4th IMPACT Welcomes Fresh Start: Releases New Album

 

When I heard Mylene, Almira, Irene and Celina was out to release an album, my 4th IMPACT fan heart was so happy! After their successful stint in X FACTOR UK Season 12 which catapulted them to worldwide fame, they're still looking for that spark to start off their own, original music, and a journey made of the same dreams they started with years back. Th launch happened at SM North Edsa Skydome in Quezon City, The Philippines.

The album only has 5 songs, but well worth every minute it plays when you stream online or spin on CD where available. Singles include "Distorted", "All at Once", "Round and Round", "February", and "Hate That Girl".

In 2023, announcement of their departure from their previous management shocked a few, but instead of drowning in the past, the girls went down hard as independent artists and did all the legwork needed to make this happen. They spent time working with the best of the best in the industry, same people who made music for Jennifer Lopez, and popular KPOP artists. 

Although there were a lot of sad anecdotes and realizations mentioned in the press conference (where they all kept it real), they had each other, their Mom and Dad to make sure they wouldn't give up the dream to represent the country in the international music scene - and still get to where they want to be. Since the debut single has been released in the US last year, they want to test the waters with these songs and see what resonates more with their audience. This also personifies their deep perseverance, something they're mighty proud came naturally as sisters. Even their management of tasks felt like everyone was volunteering and fit their skills like a glove.

Here's our video coverage of the press conference this evening

They rightfully dedicated this new album to the DREAMERS (their fan group) as they made them realize how they made 4th IMPACT inspired all these years (instead of them being the inspiration). Their faith in the 4 ladies made them hold on to that dream no matter what hardships they encounter.

I liked that in the end, Irene told the press how they knew that this isn't a continuation of what they've been doing in the past, but a true start because as far as artists are concerned, they definitely deserve to have that opportunity. They're hard working, still think about folks, and each other. They've been in so many roads, taken lots of detours, but is still hungry to be where they deserve to be. 

Up there, with the stars!

KIANA V To Perform at the SXSW Music Festival

I've loved KIANA V's music for its international flair, flavor, a sound that can unmistakably be even better than those who are in top charts in the US or elsewhere in the globe. 

In a couple of days, she's set to perform at the SXSW (South By Southwest) Music Festival at Austin, Texas. The event running from March 14 to 20 will be featuring 240 artists and will be an in person event, much of which has been missed in two years. Kiana V has recently released a single entitled "Heartbeat On Me" together with a music video directed by Gab Valenciano (who's gotten several awards for his previous work, and consequently her brother). The track is soothing as they utilized synthesizers with light beats, you'll love her even more. Kiana says "It's about falling in love with someone, as if you're scared to see if the other party would reciprocate the feeling, and hope it is mutual." This is also part of the EP Dazed which has been lauded by Spin, NME, Hypebae, Office Magazine, Paper Magazine among others.

Kiana V has gotten awards from Awit Awards, MYX, Wish FM, McMillan Woods Global Awards and featured in Spotify's NYC Times Square billboard last year. She will also be appearing in a MYX original series called "The Crossover" which will be shown on different platforms. Make sure you're subscribed to her YouTube and social channels. Meanwhile, treat yourself with this video.

 

Congratulations Kiana V!

Luis Villanueva Unleashes new Single “Pécho”

Chill, breezy, relaxing and fun, that's what I'd gladly describe Luis Villanueva's newest single Pecho.

For those who haven't seen it yet, he's a very talented producer, musician, film maker based in the US. He's done Selfish and Cloud 9, his first two singles and it has amassed 1.3 million streams on Spotify which is a feat in itself.

This new single is his handy work influenced by disco, and combined it with techno-electronic music, things you could experience in New York, Paris or the whole Europe. Pecho's music video has already won in film festivals across the globe. They also have casted Asian, LGBTQIA+, Black, Femme and the disabled to work on this video, including Kakie Pangilinan to represent Filipinos in the international scene. Luis also is a founding member of 908A together with Jeune Pascal, a filmmaking and production corpo based in New York. They also promote AAPI in music production and this is their first project. They also released NFT made by artist Dario Rizzuto.908A also hosts events in Columbia University, Parsons and NYU, promoting Filipino art, culture in the state and district.

