Mind your back: What may seem like yourusual back pain can be Axial Spondyloarthritis

A mysterious backache could mean a lot of things. It could simply be from overuse or a small injury, or it could also be a telltale sign of Axial Spondyloarthritis.

Axial Spondyloarthritis is an inflammatory disease of the axial skeleton and it can cause significant pain and, possibly, complete disability if not treated. It is also a highly heritable disease, so families with a history of arthritis are at higher risk.

Axial Spondyloarthritis typically starts in early adulthood, even referred to by some as the “disease of the young.” Global studies reveal that there is an average diagnostic delay of 7 years for most patients, primarily because Axial Spondyloarthritis presents itself only as persistent pain in the lower back during the first few years. During this time, however, the disease would have already progressed, leading to irreversible damage.

It is for this reason that Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc. (J&J) has partnered with theDepartment of Health (DOH), Philippine Rheumatology Association (PRA), and Axial Spondyloarthritis Association of the Philippines (ASAPh) to create greater awareness for Axial Spondyloarthritis, and encourage suspect patients to seek medical help.

The importance of catching the disease early

The lack of awareness among the public and the lack of familiarity with the disease among primary care providers have resulted in fewer referrals to specialists and delay in diagnosis of patients.

“Axial Spondyloarthritis is fairly common and so are its symptoms,” said Dr. Bernadette Manapat-Reyes, chair of the Philippine Rheumatology Association for Spondyloarthritis. “The most common symptom is prolonged pain in the lower back. Some people also experience pain in the hips, swelling of joints, episodes of eye inflammation, and even weight loss.”

“While there is no permanent cure for Axial Spondyloarthritis, its symptoms can be managed and the speed of its progression can be reduced with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.”

At best, Axial Spondyloarthritis can be managed with regular exercise and physical therapy. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs, and injectable biologics can also be used to help stop inflammation in patients.

“Together with DOH, PRA, ASAPh, and J&J, we conducted a lay forum last July 22 entitled Inflammatory Back Pain: Ating Suriin, Ating Alamin! to educate more Filipinos about chronic and debilitating conditions such as Axial Spondyloarthritis. We frequently distribute reference materials too, so that more people would become aware of the complications that follow this chronic, inflammatory rheumatic disease if not acted upon immediately. It is also PRA and ASAPh's plea to make medications more accessible to patients in need,” added Dr. Reyes.

“We know Axial Spondyloarthritis has an early onset, but life doesn’t have to stop when it happens,” said Dr. Erwin Benedicto, head of Medical Affairs at Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc. “If you have been experiencing symptoms of Axial Spondyloarthritis, it is very important that you see a specialist immediately.You shouldn’t delay this because the disease can be crippling if left unchecked.”

“Axial Spondyloarthritis is a lifelong condition that may affect you differently at different times. Creating a treatment plan with your rheumatologist can greatly help in dealing with the challenges that come with living with Axial Spondyloarthritis.”

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About Johnson & Johnson (Philippines), Inc.

At Johnson & Johnson, we believe good health is the foundation of vibrant lives, thriving communities and forward progress. That’s why for more than 130 years, we have aimed to keep people well at every age and every stage of life. Today, as the world’s largest and most broadly-based healthcare company, we are committed to using our reach and size for good. We strive to improve access and affordability, create healthier communities, and put a healthy mind, body and environment within reach of everyone, everywhere. We are blending our heart, science, and ingenuity to profoundly change the trajectory of health for humanity. Learn more at www.jnj.com. Follow us at @JNJNews.

Source: J&J Philippines

Israeli Ambassador Presents Credentials to President Duterte

Ambassador-designate Ilan Fluss presented to President Rodrigo Roa Duterte his credentials as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Israel to the Republic of the Philippines at Malacañang Palace on 20 October 2021.

Ambassador Fluss formerly served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Israeli Embassy in Manila from 1995 to 1998. 

“I am honored to be back in the Philippines, this time as the Ambassador of the State of Israel. I am excited to take on this new role in the Philippines as my first assignment in this capacity,” Ambassador Fluss shared.

Ambassador Fluss noted the very warm and friendly relations between Israel and the Philippines, which was strengthened further by the historic visit of President Duterte to Israel in 2018. Since then, significant developments have been achieved in the fields of economy, agriculture, tourism, among others. 

“Mr. President, innovation and technologies are not the future – they are the present – and the development of more cooperation in this field is one of my main goals for the years ahead. The goal of our partnership is to create sustainable development, improve lives, create jobs, generate income, and enable the transfer of relevant know-how and technologies,” Ambassador Fluss said during his speech.

Ambassador Fluss hopes to make substantial contributions to the furthering of the countries’ friendship and partnership, and to the continued work towards the prosperity of Israel and the Philippines.

Ambassador Fluss was born on December 1965 in Haifa, Israel. He served in the Israeli navy for five years. He graduated from the University of Haifa with a degree in psychology and Israel studies, and an MBA from the University of Derby. He joined the foreign service in 1994 where, since then, he represented Israel in a variety of capacities. 

He served successively as Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in the Philippines (1995 – 1998), Spokesperson and Cultural Attaché at the Embassy of Israel in the Hague, Netherlands (1998 – 2000), served in the Ministry’s Asian Division (2000 – 2004), Acting Ambassador and later on, as the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Israel in Pretoria, South Africa, (while in South Africa he was also responsible for Israel’s diplomatic relations with Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Swaziland), Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Israel to the UN (2006), Director for Policy Planning and External Relations and later on as Deputy Head of MASHAV (2009 – 2016), special envoy for the Bureau of the Director General (2016 – 2018), and eventually as the Deputy Head of the Economic Division at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2018 – 2021). He was appointed as the Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines in October 2021. He is married to his wife, Gila, and has four children.

Source: EMBASSY OF ISRAEL MANILA

of Mercury navigates new phase in music journey with two-track release, CHANGIN’ vol. 1

Listen to the band’s new single “I’M FINE”

of Mercury, formerly known as Nathan & Mercury, marks a new chapter in their music journey with the release of their two-track volume, CHANGIN’ Vol. 1—out today via Sony Music Philippines.

The dual release, which features the songs “I’M FINE” and “HEAVEN ON EARTH,” finds the band pushing their sound to an unexpected direction and displaying remarkable consistency in terms of musicality and songwriting. “Think of this release as a re-introduction to us,” of Mercury explains. “This release is a statement from us that we’re growing, we’re changing: a foretaste of what the album is going to be.”

