Entertainment News (02/01/22)
Muni-Muni Stories tackles Balangiga OST
EPISODE 5 of the second season of the Muni-Muni Stories podcast tackles the original soundtrack of the 2017 historical film Balangiga: Howling Wilderness. Set in Samar in 1901, and seen through the eyes of a boy named Kulas, the film’s director Khavn portrays a child’s flight from his hometown with his grandfather and a toddler whom they rescue. Two versions of the song “Katurog Na” (“Tulog Na/Sleep Now”) are the focus of conversation: an instrumental version and another performed by Khavn and Lolita Carbon. Motifs from this song run through the film. The episode builds the case that the movie should be seen by children. It also digs deep into the significance of naming, evident in the characters’ names, as well as the references to mythology and the rituals related to anting-anting. Muni-Muni Stories Season 2 is exclusively available on Spotify. Muni-Muni Stories, a podcast co-produced by Filipinas Heritage Library and Podcast Network Asia, launched its second season on Jan. 3. In this new season, many heavyweights in the film and music industries talk about official soundtracks (OSTs) in Pinoy movies. Also in the line-up this season are Glaiza De Castro, Antoinette Jadaone, Armi Millare, JP Habac, and more guests.
Filipino art songs the focus of online concert
THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP), in partnership with the Tribung Pilipino Cultural Foundation headed by art patron and 2020 Gawad CCP Para sa Sining Awardee Danny Dolor, brings back traditional Filipino music with a focus on Philippine art songs in the concert Masayang Kabukiran which will be streamed on Feb. 1, 6 p.m., on the CCP Facebook page. The online event kicks off the celebration of February Arts Month this year. This production adopted the concept of Harana sa Dapit Hapon, a series of afternoon concerts/musicales first staged at the CCP Main Theater Lobby in 2015, which showcased traditional Filipino music: kundiman, harana, balitaw, danza, and love songs by great Filipino composers. The online concert features leading Filipino performers including sopranos Rachelle Gerodias and Jasmin Salvo, Korean baritone Byeong In Park, tenor Arman Ferrer, and the Kabataang Gitarista. Featured songs include “Sa Libis Ng Nayon,” “Rosas Pandan,” “Pobreng Alindahaw,” “Ang Tangi Kong Pag-ibig,” “Katakataka,” “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Minamahal Kita,” and a medley of Philippine folk songs. For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) or follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Sky, HBO, History Channel host virtual fundraiser
MORE THAN a million Filipinos are still struggling to get back on their feet after the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Odette. To provide help, SKY, with the support of its channel partners HBO and History Channel, are joining in the relief efforts of ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation’s “Tulong-Tulong Sa Pag-Ahon: Isang Daan Sa Pagtutulungan” with their own fundraiser, “Isang Daang Hakbang Sa Pagtutulungan: Kapamilya Virtual Run”. Starting Feb. 1, anyone can join the virtual run, where participants can donate money and do the “100 Hakbang (step) Challenge” to help provide aid to Odette survivors. Participants can enter this virtual run for a good cause by sending a donation of P100 or P400 via the GCash, PayMaya, or PayPal QR Code of Isang Daang Hakbang Sa Pagtutulungan: Kapamilya Virtual Run. They may also deposit their cash donation through BDO (0039300-86136) or BPI (3051-1156-26). A P100-donation can provide a food pack containing 1kg rice and two canned goods for one person while a P400 donation can provide 5kg rice and six canned goods for a family. After sending their donation, participants are to visit www.runrio.com to sign up for the virtual run and submit their proof of donation. Further instructions on how to track the results of the virtual run are detailed in the website. Participants can also go the extra mile by donating more and joining the Top Up Run Categories. A donation of P800 or P1,200 will allow them to join the 5K or 10K Virtual Run, while also helping provide food packs to more families. Registered participants can complete their 100 steps, 5K, or 10K virtual run, anywhere and anytime from Feb. 5 to 28. Runners are encouraged to share their progress or show their unlocked achievement by posting it on Facebook or Instagram using the hashtag #100HakbangSaPagtutulungan and tag other friends to do the challenge too. Finishers of the “100 Hakbang Challenge” will receive an e-badge while finishers of the 5K and 10K Virtual Runs will receive an e-badge, e-bib, and personalized e-certificate. ABS-CBN and ABS-CBN Foundation launched “Tulong-Tulong sa Pag-ahon: Isang Daan sa Pagtutulungan,” the second phase of their fund drive for the benefit of Odette survivors. As of Jan. 25, ABS-CBN Foundation has delivered food and basic necessities to 141,634 families in Palawan, Visayas, and Mindanao with the help of the donations.
