Highly acclaimed trot singer and Korean superstar Young Tak is in the Philippines for a series of shows and promo appearances on February 6 and 7, 2023.
Debuted in 2007 as a ballad singer with his first album ‘Young Tak Disid,’ Young Tak started his career by releasing the trot album ‘Nuna You’re Perfect’ in 2016. In 2020, he became well-known by placing second in the TV Chosun and South Korean reality TV audition show for a singer who performed trot music out of 17,000 participants. The trot is a popular genre of Korean music characterized by its repetitive rhythms and vocal inflections.
In the same year, Young Tak received accolades as the Newcomer CF Star Award at the 2020 MTN Broadcast Advertising Festival; Rising Star Award at the 2020 Trot Awards; nominated as Best Trot Song for “Jjiniya,” won the Hot Trend Award and Best Songwriter Award at the 2020 Melon Music Awards.
His 2020 hit single, “Jjiniya,” has reached 4.5 million views on YouTube and serves as a sneak peek at the excitement his 2023 shows will bring. Young Tak’s latest album MMM released in 2022, was his first full record in over 17 years.
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ENHYPEN and ENGENE will stay together until the ultimate fate of the universe, and MANIFESTO in Manila bore witness to those beautiful moments.
The highly-awaited ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR ‘MANIFESTO’ in Manila finally became a reality with Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki creating history as the first K-Pop act to stage three consecutive sold-out shows at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The septet kicked off the historic Manila stop of their first world tour on February 3 with thousands of their devoted ENGENEs filling up the venue with echoing cheers and lighting up the arena with the bright lights of their lightsticks. That day also marked the first time that the K-Pop group held a solo concert in the country since their debut in 2020. It also signaled the end of their first world tourโwhich saw them sell out 22 shows in 12 cities in Asia and North Americaโ and the beginning of what is to come for the new powerhouse of K-Pop.
Photo courtesy of BELIFT LAB
Even prior to the start of the concert, the energy was indescribable with ENGENEs tirelessly pouring out cheers after cheers for the seven boys who have truly come a long way from the intense survival program that was I-Land to cementing their status as one of the top idols of their generation. And ENHYPENโseven different boys connect to discover one another and grow togetherโ has a long list of achievements to back up that status. They debuted with high anticipation which they lived up to as their debut mini-album, BORDER : DAY ONE, achieved the biggest first-week sales for a single album among K-Pop groups to debut the same year. They also became the youngest and fastest K-Pop group to enter the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 and the fastest K-Pop group to garner over one billion streams on Spotify.
Just as how they officially started their global domination in November 2020, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki launched MANIFESTO in Manila with “Intro: Walk the Line”, the opening track from BORDER : DAY ONE, “Given-Taken“, their debut song and the EP’s title track, and “Flicker”.
Photo courtesy of BELIFT LAB
With Jungwon’s lead, ENHYPEN greeted Philippine ENGENEs with their signature introduction of “One, two, connect! Hello, we are ENHYPEN!” and welcomed them to MANIFESTO. The members then made their individual introductions.
Jake said they were overwhelmed that so many fans turned up to support their first solo concert in the country. MANIFESTO in Manila was initially set as a two-day concert, but the demand for tickets led to an additional show. More than 100,000 people participated in ticket selling. In addition, the Manila stop is the only stop in the boy group’s world tour with three shows.
Hello, Manila ENGENEs! We have been waiting so long for this moment. We are excited to meet you!
JUNGWON
They kept the momentum with performances of “Not for Sale”, “Let Me In (20 CUBE)”, and “TFW (That Feeling When)”. Along with the amazing stages put up by ENHYPEN, the ENGENEs’ incredible vigor, and unceasing cheers were equally impressive. ENGENEs’ wave of lights accentuated the splendor of the full-house arena even more.
Returning fans’ enthusiasm, Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki ended the concert’s first set with “Upper Side Dreamin’” and “Mixed Up” from their first studio album, DIMENSION : DILEMMA and their second EP, BORDER : CARNIVAL, respectively.
The boys returned on stage with “Drunk-Dazed”, the lead single of BORDER : CARNIVAL, and the song that gave them their first-ever music show win. With cheers that grew louder and louder, Mall of Asia Arena witnessed a fired-up performance of “One in a Billion”, the boy group’s official soundtrack from Dark Moon: The Blood Altar webtoon. The fire kept on burning with “Fever” which was named one of the best K-Pop songs of 2021 by Marie Claire, NME, Time, and Spotify.
Photo courtesy of BELIFT LAB
Following a short break that saw the members do a crowd-favorite sexy dance step and reenact Heeseung’s “One in a Billion” ending pose, the members returned on stage with “Attention, please!”. Love month really started lovely for ENGENEs. Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki got hearts racing in “Polaroid Love” where they went down the stage to be closer to their fans. Taking things slowly, they then serenaded with “Just A Little Bit”.
ENHYPEN expressed gratitude and admiration to their ENGENEs who sang along with them and made the concert more memorable. Jake then requested that they sing along together once again to “Polaroid Love”โ a request that a Philippine concert crowd will never declineโ and hence, a beautiful collaboration was once again born.
Making sure that nobody felt left out, the boys struck charming positions and established eye contact with the fans as they were being captured on video.
No summer can get any hotter than the energy at MANIFESTO in Manila with the second set of performances drawing to a close with “Tamed-Dashed”, the lead single of DIMENSION : DILEMMA which is ENHYPEN’s first album to earn a million certification from the Korea Music Content Association (KMCA)โ a feat they will repeat with MANIFESTO : DAY 1 that led them to become double โMillion-Sellersโ in the shortest period of time in K-Pop history.
Photo courtesy of BELIFT LAB
Clad in an all-white ensemble, the septet opened the final set of performances with “Blessed-Cursed”, followed by “Go Big or Go Home”. “Performing Go Big or Go Home was more fun with ENGENEs,” Ni-ki said.
As the concert drew closer to its ending, ENGENEs chanted “walang uuwi, walang uuwi” to which Heeseung jokingly responded with “Shall we spend the night together?” Then, one after the other, the members gave their heartfelt messages to their adoring fans. The members expressed their appreciation and relayed their happiness to be in that moment with the fans.
When I think about happiness, I will remember this moment. Thank you for showing me the meaning of happiness. Mahal kita!
JAKE
“I will never forget a single second of today. Thank you, everyone, for coming today. We love you so much! And for ENGENEs coming again tomorrow, let us make day two even more fun. Salamat po,” Heeseung said. Leader Jungwon also acknowledged the support of the fans that greatly contributed to the success of MANIFESTO in Manila. “We could not have done this without the support of ENGENEs. We will not forget today,” he said.
