If you guys don't know who MRLD is, you should. She's a singer songwriter who hails from Cebu and is making waves on streaming platforms with her hit songs "An Art Gallery Could Never Be As Unique As You", "Ikaw Pa Rin" and "Ligaya". She was also featured by Spotify in New York's Times Square as one of the most streamed female artists in the country.
She says "I was planning to release a full English album but I didn't feel a spark, this album is about my feelings , for things that I could not explain. It's mine and it is very simple. I already released 4, and the others will be done later this evening. Much of these were written 2 years ago, and it felt right, I had to make an album now. The track list was mixed initially, but I want it to open up minds, that I can carry different genres. Though there are lots of revisions, I had a lot of help from friends to make this happen."
The lead single is Hanggang Magsawa Ka, the longest single she wrote, a little painful, and she hopes you also cry when listening to it. Initially Malayo was supposed to be the carrier single, they just had to listen to everything and it was something they thought of while starting over, it's raw and 6 minutes long.
Listening to it earlier, it felt like an ode, very emotional and soft, all acoustic, hopeful and beautiful.
She wrote it during 12th grade, puppy love, where she gave a person 2 chances, but thing is, she wasn't the one chosen, she wasn't the only one.. the song was made to have her overcome the hurt from it. She's also so glad about her earlier single "An Art Gallery Could Never Be As Unique As You" which has gained traction in Indonesia, one which they even made a Bahasa version too to cater to audiences there.
Her single SAGOT was the one she's super excited to perform because it's the one that she made with her fans in mind. It was for them and it's a bit upbeat, dancing and enjoying it is highly encouraged especially during the concert.
Her concert will happen on April 27th at the SM North Edsa SKYDOME, tickets are still available and she's rehearsing soon for the whole concept. It's going to be a special night with 2 guests being confirmed already.
This is just the start of big things for her, follow OC Records socials to know more about her!
Got myself in the midst of artists a few nights ago as OC Records celebrated their 4th Anniversary in Quezon City. I've seen them grow quite fast in the last few years, but knew they had struggles much like anyone in the entertainment industry as it got crippled with the COVID-19 situation and various protocols that prevent live events from happening.
Times were hard, and for a label who's just starting to get a groove on the business it really wasn't a good time to just stay at home and watch as they've got talented men and women in their roster grow. During the small chat we had with them after the show, I got a sense of how they (the artists) all had full trust and confidence with OC Records (now a subsidiary of Viva Records) and founders Kean Cipriano and Chyns Ortaleza on what they could do. Then, their artistry reached the intended audience... got appreciated and hit after hit, broke barriers in their respective genres - and made them who they are now.
During the performances, it felt a lot like I was being schooled on how each artist carried themselves on their differences. I remember Kean mentioning he was just lucky how he had an eye to spot talent and admit they're weird bunch on stage. It's that "weird" factor that makes them special, and as a fellow weirdo, I give credence to that statement wholeheartedly.
Adie's "Paraluman", "Tahanan", and collaboration piece "Mahika" has been doing well on radio and streaming platforms. Yes, he's even more good looking in person but you can sense why people adore his songs. It becomes something that they get to connect, how in one way or another becomes a bridge on how the artist would want to make you feel when you listen to it. The good thing is, it's not based on Adie's relationships, and I've got the impression he'll do good in that department. You'll be impressed when you see him perform live, he's very charming, and won't be surprised if women get taken hostage with his eyes. He's going to a lot of events these coming months, you better snatch that chance to see him in person as he's really an awesome musician, artist and performer.
If you're a bit of a mess, listening to artist Unique would make you welcome love and painful memories even more. He attacks vocals differently, like a wolf howling under the moon, when he's merely just introducing himself. I'd figure he's the silent introvert type, who once starts expressing himself in songs becomes a monster filled with emotions. That's his gift, and a lot of people who listened to his songs, see it.
Another discovery was a young guy named Kenaniah. He's Kean's latest discovery and I now know why. He's a bit of a mix of a very young Brandon Boyd and Bieber, that's if they had a child. He carries that star factor but once he sings, you won't be disappointed with what you'll hear. He's even blessed in the looks department, and I'm sure in a short time, he'll be hounded by girls, boys, all, for both reasons.
