PH BLOG ➹

Film enthusiasts can now look forward to watching the much-awaited Metro Manila Film Festival movies as SM Cinema in SM City Marilao finally reopens on December 25. As SM welcomes movie goers once more, SM Cinema highlights the safety procedures that need to be observed for a worry-free movie going experience. All patrons need to wear well-fitted face masks at all times. Temperature and symptoms will be checked upon mall entry. A health declaration must also be presented upon ticket purchase. Moviegoers from adults to kids, must be fully vaccinated to be allowed inside the cinemas. Ensuring safe and fun theater going experience, SM Cinema will likewise have a capacity restrictions to allow customers to physically distance one seat apart from each other. Bringing food inside will also be prohibited at the time being but drinking water will be allowed in consideration of possible emergencies and health risks. SM remains committed to the safety and well-being of its mall goers as each...

 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 hun...

Top Dawg Entertainment’s multi-platinum selling, chart-topping and award-winning recording artist SZA has officially dropped her new single “ I Hate U .” Initially released on an anonymous Soundcloud account this year along with “Nightbird” and “Joni,” the irresistible slow jam emerged as a favorite among fans. The track is produced by Rob Bisel, Carter Lang, thankgod4cody, and Dylan Patrice. With her soulful vocals enveloping a minimalist sonic backdrop and laid-back synths, SZA reflects on a rocky romantic relationship that seemed to have taken a toll on her emotional health. Upon its release, the mesmerizing urban track received positive response from various music critics all around the world, with Brooklyn Vegan calling an “airy R&B” in “fine form.” It also marked an impressive performance on its first day as it debuted at No. 1 on both Spotify US and Apple Music US charts despite the surge of holiday-inspired tracks, and is predicted to place high on the Billboard Hot 100 ch...

  Filipino experimental/alternative artist BLASTER redefines the Christmas tune canon with a new single that essays the profound sadness and grief of celebrating the holidays in the time of pandemic. His latest offering “ PASKO’Y HINDI NA MASAYA ,” out today via Island Records Philippines , is dedicated to countless of people whose lives were hit hard by unfortunate circumstances, and are dreading of how challenging the days might be—be it experiencing Christmas with the loss of a loved one or abandoning expectations at least for this season’s run as a way of coping. “This one is not really about celebrating Christmas,” says the eclectic singer-songwriter and producer. “It’s more of a tribute to those that we’ve lost, and a nostalgic yearning of how Christmas used to be.” While BLASTER’s “PASKO’Y HINDI NA MASAYA” doesn’t fall under the conventional holiday songs that articulate the merry warmth of the yuletide spirit, the modern day anthem gives a sobering reality to some folks wh...

With its propulsive beats and hip-hop swagger, the Pinay quartet shows unwavering commitment to inspire young music listeners to stand up for what they believe in and encourage them to find their inner strength to go after what they want. The song, which literally means “Don’t Need Ya,” puts a refreshing spin on empowerment anthems while taking into consideration the values, perspectives, and views of R Rules as individuals and as a collective. Aside from using their platform to inspire change and lift each other up, the Filipino girl group also shares that their latest track promotes love and kindness in any way or form, be it for your own self and for others who need it. “DNY” is co-written by Kevin Yadao and Tiny Corpuz, and co-produced by Cursebox and Corpuz,  with the goal to speak out against the impossible standards imposed to women and articulate the challenges that they go through towards claiming their space and earning respect.  With its masterful blend of music in...

Excited to say “Mine!” to your new home? Ready to revive your long-term plan and dream of investing in your new home now that the restrictions are loosening up and the promise of normalcy is getting clearer? SM Development Corporation (SMDC) is here for you--and with a 10 percent discount on select ready-for-occupancy (RFO) units to boot!  In support to everyone who is now once again searching for their dream condo unit, SMDC is holding weekly online live-selling segments from October to November, to help them arrive at sound decisions. Entitled “Say Mine to your Dream Condo,” this virtual talk show and online selling event gives consumers the opportunity to explore the properties safely, find good deals, and enjoy discounts on RFO units of SMDC properties nationwide.  By far, the shows have been very well received, with viewers from all over the world getting to see the properties while being entertained by the celebrities at the same time. Last October, Sarah Geronimo and M...

