Mastermind receives the Silver Creator Award from Youtube

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Mastermind has done it again! The group received the Silver Creator Award from YouTube for surpassing 100,000 subscribers on their YouTube channel.

A letter of recognition written by Susan Wojcicki, CEO of YouTube, accompanied the esteemed award. In her letter, Wojcicki wrote, “You achieved this milestone with hard work, perseverance and probably a healthy sense of humour too. What you’ve accomplished can’t be taken away from you. And we’d like to recognize you and all your hard work with this Silver Creator Award, a small token of our esteem and respect.”

Mastermind is composed of Kristian Vienn “Pao” Gonzales, David Inere, Rey Baylon, Bryan Carlo Abunda, Raymund Arago, Adam Noel Bagares, Dale Johnson Odicta, Jester Brozas, and Ericson Apelado.

The dance crew has a huge following since they became one of the finalists of ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5. Their videos on social media earn number of views, shares, and likes. Some of their dance videos have set trends in social media. 

Mastermind has a long list of artists they have worked with including Ms. AiAi delas Alas, Enrique Gil, John Prats, Billie Crawford, Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Kathryn Bernardo, Liza Soberano, Miko and Gab, among others. Aside from doing the choreography, they are the back-up dancers in ASAP, Banana Sundae, and Gandang Gabi Vice. 

“We’re thankful for this great honor. Hindi namin makukuha ang tagumpay na ito kung wala ang suporta ng aming mga fans. We promise to do our best,” said Pao. 

Mastermind is a talent of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

Sitti, The Bossa Nova Diva stages BOSSAGURL on Nov. 25

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Looking for a perfect getaway on a weekend before December? Thinking of where to chill out with your family and friends after a frenzied week at the office?

Worry no more because Sitti, the country’s bossa nova diva, has it covered with her birthday concert titled ‘BOSSAGURL’ on November 25 (Saturday), 8pm, at The Music Hall @ Metrowalk in Ortigas. 

Fall in love all over again as the soothing voice of Sitti takes you to an enchanting evening full of exciting repertoire. Jam along with Sitti as she belts out her greatest hits like Para Sa Akin and song covers Tattooed On My Mind, Hey Look at the Sun, and I Didn’t Know I Was Looking for Love, among others. Surprise guests will also grace the birthday concert. 

There will be a pre-show featuring the new artists of Asian Artists Agency, Inc. including Miko and Gab, Wilbert Ross, Selena Marie Cabusas, Aiana Juarez, and Mastermind. Miko and Gab is the newest singing duo who released the chart-topping hit Hugot; Wilbert is a member of Hashtag; Selena is fondly called the Ukulele Girl; Aiana has viral covers of Titibo-Tibo by Moira dela Torre and Dahil Sa ‘Yo by Iñigo Pascual; and Mastermind is the online dance superstars.

“I am blessed with a loving family, supportive friends, a good career, and loyal fans. What more can I ask for? The birthday concert is my way of giving back for all the blessings I received. I have been in the industry for many years and I am thankful for being given the chance to do what I love. I also tried different genres of music and the feedbacks were great. I love the creative challenge. However, the lure of bossa nova still keeps me going back to where I started. As long as there are people who support my music, that to me is a success on my part as an artist,” Sitti enthuses.

With a ticket at P500, you can have one free drink (first come, first served) and a chance to win a GoPro and other surprise gifts. For tickets, you can call (02) 4511786 or 0917-5349373. 

Sitti is a talent of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, emailinfo@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

Asian Artists Agency, Inc. (AAAI) trains potential stars

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To be a celebrity is not something that can be achieved overnight. For anyone who wishes to make a dent in the industry, he has to pray, work hard, and wait for the right time to come.

Not all who aspire to be a star can become one. Some have their destiny written in the stars while others have exhausted all the necessary measures but to no avail. What does it take to be a star? Are talents and good looks enough tickets to earn a spot in showbiz? Can we rely on the intangibles like the X-factor, the ‘it,’ the charisma, the arrival, and the appeal to guarantee the staying power of an artist?

The Asian Artists Agency, Inc. (AAAI), headed by Boy Abunda, is an artist management company that aims to develop and market talents Asia wide.

AAAI continues to discover potential artists who will shine their way to stardom in movie, television, commercials, sports, theater, and other entertainment arena. The process starts with auditions where aspiring artists showcase their talents in singing, dancing, acting, and even hosting. 

