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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Rakuten Viber Philippines) |
BINI, dubbed as the nation’s girl group, has partnered with Viber, one of the world’s leading apps for free and easy communication, to connect with their fans right in their chats. Star Music’s pioneering P-pop girl group has recently concluded a fun takeover of the Backstage Pass Channel that allowed BINI members Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena to share a slice of their P-pop idol life and interact with their fans through photos, videos, and uplifting messages.
With now over 1 million subscribers, Backstage Pass is a space where artists — like P-pop royalties BINI and their labelmate BGYO and even beloved Filipino bands Spongecola and Lola Amour — and their fans come together and have a good chat. It’s meant to give music enthusiasts access to never-before-seen content that’ll allow them to get to know their favorite stars better. It’s where fans can ask their ults burning questions and get messages straight from their faves. As a special treat to all Blooms — the fans of BINI, Viber is also launching a first-of-its-kind Viber Lens, making them the first Filipino music artist to have their own augmented reality (AR) lenses that all Viber users in the world can use to enliven their chats. The Viber Lens features the iconic BINI flower with a star in the middle on the cheek and butterflies around the user’s head.
BINI is an eight-member girl group that debuted under ABS-CBN’s Star Magic in June 2021 with the single “Born to Win”. They subsequently released their 12-track debut album of the same name that includes two other main singles, “Golden Arrow” and “Kapit Lang”. Their other hits include “Lagi” and “Na Na Na”. They released their second album last September with “I Feel Good” and “Strings” as the main singles.
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SM Cares Brings Back SM Bears Of Joy To Help Share The Love With Children This Holiday Season
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| (Image Source: SM Supermalls) |
SM Cares is bringing back the SM Bears of Joy to help you share the joy with children in need this holiday season. For this year, SM Cares went with the theme “I-share ang ligaya ng pasko kasama ang SM Bears of Joy” featuring SB19‘s song Ligaya. The collection is inspired by “family” and features four adorable “FamBears” reminding shoppers to share the joy of Christmas and their love for their family members with those in need this season.
First is Daddy Bear, who strives to provide for the family and is someone you can always lean on. Then there’s Mommy Bear; she’s the greatest gift because of her unconditional love. Brother Bear, the coolest member of the family, is here to keep everyone safe. Last but not least is kindhearted and the sweetest FamBear, Sister Bear, whose hugs and kisses will take your worries away. “This year’s collection is all about family. Nothing is as joyful as spending the holidays with those that we love, and we want to help extend this feeling to children who are in need this season through a simple yet very meaningful gesture that our mall-goers can make while doing their holiday shopping,” said SM Cares Senior Vice President for Marketing Jonjon San Agustin.
To participate, simply purchase a pair of these specially designed bear plushies, one for your keeping and the other to be donated to children in various communities across the country. The plushies are priced at Php250 per pair and will be available in select SM Malls nationwide, and through the online stores of Toy Kingdom and The SM Store until December 25, 2022. SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Supermalls, responsible for initiatives that focus on communities and the environment. In addition to its programs on women and breastfeeding mothers, SM Cares’ advocacies include programs on the environment, PWDs and senior citizens, and children and youth.
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Pentatonix And Lea Salonga Spread Holiday Cheer With Their Rendition Of "Christmas In Our Hearts"
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| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
American pop group Pentatonix lights up the holiday season with the release of their sixth album, Holidays Around The World — out via RCA Records. The a cappella ensemble brings their global vision back to life as they collaborate with some of the biggest pop stars and idols from different parts of the world including Chinese pianist Lang Lang, Congolese gospel singer Grace Lokwa, Lebanese singer Hiba Tawaji, Latin band La Santa Cecilia, Indian superstar Shreya Ghoshal, Japanese YouTubers HIKAKIN & SEIKIN, British a cappella ensemble The King’s Singers, and American superstar Meghan Trainor.
As for the Philippines, Pentatonix teams up with multi-awarded Broadway icon Lea Salonga for the Yuletide classic “Christmas In Our Hearts” which was originally written and performed by Diamond-certified Filipino artist Jose Mari Chan. Brimming with effervescent harmonies and powerhouse vocals, the rendition revisits the Christmas holidays with a comforting, dream-like spin. “I had the most wonderful time recording this classic Filipino Christmas song with Pentatonix. And yes, this is the Christmas In Our Hearts you think it is,” Salonga posted on Instagram a few weeks ago. The song is currently making rounds on local mainstream radio and streaming platforms, thanks to its crossover sensibilities and the gift of familiarity.
Following its release, Pentatonix is set to embark on a multi-city tour in North America and Asia to promote their new album Holidays Around The World. Pentatonix’s Holidays Around The World is now available on all digital music platforms via RCA Records/Sony Music Entertainment.
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Araneta City Keeps Christmas Celebration Bright With Traditional Belen Lighting
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| (Image Source: Araneta City) |
Two weeks after lighting its iconic 100-ft Christmas tree, Araneta City keeps its holiday celebration alive with the traditional lighting of its giant Belen held last November 11, 2022. Located at General McArthur Avenue (between Farmers Market and Farmers Garden), the City of Firsts officially lighted and opened to the public its life-size Belen — a classic Christmas icon that depicts the Nativity of Jesus Christ. It is a traditional staple in Araneta City since 1991.
