Ben&Ben team up with Taiwanese Mandopop star WeiBird on dreamlike track “Cheap Love”

2021 has been a massive year for Filipino folk-pop collective Ben&Ben in terms of commercial and critical success. Their sophomore album, Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno has earned glowing praises from reputable music critics and publications in the Philippines and Asia, with Rick Olivares of ABS-CBN News calling it a “brilliant masterpiece” and Paul John Caña of Esquire Philippines pointing out its vital role in establishing the band as the “pre-eminent artist of their generation.” In less than two months, Ben&Ben’s recently released album has surpassed more than 30 million streams on Spotify alone—a groundbreaking feat that attests to the group’s universal appeal and enduring impact for nearly an entire decade.

After achieving records in both streaming and digital sales and sending their songs to the top of the music charts, Ben&Ben are determined to put their work on the global music map with the release of “Cheap Love,” a new collaborative single with acclaimed and best-selling Taiwanese singer-songwriter WeiBird.

Epitomizing the moment when dawn shows its first light, “Cheap Love” is the sonic equivalent of wandering between a dreamlike state and an awakened mind throughout the night. It’s about the journey of finding a long, lasting love after having experienced so much pain in the past. According to William Wei, known professionally as WeiBird, the title of the song is a play on words, and nothing more than just faint bliss and ecstasy. “It’s a temporary band-aid for a big gushing wound, but it never fills the hole inside. Moreover, it increases the feeling of emptiness. What I’m trying to say is, you can’t bargain your way into love. Love is truly hard to find.”

Ben&Ben interprets the material in the same manner as WeiBird does, aware of the reality that comes with seeking genuine love in the direst of situations. “With the chorus repeating over and over how difficult it is to find a ‘rhyme better than you and I,’ it shows how drawn and enamored we are by the idea of love but oftentimes find ourselves in a pit when trying to really make it something more.”

With its stripped-down instrumentation embracing listeners with a sense of comforting warmth, “Cheap Love” expresses the woes and triumphs of a generation caught up in romantic longing and desire. The listening experience is made more compelling by the vocal harmonies of Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin, and the earnest delivery of WeiBird, making the audience feel more hopeful than ever despite the uncertainty of the present conditions.

“We’re grateful that by just being our authentic selves musically, we were able to add to the song both in production, vocals, and instrumentation something that WeiBird seemed to be happy with,” the nine-piece group shares in a statement. “We took an active role in building on the magic that the song already had, and we’re happy with how it turned out.”

The song was written and produced by WeiBird himself, with co-production and mixing duties by frequent collaborators Aven Tsai and Sean Sinclair. The Mandopop and folk-pop star explains that Ben&Ben also pitched in ideas for the arrangement and music side of things, resulting into a more polished, sonically impressive output that showcases the best of both worlds.

WeiBird adds, “I wrote, played and produced the whole song on the album version. However, for this collab I haven’t had to do much because Ben&Ben was amazing. I remember listening to a demo of them playing along to my original track, and I could already imagine how it would come to be later. And the final results were not far from my imagination. It was awesome.”

“Cheap Love” is the first single off WeiBird’s first official English album. It follows the success of his fifth studio album, Sounds Of My Life, which peaked at No.1 on Taiwanese album charts in 2020, and received four nominations at the 32nd Golden Melody Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Mandarin Album. The track also serves as the second international collaboration of Ben&Ben after “Leaves,” featuring K-pop star Young K.

“Cheap Love” is out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Taiwan. Click here to watch official music video.

AmiananPop champions North Luzon pop music with first edition of its songwriting festival

 The movement aims to secure regional music’s place in the contemporary music canon

In an effort to foster a better understanding of the North Luzon culture and identity through contemporary music, AmiananPop Music Inc. is officially launching the maiden edition of its songwriting festival, which will take place online this December 4, 2021.

