Ben&Ben reunite with Moira on the confessional ballad “Pasalubong”

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After working together last year for the heartwarming ballad “Paalam,” which has reached more than 40 million streams on all combined music platforms, Ben&Ben and Moira are reuniting again for a song that captures the intensity of deep longing and persistent desire.

Their second collaborative single “Pasalubong” is a romantic confessional that drips with unapologetic sentimentality: a song that is defenseless in its yearning and honesty, hoping that one’s profession of love will be received and reciprocated.

According to Ben&Ben, the song was inspired by the double meaning behind the title, which is a term that is commonly used to refer to a gift, and a word that could also mean to meet. “The track is a play on both these meanings,” the acclaimed nine-piece outfit explains.

Moira adds that the song’s impact radiates on a universal level, simply because it shows bravery and honesty despite the odds. “It isn’t so common anymore today to say what you mean,” the hitmaker says. “So I love that after a whole song of poetry, we end with the simplest but scariest lines to say…. Gusto Kita.”

Written and produced by the band and Moira, with arrangement from Ben&Ben’s very own percussionist Andrew De Pano, the folk-pop tune encapsulates the beauty in sparseness, and the magic in turning an outpour of emotion into a generation-defining anthem.

Andrew reveals that he was tasked to oversee the production side of the material, relying heavily on the weight of the word as basis for the arrangement and the overall vibe. “A big immediate difference from the usual Ben&Ben sound is the way the guitars sound, and the absence of most of our usual elements in the beginning. There was a major effort to really embody and project emotions of waiting and uncertainty and longing, and the ‘bass drum’ sound that is present throughout the song is meant to symbolize those times we get so caught up deep in thought that we end up hearing our own heartbeat.”

For their part, multi-awarded singer-songwriter duo Moira and Jason Marvin Hernandez helped finish the lyrics and added lines that give the material its enduring pop appeal. “For Pasalubong, we built it from the original song and added elements to it while in the car on our way to the Ben&Ben house,” Moira shares.

Together, both Ben&Ben and Moira interpreted the heart-wrenching nature of the material with precision and character. They made the song both timely and timeless, with every flow punctuated by unwavering vulnerability, and every word cutting deep and beautifully.

“With Moira and Paolo’s evocative vocal performance and the band’s emotional execution of Andrew’s arrangement, Pasalubong is a song that will certainly bring up all kinds of feelings, and hopefully will give people comfort in knowing that they aren’t alone in their frustration and longing,” the band shares in a statement.

In terms of delivery, Moira is very particular with the tone being conversational, as if telling a friend about her day or sharing the story to a lover. She also commends Andrew for being hands on in the studio, guiding her in every step of the way. “He has this crazy way of making something complicated, seem so simple. There’s this pitch where we used the 7th note for the last chorus which I thought was genius— that was all Andrew.”

“Pasalubong” is the third single off Ben&Ben upcoming sophomore full-length album to be released next month. The song is now available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch out for the music video premiere on Ben&Ben’s official YouTube channel this July 30, 2021 at 6:00pm, Friday.

Ben&Ben come to terms with loss and grief on “Magpahinga” music video

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The poignant music video stars award-winning actor Joel Torre and actress-filmmaker Bela Padilla.

Ben&Ben took the month of May by storm, teasing fans with the grandest way possible to announce a new era in music. First, there was “Upuan,” a cinematic piece of pop music that swirls intimately against a backdrop of nature retreat. And then there’s “Magpahinga,” a lovingly sparse ballad that embraces the importance of healing on one’s own terms. Instead of recapturing old glories, both songs are bold enough to leave us ending in places both infinite and enduring, widening our sense of appreciation for the band on a purely intimate level.

Today, the nine-piece collective have set the bar high with the release of “Magpahinga” music video on YouTube. Touching on delicate matters such as death, grief, and the final moments spent with a loved one, the visual narrative carries the weight of losing someone special in the most uncertain of times, and puts its arms around you with a reassuring message that everything will be alright.

“The video explores the relationship between a father and a daughter, and the emotional burden that comes with having to say goodbye,” says guitarist and lead vocalist Paolo Benjamin. “It isn't easy to come to terms with mortality, but it also brings out the most tender moments and cathartic resolutions.”

The music video of “Magpahinga” stars multi-awarded veteran actor Joel Torre and acclaimed actress-director Bela Padilla as a father-daughter tandem spending their last moments together. Guitarist and lead vocalist Miguel Benjamin points out that by “observing two very different but distinct generations of artists,” the band had a great time learning about the award-winning actors’ process and technique. “We loved seeing them get deep into character and really owning their roles wholeheartedly. There was a clear respect for the craft, and the message we all wanted to convey was there.”

