Anna Fegi

Anna Fegi

Anna Fegi
Background information
Birth name Anna Marie Encienzo Fegi
Born (1977-04-18) April 18, 1977
Origin Toledo, Cebu, Philippines
Genres Pop, OPM, musical theatre
Occupation(s) Singer, actress
Instruments Vocals
Years active 1993–present

Anna Fegi (born April 18, 1977) is a Filipina singer and actress from Cebu, Philippines. She has performed internationally in over sixty countries and is well known for her work on the popular show ASAP on the ABS-CBN television network and The Filipino Channel (TFC), her performances in the Himig Handog competitions, as well as her two solo albums released under the Sony BMG label. Fegi is recognized by her powerful voice, high vocal range, and trademark curly hair.[1]

Early life

Anna Fegi was born in Toledo, Cebu, Philippines and is the fourth of seven children born to Gaudencio and Soccoro Fegi.[2] The family is a very musical family and they spent time together singing and performing while living in Barangay Lutopan. Her mother was a religion teacher at De LaSalle Andres Soriano Memorial School (ASMS) and her father was the school audio/visual technician. The family lived together in a small house in the teachers' compound on the school campus. Her father built his own sound systems from scratch and it was on those systems that he played records and cassette tapes while Anna learned to sing along. Barbra Streisand and Whitney Houston were two of the early influences of Fegi as she learned to sing along to their records. At the encouragement of her parents, Anna entered local singing contests and performed for school and church events.[3]

Career

Discovery

Anna Fegi performing with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra

Fegi was first discovered by Ryan Cayabyab and producer Judd Berlin during a talent search in Cebu when they was looking for a new member of the award-winning group, Smokey Mountain.[2] She was just sixteen years old when she moved to Manila to begin rehearsals with the group. She performed a year later as a part of the group's third batch, along with Chedi Vergara and Jason Angangan, while touring in Japan in 1994.[2]

Early career

After performing in Smokey Mountain, she turned to the world of musical theater and joined the Japan tour of the musical Hair with Tetsuya Bessho.[3][4] This tour lasted for three months and afterwards she returned to Cebu to return to her studies at University of San Jose–Recoletos where she was a Mass Communication student and an Amparito Llamas Lhuiller Educational Foundation (ALLEF) scholar, foundation of Cebuana philanthropist Amparito Lhuillier.[1] She continued performing for school events and was able to tour the United States for the first time as a part of the school's Dramatics group, directed by Dr. Milagros Espina.[3]

Move to Manila (1998-2006)

In 1998, Fegi decided to leave school and move to Manila to become closer to the music scene. One of the first people she was introduced to was her future manager, Bibsy Carballo. Carballo became Fegi's manager for five years in Manila.

Anna Fegi performing in Toledo, Cebu in 2012

Television network ABS-CBN produces a televised song writing competition each year called Himig Handog. Fegi entered the competition in 2000 performing the song "Larawan," composed by Dodjie Simon, which won the People's Choice Award.[5][6] Upon her success from "Himig Handog," she signed a record deal later that year with the Sony BMG. This led to her release of two successful solo albums. Fegi's debut album titled Every Step of the Way was recorded in 2000 and released in 2001.[7] It featured the original recording of the popular song "I Need You," although Rimes released it sooner. It was also in 2000 that Fegi joined the popular ABS-CBN television program ASAP.[3] She went on to perform as a regular member of the show for five years. The show is broadcast worldwide as a part of The Filipino Channel. Her segments, titled Versus, with fellow singer Bituin Escalante became a popular feature on the show.

It was also in 2000 that Fegi appeared in the role of "Pilate" in the Atlantis Productions staging of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar in Manila.[8] This led to an ongoing working relationship with well-known Manila theater directors Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga.[3] Fegi continued her work with Atlantis Productions in 2001, performing in role of "Maureen" in the musical Rent at the Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall in Singapore.[3][9] The next year, in 2002, she performed the role of "Magenta" in the musical Rocky Horror Show at the RCBC Theater in Manila, and again in 2003 in the role of "Deanna Jones" in the musical Dreamgirls, also in Manila.[10][11]

Fegi performed in 2001 in the GMA Network's televised song writing competition called "Metropop Song Festival." She performed the song "Destiny" on the show. Although she did not win, her performance was later released on compilation albums.[12] In 2002, Fegi appeared in a national television commercial for Coca Cola.[13] She also appeared as a guest on television shows and specials on the ABS-CBN, GMA, TV5, and STUDIO 23 networks. She is often hired for corporate events for large companies such as Coca Cola, Bayer Philippines, Levi's, San Miguel, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Toyota, and PLDT.

