TPB mounts biggest international travel trade event in the Philippines for 2019

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing and promotions arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), is set to boost tourism in the Philippines as it simultaneously mounts the Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) and MICE Buyers Invitational (MICECONnect) 2019 on October 20 to 27 to promote the Philippines as a prime tourist destination for both leisure and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibits/Events).

Now on its 18th year, PHITEX is considered to be the biggest travel trade event in the country, with close to 200 sellers and 200 buyers participating. The main highlight of the event is the one and a half day business-to-business (B2B) session between foreign buyers and local sellers to encourage tourism-related discourse among the participants,and open doors for business opportunities.

“PHITEX is mounted annually as a support for stakeholders in the travel trade industry,” says TPB COO Marie Venus Tan. “Instead of working as individual operators and sellers, we provide a platform for them to connect to hundreds of buyers from all over the world in one venue, which saves them precious time and money. The event also gives buyers a more comprehensive view of the different destinations and packages that they can sell to consumers, either as individual or bundled tours.”

Participants also took part in the PHITEX educational seminar where industry leadersdiscussed new trends in tourism marketing as well as marketing strategies in mature and emerging markets while keeping the theme of “Philippine Tourism: Trailblazing Responsible Travel and Inclusive Growth,” in mind.

Giving their insights were Thomas Graham, Co-Founder of Make A Difference (MAD) Travel, Carlos Mori Rodriguez, the Chief Innovation Officer of EON The Stakeholder Relations Group, and Nelly Nuezca Dillera, CESO III, the Deputy Executive Director of the Philippine Trade Training Center - Global MSME Academy, who ended the seminar on how DTI is building capabilities for halal development and certification."

Meanwhile, MICECONnect 2019, aims to accelerate the Philippine MICE industry by gathering MICE suppliers to showcase the country as a premium destination for international events and conferences. 

Happening simultaneously with PHITEX, MICECONnect 2019 is the continuation of a two-year program as a comprehensive educational seminar for local MICE stakeholders to learn new and effective global trends, approaches, and methods. This year’s focus is conducting business networking opportunities to further develop the country’s MICE industry.

MICECONnect 2019 likewise features B2B sessions for Philippine and foreign MICE buyers, and include a hotel and MICE venue inspection. Moreover, MICECONnect delegates will be treated to post-event tours to highlight some of the country's premierMICE destinations including Iloilo City, Bacolod, Davao, Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Tagaytay, Manila and Batangas.

More importantly, both PHITEX and MICECONnect 2019 enable TPB to support and raise awareness on sustainable community-based tourism. Apart from promoting what the Philippines can offer, TPB also advocates for the protection of natural assets and expanding the benefits of tourism to communities that are directly and indirectly affected by the industry, consequently helping DOT towards achieving its goals for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

To know more about PHITEX and MICECONnect 2019, visit the following websites: https://www.phitex.ph/, https://www.micecon.ph, https://www.tpb.gov.ph/, or https://www.facebook.com/tpbphl/.

From Billboard to Boat to Bronze: Havas Media Ortega gets an accolade at the 2019 Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity

Banners and waiting shed billboards have been turned into rafts and stretchers.

Havas Media Ortega bags a Bronze Award at the 2019 Spikes Asia Festival of Creativity in the Media Category (Ambient Media: Large Scale), for its innovative crisis response to typhoons and floods entitled “Project S.A.V.E”.

The agency pioneered this initiative with Valenzuela City, one of the most flood-prone cities in Manila the capital of the Philippines, with the vision of turning underutilized resources into life-saving devices. This project developed and designed the materials with advice from volunteer first responders, local government officials, and national disaster coordinators. 

Project S.A.V.E, which stands for Signage & Adspace Versatile for Emergencies, aims to equip cities with emergency equipment come floods, earthquakes, and other calamities through innovative use of outdoor marketing materials. Billboards, banners, and waiting sheds are turned into detachable disaster-ready boats, life rafts, spineboards, and other disaster response tools using outdoor ad materials from past campaigns, which would otherwise have been thrown away. The idea takes advantage of the easy visibility of outdoor ads. Quick to spot and accessible to the public, residents can quickly remember that these tools are at their disposal should they be needed. 

