Category Archives: Local

BGYO marks 2nd anniversary with “Be Us” album showcase at Skydome

BGYO members Gelo, Akira, JL, Mikki, and Nate are getting ready to set the stage on fire for their upcoming fan con—the “Be Us” second anniversary album showcase happening at SM City North Edsa Skydome this May 12 (Friday).

The group’s sophomore album “Be Us” showed great success as it has racked up over 4.3 million streams, while its tracks “Magnet” reached 1 million streams and “Tumitigil Ang Mundo” reached 1.5 million streams on Spotify. It also topped the iTunes’ album chart in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates.

The “Be Us” second anniversary album showcase tickets will be available at SM Tickets priced at P2,500 (VVIP), P2,000 (VIP), and P1,000 (regular).

BGYO’s fans called ACEs are in for another surprise because the “Be Us” album box set is available for pre-order for only P1,999. The album box set contains a CD, lyric booklet, random mini standee, photocard set, pop grip, and ACEs pin. The pre-order would also serve as a ticket to a fan meet and greet with BGYO. Meanwhile, those who have pre-ordered “The Light” last year can enjoy a P200 discount voucher when they purchase the “Be Us” album box set.

Recently, BGYO became a trending topic after their leader Gelo went viral after a fan posted his 2×2 ID picture on Twitter which earned him praise for his stunning visuals, while the group’s main dancer Nate caught the attention of the K-pop group BTS who liked his dance cover of J-Hope and J. Cole’s “on the street” on TikTok.

Dubbed as the “Aces of P-Pop,” the group recently spread fun and excitement at Marquee Mall, Pampanga and The District Imus, Cavite last March 4 and 5 for their mall tour. They will be gathering the hearts of “ACEs” once again this March 26 at Ayala Malls Feliz, Pasig.

Be part of BGYO’s “Be Us” second anniversary album showcase on May 12 (Friday) at SM City North Edsa Skydome. Stay tuned with BGYO by following @bgyo_ph on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and subscribe to their official YouTube channel, BGYO Official.

For updates, follow @abscbnpr on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or visit www.abs-cbn.com/newsroom.

Arthur Nery croons on romantic new release “o ninanais”

Arthur Nery just dropped a new single titled “o ninanais”. Said song, which premiered on all music streaming platforms midnight Friday, February 17, is the much-awaited new song from R&B singing star.


Here, Arthur Nery veers away a bit from his usual lo-fi flavored R&B sounds and dabbles in some jazzy sounds on this piano-driven love song. Listen closely though and you’ll still hear the vocal stylings–the falsettos, the mellow bedroom mode vocals–that made Arthur Nery the biggest male solo act of his age, here in “o ninanais.”


The song is the much-awaited new single from the R&B star who spent much of 2022 performing behind his monster-hit “Pagsamo.” To date, said song has over 133 million streams on Spotify alone. Over at YouTube, the official “Pagsamo” videos have reached more than a 120 million views. Arthur’s previous single, “Isa Lang” is also a big hit with more than 87 million streams on Spotify, and its official videos reaching more than 50 million views on YouTube. 2022 also saw his first solo sold out show at the New Frontier Theatre.


Fans are hoping that “o ninanais” will be the first of a handful of new songs from Arthur Nery for 2023.


Written and arranged by Arthur Nery, the track is also co-produced by the singer with Su Ganade and frequent collaborator Axel Fernandez. New single “o ninanais” was recorded with real strings that featured violinists Lea Rodriguez, Bryan Matias, Sophia Chua and cellist Vanette Villanueva. Studio musicians include Ian Fajarito on piano, guitarist Miguel Mejia and bassist Mike Bayas.


The official visualizer video for “o ninanais” was subsequently released on YouTube by Arthur Nery’s parent label Viva Records. An official music video for the song is forthcoming.

HEADS UP, PPOPCON 2023 IS HERE!

P-Pop fans, we’re bringing you a bigger, better, and bolder P-Pop gathering in the Philippines! Pinoy Pop Convention (PPOPCON) 2023 is definitely the event you want to attend this year–happening on March 18-19 at the New Frontier Theatre and Big Dome, Araneta Coliseum!