Taking a page from fellow contemporaries, Visayan Pop Music Festival (Vispop) and Mindanao Popular Music Festival (MinPop), the newly formed institution puts a spotlight on a new breed of composers, interpreters, musicians, and producers representing the Ilocos, Cordillera, and Cagayan region, as well as some non-Tagalog speaking areas in Central Luzon.

Through AmiananPop Songwriting Festival 2021, artists from the North are encouraged to write, record, and produce songs in their own language as a way to present one’s individuality and debunk misconceptions about non-Manileño Filipino cultures. “Every language and/or dialect is unique, and so are the stories and nuances that come with it, and that is why this is the ultimate goal of the movement, to create a community of storytellers that will represent the NOW generation of Northern singer/songwriters,” says AmiananPop Co-Founder and Chairman Davey Langit.

The annual competition is committed to bringing modern regional pop music at the forefront of mainstream consciousness by making sure that the songs are well-produced and could compete on a global level. As Ebe Dancel, Co-Founder and President of AmiananPop sums it up, “All the finalists have excellently-written and arranged songs, and the melodies are great. How do we bridge the gap? We make sure that the songs are well-produced, so that when people not familiar with the language hear them, they will be encouraged to look for the translation of all songs.”

Going all out on its debut edition, AmiananPop aims to secure its place on the Philippine music map with its insistence to subvert old practices and embrace new forms of music-making that is at par with the professional level in highly urbanized areas such as Metro Manila. Using the tagline Sikamimet!, which is an Ilocano word for ‘it’s our turn,” the regional songwriting event is keen on igniting a new music movement from North Luzon that turns the resounding battle cry into a marker of an evolving and dynamically growing scene.

“We have to bring it to the fore and show the people that we have an evolving culture, particularly, in music,” Co-Founder and Board Member Noel Cabangon explains the basis behind AmiananPop’s vision. “The songs that we know are already traditional songs. What about the stories and song of the new generation? That’s how important cultural evolution is. Dapat kasabay ng pag-evolve ng panahon ang kultura.”

This year’s finalists have shown promise in making generation-defining anthems that not only assert cultural identity in a compelling way, but also reflect the social conditions of their immediate environment and the community that shaped their individuality. The North Luzon artists that impressed the adjudicators in the preliminary rounds include:

Angelic Mateo, SUNGBAT

Harold Lumandaz, URAYEN KA

Jomabel Trapse, BISIKLETA

Fernan Castro Estrada (Composer) & Melchor Orpilla (Lyricicst), LAINËNG ONAN ARO

Ryan Madrid (Composer) & Kimberly Collado (Lyricist), PUDNO NGA AYAT

Ruth Lee Resuello, AGKA MAPAGA

Ruth Lee Resuello, ANTO KASI NGARAN TU MAN

Rivah-Anne Singson & Remedios Singson, NAPACURUG NGA AYA

Red Gumayagay, ARAPAAP

Patrick Visto, LAB STORY

The selection went through rigorous process of adjudication led by Chairman Davey Langit, President Ebe Dancel, as well as Foundation Board Members Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, Noel Cabangon, Gary Granada, Ma. Cristina Joy Balajadia, Melvin Morallos, Christopher Donaal, and Agat Morallos.

According to Co-Founder Noel Cabangon, the finalists are selected based on musicality, lyrics, creativity and new sound. “We determine entries not on their winnability but how the songs are creatively crafted,” the award-winning and critically acclaimed singer-songwriter adds.

AmiananPop Songwriting Festival 2021 is the first project of AmiananPop Music Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to champion the beauty and diversity of contemporary pop music in North Luzon and its peripheral regions. This year’s festival is co-presented by official partners and sponsors: PhilPop, FILSCAP, NLEX-SCREX, PotenCee, Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros, Office of Cong. Kristine Singson, Office of Cong. Christopher de Venecia, Mansho, and Island Living.

Summit SuperSHEroes Come in Pink! 100+ Leaders of Breast Cancer Patient Groups Band Together

Olympic Gold Medalist Hidilyn Diaz surprised a group of Breast Cancer patient advocate leaders on the last day of the 2-day Patient Power Summit led and organized by the ICanServe Foundation Inc.

