Monthly Archives

September 2021

Entertainment

“I Guess I’m In Love” tops Philippine streaming and radio charts

Filipino-Norwegian singer-songwriter, Clinton Kane is taking the country by storm with the release of his stripped-down pop ballad “I GUESS I’M IN LOVE,” following his viral success on TikTok and other online music platforms. Also out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Columbia Records and Sony Music.

Detailing the winding journey and range of feelings that come with finally finding true love, the emotional single is currently at No. 4 on Spotify Philippines charts, and has amassed nearly 23 million streams since its release last August 20, 2021. The track is currently a mainstay on various local radio charts, ranking within the top 20 of Manila-based mainstream radio stations, RX 93. 1 and 99.5 Play FM.

Over at TikTok, The Filipino-Norwegian star’s chart-topping track has been covered by Filipino artists, including SB19’s Pablo, whose stellar rendition garnered close to 200k views in less than an hour.

Overseas, the Australia-based artist has also debuted at the US Billboard Hot 100 at No. 90, and continues to climb on several official music charts all around the world, including his home country Australia (ARIA, No. 27), Canada (Canadian Hot 100, No. 50), UK (UK Singles Chart, No. 23), New Zealand (RMNZ, No. 27), and more.

“I GUESS I’M IN LOVE” has been building fan fever since Clinton Kane began teasing the track on his social media. With the song racking up pre-saves and over 40k fan-made TikTok videos using the sound, Clinton has finally shared the love song of 2021 that listeners everywhere have been waiting for. Continuing to connect with each release, “I GUESS I’M IN LOVE” follows his February breakthrough hit “CHICKEN TENDIES,” which has accumulated over 90M streams worldwide.

Don’t forget to follow Clinton Kane:

Website | YouTube | TikTok | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

 

 

 

 

September 8, 2021 by
Lifestyle

Mrs. Universe Philippines Muntinlupa 2021, Joanna Marie Razon: Leaving a Legacy for Life

“A small piece of a new idea is more powerful than anything in the eyes and hands of an entrepreneur.”

Entrepreneurship, according to Joanna Marie Razon, has always been an important aspect of Philippine economic progress, particularly since the industrial revolution. Entrepreneurship, she believes, plays a vital part in today’s culture in cities across the country. Empowering our network of social entrepreneurs is one of her many passions. “A relevant and dynamic community of social entrepreneurs advocates change in everyone’s life by leading and empowering them on their journey toward achieving their dreams and conquering their limitations,” she said.

Joanna has touched many lives since she began her activism ten years ago.

She is currently a part of the Maharlikang Pilipino Movement, or ‘MAHARLIKA,’ which attempts to address the needs of all Filipino communities by promoting social entrepreneurship.

As her motto states, “We Teach, We Inspire, and We Motivate,” she is also involved in philanthropic activities.”

She is the proud mother of two gorgeous daughters, as well as an entrepreneur, freelance model, event host, motivational speaker, and cook. She also runs J-Bellamore, an online store that promotes beauty and wellness to a local and worldwide audience.

She is also a Top 1 distributor of Zoelife products powered by WeEvolve that inspires ethical leadership towards entrepreneurial growth and fulfillment. She is one of the appointed generals of Team Advocate Change Club that transforms every ordinary Filipino into becoming an exemplary social entrepreneur taking dominion in their own respective business organization by awakening their potential for leadership.

Joanna wanted to fulfill her lifelong dream, she said “My dream is very simple but one day she hopes that these small and simple dreams will turn into big plans someday. And with the help and support of the members and my mentors of The Maharlikang Pilipino Movement or ‘MAHARLIKA’, everything is possible and every dream is reachable if you are surrounded and loved by good company.” Part of her dreams and plans someday is to create new businesses because she believes that when the number of new goods and services increases in the market, more employment opportunities are created and in turn, the economy benefits from this chain.

Entrepreneurship is a powerful tool for fostering a well-balanced community in which both genders play equal responsibilities that benefit both them and the community as a whole. Joanna believes that entrepreneurship is a great inspiration for many people, and that an entrepreneur motivates others to be like them through innovation and dedication, resulting in a healthy and ideal community.