If they successfully make the cut, the new artists will undergo rigorous training workshops for several weeks to hone their talents in singing, dancing, and acting. They have group classes and one-on-one sessions where they are taught the essentials of performance in order to develop their full potentials as artists. 

They are mentored by experts in the industry such as Annie Quintos of The CompanY and Jerwin Nicomedez (Voice Coaches), Mastermind (Dance Coaches), Angeli Bayani (Acting Coach), UST Music Professor Tonton Africa, and Boy Abunda (Hosting). 

“I learned a lot from the workshops. I trained in acting under Ms. Angeli Bayani. She motivated me to use my imagination and emotions in interpreting my roles. Dapat daw maging malinaw ang gagawin at nararamdaman ko in a given scene. With Mastermind, my dance coaches, they told me to just enjoy and do not think too much about the steps,” shares aspiring artist Aiana Juarez. 

“I am lucky to join workshops in singing and dancing. The experiences boost my self-confidence and I am now using my learnings during performances,” says Miko Juarez of the singing duo Miko and Gab. “You have to work hard if you want to succeed in showbiz. I am grateful to be given the chance to attend workshops that helped me improve my talents as a performer. Kaya I told myself na dapat galingan ko sa mga workshops,” adds Gab Umali. 

“Swerte ko po at napunta ako sa Asian Artists Agency. Nakapag-workshops po ako na nakatulong ng malaki sa akin bilang miyembro ng Hashtag,” Wilbert Ross says.

Selena Cabusas enthuses, “I enjoyed taking the workshops. I explored my capacity as an artist. My trainings will guide me in my future projects.”

For inquiries about Asian Artists Agency, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, emailinfo@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

Master The Perfect Dance Moves With Mastermind

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Mastermind has been wowing the public since they emerged in the entertainment scene as one of the finalists of ABS-CBN’s Pilipinas Got Talent Season 5.

The nine-man urban dance crew from Borongan, Eastern Samar is composed of Kristian Vienn “Pao” Gonzales, David Inere, Rey Baylon, Bryan Carlo Abunda, Raymund Arago, Adam Noel Bagares, Dale Johnson Odicta, Jester Brozas, and Ericson Apelado.

The synchronized street-dance styles like locking, popping, house and dance hall of Mastermind’s videos on social media earn number of views, shares, and likes that reach millions. Get into the beat and check out their hot moves in the dance covers of Despacito by Luis Fonsi, Shape of You by Ed Sheeran, Swalla by Jason Derulo featuring Nicki Minaj, Roses by The Chainsmokers, 90s Medley, and Baby Shark, among others.

Mastermind has a long list of artists they have worked with including Ms. AiAi delas Alas, Enrique Gil, John Prats, Billie Crawford, Kim Chiu, Maja Salvador, Kathryn Bernardo, Liza Soberano, Miko and Gab, among others. Aside from doing the choreography, they are the back-up dancers in ASAP, Banana Sundae, and Gandang Gabi Vice. 

The dance crew has come a long way since their early days as members of some obscure dance groups before becoming Mastermind.

Mastermind has a growing fan base that is supportive of all the dance crew projects. Mastermind is an acknowledge social media star whose dance videos generate millions of views. And some dance videos have set trends in social media. 

The members love what they are doing and it shows in their passion to continuously hone their craft and think of something new to offer the public. “We are always experimenting, always creating dance steps. And we enjoy doing it,” said Pao. 

When asked to describe Mastermind, the boys answered, “Hard work. Teamwork. Fun.”

Mastermind is a talent of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

Chef Anton Amoncio's newest culinary challenge

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Celebrity Chef Anton Amoncio takes on a new culinary challenge. 

This time as an online culinary sensation with his ‘Anton’s Food Corner’ on YouTube. Chef Anton was the grand prize winner of Asian Food Channel’s Food Hero Asia which was held in Singapore last year. He is the first Filipino to win in the prestigious competition.

The concept of the online food corner follows Chef Anton as he takes on the challenge of selecting any man on the street and cooking for him within an allotted budget. He goes to the market or grocery and buys all the necessary ingredients for the meal.

Sans his apron and toque, Chef Anton solves anyone’s concern on how to cook sumptuous meals even on a shoestring budget.

Tipid baon for kids. Dalawang ulam for P150. Silog for breakfast. Merienda snacks for the whole tropa. Salted eggs with a twist. 

No worry. Chef Anton have it covered! 

He has the Midas touch when it comes to transforming simple ingredients into fantastic and delicious meals. Check out his YouTube channel and watch out how his flair for inventing the ideal recipes for solo or groups will give viewers creative ideas on what to serve on the dinner table.