PPOPCON brings together artists and fans for a two-day celebration filled with fun activities as a means to strengthen the growing P-pop community. Furthermore, it is now on its much-awaited live gathering where fans and artists can truly connect. Among the list of artist groups who will be there are SB19, BGYO, BINI, 4TH IMPACT, MNL48, 1ST. ONE, ALAMAT, PRESS HIT PLAY, VXON, G22, KAIA and more!

In its second year, artists and fans can enjoy the two-part event, with a convention that features fanbase activities, booths, official merch selling, games, and performances by some of the established P-Pop acts today happening at the New Frontier Theater. On its second day, it will be capped off with a concert from some of your favorite artists at the Big Dome!

For more information about the event, you may visit www.ppopcon.ph. You may also follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more updates. For inquiries, feel free to get in touch with the organizing team at ppopconvention@gmail.com.

‘Hello Love, a Valentine Getaway’ by Kuh Ledesma and Isabella on Feb. 11

On February 11, a Saturday, experience a unique pre-Valentine event titled Hello Love, a Valentine Getaway, headlined by the original Pop diva herself, Ms. Kuh Ledesma and her daughter Isabella.

This Valentine Getaway is happening at the Hacienda Isabella, nestled near Tagaytay City and an ideal way to celebrate the special day away from the hustle-bustle of urban life.

Feel the love amid the cool breeze brought about by the ridges and forests of the scenic mountains, as the guests are treated with a sumptuous dinner buffet spread out in an open air garden setting while being serenaded and entertained by the unrivaled and rare appearance of the mother-and-daughter singing tandem.

What makes this unique from the previous mother-and-daughter concerts together?

It’s the very idea that both are staging it in “the season of love.”

“Valentine’s Day is not only for lovers or romantic love. We will also share songs with different perspectives on love and life. I have gone through so much in relationships… the ups and downs have taught me good experiences and Godly wisdom. My heart is bursting with the desire to share.

“It is also unique because it is unusual for concerts to be celebrated outdoors and almost in the place where we as artists reside. It is intimate because we are truly at home in Hacienda Isabella. Even the people assisting us are dear and close to us—the production people, the waiters, the housekeeping staff, and also our chef,” Ledesma described it.

For the Pop Diva, she and her daughter chose to perform in a more intimate setting as opposed to more and more artists doing it in arenas and big venues these days.

“This Valentine’s season, it will be a welcome respite to have a show far away from all the busy and frenetic city living. Hacienda Isabella’s homey and relaxed atmosphere and cool weather will [definitely] give the audience a different kind of Valentine’s Day experience,” she said.

On the other hand, Isabella, described Ledesma as someone who gave her the spotlight rather than living under the shadow of a singing icon. To date, the singer-songwriter and recording artist leads worship services from time to time on Sundays at the Hacienda Isabella. She expresses her passion for arts through painting and is currently helping to publish a booklet of prayers called Pray Away written by Rita Marie Abiog.

Hello Love, a Valentine Getaway takes pride in its beautiful backdrop with sculpted and well-lit trees, a real moon, and the sprinkled stars lighting up the skies.

After dinner and show, guests can also opt to spend the weekend at Hacienda Isabella’s cool and homey ambiance via its luxurious room accommodations.

Here are the special package rates:

A room for two guests is at P4500 per person, which includes dinner and the concert (premium table), overnight stay, after-concert pica-pica, and breakfast.

Room for three or more people: P3500 per person, which includes dinner and concert, overnight stay, after-concert pica-pica, and breakfast.

If guests opt for dinner and concert only, it’s at P2000.

Dinner is at 6:30 pm and the show starts at 8pm.

For more information, please call +639202868895 or +639178139065.

Kuh Ledesma media conference Part 1

Kuh Ledesma media conference Part 2

Abby Clutario releases debut single ‘Tadhana’

Music pioneer and multi-instrumentalist indie musician Abby Clutario marks her musical debut under AltG Records through the release of her Chapman Stick revival of UDD’s ‘Tadhana.’

Abby became an official recording artist of AltG Records, a sub-label of GMA Music, last November 8. She is known in the music scene as an indie artist and the first one and one of two who can play a Chapman Stick, an electric instrument with approximately 10-12 strings in the Philippines.

