SHEILA'S Ilonggo+Pop+Life

Sheila receives “Best Ilonggo Popstar Award”

Sheila Barrios finally proved herself as a certified popstar of the Ilonggos when she was given a plaque of recognition declaring her as “Best Ilonggo Popstar of the Year” during the Thank You Gig of Ilonggo pop-rock singer, Earl Nite last April 16, 2011 at Padi’s Point, Plazuela de Iloilo. The award was presented by Iloilo City councilor David Jamora to Sheila as recognition of her effort, talent and goodwill to popularize Ilonggo music through her hit singles “Ginpalangga” and “Sa Handum Na Guid Lang.” For the record, Sheila will be celebrating her one year in the local music scene next month since she recorded her first single. A few months after she released her song “Ginpalangga” last May 2010, her song started to gain attention from radio listeners and she performed live at GMA Arangkada morning show. In June last year, Sheila released an indie-film style music video of her song “Ginpalangga” in youtube.com. The music video was somehow considered as the first-ever by a local Ilonggo female artist to be posted online though it is indie by style. Sometime in October 2010, Sheila together with her cousins, Ilonggo indie singers Reyn and Cherry Callao of Ilonggo 3nity pop group (Sheila is also a member) released their first group single “Badtrip.” Though it was only played in selected Bacolod FM stations, the song was given attention by a Filipino part-time DJ of Radio For You 98.5 in Rockhampton City, Australia and instantly played in his Sunday Filipino program. Sheila’s solo single followed to be played on air along with Reyn and Cherry’s solo songs. By the end of October, Sheila released her second single “Sa Handum Na Guid Lang” in Bacolod City FM stations. The song immediately entered the top 10 hit charts in two weeks time and became the most requested song in less than a month. Sheila embarked on an FM-station-tour in Bacolod and was even interviewed for Isyu Subong, a local news and public affairs program of GMA TV Bacolod.

Sheila was declared as a nominee for the first Ilonggo Music Awards for Best Female Artist of ABS-CBN Iloilo and MOR 91.1 in December. She performed her songs during the Performance Night at Jaq’s Bar in Smallville and received a certificate of recognition during the Awards Night in Robinsons Place Iloilo. Sheila together with other Ilonggo music artists headlined several mini-concert shows from December 2010 to January 2011 especially during the Dinagyang Festival week. In February 2011, Campus Radio 93.5 Iloilo launched her song “Sa Handum Na Guid Lang” on air and instantly gained massive admirers. in Bacolod City, the ballad-rap song “Salamat Iloy” recorded by Zaril featuring Sheila Barrios was released by the end of February and immediately became the most requested song for its inspiring tribute for a mother’s unconditional love for her children.

This year, Sheila is taking one step at a time, remains humble, down-to-earth and grateful to those who continue to support, listen and request her songs in local FM stations here and in Bacolod City. In a few months to come, Sheila will be releasing a full album CD or independent mixtape entitled “Ginpalangga.” The album CD will showcase her versatility as a born singer that resembles her title as a “songstress,” someone who is into popuar songs with edge, style and can sing any kind of music genre under the sun (and I think rapping or tongue-twisting is no exception, hehe).

Throughout her almost one year of passion for music, Sheila would like to thank the following for helping and believing in her along the way: RSLPhoenix Music, Campus Radio 93.5, Campus Radio 107.1, MOR 91.1, GMA TV-6, ABS-CBN Iloilo, Camella, Akon Salon, Beauty Dynamics Facial Care Center, itravel Philippines, JCI Metro Iloilo Dinagyang, IFM Bacolod, Star FM Iloilo, MOR Bacolod, Iloilo City Councilor David Jamora, Papa Prince de Leon, Papa Sang, Papa Jim, Papa Andoy (of Campus Radio Iloilo), Papa Jano (of Campus Radio Bacolod), Mr. Jose de Luna, Mr. Jimmy Garcia, NicNic Manderico, R-Quim Empredrad, Mix Ilonggo Crew, All Out Kingz, Irish D., Ilonggo 3nity, Mr. John Montinola, Ram Silva, Earl Nite, SYK Unit, Paramour Sifee, Southsyd souljaz and to everyone we failed to mention, Thank you very much.