Dennis Sy
South River, New Jersey, United States | SELF
Music
Press
When IT professional Dennis Sy wrote the lyrics to the song “Pilipino Ako” many years ago, he intended for it to chronicle not just his personal journey of leaving his homeland in search of a dream, but also as a collective anthem for those like him, who played a game of odds in coming to the United States.
The song’s underlying message is one of pride, in being Filipino, one who is ready to face the world with determination and to overcome whatever obstacles there are along the way.
“Pilipino Ako” is finally released in the form of a music video on YouTube in time for the celebration of Filipino American History Month in October. His friend Archie Dairocas provided the music and arrangement.
Dennis is the lead vocalist for Chapter2 band. As a music producer, he did a remake of the song “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” — a video that went viral within weeks of its release — under the banner of the New York Handog Project 2010.
Dennis moved to the U.S. in 1994 to work as an IT professional, leaving behind a music career that included a solo concert at the Music Museum, a recorded track on Vicor’s first Christian album, and various show appearances with theater performers such as Audie Gemora and Bernardo Bernardo. He kept his connection to the Philippine entertainment world, while pursuing a career as an IT professional for Fortune 500 companies in the U.S.
In 1996, Dennis held a solo concert at the New York Society for Ethical Culture Society in Manhattan, and performed in various shows, including one in Atlantic City. In 1998, he released his album entitled “Colours,” and followed that up with a CD launch concert at Pace University.
In 2006, he crossed path with musical director Noel Tampac, and together they formed Chapter2, a pop/acoustic showband that won the Artist of the Year at the 2006 L.A. Music Awards.
“I will continue to expand beyond my comfort zone as a musical artist,” he said. “I look forward to tackling the next challenge, be it a new song, a new video, a new show, or the branching into a yet undiscovered talent.” - The FilAm.Net
By Don Tagala, ABS CBN North America Bureau
Aug. 24, 2010
Manhattan, New York- After four years of hitting the local Pinoy entertainment scene, award-winning band “Chapter 2” is getting ready to debut as the first Filipino band to hit the stage of the world renowned Carnegie Hall in New York.
Band vocalist and songwriter Dennis Sy said, “We’re so honored to do a show entitled ‘An Homage to Original Pilipino Music’, and for us to be accepted by Carnegie folks.”
“I am beyond excited when we got the confirmation that we’re doing it, I actually held back tears, for every singer, for every artist, it’s a little girls dream. You know, it’s Carnegie Hall.” added vocalist Cutuy Hererro.....
- Balitang America
By Don Tagala, ABS CBN North America Bureau
Aug. 24, 2010
Manhattan, New York- After four years of hitting the local Pinoy entertainment scene, award-winning band “Chapter 2” is getting ready to debut as the first Filipino band to hit the stage of the world renowned Carnegie Hall in New York.
Band vocalist and songwriter Dennis Sy said, “We’re so honored to do a show entitled ‘An Homage to Original Pilipino Music’, and for us to be accepted by Carnegie folks.”
“I am beyond excited when we got the confirmation that we’re doing it, I actually held back tears, for every singer, for every artist, it’s a little girls dream. You know, it’s Carnegie Hall.” added vocalist Cutuy Hererro.....
- Balitang America
By Mike Talplacido
There’s a classic song recorded by the legendary Frank Sinatra that goes, “If I can make it there, I’ll make it anywhere.” That song is of course called “New York, New York.” For many a dreamer, New York is the epitome of success. Bright lights. Tall buildings. Millions of travelers every day. It’s a jungle out there, is what most people say about the greatest city in the world, and that jungle is about to be the set of yet another milestone in worldwide Filipino entertainment.
Chapter 2, an award-winning Filipino-American band based in the northeast part of the US, will make history for being the first Filipino band to stage a concert at the world famous Cargenie Hall in New York City on October 9, 2010. And as if this breakthrough concert is not enough, the band, which focuses on vocal harmonies, will also release an EP sampler this month entitled “Page 1? which includes the following original tracks:
Real Me (This song was also nominated Song of the year at the 16th Annual LA Music Awards)
Sakin Na Lang (Click here for the official music video)
Another Tear
Sa Iyo
I’ve Been Searching
- Definitely Filipino
Discography
STRONGER THAN BEFORE, Released November 2013
COMING HOME Special Edition CD, Released July 2012
COLOURS EP, Released August 2011
PILIPINO AKO, Single, Released August 2011
CHRISTMAS MORNING, Single, Released November 2010
PAGE 1 - EP Sampler, Released September 2010
Photos
Bio
by Dan MacIntosh
For Stronger Than Before, talented musical artist Dennis Sy focused on his skills as a songwriter. This third solo album builds upon Sy’s growing songwriting mastery where he has already been recognized in the AAA category at the 2006 LA Music Awards for his song “Real Me,” and his composition “Shine On” was also nominated in the pop category last year at the Hollywood Music In Media awards.
“I tried to let the words of my songs and the feelings I had while writing them dictate the musical styling of the songs, which resulted in this album containing tunes that can be categorized as jazz, adult contemporary, country, rock etc.,” Sy explains.
Sy is also fairly self-contained as an artist. “I sing and write my own material, and I produce my own recordings,” he says. “Music and songwriting is my passion.”
You need to keep in mind that this man looks at music as only a true musician sees it.
“It’s my escape,” he admits. “Songwriting and music allows me to leave the material world behind and enter a realm where my creativity has free reign. It’s my personal catharsis. Music allows me to get in touch with certain feelings and emotions I never knew were there. And music allows for people to speak the same language where emotions are raw and real.”
Fellow singer/songwriter and OPM (Original Pilipino Music) luminary, Jim Paredes, immediately recognized Sy’s obvious talent upon hearing this artist’s latest and best work. “Dennis Sy’s maiden album is a must-listen, must-have. The music scene is in dire shortage of good songwriters, and Dennis is a good one. We will surely hear more from him in the future. Enjoy this.”
Although it may be easy for some to peg Sy as a singer/songwriter, that would be lazy journalism. Anyone compared by some to country star Keith Urban, and to others sounds like classic rocker Bon Jovi, is by no means a typical singer/songwriter. As he’s quick to remind us, “My songs are not genre-specific. I allow my words and what I was feeling when I wrote the music to dictate what music genre is most apt in expressing it.”
Such high praise has taken Sy to places few artists ever get the opportunity to visit, such as Carnegie Hall. Over his 23 year career, Sy’s also played stages in Atlantic City, Las Vegas and the Mohegan Sun Casino.
Although Sy calls New Jersey home now, he originally grew up in Manila in the Philippines where he started taking piano lessons at 13. However, once he reached high school, Sy was singing in high school choir and playing guitar during church.
You can take the Filipino out of the Philippines, but you can never take the Philippines out of the Filipino and Sy continues to incorporate his unique heritage into his art. To that end, he received the 2011 Outstanding Artist Award from the Filipino American National Historical Society, New York Chapter.
While Sy’s songs consistently reveal the artist’s serious personality, he’s not nearly as melancholy as many of his songs might lead you to believe. “I’m a coffee addict, and if I’m able to I would live in a coffee bar or café,” he admits. He’s also a bookworm. “I love libraries and the smell of books.”
With Stronger Than Before, Sy is well on his way of leaving a lasting impression on the world. “I want to define my legacy through the songs I write,” he says. “I don’t aspire for fame in the world of performing, but I would love to have my songs and music end up in a Hollywood movie or on a TV soundtrack.” And just to show that he’s both real and honest, he adds, “A hit record wouldn’t be too shabby, either.”
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