Here's what I enjoyed today, pretty sick:

Congratulations Luis! You're definitely going places!

Fans Sorely Miss VICE GANDA in "It's Showtime!"

It's been almost a month of no Vice Ganda seen in the set of It's Showtime and honestly, I could really see how the madlang people have missed him a lot. Vice's humor, snappy replies to mothers in the ReiNanay portion was particularly missed especially when it became an opportunity for him to learn and analyze their life stories.

I could just imagine how it'll be best to see him also do funny stuff with the judges since talented funny mom Melai Cantiveros joined the panel plus Ogie's perfect persona would be a ball of fun to make short stories with too. Anyway, she's probably going back soon after her highly successful sold out concert in the US. She was also able to produce vlog episodes of her shopping trips and food adventures while talking to ordinary folks in Hollywood/LA area. Vice also took time out and walked Hollywood's famous walk of fame and bonded with Ion since it's also their third anniversary. Needless to say, she really got recognized not only by Filipino fans but Americans who got to watch her on YouTube or TFC.

Seeing the success of the concert in California might actually spark either a tour in other countries or perhaps Filipino communities elsewhere. What I'm quite sure of now is that, Vice is heavily missed in the "It's Showtime!" studios and if she comes back, it'll be better family viewing for everyone on ABSCBN's Jeepney TV, A2Z and on digital. Hopefully she's gotten enough sleep and rest so she can come make everyone laugh again in live episodes. Fans and ponies surely miss you.

VICE GANDA's Much Awaited US Concert: Vax Ganda: A Dose Of Laughter

Missing Vice Ganda this afternoon as the Unkabogable star wasn't in the show (It's Showtime!), me thinking she must be really preparing for this October's US concert called Vax Ganda: A Dose Of Laughter. 

Witnessing the very successful Gandemic: The VG-Tal Concert a couple months ago would just be something like a preview to what she can do. Vice actually just didn't impress with her song and dance numbers, but whoa... the fashion content in that show could rival any international concert of a pop star. Yes, she didn't shortchange us in that department, I couldn't say much, but I think those pieces were designed for her, something that the unkabogable star could only carry. Now I think she's going to have new ones in the new concert called VAX GANDA: A Dose of Laughter, in Pechanga, Southern California (Temecula) on October 15 and 16 and at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut on October 24. Guests include MC and Lassy, plus the Queen of Teleserye Songs Angeline Quinto (plus a very special guest that's going to be a big surprise!).

What to expect? Vice Ganda and a team of creatives will take care of fun and laughter and Marvin Querido will handle musical direction (he's got 34 years of experience in the music industry, has handled several concerts in a span of 15 years) so you're sure to get entertained. It's been a while since Vice has done something with a live audience, which is why she's so excited to do this! 

She says "It has been a while since I've done a concert in the US. I haven't stepped foot on a stage with a live audience for over a year and suffice to say, I super miss my fans and the huge madlang people. Nothing energizes me more that human interaction, your positivity and laughter. I can't wait to feel that again in Pechanga and Mohegan Sun this October, I hope I get to see you there!"

As of recent, tickets have been sold out in Connecticut and only a few are left for the Pechanga. For those who are looking for tickets, simply head on to Pechanga.com and StarMediaEntertainment.com. For updates, go follow Vice's social channels @vicegandako on Twitter, @praybetbenjamin on IG and Vice Ganda on FB and YouTube.  

You must be excited too! I can't blame you!

Vice Ganda's "adVICE of the Day" Stays Buzzworthy

Last night's episode of "Everybody Sing!" had me thinking. The contestants were pretty much struggling to answer one particular song in the Jackpot round and have listened to it several times, and their time was running out. All the other songs were guessed correctly instead of one which is "POP Goes the Weasel" which is an old nursery rhyme/song published in London. Everybody at home knew it (thanks to my Dad who always played the old stuff!), and hearing the stories of the factory workers who lost their livelihood during the pandemic was heartbreaking, Vice Ganda must have felt what I felt, the urgency to help these people. During the last few seconds, Vice dropped a super obvious clue, and of course... they won the Jackpot prize!