A SuperSHEro herself, Diaz related her humble beginnings,  how she hurdled the  battles that got in the way of her dreams with the grace and determination of a champion’s heart.  Diaz emphasized, “Hindi ako sumuko. (I didn’t give up).”   She said, the formula was simple “level up your game to reach your goal.” As a sports icon and an authentic leader in her field, she said  the goal should always be to become a  survivor and a victor.

 In a gathering of cancer advocate leaders that represented 34 breast cancer patient groups from all over the country, the mission was beyond helping navigate a patient through wellness. “We continue to believe that early detection saves lives and we need to continue to make strides. But we also see the need to reach out and help each other, to share cancer resources, to work together to make an even bigger difference, to possibly come up with sustainable solutions for the breast cancer community,” Crisann Celdran, co-founder and Chairman of the ICanServe Foundation. She opened the summit with a call to the forerunners of the community to work closely together, elevate the advocacy and work towards speaking as one.

 Kara Magsanoc-Alikpala, founding Chairman of the ICANSERVE Foundation, pointed out this is a unique time in the health space where one witnesses the most number of  founders of cancer patient groups carving a new path. “It’s a historical moment in the cancer space, as we witness the evolution of a new frontier we call the patient movement. We’re all founders, pioneers, and first or second generation volunteers. We have to be navigators for each other, as we shape a future, free of cancer,” Alikpala said.

 Cancer patient leaders in attendance belonged to organizations that were independently created, hospital based, or founded with the help of a cancer doctor or a socio civic group. Yet they all  shared the same concerns from psycho social, the drastic interruption in family life,  to financial, to lack of access to quality care and affordable or free cancer diagnostics, treatments, palliative and survivorship care. ICANSERVE President Nikoy de Guzman also observed they shared the same burning desire to serve, “walang survivor na hindi lumaban.”

 The patient leaders vowed they will not rest nor be complacent till breast cancer is diagnosed in its early stage cancer when it’s most curable, till every patient with cancer, no matter the stage, age, income bracket, religion, ethnicity, are given quality care and a chance to be with family for longer. Till seeing the end to breast cancer.

 The Patient Power Summit was made possible and successful through the help of partner brands and organizations such as Bio-ONCO, AIA Summit, In the Pink, Pfizer Philippines Foundation, Nestle, Mondelez Philippines and Skincare for Hope.

 To find out more information about how you can support breast cancer advocacy, like and follow the official ICanServe Foundation Facebook Page, www.icanservefoundation.org, and ICANSERVE on Instagram and Twitter.

Sony Music Philippines Launches New Christian label ‘WATERWALK RECORDS’

 Local Christian label launches with 12 new tracks across a variety of genres

Sony Music Philippines launched WATERWALK RECORDS, a music label focused on bringing fresh Christian music to a new, streaming generation. The label will feature faith-based entertainment artists from across the length and breadth of the country, who represent the best of Christian music combined with their own unique styles.

“In the Philippines, Christian music emerges from daily life and is a reflection of the country’s rich culture,” said Roslyn Pineda, General Manager, Sony Music Philippines. “Pop music inspired by Christian melodies has arguably created some of the most interesting music in recent years. It’s a diverse genre full of talented artists who use faith as a regular way of connecting with people. WATERWALK RECORDS has huge opportunities to grow as we work with talented artists such as Morissette, Gloryfall and Hazel Faith and others to bring their music to fans all across Asia”.

“The Philippines is a musically rich country, well known for showcasing the best of Christian music in Southeast Asia,” said Ariel Fung, EVP, Sony Music Southeast Asia. “With WATERWALK RECORDS, our vision is to create a hub for Christian music in Asia that serves artists and writers who are creating ground-breaking music and impacting the lives of millions. Our stellar line up of artists we’re working with is just the start of helping us achieve that vision, representing the very best of local and regional talent.”

