Gear up for the Typhoon Season with EcoFlow “Super” Power Banks

With September fast approaching, heavy rainfall can be expected in and around the country. Prepare for the inevitable blackouts with a power station that can supply energy for all your devices, big and small.

EcoFlow’s DELTA series consists of portable power stations designed to accommodate your specific energy needs.

DELTA 1300 and 1000

Does your family use multiple devices and home appliances? The DELTA 1300 and 1000 are family-friendly models that can support devices that use power under 1800W. Think desktop computers, single electric stoves, and mobile devices. Your work and study won’t have to be interrupted in case the electricity goes out.

DELTA Mini

If you like to be on the go, the DELTA Mini is a perfect choice. It’s the lightest of all the DELTA models but packs just the right amount of battery power to support your lifestyle. With an output of 1400W, it can handle most electronic devices like hair dryers, toasters, and even a table saw.

DELTA Max

This expandable model has extra batteries so you can power more of your devices. It can expand its power up to 6kWh and can handle heavy-duty appliances that use 3400W and below. With DELTA Max, you won’t have spoiled food or wet laundry because it can power your refrigerator and dryer. 

DELTA Pro

The best model in the series, DELTA Pro combines all the features of the other models and makes it even better. It has a 3.6kWh capacity that expands to 25kWh thanks to its customizable function that lets you add Extra Batteries, Smart Generators, and a Smart Home Panel. You can even pair two units together and get to 7200W capacity. 

All the DELTA models are equipped with fast charging technology and come with multiple outlet types like AC and USB. They can be charged using the EcoFlow 220W Bifacial Portable Solar Panel which is sold separately.

The bifacial features a 220W primary side and a 155W side on the back that lets you capture up to 25% more solar energy for faster charging of your DELTA model. Made with tempered glass, it is five times tougher than comparable brands and can withstand heat of 300°F.

Moreover, the bifacial solar panel is dust- and water-proof so it’s protected from the elements while in use. It also comes with a carry case so it’s just as portable as the DELTA power stations.

Which DELTA model suits your lifestyle? Find out more at this link.

EcoFlow aims to be the industry leader in providing the world’s most innovative and eco-friendly power solutions. The goal is to reinvent the way people access power through renewable, clean, and technology-driven products.

Source: EcoFlow

Alex Bruce showcases her versatility as a singer-rapper on R&B-leaning single“Ayoko Pa”

Over slick beats and boppy melodies, the young Filipina artist expresses her decision to take her time before entering in a relationship

Alex Bruce flexes her versatility in “Ayoko Pa,” a top-tier R&B jam produced by frequent collaborator Cursebox.

Over a bed of slick beats and boppy melodies, the 15-year-old artist calls out her suitor for coming off way too strong, and emphasizes her decision to wait for love at the right time.

“It’s a song that expresses my stand on not being ready for a commitment,” says the trend-setting singer-rapper. “I know my priorities, and I don’t reject people just because I don’t feel a connection or synergy. It’s just that I’m too young to enter into a relationship that would easily fizzle out.”

Reiterating her right to be treated with respect, the music virtuoso from Batangas sees this aggressive action as a red flag for most women. Bruce reflects, “Sometimes all it takes is knowing when to take a hint. When someone says no, learn how to respect the decision and back off.”

The release of “Ayoko Pa” is accompanied by a colorful visual that showcases Alex Bruce’s stand on prioritizing life outside of a romantic relationship. Starring rising rapper Benedic Fragata and TikTok personalities Yvon and Achi, the music video also introduces Bruce as an all-around performer, vibing in seamless choreography.

“I’m also very much involved in the creative aspects of the video,” shares Bruce. “It’s a collaborative process to begin with, and it helps that everyone on the set really gave their all. Props to the director, talents, and crew behind this production.”

Alex Bruce’s “Ayoko Pa” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch the music video here.

Source: Nyou

Multi-arts portal Pelikulove launches the “Shout Out Fest” Online Festival from September 19-25 for free.

Pelikulove, a multi-arts portal which aims to provide arts education and a platform for artistic and socially-relevant content, is launching the first-of-its-kind “Shout Out Fest (Maghayag at Lumikha)” Online Festival from September 19 to 25, 2022.

In cooperation with the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, the “Shout Out Fest” is a seven-day online festival of short films and stage plays ,a culminating activity of the enrollees of the Pelikulove master classes of National Artist for Cinema and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee, and Palanca Hall of Fame awardee Rody Vera. The works are produced in cooperation with regional theater and film organizations and can be viewed for free at pelikulove.com beginning September 19. 