 

September 7, 2021 by
Food

Farmer Entrepreneurship Program of the Jollibee Group Foundation: Enabling Growth, Sharing Joy

Products grown with Joy. Jollibee Group Foundation’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program enables farmers to become entrepreneurs who supply big buyers such as the Jollibee Group.

Tony Tan Caktiong, Chairman and Founder of the Jollibee Group, decided to explore a bold and excellent idea in 2008. What if the corporation bought directly from farmers, giving them a predictable and steady market to sell to? This stems from a knowledge that, despite the fact that agriculture is one of the country’s most important sectors, farmers remain among the country’s most vulnerable people, with a lack of chances and resources preventing them from earning a better income. The Jollibee Group Foundation (JGF), the company’s social development arm, was then tasked with turning the concept into the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program (FEP), which would later connect small-scale farmers to their supply chain.

White onions, green bell peppers, tomatoes, and other veggies used at Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal are now sourced directly from local farmers around the Philippines. In a video essay released recently by JGF, we get a look at how over 500 farmers from 17 farmer groups have Grown with Delight and earned their place in big markets.

To date, Jollibee Group Foundation’s Farmer Entrepreneurship Program has enabled 14 farmer groups composed of more than 500 farmers to deliver over 700 truckloads of vegetables to the Jollibee Group since its launch in 2008.

Enabling Growth

At the heart of FEP is a stack of interventions that help farmers sharpen their technical skills and business acumen. JGF starts by partnering with organizations across the country to help farmers form clusters, so they can collectively meet the volume and quality requirements of big buyers and market their produce.

In 2018, JGF developed a training program to train Agro-entrepreneurship Facilitators who guide farmer groups towards becoming farmer entrepreneurs. This year, JGF brought this training program online in partnership with Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan entitled “Agro-Entrepreneurship for Inclusive Value Chains: An Introduction.”

As a group, FEP farmers can scale their operations, successfully maintain their status as Jollibee Group suppliers and find other markets. Growing and scaling means that farmer groups need to comply with standards such as the Philippine Good Agricultural Practices (PhilGAP) promoted by the Department of Agriculture.

A requirement of the Jollibee Group among its agriculture-based suppliers, PhilGAP guides farmers in addressing different aspects of on-farm production and post-production processes that result in safe and quality agricultural products.

Since 2009, FEP farmers have consolidated and delivered more than 7,000 metric tons or 700 truckloads of vegetables to the Jollibee Group, earning more than P300 million in total sales. Furthermore, 94% of FEP farmer groups are already GAP-certified as the others continue to work towards this milestone.

Farmers who are part of the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program help the Jollibee Group spread the joy of eating by supplying the ingredients for some of the favorite products from Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, and Mang Inasal.

Sharing the joy

“It brings us real joy that We have helped hundreds of farmers embark on a journey to rediscover and even totally embrace farming. FEP has emboldened them to dream bigger and has given them the tools necessary to turn them into reality,’’ says Gisela Tiongson, JGF Executive Director.

Ligaya Miras, a farmer leader of Lamac Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Cebu City reflects on her journey. “Being an FEP farmer means I am not just a farmer, but also an entrepreneur.’’ She adds, “Farming is not just a source of livelihood. For me, it is a mission. If there are no farmers, who will feed people? I am proud to be a farmer.’’

From the white onions used in the Jollibee Yumburger, to the spring onions sprinkled on the Chowking Chao Fan, and the green bell peppers we enjoy in the Greenwich Hawaiian Overload Pizza—FEP farmers truly help spread the joy of eating among countless Filipinos every day.

Visit the Jollibee Group Foundation official Facebook Page at fb.com/JollibeeGroupFoundationInc to learn more about the Farmer Entrepreneurship Program and to view a video essay inspired by the growth of FEP farmers.

