It was a nice evening at CUBAO EXPO where we attended the launch of Yeng Constantino's newest single called "BABALA". Fans and people who attended the event were in Mommy garb, literally dusters depicting a normal day in a Filipino barangay. It was also fun that they got us to experience the launch with Filipino street food of Banana Cue, various fish balls, Kikiam and Tukneneng. They also served us Sago't Gulaman when her set started.
Here's our interview with her after her gig
She was actually nervous doing this because it's been a long while since she's performed in front of a crowd. She also has not released much music for the past few years and this new single BABALA is both fun, amusing, something you could play to have a good time.
It's out now on streaming sites and the music video is also on YouTube. Make sure you listen, stream and watch it if you are a fan of her music. She's a gem, and I hope by her merits alone, people would appreciate what she's dishing out. She plans to do more of these in the next few months so stay tuned!
Thanks Cornerstone Entertainment for the fun evening! Thank you to Yeng too for being so nice!
One of the biggest talent management companies in the Philippines, Cornerstone Entertainment just recently announced their co-management with PPL, the excellent and world class music of the band AGSUNTA.
After their recent successful FREE concert on their 10th year in the industry, they are expected to have an even brighter future with the things planned for them by Cornerstone. One thing that I picked up from the interview with them a few weeks ago was an international stint, perhaps a big concert in the works too, and the boys are just raring to go and do it very soon.
Here's the statement of Cornerstone Entertainment during the event:
Jireh Singson says "We have so much plans to release original songs in a couple of months. We already released one and we have about two in the works. We just had this banked during the pandemic, this time we want to go full force to highlight them even more. I feel the sound has changed, the genre won't be in one place because we all have different influences. If we want to, it will be different but the formula would be the same, so we won't look like a hodgepodge of different music. We want to work with Ivana Alawi on our new music videos, and even DonBelle if possible. Aside from that, our dream is DongYan, which we hope Sir Perry could device a way to do. I remember doing a music video with Ivana a few years ago, when she wasn't of a huge star yet (in 2018 for Wakasan) and so we wanted to do it now, like full circle."
Want to see them perform? Here's a performance they did just for us!
This is just the start, congratulations AGSUNTA on this really good start! Can't wait to see what this partnership with Cornerstone would do with your reach. You in an international concert/show may just be a reality in a few months. Stay tuned folks!
Hearing Maxine Esteban's achievements during a small talk a few weeks ago made much of us feel like we didn't do much in school. She was that smart, talented and crazy good. She's a breath of fresh air, who didn't want to dwell on issues. She's mighty proud of what she's accomplished as an Olympian, a severely brilliant Fencer, and Filipino.
She's taking Management Engineering in Ateneo, one of the most difficult courses to boot but she manages to still attend regular classes despite training schedules and tournaments. She tells us "I used to be an Ice Skater but the skating rink in Megamall closed. The one in Mall of Asia was too far from where I lived, so I tried to find a sport that would pique my interest. I tried Taekwondo, Swimming, tried almost all the sports, but ended up not liking it except Fencing. I really loved it because it was really fun and taught me how to mix having a grace of a woman and the strength of a man. That's what I really liked about it."
With a very strong academic background, she didn't feel pressured to do all these things. Her parents encouraged her to master musical instruments and a sport, but didn't forget to let her excel in academics. She had only wished to make her parents proud which is why she's gotten to achieve much even at a young age. There's so much sacrifice she had to endure in Fencing, after getting surgery, she had to bounce back and wanted to represented the country. Now with Ivory Coast, she won't be wasting her exceptional talent and younger years as the sport requires that much skill in winning competitions and games.
Maxine with her supportive parents, with her Dad as her DOTA coach at home
She's currently still preparing for the PARIS 2024 Olympics slated to start this July 26 which is almost a month from now. She's in Germany and plans to stay there for training and a few competitions in Europe until the day comes. She is also set to join the African championships on June 6th in Morocco. Then will go to training camps in Poland, Hungary, then train with the Japanese and French national teams til the games commence.