“This year, our battle cry with the Havas Group is to create a meaningful difference to brands, businesses and the lives of the people we work with. We’re honored to have been recognized by Spikes Asia as we continue to help the community in an inventive way that they’re open to,” says Hermie de Leon, Managing Partner of Havas Ortega and CEO of Havas Media Group. 

Rommell Garcia, Business Director of Havas Creative who led this project, also shares, "We hope that Project S.A.V.E will inspire the industry and get the momentum going in coming up with ideas that can make a meaningful difference in Filipino lives."

“We are grateful that our long experience with floods has taught us that more access to stretchers, emergency tents, and life rafts preserves lives. We’re grateful that this need was able to be executed creatively and was able to gain recognition in the ASEAN region. We do hope that this can set a new benchmark for the community to respond to crisis swiftly – anytime and anywhere” asserts City Mayor Rex Gatchalianof Valenzuela City.

The long play to Project S.A.V.E is being able to deploy these structures in other towns and municipalities that share the same predicament as Valenzuela.

ABOUT SPIKES ASIA AWARDS

The Spikes Asia Awards is the benchmark by which the region’s creativity is measured. For the past 32 years, since its inception as the Asian Advertising Awards in 1986, it has set the standard for creativity and effectiveness for Asia Pacific’s creative communications industry. The Awards are continually honed and redefined to ensure they reflect current trends in creative communications.

Choose to Feel Good With Pancake House's P45 add-on Promo

Pancake House continues its celebration of helping diners Choose to Feel Good for 45 years with a delightful promo that will make your all-time favorites even more special. As you enjoy a delicious mix of Pancake House specialties with a House Special Set A or B, make it better when you add P45 and get a tasty bonus to your hearty meal. 

With the P45 Add-On Promo, choose between these four irresistible additions: savor in the homey goodness of fluffy golden Mini Classic Pancakes or a classic and crisp Golden Brown Waffle. You may also fill your tummy with a comforting bowl of Today’s Heartwarming Soup or reminisce your carefree, younger days with a sweet and creamy Milkshake Upgrade. 

This extra satisfying offer is valid for dine-in transactions only until October 31, in participating Pancake House stores nationwide. 

“As we continue to deliver staple comfort food to Filipinos everywhere, we want to elevate our diners’ experience in our stores by offering one of our bestselling specialties that people keep coming back for—plus more,” shared Cherry Hernandez, Senior Marketing Manager of Pancake House. “We hope that making our House Special Set even better with delicious add-ons gives our customers another reason to Choose To Feel Good at Pancake House.” 

Pancakes, waffle, soup, or milkshake? The choice is yours. Don’t miss out on this special offer and Choose to Feel Good at your nearest Pancake House store today! For more information, please visit facebook.com/PancakeHousePhilippines. 

Coke Studio Season 3 : Sarah Geronimo with This Band

WE’RE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER

For many Filipinos, home is not a place. Home is family. For the season 3 Coke Studio episode that focuses on family feels, the artists featured feel a strong and particular resonance for the idea of family.

Sarah Geronimo

Sarah Geronimo has often been praised for her love and devotion to her family. “I really love my family and all the sacrifices they have made for me. Whatever happens in life, wherever my career takes me, God gave me a gift that grounds me and keeps me humble, so that I know who I am,” she declares. She also adds that being invited to be part of Coke Studio Season 3 is like being invited to a family reunion of sorts. “When I used to see the Coke Studio billboard, when I would get stuck in traffic, I found it so cool, and I really thought to myself, ‘Wow, I wish that I could be a part of that.’"