 

About Jollibee Group Foundation
As the social development arm of Jollibee Group, the Jollibee Group Foundation implements programs on agriculture, education, and disaster response with partner communities nationwide.
About Jollibee Group
Jollibee Group is one of the fastest-growing Asian restaurant companies in the world. It operates in 33 countries, with over 5,800 stores globally with branches in the Philippines, United States, Canada, the People’s Republic of China, United Kingdom, Italy, Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain, Indonesia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Panama, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan, and India.
Jollibee Group has eight wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger); five franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, and PHO24 in the Philippines; Dunkin’ and Tim Ho Wan in certain territories in China); 80% ownership of The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf; 60% ownership in the SuperFoods Group that owns Highlands Coffee and PHO24; and 50% ownership in a joint venture established to operate and expand Yoshinoya in the Philippines. Yoshinoya is one of the largest and most recognized Japanese restaurant brands globally and is the company’s first-ever Japanese food chain.
Jollibee Group, through its subsidiary Jollibee Worldwide Pte. Ltd. (JWPL) owns 100% participating interest in Titan Dining LP, a private equity fund that ultimately owns the Tim Ho Wan brand.  It also has a joint venture with the THW Group to open and operate THW restaurants in Mainland China. Jollibee Group also has a business venture with award-winning Chef Rick Bayless for Tortazo, a Mexican fast-casual restaurant business in the United States.
Jollibee Group was named the Philippines’ most admired company by the Asian Wall Street Journal for ten years. It was also honored as one of Asia’s Fab 50 Companies and among the World’s Best Employers by Forbes. In 2020, Gallup awarded the Jollibee Group with the Exceptional Workplace Award, making it the first Philippine-based company to receive the distinction.
Jollibee Group has grown brands that bring delightful dining experiences to its customers worldwide, in line with its mission of serving great tasting food and spreading the joy of eating to everyone.
To learn more about Jollibee Group, visit www.jollibeegroup.com
September 7, 2021 by
Lifestyle, News

Vote Pilipinas and Grab Philippines embark on a voter’s education to gears up for Magparehistro Ka! Campaign

In less than a month left before the end of voter registration, Vote Pilipinas and Grab Philippines collaborate for a voter’s education campaign with the aim of encouraging more Filipinos to “Grab the Vote.“ Vote Pilipinas, the official voter information registration campaign of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), partners with Grab Philippines launches “Grab the Vote” to encourage more Filipinos to exercise their equal right to suffrage. 

Sharing the same goal of inspiring the Filipino community to exercise their civic duty to vote, Vote Pilipinas teams up with Southeast Asia’s super app Grab as its official mobility partner for its 2022 voter registration campaign. Together, Vote Pilipinas and Grab support the government’s ongoing efforts and goal in targeting 7 million individuals to register as new voters through the campaign in providing the community with accessible, simplified, unbiased information, and data on voter registration.

“We are grateful that more organizations are participating and moving together in ways that they can to encourage more Filipinos to register and vote for the 2022 polls. Together with Grab, we continue to find ways to cultivate a sense of community and unity to move our country forward” says Ces Rondario, Impact Hub Manila’s co-founder and head of Vote Pilipinas

Grab, known for its tech expertise, and having launched programs through the years that educated both its driver- and delivery-partners as well as merchant-partners and consumers, continues its active movement with Vote Pilipinas as it combines its tech expertise to bring voter registration access to users from the comfort of their own homes.

Given the stricter community quarantine measures, efforts were ramped up in providing the opportunity to register online, with the Voter Registration Service Test now being available on the Vote Pilipinas website as well as in-app advisories designed and incorporated into the Grab platform. To keep users informed, in-app advisories are sent throughout the day containing deadline reminders, tips, and even up to the minute updates on registration, and mobility restrictions.

“We are steadfast in our commitment to leverage our tech and platform towards nation-building. We believe that the voice of every Filipino is vital in this upcoming election, and we want to help amplify each and every voice through safe and reliable mobility solutions for Filipinos who need to go to registration sites and express their intent to exercise their civic duties,” shared Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz.

To further entice its users to register, Grab also rolled out a GrabCar promo this month of September. Users will be able to redeem discounts for their GrabCar rides going to and from registration booths using the promo code “GRABTHEVOTE”. The P50 off discount can be redeemed in select cities with open voter registration such as Metro Manila, Baguio, Naga, and Davao.

All of this in an effort to empower the public through proper access to correct and unbiased information as well as to motivate the community, especially the youth, to speak up and have their voices heard.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has suspended voter registration activities and offices for cities that are under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ (MECQ) for the time being.

Visit Vote Pilipinas through https://www.votepilipinas.com to learn more.

