Ben&Ben shows queer love in music video
PAT Lasaten and Agnes Reoma star as a romantic couple standing up for love in a world that invalidates the LGBTQ+ community’s struggles and rights in Ben&Ben’s new music video. The Filipino nine-piece collective caps off the Pride celebration with the release of the “Paninindigan Kita” music video. “We’re both excited and nervous because we’re not very public about our relationship,” says keyboardist Pat Lasaten. “We also aren’t into PDA, in fact our bandmates seldom see us hold hands.” Bassist Agnes Reoma adds, “Expressing this story to a wider audience will be a fun challenge, as we aren’t actors. Nonetheless, we’re excited for the number of queer kids who’d see it.” The “Paninindigan Kita” music video is helmed by filmmaker Niq Ablao, who has directed the music videos for Moira’s “Paubaya,” and Ben&Ben’s “Upuan.” Abalo is optimistic that the music video would shed a new light and a deeper understanding of how love should be: “Regardless of gender and sexuality, we love who we love and we stand by them no matter what. Brave are those who fight and take pride for it.” “Paninindigan Kita” is written by brothers Paolo and Miguel Benjamin, and was the first song recorded in an actual studio since the pandemic started. It follows the release of last year’s “Di Ka Sayang,” another empowering LGBTQ+ anthem that inspires confidence and fearlessness in the face of adversity, and this month’s “Langyang Pag-ibig,” which chronicles the inevitable disintegration of a romantic relationship. “Paninindigan Kita” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Sneak previews of The Black Phone
THE RINGING horrors of the late 1970s come alive in the coming-of-age movie The Black Phone, starring Ethan Hawke, Mason Thames, and Madeleine McGraw. Based on the award-winning short story 20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill (son of the legendary horror author Stephen King), The Black Phone follows 13-year-old Finney (Thames), who is abducted by an infamous child abductor and serial killer known as The Grabber (Hawke) in a small town. Locked in the killer’s basement, Finney discovers that he can hear the killer’s previous victims through a disconnected black rotary phone on the wall. Released by Universal Pictures International, sneak previews of the film will be held on July 11 and 12 in select cinemas nationwide before it goes on general release on July 20. The film was rated R13 by the MTRCB.
Instagram releases #WalkWithPride AR Filter
FOLLOWING the launch of Instagram’s #WalkWithPride AR filter — done in collaboration with a queer Filipino artist Brent Sabas and Filipino Spark AR artist Mitsuko Ono — many Filipinos including Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and influencer Donnalyn Bartolome have used the #WalkWithPride Filter. The filter can be used on both Instagram and Facebook. The “Reels Pride Walkway” filter can be found in the Reels effect tab of both social media platforms.
Warren Hue releases new song
JAKARTA native Warren Hue releases his new single “Handsome” alongside its music video. “Handsome” is the third single released from his forthcoming debut studio album, Boy of The Year, and is a follow-up to the release of “W” (with yngxchris). “Handsome” is an experimental hip-hop track produced by longtime collaborator and South Korean producer, Chasu.
Kyle Juliano covers Apo classic
RISING pop-ballad singer Kyle Juliano has puts his own spin on one of Apo Hiking Society’s most popular hit song, “When I Met You.” His version of the song is out now on streaming platforms under Universal Records.
Singer-songwriter liesl-mae releases new single
HAILING from Kuala Lumpur, liesl-mae is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter, who just released her new single, “The Trip.” The Kuala Lumpur-based songstress is signed to Offmute — Sony Music Entertainment’s Southeast Asian label — and is one of four artists that the label announced upon its launch in 2021.
The Voice Teens alumnus Jay Garche debuts
BACOLOD born singer Jay Garche first introduced himself to the music industry after joining the Philippine reality TV competition The Voice Teens Philippines in 2020. Now, he is debuting with his first single “Hayaan Lang” under Universal Records. Stream “Hayaan Lang” on Spotify and YouTube.
R&B Artist Giveon drops full-length debut album
AMERICAN singer-songwriter Giveon presents his full-length debut album, Give Or Take via Not So Fast/Epic Records. To accompany the arrival of the record, he released a music video for the new single “Lost Me” which can be watched on YouTube. Last September, Giveon shared “For Tonight,” the lead single off the record, which is now RIAA certified Gold. The song was praised by outlets such as Complex and Rolling Stone on its way to amassing more than 175 million streams worldwide.
Parokya’s ‘Your Song’ surpasses 100 million streams
OPM Band Parokya Ni Edgar continues to rack up records as “Your Song” has surpassed 100 million streams on Spotify. The song, which was off the band’s 2003 record Bigotilyo, is the band’s first song to hit the Spotify milestone. Since the song gained massive mainstream popularity, Parokya Ni Edgar decided to include “Your Song” on their Inuman Sessions Vol. 2 setlist back in 2012. “Your Song” can be streamed on Spotify and YouTube.
Tove Lo releases new single from upcoming album
MULTI-PLATINUM selling, Grammy Award nominated artist Tove Lo released a new single, “True Romance,” along with the news of a forthcoming fifth studio album, Dirt Femme, to be released on Oct. 14 under Pretty Swede Records and mtheory. The album tracklist boasts an impressive lineup of special guests, including SG Lewis (appearing on two tracks), Channel Tres and First Aid Kit.