Fil-Am singer to hold homecoming concert 23 years after leaving PHL

Singer-songwriter Dennis Sy, a Filipino-American based in New York, will hold this July a concert entitled "Coming Home," 23 years after leaving the Philippines.

In an email to GMA News Online, Sy,  said: “I'm excited because after 23 years, I'll be going back home to perform at a concert at the same place I had my very first major show.”
 

The  concert will be held on July 20, 8:30 p.m. at the Music Museum in Greenhills, San Juan.

 

Part of the show's proceeds will go towards the New Hope to Asia Christian Foundation, a non-profit organization helping street children of Cainta since 1999.

 

Directed by Bobby Taylo, the concert will feature Sy and band, Route 70 along with special guests Luke Mejares and Gail Blanco, according to Sy’s official website.

 

Sy who describes himself as a “Filipino-American in my forties” was born in the Philippines but left for the US in 1994 to pursue his career as an IT professional.

 

He is now an assistant vice president for the IT division of the Deutsche Bank but has never forgotten his Filipino roots and his passion for music which he found time to hone even with his busy schedule.

“I’m just excited at what the future holds, uncharted as it is. Because simply by believing that dreams have of no shelf life, this journey thus far has truly been inspirational and purpose-driven,” he said.

In the US in December last year, Sy released a song that speaks of his longing for the Christmas festivities celebrated in the Philippines.
 
He is the voice behind the song “Sa Araw ng Pasko,” which tells of “a special longing that hits those… [who are] not able to be with the ones they love” for Christmas.
 
Composed by Marylene Juarez and released by DSYMusic and Serendipity Hype Productions, the song goes:

“Kislap ng mga ilaw handog sa akin ay ngiti
Waring nagsasabing magkikita muli
Para bang kailan lang ay kasama kita
Pasko pa naman nang lumisan ka.”


Sy uses music to give back to the community.

He related how he contributed to the Christmas drive of the Little Hands Ministry (now called ROAR MINISTRY) "via an original Christmas song I wrote called "Christmas Morning" and the revival of the song "Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo"  as sung by other Fil-Am artists here in the East Coast for the 2010 Philippine Elections."

Sy told GMA News Online: "My story is no different from a lot of my Fil-Am colleagues here, who were IT professionals back home when we were recruited to work here in the US back in the 90’s."

"I was already involved in music back then, so in a sense I was saying goodbye to my musical aspirations when I accepted the offer to work here. But through the years, music didn’t leave me," he said.

Sy's parents still reside in Manila. 

"When I left Manila in 1994, my plans weren’t really dead set in terms of migrating to the US. I was open to anything and all possibilities this road would lead me to, in terms of my dreams and aspirations, either by staying in the US, or going back home to Manila."

"Things just conspired in a way that I would find my “purpose” here, not just in my personal life, but also in my work and in my music," he said.

Sy met his wife of 13 years in the US. They have no children yet.

 

In the US, Sy said he has been given the opportunity to write songs and "to perform at amazing stages and concert halls" like Carnegie Hall, Las Vegas casino arenas, and others, either as a headlining act or a singing backup for artists like Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez.

One of his songs won for Chapter2 the Artist Of The Year award at the 2006 LA Music awards.

He adds that "through music I’ve been able to give back to causes I truly believe in" such as foundations helping children in need. 

 

Now that he is going back to the Philippines, Sy said he was "excited at what the future holds, uncharted as it is. Because simply by believing that dreams have of no shelf life, this journey thus far has truly been inspirational and purpose-driven."

A summary of Sy's musical journey:
 

1995 - Joined NY based Fil-Am singing group ALIBATA
 

1996 – Held solo concert at the New York Ethical Society in Manhattan

         - Various performances at the City Center NY and in Atlantic City
 

1998 – Released “Colours,” his first solo album and held a CD launch concert at Pace           

            University in downtown Manhattan

 

2001 – His musical passion was rekindled with an invitation to join a band
 

2006 – Met musical director Noel Tampac

         - Formed a pop/acoustic band named “Chapter2”

         - Won Artist of the Year award and was nominated for song of the year (Triple A

            category) for his single “Real Me” at the 2006 LA Music Awards

 

2009 - Worked on Stephanie Reese’s Carnegie Hall concert as assistant technical director
 

2010 - Spearheaded and produced the NY Handog Project 2010

         - Chapter2’s debut album entitled “Page 1” was released in September 2010  

            including two of his compositions

        - Chapter2 became the first Filipino band to perform at the prestigious Carnegie Hall

 

2011 - Joined the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards.

 

         - Released the CD single “Pilipino Ako” and a digital extended play version of “Colours”

 

         - “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” video was featured on ANC’s Headstart
 

         - His song “Could It Be” was featured at the International Film Festival Manhattan

 

         - Headlined with Chapter2 at the Mohegan Sun’s the Cabaret 15th year Anniversary
 

        - Sang for international artists Martin Nievera and MiG Ayesa at the Trump Taj Mahal 

 

       - Wrote his first commercial jingle for PinoyRadio.com’s 1st year anniversary 
 

       - Produced the music video for “Sa Araw ng Pasko” and had it featured on GMA News   

          Network and FilamNation.com
 

        - Received the 2011 Outstanding Artist Award from the Filipino American National

          Historical Society New York Chapter

- VVP, GMA News