Vic Vic Bautista

The rising OPM star drops his official debut album

Through Sony Music Entertainment, Filipino singer-songwriter Paolo Sandejas publishes his much awaited debut album, the world is so small. 

The eight-track album is a deep dive into love, grief, and self-discovery, showcasing the beauty in life’s emotional upheaval, especially during a person’s formative twenties.

Sandejas claims that The World Is So Small is an anthology of moments that reflect the complex network of human interactions rather than merely an album. Sandejas utilizes his music to examine how our common experiences bind us together, from short-lived romances to long-lasting heartbreaks and the silent hope that endures through it all.

“This album is divided into four thematic arcs, each representing a different phase of a relationship,” Sandejas explains. “The first two songs cover excitement of a honeymoon phase. The next two dive into mental health. The third set focuses on the challenges of long-distance relationships, and the final set covers the moving on stage and finding peace. Through these stories, the album paints a picture of interconnectedness—how no matter where we are in life, we are always tethered to one another.”

The record’s narrative follows a fictional young couple as they navigate the complexities of a romantic relationship, with Sandejas weaving bits and pieces of his own experiences into the songs. “It’s funny cause I can always say the songs are about the character’s experiences not mine,” shares the Sway act. “But I’d be lying in some ways because these songs are so closely based on my own life. That extra layer of ‘protection’ though helped me get even more vulnerable in the songs.”

The title track, in particular, conveys Sandejas’ vision of a classic coming-of-age love story, a cinematic moment where the couple parts ways, leaving the listener with a haunting sense of nostalgia. “When I was writing it, I imagined the final scene of a love story, and this song playing as the couple went their separate ways. That visual really influenced the sound. It’s definitely the most unique song on the album, and I’m so proud of it.”

Musically, the world is so small blends Sandejas’ raw, vulnerable lyricism with an eclectic mix of indie pop, alternative rock, and stripped-down ballads. The album’s sound evolves organically, drawing on various genres and sonic inspirations to form a timeless, cohesive experience.

“I didn’t consciously set out to create a particular mood when writing the album,” Sandejas shares. “Considering we had the unique challenge of creating this album remotely with me in LA and my co-producer Xergio Ramos back in Manila, I really think we did a great job! It’s always a joy working with him and I’m so glad he did this album with me.”

Check out the album track list:

1. your favorite song

2. sirens

3. moonlight

4. roses

5. just a song

6. manila to LA

7. all the time

8. the world is so small

Sandeja will give live performances at two special events in January 2025 to commemorate the release of his first full-length record. The first is scheduled for January 10 at Nook Molito and will include special appearances by Jolianne, Leanne & Naara, and Syd Hartha. The second will feature performances by SOS, Kenaniah, and The Ridleys at 123 Block on January 17. You can purchase tickets at bit.ly/worldsosmalllaunch.

‘the world is so small’ by Paolo Sandejas is currently available for streaming globally on all digital platforms through Sony Music Entertainment. At 6 p.m., Paolo Sandejas’ official YouTube page will release the music video for the title single.

Follow him on socials:

Facebook / x / Instagram / TikTok / YouTube
 

The experimental pop record offers a bold, introspective journey into healing, resilience, and self-discovery

Photo by Nina Sandejas

With the release of her fifth studio album, Not That Girl, acclaimed singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis enters a significant phase of her musical career. The album, which is currently available on all digital platforms, combines sonic innovation with introspection to provide Almalbis’ ever-evolving sound with a new, bold direction.

Themes of emotional recovery, resiliency, and the difficulties of managing mental health are explored in Not That Girl, which is very different from her earlier works. Almalbis tackles these topics with unvarnished honesty and sensitivity. This collection of songs breaks the taboo around stigmatized mental health issues and is more than just an artistic development; it is an honest exploration of the singer’s personal experience.

“This album was written during one of the most difficult periods of my life, yet it has become one of my favorites,” Almalbis shares. “The overarching themes are about holding on to faith through struggles, finding hope through surrender, and celebrating the joy that comes from love and friendship. I’ve always written from personal experience—often about heartbreak and unrequited love—but these songs are different, more about personal growth and emotional healing.”