Shane G is the latest in a lineage of budding Filipino singer-songwriters who have recently caught the attention of K-Pop stars. Her inspirational self-care ballad “Loved” was featured on VLIVE, a series of streaming sessions curated and hosted by BANG CHAN of Korean boyband Stray Kids . The Korean pop star praised the message of the song on the 131st episode of his streaming sessions, which happened last November 6, 2021, Saturday (PH time). The format of the online show focuses on championing new music and fresh discoveries from all over the world, as recommended by BANG CHAN himself and his fans. After finding out about the clip, Shane G expressed her excitement through a Facebook post: “This one’s really SURREAL!!! Am I dreaming??? I will treasure this forever as a STAY, and as an artist. Thank you so much!” Last month, the student-musician scored two nominations at the 34th Awit Awards for two categories: Breakthrough Artist and Favorite Female Artist on the strength of her vir...

It’s been 20+ years since unlucky-in-love advice columnist Carrie Bradshaw stepped into our lives – in stilettos, no less – on Sex and the City . As anticipation builds to revisit the beloved character in her newest chapter, And Just Like That..., Sarah Jessica Parker is adding Airbnb Host to her repertoire and offering fans a once-in-a-lifetime stay at Carrie’s apartment – lust-worthy closet included. Sarah Jessica Parker will host two, one-night stays for up to two guests each at a re-creation of Carrie’s brownstone on Nov. 12 and 13 for only $23* a night, in honor of the 23 years since we were first introduced to the fashion-forward icon and her friends. “The Carrie Bradshaw character is near and dear to my heart, and revisiting her world for the continuation of the Sex and the City story has been such a joy,” said Parker. “I’m excited for our audience to experience Carrie’s New York like never before and walk in her shoes, quite literally, for the first time.“ So we couldn’t he...

Dark pop singer FLØRE has finally dropped her second EP, ROMANIAC. The new release finds the eclectic solo artist dealing with the world of a character called ROMANIAC, who represents the part of FLØRE that she has never shared before: the one who seeks revenge, and the one filled with anger and issues. Similar to her debut EP “SUPERBLOOM” (Oct 2020), she invited Berlin’s Indie pop artist NOVAA to produce the 5-track release. Tracklist: Dead Boys Another year like that and we’d all be dead Bad Medicine Cigarette Our Funeral About “Another year like that and we’d be all dead,” FLØRE explains that the focus single deals with what life means to her: growing up, losing your loved one, letting go of love, living with depression, and overcoming personal struggles despite the odds. As the acclaimed German singer-songwriter puts it, the EP celebrates the beautiful tragedy of being closer to death, of being forgotten and nothing. “It's so tragic, that it's beautifully sweet,” the exper...

SM Development Corporation (SMDC), the country’s leading real estate developer, gives people the opportunity to explore its thriving community and ready-for-occupancy (RFO) units via fun virtual property walkthroughs, talk shows and digital selling segments with well-loved celebrities. Forget about appointment scheduling for viewing and say “Mine!” to your new home in the safety of the indoors with SMDC. Let Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli take you on a tour of the breathtaking landscape, lush gardens, and picturesque amenities and units at Trees Residences in Novaliches, Quezon City. The live-selling show entitled ‘Say Mine to Your Dream Condo,’ whose first episode aired on Saturday, Oct 30, put Trees Residences into focus. Celebrity couple Sarah Geronimo-Guidicelli and Matteo Guidicelli delighted the audiences with an extensive, virtual walkthrough of the suburban development located in Novaliches, Quezon City. The property’s hotel-like lobby, linear parks, three types of po...