There are three sets of works to be showcased; each set is composed of three productions. 

Set A features the short films  “How to Make an Effective Ad Campaign,” written by Paul dela Cruz and directed by Roman Perez, Jr. of Indiopendent Films and “Hyper Ext”, tackling intimacy issues, written and directed by United Kingdom-based Pinoy visual artist Jovi Saysay, a member of SOA Philippine Studies, University of London; and the short  play “Quarantine 5” , a story of five former activists written by Andrew Estacio and directed by Sari Saysay of Sining Banwa ,Bikol. 

Set B features the short films “No Trespassing” set in the sugar plantations in Iloilo written and directed by Dada Grifon and co-directed by Julius dela Peña of the LaSalle Film Society of Bacolod   and “Till Human Voices Wake Up and We Drown”, about mambabarangs now working as nurse and caregiver, also from the UK group, written by Rogelio Braga and directed by Nyel Camilon, and the short play “Ilaw sa Labas ng Tahanan” , on two women trying to cope with their husband’s deaths, written by B. Salvador and directed by Benjie Kitay of the theater company Yatta in  Dumaguete. 

Set C features the play “When a Manananggal Loves a Man” by Raymund T. Barcelon and directed by Neil Azcuna of Ipag theater company, of MSU-Iligan Institute of Technology, and the short films from the UK “Cooking with Love” written by Viva Andra O’Flynn and directed by Delfin Castillo; and  “Libro for Ransom” tackling the theft  of Jose Rizal’s masterpieces written by Ralph Morales and directed by Arjanmar Rebeta. 

Aside from the short films and plays, the “Shout Out Fest” Online Festival will also present virtual learning seminars, talkbacks, Q&As with artists and mentors. Festival visitors will have access to e-books, self-paced courses on playwriting and scriptwriting and other arts and culture-related content. 

Organizers would like to reiterate that the access to the festival’s content is free. However, due to the platform’s limitations, only selected audiences can join through prior arrangements. Early registrants have a chance to avail of  e-books by Ricky Lee, Rody Vera and film critic Joel David ,without any fee.

Shout Out’s board of festival directors include National Artist Ricky Lee,  Palanca Hall of Famer Rody Vera, TV and film director Jeffrey Jeturian, University of London Professor Cristina Martinez-Juan, University of the Philippines director and educator Issa Manalo Lopez,Artistic Director of Harlequin Theater Guild, De La Salle University and Pelikulove’s Program Director Raffy Tejada,  and indie film director and Pelikulove’s Chief Creative Producer  Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil. The festival’s council of evaluators includes film critic Joel David, actress-screenwriter-playwright Bibeth Orteza, and playwright and Ateneo ‘de Manila’s Theater Arts Program Coordinator Glenn Sevilla Mas. 

Pelikulove’s founder and President Ellen Ongkeko Marfil declares, “We are very excited to hold the first ever ‘Shout Out Fest’ as this festival epitomizes Pelikulove’s mission of nurturing an engaging and open environment towards building a creative community. We’d like to show that art is the soul of our lives and it must continue to thrive even in the midst of a pandemic. Now, more than ever, is the time to shout out our fears and triumphs, and shout out for the future.”

For questions and inquiries about the “Shout Out Fest” Online Festival, contact mobile (+63) 923359 6286 or the Pelikulove’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube social media accounts. The festival’s complete schedule is available at pelikulove.com. 

Source: Pelikulove

Israel-Philippines Conducts Political Dialogue

The State of Israel and the Republic of the Philippines held the 12th Philippines-Israel Joint Commission Meeting (Israel-Philippine Political Dialogue) to discuss the bilateral relations between the two countries. Deputy Director General for Asia and the Pacific at Israel Ministry for Foreign Affairs Hon. Rafael Harpaz headed the delegation from Israel while Assistant Secretary for Office of Middle East and African Affairs Hon. Alfonso Ferdinand Agbayani Ver led the Philippine delegation.

The Commission reviewed the relations between the two countries while highlighting the main areas of cooperation between Israel and the Philippines including agriculture, trade and economy, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Israel, innovation and technology, defense, and tourism.

