The new track marks a subtle shift towards a more pop-oriented sound
Continuing her rise to mainstream acclaim, dwta releases her new single “‘Di Naman” via Sony Music Entertainment.
On her lushly arranged alt-pop track, the Albay native expresses her frustrations with someone who may not reciprocate the same infatuated feelings as hers.
As dwta describes it, “’Di Naman is a song about the playful but frustrating side of unrequited love. Back when I first started writing it, it felt like I was just venting about my crushes and my fear of rejection. But as time passed and I experienced more, I realized the song wasn’t just about being scared to make the first move but also about accepting that sometimes things don’t go your way in love.”
Co-produced with frequent collaborator Brian Lotho, “’Di Naman” reimagines chamber pop and jazz music influences through her own contemporary lens. This marks a subtle shift from her folk-y beginnings to a more mature and sonically intricate direction, while remaining true to her personal brand as a singer-songwriter.
Everything about the song is flowy and gentle, but not quite a sleeper: the arrangements soar in its delicate but ethereal way, never getting in the way of dwta’s affecting vocal delivery. The ascending strings and expressive piano lines contribute to the track’s masterful musicality. But it’s through her subdued singing that gives the torch ballad its much needed introspection and soul, striking a balance between old and new, and never feeling heavy on both ends of the spectrum.
“Our goal was to create a pop sound with an upbeat, quirky vibe,” explains the Santigwar hitmaker. “For the arrangement, we went through many revisions of the lyrics and melody. We added verses, changed some lyrics and melodies, and removed certain parts of the song. These adjustments made it easier to listen to compared to the original arrangement. We wanted to ensure that the song flowed smoothly and captured the right mood, making listeners to easily connect with the emotions.”
According to dwta, the song was inspired by some of her musical heroes, including Emily King, Lawrence, and Laufey.
As a Filipino recording artist born and raised in Bicol, dwta has shown immense promise in music—thanks to her artistic flair and charismatic folk/pop songwriting. With music that is deeply rooted in Bicolano heritage, the award-winning artist “crafts a musical journey that not only embraces the vibrant traditions of her country and the region, but also touches the hearts of a listener.” To date, she has amassed more than 30 million streams on Spotify alone and has performed in packed venues across the country. One of her biggest hits includes “Padaba Taka,” which won her the award for Best Regional Recording at the Awit Awards in 2023. Dwta is also part of this year’s roster of Spotify RADAR, an annual program for rising artists.
Dwta’s “‘Di Naman” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
The song serves as the third single off her upcoming fifth album, to be released at the end of the year
Photo by Nina Sandejas
Barbie Almalbis continues to confront her inner struggles by releasing another song that openly addresses them in a musical way, following the release of her previous songs “Desperate Hours” and “Homeostasis.”
Her new song, “Happy Sad,” reflects on her own mental health and the stigma behind it, while helping her process her feelings through writing songs.
The alt-pop figure explains, “Sometimes we have to let go of things, and there are just things beyond our control, and we just got to continue, walk in and through the ‘wilderness,’ but I’ve always found hope in God that even through the hard times, He is still doing something good.”
Nick Lazaro, who also assisted in arranging the instrumental parts, produced the emotionally vulnerable track. Eclectic Kiss artists such as Pikoy, Marika Laciste, Faye Yu, and Marj Rojas also contributed to the background vocals, adding subtle layers of intricacies to the mix.
“I recorded the acoustic guitar and vocal at home, and we did backing vocals with everyone in Nick’s studio,” says Barbie Almalbis. “Nick also recorded the main instrumental track in his studio.”
“Happy Sad” will be part of her upcoming 2024 full-length album, which thematically brings her journey towards mental health, healing, and self-discovery into the conversation. She plans to release it sometime in November 2024.
Barbie Almalbis’ “Happy Sad” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide.
“Something magical happens when artists come together! ”
Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila‘s creative director, couldn’t contain her excitement when asked about the upcoming world premiere of Florante at Laura.