This Band are Andrea Manzano (vocals), Euwie Von Loria(guitar), Miccael Galvan (bass), John Kenneth Macaranas(drums), Melvin Carson (keyboard) and Reymart Gubat(lead guitar). They consider themselves as a family, since they all grew up near each other. They started their career jamming in the food parks around their neighborhood. They also consider Sarah part of their extended showbiz family because of their management group. Euwie says, “But at first, we couldn’t believe that this early in our career, we could be working with her. It’s as if our career will be fast-tracked, things are going beyond what we imagined.”  

This Band

Andrea adds, “And we’re so happy that we get to remake her song, because her music is really part of the soundtrack of our lives."

And just like in a real family, Sarah feels like an older sister, and she can pass on some wisdom to her young colleagues. Sarah reminisces, “When I was starting out, what was important, yung maging plakado. But now, the young ones, they’re so free. And that’s great because what really matters with any performance, is that you put your heart into it. So I would just remind them to always put your all into a performance.” 

Watch how Sarah Geronimo and This Band collaborate for Coke Studio Season 3. Catch them this coming October 26, at 10:00 a.m. on ABS-CBN or online at www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH .

Former WESTLIFE member, BRIAN MCFADDEN in an intimate concert in Cebu and Manila this November

Irish singer and song writer who rose to fame as one of the original members of the Irish boy band WESTLIFE, Brian McFadden, will be coming to Cebu at the Mediterranean Ballroom, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino on November 16, 2019 and Manila at the New Frontier Theatre, Araneta Center, Quezon City on November 17, 2019 for an intimate concert. 

This is to complete our original Westlife live experience journey as #Batang90s. Joining Brian as a very special guest both for Cebu and Manila, is our very own first ever Idol Philippines champion, Ms. Zephanie Dimaranan, 

In June 1998, McFadden joined the Irish boy band WESTLIFE alongside Kian Egan, Markcus Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan. Together, they made chart topping songs, “Swear It Again”, “If I Let You Go”, “Flying Without Wings”, “Seasons in the Sun”, “Fool Again”, “My Love”, “Uptown Girl”, “Queen of My Heart”, “World of Our Own”, “Unbreakable”, “Mandy”, and many more.

He also released his debut solo single “Real to Me”, which reached No. 1 in Ireland and the United Kingdom. He was based in Australia for a while, where he found success not only as a singer-songwriter, but also as a radio presenter. He was also a judge in the reality talent search, “Australia’s Got Talent.”

He toured with Keith Duffy, member of Boyzone, as Boyzlife in 2016, 2017 and 2018. This 2019, as one of the original and prime members of WESTLIFE, he is set to come back to the Philippines to fulfill our original Westlife experience as Bryan. 

Come and have a Romantic Intimate Concert with Brian as he plays our favorite songs from Westlife! It will surely be a great night singing his old and some new songs from Brian himself. *** Swear it again, Flying without wings, When you’re looking like that, World of our own, Queen of my heart, Like only a woman can, Mandy, Real to me, My love, Uptown girl, Champagne and wine, If I let you go, These arms of mine, Almost here, And more...***

Romantic Intimate Concert with Brian McFadden PH Tour: Playing our favorite songs from Westlife is presented by EKG Productions.

Producer’s Seats front rows best house seats with Meet & Greet and Individual Photo-op with Brian are available for purchase for only Php 6,000 both for Manila and Cebu. Tickets available for Manila at www.ticketnet.com.ph and TicketNet outlets. For inquiries, call (02)911-5555 or (02)532-8883.

Tickets available for Cebu at www.smtickets.com/events/view/8253 and SM Tickets Cinema outlets and Waterfront Cebu City Hotel Ticket Booth.

EKG Productions hotlines: 0998 964 4585 (MANILA) and 0998 964 4589 (CEBU).

