Rico Blanco continues winning streak with the release of his new single “Sayong sayo (Papel, Gunting, Bato)

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After receiving the prestigious Dangal Ng Musikang Pilipino at the 36th Awit Awards for his enormous contribution to the Philippine music scene and re-releasing “You’ll Be Safe Here” on streaming platforms for the very first time, Filipino alternative rock icon Rico Blanco continues to make headlines with the release of his new single, “Sayong sayo (Papel, Gunting, Bato),” via Sony Music Entertainment.

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The prolific hitmaker solidifies his place as one of the country’s greats with another pop-rock gem

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On “Sayong sayo (Papel, Gunting, Bato),” the prolific songsmith displays a mastery of the ‘love song’ genre with simplicity and finesse, evoking the feeling of winning the lottery after several tries in life and love.

“The chorus hook came to me first, and I immediately felt it would be a really fun song to play live or at a party,” Rico Blanco shares. “I kept imagining everyone dancing and singing along. A fun party song.”

Recorded at the Balcony Studio with the legendary Angee Rozul, the upbeat pop-rock ditty shows a sonic maverick still in his prime, tapping into new ideas with a sophisticated sheen. The track also marks the first time that the OPM veteran jammed and recorded a track face-to-face with fellow musicians since the pandemic, which includes accomplished and critically acclaimed producers/singer-songwriters Zild Benitez on bass and Tim Marquez on drums.

“Ang saya at sobrang bilis lang parang naglalaro lang kaming apat sa studio (it felt like we’re just playing around and having fun in the studio),” the multi-awarded artist explains.
“Iba pa rin talaga mag-record ng magkakasama sa isang kwarto (There’s nothing like recording together in a room).

“Sayong sayo (Papel, Gunting, Bato)” serves as the follow-up single to last year’s “Palibot-libot,” an introspective synth-pop tune that reflects on the uncertainty of one-sided love. It will be part of a new album to be released sometime in 2024.

Aside from plans of releasing a brand-new record next year, Rico Blanco will be joining Bamboo Manalac, Mark Escueta and Nathan Azarcon for the Rivermaya: The Reunion concert, happening on February 17, 2024 at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Pasay City. Tickets to the highly anticipated show will be available on November 17, 2023 via SM Tickets website and outlets nationwide.

Rico Blanco’s “Sayong sayo (Papel, Gunting, Bato)” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

TV5 and Pops Fernandez Presents OPM-inspired Romantic Stories - ‘For The Love’

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Many beautiful quotes and phrases have been created to describe what music really is all about. In truth, no matter how we try to understand what it is exactly about music that touches people in a very mysterious way.

"For The Love" Media Conference with (L-R) Jairus Aquino, Aubrey Caraan , Ms. Pops Fernandez , Bea Binene, Heaven Peralejo and Marco Gallo

Music is a universal love language that touches people’s hearts and makes stories even more relatable across all ages. It is through this powerful medium of music that TV5 aims to captivate audiences with romantic stories told through the heartwarming accompaniment of poignant OPM hits.

This July 29, TV5 premieres its new romance drama anthology to be hosted by the Philippines’ Concert Queen, Ms. Pops Fernandez, featuring tales of love and loss as presented by some of this generation’s most promising artists. 

Titled “For the Love,” the new weekly series gives life to relatable stories and heartwarming moments while taking viewers down memory lane with classic and modern hits from the home of OPM songs, Viva Records.

“For the Love” presents 13 episodes directed by some of the industry’s up and coming directors, including JP Laxamana, Rod Marmol, Joel Ferrer, and Dustin Celestino. Each episode stars a different love team and some of today’s rising artists – Heaven Peralejo and Marco Gallo, Krissha Viaje and Wilbert Ross, Bea Binene and Gab Lagman, to name a few.

Aside from being the show’s host and story narrator, Pops Fernandez will also be serenading viewers with the featured OPM love song per episode, invoking deeper emotions with her enchanting singing voice and talent that earned her the distinction of being the Philippines’ Concert Queen.

Prepare to be captivated and inspired to fall in love all over again as Pops Fernandez takes viewers to a mesmerizing journey infused with music and love. 

Catch the premiere of "For the Love" this July 29, Saturday at 3:20PM on TV5. For updates, behind-the-scenes, and further information about the show, follow TV5 and Viva Entertainment on their social media pages and channels.

