Filipino Kids: Come Sing and Dance with "The Dadadoos"

There certainly is a huge lack of children's shows in the Philippines. In the past, there's always something that you could watch on TV that teaches not just English, Math or Science, but Filipino custom + good manners which has honed a generation. This has taught them how to count, speak, learn a language and these days, there certainly a few online, but not a full show that does that in 2023.

The folks at FEAST Foundation knew it was time to come out with "The Dadadoos". It's a music and dance group aimed to entertain and teach more about culture, and Filipino values. Kids and Adults alike would be able to see episodes at the FEAST Foundation YouTube channel featuring 9 songs in their first season. Much of these will be based on Filipino nursery rhymes so if you do hear and see something familiar, it'll really be something you can bond on with your kids and whole family. 

 

This is one of the pet productions of FEAST Foundation and the late Shandii Bacolod+ which was conceptualized in 2020. Leading them in this project is Writer and Director Joseph Abello and auditions have been held twice in the same year. During the sessions, they asked the cast to learn a new dance, to see how fast they would be able to pick up the choreography. Aside from that, they needed to see if the cast had chemistry. It was then when they chose Yam Mercado, Iyo Canlas, Maxinne Ignacio, Fiona Sarte, John Arcenas and Vic Robinson to form the group. A special character called "Dada Diwata" will be performed by Rissey Reyes (who's a real deal Disney Princess in HK Disneyland).

There have been several delays in the creation of this show, including Ms. Bacolod's+ passing and actor schedules, but they pulled through. The show will be having their own theme song, something that you and your kids could pick up and enjoy. Aside from that, they will showcase a throng of favorite Filipino children songs like "Pakitong Kitong", "Penpen de Sarapen", among others. It'll surely be a grand time to see kids sing along and play tons of games which they will also do on the show.  This is officially their second project after doing the film "Call Me Papi" which stars Albie Casino, Enzo Pineda, Lharby Policarpio, Royce Cabrera and Aaron Concepcion. 

Here's Episode 1, they also released Episode 2 so make sure you go and subscribe and see them sing and dance on their YouTube Channel!

We also got word that they are working on their third one called "TALAHIB" that will be made by Director Alvin Yapan. This will be done by Joem Bascon, Gillian Vicencio, Kristof Garcia, Jess Mendoza, Dax Alejandro, Kate Alejandrino, Timothy Castillo, Yam Mercado and Iyo Canlas (the last two of whom are also part of The Dadadoos). They are also in the process of doing a modern day take of Florante at Laura. There's certainly more to look forward to in this production company, go follow FEAST Foundation's social channels, meanwhile make sure you subscribe first to the FEAST Foundation YouTube channel so you could watch "The Dadadoos" when more episodes come out!

The GCash Story Told at MWC in Barcelona

GCash took the spotlight at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Spain as they talked about "New Behavior for a New Reality". Telling the story of the e-wallet giant was Ms. Martha Sazon the President and CEO of GCash. Together with her was Tjodolf Sommestad the President of King (of Candy Crush came) and Lauren Kunze the CEO of Iconiq (Pandorabots and AI), whilst the session was moderated by Ralph Simon the Founder and CEO of Mobilium.

Rowie Zamora the CSO of GCash says "This is groundbreaking for the company. Martha will tell the GCash story, what happened during and after the pandemic. This is a story about our people, and bringing the whole Fintech and PH in the global stage. It's a story of hope for our kababayans through our work at GCash and our goal of financial freedom for all."

Ms. Martha says "The Philippines was challenged when the pandemic closed down businesses, left people jobless, and financial exclusion happened in the country. Investments, insurance, are not accessible. Our vision is finance for all, it leads to economic progress and freedom. We built the largest digital ecosystem with local and international business partners. Now it's used for payments, lending, insurance, and powers a dream. We became a part of people's lives, and even made it describe a transaction "I-GCash mo na Yan!". For GCash in 2022, we had 40 million transactions happen. We help entrepreneur survive and flourish. Even students started to raise funds for aid, even OFW's have access to buy their families surprise packages, groceries just like if they were there. People can now grow their money for less than a dollar, invest in local and international companies through the app. Aside from that, they can also save, be insured as we have partnered with 10 of the biggest insurance companies in the world. We let them access fair lending, not to loan sharks, but do it with GScore to deliver innovation for good. We also have GForest, every transaction let you earn green points and plant trees across the country. When the pandemic hit, we were there for our customers. Our vision, collaboration, let us uplift the lives of Filipinos. Our journey is far from over, we need to be there for more underserved segments, to Filipinos wherever they are. This is our GCash story."

It was certainly nice to see how GCash has transformed the way we do things in the country, to hopefully bring inspiration to more people around the globe. I was so happy to see that one of the biggest fintech companies in the Philippines just put the country in the Mobile World Congress map, and I hope this starts financial freedom for others too! 

Congratulations GCash! 

CLOWNS in an ESCALADE?

Looks like talk has been running around town about an Escalade plated number 7 that's being used for personal golf and c@sin0 time that has been seen trooping EDSA's bus lane reserved for carousel vehicles. Mind you, there's an Administrative Order 239 that bars ALL government vehicles to be used other than in official business. This is certainly alarming. 

This person who is using it they say doesn't even have a government post, but a Dad of one, of whom is also allegedly known for destroying natural resources and not even sure if he's Filipino or not. Rumor says, he's even allegedly still facing a lawsuit about his citizenship, which follows a lot of questions about his lifestyle and motives.

We have heard of people doing this, but is this on another level of abuse? No remorse or abuse of power? You be the judge!

Elijah Canlas Joins CORNERSTONE Entertainment

From hit digital series to several TV shows and film, Elijah Canlas has proven his worth. With the young actor's very promising career that's still continously growing, he now joins Cornerstone Entertainment to manage his career form hereon.

For those who don't know, he starred with Kokoy de Santos in the worldwide hit BL series Gameboys. Aside from that, he also was in Direk Perci Intalan's "Unconditional', Direk Jun Lana's "KALEL, 15" and Jason Paul Laxamana's "He Who is Without Sin" among others. He's already won accolades left and right and soon will be doing "Keys to the Heart", a Philippine adaptation to the hit Korean series which will be done together with Zanjoe Marudo under Reality MM Studios. This will be directed by Kerwin Go who did Mina Anud in 2019. Elijah will also reprise the role of Paciano in historical piece "GomBurZa".  

He's going to be with other world class artists in the Cornerstone Entertainment group and plans are surely head way for more films, shows for Elijah. Hopefully this will mean more opportunities for the talented guy because he's definitely worked hard for it.

See you soon and congratulations Elijah!