Not That Girl reveals a deeper, more introspective side of Almalbis. In addressing these themes, she reveals a rare glimpse into her inner world, showing how songwriting became both a tool for processing her emotions and a source of solace.

“Writing these songs came naturally, almost out of necessity,” she reflects. “It was my way of processing my thoughts and emotions, of finding a way through my struggles. It helped me focus on the things that brought me hope, and I believe living out these words has played a big part in my own healing.”

She also posted an encouraging message of hope and support on Instagram a few weeks ago, reflecting on how music has turned her indescribable pain into meaningful art. “In the midst of the pain, my friends encouraged me to write. And so, I did. The songs came so naturally, almost effortlessly. I was reminded of the days when I was a teenager, overwhelmed by emotions, and the only way I could process them was to pour them into my writing. It felt like I was reconnecting with something deep within me.”

The album also marks a shift in Almalbis’ sonic direction, as she embraces a more adventurous and experimental sound. Collaborating with producer Nick Lazaro, Almalbis has pushed the boundaries of her music to new and exciting territories.

“Working with Nick has been an incredible experience,” she says. “He’s taken the music and my performance to a place I’d always wanted to go but didn’t know how to reach. His raw, unfiltered approach to recording is refreshing, and I’ve learned so much from him—lessons I’m now applying to our live shows as well.”

Almalbis will hold a private album launch party at Sari-Sari Cocktails in Makati City on the day of the album’s release to commemorate the release of Not That Girl. An extended live set will be performed that evening, combining new songs from Not That Girl with fan favorites. Kai del Rio, Bird, Twin Lobster, and Johnoy Danao are among the most exciting musical artists in the Philippines that will be joining her for this special occasion.

On Sunday, January 19, 2025, Barbie Almalbis will make her live debut of the new songs at the Music Lane Festival in Okinawa, Japan.

Barbie Almalbis’  Not That Girl is currently accessible on all digital streaming services across the globe.

Tourism Excellence Awards 2024

The Department of Tourism (DOT)-CALABARZON presented Enchanted Kingdom, the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, with the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) Champion Award for Tourism Enterprises as it prepares to celebrate 30 years of creating and offering unforgettable magical experiences and memories.

Mario O. Mamon, President and CEO of EK, and Ms. Pauline Barreiro, Head of Learning and Development, accepted the honor during the Philippine Tourism Awards Regional Recognition and Tourism Excellence Awards 2024, which were held on December 3 at the Twin Lakes Hotel in Tagaytay City.

“Through this very relevant program, we have been able to provide even more world-class, enchanting, educational and entertainment experiences to our guests of all ages – embodying the unique brand of Filipino service excellence,” Mr. Mamon shared.

As of 2024, EK has completed training 99% of its more than 800 Cast Members (employees) under the FBSE program. Additionally, the premier theme park is planning to extend the said training to its partner agencies and tenants this 2025.

“As we at Enchanted Kingdom prepare to celebrate our 30th anniversary, we shall endeavor to continue our mutual support, partnership and collaboration with DOT especially in CALABARZON to uplift Philippine tourism service standards locally and globally in the years to come,” Mr. Mamon added.

Partner in Education

Meanwhile, EK has been recognized as one of the long-standing education partners who have shown unwavering support to the Department of Education (DepEd) during the Pasasalamat at Pagpupugay (Partners Appreciation and Recognition Event) on December 16.

The said event celebrates and acknowledges the support and collaborative effort of partners on the various DepEd priority programs in education. EK has been supporting Brigada Eskwela for 10 years now and has helped improve a total of 11 classrooms in various elementary schools in Santa Rosa City, Laguna.

Magical Year of Tourism Excellence

Beyond creating magical experiences for guests of all generations, Enchanted Kingdom serves a higher purpose of contributing to the growth of the tourism sector and its immediate community

In August, the Provincial Government of Laguna (PGL) recognized EK’s outstanding achievement and excellence in company operations and management during the 2nd Laguna Stakeholders Business Forum. The local government commended EK’s significant contribution to the economic development and competitiveness of the province.

