Calvin Harris drops future club anthem “By Your Side,” featuring Tom Grennan

LISTEN HERE!

GRAMMY® award-winning, multiplatinum-selling artist and heavyweight producer Calvin Harris has finally dropped his big energy new single, “By Your Side” featuring British pop sensation, Tom Grennan.

 

Released via Columbia Records, this bright and feel-good tune arrives just in time for fun. 

 

With immaculate production and clubland bombast, “By Your Side” delivers another career highlight from Harris. Bedford-born musician Tom Grennan sings atop infectious beats and sticky pop hooks with reassuring words of love and affection. It’s an electronic dance anthem that helps listeners get through the most trying of times.

 

In an Instagram post, Calvin Harris thanked Grennan for joining him on this massive, future chart-topping bop. “Thank you @tom.grennan for blessing this tune with your unbelievable voice! I absolutely love a summer record. You might have noticed this already.”

Grennan also expressed excitement with the release of his collaboration with the acclaimed EDM producer. “Just here thinking BY YOUR SIDE with @calvinharris is out on Friday. My birthday is next week and the sun is out. Life is good and I’m feeling very lucky.”

By Your Side” is out now on all digital platforms worldwide via Columbia Records and Sony Music.

Source: Sony Music Philippines

First Tourism Group Lands in Israel Kickstarting the Country’s Return of International Travelers

The Israel Ministry of Tourism (IMOT) has announced that the first international tourist group to enter Israel in over a year, departed Newark Airport on United Flight 090. Upon the flight's arrival Israel’s Minister of Tourism, Orit Farkash-Hacohen, greeted the group in celebration, kicking off the official return of international tourism to the country.  

 “You are the first organized tourist group to visit Israel in over a year, since in March 2020 Israel shut its doors to tourists, and I am very pleased to be here with you on this momentous occasion, said Farkash-Hacohen. “Israel has overcome COVID, after being the world’s leading country to vaccinate its population, and we are back to normal—restaurants, hotels, concerts, markets, national parks, and sporting venues—everything is now safely open. You are the first of what I am sure will be many tourists and we are all excited to have you here!” 

 

This first group of tourists consists of 11 American theological students from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri, escorted by their professor. The group’s arrival marks the official start of the country’s pilot program and over the next few days and weeks, 19 additional groups from around the world will arrive in Israel. The plan is to increase the number of groups allowed into the country and soon reopen to individual international tourists over the summer.  

 

In the interest of avoiding the spread of COVID-19, all visitors arriving in Israel must be fully vaccinated, have taken a PCR test that proved a negative result, and will be tested for antibodies upon arrival.   

 

“This is just the beginning of the long-awaited return of tourism to Israel – we plan to continue rolling out next steps and advancements in our phased approach over the coming weeks,” said Sammy Yahia, Director for India, and the Philippines. “Israelis are ecstatic and are ready, with open arms, to welcome international visitors back to the country.”

Source: Embassy of Israel, Manila

Finish Line

I recently completed an important project, and it felt fantastic. I celebrated this accomplishment with an ice cold beer. I reflected on my process while working on this project, and I realized that I was able to formulate a system that worked for me. Here it is:

  1. Workout in the morning- Working out in the morning ensures that you are naturally awake and energized. When I still worked out at night, I was sluggish during the day. When I switched my schedule to early morning workouts, I saw a massive improvement in my stamina. I was able to have fresher ideas, and I was excited to work because of all the energy from my cardio workout.

  2. Sleep- I was able to cure my insomnia by working out in the morning. With sufficient sleep, I was able to work on my project for hours on end, without feeling burnout or fatigue.

  3. Write an outline- If you are working on a text-based project such as mine, an outline will serve as your working framework. Set aside time for each part of your outline, then plot your timeframes within your schedule. I kept my deadlines for my project on my planner, and I am happy to share that I was able to finish ahead of schedule.

  4. Reward yourself with your favorite drink- I drank beer for every completed part of my outline. My favorite beverage motivated me to work smarter and finish my project!

My project has been turned over today to a professional for assessment. I look forward to seeing my project in its polished form, and I hope to share it with you soon!

I will surely keep you all posted!

