To Be Frank

Silent Nights and Happy Ever Afters is a Christmas anthology that features my short story, To Be Frank. I am very proud to be one of the writers featured in this book! Get your own copy from this link. 📚 #authorlife 🎄

Speak Write Live

Hi everyone! My second book, Speak Write Live, is now exclusively available at https://linktr.ee/speakoutsam 📕

A couple of months ago, I received numerous messages regarding how I wrote my first book. While some friends suggested that I make a presentation deck or a video, I realized that I should teach people how I did it by writing a book. 📖 Find out the systems that worked for me when I wrote my first book and how I made publishing my book a reality!

Buy my book now 👉🏼 https://linktr.ee/speakoutsam 📕

Christmas with Grief

Christmas is finally here. It is a season filled with joy and merriment. However, not everyone is experiencing happiness during this festive time. For people like me, grief is a challenging reality that needs to be dealt with even when the city is glowing with fairy lights and carols are playing on the radio. Grief can be a downer, but it does not mean the end of the world.

I have survived several Christmases while grieving. It is not an easy endeavor, but it is doable. Here are some tips that I can share on surviving Christmas with grief:

  1. Exercise- Working out can give you a much-needed energy boost. It can inspire you to continue moving throughout the day. Here is a Christmas themed workout that I have been following lately:

Video by Reps to the Rhythm

2. Write on your journal- Are you feeling lonelier than usual on Christmas time? Maybe you just need a journal where you can vent out and write your sadness away. Here is a video that may inspire you to jumpstart your journaling habit:

Video by Noted Journal PH

If you are not the type who journals in paragraph form, you can give bullet journaling a try. Here is a video to get you acquainted with the system:

Video by Noted Journal PH

3. Write a book- This can reward not just your future readers but your soul as well. Write your own story, and it could end up being a book. If you do not know where to begin, watch this video that helped me write my own book:

Video by AnakNiRizal

Christmas is just a season. It will eventually pass. Follow my suggested steps and trust me, you will get through this. So get moving, get writing, and make this Christmas a better story amidst the grief in your heart.

R&B newcomer LOIR teams up with rapper Guddhist Gunanita on hypnotic slow jam ‘Umaga’

The music video showcases a forbidden love affair set in a mythical forest

 Budding R&B artist LOIR reflects on the process of growth and peace of mind on her new single “Umaga”—out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Philippines.

 

Inspired by her realizations in life and romantic relationships, the track maps her journey towards acceptance and starting anew with the right mindset.

 

Laced with lush strings, acoustic guitars, and minimal beats, the hypnotic slow jam is produced by frequent collaborators HavoMusic and Goodson, whom LOIR worked with on “Sakay.” 

 

It also features a rap verse and songwriting credit from acclaimed hip-hop artist Guddhist Gunanita. The two have teamed up together earlier this year for the sun-kissed bop “Dalampasigan,” which to date, has more than 600 thousand views on YouTube alone.

 

Both acts star on the official music video of “Umaga,” which showcases a love story arc set in a magical forest. LOIR essays the role of a Diwata, who unexpectedly gets entangled in a forbidden romantic relationship with a hunter, played by Guddhist Gunanita himself.

 

“We have always prioritized the artist’s vision in making music videos,” says production outfit, Swimming Pictures. “And upon listening to Loir’s ‘Umaga’, we immediately formed this simple narrative and atmosphere that should be seen in its visuals. From there, we built these fantasy-mythological characters of Loir (as Diwata) and Guddhist (as Mangangaso). And we thought this suits the whole intention and vibe of Loir and ‘Umaga’ very well.”

 

In an official statement, the production house responsible for the music video emphasized how Loir and Guddhistare a gem to work with. “Even from concept meetings pre-production, we felt their enthusiasm to get this story turn into a reality. During production, the shoot went smoothly as the artists were always ready to go and costumed in-character. We felt their deep love for their music video in the whole process of making it up until the finished product.”

 

“Umaga” serves as the second installment in a series of LOIR music videos that are connected by a narrative thread. LOIR is expected to wrap up the series of MVs with her upcoming EP to be released in 2022, featuring more collaborators in the local music scene.

 

Watch the music video here.

Source: Sony Music Philippines

Guiding Light Books

Still thinking of gift ideas for kids and kids at heart? Why not buy them educational books from @guidinglightbooksph? They are local publications that teach values and good deeds to young learners. They are also reasonably priced and of good quality! Buy them here: https://www.guidinglight.com.ph 📖 #booksam @gabinanamanprod

Speak Blog Live at the Filipinas Heritage Library

My first book Speak Blog Live is now at the Filipinas Heritage Library! I donated my work there because it is important for it to be part of a collection of Filipiniana books. My life may be short and finite, but my work can live on in a library where it can be read, cared for, and appreciated.

It is a huge honor for me as an author to be part of the Filipinas Heritage Library. Mabuhay ang Pilipinong Manunulat!

