ACG Launches TaxWhizPH 2.0 and Mon Abrea's Iwas Buwis-It 2022

Paying taxes hasn't been something people love on face value. For starters, it's complicated, it takes a LOT of effort, expensive, and not to mention you don't really have that much motivation because of politics, or corruption and just base it off just by being a responsible citizen and hope your taxes won't go to waste in this country. 

The Asian Consulting Group (ACG) has recently launched an update for the TaxWhizPH App. In a nutshell, this is their version 2.0. This app can compute your taxes with up to date rates and policies. It also guides you to take photos of your receipts, so in case there's need to file for VAT transactions and come tax time, you'll be notified when to pay as it's got calendars for it. The app was developed by ACG and for those who don't know, President Nadine Lustre had a hand for the creative part of this app. She's quite involved since the start and now that it's released, she's quite happy with it.

Nadine was game answering several questions about the app, and how she manages working with the ACG team, and her businesses. She personally knows how hard it is for an ordinary joe to file taxes and glad that ACG and the TaxWhizPH app can help a lot of people.

Mon Abrea also launched his new book IWAS BUWIS-it 2022. This is a step by step guide on how to file taxes including those who are into YouTube, the influencers, and businesses. We asked Mon about how he feels about recent news of politicians not paying taxes, I like what he said about it as it MAKES TOTAL SENSE. Check out our coverage of the event on this video.

 
 

 Currently, the app is available on beta and can be downloaded through QR code on Android. Please make sure to follow the ACG social channels for updates about it or check the Google Play Store. It's also FREE which means you don't have to pay to use it. You can also talk through chat, email as they've got support for that too. The book is going to be available through ACG and leading book stores nationwide, you can pre order through them or National Bookstore. See? There are a lot of people who still care about the country, and now this would make it easier to do our part as citizens.

JUST MUSIC with Patrick Quiroz, Kenji, NKD and TJ Monterde

Had a lot of fun over at NANKA and their "Dirty Kitchen" bar at Roces Corner Mother Ignacia in Quezon City. We were there to witness normalcy, listen to music from talented artists from JUST MUSIC which is under Cornerstone. It's a bit special because the artists under this subsidiary are singer songwriters. As the evening progressed, we saw Patrick Quiroz, Kenji, NKD and TJ Monterde perform live for an audience prior to our interviews. 

The vibe I was getting was, they're pretty glad to have been able to perform again. As you may understand, entertainment was hit quite hard during the pandemic. As restrictions ease, they were able to let a few people in the venue (mostly solid fans) so they could perform a few covers and some of the things they wrote as they released new singles. A discovery for me was Patrick Quiros since I often only see him acting on TV. He did a stint in Singaling and won it, and during this time I saw him singing those hurtful songs romantic people usually bury themselves into. If you would like a glimpse of it, go check out my TikTok account @kumagcow as I've uploaded some of it there.

 

Kenji talked to us about how his song "LIHAM" came about. From my perspective, the lyrics of it were very personal and a bit too hurtful for comfort. It turns out much of his songs are actually from personal experience... which explains a lot why people feel this way when they hear him sing. Here's part of our conversation on video, enjoy!

TJ Monterde on the other hand was giddy, as it's been a while since he was able to perform in front of his fans. He felt this was something he needed to do as it's been a decade or so that they've been supporting him in all of his events, hits, and achievements. He also wants to make this evening extra special because his wife KZ Tandingan was in the audience, making those love songs pretty useful. Some of his performances that evening are also on my TikTok account so follow if you want to :) Meanwhile, here's our interview with TJ after the show.

TJ also talked about his latest single "WALONG BILYON", which stemmed from the millions of stars in the galaxy, you found the one to love and will love you back. It's how he described the love he's got for his wife, as he recognizes how lucky he is to be with her everyday.

This is just the start for JUST MUSIC and I'm sure Cornerstone Entertainment will get more artists on their stable. Patrick Quiroz, Kenji, NKD and TJ Monterde were all amazing!

SPARKLE Signed These Artists for Stardom!

This was sucha  feel good blog conference as we got to talk to Zonia Mejia, Radson Flores, Lexi Gonzales, Rabiya Mateo, Katrina Chavez, Kirst Viray, Anthony Rosaldo, Nikki Co and Jeric Gonzales a few days ago. This was after they signed up with SPARKLE on a ceremony they called Signed for Stardom, a fitting title for people who are planning to do even more this year.

Anthony Rosaldo expressed how happy he was that he got renewed for a few more years with the network. It's his dream to always be in front of the stage, to act, as it has been his passion even at an early age. Aside from his Weekend All Out Sundays show, he's doing several TV shows, singing engagements and a coffee business he's very proud of. We're excited to what he's planning to do in the next few months with Sparkle management.

Rabiya Mateo is wishing for a project together with Jeric Gonzales. She is now going to be doing hosting stints in new shows on the network that people should watch out for. She will still be doing acting jobs but may have to concentrate more on hosting since she wanted to do that since she got in Sparkle.

