Entertainment

Another pop-rock hit song inspired by a popular Korean drama is released by the Filipino band Sponge Cola.

The journey of a marriage towards recovery and reconciliation is explored in their new track, “Tatlong Buwan.” It is reminiscent of the well-known storyline of the hit television show “Queen of Tears,” starring Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun, two Korean celebrities.

The lead singer and guitarist of Sponge Cola, Yael Yuzon, describes the song as “a love letter, epistolary, or even a midnight soliloquy for one person.”

He clarifies, “The love tale of Queen of Tears’ central characters served as the inspiration for Tatlong Buwan. Being a series helps because you get to know the characters well. You understand their motivations. trauma, familial bonds, and sociological variables. You can observe each character’s push and pull as well as how they are all molded. In the end, the story just makes so much sense in the way it develops that it’s really simple to sympathize, which facilitates both writing and feeling.” 

Yael wrote “Tatlong Buwan” immediately after catching the tenth episode of the smash Netflix show. He admits that the song reflects the urgency of the moment, inspiring him to write with newfound vulnerability.

“I don’t think I’ve ever said mamahalin ka lang, mamahalin kita in a song before,” Yuzon reveals.

The following day, he recorded the song over at Love One Another Studio with legendary music producer Angee Rozul, who told him to sing it in a way that is exactly the opposite of the lyrical mood.

“This actually made me sadder, knowing that it’s a love song that could sadly end in death,” said the Gemini hitmaker. “He had no idea, so the burden was all on me.”

After getting approval from his bandmates, including the ever-stoic Gosh, the band’s bassist, Yael Yuzon, sent the track to Joey Santos for mixing and additional instrumentation. The result, as expected, is a beautifully produced paean to a love that was once lost but is now found, growing stronger by the day even after going through so many twists and turns.

In addition, a music video for the song featuring the main Queen of Tears filming sites will be published alongside it. Yael says that everything about the experience was magical, a labor of love, and a tribute to one of the greatest K-dramas ever.

“There’s something engulfing about visiting locations where great narrative moments took place. It’s like these places witnessed so much emotion that there’s still some of it left.”

The song “Tatlong Buwan” by Sponge Cola is currently available via Sony Music Entertainment on all digital music platforms worldwide. The official music video will be made available at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 26. through the official Sponge Cola YouTube channel.

The Philippine Book Festival (PBF) 2024 will see the release of a brand-new collection of children’s books and educational resources from Lampara Books, the publisher of Easy-To-Learn Books.

Lampara will be introducing brand-new titles that are sure to excite children with a blend of culture, imagination, and education from April 25–28 at Booths C20–C23 at the World Trade Center.

These are the most recent releases:

1.       ABC Pilipinas

Written by Eugene Y. Evasco with illustrations by Cha C. Gatchula, this book offers a captivating exploration of the Philippines’ natural and cultural heritage through the Filipino alphabet.

2.       Og Uhog

An Honorable Mention at the PBBY-Salanga Writer’s Prize in 2002 and a finalist at the National Book Awards in 2003, this comical book is about a snotty-nosed boy named Og who seemingly never has any time to blow his nose. Authored by Christine S. Bellen-Ang with illustrations by John Ronnel Popa, this second edition features whimsical illustrations, offering readers a delightful blend of laughter and life lessons.

3.       Mamay Esing

Crafted by Jobert Grey Landeza and illustrated by Arli Pagaduan, this story, an Honorable Mention at the PBBY-Salanga Writer’s Prize in 2021, introduces readers to the legendary healer of Sorsogon. Through an unexpected encounter with engkantos, this story explores the timeless values of love and family, leaving a lasting impression on readers of all ages.

4.       Ang Kuwento ni Mimosa

Penned by Bimbo Papasin and brought to life by Aldy C. Aguirre’s illustrations, this book follows Pitsy’s journey of faith and growth as he awaits his transformation into a Mimosa tree. Through challenges and perseverance, this enchanting tale inspires readers to embrace their true potential.