She released her second solo album, Straight Ahead, in 2003. This album contained the popular song "Saan Ka Na Kaya Ngayon?"[14] This would be her final release under her recording contract with Sony BMG and was noted as having more Tagalog language songs under the Original Pilipino Music (OPM) genre.

In the next few years, Fegi continued performing in the Philippines as well as tours to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Guam, and back again to the United States. Her U.S. tour included stops in Los Angeles, California and the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas, Nevada.[15] In 2003, Fegi won the Grand Prize of that year's Himig Handog competition on the ABS-CBN network.[16] That year she performed the song "Kailan Kita Mamahalin" by composer Arnel de Pano.[16][17] In 2004, Fegi was a judge on the ABS-CBN television competition Star in a Million. The following year in 2005, she producer her own award-winning tour of lounges throughout the Philippines. In that year, 2005, Fegi was awarded both the AWIT and the ALIW awards for "Best Female Singer in Bars and Lounges."[18]

Move to Hong Kong (2006-2007)

Although Fegi experienced both critical and commercial success in Manila, she continued searching for more growth in her performing career. She decided to pursue an opportunity to return to the stage in performing the role of Nala in the Festival of the Lion King at Hong Kong Disneyland in Hong Kong.[5] Fegi went on to complete three contracts with the company during 2006 and 2007.[19] In September 2007, she decided not to sign another contract with Disney in order to finish her college degree. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from University of San Jose–Recoletos in April 2008, while receiving awards for "Outstanding ETEEAP Graduate" and "Outstanding Project Study." [20]

Cruise ships (2008-2012)

Anna Fegi performing on board the Azamara Quest in 2012

Also in the spring of 2008, Fegi received an offer from Royal Caribbean International to travel as a featured singer with their cruise line. Her first contract was on board the Radiance of the Seas where she toured Alaska, California, and South America. She renewed her contract and performed on board the Brilliance of the Seas in Europe and the Middle East.[21] Her next contract was on board the Mariner of the Seas, which took her back to Europe for 6 months. Her last contract was to be a part of the take-out cast of the luxury ship Azamara Quest. During this contract she traveled throughout the countries of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

During her time on board cruise ships, Fegi experienced two life-threatening incidents. In December 2010 while she was on board the Brilliance of the Seas, the ship was caught in a storm off the coast of Egypt and experienced severe damage after experiencing strong wind and waves.[22] Then again in March 2012, the Azamara Quest experienced a fire in the engine room.[23] The fire was put out, but the ship suffered extensive damages while sailing between the Philippines and Malaysia.[24] Many guests praised the efforts of the crew and the entertainment department, of which Fegi was a member, for keeping spirits high immediately following the near death experience.[25]

For her work on board cruise ships, Fegi was awarded a special citation for "Filipino Recording Artists Championing the World of Cruise Entertainment" at the 2011 AWIT Awards ceremony.[26]

2012-2013

Anna Fegi during a television interview in 2012

Fegi finished her last contract in May 2012 and has returned to the Philippines where has done a series of concerts and corporate events in both Manila and Cebu. She appeared in the role of "Christmas Eve" in the musical Avenue Q at the Grand Theater at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore in September and October 2012. This show was produced by Atlantis Productions. In November, Fegi went back into the studio to record several new, original songs she co-wrote entitled, "Don't Say You Love Me," "I Thought I Knew Him So Well," and "(I Love You)More than Anything."[27][28][29] In 2013, Fegi was chosen by the ABS-CBN television network to appear in a series of nationwide commercials promoting tourism in Cebu. In 2013, Fegi performed with the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra, appeared on the 18th Anniversary episode of ASAP, the latest version of ABS-CBN's Himig Handog televised competition held at the Mall of Asia Arena, P-Pop Himig Handog Love Songs, Gary Valenciano's 30th Anniversary episode of ASAP, as well as several episodes of Wowowillie on the TV5 network.[30][31]