#BrianMcfadden2019MNL #BrianMcfadden2019CEBU #EKGProductions

FACEBOOK: @EKGProductions

TWITTER: @EKGProductions8

INSTAGRAM: @EKGProductions

BRIAN MCFADDEN HIT YOUTUBE LINKS:

Queen Of My Heart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6c64kUiqknY

I Lay My Love On You https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnOAK04tJhc

Mandy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ShlE-xobyw

World Of Our Own https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jal-vzO8bVE

When You’re Looking Like That https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5rmKy8H62BU

Swear It Again https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UaMsIJ4bR0

If I Let You Go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NrQei36fJk

Seasons In The Sun https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdv83MFJd7U

Almost There https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oah-OYibXfw

Like Only A Woman Can https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oah-OYibXfw

GCash moves to turn tide of savings for Pinoys

A doctor has saved many lives but has no savings in the bank. An art director churns out a successful savings campaign but is failing her bank account. A lawyer who has tried many criminal cases pleads guilty to being broke. An overseas Filipino worker toils for years to give his family a bright future but still has zero savings.

These were just some of the narratives in GCash’s #PlsSaveMe campaign that resonated well with Filipinos as they bared on social media the ugly truth about their spending habits and financial woes.

Now, the leading mobile wallet is offering a silver lining to every Filipino’s cloud of debt and financial troubles with a follow-up campaign called #LetsSaveTogether, which seeks to translate conversations about being penniless into actions of saving and practicing good money habits.

GCash launched #LetsSaveTogether in the run-up to World Savings Day on Oct. 31, encouraging Filipinos to start saving money and to take advantage of GSave, a digital savings account available on the GCash app in their journey to building a stable financial house.

Recent studies show that majority of Filipinos have a savings crisis.

According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’s 2017 Financial Inclusion Survey, 52.8 million Filipino adults do not own bank accounts, which means they have nothing set aside for a rainy day. Of this number, 60 percent said they don’t have enough money to open one. It also showed that only 1.3 percent of Filipino adults have electronic money (e-money accounts).

The World Bank’s 2017 Global Findex Database also showed that 66 percent of Filipinos do not have any formal savings account.

“Many Filipinos have taken a step towards financial wellness by acknowledging that they are struggling financially and that they need help. Now, help has come their way; all they need to do is to take a step forward to be able to achieve their financial goals,” said Anthony Thomas, president and chief executive officer of Mynt, the company behind GCash.

Mobile bank account GSave, a collaboration with Malaysian Bank CIMB, is a simpler and more accessible alternative to grow one’s savings. It offers a higher interest rate at 3% annually or 12 times higher than interest earnings in traditional banks.

The latest feature allows users to open and maintain a bank account straight from the GCash app without the cumbersome requirements of a traditional bank: no minimum deposit or a required maintaining balance. All users need to open a GSave account is one valid identification card. 

“The solution is already at their fingertips. It’s now time to turn the conversation of not saving enough into action of actually saving for the future,” said Thomas. “We encourage Filipinos, who are among the top mobile users in the world, to kickstart their habit of saving with GSave. Let’s save together.” 

Amazing travel deals await with Traveloka’s Su-Paw Sale

There’s no reason to miss out on the opportunity to get on a plane and travel the world with Traveloka’s biggest promo yet, the Su-Paw Sale! On October 25, Traveloka users can enjoy up to 50% discounts on flights, accommodations, and activities and attractions too.

Southeast Asia’s leading online travel platform introduces the Su-Paw Sale in line with its ongoing Petfluencer campaign, which highlights that ease of making all types of travel arrangements via Traveloka; so easy that even your favorite furry friend can do it.

On Friday, October 25, from 10:00 am onwards, Traveloka app users can browse through all destinations and travel periods and enjoy discounted flight bookings with as much as 50% off, up to a maximum of P10,000.

Meanwhile, discounts for hotels and accommodation will also be up for grabs! Users can get up to 40% off, or up to P1,500, for a minimum spend of P3,000 from 6 - 8 pm only. And then specifically for in-app use for hotels, people can enjoy up to P1,250 off their hotels bookings of three nights. Those who are looking to book for 2 nights can also avail of up to 25% off.

