Entertainment

Filipino alternative rock band Mayonnaise closes up the celebration of their 20th anniversary in the Philippine music scene with a major concert on May 20, 2023, at the QC Circle, from 5pm onwards.

The anniversary show, dubbed MAYO 20: The Finale, honors Mayonnaise’s legacy as one of the most significant Filipino bands of its time, creating outstanding hits that appeal to listeners of all ages and backgrounds.

MAYO 20: The Finale serves as the culminating event in a series of events that strive to give back to the music lovers who have supported the band since day one.

 “I’m honestly surprised that we’ve made it this far,” Mayonnaise frontman Monty Macalino admits. “MAYO 20: The Finale is more than just a celebration of longevity and all the great things that have happened to us. We want to give our fans what they truly deserve, and we want to return the favor by going all out with our performance. We will always be forever grateful to them for showering us with unconditional love and support.”

Late last year, Mayonnaise blessed their fans with a 20th anniversary tour, performing at some of the largest venues in the country, from Luzon to Mindanao, and have continued to do so this year, playing a number of events domestically. On May 20, the five-piece alt-rock outfit will be culminating their 20^th anniversary celebration in a venue known for its iconic point of convergence: a heritage park that welcomes family-friendly and diverse gatherings.

The finale show will feature a lengthy set by Mayonnaise with special appearances by their peers in the music industry, including Barbie Almalbis, Champ Lui Pio of Hale, Sud Ballecer (Sud), Argee Guerrero (I Belong To The Zoo), and Josh Villena (Autotelic). It is presented by Yellow Room Music and Killer Bear and supported by Minsan Studios and Araw Sa Gabi.

Although general admission to MAYO 20: The Finale is free, a VIP pass, available for PHP 1,000 only, comes with a #Mayo20 Official shirt. Pre-orders can be made by clicking on this link: bit.ly/mayo20vip. With a complimentary VIP admission, limited #Mayo20 Official shirts will be sold on-site.

Josh Cullen of SB19 continues his winning streak with the release of his follow-up single via Sony Music Entertainment after making his solo debut with the edgy banger “Wild Tonight.”

With the aptly named “Pakiusap Lang,” the P-Pop singer demonstrates that he is unconstrained by boundaries when it comes to creating and performing a simple love song blended with trap-heavy sounds and hip-hop lines.

“The lyrics came from my heart, and I wanted to make sure the arrangement and sonic vibe reflected my Filipino hip-hop side,” Cullen reveals. “My cousin and his friends helped out with the chorus, and we all had a good time putting it together.”

According to SB19’s resident lead rapper and sub-vocalist, “Pakiusap Lang” is a song that is based on his personal experiences and thoughts about relationships. He further explains, “It’s all about the struggles of maintaining a relationship when you can’t be with your partner all the time due to work or other struggles going on in life. The song encourages the listener to hold on and trust the process.”

A romantic rap ballad that forays into emotional honesty as much as it does with stylistic finesse, “Pakiusap Lang” shows a different side of Cullen: an entertainer that doesn’t need to resort to gimmicks just to prove his point.

The release of the track comes with an upcoming music video that explores the idea of “holding onto the memories of your loved one, even when you know it’s time to let go.” Directed by frequent collaborator Toothless (who also helmed the MV of SB19’s “Bazinga), the visuals bring Cullen’s ideas to life and expand on his initial concept with an element of mystery and an understated delivery.

It also stars KAIA members Angela and Charice, who happen to be the main characters in the MV. The two multi-talented artists also dabbled into acting prior to their debut as a P-Pop artist.

Cullen shares, “When I was planning out the music video for ‘Pakiusap Lang,’ I knew I wanted to create a story that was emotional and impactful. As I was brainstorming ideas, I thought about the possibility of incorporating plot twists into the video, to really capture the viewer’s attention. That’s when I had the idea to feature KAIA members Angela and Charice in the video. I had worked with them before and knew that they would bring a lot of talent and creativity to the project. Plus, their presence in the video would add an extra layer of intrigue and excitement for viewers. It was a pleasure to work with such talented and dedicated individuals, and I couldn’t be happier with how the video turned out.”

The upcoming debut EP from Josh Cullen will include the song “Pakiusap Lang” and be made available this year. The young multihyphenate claims that the album’s first single, which was produced, conceptualized, and improved by his cousin Ocho, sounds like a combination of hip-hop and pop music. “You can expect a mix of different sounds and genre influences, but overall, it’s a reflection of my journey as an artist and a person,” Cullen continues.

