Five reasons men prefer real leather as Christmas gifts

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Searching for a perfect gift for your dad, brother, boyfriend, or husband , best friend , close friends and officemates, can be a tough task. It's one of the simplest yet crucial dilemmas during the Christmas season.

To ease the stress of figuring out the perfect gift for the men in your life, let McJim Classic Leather do the thinking for you. Because when it comes to gifts for men, real leather has always been a tried-and-tested contender. 

Leather wallets exude a classy and sophisticated vibe for most men, making McJim Classic Leather wallets great gift ideas for Christmas. 

Here’s why: 

1. Giving McJim Classic Leather bags, belts, wallets and accessories show sincerity and thoughtfulness. 

Men are known to neglect buying these items even when their bags, wallets and belts have become old and faded. So, there is no doubt that they will appreciate receiving these McJim Classic Leather products—known for premium quality and style. 

2.  Leather products are considered “lucky.” 

Did you know that giving a McJim wallet as a gifts is known to bring luck to the receiver? Meanwhile, gifting a person with a McJim belt has been known to signify a stronger relationship between the giver and the receiver, as the belt wraps around the body.

3. Leather bags belts and wallets are useful and functional. 

Authentic leather products, like those of McJim Classic Leather, do not merely add style to a man’s ensemble, they also add function: one factor that other accessories do not have. Men need bags, belts and wallets in their day-to-day affairs, so they are ideal Christmas gifts.

4. McJim Classic Leather accessories exude style and class. 

Accessories made from real leather, make the best gift because they make men look stylish and classy anytime, anywhere.

5. A wide selection of high-quality real leather accessories is offered by McJim Classic Leather, a trusted authentic leather accessories brand. 

When it comes to belts of high quality, you could never go wrong with McJim Classic Leather. A belt as such would be a gift any man would surely appreciate. 

Useful, functional and stylish, a McJim Classic Leather bag is an ideal gift to give to your dad, boyfriend, husband, boss, or close friend.

Here, McJim Classic Leather lists down leather accessories that all men would surely love.

• Belts. McJim Classic Leather offers high-quality real leather belts with unique-looking metal buckles. These come in a variety of colors and designs (basic dark brown, basic modernist black, and reversible minimalist), making it easy for you to choose the belt any man will surely love. 

• Leather bags. A staple accessory in a young man’s wardrobe, a leather bag is not only stylish, it is also functional. McJim Classic Leather suggests choosing one from its collection of sturdy and classy leather bags—shoulder bag, body bag or gadget bag—as a smart gift idea for guys out there. 

• Leather wallets. A must-have accessory for all men is a well-designed wallet made from authentic leather, crafted to last for years, and come in different designs that suit various functions. 

• Belt and wallet gift sets. To make gift buying easier, McJim Classic Leather offers all-leather belt and wallet gifts set that are wrapped and ready to give to the men in your life. 

Whatever you decide on, one thing is absolute: real leather is your best bet. And through the years, McJim Classic Leather has proven to be a reliable and trustworthy brand by the young and old alike, recognized for making leather goods of superior quality and classy design. 

Real leather adds style and elegance to a man’s ensemble. This Christmas, show thoughtfulness to the men in your life by giving them McJim Classic Leather products. 

Not sure what to give to the men in your life this Christmas? McJim Classic Leather rids you of all the stress with their authentic leather products.

Make the special men in your life happy this Christmas, your dad, brother, significant other or best buddy—gift them with a McJim Classic Leather accessory. 

McJim Classic Leather proclaims three-way tie as the grand champions in talent search

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McJim Classic Leather proclaims three winners - JBK, Fifth Dynamics and Neo Domingo. The three aspiring musical acts were declared grand champions in the maiden edition of “Dreams Get Real: The Search for the Next OPM Star”  held on tonight (June 30) at Teatrino in Promenade, Greenhills.

Shining on stage with their unique performances and proving that they could be the next big thing in Original Pilipino Music (OPM) were band Fifth Dynamics, vocal trio JBK and solo performer Neo Domingo.