Eugene Layug on the other hand had me at engaged just by the title of his songs. He's a busker, a very funny one at that... but I bet he's swooning the ladies with his humor. From songs he's made like "Maghihiwalay Din Kayo", "Landiin Niyo Na Ako", albeit severely underrated right now, he's bound to take the spotlight soon. Kean likened him to that guy who always figured out songs in a drinking session, and it's time to make his brand of music normal so even more people could enjoy it. He was a ball of energy, dropping jokes at every occasion while most of us were in a serious fit. It's his identity, whilst it was literally the first time I've seen him, I already like the guy. The most daunting part of listening to him is trying not to poke fun at the stories he's telling.. because as funny as it might sound, it might be him LOL. If you want an entertaining evening, he's the man for that. He provides that humor people don't put in music, and people will surely love him for that.
Chelsea Ronquillo can sing. She's looks like a princess... one that's behind a guitar, singing pop songs of her liking and killing it. I've listened to a couple covers she's made on YouTube but again. it's quite different if you see and hear it live. Though sorry boys, I think she's with someone already :) ha!
Artist Pappel had me think of Sugar Hiccup and Bayang Barrios when she did her number. A little eerie yes, but I like how it's different from the rest of the talented individuals in OC Records roster. It felt like a scene off Phantom of the Opera, theatrical at most. In a generation where it's mostly commercialized songs, I feel she's a breather.... the dark kind and I love how that sounds weird.
I've had the pleasure of interviewing actor Gold Aceron in the past since he's made a lot of movies. OC Records is expanding and not just concentrating on music. They plan to have more actors, actresses, artists under their wing so they would be able to manage and represent them. Gold has several awards under his belt including Best Actor in Cinema One Originals last 2019. He has also announced a few movies he's going to star in the coming months, pretty big ones at that. There are more things in the pipeline and it'll be showcasing his versatility. Chyns and Kean noticed him in a recent show and took a chance if he'd join OC, and now they're raring to make his dreams come true. Perhaps in a few months, several actors would be part of their crew and it'll be nice to see how this plays in TV shows, movies and digital streaming platforms if they get sourced through them.
In a nutshell, I'm quite excited about what OC Records have planned for their artists. They know from experience how it's done and with these talented artists at their helm, I wouldn't be surprised if one if not all would become superstars of the next generation. They're already showing why being different is good. Stay odd guys!
Congratulations on your 4th year OC Records!
/*Note: If you want to watch their performances, I have several videos on my TikTok account just search @kumagcow and it's there!
It was a little over a year ago when OC Records placed their bets on an artist ADIE GARCIA. He's a singer songwriter that's done remarkable work on pop covers which he did during the early months of the pandemic. Just a few months ago, he struck the mine with a heavy heartfelt single called "PARALUMAN" that had stellar reaction from critics and social media... and his story is about to get even more interesting.
Today, they just released his new song called TAHANAN whom he dedicates to people that have other people they call home. He's a little shy, but was excited to tell us about the story of his songs and how unknowingly, he got to where he is right now.
Adie says "This journey has been really surreal for me, the pandemic was tough, and I didn't expect this. When artists start, there's a process, but I had a really blessed path and experience, Paraluman was a game changer for me and it has changed my life. Doing the HRNA concert early in my career, it was just an honor to be there with Unique, Arthur and Rob. Being featured there was happiness, just to be in their midst, it wasn't just work, but friendships that formed, that's what matter to me in that project. Working with Ms Ivana was really cool, I didn't feel intimidated, she was so charming, she really made me feel like she was a friend right from the start, it's so early to work with big names like her and Ms. Bella. It really hits the heart. I really had dreams to be with Angelina, and finally being there with her was a dream. I really also appreciate about her feedback, and also her whole family. I really just dreamt about that song, she was flattered and happy too. We didn't know each other even before, but she knew she was the inspiration for that song. We talk now, and text, and I'm happy that happened.It's been a roller coaster ride with OC Records, it wasn't super all rainbows at the start, I had to introduce my sound, my music. When I released the single, it was okay, then I had another, I experimented, a different genre, and Tahanan is doing good now. It was a nice journey so far. All these things are unexpected, it wasn't in my mind to be in this situation especially because of the pandemic, I was supposed to go to school and do architecture, my plans didn't push through. Last year when I started, I just wanted to share my covers, this is all so new to me and my career, I am truly blessed.I'm not thinking this would surpass Paraluman, just getting good feedback from people who listen to it, I'm just not expecting so I don't get disappointed."