This means 25 Factory Workers won a whopping Php 500,000. If you split that among them, they'll get 20,000 pesos each which in this day and age would help a lot especially those who lost their jobs. I heard some of them even struggle to put food on the table, this won't just give them relief, but give them a second shot at making a living. What Vice said after was actually even MORE moving. Here's the clip!

Kalahating milyong piso ang paghahatian ng 25 factory workers na nanalo sa Kapamilya game show na "Everybody, Sing."

Todo pasasalamat sila sa host na si Vice Ganda, na gumawa ng paraan para makuha nila ang jackpot prize na P500,000. pic.twitter.com/pVxmnwG1U4

— ABS-CBN News (@ABSCBNNews) August 31, 2021

This moved me, the rest of the people watching the show. I saw a lot of the Factory Workers go off camera and ball, cried, let it all out because they knew how these all are going to be a huge blessing for them. Vice says "Of course nandiyan pa rin ang harutan at kulitan sa 'It's Showtime' at 'Everybody Sing' pero kailangan din natin magbigay ng inspirasyon at positive good vibes sa mga manonood. Madami ang nag-guide sa akin at nagbigay sa akin ng inspiration so I'm just paying it forward now that I have a platform to reach a lot of people."

Aside from that, his team came out with adVICE of the day. In the show, she also mentioned something about the upcoming 2022 elections which is very on point. It's been talked about and liked A LOT on social media.

 

The Unkabogable Vice Ganda by the way will continue her brand of entertainment in California USA. She's having a two night concert called VAX GANDA: A Dose of Laughter in Pechanga Resort C@sino on October 15 and 16. You can get information about it and tickets on Pechanga.com or StarmediaEntertainment.com. If you are in the US and in nearby states, take the trip and see her LIVE!

If you've been stressed at work, or stuck at home and can now follow health protocols to go to venues, might as well see why Vice continue to be loved by many.

Showcasing Filipino Martial Arts to the World: Hari Osias Banaag

Hearing Filipino Martial Arts be included in major Hollywood films always made me so proud not just as a movie goer but as a Filipino. Sometimes it's sad to see that these arts end up flourishing in other countries other than ours, but more people are actually now seeing value of learning home grown martial arts apt for our built, not rocket science if it seemed at all. Lately Hari Osias Banaag (a Filipino Sikaran Grand Master) has been receiving a lot of attention for championing SIKARAN, a Filipino Martial Art that originated in Baras, Rizal. Learning Karate at an early age, he wasn't keen on pursuing it after learning the ropes for 3 years. He enjoyed roughing it up with his playmates and used hay cushions as his workout arena. This was the time he saw them and his brother make use of their feet and legs to fend off people who had street wise weapons during those years so it got him interested and researched more about SIKARAN as a martial art form. He eventually put up the first school and called it Foremost Sikaran Brotherhood back in 1976. 

He attended the World Martial Arts for Peace event in Washington in 1997 and migrated to the US to introduce the sport abroad. He started training his relatives and friends then got Global Sikaran Foundation DBA established in 1998. Word spread like wildfire about it and got a couple of actors interested to practice like Cynthia Rothrock (my favorite 80's action star), Jerry Fisher, Don “The Dragon” Wilson and Eric Lee among others. The art form has likened some of it's forms to farm animals which made it quite unique compared to other disciplines, as it spreads to other countries like the US, the Philippines, Canada, Australia, Algeria, Korea, Sri Lanka, India, Italy Mexico, Argentina, Burundi and Saudi Arabia. Soon the world. He hopes this would be the start of something big in the Philippines as they are gunning to include it in the curriculum, perhaps soon a national sport. He also wants to make this a way for Filipinos to promote and learn discipline, humility, honor and dignity. If this happens, this would be an even greater country.

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!