Barbie Forteza And David Licauco Star In Ben&Ben’s “The Way You Look At Me” Music Video

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Following the digital release of Ben&Ben’s impressive cover of “The Way You Look At Me” just last January, Universal Records Philippines is set to unveil its official music video this March, as part of the label’s epic 20th year anniversary tribute to OPM hitmaker and Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista.

Every single #BarDa fans out there are in for a lovely treat as two of the biggest and sought-after young stars of today will be starring in this visual spectacle.

Barbie Forteza and David Licauco are bringing their acting prowess and undeniable star power to the music video that depicts a melancholic tale of love and loss.

“It’s as if my heart knows you’re the missing piece” — perhaps is one of the most amorous lines in “The Way You Look At Me”. But what if that missing piece isn’t going to be found or will never return again?

The music video for the song unfolds a story of a guy (played by David) who was asked to try a dating app so he can get over his lost love.

There is something that makes him like this girl (played by Barbie) instantly and he cannot explain it. Maybe her looks are just “his type”? But there’s something more to unravel from there. Eventually, an intense twist will be revealed towards the end of the music video, so fans really have to watch it from start to finish.

Also starring in this short cinematic visual is Kapuso star Shuvee Etrata, best known on TikTok as @smilingshuvee with over 2.2 million followers.

The official music video will be released later this month and its official teaser poster has been revealed today on social media. It quickly became a top trending topic because of the very supportive BarDa fans and “Investors” (Barbie and David’s fandom) on Twitter.

Right now, Ben&Ben’s cover of “The Way You Look At Me” has over 1.6 million streams on Spotify. It will be part of Christian Bautista's 20th anniversary tribute album which will come out very soon!

FOLLOW UNIVERSAL RECORDS PH!

Facebook: facebook.com/universalrecordsph

Twitter: @universalrec_ph

Instagram: @universalrecordsph

TikTok: @universalrecph

Gloc-9 Has A New Propelling Single “Di Umiinom” Featuring Hero

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Our Paboritong Makata moves along his lyrical journey with what will be his Pilak album, a musical celebration to mark his 25 illustrious years in the Philippine music industry.

Before the month of August ends, Gloc-9 unveils "Di Umiinom", the 5th single for this upcoming anniversary album and this time around, he shares limelight with Hero, another young buck in the Asintada Management's stable of talents.

Sometimes when someone gets badly hurt and reaches their breaking point, they tend to perform deeds that they don’t usually do, or haven’t done before. Perhaps that act is a coping mechanism to escape all the pain and sadness that they feel. That’s how the song “Di Umiinom” was formulated by the veteran rapper.

In this special track, he taps the rising hip-hop star Hero to further elevate the overall vibe with his technical bars and carefully honed rhymes. Their tandem’s verses are captivating, intoxicating, infused with gloom as they address the sad and painful story with utmost conviction. Truly, the theme of this song is something fresh and something that the one and only Makata Sa Pinas haven’t attempted in the past, a reason he is very much excited for this release. Moreover, Thyro Alfaro once again delivered the goods and provided awesome mixing and arrangement.

This special release comes alongside a vibrant music video directed and edited by Aaron Maagma. (WATCH HERE)

Since Gloc-9 embarked on a US tour for the OPM Summerfest events there along with other iconic local acts, he was no longer able to film his parts here in the Philippines. However, because of the sheer dedication to his craft, our Paboritong Makata found a way to deliver his parts for the music video, special thanks to Mark Escueta, who's band Rivermaya was in the concert series with him. They shot it during the New York leg of the tour using his trusty Samsung S22+ or in his own words “Para-paraan lang talaga.” On the other hand, Hero's parts were filmed at Tipsy Pig in Quezon City.

This is the third collaboration between the Gloc-9 and Hero, with the previous two garnering more than 1.2 million in YouTube viewership. "Di Umiinom" is now streaming on all digital platforms under Universal Records.

Stream “Di Umiinom”:

Spotify | Apple Music | Audio Clip

FOLLOW GLOC-9!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/glocdash9

Instagram: @glocdash9

Twitter: @glocdash9

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/Gloc9official

Spotify: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HJDRQAfEcFiARVehhM6qD?si=CfgJxS0XShSr-UQHidQHkw

TikTok: @glocdash9

FOLLOW HERO!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/imheroph

Instagram: @ imheroph

Twitter: @ imheroph

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCwG7K4C5eSYJ5Ownu5jsjfw

Spotify: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/0zF89Z0aMZSGZlgEBX0uvm?si=HRQ7mpjgQtOOfxE83qVnqw

TikTok: @imheroph

FOLLOW UNIVERSAL RECORDS PH!