Fifth Dynamics

JBK

Neo Domingo

“The three-way tie was indeed unexpected. Since each of the Top 3 finalists—JBK, Fifth Dynamics, and Neo Domingo—brought something different to the table image and talent-wise, we decided to give our all-out support instead to them by announcing all of them grand champions,” McJim says in an official statement.

“Their undeniable potential, sense of originality, and the strong public acceptance of their singles in key areas nationwide made them all worthy of being called the future of the Filipino music industry,” the statement adds. 

As grand champions, JBK, Fifth Dynamics and Neo Domingo received cash prizes and gift packs from McJim Classic Leather, a recording and management contract, and a grant to film and release the music videos of their winning singles.

Meanwhile, JBK’s “Anong Meron Ka” composed by Urie Tesorio was handpicked by special judge, Jim Paredes of the iconic APO Hiking Society, for the “Critic’s Choice” trophy. Paredes described the song as “the most catchy, nice, easy to like and remember” among the six singles recorded by the finalists. “It’s a great song actually,” he says.

Another composition of Tesorio coveted the “DJ’s Choice” trophy. Domingo’s danceable single “Pagbigyan Mo Na” was voted by selected radio jocks across the archipelago as their personal favorite. 

Being declared as the next OPM stars was nothing short of life-changing for the three winners.

Mark Cordovales, vocalist of Fifth Dynamics, who performed “Anyare” written by Cordovales and Angelo Katigbak with the help of poet and public relations expect Chris Cahilig, says that ”Dreams Get Real” has given them the chance to a connect to a much wider audience. “Dati, sa bars lang kami nagpe-perform, ngayon nasa radyo na, naririnig na namin yung sarili naming kanta,” he says. The rest of the band is composed of John Peterson Leyva (rhythm guitar), Eljon Nono (lead guitar), Daryl Jay Santos (bass guitar) and Aldrin Condat (drums).

The boy band JBK, composed of Joshua Bulot, Bryan del Rosario and Kim Ordonio, was thankful that ”Dreams Get Real” provided them the avenue to showcase their talent. 

“The experience has been exciting,” says del Rosario. “We are very much thankful to McJim for this awesome opportunity of being out our sense of originality as artists.”

As for the solo performer, Domingo, the search has made him connect to his OPM roots. “Yung mga taong narinig na nila ako before, ibang areglo, ibang tunog ang mapapansin nila,” he says. “Actually, yung totoong Neo ang makikita nila.” 

“We’re happy and proud that McJim has provided the winners and the finalists the head-way to be successful in the music scene,” says Cahilig, who acts as the project head of the competition. “The listeners, composed of people from all classes and ages, are already hooked with the fresh-sounding, catchy tunes. We are confident that the performers McJim has discovered will become household names in no time.” 

A proud Filipino company, top-quality leather manufacturer McJim has always been an advocate of world-class and original Filipino talent. In the past, the brand has engaged iconic OPM acts Jose Mari Chan and Randy Santiago as its brand endorsers.

The Top 3, along with the other McJim Dreamers Archetype, CK Arca and Dream of Pearl already had a taste of being recording artists by working with music experts, such as the respected arranger Jonathan Ong of Sonic State Studio for the Dreams Get Real: The Compilation Album, which features original compositions they performed during the search. Joining them are 1:43, which has just launched their newest album Kalye Pop featuring the monster hit “Hayop sa Ganda,” with the song “Pwede Bang Malaman” and Urie’s Attack with the piece “Mensahe.”

Archetype

CK Arca

Dream Of Pearl

In the run-up for the grand finals, the Top 6 attended their very first press conference, made radio and TV appearances and were featured in MTV Pinoy.

The songs are currently gaining massive airplay in radio stations across the country and being used in TV shows such as iJuander (GMA News TV), Maynila (GMA 7) and Letters and Music (Net 25).

Six promising OPM acts battle it out in “Dreams Get Real” talent search finals

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Getting a crack on being the next Original Pilipino Music (OPM) star are the Top 6 of “Dreams Get Real,” a music talent search organized by McJIM Classic Leather. Battling it out in the decisive grand finals slated on June 30 are Archetype, CK Arca, Dream of Pearl, Fifth Dynamics, JBK and Neo Domingo.

Would it be a band, a boy band, or a solo act? 