6cyclemind returns with soaring rock anthem “Langit”

The new single off their upcoming seventh album serves as a testament to their enduring power as a creative force

 Filipino pop-rock outfit 6cylemind makes a triumphant return to form with the release of “Langit,” the first single off their upcoming seventh studio album under Sony Music Philippines.

Characterized by its soaring introspection, “Langit” is a song about chasing one’s dreams, making it happen, and allowing yourself to fail and persevere in order to achieve your goals in life. As lead vocalist Tutti Caringal puts it, “It won’t always be a smooth ride. There will be bumps on the road, but what matters is whenever you fall you get back up and soldier on.”

The unapologetically brash anthem was written by rhythm guitarist Rye Sarmiento and Michael Lao, who initially made the demo for every dreamer out there to keep pushing and never give up on their dreams. 

With minimum health and safety protocols taken into account, the band went through several jamming sessions prior to hitting the studio to record their respective parts. Despite the restriction imposed during the peak of the pandemic period, 6cyclemind carried on with their brand of professionalism and work ethic, producing one of their finest singles to date. 

“I feel like we’ve surpassed our expectations in terms of sound and feel,” Rye said. “We’re trying to deliver a positive and empowering anthem that has that epic sound to it. Special shout out to our sound engineers, Oliver Romblon and Jam Bumanlag, whom we get to work for the first time. We’re grateful of how everything turned out.”

Still on the top of their game 20 years after the launch of their career-defining debut, 6cyclemind loves a good challenge, and on “Langit,” they’re still as persistent as ever, and are more risk takers when it comes to the creative aspects of the recording.

“What makes the single a cut above the rest is that the recording process challenged everyone in the band to give his best with limited physical and moral support from other members,” bassist and backing vocalist Roberto "Bob" Cañamo shares. “The song being technically self-produced by the band, was recorded with a little more personal touch by each member.  Everyone was so involved during the post production and was so excited to hear and release the final cut of our latest song, Langit.”

6cyclemind’s “Langit” is out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Philippines.

Source: Sony Music Philippines

SB19’S SISTER GROUP KAIA HOPES TO CONQUER THE AIRWAVES WITH PRE-DEBUT SINGLE “KAYA”

KAIA’s new track blends contemporary pop music with hip-hop and EDM elements

 After being publicly launched last month by ShowBTPhilippines, the global entertainment company responsible for catapulting SB19 into global stardom, P-Pop girl group KAIA is now ready to seize the spotlight with the release of their pre-debut single “KAYA”—out today on December10 (Friday) via Sony Music Philippines.

Derived from the Filipino word which means finding one’s own courage, the upbeat electro-pop track tackles the importance of coping with the turbulent times, and being able to bounce back stronger amidst the adversities in life. The song is written by Maegan Adriano and KAIA themselves, who took inspiration from the hardships that they’ve gone through as a group.

“We are nervous and excited at the same time,” the all-girl ensemble shares in a statement. “We are excited to show people what we've been working hard for in the past months, and we're hoping that people will give love and support to our pre-debut single, KAYA.”

Produced by Mr. Lee Oh Won (SB19, SHINee’s Taemin, Stray Kids, TVXQ and Wanna One) and Han Seungtaek, “KAYA” delivers a sonically adventurous sound built around contemporary pop trends and hip-hop/EDM elements. It’s a catchy banger that serves as a great introduction to the members’ interesting and diverse personalities, as well as their hands on approach towards the creative aspects of music-making. 

As ShowBT Philippines Content Strategist and Digital Marketing Specialist Reine Tan sums it up, “Aside from their major involvement in their music and content, their unique personalities and talent, complete with a carefully formulated concept and direction in terms of their music, KAIA will be able to tell a story from their own creative perspectives.” 

The official release of “KAYA” will be accompanied by a music video shot by Jonathan Tal Placido. KAIA reveals that they had a great time working on the visual showcase for the track, and despite the nerves, they soldiered on and gave their best to deliver a fantastic number. “Everyone behind the camera were professionals and very open to suggestions and opinions,” KAIA said. “The shoot went very smoothly. All in all, it was a great experience and we all had fun on set.”

Last month, ShowBT Philippines welcomed the members of KAIA (Charlotte, Angela, Sophia, Alexa, Charice and Joanna) through a series of concept videos and photos. According to ShowBT Philippines, the girls from the breakout pop group were handpicked from a number of trainees who joined the auditions. “The company held monthly evaluations and chose the members with the best chemistry and synergy until finally, the 6 members of KAIA showed their potential to debut,” Reine adds.

With KAIA’s enormous talent and determination shown on full display, ShowBT Philippines promises that SB19’s sister group will leave a mark in the local entertainment industry, and hopefully make a name for themselves on a global level. “We cannot say much of the plans as we want to give you a surprise and let you experience KAIA as they come, but one thing is for sure: they are definitely worth the wait.”

KAIA’s pre-debut single “KAYA” is out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Philippines.Watch the music video here.

Source: Nyou