Deputy Director General Harpaz emphasized the historically close and warm relations between the two countries. He congratulated the expansion of the Israeli Embassy in Manila which recently opened two new offices: the Economic and Trade Mission and the Office of the Defense Attaché. He highlighted the cooperation during the pandemic including the early vaccination of all OFWs in Israel and the deployment of Israeli medical teams to Manila to share the Israeli experience both on the vaccination campaign and the clinical treatment.

Ambassador of Israel to the Philippines H.E. Ilan Fluss shared that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. asked Israel to enhance cooperation with the Philippines in the area of agriculture. “We are happy to share our expertise in the field of agriculture with the Philippines to address productivity and food security,” Ambassador Fluss said. Other topics discussed werethe solar-powered irrigation project, the agriculture internship program in Israel for Filipinos, and the PH-IL dairy programs.

The Israeli delegation emphasized building bridges of innovations between the two countries in the areas of agritech, watertech, cybersecurity, ICT and connectivity, and more.Also included in the agenda is the topic of counterterrorism and the expansion of the defense cooperation between Israel with the Philippines.

Among the regional and international topics discussed during the JCM were bilateral political relations, developments in the Middle East and the Abraham Accords, Iran, the West Philippine Sea, and more.

Accompanying Deputy Director General Harpaz during his visit to the Philippines was Ms. Mor Ben Moshe, Desk Officer for South-East Asia Department, Asia and the Pacific, Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Also in attendance were Israel’s Head of Economic and Trade Mission Mr. Tomer Heyvi, Israel’s Defense Attache Mr. Raz Shabtay, Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Nir Balzam, and the political and consular staff of the Embassy.

Among the attendees from the Office of the Middle East and African Affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines were Hon. Shirlene Mananquil, Deputy Assistant Secretary; Ms. Mary Grace Perpetua, Acting Director; and Mr. Nonito Carbrera Jr., Assistant Director. Also present were Ms. Reichel Quinones, Charge d’Affaires a.i. of the Philippine Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel; and representatives from different Philippine offices and agencies: Department of Agriculture, Department of Migrant Workers, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy, Office of Civilian Authority, and Office of the United Nations and other International Organizations.

DDG Harpaz served as the Ambassador of Israel to the Philippines from 2018 to 2021. The Israel-Philippine Political Dialogue was held on September 5, 2022 in Manila, Philippines.

 Source: EMBASSY OF ISRAEL MANILA

ASEAN Music Showcase Festival 2022 goes full throttle with artist-centric activities & events at first in-person showcase since the pandemic

ASEAN Music Showcase Festival takes its showcase and artist and business networking activities in-person in Singapore

ASEAN Music Showcase Festival (AMS) is not only taking its first in-person showcase in Singapore this weekend (September 10-11) but will also be hosting several artist-centric activities that aim to personalize their experience in industry outreach but also optimize opportunities to connect with AMS’ international delegates that boast a wide variety of expertise and backgrounds in the music industry around the world.

As borders start to ease restrictions, more than 30 music acts and music industry delegates from ASEAN and beyond will be flying to Singapore this coming weekend in person—the first live event since AMS held its first edition online in 2020.

On September 9, an invite-only welcome party hosted by the AMS founders and organizers willformally kick off the showcase, a chance for artist performers and the delegates to meet each other. Artist networking sessions will be held officially on the early afternoon of Saturday, September 10, from 12:00 PM onwards before the first-day showcase starts at 3:00 PM.

The artist networking sessions will consist of speed meetings, where artist performers can sit down with delegates to discuss opportunities, which can be extended to private meetings upon request. A designated outdoor networking area for artists and delegates will be available at the showcase venue, Haw Par Villa.

As this year’s edition of AMS expands its pool of performers, now featuring artists from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, as well as non-ASEAN markets Australia, India, and Taiwan, there are also more than 60 music industry delegates with backgrounds, from artist management to live show businesses who will be in attendance, with a few joining in remotely.

In the tradition of the past AMS editions, music fans from all over the world will continue to enjoy this year’s in-person showcase sets in Singapore and the virtual showcases from the comforts of their own home—which will be broadcasted live via AMS’s official YouTube channel on both days.  

Tickets to ASEAN Music Showcase Festival 2022 are still available to purchase online via Sistic at https://www.sistic.com.sg/events/asean0922. 

For more information about the third edition of the ASEAN Music Showcase Festival, visit the officialwebsite.