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Twitter: @universalrec_ph

Instagram: @universalrecordsph

TikTok: @universalrecph

Ben&Ben offers unique perspective on forgiveness with new international single “The Ones We Once Loved”

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Written by the band’s very own Paolo Benjamin, the stripped-down track is emotionally impactful 

even in its apparent weightlessness

Having amassed more than a billion streams and a total of 3.5 million listeners on Spotify, Ben&Ben continues to make generation-defining statements with heartfelt tunes that resonate on a universal level. Considered as one of the most commercially successful acts in the Southeast Asian region, the nine-piece collective has recently won the Best Asian Band at the 2022 BandLab NME Awards, and reaped multiple recognitions for their groundbreaking work on the sophomore album, Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno.

With an impressive music portfolio and an upcoming North American tour, the Filipino hitmakers return with another international release following the success of 2020’s “Doors” and “Leaves,” a collaboration with Korean singer-songwriter Young K of Day 6. Released under Sony Music, their new single “The Ones We Once Loved” is a quietly startling confessional that sounds emotionally impactful even in its apparent weightlessness. Written by Ben&Ben’s very own Paolo Benjamin, the track builds its staircase to somewhere personal and intimate, offering a unique perspective on love, forgiveness, and breakup.

“It's a song that owns up to one's faults, makes proper apologies, but also expresses hurt, as breakups are often two-way things,” says the band in an official statement. “It’s also one of the hardest songs we’ve written, because it requires the writer to forgive himself for his past and own up to his faults and mistakes. The painstaking process towards that state, the cycles of anxiety and catharsis that the writer went through, and the eventual expression of all of that in the form of this song, as an encapsulation of such a heavy journey, is what makes this song stand out among our other songs.”

Produced by Johnoy Danao and Jean Paul Verona, the song takes a deceptively stripped-down approach in terms of musicality, but careful not to lose the earnestness that defined their recent hits. According to the folk-pop outfit, they wanted to keep the arrangement as bare and as transparent as possible while still maintaining a certain depth, weight, and storytelling within instrumentation.

“Supporting the vocals is the staple piano sound, as one would hear when being sung the humblest and sincerest of songs, slowly followed by more and more melodic instruments as the singer opens up and exposes vulnerability,” the band explains the sonic motif behind the release. “At the end of the day, we wanted to make an arrangement that would provide no barrier to taking in each meaning of every word of a song that has so much to say.”

Backed by rich but sparsely layered instrumentation, the song, particularly its chorus, captures “what so many of us are often too afraid or unprepared to say after a difficult breakup.” Hoping that listeners would take responsibility in making amends with one’s self, and the person on the other end of the grieving process, the band shares, “We are hoping that this song somehow helps people bridge that gap and feel the importance of really letting go through a multi-faceted forgiveness: one of the other, and of the self.”

“The Ones We Once Loved” serves as Ben&Ben’s official single in support of their Philippine send-off concert and North America/Canada Tour in 2022. It also marks their first collaboration with globally renowned photographer Geloy Concepcion, whose work was recently featured in Vogue Magazine, and other notable publications and exhibits worldwide.

“We’ve always wanted to do a collaboration with Geloy Concepcion as most of the band members look up to him, that when we realized he would be the perfect artist to work with for The Ones We Once Loved, we instantly took a chance and set a meeting up with him,” Ben&Ben shares. “In Geloy’s current project ‘Things You Wanted To Say But Never Did’ we saw how resonant and resemblant his messaging was to The Ones We Once Loved and that he may be the best artist to communicate the song’s message. Geloy’s eye and his way of introducing a space to let out feelings and emotions was one we wanted to emulate in this campaign—a space where people sit safely and quietly with their feelings.”

Earlier this week, Ben&Ben encouraged their fans to use the hashtags #BenandBen #BenandBenTOWOL #TOWOL and #TheOnesWeOnceLoved as part of its Twitter activation campaign promoting the international release of “The Ones We Once Loved.” The hashtags revealed official Ben&Ben Twitter emojis, and unlocked a special preview of the song last August 24, 2022.