Being Comfortable Without Effort

I just finished reading Being Comfortable Without Effort by Soo-hyun Kim. I am a fan of this author because of her candor and wit. I have also read her other book, I Decided to Live as Me. I have learned practical life and relationship advice from her books and I hope that you will also get to enjoy them!

I have shared excerpts of the book below. To shop Being Comfortable Without Effort, click here.

Quielle

I recently purchased these safety pin earrings from local accessories shop Quielle. I love these handmade stunners because the quality is top notch. The tips of the pins are not sharp, and the stainless steel material is polished to perfection. They are also lightweight enough for all-day wear.

Most of my accessories are from this shop. They do not tarnish, and their sparkle remains the same for a long time. I have been a Quielle customer since 2019! This is not an ad, and I simply want to promote this brand.

For your local accessories fix, be sure to check out Quielle!

Clam Top

I just finished crocheting this Clam Top. I followed the video tutorial by local crochet designer Yarns and Fins. I purchased the gradient yarn from Clover’s Crochet PH. For the top itself, I used a 3.00mm hook. It took me a week to finish this project.

Finishing crochet pattern boosts my confidence and enhances my mood. It helps keep me focused as my crochet time is an opportunity for me to stay away from gadgets. Having a hobby such as crochet is healthy and fulfilling, and I highly recommend it.

Do give it a try by buying a hook, a yarn, and tuning in to a tutorial online! Good luck!

Breakfast Bin

Breakfast Bin is one of my go-to places for a good all-day breakfast. This Maginhawa restaurant has been my venue of choice for countless dates, meetings, and catch-ups with friends. Their price points are budget-friendly, yet their food tastes premium.

I am especially fond of their Toasted Naked Longganisa with Talangka brown rice. It is the perfect match to a cup of freshly brewed coffee.

Go ahead and give this a try! I promise you that this rice bowl will remind you of simple, Covid-19-free times.

Enjoy!

Diane at 34

Last May 27 was Diane’s thirty-fourth birth anniversary. I celebrated her life and legacy by visiting her grave and paying my respects.

I am honored to be her friend. She taught me to appreciate the little things in life. She was creative and self-determined. She believed that she was destined for greater things.

In college, she asked everyone to call her “Scarlett”, and her classmates did just that. She later enrolled in law school to better herself and fulfill her childhood dream. She always kept up with her love for books and poetry.

I am sad that she passed away so young. She would have loved Instagram and used filters to add drama to her photographs. She would have followed accounts like Daily Stoic. She would have also enjoyed listening to podcasts.

I wonder how she would have treated the pandemic. I bet she would have disliked staying at home. And yet, she could have thrived in the work from home setup. Yes, complete with a ring light and a top of the line laptop.

I miss Diane because she knew how to empathize with me. She did not judge me, and she was my biggest cheerleader. She would have also helped me find someone to date when I was still single. She really was one of my most selfless friends.

I hope that she is at a happier place now. I also hope that she could say hi to my dad and grandpa for me.

She was a morning person, so I hope that she can also help me in that department!

If Diane can read this, I hope she knows that I miss her so much.

DARREN EMBARKS ON A CAREER-TURNING NEW PHASE WITH THE RELEASE OF “TAMA NA”

Celebrated pop icon Darren Espanto has officially released his new single “Tama Na”—out today on MCA Music Inc. Now ready to embark on a new phase in his career, the multi-awarded young artist distills pop, hip-hop, and R&B into a modern bop that radio wouldn’t mind spinning at the top of the hour. His latest track is a rhythmically charged tune that approaches the verses with edginess and the chorus with suave.

 

On top of a smooth, urban-leaning production and trap beats, Darren sings about giving up on the person that used to occupy a special place in his heart. “Ayokong masaktan ulit / Ayoko nang lumuhapa't maging biktima,” the 20-year-old pop sensationdrops the bomb on the chorus, finally making sense of the situation that left him hanging for a long time. 

 

“Tama Na” is a song about unrequited love and finally finding the courage to walk away from a tedious, one-way relationship, which has done nothing but hurt your feelings. The song’s pitched-up samples, hard-hitting electronic beats, and hip-hop-informed sensibilities propel Darren’s soulful delivery to exciting new places. This gives Darren an extra push to showcase his versatility in terms of tone and appeal, turning his youthful fervor into something that resonates with the general public.