***

About the ASEAN Music Showcase Festival (AMS)

AMS is co-organized by Fungjai, NYLON Thailand, and Bangkok Music City from Thailand; Steady State Records from Singapore; SRM from Indonesia; City Roars Festival from Malaysia; The Rest Is Noise PHfrom the Philippines; Baramey Production from Cambodia; and Monsoon Music Festival and Swan Zoo from Vietnam.

AMS 2022 is proudly supported by the National Arts Council, Taiwan ASEAN Music Action (TAMA) - supported by the Ministry of Culture, Taiwan, with Haw Par Villa - managed by Journeys Pte Ltd as venue sponsors, and TuneCore as a general sponsor. 

Source: Nyou

Acclaimed singer-songwriter Bea Lorenzo and ex-boyfriend Paolo Benjamin star in the music video of Ben&Ben’s “The Ones We Once Loved”

Ex-lovers Bea Lorenzo and Paolo Benjamin star as a couple enduring the harrowing process of a breakup in the music video of Ben&Ben’s international single “The Ones We Once Loved.”

Based on the former couple’s real-life story, the visuals take an intimate look at how healing starts with owning up to one’s mistakes, apologizing for the pain committed during the relationship, and taking steps to forgive yourself in order to completely move on.

“We recognize that it is quite rare to attain the kind of closure that Pao and Bea have, and much more so create a piece of art that gives respect and honor to the relationship that has passed,” shares Ben&Ben in a statement. “Everyone in the team really gave it their best to amplify that message to all who watch the MV: that closure, even if it is a painful process, is cathartic.”

The MV follows the journey of acclaimed singer-songwriter and artist Bea Lorenzo and ex-boyfriend Paolo Benjamin as they navigate the ups and downs of a relationship, part ways to restore the sense of self, and let go of any resentment and anger towards each other with newfound learnings in life and love.

With the storytelling coming from a place of unapologetic poignancy, music video director Niq Ablao values the message of the song, particularly the importance of“making amends with one’s self, and the person on the other end of the grieving process.”

Ablao has been a long-time collaborator of the band, having directed the MV of “Paninindigan Kita,” which starsBen&Ben’s very own Pat Lasaten and Agnes Reoma, and“Upuan,” which features Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano. “She is one of the most accommodating, and kind directors we’ve worked with,” Ben&Ben adds. “We admire her gift for capturing the nuances of human emotion on film.”

“The Ones We Once Loved” serves as Ben&Ben’s official single in support of their Philippine send-off concert and North America/Canada Tour in 2022. Released last week, the song has already racked up more than 3 million streams on Spotify and YouTube combined.

Ben&Ben’s “The Ones We Once Loved” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony MusicEntertainment. Watch the music video here.

Source: Nyou

Help Yourself Choose

My ninth book, Help Yourself Choose, is now at the @nationallibraryphilippines! 🇵🇭 Do you want to know how to make better decisions in life without the guilt? Learn from me by buying a copy of my book 📖 on Amazon, Google Play, and via this link. 🗺 NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!⚡️ #authorlife #amazonauthor @ukiyotopublishinghouse

P-Pop phenom SB19 cuts across generations with new single “WYAT [Where You At]”

The release of the disco-pop track comes with captivating visuals that explore themes of time travel and connection

P-Pop Kings SB19 arrive in triumphant style with the release of their highly anticipated single, “WYAT [Where You At].” Produced by SB19’s very own Pablo and his real-life brother Josue, the catchy new track delivers another show-stopping moment that cuts across boundaries and generations.

According to the Billboard chart-topping quintet, “WYAT” is a song that chronicles the reconnection of a bond after a very challenging phase in life. “We’ve been performing for almost half of our lives together, and due to the pandemic, our world was suddenly put on hold,” shares Pablo. “I felt a disconnection among the group brought about by the lockdown, and I’ve wanted to reach out to them through this song.”

Propelling their artistry forward with a masterful blend of disco, electronic, and pop music, the five-member hitmaker sets the tone for a new era by incorporating the elements of the past with accessibility that is relatable to the present time. As Josh puts it, “Our team often tries to do something different from what we’ve done before; we’re always evolving.”

“WYAT” first made rounds during SB19’s sold-out online concert Our Zone last year, and was re-recorded at Pablo’s studio for a fuller, more polished touch. It marks their first official release after being on a hiatus since launching their 2021 EP, Pagsibol.

