The Smart - Deezer Launch With Rico Blanco, Ely Buendia and More!

Sunday, July 13, 2014



Listen. It's the only thing that you have to do to enjoy one of the biggest and strongest tie up ever brought to Philippine shores. Smart Communications, the country's biggest network and Deezer, one of the world's biggest web streaming services just recently launched their partnership at the posh club Raven in BGC.


The event was hosted by rockstar royal daughter cum VJ/DJ Sanya Smith. Deezer had so many things to offer Smart subscribers and that only spells 30.6 Million tracks as of this minute, the ability to create and customize playlists of your own, share that to millions of people and have it in almost all your gadgets. 


To start off, we were treated with music from indie band "The Ransom Collective". They played a few originals and covers. Pretty sick. What puzzles me is that they're still in high school... would you believe that? Their album is also available in Deezer so check them out there.


Deezer's Business Development Manager for Asia Steven Frank says there's no opportune time to actually do this but now - because people are hungry for more music. Deezer's 30 Million songs would be the perfect thing to have for the millions of Smart subscribers in the Philippines.


Ms. Kathryn Carag, Smart's Postpaid Marketing Head also announced the packages meant for subscribers. Smart will also be giving Unlisurf Premium Plan early birds a P175 bill rebate for six months. Aside from that, existing Postpaid subscribers can take advantage of Deezer Music Packs that includes Deezer Premium. Subscribe to Deezer Daily for PHP 25 which you can do 1 day Deezer access plus 25 SMS and 10MB of mobile data for Deezer streaming. Or you can opt for Deezer Weekly for PHP 125 for 7-day Deezer access plus 125 SMS and 50MB of mobile data which you can use for Deezer streaming. Or better yet try Deezer Monthly for PHP250 so you can get 30 day Deezer access plus 250 SMS and 100MB of mobile data for streaming. These and more offers for Smart Prepaid subscribers will be also available soon. 


Cheers! Here's to a strong partnership with Deezer and Smart Communications. On this shot, Deezer's Business Development Manager for Asia Mr. Steven Frank, Mr. Charles A. Lim Smart's EVP and Wireless Consumer Division Head, Ms. Mellissa Limcaoco from Smart's Innovation and Product Development Group, Ms. Kathryn Carag Smart's Postpaid Marketing Head, the gorgeous Ms. Gina Daryanani Deezer's PR Manager for Asia and Ms. Dona Inthaxoum Deezer's Label Relations Head for Asia & Oceania.

Giordano World Without Strangers Music Festival

Saturday, July 12, 2014


Ira Cruz was also seen at Giordano's World Without Strangers event at Glorietta. Photo by Mikz Marcelo.

It's the 25th year anniversary of Giordano Philippines and what better way to celebrate that but by staging a huge festival right smack in the middle of Glorietta mall. They also deem this the best occasion to introduce their newest endorser Mr. Rico Blanco!

Rico Blanco sang World Without Strangers, the perfect homage to Giordano's brand (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)

It was something for the history books as they turned the 4th of July to be our own celebration of Philippine music. It's something that they see to be part of who we are and that's why they never hesitated to get the best of the best bands in the country. They also got the ultra conservative guys to host the show... of course it's the BOYSNIGHTOUT crew!  Other than that, they have made history by inviting these 15 local bands namely Callalily, Sponge Cola, Urbandub, rockstars Franco, Up Dharma Down, Gracenote, Techy Romantics, Taken By Cars, Kala, Autotelic, Join The Club, Cygnet, Maude, Hidden Nikki, Yolanda Moon plus Rico Blanco who performed the World Without Strangers song during the festivities. They also have given recognition to 12 people from different walks of life who gave value to the "World Without Strangers" declaration that Giordano stands firm with all these years.

World Without Strangers is also composed by Rico Blanco. It was something that he had fun making because the concept was easy since it relates to Giordano's vision of a borderless world. It's something that a person like Rico Blanco would believe in. They also have announced the winners of the Giordano Statement Tee Design contest. The winners shirts will be released somewhere in the last week of July. The track will also be available on iTunes so everyone can download it there.

One of my favorite bands URBANDUB was there. Gabby was awesome! (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)
Yael Yuzon brought down the house with his brand of music. (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)
Armi Millare, of world class Up Dharma Down was just heavenly! (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)
Pretty rock chic Eunice of Gracenote. The photographer had a crush on her haha! (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)
He gets points for bringing the crowd up on their feet, here's Kean Cipriano of Callalily. This dude is tops, he even recognized me during the Deezer launch. (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)
Aaron Ricafrente does what he's absolutely good at. (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)
Forgot the name of this band, sorry but of course they were really good too! (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)
Sick! Rock personified with Franco Reyes on vocals. This is FRANCO. (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)
Tattoos + darn good vocalist = Freakin rockstar from Cebu. (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)
Yael Yuzon going borderless and staying free during the World Without Strangers Festivities. See how crazy he is? He almost crowdsurfed! (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)
The mission is clear and they have absolutely given the Philippines something that the world is in need of. A World Without Strangers. This event just put a stamp on that!

