Get Ready for CHRISTI

We met a very bubbly and confident Christi Fider a few days ago in Music Box Timog Avenue, Quezon City. She's not new in the industry, having released several singles like Teka, Teka, Teka!, Heto Na Naman in 2021, plus a Most Promising Singer Award at the PMPC Star Awards for Music in the same year.

She is currently under Manic Media, and has released a few tracks signifying her raring urge to go back to the grind. And currently, her EP album called "Sorry Not Sorry, I took my Time" became her call and the songs include "Breakthrough", "3rd Street", "Fake" and "Reyna" (which she also has a music video of). Honestly, her vibe reminds me of Lizzo, who carries herself confident and unapologetic-ally is just being her.

She also sang a few songs and kept us entertained about what she's been doing in the past few months. Including staying away from fake friends, loving herself more and wanting to embrace her curves. She also told us about her bout with PCOS and its effects on her weight loss, and glad she found inspiration from it and create music that she loves. It was where her music was based on.

Aside from that, she's been blessed with several acting projects, including one that will involve Superstar Nora Aunor. She was so nervous about it, but this was an opportunity that she couldn't just allow to pass. Manila Vice Mayor Yul Servo will also be part of it, which in hindsight adds even more pressure. For those who are fond of Netflix, she's also doing a series under Chris Pablo (who's done several romance, queer films). Stay tuned for that!

Meanwhile, here's a bit of our interview with Christi

She's just starting, and as she starts doing what she loves as an artist and singer, to become that powerful independent woman, she's going to love herself... and hope you get in the groove of her music and artistry. You can stream her EP album on Spotify and other streaming platforms today. Get ready for Christi!

Essential Drink Attributes Showcased at GSM's White Party

 

There's certainly a lot of things to celebrate this month including the goodness of World Gin Day. In Manila, Ginebra San Miguel Incorporated hosted a white party at the fabulous Westin Manila in Ortigas Pasig. It's a no brainer as GSMI continues to be the world's number 1 selling brand of gin and has become a regular in various celebrations, and life's simple pleasures.

GSMI Marketing Manager Ron Molina says "It's been a tradition for us to join the celebration of World Gin Day. We are pioneers of this in the Philippines and we know how Filipinos enjoy how cool, clear and versatile this drink is, so cheers to that!"

This new call to let people know how these three characteristics of GSM would certainly get them to have more appreciation of it. Artists like premier actor Zanjoe Marudo, vlogger Basel Manadil and beauty queen Herlene "Hipon Girl" Budol were also at the event to verbalize how it is to be Cool, Clear and Versatile. Zanjoe says "It's when I stay calm that I feel more cool, it's why I choose the classic GSM back when I was in Batangas, it brings back memories indeed!". Basel on the other hand confirms his likeness of the GSM Premium Gin and tells "Because it's like me, it's clear just like my intentions. You need to be like that because you wouldn't know when you give an impact for others." Then Herlene Budol prefers to become Versatile, saying "Being versatile means that it is possible to be good in different things." They will also be joining different events starting this month because as they say, "Gin Is In!".

Together with the campaign, they also revealed GSM Bar Academy wherein they had 3 new graduates, all scholars of skill courses as they partnered with TESDA in bartending, flairtending, and building businesses. This is in hopes to increase quality pros in the industry, tall order, but are already achieving a lot obviously. It has transformed lives, and even won an international CSR Excellence Award from UK, slated to be awarded on the 16th.

If you're fond of the social channels of GSM, there will be a second season for G-Mix Nation Online where they'll feature various recipes for cocktails, and tips on how you can use a Home Bar Kit to be sold in select supermarkets nationwide. They will also host in 50 bars nationwide to make sure you're involved in one or more parties during this month. I heard there will be one in Pampanga, Naga, Cebu and CDO. You'll also get to win prizes, take advantage of promos and merch. They're not stopping there, because activities will be continuing til the end of the last quarter.

Head on to your favorite stores and place to get them! I'm sure there's no stopping you!

ACG's Beyond Borders International Tax Conference Slated June 15

It was certainly one of the nicest conversations over lunch last week when we got to be in the midst of Tax Whiz Mon Abrea (the Chairman and CEO of Asian Consulting Group) and Jose Magsaysay Jr., a founding member of Association of Filipino Franchisors, Inc. and owner of the country's favorite fries, Potato Corner. 

Fresh from the US and his Harvard Kennedy School studies, Mr. Abrea started telling us about how excited he is about the upcoming International Tax Conference in the Philippines entitled BEYOND BORDERS which will be hosted by the Asian Consulting Group (ACG) which he heads. It will be held on the 15th of June 2023 at I'm Hotel in Makati Avenue, Makati City. Issues regarding global taxes, best practices, local and international regulations, policies, it's digitalization will be discussed by esteemed experts and leaders from across the globe. Speakers include those from The World Bank, Asian Development Bank, the International Monetary Fund, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, OECD, Department of Budget and Management and the Senate.

Mr. Magsaysay also shared anecdotes about how he started the very successful Potato Corner and how they also weathered the pandemic. To say the least, his story was really inspiring, including the reason why he's supporting Mr. Abrea and his initiatives.

 

Mr. Abrea also feels this would be beneficial for those in government institutions, private corporations since it will include third party organization with real concrete data not driven by personalities or politicians. Information about the Philippines will be presented (I heard) without prejudice. 

Surely, it'll be interesting to hear about that as well. If you're interested, you may get in touch with them via itc@acg.ph or their contact number 09176278805.

See you there!

Mathew Sygal So of Marikina Vies for Mister International PH 2023

Having a quiet life must be something that people would wish for, and I wouldn't blame them because it's an easy route. A few days ago, we met with Marikina City's representative for the Mister International 2023 pageant Mathew Sygal So. He's a Management Engineering student from the Ateneo de Manila University (a very tough course!), and he had a reason why he joined. I didn't have to think about it because at the venue, there were several PWD's clad in their country uniforms. They were athletes who won several bronze, silver and gold medals from the recent ASEAN Para Games 2023. They have represented the country well. It was so awesome to see them all cheering him on.

They were from the National Council on Disability Affairs which he's been actively involved in these past few years. Prior to him joining the pageant, he was hailed as their ambassador. Which is why one of the reasons he wanted to join Mister International Philippines 2023 was to further their cause. Here's part of the interview we did with Mathew:

 

It's so nice that he was game to also answer questions about joining showbiz and perhaps politics later on. But for now, he's glad that he was able to tell a story about his passion on giving PWD's a voice, to hopefully have awareness so everyone would practice equality, because he believes that if they were given the same opportunities, the too can do it.

I hope this has given you more insight about their plight, Mathew Sygal So is going to do his best to further make this cause heard in the international scene to hopefully have more people hear about their plight and see why he deserves a title in Mister International 2023. 

Here's wishing you would win Mathew! Cheers!