I dispatched 155 earsavers to the nurses of Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRRMMC). It was a real joy to make these for this hospital. My first donation to JRRMMC was back in April. Now, I am donating to the nurses to support their continuing fight against Covid-19.
It is a joy to make these earsavers for our frontliners. Let us continue to support them and follow health guidelines to flatten the curve. God bless us all!
The rock legend’s upcoming album features E Street Band
Bruce Springsteen is slated to drop his highly anticipated studio album with E Street Band, Letter To You on October 23, 2020 (Friday) via Columbia Records.
A rock album fueled by the band's heart-stopping, house-rocking signature sound, the 12-track Letter To You is Springsteen's 20th studio album, and was recorded at his home studio in New Jersey.“I love the emotional nature of Letter To You,” says Springsteen. “And I love the sound of the E Street Band playing completely live in the studio, in a way we’ve never done before, and with no overdubs. We made the album in only five days, and it turned out to be one of the greatest recording experiences I’ve ever had.”Letter to You includes nine recently written Springsteen songs, as well as new recordings of three of his legendary, but previously unreleased compositions from the 1970s:“Janey Needs a Shooter,” “If I Was the Priest,” and “Song for Orphans.”
Springsteen is joined on Letter To You by Roy Bittan, Nils Lofgren, Patti Scialfa, Garry Tallent, Stevie Van Zandt, Max Weinberg, Charlie Giordano and Jake Clemons. The album was produced by Ron Aniello with Bruce Springsteen, mixed by Bob Clearmountain and mastered by Bob Ludwig. Letter To You is Springsteen's first time performing with the E Street Band since The River 2016 tour, which was named the year's top global tour by both Billboard and Pollstar.Bruce Springsteen’s recording career spans over 40 years, beginning with 1973's ‘Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ’ (Columbia Records). He has garnered 20 Grammys, won an Oscar and a Tony, been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, received a Kennedy Center Honor and was MusiCares’ 2013 Person of the Year. Springsteen’s memoir ‘Born to Run’ (Simon & Schuster) and its companion album ‘Chapter and Verse’ were released in September 2016, and he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2016. His historic 236-show run of ‘Springsteen on Broadway’ at Jujamcyn’s Walter Kerr Theatre from October 2017 to December 2018 also yielded an accompanying soundtrack album and Netflix special. In 2019, Springsteen released 'Western Stars,' his first studio album in five years, and together with longtime collaborator Thom Zimny he co-directed ‘Western Stars,’ a feature film released through Warner Bros.Tracklist:
1. One Minute You’re Here2. Letter To You3. Burnin’ Train4. Janey Needs A Shooter5. Last Man Standing6. The Power Of Prayer7. House Of A Thousand Guitars8. Rainmaker9. If I Was The Priest10. Ghosts11. Song For Orphans12. I’ll See You In My Dreams
Watch the video for the album's title track here: brucespringsteen.lnk.to/LTYSPS/youtube
Pre-order Letter To You here: brucespringsteen.lnk.to/LTY-POPS
Source: Nyou
Orange & Lemons have proven time and again, that they’re capable of writing infinitely hummable, indie-pop classics that maintain a distinct sensibility and effortlessness amidst shifting trends.
Their new single, “You Bring Out My Best” is among their most delightful work to date: a song that finds Clem waxing poetic on the intimate moments that he once shared with a fictional ex-lover.
According to Orange & Lemons’ chief songwriter and producer, Clem Castro, the song was intended as a pitch for a commercial project, but the band decided to release it as a stand-alone single. “We just love how the song turned out,” Clem reveals in a statement. “It’s the first time we sat down together working on a concept material, with no relevant inspiration for it. Just a play with words and melodic lines.”
The production packs a punch in a way that is seamlessly understated but compelling—never overdoing the process to gain attention or impress music fans. But it’s the songwriting that remains front and center to this massive release, a distinct mold whose appeal transcends generations of any kind.