Gleaming with funkier, hip-hop-leaning sounds and edgy production techniques, both tracks assert something that has been proven from the early stages of their career: they’re technically impressive as musicians, but they never let the stylistic explorations get in the way of their soulful, confessional storytelling. 

Focus track “I’M FINE” is a tangible proof of the band’s insistence to write songs that come from a place of earnestness. According to of Mercury, it’s a song about moving on and picking one’s self up from all the internal brokenness, even after being betrayed by someone who used to be important. “It was one of the biggest heartbreaks we’ve ever witnessed as a band,” the Fake Love act shares in a statement. “When we wrote this, we had this realization that we’re actually fine now and we don’t really care about the people that hurt us already.”

The song was written, arranged, and produced by of Mercury with no general idea of how it’s going to come out. While it sounds polished with the right balance of organized dissonance and pop sensibility, “I’M FINE” is one of the those tracks that didn’t really have a direction or a goal, but all the sonic elements blend together seamlessly to create something that is familiar yet uniquely of Mercury. 

“The writing was fine because we knew where to pull from, but when we got into the production, we couldn’t think of how we wanted this to sound sonically,” of Mercury admits. “We have to start from somewhere, so we randomly thought a bunch of elements onto the song, and continued throwing ideas with no pegs, no direction, whatsoever. This is the same reason why we’re starting off with this track, it was really an unknown space for us and we’re just really happy we were able to pull it off, and that everyone genuinely enjoyed this process.”

of Mercury’s new single “I’M FINE” also features Michael Flores a.k.a. Filipino rapper Hijo, who in turn, spat bars with incredible range and energy. “Hijo had a great sense of how to work with others and how to keep the vibe relaxed and fun,” says the alternative quartet. “Working with Hijo reflected how much we enjoy working with others, especially when we get the ball rolling. Everyone just bounces off each other’s ideas, expressions, opinions. It’s where we all do our best; it’s a great feeling to have with everyone.”

This particular project also marks a reunion with former bandmate Karlo Maglasang (knōwmaad) who used to play bass for the band. “To have him around after not working together for a while really brought a different view on what we were doing. We also felt like, it’s as if he never left at all. Everything felt natural and everyone was on the same wavelength.”

A music video for “I’M FINE” will be released soon.

“I’M FINE” and “HEAVEN ON EARTH” are part of the two-track volume, CHANGIN’ Vol. 1, which serves as a reintroduction of a ‘new’ old band who have found themselves reconnecting for the same goals, despite having difficulties in compromising from the beginning of their journey. By changing their moniker to of Mercury, the acclaimed quartet is ready to start a new milestone in music and get things together with a common set of values.

In a statement posted across social networking platforms, the band cited their creative and personal disagreements as the two main reasons of the initial fallout, which caused the hiatus. At some point, the band decided to take a step back, work on their differences internally, and restart anew under a name that they feel would represent them better as artists. 

“The name (of Mercury) change brought a sense of unity within us, and we didn’t want to be exclusive about it,” of Mercury shares. “Yes, we’re part of this, but we want the people we get to work with and those who support this thing we’re doing to have a certain position to say that they are a part ‘of Mercury.’ It’s all about the bigger picture.”

of Mercury’s CHANGIN’ Vol. 1 is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. 

 Source: Sony Music Philippines

Change Management

It was an honor to share my insights on #changemanagement to HOUSE Foundation leaders. I am grateful for opportunities to share my knowledge to others. Aside from volunteering, I also love to write. My book #speakbloglive is now out. Please buy it here: https://linktr.ee/speakoutsam #authorlife

200 men and women participate in a nude artistic installation in Israel

200 men and women participated in a nude artistic installation by the American artist Spencer Tunick in the desert landscape around Arad. The photographic installation is designed to support the establishment of the Dead Sea Museum in Arad. As part of the artwork, the artist used a white body paint that had never before been used.

In a cooperation with the Israel Ministry of Tourism, the Arad Municipality, the Dead Sea Revival Project, Spencer Tunick has returned to the Dead Sea region after two earlier installations that won international acclaim and helped raise awareness of Israel as a tourism destination.

Participants in the project say that, this project is expected to be one of the most daring and controversial ever undertaken by the artist. Tunick has created installations in, among others, New York, London, Vienna, Barcelona and Sydney. Today, Arad joins this illustrious list, hosted by the Israel Ministry of Tourism.

About 200 people who agreed to participate in the installation arrived in Arad in the early afternoon and disrobed somewhere in the desert landscape surrounding Arad. The event took about three hours, during which the artist positioned the volunteer models and the camera, according to the background and the light etc.

The installation is designed to draw world attention to the importance of preserving and restoring the Dead Sea, as well as the establishment of the Dead Sea Museum to be built in Arad, under the initiative and leadership of Ari Fruchter who recruited Tunick for the promotional campaign.

Tourism Minister Yoel Razvozov: “Every image published by the artist represents a tourism boost for Israel. Millions of people from around the world see the beauty and the tourism potential of Arad and Dead Sea. As Israel opens it skies to vaccinated tourists, we look forward to welcoming them once again to the unique landscapes of the Dead Sea region, one of Israel's leading tourist destinations. "

Spencer Tunick: “It is difficult to hide the fact that the Dead Sea is disappearing and the establishment of the Dead Sea Museum is our way to create awareness of this fact. My visit to Israel was an experience for me and I am always happy to return here and photograph in the only country in the Middle East that allows art such as this.”

Source: ISRAEL MINISTRY OF TOURISM Philippine Office

Le Fleur Coffee Holder

I recently purchased my second cup holder from local small business Le Fleur. Their vegan cup holders have made my coffee or juice experience more delightful and aesthetically pleasing. It also warms my heart that their cup holders are all locally made by hand. I am all for small businesses that champion local craftsmanship and style.

Buy your own Le Fleur cup holder here! Enjoy your coffee!

The Den

I enjoyed having coffee at The Den at Escolta. I had the Berg’s, which is their iced espresso blended with coconut milk. It tastes like a tropical awakening! The coffee is strong, while the coconut milk adds a unique flavor that reminded me of a holiday. It was perfect.

I also had their lemon mushroom cream pasta. I think I found a new hangout at this heritage street in Manila!

If you are craving for a low key coffee shop inside a heritage building, visit The Den. You won’t regret it.

