Charee Pineda's Surprise Birthday Party

We traveled all the way to Valenzuela City Hall up north to find Charee Pineda. She's a recent addition to GMA's stable last year as she came from the other channel. What we didn't know was how busy she is these past few years, not just with shooting shows but also serving the people of the 2nd District of Valenzuela. She's a Councilor, and she's well loved by her peers, the Mayor and her constituents. So when they planned to do a surprise party, they did it in style! They had a workshop and leadership training seminar that morning for the scholars under her office. It was also facilitated by World Youth Alliance which is an NGO that she also helps. She thought that she was going to be interviewed about it only with one camera crew but was shocked when she came inside the venue. Surprised as she was, she cried because she didn't know it was going to be her birthday celebration that was going to happen that afternoon. GMA Artist Center, prepared everything including some goodies that they gave away to the youth of Valenzuela City.

Charee here with the representative from World Youth Alliance, wishing her happy birthday.

Mayor Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela City and Charee's co councilors were also there to celebrate with her.

She was so happy because she didn't expect anything on this day but a simple dinner with family. Celebrating it with the people who care for her meant a lot to Charee and she says "I'm a crybaby even if I'm watching TV I cry a lot. I didn't expect this and I was really touched by this gesture. My staff didn't give me any clues. My scholars, the Mayor, it just feels so good to belong with the best people just to surprise me. I was supposed to go to Manaoag but I begged off because of the traffic and only planned to be with family later. I miss showbiz and miss shooting. Hopefully soon I would be able to work in a soap, time management, I hope GMA Artist Center takes care of that even if I'm still in school and with Valenzuela. My love life is so good and it's nice because he's not from showbiz. He's from Valenzuela and he also grew up here so he understands what I do. I want to be a councilor again, it's my first term but I want to learn a lot so that once I get to be in a higher position I would be well equipped. It's the same reason why I'm taking up Political Science. I wish that I could take time and get to appreciate everything that I have right now".

A Song Of Praise Music Festival Year 3

A Song Or Praise Music Festival marks it's third year now in the Philippines. Standing strong with 12 finalists that made 12 inspiring songs to give thanks and glory to God, they are eager to showcase their songwriting prowess on UNTV 37 and streamed live internationally at UNTVWEB.COM and heard on UNTV Radio La Verdad 1350KHz on the dial. It's a great opportunity for undiscovered but talented composers  who aspire to be victorious in the music industry. ASOP has already produced three albums in the past and has proven well in sales as they have featured equally great artists from the local music scene.

This has been running for quite some time now and they've given away thousands of cash prizes weekly, monthly and now the finals. They also conducted a few workshops and songwriting tips for well regarded people in the industry so they really make them better at this craft.

Bobby Delos Santos

The Grand Finals will happen this September 23, 2014 7PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum and no more than music greats will be on stage. Bobby Delos Santos of ASOP says "We're excited to see you in the finals as we aim to make more music for praise since we don't usually hear them anymore on the airwaves. Hopefully with this contest, we would get more material and have it heard with a larger audience too."

The finalists include "Hangga't May Tinig Ako"(As Long As I Can Sing) which is composed by Jinnie Adilan and interpreted by Daryl Ong, "Awit ng Puso Ko" (Song of my Heart) composed by Empol Balbin and interpreted by Bo Cerrudo, "Pagpupuring Walang Hanggan" (Unending Praise) composed by Cesar Montano interpreted by Mcoy Fundales, "Sa Bawat Araw" (In Every Day) composed by Marlon Nabia interpreted by Shanne Velasco, "Ikaw ang Tangi Kong Minamahal" (You Are My Only Love) composed by Ralph Lauren Refil and interpreted by Gail Blanco, "Biyaya" (Blessings) composed by Meldin Nabia and interpreted by Bayang Barrios, "Tanging Gabay" (Only Guide) composed by Amiel Mendoza and interpreted by Rachel Alejandro, "Kislap" (Shine) composed by Oliver Narag interpreted by Jessa Mae Gabon, "God Will Win Our Fight" composed by Ricardo Sanchez interpreted by Jek Manuel and Jason Fernandez, "May Awa ang Dios" (God is Merciful) composed by Louise Lyle Robles and interpreted by Beverly Caimen, "You Are Lord Of All" composed by LILET and interpreted by Ava Olivia Santos, and "Panginoon Kay Buti Mo" (God You Are So Good) composed by Jesse Bayodoc and interpreted by Walton Zerrudo. If thes lineup of composers and singers don't impress you on stage, we don't know what will.