Ben&Ben’s “The Ones We Once Loved” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

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About Sony Music Entertainment

At Sony Music Entertainment, we honor the creative journey. Our creators shape movements, culture, communities, even history. And we’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from establishing the first-ever music label to inventing the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse and distinctive roster of talented creators at every level and on every stage. Situated at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to emerging products and platforms, embrace new business models, and employ breakthrough tools—all to support the creative community’s experimentation, risk-taking, and growth. And we form deep, trusted, cause-based partnerships to uplift and empower communities around the world. Sony Music Entertainment is part of the global Sony family. Learn more about our creators and labels here.

Jollibee celebrates the unique Joy of being Pinoy in music video featuring Francine Diaz, Adie, and Alex Bruce

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In celebration of the Philippines’ 124th Independence Day, the country’s number one fast-food chain, Jollibee, sparked hope and #JOYngPinoy through the youth with a new campaign music video featuring a rendition of the OPM classic “Awit ng Kabataan.”

"We celebrate this year's Philippine Independence Day by looking toward the future of our country and amplifying their voices," said Arline Adeva, Jollibee Philippines’ Assistant Vice President and Head of Brand PR, Engagement, and Digital Marketing. "In our Joy ng Pinoy video, we want to show how the Filipino youth express their love for country – from using their skills to help their communities, being proud of their world-class talents, or by simply sharing a meal with their loved ones and making the people around them smile with their youthful spirit."

(From left) Alex Bruce, Francine Diaz, and Adie celebrate the unique Joy of being Pinoy in Jollibee’s new Independence Day music video

Teen star Francine Diaz, as well as rising artists Adie and Alex Bruce headline the music video as they represent the voices of today’s youth and encourage every Filipino to proclaim why they are proud to be Pinoy. In less than a week, the video gained over 20 million combined views in Facebook and YouTube.

Teen rapper Alex Bruce raps about different positive traits of Pinoy youth

“Despite it being released even before I was born, this song’s message of hope is definitely something I can relate to and it plays an important role in shaping society,” Alex said.

Actress, model, and endorser Francine Diaz feels happy and proud

to represent the voices of the youth

For Francine, the song is all about loving being Filipino. “[The song calls on all of us] na bumalik ang pagmamahal nila sa pagiging Pinoy at maging proud sila na Pinoy ako! Pinoy tayo!”

Being part of Jollibee’s Independence Day campaign, Francine feels proud that she was able to use her voice to remind everyone–especially her peers in this new generation–that it’s important to love the Philippines and embrace being Filipinos. "Sobrang nakakatuwa at nakakataba ng puso na masali ako sa special project na 'to ng Jollibee. Pag nagche-check po ako ng social media ko, nakikita ko na ganitong [karaming tao] na pala yung naaabot ko, hanggang dito pala kilala nila ako. Ito yung right time to use my voice in the right way," she said.

Singer-songwriter Adie sings about Pinoys’ courage to face challenges

Adie also shares the same sentiment. “Honestly, I’m so proud na kasama ako sa project na ito–especially because the music video sends a message for every Filipino to appreciate our country and share our joy of being Filipinos through art, through community service, and our culture,” he said.

With Jollibee amplifying the voices of this generation and allowing them to express themselves through its latest campaign, the brand hopes that more of the youth will be inspired to express what “Joy ng Pinoy” means to them.

Watch Jollibee’s latest Independence Day video, “Joy ng Pinoy!”, on Jollibee’s official Facebook page and on Jollibee Studios YouTube channel, and join the conversation online by using the hashtag #JOYngPinoy.

Ben&Ben is PH’s most-streamed OPM Artist of 2021 according to Spotify Wrapped

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On top of the streaming recognition, the band also reaped major honors at the 34^th Awit Awards and landed top-tier collaborations with National Geographic and Jollibee

Ben&Ben is ending the year right with record-breaking achievements on major fronts: from dominating streaming platforms in the Philippines to landing top-tier multimedia collaborations, from sweeping major categories in every important award show to staging their game-changing headline concert.

For a second consecutive year, the nine-piece collective was named the Philippines’ most-streamed OPM Artist and Group of 2021—thanks to the success of their sophomore album, Pebble House Vol. 1: Kuwaderno. According to Spotify Wrapped, the platform’s annual rundown of 2021’s biggest hits, Ben&Ben has amassed nearly 300 million streams in 170 countries, setting a new record for the folk-pop outfit. The Lunod hitmakers also showed impressive performance in the playlisting category as their songs ended up in 5,809,115 major and curated playlists on the digital platform.