TRENDING: AJ Raval crowned as the first celebrity endorser of Queen White

Queen White, a Filipina-owned skincare brand, introduced a new face to their Queendom: up-and-coming Filipina actress AJ Raval.

Queen White’s CEO Ms. Sarah Vidi P. Mercado says she wants people to feel empowered, “Ang ganda ko, ang sexy ko, ang confident ko.” While there are so many young stars in the industry, AJ perfectly encapsulates the message Queen White wants to share.

The fast-rising actress shows how multi-talented she is with her variety of content. From movies, TV shows, and vlogs, there’s nothing this girl can’t do! She chooses to be daring and doesn’t limit herself with the roles she can take, showing off her beauty, grace, and maturity. AJ embodies body positivity and expresses herself with radiating confidence that every Filipina Queen can look up to. 

AJ Raval was confirmed to be Queen White’s endorser by June 17, 2021, even before controversies about the young star emerged. The CEO Ms. Sarah Vidi P. Mercado has courageously stood by AJ’s side and shares, “We should not judge AJ because we do not know the whole story. What’s truly important is that everybody is ready to continue rising and progressing forward because that’s what life is all about. Sana rin mas maging mabait po tayo sa isa’t isa during these hard times.” 

With the collaboration between Queen White and AJ, Ms. Sarah aims to bring her brand to greater heights and show that there’s nothing a Queen can’t do. Filipinas everywhere deserve their own glow-ups and Queen White wants to be a part of every Filipina’s journey to self-love and building confidence. Filipina princesses should take the leap, be daring, and ultimately, become Queens! 

About Queen White:

Queen White is a Filipina-owned skincare brand that aims to develop and introduce products that are both effective and inexpensive to the Filipino market. Established in 2019, the brand has grown exponentially with 600 distributors and over a thousand resellers or “Queenderas” nationwide.  

For more information, make sure to check Queen White’s official social media accounts! 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/queenwhitemain/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/queenwhitemain/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@queenwhitemain

Source: Queen White

Traviel Bags

In 2020, I received a DOST Coursera scholarship which allowed me to explore my creative skills through writing and personality development classes. As I was posting my certificates online, I met Pao Manalang of Traviel, who was also taking Coursera courses under the same scholarship. We shared the same values, and this is evident in her brand’s vision of enriching and uplifting local craftsmanship. Meanwhile, I wanted to enrich and uplift blogging as a craft which can be written about in a book. So that’s what I did. When I launched my book (Buy it in the link above this post! 📕), I finally purchased my first Traviel bag. It is made of plant-based leather and textile. I am very happy to support a local brand whose values align with mine ❤️

Zack Tabudlo finishes 2021 strong with his full length debut album, Episode!

Listen here: https://zacktabudlo.lnk.to/Episode

2021 was a year of breakthroughs for singer-songwriter, and producer Zack Tabudlo. His anthemic singles “Binibini” and “Nangangamba” dominated multiple local and international charts across major streaming platforms.

After signing to Island Records Philippines/MCA Music in 2020, Zack emerged as one of the fastest rising OPM artists that we have seen in the last year - breaking records for streaming, digital sales, and airplay.

“As we rolled out his songs, there was an exponential growth in his listenership. His songs 'Binibini' and 'Nangangamba' both became #1 on Spotify's Global Viral Chart, topping the charts for four weeks straight. ‘Binibini’ also topped Spotify’s Philippines Top 50 Chart for six straight weeks, where he broke the record for the longest-running number #1 local track by a Filipino RADAR artist.After being added to Spotify’s RADAR Philippines program, Zack was able to reach new fans both locally and internationally.” said Enzo Valdez, Managing Director of MCA Music.

Being part of Spotify’s RADAR program that supports emerging artists, Zack Tabudlo shares, “RADAR Philippines has given me a platform to share more of my music to both the local and global audience. It has given me the motivation to create more music.” He adds, “With the help of Spotify, being able to reach my listeners in a meaningful way does justice to my roots and hard work. I hope the stories that I share about my passion and heart for songwriting will inspire other aspiring young artists to showcase their works and put Filipino music and artists on the global stage.”

This October, Zack Tabudlo is releasing his first full length album ‘Episode’ - a collection of his personal experiences about love, life, and the challenges that he had to overcome while chasing his dreams. All these personal stories were brought to life through the 14-track LP. With emotionally charged and hard-hitting lyrics, the overall vibe of the album is a roller coaster ride of intense feelings of being romantically swept away by love, conveying happiness in its purest form, nursing past heartbreaks, to finally having the courage to forgive and move forward with life.

“Episode is a word that gave such an impact to me at times where I was at my lowest,” the singer-songwriter explains. “People would say ‘here he is with another episode’ or another stage of problems, where obviously not anyone would want to experience. It’s ironic to put it as an album title but it’s how I went through these stories, with these episodes. Everything is based on personal experiences, from heartbreak and love, from life to unfortunate events.”

The whole album is Zack’s personal masterpiece. He was the sole writer, producer, and even mixed and mastered all 14 tracks. Zack’s growth as an artist is very evident in this album as he explored various musical styles in bringing these songs to life - ultimately creating his own sound with influences from pop, R&B, bedroom electronica, punk rock, ‘80s, and ‘90s alternative rock.

This growth is something Enzo Valdez has also noticed. “As a composer, he has grown tremendously. We've seen a lot of listeners relating to his lyrics and resonating with his sensibilities. The album also showcases different genres all throughout, making each song a unique experience. This album definitely shows how far Filipino artistry has come despite the challenges of the pandemic,” he shared.

Episode is Zack Tabudlo’s debut album under Island Records Philippines, a domestic label division under MCA Music. This album features his familiar hits such as “Binibini” and “Habang Buhay” with other new songs that will surely tug people’s hearts, stirring emotions and feelings that were once, or never acknowledged.

Episode is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Island Records Philippines and MCA Music Inc. 

ABOUT ZACK TABUDLO

Conquering the World Through Music is Zack Tabudlo’s Childhood Dream

Young Zack Tabudlo wanted to conquer the world—a feat that is aspired by many. An abstract concept that encompasses the realization of one’s ideals as they stand on top of all they have ever dreamed of. An end goal for many. A meter of success.

Zack thinks differently. Since he was a child, he’s had a clear view of the path he wants to take. He knows that conquering the world is not an overnight achievement nor a single-day celebration of whatever success means. For Zack, to conquer the world means to continuously wield the gift that is given to him—music.