5.       Burnay, Ang Batang Palayok

Written by Augie Rivera and illustrated by Danielle Florendo, this book, which won 2nd Prize at the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature in 1993, tells the story of a clay pot’s journey to self-discovery. This timeless tale teaches valuable lessons about self-worth and acceptance, accompanied by reimagined illustrations in its second edition.

6.       PaaasaaaluuuBONG!!!

Authored by John Romeo Venturero and illustrated by Lui Buan, this story explores themes of familial love and sacrifice amidst the Overseas Filipino Workers phenomenon. Through Bong’s heartwarming journey, readers are reminded of the power of love and the importance of cherishing moments with loved ones.

PBF attendees can look forward to engaging in various activities such as book signings by authors and illustrators, interactive storytelling sessions, and exciting booth activities.

Additionally, Lampara Books presents remaining titles from Eugene Y. Evasco’s Big Books series that are designed to make reading fun and worthwhile for children as they improve their reading skills.

With themes ranging from cultural appreciation to moral lessons, these titles promise to ignite young minds and foster a lifelong love for reading.

Aklat ng Halagahan

–        Bayanihan Para kay Umang

–        Bilib Kami sa Iyo

–        Mahal Ko Ang Pilipinas

–        Mga Sagisag ng Pilipinas

Aklat ng Konsepto

–        Ang Pitong Alitaptap

–        Pasasalamat ni Haribon

–        Pasasalamat ni Haribon

–        Pista sa Aming Bayan

Don’t pass up these fantastic chances! I hope to see you at the Lampara Books booths at the 2024 Philippine Book Festival.

Embracing Diversity, Cultivating Talent, and Elevating Global Music Scene

The 2024 World Music Festival @Taiwan (WMFT), which is launching its eight edition, is excited to announce the opening of its Showcase applications. Submissions are being accepted through May 25th. This year’s festival, which is set to take place over three stages at Taipei’s best musical venue from October 11 to 13, looks to build on the tremendous success of years past.

Notably, performers from the previous year’s festival have been invited to participate in prestigious showcase festivals this year, such as Seoul Music Week (KR), Tallinn Music Week (EE), Colours Of Ostrava (CZ), and others, marking a new chapter for diverse music on the international scene.

Under the banner theme “GROOVE TO YOUR ADDICTION,” this year’s festival aims to explore the intricate relationship between artists and audiences, delving deep into three distinct facets: Hooked On Music, Immersed In Music, and Touched By

Music. WMFT remains dedicated to curating diverse musical experiences while providing a professional platform for burgeoning global talents.

Excitingly, the selection process now boasts 16 showcases, comprising nine from Taiwan and seven from overseas. To ensure a fair competition, applications are divided into two categories: Jury Selection and New Talents, catering to emerging artists of varying degrees and ages who are seeking discovery and cultivation.

The 2024 WMFT proudly welcomes 15 esteemed international experts from across the music industry, and the first wave list has been announced! Among them are Darek Mazzone from KEXP; Filip Košťálek and Zlata Holušová from Colours of Ostrava; Martyna van Nieuwland from Music Meeting Festival; Noda Ryuji from Music Lane Festival Okinawa; Phuong Le from Wonderfruit Festival; Takuya Salam Unagam from NHK; and Umair Jaffar from Small World Music Festival.

Participating in face-to-face sessions with artists, such as Speed Meetings, Networking, and Industry Conferences, these industry stalwarts not only explore opportunities for emerging talent but also impart invaluable insights to participants.

Reflecting on her experience at the 2023 WMFT, Minna Huuskonen, founder of Minnamurra Music, shared, “I was especially interested in the indigenous music and was amazed how the small island captures many areas of flourishing musical life.”

The WMFT gives musicians a fantastic chance to showcase their extraordinary talents and enthrall Asian audiences as well as worldwide industry professionals. After years of promoting quality and diversity, it has cemented its status as an essential music festival in East Asia.

Independent and up-and-coming musicians from all across the world are now welcome to Applications. The results will be revealed on June 19, 2024.

• NYMA proudly introduces two new talents: 2023 Cinemalaya Best Actress Pat Tingjuy and TikTok beauty influencer Adelina Eugenio, expanding its diverse talent portfolio.
• The official launch event for Pat and Adelina was held on April 16, 2024, at Flossom Kitchen + Cafe in San Juan, attended by key industry stakeholders.