She shared that picking ‘Tadhana’ as her first single was a collaborative decision with Artist and Repertoire Manager and In-house Producer Kedy Sanchez. She is grateful for the opportunity and is excited about releasing the song, “Very grateful ako at the same time very excited to be able to release a song thru a label like AltG Records. Being an independent artist for 20 years, I can say na marami na akong pinagdaanan na challenges ng isang musikero and now dahil sa AltG I can say na mas may chance ako na maiparinig at ma-share ang aking music sa mas maraming listeners.”

Abby also revealed the process in reviving the song, “Ang Chapman Stick ay isang napaka-versatile na instrument. Bukod sa kaya niyang bumagay sa kahit anong genre ng music, masasabi ko na very soothing ang kanyang tunog at sadyang babagay sa mga ballad na style katulad ng Tadhana. Nung inaareglo ko ang kanta para sa voice ng Chapman Stick, sinugurado ko lang na mas ma-highlight pa rin ang main melody ng kanta and ang Chapman Stick ang nagsisilbing support and accompaniment nito.”

She also admitted that it was challenging but is happy with the result, “Siguro ang pinaka-challenge is a personal one, which is how to give justice to this song na maganda na ang pagkakalikha to begin with. My version is a stripped-down version na tanging ‘yung voice and Chapman Stick lang ang maririnig. I’m happy na sinuggest ‘yun ni Sir Kedy kasi I really also like the song.”

Abby’s debut song was #5 on iTunes PH’s Top 100 Songs chart upon its release on January 20 and is included in Spotify’s Fresh Finds Philippines playlist.

Tune in to Abby Clutario’s ‘Tadhana’ on all digital streaming platforms worldwide.

For more stories about the Kapuso Network, visit www.GMANetwork.com.

All Stars Lead to ‘Social U: Polaris’ at UP Sunken Garden this December 21!

There’s no arguing about it, Christmas is quite possibly the most awaited holiday in the Philippines. From the bright lights, delicious meals and catch up with family and friends, there’s really nothing like the Filipino holiday season! Following over two years of being kept in the “dark” by the global pandemic, 2022 is ending on a high note and leaving us with brighter possibilities for the year to come. Everyone’s wish seems to have been granted this year as social gatherings and live events are finally (almost!!!) in full swing.

What better way to commemorate this than with a concert featuring the country’s up-and-coming acts and your favourite local artists. Kick off your Christmas week festivities with the comeback of the famous U.P. Lantern Parade then end it on a sweet note with Social U: Polaris – A Balik UP Concert.

Social U is a school tour initiative by UMUSIC Philippines that aims to amplify students’ love for OPM and champion the respective advocacies of various student organizations. To kickoff the on-ground debut of this initiative, UMUSIC is partnering with Upsilon Sigma Phi of the University of the Philippines to bring SOCIAL U: POLARIS on December 21, 2022.

Sing your hearts out to the music of the country’s most sought after artists – December Avenue, Zack Tabudlo and Juan Karlos alongside ZILD, Tanya Markova, Over October, Dionela, Daniel Paringit, One Click Straight, CHNDTR, Morobeats, Tiffany Lhei, Unit 406, Elise Huang, Hey June! and Sid Buan. While you’re at it, you get to help up to 80 UP students too as Polaris will be sponsoring dormitory rent for students who need it the most.

Tickets start at Php 399 for UP Students, Php 499 for Non-UP Students and Php 699 for those who purchase on the night of the event. Tickets are available online at http://bit.ly/PolarisBalikUPConcert2022. This event is brought to you by Upsilon Sigma Phi and UMUSIC Philippines.

Ben&Ben marks monumental milestone with Homecoming Concert this weekend

2022 has been a massive year for Ben&Ben. After headlining a successful North American tour and securing the #1 spot on Spotify Wrapped’s most streamed local group in the Philippines list for the 3rd year in a row, the nine-piece act was recently announced as a performer at the Clockenflap: Hong Kong’s Music & Arts Festival—solid proof of their growing popularity overseas.


To celebrate a year of record-breaking achievements and monumental milestones, the multi-awarded band is ready to make headlines once again with their Homecoming Concert, happening on December 18, 2022 (Sunday) at the SMDC Festival Grounds.


Marking their return to Manila with their biggest concert yet, Ben&Ben promises to show gratitude to the fans who have supported their music journey since day one.


“To match that sense of gratitude, we wanted to mount our largest show yet, with our longest set, most ambitious performance ideas, and simply the best of what we’ve made through the years,” the chart-topping Filipino group shares in a statement. “We are most excited about bringing this show, finally, to our Liwanag, because it had definitely been a long journey with a lot of hard work to get here.”