 

“Tama Na” is the latest collaboration between Darren Espanto and fellow hitmaker Zack Tabudlo, who wrote, produced, and mixed the track. According Darren, it has always been their plan to work together on a project, as he admits being a fan of Tabudlo’s music style and talent. “Last year, Zack told me how he became part of the MCA family and we thought that finally, this would be our chance to work together. In just a couple days, Zack created ‘Tama Na’ and I really liked the song instantly. It’s a sound that people haven’t heard from me before and it’s also a genre I’ve always wanted to try.”

 

A few months later, Zack and Darren went on a Zoom call to guide the latter throughout the entire recording process. Darren recalls, “It was honestly such a chill session, mostly because a lot of it was us just talking about random things that aren’t even related to the song.”

 

The song will be out in music video format soon andis slated to be part of Darren’s new album. With its aim to chart Darren’s evolution as both an artist and a performer, the upcoming record will be a major shift toward a more contemporary-leaning sound with dance and R&B music influences. It will also serve as his more artistically involved release so far, harnessing his songwriting skills and more.

 

At the moment, Darren Espanto is gearing up for his virtual concert on June 19—to be streamed live via KTX. 

 

He also made headlines a few days ago when a new set of photos showing his new hunky physique went viral on Instagram. Darren’s new look sheds his teenybopper persona and taps into a more ‘grown’ vibe, marking the celebration of his 20th birthday with newfound adventurousness in style.

Darren is on the cover of Spotify’s New Music Friday Philippines 

Watch ‘TAMA NA’ Official Lyric Video HERE

About Darren Espanto:

In less than a decade, Filipino-Canadian artist Darren Espanto has made an impressive mark in the Philippine music industry with multiplatinum albums, sold-out concerts, acclaimed performancesand No. 1 singles under his belt. Darren is considered as one of the most successful Filipino male pop/R&B artists of the last decade, having amassed more than a hundred million streams on Spotify, and more than a hundred million views on YouTube alone. 

Known for his incredible vocal chops, stellar stage presence and fresh-faced appeal, he has achieved success not only as a recording star, but also as one of the country’s most sought-after brand ambassadors. He was recently appointed as the first celebrity Youth Advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and has been actively involved in programs related to climate change, biodiversity conservation, and youth empowerment.

In recent years, Darren Espanto has developed his passion for songwriting and producing, and has been technically hands on in several of his new releases. From one song to another, Darren is relentless in pushing the envelope of pop craftmanship by exploring other music genres, from electronic pop to modern R&B, and everything else in between. He has grown before our eyes from being a youthful crooner with outstanding pipes to finding his own voice and style. In a very competitive pop music landscape, Darren stands out as a refreshing and endearing personality whose music speaks to you on an intimate, personal level. 

The pop sensation broke through the public consciousness in 2014 after placing second at the first season of The Voice Kids Philippines. The then 13-year-old contestant was an instant favorite during the blind audition, and became a showstopping force from one round to another. During the same year, Darren joined ABS-CBN’s talent management outfit, Star Magic, and was immediately signed by MCA Music Inc., the Philippine regional branch of the multinational Universal Music Group. 

In December 2014, the Pinoy teen star released his first studio self-titled album, which debuted at No. 1 on Apple's iTunes and Astro charts. The award-winning record was certified Double Platinum by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI), and produced the chart-topping singles “Stuck,” “In Love Ako Sa’yo” and the Jessie J cover “Domino.” 

In May 2015, the Filipino recording star staged his first solo concert at the MOA Arena, setting a record for the youngest artist to headline his very own show at the prestigious venue. The following year saw Darren releasing his sophomore album, Be With Meunder MCA Music Inc., which featured two of his very own compositions for the first time. The platinum-certified album has yielded three hit singles namely “7 Minutes,” "Starlight," and "Parachute.” All three tracks debuted at the top spot of the iTunes Philippines chart on the day of its release.

Darren went on to land several important music gigs here and abroad, and eventually made a huge comeback in 2017 when he released “Dying Inside To Hold You,” which serves as the official soundtrack of the hit movie, All For You, starring JennylynMercado and Derek Ramsey. The remake of the ‘90s hit eventually became one of the biggest hits of 2017, amassing more than a hundred million streams and views on Spotify and YouTube, combined.