In July 2013, Fegi began rehearsals with Gantimpala Theater Foundation for an original musical titled "Katipunan, Mga Anak ng Bayan" based on the story of Philippine hero, Andres Bonifacio.[32] The production is directed by famed director Joel Lamangan. The show toured for August and September and also had a Manila run.[33][34] For her performance, Fegi was nominated for Best Actress in a Musical in the 2014 ALIW Awards.[35]

Following the devastation of both the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Bohol and Cebu in October 2013 and also the super typhoon Haiyan (locally named Yolanda) in November, Fegi participated in numerous fundraising and benefit shows to help raise money for those affected by the natural disasters.[36] Both events hit close to home for Fegi as she is from Cebu and her parents, a sister, and extended family live in the town of Palompon, Leyte which was directly hit by the super typhoon.

Return to Cruise Ships (2014-2015)

Anna Fegi and her husband in Bali, Indonesia in 2014

In 2014, Fegi and her husband returned to work with Azamara cruises.[37][38] In 2014 they worked on board the Azamara Journey, which visited over forty countries in Asia and Europe. Fegi was specifically chosen for the project as it was a major overhaul of their onboard entertainment. Fegi performed her own featured headliner show during her five months on board. Her husband Adam was the drummer and musical director on board the ship.[39] In late 2014 they returned to the Azamara Quest, which visited over forty countries in Asia, Africa, and Europe from November 2014 until July 2015.[40] In their return to ships both Fegi and her husband began writing a travel and entertainment column for Cebu Daily News, a daily newspaper published in Cebu by the Inquirer group.[41][42]

In 2014, Fegi's version of the song "That's What Love Is For" was re-released on Universal Records's praise and worship album Mga Misteryo Ng Lwanag.[43]

While working onboard, Anna appeared in a TV documentary titled Nigel Marven's Cruise Ship Adventures with British wildlife television host Nigel Marven. In the episode, Fegi, along with a few of her cast members followed Marven from Kochi, India and through the country side of the Kerala region. The episode originally aired on W Channel in the United Kingdom and other channels throughout Europe.

Brown Academy of Music

Brown Academy of Music Cebu, Inc.

In 2015 after completing two more worldwide cruise contracts, Fegi and her husband returned to Cebu.[44] They own Brown Academy of Music (BAM) in Cebu, their own music school.[45] They have both spent decades performing music around the world and Fegi's husband also holds degrees in Music Education and Education.[46][47] Fegi and her husband own and operate the school, creating a premier source of music education in the city.[48] The school opened in January 2016 in Cebu.[49][50] The first performance of Brown Academy of Music took place on April 9, 2016 at Ayala Terraces at Ayala Center Cebu.[51][52][53][54] The show featured Fegi as well as a guest performance by the writer of the hit Bisaya song HAHAHAHasula, Jude Gitamondoc, and Jacky Chang. Actors Derek Ramsay, Nico Antonio, and Shaina Magdayao were also there to promote their movie My Candidate. Several months after opening, Fegi created a group called the Elite BAMStars that she directs and produces. The group has performed throughout the city as featured acts as well as opening up for such artists as Bea Alonzo, Gerald Anderson, Bailey May, Matteo Guidicelli, Donna Cruz, and Marissa Sanchez. [55] Due to the success of Brown Academy of Music, they quickly expanded their facilities to meet growing enrollment demands with an additional sixty square meters, bringing their total to 150 square meters, including rehearsal spaces, teaching rooms, and a studio. [55]

In addition to the school, Fegi continues to perform both in the Philippines and abroad. She has performed at both public shows as well as large corporate and international events such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference, the Asian Carriers Conference, the 2015 Gawad CCP Awards along with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the 2016 International Eucharistic Congress as well as the 2016 Sinulog Festival in Cebu.[56][57][58] In 2015 and 2016, Fegi participated in a series of fundraising shows for the Basilica Minore de Santo Niño in Cebu, performing along with artists such as Sheryn Regis, Donna Cruz, and others.[59][60] In June 2016, Fegi was invited and performed for the President-Elect of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte.[61] In July, Fegi returned to the ASAP stage as part of the tribute to legendary OPM composer Willy Cruz.[62]

In 2016, Fegi became a brand ambassador for both M. Lhuillier Financial Services and Cordlife Philippines. Fegi appears in marketing materials and billboards representing those brands.