NYMA is excited to welcome Pat Tingjuy, the 2023 Cinemalaya Best Actress, and Adelina Eugenio, the producer of beauty content, to its roster of exceptional emerging talents.

On April 16, 2024, Pat and Adelina’s private launch party took place at Flossom Kitchen + Cafe in San Juan. Notable people from the commerce, entertainment, and media industries were there. This occasion emphasized both people’s special talents and promising futures.

Licensed architect, volleyball coach, and actress Pat Tingjuy has been making waves in the film industry. She won the coveted 2023 Best Actress Award at Cinemalaya for her performance in the streaming movie “Rookie,” which examines gender inequity and the exploitation of women in environments where men predominate. Pat’s enthusiasm and commitment carried over from athletics to the film industry, where she is currently pursuing her full-time acting career.

Adelina Eugenio, who commands an impressive following of 3.2 million on TikTok, is celebrated for her engaging and educational beauty content. Known by her followers as @adellacos, she specializes in “Get Ready With Me” (GRWM) videos, making complex beauty techniques accessible to all. Her influence is further amplified through strategic collaborations with major brands, positioning her as a trusted figure in the beauty industry.

Kat Bautista, General Manager of NYMA, expressed great enthusiasm about their inclusion: “The addition of Pat and Adelina to our NYMA family represents a significant milestone in our quest to nurture and promote top-tier Filipino talent. Their unique abilities and compelling narratives are not only a perfect fit for NYMA’s vision but also demonstrate our dedication to enriching the local entertainment landscape.”

NYMA is at the forefront of supporting innovators in the entertainment sector and is a crucial component of Kroma Entertainment. NYMA is committed to showcasing Filipino talent in international media by means of innovation and excellence.

Please visit nyma.ph for more details on NYMA and its extraordinary abilities.

Follow Pat and Adelina on social media:

Pat Tingjuy:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pattingjuy

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

Adelina Eugenio:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@adellacos

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089870892929 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Adellacoss

Global music phenomenon Perrie finally releases “Forget About Us.”, her eagerly anticipated solo debut single.

“Forget About Us” is an upbeat pop song with a melancholy quality that Perrie co-wrote with Ed Sheeran, Steve Solomon, and renowned songwriter David Hodges (“Because of You”—Kelly Clarkson, “A Thousand Years”—Christina Perri).

The ecstatic song serves as Perrie’s solo debut, showcasing her incredible vocal ability. She sings, remembering past romances, “I don’t want you to ever forget about us in the front seat / listening to songs that made you think about me.”

Perrie says: “I look back on past relationships and do think happily about those times. Do I want to be there now? No. It didn’t work out that way and if it was supposed to be it would have happened. Relationships have been a huge part of my life and they’ve made me who I am now. I think it’s a nice sentiment to be honest about and it’s super relatable.”

Listen here: https://perrie.lnk.to/ForgetAboutUs 

The beautiful video for the song, coming soon, was directed by Jake Nava (Beyonce, Britney Spears) and shot recently in Cape Town.

The world might know her as the self-assured Perrie from Little Mix, a group that boasts 3 Brit Awards over 17.49 million albums sales globally & 29.6 billion worldwide streams. However, her experience in one of the best-selling girl groups of all time was also transformative for a younger girl who was naturally shy and unsure of her immense talents. Previously, Perrie shied away from songwriting in Little Mix as she didn’t have the confidence in her abilities, but through working on her upcoming debut album, her extensive songwriting contributions surprised even her. 

Across the eclectic and diverse record she had a heavy hand in creating, there are nods to her rock n roll-influenced childhood, motown, disco, country, 80s and, of course, bright, bold pop. The unifying thread is Perrie’s strong, soaring vocals that fearlessly grapple with each melody and top note. “Going into sessions as a solo artist now and being able to say what I want and I feel is just the most amazing experience. I never had the confidence to do that before, but this process has allowed me to believe in myself and explore all my different emotions and different parts of my life.”