The artist, Morissette, popularly referred to as "Asia's Phoenix", will release the label’s first single, “Waterwalk” on 28 October. “Mapayapa” — a collaboration between Christian worship band Gloryfall and singer/songwriter Hazel Faith- will be released on 30 October.

“I am thrilled to be taking part in Sony Music‘s new Christian label and get to share, and sing, of the word of God and all His great works,“ added Morissette. “ It's only been a couple of years since I've made the decision to really follow Jesus and one thing I can really attest to is that we just need to trust Him in everything. I've been through some very challenging times too especially during this season, but it's His grace that saves me and keeps me going, His love that comforts and protects me, and His promise that I will always keep in my heart. The track "Waterwalk" portrays all of that, and a reminder that what He has done for His people then, He will also do for His people now, we need only to anchor on to Him.”

Rapper/actor Jericho Arceo and Stell of SB19, will also release a joint single. Arceo is well known for creating viral videos on social media and being a member of the cast for the show The World Between Us, while Stell who is a part of SB19, one of the most popular P-pop groups in the Philippines, is embarking on his first solo venture through this collaboration.

In another first, Nathan Huang from the band ‘of Mercury’ (formerly known as Nathan & Mercury) will also have his first solo venture through the label and will collaborate with Darla Baltazar, who was recently featured as one of the 16 Artists to Watch on the international website The Gospel Coalition.

Janine Danielle, a worship leader from Favor Church, will be singing a track penned and produced by one of Spotify’s most followed Filipino artists Moira Dela Torre, and Moira’s frequent collaborator and husband, Jason Hernandez. The lineup also includes singles from beloved worship leaders from various churches in the Philippines: Lee Simon Brown (from Victory Worship), Cola Cabalcar, Kent Charcos, Cherise Katriel, and Sam&Steff.

To showcase the richness of the region, WATERWALK RECORDS will also release a single from Ariel Tsai, a popular Taiwanese singer/songwriter, pianist, and YouTuber signed under Sony Music Taiwan.

The 12 tracks from WATERWALK RECORDS are expected to be released within this year.

For more updates on the new tracks, artists, and upcoming events, please follow:

Waterwalk Records: Facebook | Instagram

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I attended the virtual presscon.

SANOFI JOINS THE WORLD IN CELEBRATING WORLD HEART DAY BY ADDRESSING THE CHALLENGES OF THE TIMES

September 29 is World Heart Day all around the globe.

 More than just a celebration, World Heart Day was established in the hopes that it could reach more people and be able to spread awareness about the perils of heart diseases and stroke.

 Sanofi recognizes that this is a unique time to be worried about heart health and learn more about the steps that should be taken to ensure risk-free living, especially under a cloud of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s heartbreaking to see those with comorbidities battle a critical to severe form of the virus- forcing them to put their lives on hold, be isolated from family, friends and people who matters most to them,” Amal Makhloufi Benchouk, the Philippines Country Lead for Sanofi, shared in her opening remarks.

Statistics have shown that 7 out of 10 people are diagnosed with hypertension, and 2 out of 10 hypertension patients die. Sanofi continues to respond to the challenge of dealing with comorbidities during this time, by emphasizing the need to address the lack of awareness and limited access to cardiovascular disease management.

 “Cardiovascular Disease remains the number 1 killer in the world, resulting in about 18.6 Million deaths worldwide and over 520 million people globally living with cardiovascular disease that has been disproportionately affected by the pandemic,” she remarked.

 Sanofi’s mission has led them to create the Empower Hypertension Program, which aims to deliver awareness, prevention, and management to patients. The program provides enlisted patients with free coaching sessions led by nurse educators to arm them with information that tackles myths and facts about the disease, among others.

 Sanofi has also partnered with Omron, a leading medical electronics company, to extend a 20% to 25% discount to patients, encouraging them to procure the technology in order to monitor their blood pressure regularly.

