Acer Day 2025 breaks a limit with technology, music, and the country’s biggest artists

The highly anticipated concert was attended by over 50,000 live and online viewers, making it one of the hottest tech and youth events of the year. 

Acer Day 2025 at the Mall of Asia Arena was an unforgettable night of technology, music, and star power, featuring some of the country's most popular singers on one stage!  More importantly, the event was a celebration of the subject "Break A Limit," which emphasizes the desire to overcome barriers, attain new milestones, and push boundaries.  As a technology company, Acer's aim is to offer individuals with the tools they need to push themselves beyond their limitations.

“Through the power of music and interactive brand experiences, Acer Day encourages people to go beyond their personal best and explore new possibilities with Acer’s technology.” ~Sue Ong-Lim, Managing Director at Acer Philippines

The Mall of Asia Arena was a sea of green as fans and supporters braved the Saturday afternoon traffic for Acer and their favorite artists. 

Returning for its ninth consecutive year, Acer Day set the stage for performances by its star-studded roster of ambassadors Sarah Geronimo, SB19, and G22. Acer also welcomed its new ambassadors from Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition Housemates Klarisse De Guzman, Mika Salamanca, Shuvee Etrata, Esnyr Ranollo, Will Ashley, Brent Manalo, Ralph De Leon, and Charlie Fleming. They were joined by guest artists KMKZ, Itchyworms, and Maki. The event was hosted by Robi Domingo.

As is Acer Day tradition, there were many collaborative stages, demonstrating that breaking the limit is possible.

PBB Celebrity Collab winner duo BreKa performed “Tibok” by Earl Agustin, Ralph and Shuvee thrilled the crowd with “Palagi” by TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan, and Klarisse and SB19’s Stell gave a vocal masterclass with “A Million Dreams.” Will, Charlie, and Esnyr showed their powerful dance moves along with SB19 in their song “CRIMZONE.”

The Honmoon was sealed with G22’s performance of “Golden,” and Pop Royalty Sarah Geronimo showed MOA Arena why Popsters have remained loyal through the years as she performed “Tala” and “Kilometro.” SB19 did not disappoint the waiting crowd with their hits “DAM” and “DUNGKA!”

More electrifying collaboration stages set the Mall of Asia Arena on fire with SB19 and G22’s performance of “8tonball,” and the most anticipated first live performance of “Umaaligid” by SB19 and Sarah Geronimo. The night ended with Acer’s original song, “Ace Your World.”

“We are happy about the success of Acer Day 2025, which pushed the boundaries of technology and entertainment. We set out on a mission to break limits, and we achieved it.” ~Princess Laosantos, Senior Marketing Manager at Acer Philippines

For more information about Acer, follow Acer Philippines on social media: on Facebook or visit www.acer.com.

About Acer

Founded in 1976, Acer is one of the world’s top technology companies with a presence in more than 160 countries. The company continues to evolve by embracing innovation across its offerings which include computers and displays, while branching out to new businesses. Acer is also committed to sustainable growth, exploring new opportunities that align with its environmental and social responsibilities. The Acer Group employs over 7,800 employees that contribute to the research, design, marketing, sales and support of products, solutions, and services that break barriers between people and technology. Visit www.acer.com for more information.

Filipino indie pop/rock band the vowels they orbit drops sophomore EP, tuloy tuloy tuloy!

Filipino indie pop/rock band the vowels they orbit drops sophomore EP, tuloy tuloy tuloy!

The second EP from the Filipino indie pop/rock band the vowels they orbit, titled tuloy tuloy tuloy!, has finally been released. the eagerly awaited follow-up to their critically acclaimed debut album, Ang Unang Ikot.

The new EP, which was released by Sony Music Entertainment, shows improvement in both music and lyrics without losing the well-rounded charm that made them an instant favorite when they first came out.

In terms of themes, tuloy tuloy tuloy! talks about not letting heartbreak get the best of you and going out into the world with a newfound sense of determination even when things get harder than usual. The EP also discusses the idea of taking control of your own story to make it better and accepting your brokenness with the hope that you will one day heal and improve.