Sony Music Philippines remains committed in strengthening its world-class repertoire with the addition of iconic and prolific hip-hop artists HBOM , REN , and Michael Bars . In its bid to shine a spotlight on the genre’s movers and shakers, the record label promises to introduce these new music discoveries to the streaming generation through its sustainable promotional, marketing, and artist development efforts. The new roster is led by celebrated hip-hop veteran HBOM, who has made a remarkable contribution to the industry as an artist, entrepreneur, songwriter/composer, and music visionary. With over 8 million streams across all music platforms worldwide and four acclaimed albums under his belt, HBOM is responsible for leading his own music movement with protégés in the scene, including Filipino-American rap superstar EZ Mil and South African-based artist Michael Bars. “I’ve been in the hip-hop scene for over 20 years, and I’ve withstood the times when no one liked hip-hop,” the resp...

ONE Championship™ (ONE) returned to the Singapore Indoor Stadium with ONE: NEXTGEN , which aired live on Friday, 29 October. The event featured a pair of explosive kickboxing matchups, an action-packed heavyweight mixed martial arts showdown, a rematch between two fierce strawweights, and the semifinal round of the historic ONE Women’s Atomweight World Grand Prix. In the main event, former two-sport ONE World Champion and current #3-ranked atomweight contender Stamp Fairtex showcased superior striking technique, keeping Grand Prix alternate Julie Mezabarba at the end of her kicking range for three full rounds to take home a unanimous decision victory. Stamp controlled the distance early in the first round, forcing Mezabarba on the defensive with a plethora of kicks and hard feints. The Brazilian tried to close the gap in the second, even landing a takedown, but Stamp executed a beautiful sweep and wound up in full mount. The Thai then battered Mezabarba with a series of sharp elbows ...

Ed Sheeran has released his brand-new album ‘ = ’ (Equals) listen here. In conjunction with the release, Ed is delighted to announce details of his new single ‘ Overpass Graffiti ’, which will be joined by an official video, premiering today at 9:00pm Philippine Time. Warner Music Philippines along with SM Mall of Asia and the PH Sheerios celebrated the album release with a wonderful cinematic trailer. Fourteen large butterflies (coming from each of the album track covers) can be seen flying over the city skyscrapers of Metro Manila, painting the town red (and more!), and traveling through relevant areas way too familiar for our Sheerios, such as the famous Mall of Asia Complex where Ed had both of hist Multiply and Divide tour shows. Watch it here. Aside from that, Asian fans are in for a treat as Ed hosts his a grand virtual fan meet on October 30 (Saturday) at 7:00pm Philippine Time, streamed live from the Warner Music Philippines Facebook page! RSVP to the fan event here. About t...

Off the heels of her latest release, “Don’t Go Yet,” three-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated, multi-platinum, and chart-topping singer/songwriter Camila Cabello teams up with platinum-selling star Myke Towers and critically acclaimed top producer/artist Tainy on her new song, “ Oh Na Na ”—out today via Epic Records/Sony Music. An upbeat bilingual song that mixes English lyrics with Spanish, “Oh Na Na” finds Camila exploring her Latina roots, while embracing her incredibly infectious pop and urban-leaning past. With percussion-infused beats and clubby melodies on its arsenal, the earworm of a bop shows Camila’s versatility as a vocalist, and how capable she is in introducing music with profound cultural histories to the streaming generation. “Oh Na Na” serves as the second single from her upcoming third studio album Familia . Her new track was written by Tainy, Camila Cabello, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Savan Kotecha, Alejandro Borrero, Ivanni Rodríguez, Myke Towers and Rickard Goranssonand, and wa...

The Observer is The Steve McQueens’ 5th studio outing, and shows a mature unit performing at the peak of their 8-year journey together. The characteristic playful inventiveness, musical twists and surprises are all here in spades, and listeners will find it hard not to have that little smile cross their faces at regular intervals. Released through Singapore-based indie label Umami Records, the mercurial band’s latest album features music performed from their 2020 ‘Nerd Lounge’ tour of Singapore, Japan and Indonesia.  With the pandemic putting the brakes on to their ‘live’ performance plans, the quartet went into the studio to record this collection of new music which simultaneously evokes alternative R&B, chill-pop, 60’s Motown and nu-soul. Having released three of the singles in the record - Mila Ascending, Eye and Beginning since July, the band is ready to drop the widely anticipated full album.  The Observer pokes at the culture clash between jazz traditionalists and th...