The outstanding production, which comes at the heels of the ballet company’s highly successful Ibong Adarna, will be staged at the Aliw Theater on October 12, 2024, at 8 PM, and on October 13 and 19, 2024 at 5 PM. Florante at Laura will gather some of the country’s highly esteemed creatives in music, literature, ballet, and stage production.
A collaboration of masters in their craft
“Florante at Laura was a project that was going to be Gerardo Francisco’s next epic adventure. This was planned way before the pandemic happened,” recalled Lisa.
Gerardo is the dance company’s longtime principal dancer and co-artistic associate, who also choreographed the award-winning Ibong Adarna. Working with him is the exemplary British choreographer Martin Lawrance who is behind Ballet Manila’s full length innovative retelling of Romeo and Juliet in the Filipino setting.
With this collaboration, Gerardo shared, “Clear communication, thorough discussions, and mutual support were crucial in keeping us on track.” To this, Martin agrees. “We just seem to click and bounce ideas off of each other. It has so far been a very fruitful collaboration. Communication has been the key!”
From the collaboration between Gerardo and Martin, the intricate pieces to this masterpiece of a production started falling into place when Lisa invited renowned writer and balagtasan expert Professor Michael Coroza as a guest in her show, Art 2 Art, where she asked him to watch Ibong Adarna. “I then invited Michael to collaborate with Gerardo and Martin Lawrence to create the libretto for Florante at Laura.”
Soon after, the quest for a composer began. Lisa imagined someone who can create original compositions akin to a Filipino Tchaikovsky—sweeping, dramatic, powerful, and romantic. “I was so very thrilled when National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab said yes!” shared Lisa.
One of the pillars of Original Pilipino Music (OPM), Ryan Cayabyab, was named National Artist for Music in 2018 with an extensive body of work ranging from orchestras and full-length musical productions to television and commercials. “It had been quite some time since I wrote a large musical work,” he shared.
Despite being a seasoned composer and musician, Ryan was thrilled to work with fellow creatives: “Most important before I start creating music is the mutual understanding among the other creatives and the producer regarding style and medium of music.”
Breathing life into his original compositions is the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth (OFY) under the baton of his son, Toma Cayabyab—another dream fulfilled for Ryan. “Everything is a surprise and wonder for me. I challenged myself into accepting this landmark ballet production, and I hope that it becomes an important legacy for all of us involved in it.”
An epic production with mesmerizing visuals
A literary masterpiece written by Filipino poet Francisco ‘Balagtas’ Baltasar and published in 1838, Florante at Laura follows the story of Florante, a duke who was held captive and enslaved by the Turks. But with the help of Aladin, he managed to escape from his captors to return to his country, Albania, to face off the usurper Count Adolfo, seek redemption, and reunite with his beloved Laura.
To translate the story’s universal themes of love, betrayal, and friendship in dramatic visuals, Ballet Manila tapped the expertise of key players who have been involved in many local and international productions for decades. Set designer Mio Infante explained that his designs depict not just the actual setting in the story. “This epic ballet includes a diverse set of locations, which not only serve as physical spaces but also symbolize the internal and external conflicts of the characters, as well as broader themes of love, war, loyalty, and betrayal.”
Complementing his designs are the stunning costumes from Make It Happen, led by Otto Hernandez & Therese Arroyo Hernandez. The duo noted, “Costumes play a crucial role in conveying the story and message of a production. It can contribute to the overall visual aesthetics, help define characters, evoke emotions, and enhance the audience’s understanding of the narrative.”
Meanwhile, lighting director John Batalla emphasizes the importance of using a distinct lighting color palette to differentiate the varied locales of Florante and Laura. “Mood is certainly a major part of the themes that lighting has to tackle in a production such as this in order to transport the audiences to a different time and far-away places.”
Expect more from Ballet Manila
As one of the country’s leading dance companies, Ballet Manila has been known for its keen eye for excellence and artistry. While it has created many award-winning productions, the audience can expect more world class performances thanks to the leadership of Lisa.
But for now, she wishes the audience to bask in the magical greatness of Florante at Laura. “That’s why we work so hard every day – to create art that people will want to watch again and again.”
All performances will be staged at Aliw Theater, Pasay City. For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.