80's Iconic Singer Superstar Lilet

My favorite so far? Of course it's childhood crush LILET. I told Lilet that I used to go to her class room when I was 10... we went to the same school in Elementary, I always wanted to see her. I asked if how she feels joining this contest and she said "I'm both nervous and excited but more than the competition, the most important thing is the reason why we are doing this. We are doing this for the Lord!". The contest actually accepted entries from different religious groups and not just ones from UNTV's lineage. They welcome everyone says Mon Del Rosario, one of ASOP's judges. Mon Del Rosario also added that the other judges will remain a secret but their style will all be specific on the way the song is interpreted and written. They are going to be very detailed on how you'll see it. It's okay to be non conforming so people would be able to appreciate it, much like commercial songs. He's got favorites now and he can't wait to see them do it in Araneta this Tuesday.

We also asked Ricardo Sanchez about his song because he's the only one who had two interpreters and he said that he made this specifically for two people and with the Euro type of vibe it's the perfect way to hear it. The event is free but I think tickets have already been given to audiences. Aside from that, the album is also free, please do visit their social network channels so you can get a copy of it. You can also download it off their website, all free as well. If you want to hear and feel praise music like in our country, please don't forget to watch the show in UNTV live. We're looking good in this part of the world, we do sound definitely good as well.

For more information about the event:

ASOP

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http://www.asoptv.com/

Exclusive BTS Photos for G.I. JANE: Jane Oineza x BUM

I know you guys are very excited to see what Jane Oineza has been doing these past few weeks right after she got a Runner Up spot in popular reality show Pinoy Big Brother. I must say, she did lost a lot of weight from the last time I saw her. She did probably work out prior to this shoot which is kind of momentous since she's actually releasing her own line called G.I. JANE together with BUM the country's premier street wear brand. 

Photographer Ash Reginald Evasco with Jane Oineza and the BUM crew during the shoot.

The concept  was easy but it basically had to be in tune with Jane Oineza's personality. She has proved a ton of things during her stint in that show and now it'll be all embedded on the clothing, bags and accessories she'll be releasing together with BUM in stores nationwide. We've seen a couple announcements on this tie up and I find that it did personify who she is that afternoon. It's like a series of statement shirts, and as you can see she did have a hand on the merchandise. It's something positive and it'll be something to reward her after all that stress and learning experience she had during the show. You'll know what I mean when you see it, so enough of the words... let's see her shoot! :)

The IPANEMA Selfeet Campaign

It was fun and colorful at the new IPANEMA concept store in SM North Edsa-Annex last week when they launched their new Selfeet campaign. Selfeet mainly means selfie with your feet and that starts right in the heart of Manila today. Just go to Robinsons Ermita today and you'll see James Reid and Nadine Lustre having fun with you through games, shows and a couple of #Selfeet on social media because they promise to get you to win Punta Fuego Batangas trips if you participate. Isn't that neat?

Aside from that. they'll do the same activity in Ayala Center in Cebu come October 12 and Abreeza Mall Davao on November 16. It'll be so much fun with the Ipanema endorsers and lovely people to help you choose the perfect pair if you're there.

Their brand of flipflops are really good, a tad more affordable too.

 I must say this aggressive marketing campaign by the brand just spells the flip flop industry in the Philippines must be really getting tough. It's a good thing. They also said that IPANEMA is surely going to open more stores before the year ends and even more next year. They don't really have a problem with building them but they just need more space. SM just doesn't have them anymore would you believe? :) But surely they will be seen in more locations nationwide so don't fret if you haven't experienced Ipanema yet, because they will be there.

For more information about their stores:

Ipanema Philippines

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