He adds "TAHANAN started when I watched Piolo and Alessandra's movie, that's where I got part of the lyrics that says "Dito Ka Lang, Dito Ka Lang", it was the perspective of Alessandra's character in that film. I listened to it and I found a song, I put it out there and the snippet went wild with people. They waited for this full version, I was a little hyped because of that and I tried to finish it sooner. The day after I did, and the inspiration for that was my family, the couples that already found their home, the ones that they feel they wouldn't leave their side. It was on the second day when I got to finish it. I had to finish it because the first verse and chorus was a little repetitive, when France finished the instrumental, it took a week to finish the draft. This mic was the same thing I used to record it, I got OC to release it this year even if it wasn't the season for sad songs. They believed me and did it, the process took a month and they got to mix and master the song, TAHANAN was born!"
Here's the interview we had with him today!
The joy of talking to someone hungry for artistry and the excitement of having him tell us about how the writing process of how these songs came about was certainly something I did look forward to. I liked how Adie was a little humble, us subtly uncovering that shell and seeing how the poetry in his songs were figured out straight from they guy. He's only 20, very single, anyone would've mistaken him for a TV star, but he's choosing to concentrate in music. When he released a sample of it on Twitter around October, who know it would blow up like this right? He deserves every second of fame he's getting now, and who knows, maybe accolades soon. Since he's just starting, maybe it's time you try and stream his songs, watch the YouTube videos over at OC Records about Adie's new single TAHANAN. You might just get to be inspired, be romantically surprised how this will match your story if you're in love.
You may eventually find your own home, a person meant for you. I just had to say that after listening to this song.
It was a touching moment when I arrived at the Blessed Family Home Care Facility. It's the birthday of Ina Feleo and Chynna Ortaleza, and they chose this shelter for the aged members of society to celebrate it. Unfortunately Chynna got sick so she wasn't able to attend, get well soon dear!
For those who don't know, Ina is the daughter of the late Johnny Delgado and the talented Director Laurice Guillen. She's also a lifestyle and fitness blogger, and a former member of world renowned Bayanihan Dance Troupe. This time however, she's wearing the daughter's hat and giving her time and even joined in the fun to entertain the elderly in this center.
The shelter was put up so the son could initially take care of his 85 yo mother. Now there are a lot them here with caregivers attending to them 24/7. The place is huge, I think it was a former school. The Lolos and Lolas all were having fun and games with lovely host Tess Bomb and Ina later that day and I could see them smile, laugh a bit even in their condition. I know, it's a little depressing to go to places like these but really, seeing them be happy even just for a bit was really priceless!
And see this :( my heart melted when I saw this happening right before me. It just reminds you to help more, more so because it's Christmas and if you can give, you definitely should! Happy birthday Ina and Chynna!
Thank you GMA Artist Center for staying in touch with the community. You are really doing a good job!
I've already interviewed and met Chynna Ortaleza several times so I thought I already knew her. Her stint at The Rich Man's Daughter sort of have given us another side of her, which we all probably didn't know she's very well capable of. The other cast members did as much work as she did, and look at what their show now. Ratings have gone sky high, the amount of support they're getting is big, but are we just scratching the surface? I bet.
I've been to 70's Bistro, a long time ago in fact to watch my favorite bands perform, and perhaps see up and coming artists who are all trying to make it big in the scene. What I got from Chynna that evening was her extreme gusto to explore another world. She feels she also belongs to the indie scene and finds that it feeds her artistic hunger. I was even able to see Chynna watch bands from the audience and how she gets excited when we hear their music.
Oddly that it seems, this is much like a dream for her. When Darwin Hernandez and Kean Cipriano help her produce some of her work, everything just came into place. They named the band Lara Serena, which is Chynna's real name. Together with Chen Pangan on Lead guitar, Mat Rabena on rhythm , Z Mendioro on bassand KV Viloria on drums, Chynna took hold of the vocals and had their band formed during the last week of June. Friend and co-artist Glaiza De Castro also helped in some of her original tracks which they played during their first gig in Saguijo. This time, it was for the BabaePower tour which aims to hasten women empowerment, hence the great lineup with female vocalists and musicians.
With numerous projects on her belt, Glaiza De Castro told us last year that she's planning to have her independently produced album released. It was supposed to be seen last quarter of 2014 but it didn't happen, things got a little complicated and it got pushed a little later on, hence this conference.