Chef Anton’s love affair with foods is visible when you watch him at ease using a knife, tossing steamed vegetables, blending fresh fruits, mixing flavorful seasonings, and whisking eggs. All these and more in store at Anton’s Food Corner.

“I have been wanting to do this online cooking show for the longest time! I’m so grateful that it is finally fulfilled through Anton’s Food Corner. I want to let everyone realize that you can cook and enjoy great meals like you are in a fancy restaurant even on a limited budget. Cooking and dining must be savored with pleasure. I want to inspire and share culinary tips,” explains Chef Anton.

Chef Anton Amoncio is a talent of Asian Artists Agency. For inquiries, please call (02) 855-4765 or (02) 405-4423, email info@asianartistsagency.com, and visit fb.com/asianartistsagency

The Orange Lady, Joby Linsangan Moreno talks about her 10 Commandments

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Joby Linsangan Moreno, the lady behind Orange Blush Salon talked about her 10 Commandments as The Orange Lady in her first public engagement as a professional speaker.

Joby delivering her talk entitled," The 10 Commandments of the Orange Lady"

The event billed Elevate: Primed For Greatness held at The Podium Special Events Center, Cabanatuan City and organized by Lvrage, saw Joby talking before a mixed crowd of students and professionals.

Joby opened her first salon at age 23 in Nueva Ecija from the remnants of a beauty parlor about to close shop. It was a huge move for Joby who with her savings of 30,000 pesos chose to invest in the salon business. She was at that time working as a medical technologist. 

"When I went to college at 17, I did not know na ang med tech nasa lab pala," she recalls. "I did not know, nag aanalyze pala ng ihi, poop, dugo at iba pa. Eh ayaw ko pa naman ng kumukuha ng dugo," she explains.

Speakers answering questions from the audience

Awarding of Plaque of Appreciation With Mr. Luwee Carrasco, President, Lverage Events

With Fellow Conference Speakers; from left, to right: Mr. Luwee Carrasco, Mr. Reynaldo Odulio Jr. Of Wheeltek Motors and Mr. Toby Cayanga of Farmers' AMC. Home grown businesses from Cabanatuan City

Joby then realized that all she wanted was to be a business woman. "I was 23 when I established my salon in Nueva Ecija and my goal was to make it a national brand."

But six months after her first beauty shop opened, "pinirata yung tatlong stylists ko," she reveals. To save the situation, she had to run to the adjacent beauty salon for help. "Pag may pumasok na kliyente sa amin, tatakbo ako sa kabilang parlor, sasabihin ko, paghatian natin, 50-50 tayo sa 60 pesos na gupit." 

Despite the difficulties, Joby survived. And 14 years later, Orange Blush Salon put up 20 branches scattered in the different parts of Northern Luzon and Metro Manila. 10 branches are wholly owned while the other 10 are franchises. The flagship store is located in Sparks Place Cubao.

Orange Lady's First Commandment: Put God first

As a successful business woman, Joby follows 10 rules which she calls,

"The 10 Commandments of the Orange Lady"

1. Put God First In Everything You Do. 

2. Treat Others The Way You Want To Be Treated. 

3. Spend Quality And Undivided Time With Your Loved Ones.

4. Love Your Family Unconditionally.

5. Dream Big. Start Small.

6. Be Proactive. Focus.

7. Do Not Complain.

8. Feel Beautiful. Be Beautiful.

          9. Count Your Blessings.

10. Find Your Purpose And Seize It. Let Your Light Shine.

Joby also subscribes to the mantra, "For with God, nothing shall be impossible," Luke 1:37.

Joby is married to businessman Lawrence Moreno, her first and only boyfriend. They have three kids. Joby is an Asian Artists Agency talent. 

For more info on Joby visit the Orange Blush Official Facebook page or her official FB and IG accounts. You may also visit Orange Blush Salon at Sparks Place Cubao.

The Men of Asian Artists Agency: When Looking For The Male Talent

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So you're looking for a male talent. And you are hunting for that specific guy to play a role on tv and in a movie or perhaps, appear on your TV commercial. And maybe endorse your product. Or lend that star presence in your event. Or you may need basketball players in your sports events. Whatever your needs maybe, it is likely that you are looking for that Asian Artists Agency hombre.

The Asian Artists Agency houses: An actor-singer. A tv host-actor, author, foodie, singer, rolled into one. A travel blogger-host and singer. A theater director. A model. A basketball player. A brand ambassador-tv host and travel enthusiast. These dudes are lodged in one management agency and are available to play the part. 

