatco, with Lucille, Shooli and Franklin from the RTI family; Atty. Gadon who came with his lovely wife Beng; Jun Achura of the Bela family together with Katrina, Leo and Moi; guitarist Jun Manuel with wife Yayie and their daughter; Andy Reyes from U.S.; Vince Patron with Ryan in tow...hmm, did I forget to name the others coz I didn't mean to, and if I did, so sorry.
Going back to the SM Makati mall tour, Dianne Elise sold more than 30 CDs, the highest so far. Her Robinson's mall tour will commence in January, also the Ayala malls. She will have a New Year's eve gig in Batangas, this is the first time she will be away from family. And also in January, she will start shooting with her two new music videos featuring the songs "Easier", her own composition and "Swept Away," from Christopher Cross.
December 25 was of course the special day of Christmas, with the great family tradition in the Palad residence - half a day of non-stop eating, games and gift galore. Fun, fun, fun! This was of course attended by everybody, no one was absent. Dianne Elise enjoyed giving her gifts and watching her doe-eyed nieces and nephews (from her cousins) accept their presents from her and everyone. Everyone, ho, ho, ho....holiday cheers!!! And to all, a happy and blessed 2008!!!

Mossimo's 10th Annirversary at Silver City

Dianne Elise had a Mossimo appearance last Thursday, November 29 at Silver City - yes, with all the tension going on at Manila Peninsula Hotel. She was the only performer from the Mossimo Christmas Project lineup, well, it was also their 10th month anniversary and a grand ramp of the models complete with angel wings and other fabulous design were in order to make the event memorable. By invitation only.

It was catered by Goblet, with wine and drinks and a buffet of appetizing food were served. The international models were all there in all their shining glory. People were worried about the just announced curfew at midnight. Will they finish on time? Fortunately, they did.

Dianne Elise did two songs - The First Noel and the ever-popular Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. The place lit up and then the drum rolls started for the show, a bit of fire dance and martial arts here and there plus the gorgeous ramp models made their way from the escalator upstairs down the T-platform/stage and up the escalators again.

Leave it to Mossimo to do grand shows like this one. And Dianne Elise is loving it....

more than a month absence....

Guys, sorry for the long absence, it seems nobody is paying much attention to this blog so I don't have that much inspiration to post anything. I know people are reading but no remarks, no suggestions, no comments....come on! Anyways, I am here because I have to report that Dianne Elise just finished her provincial mall tour last November - SM Davao on the 16th, SM Cebu on the 23rd, SM Bacolod on the 24th and SM Iloilo on the 25th. She also did two solo shows - at SM Dasmarinas last Friday, November 30 and SM Bacoor this afternoon Sunday, December 2. She is psyched that she sold 18 CDs today, highest so far.

In all shows, she said that the audiences, varying in degrees of appreciation, showed love and support for them (her and 3rd Avenue) because after each show, they lined up for autographs and they also sold many CDs. She was dog-tired from going to one show after another. They had to do radio plugs before the mall tours, too; and in both Davao and Cebu, she was told by the DJs there that her song, You're the Inspiration was in the Top 5, if not Number 1! (On another note, a friend of ours told us that her song was at some time No. 1 downloaded ringtone. That is quite a feat. We owe much to you, the listening public, thanks so much.) Thank you also to Gerry's Grill, especially to Grace Apolinario for giving the GCs which Dianne gave away to the crowds at the show. Not to mention the sumptuous dinners which they loved so much, as Dianne Elise is a big fan of Gerry's!

Also, not to forget, D.E. just celebrated her 22nd birthday last November 26. It was really uneventful because she just came from her provincial mall tour, and then had to do her Aruba gig that same night. So she invited her family and friends to come celebrate her natal day at Aruba and treated everyone, including her band to some chow and booze.

