The Itchyworms bring their “Akin Ka Na Lang” tour in Nagoya for the first time

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Award-winning Filipino pop-rock band The Itchyworms returns to Japan for their “Akin Ka Na Lang” tour, with a special show scheduled at Live House Circus in Nagoya on October 5, 2025.

The show marks their debut performance in Nagoya, the fourth most populous city in Japan. The Itchyworms, long admired for their anthemic hits and infectious performances, have previous taken the stage in Tokyo and Saitama in early 2025, and a standout stint at Tokyo Beyond Festival in 2022 and Kansai Music Festival in 2023.

“This will be our first time to travel to Nagoya (as tourists, and as performers),” says Jugs Jugueta, the lead vocalist and guitarist of The Itchyworms. “We heard that there is a huge Filipino community in Nagoya. We are so excited to play for them and to meet them all! We love Japan so much.”

Sharing the enthusiasm is drummer and co-lead vocalist Jazz Nicolas, who adds, “We’ve never been to Nagoya before so it’ll be a new experience for us. It’s always great to play for both Filipino and local audiences in Japan.”

Fans can expect some surprises and unique touches for this particular stop. “We try to feel the vibe of the audience, so that we can deliver the best show for them,” Jugs explains. “One thing for sure is that we will take them back to the Philippines, if only for a few hours.”

Joining the band on tour is their newest member Michael Vargas, who will showcase his versatility and chops on guitar, keyboards and violin. His addition adds another layer of energy to the group’s highly anticipated overseas shows.

The Nagoya stop serves as the fourth international show this year, following successful stints in Japan (Tokyo), the UK, and Indonesia (Bali)

“Everything about international touring is exciting,” says Jugs. “Food is a huge part of the ‘new’ experience. The challenging part is fitting all the pasalubongs in your suitcase without going over baggage!”

Tickets for the The Itchyworms: Akin Ka Na Lang – Nagoya Tour are available now via https://akinkanalangjapannagoya.peatix.com.

The Itchyworms to embark on a 3-city tour in Japan this October

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The Itchyworms have recently announced their three-city tour in Japan this October 2023!

The mini tour will kick off at the LIVE HOUSE GATTACA in Kyoto on October 6, followed by two more stops in Osaka (The Blarney Stone and Sengokudaitouryou) on October 7 and 8, respectively.

Prior to the announcement, The Itchyworms performed at the Tokyo Beyond Festival on November 22, 2022. They have also participated at the Kansai Music Conference in a virtual setting while delivering an exclusive live performance at the Big Baby Studios in Manila.

“There will be a lot of Filipino fans who will travel two or three hours just to see us live, so we will still be playing some hits,” the Di Na Muli hitmakers share in a collective statement. ‘We will also be playing some other songs that we think will be appreciated by the Japanese musicians and audiences. We feel that music is universal, and whether we sing in Filipino or in English, the audience will love it.”

The acclaimed band, consisting of core members Jazz Nicolas (lead vocals, drums, piano, keyboards, keyboards), Jugs Jugueta (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), and Kelvin Yu (bass guitar, backing vocals), will be joined by their new recruits Ciudad’s Mikey Amistoso (acoustic guitar, keyboards, backing vocals, tambourine) and Weckl Mercado (lead guitar, backing vocals) for this particular tour.

This year, The Itchyworms have released two new singles: “Panic In My Mind,” which was specifically written for their bandmate Chino Singson, who moved to Canada with his family to start a new life, and the Beatles-inspired “The Morning After,” which features some of their most intricate productions to date.

The Filipino alt-rock outfit has also released 2013’s award-winning album, After All This Time on vinyl last November 2022, and a repress of their 2021 album, Waiting For The End To Start on the same format. Both records are available via Backspacer Records.

For more information about the tour, visit the band’s official social media pages and revamped website: www.itchyworms.com

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The Itchyworms’ “Panic In My Mind” and “The Morning After” are available on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

The Itchyworms release second installment of holiday-themed album, Christmas Starts When The Bers Begin

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The continuously expanding record contains two new tracks “Halo-Halo and “Meri Xmas 2 U”

The Itchyworms continue to celebrate their 25th anniversary with the second installment of their holiday-themed album, Christmas Starts When The Bers Begin—out today, December 8, 2021 (Wednesday) on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Philippines

Capturing the spirit of Pinoy Christmas with songs that will surely make its way into classic status, Christmas Starts When The Bers Begin contains two new tracks, “Halo-Halo” and “Meri Xmas 2 U,” and last year’s “Have A Merry Christmas” and “Maligayang Pasko.” 

Written and produced by drummer and lead vocalist Jazz Nicolas, “Halo-Halo” is a festive reinforcement of the classic tradition with characteristically Pinoy sensibilities. It’s an upbeat tune that celebrates the Yuletide season in a way that feels home.

According to Jazz, “Halo-Halo” is a metaphorical reference to the various beliefs and traditions of Filipinos about Christmas. “There are people who believe in God, there are people who just shop, and there are people who consider it as a perfect time for receiving gifts. It all happens during Christmas, and it’s a magical feeling for everyone.”

Another new offering, “Meri Xmas 2 U” is a fun and sparkly reimagining of the Pinoy Christmas carols in one rocking shimmy treat. Complete with kundiman-charged guitars, raw percussions and tambourine sounds, and infectious vocal harmonies, the track pays tribute to the street caroling traditions in the country during the pre-pandemic times. 