The infectious bop is accompanied by the release of a music video that is built around the themes of time travel and connection. Joyriding through history with shiny, retro-spiked colors and exciting visuals, the MV stays true to the vision of the song—thanks to Justin de Dios’ creative direction and the group’s collaborative contribution to the brainstorming process.

“Everything we put out is connected,” Justin says. “It all started from the teaser during the present day then we went back to the past, from the 50s (diner) to 70s (roller disco) to the 90s (arcade) and back to the present.”

To mark the arrival of “WYAT,” the Filipino pop phenomsare set to embark on their biggest local and international tour to date. WYAT [Where You At] Tour kicks off on September 17, 2022 at Araneta Coliseum, to be followed by a series of shows in Clark, Cebu, Davao and more.

In the following months, the tour extends globally as SB19 heads to multiple countries - US, UAE, and Singapore to name a few. International A’TIN can expect SB19 to drop by their city starting October 2022.

For more information about SB19’s series of shows, check out the updates on their social media accounts.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SB19Official

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsb19

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SB19Official

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/SB19OfficialYT 

SB19’s “WYAT” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Watch the music video here.

 Source: Nyou

Gold of My Own

Transit Dialog has published my essay, Gold of My Own. Here it is:

“𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘫𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘰𝘤𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴.”

𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝘆 𝗢𝘄𝗻

𝘉𝘺 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘢 𝘎𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘴

I have been buying my own jewelry since I started earning money in my early 20s. It was my way of forging my own identity.

Back then, I simply wanted to invest some of my hard-earned money in gold. I learned early in life that gold appreciates in time, and I was eager to invest my money in something valuable. Little did I know that this small decision would change my life a decade later.

While I had some relationships in my 20’s and 30’s, I did not wait for the people I dated to gift me jewelry. The pieces I bought for myself were dainty yet sturdy, since I wanted them to be wearable everyday. I enjoyed mixing and matching my jewelry, and I must say that I was proud to wear objects I have worked hard for.

I also sold a few pieces every now and then to make room for new ones, and it was satisfying to witness how gold truly appreciates over time.

My love for jewelry has helped me self-publish my first book in 2021, as I sold a few necklaces for its production. I wanted to build my career as a published author, and I was determined to produce my first book which I have written during the pandemic.

I was not sad to see these necklaces go. In fact, I was happy to give my career a much-needed boost. I was fulfilling my dream, and there was no better way of rewarding myself than by giving myself the opportunity of a lifetime.

No money could buy the happiness that I felt when my first book was released in October 2021. Today, I am now under a traditional publisher who is based overseas, but my first two self-published books are still available on the market. They were made possible by my simple hobby of collecting gold jewelry, and I must say that time and good financial decisions are gold.

I really appreciate the pieces that I have now because they are minimalist and functional. I avoid pieces that are tacky and gaudy. I stick to everyday designs, which will look good with a cocktail dress or a pair of jeans and a crop top. I like wearing my jewelry everyday because I do not subscribe to the belief that they are only for special occasions. For me, life is the special occasion. And I know that my hard-earned pieces not only sparkle, but they also have innate value. Just like me.

I never compromised my taste because I believe that I can use my creativity to attain the best that I can afford. Sure, I can look for more practical alternatives, but I always stick to my vision and my values. My taste has helped me navigate through life, and it has crossed over to other aspects.

I am able to appreciate good coffee, food, craft beer, and destinations. I know how to enjoy life for what it is worth, but mind you, I do not live beyond my means. I am aware of what I have, and I know what to do with it with prudence. Gold has taught me how to do that.

It makes me excited to know that I am still young enough to enjoy life without regrets, as I should. In fact, a life which has been lived with much thought can be lived without regrets. Since I purchased my own gold jewelry, I learned how to be sure of myself, and to be confident in my own decisions.

I am proud to have invested not just in jewelry, but in myself at large. And I do live life as if it is the main event, and not just a journey with a few special occasions. It is too short to begin with, so I live a big one despite the limited resources that I have.

I hope that you will also find the enthusiasm and courage to do the same.

𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘢 𝘎𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘉. 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘍𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘰 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳. 𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘶𝘺 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘮𝘢𝘻𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘵𝘳.𝘦𝘦/𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘢𝘮, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮.

Source: Transit Dialog

Mama Mary Book 7

Hello! My essay, Things I’m Thankful for During the Pandemic, is part of Mama Mary and Her Children Book 7. Our book launch and preorder details are as follows:

The wait is over!