We all love her, for reasons that she knows how to dream. She dreamed really big and wanted to take her song writing and singing a little further than what she expected. Her friends became her pillar, never even stopped supporting her through this journey. She's also become a bigger, better, and bolder person throughout these years. This constant change, the things she's experienced and the people who put in their special contributions made her realize that there was only one word that epitomizes all of these, this is SYNTHESIS. It was coined together with Benjamin Alves, a fellow actor in the Kapuso Network. Some of the words, she had contributors like her good friend Angelica Panganiban, voiced some of it with Alessandra De Rossi, then tons of musician friends, composers, arrangers too.
The packaging, the album cover and everything else inside the Indie album SYNTHESIS includes some bad @ss artwork from Chynna Ortaleza too. This is VERY personal for Glaiza, one that she opted to actually even painstakingly wait for. Aside from her friends, she also got so much help from brands that believed in her, specifically Lucky Hanna. She also got help from Dickies, Ellen's, Halo Halo Mall, Zeal, Earase, Ponx and Cresendo. Here's part of the interview we had with Glaiza!
By the way, Glaiza will also have a gig on April 22, this is part of the Earthday Jam which will happen in Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife. The event will start at 6PM so if you want to hear more of her music, please go there as admission is free! The CD is available in all major record bars nationwide, it's got 8 tracks and my personal favorite is "Pag-ikot" which to me showed her very personal side. These are her very own experiences, and there's more to hear when you buy SYNTHESIS, trust me on that!
Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza
We went to the function hall of East Avenue Medical Center to celebrate the birthday of Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza together with the children and adult cancer patients of the hospital a couple of weeks ago in Quezon City. We've been covering worthwhile events from them lately and this isn't any different. Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza wanted to celebrate their birthdays in a very meaningful way and giving joy, a few things might just do that for the patients in EAMC.
Starting the celebrations, we didn't know what would happen with such a big crowd. Together with the people from East Avenue, they started telling us stories of hope. Like this guy in the photo for instance, he's not just a very spirited professional violinist. Just like the patients in the venue, he too was a cancer patient. He went to the same things that these guys were also going through, the medicines, the confinement, the chemotherapy, he did all that and survived. It was inspiring how I've seen him so enthusiastic to perform for the patients who needed some image of hope, to see him do this was a statement that they too would be able to become someone soon. After they get better, they still have a ton of things to look forward to in life. I felt it that afternoon.
Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza also took time taking photos, playing games and giving away gifts from their sponsors so they could share what they have, no matter how big or small it is to these guys who are going through hardships now. Chynna Ortaleza and I share the same birthday and I was touched to hear from her how she advised them to never lose hope. I felt her sincerity, how she genuinely cared and how she wanted to spend time with them all that afternoon. Ryza Cenon too together with her fans packed gifts the day before so they could get each one of the patients something to take home after the event. Ina Feleo might have been scaring a lot of people on TV shows but I could feel she was happy to spend time with them too. Bettina Carlos' birthday was on the day we did this and she felt it was the perfect way to celebrate it, as much as doing it with her family. They are all going to have projects and more on GMA and movies this coming 2015, so make sure you do not miss the afternoon primetime shows on the Kapuso channel.
They didn't miss giving the kids some toys too. GMA Artist Center also supplied pasta, drinks, ice cream and snacks to the crowd so they didn't go hungry.
They also played with the kids via Trip to Jerusalem, Ina, Bettina and Ryza joined in while Chynna served as host.
During the games, Ina Feleo really let loose. She enjoyed playing with the kids and her co stars.
Chynna is seen here taking photos with some of the kids
Bettina Carlos and Ina Feleo helped in giving away the gifts and food to the patients and their guardians
It was a good way to spend their birthdays, actually it was my birthday month too. Thank you so much to GMA Artist Center for having us tag along this charity event with Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza. Thank you also to their sponsors for chipping in to help a very worthy cause. These kids had fun, they'll have a full life because of the things these good people are doing in their own little way. Til the next one!
Just like you, I've been watching her on TV for the longest time. She's now doing serious acting both on TV and movies. Speaking of which, she's also starring on an independently produced film called DIMENSIA with no less than the one and only Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor. It's a tall order for everyone to say the least to be working with Nora, let alone be in scene with her. Chynna would have been very nervous, we got that vibe from her but she feels very blessed to have been able to do it.
