Asia's Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista Renews Contract with GMA

The crooner who has swooned tons of ladies across Asia has renewed ties with GMA Artist Center. In simple ceremonies last week, Christian Bautista was so happy about his decision to stay with the network. He has been in the industry for over 2 decades and he's very happy knowing that he's gotten renewed because he's treated this as a great partnership. He's been with GMA for over 8 years and plans to do various shows including the highly successful "The Clash" Season 4 and "All Out Sundays". Aside from that, he's looking forward to a future of doing GMA Pinoy TV and regional tours (sans pandemic) which will possibly get him in touch of audiences abroad as a major throng of his supporters are from other countries too. 

Christian understands that it's a bit difficult to make plans because of the COVID-19 restrictions so he's probably going to wing every opportunity that comes with this renewal. He also did a project called STILL with Julie Anne San Jose and other artists which is produced for the VIU app. It's more of a series that's got a lot of music involved in it. This will be out soon so his fans still have a lot of things to look forward to, hopefully this year. 

These days, Christian is also doing YouTube and he says "It's a bit difficult now, but everybody is doing it. Your fans will enjoy how you share your life, so we (he and his wife) decided to do it. As for digital concerts, that's a lot to think about. Producing, getting sponsors, the timing, it's a bit difficult. Renewing in GMA is surreal, at this time, at this age, it was a nice feeling that people believe in you. I wish for a project that would be celebrated around the world. Whether it may be in front or the back of the camera, I'd like to see that happen. Right now, this show with Julie, it's outside the Philippines and I'd take it. Being with people who love working together, with a purpose, it's something that I want to do. These days, you think about how you would get to earn as an artist during this time. I'm grateful to God that I'm not getting neglected. I want to focus on The Clash as a mentor and judge, hopefully I'd be able to help them. I want to also write songs, be a creator, not just sing."

Recently, the MET was inaugurated and opened by the city of Manila. One of the performers who were invited during that historical opening was Christian Bautista. I asked about it casually and he says "The experience performing again on stage was surreal, I was both excited and elated about doing that again after several months of getting locked in at home. Even if it was 2 seats apart during that day, the live audience really was a different experience. I liked what it was, and I loved to see what it can be again after all these restrictions are gone. In the future, there would probably be online shows, live shows, to blend them might be right. The Clash was getting a nomination in New York just meant that I was doing something right. It's for the directors, the people behind the show, not just us artists and contestants. No one in particular but everyone who joins The Clash, you can feel that they really do want it. It's just sad that opportunities are not given to them all, but hopefully they would try, and not get discouraged."

Here's the rest of the interview on video:

The Clash is going to be bigger and better, so will all the celebrations on AOS. You'll see Christian there and all the talented artists of GMA. 

Some Pretty Good Face Republic Products on Shopee

We're still wearing masks and face shields today and just this weekend, I had to go to Araneta Coliseum to get the second and final dose if my COVID-19 vaccine after being a hermit for a couple of months. We barely open our home for anything except for deliveries and we make it a point to observe strict procedures like disinfecting hands and extremities before and after opening the door, wearing N94 and face masks and maintaining distance from people who come from outside. We've well isolated ourselves for about a year now and I think we're still doing good.

Although I'm confined at home, that doesn't mean we're going to just be lazy and not take care of our skin. I believe in the saying "Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize" and it's what I practically do to look like I'm a few years younger (maybe 20 years lol) and it doesn't have to be complicated. You see, brands like Face Republic are local. They're made in Korea, but the formulation of their different products are made for the Filipino skin. It's like a merge of what's good in both worlds. I've had to try some of them this evening. Admittedly, I do sometimes get "Maskne" which is a new urban term of acne forming on the area which you cover with a face mask. I've seen a lot of people suffer from that and aside from the usual soap and water people use to clean their face (although not all soaps are okay), this could well help them clean up a bit more. 