And for Jungwon who will be celebrating his birthday on February 9, the fans and the members sang him a birthday song. “Thank you very much. Salamat po,” he said, adding that today went by swiftly but he was happy. Additionally, he expressed his wish for the fans to feel the same joy and return home safely., ending it with mahal kita.
From getting to perform in such a big venue to being surrounded by ENGENEs’ lightsticks, every moment has been a blessing. We will not forget your endless and supportive cheers. We will always sing and perform for you, ENGENEs. Thank you and always love you. Mahal kita!
NI-KI
Jay added, “We have successfully been able to finish the Manila concert because of you, ENGENEs. This was our first show with Manila ENGENEs, so we were a little nervous and we want to put on our best performances. The hard work was worth it because the happiness we felt was even bigger. And it’s all because of you, guys. Thank you so much for coming! Thank you. Mahal kita!”
Jungwon assured fans that despite the concert coming to end, it also marks a beginning. He then led the greeting “This has been ENHYPEN!” to cue in their final song, “Future Perfect (Pass the MIC)”, from their latest album, MANIFESTO : DAY 1.
Photo courtesy of BELIFT LAB
I hope you will always be our ENGENE today and forever.
JAKE
As ENHYPEN exited the stage in preparation for the encore performances, ENGENEs showed their support for the boys through their fan chants. The chants only became louder and louder, and the enthusiasm in the crowd showed no signs of waning.
Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki came back on stage for a performance of “ParadoXXX Invasion”. Always in awe of the superb energy and resounding cheers of the crowd, the members lauded ENGENEs for their undying support throughout the evening. “As long as we have ENGENEs to cheer for us, I think we can do this all night. Walang uuwi,” Sunoo remarked.
We felt again that ENGENE and ENHYPEN are one.
JAY
Individually, the boys said their final messages to the fans, starting with Jake. “Today was our first night in Manilaโ the first of our three-day concert. You guys are so amazing! I did not know why waited so long since our debut to come here. Thank you, guys, for being so amazing,” he said.
Jay added that the evening gave him a lot of memories to look back to. “Thank you, guys, for coming. I hope to see you next time too,” he said. Heeseung shared that, even from South Korea, they know how much their fans in the Philippines want to see them. He went on to promise to come back with new albums to create more opportunities to meet Philippine ENGENEs.
Jungwon relayed his appreciation for the chance to meet fans in different countries through their world tour. The leader of ENHYPEN added that among the places they’ve been to, the fans in the Philippines are the most passionateโa passion that the three-day, sold-out MANIFESTO in Manila highlighted more than ever as fans from all over the Philippines, and even the world, ENHYPEN, BELIFT LAB, and PULP Live World came together for a collaborative effort to bring to life an organized and well-thought concert for the fans who, as Ni-ki said, are the reason they are here.
Sunghoon, whose affinity to the Philippines dates back a decade through his career as a figure skater, shared that it was good to be back. He added that coming back brought back memories from that time. Still, compared to that time, he said he is happier now because he has his members and ENGENEs. “Listening to your cheers made me so happy,” he said.
Ni-ki echoed the gratitude of his members to the fans. He also promised to return with new music and asked fans to wait for his return, before ending his message with mahal kita. Sunoo was also thankful for those who came, remarking that the Manila stop marked the end of their first world tour. He said the crowd exceeded his expectations.
Photo courtesy of BELIFT LABPhoto courtesy of BELIFT LABPhoto courtesy of BELIFT LABPhoto courtesy of BELIFT LABPhoto courtesy of BELIFT LABPhoto courtesy of BELIFT LABPhoto courtesy of BELIFT LABENHYPEN members during the first of their three sold-out MANIFESTO in Manila shows at the Mall of Asia Arena last February 3. (Photos courtesy of BELIFT LAB)
Last on their set list, ENHYPEN performed “Shout Out” with fans singing along, creating the most beautiful harmony with Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, and Ni-ki. Confetti began to fall, creating a lovely scene as the boys stood on an elevated stage.
But the night did not end just yet. The boy group continued with an encore performance of “Let Me In (20 CUBE)”. “We’re not done yet, ENGENE. We’re not done,” Heeseung said, cueing “Go Big or Go Home” where the members once again came down on stage to come closer to the fans.
And ENGENEs were also not done yet, before saying goodbye to the boys, the fans held up banners and sang “Shout Out” for ENHYPEN who, at one point of the event, sang along with the fans. With hearts filled with gratitude, the members expressed their love to the fans with mahal kita.
Our tour is coming to an end. I swear to go, to be honest, today was one of the most energetic concerts in this tour. Thank you so much! Mahal kita!
JAY
Photo courtesy of BELIFT LAB
Thank you, guys, so much for being here tonight. Tonight was one of the best nights I have had so far. I love you guys so much! Thank you, Manila!
JAKE
With a final bow, ENHYPEN closed the first night of MANIFESTO in Manilaโ”This has been ENHYPEN!” Still, the energy never died down with the members, until the very last second, saying “Sumigaw!“, “Mahal kita!“, and “Thank you so much!”.
Photo courtesy of BELIFT LAB
One year and 10 months following their explosive debut, ENHYPEN began their highly-anticipated maiden world tour, ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR ‘MANIFESTO’ in September 2022 in Seoul and traveled to 12 cities in the United States, Japan, and Southeast Asia for 22 performances. The record-breaking K-Pop group solidified their powerhouse status with 19 sold-out shows and a new record set as the K-Pop group to hold a solo dome concert at Japan’s Kyocera Dome in the lowest time gap since debuting among post-2019 debut K-Pop groups.
Additionally, through MANIFESTO in Manila, ENHYPEN created another history as the first K-Pop act to hold three consecutive sold-out shows at the Mall of Asia Arenaโa true testament to ENHYPEN’s influence in the worldwide K-Pop scene.
With the end of MANIFESTO, ENHYPEN reflected on their world tour saying, “Although our tour is coming to an end, our journey together as ENHYPEN and ENGENEs is just beginning. The seven of us have grown stronger as a group with the support of our ENGENEs. We promise to take your support to bring forth even better music and performances, so we hope you continue on this journey with us.โ
And thus, with this end comes a new beginning and a promise to stay together until the ultimate fate of the universe.
Hello, MANILA! Let’s stay in this most beautiful moment together forever. Thank you, MANILA! Let’s stay together forever in our universe.