His winning streak continued in 2019 when co-headlined a sold-out concert with Jonalyn Viray and Lani Misalucha in Cebu, Davao, and Manila. Darren appeared in notable international engagements, first as the Filipino guest performer in the grand finals of Singer 2019 in China, and another one as part of the eleven Asian singers invited to perform the theme song for the ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit titled "Side by Side.” A rendition of the historic Disney duet, ‘A Whole New World’ was also performed by Darren together with Filipina pop star Morissette Amon last May 2019, now at 10.5 million streams on Spotify and 10 million views on YouTube.

The following year, Darren released his Christmas single, "Believe in Christmas", under MCA Music Inc. As expected, the song debuted at the top spot of the iTunes Philippines chart two hours after it was made available on the said digital platform. Its official music video has racked up more than a hundred thousand views within days.

Aside from releasing commercially successful albums and smash singles, Darren has bagged more than 70 recognitions on different award-giving bodies in the field of music and entertainment, most prominent among the bunch were Awit Awards, AliwAwards, MYX Music Awards, Wish Music Awards, MPC Star Awards for Music, Star Cinema Awards, MOR Music Awards, and many more. This year alone, he bagged several recognitions, which include Village Pipol Choice Awards’ Performer of the Year, Wishclusive Ballad Performance of the Year for “Sasagipin Kita,” Silver Exclusive Elite Circle and Push Cover of the Year for “A Whole New World” with Morisette Amon. He has performed as an opening act for international artists like Selena Gomez, Jessie J. and Alex Aiono, and later ventured into acting where he played the role of Yohan, Kathryn Bernardo’s younger brother in the romantic drama film, The Hows Of Us. The Kathniel-starrer went on to become the second highest-grossing Filipino movie of all time, earning more than 800 million in the box office.

As the first celebrity youth appointed by United Nations Development Programme, Darren has proven himself to be a reliable global ambassador who has brought a creative and inspiring perspective to the social and environmental issues that the entire world is facing today. In his capacity as the UNDP Philippines Youth Advocate, he was part of the #Mission1Point5 climate action global campaign, and was invited as a keynote speaker for the International Youth Day Youth Forum 2020 with the theme "Building a Better Normal with the Youth.” He celebrated his 19th birthday with an online charity concert entitled, D Birthday Concert from Home and raised P838,206.69 for ABS-CBN’s Pantawid ng Pag-ibig program.

Follow Darren to get the latest updates:

Facebook Instagram Twitter | TikTok | YouTube

Follow MCA Music for more updates:

Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  YouTube  |  Tiktok

Source: GNN Entertainment Productions

Gareth Fernandez drops rousing ballad “Could Have Been Us”

Gareth Fernandez is back with the spiritual successor to 2019’s gospel-inflected track,

“Achilles,” and 2020’s emotional ballad, “Put You Through.”

The soulful pop singer pours his heart out on his latest single “Could Have Been Us”—released

today on all digital and streaming platforms worldwide. This song was co-written with the

inimitable indie darling Linying (Sticky Leaves, Paris 12), who also lends her hauntingly

beautiful vocals to the track.

With Shaykhandbake returning as producer, “Could Have Been Us” features tender piano lines,

and is enveloped by a rich, gospel-style choir.

While “Achilles” deconstructed our egos, and “Put You Through” challenged us to acknowledge

our faults in our pasts, “Could Have Been Us” retreads these heartbreaks one last time, before

setting them aflame and bidding them farewell.

About The Artist

Gareth Fernandez is an artist that draws influences from soulful singers like Sam Smith, John

Legend, and Adele. He writes about the millennial/Gen Z experience in today’s fluid, confusing

virtual insanity.

“Could Have Been Us” is out now on all digital and streaming platforms worldwide.

Source: Nyou

Ben&Ben drop new version of “Leaves,” featuring K-Pop star Young K

After topping the search chart of South Korea’s most prominent music streaming site, Melon in 2020, Filipino folk-pop collective Ben&Ben have teamed up with Seoul-based singer-songwriter and rapper Young K for the new version of their 2017 hit single “Leaves.”

