This morning, I am still streaming as we speak this awesome concert called Double Happiness Winter Wonderland Festival courtesy of Globe Prepaid. Different artists from different genres around the world converged in one event, which you can also view via the Globe One App. This is part of 88 Rising in Globe Prepaid's biggest Christmas Music Fest via Virtual Hangouts. I love the performances from Japan, Korea, Indonesia and the Philippines so far so if you would like to enjoy the same, go head on the link indicated on the poster above or here https://easternstandardti.me .
The Philippines will be represented by Fern, Kiana V, Leila Alcasid, Ylona Garcia and a whole lot more. Go hurry before it ends, or maybe , you can watch it after 24 hours via Video on Demand, you can do that on the Globe One App. It made my morning happy. :) What a nice surprise for Christmas :D
Looks like their lineup is getting bigger by the day and yes, today's never different as they now introduce their newest RISE Artists GIGI DE LANA.
Yes, she's the same person you saw in Tawag ng Tanghalan and soon, on the new movie FOUR SISTERS BEFORE THE WEDDING which is the prequel to hit movie Four Sisters and a Wedding. I loved how she did the songs during the finals, but now she's doing a whole lot more than singing because she's going to be managed by RISE ARTISTS STUDIO.
Gigi says "I am so thankful to everyone who made this possible. I was discovered through Miss Charo Santos after she saw some covers on YouTube. We decided to change my name, yes, from both sides. I think my journey was really tough, but I think it was all worth it. I did undergo workshops from RISE and I think that improved my confidence. I think they want me to do both and we'll do our best to do singing and acting so we can grow."
About Four Sisters, she says "It was very amazing. It was so nice to be with them because they guided me as a first timer. They were so warm in RISE Artists Studio, I learned a lot from that. I did audition for the role and honestly, it was very new for me. I was nervous, but I think it was all worth it. We did stuff that got me teary eyed, Inang, Sir EJ and Direk Olive was there. I am just so grateful I got to learn from that experience because it was a big process for me."
About her singing, she added "I listened to Celine, Regine, I was really a belter when I was a kid. I first sang the national anthem even if I didn't know the words, it was a funny time but my Mom saw my potential and took care of me since then. I dind't get to drink cold water, we had a notion that it affects my voice but later on, I needed to relax. I really wanted to share the stage with Ms. Regine, Mariah, Sarah G., Kyla, and everyone at Tawag ng Tanghalan especially the first season because they are family to me. We really bonded and dind't think of the competition back then, I hope I could do more."
She wants to be an artist that can do a lot of things, to work with veteran actors. She loves them, hopefully they will have a chance to do so. Right now, she says she's not expecting, but she predicts she will be pushed by RISE and hopes she could acheive a lot after signing up with them.
She currently needs funds to help her Mom who is suffering with breast cancer (latter stage). She is currently doing fundraising on Facebook and on KUMU so make sure you also help her, she needs our help. "I did break down, but this is my job. I have to do it for my Mom, not just my dreams. I have to set aside my feelings because there will be a lot of people affected if I did the same. I am hopeful, I have trust that everything will work out fine."
Her KUMU broadcast will start at 1AM (later) so if you are in the mood for giving, please do. She needs our help too!
It's been a while since we've gotten to talk to Yeng Constantino. I was a little too excited to get to see and hear about what she's been doing these past few months + during the pandemic so when the opportunity to interview her for a show came up, I said yes. The kind people from Cornerstone Entertainment introduced us to the hosts of their online show called GRATEFFUL TUESDAYS hosted by Madame Pinky Tobiano and Yeng Constantino. This was the first time for me to hear about Miss Pinky but hearing about her work as a Chemist and host of this show, I wondered what she was doing with charity work which the show seemed to be inclined with.