The Asian Artists Agency has on its roof the talents and artists: Ariel Rivera, Leo Consul, Bryan Termulo, Bobby Garcia, Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Raphael Banal, and Drew Arellano.

Some of them are happily married. Others prefer to be single. But all of them have their names etched in the entertainment and sports firmaments. 

Bobby Garcia has always felt at home in the theater. After a few directorial jobs on television, (he was the first director of Private Conversations with Boy Abunda), and some concerts here and there, Bobby decided it is in theater where he is meant to be. He established Atlantis Productions which later became Atlantis Theatrical and Entertainment Group (ATEG) after partnering with Bobby Barreiro and Tony Tuviera. ATEG produced such musicals as Kinky Boots, Fun Home, Lion King, Jersey Boys, Bridges of Madison County, Saturday Night Fever, Shrek, Ghost, Rock of Ages, and many others. Bobby lords it over on live stage, directing and producing one musical after another. 

Ariel Rivera is one celebrity who is able to keep guard on his personal life. He has kept his private life at a distance from the prying eyes of the public, but as an actor and singer, Ariel is an open book. He was first known as a singer through the hit song Sana Kahit Minsan which became an enormous success. This song was followed by the chart busting Simple Lang, and the rest, they say, is history. 

With luck always on his side, Ariel earned the Metro Manila Film Festival Best Supporting Actor trophy on his initial foray in acting in the movie Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal. Later, he would play leading man to Sharon Cuneta, Vilma Santos, Lea Salonga, Lorna Tolentino, Claudine Barretto and his now wife, Gelli de Belen.

Ariel also played an important role in Mulawin versus Ravena, as Panabon, half-human, half bird, shown on GMA 7. He was also in the Julia Barreto/Joshua Garcia starrer Love You To The Moon and Back. 

Leo Consul is more than just a pretty face. He is a man of many talents. He can cook. He can sing. He can host. He can dance. And he can write. Leo has a beautiful life story which he turned into a book called, A Thousand Miles in Broken Slippers, which aside from being a best seller, has been awarded with the Best Book and Best Author Awards in Indonesia. Leo is a big name in Indonesian TV. Leo was in Manila to work on some projects. 

Bryan Termulo travels to places far and wide to explore new places, people and things. He hosts his own online travel TV. 

He is also an excellent singer. Bryan is an alumnus of Pinoy Pop Superstar and has sung the theme song of Walang Hanggan, 100 Days To Heaven, Honesto, Ina Kapatid Anak, Kung Ako"y Iiwan Mo, Juan De La Cruz, among others. He also has released the albums Begin and Hanggang Ngayon.

Brothers Kiefer and Thirdy Ravena are basketball superstars. They handle basketball clinics in schools and other organizations. Kiefer and Thirdy both played for the Ateneo Blue Eagles. Kiefer plays for Gilas Pilipinas. Kiefer is most awarded as a basketball player. Thirdy is also carving a name for himself as a fitness buff. 

Raphael Banal is a US trained basketball player. He is the son of former PBA coach Joel Banal. Rafael is part of the Blackwater Elite team. 

Drew Arellano is a sportsman-traveller. He hosts his own travel show Biyahe ni Drew that brings him to places where his being a triathlete is also put to good use. Aside from his television chores, Drew is a prized endorser for the products, Del Monte Pineapple, Babyflo Babywash, Cerelac Nutripuffs, and Uniqlo Jackets. He also hosts AHA on GMA 7.

For inquiries email info@asianartistsagency.com or call tel: (02) 405 4423 or (02) 855 4765.

Gelli De Belen says versatility is one of the secrets to her longevity in showbiz, loving it at ABS-CBN

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Award winning actress and host Gelli de Belen, believes that versatility is one of the secrets to longevity.

Being in the entertainment business for 29 years, Gelli has built quite an impressive resume, thanks to her versatility as an actress.

Equally adept in both comedy and drama, Gelli takes pride in being able to dabble in both genres. However, she does not think it is necessary to be good in both when you can be a master of one. But to be able to do comedy and drama allow for more opportunities.

Gelli had her television debut in 1994 as a mainstay of the sketch comedy show Tropang Trumpo, which aired on ABC 5 (now known as TV5). 

The film Gagay: Prinsesa ng brownout has earned her a Best Actress Nomination in the Manila Film Festival. In 1995, Gelli won the Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress for her role of Sarah Jane Salazar in the movie The Secrets of Sarah Jane: Sana'y Mapatawad Mo, a film about the true-to-life story of AIDS victim Sarah Jane Salazar.

