JC De Vera Releases His Very Own Music With Album "STELLAR"

JC de Vera is one personality in the local entertainment scene that is hard to miss. His name, now a household staple, have grown from the most loved TV shows such as The Legal Wife, Moon of Desire, Babangon Ako't Dudurugin Kita, and his most current You're My Home, to films like Mano Po 4 and 6, Ouija, Hating Kapatid, Shake, Rattle & Roll X and XV, So It's You and Halik Sa Hangin. But unknown to many is that JC de Vera is not just a great actor: he sings well, too.

Now 13 years since he first set foot in the spotlight, JC is ready to beef up his resume and let people in on his musical abilities. Signing up with Ivory Music, JC is set to release his debut album entitled "Stellar", a promising record that packs in oh-so-OPM love songs that will leave you swooning over JC's romantic voice. Produced by Jonathan Ong, the man behind the success of Maja Salvador's "Dahan-dahan" and "Bakit Ganito Ang Pag-ibig", JC's Stellar will be led by "Langit Na Rin", the original first single from the album that is guaranteed to be a radio staple with its acoustic-pop vibe and dreamy words.

JBK rocks the Internet with newest music video

Vocal trio JBK recently released the new music video
of their newest single “Letting You Go.”

Vocal trio JBK ended 2015 on a high note and welcomed the new year with a bang as they launched the music video of their newest single, “Letting You Go”.

In just a few days, the hit music video has reaped nearly 600,000 views, 17,000 likes, 7,000 shares and 600 comments. Most reactions heaped praise on JBK for a job well done and for churning out new music that couples can relate to.

The emotional pop song is the band’s latest single from their self-titled album, and is all about breaking up and moving on from a relationship. The song is poised to be one of the biggest OPM hits of 2016.

International Rapper and Singer Nicki Minaj recognizes Darren‏

MCA Music’s very own Darren Espanto the runner up for the 1st season of The Voice Kids performed for Wish 107.5’s radio show called the Roadshow. The 14-year old showed his vocal prowess with his rendition of Sia’s hit, “Chandelier”. Darren Espanto was able to hit and belt every note with ease thus impressing the DJ of the show; little did the young singer know that somewhere and somehow a very popular international artist was also wowed by his vocal chops. Nicki Minaj an international singer and rapper shared the young singer’s video on her facebook page. 

“So effortless. Incredible voice!” said Nicki, sharing her thoughts about the video. Not only had the international artist got to share her thoughts about the video but also the fans of both artists also shared their delight over the video, and how impressed they are with the young singer’s amazing voice. One person even said that Darren’s version is better than the original, while Darren’s fans thanked the international artists for sharing a video of their idol.  Nicki’s shared video garnered 5,000 plus likes, and still counting!

MUSIC LYF: Sheyee is The First Winner of Spotify Emerge in the Philippines!

After months of competition between the best upcoming OPM stars, Spotify and Globe have finally revealed the first winner of Spotify Emerge.  And it was a close fight between the two top artists, Sheyee and Marion. And who emerged vistorious?

Shehyee emerged as the ultimate winner of the talent hunt, besting other nine up-and-coming OPM artists including December Avenue, Jeric Medina, Kai Honasan, Kito Romualdez, Marion Aunor, Midnight Meetings, Paolo Valenciano, Save Me Hollywood, and The Ransom Collective. He joins the ranks of previous Spotify Emerge winners, including Bastille and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis.

Fil-Aussie Justine Joy Launches Album FLY AWAY

Filipino artistry know no boundaries, and for Filipino-Australian Justine Joy, she is very proud of her heritage and decided to launch her album here to be part of the very competitive music industry. Her first independently-produced album "Fly Away" shows her determination as well as talent worthy to bring entertainment and music to all.

Justine Joy is more than just a morena beauty, she is also a flight attendant as her day job and crafting her talents in singing in dancing with the help of family and friends in Australia. With the new album, she also launched her music video which has that catchy vibe and energy, perfect for party nights.