At the age of 10, Zack became a finalist in the reality talent show Talentadong Pinoy. At 12, he made Coach Bamboo Mañalac turn his chair upon hearing the first note of his audition piece for The Voice Kids Philippines. 

Being a part of the competition pushed him to form the youth singing group, Gravity, with his fellow contenders. With Zack as its frontman, Gravity’s ensemble released Imposible, a song about an unrequited love sung in a catchy pop beat. Aside from Gravity, Zack was also one half of the teen pop duo Zack and Fritz with fellow The Voice Kids alumna Eufritz Santos.

He began his solo music career in 2018, venturing not only in performing but also in songwriting and music production. He believes that to conquer the world of music means to understand and experience it holistically. 

“[I have] Worked with different producers—international and local—for months. And having to incorporate all the styles these producers and artists have shown me—it’s definitely something different.”

He plunged even deeper into his passion under the mentorship of Jonathan Ong and Chris Anthony Vinzons of Sonic State Studio. He was also mainly mentored by Cleng Saturno and even got the opportunity to learn from celebrated composer Vehnee Saturno.

In 2020, Zack joined Island Records Philippines where he continued honing his identity as a musician. His singles Nangangamba, Cruel, Sigurado, Iyong Iyo, and Elizabeth are testaments of his evolving creative songwriting and production style. The versatility in infusing the elements of pop and RnB with his arresting vocals is unique in his genius. 

This dynamic artistry has launched Binibini, another masterpiece that would bring him to an even bigger canvas in Times Square, New York City. Being featured in one of the most bustling cities in the world is more than just exposure—it’s the realization of his dreams. The record-breaking track reigned at the top of Spotify charts for six consecutive weeks and has been the longest-running #1 local track by a Filipino RADAR artist on The Philippines Top 50 Chart in 2021. The same song topped the charts for four consecutive weeks in the Global Viral chart of the same platform.

This gained him a global footing and made it to the Viral 50 charts of Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, and UAE. His world-class appeal also gained him an international collaboration with British singer-songwriter James TW. Through this team-up, Binibini was reimagined in English with the title Binibini (Last Day On Earth).

“Everything that I achieve, small or big, are milestones to me.” 

For Zack, everything that happens in his career is an important experience that will make him grow more as an artist. His Alt-Pop and RnB genres that have captured the hearts of his listeners are, in his own words, “windows” to other genres he wishes to explore in the future. As an artist who continuously challenges convention, Zack is excited to create bigger things for his fans.

“There's a lot of power you can gain with your craft and a lot of consequences and responsibilities you have to commit along the way. Values and roots are also a big reminder to stay grounded through the process... To think of all the things you went through before, and people who believe in you and guide you, are in a way my motivation to become better and bigger at my craft.”

The young artist believes that keeping his feet on the ground means maintaining his footing as he continuously runs towards his dream--to conquer the world through music. Because for Zack Tabudlo, “music itself was the dream.”

You can stream “Episode” on Spotify: https://zacktabudlo.lnk.to/Episode/spotify

You can also check out ‘Episode’ everywhere: https://zacktabudlo.lnk.to/Episode 

Buy the ‘Episode’ physical album here: https://zacktabudlo.com

Source: Nyou

Wovensound and Ihasamic! weave together stories of struggle, survival, and resilience on hip-hop track “The Constant”

Eclectic music producer Wovensound and acclaimed rapper Ihasamic! mark another exciting collaboration with the release of their new single “The Constant,” out now via Umami Records. 

With sultry R&B vocals from Sreshya, introspective verses from ZFRL and Ihasamic! himself, and a smoky, downtempo production from Wovensound, the massive new tune echoes the group’s frustrations and fears over the uncertainty that’s been clouding their headspace during this time of forced withdrawal. 

Despite its tendencies to embrace pensive gloom, the song ties together stories of struggle, survival, and resilience with dignified honesty, while channeling their collective energy into something inspiring and worthy of discussion.

For his part, Ihasamic! openly questions his growth and progress, and if there even was any substantial enough to speak of, during these difficult times. But the Repack rapper comes to terms with the idea of allowing himself time out of time, realizing that it’s perfectly fine to rest, practice self-care and be sensitive to people who are going through difficult challenges in life.  “It's a sorry-I'm-like-this apology letter to everyone I've inconvenienced because I feel very demanding asking for things,” he shares, navigating these huge emotional hurdles with newfound wisdom.

For Sreshya’s verses, the rising soul-pop artist dismantles the illusion of trying to be tough on the outside, and expresses how important it is to showcase vulnerability once in a while. “Instead of dealing with my issues and addressing my lows, I stick with the comfort of pretending it’s all okay and everything’s the same as it ever was, because otherwise, I might lose my mind.” She adds, “My ending verse is kind of an acknowledgement that everything is not as okay as it seems and I should embrace that because nothing’s in our control anyway.The line, ‘set these sails low’ isn’t admitting defeat, more about embracing the uncertainty.”

ZFRL shares the same frustration with his fellow collaborators, but finds value in escaping the suffocation of repetitive routines. “I guess some people prefer to live within a safe space unlike others such as myself who prefer volatility and yet, the anxiety and uncertainty scares me,” the rap sensation says. “It gets confusing when both types of people look at you as either the outcast of society or an inspiration for them to seek out a higher purpose of living. I hope to find the balance between both.”

But aside from the inspiring confessionals, “The Constant” offers subtler moments that are admirable, and primal soundscapes that howls into the void. Thanks to Wovensound’s brooding production, the track doesn’t settle for anything less, complementing the bigness of the lyrics with visceral edginess.

Listen to “The Constant” via Umami Records: https://www.umamirecords.sg/the-constant/

Press Contact

Jason Ling

Umami Records

+65 98164268 | jason@umami.sg 

About Wovensound

Singapore hip-hop producer Wovensoundweaves his love for music with other artists, collaborating extensively and producing something unique every time.

Wovensound AKA Vinod Dass is also a veteran of Singapore’s underground metal scene, playing guitar in various bands including Truth Be Known and Mucus Mortuary. He decided to establish this moniker in order to pay tribute to his love for other forms of music, mainly hip hop and rap.

Wovensound’s 6-track debut EP Vertigos Fulfilled drops in June 2021.