 

About Grab
Grab is the leading super app in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter most to Grab. Grab is the leading super app in Southeast Asia, providing everyday services that matter most to consumers. Today, the Grab app has been downloaded onto over 185 million mobile devices, giving users access to over 9 million drivers, merchants, and agents. Grab has the region’s largest land transportation fleet and has completed over 4 billion rides since its founding in 2012. Grab offers the widest range of on-demand transport services in the region, in addition to food and package delivery services, across 339 cities in eight countries.
 
September 6, 2021 by
Entertainment

This week, the ASEAN Music Showcase Festival prepares for its 2021 edition with a Robust Program Addition

The second edition of the ASEAN Music Showcase Festival (AMS) begins off with a week of activities highlighting the region’s dynamic music scenes, with the goal of strengthening and sustaining global connections both during and after the pandemic.

This year, AMS is expanding its program with the addition of a week-long panel discussion on Monday, September 6, featuring respected music industry leaders from Asia and around the world.

Deeper exchanges

AMS co-organizers recognize the importance of collaboration. Having built their professional and creative relationships through participating in international showcases and conferences through the years, one of the integral parts of these events is the panel discussions.

The esteemed panelists represent various music showcase festivals, agencies, labels, managements, and other music organizations and companies, including LUCfest, Sun Eater, DMZ Peace Train/Flipped Coin Music, The Venopian Solitude, Seen Scene Space, MASPAM Records, SCAPE, Warner Music Asia, and Tunecore.

Guest speakers and moderators will delve into topics including touring around Southeast Asia (September 6); identifying and differentiating consumer versus showcase festivals (September 7); dissecting case studies of successful ASEAN artists (September 8); the roles of independent and major music labels in today’s musical landscape (September 9); and a candid talk from AMS organizers themselves (September 10). The panel discussions will stream live on AMS’ Facebook daily at 8 PM, Singapore time.

Celebrating multi-genre, multicultural music artistry

As a showcase festival untethered to conventional methods of traditional or consumer music festivals, it’s vital for AMS to match the right artists with the right kind of talent buyers. “Seeing it through my own experience, music conference and showcase festival delegates who are most active are the ones who energetically jump from venue to venue hoping to see as many bands as possible. So, for AMS we also try to select artists who have that same secret sauce but do not have to belong in the same genres,” shares co-organizer Piyapong ‘Py’ Muenprasertdee.

Over the weekend (September 11-12), AMS will broadcast genre-defying sets from 28 ASEAN artists from ASEAN, including indie-pop band Sobs and singer-songwriter Kitty Purrnaz, which were added as part of the Singapore artist lineup.

Cultivating opportunities

The final part of AMS 2021’s program takes place on Monday, September 13. The privately held virtual networking event aims to open doors for ASEAN artists to grow and expand their network. Delegates from the panel discussions and representatives from ASEAN-based Okhna Park, Berita Angkasa, Gelombang Maju Jaya, FFWD Records, Amity Asia, altspace.id, Tala Records Asia, The Wknd, TONGTONG Asia, Raising The Bar, Island Records Philippines, Indie Manila, GNN Entertainment Productions, Melt Records, Where Are The Fruits, Pulse City, HipHopDX Asia, Baybeats/The Esplanade, Speakerbox, Cat Radio & Cat Expo, Big Mountain Music Festival, Maho Rasop Festival, Coracle Festival, Locally Trapped Wildlife, Hanoi Community Radio, and 1900 Le Théâtr, Dusted Recordings, and Gig Life Pro will join in the virtual networking event.

International delegation (specifically East Asia, Australasia, Europe, and North America) comprise of MusicDish 独立小炒, New Noise, Sound of the Xity, Inter Idoru, Music From Okinawa, BIG ROMANTIC RECORDS, Highjinkx/Beeline Records, Golden Melody Awards, Tron Music, Clockenflap, Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO), This Much Talent, Club Media, Achord Agency, Earth Beat, Live At Heart, Smallfish Artist Management Agency, SXSW, Small World Music / Global Toronto, Beat House, and Jaded Media LLC.

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

This year’s edition is co-presented by Malaysia’s Cultural Economy Development Agency (CENDANA); the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB); the National Arts Council, Singapore; a US-based digital music distributor TuneCore; Singaporean NPO that supports youth, talent and leadership development, *SCAPE; and Victorian Music Development Office (VMDO).