Keyboardist Patricia Lasaten echoes Miguel’s observations, praising the astounding craftmanship and chemistry between the two leads. “There was a moment in the filming of the video where you could really feel the thickness of heightened tensions in the room because of the nature of the scene. That’s how real it was.”

The visual accompaniment of “Magpahinga” was helmed by filmmaker and frequent collaborator Jorel Lising. According to bassist Agnes Reoma, Lising was unanimously picked for his ability to bring out tender, intimate and raw moments in a narrative context. “Since he has been based here at the Ben&Ben House as well, he was with us even during the writing and recording of the song, and thus he deeply understands the context and message of the song as well.”

Ben&Ben’s “Magpahinga” music video is out now on YouTube and all other video platforms.

 

 

Ben&Ben paint breathtaking imagery of young love on new single “Upuan”

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It’s official: Ben&Ben have finally released “Upuan,” the first single off their upcoming sophomore album to be released under Sony Music.

Written in 2019, in Dumaguete upon arrival at the hotel after one of their shows, their new song takes a nostalgic look on young love, and as Ben&Ben describe it, “the palpable romantic tension that arises from friendships that are formed by sitting next to each other, and the adventurous conversations that ensue.”

Lyrically, “Upuan” draws breathtaking imagery that interprets gestures in such lifelike ways, capturing a play of details with romantic earnestness. The band points out, “we incorporated a more visual style in the song, painting a picture for the listener and transporting them to that familiar place, of falling in love with someone they just met, whether that is in a classroom, by the beach, at a restaurant.”

It helps that they’re painting a picture in the listener’s head with ethereal arrangements and soaring choruses that swirl beautifully against a backdrop of naturalist setting: samples of birds singing, the swoosh of the waves, and even the conversation of the trees. There is magic in the way Ben&Ben fuse all these elements together to create a cinematic landscape punctuated by poetry and inventiveness. It’s effortlessly picturesque, while employing a level of commitment to make the audience feel like they’re part of the experience, as if tapping into something personal and is of utmost importance to their being.

In a joint statement, the nine-piece collective said that the music of “Upuan” was conceived during a random jamming session with no prior agenda as to how it would sound. “But to our surprise, that first jamming brought about the soul of how Upuan sounds now. The earthy, ethereal soundscapes, and that sense of sonic adventure came from the fact that we just moved in together, and being in a new place surrounded with summer vibes and nature elements, helped shape our expression of our new song. We feel very blessed to be close to nature in this season and it’s almost like a tribute to their beauty that we included them in the song.”

Written and produced by Ben&Ben, co-produced/mixed by Jean Paul Verona, and mastered by Leon Zervos, “Upuan” was recorded in the band’s home studio. Verona and sound engineer Sam Marquez helped in the recording process, giving the song its final touches.

The acclaimed hitmakers are also currently working on their second album. “Since the production of this song, we're continuously working on all the other songs that will complete it. We're really pushing forward in terms of experimentation and diversity of sound in the songs.”

Ben&Ben’s “Upuan” is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music.

Celebrate #GenTikTokPH with Ben&Ben, Iñigo Pascual and Rico Blanco on October 18

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To celebrate TikTok’s diverse and growing community, the Philippines’ top artists Ben&Ben, Iñigo Pascual and Rico Blanco will perform LIVE on TikTok Philippines this Sunday, October 18, 2020 at 5PM for the platform’s biggest virtual event of 2020, #GenTikTokPH.

“Music is universal and powerful. It is what unites us with the community. #GenTikTokPH will be a celebration of everything we created out of love through music. Invite your Mahiwaga and let us have a wonderful time,” said Miguel Benjamin Guico, Ben&Ben. 

The 2-hour online LIVE show will feature various performances from top local artists, dancers, and content creators including JMKO, Kuya Ching, Madelaine Red, Mikey Bustos, Ralphe Austria, and many more. Auntie Julie, aka Macoy Dubs will be hosting the online event.

#GenTikTokPH is a recreation of the great moments on TikTok -- from entertainment to education and top trends. This is for the Generation TikTok and who made things happen.

“Expect nothing but a happy feeling all throughout! I’ll see you on Sunday,” said Rico Blanco. The OPM icon was TikTok’s ambassador for the #TikTokOPMPlaylist campaign which promoted independent Filipino musicians and local talents to the app’s growing audience back in October 2019. Since then, he continued to make OPM an ever-present content on the platform.

TikTok was built to inspire and enrich people’s lives through experiences that are genuine, joyful, and positive. TikTok has gone beyond being just a  content platform. TikTok is the content, the community and the culture that it created.

“Every click of the record button starts canvas for human creativity and every phone screen becomes a window to our world. Whether one’s making, remaking, reacting, or simply watching, we’re changing the world one TikTok video at a time. We’re happy and grateful to share this milestone to our community,” said User Content and Operations Manager John Castro. 