Filipino indie pop/rock band the vowels they orbit drops sophomore EP, tuloy tuloy tuloy!

“It is about finding ourselves caught in the cycle of our own emotions, yet still choosing to move forward. Because this EP is a continuation of the first, the phase of emotions is a bit heavier — from coping with the unfamiliar feeling of life without your first love in ‘Una’ to dealing with grief and the loss of a loved one in ‘Clutch.’ However, it does end on a high note with ‘If You Come Back To Me,’ talking about being sure of oneself and not relying on another to live and grow. In the next phase, we are looking forward to more healed feelings.” ~The Selos act shares in a collective statement

The vowels they orbit’s new EP, tuloy tuloy tuloy! is produced by Rye Sarmiento, guitarist of 6cyclemind and Banda Ni Kleggy, and was recorded in his studio, Backdoor Recording Studio, during a 6-day lock-in session in 2021. Inspired by iconic alt-pop acts The Cardigans and Moonpools & Caterpillars, Sarmiento wanted to capture the ‘90s sound in terms of arrangement and vibe, but made it a point to retain the band’s indie pop influences with a more organic, rock-oriented direction.

“We also gave attention to the performances of each member, doing what they do best individually while still keeping their chemistry as one band.”

The majority of the songs from tuloy tuloy tuloy! were written and sung by lead vocalist/guitarist Nikka Melchor. Keyboardist Hannah dela Cruz wrote and performed “Clutch,” and Jeremy’s father, Ponciano Sayas, penned “Here In My Arms,” in which drummer Jeremy is a featured vocalist. The end result is a project that feels singular, yet distinctly unique in their surprising ways. 

Aside from “Una,” “Bangungot,” “Clutch,” “Here In My Arms,” and “If You Come Back To Me,” the EP also features the focus track “Sandali,” which talks about the importance of slowing down and finding the light amidst everything. 

According to the five-piece act, the song was written by Nikka during the start of the pandemic, thus the lyrics. However, she realized that the message can still be applied to life, in general. 

“With so much going on, we tend to wonder when it will end.”

The EP release will be accompanied by a launch on March 11, 2023 (Saturday) at the 70s Bistro in Quezon City, featuring performances by the vowels they orbit, I Belong To The Zoo, Autotelic, syd hartha, Better Days, Hey June!, and Banda Ni Kleggy. 

the vowels they orbit’s ‘tuloy tuloy tuloy!' is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. 

About Sony Music Entertainment

At Sony Music Entertainment, we honor the creative journey. Our creators shape movements, culture, communities, even history. And we’ve played a pioneering role in music history, from establishing the first-ever music label to inventing the flat disc record. We’ve nurtured some of music’s most iconic artists and produced some of the most influential recordings of all time. Today, we work in more than 100 countries, supporting a diverse and distinctive roster of talented creators at every level and on every stage. Situated at the intersection of music, entertainment, and technology, we bring imagination and expertise to emerging products and platforms, embrace new business models, and employ breakthrough tools—all to support the creative community’s experimentation, risk-taking, and growth. And we form deep, trusted, cause-based partnerships to uplift and empower communities around the world. Sony Music Entertainment is part of the global Sony family. Learn more about our creators and labels here.

Meet & Greet with Joe & The Anchor

Joe & The Anchor

Indie-pop band Joe & The Anchor started out as an indie rock band in 2014, releasing several albums and singles. In 2018 they decided to start over and switch gears to writing contemporary pop music. With a strong visual style and modern production, Joe & The Anchor delivers energetic guitar-driven pop, defining themselves as a promising act on the Swedish pop scene.

Joe & The Anchor

“Leaving You Now has been with us for a long time. We’ve all been in that situation, when the first real love of your life turns into your first heartbreak. We tried to really capture that feeling when we wrote this song” ~Joe & The Anchor

Joe & The Anchor release new piano ballad ‘Leaving You Now’ - an emotional break-up song about experiencing first love, to grow apart and realizing there is nothing left in the relationship worth fighting for. The singer Joakim's powerful yet emotional voice goes straight to the heart.