In the run up for the grand finals, the Top 6 have recorded and released their debut singles in radio stations nationwide and be featured in MTV Pinoy for the month of June. A jury composed of music industry stalwarts led by project head and public relations executive Chris Cahilig and multi-awarded arranger Jonathan Ong of Sonic State Studio will take into consideration radio airplay, radio chart and Youtube views as well as overall potential in selecting the grand winner.

“McJim Classic Leather initiated the competition to give undiscovered Filipino talents a chance to be heard while expanding the library of OPM with fresh melodies and lyrics that resonate the national sentiment,” says Cahilig.

“We applied McJim’s principle of quality and originality in choosing the six singles recorded by the finalists. We are optimistic and confident that these songs will help advance our agenda of enlivening the local music industry,” he adds.

In the Top 6 is Archetype from Tondo, Manila who recorded “Di Na Biro,” which is the group’s own composition. Composed of Alvin Traqueña (rhythm guitar), Ar John Patalay (lead guitar), Nikko Martin Francisco (bass guitar), Tricia May Casauay (vocals) and Zejemiah Gonzaga (drums), the band plays alternative and rock music and considers Hillsong, Paramore, Up Dharma Down and Kamikazee as their musical influences.

Archetype

“At first I thought we join into this competition just for experience, because honestly, we lack outside exposure,” says bass guitarist Nikko Martin. “But as I think of it deeper, ‘Dreams Get Real’ is a venue for us to showcase our talent, to prove that we can do more.”

CK Arca

CK Arca, on the other hand, is Calvin Khaye from Caloocan City who interpreted “Certified Good Vibes,” an inspirational song composed by Raffy Calicdan, a PhilPop finalist and a member of The X-Factor finalist Take Off. CK usually sings and plays pop, R&B, classic rock and standard music and looks up to Bruno Mars, Michael Jackson, Steve Perry and Aerosmith as his musical idols. He joined the competition to “gain more experience as a singer and to work with one of the best management companies here in this industry.”

Dream of Pearl

Another Top 6 entrant is Dream of Pearl, whose debut single “Panalo” is composed by Oli Agustin of Letter Day Story. The amateur band, which hails from Caloocan City, is composed of Alfonso Abrenzosa (vocals), Mark Jayson Dizon (guitar), Von Christian Vizmanos (bass) and Evan Briones (drums). Playing alternative, rock and acoustic music, the band considers Eraserheads, Bamboo, Parokya ni Edgar and Silent Sanctuary as their musical influences. 

Being a part of Top 6 has been a big boost for the band’s confidence and considers the competition as a door opening to a myriad of opportunities. “We believe that ‘Dreams Get Real’ is a big break for us,” says vocalist Alfonso. “This is a chance to show our talent and our own music.”

Fifth Dynamics

Another group taking a shot for the grand prize is Fifth Dynamics, from Antipolo City, meanwhile recorded “Anyare” a self-composed piece written with the help of Cahilig, the discovered and manager of hitmaker boy band 1:43. Composed of Mark Cordovales (vocals), John Peterson Leyva (rhythm guitar), Eljon Nono (lead guitar), Daryl Jay Santos (bass guitar) and Aldrin Condat (drums), the group plays mainly pop rock and alternative rock and follows the musical lead of Rivermaya, Bamboo, Kris Allen and Boyce Avenue.

Dreaming one day of representing the Philippines in an international competition, Fifth Dynamics hopes to kickstart that goal by becoming a recording artist. The competition has proved to be an eye-opener in more ways than one. “So far our experience with ‘Dreams Get Real’ is beyond our expectations.”

JBK 

Also part of the Top 6 is JBK who released the love song “Anong Meron Ka,” composed by Urie Tesorio who is behind the hits “Hayop sa Ganda” and “Ikaw at Ako” of 1:43. Hailing from Mandaluyong City, the trio is composed of Joshua Bulot, Bryan del Rosario and Kim Ordonio. They have a variety of influences that include The Wanted, One Direction, All4one, Boys2Men, Bruno Mars, Jason Mraz and Emblem3, among others.

It was the competition that prompted the three friends to create a group and show their musical skills. “The tagline itself, ‘Dreams Get Real,’ prompted us to join the competition,” says Joshua. “We want that dream to get real. And knowing McJIM is there to back us up, we are very lucky be given an opportunity to represent an undeniably great brand.”