The festival is also supported by Music Copyright (Thailand) Ltd. (MCT) and festival partners Global Toronto; Live at Heart; Golden Melody Awards & Festival; LUCfest; ZAshare; Sound of the Xity; Trans Asia Music Meeting (TAMM); and Institut français de Hanoi-L’Espace.

 

 

September 6, 2021 by
Lifestyle

Get yourself a great protection using Happy Life Rubbing Alcohol

It all began on March 15, 2020, when the country was placed under martial law. No one really knew what to do at the time. People in long queues might be seen in the news attempting to obtain their share of protection by using rubbing alcohols if hand cleaning was not possible, only to return home empty-handed. People all throughout the country are attempting to help each other out during this time of difficulty, as was the case with Happy Life Organics (HLO). They (HLO) wanted to ensure that their rubbing alcohols were created to the highest quality standards at an inexpensive price so that everyone in the Philippines could use them. Quality is paramount, as evidenced by the organization’s use of rubbing alcohol to kill germs and viruses on contact, with protection lasting up to three hours. It also contains aloe vera to moisturize the hands every time you use it, as well as a very pleasant fresh scent while applying it.

As the covid19 continuously post a threat in our society, as a new variant emerge and an all-time high in the number of cases being recorded, now more than ever, we need to protect ourselves and our families by using a quality rubbing alcohol if hand washing is not possible together with social distancing, boosting our immunity, being vaccinated and by wearing a face mask.

Today, the most sought-after rubbing alcohol is now available in top restaurants, clinics, hospitals and the whole country thanks to its reseller program system. As Winston Churchill quoted, “Never Let a Good Crisis Go to Waste” perhaps what he means by that is always look at the silver lining in any crisis, in that you may still have or create a winning mindset with the right perspective, to seek opportunities where they might not have been before. This is the case of the Happy Life Rubbing Alcohol resellers around the country today, earning while securing their items of protection in using these rubbing alcohols. Being proud that they have established a new identity and a new business while keeping their families safe.

You may now avail the reseller package and be one of the few people that was able to secure their territory and enjoy the benefits of peace of mind and having a sound business of your own. Contact us now and reserve a business exploration call at (0906) 2525475.

You can try to figure out why this alcohol is so unique, and you can get your hands on some by visiting the following platforms: HappyLifePH.com is a website dedicated to promoting happiness in the Philippines.

You can also find it on Lazada, Shopee, and Zalora if you search for: Organics for a Happy Life You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram: @happylifeorganicss.

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 6, 2021 by
Tech

Converge has been honored with two Global Economics Awards

Converge has gained international recognition in the Global Economics Awards 2021 where it won the Best ICT Solutions Provider under the Technology Awards Category, while CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony H. Uy was awarded the Best Entrepreneur – ICT under the Leadership Awards Category.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc., the country’s only pure fiber broadband provider, has been honored with two top awards at the Global Economics Awards 2021 for its commitment to technological innovation and quality.

Converge was named Best ICT Solutions Provider in the Technology Awards Category, while Dennis Anthony H. Uy, the company’s CEO and Co-Founder, was named Best Entrepreneur – ICT in the Leadership Awards Category.

 “Converge continues to provide superior fiber internet services across the Philippines for Filipinos to continue experiencing better internet,” said Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy. “These awards are a testament to how the company remains committed to live by its mandate of serving the unserved and underserved communities in the Philippines.”

The Global Economics Awards recognizes key players in the different sectors of businesses and provides a global recognition and outreach to its recipients. The award-giving body undergoes stringent deliberations and evaluations that determine who is fit for the different categories of this program.

The Technology Category aims to recognize the digital transformations enabled by technological innovations of enterprises, while the Leadership Category recognizes the achievement of individuals who show exceptional leadership and serve as an inspiration to others in their field. This stands as a testament to Converge’s existence as a beacon of excellence in the global telecommunications industry.

The Global Economics Limited is a renowned, UK-based print and online publication that aims to share thoughtful and detailed analyses of current issues in various business sectors around the world. They provide an all-inclusive, insightful, and updated coverage of commercial and investment banking, wealth management and advisory sectors. They also take on other sectors of the market that comprises insurance, real estate, technology, and energy industries that follow business and management trends around the world.