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"Taking a page out of Brockhamptonand Tyler the Creator’s books, producer Wovensound weaves in elements of lo-fi, jazz and hip-hop to create a track that sounds like a road trip." - TimeOutMagazine

About Ihasamic!

A New Media Art Director by profession, Ihasamic! (Muhammad IbnuNordin) usually creates and conceptualizes visual pieces as his dayjob and hobby, which is explored sonically through his music along with poetry and creative writing. His influences are vast and many but seem to come into focus through the rap and hip hop music he creates.

Instagram | YouTube | www

About Sreshya

Sreshya is an up and coming artist passionate about production and acapella with a special taste for harmonies.

About ZFRL

ZFRL is a rapper from the underground hiphop and rap scene and is part of rap collective ROTB (Return of the Basards)

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

Sarabia Optical Is Now Back On Track This Season

Sarabia Optical has launched See the Difference, #SeeLifeClearly to educate the importance of eye health and eyecare for any lifestyle. As Sarabia Optical continuously offers best-in-class products available in the market, the brand is also working its way to expand footprint to certain areas, reaching people who need eyewear for their everyday need.

As people work exhaustively using computers or outside the workplace, it is important to wear the best protectiveeyecare products to prevent eye strain and headachesthat may affect productivity. Offering optical services for more than over a century, Sarabia Optical ensures to help people see life clearly for their specific vision needs, from distance to reading glasses, and even to protection from harmful radiation called blue light. Sarabia Optical also gives customers an extra fashionable impact for their daily life. Complete eyewear from Sarabia Optical assuresdurability and style for its frame along with all the necessary features of graded lenses, with an exclusive free eye consultation. Priding its expertise around the market, the brand also offers wide variety of eyewear products from a normal lens to protective lenses, and contact lens from clear to colored. 

Best-In-Class Products

Sarabia Optical offers exclusive frames, sunglasses, prescription lenses, and contact lenses that give protectionand overall benefits to its users, promoting complete eyecare protection. Aside from having self-curated choices in store for its customers, the brand also has exclusiveoptical designer brands such as Lindberg, Mykita,Randolph, Gotti and Garrett Leight California Optical. Sarabia Optical also offers premium designer brands such as Gucci, Givenchy, Cartier, Tom Ford and more.

Sarabia Optical is also one of the largest retailers of the best optical lens brand in the world, Essilor. It is a world leader and producer of innovative optical lenses from France for the global market, which continuously developslenses to assure full protection and comfort for its users. Essilor aims to fully protect wearer’s eyes from harmful blue light and UV rays that may cause blurry eyesight, eye strain, and headache. Not only does it give UV protection,Essilor products range in many features with different type of lenses such Transitions for outdoor sunlight protection and Varilux lenses for progressive eyesight wearers.

Sarabia Optical also provides contact lenses from Alcon, an American-Swiss medical company known for highly wearable contact lenses. The brand assures easy use contact lenses that will never sacrifice comfort of the patients. The contact lenses come with many features and levels of breathability, colors and wearing time for maximum comfort. Well-known products of Alcon are Air Optix Hydraglyde, Dailies Aqua Comfort Plus, and Freshlook Illuminate.

Century of Excellence

The first Filipino owned optical since 1906, Sarabia Optical is consistently innovating the optical industry in the Philippines, applying their varied expertise to customerswhile providing best-in-class exclusive products topromote eye care and eye health. Currently, SarabiaOptical has 28 stores around National Capital Region and CALABARZON areas, with a mission to give Filipinos the best quality eyecare products, customer service and overall eye health.

Source: Sarabia Optical

AmiananPop champions North Luzon pop music with first edition of its songwriting festival

The movement aims to secure regional music’s place in the contemporary music canon

In an effort to foster a better understanding of the North Luzon culture and identity through contemporary music, AmiananPop Music Inc. is officially launching the maiden edition of its songwriting festival, which will take place online this December 4, 2021.

Taking a page from fellow contemporaries, Visayan Pop Music Festival (Vispop) and Mindanao Popular Music Festival (MinPop), the newly formed institution puts a spotlight on a new breed of composers, interpreters, musicians, and producers representing the Ilocos, Cordillera, and Cagayan region, as well as some non-Tagalog speaking areas in Central Luzon. 

Through AmiananPop Songwriting Festival 2021, artists from the North are encouraged to write, record, and produce songs in their own language as a way to present one’s individuality and debunk misconceptions about non-Manileño Filipino cultures. “Every language and/or dialect is unique, and so are the stories and nuances that come with it, and that is why this is the ultimate goal of the movement, to create a community of storytellers that will represent the NOW generation of Northern singer/songwriters,” says AmiananPop Co-Founder and Chairman Davey Langit.

The annual competition is committed to bringing modern regional pop music at the forefront of mainstream consciousness by making sure that the songs are well-produced and could compete on a global level. As EbeDancel, Co-Founder and President of AmiananPop sums it up, “All the finalists have excellently-written and arranged songs, and the melodies are great. How do we bridge the gap? We make sure that the songs are well-produced, so that when people not familiar with the language hear them, they will be encouraged to look for the translation of all songs.”

Going all out on its debut edition, AmiananPop aims to secure its place on the Philippine music map with its insistence to subvert old practices and embrace new forms of music-making that is at par with the professional level in highly urbanized areas such as Metro Manila. Using the tagline Sikamimet!, which is an Ilocano word for ‘it’s our turn,” the regional songwriting event is keen on igniting a new music movement from North Luzon that turns the resounding battle cry into a marker of an evolving and dynamically growing scene.

“We have to bring it to the fore and show the people that we have an evolving culture, particularly, in music,” Co-Founder and Board Member Noel Cabangon explains the basis behind AmiananPop’s vision. “The songs that we know are already traditional songs. What about the stories and song of the new generation? That’s how important cultural evolution is. Dapat kasabay ng pag-evolve ng panahon ang kultura.”