Your gut is not just a digestive organ; it’s your body’s second brain. The health of your gut plays a significant role in your overall well-being, influencing everything from your mood to your metabolism. Taking care of your gut and paying attention to your “gut feel” can provide valuable clues to your health in two ways:
You are a gut defender if…
You believe that prevention is better than cure. You know your body well, you listen to its cues, and you are always on the lookout for ways to keep your health in tip-top shape.
You normally don’t have unexpected health issues, but when you find yourself in a different environment, you know your gut may start to bubble. However, with every new place, diet, or even schedule, you take the necessary steps to let your gut adjust to your surroundings.
You understand how a balanced diet is important to keep your body strong, and you find that adding probiotics to your routine can give your already healthy gut an extra boost.
You are a gut restorer if…
You have a spontaneous and adventurous spirit and prefer to live in the moment without constantly monitoring your body’s signals. You know it’s important to be proactive about your health, but sometimes you get distracted by the flurry of activity around you.
Stomach issues like indigestion, diarrhea, or bloating feel second nature to you, and you struggle with unexplained fatigue, sluggishness, or mood swings. You’re wary of antibiotics because you feel the effects of a weak immune system when taking them. In your more adventurous moments, you’re prone to suffer the consequences of poor eating habits or bad food preparation.
Once concerns about your digestive health arise, you are quick to look out for probiotics that can help restore the balance of your gut microbiome.
The gut is home to a complex community of bacteria known as the microbiome. When the balance is disrupted regardless of age or disposition in life, unwanted bacteria may grow, potentially damaging the gut and affecting overall health.
Get your gut in tip-top shape at all times with Erceflora
Your lifestyle choices play a significant role in shaping your gut health, and being more attuned to your bodily needs or knowing when best to listen to your body are both helpful starting points for lifelong wellness.
This is why, Erceflora Kiddie relaunched into two new variants, Erceflora Gut Defense for regular support to enhance intestinal ecology, and Erceflora Gut Restore which helps enhance the body’s natural resistance to gut infections for when symptoms arise.
Through probiotics like Erceflora that contain billions of Bacillus clausii intelli-spores, you can reap not only the immediate benefits of a healthy gut microbiome, but its long term effects to overall health down the line as well.
You can purchase a box of Erceflora in your nearest drug store or pharmacy, or online through the Sanofi Official Store at LazMall, Shopee Mall, and Tiktok Mall. For more information, visit the Erceflora website here.
To know more about the right Erceflora probiotic for you, take the gut assessment test here or scan the QR code below.
Water from the faucet or tap in the Philippines is not safe for drinking, and the quality of the water does not meet the standards set by the national government, especially in urban areas.
Data from the United Nations and Unicef showed that a majority, 53 percent of households in the Philippines do not have access to a safely managed water supply, with 48 percent of the population receiving safely managed or piped water services. The situation in schools is even more severe, with 55 percent lacking access to pure and healthy water.
The lack of access to essential water and sanitation services among a large part of the Philippine population results in illness, malnutrition, and childhood stunting. Indeed, nearly one-third of Filipino children suffer from stunting.
Indeed, according to the 2022 Annual Poverty Indicators Survey (APIS), more than half of the population source their drinking water from water filter system and bottled water (54.3 percent). But this comes at a cost, with Filipino consumers spending up to P7,000 in monthly water filter system expenses.
Karofi Water Purifier, a global brand and one of the world’s best water purifiers for home that is present in 50 countries, was honored as one of the “Top 10 ASEAN Strong Brands 2024” at the 8th Edition of the ASEAN Strong Brand Announcement Ceremony 2024, is expanding in the Philippines with a pilot store at Robinsons Magnolia Mall. The honor is a testament to Karofi’s research and development efforts to fulfill its mission “to ensure the healthy life for everyone in the water and air environment of our beautiful green planet.“
Karofi will launch a pilot store at Robinsons Magnolia Mall on September 8, giving Filipinos access to the most advanced water filtration technology and cheap water filters, the SMAX Pro V. This technology removes 99.99 percent of bacteria and provides good-tasting, alkaline, and hydrogen-induced quality water.
