GMA launches advice podcast
FROM the same team that produced The Howie Severino Podcast, comes another original podcast that is set to dish out tips and advice on love, life, and career: Share Ko Lang hosted by Dr. Anna Cristina Tuazon. Available weekly beginning July 21, Share ko Lang is an offshoot of the digital series with the same title previously aired on GMA News’ Facebook page and YouTube channel. The podcast features stories from various personalities everyone can relate to, and in the process allows listeners to get to know themselves better. A clinical psychologist, Dr. Tuazon has been a familiar face on air and online. She is often tapped as a resource person in discussing issues like mental health and relationships. GMA News and Public Affairs launched its first original podcast, The Howie Severino Podcast, hosted by GMA News veteran broadcast journalist Howie Severino, earlier this year. It is now is among the top 30 podcasts in Spotify Philippines. With fresh episodes uploaded every Thursday, the podcast features Mr. Severino having insightful conversations with personalities from various fields and industries including journalists Jessica Soho and Atom Araullo, comic artist Manix Abrera, and historian Ambeth Ocampo. Share ko Lang is the second original podcast produced by GMA News and Public Affairs. It will be available for free on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other streaming platforms beginning July 21 with new episodes streaming weekly.
Fern. releases new single
FILIPINO singer-songwriter and producer Fern. dropped his new single, “Kagandahan,” a pop tune that tackles the overwhelming feeling of being surrounded by beauty and how people are afraid of it going away. Released under Island Records Philippines, Fern.’s latest jam is essentially stripped-down with its message offering a quiet, meditative space. Fern.’s “Kagandahan” is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Island Records Philippines.
John Mayer releases eighth album
GRAMMY Award-winning artist, guitarist, and producer John Mayer has released his eighth studio album, Sob Rock, via Columbia Records and Sony Music. Produced by Mr. Mayer and Don Was, and recorded at Henson Studios in Los Angeles, the album marks Mr. Mayer’s first solo offering since 2017’s The Search for Everything. In a recent Instagram post from the artist, Mr. Mayer dubbed Sob Rock as “the only record I’ve made that I listen to recreationally.” The recording star’s latest record also features collaborations with artists such as country pop singer Maren Morris on lead single “Last Train Home” and hip-hop/R&B producer No I.D. on “New Light.” To promote Sob Rock in the country, Sony Music Philippines is mounting a John Mayer Sob Rock Projection at Arco De Emperador in Arcovia in Pasig City until July 24. Some of the album highlights will be projected on the 19-meter-tall monument designed by Spanish sculptor Gines Serran Pagan. Sob Rock is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Columbia Records/Sony Music.
More dramas on iQiyi and iQ.com
FOLLOWING GMA Network’s major deal with international streaming platform iQiyi, more GMA dramas are set to become available for iQiyi’s subscribers in the Philippines. Following the acquisition of initially announced shows First Yaya, Legal Wives, Nagbabagang Luha, and Love You Stranger, iQiyi is set to stream six more GMA shows: Agimat ng Agila, recently launched dramas Ang Dalawang Ikaw and The World Between Us, as well as upcoming programs I Left My Heart in Sorsogon, Artikulo 247, and Love. Die. Repeat. GMA provides viewers more options to catch up with their favorite GMA shows within 24 hours from TV airing via the iQiyi mobile app or iQ.com.
Season 2 for kids literary show
SEASON 2 of Pinoy A+: Filipino Stories for Kids premiered on July 18 via GTV and abroad on GMA Pinoy TV and airs every Sunday. The featured storytellers for this season are Dingdong Dantes, Carla Abellana, Susan Enriquez, Ken Chan, Aicelle Santos, Mariz Umali, Sandra Aguinaldo, Christian Bautista, Mike Tan, and Rocco Nacino reading stories such as “Si Rizal at ang Gamu-gamo,” “Ang Alamat ni Mariang Makiling,” “Ang Alamat ng Pinya,” “Si Malakas at si Maganda,” “Bi-ag ni Lam-ang,” and “Ang Alamat ng Tsokolateng Burol (Chocolate Hills).” GMA Pinoy TV also offers a limited-edition Pinoy A+ merchandise like Twinning Face Masks and children’s shirts featuring designs based on Filipino folklore. Viewers in the Philippines can order online via the GMA Store or send a message on the GMA Store Facebook page or e-mail gmastore@gmanetwork.com. Pinoy A+: Filipino Stories for Kids Season 2 airs every Sunday at 10 a.m. in the Philippines on GTV. Overseas via GMA Pinoy TV, it airs in the following time slots: 2 p.m. (Hong Kong and Singapore); 10:50 a.m. (UAE); 7:50 a.m. (UK); 11:20 a.m. (Pacific Time); and 6:45 p.m. (Eastern Time). For the program grid, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.