ENHYPEN WORLD TOUR MANIFESTO IN MANILA was presented by PULP Live World and Happee Hour. Special thanks to PULP Live World and Happee Sy-Go for the invitation to the event.
The MOA Arena lit up in pearl aqua green last Saturday as Choi Minho returned to the Philippine concert stage!
SHINee’s Choi Minho made January 28 the luckiest day for Philippine Shawols with the staging of his first solo fan meeting in the country, 2023 BEST CHOIโs MINHO LUCKY CHOIโs IN MANILA, at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Presented by Ovation Productions, the fan meeting event saw the singer-actor welcomed by colors of pearl aqua green on the very stage that last witnessed SHINee perform on the Philippine concert stage. Loud cheers enveloped the venue even before the official start of the event. The excitement heightened when the man of the hour came out, performing “Heartbreak” from his first solo album, Chase.
“Long time no see! SHINee’s Minho,” he greeted Philippine Shawols and added that he is happy to kick off his fan meeting tour in Manila and meet his local fans once again after so many years. 2023 BEST CHOIโs MINHO LUCKY CHOIโs fan meeting tour also included stops in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan.
Did you wait for a long time? Did you miss me? I miss you too so much!
Minho during his ment
Minho gamely interacted with fans and allowed them to get to know him better through the various segment prepared during the fan meeting. Indeed a lucky day for Philippine Shawols as a number of fans got to play games with their idol and win special prizes.
The crowd also witnessed him look handsome wearing a crown and a barong, a traditional Filipino clothing. The singer-actor remarked that it was his first time wearing barong and that he felt honored to be given such a chance. “This is meaningful to me,” he said. Completing his immersion into Filipino culture, he danced pandanggo, a Filipino folk dance.
I think I am the luckiest and the happiest when I get to go far distances to meet the people I love like you.
MINHO on when he feels the luckiest
The Fabulous actor also tried his hand at channeling the characters of Jang Uk from the Alchemy of Souls and Captain Yoo Si Jin from the Descendants of the Sun. He reenacted scenes from the dramas while in costumeโmuch to the delight of the audience.
Minho then answered questions and took on challenges using song titles from his album Chase as keywords. The “Heartbreak” keyword got him doing a Philippine version of the choreography, with him settling with an adorable heart sign. For the next keyword, “Choice”, the SHINee member planned his tour choice for Philippine Shawols who will come to South Korea. He recommended going to Kwangya, a virtual world introduced by SM Entertainment as part of the SM Culture Universe, eating kimbap and samgyeopsal, and taking the trending four-cut photo.
Next up, for the keyword “Chase”, the singer-actor joined the dati-dati challenge which calls for dancing to Sarah Geronimo’s “Dati-Dati”. With one look into the choreography, he effortlessly completed the challengeโnot once, but twice!
Truly in for the luckiest of nights, Shawols got a treat of live performances of “Runaway” and “Chase”. And preparing so much more for his fans, Minho took over the Philippine concert stage with a medley of SHINee’s songs which included “Atlantis” and “Don’t Call Me”. The thirst for a SHINee concert in the Philippines was evident even more as the cheers went louder and louder.
But Minho got you, Shawols! Before the fan meeting ended, the SHINee member said “Okay, I got it!” in response to the fans’ request, “We want SHINee World Concert VI in the Philippines!” Although the K-Pop group has visited the Philippines a couple of times, they have yet to hold a solo concert in the country. Keeping our fingers crossed that this wish becomes reality soon.
Minho ended his first solo fan meeting in Manila with “I’m Home” and a grateful heart to fans who patiently waited for his return. He promised to continue giving his best and meet Shawols once again with Onew, Key, and Taemin.
The 2023 BEST CHOIโs MINHO LUCKY CHOIโs IN MANILA was presented by Ovation Productions. Special thanks to Ovation Productions for the invite to the event.
What could be more romantic than snuggling up with your significant other and binge-watching a bunch of recent additions to Netflix in honor of the forthcoming holiday of love? Joe, the serial killer featured in the upcoming fourth season of the thriller You, will be joining a new gang as he starts a new life as a professor in London. On the other hand, the Pogues are taking a trip to the Caribbean in the latest season of Outer Banks. Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano, who together form one of the most promising loveteams in the country, star in the romantic comedy, An Inconvenient Love. In an effort to simplify their lives, two young people decide to have a “casual relationship,” but as their romance nears its expiration date, complications arise.
There’s also Freeridge, about four teenagers who band together to break a curse when a mysterious old box causes them nothing but trouble. Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher are reuniting for the first time in the romantic comedy Your Place or Mine, one of Netflix’s new original films, and Christopher Landon, the director of Happy Death Day and Freaky, is bringing his Amblin-inspired horror comedy We Have A Ghost to the streaming service, starring David Harbour and Anthony Mackie.
The following is a rundown of the upcoming February additions to the streaming service’s library of TV series and movies.
All dates are subject to change without prior notice.
February 1- Bleach: The Entry As soul reaper Rukia Kuchiki prepares to meet her doom, Ichigo Kurosaki and his crew take an extraordinary journey to the Soul Society to rescue her.
February 1 – Bleach: The Substitute Ichigo Kurosaki meets Soul Reaper Rukia Kuchiki and obtains new abilities: He defends humans from evil and directs deceased souls to the afterlife.
February 1 – Bleach: The Rescue In Season 3 of the anime series, Ichigo and his friends must use their powers to save Rukia from execution at the hands of the Soul Society.
February 2 – MAKE MY DAY (Series) On an isolated icy planet promising a bright future, prisoners are forced to excavate a rare energy source that leads to a deadly, unwelcome discovery.
February 2 – Freeridge (Series) Four teen friends work to reverse a curse after a peculiar old box seems to bring misfortune โ and more โ into their lives.
February 3 – Class (Series) Three students from a poor neighborhood join an exclusive high school for Delhi elite where dark secrets and rumors ultimately lead to murder.
February 3 – Infiesto (Film) As the coronavirus upends their lives, two detectives doggedly pursue those responsible for an abduction they realize is part of a sinister pattern.
February 9 – You: Season 4 Part 1 (Series) Starting anew in London, Joe vows to bury the past and be his best self. But on the rocky road to redemption, a new obsession starts to take hold.
February 9 – Dear David (Film) A straight -A high schooler’s life is turned upside down when her risquรฉ fantasy blog about her crush is leaked to everyone at school.