Join us as we launch the seventh installment of “Mama Mary and Her Children” on September 8 (Thursday) at 12PM. Watch the FREE online book launch on our official Facebook page (www.facebook.com/AnvilPublishingInc).

Fr. James B. Reuter, SJ started the “Mama Mary and Her Children” books in 2008, with Rowie Juan Matti and Cherry Castro Aquino continuing his legacy of sharing the healing relationship between Mother Mary and ordinary people. Book 7 contains 45 true stories of Mary’s intercession and love for her children. 👩‍👧‍👦💙

Pre-order “Mama Mary and Her Children: Book 7” now at bit.ly/AnvilMM7 💻 For assistance on book orders, please email onlinesales@anvilpublishing.com 📚🛒 #iReadAnvil @rowiejuanmatti @anvilpublishing

Mibf!!!

I have been going to the @manilabookfair since I was in grade 4, and I have been an annual attendee ever since. This is why being a featured author at the MIBF means so much to me 🥹 I’m sorry if we do not have a lot of books on hand since my internationally-published books are not sourced here. But they are available worldwide on Amazon and via this link. 📖 Please support me by buying my books! I’ll see you at MIBF, September 17, 4-5PM, @feu_publications booth!!! 📕 I’m so excited to take lots of pics with everyone! 🫶🏼 NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS!🤍 #amazonauthor #authorlife @ukiyotopublishinghouse

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

Written by the band’s very own Paolo Benjamin, the stripped-down track is emotionally impactful even in its apparent weightlessness

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Nyou

Filipino alt-rock trio of Mercury tackles the possibilities of boundless love in new song “ENOUGH”

The bass-driven, soulful rock tune serves as the second release of their new EP, CHANGIN VOL 3

Filipino alternative soul/rock outfit of Mercury powers through a kind of love that knows no bounds in their new single “ENOUGH,” out today via Sony Music Entertainment.

Written collectively by the band themselves, the song deals with acknowledging how relationships grow stronger over time when creating compromises and weathering storms as partners and as individuals.

The eclectic trio shares, “ENOUGH was all about the doubt you had in your relationship. It’s a whole cloud of questions in your head where you wonder if you’re worth it to someone knowing the kind of things that you go through as a human. You mess up, you make mistakes, and all the insecurities you have sort of manifests and affect your relationship. But in this bombardment of doubt and struggle, you realize that that person would love you regardless of the mistakes you made, regardless of the things you’ve done. With that kind of love in your life, that is something that you can never get enough of.”

Co-produced by frequent collaborator and former bandmate knōwmaad, “ENOUGH” marks the band’s return to their rock-leaning roots, incorporating a brooding, bass-heavy sound with edgier sensibilities. It’s not as groovy as their previous set of songs, but the track stand outs on a production level with darker atmospherics and trademark cross-genre approach.

The song, which serves the second track from of Mercury's upcoming EP CHANGIN VOL 3, was conceived during the band’s remote songwriting session in Tagaytay City during the quarantine period.

“After the whole production and writing process, we cleaned up everything, and re-tracked vocals and guitars back in the studio. It was a reinvigorating experience.”

of Mercury’s “ENOUGH” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

Source: Nyou

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Ben&Ben teases fans with cryptic billboardsacross Metro Manila

Cryptic billboards and posters alluding to a new Ben&Benrelease have recently appeared in strategic locations all over Metro Manila.

The material, which contains discarded film photos with texts exposing some personal thoughts, is said to be part of the lyrics of an upcoming Ben&Ben song to be released sometime next week.

A few days ago, the nine-piece Filipino collective tweeted what looks like a snippet of a lyrics offering an intimate take on the painstaking process of letting go.

Ben&Ben also dropped a performance video of “Stand ByYou,” featuring Indonesian superstar Pamungkas. The collaborative visuals, which was recorded earlier this month at SoundCheck Studio, has racked up more than 220,000 views as of press time.

Set to conquer the international stage with their first North American tour, the Paninindigan Kita music act will be performing in iconic and key venues across nine cities in the US and Canada—ahead of their send-off concert on September 3 at the CCP Open Grounds.

Source: Nyou

Any Name’s Okay navigates the growing pains of adulthood in new EP, Leaving Home

Its focus track “Takbo” tackles themes of running away from burnout and hustle culture

Filipino alternative pop band Any Names Okay has finally dropped their much-awaited sophomore EP, Leaving Home via Sony Music Philippines. Taking a huge step forward in terms of musical and creative direction, the 6-track release digs deeper into the journey of navigating adulthood and embracing the uncertainty that comes with the process.