In other news, Dianne Elise is again featured at yet another CD compilation - Mossimo Christmas Project which aims to donate all proceeds of CD sales to Cancer Warriors. Very good deed, indeed. (A big billboard is in EDSA corner Connecticut Street in Greenhills.) Did I mention she is in Kris Aquino's 2nd album Love and Inspiration where she sang 4 songs? (The songs are Weekend in New England, Dreaming of You, That's What Love is For and It's Just Another New Year's Eve). Check it out...
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Flashback! Pics from August album launch

Flashback to Dianne Elise's album launch at Aruba Metrowalk last August 22, 2007...here are pics of the affair. Interview here and there with media people, ETC, MYX, Channels 2 (Mario Dumaual) and 7 (Lhar Santiago) plus printed media. Almost everyone from the MYX DJ finalists were there, and of course, family, friends, supporters. A grand event... and as her manager, Henry Onglatco would say..."now the real work has just begun."
Copies of these pics are taken from Joyz' Multiply website - a friend of Dianne's and classmate from Miriam College. Thank you Joyz!

Pics from Podium

Titik Pilipino might not know but I am borrowing 4 pics from their site. These are pics of Dianne Elise taken during her mall tour at the Podium with 3rd Avenue. It was special because it was the first time that she sang with her band members, all 4 of them. I hope it's not illegal to post them here. After all, they also didn't ask for permission to 1)take the pictures and 2) to post them. :-)

Wave's The Gathering

Dianne Elise's Silver City gig was a little disappointing. Not that it didn't feature the best bands, not that she didn't do a good job. Not that it wasn't well-attended, it was filled to the brim. The sound system sucked! Big time! They were a horrificly nightmarishly irritatingly worst-than-ever sound system provider (they should thank me I am not naming them) people have seen and heard. The tech crew were pointing at each other, didn't know what to do, feedbacks here and there, cords not working - at one point, the band Corporate Lo-Fi just sang half a song and left the stage. Can you blame them? They only have the mics on for the sax, trumpet, the voc and the amp for the drums. That was that! No bass amp, no keyboard amp, no guitar amp working. Who would perform like that?

It was also supposed to be Thor's album launch and the poor guy didn't get to his part til way past midnight because of all the delay. The gig finished around 3 am, not because the program was really long, but because after every band, they had to wait at least an hour for the tech people to set them up. Talk about a bummer.

Oh, well, that happens. One saving glory was Jay Durias of Southborder who was like an angel from heaven with great wings embracing the crowd and cradling them to musical perfection. He did great, even with the obviously technical horror. He was also joined by former bandmate Luke Mejares. All these, of course, were made possible by the hard work put in by Thor who made an album of duets with the many artists he loves. Artists who we believe are just as great as Thor.

Dianne, for her part, who was there at 7:00 PM after a mall tour at SM North EDSA waited until 11:00 before her number (again because of the unsolved technical problems) and when she got up on stage, just for the two songs - neither of the two microphones on stage, they can't get it to sound right. Oh, I'm sure WAVE 89.1 FM had crossed this sound system number off their list for being so naughty. Sooooweeee!

Thor may not know but Dianne Elise bought his first album right off the shelf - she loves his voice. This one out she's surely not gonna miss! (Trivia: Their programs at WAVE is on the same day, Wednesday and the time: Thor at 8 PM, Dianne Elise's at 8:15 PM.)

Busy, busy!

So many things happened and are happening to Dianne Elise in the month that had passed and in the coming months. The family moved from QC to San Juan first week of October. This is quite a biggie coz she's got so much stuff to pack and unpack. It was tiring and yet, she looks forward to her new address which is a condo in the center of it all. The mall tour for September is finished and October is almost done; (just last October 18, she was at SM Clark and on October 20 at SM Fairview; leaving her with just two more for next week, (SM Pampanga and SM North EDSA) and October sched is done. Please, people, go and enjoy these last two shows. They're free! And by November, she will be in Cebu, Davao and Bacolod to promote her album there. She had had one busy day after another, not only with her weekly Aruba gig, mall tour, rehearsals, radio program, but also functions. Last week, they did a show in Pampanga for PLDT client and they liked her so much, she is again booked for two more shows.