Looking at her social media channels, it looks like she's been doing this for quite a while and honestly, when I saw how Yeng was talking about Ms. Pinky, I could see how her face lights up and how inspired she became after seeing the kind woman do her work. I felt their honesty, eagerness to actually help without asking anything in return which I think is a good trait of a public servant. Yet they remained very private citizens all these years, albeit helping thousands of families before and during the pandemic. Their show is currently being aired on CSTV (Cornerstone TV) which is on their Facebook page and YouTube channel. In it they continue to share not just their blessings, but stories of ordinary people that would really inspire others who fall into the same predicament. It was at this time when I felt that whoa, it's so nice to see someone from the private sector do so many good things, seeing this, I felt Ms. Pinky was really inspiring a lot of people (now that includes me).
During their last episode which was aired November 24th, they included their relief efforts from communities in Cagayan, Marikina, Rizal which involved over 7,000 families all in all. She organized this and seeked the help of a lot of celebrities, very influential friends, artists, in a Care and Share program they developed for the show. This is for the benefit of the victims of Typhoon Ulysses which wreaked havoc in different places in Luzon. With Mayor Chavit Singson arranging three planes for the relief goods to be sent to the Cagayan valley, they were able to help people from Tugegarao and nearby cities and municipalities. Ms. Pinky was flanked by Ruffa Gutierrez and KC Concepcion during that time and they did a lot in a span of a few days. In the east of Manila, they got Yeng with a team to help with relief efforts they did in Marikina and Rizal where she was from. I promptly asked what was fueling their passion and why they were not getting exhausted doing this, they shared their answers during a short Q and A via a virtual blogcon, I liked what I heard.
Seeing this, I was a little too shy I didn't get to help much during those times, I only referred people and spread information about charities that could help digitally after the typhoon. But felt good when I realized what Yeng referred to as your way to help. You can only do so much, but it starts with that. You just have to do what you can do in times of crisis. They also mentioned how they didn't wait for government efforts anymore and started helping with their own capacity, it's amazing what you can do with that. I understood that it's not how big or small you're giving, every little thing can go a long way... and can mean so much for other people. They also are making the necessary steps to not just give plain relief for them, they are teaching them entrepreneurial things so they can make a living. Aside from that, they also announced that they will be giving away 10 full college scholarships to deserving students. They also are choosing several individuals to get a Jeepney turned Sari Sari Store which they call Sari-Jeepneys which you'll all see in the coming months.
The new season of GRATEFUL TUESDAYS will be seen from 7-8pm on the Cornerstone YouTube Account, the CSTV FB and Chemist Pinky Tobiano's FB Page. They will also be available on the CSTV KUMU account so make sure you also download that platform. Yeng now is enjoying her time with a bunch of her friends who now are starting to pool resources so they can help their own communities. How I wish I could do the same now in my own hood when the time comes, or perhaps lead one and help other communities who need it. I think this show sparks that, yes, it sparks hope.
I needed a food processor. This looks like a good day to buy one at Amazon.
Yes it's possible and what better way to celebrate Black Friday and Cyber Monday in Amazon by buying your favorite gadgets and games with PayMaya.
What's good is that Amazon is offering free delivery for orders 80 dollars and above (for some) so if you have high ticket items which you need to purchase, this would be a nice season to get hem. These deals will only last until 3:59 PM of December 1, 2020. There are tons of things in Amazon that are not available in local stores, and Amazon actually does a good job of making sure the products that you see are actually possible to ship in the Phillippines. They also have items that are marked down because of the sale and it's where a lot of US citizens go for deals during this time and there are a lot of second hand items there too which you can purchase instead of a more expensive new one.
Aside from the deals that sellers are having, you can get 15% discount or up to USD$25 of what you're buying from on the site. Just make sure your shipping address is from the Philippines then use the discount code PYMY15 before checkout. You can only use this on a minimum purchase of US$50 prior to taxes, shipping and other fees. I'm so glad we're going to be able to access this from the country now to give us MORE choices. It's a perk, but make sure you compute everything including taxes and shipping fees. You also have to make sure it ain't over 10K pesos so as not to pay exorbitant custom fees in the country. Going to the post office is also a huge burden, don't even do that.
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