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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/ABS-CBN Corporation) |
BINI has released its much-awaited single “Blink Twice” which features playful lyrics, a catchy beat, and the group’s signature charm. Its official music video is also seen now on BINI Official YouTube channel. The top-notch MV showcases BINI members Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena serving spirited moves and fresh looks in chic outfits and bold colors. The group’s latest international release, “Blink Twice”, is a blend of excitement and confusion in waiting for a sign if one’s special feeling is reciprocated.
It was written by Amanda Ratchford, Pacific-Joshua Zagabe, Marqueze Parker, Darius Coleman, Pontus Kalm aka Oneye who has worked with BTS and Le Serrafim, and Steven Franks or Mr. Franks who has written songs for Ariana Grande and BLACKPINK. The single was produced by Oneye, Leather Jacket, Mr. Franks, and Glitch under ABS-CBN Music International. Prior to its release, the group has already released the song's cover art and has also posted multiple teasers on social media featuring their signature eye-catching and vibrant visuals. Mikha described the song as an appeal to go straight to the point when expressing or admitting love, saying, “I feel like the song is about hwag na tayong magpaligoy-ligoy pa. Let’s go straight to the point. It’s like ‘Cherry On Top’, we also worked with international producers and songwriters for this one. Of course, we want to give the best for you guys and we want to reach the international stage.”
The group announced the new music offering at the end of the “BINIverse” tour last year which sold over 50,000 tickets nationwide and culminated at the three-day sold-out Grand BINIverse Concert last November 2024 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. BINI recently performed the song live for the first time at the “BINIverse World Tour: Philippines” held last February 15, 2025 at the Philippine Arena in front of a sold-out crowd which is a first for a Filipino pop group. Visit BINI's official social media accounts for updates on the BINIverse World Tour.
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Trike Driver Wins Condo In Globe’s G Raffle Rush
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| 47-year-old tricycle driver Resty Trinidad of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija with the key to a brand new Avida Astrea condominium unit in Fairview, Quezon City as the grand prize of Globe Telecom's G Raffle Rush last September 2024 (Image Source: HMOph/Globe Telecom) |
In the agricultural town of San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, a humble tricycle driver recently received the most unexpected and life-changing surprise in his life. After more than two decades of loyalty to Globe, 47-year-old Resty Trinidad is now the owner of a brand new condominium unit at the Avida Astrea in Fairview, Quezon City after winning the grand prize in G Raffle Rush last September 2024. The Avida Land giveaway was a highlight of Globe’s annual G Day festivities last year. Living with his parents and extended family, Resty works tirelessly as a tricycle driver while running a side e-loading business to make ends meet. Little did he know that his 20 years as a Globe subscriber would one day lead him to his new home, offering his family the security and comfort they have always dreamed of.
“Hindi ko akalain na mangyayari ito sa akin. Isang malaking tulong po ito para sa pamilya ko, at nagpapasalamat ako sa Globe sa pagbibigay ng ganitong pagkakataon. Patuloy po akong magsisilbing loyal na customer ng Globe,” said Resty, expressing his gratitude to Globe for his prize. “Resty’s story is an inspiration to all of us. His win highlights the true value of Globe Rewards, which is about empowering our customers to unlock everyday wins and create meaningful experiences. We’re proud to be part of his journey and we are excited to bring this same experience to more customers as they move forward with Globe,” said Head of Globe Rewards Jerome Patalud. Last September 2024, G Raffle Rush allowed Globe customers to redeem raffle entries with their Rewards points. Each point provided five entries, offering customers more chances to take home incredible prizes. Aside from the Avida condo unit, G Raffle Rush prizes included a luxury vacation package for four in Palawan, a brand-new BYD Dolphin Electric Vehicle, two Gogoro Jego smart scooters, Php120,000 worth of SM shopping spree vouchers powered by Share Treats, Samsung S24+ smartphones, HUAWEI Pura 70 Pro smartphones, and 5x Php100,000 GCash, among many others.
Through the All-New Rewards program, Globe helps make the wishes of its customers come true. Join the All-New Rewards program to discover new surprises and enjoy the rewards of being a loyal Globe customer. Watch out for another round of G Raffle Rush on February 24, 2025 with all-expense paid trips, GCash, and shopping vouchers up for grabs so you can maximize your Globe Rewards Points before they expire on March 31, 2025.