February 9 – My Dad the Bounty Hunter An intergalactic bounty hunter takes dad duty to new extremes when his two kids accidentally hitch a ride with him to outer space and crash his mission.
February 10 – Nobody (Film) A thankless job, disrespectful kids and passionless marriage suffocate a middle-aged everyman โ until a home invasion awakens his lethal inner badass.
February 10 – Your Place or Mine (Film) When best friends and total opposites Debbie and Peter swap homes for a week, they get a peek into each other’s lives that could open the door to love.
February 10 – Love to Hate You (Series) For an attorney who despises losing to men and an A-list actor who distrusts women, love means nothing โ until they’re forced to date each other.
February 14 – In Love All Over Again (Series) Ever since they met, Irene and Julio have been falling in love, splitting up, and then trying again. Will they ever find their happy ending?
February 14, 21, 28 – Perfect Match (Series) Couples who prove their compatibility gain the power to make or break other matches in this strategic and seductive dating competition.
February 14 – Re/Member (Film) Six high schoolers stuck in a murderous time loop must find the scattered remains of an unknown victim to break the curse and finally see another day.
February 15 – #NoFilter (Series) Bored with her studies, Marcely drops out of college to chase a new goal in life: becoming an influencer. But life online is harder than it looksโฆ
February 15 – Red Rose (Series) A ragtag crew of teens must survive a summer of terror after downloading an app that makes dangerous demands with deadly consequences.
February 16 – Aggretsuko: Season 5 (Series) In this final season, Retsuko faces her biggest challenge yet when she’s thrown head first into the world of politics. Get out the vote for Retsuko!
February 16 – The Upshaws: Part 3 (Series) Still striving for success and surviving every mess, the Upshaws face a series of obstacles that put their resilience โ and relationships โ to the test.
February 17 – Unlocked (Film) A womanโs life is turned upside-down when a dangerous man gets a hold of her lost cell phone and uses it to track her every move.
February 17 – A Girl and an Astronaut (Series) An astronaut’s return after a 30-year disappearance rekindles a lost love and sparks interest from a corporation determined to learn why he hasn’t aged.
February 22 – The Strays (Film) A light-skinned Black woman’s meticulously crafted life of privilege starts to unravel when two strangers show up in her quaint suburban town.
February 23 – Call Me Chihiro (Film) An unapologetic former sex worker starts working at a bento stand in a small seaside town, bringing comfort to the lonely souls who come her way.
February 23 – An Inconvenient Love (Film) Two young lovers agree to a casual relationship, but this convenient arrangement grows complicated as their romance reaches an expiration date.
February 23 – Outer Banks: Season 3 (Series) New adventures take the Pogues to the Caribbean and far beyond as the friends are pulled into a dangerous rival’s hunt for a legendary lost city.
February 23 – That Girl Lay Lay: Season 2 (Kids & Family) With her secret still under wraps, Lay Lay’s back with her bestie, Sadie, as the friends juggle app glitches, high school hijinks, life lessons and more.
February 24 – We Have a Ghost (Film) Finding a ghost named Ernest haunting their new home turns Kevin’s family into overnight social media sensations. But when Kevin and Ernest go rogue to investigate the mystery of Ernest’s past, they become a target of the CIA.
February 24 – Formula 1: Drive to Survive: Season 5 (Documentary) Drivers, managers and team owners live life in the fast lane โ both on and off the track โ during each cutthroat season of Formula 1 racing.
February 24 – Oddballs: Season 2 (Series) James and his friends Max and Echo return for more soapbox rants, not-so-bright ideas and school shenanigans, bringing disaster back to Dirt, Arizona.
The first GL event in the country is finally happening! Are you ready to meet FreenBecky, Manila?
FreenBecky, the most talked about GL couple from Thailand, is coming to meet their Filipino fans for โThe Debutante: A watch party for the uncut last episode of GAP The Series.โ The historic event is happening on February 12, 2023, at 6 PM, at SM Skydome.
This also marks the girlsโ first solo event in the country. Though they visited Manila last year, it was for a festival that included other Thai celebrities.
This time, Freen Sarocha Chankimha and Becky Armstrong are meeting their fans exclusively to celebrate the finale of their hit drama.
โGap: The Seriesโ started airing in November last year and immediately shot to fame with record-breaking views that went up to millions. Much of its success is thanks to the starsโ incredible chemistry and acting.
Aside from a watch party, fans can expect more fun activities during the event, including a talk and game segment. Depending on the ticket tier, fans also get to enjoy plenty of other perks like soundcheck access, send-off, signed postcards, and other merchandise.
Ticket selling began January 30, 2023, and was immediately sold out minutes after release. Fans took to social media to request a bigger venue, once again proving the girlsโ popularity. In response, CDM Entertainment asked fans to stay tuned for further announcements.
โThe Debutanteโ is presented by Idol Factory, TH Headline, and CDM Entertainment.
After a long absence, the “Boyce” family is returning to the Philippines. For the week of Valentine’s Day, one of the most popular independent bands in the world, Boyce Avenue, is making a comeback. Scheduled performances in Manila’s Araneta Coliseum on the 11th, Cebu’s Waterfront Hotel Ballroom on the 12th, and Davao’s SMX Convention Center on the 14th have been announced. Adie, Nobita, and (for the Manila performance alone) The Juans, three of today’s biggest names in O.P.M., will also be performing.
Alejandro, the band’s main singer, discussed what makes their Filipino fans unique during a Zoom interview with the press on Wednesday.
“There’s a deeper level of passion, seems to be kind of interwoven in the Filipino culture to be a very romantic culture and that’s such a big part of what we do.”
He added, “crowd sings so passionately in the Philippines especially to the love songs so that’s kind of something that’s always struck us that seems to be just at a heightened level.”
The members of the Boyce Avenue band all grew up in the same neighborhood in Sarasota, Florida, hence the band’s name. The three Manzano brothers, Alejandro (lead vocals, guitar, piano), Fabian (guitar, vocals), and Daniel, make up the band, which is well-liked for its acoustic leanings (bass, percussion, vocals). The band first performed together in 2004, and in 2007, they started uploading videos to YouTube, where they quickly became popular. They are one of the most popular channels in the world, with over 13.2 million subscribers and over 4.8 billion views on YouTube.
When we asked how their upcoming concert would be different from previous shows they’ve done in the country, Alejandro replied, “We will play songs that we didn’t play last time we were there, but I’m just on a deeper emotional level; I think there’s just a different perspective now, post-pandemic, and I think there’s a level of gratitude for everybody.”