Dianne Elise thanks her supporters and all the many people who come to the show and mall tours. If you haven't done so yet, go to Aruba and see her live, no cover charge. And if you would, please listen to WAVE 89.1 FM every Wednesday from 8:15 PM - she has a show called Vintage Soul. This coming October 27, after SM North EDSA, she has another gig this time with the WAVE radio group, along with many other singers like Nina, Sitti, MYMP, Jay Durias, plus many others at the Silver City. So see you around folks!

(U.S.) Manila Mail article on Dianne - August 1, 2007

Remember Elise Eclar?

The daughter of a Filipino couple who used to live for many years in the Washington metropolitan area and at one time owned the Golden Bowl Restaurant in Alexandria, Virginia is making waves in the Philippine music world.

Dianne Elise Eclar, the only daughter of Ferdi and Elise Eclar, who relocated to the Philippines in 2002, has just released her CD album “Now and Then" which is now available at KabayanCentral.com. Released by Universal Records, Now and Then is now No. 6 at the MYX Top 10 with just one week in the airwaves.

Elise appealed to her friends in Washington to vote for Dianne’s music by texting MYX,VOTEYOU’RE THE INSPIRATION so she could soon be in the Number 1 slot. Additionally, Dianne joined MYX VJ Search and from four hundred applicants, she was able to get in the 12 finalists.

Dianne has just graduated from Miriam College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Arts.

Apollo - God of Music

Dianne Elise has a dog named Apollo and she just wants to share his photos. She loves him and the whole family loves him. As a puppy, Apollo went everywhere they went - even to far-flung Ilocos! Ahh, the joys of having a pet! He is a West Highland Terrier - and these are just some facts about him: he's from Scotland originally, he is all-white and he has unfortunately a sickness canine atopy which prevents him from eating ordinary food; he itches or just thinks it; he is super picky in his food. But still and all, he is such a lovable dog. He just turned 1 yo last September 18 and he is ready to be a stud!

look, free pics!

there's this funny story...dianne elise saw her pics posted at great image in sm cubao, without permission! weeks after she had her picture taken there, she paid them, of course. so then, she asked why? and they explained and explained and offered to give her free pictures, a whole set card. (these were pics taken by her mom, though...while the shoot was going on, hence they don't look professionally done.) who could refuse a free shoot? the thing is, her professor at miriam said that she could have asked for free pics and demanded money, too...oh well...dianne elise don't want to give the people a hard time. all's well that ends well.

other appearances and projects

2007
- TV appearance at GMA’s Walang Tulugan with 3rd Avenue (September 22)

- 1st ever Mall Tour at SM Supermalls with 3rd Avenue September and October

- CD launch, “Now and Then” at Aruba Metrowalk, Ortigas center (August 22)

- one of the 12 finalists on the MYX VJ Search among more than 400 contenders

- featured on cable channel ETC in Samantha Oh’s
“Rated Oh” episodes in Boracay, Baguio and Puerto Galera

2006
- sang on ABC in Ariel and Maverick’s
“Wala Yan Sa Lolo Ko”

March 2005
- appeared on MTV’s “U-Break” as VJ Buddy

June 2004
- appeared on GMA’s “SIS” with
Something Infinite as featured band

2003
- played bit part in Jeffrey Jeturian’s film
Bridal Shower

post grad party pics

Dianne Elise graduated in March of this year. After graduation, she had a party with her friends and also with family and friends at a luncheon held at Dampa sa Libis - one of her favorite eateries - actually her favorite food is crabs, so anywhere there's tasty crabs, count her in!

