ICE SEGUERRA Set to Do Musicals on ICE SINGS!

Missing Ice Seguerra and his music?! Don't blink as she comes back to the stage for a two night concert at the Music Museum slated November 6 and 7 in Greenhills. It's entitled "ICE SINGS! An Intimate Convert Series: Musical Hits". 

He will be doing this together with US based producer Troy Laureta who's worked with the likes of Arianna Grande, Nicole Scherzinger, Justin Bieber among others. As his musical director, Troy will find several theater and film hits that would fit Ice's intimate way of singing songs, so it would feel closer than usual. 

Ms. Liza says "This all started over a casual conversation between me and Ice. Defining who he is now is something we could expand. A guitar and huge concerts, it has brought him places and this will bring him to that person who is a storyteller, and one that brings his message across. He wanted to do musicals, standards, and I was lucky to hear him song those who you will never even think he will do on stage, and this is Ice Sings!"

Ice laments "I've always performed with a guitar in tow but I've always had an inkling with musicals ever since. I'd be able to return to that phase and showcase what it means to me now."

Ice adds "In the past, I surrounded myself with singer songwriters and felt inadequate when I didn't sing my own songs on stage. It took a while to have the courage to come out with my own songs, it takes a lot for me to write songs, and I had to be sad. I also know when I put out something it'll be scrutinized. At that time I wasn't prepared for the reaction, but I was able to sing it in public and realized there wasn't any difference, I always give my all to the songs I sing, I was just overthinking. The "Kamusta Ka" single is out, but did it my way, without arrangements at first, I supplied my own story there. When I'm singing, there's this conscious effort to make it mine. Range was also a factor with choosing the songs, so if in doubt, make the guest sing it." 

Here's the press conference on video!

Fire and Ice Music is also planning to release songs that are Ice-ified probably next year so stay tuned for that.

These theater pieces will be done with Ice Seguerra's way of doing things. The arrangements will be done with the help of Troy who promises several instrumental moments which means you'll hear it different than usual. This is under Fire and Ice Live Productions of Ms. Liza Diño who's also doing creative direction for it. 

Tickets are available via TicketWorld, so go get them before they run out fast!

TV5 Cops 2 Nominations at Asian Television Awards

Luck and hard work has come upon TV5 lately. The Manila based TV station just got the nod from the Asian Television Awards with their 2 shows namely "A Secret in Prague" starring Enrique Gil and Andrea Brillantes and entertainment show "VIBE+".

This is the first time they have ever gotten nominations from this international institution, and they're glad about how they managed to showcase world class Filipino talent. "A Secret in Prague" is located in the heart of Europe, particularly Czech Republic where most of the scenes were shot. It's a change of usual venues for series that are being shown in the Philippines and other regions. Meanwhile, VIBE+ has been showcasing not just current music performances, but even the classics, those that have surpassed the test of time, even a full pledge concert at times to honor OPM artists, and their music!

This is just the start for the Kapatid Network, and they're planning to put out more content with their homegrown artists. Stay tuned on TV5!

Innovation, Tradition, Diversity and The People of GUIZHOU

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd end up traveling to China. To tell you honestly, the differences could have all made this not happen, but I was smitten with the thought of meeting their people. This, and a journey to an unfamiliar place that most folks wouldn't define as a tourist destination. Going there with a mission to discover its charm, see the kindness of its people away from the preconceived notions and see its potential, or for what it is when we get there.

We flew via China Southern Airlines from Manila and set forth to Guangzhou then Guiyang Longdongbao International Airport (took over 8 hours + with layovers) which is located in their capital city called Guiyang. 

 

Looked over the window since it was a daytime flight and saw how various structures that looked like factories, condominium units, villages weren't just plain concrete, but filled with intricate Chinese designs, sensibly placed solar panels and a network of river ways transporting goods, people and a behemoth quantity of industrial products they'd be known to carry. Who was I to think they'd be just farmlands, forests and mountain ranges when recent economic onlookers specifically identify them as booming digital data hubs. Guizhou houses data centers from the biggest corporations in the world, as they are blessed with weather conditions apt for cooling them au naturelle, and little to no additional infrastructure they can't handle. Guizhou is filled to the brim with engineering marvels, one of which is the BALINGHE BRIDGE. This was our first destination. (Warning: Picture Heavy Post Ahead!)

Set to Change Lives of Filipino Kids: MUSIKWELA

Learned that a new show is being launched, it's called MUSIKWELA. This is an early childhood education and entertainment show where they utilize music, performance, puppetry, animation, and do lots of research so it could be easily understood by its target audience, the Filipino kid.

This all stemmed from experiencing it first hand. Ms. Ellen Estrada was fetching her daughter from school and noticed how her classmates weren't that optimistic in using "Po and Opo" in their conversations. This was something alarming because even if she taught her daughter GMRC, her classmates didn't have access to that too. Having a theater and music background, she was inspired to create the "Po and Opo" and "Ang Bagong Alpabetong Filipino" songs. Unknowingly, it was watched millions of times (3.4 and 4.7 Million) mostly by Filipinos. It became a norm for parents and teachers to use it as a medium for education. They realized how music made the experience of learning more enjoyable and uber fun!

They also joined a government initiated child documentary competition in 2023 (via the DokyuBata Festival of the National Council for Children's Television, an attached agency of the Department of Education). They did a documentary called "Ang Bayani at ang Kanyang Sandok" which teaches nationalism and love for one's country. This started the ball rolling for MUSIKWELA.

Image from their website musikwela.com

 

She harnessed the talent of her daughter Yumi Sansano to lead the show including a throng of folks called MUSIKSCOUTS (Ate Yumi, Potpot, Biboy, and Lala who were a pretty bunch!). She's no ordinary kid because she won awards in WCOPA as champ for Opera in the Juniors Division. She also did Artsy Craftsy in PTV4 a couple years back and have gotten audiences left and right, including the President of the Philippines.

We watched them perform during this event and I could liken them to Sesame Street, Sineskwela, Batibot among others. Knowing there's a huge educational crisis in the Philippines, I felt so happy that kids would have a place to learn how to respect the elderly, how to protect nature, hone their talents, what to do in case of emergencies, and care for Mother Nature in their first few episodes. Ms. Ellen also shared how they are planning to do more in the coming months, plus delve into other subjects (like reading, writing or math). I personally know some kids finish school without learning how to, and I'm hopeful this could address that (even if it doesn't entirely solve it!). Check out the event on video here:

You cannot discount the fact that it has done remarkably well for the 90's kids on why we're street and a little smart, we learned from shows like these albeit unconsciously. This is something that I'd like to happen in this generation too, and perhaps the next ones included. I wept for the shows that went off the air in the past because it has disenfranchised a lot of kids who could have learned from it. They need our help and hopefully, they get the resources to continue this. Currently, thanks to the people who are helping them and sponsors (Victoria Sports Cinema, Ceelin Gummies, Ceelin Immunped, Appebon, Allerkid, White Rabbit Philippines, Wildfire Inc., Shop N Play, Kontrata.PH) that they get to do this with passion. Imagine how many kids would learn from what they do, if millions more would consume their content on FB, their website and YouTube (so go and sub!). We'd have educated kids going out of our homes and schools, wouldn't that be a sight to behold?! 

The first episode will come out on November 11 6PM GMT and will talk about GRANDPARENT's DAY. They will release future episodes on a bi monthly period, so sub to make sure your kids could watch it! I'd like to take this bit and congratulate Ms. Ellen on her efforts, and hope you won't get tired of your passions. Here's hoping a lot of people could help you even more with your future projects!