BARBIE TO ROCK THE 'BIG DOME'

Since leaving the 'cradle' to pursue a solo career, former Barbie's Cradle frontwoman Barbie Almalbis has compiled her biggest hits from her Hungry Young Poets and Barbie's Cradle days into a greatest hits CD, been nominated for several awards,

By Guil Franco (Our Correspondent)

Published: Sun 7 May 2006, 1:24 PM

Last updated: Tue 20 Jun 2023, 4:05 PM

and released a new full-length studio album (Parade) under 12 Stone Records.

With all that under her belt, Barbie is now ready to take the next step in her career. On May 19, she will conquer the Araneta Coliseum stage in 'Barbie Rocks the Big Dome', her first major solo concert.

"I'm excited," she says. "When my manager (Tommy Tanchanco) told me he thought I was ready to perform at the Araneta Coliseum, I was like, 'Whoa, really?' But if he believes in me, if he believes I can do it, then I will."

Indeed, when she puts her mind — and her faith in God — to it, there will surely be no stopping her. A devout Christian, she says that her decision to go solo was a step of faith. "It was hard, but once I decided to go through with it, everything just fell into place. It was as if someone was guiding me," Barbie says.

She must be right, because nothing but good things have come her way since she decided to go it alone. After she and her former bandmates called it quits last year, she was reunited with her one-time handler/manager Tanchanco (and his partner Marinel) — the same guy behind Kitchie Nadal's solo career. Barbie then inked a contract with Tanchanco's 12 Stone Records, and released an 18-track greatest hits CD.

But even if she may be riding high at the top of the charts as a solo act, she will not be alone on one of the biggest nights of her career. Joining her on stage for Barbie Rocks the Big Dome will be fellow pop-rock princess Kitchie Nadal, as well as 6Cyclemind frontman Ney Dimaculangan. Christian rock group-turned-mainstream pop-rock act Rocksteddy will also be on board.

Barbie will surely keep the 'Big Dome' rocking with renditions of some of her old hits, as well as some songs by artists she counts among her biggest influences — musically and otherwise. She will also display her softer side via an acoustic set. Produced by Live Artists Production, Inc. and directed by Calvin Neria, the show will see Barbie celebrating her past achievements while eagerly anticipating all that the future has in store for her.