Joe & The Anchor

The single is the second one from their upcoming album ‘Coming of Age’ which explores the feelings of growing up, the fragility of life, love, and taking things for granted. Following a difficult few month when the band members had to experience the harsh reality of loss, Joe & The Anchor decided to process the events through music.

V1:

Why Am I, Still Caving In

Why Can’t I, Get Rid Of It,

Our Long Nights I’m Thinking About You,

Maybe If, I Didn’t Know,

Just How Much It Hurts To Go,

I Could Have Put This Behind Me

 

Chorus:

Cause Baby I Don’t Know What To Say,

Cause I Know I’m Losing Any Way,

But I’m Just So Tired Of, This Enemy Inside,

So Darling, I’m Leaving You Now

 

V2:

Why Am I, Back Here Again

Why Can’t I, Just Let Her In,

My Long Nights Without You Beside Me, Oh No

Why Can’t I, Make Up My Mind,

Always Leaving You Behind,

Still I Keep Thinking About You

 

Chorus:

Cause Baby I Don’t Know What To Say,

Cause I Know I’m Losing Any Way,

But I’m Just So Tired Of, This Enemy Inside,

So Darling, I’m Leaving You Now

 

Cause Baby I Don’t Know What To Say,

Cause I Know I’ll Lose You Any Way,

But I’m Just So Tired Of, This Enemy Inside,

So Darling, I’m Leaving You Now

 

Darling, I’m Leaving You Now

 

Darling, 

I’m Leaving

You Now

For inquiries please contact joeandtheanchor.ph@gmail.com.

Joe & The Anchor Social Media Accounts

Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/c/JoeTheAnchor

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/Joeandtheanchor

https://www.facebook.com/joeandtheanchorphilippines

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/joeandtheanchor/

https://www.instagram.com/joeandtheanchorph/?hl=en

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/album/7F2F0XCtbNTLFbJpNoVd01

Apple Music:

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/joe-the-anchor/742094182

Ben&Ben push the mental health discussion forward with “Lunod” music video

It doesn’t always have to be sink or swim when it comes to mental health. 

Ben&Ben chronicle the experience of drowning in torrential distress and anxiety on the music video of their new single “Lunod.” Directed by award-winning filmmaker Jerrold Tarog (Heneral Luna, Sana Dati), the visual narrative pushes the discussion forward with its metaphorical depiction of individuals trying to keep their head above water and find their way out of a dark, harrowing tunnel.

“The music video is a deeply introspective and symbolic interpretation of the song, which is all tied in together from the concept and writing, down to the location. In the video, the song is narrated as the band, with Zild and juan karlos, move deeper and deeper into the tunnel slowly—losing breath, then in the latter half taking powerful strides to move out of it. This signals a ‘rebirth’ into a new, more mature version of the self.” ~Paolo Benjamin, Lead vocalist, guitarist and Lunod chief songwriter  explains

The cinematic visuals were shot at the El Deposito water reservoir, an underground location known for its historical significance to the events that lead to the Philippine Revolution, Philippine-American War, and World War II.

“Lunod” serves as the band’s reunion project with Jerrold Tarog, who helmed the music video for their 2018 track “Susi,” off the historical epic drama, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral.

Ahead of the music video release, the nine-piece collective dropped a live acoustic performance of “Lunod” last month. The version, which features collaborators Zild and juan karlos, strips down the bluesy, classic rock arrangements of the original for a more subdued take. The intimate interpretation of the song is part of an exclusive EP release featuring multiple iterations of “Lunod” in various formats, including an extended version of the track.

