<script async src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script> <!-- Showbiz Portal Bottom 1 300x250, created 10/15/10 --> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:300px;height:250px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-1272644781333770" data-ad-slot="2530175011"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script>
Mario Bautista, has been with the entertainment industry for more than 4 decades. He writes regular columns for People's Journal and Malaya.

May 27, 2015

Darren Espanto Confident He Can Fill Up MOA Arena With This Birthday Concert On Friday, May 29

DARREN ESPANTO is just runner up to Lyca Gairanod in “The Voice Kids” but he has overtaken the winner in the sense that he already has a hit self-titled solo album released by MCA Music and will have his solo concert on Friday, May 29, at the Mall Of Asia (MOA) Arena to mark his 14th birthday on May 24, “Darren Espanto D Birthday Concert”. Presented by Talk N’ Text, Spinnr and MCA Music in cooperation with Brood Shoes, his guests include Robi Domingo, Bimby Yap, Mitoy Yonting (The Voice of the Philippines Season 1 champion), Jason Dy (The Voice of the Philippines Season 2 champion), La Gamma Penumbra (Asia’s Got Talent winner) and Alisah Bonaobra (TVOP Season 2 runner-up). On June 7, Darren will also join stars and other celebrities at the Philippine Independence Day Parade in New York City.
What can he say that some folks say it's premature for him to do a concert at MOA? "Confident naman po akong mapupuno namin. 70 percent na raw po ang nabebentang tickets at maraming Darrenatics na manonood."

Darren started singing when he was just 2 years old. “At that age, I’ve already memorized songs by Sarah Geronimo, kaya I was so happy when she became my coach on The Voice Kids. She’s really my idol. I got all her albums. She can do all kinds of songs: ballad, pop, R&B.”

Born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Darren is the eldest of 2 kids. His younger sister is 5 years old. Both of his parents sing. “I first joined talent shows in school when I was in grade 4. Local producers there then started getting me as front act for Filipino singers performing in Canada. It was my Lola who saw the auditions for Voice Kids on TV and told me to join the audition and I did.”

Right now, his voice is very high like that of a girl’s, so he can sing the birit songs of Sarah G. Since he’s now 14, isn’t he scared that his voice might soon break and will have a lower timbre? “I’m scared but I will just make adjustments later kung saan genre babagay ang magiging voice ko.”
What happens after the concert? “I will have a Philippine tour and later, a U.S. tour. I’m very open to try acting. May plans daw ang ABS for me.”
It’s said composer Vehnee Saturno who wrote the hit song from his album, “In Love Ako Sa’yo”, is hurting because Darren failed to thank him when he got his gold record award. “Kasi po pressed for time na ako. But I really want to thank him. Manonood daw siya ng concert ko.”

Tickets to his concert are P4,230 for VIP; P3,700 for Patron; P2,640 for Lower Box; P1,270 for Upper Box; and P430 for General Admission. Call 470-2222.

POST