Fun moment when Kean Cipriano wiped Eunice's face while performing. Epic! (Photography by Mikz Marcelo)

I'd like to thank Giordano for inviting us and to Concert Photographer par excellance Mikz Marcelo for covering for me. Muchas gracias mi hombre! You are awesome!


COW

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Louise Delos Reyes: On Coming Home

Friday, July 11, 2014



When I met Louise Delos Reyes in Prive a few years back, I didn't know she'd actually be this big. She's done countless shows already - and the support that her GMA management has done all these years just proves her worth. They continue to trust her because she's steadfastly showed how much she loves her craft. I've also had the chance to interview her co actors in the past and one common thing that I've heard from them is their praises on how Louise knows what she's doing. I couldn't say that to most artists... she's a gem in this station.


A few days ago, we got to tag along with her in her home town of Tanza, Cavite. This was specifically in Saint Augustine School, a private institution where she spent her primary and secondary education. She introduced us to some of her former Professors and toured us around where she practically grew up. Being an Agustinian was definitely a huge part of who she is today. The place isn't as posh as institutions in Manila but it was the best one in their town. I think she regularly goes here even if she already graduated because almost everyone still knows her in and out of the school. She had to stop several times to say hi to them, she says it really keeps her humble, puts her feet on the ground. 

 
As usual, we were a bit off a beaten path. We learned a casual walk around the campus didn't really mean a quiet one because the kids got crazy. Seeing a GMA artist was something really exciting for them. I felt they all ate chocolate and candies because they were like Energizer bunnies jumping around and screaming her name that afternoon. 


She didn't disappoint them of course. She went out and took time to be with the students. They took photos and selfies non stop. Then we went to places in her school where she and her friends usually hang out. 


She sat down on a table right beside the river. The view there was so cool. She told us of her fond memories spent with friends in that same area. She always had packed lunch and only had Fried Chicken every day. She didn't want anything other than Fried Chicken. We also ate fried chicken for lunch that day LOL. See how much she loves it? :)


For those who don't know, Louise actually also got involved in the student government and the school's publication. Her grades were pretty well off and she also excelled in extra curricular activities. She also shared her passion with the school's intramurals. She said she wouldn't trade it for anything even the UAAP. Other than that, she also joined fashion shows and pageants during those years. She also eventually became Ms. Intrams on her last year. She's also Ms. Junior and Ms. Senior... meaning she's a real deal prom queen!


She became a total kid again when we started to talk about her crushes in high school. She even spun around talking about that guy a year older than her. She still remembers his room, when she sees him during basketball practice and she blushed still talking about him. Isn't it amazing to know that she's just as human as you and me, even with the popularity. That's so cute.



We went inside one of the rooms and asked her about what she misses most about "Kambal Sirena (Twin Mermaids)". She said that just like what she did in Tween Hearts, they forged friendships with everyone in the show so ending that was somehow bitter sweet. She's glad it ended because it was really physically and mentally exhausting. It was really hard to work on the show - but she misses everyone especially the cast and the crew. She says she wants to take a short break after all that and recuperate. She's been really busy and thanks GMA for keeping it that way. She thanks them a lot for trusting her with lead roles that she enjoys and makes it a point not to short change them when the role calls for it. The show has definitely garnered high ratings consistently; even beating the competition on its finale day. I'm sure GMA has a lot planned for her after this good showing, this is one of the reasons they trust her.

 
We went to Louise's 4th year high school adviser on the same room she went to back then. Aside from more black boards, lockers and air conditioning... it was still the same thing as she remembers it. She said hi to them all quite differently which I found quite touching.


She sat down and began looking at their names in the seat plan. She actually remembers some of them while some, had some really familiar surnames. She apparently remembers some of them when they were kids... whilst some were siblings of previous schoolmates... she confirmed by talking to them while we were there. Aside from that, she gave them a small talk. She delved more on how they should choose their courses in college. For what it's worth, they should talk to their parents more and explain why they chose the course they picked. It should never be the choice of the parents because at the end of it all, it's their life and they would have to live with it.


She also adds that what ever course they choose, they should make sure to always follow their passion. Louise always wanted to be an actress, this is why no matter how less sleep she gets she still hungers for work and she's pretty awesome at it because she loves her job. This is the thing she wanted to share with them and these guys and gals were pretty appreciative. 


The simple girl from the province only wished the best for the next generation of students coming from Saint Augustine School. She knows how much she has learned from her mentors and she is a living testimony of success. She did work hard for what she has right now and we've seen why she's been blessed all these years. Oh by the way, she's going to be in next Saturday's episode of "Magpakailan Man". She's playing a pregnant woman but it's going to be a crazy story.



Thank you so much to the GMA Social Media team for letting us tag along with Louise as she goes back to her hometown of Tanza. Thank you also to Louise's Mom who was so nice to us that day. I'd like to congratulate Louise on what she's achieved so far, I'm sure another big project is in the works but in the mean time... please take a break and enjoy time with family and friends. You deserve it! :)


COW

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