On top of the streaming recognition, the acclaimed band recently bagged the top honors at the 34^th Awit Awards—the country’s version of the Grammys. Ben&Ben earned the recognition on four major categories, including the Most Streamed Artist, Record of the Year and Best Inspirational Recording for their chart-topping hit “Di Ka Sayang,” as well as Best Ballad Recording for “Sa Susunod na Habang Buhay.”

Ben&Ben also made headlines for their advocacy work a few days ago, particularly for lending their song “Kayumanggi” on the music video campaign that supports the coastal communities in La Union. The project, which was spearheaded by Emerging Islands, a coastal-based arts organization and National Geographic, showcased the cultural richness and scenic beauty of Bangar and Bauang, San Juan, as well as its hard-working people.

To cap off a successful year, their smash single “Pasalubong,” a collaboration with Moira, was used as the main song for the John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo reunion film, One True Pair, which streamed on Jollibee’s official YouTube last December 1, 2021.

In an official statement, Ben&Ben expressed that there have been a lot of trade-offs in their personal and collective lives in the past year, but they’re grateful for the success and support of their fandom, Liwanag in every project that they’re part. “With everything happening and all the blessings coming our way, it’s a whole lot to be grateful for indeed,” the band shares. “The hard work is worth it in that sense for sure, but we do go through our fair share of personal struggles as well, especially with this year and even the past year being two of the absolute most challenging years so far, not just for us but for so many in the world too. We want to thank our listeners especially though, because they really were the ones that give us that daily reminder that it is all worth it.”

This weekend, the multi-awarded group is set to perform at the Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert, their biggest headline show to date. Shot live at the Araneta Coliseum, the digital concert is set to redefine the virtual concert-going experience with a fusion of creative disciplines, from theatre to dance, orchestra to technology. The band will also be playing songs off their recently released sophomore album, Pebble House Vol. 1: Kuwaderno, as well as some crowd favorites and hits. Tickets to the show are still available via ktx.ph.

PLDT Home empowers Filipino arts, launches support for #TheFutureIsCreative campaign with new single “Muling Pagbangon”

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Creative talent is the very fiber of Filipino culture, which ultimately also fuels the engine of Philippine economic growth. Following the pandemic’s heavy blow to the country’s creative industry, telco leader PLDT Home is expressing support for the sector’s recovery through its “The Future is Creative” campaign. To kickstart the initiative, it collaborated with young Filipino-American hip-hop prodigy Alex Bruce and the internationally acclaimed Philippine Madrigal Singers for an OPM anthem of hope titled Muling Pagbangon.

Muling Pagbangon inspires optimism for a brighter tomorrow when Filipinos rise triumphant over the present adversities, through passion and creativity.

“Despite the Philippine Arts industry being one of the sectors that have been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Filipino artists are coming together to show how important art can be in empowering our pandemic-stricken fellowmen. For us, this proved that nothing can stop Filipinos from forging stronger collaborations, making even more meaningful, greater art, and preparing a nation for a future full of creativity that’s nurtured from home,” said Al S. Panlilio, President and CEO of PLDT and Smart.

The song and its music video, shot entirely by the artists in their homes, debuted at the recent “The Future of Cities is Creative” virtual conference, a collaborative project of various government agencies and private sector organizations, the Philippine Creative Cities Network (PCCN) initiative of the League of Cities of the Philippines led by Bacolod City Mayor Bing Leonardia, Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Bloc led by Rep. Christopher de Venecia, and supported by PLDT Home, to rally support for Pinoy artists who endured economic dislocation.

At the digital conference, cultural icons like Lea Salonga, Virgilio Almario, Vilma Santos, Kidlat Tahimik, as well as Carlo Ople discussed the unifying role of digital technology in the nation’s cultural life and the artist’s economic prospects. They say, more than just serving as a venue for connecting Filipino artists with their worldwide audience, the strong internet connection now available to homes can also serve as a meeting ground for Filipino creatives and city executives to come up with innovative solutions to local community problems – even amid lockdowns.

Part of the topics discussed during the conference are programs that city executives could put in place to prepare for becoming a creative city, which includes enabling local communities with first-rate internet connectivity, nurturing their local creatives, and leveraging creative industries to drive sustainable economic growth.

#TheFutureIsCreative with PLDT Home. Watch the “Muling Pagbangon” OPM video via this link.

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021 goes digital with diverse and inclusive programming

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Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) marks its second digital edition this year with a commitment to promoting awareness and appreciation of OPM artists from all over the world through multiple social media platforms.

