Filipino girl group and The X Factor UK sensations – Fourth Impact could be performing in Dubai soon. The prospect was hinted at by member Celina during a recent interview. The four siblings returned to The X Factor UK stage last weekend for the reality-TV singing competition's final, and performed a cover of Macklemore and Ryan Lewis's track Downtown, alongside their fellow finalists. Shortly after their performance, the hashtag #Love4thImpactXF trended worldwide on Twitter, peaking at No 5 overall, even higher than other trending topics related to The X Factor UK. Louisa Johnson, an 18-year-old belter mentored by Rita Ora, emerged as the winner. Pop-dance duo Reggie 'N Bollie placed second, while former supermarket worker Che Chesterman finished in third.
4th Impact, who finished fifth overall, will perform in a series of shows around the UK in February and March as part of The X Factor UK tour.
“Here in the UK, we’re also already booked for several gigs this December,” youngest sister Celina told Interaksyon.com. “We’ve also been getting offers to perform in the Philippines as well as messages from the US, Australia, Canada and Dubai asking us to perform there. I hope they all materialise.”
On Tuesday, 4th Impact organised a meet-and-greet with their fans in the UK. Before the event, which coincided with Celina’s birthday, eldest sister Almira said, “The meet-and-greet is not just for the Filipino community, but also for the British fans who have supported us and want to meet us personally.”
4th Impact flew to the UK during the summer to try out for The X Factor UK. Their audition video featured a cover of the Jessie J/Ariana Grande/Nicki Minaj hit Bang Bang, which topped YouTube's year-ender list of top trending videos in the Philippines.
4th Impact are also rumoured to be recording their debut album in the UK.
"We have been receiving a lot of offers and it's overwhelming," Almira told the Philippine Star. "Of course, we will announce it once everything is official, but nothing has been finalised yet."
Celina said that while they didn’t emerge as the show’s winners, this was just the beginning: “We have to look on the brighter side because we all know everything happens for a reason.”
For now, Almira says they’re thankful of the experience: “To get an opportunity to be on that stage and perform every week is something we will never forget until we get old.”
A Second Chance is a box-office hit
A Second Chance is now the highest grossing non-Metro Manila Film Festival movie in Philippine history. The romantic drama, a sequel to 2007's One More Chance, has earned 442 million Philippine pesos (Dh34m) as of last weekend. Held every December, the Metro Manila Film Festival has consistently featured mainstream, blockbuster fare that tops box-office returns.
During a celebration organised by the film’s studio Star Cinema in Manila last weekend, lead stars John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo credited their producers for the film’s success.
“Sure, we as actors somehow contributed to the film’s success,” Cruz told reporters. “But it’s not just about patting ourselves in the back. Star Cinema has mastered the art of making a hit movie. You have to give it to them. They really know how to engage an audience. We just happened to be very lucky to have been picked as the film’s stars.”
Alonzo added: “I appreciate the audience’s support. We are thankful to have been given this project.”
Alonzo also commented on recent news that pirated DVD copies of their film have been circulating all over the Philippines.
“It makes me sad this is happening because it’s a crime, right? It’s theft. I hope nobody supports these pirates,” she said.
A Second Chance opened last month in UAE cinemas, with Alonzo and writer Vanessa Valdez flying in to Dubai for a press conference. The film also screened in theatres across the Middle East, North America and Europe.
Darren Espanto opens for Jessie J
Teenage Filipino singer Darren Espanto was selected as the opening act for international music superstar Jessie J during her concert in Manila last weekend.
Espanto, 14, performed a set that included Sia's hit track Chandelier. Last month, a video of Espanto's cover of the song went viral online and earned praises from the likes of Nicki Minaj.
“One of the most memorable moments for me during the concert was when Jessie J gave a salute to me,” Espanto wrote on Instagram after the show. “Thank you so much for choosing me as your opening act! I will forever remember this moment. Thanks as well for being so kind and funny!”
Jessie J’s concert at Manila’s Kia Theatre on December 10 was a free show for her Filipino fans. It marked her second time coming to Manila, after a concert in July 2014. She posted on Instagram: “Manila, I love being here. So much love and support always.”
Espanto was the runner-up of the first season of The Voice Kids Philippines last year. He visited the UAE back in October to headline the Abu Dhabi Pinoy Music festival.
artslife@thenational.ae