 Sanofi remains committed to its mission to promote hypertension management at the early stages and to inspire individuals to take control of their own health.

 To learn more about the program, visit www.sanofi.ph or thru their Instagram account @sanofi.ph.

PhilPop 2021 DigiCamp integrates workshop-based approach to this year’s virtual edition

Despite the challenges of adapting to a virtual setting, PhilPop 2021 DigiCamp: Music Breaking Borders has successfully integrated strategic innovations to its curriculum that would help aspiring singer-songwriters enhance their skillset and be part of a progressive learning experience.

Facilitated by some of the Philippines’ most respected educators, artists, and music leaders via Zoom, the country’s premier songwriting competition continues to hold a series of lectures and workshops for a period of four months (from July to October 2021) to put a spotlight on the next generation of OPM stars and future music industry fellows.

PhilPop Program and Marketing Manager Gab Cabangon reiterates that the team has always believed in the importance of opening several opportunities for the attendees to learn different aspects of music outside of songwriting. “We wanted to give the fellows options, guides, and tools that could help them with the direction on their music journey. The additional skills that they learn from this could help them evolve as practitioners in the music industry and further fuel their passion and love for the craft of music. Lastly, it wouldn’t hurt to also encourage songwriters to learn how to write songs to make society a better place for everyone.”

Marlon Barnuevo, PhilPop finalist 2013 and one of the resident coaches, considers PhilPop 2021 DigiCamp: Music Breaking Borders as one with the most matured curriculum for a songwriting camp. “Aside from the fact that most of the coaches came from the acclaimed Elements Songwriting Camp, all the past PhilPop bootcamps provided valuable knowledge that allowed the teaching contents to be refined into what we are currently delivering now.”

Given the virtual format of this year’s bootcamp, the coaches have tweaked some of their best practices to adhere to a more inclusive learning environment. As a college educator, Marlon has been doing full-online modality since the pandemic started, so there was little adjustment on his part when it comes to delivering lectures for the PhilPop DigiCamp participants.

“PhilPop has also successfully adapted the synchronous-asynchronous method of delivering lectures, which is now a very common approach in all academic institutions around the country,” Marlon beams with pride. “What I had to adjust to, and what I sorely miss is the absence of face-to-face fellowship activities. In all the previous camps, it has always been a tradition to hold jamming sessions every evening over food and drinks. This form of fellowship is what’s missing in this year’s camp.”

In order to compensate with the need to make the songwriting mentorship more interesting, PhilPop coaches provided a workshop-based approach to give participants an inclusive and well-rounded perspective on different areas and fields in the music industry such as songwriting, music production, digital marketing, and advocacy writing—to name a few.

A first-time coach herself, University of the Philippines instructor and Baihana member Krina Cayabyab shares that aside from making slides and presenting music during her lecture, she made her sessions more informative by giving clearer pointers that are essential for interacting with the current creative and digital economy.

“I believe this virtual setting has given more flexibility and opportunity for the participants to sink deeper into their work and absorb discussions further, and make the most out of these in their own time, capacity, and space,” says coach Krina. “Though it might be challenging in some circumstances, collaborating with fellow participants and meeting them virtually, I think, still achieved much of the DigiCamp’s objectives. It’s really like accomplishing tasks through today’s reality, and the DigiCamp has made it happen as effectively as it can ever be.”

Award-winning R&B singer-songwriter, producer, and composer Thyro Alfaro is generally satisfied with how the participants took the new format this year despite the prolonged period of remote learning. “I think they’re enjoying the process,” the two-time PhilPop winner explains. “I can hear it in their songs that they’re really applying what we’re teaching.”

Yumi Lacsamana, another acclaimed pop/R&B multi-hyphenate and two-time PhilPop grand champion, echoes Thyro’s observation, pointing out how her mentees have managed to adapt easily in a virtual setting. “It’s not the same but it’s more challenging on their part collaborating with the other fellows virtually. And the outcome is pretty good.”