“We love collaborating with visionaries in their fields, and so it was a dream working with him. The multiple versions for ‘Lunod’ were intended to bring a full listening experience to our listeners; for them to hear what more could be brought out of the song. We decided to release for streaming the acoustic jam of ‘Lunod,’ the extended version in the music video.” ~Ben&Ben

Aside from the EP, “Lunod” received a remix treatment from hip-hop artist Zelijah, who channeled his struggles with mental health on the production level, and even added a rap verse to convey the mental strains that he went through during the pandemic, and after being diagnosed as bipolar. The “Bipolar remix” of the track gives Zelijah the opportunity to put his own character into the song, and reinterpret it with ethereal sonic elements that blend trap, hip-hop, modern electronica, and rock music genres.

Apart from the “Lunod” EP, Ben&Ben and its label, Sony Music Philippines, recently opened a Lunod-themed café at Latitude Bean+Bar in Malate, Manila as part of Ben&Ben’s Kuwaderno Pop-Up Café activities, which will run from November 25-27. The pop-up café includes a Lunod art installation inspired by Zelijah’s Bipolar Remix, as well as other art activities related to mental health.

The Kuwaderno Pop-Up Café features several exclusive activities for Liwanag and ordinary folks to immerse themselves into Ben&Ben’s critically acclaimed album and upcoming digital concert. The two other exclusive pop-ups are located at Jess + Pat’s in Maginhawa, QC, and Kale Café in Fairview, QC.

Music fans can also purchase tickets to Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert directly at the three pop-up locations in Metro Manila. Set to redefine the concert-going experience with the biggest headline concert of their career, Ben&Ben’s upcoming digital concert will be integrating live music performance with multiple creative disciplines such as theatre, dance, orchestra, and technology to create an audio-visual spectacle like no other. 

Ben&Ben’s “Lunod,” featuring Zild and juan karlos, is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch the music video here. 

“Lunod” collaborators Zild and juan karlos are also set to join Ben&Ben on Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert, happening on December 05, 2021 (Sun) from 8pm to 11pm. Get your tickets here.

LESHA Breaks Free from the Norm

The electropop singer with global sound launches her second track, Karma.

In a cutthroat industry such as music and entertainment, newbies can experience some sort of possession by monopolizing forces. Sadly, it’s an unfortunate situation to be in.  Its either you give in, or you break free.  You always have a choice on how to steer your path to achieve your end goal.  The hard truth is that there’s always the Law of Karma coming right at you. Thus, everything you do comes back to you, whether it’s good or bad. 

For electropop singer and now independent singer Lesha, Karma is more than just a word that you utter daily. But rather, she wants to impart a whole new meaning to the term through a song. This has become a way to defy the norms, break out from the lousy system and share her story no holds barred. Lesha is making it loud and strong statement with her newly launched second single, KARMA. Her latest track included in her SUN MOON RISING global collaboration album.

In “KARMA”, Lesha speaks her truth of having to deal with people in the past for only seeing her value when they are able to take advantage of her. She expresses how her past experiences and learnings molded her into the artist and person she is today which serves as her motivation to continue working smarter and harder because she believes that success is her best revenge. 

Likewise, Lesha once again is collaborating with her Co-Producers friends from all over the globe generously supporting her through this track. Although Lesha produced and recorded her demo for KARMA in her own bedroom,  she decided to send in the song to her collaborator/co-producer from South Korea, REBENN, and he took the lead from there. Another friend Nephibis, a rapper from Baltimore USA, who Lesha previously collaborated with on a track for the Netflix Film: Project Power and was also cool to jump in for a verse. And the rest, as they say is history.

Expect this new song to be a revolutionary anthem for listeners going through the same predicament as Lesha on being an independent singer, songwriter, and producer of her own music fighting the injustice of the system that she went through. 

“I made sure to make this song relatable to whatever situation a person is going through in life and I feel like I’ve hit a jackpot with KARMA.” ~Lesha

Giving you a sneak peek of what you are about to tune in.  You all better heed the words straight from Lesha as she flesh out the analogies of Karma’s lyrics and speak out the real truth in her own words. 

