The Day I Made GIGI DE LANA Cry

Her viral performance of "Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita" got 13.5 Million views and now, getting thousands of viewers every night they perform, people certainly can't get enough of her... she's Gigi Delana and her band Gigi Vibes. Recently, they released their first original song called SAKALAM, and true enough, they've landed on Spotify's #1 Fresh Picks and garnering still, a growing number of streams in the platform.

They're also releasing a music video for it and a teaser was shown during the presscon, and by the looks of it, you'll love that too. It will premiere today October 11, at 6PM ono all of ABSCBN's socials and broadcast channels. Gigi says "My heart is full because we've gone through a lot. We're very thankful for that, I would like to thank everyone in my band, the management, the people that believe in us, we are so grateful to become your kapamilya. Thank you Lord for giving us this blessing. There were a lot of things happening during the shoot of the video, I couldn't show the right emotions initially, I was strong because I didn't want to cry, I don't want to feel the hurt, so I kinda shut down, but I have to feel it again, the feeling of being human. Thank you to GG Vibes, to Marcus Patterson, to our Director thank you so much. What made me strong was my experiences, the people that inspired me especially now, my bandmates, my Mom, the people I get to grow with. I take that in because it will make me better, they know I will grow." Here's a bit of the presscon on video, enjoy!

I made Gigi De Lana Cry with my question about love and learning from her heartbreak. But as always, I am so thankful that we got to talke to them and see a different side to the band and Gigi De Lana. Thank you to ABSCBN PR for having us! Their music video will premiere tonight at GG Vibes YouTube channel so watch it at 6PM!

RICO BLANCO Reimagines PBB's "Pinoy Tayo!"

Looks like Pinoy Big Brother is going to be extra entertaining as music will be good with Rico Blanco's "Pinoy Tayo!". Some of PBB's very own alumnus performed it with him during the KUMU Season 10 launch a few days ago. Maymay Entrata, Kim Chiu, Edward Barber, Robi Domingo, Maris Racal, and a whole lot more enjoyed the song on stage and its new flavor. Slower, more melodic, a new version, pretty good to see it that way. It's going to be part of Jonathan Manalo's new album compilation for his 20th year.

Rico Blanco says "I was really excited when I was asked to be with Jonathan's anniversary project. He's very prolific, I supported him right there, I studied it because it was a very revered composition. I had to make it sound like me when I'm performing it. Being a part of that story, I'm excited about the happiness it gives, I wanted that part to be the same and how people react to it. I remember hearing it during a football match and everyone danced to it. It made memories, and we as artists would like to make it that effective. I was already game when we started, I paused when he told me the song, what it stands for, it's well loved and I had to check what I could give to it, it's an honor for me. It just fell into place."

Jonathan Manalo adds "It's nice to see this song uplift spirits. When we made this song and we were planning to promote this song, it was meant to inspire us. Our morale was down, our energies too, and we needed a newer version. It's our way to lightening up the mood, to give hope, to celebrate even if we are under the pandemic. We hoped it could give good vibes, more reasons to celebrate being a Filipino. I took my chances when I talked to Rico, when we were talking I was already thinking about this anniversary project. I always had him in the lineup and was really timing when I would ask him. He was part of that dream. We were moving in different paces, his music was different than mine. I was pop and he was rock, so in a phonecall I asked him about it. We always were together in other activities but never worked together. It was the perfect time to ask him."

Here's part of the presscon on video

 

The album will be part of several singles that will come out digitally. They will be doing it in 25 tracks, 25 different artists and will be completed by next year. Congrats PBB and Sir Jonathan Manalo!

Leanne and Naara for "Daybreak Live!"

COVID-19 restrictions have halted a lot of businesses including the entertainment sector. Live events, are a no go which means music lovers, artists, are going to be heavily affected. Thank the ones above for putting smart people in technology, we have new ways to connect digitally and still see each other virtually.

Indie pop duo Leanne and Naara are artists from Warner Music Philippines. As Naara puts it "I miss hearing people sing to our songs and how we got interact with them, wish we could go back performing live gigs." While Leanne quips "The pandemic had us do virtual gigs which was quite difficult for us. We were in different places and resorted to doing sets of our own in a single event. We've been doing this over a year now and slightly getting the hang of it. We also have pre recorded ones, which we can do in a single day."

Leanne and Naara did a concert in an actual concert hall. It's called Daybreak Live (their debut album was entitled Daybreak). It's full of their latest hit singles, they also have new arrangements and arguably their great vocals that have been always adored by their followers. They're doing this as a way to bring their Daybreak album even closer to their audiences since they haven't formally had a launch for it. They also know people miss live music and this is certainly good to quench the thirst for it. This concert has been a lifelong dream for them.

About the songs, Music Director and Producer Brian Lotho made sure each single will be heard differently. You'll feel they've amped up favorites like "Too Soon!" and "Till the Morning Comes". Concert Director par excellance Paolo Valenciano also is also making sure everything runs smoothly as he's done the biggest ones in the country. This was recorded in Maybank Theater, with protocols followed each step of the way. Leanne says "We are so excited to bring our brand of music and electrifying performances onstage and our Daybreak Live concert brought a different side of us, and we hope we'd be allow to perform once again when restrictions relax in the country!"

Now it would be good to take your love for Leanne and Naara's music further, both the Daydream album and the live concert (as recorded) is available on Spotify.