This year’s finalists have shown promise in making generation-defining anthems that not only assert cultural identity in a compelling way, but also reflect the social conditions of their immediate environment and the community that shaped their individuality. The North Luzon artists that impressed the adjudicators in the preliminary rounds include:

Angelic Mateo, SUNGBAT

Harold Lumandaz, URAYEN KA

Jomabel Trapse, BISIKLETA

Fernan Castro Estrada (Composer) & Melchor Orpilla(Lyricicst), LAINËNG ONAN ARO

Ryan Madrid (Composer) & Kimberly Collado (Lyricist), PUDNO NGA AYAT

Ruth Lee Resuello, AGKA MAPAGA

Ruth Lee Resuello, ANTO KASI NGARAN TU MAN

Rivah-Anne Singson & Remedios Singson, NAPACURUG NGA AYA

Red Gumayagay, ARAPAAP

Patrick Visto, LAB STORY

The selection went through rigorous process of adjudication led by Chairman Davey Langit, President EbeDancel, as well as Foundation Board Members Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, Noel Cabangon, Gary Granada, Ma. Cristina Joy Balajadia, Melvin Morallos, Christopher Donaal, and Agat Morallos.

According to Co-Founder Noel Cabangon, the finalists are selected based on musicality, lyrics, creativity and new sound. “We determine entries not on their winnability but how the songs are creatively crafted,” the award-winning and critically acclaimed singer-songwriter adds.

AmiananPop Songwriting Festival 2021 is the first project of AmiananPop Music Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization that aims to champion the beauty and diversity of contemporary pop music in North Luzon and its peripheral regions. This year’s festival is co-presented by official partners and sponsors: PhilPop, FILSCAP, NLEX-SCREX, PotenCee, Office of Senator Risa Hontiveros, Office of Cong. Kristine Singson, Office of Cong. Christopher de Venecia, Mansho, and Island Living.

Source: Nyou

ADELE RETURNS WITH “EASY ON ME,”NEW SINGLE AND VIDEO OUT NOW

NEW ALBUM 30 

AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 19

PRE-ORDERS FOR 30 BEGIN TODAY

Global superstar Adele returns with the release of her brand new single and video “Easy On Me.”  

“Easy On Me” precedes the November 19th release of Adele’s newest album 30, on Columbia Records.  Earlierthis week, Adele shared the news of her new album release date and inspiration with a personal note to her fans letting them know she was “finally ready to put this album out.”  

The video for “Easy On Me,” shot last month in Quebec, finds Adele once again collaborating with Cannes Grand Prix winning director Xavier Dolan (Mommy, It’s Only The End The World).  

“I was honestly hoping for this to happen,” noted Dolan. “For me, there’s nothing stronger than artists reconnecting after years apart.  I’ve changed. Adele’s changed. And this is an opportunity to celebrate how we’ve both evolved, and how we’ve also both remained faithful to our dearest themes.  It’s all the same, but different.”  The video begins in the same house the pair used to shoot the video for Adele’s 2015 smash single “Hello.”  

Listen to “Easy On Me” here and check out the video here.

30 is the first new music from Adele since the release of her third studio album 25 in November 2015.  The album is produced with former collaborators Greg Kurstin, Max Martin, Shellback and Tobias Jesso Jr as well as new collaborators Inflo and Ludwig Göransson.  30 is available for preorder at all physical and digital retailers globally.  

In addition, exclusive configurations will be available at select retailers nationwide including a Target deluxe CD featuring three bonus tracks and a Walmart clear exclusive double vinyl.

An Amazon white exclusive double vinyl will be available globally.  30 and lead single “Easy On Me” will also be offered on cassette, exclusive to Adele’s D2C store while supplies last.  The album will be available on all digital platforms.  Pre-order 30 here. 

Source: Nyou

Ben&Ben team up with Taiwanese Mandopop star WeiBird on dreamlike track “Cheap Love”

2021 has been a massive year for Filipino folk-pop collective Ben&Ben in terms of commercial and critical success. Their sophomore album, Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno has earned glowing praises from reputable music critics and publications in the Philippines and Asia, with Rick Olivares of ABS-CBN News calling it a “brilliant masterpiece” and Paul John Caña of Esquire Philippinespointing out its vital role in establishing the band as the “pre-eminent artist of their generation.” In less than two months, Ben&Ben’s recently released album has surpassed more than 30 million streams on Spotify alone—a groundbreaking feat that attests to the group’s universal appeal and enduring impact for nearly an entire decade.

After achieving records in both streaming and digital sales and sending their songs to the top of the music charts, Ben&Ben are determined to put their work on the global music map with the release of “Cheap Love,” a new collaborative single with acclaimed and best-selling Taiwanese singer-songwriter WeiBird.

Epitomizing the moment when dawn shows its first light, “Cheap Love” is the sonic equivalent of wandering between a dreamlike state and an awakened mind throughout the night. It’s about the journey of finding a long, lasting love after having experienced so much pain in the past. According to William Wei, known professionally as WeiBird, the title of the song is a play on words, and nothing more than just faint bliss and ecstasy. “It’s a temporary band-aid for a big gushing wound, but it never fills the hole inside. Moreover, it increases the feeling of emptiness. What I’m trying to say is, you can’t bargain your way into love. Love is truly hard to find.”

Ben&Ben interprets the material in the same manner as WeiBird does, aware of the reality that comes with seeking genuine love in the direst of situations. “With the chorus repeating over and over how difficult it is to find a ‘rhyme better than you and I,’ it shows how drawn and enamored we are by the idea of love but oftentimes find ourselves in a pit when trying to really make it something more.”

With its stripped-down instrumentation embracing listeners with a sense of comforting warmth, “Cheap Love” expresses the woes and triumphs of a generation caught up in romantic longing and desire. The listening experience is made more compelling by the vocal harmonies of Paolo Benjamin and Miguel Benjamin, and the earnest delivery of WeiBird, making the audience feel more hopeful than ever despite the uncertainty of the present conditions.

“We’re grateful that by just being our authentic selves musically, we were able to add to the song both in production, vocals, and instrumentation something that WeiBird seemed to be happy with,” the nine-piece group shares in a statement. “We took an active role in building on the magic that the song already had, and we’re happy with how it turned out.”

The song was written and produced by WeiBird himself, with co-production and mixing duties by frequent collaborators Aven Tsai and Sean Sinclair. The Mandopop and folk-pop star explains that Ben&Ben also pitched in ideas for the arrangement and music side of things, resulting into a more polished, sonically impressive output that showcases the best of both worlds. 

WeiBird adds, “I wrote, played and produced the whole song on the album version. However, for this collab I haven’t had to do much because Ben&Ben was amazing. I remember listening to a demo of them playing along to my original track, and I could already imagine how it would come to be later. And the final results were not far from my imagination. It was awesome.”