The weeklong celebration promises a wide variety of music programs that not only cater to a specific format, but also encompass concerts and gigs, open mic challenges, exclusive premieres, workshops, and a lecture series.

The series of virtual events will run from July 23 to August 1, and will be streamed live via Facebook and KUMU.

Aside from a diverse set of homegrown talents performing online, LMP also partners with key and emerging stakeholders in the music industry such as AmiananPop, MinPop, Kadasig & Artist Ko, Soupstar Music, and Warner Music Philippines to ensure that artists with different backgrounds, and from different regions, are given equal opportunities to perform and engage with the community.

As Christian Bautista puts it, “We wanted there to be a balance between independent artists and mainstream/signed artists from all over the country and to try to cover as many styles and genres as possible. OPM already has a large roster of artists and we wanted to be able to feature as many as we can from the organization. We took into consideration their music and styles as well as the platforms that they are active in for the artists performing the LMP DigiGigs.”

Aside from the music shows and online concerts featuring the roster of PhilPop’s past champions and finalists, LMP is partnering with PETA for a special online showcase featuring the songs from Rak Of Aegis, as well as songwriting and learning opportunities that are spearheaded by the institution’s other partners, FILSCAP and PhilPop.

Even as the music industry is struggling to get back to its former glory and a lot of plans are derailed by the pandemic, LMP refuses to back down in its efforts to persevere and push through with mounting an online celebration that champions Filipino musicians not just from Metro Manila, but also from other parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, and the rest of the globe.

Hence, the tagline ‘Ituloy Ang Awitan’ was formed. In the words of LMP Project Manager Gab Cabangon, it was developed as part of a “desire to just challenge the situation that we are in.” He explains, “We wanted to highlight how Filipino Music is here to stay and will continue to be a part of our lives and a sense of hope despite the challenges in these trying times. The creation and support of Filipino music should never stop because our songs are able to reflect the story and the culture of the Filipino people.”

OPM Icon and OPM Board Member Noel Cabangon maintains that nothing can stop this important milestone in the history of Philippine music from happening. He reaffirms, “In an ideal situation, we would have wanted to have live shows and concerts so that fans of Filipino Music will get to have that real-life concert experience once again. But of course, there are a lot of considerations that we have to make. Our priority is to mount this festival safely and responsibly for everyone. For the time being, the social media platforms are a suitable alternative to allow artists to perform without the health risks brought about by the pandemic.”

Organized and produced by Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), LMP has been around since 2014, and has established itself as the premiere annual music festival of Filipino music.

This year’s edition will be headlined by some of the biggest and most promising artists in local music such as Noel Cabangon, Christian Bautista, Sandwich, 6cyclemind, Gracenote, Bayang Barrios, Cookie Chua, PhilPop Grand Champions reon and Chud Festejo, Miss Ramonne, artists from Warner Music Philippines like Ferdinand Aragon and Y ARA, and many many more!

This event is also supported by private companies such as Max’s Restaurant, KUMU and KUMUSIKA, The Medical City and Shopee among others.

Teacher-singer Jayson Dedal shows acting chops in BL-themed music video

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The official music video for public school teacher-turned-artist Jayson Dedal’s debut single “Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin” is a moving piece of short film that takes a page from popular Asian boys’ love (BL) series.

Jayson Dedal and Alfio Schmidt are an odd couple with incredible chemistry on the BL-themed video for Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin

The video showcases Dedal’s acting chops opposite his love interest played by top model Alfio Schmidt. We see Dedal go through the moments of unfeigned but unrequited intimacy, as he falls deeper and deeper into Schmidt’s charms.

Throughout these memorable moments like baking cakes or playing billiards, Schmidt gives Dedal every reason to believe in love. He acts as the partner his friend has wanted for a long time—someone who’s gentle, patient and, above all, present. And despite the singer’s fears of a lack of reciprocity and being out of his league, Dedal tries to muster up whatever courage he can to express his feelings. But as many real love stories go, the story doesn’t end in ‘happily ever after.’

The crushing plot twist is something best left unspoiled to viewers, but what can be said is how evidently Dedal regrets missing his chance to accept the love in front of him. And it’s clear Dedal’s somber crooning draws not only from the singer’s pain but also from the earthshaking emotion often displayed in BL series.

“For the video, we drew a lot of inspiration from BL shows” said Dedal. “Any fan of BL will tell you that it’s the one genre that really captures the essence of the selfless giving and painful pining often involved in loving someone.”