Perrie felt most comfortable writing and recording the majority of the deeply intimate album at her North London home. Alex, her fiancé, suggested that they convert their unutilized dining room into a home studio. He had constructed a studio for her that would include everything she would require to record music. “Everything I’ve done to document the record has also been done at home—fans have been asking me if she ever leaves the house.Perrie chuckles. In addition to staying ensconced in her haven, she experimented with collaborating with producers and co-writers, a select group that featured musicians Ed Sheeran and Raye, Johnny McDaid, Feli Ferraro (BTS, Normani), and Jon Bellion (Maroon 5, Selena Gomez, Justin Bieber), among others. This allowed her to be as open and imaginative as possible for her debut release.

“I’m so proud of what I’ve done and created. I wanted it to be fun above anything else and showcase my singing through ballads and big vocal numbers,” she says, with her sights now set on taking her music out in front of the world and performing live with a band. “Having people singing your songs back to you is the best natural high in the world. I’m just so excited to see how fans react to my music now.”  Whether sensitive or powerhouse – Perrie’s distinctive vocals stand proud as she emotes her way through songs that tell her story so far.

FOLLOW Perrie HERE

INSTAGRAM | TIK TOK | YOUTUBE 

Perrie’s “Forget About Us” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

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Featuring a total of 11 collaborators, crwn’s first full-length album delivers a selection of sounds that span genres and movements across the globe

On May 11, 2024, acclaimed producer King Puentespina, also known as Crwn (stylized as crwn), will launch his eagerly anticipated debut album, Séance. This intimate event will not only mark the culmination of his years of musical exploration, but also provide fans with their first chance to experience the album’s dynamism live with all of its collaborators. This announcement comes after 11 long years as an artist forming creative partnerships.

With an amazing lineup of 11 well-known and new collaborators, the dance music-focused album highlights the strong relationships that Crown has built over his career.

“I was conceptualizing Séance and working on a lot of songs for around 5 years after releasing Orchid in 2018,” the prolific electronic musician shares. “It was a lot of thinking, absorbing art, researching and drafting concepts and tracks into existence. The backbone and foundation of the project took time, but the actual making of the music went smoother and a lot quicker than I expected. It was like finding the ingredients took forever, but summoning the art into the world was easy.”

Puentespina adds, “The creative process with my collaborators was smooth and natural. I’d like to say we were all building worlds and stories at a comfortable pace. Everyone got to share what they wanted to share quickly and without any hiccups.”

This debut album has been years in the making, and while honing his craft, he has also played in prestigious international festivals like Wonderfruit (Thailand), Malasimbo, and Wanderland, headlined the renowned KARPOS LIVE Concert Series, and captivated audiences in big cities such as Tokyo, Singapore, and New York.

On April 26th, the lead song will be released, giving fans a preview of the album’s vitality. A dynamic sound that sets the tone for the album is promised by the song, which is a cooperation with the first of eleven brilliant performers.

In the upcoming weeks, information about the event’s venue and other featured performers will be revealed. Those who can’t wait to celebrate can get their tickets for The Gathering at bit.ly/seancebycrwn on May 11, 2024.

MASC” music video featuring Teezo Touchdown, out now!

Today, Kemosabe Records/RCA Records/Sony Music Entertainment releases Doja Cat’s deluxe album, Scarlet 2 CLAUDE , the GRAMMY Award-winning global superstar. Doja Cat also releases the music video for her new song, “MASC,” starring Teezo Touchdown, from the album with this latest release. Doja Cat and Jamal Peters directed and shot the music video in Los Angeles. It debuted on MTV Live, MTVU, and MTV Biggest Pop in addition to the Paramount Times Square billboards.  

Scarlet 2 CLAUDE Tracklist

1. ACKNOWLEDGE ME
2. DISRESPECTFUL 
3. URRRGE!!!!!!!!!! feat. ASAP Rocky 
4. OKLOSER 
5.  MASC feat. Teezo Touchdown 
6.  PISS 
7. HEADHIGH

Scarlet, Doja Cat’s eagerly awaited and well regarded fourth studio album, was released last year. Hit songs from the album included  “Attention”, “Paint The Town Red”, “Agora Hills”  and others. The first rap song to debut at No. 1 on the Hot 100 Chart last year was her hit tune “Paint The Town Red,” which spent three weeks at the top of the chart. Additionally, the song topped the Billboard Global 200 Chart for a total of four weeks in a row. In addition, Doja Cat achieved her eighth No. 1 at the format in February 2024 when her widely adored song “Agora Hills” debuted at No. 1 on Top 40 Radio. Also peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart was “Agora Hills.”