“As a band, we’re maturing in our songwriting and the way that we operate as creatives,” shares the five-piece outfit. “We want to grow old with our listeners—which can be scary, but very exciting. A lot of those fears and joys can be found in this collection of songs.”

Lyrically, the band’s new EP, Leaving Home expands on introspective and existential themes—sometimes rendered in emotionally blunt details, but most of the time, exhibiting some of the growing pains that one has to go through in their transitional period towards maturity. The promising newcomer explains, “We’ve all been through the wringer the last few years, and this was a much-needed emotional release for everyone. We believe that a thorough listen of the EP, however, still shows that same heart, energy, and sincerity that people have come to know of us.”

Its focus track “Takbo” is one of the standout cuts in the EP as it tackles breaking free from the socio-economic fatigue that is burnout and hustle culture. According to the band, the song is all about running for running’s sake: playing with the imagery of aching muscles and exhausting activities, with its destination and goal to no avail. “While the song is an ode to the tired and tireless self, the reprise that it ends with is dedicated to hope— the hope that this is all for something, that you grow stronger the more you run,” Any Name’s Okay points out.

The release of the song comes with a visual that encapsulates the feeling of weightlessness in all that running. Helmed by Miko Reyes, the music video depicts “a person floating in and out of their world.”

The Yugto band adds, “Familiar to a lot of us, we can feel lost even in the happiest of places. Similar to the track itself, the end shows that there is a point to all the running; it just takes a bit of time to recognize it.”

Leaving Home is written and produced by Any Name’s Okay themselves, but with the help of their long-time pal, Luigi Del Rosario for one of their singles, “Limbo.” Frequent collaborator Tim Recla and Nick Azurin also mixed and mastered all the songs in the EP, respectively, giving it a more gossamer-sounding vibe.

Leaving Home Track list:

1. Yugto

2. Snooze

3. Limbo

4. Takbo

5. Today I Want To Live

6. Discovery

The EP launch happening on August 20, 2022 at Dirty Kitchen (Gravity Art Space), Quezon City is already sold out. But for those who would be joining the band as they perform the tracks from the EP live, you’re in for a treat.

“We’ve prepared some secret performances that you’ll just have to wait and see,” says Any Name’s Okay. “Showgoers will be getting first dibs on our brand-newmerchandise, as well as get the chance to join our giveaways. We’re definitely doing our best to make the launch equally as exciting for everyone there!”

Any Name’s Okay’s second EP, Leaving Home is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch the music video of its focus track “Takbo” here.

 Source: Nyou

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SB19 announces release of new single “WYAT” and upcoming world tour

A series of cryptic riddles reveals SB19’s much-anticipated comeback single and upcoming world tour.

P-pop Kings SB19 announces their return to the music scene with WYAT [Where You At], a disco-pop track that highlights the urgency of disconnection to reconnection of the times. The upcoming release marks SB19’s first new material as a group in a year after launching their 2021 EP, Pagsibol.

“It’s been a year, the word 'hiatus' may sound negative but we took it from a different perspective. We maximized the opportunity to think more as to what we can improve on, how we can prepare for our comeback,” says SB19 Stell.

SB19 Ken mentions “We are thrilled to be releasing a new song for our fans. Bigger, better. I hope that A'TIN will appreciate at best the work we've done for our upcoming tour.” WYAT drops on all streaming platforms onSeptember 2, 2022, with the official music video to be released on the same day.

The award-winning and Billboard nominee Philippine Pop phenom is also set to stage their biggest local and international tour to date. WYAT [Where You At] Tour kicks off on September 17, 2022 at Araneta Coliseum, to be followed by a series of shows in Clark, Cebu, Davao and more.

In the following months, the tour extends globally as SB19 heads to multiple countries - US, UAE, and Singapore to name a few. International A’TIN can expect SB19 to drop by their city starting October 2022.

“This will be the first time for us to be going out of the country for our own concert,” reveals SB19 Josh. “We’re excited to meet our international fans. If I may put it: we were caterpillars inside cocoons when we were just starting and now, we've turned into butterflies ready to spread our wings!”

According to SB19 Justin, the five-piece group is very much involved in the creative process behind the upcoming tour, from conceptualization to choreography, from promotion strategy to visual ideation.