Dedal isn’t alone, as the BL genre has quickly become one of the fastest-rising television genres out there. And for good reason, as it’s a genre made exclusively to tell the stories of gay men, and by extension, the entire LGBT community.

This advocacy involving LGBT issues is something that Insight Music President and Chief Creative Head Chris Cahilig feels very strongly about, and it’s what he and the “Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin” crew really wanted to express in the music video.

“This is perhaps the first time that an openly gay Filipino balladeer will have a music video as unapologetic as this,” says Cahilig. “We hope that with the music video of ‘Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin,’ we can provide an opening for greater LGBT representation in OPM, and spawn discussions about what it means to tell stories from that perspective.”

“The song and the video make it clear that people of any gender identity or sexual orientation experience the exact same feelings cisgender and heterosexual people do,” adds Cahilig. “The LGBT community is just as—if not more—capable of telling stories of love, loss, and grief. That’s what we wanted to put on display with this song and music video.”

 Jayson Dedal finally takes his talents from public school teaching to the music business with his first single BILYON-BILYONG PANALANGIN.

Jayson Dedal and Alfio Schmidt take a sweet selfie in Insight Music’s latest MV

Jayson Dedal gazes into his love interest (Alfio Schmidt) like an abyss of unrequited longing

A lovestruck Jayson Dedal pulls out his acting chops in his emotional new music video

The music video for Bilyon-Bilyong Panalangin was written and directed by Ken Laviste of Arkos Digital. It is available to stream on YouTube via Insight Music’s official page. The song is also widely available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and all other streaming platforms.

Celebrate #GenTikTokPH with Ben&Ben, Iñigo Pascual and Rico Blanco on October 18

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To celebrate TikTok’s diverse and growing community, the Philippines’ top artists Ben&Ben, Iñigo Pascual and Rico Blanco will perform LIVE on TikTok Philippines this Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 5PM for the platform’s biggest virtual event of 2020, #GenTikTokPH.

“Music is universal and powerful. It is what unites us with the community. #GenTikTokPH will be a celebration of everything we created out of love through music. Invite your Mahiwaga and let us have a wonderful time,” said Miguel Benjamin Guico, Ben&Ben. 

The 2-hour online LIVE show will feature various performances from top local artists, dancers, and content creators including JMKO, Kuya Ching, Madelaine Red, Mikey Bustos, Ralphe Austria, and many more. Auntie Julie, aka Macoy Dubs will be hosting the online event.

#GenTikTokPH is a recreation of the great moments on TikTok -- from entertainment to education and top trends. This is for the Generation TikTok and who made things happen.

“Expect nothing but a happy feeling all throughout! I’ll see you on Sunday,” said Rico Blanco. The OPM icon was TikTok’s ambassador for the #TikTokOPMPlaylist campaign which promoted independent Filipino musicians and local talents to the app’s growing audience back in October 2019. Since then, he continued to make OPM an ever-present content on the platform.

TikTok was built to inspire and enrich people’s lives through experiences that are genuine, joyful, and positive. TikTok has gone beyond being just a  content platform. TikTok is the content, the community and the culture that it created.

“Every click of the record button starts canvas for human creativity and every phone screen becomes a window to our world. Whether one’s making, remaking, reacting, or simply watching, we’re changing the world one TikTok video at a time. We’re happy and grateful to share this milestone to our community,” said User Content and Operations Manager John Castro. 

With its growing community of creators and users in the Philippines, TikTok is now ready to take the platform on a whole new level with a big announcement! After the event, TikTok will no longer be the same as they’ll take further all the creative possibilities.

Join the #GenTikTokPH hashtag challenge in-app and share why you're officially part of Generation TikTok! You can get a chance to win TikTok-branded goodies! Invite your friends, stay safe and healthy at home. Download the TikTok app via iOS or Google Play.

Award-Winning Singer/Performer Reuben Laurente Is back with digital single “Ang Pinakamagandang Awit”

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Reuben Laurente, a top-notch global artist and performer, recently launched his fans’ most-awaited solo recording digital single, “Ang Pinakamagandang Awit”, composed by Marizen Yaneza, arranged by Noel Espenida, produced and published by RJA Productions LLC. 

A multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, theater performer, and album producer,    Laurente cites Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight, Harry Connick Jr., Mel Torme as his major influences.