Julie Anne San Jose's FOREVER

We met a very thankful, happy and proud Julie Anne San Jose yesterday during the blogcon of her EP album called FOREVER. She was in that mood after several successful shows, phenomenal afternoon prime programs and a few wonderful singles released too. This one which will be available digitally on iTunes and other sites and she couldn't be more proud about it. They've worked painstakingly hard on this particular track since they've recorded it in the same studios as with other noted RNB and rap artists in New York. She's also working on this US career which she hopes will get bigger even if she's an Asian/Filipino artist. I get the vibe that she's not even worried because she knows she can get there with hard work and perseverance.

She treated us with the wonderful song before we started asking questions. Here's the video for FOREVER her carrier single for the album with the same name.

Julie Anne San Jose singing FOREVER by kumagcow

Here's an excerpt of the interview we did with the gorgeous singer.


Julie Anne San Jose Interview for Forever Blogcon by kumagcow

Make sure you get her EP album as it's available on digital downloads worldwide. Thank you so much Julie Anne for being so nice too during the press conference. She also thanked the you guys for supporting her all these years!

For more information about their artists:

Official GMA Artist Center

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http://gmanetwork.com/artistcenter

Happy Socks Now In The Philippines

We've covered the launch of Happy Socks a few days ago at Staple and Perk Bakery in Makati. The Swedish brand is just starting to get its feet wet into the Philippine market as they have only been available in Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Spain, France, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway, Switzerland, South Korea, Sweden, UK, USA, Japan, India, Hong Kong, China and Taiwan.

Two sisters shopped for it too much in Hong Kong and felt that they should bring the brand to Philippine shores after they got fed up of the boring socks choices in the saturated Philippine market. I should know too because I'm pretty fond of these things that I only got to source them in one or two stores locally. Happy Socks also makes this different too because their main goal is to make everyday items like socks, boxers, underpants into colorful things that could spread happiness. 

They also got us involved in spreading happiness too by enjoining us in #100HappyActs which is their cause that makes us attendees be like individual ambassadors of happiness through those small boxes you see on the left. Those boxes contain around 3 of their products which we had to give to different people to ultimately make them happy too. I already gave the baby tights to my favorite 2yo nephew who frequently visits me in the house. It fits him perfectly and the colors are just so bright that all my relatives fancied him even more when they saw him wearing it for the first time. There are actually two more socks left on the box that I plan to give to special people in my life. I'd like to share the happiness too you know.

The socks are very comfy too you know and it doesn't feel restricting at all. It was like freedom for the feet and I super love the available colors that they had. I was even drooling over the cases they had on display because I even wanted that for myself too, really really bad!

Now you don't have to go to other countries to get these sweet colorful socks, boxers, tights and other products from Happy Socks. They're available in all Urban Athletics stores nationwide, Urban Superior Store in Cebu, or www.dreamlablifestyle.com. This is definitely a necessity for every redefined man, I'd like to have more of this gawd!

For more information about their products:

Happy Socks PH

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Visit their official website

http://www.dreamlablifestyle.com/

Coca Cola Philippines Wins US Government's ACE

US Ambassador Philip Goldberg (center) together with Director of HR and Corporate Affairs of Coca Cola Femsa Philippines Juan Carlos Rodriguez (left) and Atty. Adel Tamano the VP for Public Affairs and Communications for Coca Cola Philippines accepting the US State Department's Award for Corporate Excellence last December at Sofitel Manila..

Coca Cola Philippines just got the Secretary of State's Award for Corporate Excellence for their efforts in relief and rehabilitation during Typhoon Yolanda. US Ambassador Philip Goldberg gave them the award in ceremonies done in Sofitel Manila and received by VP for Public Affairs and Cimmunications Atty. Adel Tamano.

Coca Cola Philippines was one of the first few companies to respond for calls to help with the crisis as Western and Central Visayas was hit by Typhoon Haiyan and donated around 2.5 Million US dollars from its main office. It was given to various relief, humanitarian efforts and partnerships with the Philippine Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. They also pooled donations and volunteers during this time so they could address basic needs like water, nutrition and education. 

