MRLD's "7th Sense" Album Drops Midnight, Announces Concert Next Month

If you guys don't know who MRLD is, you should. She's a singer songwriter who hails from Cebu and is making waves on streaming platforms with her hit songs "An Art Gallery Could Never Be As Unique As You", "Ikaw Pa Rin" and "Ligaya". She was also featured by Spotify in New York's Times Square  as one of the most streamed female artists in the country.

She says "I was planning to release a full English album but I didn't feel a spark, this album is about my feelings , for things that I could not explain. It's mine and it is very simple. I already released 4, and the others will be done later this evening. Much of these were written 2 years ago, and it felt right, I had to make an album now. The track list was mixed initially, but I want it to open up minds, that I can carry different genres. Though there are lots of revisions, I had a lot of help from friends to make this happen."

The lead single is Hanggang Magsawa Ka, the longest single she wrote, a little painful, and she hopes you also cry when listening to it. Initially Malayo was supposed to be the carrier single, they just had to listen to everything and it was something they thought of while starting over, it's raw and 6 minutes long.

Listening to it earlier, it felt like an ode, very emotional and soft, all acoustic, hopeful and beautiful. 

She wrote it during 12th grade, puppy love, where she gave a person 2 chances, but thing is, she wasn't the one chosen, she wasn't the only one.. the song was made to have her overcome the hurt from it. She's also so glad about her earlier single "An Art Gallery Could Never Be As Unique As You" which has gained traction in Indonesia, one which they even made a Bahasa version too to cater to audiences there.

Her single SAGOT was the one she's super excited to perform because it's the one that she made with her fans in mind. It was for them and it's a bit upbeat, dancing and enjoying it is highly encouraged especially during the concert.

Her concert will happen on April 27th at the SM North Edsa SKYDOME, tickets are still available and she's rehearsing soon for the whole concept. It's going to be a special night with 2 guests being confirmed already.

This is just the start of big things for her, follow OC Records socials to know more about her!

Love, Sessionistas: A pre-Valentine Concert

If you're looking for the perfect concert this Valentine's season, Fire and Ice productions and Fire and Ice Live! is bringing you "Love, Sessionistas: A pre-Valentines Concert" at The Theatre at Solaire this coming February 8th at 8pm and you'll love who's in it! Of course there's Ice Seguerra, Juris Fernandez, Nyoy Volante, Sitti Navarro, Kean Cipriano, Princess Velasco, and Duncan Ramos. It's going to be nostalgic, a thing that's been in the works since pre-pandemic will now be realized.

The last time that these guys were together was way back March of 2015. Although they didn't really get to meet during those days, they've been connected online through chat. Though if you look at it, it's been almost 10 years since they've done music together, a little overdue. 

Ice says "There was a time in 2019 when we thought about doing something like this, I messaged everybody if they're game to do it. I really miss them, they all agreed, but the pandemic really got in the way. We had a venue ready, stage design, production, everything. It was supposed to be Fire and Ice's first show. But it didn't happen because of the pandemic. It was moved, and things happened with our careers individually, life in general. We started talking about it after the videoke series I did, which was a successful concert. Whether it's Valentine's day or not, we have universal love that we celebrate. We have the romantic love covered, but we have other kinds of love that we also want to celebrate on that day. And also our friendship that stood the test of time. Wohoo!"

Nyoy adds "During those 10 years, we often perform in each other's shows, but not as a complete group, usually benefit concerts. We often become guests with each others concerts or gigs, it was easy because aside from being artists in the same group, we're friends in real life. We did theater, and we supported each other. We're so used being with each other back in the day, and now our lives are intertwined. We're so used to answering each other's songs, lines, but it's going to be more organized since it is a show. We have several surprises for you, and seeing from our studies, it's going to be one fun night!"

Kean adds "This is going to be a treat for everyone. You'll see our camaraderie, but what we will sing is going to be heartfelt, more meaningful. This is also a concert where anyone, of all ages, could actually go and have fun! As you know, we are from different genres, it will surely be a good time to see that on stage."

Juris agrees and said "Yes it's going to be a treat for everyone and also a treat for myself because singing is more of an escape for me now, not work, and I'm glad that we're doing this."

Producer Liza Dino Seguerra says "It's been a while since people have seen them together. It's going to be so good to see them perform together on stage, their careers didn't end on that portion of the show. Sessionistas went on and did things individually, they lived out their careers, had family, it will be a time for the fans so they could see where these guys are now. It's a concert of their journey as friends and as individual artists. You will not only see them as Sessionistas but as Ice, Juris, Nyoy, Sitti , Kean , Princess, and Duncan. It's super exciting because their chemistry is different. The photoshoot we had in November was already crazy, what more the actual show in February."

Here's the full press conference on video, make sure you subscribe and check out their performances on our channel. Sub to KUMAGCOW on YouTube!

 

Fire and Ice and the Sessionistas would like to thank Profero Ageless Aesthetics, Solaire Resort, Ticketworld, Katinko, The Platinum Experience Real Karaoke, HGStudio, Nova Wellness Store, JB Music, Magic 89.9, Philippine concerts.cim, TrueFM, and WhenInManila. You can get tickets to the show via TicketWorld.com.ph, plus they plan to have a second day run on April 4th, because this one is almost sold out!

We also heard that they plan to take this either on a local tour or an international one. Just make sure you show interest in their social channels to let them know!

TAIWAN EXCELLENCE "Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy" Bares Winners

Taiwan certainly has a lot of things that Filipinos could connect to. One of it is the love for music. TAITRA aka Taiwan External Trade Development Council recently held the Taiwan Excellence "Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy" at the Market!Market! mall in Taguig City. 

Out of thousands who sent their entries, they got the judges choose 3 finalists to battle it out on this one day at the mall's activity center. This isn't a walk in the park as we talked to the judges Kean Cipriano, Ice Seguerra, Yeng Constantino and Paulo Zarate. They also had to choose a winner based off a themed composition about Taiwan Excellence and an original song. Taiwan is known for their various quality products and seeing the Taiwan Excellence seal on them just assures you of their high standards. Aside from the economic standpoint, it's the connections we share in culture that makes it a worthwhile event.

We also got to talk to the executives of TAITRA and asked about what they were looking for as far as winners go. It's a combination of talent, x factor and the ability to showcase the Filipino talent. Because just like Taiwan, we find excellence in these things. Makes sense?

 Various Taiwanese brands also joined the event in support of the Taiwan Excellence program and this songwriting and singing competition:

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In the end, they announced The Unexpected Duo's Vench Larenas and Renz Salazar as Second Runner Up, Haranajeeb Duo's Khen Aldovino and Nephtali Fajardo as the First Runner Up. The grand winner is Mandarhyme Duo's Rusty and Janine Loayon, they won Php 300,000 for it. The event was witnessed by TAITRA's Brian Lee, Alex Lai, and people from Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office. Also in the event was Ambassador Wallace Chow and Ms. Josephine Shun of TECO Philippines.