Doja Cat wrapped her The Scarlet Tour, her first-ever headline tour in North America, at the end of 2023. Doja Cat will be the main act at this year’s Coachella Music Festival, which takes place on Sunday, April 14 and April 21. Beginning on June 9th in Manchester, England, and ending on July 14th at the Wireless Music Festival, Doja Cat will be performing at many UK music festivals during the European/UK leg of her Scarlet Tour at the beginning of this summer. Please go to https://www.dojacat.com/tour/ to purchase tickets.

Buy/Stream Scarlet 2 CLAUDE:

Multi: https://dojacat.lnk.to/s2claude

Watch “MASC” ft. Teezo Touchdown:

https://dojacat.lnk.to/s2claude/youtube

Follow Doja Cat at:

Instagram |  Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

The track serves as follow-up to the chart-topping hit “drunk text,” which gained prominent traction in the Philippines thanks to viral covers by Paolo of Ben&Ben and Paolo Sandejas

Henry Moodie, a future worldwide pop sensation, has signed with Robots & Humans (UK), Columbia Records (US), and Sony Music Entertainment to release his amazing new track, ‘beat up car.’ There is a music video for the single.

The song’s release comes after the popularity of his last hit, “drunk text,” in Southeast Asia and Malaysia, where it climbed at No. 1 on streaming services. The previously mentioned song also became well-known and viral in the area because to some amazing renditions by Paolo of Ben&Ben, Paolo Sandejas, and Chenle of NCT, a well-known K-Pop boy group.

The British pop sensation Henry delivers another epic ballad with his new single “beat up car.” The song’s composition, which combines a pulsating beat with magnificent guitars, perfectly complements Henry’s superb vocals, which shine throughout. It is both lovely and endearing, and news listeners and fans will undoubtedly find a strong sense of relatability in it. The song and its stunning Ned Botwood-directed video showcase why Henry Moodie is regarded as one of the most promising up-and-coming pop stars in the UK right now.

Speaking about ‘beat up car’, Henry said, “beat up car is a song fantasizing about running away with someone who makes life feel less scary. When I’m feeling down, I have a couple people I know I can call to remind me of all the beautiful parts of life – love and friendship. I wanted this song to feel uplifting and cinematic – just like how it feels to be with a soulmate!”

At just 19-years-old, Henry Moodie already achieved more than 250 million streams worldwide, landed in the Top 10 most viewed UK artists on TikTok in 2022 and has been named amongst Amazon Music’s Artists To Watch in 2023. Following the completion of a songwriting diploma at music school BIMM, Henry found his voice as a solo musician and songwriter, oozing a level of emotional vulnerability, and sweeping, timeless lyrics.

Henry released his debut EP, ‘in all of my lonely nights’, in the winter of 2023. With a combined 250m streams across tracks including self-penned and produced ‘you were there for me’, global hit ‘drunk text’ and the heartfelt ‘pick up the phone’, a track which received 350k streams in it’s first day alone. With his first headline UK and European tour selling out in days, support tours with Mimi Webb & Lauren Spencer-Smith under his belt, Henry has currently been embarking on his biggest solo tour to date with over 15,000 tickets sold in UK, Europe & USA plus festivals in Asia during the summer.

‘beat up car’ Single Artwork – DOWNLOAD HIGH-RES HERE

LISTEN TO ‘beat up car’ HERE

DOWNLOAD PRESS ASSETS HERE

FOLLOW HENRY MOODIE ON SOCIALS

INSTAGRAM | TIKTOK | TWITTER | YOUTUBE

Henry Moodie’s ‘beat up car’ is available right now via Robots & Humans (UK), Columbia Records (US), and Sony Music Entertainment on all digital music platforms worldwide.