​​Her adaptability for any given role assigned to her has opened many doors over the years, one of which led her back to ABS-CBN in 2015. 

Her first hosting job on TV was for the defunct noontime show ‘Sang Linggo nAPO Sila. After it went off the air in 1998, Gelli switched networks twice. First she went to GMA Network and stayed there for several years before moving back to ABC 5 (which had become TV5 by then). But now that Gelli’s back with ABS-CBN, it’s clear that she’s thriving—personally and professionally.

​“I was excited to be working with ABS-CBN again after a long time. I felt a bit anxious too because I knew I’d have to adjust to a relatively new environment again. But I said yes to becoming a Kapamilya kaagad because I’m always willing to work and try new things. I felt a sense of nostalgia when I walked the halls of ABS-CBN again. I kind of grew up there. I started working there when I was fifteen years old until I was twenty-four, so of course I was very happy to be back. It felt great to see my old colleagues and friends again. It was fun to meet new faces as well.”

On working exclusively for major networks, Gelli explains the pros and cons:

  "I think there are pros and cons to being signed exclusively with any network for us old-timers (hehehe). The pros would be being secure that you have a job for the length of your contract, that you are relevant enough for them to invest on you and that raises your status as an actor, so to speak. Cons would be, not being able to work elsewhere, I guess options and opportunities are limited as well since unlike the younger actors, we the older ones would have more roles open to us since we usually do not play the lead as much, so more roles are available. Not having an exclusive contract would give us the freedom to choose more roles and work for any network. So for me, at this point where I think I have established myself already, I prefer not being exclusive to any network."

​​Since returning to ABS-CBN, Gelli has done two teleseryes—FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano and Magpahanggang Wakas, the latter of which saw her play against type.

​“It felt great to have been part of such exceptional shows. Especially when I did Magpahanggang Wakas. My role on that show was my first as a full-on antagonist, and I loved doing it. I have to admit that it was a big adjustment for me, but I welcomed the challenge and I hope I did justice to the character I was given.”

​Gelli’s latest project is the action-packed, top-rating teleserye La Luna Sangre, where she plays Betty Torralba, the doting aunt of Daniel Padilla’s character Tristan.

​“Daniel is a sweetheart. His Mom Karla Estrada brought him up well. He is a natural. I think he was born to be a star,” she says.

​Gelli is having the time of her life on La Luna Sangre and says she’s open to doing fight scenes should her character get caught up in the war brewing on the show between humans, werewolves and vampires.

“I hope for my character to continue to be the grounding factor to keep Tristan's fearlessness in check. I’m looking forward to seeing Betty evolve and grow as a character. Of course I’m open to doing fight scenes. It will be challenging but I do miss doing scenes like that. It has been a while since I did action. I’d like to see if I can still handle such scenes in the event I’m called upon to do them.”

Gelli shares that she’s also thinking about doing an independent film in the future. Right now, however, she’s still looking for the right script.

“Of course I’m open to doing films again. I did a short film and an advocacy film recently and I’m also willing to do indies. Right now I’m not sure what kind of film I want to do or who I want to do it with because there's an infinite amount of possible plots and stories, ‘di ba? But siguro as long as it’s interesting, I’ll do it gladly.”

Aside from acting, Gelli also loves hosting.

“Hosting is another passion of mine and I am grateful to have been able to learn a lot from my hosting stints. As a host, I can express myself as me and address the audience directly, as opposed to acting where I become someone else. Hosting is one of the things I love most about this business, so I’d love to find a way to do it again now that I’m a Kapamilya.”

For inquiries call or email info@asianartistsagency.com or call tel: (02) 405 4423 or (02) 855 4765. 

Male singing goup 26HUNDREDB.C stages launching concert at the City of Pines

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ASIAN ARTISTS AGENCY, INC. (AAAI) has discovered five golden voices in Baguio City. 

The all-male quintet which calls itself 26HUNDREDB.C is now part of the growing roster of talents of the artist management company. 

26HUNDREDB.C will be launched in a concert at the Forest Lodge, Camp John Hay in Baguio City on August 11, Friday and at the SM City Baguio Event Center on August 12, Saturday. Both concerts will have as guest another Asian Artists Agency talent, the duo Miko and Gabriel. Also featured in the launch is singer/comedienne Jenny Gabriel, a Tawag ng Tanghalan finalist. 