The Album includes 5 tracks: "Tonight", "All About You", "Money", "Don't Say Goodbye", and a Filipino original song "Hulog Ka Ng Langit". The five track comes in different tunes to show her versatility as an artist and entertainer. We will have a review of this in our Listening Room!

MUSIC LYF: Pupil Returns In 2015 With New Album ZILCH

Pinoy Alternative Rock Band Pupil is back this 2015 with a new album ZILCH under MCA Music which will also their fourth album in total. The band composed of Ely Buendia, who also worked with another band The Oktaves; Wendell Garcia, Dok Sergio, and new guitarist Jerome Velasco. 

With the last album released back in 2013, they said that during that period they still continue to record songs. They have also tried things such as set up with different venues like warehouses to bring out a whole new sound that is not the usual studio sound. 

"Every band member or musician has dreamed of going to Tagaytay, simbahan, Baguio o sa beach. the problem then was wala pang technology to do that, ngayon meron na, so I'm suprized why many musician aren't doing that" Ely shared.

The band is also gearing up for gigs and an album launch to be held in Craft BGC. The music video of their first single is also on the works and will be premiered soon on MYX.

More than Sneakers Converse holds two workshops as a support to Pinoy Street Culture

Fuelling up the creative juices of people who are into fashion, sports and the art, Converse Philippines conducted the first ever “Cons Project Manila,” a one-day event that highlights street art and Do-It-Yourself skateboard ramp workshops, at the Pelota Court, BF Resort Village, Las Piñas City last November 22.

Aiming to create a stamp in the modern Filipino street culture, the event was inspired by the new CONS Fall 2014 Sneaker Collection which debuted last August.

REEL DEAL: Original Songwriter Chlara Unstoppable Album Release On November 3rd, 2014

British born Pinay singer-songwriter Chlara will release her debut album Unstoppable on the evosound label this year on November 3rd. Exclusive digital album pre-order available on iTunes on September 15th with the hit track You Complete Me available for download. Leading single You Complete Me will be available for streaming on Spotify and Deezer on the same day.

After two years of hard-earned experience doing live gigs, Chlara has earned steady recognition from her live audience. Upon learning news of this next-generation star, local music lovers began paying regular visits to her gigs and show consistent support for her original songs. Now, this amazing talent is proud to present her first studio album, with a name that tells much about the album, Unstoppable.

Chlara spent the early years of her life living in England before moving to the Philippines at the age of nine. Her father Cesar passed away when Chlara was only two years old. He was a music lover and left Chlara with his love of music. From the age of three, Chlara was already singing and was very much influenced by the music constantly played at home. She grew up listening to Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Air Supply, The Carpenters, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston and Celine Dion.

Kris Lawrence Scores Twin Win at 6th Star Awards For Music

Kris Lawrence’s double victory at last Sunday’s 6th PMPC Star Awards for Music reaffirms his solid footing in the local R&B circuit.

The proud crooner bagged the R&B Artist of the Year award, while his Spread the Love album emerged R&B Album of the Year. The festivities were held at the Solaire Resort & Casino last September 14.

Surprised at his double victory, Kris posted on his Instagram account: “First and foremost, I’d like to thank the Lord, Jesus Christ. It is because of You I received this. Thank you for using me as your instrument to reach people and inspire and most importantly to love them. Thank you to everyone who believes in my artistry & for listening to my songs.”

MUSIC LYF: Brit Acts to Conquer Philippines in 2015

2015 will be year the British will invade the Philippines, that is in terms of concerts. Imagine the biggest british music artists will have their concerts scheduled for next year, and some of them are already sold out once the tickets were available.

The 1975 - January 24, 2015

The Vamps - February 1, 2015

Ed Sheeran - March 12, 2015

One Direction - March 21 & 22, 2015

The British invasion is just months away, mates! Due to the phenomenal success of their respective tours around the globe, FOUR of the biggest names in BRIT music are coming to Manila in 2015, namely One Direction, Ed Sheeran, The 1975 and The Vamps!

