In the Philippines, Christmas is unlike anything else. The city is buzzing with holiday spirit as the holidays get closer. There’s a brisk resurgence of Christmas traditions in the air, following about three years of claustrophobic epidemic. Philippine Ballet Theatre obliges, bringing back their ageless masterpiece “The Nutcracker.” The dance company presented this work for nine years in a row before the epidemic. The pandemic prevented it from celebrating its tenth anniversary. Nonetheless, the Newport Performing Arts Theater will host this magnificent play, choreographed by Gelsey Kirkland and Michael Chernov, on December 16–17, 2023. A robust resurgence is underway thanks to the kind assistance of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Bank of the Philippine Islands, Manila Times, Philippine Airlines, San Miguel Corporation, Sunlife, and NYXSYS Philippines. Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario has made up for lost time by reenacting this beloved dance, adding spicily to the choreography. The ballet, which features a cast of more than a hundred performers of various ages, promises to be an imaginative experience.
Set against the backdrop of sparkling snowflakes and magical land of the sweets with the enchanting music of Tchaikovsky, Philippine Ballet Theater will bring life to Clara’s magical encounters. The Nutcracker Ballet story originated from the “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” (German: Nussknacker und Mausekönig), a story written in 1816, by the German writer E. T. A. Hoffmann.In this tale, Clara’s favorite Christmas toy, the Nutcracker, comes alive and, after defeating the evil Mouse King in battle, whisks her away to a magical kingdom of sweets populated by dolls.
Mathew Davo and Jessa Tangalin will take on the leads as Nutcracker Prince and Sugarplum fairy. Making their Nutcracker debut are company artists Sophie Tiangco and Therese Riego who will be alternating as Clara. Interestingly enough the cast will feature soloists and company dancers who were originally cast as Nutcracker kids in previous productions prior the pandemic. This includes Sophia Tiangco who headlines this production. The children who have grown to love the ballet, have also grown with the ballet. This season offering will be a fantastic return to tradition for both the dancers and the audiences. Its return will surely bring on the nostalgia for the many who have made PBT a beloved holiday tradition.
Catch their performances at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on:
Ballet students can receive a special 30% discount for the December 17, 2023, 7:30 p.m. performance. Discount is exclusively available for the SVIP, VIP, and GOLD sectors. Please contact our PBT office at 8671-1697/ 0968-870-8887 to take advantage of the discount, or DM us on PBT’s official social media pages.
Biggest parol in the Philippines at the Agila Grounds
The debut of EK’s Giant Parol at the Agila Grounds on Sunday, November 26, 2018, showcased the Filipino Christmas customs. Enchanted Kingdom (EK) is the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines.
According to EK President and Chairman Mario Mamon, EK is committed to showcase the Filipino Christmas tradition of parols and local festive decorations to bring nostalgia during the holiday season. “We are very excited to share with you the biggest parol in the Philippines!” It is our aspiration to provide a destination where families can create their enchanted Christmas stories,” Mr. Mamon further explained.
The 22-foot parol at the Agila Grounds was made by Eric Bondoc Quiwa, a well-known Pampanga lantern builder, with assistance from EK. Along with 100 other parols across the park, this is the focal point of the holiday celebrations at the theme park.
The largest parol takes three weeks to create, according to Cynthia R. Mamon, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of EK. This includes the ideation and design phase, as well as the frame, welding, partitioning, and electrical component installation and finishing. It has 1,700 LED lights that illuminate it, and every night at the park there will be a light display.
EK is also set to showcase their homegrown talents through their Christmas shows such as Christmas At The Kingdom (EK Story), Brooklyn Diaries: Oh Paskong Maligaya (OPM) and Eldar’s Christmas Parade featuring its storybook characters to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
The park is now open six times a week from Tuesday to Sunday, 11AM to 8PM. Starting December 18, the theme park will also open its gates everyday, from 11AM to 8PM with extended hours on selected special holidays until January 7, 2024.
Visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph/ and EK’s official social media profiles @enchantedkingdom.ph on Facebook and Tiktok and @ek_philippines on Twitter and Instagram for more details on this celebration and other upcoming events.
The emotional ballad serves as the first offering off their three-part release
Ben&Ben captures the wave-like loneliness that follows a protracted period of separation from a loved one.