Ivory Coast reminds her much of Filipinos. She laments "They were all so welcoming and sweet because when I arrived at the airport, all of my teammates were there carrying flowers. They remind me so much of my mates in the Philippine national team whom I'm very close with. Personality wise, it wasn't a hard adjustment. There's always going to be the Filipino inside of me, I'm the one that complains to organizers if I don't see the country's flag. When I win competitions in the past, my eyes light up seeing them raise it, doing the country proud! Those simple things, you can't remove that from me. I now have the support from Ivory Coast and the Philippines, and it really means a lot to me."
As for battling a Filipino Fencer, she thinks there wouldn't be an instance to do that. She knows how talented the Philippine team is, but if it happens she's going to do her best too. Her current coach is Andrea Magro, a prolific former coach of the Italian Fencing Team, and already produced 10 Olympic Gold Medalists on his roster. He's now training Maxine Esteban with the best ones in the world and he's raring to see her do the same in Paris. Andrea dubbed Maxine as like an agile Tiger, we couldn't agree more!
Maxine laughed when I asked her for plans to join show business because she looks so pretty. She's a what you see is what you get kind of girl. She's open for sports related sponsorships though and would prefer that instead. She's now affiliated with Anta, and wearing them with confidence too.
Here's our interview with her a few days ago:
She adds "Going to the Olympics, I just want to enjoy the moment because this is my first one. I just want to make my parents and everyone who believes in me proud. There's not much pressure in me, and I think that's a good thing. My parents have been my biggest supporters ever since, even before Fencing. In every sport that I try to do, they would also encourage me. They would never really put pressure and always ask that I just do my best. That's already enough for them, my Dad had a video on ABSCBN when I lost a match and he told me not to worry about it, because they will always love me no matter what."
Her story is truly inspiring. As of now, she is ready for the PARIS 2024 Olympics, and hope YOU are just as proud of her as a Filipino! Make sure you root for her on social media, in person (if you can), because at the end of the day, she is Filipino and proud!
Have you ever gone into a wine shop and felt a little lost seeing all the kinds of wine on the rack? Me too. It is so complex, each bottle different and even sourced from a certain country, and certain regions. It's like it has its own personality, you get to know it by flavor, aroma, texture and taste. It also comes in various colors, can be mixed into a concoction. If you're up to it, there's a Wine Festival on June 15th at The Tent in Enderun at McKinley Hill, Taguig. With the theme “A Continuing Journey Across the World's Most Famous Wine Regions and Wineries", their goal is for you to learn how to identify the right one is for you.
This is part of Happy Living's celebration of their 30th Anniversary. They are importers and distributors of over 150 kinds of wines and spirits sourced from all over the world.
Oh it's RED!
When dining, it's always there for a lot of people. It's got strong, bolder flavors. It's also got tannin that makes it red, and gives it that certain mount feel. The wine festival will feature Arzuaga Reserva 2009 from Ribera del Duero of Spain which has won several awards, and will surely be appreciated at the event!
If you prefer WHITE
Ones I do like, are mostly white, light and bright. This is present in most flavors it gets, some fruity, sweet, a bit acidic especially Sauvignon blanc.
A crisp, elegant, and fresh white wine favorite is sauvignon blanc, known for its bright acidity with vibrant flavors of fruits such as green apple, lime, and herbs. Sauvignon blanc drinkers are refreshing and expressive, unafraid to express themselves and their preferences. One that will be featured in the Happy Living Wine Festival is Lionel Osmin Villa Côte d'Argent Sauvignon Blanc 2022. It's a region known for being fresh, fruity and aromatic. A bit stronger is the chardonnay, and if you enjoy other flavor profiles, there are a lot of other things you can have on that date.
Certainly Fun Sangria
There's nothing more fruity than a glass of sangria. Try the featured Lolea No1 on ground made from quality Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. With fruits infused, acids and spice, you'll be talking a lot during the event and love the options. Else, get Lolea No2 or Lolea No3 Brut, your Spanish friends would thank you.
If you're raring to go, get tickets via happylivingph.com today. Again, the event will happen on the 15th of June at The TENT at Enderun Colleges. There will be masterclasses available, but only limited seats (go get them while it's hot!). There are also over 150 wines and spirits to try at the venue, and it runs 4PM to 9PM. Get the tickets HERE. This is only for those 18 and older. See you there!
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