XSTIG: The changing landscape of the local music scene

As most things go in a world that is continuously changing, music also had to evolve. These radical shifts came with every generation. Where vinyl and 8-tracks once filled teenage bedrooms in 70s, cassette tapes came and took over in the 80s. Then came CDs and Discmans when the 90s rolled in. At the turn of the millennium, mp3 players and iPods were introduced. And most recently, if you are among the early adopters who were willing to abandon the way you have bought and listened to music for the last decade, you deleted your iTunes library and put your trust in the cloud. 

Anne is just ANNE-STOPPABLE this 2014

With one iconic teleserye, a major concert, and numerous endorsements and projects, 2014 can be considered "the year of Anne Curtis."

And to add magnitude to her superstardom this 1st half of 2014, Anne will be having a worldwide radio premiere of her newest single, entitled "Made in the Philippines," from her upcoming album under her own wing, Annebisyosa Productions, distributed by Viva.

The following participating countries are:

United Arab Emirates - via TAG91.1 on March 28, 5am

United Kingdom - via Pinoy Radio UK, Italia, Espana, France, Ireland, Benelux, Nordic, Germanyon March 28, 9am 

Hong Kong - via Good Evening Kabayan on March 28, 9pm

Australia - via 98.5 FM on March 31, 8pm and April 1, 10pm

and the Philippines - via MOR on March 28, 6am / Wave 89.1, 8am / Star FM, 8:15am / Love Radio 90.7 and Yes FM, 9:45am

Colgate Fresh Jam’s Mind Blowing Music Experience for Today’s Generation

Grab the chance to share your anthem with the world

For the first time ever, budding songwriters will be given a chance to collaborate with today’s hottest OPM artists. Colgate Fresh Confidence will allow the youth to say their piece on love and relationships, empowering their fellow youth, having great confidence and achieving their dreams, together with their music idols all through social media.   

XSTIG: Your Sound On The Dot

Your daily soundtrack, in a dot

Get up, clean the house, shower, go to work or school, sleep, and eat in between. These are activities we’ve turned into a routine everyday—give or take a few parties and/or vacations. Wouldn’t we all want to change it up a little to make doing these things much more fun?

Spice up your day by throwing in some music into the mix, using a portable mp3 player that you can bring with you anywhere, no matter what you’re doing.

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“The Philips SoundDot range can be used for almost any activity,” remarks Ms. Poi San Mok, Philips Marketing Manager for Lifestyle Entertainment. “It’s compact and with an advanced yet delightfully simple design, making it a reliable mp3 player that’s small in size but big on fun.”

XSTIG: Jabra Motion and Speak 510

With today's busy and hectic world. The need for mobility is rising and is now being embranced by many people as part of their lifestyle. And Jabra, the innovator for mobility products such as bluetooth headsets and speakers are now introducing two new products for the busy yet sophisticated business people.

Taking Mobility to New Level : Jabra Motion & Speak 510 Sets New Momentum Jabra has gone above and beyond with two new headsets recently launched; Jabra MotionTM- providing maximum mobility and the most superior user experience,whether on the road,in the office or at home. Featuring Bluetooth technology to enable even more user flexibility, Jabra Motion is completely interoperable with all mobile devices and UC platforms. All it takes is a simple touch and Jabra Motion literally follows your every move, using the latest motionsensor technology for superior audio experience and full flexibility. The second innovative product- a Bluetooth® enabled speakerphone Jabra SPEAKTM 510 which earned recognition for its exceptional design and innovation at the recent prestigious Red Dot awards.

Jabra, the world’s leading manufacturer of wireless audio solutions, is launching the state-of-the-art headset, Jabra Motion, designed to suit the rapidly growing group of mobile workers; multi-tasking at the office, in the car or at home using smart phones, tablets or laptop with ”presence everywhere” apps and Unified Communication (UC) solutions.

