World Class Pinoy Talent at Island Pacific Supermarket

First London International Jazz Competition for Vocalist 2006 Grand Prize Winner MON DAVID performs at Kababayan Hall in Island Pacific Panorama

From his Cabalen roots, he has traveled all over the world, reaching North America and winning awards and accolades in Europe; yet Mon David remains humble and always willing to reach out to the kababayan community here in Southern California, his home for the past few years now.

Grand Prize Winner- 2006 London Int’l Jazz Vocal Competition , 2006-07 Awit Awardee,
 2004 Most Outstanding Kapampangan in Culture, Music & Arts

Siyempre maganda rin na paminsan-minsan ma-involve sa community events,” said Mon who has always been present in most Kapampangan Association events. “Gusto ko din makapag-perform sa Island Pacific kasi madalas naman ako talaga diyan. Para naman mabisita ‘yung mga kababayan natin diyan.”

This world class Pinoy pride is scheduled to display his brand of music at Island Pacific Supermarket in Panorama City - The one store that saves you more - on January 18th, 2009. This will be one of the highlights of the Food Festival happening at the store on January 17th and 18th.

"We have a lot of great Filipino products, products that are sometimes even better than their foreign counterparts. And we at Island Pacific thought it was about time we gathered all these vendors under one roof and introduce their proudly - Filipino grocery items to the public,” said Vermont Dy, Distribution Manager for Island Pacific supermarkets.

For two days, kababayans who will flock to the Kababayan Community Center at Island Pacific Supermarket in Panorama City will be treated to booths of vendors giving free product samples and tastings. But true to island Pacific’s commitment to serving the community, they are not stopping at the FREE Food Festival.

“What’s a fair without entertainment? We’re planning and organizing these kinds of events so we can take care of our patrons. We want to keep our kababayans always happy ‘cause they deserve to be treated well,” said Tracy Lim, Advertising Manager of Island Pacific. “Busy naman tayong lahat na mga Pinoy sa trabaho dito sa Amerika. Kaunti lang ang libangan. So we want to make sure that when they go to our store on the weekends, they will not only be able to fulfill their market chores; they will also have time for a little entertainment.”

But on January 17th and 18th the entertainment that Island Pacific management has prepared is not just “a little” because it involves a very accomplished jazz artist who’s also releasing an album this year under Freeham records, a mainstream American label.

Mon is recognized as one of the country’s most respected singers, as well as a remarkable musician, songwriter and record producer, Mon’s versatility knows no bounds. He was the drummer and vocal coach of the country’s most enduring pop icons Apo Hiking Society for seven years until he decided to pursue a solo career.

A product of the University of the Philippines College of Music and trained under Prof. Aurelio Estanislao and Elmo Makil, Mon has six albums to his name (Salamat sa mga Alaala, Soulitude, Abe Mu Ku, Life & Times, My One & Only Love, Keka Ku Kaku Ka Kaku Ka Keka Ku) and awards that include Best Local Jazz Recording, Best R & B Vocal Performance, Best Latin Recording &Best Traditional Vocal Performance, Best Vocal Arrangement. He has also shared the stage with jazz luminaries such as David Benoit, Eric Marienthal, Tina May, Lee Gibson, Bobby Enriquez, Boney James, Peter White, Pete Churchill Trio & Diane Schuur.

In the mid-90’s Mon formed the Philippines’ Jazz Fiesta with friend sax great Tots Tolentino and performed in various prestigious jazz events – 1st & 2nd ASEAN Jazz Festivals; Jakjazz Festival; North Sea Jazz Festival; 1st & 2nd Candid International Jazz Festivals and Manila Jazz Festivals. He was co-founder and member of the globe-trotting quartet “Ang Fourgettables” for five years.

Although best known for his wide vocal range, rich tone, mellifluous style and eclectic musicality, Mon is also known for his Kapampangan roots which he sings so proudly in almost all his gigs. And he attributes this reawakening to his participation in “Pamalsinta Quetang Milabas,” the first all-Kapampangan CD initiated and produced by Sapni ng Crissot Foundation where he sang “Hymno Ning Kapampangan,” “Malagung Palsintan,” and “Aro Katimyas Na Ning Dalaga.” This further inspired him to produce and record “Abe Mu Ku”, an all-Cabalen compilation with his originals “Abe Mu Ku,” “Masayang Kenaitan Keka,” and “Kabalen Tune Kang Malugud.” And because of his efforts and contributions to revive and re-introduce Kapampangan songs in the music mainstream, Mon was awarded “Most Outstanding Kapampangan in the Field of Arts, Music & Culture 2004.”

A firm believer in the music’s power to transcend borders and cultural differences, Mon bagged 2006 Awit Awards’ Best Jazz Recording for his own composition “Let Go” and Best Vocal Arrangement for the folk song “Atin Ku Pung Singsing,” both from his CD “Life & Times.”

With his latest outing “MY ONE & ONLY LOVE” (a compilation of jazz evergreens and Mon’s originals) released worldwide by Candid record, UK, First London International Jazz Competition for Vocalist 2006 Grand Prize Winner MON DAVID is all set to share with the whole world his unique artistry and his philosophy that indeed music that comes from the heart can heal, build, inspire & unite. After the competition, he was made to perform at JAGZ Jazz Club in Ascot, London and 606 Jazz Bar located in Chelsea, London.

In 2006, Mon headlined the 2nd FilAm Jazz Festival held at the Catalina Jazz Bar & Grill in Hollywood. In 2007, he was showcased at the Phil International Jazz & Arts Festival held at the Sofitel which was also participated in by international artists like Dianne Schuur , Flora Purim, Airto Moreira & other jazz icons. In the same year, Mon, aside from being nominated in the Best Male Recording Artist category, bagged 2007 AWIT Awards’ Best Inspirational Song for “I Had a Dream” and Best Performance by a Duet for “Alone Together” featuring Ms. Bituin Escalante, both from his latest CD “My One and Only Love”.

Recently, Mon has been getting rave reviews for his successful performance at one of his dream venues, Jazz Bakery in Culver City.

Catch him in a FREE concert at Island Pacific Supermarket in Panorama City on Sunday, January 18th 2008.