“You Bring Out My Best” was written, arranged, and demo-recorded last February 2020 at O&L’s drummer studio from 4pm to 3am. The members of the band had to maximize their time together because they live far from one another, with Clem already having an approximate idea of a verse and chorus linesfor the session. After jamming with the band, they brainstormed on adding sections and parts to complete the demo. “The resulting production has that trademark O&L sound, and much, much more because of the contribution of our keyboard player, who after more than a year of being an official member has immersed himself in indie-pop stylings,” the Orange & Lemons frontman adds.Four months after the demo was shelved, Orange & Lemonsfinally braved the studio to resume recording of their new single “You Bring Out My Best.” Armed with disinfectants and face masks, the award-winning band carefully observed health and safety protocols to finish the material. Clem says, “We had to remove our shoes when tracking, and only one person is allowed at a time to record. The rest had to wait outside at the receiving area of Sonic State Audio in Mandaluyong City.”
“You Bring Out My Best” is out today, September 11, 2020 (Friday), on all digital platforms worldwide via LilystarsRecords.
Source: Nyou
Before my dad passed away last year, he asked me to knit or crochet a brown blanket for him. I always thought of his wish even if it has been more than a year since his passing. To commemorate his wish, I knitted myself a brown scarf using DMC Knitty Pop from Dreams Yarnshoppe.
I started knitting this during the start of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) last March. I only finished it this week as I prioritized crocheting earsavers for medical frontliners. I only had time to continue knitting this scarf after finishing batches for each hospital. It became my reward for completing batches, and it was something that I really looked forward to.
I look forward to using this scarf when I am already allowed to explore the city again. I will probably take this to the cinema, or to a date without face masks on. I look forward to the day when this scarf can keep me warm when I am already allowed to freely go out again.
I just finished crocheting this shawl using Crocheted by Carisse yarn. I used a 4mm Pony Soft Ergonomic hook from Oh My Yarn. I used a granny shawl pattern from YouTube, and just worked it from there.
I actually started making this last April, during the beginning of the lockdown. However, I had to make earsavers for medical frontliners, so this shawl took a backseat. But that didn’t mean that I took it for granted, as this shawl balanced out the pressures of earsaver deadlines.
It became an outlet for me, and I thoroughly enjoyed crocheting it. It gives me hope to finish this shawl, that I can still fulfill deadlines and focus on tasks at hand. I know that crochet may just be a hobby for some, but for me, it’s a way to adjust to life’s challenges. I am thankful that I have this passion, and I hope that you can also find something that helps you live life better.
I dispatched 100 earsavers to the brave frontliners of Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital. This is my second time to donate to this hospital. My first time to donate earsavers to Fabella was last April 27. Since then, I was blessed to have plenty of yarn to make over 2,000 earsavers for health care workers.
I am a proud volunteer for Earsavers for Livesavers PH Community, which has given me a platform to serve our frontliners from home. The Covid-19 virus is still upon us. I hope that we will continue to help our frontliners and do our part to flatten the curve.
Godbless us all!
I am pleased to have finished another batch of earsavers for frontliners. This time, I donated 25 pieces to the Main Laboratory workers of Fe Del Mundo Medical Center.
This batch is special to me because I have been a patient of this hospital when I was younger. I hope that my simple creations will help alleviate the discomfort that these frontliners experience.
Please consider becoming a crafter, materials sponsor, or delivery angel for our cause by joining the Earsavers for Lifesavers PH group. Every bit of effort goes a long way in supporting our health care workers.
God bless us all!
I am thankful that I still have yarn and buttons as I was able to donate 250 earsavers to the frontliners of Region 1 Medical Center Dagupan City. Making these earsavers has been therapeutic for me, and I hope that these will bring comfort to our heroic healthcare workers.
Please consider donating materials, volunteering as a delivery angel, or as a crafter for Earsavers for Lifesavers PH. Together, we can all fight this unseen virus with faith and perseverance.
Los-Angeles based Asian-American rapper Blahza releaseshis first solo single ‘Bandz’ under Umami Records today,August 28 (Friday), on all digital platforms worldwide.
The latest single follows his previous collaborations with Singaporean electronic producer Xinister on ‘Break’ and with Malaysian lo-fi producer OnlyM on ‘Perfect.’
On the sparse, trap-influenced track, Blahza rhymes about hustling in life, minding your own business, and keeping your cool when the chips are down. Blahza shares the story behind ‘Bandz:’ “The hook is about not worrying about what another person has. And when you don’t have it yourself don’t hate - just go out and get it for yourself.”