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Ben&Ben’s New Single “Tomorrow With You” Arrives Just In Time For Valentine’s Day
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Sony Music Entertainment Philippines) |
Ben&Ben celebrates the season of love with the release of their heartwarming new single “Tomorrow With You”, now available via Sony Music Entertainment. The song explores the resilience of love in the face of life’s uncertainties, emphasizing the importance of taking each day as it comes, particularly during difficult times. Inspired by the people who shaped and impacted their journey as individuals and as a band, Ben&Ben shares that the song encapsulates their growth, both personally and creatively, with family, friends, and loved ones by their side. “Given that we have travelled quite far already in these dimensions, Tomorrow With You brings in the wisdom and maturity gained in these areas of our lives and channels it into a love song that embodies all of it,” explains the Pagtingin act.
The release of the track is accompanied by an audio bundle which includes a live and a studio version. The band expressed their excitement over Spotify’s audio bundle feature, which allows listeners to enjoy both versions back-to-back, with the option to loop them for an immersive experience, stating, “We poured different types of creative energy into both — one being a live performance and the other being a studio recording.” The live version of “Tomorrow With You” is particularly significant, as the band believes it gives listeners a chance to experience a Ben&Ben concert on an intimate level. The band describes the feeling as a “unique audiovisual storytelling adventure that hopefully becomes a part of their own life stories as well”. The group added, “The live performance was meticulously recorded during a concert that meant a lot to us and to our Liwanag [fans]. The event was a milestone after a year marred with many struggles, hardships, failures, and lessons. Quite literally, it was the embodiment of the lyrics in the song: Embrace hard times with you, ‘til they’re gone.”
Produced by Indonesian musician Petra Sihombing, “Tomorrow With You” blends ‘70s singer-songwriter pop, jazz, and classic soul influences with a waltz-like rhythm, creating a soothing soundscape for moments spent with your special someone. The song’s rich textures are brought to life by Sihombing’s production which the band says beautifully captured the song’s emotional depth and dynamics. The nine-member band said, “Our good friend from Indonesia, Petra Sihombing, produced the track. He was trying to achieve translating the earnestness of emotion and the steady buildup of the song in terms of dynamics and the frequencies highlighted, which we feel he did quite well. It’s always a pleasure working with Petra. Additionally, Ziv, our friend who produced the other tracks in the album, laid down the saxophone part, which added a whole new nuance to the song.” “Tomorrow With You” is the latest single off Ben&Ben’s recently released third full-length album, The Traveller Across Dimensions. The song is now available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
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Coca-Cola Philippines Engages Festival-Goers With Music, Recycling, And Fun At Sinulog And Dinagyang Festivals
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| (Image Source: Manila Republic/Coca-Cola Philippines) |
Coca-Cola Philippines kicked off the year strong at two of the country’s biggest festivals, Sinulog and Dinagyang. It was more than just a party – it was a celebration of music, self-expression, and community participation, with COKE STUDIO™, Royal, and the company’s recycling initiatives all coming together to create an unforgettable experience. In Cebu, Sinulog Festival came alive as COKE STUDIO™ Philippines showcased the electrifying performances of singer-songwriter Janine Berdin, Cebu-based band Wonggoys, and viral hitmaker Shoti. The Coke Studio experience culminated with COKE STUDIO™ Global Artist Zack Tabudlo performing his biggest hits. Over in Iloilo, Dinagyang Festival (January 25) was all about Iloilo pride with Tropa Vibes, rapper Nik Makino, and OPM legends Spongecola amping up the energy of the crowd. Over 13,000 music fans combined sang and danced along in both festivals, proving that music indeed connects people from all walks of life.
But the fun didn’t stop with the music. The ‘Ito Ang Gusto Ko’ booth of Royal was the perfect spot to capture those unforgettable festival and ‘main character’ moments. Attendees posed for pics at the Snap N Slay photo booth, indulged in local snacks, and tested their skills in the Royal Catch game. Those who completed the activities scored an exclusive Royal headdress – talk about festival fashion statements. Beyond the music and games, Coca-Cola Philippines further reinforced its commitment to packaging sustainability as they set up interactive PET plastic bottle recycling collection booths at both festivals. Festivalgoers were able to drop off their empty PET plastic bottles in exchange for exciting prizes and ice-cold Coke beverages, turning recycling into a fun and engaging activity. The initiative not only promoted proper waste segregation but also supported Coca-Cola’s efforts to increase packaging collection and recycling.