Chynna tells us about the Director Perci Intalan's style and says "If we are on a take or if he's explaining something, it's like you were talking to your brother and he doesn't stop himself from telling you what needs to be done. He also tells it nicely and he never got angry on the set. He kept it happy so all of us felt that way all throughout the filming. We also felt like he was a friend and not just a Director. His system on how he get things done was unbelievable. We did if fast and I guess that's where his experience in production goes as we get the job done without getting tired at all. That's why Ms. Nora also loves him, you would not get the same intensity if he didn't care about his actors and he knows that. He didn't even show us the film and I was so surprised when I saw the final product because I couldn't even recognize myself. For a director who had just done his film debut, this is really excellent. It's even better than some of the films done by masters of Philippine cinema. He's also going to get better at this so just imagine. We also got this to be an entry in Portugal for this genre. I hope I find time to go there too and experience that to get feedback from other nationalities."
"Dimensia as accorded by Director Perci Intalan's vision is to really try to reshape horror in the Philippines. The progression for that genre in Japan and Thailand is really good and we're kinda stuck with our own monsters and there's really nothing new. It's not super original but it's well made. It's not a sell out horror flick and we want to show them the workings of the mind. Sometimes fear comes from you. That's why it's called Dimentia. At first you might get scared but there's drama, there's a story. That's going to be your takeaway, you think about what happens in your life after the movie. That's the great thing about Perci Intalan's film. The cinematography and sound is clean and I'm so proud of it. That's why I always ask people to watch it. Batanes is so amazing. It's so sad sometimes that we make really good movies but we don't see people watching it that much. Then people from other countries notice it faster than we do. So if you like the film, please see it and tell other people about it. I hope they get to make more films because they've done a great job, hopefully to revamp Philippine cinema."
"It is horror but it's not really to scare people, we don't want this to bother you but rather think. That's the intention. We want you to enjoy the film but take away what happens when a person has Dimensia. We want you to think about your own reality. I really like the first few reactions we got from the people watching the film. They have really mixed opinions. Working with Nora was in my bucketlist, I had this audition last February 14. Even if I didn't have a date, I was glad because the gift was mind boggling that it was Nora Aunor that I was going to work with. I couldn't really believe it. It took me two weeks to finally realize I was really going to work with her. Perci was always telling jokes about it. I hope every actor gets to work with her. They will really learn a lot. We were in Batanes for two weeks, I was still star struck. Even if she didn't treat me like I was, after a scene, she told her manager to pull me and said to me "You were great in that scene!"...after she said that, I just broke down. I just said, because that complement came from you. I was really overwhelmed. She was laughing at me, but I felt like I won an Oscar."
"Initially, they were having a hard time finding the young Olivia to play the younger me on the film because they couldn't find one that would be able to look like my eyes on the film. The stares I do, they had a hard time. Christine Joy arrived, and they casted her. She's believable like me so it was like perfect for the casting. Dimentia is a little chaotic for Mara Fabre. Things will unravel in the middle of the film, everything is inserted and you wouldn't be bored like putting the pieces of the puzzle they had to put together. Like the Monet painting she was trying to solve. The doll was Olivia's by the way, it's not Maria Leonora Teresa."
We then watched the film the day after. I must say they did do it differently. I don't want to spoil the story for you but in a nutshell, the performance highlights were when Chynna was in shackles. You should watch out also for Nora Aunor's tight facial shots because you will be moved by her eyes much like her other films have always shown. It's in the eyes.
The magnificent landscape views in Batanes is like a dream, you'll see it as a perfect backdraft for the story and make the people see a part of the Philippines that's less traveled. You'll really be creeped out on parts of the film wherein they did intend to scare you. I didn't find Jasmine Curtis' performance too good on some scenes but we can laud her on those where she got possessed which comes a little later on the film. Overall, it would come to a point where it'll make you think. This is exactly the reason why Perci Intalan made this film, he has achieved his story telling even on a very limited budget. That's massively important, to just get your point across. I can imagine this would have been better with more computer graphics especially on perceiving a more contemporary ghost like appearance on the ghost that's in the film. It's already being shown on theaters (since the 24th!) so I suggest you take the trip to the mall and watch it especially because these are probably one of the few films that Nora Aunor will make in this decade.