“Karofi was established with a mission to protect and enhance every people’s health in any environment. We have a mission to protect the water we drink and we are now one of the leading brands globally with a presence in 50 countries. We should all live beautifully,” said Karofi chief customer officer Huong Elly in his speech.
Actress Coleen Garcia, the official endorser of Karofi Water Purifier, said she is elated by her partnership with the brand. “I am excited to be here today. I have been using water purifiers for a long time because we are trying to minimize our use of plastic bottles [which clogs the drainage system and adds to global warming]. I have been loving Karofi water filters so far, and I like their new counter top water purifier with hot and cold water functionalities at the turn of a knob. Plus, the water quality tastes so good, in addition to being so healthy.”
She went on, “Water is a basic necessity and we consume it on a daily basis. We have to make sure that the water we provide our family is of maximum quality. Karofi’s water purifiers offer the most health benefits, with the safest and healthiest features. I am so impressed.”
Meanwhile, Elly explained that hydrogen neutralizes and alkaline water fights oxidants and free radicals for healthy cells and bodies. Karofi’s cheap water filter system will enable Filipinos to drink water directly from the tap without the need to boil it or buy it from refilling stations or bottled water. It is the best cheap water filter in the market.
Karofi’s water purifier filters also use Nano Silver, which kills or inhibits the growth of microorganisms, including pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi, but causes little to no damage to the human body. Nano Silver prevents re-infection when water circulates in the filter system.
“The economics of the water purifier are better. Karofi’s water filters have hydrogen and alkaline for better health, safe and clean water to prepare milk for babies, and a safe water source that meets the standards set by the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water and regulator of FDA Certified Water Filters,” Karofi said.
In addition, Karofi’s water purifiers could reduce the cost of clean drinking water to only between P1,000 and P1,500 in six to eight months.
Garcia highlighted the health benefits of alkaline water in the body, but added sometimes it is a challenge where to buy alkaline water. “This gives us more reason to try Karofi water purifiers because of its quality. The questions you may ask yourselves are “Is the water purifier safe?” and How to install [Karofi] water filter?” The answers are, yes, water purifiers are safe, and it’s easy to install them,” she added.
“Karofi is the best water purifier for home,” Garcia stated.
Clean drinking water
Potable drinking wateris an everyday necessity. Most consumers are very meticulous in choosing the kind of water they drink and give their young children, preferring alkaline water or pure distilled water.
Karofi has successfully developed advanced SMAX water filtration technology with double efficiency and is the pioneering water purifier brand integrating Industry 4.0 technologies into water purifiers (comprehensive water quality control technology on AioTec smartphones; voice-activated water collection technology VoiceCall).
Karofi is the only brand certified for pure drinking water, standard bottled water QCVN 6-1:2010/MOH, from the Institute of Occupational Health & the Environment, making one of the best water purifiers for home in the Philippines.
Integrating modern 4.0 technologies into water purifiers gives Karofi users convenient access to safe and clean water. The technologies include VoiceCall technology, which allows voice-activated water pouring; AioTec technology, which enables smartphone users to control water quality; touch-screen water collection technology, and quick hot and deeply cold technology.
The unique innovation allows users to monitor Karofi’s water quality using smartphones.
Karofi key features:
Reliable quality—Karofi water purifiers have a multi-level water treatment process to ensure that water is free from bacteria, visible particles, foul odor and, taste, etc. The water coming out from the filtration system is visually crystal clear. The water is guaranteed safe for drinking for adults, but most especially for babies and young children.
Superior technology – With its optimum performance, Karofi water purifiers offer 50 percent cost savings on power. Its energy efficiency promises quick heating and cooling.
11 SMAX filters, HP 6.0—Guaranteed good water quality. The filter technology and the HP 6 feature mean that it has alkaline-like quality water and assures the removal of 99.99 percent of bacteria. The water quality is recommended to be safe for infants and young children. It is also odorless and good-tasting, with a hint of sweetness or citrus flavor.