“Pakiusap Lang” by JOSH CULLEN is currently available on all digital music services in the world thanks to Sony Music Entertainment. On Friday, April 21, 2023 at 7 p.m., “WILD TONIGHT” will premiere in its music video.

On May 7, 2023, in the Enchanting Events Place, at 7 o’clock, Enchanted Kingdom will proudly perform a concert called “The Four Kings and Queen” that will revive the heyday of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

The Four Kings and a Queen concert, under the musical direction of Gerry Matias, is ready to dazzle the audience with a repertoire of OPM classics from the quartet of certified Hitmakers, as well as a good dose of captivating performances from the undisputed Concert Queen Pops Fernandez with her renditions of top favorites and contemporary pop hits. Gerry Matias is a renowned musician, composer, and arranger who is well-known for his extraordinary skill in the music business.

The concert promises to be a winning live entertainment phenomenon as the artists will perform their classic hits that have become part of the Filipino music culture. Fans can expect to hear Nonoy Zuñiga’s “Kumusta Ka,” Hajji Alejandro’s “Nakapagtataka,” Rey Valera’s “Maging Sino Ka Man,” Marco Sison’s “Si Aida, Si Lorna, o Si Fe,” and Pops Fernandez’s “Don’t Say Goodbye” and many more.

Ticket prices are VVIP at Php 5,000, VIP at Php 3,750, and General Admission at Php 2,000. For Concert & Admission to the park, ticket prices are VVIP at Php 5,700, VIP at Php 4,450, and General Admission at Php 2,700. Tickets are now available at Enchanted Kingdom Makati Sales Office, Front Gate ticket booths and online soon https://bit.ly/4Kings1QueenatEK. Fans can also check www.enchantedkingdom.ph and Facebook: enchantedkingdom.ph for more details.

Enchanted Kingdom, the Four Kings of OPM, and the Queen extend an invitation to everyone to participate in their celebration of the beauty and diversity of Filipino music on May 7, 2023. Get your tickets right away because this is a night not to be missed!

Contact our Magical Guest Relations Office at 09088861271 (+632) 85843535 or (+632) 85844326 to 29 or via email at [email protected] for additional information.

The top theme park in the Philippines, Enchanted Kingdom, extends an invitation to friends and family to participate in Eggsploration, a fun Easter celebration on April 9, 2023. For the first 150 participants, Eggsploration offers a full day of enjoyable activities, including a magic show, an Easter egg hunt, a costume contest, arts and crafts, face painting, prizes, and more. Children ages 3 to 12 may attend this event, and tickets are only 1,500, which includes a Standard Day Ticket and Event Entry. The Event Access is P600 only and is available to EKMC members and visitors with tickets.

“We’re thrilled to host Eggsploration at Enchanted Kingdom this year. We want to give our guests a memorable Easter celebration packed with fun activities that everyone will enjoy,” says Enchanted Kingdom’s Marketing Department Head, Rebecca Rufino

Talented magicians will display their illusions and skills throughout the magic show. Participants in the Easter Egg Hunt at Boulderville will have to work hard to uncover hidden eggs. The Costume Contest will showcase inventiveness, and contestants who dress the best will get rewards. Participants can let their creativity run wild and display their creations at the arts and crafts and face painting booths.

To cap off the event, there will be an Easter Night of Praise where guests can join in singing praise and worship songs at the Midway grounds, 5:30pm.

“Easter is a time of joy and hope, and we want to share that with our guests through Eggsploration. We’re excited to see families and friends come together, have fun, and celebrate the Easter season with us,” adds Rufino.

For the first 150 attendees only, Eggsploration is an exclusive event. Participants will receive a unique Easter prize bag in addition to tickets, which are available at the EK Online Store.

To provide a secure and pleasurable experience for all visitors, Enchanted Kingdom asks everyone to abide by the park’s health and safety regulations.

Visit www.enchantedkingdom.ph or follow them on social media @EnchantedKingdomPH for more details about Eggsploration and Enchanted Kingdom.

The retro-pop band The Itchyworms are back with a cheerful song about the anxiety of learning that a loved one would be leaving for good and moving to a new place.

Their new single, “Panic In My Mind” was composed especially for Chino Singson, a bandmate who went to Canada with his family to start a new life.

But according to Jazz Nicolas (lead vocals, drums, piano, keyboards, and keytar), who wrote the song based on a real-life event, the meaning behind “Panic In My Mind” can be taken in multiple ways. “The second half of the song shifts the narrative to a bitter person whose ex-partner in now with someone else, and is having a jealous existential crisis because of that.”