“We aim to help the mobile worker gain the full benefitsfrom their mobile devices and UC solutions. It is our experience that one of the most important factors for users, embracing these communication platforms and devices, is the headset which bridges the gap between the users and the promise of efficiencyand flexibility with sound,” says Mogens Elsberg, CEO Jabra.

The intuitiveness of the Jabra Motion design features allows the user to concentrate on the job at hand; not having to give second thought to the surroundings when picking up a call. With a combination of motion sensors and intelligent microphones, Jabra Motion automatically adapts to the sound environment and adjusts to ensurethe optimal and clear sound throughout a conversation, whether ina noisy office or on the road. The headset registers any movement instantly; when youpick up the headset - the call is answered simultaneously; when you start walking, the speaker volume is automatically adjusted; just as it will turn off and takes a power nap when laid down.

“It is truly the only headset you will ever need,” said Ralph Ede, Managing Director for South Asia, GN Netcom Singapore Pte. Ltd. “The Jabra Motion UC is one of the first headsets with Near Field Communiction (NFC) technology—just tap them together and the headset connects with your smartphone. You can also enjoy best-in-class wireless freedom as it features at least 10 times the range of similar headsets in the market today.”

Ede added that when used with an UC client, expect full integration, including automatic updating of your UC presence status when on a smartphone call.

Jabra devices enable users to derive the full audio experience with all the flexibility-and efficiency benefits they expect from mobile devices and UC solutions through enhanced voice collaboration.

For the Jabra Motion, the Jabra design team opted for the‘behind-the-ear’circular shape; mimicking the back of the ears’ semi-circle shape;asimplistic, yet aesthetic design element. The folding boom adds“ pocketability” - the ability to carry it in a pocket without breaking the boom arm –a key feature in the new design. The folding boom is at the same time used to take and end calls with a simple flip of the boom arm.

The Jabra Motion ‘behind the ear’ Jabra design is the 8th generation of alegendary headset wearing style that has become a Jabra trademark. Since 2000, when Jabra launched the world’s first Bluetooth®headset, the ‘behind-the-ear’design has been setting industry standards with more than 4 milliondevices sold.

Jabra Motion will keep you up to speed and in touch, any time and everywhere - it intuitively follows your every move and with the latest Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for fast pairing,you simply tab the headset withyour NFC enabled devices to connect.

Jabra has also a continuous collaboration with Microsoft and has been a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner since 2007 when Jabra launched its first optimized headset for Microsoft Office Communicator. Today, Jabra carries a broadportfolio of UC hands-free audio solutions - optimized and qualified for Microsoft Lync.

Jabra SpeakTM 510

The launch of Jabra Motion follows the recent announcement of another new Jabra innovation - the Bluetooth® enabled speakerphone; Jabra SpeakTM 510. Together, these two devices offer a powerful package of connectivity for both personal and group conversations, turning any space into a conference room.

“With the increased mobility of the global workforce, the Jabra Speak 510 was the natural next step from the award-winning Jabra SpeakTM 410 that won best in test in a 2011 Sound & Design survey,” shared Ede.

The Jabra Speak™ 510 takes audio conferencing to a new level, with a unique portable speakerphone enhanced with Bluetooth®. It features plug-and-play connectivity to PCs and any Bluetooth enabled device for enhanced mobility and freedom; a full compatibility with leading UC systems & VoIP clients for seamless integration; and an outstanding sound quality for crystal-clear and natural sounding calls that allow attendees to hear and speak clearly across any location.

JABRA takes home prestigious Red Dot award

The Jabra SPEAKTM 510 earned recognition for its exceptional design and innovation at the prestigious Red Dot awards.

Launched only three months ago, the Jabra Speak 510 speakerphone targets the mobile worker, featuring Bluetooth® technology – enabling even more user flexibility and meets increased demands for mobility, at home, in the workplace or on the go.