Coca-Cola Philippines’ live experiences in both Sinulog and Dinagyang were a testament to the power of music, self-expression, and community participation. They brought people together, encouraged self-expression, and showed that having fun, and doing our part for the community and environment can go hand-in-hand. Dive deeper into the COKE STUDIO™ experience by following us on YouTube, Spotify, Facebook, and Instagram. Check out what’s the latest buzz on Royal on Facebook and Instagram. If you wish to learn more about our Coca-Cola community efforts, visit https://www.coca-cola.com/ph/en/brands/coca-cola/sustainability.
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Giving Learners With Special Education Needs Early Access To Active Lifestyle
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| (Image Source: Mindanao Times/MILO Philippines) |
Many brands aim to shape the lives of children for the better, and MILO® is proud to be among those making a real difference. Together with the Department of Education (DepEd), the brand recently launched MILO® Active Pilipinas, a nationwide program that aims to energize and inspire Filipino families to lead an active lifestyle – including learners with special education needs (LSENs). It is common knowledge that LSENs struggle with an active lifestyle, mainly due to cognitive challenges, physical limitations, and sensory activities, but this doesn’t mean that it can’t be done. MILO® believes that with the right support and access to safe facilities, differently abled kids can still reap the many benefits of physical activity.
To rally the nation and get more kids into sports, MILO® engaged key sports stakeholders during the launch of their Active Pilipinas campaign at Mandaue City Central School to give LSENs the chance to play 10 different sports – from team sports like basketball, football, and volleyball to individual sports like table tennis. With careful assistance by coaches present during the event, and cheers from other kids, the learners were treated to an afternoon of enjoyment and safe play. “The MILO Active Pilipinas event was a great initiative to encourage children to stay active. I noticed how motivated [the kids] were to exercise even after the event. I hope there will be more sessions like this throughout the school year to reinforce the habit of an active lifestyle,” shared the school principal Louwella Guerrero after hearing the parents’ feedback on the event. Under MILO® Active Pilipinas campaign is a wide variety of on-ground and online sports programs such as the National MILO® Marathon, MILO® Sports Clinics, and MILO® Barangay Liga which encourage learners to participate in sports and enhance their physical literacy. Many of these programs are strongly supported by DepEd, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC), and local government units.
“Beyond our sports programs, we also aim to further widen accessibility in sports by including opportunities for Persons with Disabilities. MILO® firmly believes that no one should be left behind due to physical limitations. We also recognize the importance of reaching out to indigenous people groups and marginalized communities to provide opportunities for them to engage in sports,” said Nestlé Philippines Inc. Senior Vice President of Beverages and Confectionery Veronica Cruz. After celebrating the MILO® 60th anniversary in 2024, the goal of nurturing generations of Filipinos through sports and building champions today for tomorrow continues for many more decades. Stay tuned for more updates on the MILO Active Pilipinas campaign on the official MILO Facebook page or the official MILO website at www.milo.com.ph.
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Orange & Lemons Gives The Carpenters’ “Close To You” A Modern, Indie Pop Twist
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| (Image Source: ManilaSociety.com/Orange & Lemons/Lily Stars Records) |
Indie pop quartet Orange & Lemons marks the season of romance with a fresh take on The Carpenters’ timeless classic “Close To You”. Released just in time for Valentine’s Day, the band’s cover brings a modern twist to the iconic track while preserving the original’s emotional essence. The remake of “Close To You” features subtle upgrades and embellishments from their usual live version.
Clem Castro, the lead vocalist and guitarist of the band, recalls the origins of the cover, which dates back to 1999 when the Bulacan-based band was preparing the material for their debut album, Love In the Land of Rubber Shoes & Dirty Ice Cream. He explains, “I was inspired to create a cover version for live gigs and challenged ourselves to integrate our own sound. It has been a staple since then on our set list. On top of that, I am a huge fan of Burt Bacharach.” According to Clem, one of the major distinctions from the original version is the absence of the transposition, which sets this cover apart from others. The band reinterprets “Close To You” with keyboard elements that elevate the track’s melodic appeal. He adds, “The guitar solo rolling bass lines, and drum pattern is definitely O&L. The build up at the end was eargasm for us. It is safe to say, this is infinitely different from any version you can find on streaming sites.”
In addition to the release of “Close To You” on digital music streaming platforms under Lily Stars Records, the Hanggang Kailan chart-toppers are gearing up for an international tour. The band will visit five cities across Asia and North America, bringing their beloved hits, fresh tracks, and rarities to fans worldwide. Here is the schedule of the band's international tour.
• March 2, 2025: Singapore
• May 30, 2025: Toronto, Canada
• May 31, 2025: New York, USA
• June 6, 2025: San Francisco, California, USA
• June 7: Los Angeles, California, USA