Personal life

Anna Fegi married Adam Brown (from Cincinnati, Ohio) on August 21, 2012 at Sacred Heart Church in Cebu, Philippines.[63][64] A reception followed at the Radisson Blu hotel. Fegi and Brown met while performing onboard cruise ships where she was a featured singer and he was a drummer and musical director.[65] In September 2012, Fegi's wedding gown, designed by Philip Rodriguez, was featured as a part of Face-Off's "Filipino Bridal Heritage Exhibit" held in Manila at both the Dusit Thani Hotel and the Power Plant Mall at Rockwell Center.[66]

Discography

Solo albums

Compilation albums

Movie soundtracks

Awards

References

  1. 1 2 Lo, Ricardo (2004-02-27). "Anna Fegi: A Hairy Transformation". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  2. 1 2 3 Lo, Ricardo (2003-01-25). "What Could Be Anna Fegi's Best Moment?". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Carballo, Bibsy (2007-04-13). "Finding Oneself in HK Disney". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  4. ↑ Carballo, Bibsy (2009-09-07). "Anna's Life According to Her Hair". The Philippine Star. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Panaligan, Jo Jo (2006-02-16). "Anna Fegi Joins Hong Kong Exodus". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved 2012-09-16.
  6. ↑ "Himig Handog Crowns 3 Songs on Finals Night". Philippine Star. 2006-10-10. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  7. ↑ Abunda, Boy (2001-07-09). "Anna's Dream Now Within Reach". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  8. ↑ Abunda, Boy (2001-05-20). "Atlantis Productions in the Eye of the Storm". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  9. ↑ "Anna Fegi's Star Keeps Rising". Philippine Headline News. 2001-02-22. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  10. ↑ Abunda, Boy (2002-09-04). "Rocky Horror Show: A few Horrors, Much Laughter". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  11. ↑ Mateo, Ibarra (2003-03-24). "Live Theater is Still an Exciting, Thrilling Experience". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  12. ↑ . September 18, 2012
  13. ↑ Bais, Andy (2003-01-11). "Anna Fegi Stars in Solo Concert at Hard Rock". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  14. ↑ Gil, Baby (2003-10-31). "Anna Scores with the Simple Love Song". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  15. ↑ "Celebrating Filipino Identity, Vegas Style!". The Filipino Express. 2004-10-08. Retrieved 2012-09-16.
  16. 1 2 "Anna Fegi in Anniversary Concert". Manila Bulletin. 2004-03-18. Retrieved 2012-09-23.
  17. ↑ Banaag, James (2016-02-18). "Himig Handog Through the Years". One Music. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
  18. 1 2 . September 17, 2012
  19. ↑ Diongzon, Adrian (2009-07-14). "Catching with Anna Fegi". The Freeman. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  20. ↑ Mark, Ni Ryan (2013-02-08). "Finding Oneself in HK Disney". Banat News. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  21. ↑ Donato, Jerry (2011-02-07). "Musical Cruisin' with Reuben & Anna". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  22. ↑ Balbuena, Vanessa (2011-02-19). "Anna Fegi: Singing and Seeing the World". The Freeman. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  23. ↑ Teves, Oliver (2012-03-31). "Azamara Quest Cruie Ship: Disabled By Fire, Ship Heads to Malaysia". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2012-09-16.
  24. ↑ "Azamara Cruise Ship Sails for Malaysia After Fire Repairs". BBC News. 2012-03-31. Retrieved 2012-09-16.
  25. ↑ "Parties Continued on Asia Cruise Ship After Fire". CBS News. 2012-04-02. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  26. 1 2 . September 17, 2012
  27. ↑ . November 30, 2012
  28. ↑ . December 12, 2012
  29. ↑ . January 29, 2013
  30. ↑ Orosa, Rosalinda (2013-01-26). "MPO plays OPM". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2013-01-29.
  31. ↑ "Gary V's 30th Showbiz Anniversary in ASAP". Philippine Star. 2013-04-14. Retrieved 2013-05-09.