Its ‘sister product’ – the corded Jabra Speak 410 speakerphone was the first of its kind in the Jabra Business Solutions product portfolio and has taken the world by storm. By the end of 2012 the Jabra Speak 510 and Jabra Speak 410 has secured an overwhelming 42% global market share for USB enabled speakerphones. The latest sales figures for February show that the Jabra Speak 510 already makes up 1/3 of our sales in the category

It is only just under a year ago that the Jabra Speak 410 won the Innovationspreis-IT 2012 at CeBIT in Germany and the IF Design award - also in 2012.

The competition for the Red Dot awards has been particular fears this year with 1865 manufacturers, designers and architects from 54 countries showcasing their best products and projects on the hunt for the sought-after red dot seal of quality.

XSTIG: Sennhieser IE 800

The IE 800 headphones from Sennheiser are the ones with the most innovations per square millimetre. And for precisely that reason, these small in-ear earphones can certainly compete with much larger high-end headphones. They are brimming with groundbreaking ideas to ensure that audiophile music lovers can get as close as possible to perfect sound even when they’re on the move. 

When it comes to audio quality, ear-canal phones have been known to come up against their limits in the past. But the IE 800 sets new standards: with its new model, Sennheiser is now rounding off its top segment with a set of genuinely high-end portable headphones. “The sound of the IE 800 can easily compete with that of our high-end portfolio," said Maurice Quarré, Director Product Lifecycle Management Sennheiser Consumer Electronics. These dynamic in-ear phones offer fascinatingly brilliant trebles, precise bass response and a detailed, lifelike sound image with a frequency response of 5 to 46,500 Hz.

The IE 800 not only boasts innovative technology but also features a modern design and high-quality materials such as the scratch-resistant ceramic housing. Its puristic design language and black/silver finish give it that certain extra. The high-end earphones were developed and designed at Sennheiser's headquarters in Germany. And the new in-ear earphones will be produced here too.

Outstanding in-ear sound system 

The interior of the IE 800 conceals many small but effective innovations: the centrepiece is Sennheiser’s specially developed Extra Wide Band (XWB) driver. With a diameter of just 7 mm, it is the smallest wide-band sound transducer currently available in dynamic headphones. Its functional principle guarantees distortion-free sound even at high sound pressure levels. "Until now, high-quality in-ear headphones have used so-called balanced-armature multi-drivers,” explained Senior Acoustic Engineer Axel Grell. “Reproducing the entire audio spectrum requires several narrow-band drivers to be operated in parallel. However, this results in very slight jumps and delays in music reproduction." By contrast, the miniature-sized XWB driver developed by Sennheiser is able to perfectly reproduce the entire audible frequency spectrum and beyond. The advantage: music is played back with crystal clarity and with absolute time precision. 

The endeavour to fully exploit the sound potential of the premium headphones led to a further small but highly effective innovation: a vented magnet system. The idea is actually quite simple and was used for the first time on the HD 700 high-end headphones. “The oscillating motion of the diaphragm produces an air flow in the magnet system housing that causes the diaphragm to wobble slightly,” explained Axel Grell. “By positioning two precisely defined vent holes in the housing directly under the magnets, we can cause the air to flow in a specific direction. This minimises the wobbling motion of the diaphragm and reduces total harmonic distortion to less than 0.06 percent.

Innovative dual-chamber absorber

With the IE 800, Sennheiser has succeeded for the first time in solving what is known as the ‘masking effect’. This effect, which has a negative influence on overall sound quality, is due to the way in which our ears work. “The human ear is unable to perceive low-volume frequency components of a sound if there are much louder sounds occurring in a lower frequency range at the same time," explained Axel Grell. "This means, for example, that very loud low-frequency sounds will ‘mask’ very quiet sounds in the medium frequency range. This is particularly apparent in in-ear headphones. The sealing of the ear canal by the earphones normally causes resonances that result in a peak in the 7kHz to 8kHz range. This has the effect of masking the actual higher-frequency components. Precisely this problem has been overcome in the IE 800 by the use of an absorber. Sennheiser’s patented dual-chamber system absorbs the energy of the resonance, thus preventing any unwanted peaks. As a result, all frequency components – even the finest nuances – in the music material become audible.       