According to the Umami Records hip-hop artist, the first verse was written to document his struggles and humble beginnings, trying to make a fortune out of hard work and perseverance. He lays down the second verse with details about his romantic preference, seamlessly changing subjects like a pro. Blahza says, “When the beat played the hook came to me instantly, I felt the message so clearly when I was writing it. The cadence is so catchy.”
‘Bandz’ is the lead single from Blahza’s upcoming EP, Sad Songs For Happy People, scheduled for release in 2021. Blahza also has several collaborations dropping later this year.
Listen to Bandz via Umami Records:
https://www.umamirecords.sg/bandz/
About Blahza
Los-Angeles based Asian-American hip hop artist and producer Blahza makes music with a larger than life sound about his afflictions, aspirations, and accomplishments, inspired by the American counterculture of the late 1960s and music from the early 2000s.
Blahza recorded, mixed and mastered Blueface’s record ‘Next Big Thing’ in 2018. In 2019, Blahza opened for Members Only at the first stop of their album tour, and released his EP ‘Bloom’. Blahza has been featured on major playlists including Spotify’s Beats & Rhymes, New Era: Asian Hip-Hop, Border Beats and 都会の空と音楽と.
Born and raised in Van Nuys, of Chinese and Puerto Rican parents, Blahza grew up surrounded by music and diversity. He fell in love with rap music and especially how it bridged different cultures.
Facebook · Instagram · Twitter · YouTube
About Umami Records
Umami Records is a Singapore-based indie record label founded in 2013. Much like the “5th taste” reputation of its namesake, the label strongly believes in discovering new, interesting sounds that run underground and away from the mainstream. The label’s tight-knit, curated roster includes releases from Linying, The Steve McQueens, brb., Evanturetime, CampFire, Martin Baltser, Phoria, Oriental Cravings, and more.
UmamiRecords.sg · Instagram · Facebook · Twitter · YouTube
Source: Nyou
The year 2020 has been a roller coaster ride for me. The Covid-19 pandemic has forced me to a home quarantine for several months, which was a drastic adjustment as I was used to going out everyday. I was sad on the first few days, but I focused on working out and practicing my flute again. Eventually, I got used to home life with my mom and our helper.
The lockdown has taught me to be thankful everyday. I realized that life is too short, and with the world on a standstill, I noticed that the past does not matter anymore. Only the present matters, because the future is not promised to us. I decided to make use of my time at home wisely by crocheting earsavers for health care frontliners under the organization Earsavers for Lifesavers. I grew my hair, which was in a pixie cut for years. I practiced my own kind of self-care, by reading books, listening to music, subscribing to podcasts, praying, and participating in webinars and virtual parties. Life became colorful again, thanks to the online events I had.
I also switched from drinking instant coffee to brewing my own coffee at home. I bought a French press, and found a local coffee distributor who delivered choice selections from Sagada and Kalinga. This may seem like a small change, but the results have cascaded into the other aspects of my life. I learned to wait for my coffee to brew, rather than just drinking my coffee straightaway. I appreciated the aroma of strong coffee, and realized that black is better than sugary concoctions in sachets. I learned to take things slow. And I became more awake in the process.
With all the negative news and energy in the world during the pandemic, I realized that my life is the only thing that is mostly within my control. This led me to being more selective with the guys I was entertaining. I decided to stop wasting my time on men who ghost and have shady intentions. Probably the biggest quarantine plot twist was meeting my boyfriend, who was an upperclassman of mine in university. Reconnecting online was a blessing as it made the quarantine so much better. Finding love also made me appreciate how I am as a person. I have so much love to share because I already feel confident in my own skin. Indeed, when I was at home, I got to focus on my truest self, and this led me to really enjoy being in a relationship.
Dating during the lockdown does have its challenges, as most restaurants only allow takeout. This did not stop us from having coffee in the car or just seeing each other once a week. The pandemic made us appreciate the time that we spent together, as this also made us get to know each other better. My favorite moments are when we talk on just about anything while driving around the city.
The Blessed Mother has been my intercessor all throughout the pandemic. I asked her to help me get though each day, and I got so much more than that. I learned how to manage my expectations, emotions, priorities, and to let go of past hurts through my daily rosary. As a result, I became braver to face the future because I know that the present is the best gift I can give myself.
