Mission To Mercury - Ilustrado and The Pearl Drive Project

    NEW YORK, NY, February 26, 2022 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Filipino singer-songwriter Ilustrado is set to perform original songs from his album-in-progress, the Pearl Drive Project, at the Mercury Lounge on March 14 (Monday) at 6:00pm. This is the first time that a Filipino musician will perform a full set of his compositions at the Mercury Lounge, an institution in New York's live music scene.

Ilustrado is Rogelio Penaverde Jr., a native of Manila, Philippines. He came to New York to pursue a scholarship at the Manhattan School of Music for a Master's Degree in Voice. After finishing his studies, he carved out a career in opera, musical theater, and sacred music with critical acclaim (the New York Times celebrated his "sweet voice" while Opera Magazine lauded him as an "incisive tenor"). His performance engagements took an awful hit when the pandemic struck in 2020. In want of a creative outlet, he turned to songwriting and rediscovered his passion and gift for it. He started by revisiting and rewriting old tunes, and then proceeded to compose new ones. When he had enough for an hour-long set, he pitched a show to Pete's Candy Store in Brooklyn where he performed to an intimate gathering of family and friends. From a 25-capacity to a 250-capacity venue with nothing between, Ilustrado is now set to blaze the trail for other Filipino singer-songwriters when he performs the Pearl Drive Project at the Mercury Lounge.

According to Ilustrado, "In the thick of my anxiety during the early stages of the pandemic, I chanced upon a meme that said 'Shakespeare wrote King Lear during the bubonic plague'. That's when I understood that there is no impediment for one who adamantly pursues his vocation… that each of us has a King Lear — or perhaps pieces of it — waiting to be accomplished even during life's toughest periods. As we come to terms with our mortality and realize what's truly valuable, I pray that my journey may somehow inspire people to continue moving forward towards their life's purpose."

Ilustrado will perform at the Mercury Lounge with fellow singer-songwriter Kathy Zimmer. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster. Part of the show proceeds will benefit the Mary Queen of Heaven Missionaries, a duly-registered non-profit organization in the US that rescues children from sex-trafficking in the Philippines and provides them free education.

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