26HUNDREDB.C members were discovered during auditions conducted by Boy Abunda, president and CEO of AAAI. 

The group is composed of Karl Russel Rillorta, Arian Anglo, Robert Co, John Carlo Opulencia and Janriel Abance. They all come from Baguio City and were schoolmates at the University of Baguio. 

The group revealed they were clueless and unaware that a new world was opening right before their eyes when they passed the auditions. They were hand-picked by Boy Abunda from the number of hopeful young men and women who braved the rain and skipped school to join the auditions. 

“The presence of Tito Boy was too much to handle, nakakalula,” quipped John Carlo who sings OPM. "We were scared to death. Halos di kami makapagsalita. Tito Boy is an overwhelming presence," said Janriel.

When asked what’s behind the name 26HundredB.C., Janriel explained, "Naming the group was a big challenge. Everyone offered a suggestion. But only one name really stuck in everyone’s mind. 26Hundred is the zip code of Baguio City and we are proud of our place." 

B.C was added because everybody comes from Baguio City. 

Janriel, an indie music lover also added “our name is very clever, it’s easy to remember and it is our identity.”

As a young vocal group, the hardest struggle was the differences in their personalities. “We didn’t know each other,” said Robert, a jazz and theater music lover. 

Arian, who is fond of pop-rock music, alternative and OPM admitted that they have diverse musical influences. 

Karl Russel who likes jazz and R&B, pointed out that despite their personality differences and music genre variances, they gel and connect with each other perfectly. 

Their contrasting and diverse musical backgrounds serve as the group's musical base. 

For inquiries call email info@asianartistsagency.com or call tel: (02) 405 4423 or (02) 855 4765. Visit and follow 26HUNDREDB.C on FB.

Drew Arellano, explores the countryside!

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"To travel is to learn: learn from people, learn of their history and culture."  --- 

                                                                                                         

                                                                                                        Drew Arellano

                                                                                                        (Actor, Host, Traveller, Racer, 

                                                                                                        Triathlete, Ambassador, Endorser) 

Drew Arellano is having the time of his life visiting the countryside. On a recent episode of Biyahe Ni Drew, Drew was brought to a little known town called Capul in Northern Samar. 

As viewers travel with him, they get to know that Capul is a shortened word for Acapulco, a trading post in Mexico, because that particular town in Northern Samar served as guidepost for the Acapulco-Manila Galleon trade. There still stands the lighthouse that served as guide to ships plying that route. Audiences also learned that though Samar speaks the Waray dialect, Capul has a distinct language only known to them called Inabaknon with influences from Austronesian language, a language spoken among coastal places in Southeast Asia.

In that trip to Northern Samar, Drew dove into the deep sea in search of lato, (a kind of seaweed), tasted fresh "lapas" (abalone) and eaten "baay" a root crop in the family of cassava but only found in Capul.

There are interesting bits and pieces Drew and his audiences discover each time he travels. Biyahe ni Drew has made him eat "tamilok" a shipworm that grows in mangroves.

He has climbed high mountains, crawled through bat caves, jumped from waterfalls, cooked piyaya, drove through sand dunes, and other adventures.

Drew engages himself in extreme activities.

He is a triathlete. He bikes. He swims. He runs.

On occasions that taping for Biyahe ni Drew are done in Metro Manila and nearby towns, Drew uses his motorbike. He has the big and expensive ones. And he races. 

Drew relishes his work as a travel host.

He also loves extreme sports. But more than the pleasure he gets when traveling and racing his super bike, Drew enjoys his role as father to his son, Primo. Drew is married to Iya Villania.

Drew endorses Del Monte Pineapple, Babyflo Babywash, Cerelac Nutripuffs, and Uniqlo Jackets. He also hosts AHA on GMA 7.

Drew has an online store called Vamos which sells sports attire and paraphernalia from socks to tees. Vamos products can also be found in select sports shops. As a triathlete, Drew together with some friends, opened a gym, Tri Temple to cater to a triathletes needs. 

Drew Arellano is managed by Asian Artists Agency.

For inquiries email info@asianartistsagency.com or call tel: (02) 405 4423 or (02) 855 4765

Bianca Gonzalez bonds with Social Media

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TV host and model Bianca Gonzalez is really an influencer. She opinionates. She endorses. She tells stories.

Bianca is adept at using social media and is one of the most followed and watched in the online world in the Philippines. She has also put the power of social media to good use.

On social media, she bills herself as a storyteller. Bianca currently has 6.3 million followers on Twitter, 1.8 million followers on Instagram, and 2.7 million followers on her Facebook page. 