You’re underrated baby, know you’ll make it far

Lesha says: This line was inspired by my YouTube’s comment section and twitter mentions. When people would watch or listen to my music on YouTube or tweet about me, they’d always write something cool about me then go “....she’s super underrated though and I don’t know why”. I guess I’m just aware of how much passion, time, money, effort, and love I put into all my projects for it to not get the attention I believe it deserves, and how many times I’d get an opportunity where one of my videos would go viral, but none of them actually translated to make me cut through as an artist here in the Philippines. Through the years, I’ve shown my audience that an artist that can make it in the industry without being backed up by the big machinery. I’ve had so many people take advantage of me in the past, but that doesn’t stop me.”

Co-Producer from Seoul, South Korea Rebenn

Electropop Singer Lesha

American Rapper Nephibis

But if only you could see things from my point of view, they’ll only love you when you make them bank…

Lesha says: The line also talks about how unfair the industry can be. When an artist goes viral, that’s the only time they will invest and build them which is probably also why there are so many talented artists out there who are unseen for their work because they were never given the platform or stage they deserve all because of how the system works. With this, I came up a decision to make the bold move of going fully independent again and teaming up with a new team for my music distribution, because I felt it was the right thing to do.

“It gets messier make sure you bring your gun”

Lesha says: This line is basically a warning that you have to be prepared before getting into the industry (in my case, the music industry) cause it’s tough, there’ll be people who’ll doubt you and your capabilities, people who plan to take advantage of you, or people who are just there because they need to use you. I’ve been belittled, used, and manipulated being in the industry for a while now and I think it’s something people have to be aware of that it’s not all just fun and games.

Lesha is unstoppable in reaching her goals. There’s more to look forward to the next coming days, so watch out for a stronger and more vocal Lesha who isn’t fearless to pursue what she wants.

“I can say KARMA is a very “Lesha” song in a sense that people can tell because of the messaging, the visual aesthetic, and the overall vibe of the track which is the complete opposite from my first release, SUN MOON RISING. This is something people should expect from the next releases in the album because each release has its own flavor or side people haven’t seen or heard from Lesha yet.”

KARMA, the second single of Lesha’s  upcoming global collaboration visual album titled 'SUN MOON RISING' dropping this October 8, 2021 on all digital music streaming platforms! Check out Lesha’s  music on Spotify or watch the official music videos, covers, and learn more about music production on Lesha’s YouTube Channel.

‘ALPAS’ digital concert

Get ready for a night of soaring anthems and classic sing-alongs as kumu live and GNN hold a virtual concert featuring some of the finest Filipino singer-songwriters of all time.

Dubbed ALPAS, the digital show not only aims to bring live performances for the streaming public but also promises music fans to experience a semblance of ‘concert’ normalcy in an intimate, stripped-down setting. The six music acts are also set to perform as a group in a special medley number arranged and produced by award-winning musical director, Ronaldo Tomas.

Renowned alternative/pop-rock/folk icons Aia de Leon, Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Ebe Dancel, Johnoy Danao, and Bullet Dumas mark their first time to co-headline a show together, performing as both solo artists and collaborators. 

“I’m excited to work with the artists that I admire in the music industry. It’s an opportunity that I wouldn’t want to miss. I’m more than happy to share the stage with the artists that I look up to, and hopefully, the energy and enthusiasm would resonate with the music fans once they see it on the virtual screen. It’s something that we’ve worked hard for.” ~Barbie Almalbis 

With new security and health protocols in place, the virtual showcase will be shot at the outdoor area of Conspiracy Garden Café, an iconic music venue that is home to several music greats and independent bands, and in Madrid, Spain where Kitchie Nadal is currently based.

As expected, Nadal is excited to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration and has all the great words to say about the upcoming online show. Barbie Almalbis explains that this is as close to playing for a live audience and that performing in Conspiracy again makes her feel nostalgic.

Aia, Barbie, and Kitchie (ABK) have staged sold-out, collaborative concerts at the Music Museum in 2016 and 2017, and held a benefit online show in 2020 to raise funds for the employees of indie music venues in Metro Manila. Ebe, Johnoy, and Bullet (3D) on the other hand, have performed as 3D, and went on to headline three, sold-out concerts: twice at the Music Museum in 2015 and 2016, and at the Kia Theatre in 2018. These concerts were organized and produced by GNN. 