The nine-piece group deals with the emotional challenges that they face in Autumn,” their new single, which is available today via Sony Music Entertainment. The song talks about “the distance that people often unintentionally create with their other half, because of the changes that life throws at us.”
Right in the middle of their North American tour last year, the Paninidigan Kita hitmakers wrote the reflective track in Canada. Paolo Benjamin, the lead singer and guitarist for the band, was suffering from a deep want to be with his partner because they were finding the long distance to be quite difficult.
“A few months later, in early 2023, brother Miguel Benjamin completed the lyrics, also adding a bridge about being in different seasons, which really completed the message of the song,” the folk-pop collective adds. “It speaks about themes of loneliness, yearning, and ultimately, hoping against hope that a new season will come.”
Marking a new chapter for the band, “Autumn” embraces a new direction that reveals subtle details with each listen. Blending rich, acoustic arrangements with lush textures and otherworldly touches, the emotional ballad is meticulously crafted to capture the yearning that comes with being in a long-distance relationship with your other half.
According to a joint statement from the award-winning group, “Autumn is a song where we showcase how we’ve evolved and matured as a band. In terms of writing, we thought the viewpoint offered a more sober and realistic analysis of the issue. We learned a lot of new techniques for producing and arranging sounds that convey the mood we were aiming for.”
Ben&Ben intends to release the music as part of a three-part release in the upcoming weeks. In addition to “Autumn,” the well-known Filipino group will release a special collaboration with another artist on December 8, 2023, and the full-band version of their brand-new song “Courage” the following week.
Ben&Ben’s Autumn” is currently available via Sony Music Entertainment on all digital music platforms worldwide.
Tate McRae, a multi-platinum singer-songwriter, releases the official music video for her new song “exes” along with it via RCA Records. “Exes,” which was co-written and co-produced by hitmakers Ryan Tedder (Taylor Swift, Beyoncé) and Tyler Spry (OneRepublic, Anitta), is driven by Tate’s lively vocals, which are subtly interspersed with synth bursts.
With choreography by Sean Bankhead (Cardi B, Lil Nas X) and direction by Aerin Moreno (Dove Cameron, Madison Beer), the seductive music video shows Tate and her dancers take over a dilapidated rodeo for the evening. The incredibly talented Tate will make you unable to turn away as she soars to pop glory with her captivating visuals and intense choreography.
Tate adds, “We wrote “exes” on the last day of the album making process. It was kind of like the last hurrah that Ryan Tedder and I wrote in legitimately 30 minutes. It talks about my flaws in a relationship, and some of my self-deprecating and self-sabotaging tendencies. The music video was so insane to film — getting to dance that much with such incredible girls was a dream.”
Showing no signs of slowing down, the star is making her musical guest debut on Saturday Night Live tomorrow night with host Jason Momoa. Featured on the cover of Billboard’s November Music Awards Issue, Tate will be performing at the show this Sunday where she’s also nominated for her collaboration with Tiësto on “10:35” in Top Dance/Electronic Song.
Releasing December 8th, Tate’s highly anticipated sophomore album, THINK LATER, is executive produced by Ryan Tedder. Pre-order HERE. THINK LATER and its songsare steeped in pop appeal and infectious toplines. Showcasing Tate’s boundless vocal talent and evolution as a songwriter, this new body of work explores the all-too-relatable feelings of falling in love and embracing the raw emotions that you experience as a result of leading with your intuition and heart.
The first taste of music from the forthcoming album, “greedy”, earned the star her first #1 on the Spotify Global chart and top 10 on the Billboard Global 200 chart hitting #3. The self-assured hypnotic offering has garnered over 394 million streams to date and hit #11 on Hot 100 along with #1 most added at Top 40 and Hot AC radio upon release. Making it her biggest debut to date, “greedy” has been called “an artistic turning point… a propulsive self-empowerment anthem built around a firecracker of a pop hook that finds McRae dipping in and out of a falsetto while exuding unshakeable confidence” by Billboard. Watch her perform the song on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
She will set off on her first international tour the following year, called the‘THINK LATER TOUR,” which will take her 53 dates across Europe, the UK, North America, Australia, and New Zealand. The tour, which is produced by Live Nation, begins on Wednesday, April 17 at 3Olympia Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. It will stop in London, Amsterdam, Prague, Paris, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York, Sydney, Melbourne, and many other cities before concluding on Thursday, November 21 at TSB Arena in Wellington, New Zealand. Charlieonna Friday will accompany on all concerts in Europe, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand as a support act. Tate will be accompanied by Presley Regier on all concerts in North America.