Is Bianca a millennial mom? Millennials, also known as Generation Y following Generation X. These present times, young and old peeps, as they call themselves, millenials always talk on anything under the sun. 

But for whatever, whenever, her feed shows a mix of her family life, her thoughts for the day, her home and travel tips, her observations on topics big and small. 

Married to basketball player JC Intal, Bianca is now at the "toddler stage" of her parenting journey. Bianca admits she still 21-month old daughter Lucia.

Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, Toni Gonzaga - Soriano, Bianca Gonzalez - Intal

According to Bianca, with her best friends in showbiz, Toni Gonzaga - Soriano and Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla, talks always now about family matters, parenting and taking care of their babies. 

"Technology has changed the way parents raise their children. With the internet, parenting information is just a swipe away. And social media has made moms more connected than ever," says Bianca.

Social media definitely adds to the pressure moms feel, shared by Bianca. “Whenever I see posts it’s always the happy, beautiful, smiling, ‘this is the best thing ever’ side of motherhood. But on the first three months -- di ka pa naliligo, di ka kumakain on time. So I try to be more realistic about my posts kasi may culture shock, medyo may trauma talaga. I didn’t know what to expect,” she shared.

She is also known to post about issues that affect all of us: traffic, climate change, education, government, even food, beauty and or parenting. Sometimes she gets into a testy twitter exchange with netizens like when a twitter user tweeted: "So what if there is martial law"? An irked Bianca shared a video of martial law survivors who recounted their experiences on the regime. She admonished netizens not to joke about it, but also educated them on the difference of martial law then, and martial law now, under the 1987 Constitution. This, among many other topics she gets into, and sometimes gets into trouble with, all to share what she believes in.

She previously worked with different organizations for her advocacies, such as UNICEF for her work with children and early childhood education, and the Climate Change Commission to help spread awareness on environmental issues.

Bianca is media savvy. Beyond social media, she also writes a column for the Lifestyle section of the Philippine Star, and is the best-selling author of the book Paano Ba ‘To?! How To Survive Growing Up, which was released in 2014, but is still being posted about and sold in select stores today.

It is in this sphere of influence that Bianca is a favorite, a respected figure among advertisers who seek her endorsement for their products. 

Visa, for one. Bianca is the first Philippine endorser of Visa. Recently the multinational company partnered with Bianca to tell stories of how cashless transactions benefit a consumer. She was also recently launched as the first ever brand endorser of Sanicare, a mega brand that has been around for over two decades. She is also the face of Globe Telecom, Samsung Digital Appliances and Samsung TV (with husband JC Intal and Lucia), EQ Diaper and Johnson & Johnson (both with Lucia), and Glade. As one of the country's most seasoned hosts, she currently is at the helm of the entertainment news program Cinema News on Cinema One, which has been running for 9 years now, and the lifestyle show Modern Living on ANC, which is starting its 8th season this September.

A few weeks ago, she was a speaker at the #ThinkPH forum organized by Rappler where Bianca shared some thoughts on the use of social media: "You have to ask yourself: what is the effect on you of the people you follow? When it feels overwhelming, take a step back and log off for a bit." She also underscored the need for accountability and etiquette of social media users.

A lot of beautiful things are happening in Bianca's life—from family life to career—and she is just extremely thankful.

Bianca Gonzalez is managed by Asian Artists Agency.

For inquiries email info@asianartistsagency.com or call tel: (02) 405 4423 or (02) 855 4765

Pinoy Cooking With Chef Anton Amoncio In “Home Cooked Asia: Philippines”

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Chef Anton Amoncio

After winning the Asian Food Channel's Food Hero competition held in Singapore last year, Pinoy Chef Anton Amoncio, now hosts his own cooking show, “Home Cooked Asia: Philippines”. 

The program, one of the newest cooking programs in the Asian Food Channel (AFC), premiered December last year. It airs on Thursdays at 9 o’clock in the morning, with replays on the same day, at 2 and 10 o’clock in the afternoon.

Chef Anton cooks different traditional Filipino recipes, and provides his own techniques. Chef Anton says he wants to teach those who want to know more about Filipino food.

“I hope my bit of Home Cooked creates awareness of what Filipino food is about. I want people outside the Philippines to ask questions about the way we cook and the passion we have for it. For Filipinos I make sure to make the dishes easy-to-make and accessible so they can try doing it themselves.”  -  Chef Anton 

Home Cooked Asia: Philippines is another Filipino pride. It showcases the Filipinos' love for food and cooking and how they are able to make the best out of simple recipes. 