Bullet Dumas admits that he missed performing and that ALPAS came at the right time when everyone needs a source of entertainment to keep them going while public life is on lockdown. 

“I haven't performed in an actual show since early pandemic. People in the live events industry are barely surviving, so this opportunity from KUMU and GNN means a lot to me. And I know how a simple show can move people especially in this crazy era of our lives.” ~Bullet Dumas

Johnoy Danao admits that this is the very first time since 2020 that 3D will be reunited together, and he wouldn’t want to miss it for the world. He’s also looking forward to working with Aia, Barbie, and Kitchie on this special project. 

“It’ll be the first time that all of us are performing together, so I think that’s something to look forward to.” ~Johnoy Danao

When asked about what makes ALPAS worth watching despite the lack of an actual “live” audience, Aia De Leon takes pride in what the virtual concert stands for especially in the time of the pandemic. 

“ALPAS is your connection to something real. When the songs hit home, this is your connection to the memory as well as the future promise of the live gig experience.” ~Aia De Leon

Ebe Dancel echoes Aia’s sentiments, stressing the importance of music in forging a sense of community amidst the most challenging of times. 

“People, in my opinion, will always need music. As much as we miss the live audience, this will have to do for now. Someday, somehow, we will all see each other again.” ~Ebe Dancel

ALPAS: A Digital Concert is set to premiere on June 5, 2021, from 6pm onwards. Tickets to ALPAS are now available for purchase via Kumu, with a price of P499 for general admission. For details on how to buy tickets, go to this site: www.kumu.live.

Darren Espanto's “Believe In Christmas”

Darren Espanto

Award-winning pop sensation Darren Espanto released his Holiday single "Believe in Christmas" in hopes to spark hope and spread positivity to those who badly need it during this troubling time. A virtual presser premiered Espanto's latest single exclusively to celebrate this important milestone in his career. 

“This year, there’s no other way to celebrate Christmas but to be grateful for the simple things that life has to offer amid trying, challenging times. More than ever, this gives us a chance to strengthen our faith and love for one another, and protect the family and loved ones whose lives matter more than anything else in this world. This Christmas is different from what we’ve been accustomed to for sure, but I’m positive that we’ll emerge stronger, better individuals after this crisis unfold. For as long as we have each other, no grueling situation can hold us down.”  ~Darren Espanto

Darren Espanto

Darren Espanto

Its uncertainty has not only instilled fear and anxiety but also forced us to participate in a game of risk roulette, where everyone tries to survive a global health crisis that knows no end or time and outwit an invisible enemy through strategic measures that align with the new normal.

Darren Espanto

Darren Espanto

But Darren Espanto wants us to believe that love will always be our guiding light even in the most difficult of times. The accomplished recording star is optimistic about using his voice as a catalyst to spark hope and inspire others to make a positive difference—all in the spirit of Christmas. He wants to keep the Holiday tradition alive by spreading kindness and joy this festive season but also wants to see it with a renewed perspective: that the cherished holiday traditions are more than just about sumptuous feasts. It’s also about a celebration of new beginnings and unwavering hope of much better days ahead, an opportunity to encourage everyone to be there for one another even when the going gets tough. 

“When love shines through, there’s always something more: a new season, a new reason, a spark of hope and joy to believe in.”

Our capacity to bounce back from an adverse event is something that Filipinos have always expertly done after a recession, personal catastrophe, or a storm, and this is something that Darren Espanto expertly tackles on his new single "Believe in Christmas" as he sings an anthem of hope amidst brokenness and frailty. 

Darren Espanto's “Believe In Christmas”

"Believe in Christmas" isn’t just your typical Holiday anthem wrapped in high spirits and effervescent glow. Written by industry respected songwriter, Tiny Corpuz, the song’s message aims to spark the light of hope in a world full of dimly lit spirits especially going into the Christmas season. It acknowledges the current time and situation that we live in.