   American multi-platinum star Khalid has officially dropped his new single “Present,” a romantic R&B ballad off his upcoming mixtape, Scenic Drive .  The slow jam serves as Khalid’s latest release since “New Normal,” which landed on all music platforms a few months ago. According to Khalid, “Present” was inspired by the music he grew up with, and the determination to push himself creatively during the recording.  “My Mom raised me on R&B and whether it’s the harmonies or melodies, it will always be a part of my music, the certified chart-topper says. “Present is just the beginning and I love that it has a dual meaning. It feels good to be more ‘present’ after such a trying year in the pandemic and it’s also a ‘present’ for my fans that have been with me every step of the way.” Upon its debut, the song instantly earned heaps of approval from several music publications. Hypebeast praised its “deep R&B sound,” while Complex commended how Khalid ’s vocals...

  Now officially signed to Sony Music Philippines, the IKAW LANG hitmakers are ready to leave a lasting mark in the industry NOBITA ’s rapid rise is no longer a mystery to music fans who have been familiar with their poignant song “ Ikaw Lang ,” which currently ranks as the third most streamed single on Spotify Philippines as of today. In less than two years, the pop-rock outfit has built an impressive portfolio by releasing songs that capture the beating heart of the young generation, and bringing light, love, and inspiration to as many people as possible.  The five-piece hitmakers have indeed come a long way from their humble beginnings as semi-finalists of the prestigious battle of the bands, Muziklaban. Thanks to the overwhelming success of “Ikaw Lang,” which has amassed over 40 million streams on all digital music platforms combined, NOBITA is putting their own spin to the school of ‘hugot’ pop songwriting with their trademark tenderness and inevitable warmth. Now offici...

It’s another historic win for multi-awarded documentary film Aswang . Aswang won Best Picture, Best Director, Best Documentary , and Best Cinematography at the 44th Gawad Urian by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Director Alyx Arumpac says:  “We thank the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino for this honor. We are overwhelmed and beyond grateful for the recognition. " Aswang follows a group of people whose fates wrap around the growing violence over two years of killings in Manila, among them Brother Jun Santiago, a photojournalist and missionary brother who comforts bereaved families. “While making the film we heard grieving people say this so many times — ‘Kung alam ko lang na papatayin nila ang kapatid/asawa/anak ko, hindi ko na sana siya binoto’ (If I had known that they would kill my brother/father/son, I never would not have voted for him),” adds Arumpac who encourages all Filipinos to watch the documentary and see how the first years of President Rodrigo Duterte's ...

 of Mercury , formerly known as Nathan & Mercury, marks a new chapter in their music journey with the release of their two-track volume, CHANGIN’ Vol. 1 —out today via Sony Music Philippines . The dual release, which features the songs “I’M FINE” and “HEAVEN ON EARTH,” finds the band pushing their sound to an unexpected direction and displaying remarkable consistency in terms of musicality and songwriting. “Think of this release as a re-introduction to us,” of Mercury explains. “This release is a statement from us that we’re growing, we’re changing: a foretaste of what the album is going to be.” Gleaming with funkier, hip-hop-leaning sounds and edgy production techniques, both tracks assert something that has been proven from the early stages of their career: they’re technically impressive as musicians, but they never let the stylistic explorations get in the way of their soulful, confessional storytelling.  Focus track “I’M FINE” is a tangible proof of the band’s insisten...