I will look back on the pandemic with affection as this period in my life taught me how to be a lifelong learner with a prayerful and loving heart. With Our Lady’s help, I know that God will continue to help me thrive in an imperfect and unpredictable world.
Sam Lucas graduated with a degree in Humanities from the University of Asia and the Pacific. She is a Human Nature online dealer and Core Advocate. When she was 14, her vision was restored to 20/20 after a trip to Lourdes, France. Her fibromyalgia was also healed after this trip. She has a lifelong devotion to Our Lady.
During the virtual presser attended by members of the press last August 26, 2020 (Wednesday), The OPM Archive Foundation has announced its official plans to collect Filipino music memorabilia and champion digital archiving in a time that needs preservation of cultural artifacts.
Heading the OPM Archive Foundation are the “next gen” members of the group, Moy Ortiz, President; KrinaCayabyab, Vice President; Dinah Remolacio, Treasurer and Chevy Salvador, Secretary, while the more senior members will stay on as board members and advisers.
The archive is a separate entity from Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) in that it will serve as a foundation that collects and documents not just the actual original Filipino music, but also narratives, photographs, music sheets and press releases. Originally, the term “OPM” referred to the inclusive period from the 70s to 80s when a rich influx of new and modern sounds, melodies, lyrics, singers and musicians flooded the airwaves, and even the theater, with original dance musicals as “Rama Hari” and “Tales of the Manuvu”. Among the familiar and popular voices that emerged, aside from Celeste Legaspi’s were Basil Valdez, Hajji Alejandro, Sampaguita, Mike Hanopol, Florante, Freddie Aguilar, Leah Navarro, Didith Reyes, just to name a few.
The archive, however, for the purposes of music research and study for future generations, shall extend its bordersto the precedents of this era, the 60’s, and extend to the present, and hopefully can be sustained into the future, for the identification and recognition of music development. The accompanying narratives will seek to contextualize the music in its specific social relevance that defined each period, and perhaps identify continuity to the next period.
Plans for the OPM Archive gave rise before the lockdown, when the Filipinas Heritage Library (FHL), where the archive was to be housed, was ready to receive the hard copy donations. With the lockdown, FHL head, Suzanne Yupangco and the archive group agreed to go digital. This does not, however, preclude the collecting of hard copies once the quarantine period is over. There is nothing like seeing the original “in the flesh”. While each hard copy donation will be digitized, the original copies will also be preserved through actual preventive conservation, knowing how digitization alone can be prone to obsolescence because of evolving digital formats.
Music plays a major role in peoples’ lives. It is something everyone cares about. And the archive hopes to ensure that the musical gems it documents and collects will live on from generation to generation, so children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren can appreciate, learn from, and perhaps someday, revise, improvise, follow or change approaches to music.
The archive is now open for digital collection, and is open to the public for donations. Just log on to opmarchive.com.
The launch of the OPM Archive is an initiative of founding members of OPM, led by its founder and first president, Celeste Legaspi, with Girlie Rodis, Tats Rejante Manahan, Lyca Benitez Brown, next generation members, Moy Ortiz, Chevy Salvador, Dinah Remolacio and Krina Cayabyab.
Source: Nyou
I recently donated blood! I try to donate every three months because it’s the easiest way to help others. I regularly visit the Philippine Red Cross Quezon City Chapter for my donations as this is the center closest to my home.
Please do take note of the medical check-up that will be conducted onsite prior to bleeding. You will then be advised if you are a suitable donor.
To increase your chances of being a suitable donor, eat a heavy breakfast and avoid smoking or drinking prior to donating. I don’t smoke and I only drink socially so this isn’t an issue with me.
Also, females must donate before having their monthly period to ensure that their hemoglobin levels are stable.
Please also consider donating blood, especially during this pandemic. The Philippine Red Cross provides free transportation during the pandemic for donors. Social distancing is fully enforced. Please wear a mask and face shield at the center at all times.
God bless us all!
Alternative rock icon Rico Blanco spreads love and positivity amidst difficult times on his new single, “Happy Feelin”—out today, August 25, on all digital platforms worldwide.
On his second release this year under Sony Music, the award-winning producer and singer-songwriter delivers a bright, upbeat number that soars with an inescapable chorus and a rockabilly vibe.