Concept-wise, Ben&Ben’s Homecoming Concert 2022 is centered around the feeling of home: as a place, idea, or person of comfort, or as a reassuring gesture of security and intimacy. As the Paninindigan Kita hitmakers put it, the outdoor music show is also about coming home to each other and being home to each other.


“We’ve always likened how each piece of music we make is a little gift that our listeners have allowed into their lives, and how they have likewise felt the comfort of home through our songs, so it’s in that give and take and sharing of the feeling of home that we ultimately want to highlight for this show.”


In terms of set list, the acclaimed band takes pride in finding a perfect balance of impact, energy, emotion, and storytelling. “To do this, we imagined ourselves as audience members and tried to approximate what might feel best after a certain song or what might be the most sensible in terms of managing energy for both them and us throughout the lengthy set,” says Ben&Ben. “We feel the set we eventually came up with is the perfect rollercoaster — one that keeps you hooked and engaged the whole time without lingering too long on the highs or the lows.”


The Homecoming Concert will also feature guest performances from artists who shared their incomparable talent to make their sophomore album, Pebble House. Vol.1 an incredible piece of music history: from Filipina neo-soul artist KZ Tandingan to young alt-rock visionaries Zild and Juan Karlos.


Tickets to Ben&Ben Homecoming Concert 2022 can be purchased via the ovationtickets.com and ticketnet.com.ph. This event is presented by Ovation Productions, Ben&Ben Music Productions, Sony Music Philippines, and Tap Go; brought to you by SMART Telecommunications Inc., and Angkas, in cooperation with Pru Life UK.


Listen to Ben&Ben’s latest single ‘Dear’ along with their greatest hits in the official Ben&Ben: The Complete Collection playlist on Spotify.

Ben&Ben LIVE! Homecoming Concert 2022 Manila

It’s finally happening! After their North American tour, Filipino folk pop group and one of today’s biggest selling groups, Ben&Ben will be finally playing their biggest headlining concert yet! The show supposed to be held in September but was postponed due to typhoon and now will be held on December 18 at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Paranaque City.


Ovation Productions presents
BEN&BEN
The Homecoming Concert
December 18, 2022 – 7:30pm
SMDC Festival Grounds

TICKET PRICES
Leaves – Php2,500
Maybe The Night – Php1,500
Araw-Araw – Php1,000
Paninindigan Kita – Php500

Tickets are available via ovationtickets.com and at all Ticketnet outlets & online: www.ticketnet.com.ph

SEATMAP

SB19 releases “Nyebe” ahead of ‘WYAT’ Homecoming Concert

Filipino pop supergroup SB19 wraps up their highly successful world tour with ‘WYAT’ Homecoming Concert, happening on December 18, 2022 (Sunday) at the Araneta Coliseum.


Culminating their acclaimed concert series in the Philippines, US, UAE, and Singapore with their biggest show yet, the P-Pop Kings are heading back to Manila to mark the end of the ‘WYAT’ Tour. The Homecoming concert will also be livestreamed via ticketnet.com.ph as a way to reach out to local and international fans who wouldn’t be able to make it to the live year-ender showcase.


Ahead of their WYAT Homecoming Concert, SB19 has dropped “Nyebe,” an emotional ballad that envelopes listeners with warmth, longing, and sadness. The song came out just in time for the holidays, conveying longing that comes from a place of deep connection and love.


“I wrote Nyebe a long time ago,” shares SB19 leader, vocalist, main rapper, and chief songwriter Pablo. “I was thinking about the feeling of hopelessness, knowing and accepting that things are changing too fast. Time doesn’t stop, things around us happen so fast. At the end of the day, matutunaw rin ang Nyebe (the snow will eventually melt away and fade). We just have to live with it and pray, there is always a ray of hope”.


Prior to its release on digital music platforms, “Nyebe” has already enjoyed a massive run during the Filipino boyband’s world tour, giving the concert-goers a taste of SB19’s compellingly melancholic side. According to SB19’s lead rapper and sub-vocalist Josh, the song was re-recorded before the tour started. “It was first teased publicly at our Our Zone concert in 2021. It’s exciting that we get to share another milestone with our fans.”


“Nyebe” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.


