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March 19, 2021
Clara Benin joins Sony Music Entertainment’s new Southeast Asian label ‘OFFMUTE’
New artists on board include acclaimed Philippine singer-songwriter Clara Benin, Indonesian alt-pop sensation Mezzaluna and Malaysian recording star liesl-mae
OFFMUTE gives emerging recording artists across all genres an opportunity to develop their own music and follow their creative vision. The new label will support Southeast Asian artists in amplifying their music and building a strong pan-regional audience base through enhanced promotional, marketing and artist development, drawn from Sony Music's global expertise and resources.
“OFFMUTE is a first-of-its-kind label in this part of the world, embracing the eclectic appeal and rich diversity that Southeast Asia has to offer, empowering artists with the resources and expertise to find success in a diverse region,” said Shridhar Subramaniam, President, Strategy and Market Development, Asia and Middle East, Sony Music Entertainment. “That offering is compelling for a new generation of artists in the region and we’re excited to help these artists fulfil their potential in the years to come.”
Ariel Fung,
Executive Vice President, Sony Music Southeast Asia, expresses his enthusiasm on
the label’s attempt to solidify its foothold in the global music industry. “I
am so excited to see the launch of OFFMUTE which embraces different genres of
artists with their unique culture and style, and with the potential of
cross-border success.”
NEW OFFMUTE ARTISTS FROM PHILIPPINES, INDONESIA AND MALAYSIA
OFFMUTE also announced today three new signings for the label: acclaimed Philippine singer-songwriter Clara Benin; Indonesian alt-pop sensation Mezzaluna; and Malaysian recording star liesl-mae.
An acclaimed singer-songwriter in the Philippines, Clara Benin is renowned for her captivating songs that blend unspoken ruminations with commitment and depth. Amassing more than 25 million streams on combined music platforms Spotify and YouTube, Benin frequently headlines local and international music festivals, and won multiple awards including Wishclusive Contemporary Folk Performance of the Year for her song “I Rose up Slowly”.
Roslyn Pineda, General Manager, Sony Music Philippines, speaks of Benin’s potential to leave a mark with the international audience. “When my team and I discussed the vision for OFFMUTE, we immediately thought Clara Benin embodied what the label was all about,” Pineda reveals. “And it’s great that the other markets think so too. With a Southeast Asian team supporting her, we’re thrilled that Clara’s moving vocals and introspective songwriting will reach new audiences across the region.”
Another addition to the OFFMUTE family is Mezzaluna, a talented and gifted singer-songwriter based in Indonesia who comes from a strong musical lineage and quickly emerged as a standout artist with incredible achievements in her own right. With deep, soulful vocals and an intensely personal storytelling style, the 20-year-old alt-pop sensation marks her journey as a solo star capable of delivering inspiring and powerful songs with a universal reach. She will be releasing her debut single this year, which OFFMUTE will be amplifying across the region.
Malaysia’s liesl-mae completes the record label’s wide-ranging selection of music acts. Making waves in the Malaysian music scene with her soothing, almost-lullaby-like tunes, the recording star will now see her talent showcased across Southeast Asia through OFFMUTE. She plans to release her own music and collaborate with other artists under the new label, as well as harness her newfound platform to advocate for mental health education and awareness.
November 24, 2020
DOT chief visits Baguio City, touts cultural tourism with creative crawls
The Department of Tourism (DOT) touts cultural tourism in Baguio as it remains optimistic that initiatives such as the Ibagíw Festival will sustain the treasured traditions and art forms of the city.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat at the Baguio Convention Center with National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik. Photo courtesy of Denison G. Manuel
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said that the DOT will continue to promote Baguio as a creative city and support its development for arts and culture. The move to highlight Baguio’s cultural tourism comes as the city celebrates Ibagiw 2020, a month-long creative festival that showcases its rich and vibrant culture and history.
“Baguio is more than just its natural wonders, and we want more Filipinos to rediscover what UNESCO designated as a Creative City for Crafts and Folk Arts. Initiatives like Ibagiw will certainly help revive tourism in the region and jumpstart the local economy,” said Secretary Puyat.
