GARY VALENCIANO Set to Perform in "riSing Together" and "Celebrate Christmas In Singapore"

The holidays are certainly here and together with that, Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano is set to perform in two international events this month. One is Gawad Kalinga USA's riSing Together, a virtual celebration of hope through world class music of Filipino artists. He will be there with the maestro Ryan Cayabyab, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, Kiana Valenciano, AJ Rafael so they could share their voices to inspire, spread happiness through music. The other one called CCIS is an annual Christmas outreach program that aims to bring the message of peace and joy this holiday season. They used to do this 8-10 days in Orchard Road but because of restrictions, they'll be doing it differently without shortchanging in having talents like carol singers, performers spreading the message of joy, peace and love for Jesus. It's much awaited in Singapore. Last year, they have done this in social channels and had featured The Crosby Family, GENTRI among a throng of other international artists.

Gary knows CCIS shares his vision of spreading the message of hope through a global audience, they had 2.5 Million views last year and there's no way to go but up! Gary also is the first Philippine brand ambassador for US based religious app Pray.com which garnered over 1.5 Million downloads in the Philippines. Gary says "I'm very honored and excited to be part of these international events that promote unity, love and compassion, especially when you know its needed. We have so many challenges to face today but with prayer, we can still thank God for it. I pray that he continues to shower us his blessings every day."

Gary also has had miracles in his health when he had undergone a double cardiac bypass, then discovered he had kidney cancer, a knee surgery, while still battling Type 1 diabetes and other challenges. But he continues to gain victory over it, God has worked wonders for him, and for that, he is thankful!

riSing Together will be on December 11 at 4PM PST, 6PM Central and 7PM EST, that's 8AM on December 12 in the Philippines. You may register via gk-usa.org/rising-together. You may also donate via the same site to support Gawad Kaling's different projects. CCIS will have their program streamed on YouTube this coming December 19 at 8PM so make sure you're there when it happens! If you want to know more, follow Gary V's different social channels and their website garyV.com. You can also follow him on the KUMU app where he shares his music and performs too. You can also download the Pray.com app (on Google Play and App Store) and stream his music on various platforms, just search for the track "Make Us Whole Again" and feel why we're so blessed to see him perform to this day.

GARY VALENCIANO Announces KUMU Debut + Stars You Love as Guests for PRAY.COM

Tomorrow is a grand day for people who love Gary Valenciano as he starts his own debut on social platform phenom KUMU. You may follow his official account @garyvalenciano today. Gary recently was announced as the Asian ambassador of the PRAY.COM app which does prayer and bible based content for audiences around the world. Mind you, this is the number one religious themed app and website which has a reach of over 10 million everyday. Gary also has content in the app and has read several passages amongst a multitude of Hollywood stars who also did the same.

The show on KUMU is entitled "Let's Pray with Gary V: Music and Live Meditation. His stream will be full of content that will inspire you, things that you would need during these hard times. Everybody knows how Gary has always exemplified  life dedicated to him. During times he had medical emergencies, he has always gotten strength from family, friends, prayers and the word of God. This is his way of sharing, becoming a light that could help others that would need it as well.

 

 

In the event, he's going to be performing with friends in the industry from the likes of Ogie Alcasid, Ms. Regine Velasquez Alcasid, RJ Dela Fuente, his sons Gab and Paolo Valenciano, Maymay Entrata, Edward Barber, Jona, Hannah P, Julianne Tarroja and a lot more. Make sure you're you're there during the stream and witness Gary Valenciano do his mighty work for God! Event starts at 8:45PM this Saturday, put that in your calendars.

It'll surely be good!

ASOP Song Competition Marks 7th Year

This isn’t he first time that I’ve covered ASOP, in fact, this is their 7th year! Dishing out the newest OPM Christian Songs in the country, thousands of Filipinos are already enjoying the fruits of their labor now. The A Song Of Praise Music Festival will be having their Grand Finals Night this November 11, Sunday 7PM at the New Frontier Theater (formerly Kia Theater) in Araneta Center Cubao, Quezon City. There are only 12 song writers that will compete this year (they started November 2017 and screened them monthly). Among them are Rommel Gojo, Oliver Narag, Emmanuel Lipio Jr. and Joyner Dizon who joined in previous years.

