Love Songs and Love Stories for Himig Handog 2018 Announced

Had the chance to listen to the top songs for Himig Handog 2018 this afternoon. Here they are in no particular order.

"Dalawang Pagibig Niya" by Bernard S. Reforsado interpreted by Sheena Belarmino, Krystal Brimmer and MNL48. It felt young, very KPOP-ish and easy to sing along.

"Hati na Lang Tayo" sa Kanya by Joseph Santiago, interpreted by Eumee. This one is heartfelt, hurt, very emotional. Eumee also belts this out in the chorus, pretty good. The composer said the one asking attention was the legal wife.

"Kababata" is composed by John Michael "Kritiko" Edixon, interpreted by Kritiko himself ft Kyla. Again another hurtful song but more like a rap song.

Interpreted by Janine Berdin, this one is composed by Mhonver Lopez and Joanna Concepcion, it's entitled "Mas Mabuti Pa". You could see this is another slow ballad type song, using the voice of the TNT winner to their advantage. It could well be used for a teleseryes, it could pass like that. This is an old song but the composer asked another composer if she could continue writing it (they are best friends) because it is on a woman's perspective.

Composer for this one is from Dubai, he's Robert William Peña. The song is called "Para Sa Tabi" and is interpreted by BoybandPH. It's very pop, boyband-ish and the lyrics are fun. I get a little annoyed about the sound of the chorus though.

JM De Guzman interpreted this one, it's called "Sa Mga Bituin Na Lang Ibubulong". It is composed by Kyle Raphael Borbon. JM sounds like a boy who would sing a heartfelt love song for someone he adores. It's so cool to listen to, it could pass as a song for spas and massage centers, make you feel good and sleep in that little corner your boyfriend has under his arms.

"Sugarol" is composed by Jan Aldrile Sabili and is interpreted by Maris Racal. It felt like something you would listen to while you're flying over several mountain ranges while you are looking for the love of your life. It's like she's trying to find that one true love. The composer says this is about her personal experience, she says she was in the state of falling in love but she was hesitant. Maris says "When I heard this I loved the lyrics, I do this too so it is a really good opportunity to get to sing this song because a lot of people would be able to relate to it."

I think this is the first time Jona is interpreting a song (not), it's called "Tinapos Ko Na" which is composed by Sarah Jane Gandia. Again it is very emotional, thinking of a relationship if it is true or not, and being afraid to fall, but still hopeful. Quite nice because she has runs. She says "I guess the way I sing is because of the inspirations I got from my idols Regine and Jaya. The song has a line and lyric that has reminded me of relationships, a very challenging material because it's got less vocal acrobatics. I get really challenged with restrained songs."

The next one is called "Wakasan" composed by Philip Arvin Jarilla and performed by band Agsunta. This song is about hopeful love, about waiting forever and not even caring how long that takes lol. It sounds a little bit like country. Things that Garth Brooks would sing, but in a very band setting. The composer says this song is from that old Filipino comic called Wakasan, but it is an open ended song.

Sam Mangubat interprets this next one called "Wala Kang Alam" which is composed by Mel Magno and Martin John Arellano. It's a slow hurtful ballad, about lost love and setting them free. It also felt like it is full of regrets, and the other person clueless about how much you've hurt. The composer said it was his way to get back with his ex's, about men, relationships and the hurt he's felt. It's his real life experience. He doesn't move on from pain as an artist and he pulls emotions from that. He's gay but it also applies to heterosexual relationships.

Jonathan Manalo says "These songs are based on real life, stories that are relateable and put into a song. These are the next ones in radio, film or TV."

Roxy Liquigan adds "We had 5000 songs to listen to and had to cut it down several times until we reached 10. If you ask us how true this is we had one song that was sung initially by 10 year old kids, we had the interpreters chosen by us, all for those who would be on top of mind so we got teens to do it too. We focused a lot on the appropriate artists, we got what we wished for and this year you'll see an even bigger, current showcase of songs. We know these will be BIG hits!"

Who will you be choosing? Which is the best one?

KUMAGCOW
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CHANGING PARTNERS in Cinemas Today

Just saw Changing Partners today and boy was I impressed. The hit cinemaone originals entry that talks about LOVE got it's needed commercial run tomorrow and a premiere night with the four artists Jojit Lorenzo, Agot Isidro, Sandino Martin and Anna Luna.

Now the good thing is I'm looking at this movie like a regular spectator, as I havent watched the PETA production or when they showed this at the CinemaOne originals festival last year. The reason I said this needed a commercial run is because this is one spectacular representation of a world class production. Albeit casting lesser commercial appeal stars, it has greatly been able to tell the story of 4 relationships. All along I thought the narrative might have been given away at the trailer already but no, you need to see it on screen how they meticulously tied these gay, lesbian and May December affairs. The obvious message they would want to send is that love knows no gender, but really I think it's more than that. They treated each persona differently, and each individual may or may not ne affected by what the partner is doing. I am most impressed on how the material basically has said bluntly what a person should say in a situation, like if it does happen in real life it would have meant relationships would all go to shambles.

