Kapuso Stars

To describe 18-year-old Julie Anne San Jose would be a fascinating task. She used to be a runner-up for Little Miss Philippines, a high competitor on a singing competition called Popstar Kids, and a member of a band called Sugarpop. Indeed, becoming an adult in the industry makes Julie Anne a remarkable performer. Her effort and determination is slowly paying down using the discharge of her movie Only one Summer this month, a currently airing Television show, Together Forever, on GMA Network, and her self-titled album under GMA Records, to be released and distributed through global distributor, Valleyarm.

Despite her crazy schedule, we were sufficiently fortunate to get a your hands on Julie Anne to talk about her very first album like a solo artist.

This is your first album under GMA Records, what else could you say concerning the experience?

I'm overwhelmed and extremely happy with this experience because finally, I'll be able to fulfill one of my dreams as an artist with an album. Also, this experience is really a blessing [as] not every artists reach have an opportunity to have an album and so i am really just thankful.


We all know that you were once a part of the girl group, Sugarpop. Could it be simple for you to transition from being in a group to a solo artist?

Generally, the transition was fine. I simply needed to adjust from performing having a group to performing solo. I just felt that there are more responsibilities performing solo because all attention is on me, as compared to [performing] in a group where the attention from the audience is split between the members. So, now, I truly make certain I give my overall of my performances.


You have 14 Million hits on your cover of Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass” online. Additionally

Hindi makapaniwala si Julie Ann na umabot ng mahigit isang milyon ang viewers sa YouTube ng ni-record niyang Super Bass.

“Nu’ng una po talaga, hindi ko akalain. Kasi, it was taken from my You Stream. Iba-ibang theme po kasi iyun, so, isa po sa kinanta ko ‘yung Super Bass and hindi ko naman akalain na ang taas sa ganu’ng views ‘yung video na ‘yun.

“Sa akin po, siyempre masaya and nakaka-flatter po. Hindi ko naman po iniisip ‘yun na mataas ‘yung views na sinasabi na po nila, YouTube sensation daw po,” parang nahihiya pang pahayag ng young singer ng Party Pilipinas.

MANILA, Philippines - The loudest applause for 10-year-old Filipino-Canadian YouTube sensation Maria Aragon may extremely well come from her parents, who are nothing short of proud of her unprecedented fame.

“Pinagmamalaki namin siya… [proud kami sa kanya] 100 percent,” stimulated Maria’s mother, an Ormoc, Leyte native, in a Skype interview with GMA-7’s “24 Oras,” Feb. 28.

It’s been just a couple of weeks since Maria Aragon posted on YouTube her piano-decked rendition of Lady Gaga’s new song “Born This Way” that moved the singer-songwriter herself, prompting her to tweet about Maria’s cover.

As one of YouTube’s top properties, Maria Aragon by now had interviews one after another on radio, and appeared on some big-shot television shows such as "Ellen" (which prompted another tweet from Lady Gaga, branding her “such a doll” and a standing ovation from the audience) and “Good Morning America” (where its anchor George Stephanopoulos handed her a gift certificate for six months of piano lessons).

Another forthcoming milestone for Maria’s booming career is her much-awaited duet with Lady Gaga in her Toronto, Canada show in March. The invitation came personally from Gaga during their surprise phone chat during one of Maria’s radio interviews in Winnipeg.

As of this writing, her "Born This Way" cover has climbed to over 16 million hits on YouTube.

Regardless of Maria Aragon spanking achievements, Maria’s parents mentioned that their daughter, a Grade 5 student at the Isaac Brock School in Winnipeg, often misses school.

“Nung nasa LA nga kami, nandun kami sa hotel, umiiyak siya, sabi niya ‘I miss my school already’,” related Maria’s father, who originates from Mandaluyong City.

While Maria Aragon's parents are supportive of their daughter’s music ambitions, they want her to persist her studies.

“Di siya titigil sa pag-aaral, tuluy-tuloy ‘yan…” said her dad.

Even though Maria Aragon hasn't been to the Philippines, Maria gets to watch local shows on the TV. Maria Aragon also is aware of several Filipino celebs such as Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez. Maria Aragon also mentioned broadcast newscasters Jessica Soho, Mel Tiangco, and Mike Enriquez.

Maria extended her thankfulness to her kababayans in straight Filipino.

“Sa mga kababayan ko sa Pilipinas, binabati ko kayo ng magandang gabi at saka mahal ko kayong lahat,” she said.


Video of Maria Aragon talking to GMA 7 Pinoy TV 24 Oras

By ROWENA JOY A. SANCHEZ

Maria Aragon is a 10 year old singer from Winnipeg received a Super Star Treatment last Thursday the moment Maria was being taken from classes by a limousine for the radio station in down-town Winnipeg. Maria expressed that this wonderful girl has always dreamed of to become a music performer or artist and also wishes to play various musical instruments.



Special attention was given to the 10 year old the moment Lady Gaga twitted that she had viewed a YouTube video of the girl playing a keyboard and singing her new song “Born This Way.” Gaga said that she was extremely impressed by the girl’s performance. Ace Burpee, host at FM station HOT 103 said that he was so impressed with the little girl’s talent that he was trying to get her on the “Ellen” television talk show in the US.



Follow Maria Aragon on Twitter @malourdesaragon