Here is our VLOG from this morning’s press conference:

The entries include “Isang Milyong Pasasalamat” by Edward Salde and to be interpreted by Leah Patricio, “Binago Mo Ako” by Jett Villareal and interpreted by Daryl Ong, “Magpatuloy Sa Mabuting Paggawa” by Febs Colibao and will be performed by Gian Magdangal, “Wag Kang Bibitiw” by Oliver Narag and interpreted by Jessa Mae Gabon, “God is with Us” by Emmanuel Lipio Jr. and interpreted by Cello Nunez, “Salamat Panginoon” by Elmar Jan Abolano and Rex Torremoro interpreted by Mark Carpio, “Pagbabalik” by Joel Cabosa interpreted by Marcelito Pomoy, “Hiling” by Jeffrey Lim interpreted by Plethora, “Makikita Kita” by Joyner Dizon interpreted by Dan Billano, “BanalMong Salita” by LJ Manzano interpreted by Mark Michael Garcia, “Tugtog”by John Paul Salazar interpreted by Bradz and “Di Nako Aawit” by Rommel Gojo interpreted by Hans Dimayuga.

Winners will get the chance to win Php 500,000 in cash tax free, while finalists will get Php 20,000. There will be special prizes too like the Best Interpreter Award and People’s Choice who will both win Php 50,000. If you want to vote for it just go to asoptv.com/poll so you can vote once per day using your FB/Twitter accounts to login. Judges will be announced and divulged on the day itself. They didn’t tell us about it because it is a surprise!

I can’t wait to see who will win this year!

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!

Hiro Peralta, Renz Valerio and Betong's Birthday

We spent the afternoon at the Christian Compassion Ministries in Antipolo City. It's a place for abandoned girls and the foundation takes good care of them. There are kids, tweens and teens here and the center highly regards ways to protect their identities, therefore we weren't able to take photos of them during the event. As you may know, they believe that everyone has a right to  education, play, and faith. Stars from GMA Hiro Peralta, Renz Valerio and Betong went here to share their blessings. They are celebrating their birthdays in a very meaningful way and I've seen their faces light up as they arrived at the venue. 

Betong says he knows that these kids are probably going through different hardships and they've got different reasons why they ended up here. He advised them not to think about it and suggests they live a full life and never stop dreaming. He also sang a few songs to entertain the girls while they were given gifts by YSA Skin Care, Monreo Biscuits, Active White, Sundance and Magnolia. Betong is also starring in Shake Rattle and Roll XV in December, Bubble Gang and Sunday All Stars. He introduced himself as Dingdong Dantes and that made us laugh!

Renz Valerio gave these girls a show by dancing to the latest beats. They enjoyed and appreciated it so they started dancing with him. Renz gave away shirts from his sponsors as well. By the way, he's a regular in Walang Tulugan and gigs in different GMA shows too. He wishes these kids to have a better life, education and thanks them for supporting his shows in the past.

Hiro was happy to see them. He's the apple of the eye of the girls who screamed once or twice during his song. He's a very spirited singer and his charm is unquestionable. Aside from his stint in Tween Hearts and My BFF, he's going to be part of Yagit soon and wishes the kids could get to watch him and their shows when allowed to by the people from the shelter. He thanks the people there who prioritize education and takes care of their welfare. 

Thank you so much to the kind people of Christian Compassion Ministries who still continue to take care of these kids who are in dire straights. You are making their lives better and for that I laud you. Cheers! Here's to more meaningful birthday celebrations from GMA Artists!

For more information about their artists:

Official GMA Artist Center

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://gmanetwork.com/artistcenter

A Song Of Praise Music Festival Year 3

A Song Or Praise Music Festival marks it's third year now in the Philippines. Standing strong with 12 finalists that made 12 inspiring songs to give thanks and glory to God, they are eager to showcase their songwriting prowess on UNTV 37 and streamed live internationally at UNTVWEB.COM and heard on UNTV Radio La Verdad 1350KHz on the dial. It's a great opportunity for undiscovered but talented composers  who aspire to be victorious in the music industry. ASOP has already produced three albums in the past and has proven well in sales as they have featured equally great artists from the local music scene.

This has been running for quite some time now and they've given away thousands of cash prizes weekly, monthly and now the finals. They also conducted a few workshops and songwriting tips for well regarded people in the industry so they really make them better at this craft.

Bobby Delos Santos

The Grand Finals will happen this September 23, 2014 7PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum and no more than music greats will be on stage. Bobby Delos Santos of ASOP says "We're excited to see you in the finals as we aim to make more music for praise since we don't usually hear them anymore on the airwaves. Hopefully with this contest, we would get more material and have it heard with a larger audience too."