After a shower, apply the Face Republic AHA/BHA Toner on your face and neck area with a cotton ball/flat cotton pads which you can buy in groceries/leading drugstore (except eye area). You'll get the dirt and oil out in no time. It's got water, soluble and organic ingredients which improves skin tone and texture, brighten those acne marks so you'll have even looking skin too. They also have the Face Republic Calming Blemish Madeca Serum which is anti-inflammatory in nature, so wounds heal faster, and is also anti-aging. If you've got really active acne, it would tone that down a bit and dry up open wounds that lie mostly on the surface. Since I didn't have acne this evening, I could feel it kinda tightens up a bit, or maybe that's just because the room was cold when I applied it. They have a special medicine dropper like contraption for that, and it doesn't have much of a fragrance (which I prefer especially if I'm applying it before I sleep).

The Face Republic Cica Gel Moisturizer on the other hand was lightly scented with minty/eucalyptus like fragrance (I couldn't almost smell it after application). You have to apply this after the toner so you won't dry up your skin. It's also got Tea Tree leaf extract which is anti inflammatory, something that you would need if you've got acne. Most of these are also water based, easily absorbed when you apply it and you don't feel sticky afterwards which is a plus on my books. These products are also tested by the Korea Dermatology Research Institute, all hypoallergenic, and the packaging is also environmentally friendly.

You can get the Face Republic AHA/BHA Toner here https://shp.ee/x9phb5b

Get the Face Republic Calming Blemish Madeca Serum right here https://shp.ee/z2p7udt

You must get the Face Republic CICA Gel Moisturizer if you get the toner because that combination rocks! https://shp.ee/vjeijst

Go download the Shopee app on the App Store or Google Play Store if you still don't have it. I'll try it the whole week and edit this if I need to, but so far, I feel it's so good on my skin!

HOPE in times of Crisis

Ever wondered why the Maginhawa Community Pantry has been so successful? It's because they do something that makes sense, don't cheat the farmers, and a lot of good, kind hearted people that choose to help each other in times of need. Although there are thousands of them lining up to fill up their pantries, the help didn't really run out and even the local government noticed, a really good thing.

That little brouhaha over red tagging (by some people that this pantry wanted to also help) was definitely an issue, but hopefully it's been cleared. I wish the support QC is giving the organizer (over security) is enough so that they could still help more people who need it. The good deed has also spread like wildfire in other parts of the country, and I'm so happy that happened. We need to still have HOPE that in some way, we all would get through this no matter how impossible it may look like today.

I've seen some private entities are also lending a hand. Like Pizza Hut who sent 10 whole sacks of rice to the Maginhawa Community Pantry, that's going to benefit a lot of people especially since Filipinos consider this as staple. I hope other organizations, corporations do the same. Aside from that, I hope those who line up only get what they need so that others would benefit from it too. (Although I don't know if this is from the corp or their employees, it still is important to help when you can.)

We can't lose hope even if we feel so burdened these days. There are good Samaritans out there that would still love to do it. We need to look for the opportunity to help in times of crisis, look for organizations that do and share what you can. 

We can.

Miss World Philippines Forges Partnership with Artopian Internationale

 

 

Miss World Philippines is happening soon and the amount of excitement was seen in the recent press conference they held in Quezon City. The organization just inked their partnership with ARTOPIAN which is an MLM/Direct Selling company for beauty and wellness products. It includes Stem Cell Serums, Glutathione Capsules, nutrition boosting juices, coffee and food supplements. 

Welcoming them to the occasion was Mr. Arnold Vegafria, the current National director of Miss World Philippines Organization. He says “I am happy that this is happening even though we have a pandemic, the ladies are all beautiful, smart and intelligent. May this partnership open more opportunities for us and the organization. This is the perfect platform to grow, we believe we have the same vision and goal of always, have beauty with a purpose.”

 

I'm rooting for Ganiel Krishnan <3

 

Artopia will also be looking for two ambassadors which will get awards and cash prizes aside from being the face of the company. Also present during the occasion were 10 candidates from Miss World Philippines who showed why the Philippines is such a force to reckon with in the pageant world. 

Here's some of the highlights on video:

Miss World Philippines Grand Coronation Night is scheduled to happen on July 11, 2021. 45 smart, intelligent and beautiful women will vie for the Miss World crown and about 7 other international titles so we can send these lovely Filipinas to these pageants.