Finest wearing comfort

The optimum sound properties of the IE 800 are further enhanced by excellent wearing comfort. The housing is made of scratch-resistant, skin-friendly ceramic, while the ear pads consist of skin friendly silicone. This rules out any risk of allergies or skin irritation. To guarantee a perfect fit, Sennheiser has developed new ear adapters with an oval shape based on extensive international studies in ergonomics. According to their personal preference, users can choose from a selection of oval (SM/ML) and round (S/M/L) adapters. A protective mesh on the ear cushions effectively protects the drivers against dirt contamination.

Technical Data Transducer principle Dynamic, closed vented Frequency response 8 – 41,000 Hz (–3dB) Impedance: 5 – 46,500 Hz (–10dB) Total harmonic distortion: 24                                        © W e i g h t : <   0 . 0 6   %   ( 1   k H z ,   1 V ) C a b l e   l e n g t h :   1 . 2   m   ( s y m m e t r i c a l )    

MUSIC LYF: Mecca Music’s Champ Lui Pio to introduce Luigi D’Avola as his new talent for 2013

After his very successful venture into artist management, former Hale frontman Champ Lui Pio, now CEO of Mecca Music, proudly announces the launch of Luigi D'Avola-- a fresh new face and talent who brings more to the entertainment world than just music.

“At Mecca Music, we take pride in producing and managing our artists. It’s a process that we put a lot of time and hard work. We really invest in our artists and make sure we guide them to reach their full potential. Luigi is a testament to that commitment, we are very excited to launch his music which we have worked on for almost a year now. We believe that he will break grounds in the music industry this 2013.” Lui Pio said

Julie Anne San Jose Goes Double Platinum

GMA Records handed out its first-ever Double Platinum Record award to one of its recording artists, Julie Anne San Jose, yesterday in Party Pilipinas for the outstanding sales of her self-titled debut solo album, having exceeded over 30,000 units sold in both physical (CDs) and digital sales.

The album, which was first released thru iTunes last Aug. 10, immediately landed on iTunes Philippines’ No. 1 spot as the most downloaded album.  It also entered the sales charts of iTunes Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, HongKong, Macau and Taiwan and eventually became one of iTunes Southeast Asia’s Top 10 most downloaded albums.

Gary V Sings: Just For You turns Gold

The latest album of Gary Valenciano, Gary V Sings: Just For You, has recently been presented with a Gold Record Award for its outstanding sales. The album includes Gary’s renditions of memorable hits like In Your Eyes, It Might Be You, Somewhere Down The Road, What Matters Most, Overjoyed, among others.

The award was given last February 10 during ASAP 18, where he also launched the second single of the album – a modern take on Stephen Bishop’s It Might Be You. Present during the awarding is Universal Records’ General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go.

It should be noted that "Gary V Sings: Just For You" is Gary's 26th full-length studio album with Universal Records.

"Gary V Sings: Just For You" is another creative and original concept by Gary which is six-months in the making. "I was in the car and I told Kiana [my youngest child] to make 'pa-simple' in asking her mom, my wife Angeli, about the songs she once mentioned to me. These songs were just some of her favorites that she had always dreamed I would record," says Gary.

Alden Richards joins Universal Records

Young star Alden Richards has proven mettle as an actor in various TV projects, making him one of the fastest rising stars of GMA 7. Now, he is embarking on a new journey as a recording artist as he recently signed up with Universal Records.

Alden joins the elite roster of local artists of Universal Records like Gary Valenciano, Ogie Alcasid, Regine Velasquez, Christian Bautista, Jaya, Noel Cabangon, JayR, Richard Poon, Gloc-9, premiere bands like Parokya Ni Edgar, Kamikazee, Calla Lily, Sponge Cola, and young performers Sam Concepcion, Kimpoy Feliciano, Emmanuelle, among others.