Jeric Gonzales felt the same, he wants to work with Rabiya and he's happy that he got to sign contracts with her, to perhaps grow together career wise. He felt blessed he got international awards for the films he did recently, excited to share a Philippine adaptation of a Korean drama which he will be doing next.

Zonia is doing workshops in between projects so she can hone her skills even more. She's thankful that Sparkle is guiding her of what she needs to better do her work in the network.

Lexi Gonzales praises the GMA bosses and the Starstruck management for training them, to eventually land these opportunities given to them via Sparkle.

Radson Flores is overwhelmed about the projects he landed, even if he was sort of an accidental actor. He was just approached by a talent scout in a mall. He's also included in the big Voltes V project which will be out soon. In two years, he feels he still has a lot to learn and he knows whatevery Sparkle has in plan for him, he's going to do his best in every project.

 

Nikki Co is no ordinary guy, He graduated Business and Finance, also invested in real estate while he was working in GMA. He is ready to take on bigger roles, hopefully land a lead role soon as he is being groomed as one. He's got the body and face for it, and he's ready!

Katrina Chavez feels this management deal with Sparkle is such a blessing. She's currently working in the IT industry but when projects arrive, she's planning to do them head on as one of the prettiest faces in the network today. She already has pageant experience and now wants to concentrate in her acting career. Although if the opportunity arise, she can go back to pageants because she enjoyed doing that the last time.

Kirst Viray is now a restaurateur but is also appearing in severa TV projects and doing guestings. He's a model, so whatever opportunities that GMA and Sparkle give him, he's always game for it. As for his hair, GMA prefers it to be long but if the role fits, he's okay to lose it. He's single now, and plans to use that time to work seriously.

Here's our interview with them a few days ago, enjoy!

Meet the New Generation of Stars at "Sugat Sa Dugo" Film

It was a little over 3pm when we got to the Bambbi Fuentes Hair and Make Up Salon in Timog Avenue, Quezon City. We got there to get to know a few people behind the film "Sugat sa Dugo" (with international title Wounded Blood) that won the Best Actress Award for Ms. Janice De Belen at the International Film Festival Manhattan 2021. 

These new breed of lads and lasses are under famed Make Up Artist Bambbi Fuentes and Businesswoman Tine Areola's very own Dragon Artists Management Group. They've scoured the nation and auditioned a lot of talents to choose who to take in, and from what I've seen, they all look promising.

The Dragon Ladies

Meet Christa Jocson, Emcel K Abuso, Shira Tweg, Mira Aquino and Mosh Gerodias also known as Filipino Pop group Gandaras

Albeit new to movies, these ladies have been doing shows, pageants, showcasing their talent in different Emcel K Abuso is more of a jack of all trades and often join beauty pageants in different provinces around the country. Mira Aquino on the other hand is a very spirited singer and composer. She got us a bit stunned when she suddenly sang the soundtrack for the movie. I've observed Shira Tweg to be a little shy, but perky. She also sings and dances, I guess the requirement for them is being a triple threat. Christa Jocson has done several shows on TV, but takes this experience of doing the movie a bit educating. After all, they are learning the ropes of the business by playing different roles. Mosh Gerodias was a ball of energy, saying her role in the movie is pretty close to home.. as she likes being the life of the party. Here's our interview with them a few days ago.

The Dragon Boys

Meet good lookin guys Leonne Adriano, Khai Flores and RJ Ariar.

There's no shortage of talent with the boys from Dragon Artists Management. Leonne Adriano might be young but he's done several indie films already following the footsteps of his Grandmother, the legendary Rosanna Roces. Khai Flores on the other hand comes fresh from his stint in Kadenang Ginto and a few movies in the pipeline. The guy has good looks, very confident, and quite smart. He also plays Janice De Belen's son in "Sugat Sa Dugo". RJ Ariar on the other hand has found a new home with Dragon Artists Management. He used to be in a boy group but felt he needed to spread his wings elsewhere. He ultimately wanted growth and with the several projects he's gotten under Ms. Bambbi and Ms. Tine, he's learning more especially with the movie they made. These guys are barely scratching the surface of what they are capable of and their management knows that. Here's our conversation with them about the movie.

Seeing fresh new faces, possibly the artists that would eventually become the big stars of the future made us feel a little assured that there's a huge source of talent in the country that will continue to grow. I hope you were able to get to know these guys and gals during the small conversations we had about the movie. "Sugat Sa Dugo" will be shown in the Philippines soon. The acclaimed short film has been made into a full length one and they're raring to show this to the general public. The goal is, to let you know about the cause they discussed in the film as it's about HIV, family, and love. Here's hoping they get to follow through with making it as touching as the first so Filipinos could learn more about why they made this film. For those who don't know, this is written by Bambbi Fuentes (based on a friends account), Produced by her and Ms. Tine Areola under Dragon Entertainment Productions.