For his part, Darren interprets the material with utmost care and sensitivity, singing like his life depends on it, and fleshing out the song’s nuances with every fiber and being. The Canadian-Filipino recording sensation has always been known for his incredible technique and soulful singing, but on "Believe in Christmas," he has also developed a deeper understanding of the narrative, perhaps because it feels closer to home, and it doesn’t feel removed from what’s happening in the real world. 

“Darren is a total performer, he sings, dances, even acts, and now exploring on songwriting and production. A true artist knows what he wants. We’ve witnessed him grow. He’ll definitely go places with that kind of determination and passion.” ~Tiny Corpuz, Composer and Overall Producer

This time, he’s also more involved in the recording process as a vocal producer, ensuring that he’s in top shape to get the best vocal performance possible. "Believe in Christmas" composer and overall producer Tiny Corpuz attests to Darren’s potential as a multi-faceted artist with so much talent in his hand. 

Listen to Darren Espanto’s message in

“Believe in Christmas”

https://DarrenEspanto.lnk.to/BelieveinChristmas

For updates follow Darren on:

Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  YouTube

 

Follow MCA Music on:

Facebook  |  Instagram  |  Twitter  |  YouTube

About Darren Espanto

Darren Espanto is a Canadian-Filipino singer, songwriter,  television personality, and actor who first became known to Filipino audiences as a contestant in the 1st season of The Voice Kids Philippines in 2014. The 13-year old Darren may not have won the competition, taking the runner-up position, but his outstanding talent was not to be denied.

 

Now with 6 years in the Philippine entertainment industry under his belt, 19-year-old Darren boasts of career highlights that older, more seasoned artists can only aspire for: double-platinum albums, over a hundred million streams of his songs on the music streaming sites, and Youtube videos of his performances that have earned well over 250 million views. He has received close to 70 music awards and recognitions from various award-giving bodies in the Philippines.

 

Touted as The Total Performer, Darren has done close to 20 major concerts in the Philippines, USA, Canada, Middle East, and Australia showing off his versatility by singing in different genres as well as demonstrating his vocal power and stamina with exciting song and dance numbers.

 

As the youngest member of the main cast of the Philippines’ top weekly musical variety show, ASAP Natin ‘To, Darren is ranked alongside the country’s veteran and well-established performers.

 

Darren holds the record for being the youngest artist, at age 14, to stage a sold-out solo concert at the MOA Arena, one of Manila’s biggest and premiere performance venues. He sang for Pope Francis and millions of Filipinos during 2015 Papal Visit, he per-formed for presidents and dignitaries during the APEC and ASEAN Summits and he has headlined a gala night in Carnegie Hall — all before his 18th birthday.

 

Darren was appointed by UNDP Philippines in April 2020 as its first and youngest celebrity advocate for the Sustainable Development Goals. Recognizing young people’s potential as agents of change, UNDP has enlisted the voluntary services and support of Darren to promote its youth-focused development programs primarily through his influential social media presence.

 

Darren shares UNDP’s commitment to making the planet a better place for humanity. With his influence among his audiences, particularly his staunch and faithful fandom known as the Darrenatics, he realizes and understands that he can use his fame and celebrity to raise awareness and mobilize support to help realize the Sustainable Development Goals in The Philippines.

 

In the six months since he was appointed UNDP Youth Advocate, he has already taken on numerous projects that have seen exemplary results in terms of social media engagement. As a result, Darren has already been tapped twice by UNDP Headquarters in New York to lend his voice to their Mission1.5/Climate Action program.

 

 

Ben&Ben releases Kintsugi-inspired video for “Di Ka Sayang”

Ben&Ben’s new single “Di Ka Sayang”

Ben&Ben’s new single “Di Ka Sayang” managed to surpass expectations when it trended at No.1 worldwide on Twitter and debuted at the top spot of Spotify Philippines’ top 50 overall charts upon release.