Yumi emphasizes that some of her best moments during the DigiCamp as a mentor includes seeing the participants grow as artists and turn their songs into a fully realized material that has potential to be massive. In terms of personal adjustments, Yumi makes the most out of her time holding a more relaxed conversation with the participants regarding what needs to be improved on their songs. “It felt like we’re not in a camp. It’s more of like we’re just in a video call talking to a friend and asking/giving an advice.”

Notwithstanding some minor drawbacks of remote learning, the DigiCamp proves to be a game-changing alternative for the traditional setup as it supported collaborative and higher-level learning through breakout room sessions, and fostered a virtual learning experience that allows participants to learn at their own pace. To quote Marlon Barnuevo, “If I were to gauge how much the participants were able to ‘step up and deliver’ through the quality of their most recent song submissions, I’d be proud to say that the entire PhilPop team has been very successful in meeting its goals.

PhilPop 2021 DigiCamp: Music Breaking Borders is an initiative of the PhilPop Music Foundation, chaired by Mr. Manny V. Pangilinan. This year's virtual event is co-presented by MAYNILAD, SMART, MULTISYS, TUNECORE and BELIEVE.

Sarabia Optical Is Now Back On Track This Season

 

Sarabia Optical has launched See the Difference, #SeeLifeClearly to educate the importance of eye health and eyecare for any lifestyle. As Sarabia Optical continuously offers best-in-class products available in the market, the brand is also working its way to expand footprint to certain areas, reaching people who need eyewear for their everyday need.

As people work exhaustively using computers or outside the workplace, it is important to wear the best protective eyecare products to prevent eye strain and headaches that may affect productivity. Offering optical services for more than over a century, Sarabia Optical ensures to help people see life clearly for their specific vision needs, from distance to reading glasses, and even to protection from harmful radiation called blue light. Sarabia Optical also gives customers an extra fashionable impact for their daily life. Complete eyewear from Sarabia Optical assures durability and style for its frame along with all the necessary features of graded lenses, with an exclusive free eye consultation. Priding its expertise around the market, the brand also offers wide variety of eyewear products from a normal lens to protective lenses, and contact lens from clear to colored.

Best-In-Class Products

Sarabia Optical offers exclusive frames, sunglasses, prescription lenses, and contact lenses that give protection and overall benefits to its users, promoting complete eye care protection. Aside from having self-curated choices in store for its customers, the brand also has exclusive optical designer brands such as Lindberg, Mykita, Randolph, Gotti and Garrett Leight California Optical. Sarabia Optical also offers premium designer brands such as Gucci, Givenchy, Cartier, Tom Ford and more.

Sarabia Optical is also one of the largest retailers of the best optical lens brand in the world, Essilor. It is a world leader and producer of innovative optical lenses from France for the global market, which continuously develops lenses to assure full protection and comfort for its users. Essilor aims to fully protect wearer’s eyes from harmful blue light and UV rays that may cause blurry eyesight, eye strain, and headache. Not only does it give UV protection, Essilor products range in many features with different type of lenses such Transitions for outdoor sunlight protection and Varilux lenses for progressive eyesight wearers.

Sarabia Optical also provides contact lenses from Alcon, an American-Swiss medical company known for highly wearable contact lenses. The brand assures easy use contact lenses that will never sacrifice comfort of the patients. The contact lenses come with many features and levels of breathability, colors and wearing time for maximum comfort. Well-known products of Alcon are Air Optix Hydraglyde, Dailies Aqua Comfort Plus, and Freshlook Illuminate.

Century of Excellence

The first Filipino owned optical since 1906, Sarabia Optical is consistently innovating the optical industry in the Philippines, applying their varied expertise to customers while providing best-in-class exclusive products to promote eye care and eye health. Currently, Sarabia Optical has 28 stores around National Capital Region and CALABARZON areas, with a mission to give Filipinos the best quality eyecare products, customer service and overall eye health.