He explains, “When SB19 Pablo told us the meaning of WYAT, the song that he and his brother Josue created, I was able to conceptualize WYAT. From there, our team was able to brainstorm on how to improve my initial concept. We made options and showed the other members of SB19, so they could also give their insights. One idea led to another. We started plotting everything: from teasers to the actual music video, every post, down to the last detail.”

SB19 Justin adds, “Josh tweaks a bit of everything, from choreography to the direction of our shoots. He and Pablo has a big role in decision-making. Ken helps with the creative process, from how the dances should look to the set design. Aside from being the main choreographer, Stellalso shares ideas on how to promote our comeback. He’s been mentioning if we could play the videos after our recent performances before the tour starts, So we did. Last August 7, 2022 at Mall of Asia Arena was when we first dropped our video teaser in front of thousands of live audience. I highly consider what the other members, management, staff and other people around me think. It really takes a village and is a healthy collaboration.”

More details about the local and international tour will be announced soon.

For more information about SB19’s series of shows, check out the updates on their social media accounts.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SB19Official

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsb19

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SB19Official

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/SB19OfficialYT 

—

About SB19

SB19 is a five-member Filipino boy band that debuted in October 2018. Their first single ‘Go Up’ went viral and reached millions of views in a few month's time. They are the first Filipino and Southeast Asian act to be nominated in Billboard Music Awards for the Top Social Artist category, and are also the first Southeast Asian act to enter the top 10 of Billboard Social 50 weekly and year-end charts. Their latest record-breaking single ‘'Bazinga' stayed for 7 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard‘s Hot Trending Songs charts, making them the first act to ever reach that milestone. SB19 promotes its music as part of Pinoy pop (P-pop)—a popular sub-genre of Original Filipino Music.

Source: Nyou

Israel Builds Bridges of Innovation during Davao Start-Up Week

Israel supports the first-ever Davao Start-Up Week by hosting Davao-Israel Innovation Night

In photo: Deputy Chief of Mission of the Embassy of Israel Mr. Nir Balzam

The Embassy of Israel, in partnership with the University of the Philippines (U.P.) in Mindanao and IDEAS Davao, hostedDavao-Israel Innovation Night in line with the first-ever Davao Start-Up Week.

Israel is known as a Start-Up Nation, which houses over 9,000 startups. “We are happy to share our success stories, especially with the Philippines. Filipinos are talented individuals; they findsolutions despite limited resources. I believe that with stronger support for innovation and start-ups, many more can be achieved,” Israeli Deputy Chief of Mission Nir Balzam said.

Davao-based start-ups joined the event and were given an opportunity to pitch their ideas to local investors and government officials. “We are still working on connecting more with the industry, building more engagement to have Filipino start-ups collaborate with Israeli start-ups,” Mr. Balzam added.

Vice President for External Affairs of the Israel Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Mr. Itamar Gero shared his insights on the Startup Ecosystem partnership between the Philippines and Israel. Also in attendance at the event wereExecutive Director of DOST-PCIEERD Dr. Eric Paringit, Project Lead of IDEAS Davao Mr. Miguel Guillermo, representatives from government offices including the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), representatives from the local government units of Davao City, and the Chamber of Commerce.

The Embassy of Israel actively builds bridges of innovation with the Philippines by collaborating with the government and private sectors. In June 2022, the Department of Trade and Industry(DTI) signed an agreement with the Israel Innovation Authority for joint collaboration on innovation. The agreement will foster the formation of collaborative prospects in the field of innovation between Israel and the Philippines. In April 2022, the Embassy hosted in Israel a Filipino delegation headed by DOSTwith their incubators and representatives from DTI, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), andthe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to learn about the innovation ecosystem in Israel and to see what can be applied in the Philippines.

The Davao-Israel Innovation Night was held on August 11 inAcacia Hotel, Davao. The Davao-based startups who pitched during the event were Virtualahan, Artificial Intelligence Meets Human Intelligence (AIMHI), GeoPik Technologies, AguilaSoftware Incorporated, Coffee for Peace, Geo Pindot, InfinitLMS Solutions, DPI Virtual Tour, Sureplus, and Green HabitsAgri Venture. The event was a joint effort with Israel’s Honorary Consulate in Mindanao based in Davao headed by Honorary Consul Jorge Marquez.

The Davao Start-up Week will run from the 12th to the 14th of August.

Source: EMBASSY OF ISRAEL MANILA