The singer-songwriter Adie has over 3.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify Philippines thanks to the popularity of his songs “Paraluman,” “Tahanan,” “Dungaw,” and “Mahika,” which features Janine Berdin. The OPM band Nobita exploded onto the spotlight with the megahit “Ikaw Lang” and the wedding-themed track “Unang Sayaw,” and they also set a new career benchmark by accruing over 130 million views on Spotify. In addition, the pop rock band The Juans, who released the number one singles “Hindi Tayo Pwede” and “Hatid,” and recently played their first major concert at the Big Dome in Manila, are also there.
“I think this is kind of the most local acts we’ve ever had open up for us, so I think it’s not only going to be our show but a whole night filled with a bunch of good music. I think it’s going to be a pretty massive and pretty cool event.
Join Boyce Avenue and some of your favorite O.P.M. hitmakers for a special Valentine’s Day musical performance of some of your favorite love and hugot songs.”
Tickets for Manila show are available at ticketnet.com.ph while Cebu and Davao tickets are available at SMTickets.com and outlets nationwide.
The acclaimed singer-songwriter takes rom-com to an entirely different level as she revels in the idea of โwhat-ifsโ
2022 has been a great year for Clara Benin. Aside from getting featured on a Times Square billboard in New York ahead of International Womenโs Day, the folk darling received two nominations at the recently concluded 8th Wish Music Awards and collaborated with international artists such as British singer-songwriter Lowswimmer. On top of her achievements, Benin also dropped a song called “Affable Dork,” which garnered rave reviews for “adopting a jazz-pop approach.”
This year is no different for the prolific act, as she continues to delight Clarafied (her official fans club) with her remarkable consistency. Benin opens 2023 with a soothing tune that revels in the idea of โwhat ifs’ and how it often sparks curiosity and wonder. Her new single, “differentโฆ” draws inspiration from a rom-com classic, a common theme among her last few releases.
“I wrote this song after being inspired by the movie, When Harry Met Sally,” Benin admits. “My song “differentโฆ” is about having a really good friendship with someone and wondering if you two could take that relationship somewhere different.”
In “differentโฆ,” Clara Benin takes a familiar musical route without losing the riveting earnestness of the subject. As expected, the FIlipino singer-songwriter has mastered the art of subtlety, and on “different,” itโs here to stay: beautifully woven as if itโs an integral part of Beninโs identity as an artist.
The track is produced by Francis Lorenzo and Gabba Santiago, with her dad Joey Benin playing fretless bass. Clara initially recorded the vocals and guitars of the song in her dadโs studio in December 2021, during the time when she visited her family in her hometown. The rest, as they say, is history.
“We went for a more stripped-down instrumentation so we could really highlight the lyrics,” reveals the talented singer-songwriter. “I really wanted to play around with more organic sounds. The majority of the percussive sounds that you hear in this song are actually just Gabba tapping on random things around my studio.”
Check out Clara Beninโs โdifferentโฆโ on all digital music platforms via OFFMUTE.
Ohm-Nanon 1st Fan Meeting in Manila: An OHM-mazing evening with fans from the BL couple as sweet as ci-NANON
The Thai hype is officially coming to the Philippines as one of Thailandโs most in-demand and beloved BL duo, Ohm Pawat and Nanon Korapat or coupled popularly as OHM-NANON has taken over Manila as they held their first fan meet in the country! The two 22-year-old Thai actors who are widely known for their drama Bad Buddy which is featured in Teen Vogueโs โBest BL Dramas of 2022โ finally met their Filipino fans or also known as RONANS. The fans are so dedicated and eager to meet the heartthrobs that fans claimed they were already at the venue as early as 6 a.m.!
CDM Entertainment held together a wholesome fan meet as fans got perks and intimate interactions with the duo last January 21, 2023, in Samsung Hall SM Aura Premier. The night went on with a playful exchange between the duo and the RONANs, as they all tried to claim who loves who the most the whole evening.
Getting Comfortable
The pair sang เธเธดเธ(เนเธเนเนเธกเน)เธเธถเธ (Same Page?) by Tilly Birds, OST from their drama Bad Buddy before formally saying hello to the RONANS. Nanon said it was an honor to be in the Philippines and was even speechless during the introduction because of the overwhelming screams of love from the fans. To solidify their love towards the duo, Filipino RONANs gave Ohm-Nanon a pair of Barong Tagalogs, colored green and red themed, with OHM and NNN embroidered at the back of each piece of clothing.
A small fireside chat took place and the host tackled the topic of their journey as actors and touched base on Nanonโs future projects first. She asked how the star feels about having two different projects in the upcoming year. โItโs an honor (for me)โฆ and I feel good because I have a jobโฆ I have work!โ he enthused. He talked about the new characters heโs about to play and how the age dynamics of each is a challenge heโs ready to take.
In topics of projects, Ohmโs ongoing drama โ10 Years Ticketโ was also discussed. The host asked what important lessons Ohm took from his character Pukao. โI think I am similar to Pukao in a way where I am serious and in focusโฆ but at times, I am also fun.โ he loosely explained.
โThis is one the first few memories I have this year,โ Ohm said when he was asked what is the most memorable part of the tour so far, having toured around as a duo. โWeโre really happy to see you guys today! So we thank you everyone for coming in today!โ
Fun-meet
As all fan meets go, itโs never complete if there arenโt any games to play and show the playful side of our idols and itโs not an exception with Ohm and Nanon. Throughout the night, a series of games ensued to showcase both the competitiveness and team spirit of the beloved BL couple. The duad was asked if they were competitive or not and Ohm answered that he was a little competitive and Nanon leaned towards being a chill competitor.
The first game was arm wrestling, a test of strength, in which Ohm playfully opened that he feels confident because he ate three meals that day, in contrast with Nanon who only ate one meal.
A quiet intense few minutes took place on who was the strongest but Nanon showed that he was stronger that day, beating Ohm in the first round. He commended his BL partner for his strength, bringing extra kilig to the fans.
The second game is to test their strategizing skills and the game is to make origami paper planes. Whoever sends the planes the farthest to the audience wins. Ohmโs strategy is to make the plane elongated and Nanon didnโt have any particular strategy in mind and stayed a go-with-the-flow kind of guy.
As a result, Ohm won the game, beating Nanon by just a row distance, making the score 1:1 even.
The next game against each other is for each of the duo to not spill the confetti from the colored cups while carrying it across the stage in the palm of their hands. The two got a little competitive here and both did not spill any confetti but Ohm beat Nanon by two seconds, making it a 2:1 score.