As writer Vincent De Jesus puts it, “Love can be overrated, the story is about my personality with humor, I am weird that way. It’s about relationships, friendships, how complete strangers become complete. We try to tell the story with truths and see how it plays there. We hope people would watch this film for just the mere goodness of the material, we are nervous but excited for everyone to see it!”

Here’s a video of our interview with the writer and some of the stars of the movie.

CHANGING PARTNERS will be shown to the public tomorrow at leading cinemas including SM. Check out and see why it’s the most talked about film and why it won awards at the CinemaOne Originals festival last year. It definitely is worth every minute. If there would be some improvements I'd like to happen, it's those dizzying camera shots during the first few miniutes of the movie, aside from that I loved it. I'd give it 4/5 cows.

Hurry and watch it before you get old like a banana.

KUMAGCOW

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Good Days for OPM Happening at #CokeStudioPH

Looks like Coke is getting their hands warm on Filipino music. They've been always like that and despite hard times, they've managed to put up tons of concerts, shows and caravans that make us all proud of our own music. They're not stopping there because every Saturday, they will be seen helping established, up and coming and indie bands + artists to up the ante on their OPM game for COKE STUDIO PH. It's a new show seen on TV5 every Saturday at 7PM and just a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to see the launch at SMX Convention Center. It was like a town fiesta like no other!

Coke had us stay in the center, surrounded by different stages that had musicians, artists take over for a few minutes and boy it was crazy! Different genres, different takes on new and old Filipino songs, all of us got comfy seats and sang along with the crowd.

The crowd wasn't letting down as throngs of them lined up even after the first performers came out. Sandwich opened the show, I went ballistic! Haha!

They switched back to acoustic and played my favorite Eraserheads songs, an era I am very familiar with.

Then they toned down a bit and made it a bit romantic. These two had us feel like we were in a park busking in the moonlight.

I wasn't surprised TV5 had this on their station. I remember Coach Chot saying that they wanted to have something that isn't seen on the other stations, this would really be something special for them, not to mention a good platform to be seen, to help those bands and artists that are good but haven't been seen by the general public. To hopefully broker record deals if they find them awesome on stage.

I couldn't remember their name but they played percussion instruments like they were in Rio De Janeiro. I'd like this in my own party!

A section of the hall was dedicated to a Coke Studio filled with your favorite drink, and a Karaoke + recording facility. It was a time to sing your heart out in front of tons of people. I didn't do this but I would if I could brave the line that they had that evening.

The other side of the hall had a conversation space where the artists and the band members were interviewed, made to inspire us ordinary people, and the up and coming bands and artists too. The juke box though isn't your ordinary box, it's an automatic labeler so you can just put in your name and get your own personalized Coke bottle!

Coke executives weren't just going to sit around and watch, they played too!

When Sandwich came on stage, I shouted, I jumped with excitement, and joined in with the crowd who wanted more of this music.

Stephan from Coke also gave a speech. Here it is on video so listen in!

I had so much fun!

For the finale, they had the artists, the executives from Coke and the bands on stage including Franco. God was I so zonked this night but I still got my A game on. I wished the evening wouldn't stop!

Thank you so much Coca Cola Philippines for the opportunity to party with you guys! Every year I always look forward to your gigs!

Again for those who would want to see the show and how you mix in the old and the new, keep it on TV5 every Saturday at 7PM. You'll like Noel Cabangon do it with rapper CurtisSmith, and other artists on the pipeline. Cheers to Coke and Pinoy Music!

KUMAGCOW
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Christian Bautista Enters UK Charts

This guy is a dream. He's good looking, he's so nice, he's also a damn good singer and performer. He's Christian Bautista. You probably heard he's already making waves in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and elsewhere in the Asian region. He also has toured in a lot of countries. This time though, he's turning a new leaf to his illustrous career and is releasing a new single not just here, but in the UK iTunes charts. The single is called "Who is she to me?". It's already climbing up the charts and he's never been so ready to do this and conquer this region. A feat that only means, he's definitely world class!

The single is expected to also be played in BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2 now that it has entered #44 in the UK Vocal ITunes charts. He also has worked with internationally based musicians, great songwriters and producers such as Christian De Walden (who did hits with Engebert Humperdinck, Anne Murray etc.). This particular track they made for Christian also has a creative team behind it which includes Oscars and Grammy nominee Randy Kerber, and Christian Robles who also worked with Michael Bublè, Josh Groban, Baby Face, Sting among others.

Christian says "There are a lot of fans who want a physical album and I hope this music cross borders, hopefully in Asia and the United Kingdom. I don't know what's gonna happen but I hope good music would be perfect there. I partnered with great people, mixed in Italy and shot the video in the UK. I believe the music scene proved a lot of music is coming from that region. I didn't know it would be there and I was very happy that it got there, I'm very happy. There's a chance for everyone who has a dream. I've been emailing my UK contacts and we have to promote it. I hope to bring the news there and I hope it hits top ten. That's a dream for any Filipino artist, I'm in a stage wondering what should I do but I wanna try other territories."