Tickets to Limitless Part 3: Rise on sale
JULIE Anne San Jose returns with Rise, part three of her musical special Limitless: A Musical Trilogy. The third installment of the concert series is set to premiere on April 9. The Limitless journey kicked off in Sept. 2021 with Ms. San Jose visiting different locations in Mindanao in Limitless Part 1: Breathe. She explored the island of Siquijor in the Visayas in Limitless Part 2: Heal in Nov. 2021. Tickets for Limitless Part 3: Rise are available at gmanetwork.com/synergy. They are priced at P599 (General Admission), P1,199 (VIP), and P2,399 (Synergy Pass Premium). Follow www.facebook.com/GMASynergy for more details.
Gigi De Lana releases debut album
GIGI De Lana has released her self-titled debut album under Star Music. Ms. De Lana and her band The Gigi Vibes depict different stages of love, from falling to heartbreak to recovery from pain, through eight original songs and two bonus tracks. Its key track, “O Bakit Ba,” is about the never-ending cycle of getting hurt, written by Ms. De Lana and Erwin Lacsa. She also co-wrote another song in the album, “Letting Go,” together with Jon Cruz and Erin Justo. The album also includes her debut single and break-up anthem “Sakalam,” and the official theme song of ABS-CBN Entertainment’s Viral Scandal series entitled “Nasayo Ako.” Other songs include a remake of “Bakit Nga Ba Mahal Kita,” the theme song of her ongoing iQiyi series Hello Heart. ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo served as the album’s overall producer.
The Knobs release new single
KNOWN for its slow pop-rock love songs, rising OPM band The Knobs has released a mashup of their original songs — “Walang Kapantay/Liwanag/Wala Na/Paglisan Mash Up.” The absence of live events and gigs because of the ongoing pandemic paved the way for the band to work on the mashup. The rock quintet is, composed of Jayr Corre (vocals/ bass), Raffy Corre (rhythm guitar), and Marco Corre (drums/ backing vocals), Emman Lopez (lead guitar) and Sky Cepe on (keyboards). The band’s new single is available to stream on all music streaming platforms.
SB19’s Pablo releases solo debut single
SB19’s Pablo embarks on his journey as a solo artist with the release of his debut single “La Luna.” According to the singer, the song is about learning to embrace imperfections in pursuit of achieving acceptance and self-love. Outside his stint as a leader of SB19, Pablo has worked as a producer/composer, and won the top prize at last year’s Djooky Music Awards for his collaboration with rapper Josue, “Determinado.” He also wrote all the songs on SB19’s 2021 EP, Pagsibol. “La Luna” is available to stream on all digital music platforms worldwide.
Rex Orange County releases new album
REX Orange County has announced his forthcoming album Who Cares?, which is due March 11 via Sony Music. Out now is the new album’s lead single and its accompanying video, “Keep It Up.” In the video, the singer is seen dancing his way through Amsterdam’s busy city center as he performs the track alongside musician Benny Sings, with whom he created Who Cares? over the course of a few sessions in Sings’ Amsterdam studio. For more information, visit https://www.rexorangecounty.com/.
Hero releases new single
AFTER courting the person he liked the most in his single “Reyna,” Hero drops a new song called “Nakakahiya” which tells a tale of regret. Once again, he was joined by fellow rapper Kxle on this new song. This song was produced by Russel “Goodson” Tiquia. “Nakakahiya” is available to stream on all music streaming platforms.
Viu Philippines releases complete Still soundtrack
VIU Philippines released the complete official soundtrack of its first Viu Original, Still. Comprised of 13 OPM tracks, the songs capture the stories of each character. Still is an eight-part Viu Original musical series featuring young people stranded in music camp because of the pandemic. The songs were created and composed by Nica Del Rosario, Matthew Chang, Mike Shimamoto, and local production house Flipmusic. The complete official soundtrack of Still: A Viu Original Musical Narrative Series is available on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Tidal. All eight episodes of Still are also available on Viu! The Viu app is availabel on App Store, Google Play, and selected Smart TVs, or visit www.viu.com.