Before proceeding to more fun games in the night, the actors sang a solo each and took the stage, charming the fans. Ohm sang his solo เนเธเนเธเธดเธเธเนเธเธดเธเนเธฅเนเธง (Unlovable), a newly released song for the 10 Years Ticket the actor stars in, and Nanon sang เนเธเนเนเธเธทเนเธญเธเธกเธฑเนเธ (Just Friend?) another OST for the Bad Buddy series.
Good Buddy, Bad Buddy
The next part is where the duo got a little closer to the Filipino fans as they teamed up to test their knowledge of Filipino culture and their bond with the RONANs. A series of questions with choices were given and they can use the โAsk The Audienceโ card if they are not sure about the answers. The fans are extremely enthusiastic about helping the two boys with all the questions when they needed help and the host called for help from the audience three times.
A wonderful surprise that happened was when they asked for help from the audience for the third time from a fan who had a unique flag and turns out to be a Thai fan, who came from Thailand to meet the boys. Only goes to show that Ohm and Nanon are incredibly loved and that crossing oceans is a small thing. In this portion, the duo also got a chance to eat Filipino street food kwek kwek, sang English songs requested by the fans, celebrated late and advanced birthdays by singing birthday songs with the audience as parts of a dare, and got into more banter as the fans endlessly screamed their love for Ohm and Nanon.
The last part of the games for the night is called Bad Buddy wherein they will need to distract each other from finishing a task in a timed manner. Nanon went on first and finished the tasks as he stacked the red plastic cups and unstacked them in 28 seconds, even with Ohm blowing a loud horn in his ears. Ohm confidently said that he can finish the same task faster than Nanon but unfortunately, the relaxed and chill competitor had other plans. Using bubbles and blowing air onto the cups and making them topple down, Ohm was not able to finish the task faster than promised and lost to his partner while laughing throughout, not expecting the strategy Nanon did.
Fan Project for Ohm and Nanon
The Filipino RONANs did not want to end the night without showing the BL couple the fan-made video they prepared. A heartfelt song cover accompanied a series of clips on the two boys, fan-made letters, and artworks showed on the screen as the two sat down and watched intently. The boys returned this love to the fans by taking a picture with the crowd, as a remembrance of the special night they spent with their dedicated RONANSs in the Philippines.
The two went on and thanked the fans one last time and promises to return as soon as they can as they pointed out that the energy of the Filipino fans is unwavering and incredible throughout the night, making them feel welcome.
The night ended with the VIP and MVIP ticket holders with the perks of meeting them on stage and giving high fives or shaking hands with the two. The talented Ohm and Nanon smiled and thanked each fan, looking them in the eye as they pass, sealing that connection that was already rooted in the TV series and acting projects that brought together both fans and the pair. Albeit the interactions only lasted a few seconds for each fan, the happiness was evident and a blast of euphoria and/or disbelief of meeting the people who inspire them took over the venue even towards the end of the night. It is not a common occurrence to meet someone you admire up close, much less give them a high five and for the duo to do this for the fans only proves that the love the RONANs are giving isnโt one-sided.
Words and Photos by Arielle Elep for Philippine Concerts
Ohm-Nanon 1st Fan Meeting in Manila is presented by CDM Entertainment. Special thanks to CDM Entertainment for the invitation.
On Friday, February 10th, fresh episodes of After the Altar from Love Is Blind Season 3 will become available on Netflix.
The happy couples who found each other through Love Is Blind make up a small and exclusive group. The quirky and addicting reality show that can be found on Netflix is many things: a social experiment, a dating show, full of twist, and drama. However, the show does in fact help some people form long-term relationships.
This new take on “The Dating Game” is undeniably captivating to watch, and it doesn’t matter if you subscribe to the theory that love is sighted or not; there’s no denying that it won’t let you look away.
In the next three-part special, which takes place a year after the nuptials, some of the couples are reunited while others are trying to figure out what comes next in their relationships. The official summary for Season 3 states that viewers will see the cast โreadjust to life in Dallas after the altar and come together for a birthday extravaganza.โ
Viewers may see how these couples are doing several months later. Are they happy with married life? Or, perhaps, their hopes for love have turned into a nightmare that will never stop. Let’s find out this love month only on Netflix.
The Start-Up and Hometown Cha Cha Cha actor opened the highly awaited fan meet with Paul Kim’s “Every Day, Every Moment,” which reaffirmed that it is his time to stand by the side of his admirers, who had waited to meet him for years. He conveyed his comfort in being with everyone and his gratitude for the audience’s persistent support.
โI feel how warm you are and I feel very comfortable being with all of you. I can feel your warm passion even now, that is why, I made a promise to myself that I would be very passionate tonight โspending this night with all of you,โ he said. He added, โI feel that you really love me right now. There is one thing I want to say to all of you: thank you so much for always being with me during the hard times and the good times. You are always there supporting me.โ
As Kim Seon Ho reciprocated the support by working tirelessly to provide the fans with the best fan meeting experience, Seonhohadas showered the man of the hour with resounding cheers and heartfelt comments.
Kim Seon Ho during the press conference held prior to the fan meeting.
Special Moments with Kim Seon Ho: Fun Games and Getting-to-Know
Always game and ready to give his all, Kim Seon Ho allowed his fans to get to know him more and play games with him through the different segments he sincerely prepared for his supporters. He reenacted scenes from his dramas Hometown Cha Cha Cha, Start-Up, and Catch the Ghost with fans in the segment “Seon Ho’s Drama Talk”. Impressed by the acting skills of the lucky fans who joined him on stage, he shared that he felt nervous because they are better actors than him.
Meanwhile, the segment “Seon Ho Learning Tagalog” saw the actor learn the Filipino phrases, “Manigong bagong taon“, “Masaya akong makita kayo“, and “Pusuan/pinusuan kita“. In the segment, “Best No. 1 is (Filipino food edition)”, it was time for the fans to know him more through his choices among the Filipino foods presented on screen. His favorite Filipino food went to pancit because it reminded him of japchae, while bibingka took the crown as his favorite Filipino dessert.
“Actually, I don’t speak Tagalog, but I was looking forward to talking to all of my fans, and I love foods, so that’s why I am looking forward to all these Filipino foods,” he said.
