Kate's novel career a hard act to follow

Business Asia, May 31, 1999

Outstanding Achievement in the Arts & Entertainment Industry

Kgate Ceberano is a winner -- whether you are talking jazz or popular music, the stage, television or films.

The Australian singing star has added another win to her already long list of achievements, winning the Outstanding Achievement in the Arts and Entertainment Industry category of the Business Asia News Magazine Awards.

Ms Ceberano is the second winner of the arts and entertainment category, with the inaugural award going to Village Roadshow last year.

She has had a highly successful and varied career, not just as a recording artist but as an actor, television show presenter and stage performer.

Her latest career move will see her become a television sitcom actor. Ms Ceberano will guest star in the United States show "Dharma and Greg" at the request of the show's star, Jenna Elfman.

Ms Ceberano, who is part Filipina, started her career as the lead singer of the funk band I'm Talking in 1985.

She has since received many awards and accolades, including the 1988 and 1999 ARIA awards for Best Female Artist and Favourite Female Artist in the People's Choice Awards in 1992, 1993 and 1994.

In 1994, Ms Ceberano ventured onto television with her own late-night cabaret-style show, "Kate Ceberano and Friends".

The show produced a live album, which subsequently went gold.

She followed this up with powerful performances as Mary Magdalene in the highly successful Australian stage production of Jesus Christ Superstar.

On the acting side, Ms Ceberano starred in the Australian film "Dust Off the Wings" and, on the strength of that performance, was cast in the new Paul Cox feature "Molokai: The Story of Father Damien".

As well as Australian success, Ms Ceberano is enjoying increasing recognition in Asia, with her last hit single "Pash" going number five in Thailand and gaining high rotation on MTV Asia and radio stations.

She followed the single's success with an Asian trip in October and November last year, performing in Singapore, Hong Kong and the Philippines.

Ms Ceberano is set to re-enter the charts here and in Asia with the release this month of her greatest hits album, "True Romantic: The Best of Kate Ceberano".

Other finalists in this category were:

* Artist Ken Done;

* Hirano;

* REM Theatre;

* Musica Viva Australia;

* Playbox Theatre; and

* Sydney Dance Company.