The opening event was attended by Rev. Father Ronnie Santos (from Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Barangay Socorro) who led the Holy Mass. Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, other QC LGU and Brgy Socorro officials, and Araneta City executives also took part in the said event. “As we launch a Christmas celebration like no other in Araneta City, we want to commemorate the true meaning of the holidays. Our giant Belen serves as a reminder of why we have Christmas and helps us reflect on what truly matters this season,” said Araneta City Assistant Vice President for Marketing Marjorie Go. The Belen lighting is among the much-awaited annual Christmas traditions in Araneta City. Other upcoming activities to watch out for include the opening of two classic attractions that are back in the City of Firsts this year — the Christmas on Display, and the Fiesta Carnival.
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TV5 Donates Php1 Million For Alagang Kapatid Foundation Beneficiaries Nationwide
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| TV5 Network Inc. and Cignal TV Inc. President and CEO Robert P. Galang handed over the Php1 million donation check to Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. (AKFI) Executive Director Menchie Silvestre in celebration of the Foundation's 10th year anniversary. (Image Source: Business Mirror/TV5 Network Inc.) |
Cignal and TV5 President and CEO Robert P. Galang donated a check worth one million pesos to Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc.’s Executive Director Menchie Silvestre last November 10, 2022 in support of the foundation’s beneficiaries across the country. “Through the years, TV5 and Alagang Kapatid Foundation have worked hand-in-hand to help and support our Kapatids in need. We are happy to be part of Alagang Kapatid’s 10th-year milestone and we look forward to sharing the Foundation’s inspiring stories that perfectly reflect the true spirit of Christmas,” shared Cignal and TV5 President and CEO Robert P. Galang.
In the past decade, Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. has shown its tireless dedication to helping the Filipino people and has proven to champion its pillars of development for social services, disaster response, recovery, and rehabilitation. All these strengths and achievements would not have been possible without the support of TV5, MVP Group of Companies, and other generous donors. “We hope to inspire other Filipinos to continuously come together, help, and share their blessings with our less-fortunate Kapatids. Alagang Kapatid has always stood as the beacon of hope for the disadvantaged and disaster-stricken communities. “Asahan nyo na palagi kaming nandito para magbigay ng kalinga, aruga at alaga hanggang sa kaya na ng ating mga kababayan mag-isa at bumangon uli,” said Alagang Kapatid Foundation Inc. Executive Director Menchie Silvestre.
If you would like to take part in spreading the love this Christmas season and would like to donate to the Foundation, visit the official website of Alagang Kapatid Foundation at AlagangKapatid.com or like and follow Alagang Kapatid Foundation on Twitter and Facebook for more information.
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Manila Wrestling Federation Presents "MWF: Noche Buena 2022" Hard-Hitting Christmas Combat Event At PETA Theater Center
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Manila Wrestling Federation) |
Looking for a brand-new holiday experience that you will never, ever forget? How about a slice of Pinoy wrestling this Christmas? The Manila Wrestling Federation (MWF) once again delivers its unique, distinctly Filipino brand of professional wrestling entertainment to fans in Metro Manila through its Christmas special titled “MWF: Noche Buena 2022” on December 11, Sunday, 5:00 pm at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. Following MWF’s highly successful extravaganza last September, MWF: Noche Buena 2022 features a main event involving two of the best athlete-performers in the country as MWF Pinoy Wrestling Champion Jake De Leon is set to defend the country’s top wrestling title to MWF’s folk hero Fabio Makisig.
This highly anticipated match is a Christmas gift for Pinoy wrestling fans who have been following the burgeoning scene for nearly a decade, placing them right in the middle of the crossroads of the country’s wrestling history – as a clash between the top stars of the Manila Wrestling Federation and the now-defunct Philippine Wrestling Revolution (PWR). Dubbed “Mr. Philippine Wrestling”, Jake De Leon has carried the Pinoy wrestling brand all over Southeast Asia since its formation in 2013 as one of PWR’s pioneers – competing in high-profile bouts in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, as well as in mainland China in 2019 as a participant of the WWE tryouts. In 2022, De Leon joined the MWF roster, capturing the MWF Pinoy Wrestling Championship in September. While De Leon spent years building Pinoy wrestling’s reputation all over the region, Fabio Makisig was among the very few who built the MWF locally from the ground up, majorly contributing to the brand’s definitely Filipino combat style. Despite being at the top of the MWF roster due to his incredible athleticism and street-smart fighting spirit, Makisig lost his first two attempts to grab the MWF Pinoy Wrestling Championship. He intends to ultimately prove his worth at this year’s Noche Buena by winning the top title.
Noche Buena 2022 will also be graced by MWF’s quirky, colorful, and diverse cast of fighters led by former MWF Champion Robin Sane, Malaysia Pro Wrestling Wrestlecon Champion Crystal, SETUP Thailand Undisputed 24/7 Champion Bro. Jomar Liwanag, and Filipino international wrestler Ken Warren. MWF is also proud to feature the next generation of Pinoy wrestlers including Chelsea Marie, the first transwoman wrestler in Southeast Asia; the controversial “conyo” Migs Valdez; and “Ang Angas ng Cavite” Danny Zamora, as well as other MWF aspirants looking to fill a roster filled with incredibly entertaining performers like Razael, Dabid Ravena, St. John Martin, Ken Cifer and Kanto “Kilabot” Terror.