But the fun never stopped because Kim Seon Ho made sure that fans will take home the best memories of the night through games. Chosen fans played the “staring game” and “one-legged balance” with him. Ever-considerate and sweet, the actor requested that all participating fans will get a prize despite failing the challenge. *heart eyes*
The next segment, “Team Game with Seon Ho”, tested his stamina with a relay game composed of catching a ball, jumping rope, and sipa which he did with the fans. Despite the energy-consuming game, the actor never wavered in keeping his smile and assuring fans. He was too adorable as he tried to catch his breath in between the teams. And the challenges continue in the segment, “Seon Ho Will Do It”, where he took on various challenge games such as balancing a soda can, shooting a basketball, and sipa. He awed everyone with his quick success in the first challenge. However, he failed to make a basket in the second one and do five sipa in the third one, earning him penalties โ penalties that every fan loves: posing for photos, recording a morning call, and posing three aegyo poses.
Truly the good boy, Kim Seon Ho prepared a special gift for a lucky fan to have โa customized cap! He personally drew different images with much care and love and signed the cap.
Before bidding goodbye to his Philippine Seonhohadas, the actor serenaded them with “Reason“, his first single and a song he collaborated with Epitone Project in 2021. “I wanted to communicate and be with my fans more. If there is something lacking, I hope you understand. I will forever treasure our special day in my heart, and I hope, as you go home today, this was a great memory you can bring back home,” he said.
Bawat araw, bawat sandali with Kim Seon Ho
And the special memories continued to be created, as Philippine Seonhohadas make sure that their beloved actor returns home with a warm and happy heart through a special video and banner project they prepared.
Kasama mo kami sa bawat araw, bawat sandali.
PHILIPPINE SEONHOHADAs
He reciprocated the love with appreciation and a promise to see each other again. “Because of you, I can stand as an actor. I will always be grateful, and I love you! And I promise you that I’ll be back with more projects in the future as a better actor. I hope you are happy. Thank you!”
Turning emotional after watching the fan project, Kim Seon Ho said, “There were a lot of touching messages in the video, but I like that you promised me that even in the hard times, you will be there for me. I also promise to be a good actor and person and to be here all the time for you. Thank you, and I love you all!”
With smiles on everyone’s faces all throughout the night, January 22 was indeed a memory to treasure dearly in our hearts. The 2023 KIM SEON HO ASIA TOUR <ONE, TWO, THREE. SMILE>ย in Manila was a testament to a promise kept by Kim Seon Ho and Philippine Seonhohadasโ through thick and thin, through the strongest storms and the brightest of days, bawat araw, bawat sandali โ “We will always prefer you.”
The 2023 KIM SEON HO ASIA TOUR <ONE, TWO, THREE. SMILE>ย in Manila was presented by PULP Live World, Happee Hour, and FangirlAsia. Special thanks to PULP Live World and Happee Hour for the invite to the event.
This is your signal. Lee Je Hoon is coming to Manila!
Multi-awarded actor Lee Je Hoon will greet his Filipino fans up close and personal in March as he jets into Manila for a fan meeting.
Live Nation Philippines announced that the Taxi Driver actor will hold LEE JE HOON โVACATIONโ FAN MEETING IN MANILA 2023 at the New Frontier Theater on March 3. This will mark the first fan meeting event of the actor in the Philippines since making his acting debut in the early 2000s through short and indie films.
With a career that has spanned more than a decade, Lee Je Hoon has made a solid mark in the television and movie industry in South Korea. His stellar performances in Bleak Night and The Frontline earned recognitions including Best New Actor from the KOFRA Film Awards, Korean Association of Film Critics Awards, Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards, and Grand Bell Awards.
His role in the 2012 romance film, Architecture 101, catapulted him to mainstream popularity. He was further recognized for his versatility through his succeeding projects. In 2016, he starred opposite Kim Hye-soo and Choi Jin-woong in the critically acclaimed television series, Signal.
Following Tomorrow with You and Where the Stars Land, the actor returned to the small screen with Taxi Driver which earned him the Top Excellence Award for an Actor in a mini-series at the SBS Drama Awards. He is set to reprise his role as Kim Do-gi in the second season of the series.
Lee Je Hoon for Taxi Driver 2 (Photos retrieved from woman.chosun.com)
#LeeJeHooninManila Ticket prices and seat plan
Donโt miss your chance to get up close and personal with one of the most dynamic stars of South Korea! Get to know Lee Je Hoon and meet him this March!
Tickets to the fan meeting will go on sale starting January 31, 12NN, via TicketNet outlets nationwide and online thru www.ticketnet.com.ph. Check out the seat plan and ticket prices below:
The Rose came back, creating beautiful memories with Philippine Black Roses.
More than three years since their first solo concert in the Philippines, South Korean band The Rose returned to the local concert stage last January 14 at the Skydome, SM North EDSA with a new tour, new music, and new stories to share.
Woosung, Dojoon, Hajoon, and Jaehyeong staged Heal Togetherin Manila, performing in front of a full-house venue. Tickets to the concert were sold-out immediately following the opening of ticket sales. And indeed, the band’s growing popularity in the Philippines through the years has become evident with the successful conclusion of last Saturday’s show.
With resounding cheers from Philippine Black Roses, The Rose took on the stage with “~” and “Definition of ugly is” from their latest album, Heal, and “Insomnia” and “She’s in the Rain” from The Dawn album. They then closed their opening set with “Modern Life” from Woosung’s solo release, Moth.
“It’s a perfect weather today. It’s a perfect day for you and us to enjoy,” Dojoon said during the ment where they individually introduced themselves and greeted Black Roses. The energy escalated as the band continued on their performances with “California”, “I Don’t Know You”, “Candy (so good)” from their earlier albums, Red, The Dawn, and Void, respectively. Fans, up on their feet and lightsticks up in the air, sang loud with the band in “Red”.
Awed with the crowd’s energy, the members expressed admiration and appreciation for the superb display of energy. Woosung then looked back on their seven years together as a band and relayed his gratitude to the fans for being with them through the ups and downs. “Salamat po,” he said. “We took a break for two years. Last year, we started again. We started touring. We have a new album called Heal,” he added.
Jaehyeong opened up about “having a hard time about two, three years ago” and how his members, music, and fans helped him during those times. “I always want to thank you,” he said. A VCR played with the members gathering together and opening up. With the end of the VCR and Jaehyeong’s words, “I happy I live through music”, The Rose sang “See-Saw” โ which Jaehyeong wrote to share his story.
Bringing the nostalgia up a notch, the band performed “I.L.Y.” and “Sorry” from Void, with Woosung introducing “Sorry” as the song that started it all for them. They also sang “Childhood”, “Shift”, “Time”, “Yes”, and “Cure” from Heal and their single “Beauty and the Beast”.