“Cheap Love” is the first single off WeiBird’s first official English album. It follows the success of his fifth studio album, Sounds Of My Life, which peaked at No.1 on Taiwanese album charts in 2020, and received four nominations at the 32nd Golden Melody Awards, including Album of the Year and Best Mandarin Album. The track also serves as the second international collaboration of Ben&Ben after “Leaves,” featuring K-pop star Young K. 

“Cheap Love” is out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Taiwan. The official music video will premiere on on 10.15.21 at 10pm, PH time.

Source: Sony Music Philippines

Nobody’s Home hits the road in the music video of Ely Buendia-produced “Cigarette Daydreams”

The Filipino alt-rock trio reimagines Cage The Elephant’s chart-topping 2014 hit

Filipino alternative rock trio Nobody’s Home has released the official music video of their new single “Cigarette Daydreams”—a cover of Cage The Elephant’s chart-topping hit in 2014.

Directed by Ysa Aranda of Swimming Pictures, the clip features the promising trio on a random road trip, performing in front of a warehouse and running away from reality “to find peace of mind,” as the lyrics suggest.

As for the concept behind the music video, Aranda shares that it’s derived from her own personal experience, particularly the feeling of comfort that driving brings. “I had to go for a drive and dream scenarios that would resonate to the song itself. Aside from the lyrics of the song, driving has helped me cope specially in these trying times, hence the driving scenes present in the MV.” 

Aranda’s take on “Cigarette Daydreams” is inspired by the visual narrative of Jóhann Jóhannsson's End Of Summer, a short film that serves as a document of a calm scenery in “one of the most crucial and endangered areas of our planet.” 

Paying homage and making it their own

The song was produced by Nobody’s Home and Ely Buendia, and its overall treatment maintains the melodic charm of the original, while incorporating ‘90s-sounding guitar-rock affair, candied pop hooks, and pulsating synths to the mix.

“Generally, we wanted to pay respects and keep the original vibe of the song,” Frontman and principal songwriter Eon Buendia explains. “We stuck to that nostalgic acoustic feeling for the verses while making it simpler in terms of instrumentals. But when it came to the choruses, that's where we changed the vibe from the original’s lighter feeling to a darker and synth-y tone that is more akin to the sound of the band.”

Nobody’s Home strikes a balance between paying homage to the song and making it their own—a task that they supremely aced with conviction and confidence. “The main idea we had was that the verses would be simple and we wouldn't add much to it in order to keep the spirit of the original, and then the choruses would be where we came in and do our thing,” Eon shares in a statement. “And then we put elements that we usually use when producing our personal tracks such as vocal layering, synthesizers, and lead guitar lines.”

Production notes

The track’s producer, Ely Buendia, also commends the alt-rock outfit’s dedication in upping the ante of their version, while retaining the song’s feel-good catharsis in the process. “I just trusted the boys’ musical instincts, knowing that their own personal preferences would make sure that this will not be a note for note translation.” 

In terms of production, Ely points out, “we at least wanted the production to be gritty yet polished, if at all possible, to honor the vibe of the original.”

Nobody’s Home’s version of Cage The Elephant’s “Cigarette Daydreams” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines.Watch the music video here.

Source: Sony Music Philippines

Young Cocoa sets his sights on conquering the Asian region and beyond with summer anthem “Zesto”

Breakthrough Filipino rapper Young Cocoa has been gainingsignificant attention worldwide thanks to his previous chart-topping hits “Manila,” which got included in one of the playlists curated by BTS’ very own RM, and received props from Korean music stars such as Eric of The Boyz, Omega X, Dawon of SF19 and Lia Kim from 1Million Dance Studio. To date, his signature smash has racked up more than a million streams on Spotify alone, and has enjoyed airplay on mainstream radio stations in Metro Manila.

Now signed to pan-regional music label, OFFMUTE, the promising newcomer sets his sights on conquering Asia one step at a time with his genre-fluid jams that cut across cultural boundaries and sonic expectations. “I feel so blessed to be the first hip-hop artist of OFFMUTE but even more so, a part of a movement that is so unified and allows Southeast Asian music to move forth in a collaborative effort,” Young Cocoa beams with pride as he talks about being part of this game-changing movement. “There’s so much inspiration and talent we collectively have as a region, and the artists OFFMUTE already have on board prove that already. To say I'm proud to be a part of a label that embraces this region's diversity is an understatement.”

Driven by propulsive electronic beats and clubby production, Young Cocoa’s first single under OFFMUTE, “Zesto” reimagines the very definition of a summer anthem with effortless cool and undeniable charm. According to the rising Asian artist, “Zesto” was conceived as a way for Young Cocoa to express his FOMO (fear of missing out) on what could have been the perfect season to unwind and celebrate fun away from the bustling metropolis. He also considers “Zesto” as his most upbeat material so far, a bop that in the words of Young Cocoa himself, would “make you groove in your own space.”

“I felt like envisioning what the perfect summer would have been like for my friends and I, and channeled that daydream and nostalgia into my writing,” Young Cocoa says. “It ended up acting as a release for me in a positive way, and with ‘Zesto’ as everyone’s go-to refresher, naming it that and using it as a primary element aligned quite well.”

“Zesto” was written by Young Cocoa and produced by Korean-based beatmaker/producer Lazy Wanderlust a.k.a. Juhyeong Jeon. The latter approached him on Instagram and shared a couple of beats in his repertoire for approval. “It’s interesting because the stars sort of aligned when we got in touch,” Young Cocoa recalls. “His sound is what I’m looking for in this particular track. In general, we tweaked certain things here and there, with help from my engineer Joseph Gregory, but Juhyeong really understood my sound from the get-go.”

The track is accompanied with a music video that was originally developed by the 24-year-old hip-hop artist and his good friend, Kartik Gupta, and further enhanced by Chapters PH. The visual narrative centers on a playful little trip that blends fantasy elements with reality. As Young Cocoa puts it, “There are notably a lot of Southeast Asian references sprinkled into the video as well that a lot of people might be able to point out. Overall, it was a really fun time under director Kurt Rebolledo, and there were a lot of memorable moments during the shoot.”

Young Cocoa’s “Zesto” is now available on all digital music platforms worldwide via OFFMUTE and Sony Music. Check out the music video here.

Source: Sony Music Philippines

Warm Tea on a Rainy Day

It is a huge honor to be a part of the anthology Warm Tea on a Rainy Day. It is exclusively available via Amikaso Library.