Additionally, EK has also been recognized by the PGL as an Esteemed Industry Partner for its valuable contribution to the tourism and industry development of the province during the Laguna Business Summit held in March. The said recognition highlighted EK’s dedication to excellence as proven by prestigious international awards it received such as the Best Retail Merchandise Display from the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Brass Rings Award.

Good Corporate Citizenship and Fostering Inclusivity

In March, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) Biñan-West Laguna District recognized EK as the Top 3 Taxpayer, acknowledging EK’s prompt and efficient payment of correct taxes which immensely contributed towards the achievement of the district collection goal for the calendar year 2023. EK was also awarded the Top Taxpayer Amusement Park Category in September during the prestigious Lion Awards for Business of the local government unit (LGU) of the City of Santa Rosa.

Finally, as a Mother and Baby Friendly Establishment approved by the LGU Santa Rosa, EK reaffirmed its dedication to diversity. As part of LGU Santa Rosa’s commemoration of National Autism Consciousness Week 2024 in January, EK was also acknowledged as an Autism Friendly Workplace for people with autism spectrum disorder.

“As we gear towards our 30th Anniversary of creating magical experiences and memories that last a lifetime, all the more that we commit to embracing Diversity, Exclusivity and Inclusivity. Ultimately, we want every guest regardless of gender, religion, culture, disability, and race to enjoy the park and accommodate their special needs in ways we can,” said EK’s Chief Operating Officer Dr. Cynthia R. Mamon.

Visit our Press Room at https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph/ek-press-room and EK’s official social media profiles @enchantedkingdom.ph on Facebook and Tiktok, and @ek_philippines on Twitter and Instagram for additional details regarding these prizes, as well as future events and offerings.

At its first Media Thanksgiving event, which was recently hosted at The Hub Greenfield District in Mandaluyong City, PlayTime, the Philippines’ fastest-growing online entertainment gaming platform, announced its accomplishments.

PlayTime is expanding its reach and visibility with the announcement of legendary comedian and host Vic “Bossing” Sotto as its Brand Ambassador. to reach a monthly average growth rate of 30–40%, which translates into an increase of over 20 million subscribers and 2 million daily active gamers.

It was an epic night of celebrating triumph and showing gratitude for a successful year. We greatly enjoyed the night, full of activities, scrumptious food, and a night full of proud accomplishments for the whole team. The theme for the party is an 80’s vibe; that’s why it adds to my memorable experience during the night.

“We are thankful for a fruitful year. We had the opportunity to provide unparalleled online entertainment for Filipinos, accessible anytime and anywhere. We are also thrilled to promote local arts and entertainment in the digital space and through on-ground activations. At the same time, we are deeply committed to creating a meaningful and positive impact to the community through our CSR initiatives,” stated Jay Sabale, PlayTime Senior PR Manager.

PlayTime also continues to provide the best online entertainment experience with guaranteed highest cashback, which is up to 2% higher than all other licensed platforms, guaranteed withdrawal in 10 minutes, with a Php1,000 guarantee for any delayed orders. First-time players will also get to experience free scatters in the games.

Fun and Games at the Event

PlayTime’s accomplishments on its first year milestones were celebrated with the press through exciting games, loads of prizes and special surprises highlighting Pasko sa Playtime’s spirit of giving. The event was made even more epic for the guests as they danced and sang to the energetic music of The Authority Band, led by its iconic 90s vocalist Juan Miguel Salvador.

Amped Up and Engaging Ways to Play

There is more to look forward to in 2025 as PlayTime is set to launch new and exciting offerings for playing with family and friends anytime and anywhere around the world.

“PlayTime will continue to innovate and introduce new and exciting ways to play in the near future as PlayTime will enter the bingo scene next year,” shared Sabale.  

Community Building through CSR

“Our milestones inspire us to share good tidings and take on the responsibility of giving back to the community that has supported and helped us reach this point. PlayTime will remain steadfast in helping the community through its comprehensive corporate social responsibility efforts,” shared Sabale.