Following its massive debut on Friday, Ben&Ben’s “Di Ka Sayang” continues to spread its winsome streak as it drops the official music video on November 9, Monday at 6pm. Helmed by Jorel Lising, the band’s frequent collaborator and the director behind their hits “Pagtingin” and “Nakikinig Ka Ba Sa Akin,” the visual accompaniment of the song follows the band performing in random intimate spaces with ‘Kintsugi’ artform as the backdrop.

According to vocalist and guitarist Paolo Benjamin, the inspiration behind the pottery repair method as the binding theme came from their production designer, Ms. Dianne Khu. 

“During the planning of the video, things came together in a very organic kind of way and we thought it fit the concept perfectly. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of piecing together broken parts of pottery with gold glue. By doing this, brokenness is made whole in a way that is much better than it previously was. Our percussionist Andrew even has a tattoo of ‘wabi-sabi,’ which is the Japanese philosophy of accepting and finding meaning in the imperfections in life and nature. We really saw Kintsugi as a powerful way to represent self-acceptance.”  ~Paolo Benjamin, Ben&Ben Vocalist and Guitarist

Ben&Ben

Honoring the importance of embracing one’s flaws and accepting brokenness as something that you need to display with pride and not hide, the song sends a vital message to listeners who are going through difficult challenges in life, especially with the pandemic crisis taking a toll on everyone’s mental health. 

“This year has been the toughest year for many people from our generation, and a lot of us are in this state wherein a lot of plans, dreams, hopes, and goals were compromised, cancelled or rather ‘sayang.’ Even for us personally as a band, we had a hard time dealing with these same struggles. What we wanted to share however, is that we are never alone in our hardships, and that there is still hope in a better tomorrow.” ~Miguel Benjamin, Ben&Ben Vocalist, and Guitarist 

Ben&Ben

This Wednesday, Ben&Ben will be releasing a special BBTV episode on their YouTube channel, which to date has more than 1.2 million subscribers. The award-winning nine-piece collective will also be performing at Lazada SuperShow 11.11 on November 10 (Tuesday) and at Wishbus Exclusive on November 12 (Thursday).

The music video of “Di Ka Sayang” is now available on YouTube. 

Orange & Lemons - You Bring Out The Best

 



Orange & Lemons have proven time and again, that they’re capable of writing infinitely hummable, indie-pop classics that maintain a distinct sensibility and effortlessness amidst shifting trends.

 

Their new single, “You Bring Out My Best” is among their most delightful work to date: a song that finds Clem waxing poetic on the intimate moments that he once shared with a fictional ex-lover. 

“We just love how the song turned out,” Clem reveals in a statement. “It’s the first time we sat down together working on a concept material, with no relevant inspiration for it. Just a play with words and melodic lines. We had to remove our shoes when tracking, and only one person is allowed at a time to record. The rest had to wait outside at the receiving area of Sonic State Audio in Mandaluyong City.” ~Clem Castro, Orange & Lemons’ Chief Songwriter and Producer

 



 

The production packs a punch in a way that is seamlessly understated but compelling—never overdoing the process to gain attention or impress music fans. But it’s the songwriting that remains front and center to this massive release, a distinct mold whose appeal transcends generations of any kind. 

 

 

“You Bring Out My Best” was written, arranged, and demo-recorded last February 2020 at O&L’s drummer studio from 4pm to 3am. The members of the band had to maximize their time together because they live far from one another, with Clem already having an approximate idea of a verse and chorus lines for the session. After jamming with the band, they brainstormed on adding sections and parts to complete the demo. 

“The resulting production has that trademark O&L sound, and much, much more because of the contribution of our keyboard player, who after more than a year of being an official member has immersed himself in indie-pop stylings,” ~Orange & Lemons Frontman



Orange & Lemons



Four months after the demo was shelved, Orange & Lemons finally braved the studio to resume recording of their new single “You Bring Out My Best.”   Armed with disinfectants and face masks, the award-winning band carefully observed health and safety protocols to finish the material.

 

“You Bring Out My Best”  is out today, September 11, 2020 (Friday), on all digital platforms worldwide via Lilystars Records.