“This is an ode to the kids who knock on doors to sing Christmas songs,” lead vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Jugs Jugueta shares. “They rarely have real instruments with them, but sometimes when they’re lucky, they bring acoustic guitars or makeshift tools. They use cans with stretched plastic on top for the ‘drums’ and flattened tansan as tambourines. While they don’t sing in perfect tune, the happy Christmas vibe that they bring is what gets you and tugs your heartstrings.”

“Meri Xmas 2 U” is written by Jugs Jugueta, and performed by the alt-rock band with their families and friends who sang and played makeshift instruments: Jug’s wife Andie, Chino’s brother Echo, Jazz’s brother Peavey and his fiancé Antonette, and their road manager Gabs.

The 2021 AWIT Awards Winner for Best Musical Arrangement also plans to add more songs every year to complete the Yuletide-themed album. This well-curated process gives them the opportunity to create music at their own pace while giving casual listeners something to uplift their spirits before the year ends.

As Jugs put it, “It is an ever-growing Christmas album. We released two Christmas songs last year, then we added two more this year, and we plan on releasing more Christmas songs every year! And every time we add songs, we also add elements to the album cover. It’s now streaming on Spotify and other digital platforms, but once we have enough Christmas songs, we hope to release it as a physical album on vinyl.”

Christmas Starts When The Bers Begin is part of the band’s celebration of their 25th year in the Philippine music industry, which follows the release of their original track “Eto Na (Ang Maliligayang Araw)” and the six-part series, Worms Upon A Time: An Itchyworms Podcast. 

The year-long musical treat commenced with the vinyl pressing of their album, Waiting For The End To Start, which immediately sold out upon its release, the launch of “The Life I Know,” the first of its kind in the Philippine stop-motion animation music video, and the release of “Waiting For The End To Start” music video, which serves as an artistic take on the ‘dystopian future post-pandemic’ life in the Philippines.

The Itchyworms are also set to drop a mockumentary that chronicles their 25 years in the music industry at the end of the year.

“Halo-Halo” and “Meri Xmas 2 U” are out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Philippines. Listen to the partial batch of ‘Christmas Starts When The Bers Begin’ here.

Crizal Transitions Cinemajam: Outdoor Movies and Music Festival and more in a new light

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The first ever outdoor movie marathon and music festival in the Philippines will be on November 30, 2013 to be held at Event Circuit Makati.

Crizal Transitions and World Vision underscore their vision for a better world with “Crizal Transitions Cinemajam,” a day-to-night movie marathon and music festival to be held November 30, 2013 at Event Circuit Makati. Crizal Transitions Cinemajam promises an enlightening and entertaining festival of fun and togetherness with special back-to-back film screenings, performances by some of the country’s top rock and indie pop acts and a host of thrilling activities such as karting, bungee-jumping and kite-flying.

Crizal Transitions smart lenses adjust to changing light and provide the wearer optimal vision. Its message of “seeing life in a better light,” is emphasized in the event, which celebrates the illuminating power of the arts.

Crizal Transitions Cinemajam brings together some of the country’s top bands, two special movies, and a host of exciting activities. Crizal Transitions Cinemajam sees the arts and celebration in a different and changing light, as it ushers guests through the unique experience of shifting perspectives—a fun afternoon fair segueing into a sunset music festival, capped with an evening movie marathon and after-party concert.

Crizal Transitions, the world’s leading Photochromic lens capable of adjusting to any lighting condition, shines a bright light on the metropolitan cultural scene, as it hosts Crizal Transitions Cinemajam.

Crizal Transitions presents Cinemajam with outdoor movies, music and more for a cause. The great fun event will benefit the children of the World Vision Foundation.

I remember one quote from the movie The Last Song,  "Life was much like a song. In the beginning there is mystery, in the end there is confirmation, but it's in the middle where all the emotion resides to make the whole thing worthwhile.” I love movies and I love music . As I am a true music lover, not limit myself to certain types of music - whats old and new, what's popular, the best from each genre and more. 

There will be two movies, “Love, Actually,” and “Limitless,” highlight Crizal Transitions’ message of “Seeing life in a bright light,” offering viewers different, enlightening takes on loving and living. The romantic comedy “Love, Actually,” is a feel-good movie on the delirious joys and bittersweet sorrows of love. “Limitless,” meanwhile, is an action thriller on the extremes a man will push himself in pursuit of perfection. Bradley Cooper plays a writer who takes an experimental drug that allows him to fully use his intellectual faculties.

Well known bands and great celebrities Bamboo, Itchyworms, Callalily, Moonstar 88 and GraceNote, create a sunset symphony of sound and sensibility as they render their special brand of rock and indie pop.

Bamboo

Itchyworms

Callalily

Gracenote

Moonstar 88

A windfall of exciting activities gratifies the senses. A free vision screening in the Optical Village section will check guests’ eyesight.

Thrill-seekers can choose among karting, bungee jumping, skating and kite-flying for their kicks. Games and raffle prizes await lucky guests.

Tickets are available from Ticketworld at Php 1,350. Proceeds of the event will benefit the children of the World Vision Foundation. Get two (2) free tickets with every pair of Crizal Transitions.

Crizal Transitions lenses are available in all optical centers in the country.

It starts with a clear vision. Crizal Transitions, the world’s leading Photochromic lens and World Vision, the global charity helping underprivileged children achieve a brighter future through education, have the same goal – to make the world a better place.

Crizal Transitions lenses combine leading technologies to provide the superior clarity of vision that optimizes physical mobility and skills, allowing an individual to perform at his best every day. Likewise, through its highly laudable educational and healthcare programs, World Vision provides every needy child the skills and physical security he needs to grow up to be a self-fulfilled and productive member of society.