The ‘THINK LATER TOUR’ will see Tate playing the biggest and most historic venues of her career thus far, including her first headline engagement at Madison Square Garden. For additional info and to purchase tickets visit HERE.
‘THINK LATER TOUR’ GLOBAL 2024 DATES
Wed Apr 17 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Olympia Theatre
Thu Apr 18 – Dublin, Ireland – 3Olympia Theatre
Sat Apr 20 – Glasgow, UK – Glasgow Academy
Mon Apr 22 – London, UK – Eventim Apollo
Wed Apr 24 – Manchester, UK – O2 Apollo Manchester
Fri Apr 26 – Wolverhampton, UK – The Civic At The Halls
Sun Apr 28 – Cologne, Germany – Palladium
Mon Apr 29 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – AFAS Live
Tue Apr 30 – Antwerp, Belgium – Lotto Arena
Thu May 02 – Stockholm, Sweden – Annexet
Fri May 03 – Oslo, Norway – Spektrum
Sat May 04 – Copenhagen, Denmark – Falkonersalen
Mon May 06 – Hamburg, Germany – Sporthalle
Tue May 07 – Berlin, Germany – Verti Music Hall
Wed May 08 – Prague, Czech Republic – Forum Karlin
Fri May 10 – Warsaw, Poland – COS Torwar
Sun May 12 – Zurich, Switzerland – Halle 622
Mon May 13 – Vienna, Austria – Gasometer
Tue May 14 – Munich, Germany – Zenith
Thu May 16 – Milan, Italy – Fabrique
Fri May 17 – Paris, France – Zenith
Mon May 20 – Barcelona, Spain – Sant Jordi Club
Tue May 21 – Madrid, Spain – Palacio Vistalegre
Wed May 22 – Lisbon, Portugal – Coliseu de Lisboa
Fri Jul 05 – Calgary, AB – Hometown Show*
Sun Jul 07 – Woodinville, WA – Chateau Ste Michelle
Tue Jul 09 – San Francisco, CA – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium
Thu Jul 11 – Los Angeles, CA – The Greek Theatre
Sun Jul 14 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
Wed Jul 17 – Austin, TX – Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park
Fri Jul 19 – Houston, TX – 713 Music Hall
Sat Jul 20 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
Sun Jul 21 – Rogers, AR – Walmart AMP
Wed Jul 24 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady Music Center
Sat Jul 27 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage
Sun Jul 28 – Sterling Heights, MI– Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre
Tue Jul 30 – Saint Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park
Thu Aug 01 – Minneapolis, MN – The Armory
Tue Aug 06 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
Wed Aug 07 – Indianapolis, IN – Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park
Fri Aug 09 – Boston, MA – MGM Music Hall at Fenway
Tue Aug 13 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
Wed Aug 14 – Philadelphia, PA – Skyline Stage at Mann
Fri Aug 16 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater
Sat Aug 17 – Atlanta, GA – Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park
Thu Aug 22 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden**
Fri Nov 08 – Perth, Australia – Red Hill Auditorium
Sun Nov 10 – Brisbane, Australia – Riverstage
Tue Nov 12 – Sydney, Australia – Hordern Pavilion
Fri Nov 15 – Adelaide, Australia – AEC Theatre
Sun Nov 17 – Melbourne, Australia – Margaret Court Arena
The OPM icon will be performing some of their Greatest Hits, as well as beloved holiday classics
On December 20, 2023, at 8:00 p.m., the Theatre at Solaire in Paranaque City, Metro Manila, will host a Christmas-themed concert featuring the legendary Filipino musician AEGIS, who is poised to take the stage, ahead. We are all excited to witness this heart-stopping musical feast by these amazing performers. Everyone is looking forward to how they will elevate the holiday season with these, and I am happy to meet them personally as they are so kind and full of enthusiasm.
The year-end event, dubbed AEGIS: The Christmas Bonus Concert, intends to highlight the mighty band’s career-spanning history and its hallmark anthems that have personally impacted many people’s lives.
In addition to the group’s soul-stirring performances, one of the guest acts at the eagerly awaited evening will be diamond-selling musician Jose Mari Chan. The music sensation and business entrepreneur, who is well-known for his beloved classics and Christmas-themed repertoire, will be delivering an unexpected set that is likely to lighten the mood of the star-studded lineup this evening.