Chef Anton says the show encourages viewers to embrace the truth that everyone can cook, and can create his/her own personal touch to cooking. 

“For me Filipino food is the next big thing and I hope the show will be appreciated by people everywhere,” says Chef Anton Amoncio.

Chef Anton Amoncio is managed by Asian Artists Agency Inc. For more information visit the AAAI official Facebook page or email info@asianartistsagency.com

Bossa Nova Queen Sitti celebrates 10th anniversary with ElectroSITTI on November 25 and 26

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The country’s premier bossa nova singing act Sitti will celebrate the 10th anniversary of her music scene breakthrough in electrifying fashion, an experiment! The two-night live concert dubbed ElectroSITTI  to be held at the Music Museum (1502 in Greenhills, San Juan) on November 25 and 26.

ElectroSITTI show will also Sitti’s birthday concert.  She will do it live by way of a big concert where she’s bound to ambitiously experiment with the electronic dance music (EDM) craze.

Collaborating with her friend and EDM master DJ Silverfilter. as she hopes to please more younger-generation music fans. 

“I’m having fun doing EDM and I am working on a new album that will showcase my experimentation with it. I like to introduce myself to the younger market,” explained Sitti who is visually glowing a year after tying the knot with the love of her life, businessman and music aficionado Joey Ramirez.

“It’s both exciting and challenging to do something you’re not known for. I became friends with artists from the EDM community and I thought of embracing the genre and tie it up with the 10th anniversary of the release of my first album Café Bossa,” as Sitti shared. 

Café Bossa was released in January 2006 and spawned hit singles including “Para Sa Akin” and her versions of “I Didn’t Know I Was Looking For Love” and “Tattooed On My Mind.” By September that year the album was certified Double Platinum, with over 60,000 units sold. 

ElectoSITTI, also serving as Sitti’s birthday concert as she turns 32 on November 29, will be a two-part show, the first one paying homage to her bossa nova roots, and the latter hour presenting her in a new light – bright and booming. And the loud and festive birthday party begins. 

The multi-talented charming woman, who is also into acting both on stage, having performed in “Katy The Musical” and “Spring Awakening,” and on TV, appearing on past ABS-CBN shows “Isabella” and “Your Song,” will have rapper Looney and balladeer Jason Dy as guests. The UST Percussion Ensemble will also be on stage to share spotlight with her. 

She is managed by Asian Artists Agency and is signed with MCA Music major record label which by coincidence asked her to employ electronic music for her new album. 

Fans have something more to feel excited about as Sitti already wrote a couple of songs called “Tangled” and “Bid Your Love” and will unleash both live and ground-shaking come ElectroSITTI nights.

Sitti had come a long way since performing in her first gig at a hotel in Roxas Boulevard that already changed its name today. 

She noted, “You got to pay your dues to make it. I did that for four years before getting my big break. There will be ups and downs in anybody’s career but the important thing is you are enjoying the gig and you always welcome change.”

(For ElectroSITTI Tickets, log on at ticketworld.com or call (02) 9260556 / (02) 9202643. 

Prices are as follows: P3,576 Orchestra Center, P2,384 Orchestra Side, P1,192 Balcony)

Chef Anton Amoncio, the Asian Food Channel's Asian Food Hero

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Congratulations to Chef Anton Amoncio, Grand Winner of the Asian Food Channel's Asian Food Hero.

Held in Singapore recently, Chef Anton was chosen from among chefs coming from different Asian countries. He was accompanied to Singapore by Boy Abunda, President and Chief Executive Officer of Asian Artists Agency where Chef Anton is a talent. Also with them is Gasper Gozo, General Consultant of Asian Artists Agency.

As part of the prize, Chef Anton becomes a new host for several programs shown on Asian Food Channel (AFC) and The Food Network channel.

Chef Anton was chosen as one of the finalists when he presented videos of his signature Filipino dishes “Tinola” and “Fried Chicken Adobo sa Gata”.

27 - year old, Chef Anton is a graduate of the Center for Culinary Arts in Quezon City.

Chef Anton owns and runs Antojos, a Filipino specialty restaurant in Quezon City.

During the competition and awarding, Chef Anton Amoncio, Grand Winner of Asian Food Channel's Asian Food Hero is with his manager, Boy Abunda, President and Chief Executive Officer of Asian Artists Agency. Photo taken after Chef Anton won Asian Food Hero contest held in Singapore