Converge CEO and Co-founder, Mr. Dennis Anthony Uy is recognized as the Best Entrepreneur – ICT under the Leadership Awards Category at the Global Economics Awards 2021.

“May this award be an inspiration for others to continue their hard work and passion in serving the people in their own fields,” Uy noted.

“We have realized early on that quality broadband connectivity is crucial in our people’s lives and the growth and development of our country. This is the reason why Converge endeavored to build a world-class digital highway that empowers Filipinos and the country,” he added.

Converge has launched a large extension campaign to fiber-power more Filipinos, with the objective of reaching 55 percent of households by 2025. Converge’s fiber broadband network has reached over eight million homes by the end of June 2021, as it extended outside Luzon and began providing pure fiber broadband services to Visayas and Mindanao.

Visit the Converge website at www.convergeict.com for more information.

About Converge ICT Solutions, Inc.
Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions, Inc. (PSE:CNVRG) is the leading pure fiber data network and internet service provider in the country. It is the first to run a pure end-to-end fiber internet network, providing Filipinos simple, fast, and reliable internet connection. Converge is ISO 9001 and CE2.0 Certified.

 

September 6, 2021 by
Travel

Espacio A new Leisure Place in Lumina Homes

It is such a great pleasure to visit this new pride in Lumina Homes, Espacio. A new place that will surely be enjoyed by many people because of its features. I also like the place because it’s far from the city and it will soothe you with their exclusive scenery. Inside your Lumina Homes subdivisions, you’ll find Espacio, your new living, leisure, and recreation place. There’s also the multi-purpose hall, a distinctive Lumina Homes facility that may be used for sports tournaments as well as regular community activities like general meetings.

Espacio will also be accompanied by open areas set aside for little gardens, a play area that your children will undoubtedly enjoy, and a jogging trail that will have specific advantages to live a healthy and active lifestyle.  Because Espacio is outfitted with facilities for these vital offices, residents will no longer need to travel to the barangay or city hall, or send their children to daycare outside of the Lumina Homes community. A Health Center, a Day Care Center, a Senior Citizen Center, and a Barangay Center will be located in Espacio.

And not just that — Espacio also has your favorite hangout place. The “Tambayan ni Juan” which takes after the idea of a night market.

Tambayan ni Juan consists of an al fresco dining area and a dedicated space for kiosks where homeowners can sell food and other items. Once it’s safe to conduct gatherings, this area will be open for live gigs and exhibitions.

A shuttle terminal with transportation service and more parking spaces will also be available in Espacio.

Residents of Lumina Homes may expect a more secure, fun-filled, and fascinating life with Espacio, which is just a few steps away from their Lumina home!

Me at the Espacio in Lumina Homes

Kabarangays! I’m encouraging each one of you to watch out for this amazing feature Espacio in Lumina Homes, which will be offered in new projects and stages for established neighborhoods soon. Espacio, strategically located in the heart of Lumina Homes subdivisions, aims to breathe new life into inexpensive rewarding—housing communities like Lumina Homes.

 

 

September 5, 2021 by
Entertainment

With their new track “Love (Sweet Love),” British supergroup Little Mix shows no signs of stopping down

Little Mix, the award-winning British girl group, returns to the worldwide pop mainstream with their latest single “Love (Sweet Love),” which is released today on Sony Music. “Love (Sweet Love),” a rising pop anthem about love and passion written by Jade and Leigh-Anne with solid gold hitmaker MNEK, Lauren Aquilina, and Sakima, is made more fascinating by the trio’s amazing vocal harmonies and the track’s lively arrangement.

The highly anticipated track is the first single off Little Mix’s first greatest hits album, Between Us, which the girl band considers as a “celebration of 10 years of hits, friendship and new tracks.”

“We are so excited for ‘Love (Sweet Love)’ to be the first single released from Between Us,” Leigh Ann shares. “We loved shooting the video for this song, it feels like a real moment and we can’t wait to share it.”

Little Mix’s upcoming compilation album, Between Us pays tribute to a decade of global tunes from a record-breaking pop band. All of their biggest hits are featured on the album including their No.1 singles “Wings,” “Black Magic,” “Shout Out To My Ex” and “Sweet Melody,” alongside major hits such as “Touch,” “Move,” “Power,” “Salute,” and their latest top 3 smash “Heartbreak Anthem.”