ASEAN Music Showcase Festival 2021 adds 2 countries
THE ASEAN Music Showcase Festival (AMS) is slated to return on its second edition with an initiative to help regional artists stay connected with their fanbase and introduce themselves to new audiences despite setbacks caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Southeast Asia’s first collaborative intraregional music showcase festival will have its online premiere on Sept. 11-12 via YouTube. Virtual speed meetings aimed to provide one-on-one networking opportunities between emerging regional musicians and global music industry professionals will be held as a private event on the following day, Sept. 13. Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand are joined in this edition by Cambodia and Vietnam. Instead of waiting for the pandemic to end, the participating organizers of each country aim to help regional artists be proactive and put their music in front of potential talent buyers from all over the world. AMS is co-organized by Fungjai, NYLON Thailand, and Bangkok Music City from Thailand; The Rest Is Noise PH from the Philippines; Steady State Records from Singapore; SRM from Indonesia; City Roars Festival from Malaysia; Baramey Production from Cambodia; and Monsoon Music Festival and Swan Zoo from Vietnam. For more information about the second edition of ASEAN Music Showcase Festival, visit the official website.
Viu Philippines launches new K-Dramas
VIU PHILIPPINES, a pan-regional over-the-top (OTT) video streaming service focusing on the best of online Asian entertainment, has launched 10 new Tagalog-dubbed Korean drama shows. Filipinos have been watching Tagalog-dubbed content on primetime TV for years and lately, the entertainment industry has seen an increasing demand for K-dramas. So, Viu offers customers its extensive online library of the latest premium Asian dramas and variety shows including Tagalog-dubbed K-dramas with its quality revoicing. The new Tagalog-dubbed K-drama now available on Viu are: romcom Emergency Couple, The Beauty Inside (an adaptation of the popular movie of the same title), Another Ms. Oh, love story When the Weather is Fine, melodrama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (based on the Chinese novel Bu Bu Jing Xin), drama Lie After Lie, comedy Welcome to Waikiki, Hotel De Luna, Tale of The Nine Tailed, and suspense melodrama series Flower of Evil. To stay updated on the latest news and releases, visit the official Viu Philippines website (www.viu.com).
The Steve McQueen’s release new single
“MILA ASCENDING” is The Steve McQueen’s first single release from their much awaited fifth studio album The Observer. The mercurial band went directly from touring Japan and the Asian Festival circuit into the studio to record this collection of new music which simultaneously invokes alternative R&B, chill-pop, 1960s Motown and nu-soul. The McQueens celebrate their 8th year on the road with this release, and early listeners say its their best yet, balancing unique forms, ear-catching sounds and clever storytelling with an accessible pop sensibility. The new album, The Observer will drop on Sept. 16 in conjunction with an album launch concert at The Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore. The Observer is the band’s fifth studio release, and will feature eight new tracks.
Lego introduces new Lego Disney Mickey and Friends range
THE LEGO Group reveals a new Mickey and Friends range with Disney, introducing five sets meant for young children aged four and over. Each set comes with instructions for children who are just learning to read and Starter Brick elements such as a big car or plane chassis to kickstart the building process. The instructions also feature short build-and-play loops to develop confidence and ensure a great building experience that will boost their problem-solving, role-play and concentration skills, and encourage resilience while they play. The sets are: Mickey and Friends Mickey Mouse’s Propeller Plane, a 59-piece set; Mickey and Friends Minnie Mouse’s Ice Cream Shop, a 100-piece set; Mickey and Friends Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse’s Space Rocket, an 88-piece set; Mickey and Friends Mickey Mouse & Donald Duck’s Farm, a 118-piece set; and the Mickey & Friends Fire Truck & Station, a 144-piece set. The new Mickey and Friends sets are available at bankeebricks.ph, all Lego Certified Stores, and through retailer partners such as Lazada, Shopee, Dotcom, and Zalora. Local SRP starts at P599.
Barbie Almalbis releases 4th studio album
FILIPINO artist Barbie Almalbis celebrates her 25th year in the music business with the release of her fourth studio album, Scenes From Inside, now out on all digital music platforms via 12 Stone Records and distributed by Sony Music Philippines. Derived from her experiences as a musician, a mother, a friend, a wife, and a pet lover during the time of quarantine, the nine-track concept album marks a new chapter in Ms. Almalbis’ challenging but colorful adult life. According to the award-winning multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, the process of making an album can be tedious at times, but for Scenes From Inside, she had a chance to record the album at a more relaxed pace, in her most convenient time. The new record’s carefully constructed compositions evoke everything that we love from the 1990s, from The Sundays to The Cardigans, while inhabiting a more expansive musical canvas to toy around with: jangly indie pop, electronic music, post-rock, alternative pop, Christian music, folk rock, and a whole lot more. While this is easily her most sonically adventurous record to date yet, Scenes From Inside also takes pride in its arsenal of collaborators, especially on the songwriting department. Her husband, Martin Honasan, co-wrote four songs in the album, with Lee Simon Brown helping the duo to finish the material. Ms. Almalbis’ “Tita” Alya Honasan also wrote the lyrics for “An Aspin’s Song” as a tribute to her late grand-aunt, Nita Lichauco. Additionally, her friend Michelle Rivera also co-wrote the track “Cover,” which initially appeared on her EP, Tigre. Other collaborators in the album include her bandmates, Karel Honasan on bass, Jonard Bolor on drums, and Nikko Rivera on keys. Sessionist and musician Rommel De La Cruz also played bass on “Iyong-Iyo” and “Comment,” while Michael Alba did drum parts on a new track called “Kumpas.”