Peace of mind—You are secure that the water you and your family drink is clean and safe and will not cause sickness. Avoiding hospitalization and medical costs can save you plenty of money from Karofi’s cheap water filter system.
Healthier choice—Switching to Karofi water purifiers from a water refilling station offers consumers the best life without the worry of acquiring water-borne diseases like diarrhea or stomach discomfort. A healthy family will provide consumers with financial stability and security while allowing families to spend more time together. In addition , alkaline water purifier is good for the skin.
Optimizes convenience – You can have unlimited clean, safe and fresh water at home anytime. You do not need to order from water refilling stations.
Value for money – Users of Karofi water purifiers spend between P1,500 and P2,000 every six months to change filters. Sometimes, it is even less if the water from the source is cleaner. Spending P1,500 – P2,000 every six to eight months is more affordable than per-gallon expenses from water refilling stations or buying bottled water.
FDA-approved and certified, with a 36-month warranty.
Manila, Philippines – GenSan, brace yourselves because Big Bad Wolf is hungry for some fish and is heading down to the tuna capital of the Philippines! Big Bad Wolf Books is coming to town for the very first time and will set up camp this October 11 to October 26 at the Veranza Activity Center, KCC Mall of GenSan, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.
Shortly following the successful Bacolod Book Sale in Visayas, Big Bad Wolf is heading down to Mindanao to complete its journey through the three major islands of the Philippines. It’s Big Bad Wolf Books’ first time to partner with Veranza Malls – one of the malls of Koronadal Commercial Corporation or KCC, and everyone’s surely excited to see Big Bad Wolf take over the place! Over two million books are in tow as Big Bad Wolf Books lines up unbelievable discounts and exciting deals. Partnered with Metrobank, credit cardholders get an exclusive 0% 3-month installment promo for single-receipt purchases worth at least P3,000, so GenSan Wolfies, better watch out and stay tuned to Big Bad Wolf’s social media pages for updates!
Staying committed to its goal to welcome 1M readers into the pack, Big Bad Wolf strives to serve not only in the great metro, but across the islands as well. Be it Luzon, Visayas, or Mindanao, Big Bad Wolf Books will always come through with delightful surprises that will for sure reel in the reads!
Get ready, GenSan, because it’s your turn to meet the Big Bad Wolf! Excited? Big Bad Wolf certainly is! Head on over to the Veranza Activity Center, KCC Mall of GenSan on October 11 to 26 from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. Parking is free as well!
For more information regarding Big Bad Wolf’s current and upcoming Book Sales, you can visit their website or check out their social media accounts (Facebook | Instagram)
The Jollibee Group, through its Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) in partnership with the Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), is reinforcing sustainable business practices and contributes to the improvement of the economy by empowering smallholder farmers. Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of Jollibee Group Philippines highlighted during his speech at the inaugural Agriculture and Food Security Summit that sourcing directly from farmer cooperatives has become a key procurement growth strategy of the company.
MANILA, Philippines. 01 October 2024 – The Jollibee Group, through its Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP) in partnership with the Jollibee Group Foundation, Inc. (JGF), is reinforcing sustainable business practices and contributes to the improvement of the economy by empowering smallholder farmers.
FEP provides training, resources, and direct market access to these farmers, making them long-term partners in Jollibee Group’s supply chain. This initiative not only strengthens the company’s procurement strategy but also improves the livelihoods of Filipino farmers.
“In our pursuit of a sustainable supply chain and our commitment to inclusive business practices, we had to take a close look at how our company can be part of the solution in improving the plight of the farmers. This is why our social development arm, the Jollibee Group Foundation, created the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program,” said Joseph Tanbuntiong, CEO of Jollibee Group Philippines. Tanbuntiong made the remarks during his speech at the Makati Business Club’s Agriculture and Food Security Summit last September 16.
With the theme, “Food is Everyone’s Business,” the summit brought together key figures to address pressing food security issues and to empower the farming sector through collaboration. Department of Agriculture (DA) Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel delivered a keynote on the Nine-Point Plan of the government.
During the inaugural Makati Business Club’s Agriculture and Food Security Summit, Jollibee Group Foundation President Gisela Tiongson highlighted the need for farmers to earn profitably to make agriculture an appealing long-term career including the youth.
