n a not so unlikely twist, Carlo Aquino and his band Kollide launched their CD under a Viva Records.

Kollide, like most bands with humble beginnings to tell, toured the rugged and dark circuits of underground rock for four years before clinching a contract from a mainstream record. Fairy godmother for Kollide came in the form of Viva Records.

To the showibiz and pop worlds, Carlo had the early makings of a musician when he formed a very young JCS band John Pratts and Stefano Morri. John moved on to become a dancer while Stefano simply moved out of the limelight.

Not many were aware that Carlo persevered. With talent that could shift focus from acting to music (he is after all one of the more capable actors of his generation). Kollide happened as one of the most fortunate ‘collision' in Carlo's life.

Carlo took the road traveled by actors-cum-frontmen Diether Ocampo and Jericho Rosales. Almost that is. Unlike the two hunks, Carlo hid behind Kollide telling the Manila Bulletin that he is just one portion of a five-man group. "We are five in the band wherein each member has a role as vital as the rest of the group," Carlo said.

The members of Kollide take comfort in the fact that "Carlo Aquino, the actor is different from Carlo, the Kollide member." The actor's bandmates added, "Mas okay sa amin yung ganun na hindi kami makilala as banda ni Carlo kasi hindi ito banda ni Carlo, banda naming lima ito."

With concerned efforts that compelled Kollide to travel the typically jagged and sometimes disappointing band beginnings, the members don't register Carlo's name until they are called to the stage "and only then do audience recognize Carlo as one of us."

At Kollide's album launch at the Virgin Café, Carlo even asked the people of the venue politely if they could change the marquee which read "Carlo Aquino" and correct it with Kollide, "which is really performing tonight," Carlo said. "Nahihiya ako kapag sa'kin yung credit kasi this is a five-man effort naman talaga."

From scratch, Kollide found time and devoted portions of their precious hours to recording a decent-sounding demo out of the members' own pockets. "We were really planning to have it ready for distribution. I have been with Viva Artist Agency for quite some time now so it came as a surprise that they asked to sign up Kollide as well," recalled Carlo.

Viva Records, Carlo added, "is also one with the band's intention to promote the band and its music and not myself as a celebrity. Yung Carlo kasi na actor is ruled by the character he plays. Sa banda, nandun yung totoong ako."

Kollide is also composed of Aldwin (on drums), Aldo (on bass), Edward (on guitars) and Wai (on keyboards). Carlo and his bandmates do all of the music writing for Kollide. The members also admitted that the songs are all based on real-life feelings and experiences.

It will also be noted that Carlo does not position himself front and center of Kollide's publicity photos; proving that he is bent on letting the music surface on its own in a make or break chance rather than pulling showbiz strings for an easier crack at fame.

For a maiden single, Kollide is formally launched to the mainstream circle via "Ala-Ala," an alternative rock flared potential hit with a very catchy chorus line. Most of the songs in Kollide's self-titled debut CD musically spell tunes faithful to the genre but still original.

For more of Kollide, log on to kollide.multiply.com. The band will also be frequenting the malls soon to promote its first CD.

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Learning the ABCs of mad, mad fun

She says mad, mad fun means being true to oneself. He says it is about enjoying without restraint for sanity.

Rhian Ramos and Carl Ramirez have said enough to describe the latest lifestyle-variety show Mad, Mad Fun on Animax as host and resident techie guy, respectively.

Premiering tonight at 8, Mad, Mad Fun is a hip show about music, videos, fashion, games and sporting, pop/contemporary culture and animation. It's one show adults and young people will look forward to week after week.

Rhian and Carl are excited to share the ABCs of having mad, mad fun with the Animax televiewers, and to rub off on them that youthful humor and playfulness.

“The show represents the youth,” says Rhian of the 30-minute show. “It presents their hobbies and new interests. In the show, I'm not someone else like what I do when I act. I'm myself. It's a show where I can express what I think and feel like Rhian Ramos.”

The show's carefree, express-yourself atmosphere reflects the young attitude among the staff who mans the show and works behind the scenes.

“It doesn't feel like work,” shares Carl, who is a first timer to work in front of the camera. “We're all friends. We're working with great people. We have mad, mad fun behind the camera.”

Rhian enjoys her first TV hosting job because the chemistry between her and the crew gets better and better every shooting day. Rhian finds the writers kind as she is encouraged to put in ideas and suggestions to make the spiels, among others, her own.

“There's creative freedom on the set,” offers Rhian and she hopes people will see it on the small screen.

Rhian, the face of Animax, is perfect as host of Mad, Mad Fun because she is a self-confessed talkative music fan. That's why Rhian enjoys the show to the hilt. She likes the segment Band Shocker where the teen star gets up close and personal with bands like Sandwich , Sugarfree, Up Dharma Down and Chicosci.

“I love watching gigs,” says Rhian. “I'm a big fan of local bands. I love this job because my favorite bands are playing right in front of me.”

She tells everyone that Band Shocker is just one of the many segments that will catch the interest of the youth.

Topping her list is Tech Check, where Carl, The STAR's Young STAR columnist, shows his gift of gab and hosting skills. He talks about the latest gadgets and multi-media young people might be interested in.

Carl has been tech savvy since he was a kid. His fascination with technology started with video games, family computer, nintendo and the playstation. Before the cellphone literally and figuratively controlled our life, Carl enjoyed the convenience of a beeper. From there, he has settled on the PC, cell phones and more hi-tech versions of personal computers.

“Technology constantly changes the way we live,” says Carl. “It makes life easier and a lot more fun.”

As a young adult, Carl won't leave home without his Mac Book and iPod. He has at least 5,000 songs in his iPod and favors indie rock music of Nirvana.

Another Mad, Mad Fun segment, Rhian and Carl recommend, is Kawaii Girls featuring the head-turning, trendy lifestyle of Kawaii or cute girls in the metro. The show will also chronicle parties and events plus most-talked about video games, comics and blogs. (Also watch out for the return of Animax's Chronicles of the Wings on Aug. 6, 5 p.m. It's about the epic quest of protagonist Syaoran to recover the memories of his beloved princess Sakura.)

“I will surprise my fans,” says Rhian of the spontaneous, cool image she is about to share with everyone. It's totally different from the character Leah Lazaro people have learned to love and associate with Rhian.

“I want to bring something new on the table. With the show, I'm just a child and enjoying every minute of it. It's gonna be awesome.”

“I never thought of working on TV,” says Carl. “It's different from writing. When I write, I can take my time while finding the right words to say. In hosting, I have to stay in character, memorize the lines and deliver them.”

Asked what could be the message the show wishes to impart to young televiewers, Carl replies, “One shouldn't forget to have fun. (It's important to) take a break and relax. Enjoy life.”

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