“Panic in My Mind” carries on The Itchyworms’ distinctive sound by fusing complex vocal harmonies and vibrant melodies with ’60s-style pop. The arrangement ups the thrill a notch or two with its subtle musicality, the ideal complement to its lyrics, which talk of longing over someone in a world where they are the outlier. Less theatrics and more effortless grace are being used.

“We were going for a more organic sound with acoustic instruments as opposed to our previous album, Waiting For The End To Start, which had a lot of electronic elements,” Nicolas explains. “It also has a ‘60s vibe due to the jangly guitars and three-part harmonies.”

“Panic In My Mind” is produced by Jazz Nicolas and Mikey Amistoso. The latter is a long-time friend and collaborator, who is now officially part of the band.
“He co-produced the song with us, played various instruments, and sang harmonies,” Nicolas adds.

The Itchyworms are set to embark on their first US tour, dubbed “Akin Ka Na Lang, Amerika.”

The multi-city concert kicks off on March 24 in New York City, New York and will wrap up on April 7 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here are the official dates and venues:

March 24 – New York (D’Haven),

March 25 – Fort Worth (Ridglea Theater)

March 26 – San Antonio (The Grand Event Center),

March 29 – Houston (Gerry’s Grill),

March 31 – San Francisco (Bal Theater):

April 1 – Los Angeles (The Noypitz DTLA)

April 2 – San Diego (Lola Happy Bistro)

April 5 – Chicago (Michella Terrace)

April 7 – Las Vegas (Diversion Amusements)

Visit the band’s official social media accounts and newly updated website at www.itchyworms.com for additional details about the tour.

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter “Panic In My Mind” by The Itchyworms is currently available on all digital music services around the world thanks to Sony Music Entertainment.

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Spotify has teamed up with prominent Filipina creators to promote their voices and stories in honor of Women’s Month. These Filipinas produce sophisticated and bright music, lyrics, and vocals; Spotify supports women in audio through its playlists and programs all year round.

Female musicians have together gotten close to half a billion streams through Spotify’s EQUAL, a year-round effort devoted to women in music, during their first month of joining the program. While Pinay Voices highlights podcasts from producers like  Paano Kung…, Let’s Pretend It’s 2AM, and Free Yourself Podcast, ed nearly half a billion streams within their first month of joining the program. EQUAL Philippines promotes musicians like the top-charting singer-songwriter mrld  and the Cebuana rapper Karencitta. These pioneering Filipina audio makers’ opinions are exclusively revealed by Spotify.

Breaking Boundaries through Audio

Filipino women’s bravery and tenacity have helped to diversify the creative environment. For some people, following their dreams entails motivating others to improve upon themselves. Meriel de Jesus, better known as mrld and the voice of popular songs like “Ligaya” and “Ikaw Pa Rin,” discussed how perseverance was a need in her journey as a developing artist. “I remember sitting up late, researching how I might convey my skill to the world,” she said.

Being a creator required Ria Ramirez of Let’s Pretend It’s 2AM to overcome her self-doubt. “I thought about starting a podcast, but I was hesitant to take the plunge. Yet the people around me helped me to see that I had a voice that needed to be heard.

Other voices in the field are driven by passion and purpose to inspire others. “It’s a powerful feeling because you can make a huge imprint onto someone’s life instantly,” said EQUAL ambassador Karen Ann “Karencitta” Cabrera-Caballero, who famously made waves with the release of her debut song “Cebuana” which proudly champions her Bisaya roots.

Gayle de Chavez of Free Yourself Podcast creates content with the hope of inspiring others. “I enjoy being a creator, pursuing the things that I love, and at the same time helping people love themselves.”

Technology Powering Gender Equity

Beyond the drive to thrive, these inspiring Filipinas leveraged technology as a partner in their creative journey.

Spotify EQUAL artist Karencitta, who started recording her own music at the age of 13 and now has over 220,000 monthly listeners on Spotify, shared that she learned through exploring tech with many trials and errors. Radio DJ and Creator of Paano Kung… podcast Joelle shared, “I am grateful that technology and a platform as special as Spotify enables us to share our stories more openly and find other people who inspire us!”

mrld highlighted how Spotify helped her flourish on the local and global stage. “Through Spotify, a lot of people were able to discover my craft, and it paved the way for me as a female artist. EQUAL is very uplifting as it gives the spotlight to female artists.”

Although platforms and initiatives have unlocked a wealth of opportunities, the journey for female creators is not without its challenges.

Joelle opens up. “I feel the challenge when I have to double or triple check what I say just to make sure it’s right. I’ve been afraid to speak up because people would talk over me, or make me feel like my feelings and thoughts weren’t valid.” mrld also noted how there is room to give more visibility for women in the creative field.