“Thank you so much, Manila,” Woosung said as The Rose sings “Sour” to close their final set prior to the encore. One after the other, the members came back on stage for their final song “Black Rose”. With the song’s lyrics resonating emotionally at the Skydome and Woosung changing up the last lines to “Hello, Manila Black Roses. We ROSE you from the bottom of our hearts,” Woosung, Dojoon, Hajoon, and Jaehyeong closed Heal Together in Manila โloud cheers echoing with the promise of seeing each other again.
Music pioneer and multi-instrumentalist indie musician Abby Clutario marks her musical debut under AltG Records through the release of her Chapman Stick revival of UDDโs โTadhana.โ
Abby became an official recording artist of AltG Records, a sub-label of GMA Music, last November 8. She is known in the music scene as an indie artist and the first one and one of two who can play a Chapman Stick, an electric instrument with approximately 10-12 strings in the Philippines.
She shared that picking โTadhanaโ as her first single was a collaborative decision with Artist and Repertoire Manager and In-house Producer Kedy Sanchez. She is grateful for the opportunity and is excited about releasing the song, โVery grateful ako at the same time very excited to be able to release a song thru a label like AltG Records. Being an independent artist for 20 years, I can say na marami na akong pinagdaanan na challenges ng isang musikero and now dahil sa AltG I can say na mas may chance ako na maiparinig at ma-share ang aking music sa mas maraming listeners.โ
Abby also revealed the process in reviving the song, โAng Chapman Stick ay isang napaka-versatile na instrument. Bukod sa kaya niyang bumagay sa kahit anong genre ng music, masasabi ko na very soothing ang kanyang tunog at sadyang babagay sa mga ballad na style katulad ng Tadhana. Nung inaareglo ko ang kanta para sa voice ng Chapman Stick, sinugurado ko lang na mas ma-highlight pa rin ang main melody ng kanta and ang Chapman Stick ang nagsisilbing support and accompaniment nito.”
She also admitted that it was challenging but is happy with the result, โSiguro ang pinaka-challenge is a personal one, which is how to give justice to this song na maganda na ang pagkakalikha to begin with. My version is a stripped-down version na tanging ‘yung voice and Chapman Stick lang ang maririnig. I’m happy na sinuggest ‘yun ni Sir Kedy kasi I really also like the song.”
Abby’s debut song was #5 on iTunes PH’s Top 100 Songs chart upon its release on January 20 and is included in Spotify’s Fresh Finds Philippines playlist.
Tune in to Abby Clutarioโs โTadhanaโ on all digital streaming platforms worldwide.
For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit www.GMANetwork.com.
The icons of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) will be performing at an all-star Valentine concert entitled “All Heart” to be held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall on February 14, 2023, Tuesday, at 8:30 pm.
Joining APO’s Jim Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo for a night of romantic reminiscing are Neocolors’ lead singer Ito Rapadas, Afterimage frontman Wency Cornejo, and Roselle Nava and Raymond Lauchengco.
The singers’ repertoire will be composed of their own greatest ballads that have become the soundtrack of real people’s love lives, relationships and even weddings. These include the APO’s “Panalangin” and “Ewan,” Wency Cornejo’s “Magpakailanman,” the Neocolors’ “Say You’ll Never Go,” Roselle’s “Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita?” and Raymond’s “So It’s You,” among many other hit songs.
The musical numbers will be interspersed by video interviews of real-life couples and the spiels of former DJ Joe D’Mango of the popular “Love Notes” radio program. These videos and spiels were especially produced for the concert.
“All Heart” marks the first time that all the six singers are gathering for a Valentine concert. The show will certainly be a perfect V-Day treat for music lovers regardless of age, status or gender.
The star-studded tune emphasizes the importance of faith during trying times!
Alt-rock icon Barbie Almalbis, Rivermaya lead singer/drummer Mark Escueta, Dicta License vocalist Pochoy Labog, and fast-rising singer-songwriter/producer Jarlo Bรขse have collaborated on a soulful track that unfolds with tenderness and power in equal measure.
Released under WATERWALK RECORDS, โPIRASOโ tackles the journey of healing and spirituality amidst the crippling fear of uncertainty that all four artists have personally experienced in recent years. The song not only articulates the collective frustrations and sacrifices that people have to go through in order to cope with depression caused by the pandemic but also reveals how faith has become a source of comfort and strength during trying times.
According to Almalbis, producer-extraordinaire Jungee Marcelo was responsible for bringing them together. She immediately said yes after finding out about the other musicians involved in the project and what the music stands for.
โI have always been a fan of Mark and Pochoy, and I was also looking forward to working with Jarlo, because Mr. Jungee really looked up to him as a young producer,โ the Silaw hitmaker admits. โWe started writing the song virtually, just exchanging ideas via a chat group, then eventually met up in person to tie everything together.โ
Despite their busy schedules, the four powerhouse acts managed to squeeze in time to record the song before the year ended. Almalbis reveals that the entire team behind โPIRASOโ felt a strong sense of achievement with how the final product turned out. โOn the day we finished writing the song, we made a makeshift vocal booth in our house, which turned out to be a great sounding room for vocals. Pochoy then went home to do the bass track. A few days later, we hung out at Markโs studio to finalize the drum parts. I did a bit more guitar work at home, and Jarlo did the rest of the production, recording his vocals and adding piano, samples, and synths in his own place.โ
Dicta Licenseโs Pochoy Labog admits that the collaboration was out of his comfort zone, but the experience, according to him, was an absolute joy. โWe flowed so well and nothing was forced. Writing the lyrics was like being in a discipleship group or household โwe plugged in words while sharing life experiences and our own walks with God. It was one of the most profound moments in my musical journey.โ
Surprisingly, the all-star collaboration turned out to be a very moving piece that raises the bar for all the musicians involved in terms of songwriting and artistry. Bรขse, in particular, was grateful and honored to be part of this massive endeavor that brought a different kind creative synergy and excitement.
โIโve always looked up to Sir Jungee and everyone at WATERWALK/Sony Music for their love and excellence in making music,โ says the young singer-songwriter. โI hope people would enjoy and be blessed with the song we all made together.โ
โPIRASOโ is also Mark Escuetaโs first project with WATERWALK RECORDS. He is thankful to be part of a music project that aims to inspire people from all walks of life. โIt’s an honor and a blessing to be part of this project and I know that WATERWALK RECORDS will continue to touch so many lives in the years to come.โ
โPIRASOโ is out now on all digital music platforms via WATERWALK RECORDS.
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