Catch SB19 as they close the year with a bang through ‘WYAT’ Homecoming Concert, happening on December 18, 2022 at the Araneta Coliseum. Tickets are available via TicketNet website and outlets. The concert will also be livestreamed via ticketnet.com.ph.
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 

BALCONY ENTERTAINMENT ARTISTS SHINE AT THE AWIT AWARDS

The recently concluded 35th Awit Awards – held last November 23rd at the New Frontier Theater – was truly a momentous occasion for both musicians and passionate music fans as numerous accolades and honors were given to the best of the best in Philippine Music.

One of the big winners at the event was Balcony Entertainment, steadily rising independent label and artist management stable. Spearheaded by founder RICO BLANCO, the label produced meaningful and well-deserved wins for artists ZILD, EBE DANCEL and MARIS RACAL.

Racal was first to bag the honors for Best Regional Recording with her track “Asa Naman,” which was distributed by Sony Music Philippines. The Tagum City-native proudly delivered her acceptance speech in Bisaya, citing her original aim to empower and put-the-spotlight on the beautiful language and culture of the Visayan region and its people: “I told Rico that I wanted to write a song in Bisaya, and we were able to create ‘Asa Naman;’ we should never be intimidated to write songs in our first language, because music should be celebrated in ANY language.” Racal rose to be one of the biggest forces in pop music this past year and had worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic and solidified her musical career, which had always been her dream.

Following suit was songwriting powerhouse and singer Ebe Dancel, who took home the Awit Award honors for Best Ballad Recording. Released under the Widescope Entertainment label and produced by Blanco, it was Dancel’s swooning single “Manatili” that bested a host of impressive contemporaries. The track – which remarkably defied the challenges brought about by the recent lockdown with seemingly impossible schedule conflicts and logistical nightmares in recording (including having to record an entire string section in free tempo and the like…), is nothing short of a miraculous endeavor. Dancel acknowledged in his speech that despite being in the industry for more than two decades, it was still a great feeling to be able to bring home an award to his parents and proceeded to pay homage to his fellow musicians and songwriters and even his dog Alon, who had passed away this year. “We did it,” Dancel finished.

Finally, it was the musical wunderkind ZILD who won Best Performance By A Male Recording Artist for his song “Kyusi,” (distributed by Warner Music Philippines…) which arguably was a definitive turning point in the young songwriter’s career. The artist – who shared in his acceptance speech that it all began with a simple phone call with Blanco – had proved in the recent years that he was – without a doubt – becoming his own man, way beyond the shadow of his work with his former band, and in the most modest way, made it clear that he is still excited to move forward and explore more possibilities with this trajectory in his new realm.

Also present in the ceremonies was another Balcony Entertainment artist RAVEN. The self-styled bedroom artist and producer finally made it out of the bedroom for his first public appearance at an industry event and walked the red carpet alongside fellow Balcony artists and Blanco, who admittedly, was excited to attend this year’s festivities and excited with how things turned out for Balcony Entertainment.

“I cannot be prouder,” Blanco was stated saying. “These guys created music for their fans during the toughest of times: mentally, emotionally, and even financially and logistically; the least I could do [back] then was to give them the best support and effort from my very small Balcony Entertainment team – even when we were swimming in so much uncertainty, with the end to the pandemic nowhere in sight,” he revealed, and added, “On a couple of occasions, I would wonder if I was doing the right thing… but every time I heard their songs and saw their excitement, I knew that I just had to trust the music,” Blanco revealed.

Having won numerous Awit Awards throughout his career (including last year’s award for Best Pop Recording…), Blanco – with his Balcony Entertainment company – has constantly pushed the envelope in the local industry. The Awit Award honors prove that Blanco’s vision, indeed, works – carefully crafting non-exclusive win-win business partnerships with the sharpest industry players and faithfully adhering to an “artist-first” ethos – while being anchored on lessons learned and wisdom gained by Blanco himself.

“I started Balcony Entertainment years ago, hoping that I can give to other artists the kind of management and label I never had – and it is humbling to learn that this is all easier said than done,” Blanco stated, and finished, “but it is – and will always be -what I strive-for.”

The victories of Balcony Entertainment at the recent Awit Awards is definitely a sign of even more exciting things to come for both artists and the industry as a whole, and ultimately fans and supporters of proudly homegrown music.