With its growing community of creators and users in the Philippines, TikTok is now ready to take the platform on a whole new level with a big announcement! After the event, TikTok will no longer be the same as they’ll take further all the creative possibilities.

Join the #GenTikTokPH hashtag challenge in-app and share why you're officially part of Generation TikTok! You can get a chance to win TikTok-branded goodies! Invite your friends, stay safe and healthy at home. Download the TikTok app via iOS or Google Play.

Usher in the new year with Ben & Ben and free pizza at the So worth it! The yellow cab pizza tour kickoff

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Ever felt like everything you want is at your fingertips, then the world suddenly tries to slow you down and personal worries get in the way, so you stop to wonder, “Is it even worth it?”

This 2019, Yellow Cab promises to make hustlers everywhere unstoppable as it backs them up and breaks down all their doubts with the So Worth It: The Yellow Cab Pizza Tour!

The tour will kick off on 5 January 2019 (Saturday) at the Eastwood Central Plaza in Quezon City, headlined by Ben&Ben, one of the country’s most sought-after bands who continue to inspire through their musical journey. Bringing in more entertainment are other participating artists who also prove that their music is so worth it: indie rock group Oh, Flamingo! and high-octane spinners DJ Miaow and DJ Marxx.

It won’t be Yellow Cab without the iconic pizza joint’s all-time bestseller, so hustlers can expect to get fueled up with a FREE slice of New York’s Finest pizza when they enter and answer this one simple question, “What is your personal chase and why is it so worth it?” Guests also get to bring home Pizza Passes which they can use to redeem discounts for dine-in purchases made at selected Yellow Cab stores.

The Pizza Tour will also land in Baguio on January 12, Davao on January 19, and Cebu on January 26, with all stops featuring homegrown acts and Yellow Cab eats that will excite local communities.

“At Yellow Cab, we don’t just make food, we deliver generous, edge-to-edge flavors that fill you up and keep you going,” says Mark De Joya, Brand Development Director for Yellow Cab Pizza Co. “We do what we do because we want to support those who hustle the hardest for what they believe is so worth it. We want to fuel them throughout their chase and make them unstoppable with positive energy for their hustle by serving our edge-to-edge pizzas, and legendary chicken and pasta, which anyone would agree are also so worth it.”

For more information about the So Worth It! The Yellow Cab Pizza Tour, please visit https://www.yellowcabpizza.com/soworthit.

Sam Concepcion X Ben&Ben : We are Family

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Whatever the genre, whatever the era, good music will contain the seeds of universal truths. While most songs are understandably about romantic love, it still is notable that there are few songs about the love that can be found in the family.

Ben & Ben

 Ben & Ben are especially qualified to be part of a song about family because they are literally related as well as a family that was formed by love for music. And song writer and guitarist Paolo Benjamin Guico shares, “ became part of our band!” 

So bonded are Ben and Ben that for their interview, they refused to begin until all nine members were present and ready to begin. The band was started by twins Paolo Miguel Guico and Miguel Benjamin Guico, hence their band name; and has now grown to include Poch Barretto on lead guitar, Jam Villanueva on drums, Agnes Resona on bass, Patricia Lasaten on keyboards, Ton Muñoz on percussion, and backing vocals and Kiefer Cabugao on vocals. For all of them to bond so strongly and effortlessly with Sam Concepcion, not just on the songwriting but on the performing and recording as well, is proof positive that music can truly unite people. 

 “We just connected as a family, sakto lang talaga” Sam insists. 

Sam Concepcion

“Talking about the family can be so cheesy, too cheesy! And sometimes, the emotions can also be too close to home,” admits Paolo. 

“Maybe it’s just easier to talk about love in general, than to say that its about a family,” Sam supposes when asked about the rarity of songs that delve into the dynamics of a family. Very early on in the process, they all honed in on that aspect of going back to your roots. “Just go back, go back , that was very clear. To what family is and what a beautiful story that can be,” Sam reveals. It was a good parallel to their process. 

 “Yes, it could have been difficult, we’re all very different people but what made us gel is that we all felt the same about the family.” 

The Ben and Ben family all admit that while their songs might be smooth and easy to listen to, there are some deep and potentially heartbreaking aspects to their lyrics as well. “We’re nine so that’s nine different experiences from nine different families, so we find what can cross the all that,” Agnes observes. 

But even with all that, Paolo says it was easy to find their groove. “It really just happened.” Miguel then adds, “Even if we had to build the song slowly, everyone just understood the feeling we wanted.” 

 Paolo then says, “And once we started jamming , there was just that magic of playing together.” 

Taste the sounds of Pinoy music as Sam Concepcion and Ben&Ben collaborate for Coke Studio Season 2. Catch them on October 7, at 11:15 a.m. before ASAP on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH