Second chances and new beginnings

SANCHEZ AND SAN JOSE. Wax latest albums.

MAKING it in show biz is never easy, so newcomers need to carefully map out a career trajectory that would guarantee, not just instant stardom, but longevity, as well. Julie Anne San Jose got her big break recently when she was tapped to play the young female lead of “Just One Summer” (opposite Elmo Magalona), but the rom-com turned out to be a misstep and a head-scratching bore—which wasn’t entirely her fault.

Thankfully, Julie Ann does better in her eponymously titled sophomore album, which has the versatile singer-actress delivering some of the best renditions we’ve heard from a young singer in a long while. The sound she creates is fresh and contemporary.

This time, she is no longer compromised by the off-putting “dale ng dale” (aggressive) style that characterized her singing in last year’s “Covers” collection. She has learned to utilized her steely chops judiciously, employing subtle tones where they’re needed.

The curlicues are still there, but they no longer sound gimmicky—as she beautifully demonstrates in “For Everything,” “Baby You Are,” “I’ll Be There” “When I Close My Eyes,” “Hold On” and “Bakit Ngayon?” But, the album should have included her gorgeous revival of Dina Bonnevie’s “Bakit Ba Ganyan?”—the love theme of her ill-fated starrer, and one of its saving graces!

Jessica Sanchez

At the “American Idol” press con last Tuesday, Jessica Sanchez revealed that her first studio album is scheduled to come out in December. But, contrary to earlier reports, it isn’t true that the Filipino-Mexican singer idolizes this or that local singer.

Which Pinoy performer would she like to collaborate with? Her honest reply, “I don’t know any.”