The Manila String Machine will change into a 15-piece orchestra to accompany AEGIS on select songs, adding to the already extraordinary occasion. With a “AEGIS” collaboration that every music lover shouldn’t miss, The Manila String Machine is prepared to capture the spirit of the holidays with a more sophisticated take on the best-selling pop group’s rock-flavored, ballad-heavy catalog.
Selfie with the AEGIS during their presscon
As part of the performance promotion, AEGIS recently featured on multiple billboards in different areas in Cubao and Guadalupe, Metro Manila. The renowned pop/rock group will also make interviews and guest appearances on a number of ABS-CBN TV programs, such as ASAP and Magandang Buhay.
Both their official website and all Ticketworld locations nationwide sell tickets. After the show, SSVIP ticket holders are eligible for a Meet and Greet (M&G) session. AEGIS: The Christmas Bonus Concert is co-produced by Katinko in collaboration with GNN Pop and presented by True Creators Studio, Upplause Events, and Solaire Resort Entertainment City.
Through a distinctive and engaging exhibit, SM Megamall and Peanuts Worldwide are bringing Snoopy and friends to life. The largest inflatable in the Philippines will be on display for the first time ever. Beginning on November 17, SM Megamall extends an invitation to all for a year-long Mega Adventure with the lovable Peanuts gang. We really did enjoy the event and were thrilled to experience what the exhibit had to offer. I had so much fun with the 360-degree journey of the four seasons with Snoopy and friends through their multimedia display and a lot more. The event will be enjoyed not just by kids but also by kids at heart.
Visit the Snoopy Mega Adventure Tunnel at the Event Center, Mega A, to embark on an exciting and enjoyable journey. To gain entry, provide a single receipt purchase of Php 1,000 from SM Megamall, SM Center Shaw, or SM Center Pasig at the exhibit door. Two permits will be provided for each visit. Receipts from November 17, 2023 to January 6, 2024 are considered valid.
In the Snoopy Mega Adventure exhibit, a multimedia display featuring Snoopy’s Comic Strips with whimsical bursts of color—cool tones for winter, bright pastels for spring, bright and vivid shades for summer, and earthy tones for fall—allows visitors to embark on an amazing 360-degree immersive journey through four seasons with Snoopy and friends. At the conclusion of the display, you may also take home Snoopy items and memorabilia from our partner MINISO.
To delight the young and the young at heart, SM Megamall has installed a camera-worthy, larger-than-life Snoopy inflatable on the rooftop of Mega Fashion Hall, making the nostalgic mega-adventure even more thrilling. Exhibition dates for the 50-foot-tall Snoopy are November 17, 2023, through December 31, 2024. There is yet more Snoopy fever to come. When SM Megamall’s Paw Park, which is situated at the Fifth Level Mega Fashion Hall, receives a Snoopy makeover beginning in December 2023, pet parents will also be delighted.
Visit SM Megamall today to experience the fun and see Snoopy, who has delighted and inspired people of all ages since his debut in Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip in the 1950s.
For more thrilling updates, follow @smmegamall on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Photo shows during the Rakrakan press launch (from left): Atty. Carlo Ybanez, Legal Counsel, Rakrakan Festival & Bassist, Hey Moonshine; Benjie Estanislao, Creative Director & Vocalist, The Chongkeys; Mary Lei Bautista, DJ Lei of Rakista Radio, Business Dev’t. and Marketing; and Tess Escuadro, Marketing Associate, Rakrakan Festival
Get ready for the ultimate finale: on November 25 and 26, at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Paranaque City, The Last Rakrakan Festival 2023 will provide two days of incredible performances, culture, and unity. The event will feature the top musicians and exciting activities.
Day 1, on November 25, Featuring December Avenue, Sugarcane, Munimuni, Orange and Lemons, Kiyo, Kjwan, Nobita, Razorback, Saydie, Skychurch, Galaw Tao, Autotelic, Barbie Almalbis, CHNDTR, Better Days, Mizael, Kiss N Tell, and more, it will be led by the legendary RICO BLANCO.
Day 2, November 26, will include performances by Juan Karlos, Zild, Blaster, Unique, Dilaw, Mayonnaise, Valley of Chrome, Greyhoundz, Typecast, Chicosci, Bandang Lapis, Chocolate Factory, The Chongkeys, Brownman Revival, Pedicab, and more. The iconic rock star icon ELY BUENDIA will serve as the event’s main attraction.