For someone who has spent a career pushing pop music to exciting new places, Rico Blanco succeeds in releasing a diverse selection of tunes that blends crossover appeal with an adventurous edge. Count “Happy Feelin” as the latest addition to his winning streak: a finger-snapping, retro-leaning bop that finds Blanco dialing down his sonic ambition for something that resembles a big ball of sunshine.
“Happy Feelin” is the second song written and produced by Blanco in his home studio during the lockdown period. It’s the follow-up single to “This Too Shall Pass,” which was released on the first week of May 2020.
Stream Rico Blanco’s latest single here.
Source: Nyou
The Embassy of Israel in Manila hosted a Zoom cullinary dialogue with Chef Yonatan Vazana and Chef Heny Sison last 11 August 2020. According to the embassy, “Our countries, Israel and the Philippines, have achieved another milestone in our friendship. The culinary dialogue even made our ties more flavorful as it showcased Israeli Chef Yonatan and Filipino Chef Heny's expertise in cooking.”
Check out the recipes for the two featured dishes from Chef Yonatan and Chef Heny. May they inspire you to have a culinary adventure during the quarantine!
Burumundi fish with Hraime sauce
By: Chef Yonatan Vazana
Ingredients:
Soybean oil
Onions
Celery
Carrots
Cumin
2 slices of fish fillet
Fish broth:
20 peeled tomatoes
5 bell peppers cut diagonally
15 garlic cloves
Half a cup of soy oil
2 lemons
1 Moroccan paprika
I cup cumin
Fish broth:
•Put in the pot all the vegetables with a bit of oil for 10 minutes until golden brown.
•Cover the vegetables with water.
•Put the fish head inside and cook for 30 minutes.
•Add tomatoes cut quarterly and cook for 45 minutes. Put off the fire and cover with nylon paper for 30 minutes.
For the hraime sauce:
•Shred the peeled tomatoes.
•Transfer to a pot and add 2 cloves of garlic and bellpeppers.
•Cook for 2 hours.
In a bigger pot, put the rest of the garlic, spices, half a litter of the fish broth and stir.
•Add the cooked tomatoes, salt and pepper to taste, then cook for 10 minutes.
•Add all the pepper and put the fish above.
•Cover and cook for 10 minutes. Remove cover then cook for additional 5 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!
Sinigang na Bangus sa Bayabas at Sampalok
(Milkfish in Sour Guava and Tamarind Broth)
By: Chef Heny Sison
Serves 2
Ingredients
1⁄4 cup (50 ml) Magnolia Nutri-Oil Palm oil
400 grams milkfish belly, boneless
4 cups (1000 ml) water
60 grams (1 piece) red onion, cut into 5 wedges
60 grams (2 pieces) tomatoes, deseeded and quartered
1 tablespoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
1 cup guava purée
1⁄2 cup tamarind juice
2 pieces guava, deseeded and quartered
2 grams (3 slices) ginger, peeled and sliced
60 grams radish, sliced
60 grams string beans, cut into 3-inch long pieces
40 grams water spinach (kangkong)
1 piece green finger chilli
Procedure
1. Preheat a sauté pan with oil over high heat.
2. Pan-fry the milkfish until lightly brown. Remove the fish from the sauté pan and transfer it to
a plate. Set aside.
3. In the same sauté pan, sauté the red onion and tomatoes. Set aside.
4. In a medium saucepan, add in water and bring to a boil. Add in the fish sauce, sugar, guava
purée, tamarind juice, and the deseeded guava pieces. Bring down to a simmer then add in
the ginger, radish, pan-fried fish, sautéed onion, tomatoes, and string beans. Continue to
simmer until the vegetables are cooked.
5. Remove the scum that forms on the surface.
6. Serve hot. When ready, add the water spinach and the green finger chili upon serving.
For the Guava Purée:
Ingredients
5 pieces ripe guava, chopped
1 cup (250 ml) water
Procedure
1. In a small saucepan, pour in the water and add in the guava, boil until the guava has
softened.
2. Let it cool, then purée in a blender.
3. Strain the purée twice to remove the seeds and the pulp.
For the Tamarind Juice:
200 grams green tamarind
1 cup (250 ml) water
Procedure
1. In a medium saucepan, pour in the water and add in the green tamarind, boil until the
tamarind has softened.
