PANA kicks off PANAta Awards 2021 with a Virtual Media Launch

The Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA) just launched its PANAta Awards 2021, the country’s annual recognition program for effective and creative marketing communication campaigns, continuing its legacy of celebrating brands which have made a difference.

This year’s PANAta Awards theme is “Hilaraya”, a portmanteau of the Tagalog words hila, which means “to pull”, and hiraya, meaning the “fruit of one's hopes, dreams and aspirations; rendered through a creative device of a spectrum where the myriad of colors representing various sectors of the industry meet at a certain point. 

Pop-R&B songstress Charlene Su releases debut EP, onlyfriends

Pop-R&B songstress Charlene Su has finally dropped her debut EP titled onlyfriends, with four songs that promise to be absolute bops. 

Aside from subtly and cheekily referencing the popular, albeit raunchy online platform, OnlyFans, onlyfriends came about through collaboration among friends. Looking through the writers, you can see why. “To me, collaboration is the best part about music,” says Charlene, as she likes to think of songwriting as self-expression through shared human experience. 

“We have all felt disappointment and the ache of heartbreak before, be it unrequited feelings for a crush or even within friendships. I think of this EP as my coping mechanism of sorts for that disappointment; it’s really just me whining and trying to get over my feelings in a very melodic, pop way.” 

bbno$ Releases New Single ‘Edamame’ Featuring Rich Brian Out Now

Today sees rising star bbno$ [baby-no-money] release his brand-new single ‘Edamame’ featuring Rich Brian, out via the bbno$ label in partnership with mtheory.

Listen to ‘Edamame’ here

Following the release of the infectious and highly lauded ‘wussup’ last month, bbno$ is back with another incredible new single ‘Edamame’, lifted from his forthcoming album ‘Eat Ya Veggies’, due September 2021. Collaborating with 88Rising’s Rich Brian, the track sees the duo effortlessly maintain an astonishing flow over an uptempo beat, all whilst continuing to flaunt their lavish lives and antics. With its horn section hook, thumping bassline and deftly delivered vocals, ‘Edamame’ is yet another impressive track to add to bbno$’s growing catalogue.

Talking about the track, bbno$ said…"i started making music right after rich brian popped off and i was obsessed with glow like dat. my 19 year old self is still fan boying over edamame. i hope everybody rocks with it as much as i do. gg no re.”

We Got releases comically bizarre music video of “Panahon”

Eight-piece reggae collective We Got has released the official music video of their new single “Panahon.”

Directed by Shai Advincula, the story takes place in the time of pandemic, where a woman in isolation found unexpected companionship in the unlikeliest of circumstances. 

According to Advincula, the concept behind the music video revolves around the idea of isolation and the crazy things that we do to cope with the loneliness that comes with it. She explains, “Over the past year, our lives have shifted by being stuck at home most of the time. There are a lot of things that we’re missing from our pre-pandemic life, one of which is the affection we get from a companion. But how do we cater to our need for affection in a socially distanced world? The music video shows a bizarre but refreshing take on coping.”

ShopeePay Helps Brands Transition to Digital Payments

SEAOIL, Novo Department Store, and Potato Corner share how they’re maximizing ShopeePay for their business

Today, more Filipinos use alternative payment methods such as online banking and mobile wallets in their everyday lives. With this rising new trend, brands like SEAOIL, Novo Department Store, Potato Corner, and many others partnered with ShopeePay, Shopee’s mobile wallet, to seamlessly adapt to the change to provide better service to their customers.

About 39 million people make digitally-enabled payment transactions globally, and in the Philippines, about 30 percent of Filipinos aged 16-64 are now using mobile payment services each month. With the expected increase in digital payments worldwide in the coming years, local brands share how they’re maximizing mobile wallets like ShopeePay to adapt to the current trend. 

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino 2021 goes digital with diverse and inclusive programming

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) marks its second digital edition this year with a commitment to promoting awareness and appreciation of OPM artists from all over the world through multiple social media platforms.

The weeklong celebration promises a wide variety of music programs that not only cater to a specific format, but also encompasses concerts and gigs, open mic challenges, exclusive premieres, workshops, and a lecture series. 

Vote Pilipinas, Smart Team Up, Urging Filipinos to Register For 2022 Polls

PLDT’s wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) has teamed up with the Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) official Voter Registration Information Campaign partner - Vote Pilipinas – to encourage more Filipinos to register for the 2022 elections. Spearheaded by the non-government organization Impact Hub Manila, Vote Pilipinas offers non-profit, non-partisan online and offline information about the upcoming elections.  

“As the country’s leading mobile services provider, Smart is in a unique and significant position to expand the reach of ‘Vote Pilipinas' using the power of digital technology and our nationwidest and nationfastest network,” said Jane J. Basas, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business at Smart.

With more than 18 million Filipinos belonging to the 18-39 year-old range, Gen Zs and millennials make up the biggest bulk of the voting population next year. Together, Smart and Vote Pilipinas will drive an information campaign aimed at igniting the youth’s passion and purpose to live smart and vote smart – starting with registering for next year’s polls.