They suspended all advertising for Christmas and realigned programs so they could rechannel the funds for the same purpose. Right now, they are implementing programs like the Agos Ram Water Pump (to help improve water quality and sanitation), the NutriJuice Program (to help 35,000 school children from malnutrition), and Little Red School House (built 300 classrooms to benefit thousands of kids in the province) plus a 5by20 Program so they would be economically empowered women entrepreneurs and provide 1000 sari sari stores in the province of Leyte. They also partnered with USAID for the rehabilitation of ravaged stores in both Leyte and Samar. It helped ensure commerce, the flow of goods in the community which is a crucial part of bringing normalcy in the province. They also provided loans and programs for Negros Women of Tomorrow Foundation, Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. with the help of the Department of Education, Philippine Business for Social Progress and local government units among others. 

Coca Cola Philippines is now one of three companies to win the Secretary of State's 2014 Award for Corporate Excellence. It's given to American companies to recognize leadership and commitment to innovation, responsible practices and positive contributions to local economies. Congratulations to you guys and I hope I get to visit your plant again soon!

For more information about their foundation:

Every Bottle Has A Story PH

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Visit their official website

http://www.livepositively.com.ph/

I'm Enjoying My Tough Backpack From OUTDOOR PRODUCTS!

Just got this pack from Urbanize: Supplies for Urban Life with stores located at Gateway Mall and Shangrila Mall. I was surprised to find out what was inside but the note on the pack probably summed it up.

Got so excited seeing it was about bags. Aside from shoes, this is my next kryptonite. I still have some bags in my closet that I haven't used because I didn't want them to get damaged. This one already says that they're going to be TOUGH. So I did the next best thing and took it out of the paper bag.

OMG it's OUTDOOR Products! How can you not love this backpack?! The material is so tough nobody could probably tear this apart with their bare hands. Aside from that, this thing still work with the classic school backpack design. It won't be too bulky, but it's got room enough to fit your stuff like clothes, books or gadgets. I was actually also fond of seeing those straps on the zippers because it'll make opening or closing your bag really easy. You can also see that the color is bright and the textile they used on this isn't cheap. I can tell just by touching it.

It's also well made because on a quality standpoint I'm not seeing any defects on the nooks and crannies of this bag. It's all so clean and probably passed international standards. I'm not surprised though because in the few years that I've known this brand, they're on a league of their own. That, and the price is so reasonable unlike some brands on the same quality level but costs an arm and a leg literally. I'm loving this Vintage Day Pack!

I've also checked out their 2014 Spring-Summer catalogue and amazingly found more backpacks in really cool designs plus some in ultra suede bottoms. You'll get that weathered effect and dirt won't stick to the bag for all the right reasons. It won't be dirty fast.

It seems that I've got this bag on the bag! It's a Basic Daypack model and they've got it in different colors. If you want something basic that's also got so much room for your stuff, then I highly suggest you get this one!

For those that often go to the gym, this one is perfect. It's their Boston Bag that's available in different dimensions. Get the biggest one so you can fit your workout clothes, shoes and toiletry so you can shower after a game or gym time. 

There are also some bigger bags available in stores. Don't worry ladies because you also have some handbags that are well crafted and styled with you the user in mind.

OUTDOOR PRODUCTS are available at Duty Free Fiesta Mall, Fashion Rack (Baguio, NAIA 3, Subic), Landmark Makati and Trinoma, Lonely Planet, Robinsons Department Store (Abreeza Mall, Calasiao, Ermita, Galleria, Magnolia, Palawan, Pampanga), Rustans (Alabang, Gateway, Makati, Tower), SM (Davao, Las Pinas, Lipa, Makati, North Edsa and Pampanga) and Tripologie (Alabang, Bonifacio High Street, Tripologie East Wood).

Now that there's more places where you can get these wonderful bags from, make sure your next purchase of a school or everyday bag comes from OUTDOOR PRODUCTS. I'm enjoying mine right now and I'll take it around for a spin in events. This will house my camera and gadgets. Hope yours become an everyday thing too. ^_^

For more information about their stores:

Outdoor Products Philippines

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Visit their official website

http://www.outdoorproducts.com