Blooming at 18: Princess Aliyah

The gorgeous singer and actress Princess Aliyah is turning 18 very soon, and we've got a few things confirmed (so far) as she plans to celebrate her princess-strong woman themed birthday party. This press conference was done at the SEDA Hotel Vertis North in Quezon City. 

Princess says "This is a blessing, actually I just did plans for my debut last month. So now I am doing my gown, styling, and I'll get my PBB housemates on my birthday. They also told me a lot about a single they made for me which is AMBA, and I am so glad how it sounded, very pop princess and youthful. Initially I didn't want to celebrate my birthday but I actually have a lot of friends and extended family now which is why we went through with this. Since PBB I looked up to my Mom and since I'm turning 18, they will be a huge part of it. I love how it sounds too. Maybe people know how much of a baby I am, but I'm very strong and independent, but not to mar my sweet looks, I think I still want them to see that. I want my roles to be versatile, do contrabida roles, action, hopefully I could do that since I'm 18. I also want to do trekking on my own, I also want to have decisions, more responsibilities, and hope to just have good health for my family, that's all I want. I want the people who I've worked with to be there. Right now I am still finalizing things, I hope they could all come."

The single AMBA is written by Roel Rostata. It is arranged and produced by artist THYRO, produced by GMV Studios (as one of their artists).

Princess is a woman now, and she wants to do pageants if the opportunity comes, she loves Catriona and Pia, but it's not on her mind right now (yet). She likens herself with Rapunzel and see that she could do more getting to know herself even more while outside her walls. She promised herself to concentrate on her career and want a partner that would support that.

Happy birthday Princess!

ISHA PONTI Launches "LIKAS" Album

Super talented singer songwriter Isha Ponti gave us goosebumps last night at the VIVA CAFE where she celebrated her birthday and launched her new album "LIKAS". 

Isha says "If there's someone who acts like an anchor in my life, I would like to say thanks to my Mom and Dad, happy father's day! I always do this every year but this is special because being 20 means I've already experienced things and applied it to my songs. Some good, some that hurt, but it's okay. I'm good!"

She sang her singles "Darating" (an upbeat hopeful love song),  "Hinga" (a call for pause before loving again), "Proud to Say" (not part of the LIKAS album but she made this song when she was 13), "Raining In Manila" (her cover), "Kabanata" (where she proudly showed her heartwarming music video too), Man I Need & So Easy (both an Olivia Dean original- her cover), and a few more to the delight of the crowd. She also did "Warmth", "Gulong" (about a hurtful relationship), "Halika" (a ballad about asking to admit love), "Bakas" (she cried on this bit), "Kung Di Rin Tayo sa Huli" (her cover of the December Avenue song),  "Numero" (about self worth), "Riversky" (about believing in  yourself), and the finale song the danceable "Mismo" (where everyone stood up!). Isha reminds us that her new album "Likas" is all about loving, learning, and experiencing her truth and I totally agree. 

In the audience, she also had her relatives, friends from school, and press who have been helping her get her music out there. She thanked them all! 

Isha acknowledged a few artists from VIVA, a PPOP girl group and of course, one of GMA's prime actors Kelvin Miranda (who did a duet with her btw!). 

OPM is so blessed to have to someone like you Isha! Here's hoping you get to even more places. Seeing how passionate you are in your craft and how hard you've worked for it, please keep on writing and singing more songs!

KIRAY CELIS Wins in LOVE, Launches More Products for Skin/Health Empire

I distinctly remember the times we've covered press conferences for Kiray Celis, her shows and movies. She's always the jolly one, cracking jokes almost every time we meet her, cementing her career as a formidable actress and comedienne. In recent years, she'd had remarkable success in selling products online. She was selling millions worth of products from different manufacturers and asked herself how it could have been better if she sold her own and have had all the profit herself and her team. And so, she did. She's now the proud CEO of Kiray's Brands who manufactures Hot Babe and Skin Vibe products. And yesterday launched the new Hot Babe Green collection and 2 new ones under Skin Vibe.

I personally asked her if she feels that this is her "calling", but replies that the term was too deep for her to connect with. As for success, she doesn't feel she's there yet because all of her earnings are still being invested back to the business and is positive that in the coming years, would bear fruit, but even then she wouldn't see herself doing something big as an entrepreneur. She'd laugh it off just thinking of it. 

Hot Babe Green includes the Chamomile Tea, Lemongrass Pandan, Pistachio Matcha flavors. The drinks aid in digestion, lower cholesterol, detoxifies, cleanses and support weight management. On Skin Vibe, they launched Pwetturs B|eaching Cream and the Singova B|eaching Scrub that does exfoliation, brightens skin, and evens out your complexion. Took a while to put it out because she had to have FDA approval for it. It's a hard job, but she wants to make sure if she's going to have something out in the market, it had to be safe for Filipinos to use as she's got tons of resellers who are also helping her to grow her business. She's so thankful also to her affiliates, resellers and return customers who all contributed to the remarkable success of her brand. 

Here's our talk with Kiray and the part where she also explained the viral Japan issues she addressed, she apologized for those who felt offended but be assured she got proper permits to do the shoot and Japanese folks were asking if she was a model, okay?!

If you want to get a hold of her products, Hot Babe Green and Skin Vibe is available at FB, TikTok Shop, Shopper and Lazada. Just order and have it delivered. I'm sure this isn't going to be the last of what Kiray has up her sleeves. She's also going to be married soon, here's wishing her the best of business and LOVE because she deserves it!