Complete the package by taking advantage of cut-rate offerings of Traveloka’s Xperience. First time users can avail 25% off activities and attractions with a minimum spend of P2,000, while existing users can get 20% for a minimum spend of P1,500.

These awesome discounts are available for a limited time only, so get on Traveloka and be among the lucky users to avail of these one-time promos. With Traveloka, you can fly, stay and play the easy way—with just one app to tap.

It’s not just any sale, it’s Traveloka’s Su-Paw Sale! To learn more about these amazing travel deals, download the Traveloka app from the Google Play store on Android or from the App Store on iOS today.

Traveloka, which is available online or as a downloadable app on the Google Playstore and the Apple App Store, provides a wide range of travel needs in one platform—from flights, hotels, and trains; to flight+hotel packages; attractions & activities; and more—enabling customers to create moments together with their friends or loved ones.

BRIA Homes continues to expand in new territories

With BRIA Homes having established itself as the fastest-growing mass housing developer in the Philippines, it rides on its momentum as it continues to expand in new territories, still aligned with its vision of providing affordable and well-designed homes for ordinary Filipinos. 

BRIA Homes rides on its momentum as it continues to expand in new territories, still aligned with its vision of providing affordable and well-designed homes for ordinary Filipinos. To know more about BRIA Homes, call (0966) 277 5944, like “Bria Official” on Facebook, and follow “@TheBriaOfficial” on Twitter and Instagram.

To date, BRIA Homes is working on more than 50 projects in progressive town and cities as it fulfills its commitment of addressing the dearth of mass housing in the country. Already, BRIA Homes has helped legions of ordinary Filipinos to achieve their dreams of owning a home in various communities nationwide,

In Luzon, BRIA has built gated communities in Mariveles and Hermosa in Bataan; Paniqui, Tarlac; Urdaneta, Pangasinan; San Fernando and Magalang in Pampanga; San Jose Del Monte, Malolos, Sta. Maria, Norzagaray, and Plaridel in Bulacan; General Trias and Trece Martires in Cavite; San Pablo, Calamba, Sta. Cruz, and Calauan in Laguna; Teresa, Binangonan, and Baras in Rizal; and Pili, Camarines Sur.

Meanwhile, in the Visayas, BRIA has ongoing projects in Calbayog, Samar; Ormoc, Leyte; and Dumaguete, Negros Oriental. 

Finally, in Mindanao, BRIA residents are currently enjoying life in their secure communities in Cagayan De Oro, Balingasag, and Gingoog in Misamis Oriental; Manolo Fortich and Valencia in Bukidnon; Panabo and Tagum in Davao Del Norte; Calinan and Digos in Davao Del Sur; General Santos, South Cotabato; and Kidapawan, North Cotabato. 

To date, BRIA Homes has more than 50 projects in progressive town and cities as it addresses the dearth of mass housing in the country. Already, BRIA Homes has helped legions of ordinary Filipino families to achieve their dreams of owning a home in various communities nationwide. Toi know more about BRIA Homes, call (0966) 277 5944, like “Bria Official” on Facebook, and follow “@TheBriaOfficial” on Twitter and Instagram.

The unstoppable BRIA Homes aims to build more projects in other areas in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, providingthe perfect choice for ordinary Filipinos who aspire to own superior quality and affordable homes. 

Because of its winning formula, Affordability (Mura) + Quality (Dekalidad) = a Beautiful BRIA Home for Every Filipino, BRIA has made it possible for Filipino families and individuals to purchase a home for as low as Php 1,897 per monththrough convenient payment schemes such as bank-financing and Pag-IBIG funding. 

Prospective homeowners can check out BRIA’s modern home designs. For instance, BRIA house and lot package options include Elena, a 22-square-meter unit on a 36-square-meter lot; Bettina, a 44-square-meter unit on a 36-square-meter lot; and Alecza, a 36-square-meter unit on an 81-square-meter lot. 