2. Mash the mixture.
3. Strain to get the tamarind juice and measure the amount needed in the recipe.
I have been a fan of local jewelry brand Quielle since 2018. Their quality pieces are made of either stainless steel or sterling silver, which are ideal for my acidic skin.
I love their newest personalized designs, which are the Old English name anklet and baybayin name necklace with pressed flower. I couldn’t resist them, and I ordered both of them. My pieces took a fortnight to make, and the wait was worth it. Both of them were beautiful and perfect for daily wear.
This is not a sponsored post. I am simply a fan of this local shop. With the pandemic still upon us, please consider supporting local SME’s. It would really boost our economy and help our country move forward amidst the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 virus.
Let personalized jewelry brighten up your day! God bless us all and stay safe, everyone!
If you have ever wanted to know what it feels like to be hugged by a cookie, then you need to try the Too Much Chocolate Chip Cookie created and baked by the Fet Boys. If you've never heard of them, it's because their cookies are so good, people don't want to share for fear of it being sold out which it almost always is.
The Fet Boys are twin brothers Karl and Kirk though Kirk is the one who bakes all the time. The Too Much Chocolate Chip Cookie is his creation and this comes in GIANT and regular size. When I say it's a GIANT cookie, I mean it.
The Too Much Chocolate Chip Cookie is made of chocolate chip goodness, walnuts, and chunky chewy cookie all rolled into one. People who don't like too much sweetness will enjoy this because it's not too sweet either. The sweetness is just right that even diabetics can eat a piece of this.
People in Singapore love this and they are not fans of sweet so if they love the Too Much Chocolate Chip Cookie by the Fet Boys, you know that the sweetness level is just right.
If you would like to experience being hugged by a warm cookie, message the Fet Boys on their Facebook Page. If you're not ready to take in the giant version, order the regular version. Make sure you order at least a dozen because everyone who ordered only 6 pieces ordered another dozen after just one bite.
text and photos from: the Fet Boys
I just finished reading The Overseas Fabulous Pinay: A Modern Filipina’s Handbook on How to Thrive Abroad by Donna Avellana-Künzler. It was a joy to consume as it was written in the author’s humorous and tongue-in-cheek style. I appreciated that the book was divided in chapters which dealt with the essential matters on migrating to a foreign country, such as important documents and survival skills. These were balanced with light chapters on how to enjoy the expat life and making friends with different people.
Don’t get me wrong- I am not planning to move abroad anytime soon. However, I do know some female friends who are considering the big move someday. While the Internet is abound with resources on how to thrive aboard, this book uniquely targets Filipinas who want to not just integrate in another country, but to be fabulous while doing so. The book carefully lays out key strategies on making it overseas, beating homesickness, and balancing work and personal life.
Ms. Avellana-Künzler is a veteran in thriving overseas, as she has lived in three continents and wants to help Filipinas shine outside their comfort zones. She also wants to empower Filipinas by sharing her own life story so that others can learn from her wins and mistakes.
My favorite chapter was the last one, which was entitled Stay Fabulous. It helped me pinpoint what made me happy, how I reward myself, and what I would like to learn. Come to think of it, this book is not just for overseas Filipinas, but for every Filipina. This pandemic has made us all isolated to a certain extent, so conquering the outside world already feels like a major move in itself.
This book is a guide for Filipinas who want to transcend their own limits, whether its to move abroad or outside the home during Corona times.
I previously shared the press release for this book here.
The Overseas Fabulous Pinay: A Modern Filipina’s Guide on How to Thrive Abroad by Donna Avellana Künzler is available at major online book retailers Barnes & Noble, Kobo and Amazon for P750. Check www.ovfabpinay.com for announcements for book events and to get to know the author more through her blog. Be part of the #ovfabpinay Facebook community [www.facebook.com/ovfabpinay] and follow @ovfabpinay on Instagram [www.instagram.com/ovfabpinay] for more updates.
Stay safe and fabulous, everyone!
Stream 12:00 (Midnight) here.
MANILA, Philippines – Filipino three-piece band Nobody’s Home reinvents ‘80s nostalgia with modern synth-pop sheen on their debut single “12:00 (Midnight)”—out today on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music.