At the same time, creators express their optimism and appreciation for the positive changes in the industry. “Nowadays, I think there is a space for both men and women to create freely,” Ria points out.

Unlocking the Creator in Everyone

Spotify Creators, Joelle, Ria, and Gayle, mrld and Karencitta, share their advice with the hopes of inspiring young Filipinos out there.

1. Celebrate Individuality and Authenticity
2. EQUAL ambassadormrld: “Always believe in yourself. No one is going to be there for you till the end except yourself. So don’t be too hard on yourself and continue to trust the process.”
3. EQUAL ambassador Karencitta: “Kung bisag asa pa ta e butang sa kalibutan, di gyud natu malimtan ang Filipino traditions and values. Ayaw kalimot kung asa ka gikan. E taas gyud na ang bandila.”

1. Embrace Vulnerability
2. Ria of Let’s Pretend It’s 2AM: “There’s no need to hide the broken parts of yourself because it is in this brokenness that you have grown to be who you are. Let that process not only inspire you but others too.”
3. Joelle of Paano Kung…: “It can be scary for anyone to be vulnerable, but the exciting possibilities in opening up and connecting with others outweigh the fear. I get to do this now, because the younger me took a chance, opened her heart, continued to hope and try, despite the uncertainty, fear, and worries.”

1. Invest in Oneself
2. Gayle of Free Yourself Podcast: “Continue investing in yourself and being curious about everything. Don’t seek validation in the form of other people’s opinions, and don’t be afraid to speak your mind and your truth.”
3. EQUAL ambassador Karencitta: “Embrace learning”

Keen to discover and support female creators? Tune in to Spotify’s EQUAL hub and Pinay Voices.

Endless Summer Vacation, Miley Cyrus’ eagerly awaited eighth studio album, is expected to have one of the highest digital sales and streaming figures this week in the Philippines. The critically lauded album debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Philippines list on its first day of release, and its lead song “Flowers” most recently peaked at No. 1 and No. 2 on the respective Spotify Philippines and iTunes Philippines charts.

Miley debuted the official music video for the new song “River,” off the album, which was helmed by Jacob Bixenman.

The hit song “Flowers” by Miley is one of twelve songs on Endless Summer Vacation. A genuine global hit, “Flowers” spent six weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100, which was a record for Miley. The fastest song in over a decade to reach that position is “Flowers,” which is currently number one on US Pop Radio. In addition, it received 500 million Spotify streams in the fastest time ever. Officially, “Flowers” has held the top spot as long as any female solo artist in the UK.

In a recently shared clip, Miley gave insight into Endless Summer Vacation.. She notes, “When it comes to the sequencing of Endless Summer Vacation, I divided it by two parts: AM and PM – to kind of represent almost like an act. The AM to me is representing the morning time, where there is a buzz and an energy and a there’s potential of new possibilities. It’s a new day. And in the nighttime, it feels like there is a slinky, seediness and kind of a grime, but a glamour at the same time. In the evening, it’s a great time for rest, a time to recover – or it’s a time to go out and experience the wild side. Los Angeles, there is a certain energy to the night that you can kind of feel trouble boil up to the surface, and it is very inspiring to me.”

Endless Summer Vacation tracklist:

1. Flowers 

2. Jaded

3. Rose Colored Lenses 

4. Thousand Miles (feat. Brandi Carlile)

5. You

6. Handstand 

7. River 

8. Violet Chemistry 

9. Muddy Feet (feat. Sia)

10. Wildcard 

11. Island

12. Wonder Woman 

13. Flowers (Demo)

Fans can also watch “Miley Cyrus ‒ Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)” on Disney+. With this special, Miley, who also serves as executive producer, opens the door to audiences around the world, providing insight into her new album and the person she is today. For the first time ever, Miley performs songs from Endless Summer Vacation, including “Flowers,” seven additional tracks from the album, one of her chart-topping classic hits and a special performance with Rufus Wainwright. The “Backyard Sessions” are a series that Miley began in 2012 for her fans. Viewers were quickly taken with the experience of watching Miley and her band perform in an intimate, outdoor setting, and the “Backyard Sessions” became a benchmark series. “Miley Cyrus ‒ Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions)” serves as a continuation.

Miley refers to the album as her “love letter to LA.” It was recorded there and produced by Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson, Greg Kurstin, Mike WiLL Made-It, and Grammy Award-winning Album of the Year producers Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson. Fans can find a variety of physical configurations on shop.mileycyrus.com as well as a special all-white vinyl, available only at Target. Endless Summer Vacation is available both digitally and physically.