BRIA Homes likewise offers contemporary living through Bria Condos, which features compact but well-designed 24-square-meter units.

All BRIA communities feature recreational facilities for its homeowners such as basketball courts and eco-friendly green spaces. Perimeter fences and guarded entrances/exits ensure their safety and security. 

BRIA homeowners are always within convenient distance to key destinations like churches, hospitals, schools, and commercial establishments—and to major roads and highways. 

Because of this winning formula: Affordability (Mura) + Quality (Dekalidad) = a Beautiful BRIA Home for Every Filipino, BRIA has made it possible for Filipino families and individuals to purchase a home for as low as Php 1,897 per month through convenient payment schemes such as bank-financing and Pag-IBIG funding. For more information about BRIA Homes, call (0966) 277 5944, like “Bria Official” on Facebook, and follow “@TheBriaOfficial” on Twitter and Instagram.

Because BRIA Homes is committed to its goal of providing high-quality homes to as many Filipinos as possible, it touts fast and reliable construction teams with experienced architects and engineers. 

BRIA Homes is a subsidiary of GOLDEN BRIA Holdings, Inc., considered the third largest real estate company in terms of market capitalization valued at more than P200B. The fastest-growing mass housing developer in the Philippines, BRIA Homes is primed to bring affordable house-and-lot packages and condominium units closer to ordinary Filipino families. This is the goal that drives every single employee in the company, for which the ultimate fulfillment is seeing a client happily moving into Bria’s homes.

To know more about BRIA Homes, call (0966) 277 5944, like “Bria Official” on Facebook, and follow “@TheBriaOfficial” on Twitter and Instagram. P

Greenwich Pizza-Rap Barkada Blowout with #GreenwichSagotKoNa! All-in sa Sarap, All-in sa Saya!

Always, Greenwich has been a witness to celebrations and parties with family and  friends. 

Everything in life is bigger, better and more memorable if it’s all-in. From everyday barkada bonding moments to feasting on your favorite celebratory food – things seem larger than life if it’s done with everything you’ve got, just like Greenwich’s All-In Overload pizza. 

Of course, when you go all-in with whatever it is you set your mind to do, you can expect to receive great results – aka success. What makes the moment doubly sweeter is when you celebrate personal successes with those who mean the most to you – your barkada. 

#GreenwichSagotKoNa outrightly expresses that your success is also your kabarkada’s success. 

Greenwich has always been a witness to barkada celebrations and it’s just right that it joins in on every Greenwich barkada’s fun by encouraging them to give their friends a virtual pat on the back with the “SAGOT KO NA” pizza party, because the treat is on those who give all-out support toyou. 

The All-In Overload pizza is loaded with ham, pepperoni, burger crumbles, bacon, Italian sausage, and Spanish sausage, plus green bell peppers, pineapples, mushrooms, onions and cheese – thathas an all-in flavor in one freshly-made crust! This everything-on-it pizza tastes even better when it’s a “SAGOT KO NA” barkada blowout so you can share your blessings with your barkada. 

One of the best things about the All-In Overload is that it’s best shared with the barkada. It’s not because it’s too filling, or the quantity can become too overwhelming for one person, but it is just more fun to eat it when the entire barkada is in town! Sharing a pizza that’s overloaded with toppings, flavor and that unmistakable all-in goodness with friends (and loved ones) is enjoyable because it heightens the experience you have with each bite. 

With the “SAGOT KO NA” pizza party, Greenwich shows its utmost appreciation to its old and new barkada for choosing to make the brand a part of their lives, moments and memories.

The event takes inspiration from the All-In Overload TV commercial featuring Greenwich barkada Yassi Pressman, Robi Domingo and Enrique Gil. The “SAGOT KO NA” revelry is packed with games, surprises, heart-pounding music and rap battles, dancing, and of course, All-In Overload pizzas – just the kind of party that all barkadas will enjoy.

Can’t get enough of the All-In Overload pizza? 

