Artist Club
GOLDA Unraveled (Original from Pantabangan)
(by cdbaby.com  5/9/2005)

When GOLDA won first place at the Youth Festival of Philippine Culture in New York (PIDC) in 2000, her winning song was ''Isang Lahi, Isang Lipi'' written by Vehnee Saturno and was popularized by top Filipino songbird Regine Velasquez. Little did everybody know that in May four years later, Golda and Saturno would meet for the first time in Los Angeles, California to record Vehnee's songs that are featured in Golda's first OPM CD album. The CD album, aptly titled ''GOLDA...unraveled'' contains twelve beautiful songs especially written by multi-award winning songwriters/producers Vehnee Saturno and Jimmy Borja except one song (''Ako'y Nagtataka'') which was written by Dr. Bernie dela Merced, executive producer of this project. Listening to Golda's melodious voice interpreting Saturno's songs ''This Feeling,'' ''Nasaan,'' and ''Kahit Kita'y Mahal,'' one no longer wonder why this songwriter has amassed numerous prestigious music awards that include FAMAS Best Musical Score and Best ASEAN Songwriter. One of the most popular songs that he wrote was Martin Nievera's ''Be My Lady.''

Jimmy Borja is the other half of the story. A multi-awarded songwriter musician now based in L.A., CA, he has four AWIT Awards to his name, two ''Song Of The Year'' nominations by KATHA Music Awards (Philippine version of the Grammy Awards) and whose more than 100 songs have been published and recorded by top recording artists in Manila and released by such labels as BMG Records, Warner Music, EMI, Universal Records, Viva Records, Star Records, Vicor Music Corp., and lately, D'LaMer Records USA. Some of the artists who have recorded a Jimmy Borja original are Lea Salonga, Sharon Cuneta, Pops Fernandez, Lani Misalucha, Ogie Alcasid, Ariel Rivera, Jolina Magdangal, Janno Gibbs, Jessa Zaragosa, Agot Isidro, Carol Banawa, Roselle Nava, Rica Paraleja, Zsazsa Padilla, Tootsie Guevarra, Jaya, Kyla, and now GOLDA. One has only to listen to ''A Song Remains Forever'' or ''Pag-ibig, Salamat'' or the jazzy ''Whenever You Need Me'' through the very cool delivery by Golda, and one will wonder if Jimmy is again up for grab!

''Golda...unraveled'' features two ballroom numbers which are easily the favorites of people with happy feet. Just listen to the cha cha tempo of ''Halika't Sumayaw'' or the hassle beat of ''All The Best'' and you will surely desire to own this album. Bernie dela Merced's ''Ako'y Nagtataka,'' a folk rock love song that easily enters everyone's heart because of its lyrical simplicity and a lingering melody that just keeps on coming back, is real, big bonus.

Golda dela Merced might be the next Filipino American whose name could light up a Broadway marquee. Hearing Golda hit the high notes effortlessly makes one wonder why she didn't join the popular singing contest televised nationwide. When Philippine News asked about plans for her future, the ebullient young woman unhesitatingly replied, ''I always wanted to be a newscaster but I can make a career out of singing.'' Golda is a junior in Mass Comm major in Broadcasting at William Paterson University in New Jersey. In recent years, she has been chosen to sing at the Philippine Independence Day celebrations in New York, Jersey City, and Passaic, NJ.

Golda has had the occasion to share the spotlight with top performers like Pilita Corrales, Jose Mari Chan, David Pomeranz, Jun Polistico, Anthony Castelo, and Dawn Dineros. She has performed at the Victoria Theater of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, NJ, Merkin Hall in Manhattan, Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Consulate in New York, Margaret Williams Theatre of New Jersey City University, Humanities Theatre of Queensboro Community College in Bayside, New York, Recital Hall College of Staten Island, NY, and has done her own concert at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in Somerset, NJ and at the Robert van Fossan Theatre of Bloomfield College, NJ. Golda has started to build up some followings in other states like Houston, Texas and Chicago, Illinois where she performed for the Fil-Am Chamber of Commerce. Her performance led to a personal interview at WJJG 1530 AM Pinoy Radio with Victor Miller and then a debut performance in the first and only Fil-American musical variety show in Chicago Channel 28 ''HATAW PINOY.'' She likewise performed some of her new songs in Channel 23.

In all her performances, Golda's lilting soprano and engaging audience rapport are never lost. Judging from the number of concerts and performances that she had done, as well as the growing list of future events, Golda looks destined to make it big behind the microphone.

Golda is a product of The Philippine Center for Pop located in Quezon City, Philippines. She is presently the lead singer of New Jersey-based ''Gold N' Band of Brothers.''

Words and Music:
Jimmy Borja (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12)
Vehnee Saturno (3, 4, 8, 9, 10)
Popsie Saturno (4)
Bernie dela Merced (2)


Publishers:

Write A Pretty Song Publishing (1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12)
Vehnee Saturno Music Publishing (3, 4, 8, 9, 10)
Bernardo dela Merced Music Publishing (2)
Executive Producer: Dr. Bernie dela Merced
Produced by Jimmy Borja for Write A Pretty Song Music Productions
Recorded at Pop Music Center Recording Studio, Arleta, CA
Mastered at Master Groove Studio, North Hills, CA

Printed by Disc Makers, Pennsauken, NJ, U.S.A.
Manufactured and Distributed by: D'LAMER Records USA




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