Follow Miley Cyrus

Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | MileyCyrus.com

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Filipino singer-songwriter Ebe Dancel will perform Sa Wakas: 20th Anniversary Celebration once more on March 31, 2023 (Friday), starting at 6 p.m., at Mandala Park’s 123 Block due to persistent public demand.

Sa Wakas The Repeat: 20th Anniversary Celebration, honoring the enduring legacy of Sugarfree’s famous debut album, will include an extended, full-length concert by Ebe Dancel and drummer Mitch Singson, as well as guest appearances and surprises.

The headline performance, which is being put on by GNN Entertainment Productions and Backspacer Records in collaboration with 123 Block and Balcony Entertainment, will have extra space available due to fan requests from those who were unable to attend the first one, which sold out in less than a day.

The hospital and medical bills of Parokya Ni Edgar guitarist Gab Chee Kee will be covered in part by the proceeds. Sa Wakas: official merchandise will also be offered for sale at the event and on the Backspacer Records website.

Sa Wakas by Sugarfree, released in 2003, raised the bar for confessional songwriting with songs that share experiences and events that are too humiliatingly terrible to discuss in public. The groundbreaking album, which was widely praised when it was released in the early 2000s, eventually gained a sizable fan base and inspired a supporter to create and produce a rock musical that won an award.

From March 13 (Monday) at 6 p.m., tickets for Sa Wakas The Repeat: 20th Anniversary Celebration can be purchased online at bit.ly/sawakas20.

Ticket Packages Available:

Regular Admissions (P1,500) – entrance to the event grounds VIP (P2,200) – entrance to the event grounds, plus meet and greet with Ebe Dancel before the show, and a signed event poster. VIP + Vinyl Bundle (P3,500) – entrance to the event grounds, a Habangbuhay 10-inch signed silver vinyl, plus meet and greet with Ebe Dancel before the show and a signed event poster.

Four-member Filipino group YARA has been added to Sony Music Entertainment’s respected roster. Sony Music Entertainment is a reputable record label that has produced some of the biggest artists in P-Pop.

Thanks to the supervision of their record company and their determination to make a name for themselves in the expanding Filipino music scene, the promising rookie sets off on a voyage with a sense of newfound independence. They have showcased their prominence in the field they have chosen during the media conference for their debut and we’ve witnessed the talent they possess and greatly enjoyed their performance.

 “Sony Music PH and YARA are a match made in heaven,” the all-women group shares. “We were surprised that our vision and passion for music are the same. After everything that we’ve gone through, we are very happy that we finally found someone with whom we are confident to work with especially with our music.”

YARA officially marks their debut as a recording artist with the release of their new single “ADDA,” which means ‘Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat.’ Holding merit with a refreshing balance of charisma and edginess, YARA drops a confident piece of pop music that leaves nothing out of the bag.

“We know what we want / we know what we’re capable of,” they open their verse with an assured declaration. Few newcomers can get away with lines that beam with delirious energy and excitement, and YARA does it seamlessly as they navigate an entirely new realm that remains completely uncharted to them.

The Pinoy girl group explains, “The song is about YARA. The story of YARA. The song reflects why YARA works hard to strive beyond their limitations and reach for their dreams. YARA wants their audience to know their story, and draw strength from it to conquer their own fears, and learn from YARA’s experiences. YARA wants their listeners to take control of their own lives and dreams.”

Kim Natividad of YARA wrote and produced YARA’s “ADDA,” which combines dance-pop vitality with hip-hop components and K-Pop sass. Joshua Nase and Michael “Cursebox” Negapatan, another regular collaborator of SB19 and Pablo, produced the song (Alex Bruce).

According to YARA, the empowering mood of the material aims to set the tone of what’s to come for their future releases. “The dynamics of the song radiate confidence and empower our listeners,” the Filipino quartet reveals. “Unison is also present in the song to highlight that behind showcasing our individual talents, the product of our teamwork sets us apart and makes us who we are. The progression of instrumental placements in the song relates to how our passion (to perform) intensifies throughout our journey amidst the unexpected challenges we’ve encountered along the way.”

The four members of the girl group YARA are Kim, Gelou, Rocher, and Christa. They are one of Sony Music Entertainment’s most recent P-Pop acts, which also includes SB19, 4th Impact, and other highly prized artists. Check out their brand-new song, “ADDA,” here.

Follow them on their official social media accounts:

Instagram: official_yara.ph
Twitter: official__yara
Facebook: YARA PH
Youtube: YARA PH
Tiktok: official__yara

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