Concerts pre-Dianne Elise solo career

special concerts
May 13, 2006
“Accent in Concert”
Phi Bar, Metrowalk

2004
Ramsky’s Restaurant, Panay Ave., QC

July 11, 2003
Art of Dona and Diwata
Options Bar & Restaurant, Tomas Morato

February 13, 2003
Von Arroyo and Patricia Javier
in “Heart Attack!”
Options Bar & Restaurant, Tomas Morato

June 2002
Rey Valera in “Upclose and Personal”
American Legion Hall, MD, USA
Golden Dragon Restaurant, MD, USA

September 2001
Marco Sison
Baltimore, MD, USA

July-August 2001
Jo Awayan in “Livewire 2”
Peking Garden Restaurant, VA, USA
Step by Step Ballroom, NJ, USA
Tropical Island Restaurant, NY, USA
Golden Dragon Restaurant, MD, USA
Aabshaar Restaurant, VA, USA
Galaxy Restaurant, VA, USA

April 20, 2001
Ara Mina, Ogie Alcasid, and Roselle Nava
in “Rated A Plus R and O”
Union County Arts Center, NJ, USA

April 7, 2001
Jolina Magdangal and Gabby Concepcion
Lisner Auditiorium, Washington, DC, USA

September 2000
Jo Awayan in “Livewire”
Golden Dragon Restaurant, MD, USA
Rene’s Supper Club, VA, USA

Jo Awayan in “An Evening to Remember”
West Shore Elk’s Lodge, PA, USA

June 30, 2000
Kai in “Unity Tour 2000”
Arlington-Fairfax Elk’s Lodge, VA, USA

February 12, 2000
Lloyd Umali in “Valentine’s Disco Show”
State Theater, VA, USA

July 31, 1999
Jose Mari Chan in “Souvenirs Live!”
Northern Virginia (NOVA) College Auditorium, VA, USA

May 1998
Jun Polistico in “The Way You Look Tonight”
NOVA College Auditorium, VA, USA

gigs, gigs!

past & present resto-bar gigs
Altitude, The Fort
Amoeba, Eastwood City
Aruba, Metrowalk
Aruba, Tomas Morato
Blue Wave Mall, Marikina City
Coco Cobana, Rockwell
Dencio’s, Capitol Hills
Dencio’s, Greenhills
El Celino, Sgt. Esguerra
El Pescador, Metrowalk
Fuente Circle, Eastwood City
Gagah Locah, Pasig
Gerry’s Grill, Glorietta
Gerry’s Grill, Libis
Gerry’s Grill, Malate
Grilla, Commonwealth
Hard Rock Cafe, Glorietta
Kay Ryan Grill, Roxas Boulevard
Liberty Mall, Mandaluyong
Mélange, Eastwood City
Mocha Blends, Greenhills
Moomba, Mother Ignacia
Musikero Cafe, Sct. Ybardolaza
Nueve, Libis
OJ’s, Eastwood City
Oody’s, Robinsons Galleria Mall
Options Bar and Restaurant, Tomas Morato
Solas, Sgt. Esguerra
Spice, Eastwood City
Starsvenue, Makati
The Barn Bistro, Katipunan
Triad, Sgt. Esguerra
Tiendesitas, Ortigas
Venue 108, Timog
Watering Hole, Ortigas
West Lake, The Fort
Zeno Lounge, BMW Autohaus, Libis

Vacations anyone?

vacations are always a welcome treat...here Dianne Elise is with her parents and a friend from the U.S. named Grace and her two kids - Aiko and Jay, in beautiful Ilocos...hmm, and she's also with her pet Apollo (whose name means "God of Music"). don't you love that hat!

Dianne Elise sings at Aruba Mondays

Dianne Elise sings at Aruba on Mondays together with three of the members of Passage - Gigi on guitar, Oman on bass and Otep on drums (alternating with Franklin), plus the keyboardist, Mark.
The other shot is taken at Hardrock Cafe when Dianne Elise performed there before she launched her CD, here with the gang.