The finalists include "Hangga't May Tinig Ako"(As Long As I Can Sing) which is composed by Jinnie Adilan and interpreted by Daryl Ong, "Awit ng Puso Ko" (Song of my Heart) composed by Empol Balbin and interpreted by Bo Cerrudo, "Pagpupuring Walang Hanggan" (Unending Praise) composed by Cesar Montano interpreted by Mcoy Fundales, "Sa Bawat Araw" (In Every Day) composed by Marlon Nabia interpreted by Shanne Velasco, "Ikaw ang Tangi Kong Minamahal" (You Are My Only Love) composed by Ralph Lauren Refil and interpreted by Gail Blanco, "Biyaya" (Blessings) composed by Meldin Nabia and interpreted by Bayang Barrios, "Tanging Gabay" (Only Guide) composed by Amiel Mendoza and interpreted by Rachel Alejandro, "Kislap" (Shine) composed by Oliver Narag interpreted by Jessa Mae Gabon, "God Will Win Our Fight" composed by Ricardo Sanchez interpreted by Jek Manuel and Jason Fernandez, "May Awa ang Dios" (God is Merciful) composed by Louise Lyle Robles and interpreted by Beverly Caimen, "You Are Lord Of All" composed by LILET and interpreted by Ava Olivia Santos, and "Panginoon Kay Buti Mo" (God You Are So Good) composed by Jesse Bayodoc and interpreted by Walton Zerrudo. If thes lineup of composers and singers don't impress you on stage, we don't know what will.

80's Iconic Singer Superstar Lilet

My favorite so far? Of course it's childhood crush LILET. I told Lilet that I used to go to her class room when I was 10... we went to the same school in Elementary, I always wanted to see her. I asked if how she feels joining this contest and she said "I'm both nervous and excited but more than the competition, the most important thing is the reason why we are doing this. We are doing this for the Lord!". The contest actually accepted entries from different religious groups and not just ones from UNTV's lineage. They welcome everyone says Mon Del Rosario, one of ASOP's judges. Mon Del Rosario also added that the other judges will remain a secret but their style will all be specific on the way the song is interpreted and written. They are going to be very detailed on how you'll see it. It's okay to be non conforming so people would be able to appreciate it, much like commercial songs. He's got favorites now and he can't wait to see them do it in Araneta this Tuesday.

We also asked Ricardo Sanchez about his song because he's the only one who had two interpreters and he said that he made this specifically for two people and with the Euro type of vibe it's the perfect way to hear it. The event is free but I think tickets have already been given to audiences. Aside from that, the album is also free, please do visit their social network channels so you can get a copy of it. You can also download it off their website, all free as well. If you want to hear and feel praise music like in our country, please don't forget to watch the show in UNTV live. We're looking good in this part of the world, we do sound definitely good as well.

For more information about the event:

ASOP

Like them on Facebook


Visit their official website

http://www.asoptv.com/

Kidnapped : Please Continue To Pray For Their Safety

Abu Sayyaf and extremist rebels are still in Mindanao, some of them are dead and some breakaway groups survived previous military operations and still kidnap people. May God have mercy on their soul.

file photo taken on survivalx.com

My Aunt Milet Mendoza hasn’t been freed yet by her kidnappers. I just am too worried about what these “dangerous people” could do with her and Ms. Espie from Nagdilaab Foundation. These are teens who are just brainwashed by Muslim Extremists in the Southern part of the Philippines. There are other people behind this. My Tita Milet went there because of her calling to help War displaced Filipinos (Muslims and Christians alike) and help them rehabilitate thru programs provided and implemented by NGO’s. I just read off an update in Inquirer that the abductors were able to use Esperancita Hupida (Ms. Espie’s) mobile phone and call Nagdilaab Foundation President Fr. Angel Calvo on Tuesday and reiterated the demand for 5 million pesos in ransom. Ms. Espie was able to talk “They threatened to cut Espie’s fingers if we do not give in to the ransom demand, they also made us hear how they hurt her while the call was ongoing… it is agonizing, unbearable and very barbaric… Espie was so weak and she could be ill, but her captors still did hurt her. She kept on begging for help and asked us to do all means to help her” Fr. Calvo said.This ransom value was lowered today to an undisclosed amount but was still impossible to raise by Ms. Espie's family. They would still not release information on my Aunt Milet until Hupida has been released. Government is strictly implementing a no ransom policy for kidnappers.

For those who were not able to read my previous article on my website, Ms. Espie Hupida and my Aunt Milet Mendoza were kidnapped along with four other people in a remote village of Tipo-Tipo Central Basilan, a war torn province in the southern Mindanao on Sept. 15. Four others managed to escape on separate occasions, Auntie Milet could have also done so but she did not want to leave Ms. Espie Hupida behind because she could barely walk. They could not however still get any information about my Aunt Milet. I ask all my friends, fellow bloggers and family to please continue to pray for my Aunt Milet and Ms. Espie’s safety.