PlayTime paid it forward to the community with various CSR initiatives under the PlayTime CARES (Community Action, Relief, Empowerment, and Sustainability) Program with its slogan ‘Play With a Purpose’. Its partnership with Gawad Kalinga in building playgrounds in the GK communities is their way to promote face-to-face active play and solidarity among diverse members of the community. Also, through PlayTime CARES, PlayTime was able to establish a partnership with TV5’s Alagang Kapatid Foundation for their rehabilitation programs. For the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Walang Gutom 2027 Program, PlayTime is their official sponsor for the creation and distribution of eco-friendly grocery bags.

Support for Philippine Arts and Entertainment

Keeping its commitment to support the entertainment industry, PlayTime is participating in the 50^th Metro Manila Film Festival which showcases Filipino creativity in storytelling through quality films. As the official partner of MMFF, PlayTime will amplify the movie festival’s experience through exciting activations, special promotions, and exclusive content for its users.

Meanwhile, PlayTime’s participation in VivaMax’s ‘Project X’ fashion show reinforced its aim in supporting artistic expression through fashion and entertainment.

Additionally, PlayTime was successful in establishing alliances with important institutions. Reputable organizations and major events like Binibining Pilipinas 2024, PMPC Star Awards for Film and Music, Beer Below Zero (BBZ), Preview Ball 2024, Tribute to Soldiers, Fireworks Circus Music Festival, Reyes Cup, Juan Karlos Music, Akon Music, and Bumper to Bumper Car Show were among the noteworthy partnerships.

PlayTime sees 2025 as a better year for the industry as a whole, not just for its players, as it continues to set the standard for high-quality, varied entertainment and games and moves forward with projects that benefit the community.

Through GCash, Maya, or www.playtime.ph, you may simply enjoy PlayTime, an unmatched online entertainment experience where every moment is exciting and every peso puts you one step closer to winning big and making more money.

Pinoy rock queens Acel Bisa, Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Hannah Romawac, Kitchie Nadal, and Lougee Basabas are re-running their sold-out show, TANAW, in response to fan demand. The eagerly awaited performance will begin at 8:00 PM on Sunday, February 9, 2025, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Pasay City.

The OPM powerhouse women, who are renowned for their pivotal roles in the music industry of the late 1990s and early 2000s, will come together for a night of their greatest hits, joint ventures, and brand-new songs. To give their classic songs a new, symphonic perspective, TANAW: The Repeat will also include creative arrangements of a few songs, performed with a mini-orchestra conducted by The Manila String Machine.

This second edition of the TANAW series serves as a heartfelt celebration of the enduring bond between these iconic artists and their dedicated fans. Through decades of navigating personal challenges, triumphs, and growth, these women have remained pillars of the OPM scene. The concert offers a chance to give back to the fans whose unwavering support has been a constant source of strength.

The title TANAW (translated as “to gaze” or “to look out”) speaks to the reflective nature of the event—whether looking back in admiration or gazing forward with anticipation. For these singer-songwriters, this reunion is not only an opportunity to perform together again but to share new and meaningful musical expressions, embodying both their individual journeys and their collective sisterhood.

Following their incredible first reunion concert and its Thanksgiving follow-up, this is the third time these six solo artists will perform together. From their successful solo careers to their time as frontwomen of some of the most significant OPM bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s, these women have emerged as the actual queens of alt-rock. Their impact endures throughout decades, as evidenced by their sold-out tours, number-one albums, and devoted fan base.

In partnership with GNN, Newport World Resorts is hosting this event.

You can purchase tickets for TANAW The Repeat at https://tanawtherepeat.helixpay.ph.

Platinum: PHP 6,300

(Includes soundcheck pass, center-front seats, premium meet and greet, pre-signed posters)

SVIP: PHP 5,300

(Includes meet and greet, pre-signed posters)

VIP: PHP 4,500

Gold: PHP 3,500

Silver: PHP 2,500

Bronze: PHP 1,800