Dianne Elise as a MYX VJ Finalist

If you have been following Dianne Elise's blogsite at http://dianneelise.blogspot.com, then you already know that she was a finalist of the very first MYX VJ Search reality show. She devoted two months of her time there - doing all sorts of challenges, from the mundane to the wacky. As Jim Levy, my good friend would say, "Nothing is wasted. No such thing. At the very least, you learn from the experience."
She didn't win. Even with the many votes she got from the text messages, (she was either No. 1 or 2 on the last day), which comprised 40% of the total score, she lost. So this was really a learning experience for her. Her supporters were all bummed, but the good thing about Dianne Elise is she can take a beating and still come out fresh and a winner. She seemed unscathed. Life went on and goes on for her. She is actually relieved it's done so she could do the other important things to do...and that is to promote her CD!

growing up...and in color...

metamorphosis of dianne elise:
- as a baby, she sang herself (hummed) to sleep
- at 2 to 4, she performed for her parents and relatives on top of tables
- at 6, she performed on stage and sang her first songs with karaoke tracks
- at 12, she started opening for filipino singers who went to the u.s. like jose mari chan, ogie alcasid, marco sison, rey valera, kai, plus many more
- at 13, she recorded her very first cd in the u.s. entitled "let it fall" produced by jim levy
- from elementary to high school, she was a member of the school choir and even the prestigious honors chorus
- at 18, she produced a charity show and donated all the proceeds to childhope asia, an organization which teaches education to streetchildren
- at 21, she recorded her second album, albeit her first in the philippines and now has a song being heard all over - called "you're the inspiration" - her carrier single from her cd, now and then....
quite a metamorphosis indeed....

Dianne Elise's grad pics

Dianne's graduation pics at Miriam College; with classmates, friends and parents. Proud Bachelor of Arts, Major in Communication Arts graduate...

Mall Tour!

As I promised, here's DIANNE ELISE's MALL TOUR SCHEDULE together with 3RD AVENUE:

September 2 - SM Marilao
September 7 - SM The Block
September 15 - SM Sucat
September 21 - SM Molino
September 22 - SM Manila
September 23 - SM Bicutan
September 29 - SM Baguio
September 30 - The Podium
October 5 - SM Southmall
October 6 - SM Batangas
October 12 - SM Lucena
October 18 - SM Clark
October 20 - SM Fairview
October 26 - SM Pampanga
October 27 - SM North Edsa

A pose for Icon - hoping for a commercial exposure!

it's a great feeling!

today is the day that i am starting this blog and it's a great feeling that i am doing something i have never done before. i am calling this blog post metamorphosis - i am watching a pupa turn into a beautiful, colorful butterfly. people have been asking me if dianne elise has a group or a clique and till now, there was but one in friendster, but alas, that one was not created by dianne nor anyone among her friends. someone is impersonating her. well, if you are reading this and you know who simat is, then you know, this blog site is real and i am not a poser. this blog is for everyone who wants to know anything about dianne elise, and i will update it every single day. dianne elise is so busy nowadays, she needs someone to help her out and i can do the job.

i encourage everyone who supports dianne elise to visit this blog site every now and then, to check on what's going on, where she is, what activities are in store for her, hopefully, not just relatives and friends but people who would like to know her better - hopefully, no undesirable characters though... just like her impersonator at friendster...

dianne elise just had her mall tour started last september 2 at sm marilao. henry, the tour coordinator (not to be confused with henry onglatco, her manager) said that the shoppers in marilao hardly clap when they watch live performances at the activity center. well, it's a good thing dianne elise, together with 3rd avenue were able to make them put their hands together. and they bought cds, too. dianne elise was a little scared with one of the guys in the audience who was there early and asked her too many personal questions. she is, indeed, in for many surprises... hopefully she would still be able to maintain some privacy.

last friday, september 7 was her second stop at the block, sm north edsa. this time, she staged a one-woman one full hour show, and the audience was great. the best thing was that dianne elise was able to sell 16 cds which, henry, her manager said, is pretty good for a new artist. coming soon is her third stop - at sm sucat and we're inviting everyone to go! i will be posting here her whole tour sched very soon.