Set for an international release, the re-recorded material comes with fuller, more intricate arrangements and subtle, background harmonies. Aesthetically, there’s something inherently grand about the new version of “Leaves” which transports listeners to the late 2000s when acclaimed musicians like Fleet Foxes and Sufjan Stevens made intricate, chamber pop music with indie folk sensibilities. “The new version of Leaves is based heavily on how the full band adapted the song for live performance through the years,” lead singer and guitarist Miguel Benjamin said in a statement. “As compared to the original piano and guitar only arrangement, the new one features the rest of the band’s full instrumentation and additional choir-esque harmony arrangement by Toni, Andrew, and Poch on the intro and first verse.”

Working with Korean sensation Young K

Multi-talented artist Young K contributed vocals to the second verse and chorus of the song, giving it an edgier, more pop-oriented sound. According to lead singer and guitarist Paolo Benjamin, the collaboration was an extremely smooth process, with the K-Pop artist seamlessly reinterpreting the song with a clean, powerful vocal on top of the band’s organic arrangement. He adds, “No revisions were needed, as everything worked as a result of natural chemistry, and Young K’s affinity to the band sound as well.”

Young K has been a constant presence in Korean pop/rock music industry, starting out as the bassist, vocalist and rapper of South Korean rock band Day6. He scored a No. 1 hit in 2015 as the featured artist in Baek A-yeon’s multiplatinum-certified single “Shouldn’t Have,” and earned songwriting credits for some of the biggest K-Pop acts such as Got7, Park Ji-min, Nakjoon, and Eric Nam—to name a few.

The partnership between Ben&Ben and Young K started when several K-Pop artists listened and reacted to “Leaves” on their V Live as requested by the respective fanbases. The videos propelled Ben&Ben’s “Leaves” to trend at No.1 and occupy the No. 2, 3, 6 and 7 positions on the Melon real-time search chart. The rest of the story, as they say, is history. “The band’s and Day 6’s management were able to reach out to each other, and the artists’ mutual respect for each other’s music eventually led to Young K agreeing to a collaboration,” percussionist and background vocalist Andrew de Pano points out. 

Young K, on the hand, shares that he immediately accepted the offer to work with Ben&Ben because more than anything else, he believes in the band’s music and vision. “Out of few songs that I listened to, Leaves caught my ears the most. The message given through the lyrics and the entire vibe was very heart-warming. And the vocals were amazing.”

“It would've been better if we could meet in person, but still the fact that I could have my voice with them is enough for me. Maybe in the future we could work on a new song together,” the Korean recording artist adds.

Forgiveness is freeing

With all the changes and all the difficulties happening in our everyday lives, it’s important to step back once in a while and reassess life-affirming decisions.  Keyboardist Patricia Lasaten explains, “Leaves has always been known for its final lines in the chorus, ‘All will be alright in time’ and ‘You never really love someone until you learn to forgive.’ In these times, it is a song that continues to remind us of the temporary nature of hardships and challenges, and the true nature of love as well as something that is freeing.”

“Leaves” was mixed and mastered by Grammy Award-winning sound engineer, Miles Walker, who has worked with the likes of Beyoncé, Rihanna, Coldplay, Katy Perry, and several more international superstars. Walker praised Ben&Ben for their professionalism, and for being collaborative in terms of executing ideas. “They have great arrangements and harmonies within their performances, and the addition of Young K as a new vocal texture in the performance really made this one feel extra special.”

Leaves (feat. Young K)” is out now on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music. The official music video featuring Young K will drop on May 28, Friday (7pm – Manila time), and there will be an IG Live on Ben&Ben’s Instagram with Young K at 6pm.

Source: Sony Music Philippines

I’m Journaling!

After joining the journaling workshop last Saturday, I am happy to share that I am still journaling! This is a big deal for me because I never remained consistent with a journaling habit for more than two days. I have since reflected in self-compassion, grief, and self-reliance during the past few days.

Everyday is an opportunity for me to explore my hopes, dreams, fears, worries, and feelings through this new journey. So far, I feel lighter after writing down my thoughts, and this has led me to better sleep and emotional support.

If you also want to start your journaling journey, visit Noted Journal PH to buy locally-handmade vegan leather journals and watch their videos on how to jumpstart this hobby on their YouTube channel.

I hope that the pandemic will give us all enough time for reflection and growth. Take care, everyone!