Call #5-55-55 or visit greenwichdelivery.com to satisfy your pizza and pasta cravings. 

Award-Winning Singer/Performer Reuben Laurente Is back with digital single “Ang Pinakamagandang Awit”

Reuben Laurente, a top-notch global artist and performer, recently launched his fans’ most-awaited solo recording digital single, “Ang Pinakamagandang Awit”, composed by Marizen Yaneza, arranged by Noel Espenida, produced and published by RJA Productions LLC. 

A multi-award-winning singer, songwriter, theater performer, and album producer,    Laurente cites Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Brian McKnight, Harry Connick Jr., Mel Torme as his major influences.

“Ang Pinakamagandang Awit” is a love ditty that boldly attempts the return of the classic OPM movie soundtracks during its golden age (late 70’s to the 80’s), where the songs were mostly the celebrated ballads and sung by Reuben’s OPM icons- the great Mr. Basil Valdez and Mr. Nonoy Zuñiga. Inspired by these OPM soundtracks and icons, Reuben’s solo single will take you down memory lane… with his soothing vocals reminiscing, revisiting, and reliving the chart topping soundtracks that dominated the airwaves 40 years ago. Listening to Reuben will take you back to the golden age of the past... a nostalgic walk to the best songs that captivated everyone’s hearts and memories. 

In his recent come-back, after a 13-year hiatus in the Philippine music industry,  he successfully reclaimed his place in the music industry and the live theater by winning the “2018 Best Male Concert Artist of the Year” ALIW Awards (the Philippines’ award-giving body for live entertainment), successfully launching his first digital single “You’re My Home” (a revival of Odette Quesada 80’s hit), and by performing First Man and “Manama” via Ballet Philippines’ "Tales of the Manuvu" (March 2019) staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

From Gospel Singer to an Award-Winning Singer/Performer

Reuben started out his career as a gospel singer for PAPURI! He then joined the Philippines’ premiere vocal group, “The CompanY” from 1991 to 2004, where Reuben became a historic part of the group’s first 14 albums and first 35 industry awards.

Reuben’s pursuit of excellence led to this impressive winning streak: 

●Three-time AWIT Awards nominee for Best Male Recording Artist of the Year (1997, 2001, and 2007)

●AWIT and ALIW Award winner as Singer/Songwriter and Live Performer (2007)

●Catholic Mass Media Award winner for best secular album of the year (“Pop Virtuosity” album) for D’Concorde producers Reck Cardinales, Rudy Ong, and himself (2007)

●“GLOBAL PINOY” Award recipient (“Pinoy” is a colloquial word for Filipino) by the SM Supermalls (2010, international cruise)

●AWIT Special Citation Award winner for being a recording artist showcasing the Filipino artist in the international cruise entertainment scene (2011)

●Four-time Official Philippine Representative to various International music/performance festivals

○The First Philippine Int'l Music Festival (Manila, 1995) (Winner - 2nd Place)

○Sounds Of the Human World (Taiwan, 2004)

○USA Songwriting Competition as interpreter of the Best World Music song “Ikaw Ay Ikaw Pa Rin” by composers GJ German Gomez and Markel Luna (USA, 2003)

○World Championships of the Performing Arts (USA, 2007). 

Reuben is One Glorious Musical Celebration

Reuben loves delving into different genres and has honed his voice to sing a variety of vocal styles. As a theater performer, Reuben also played the role of "Lakshmana" in "RAMA HARI" (1990) and Pilo in "Himala, The Musical" (2003), both at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. As a performer on stage, he loves doing an eclectic mix of songs that would showcase his versatility as a performer, and he describes his act in four words: ONE GLORIOUS MUSICAL CELEBRATION. 

He also launched five solo studio album with various gospel and pop record labels, “Reason For This” (Shekinah,1995), “LANGIT” (Emmanuel Music, 2005), “PopVirtuosity” (Concorde Records, 2006), “HeartBlends” (MCA Universal, 2009), and “More Than Just Renditions” (Musikatha Ministries, 2012). 