Here's the official Music Video

Here's our interview with him in the Universal Records office during our Blog Jam:

Christian Bautista Blog Jam: Christian Bautista on the UK Charts

He's Asia's Premier Romantic Balladeer and he's set to conquer the world. It's going to be a great year and he's ready for it. All you gotta do now to help is get your friends and family to download and purchase it digitally in iTunes, Deezer, Amazon and other digital sites worldwide!

For more information about their artists:

Universal Records

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https://www.facebook.com/universalrecordsphfanpage

Pinoy Music Festival 2014

This looks really good, really really good. There's news that the first Pinoy Music Festival will happen in Makati but we just confirmed today that it will happen from 8pm - 12am at the Ayala Triangle Gardens on September 5, 2014. This will only happen in one day, best of all, it's free. Artists, Composers, Musicians and the talented Youth will joint forces to showcase the best of the best in original Filipino music.   

Johnson and Johnson, makers of Bactidol will be one of the sponsors, and they signed the memorandum of agreement this afternoon. Ms. Tina represented them and says "Together, we will strive to commit in helping more and patronize music, artists, composers and musicians in the country." Nonoy Tan also adds in the statement, "In behalf of Filipino Composers, we fully support this cause!". Jim Paredes of the APO Hiking Society shares that "The importance of OPM in the Philippines is slowly being realized. To be international, one must be in a local setting; and in the context of Filipino. We should focus in being crazy about our music and the world will automatically notice us." Jong Cuenco, representing musicians says "We hope not only singers, artists help this cause but also musicians. This will benefit us all and the music industry."Alvin De Vera of PARI, says he wants to "Enjoin labels and those who love Filipino music continue to purchase only legal copies and adds they will also support this event and possibly the future ones as well".Tippy Dos Santos and Abra who represents the young recording artists sternly supports the Pinoy Music Festival and the other causes the OPM is pushing, they want to assure that they'll all be at their back supporting new projects and upcoming artists as well.

We talked to Noel Cabangon, one of the Philippine's most celebrated folk singer and composer and asked about the matters they're raising to the government and found quite sound statements. He's humbled that President PNOY mentioned him and Ogie as his favorite singers in the last SONA and he hopes that it somehow would be able to at least get them heads way in pushing for an executive order to officially make a "Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino" (Filipino Music Week) next year, either July or September because that's where we got less festivals. It's what they're asking the government to support - to further their cause and make it one of the biggest, perhaps even make it a tourist attraction or something that the international community would notice when it comes. We have the hardware he says, as Filipinos have some of the greatest singers in the world. This might take long but he's hopeful that the President would at least take a look at this cause. PAGCOR is already supporting them but they've been talking to the agencies so they can get that approved. They are ready to submit it and the office of the President is keen on seeing it, they are hopeful that it'll happen real soon. It's going to be very big and will be "National" in scale and they want all major cities to simultaneously celebrate it. One in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao... then Manila to culminate it. They are also hoping it to be something that other countries could also see as something unique in the Philippines, they're hoping to start it in Metro Manila first... perhaps the cities would be able to do it in their turfs. Other than that, they are planning to make this ready for integration on 2016 for ASEAN and see exchanges in other countries more rich, since we have it all. 

Ms. Mitch Valdez was there to support his compatriot Mr. Noel Cabangon and his project with PhilisCaP, an organization for composers and OPM. Board members are supporting this as well, together with PARI and industry movers as well. As for the government, Ms. Mitch Valdez says it's very difficult to expect help from the government and its agencies. They better do it on their own, especially now that they have financial issues hitting the country. Organizations like them used to exist with government grants, but not today. They need funding, and the only venues they go to are from fund raising events. She adds there is little empathy about the causes of this industry who don't even think that there are people behind one artist or one song that won't be able to live alone on royalties. They are hoping for the public to take action, to patronize the arts and maybe in the future to see what the culture in the sense would get their identity in original Filipino music. There's no middle ground now, they are trying to support families and that's one of the reasons why everybody else is going out of the country. The ones who remain are trying to do something about it, like Ogie and Noel. They would be only to measure success in events like these because there's going to be free music and she hopes the message comes across when they listen to it.   

Abra and the youth representatives also showed their talents during the press conference and they hope that there will be an even brighter future for the industry. They showed that right in front of the industry greats and people like Noel Cabangon, Jim Paredes and other leaders; they heard pretty good music. Abra is simply one of the best.

For those who would want to join them on September 5th, be at the Ayala Triangle Gardens at 8PM and see how original Filipino music can make you once more an even greater believer than you once were. Bring your friends, your family and everyone else because of course, it's all free!

For more information about their event:

Bactidol

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http://www.jnj.com