Sustainable Procurement in Action
Jollibee Group brands, including Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal, source various vegetables—such as onions, tomatoes, and bell peppers—directly from FEP farmers. In 2023, 24% of Jollibee Group’s onion supply came from FEP farmers, with plans to increase this to 33% by end of 2024. This sustainable approach ensures a reliable supply while supporting environmental and economic sustainability.
“Intending to strengthen our partnership with them, our procurement team has committed to prioritizing sourcing produce from the FEP farmers to ensure cost leadership, and supply resiliency, and contribute to the development of the local economy,” added Tanbuntiong.
Empowering Farmers Through FEP
Since its launch in 2008, FEP has organized over 1,000 farmers into 30 groups across 16 localities. These farmers have supplied more than 11 million kilograms of vegetables to the Jollibee Group, generating PHP 500 million in sales. Beyond procurement, FEP trains farmers in agro-entrepreneurship, helping them operate as business partners. The program ensures that farmers meet stringent quality standards, such as Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) certification. Kalasag Multipurpose Cooperative, a key FEP farmer group, became the first onion cooperative in the Philippines to achieve a PhilGAP certification in 2017.
Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainability
FEP’s success is built on strong partnerships with local government units, microfinance institutions and cooperatives, the Department of Agriculture (DA) and academic institutions. Recently, JGF signed a three-year agreement with the DA to train more farmers nationwide in value chain development, further scaling the program.
“Our work with farmers has not been just about procurement. It was a collaborative effort in promoting innovation, process improvement, and benchmarking best practices or new technology in agricultural value chain management. This collaboration across cross-functional teams within Jollibee Group and other like-minded groups has fostered shared responsibility,” said Tanbuntiong.
At the summit, Gisela Tiongson, President of JGF, emphasized the importance of building strong farmer cooperatives that go beyond financial services to include consolidation, marketing, and other value-adding activities. “Most farmers are not formally trained as entrepreneurs, so they need support to put in place the needed financial, human resource, and enterprise system,” she said.
Tiongson highlighted the need for farmers to earn profitably to make agriculture an appealing long-term career. “The goal is for farmers’ children to say, ‘I will stay in this industry because I can earn well for my family.’”
JGF signed a Memorandum of Understanding to join forces with MBC and other companies to work together in empowering farmer cooperatives to achieve a sustainable supply chain.
Transformative Impact
FEP has had a transformative impact, providing farmers with stable incomes, access to financial services, and improved living conditions. With the help of partners, the program has also provided warehousing and cold storage facilities, enabling farmers to scale operations sustainably.
“Reflecting on the past 16 years of Jollibee Group and Jollibee Group Foundation working with cooperatives and farmers, I am reminded of the incredible power of participation and inclusion —what can be achieved when we come together, united by a shared purpose. Our experience with FEP and the farmer cooperatives demonstrate that meaningful change is not only possible but sustainable.” concluded Tanbuntiong.
The preliminaries of SM Super Spelling Bee in SM City Masinag was held at the mall atrium.
The young spelling battled it out at the SM Super Spelling Bee preliminary round in SM City Masinag last September 27 at the mall atrium. Students in Grades 4-6 from the surrounding schools in Antipolo City and Marikina City vie for the best spellers in the oral and written rounds of the contest.
At the end of the spelling bee, it was Queencess Milado, 6thgrader of the Antipolo Immaculate Conception School, who emerged as the best among her opponents in the SM Super Spelling Bee and was hailed as a finalist representing SM City Masinag.
Contestants spell out the word ‘Disguise’ during the SM Super Spelling Bee at SM City Masinag
Antipolo Immaculate Conception School 6th grader Queencess Milado was hailed as the preliminary top contender, winning Php 10,000 worth of SM Gift Certificates from SM, Php 10,000 in Gift Certificates from National Bookstore and Php 3,000 in Gift Certificates from Jollibee. She will compete at the Grand Finals that will be held in SM Mall of Asia.