I consider this book to be my lucky charm. When my book Speak Blog Live was being published, this anthology was in its editing stage. When the book’s editing team has closed the call for submissions, my book’s publishing process became smooth sailing. I cannot imagine launching my book without the boost of confidence from Warm Tea on a Rainy Day.

I hope that this inspires you all to continue writing and reaching for your dreams!

Transit Dialog

Transit Dialog has shared my essay on my writing process a few days before my book launch. I wrote this piece while my book was being published. ✍️

"𝘐𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘩𝘰𝘣𝘣𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴."

𝗦𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆

𝘉𝘺 𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘢 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘴

Unlike most crocheters, I did not learn the craft in school. Instead, I learned how to crochet from a DIY box from Target during a summer vacation spent in LA. My first project was a slim scarf, and that was it.

I later rediscovered crochet after learning how to knit during the 2018 edition of the "Knitting Adventure" tour at the storied Banaue Rice Terraces. The tour was hosted by Knitting Expedition, a social enterprise that trains mamas in Banaue to knit plush toys, accessories, and home decor.

As expected, Ifugao women are innately skilled in knitting, and have become expert makers in no time.

Joining their tour was a blast! It was my childhood dream to visit the terraces, and I simply did not have the chance to go there before. Finally, a painful breakup motivated me to seek new experiences, and knitting became one of my goals.

The Banaue tour let me see the famous terraces and interact with the friendly locals, while I learned the basics of knitting from the women who are so gifted with their hands. By the time I reached Manila, I was hungry for YouTube tutorials to supplement my knowledge on my newfound hobby.

After a few months, I found knitting to be too slow for my liking. This led me to revisit crochet. I picked up a yarn and a hook from a craft store in the mall, and it all came back to me. I managed to crochet an infinity shawl through muscle memory.

From there, I continued making shawls and scarves for myself and my loved ones. I loved crochet so much that I had this belief that I did not create for profit’s sake. Instead, I wanted crochet to become my safe space, and my happy hobby. It was never an option for money-making.

I brought my yarn bag with me wherever I went. I crocheted during seminars, in between meetings, and during coffee breaks. Crochet became a natural extension of myself. It helped me beat boredom during my long commutes and alleviated my anxiety before interviews and important meetings. I was able to churn out ideas for my blog while making my scarves.

They say that the best ideas emerge while bathing or driving. For me, the best ideas come to me while crocheting. Maybe this ideation process is the reason why crochet became an addiction and a source of joy.

When the lockdown was imposed in 2020, I thought of ways to contribute to society as the Covid-19 pandemic raged on. Luckily, I found an organization online that collected handmade earsavers for healthcare workers. I joined them as a volunteer, and I ended up donating more than two thousand earsavers to medical heroes in various hospitals.

My passion for volunteerism was further ignited when I found another organization for crocheters. This time, they collect octopus amigurumi dolls and beanies for premature babies in government NICUs. I donated 76 octopus amigurumi dolls and 60 preemie beanies. All of these handmade donations were made possible because of my love for crochet.

My ability to crochet for hours on end has inspired me to apply myself to the other aspects of my life. I am also a writer, and with four years of blogging under my belt, I realized that it was time to fulfill my childhood dream of publishing my own book. I wrote the book using the same discipline I acquired through crocheting. I worked on a certain number of words a day, then I took breaks to refresh and recharge my mind.

After writing my manuscript and several productive meetings with a leading publisher, I am proud to share that my self-published book, "Speak Blog Live", will finally be released soon. It is currently undergoing registration and publishing.

It is a nonfiction book that teaches you the discipline and habit of regularly writing on one’s blog. I give examples on how one can enrich his or her life in order to be inspired to regularly compose blog entries with a unique voice. I am so excited to share this book to the world!

Who knew that my crochet habit and hobby would lead me to writing a book? Indeed, a solid work ethic and a healthy crafting mindset can open doors and opportunities. The pandemic may have forced me to stay home, but it has also switched on my passions for crafting, volunteering, writing, and self-publishing.

It is my dream that more people will discover hobbies that enrich their lives and inspire them to become the best versions of themselves.

𝘚𝘢𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘩𝘢 𝘎𝘢𝘪𝘭 𝘉. 𝘓𝘶𝘤𝘢𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦, 𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮, 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘺 2017. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘦𝘣𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘦. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘪𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴, 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘉 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘥𝘶𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘜𝘈&𝘗.

𝘏𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘚𝘱𝘦𝘢𝘬 𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘨 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘰𝘯 𝘖𝘤𝘵. 7, 2021.

Israel joins in Dubai Expo 2020

The inauguration ceremony for the Israel Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai took place in the presence of 300 invited Israeli guests and UAE guests led by H.E Dr. Ahmad Belhoul, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship and Small and Medium Enterprises. The inauguration ceremony was held in the presence of Israel Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov and with the participation of Ministry of Tourism Director-General Amir Halevi, MFA Deputy Director General for Media and Public Affairs Noam Katz, the Commissioner-General of Israel's Expo 2020 Pavilion Elazar Cohen, Rabbi Eli Abadi and the Israeli Consul in Dubai Ilan Sztulman.  Rabbi Duchman affixed the mezuza during the opening ceremony. 

This is the first time that the State of Israel has a national pavilion in an event of such magnitude in an Arab country. The invitation for Israel to participate in the event was already extended in 2018, even before the decision was taken to establish official relations. It is estimated that around 15 million people will visit the Israeli pavilion during the course of the event.  

The Israeli pavilion, under the banner Connecting Thoughts - Creating the Future and the headlineTo Tomorrow  in a Hebrew and Arabic logo, features a design (by AVS Creative) inspired by the desert dunes common to both Israel and the Gulf States. The pavilion, which has no sides or barriers, signifies openness and welcoming guests. All these reflect the idea of ​​the power of tomorrow to connect us and that creating a better future for humanity is within reach if we combine forces. The secondary theme, Opportunity, Mobility and Sustainability, allows Israel to showcase its capabilities in a variety of different areas such as agriculture, cyber security, medical equipment, water technologies and more. 

Israel Minister of Tourism Yoel Razvozov: “Peace allows us to forge a new reality in the Middle East that will bring prosperity, security and stability to all. We believe that in order to reach a better tomorrow, one should choose practical and positive actions today. So, I'm delighted to invite each and every one of you and each and every visitor, participant and host at this EXPO to come and visit our country.” 

Source: Israel Ministry of Tourism Philippine Office