The campaign will also feature five brand new sensational Little Mix songs that the trio have been working on over the last few months, bringing their decade of chart smashes bang up to date.

Jade Thirlwall, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Perrie Edwards have established themselves as the world’s biggest girl band – they have sold over 50 million records worldwide, collected over 19 million Spotify listeners, received over 3 billion YouTube views, and collated 12 billion streams worldwide.

2021 has proved to be a record-breaking year so far for the band. Earlier this year Little Mix won ‘Best British Group’ at the 2021 BRIT Awards, the first female group in history to ever win the award. Then this August saw Little Mix celebrate 100 weeks in the Official UK Singles Chart Top 10, the most for a girl band in history.

The band’s blockbuster hit tune “Sweet Melody,” their 5th UK No.1 single, went to No. 1 earlier this year in the UK. Confetti, their sixth album, has yielded four smash songs and over 4 million track sales. The band will officially hit the road in 2022 with their much awaited Confetti Tour, which will visit arenas across the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Little Mix’s “Love (Sweet Love)” is out now via Sony Music on all digital music platforms worldwide.

 

 

September 3, 2021 by
Tech

Converge signs a loan agreement with LANDBANK

Converge and LANDBANK officials at the Loan Agreement Signing (Top row, from left) Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy, LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia Borromeo, Converge President Maria Grace Y. Uy
(Bottom row, from left) LANDBANK Agricultural and Development Lending Sector, Officer-in-Charge Senior Vice President Filipina B. Monje, Converge Deputy Chief Finance Officer Christine Renee R. Blabagno and LANDBANK Corporate Banking Group Head, Senior Vice President Ma. Celeste A. Burgos

Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions, Inc. (PSE: CNVRG), a leading Philippine fiber broadband provider, has signed a P3 billion term loan agreement with state-owned Land Bank of the Philippines (LANDBANK) to fund the completion of its terrestrial and subsea domestic fiber backbone network, as well as support the internet service provider’s working capital requirements.

“This loan financing brings us one step closer to our goal of connecting the unserved and underserved areas in the country. The available funds will help us reach into untapped markets, and really ‘Go Deep’ into existing ones,” said Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy.

“Our network investments are at the core of our service to Filipinos. There is still huge pent-up demand for high-speed broadband connectivity in the country. And the need for quality internet services became even more critical when the pandemic happened. Suddenly, the home became the office, the school, entertainment center, and marketplace in one,” he noted.

The total loan package from LANDBANK will also include an additional short term loan line as well as a facility for its trade transactions amounting to up to P2 billion.

“This loan package will provide Converge with financial flexibility as we continue to connect Filipino households to our pure fiber network nationwide,” said Converge President Maria Grace Uy. “We expect this financing facility to strengthen our balance sheet and help us reach our goal of covering 55% of Filipino households by 2025.”

This year, Converge has set aside P20 billion for capital expenditures, with the majority of the cash going toward its statewide expansion, which included connecting Visayas and Mindanao to its national primary production. It just began commercial operations in Cebu province and had a soft opening in Davao City.

“As you further expand your domestic network, broaden your distribution reach, and secure additional access to international connectivity, we in LANDBANK affirm our commitment to support you in meeting these objectives. In terms of inclusivity, Converge’s “Go Deep” strategy to penetrate unserved and underserved areas is aligned with our own, as LANDBANK promotes financial inclusion by serving unbanked and underserved Filipinos,” said LANDBANK President and CEO Cecilia Borromeo during the signing ceremony.

Converge’s pure fiber network has reached over 8.3 million homes by the end of June 2021, more than double the number from the previous year. This accounts for 32% of all households in the Philippines and 57% of all dwellings in Luzon.

About Converge ICT Solutions, Inc.
Converge Information and Communications Technology Solutions, Inc. (PSE:CNVRG) is the leading pure fiber data network and internet service provider in the country. It is the first to run a pure end-to-end fiber internet network, providing Filipinos simple, fast, and reliable internet connection. Converge is ISO 9001 and CE2.0 Certified.

 

 

 

 

 

September 3, 2021 by