On October 11, the graders of Marikina City compete for the top spot in the preliminary round of the SM City Marikina leg of the SM Super Spelling Bee. The winner from the contest will also advance to the Grand Finals which will be held in SM Mall of Asia along with the other preliminary winners from other SM Malls.
National University professor Christopher Jorge Benta was the pronouncer during the SM Super Spelling Bee at the SM City Masinag leg. He guided contestants with the pronunciation and definition of words spelled out.
The SM Super Spelling Bee consists of two rounds: the oral and written challenges. During the oral round, spellers must spell out words on the microphone, while contestants must write the right spelling of words on designated white boards and flash them during the written round.
The Grand Winner will receive P50,000 in cash and SM Gift Certificates, Php 150,000 in National Book Store Gift Certificates, Php 10,000 in Gift Certificates from Jollibee, a new laptop from Power Mac Center, and school tuition discounts from the National University (NU).
Future global pop superstar Henry Moodie releases his highly anticipated new EP, good old days, released via Robots & Humans (UK) and Columbia Records (US). The release of the EP follows the single releases of two incredible tracks, ‘beat up car’ and ‘bad emotions’. good old days is available to stream here.
Also released today is the focus single from the EP, ‘still dancing’. On ‘still dancing’, Henry delivers yet another epic ballad – his exquisite vocals flourish as the crux of the new single, accompanied by sublime production. It is beautiful and charming in equal measures, holding a deep relatability that fans and new listeners will no doubt resonate with.
Speaking about his new EP good old days, Henry said:
“‘good old days’ is an EP about navigating growing up. from songs about mental health, friendship, childhood, first love & first heartbreak. this EP captures what my late teens felt like”
At just 20-years-old, Henry Moodie has already achieved more than 572 million streams worldwide, landed in the Top 10 most viewed UK artists on TikTok in 2022 and been named amongst Amazon Music’s Artists To Watch in 2023. Following the completion of a songwriting diploma at music school BIMM, Henry found his voice as a solo musician and songwriter, oozing a level of emotional vulnerability, and sweeping, timeless lyrics. Henry released his debut EP, ‘in all of my lonely nights’, in the winter of 2023. With a combined 450m streams across tracks including self penned and produced ‘you were there for me’, global top 100 hit ‘drunk text’ and the heartfelt ‘pick up the phone’, a track which received 350k streams in it’s first day alone. Henry’s debut headline UK and European tour sold out in days – including an incredible show at London’s KOKO – and he recently performed throughout the summer at festivals across the UK, Europe and Asia.
The indie-folk singer-songwriter will be launching her album with a special live set on Friday, October 25, 2024 at Sari-Sari Cocktails in Makati City
Filipino singer-songwriter Shanne Dandan has announced the release of her highly anticipated debut album, Kung Iyong Mamarapatin—officially due out on October 25, 2024 via Viva Records.
The 10-track album serves as both an elegy for the unrealized self and a hopeful anthem for what is yet to come. Shanne penned and recorded the upcoming release after experiencing profound sadness and struggling to give herself the grace and acceptance she deserves.
“Growing up, I’ve always sung what my mother and grandmother listened to,” says the indie-folk act. The way a singer uses their voice to tell a story has always resonated with me. Kung Iyong Mamarapatin is about saying goodbye to my broken dreams in hopes of creating new, brighter ones.”
To celebrate the release of her debut album, the “Iyakin” recording artist will perform the new songs for the first time, with some live sonic surprises and a bigger backing band. The album launch will take place at Sari-Sari Cocktails in Makati City on October 25, 2024, starting at 7 p.m. Joining Shanne Dandan are some of her music peers in the local music scene, including syd hartha, Coeli, jikamarie, and ALYSON.
“I think there will be a lot of crying to expect from my album launch,” Shanne adds. Be it happy tears or not, I want to make people feel however they want to feel through my music and just let all their emotions flow. For that night, I will be performing with a bigger band than usual. I’ll be playing all the songs from the album with the people I recorded the album with.”
Shanne Dandan: Kung Iyong Mamarapatin Album Launch is presented by NYOU. Early bird tickets are available at PHP500 via bit.ly/shannedandanalbumlaunch.