Puyat visited Baguio to see Ibagiw 2020’s highlights such as its lineup of creative crawls and series of tours that showcase Baguio’s artistic and cultural heritage sites.
She added, "Experiencing the Ibagiw 2020 festival ensures the bright future of Baguio’s creative economy while keeping its traditions and art forms alive.”
She began the tour at the newly-refurbished Baguio Convention Center, with an ongoing exhibit called “Interlinked.” The Tourism Secretary personally met with National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik who created pieces that explore themes of “community, collective memory, personal and cultural identity, environmental activism, social commentary, contemporary society, humor, and local color" together with local artists.
On the spot weaving at the Sunshine Park for the Art in the Park Opening Ceremony.
She also visited the Art in the Park at Sunshine Park to witness different activities such as spot painting by local visual artists, craft demonstrations by local artisans such as textile-weaving and wood-carving, and a photo exhibit of native plants in the Philippines.
Local artists showcase their artworks at Sunshine Park for the Art in the Park Opening. The exhibit will run until November 30, 2020.
Meanwhile, those who want to participate in the crawl can explore the Mirador Hill, a nine-hectare Jesuit property that offers breathtaking views of Baguio and Benguet’s breathtaking views. This is followed by a trip to the BenCab Museum where works of the national artist for Visual Arts Benedicto Cabrera, other Filipino masters, and rising contemporary creatives are exhibited.
National Artist for Visual Arts Benedicto “BenCab” Cabrera spearheads the Wood Carving Competition held at BenCab Museum
Another itinerary that is part of the creative crawl is Ili-Likha Artists Village, the brainchild of Kidlat Tahimik. Built around trees redesigned with recycled materials, the village showcases artistic works, and serves as an inspiration hub for local and emerging artists.
This is followed by a trip to the Mandeko Kito Artisanal Market, an arts and crafts fair organized by the University of the Philippines Baguio, to feature local talent in the Cordillera Region. Lastly, guests will visit the Museo Kordilyera, the first ethnographic museum in the northern part of the country. Its collection includes works that celebrate the regional culture and the heritage.
DOT’s support of Baguio’s rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship in wood carving, silver craft, weaving, tattooing, and more could help support the livelihood of locals and help the city recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The pandemic has brought on challenges for everyone, especially those working in the tourism industry. Creative crawls bring guests to places they may not have visited before, thus supporting more locals. This means no one gets left behind as we rebuild tourism,” shares Puyat.
Those who wish to go to Baguio after Ibagiw 2020 can still experience the creative crawl through accredited tour operators.
For more information about the Philippines, visit app.philippines.travel.
November 22, 2020
“2020” Agents of Change: 10 Artists Supporting Artists
With the collaboration of Angel Velasco Shaw and the facilities of Pioneer Studios for the production, the works in the portfolio tackle the unique struggles Filipinos are facing during the current health crisis and represent an insight on the works of the following participating artists:
At Maculangan – One of the most respected photographers in the country, Maculangan is known for his crisply shot portraits and beautifully lit interiors.
Gina Osterloh – Osterloh is a conceptual artist who uses photography to question one’s notion of identity and is well known in the international art community.
Kawayan de Guia – Known for his unique and bold style, de Guia is known for his ability to transform seemingly unrelated objects into one seamless picture.
Kiri Dalena – Dalena is well-recognized in the international art community for her works on Philippine history, politics, and social justice.
Manny Montelibano – Montelibano’s work is always subtle in its expression of the psychology of contemporary socio-political and religious structures.
Paul Pfeiffer – An internationally applauded visual artist, Pfeiffer is known for his use of modern technology to create nuanced art pieces.
Poklong Anading – This contemporary artist likes to assume the role of observer in his images that explore fact and memory.
Wawi Navarroza – A multi-awarded contemporary artist, Navarroza’s works often delve into Self and how life often meets art in strange ways.
Yason Banal – Banal is a multimedia artist who uses his work to explore hidden meanings within common images.