A variety of events are available during the Last Rakrakan Festival, such as a Car Show (B2B), a Skate Clinic (Malachi), a Street Art Competition (in collaboration with Do It), Perya Games, a Food and Merch Bazaar, and more.
Offering a platform for upcoming artists to shine, the festival features three main stages, Peace, Center, and Mosh, along with several mini-stages such as Busking, Manila Wrestling Federation & Sunugan Battles, Musiklaban Audition Stages, and Cosplay Stage. It promises to be an immersive and unique experience, showcasing a wide range of musical genres and talents.
As we say a fond farewell to The Last Rakrakan Festival, don’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of this historic occasion. Come celebrate with us at one of the most memorable events in Original Pinoy Music history. Join us at the most recent Rakrakan Festival to share in this amazing event.
VIP : Access to all stages and common areas, VIP Areas (Closer to stages), Meet & Greet, Dedicated Portalet.
S-VIP : RF 2023 Official Event Shirt, Access to all stages and common areas, S-VIP Areas (The best view of the stages), Meet & Greet, Dedicated Portalet, and DSLR Access.
For further details and ticket purchases, visit the official festival website at www.rakrakanfestival.com.
The first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, Enchanted Kingdom (EK), is bringing a touch of magic to the holidays with An Enchanted Christmas Story. The festivities kick off on Sunday, November 26, with the lighting of the Christmas tree and the debut of EK’s Giant Parol.
Renowned Pampanga lantern maker Eric Bondoc Quiwa was commissioned by EK to create the 22-foot parol that will be placed at the Agila Grounds. This and the 100 parols dotted throughout the park will serve as the focal point of the holiday celebrations at the theme park. In order to create the largest parol in the nation to date, Quiwa will share this vibrant and colorful tradition.
Furthermore, the Spaceport will host a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony including EK and Firefly Lighting CeleBrights moments for everyone to enjoy.
According to EK President and Chairman Mario Mamon, EK is committed to showcase the Filipino Christmas tradition of parols and local decorations to bring nostalgia during the holiday season. “It is no doubt that Christmas is the most festive and magical time of the year in the Philippines. As a proud Filipino company, EK is the ideal place where Filipino families can create more magical experiences and reminisce about their most enchanted Christmas stories,” Mr. Mamon further explained.
With their Christmas productions, which include the plays Christmas At The Kingdom (EK Story) and Brooklyn Diaries: Oh Paskong Maligaya (OPM), EK also plans to highlight their in-house talent. In celebration of the most delightful time of the year, Eldar the Wizard, the Royal Family, and other fictional characters will dance and prance through Enchanted Kingdom as part of Eldar’s Christmas Parade. At EK’s bandstand, guests will be serenaded with Christmas songs by P-pop group SMS and EK’s very own vocal groups, Victoria’s Way and The Kingsmen.
Visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph/ and EK’s official social media profiles @enchantedkingdom.ph on Facebook and Tiktok and @ek_philippines on Twitter and Instagram for more details on this celebration and other upcoming events.
The R&B newcomer celebrates love “in all its beautiful complexities”
Denise Julia, a multi-talented recording artist, is influencing the direction of Filipino R&B with her first mini-album, Sweet Nothings (Chapter 1), which will be available this Friday, November 17, 2023, through Sony Music Entertainment.
The hitmaker’s seven-track album, which is tucked between easy elegance and coolness, explores the highs and lows of romantic commitment in the age of endless screen time and short attention spans. Denise Julia expresses her mind with knowledge beyond her years, imparting the information as though it were part of her own joy, sadness, and experience. Her delicate voice flutters gently above sonic flourishes.
“This album isn’t just a bunch of songs; it’s like a journey through all the different parts of love—from the exciting beginnings to the tough endings, and finally, to those sweet, lingering moments,” the NVMD artist reveals in a statement. “Sweet Nothings is like looking back at my own experiences and the stories from others that touched me. It’s like a musical trip exploring the different sides of love.”
Denise Julia masterfully combines R&B sensibilities with a contemporary blend of jazzy soundscapes, hip-hop beats, and sultry instrumentation to explore the various aspects of love, including its rough edges, meaty center, and reassuringly sweet spots. These aspects make love an experience worth exploring. “Every song talks about a different part of this feeling we all know,” says the up-and-coming music icon.