  32. ↑ Gallardo, Ricky (2013-08-18). "A Truly 'Stirling' Performance". Business Mirror. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  33. ↑ "Gantimpala Marks Bonifacio Sesquicentennial with 'Katipunan, Mga Anak ng Bayan'". The Inquirer. 2013-08-17. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  34. ↑ "Sandino Martino and Anna Fegi will Topbill Gantimpala Theater's Musical Katipunan, Mga Anak ng Bayan". Philippine Entertainment Portal. 2013-08-14. Retrieved 2013-08-19.
  35. ↑ "Aliw Awards 2014 Finalists Revealed". Pep.ph. 2014-11-21. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
  36. ↑ "2nd Barug Visayas Show Set Today at SM". Sun Star. 2013-11-22. Retrieved 2013-12-10.
  37. ↑ Carballo, Bibsy (2013-12-27). "Adam & Anna In Paradise". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2014-09-10.
  38. ↑ Carballo, Bibsy (2014-08-25). "Getting to Know Adam, Anna & August". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2015-11-12.
  39. ↑ Carballo, Bibsy (2014-08-11). "Around Europe on a Small Ship". Philippine Star. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  40. ↑ Brown, Adam (27 February 2016). "Come Sail Away!". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
  41. ↑ Fegi-Brown, Anna (2014-10-18). "Fond Memories of Hong Kong". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 2014-10-23.
  42. ↑ Brown, Adam (20 February 2016). "Come Sail Away!". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  43. ↑ . October 29, 2014
  44. ↑ Anadia, Sanden (2016-02-27). "Gugmang niturok sa kadagatan". Banat News. Retrieved 2016-02-27.
  45. ↑ Bayang, Catherine Zeta (31 January 2016). "Brown Academy of Music Opens". Sunstar. Retrieved 2016-03-23.
  46. ↑ Lopez, Monica R. (20 January 2016). "On a Tuneful Note". Sunstar. Retrieved 2016-01-20.
  47. ↑ Gallardo, Ricky (2016-04-25). "Anna Fegi-Brown and Her Music Academy". BusinessMirror. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  48. ↑ Balbuena, Vanessa (24 January 2016). "The BAM Method Hits Cebu". Freeman. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  49. ↑ . August 30, 2015
  50. ↑ Quiñanola, Hayde (2016-03-27). "Adam Brown: Pitch Perfect". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 2016-03-29.
  51. ↑ "Summer Inspirations to Nourish the Soul". The Freeman. 10 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-17.
  52. ↑ Lopez, Monica R. (2016-04-26). "On the Spotlight". Sunstar. Retrieved 2016-04-26.
  53. ↑ Gil, Nikki Ann (2016-04-21). "BAM Holds First Concert". The Freeman. Retrieved 2016-04-21.
  54. ↑ "5 Things to Inspire You This Summer at Ayala". Cebu Daily News. 11 April 2016. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  55. 1 2 "School Holds Concert Featuring Its 70 Students". Sunstar. 27 October 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-27.
  56. ↑ Rivera, Louie Greg A. (2015-09-21). "Nora Aunor Leads Gawad CCP Awardees". Philippine Inquirer. Retrieved 2015-11-12.
  57. ↑ Anadia, Sanden (19 January 2016). "The BAM". Banat News. Retrieved 2016-01-19.
  58. ↑ Espina, Dr. Mila C. (2016-02-01). "The Holy Eucharist in Our Hearts and Deeds". Sunstar. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  59. ↑ "Exhibit closes Cebu's 450th Kaplag anniversary". Business World. 2016-04-26. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  60. ↑ "Archbishop Palma Opens Santo Nino Art Exhibit in Cebu". Philippine Inquirer. 2016-04-18. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  61. ↑ Matus, Carmel Loise. (2016-06-08). "Duterte Flies to Cebu for Thanksgiving Party with Supporters". Sunstar. Retrieved 2016-06-09.
  62. ↑ . 24 July 2016
  63. ↑ Espina, Dr. Milagros (2006-09-18). "A Musical Wedding". Sun Star. Retrieved 2012-09-18.
  64. ↑ Brown, Adam (11 June 2016). "Back Home". Cebu Daily News. Retrieved 2016-06-27.
  65. ↑ Escandor, Fiona (2012-06-17). "Bursting with Song". Sun Star. Retrieved 2014-10-29.
  66. ↑ "Famous Wedding Gowns on Exhibit". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2012-09-21.
  67. ↑ . September 17, 2012

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