In 2008, Reuben crossed music borders from recording to the international cruise entertainment scene as a production cast singer, then eventually becoming a guest entertainer/headliner for various international cruise brands, bringing his own solo show to different parts of the world. This gave him the opportunity to travel to six continents and 82 countries and sovereign states. 

Apart from being a performer on stage, Reuben is also a visual artist having graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Design at the University of the Philippines. His works have been featured in two coffee table books produced and published by Heritage Art and Antiquities and Piso Book Foundation namely “Kayumanggi” and “Folk Influence on Modern Philippine Art” (Jane Stangle Aposotol-Alvero). 

Reuben Laurente is a true inspiration. He gives back all the glory to the Giver of his talent for these accomplishments, and enthuses that these accolades are all God’s blessings for the passion and dedication that he has for his craft. He is a dedicated artist who is passionate about his craft in pursuit of excellence and in championing the Filipino artist on the global stage.

Truly, this quote from Floy Quintos (award-winning Director/Playwright/Author/Actor) sums it all: 

"Reuben has a gift not many of our most talented singers can claim to. He has the ability to create nuances that imbue every song with personal meaning." 

WWW.REUBENLAURENTE.COM

Billy, Nadine, and Boy are judges in two-in-one talent-reality competition "One Moment" hosted by Luis and Vhong

ABS-CBN presents the world premiere of the newest breakthrough talent-reality format “Your Moment,” a collaboration between the country’s leading network and Dutch powerhouse creator Fritz Productions, to put a spotlight on Filipino and foreign singing and dancing acts from all ages, crowning two grand champions in each talent category in the finals.

“Your Moment” will be hosted by multi-awarded TV personality Luis Manzano and dance icon Vhong Navarro. Starts on November 9, the show boasts an esteemed panel of judges composed of international RnB sensation Billy Crawford, multimedia princess Nadine Lustre, and star builder Boy Abunda who will evaluate the acts' performances using an emotion meter knob that will reflect their scores in real time.

The pioneering show will add color and high-intensity moments to viewers’ weekends with its state-of-the-art revolving immersive set, where the audience and the judges will witness all the electric performances from the dancing to the singing stage, and vice versa.

The acts will be under scrutinizing eyes as the judges bring their own expertise and experiences to the table --- Billy as a world-class performer and premier host who burst into the international scene in his early teens, Nadine as a former sing-and-dance girl group member before becoming an award-winning actress and bankable recording artist, and Boy as a respected TV personality, talent manager of some of the country's showbiz icons, and a credible talent search judge.

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Each performance starts in black and white and bursts with lights and color as it progresses, while the judges have to input their scores three times using an emotion meter knob, with 1 as the lowest score and 10 the highest. An emotion meter also appears on-screen reflecting the scores given by the judges every time a performance reaches the three time markers (20 seconds, 60 seconds, and 90 seconds), which indicate the time the judges can score.

The acts will have to power through four competition levels in order to become one of the grand champions: “Your First Moment,” “Your Moment of Choice,” “Your Moment of Power,” and “Your Grand Moment.”

In the first level called “Your First Moment,” each episode will feature three singing acts and three dancing acts who will be given two minutes each to impress the judges

In “Your Moment of Choice,” the second level of the competition, highest-ranking acts will get to pick their opponents in an exhilarating three-way showdown.

Meanwhile, in the third level called “Your Moment of Power,” top performers will be given the chance to choose from respected local and international mentors in the entertainment industry. Both the second and third levels will follow the “beat the winner” elimination process. 

Finally, in the “Your Grand Moment” level, the top three acts per category will compete in a series of rounds that will determine one grand winner in each category.

Witness world-class talents, stories of inspiration and camaraderie, and extraordinary moments in the world premiere of “Your Moment” on November 9. 

For updates, like www.facebook.com/yourmomentph and follow @yourmomentph on Twitter and Instagram.