Denise Julia’s new album features production from her constant and trusted collaborators, including Joel Tracks, a prolific producer based in Nigeria; J.Greg and Duaneinsane, who played pivotal roles in bringing her vision to life; and Neo Cruz, who is responsible for making “Butterflies” a sultry number with signature smooth melodies.
Norwegian-Filipina artist and multi-instrumentalist HILLARI and acclaimed alt-R&B experimentalist Jason Dhakal also join Denise Julia on “Roster” and “Bum 2 Me,” respectively, adding an interesting dimension to the album’s delicately sparse but genuinely sophisticated sound.
There’s also the inescapable crossover hit “B.A.D.,” featuring acclaimed rapper P-Lo, whose style and flow complement Julia’s incredible vocal chops. To date, the catchy R&B jam has racked up more than 2 million streams on Spotify since its release, peaking at No. 66 and still going strong.
“Working alongside these musical geniuses was a transformative experience, offering me invaluable insights and learnings,” the R&B sensation shares. ‘Their expertise and creativity elevated the project to new heights, and I am truly grateful for the collaborative synergy that shaped the outcome.”
The album’s focus track, “Lackin’,” serves as another highlight: an airy lullaby that was inspired by one of her dreams. Denise Julia told her producers about how the dream felt like a “ghost in her mind” and that she had to immediately write the track over that ringing, familiar melody.
She adds, “I remember the pressure and excitement during the studio session, especially in the intro. This track stands out as one of my best-written pieces, capturing the raw emotion of a relationship where one person was lacking, yet I expressed the belief that the tables would turn and they’d crave my presence in return.”
Check out the Sweet Nothings (Chapter 1) track list:
B.A.D. (Feat. P-Lo)
Lackin’
Sugar n’ Spice
bum 2 me (Feat. Jason Dhakal)
Roster (Feat. Hillari)
butterflies
butterflies (2 a.m. Version)
Album cover art:
Denise Julia’s debut mini album, Sweet Nothings (Chapter 1) is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Special thanks to Denise Julia’s manager, John Vincent Salcedo and Carissa King, the creative director for all visuals assigned to the project.
The new track serves as the third offering from their upcoming EP, ‘It Was A Moment,’ due early next year
SOS, a Filipino indie rock quintet, explores the effects of broken relationships and romantic breakups in their new song, “Please Lang,” released via Careless Music.
“Please Lang” is an emotive anthem that explores the weight of unsolved disputes and the silent, frequently unrecognized suffering they cause. It is the third song off their planned five-track EP, It Was A Moment, which is scheduled for release in early 2024.
Singer Roberto Seña claims that the guitar-driven track demonstrates the band’s introspective songwriting, which is present in most of their songs.
“It’s a sad song that focuses on what happened rather than what could have been. It’s also just good fun, really—being able to laugh or have a sense of humor while experiencing inevitable heartbreak. Eventually, the song takes a darker turn as the song settles; things come to an end, and we just have to accept it.”
Over the course of two days, Seña wrote most of the lyrics during one of their jam sessions at Bavarian Records Studio in La Union, while guitarist Andrew Panopio helped with the second half of the song. The song was produced and arranged by the members of the band, resulting in a punchy but subdued release with ‘80s pop and ’90s alt rock influences worn proudly on its sleeves.
Drummer King Puentespina shares, “I think we were slated to finish arranging another song that day, and during our lunch break, I opened a new project file wanting to jam something out. I remember laying in the chords, progression, and drums and it started morphing. I asked Andrew to go for the groove; Ram was on the keys, and everyone in the room could feel it. It just slowly brought itself together. Seña and Anjo came into the studio after one of their lunch breaks or meetings or something, and they all got excited. I remember stepping out for a meeting and dinner. I came back, and they had all the words down. It was insanely fun.”
The second single, “Please Lang,” features newcomer Ram Alonzo on keyboards. He also plays a major role in the studio, helping with mixing and mastering the song. He remembers being enthralled with the delicate melody and how the story of love and sorrow struck a profound chord with him personally.
Ram acknowledges, “I felt like it was really personal working on this song.” It was kind of hard to listen to while we were composing it because I was going through something similar to what the song is about. Masakit siya (it’s painful).”