Yamakawa Saturday

I ordered lunch and dinner from Instagram food delivery shop Yamakawa Kitchen. They only deliver on Saturdays, so I made sure to stay home for my weekend Japanese food fix! As usual, they did not disappoint.

Their gyudon was delicious! It was just the right balance of flavors, and their onsen egg gave the dish restaurant-quality sophistication. It went well with black coffee.

For dinner, I had their recently-launched katsu sando. It was delightfully filling. Their katsu was thick and juicy. It tasted like asado, which I liked! All in all, 10/10.

To get your Japanese food fix at home, order in advance from Yamakawa Kitchen! I am one satisfied customer.

Journaling Workshop

I am a firm believer in paid workshops because it is human nature to consistently practice something that has been bought with hard-earned money. I joined a paid journaling and memory keeping workshop by local journal maker and YouTuber V of Noted Journal PH. I wanted to restart my journaling journey but I needed some help, so I enrolled in this afternoon webinar for some inspiration.

I received the journal kit prior to the workshop day itself, so I was able to get acquainted with the journal and its vegan leather cover that will be my emotional dumpsite in the coming months. During the workshop, I discovered that I am more of an essay-type diarist. I express myself better with words rather than photos. I may have this blog to document my everyday life, but there is something magical about putting words on to paper. The art of letting go with a pen and notebook is therapeutic, and I am happy to rekindle this habit during the pandemic.

To be honest, the past few weeks have been challenging. I was getting cabin fever, and my partner who lives in another city had the dreaded Covid-19 virus. While he did not need to be hospitalized, it was still a tiring ordeal. We had to keep our relationship alive through video calls and chats. While we were able to lean on each other during these difficult times, I wanted to strengthen my emotional ability through journaling. I noticed a positive change already in the two days that I have been journaling, as I realized that I can control my emotions through daily journaling.

Let me end this blog entry with the output I made during our journaling workshop. I do not normally use photos and stickers on my spreads. It was refreshing to change my journaling style for a day and meet fellow diarists. It is also nice to meet V virtually and interact with her! I am really grateful for this experience and I hope that similar opportunities will be available in the future to develop my passion for journaling.

This post is not sponsored. I am just a happy Noted Journal PH customer! To support V and her brand, visit her website, and learn how to journal via her YouTube channel.

What I Love About R2R

Rags 2 Riches has recently emailed its subscribers a set of questions to probe what they love about their brand. I have been a longtime fan of this brand, so this is an interesting exercise for me. Here’s what I have to say about R2R.

My first R2R piece was purchased from Firma in 2008. It was a clutch designed by local fashion icon Rajo Laurel. I used it during my first job at a bank, and it held my makeup and toiletries. It was neon pink, and it was woven by a mom at Payatas. It was one of the first local brands that included a hand-signed card by the artisan who made the item. It touched my heart, and as a fresh college graduate, it helped pave the way for my career choices and eventual foray as an online distributor for another social enterprise, a position that I hold to this day. It also gave me a tangible link to the impact of my buying power to a community, however small that purchase may be.

My favorite R2R purchase is the Noah Fanny Pack because it was the bag that I wore to conferences at ADB and while my terminally-ill father was confined at the hospital. I brought it with me from meetings to fora, and from my father’s chemotherapy sessions to my trips to buy his necessities at the pharmacy. It was also special because I purchased this bag at the R2R HQ, which I documented in this post.

R2R launched a clothing line, and I bought a couple of pairs of shorts from them last year. I enjoyed these pairs because they went well with my cropped tops, and even my favorite t-shirts.

I think their clothing line deserves to be praised for their efforts to use upcycled fabrics and include indigenous weaves in their designs. However, as someone who does not like ruffles and ribbons, perhaps a more edgy collection would attract a new set of customers to try their clothes.

My favorite R2R memory would be that time when I bought a pair of flats made of the signature R2R basahan (rags) weave and indigenous textile. I felt so stylish during that day! Those shoes are still wearable to this day after five solid years of wear.

My dream is for R2R to continue growing despite the challenges of the global pandemic. I may have stopped purchasing from them due to some budget constraints of late, but my R2R face masks and filters remind me everyday that this brand may have started from rags, but I watched them grow to riches. I have grown up since their humble beginnings, and I hope that God will bless me with work and opportunities so that I can continue buying from brands such as R2R and support communities in the process.

God bless you, R2R!