ONE Championship™ (ONE) returned to the Singapore Indoor Stadium with ONE: FIRST STRIKE , which aired live on Friday, 15 October. The event featured an all-kickboxing card for the first time in ONE history, highlighted by the prestigious ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix quarterfinal round and a battle for the inaugural ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Title. In the main event, #2-ranked featherweight kickboxing contender Superbon of Thailand overpowered #1-ranked contender and legendary Italian-Armenian striker Giorgio Petrosyan to win by spectacular second-round knockout. Petrosyan was calculated to start the bout, moving forward with precise boxing combinations, while Superbon looked to land his vaunted right kick. After a cautious first round, action picked up in the second, with Petrosyan pushing to close the distance. Following a heated exchange, Superbon unleashed a dynamite right kick to the head, connecting with Petrosyan’s chin and scoring the emphatic finish....

  Eclectic music producer Wovensound and acclaimed rapper Ihasamic! mark another exciting collaboration with the release of their new single “ The Constant, ” out now via Umami Records .  With sultry R&B vocals from Sreshya, introspective verses from ZFRL and Ihasamic! himself, and a smoky, downtempo production from Wovensound , the massive new tune echoes the group’s frustrations and fears over the uncertainty that’s been clouding their headspace during this time of forced withdrawal.  Despite its tendencies to embrace pensive gloom, the song ties together stories of struggle, survival, and resilience with dignified honesty, while channeling their collective energy into something inspiring and worthy of discussion. For his part, Ihasamic! openly questions his growth and progress, and if there even was any substantial enough to speak of, during these difficult times. But the Repack rapper comes to terms with the idea of allowing himself time out of time, realizi...

Breakthrough Filipino rapper Young Cocoa has been gaining significant attention worldwide thanks to his previous chart-topping hits “ Manila ,” which got included in one of the playlists curated by BTS’ very own RM, and received props from Korean music stars such as Eric of The Boyz, Omega X, Dawon of SF19 and Lia Kim from 1Million Dance Studio. To date, his signature smash has racked up more than a million streams on Spotify alone, and has enjoyed airplay on mainstream radio stations in Metro Manila. Now signed to pan-regional music label, OFFMUTE , the promising newcomer sets his sights on conquering Asia one step at a time with his genre-fluid jams that cut across cultural boundaries and sonic expectations. “I feel so blessed to be the first hip-hop artist of OFFMUTE but even more so, a part of a movement that is so unified and allows Southeast Asian music to move forth in a collaborative effort,” Young Cocoa beams with pride as he talks about being part of this game-changing mov...

Finally, the secret is out for celebrity couple Tom Rodriguez and Carla Abellana !  They have chosen Sunshine 100 to be their home in the city! The couple announced their newest endorsement last Saturday, October 16, 2021 at the launching of Sunshine Pioneer Tower 3 located in Mandaluyong City. The famous celebrity couple is set to tie the knot soon – to live together as husband and wife, and raise their family. And, it is no secret that they are currently building their dream home. Carla has been living with her mother and sister in a townhouse in Quezon City. She considered the three-storey townhouse her first and biggest investment since her foray into show business. Tom, for his part, bought a condo unit for himself the moment he hit big time in showbiz. Since his family is based abroad, condo living suits him well as he lives alone. While Carla has successfully invested on a condo unit herself – and later sold it for a profit – she has always loved to be with her family. Thi...

  Filipino alternative rock trio Nobody’s Home has released the official music video of their new single “Cigarette Daydreams”—a cover of Cage The Elephant’s chart-topping hit in 2014. Directed by Ysa Aranda of Swimming Pictures, the clip features the promising trio on a random road trip, performing in front of a warehouse and running away from reality “to find peace of mind,” as the lyrics suggest. As for the concept behind the music video, Aranda shares that it’s derived from her own personal experience, particularly the feeling of comfort that driving brings. “I had to go for a drive and dream scenarios that would resonate to the song itself. Aside from the lyrics of the song, driving has helped me cope specially in these trying times, hence the driving scenes present in the MV.” Aranda’s take on “Cigarette Daydreams” is inspired by the visual narrative of Jóhann Jóhannsson's End Of Summer, a short film that serves as a document of a calm scenery in “one of the most crucial and...