Plumbing greater heights with pulsating synth melodies and cinematic flourishes, the indie rock trio’s maiden song evokes the hallmarks of a generation who grew up on Back To The Future and Dungeons and Dragons, while setting its sights on darker, more subdued production.
According to Eon Buendia, the song revolves “around the idea of separation and someone comparing themselves, thinking they're nothing but a burden on their partner who seems to be of importance.”
Drummer and co-songwriter Moon Cairo Peralta also shares the reason behind their latest song: “It’s called ‘12:00 (Midnight)’ because midnight for us signifies that odd time between the day before and the next day to come. The time where everything around you seems calm which gives way to the anxiety that comes crawling in. It talks about starting may be right back where you started from or anew even if you have no idea it’s already started.”
“12:00 (Midnight)” started out as a gauzy instrumental piece produced by Moon Cairo Peralta. Cairo points out, “I was inspired by listening to a lot of the bands who used synths in the 80s. With writing Midnight in particular, I wanted to incorporate synths that’ll establish the overall mood and groove of the production.”
The young musician sent the track to Eon Buendia, who wrote the lyrics and melodies, and to Justin Punzalan, who added guitar lines that according to him, “were placed in a way that it would complement instead of overpower not just the vocals but the track itself.”
The end result mirrors the three-piece collective’s thrilling retro-futurist experimentation, while careful not to sacrifice the incredible pop sensibilities that define their signature sound.
“12:00 (Midnight)” is their first single as an artist under Sony Music Philippines. Eon stresses that the band is very excited and looking forward to working with the major record label. “We feel that at this point in our lives, we should grab every opportunity for us to showcase our talent and message through a platform everyone is familiar with.”
Source: Nyou
Israel’s Agency for International Development Cooperation – MASHAV donated learning equipment to the Department of Education (DepEd) of the Philippines to help with its continuous efforts in coping up with the COVID-19 pandemic and in providing distance learning to Filipino students.
Chargé d’Affaires (CDA a.i.) Ms. Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov led the turnover ceremony of the learning equipment comprised of heavy-duty copiers, laptops, and office printers. DepEd Secretary Leonor Briones witnessed the ceremony virtually while Usec. Revsee Escobedo from DepEd and Dean Jason Arriola from the Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Middle East and African Affairs (DFA-OMMEA) graced the event with their presence.
“COVID-19 pandemic has put a stop to our regular way of transmitting education which is largely face-to-face. Since we are determined to continue the process of learning amidst the pandemic, we have turned to blended learning without the face-to-face component,” Sec. Briones said. “Thank you very much for these learning equipment that we could use for blended education. I have been thinking of how to select the lucky recipients of these gifts. We will prioritize those who need it the most,” she added.
Furthermore, DepEd Secretary Briones has expressed her appreciation towards Israeli achievements in Science and education and her willingness to develop the bilateral cooperation in these areas.
“We are very happy to give assistance to Filipino students. We are aware of the challenges that DepEd is facing in terms of the blended learning approach due to COVID-19. That’s why we decided to give support to the Filipino youth, teachers, and the DepEd,” Ms. Rachinsky-Spivakov said. She added in Tagalog, “Sobrang masaya kaming tumulong sa mga mag-aaral sa Pilipinas. Sana magamit ito ng maayos at marami ang makinabang.”
During the event, CDA a.i. Ms. Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov, mentioned President Manuel Quezon who saved Jewish refugees during the Holocaust. “Israel will forever be grateful to the Philippines for that. This is one of our humble ways to pay back,” Ms. Rachinsky-Spivakov said.
The turnover ceremony took place at the Embassy of Israel in Manila on 13 August 2020.
Source: Embassy of the State of Israel, Manila
I dispatched 65 earsavers to the swabbing personnel of the Quezon City Health Department. I finished this batch on my birthday, and it was sent out a day after I turned 34. I hope that the frontliners who will receive these earsavers will be spared from the Covid-19 virus, and that they will remain safe as they fulfill their duties.
Please join the Earsavers for Lifesavers PH Facebook group to volunteer as a crafter, materials sponsor, or delivery angel. Every bit of help counts as we continue to motivate our healthcare frontliners as they battle the corona virus.
Let us all stay safe and healthy!