“Ang Pinakamagandang Awit” is a love ditty that boldly attempts the return of the classic OPM movie soundtracks during its golden age (late 70’s to the 80’s), where the songs were mostly the celebrated ballads and sung by Reuben’s OPM icons- the great Mr. Basil Valdez and Mr. Nonoy Zuñiga. Inspired by these OPM soundtracks and icons, Reuben’s solo single will take you down memory lane… with his soothing vocals reminiscing, revisiting, and reliving the chart topping soundtracks that dominated the airwaves 40 years ago. Listening to Reuben will take you back to the golden age of the past... a nostalgic walk to the best songs that captivated everyone’s hearts and memories. 

In his recent come-back, after a 13-year hiatus in the Philippine music industry,  he successfully reclaimed his place in the music industry and the live theater by winning the “2018 Best Male Concert Artist of the Year” ALIW Awards (the Philippines’ award-giving body for live entertainment), successfully launching his first digital single “You’re My Home” (a revival of Odette Quesada 80’s hit), and by performing First Man and “Manama” via Ballet Philippines’ "Tales of the Manuvu" (March 2019) staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

From Gospel Singer to an Award-Winning Singer/Performer

Reuben started out his career as a gospel singer for PAPURI! He then joined the Philippines’ premiere vocal group, “The CompanY” from 1991 to 2004, where Reuben became a historic part of the group’s first 14 albums and first 35 industry awards.

Reuben’s pursuit of excellence led to this impressive winning streak: 

●Three-time AWIT Awards nominee for Best Male Recording Artist of the Year (1997, 2001, and 2007)

●AWIT and ALIW Award winner as Singer/Songwriter and Live Performer (2007)

●Catholic Mass Media Award winner for best secular album of the year (“Pop Virtuosity” album) for D’Concorde producers Reck Cardinales, Rudy Ong, and himself (2007)

●“GLOBAL PINOY” Award recipient (“Pinoy” is a colloquial word for Filipino) by the SM Supermalls (2010, international cruise)

●AWIT Special Citation Award winner for being a recording artist showcasing the Filipino artist in the international cruise entertainment scene (2011)

●Four-time Official Philippine Representative to various International music/performance festivals

○The First Philippine Int'l Music Festival (Manila, 1995) (Winner - 2nd Place)

○Sounds Of the Human World (Taiwan, 2004)

○USA Songwriting Competition as interpreter of the Best World Music song “Ikaw Ay Ikaw Pa Rin” by composers GJ German Gomez and Markel Luna (USA, 2003)

○World Championships of the Performing Arts (USA, 2007). 

Reuben is One Glorious Musical Celebration

Reuben loves delving into different genres and has honed his voice to sing a variety of vocal styles. As a theater performer, Reuben also played the role of "Lakshmana" in "RAMA HARI" (1990) and Pilo in "Himala, The Musical" (2003), both at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. As a performer on stage, he loves doing an eclectic mix of songs that would showcase his versatility as a performer, and he describes his act in four words: ONE GLORIOUS MUSICAL CELEBRATION. 

He also launched five solo studio album with various gospel and pop record labels, “Reason For This” (Shekinah,1995), “LANGIT” (Emmanuel Music, 2005), “PopVirtuosity” (Concorde Records, 2006), “HeartBlends” (MCA Universal, 2009), and “More Than Just Renditions” (Musikatha Ministries, 2012). 

In 2008, Reuben crossed music borders from recording to the international cruise entertainment scene as a production cast singer, then eventually becoming a guest entertainer/headliner for various international cruise brands, bringing his own solo show to different parts of the world. This gave him the opportunity to travel to six continents and 82 countries and sovereign states. 

Apart from being a performer on stage, Reuben is also a visual artist having graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design at the University of the Philippines. His works have been featured in two coffee table books produced and published by Heritage Art and Antiquities and Piso Book Foundation namely “Kayumanggi” and “Folk Influence on Modern Philippine Art” (Jane Stangle Aposotol-Alvero). 

Reuben Laurente is a true inspiration. He gives back all the glory to the Giver of his talent for these accomplishments, and enthuses that these accolades are all God’s blessings for the passion and dedication that he has for his craft. He is a dedicated artist who is passionate about his craft in pursuit of excellence and in championing the Filipino artist on the global stage.

Truly, this quote from Floy Quintos (award-winning Director/Playwright/Author/Actor) sums it all: 

"Reuben has a gift not many of our most talented singers can claim to. He has the ability to create nuances that imbue every song with personal meaning." 

WWW.REUBENLAURENTE.COM