Neo Domingo

Last but not the least is Neo Domingo whose impressive vocals gave life to “Pagbigyan Mo Na,” also penned by Tesorio. Neo is Epifanio Domingo III from Quezon City who plays acoustic pop rock and R&B music and admires John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Bruno Mars and Gary Valenciano. The competition is a way for him to showcase his own composition and hopefully achieve success in the industry and “promote OPM” to a large audience.

The grand champion of the Dreams Get Real talent search will receive cash prize worth P50,000 from McJim Classic Leather, a recording and management contract, and a grant to record a single and release a music video. The Grand Winner will receive P50,000 in cash, a recording and management contract, and a grant to have the official music video of a single. The second placer will win P25,000 in cash and a trophy, while the third place winner will receive P15,000 in cash and a trophy.

“McJim Classic Leather is pulling all the stops in creating a memorable show during the Finals Night,” says Cahilig. “Having gone through an extensive, rigorous search, the Top 6 are poised to have the biggest performance in their budding musical careers. Only one will emerge as winner but I’m confident that, with the right attitude and motivation, all of them will stake their claims in the music industry.”

Like the Official McJIM Classic Leather Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMcJIM) and find out how you can support the Top 6 of Dreams Get Real talent search.

Anton del Rosario: A modern Filipino gentleman chooses McJim Classic Leather

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Anton del Rosario is an American born Filipino footballer who plays as a right back or centre back for Kaya and the Philippines national team.

Anton is one of the few prominent athletes that get consulted by reporters for his sense of style: he's already posed for fashion shoots and has been asked interviews about grooming, men's fashion, and even what ideal outfit a young lady on a date should wear. Perhaps this is not so surprising when you see how confident and comfortable Anton is in his own skin-and in whatever outfit he wears.

Whether it's his official football jersey-he plays for Kaya and the Philippine national team, the Azkals-or a simple shirt and jeans, or a tux for a photo shoot, Anton always has a commanding and gentlemanly presence.

 Anton del Rosario and Chris Cahilig during the mini press conference held at  Lola Cafe Sct. Lozano Quezon City, March 26, 2014.

"McJim Classic Leather is always at the forefront of promoting a more gentlemanly culture among Filipino men. We want to bring what used to be considered old-fashion values and men's styling, into modern day Philippines. These values and this style-sense are classic-but we need to present them to a modern-day audience. This way, we can help foster the Modern Day Filipino Gentleman. For us, Anton del Rosario personifies this ideal. This is why we invited him to be our latest endorser," said the management of McJIM Classic Leather.

According to the management, del Rosario exemplifies the values that McJim Classic Leather espouses for modern day Filipino gentleman.

"It goes beyond looking good in an outfit. Style is part of it, because we believe that a gentleman is always dressed properly and sensibly, with equal consideration for form, function, and aesthetics. Beyond that, we believe a Filipino gentleman is confident and accomplished is his or her chosen field. As one of the leading football players in the country, Anton displays top-level skills, athleticism, and sportsmanship that have been tested in international competitions. In his dealings with others, whether fellow athletes or the people he meets socially, Anton is always polite, articulate, respectful, considerate, smart, and ready to do the right thing in the right situation. We are proud to have him associated with our brand and our values."

McJim added that choosing a world-class athlete like del Rosario as spokesman is just right for McJim Classic Leather because the company is focused on creating international-quality original products that can stand tall beside foreign brands. McJim considers this its mission and its legacy.

“Anton projects absolute confidence in being Filipino in being as good as anybody else around the world. All of us Filipinos should take this as an inspiration to love ourselves, to be confident, to be as original as what other globally-acclaimed Filipinos and Filipino brands have achieved; to believe in ourselves and to do our best to be world-class in fields like music, the arts, sports, and fashion,” said the management.

As the new McJim Classic Leather endorser, Anton del Rosario has the opportunity to be a role model for the Modern Filipino Gentleman, and he said that he's honored to be entrusted with the task.

"It so happens that McJim Classic Leather and I share the same perspective and values when it comes to how a gentleman should dress, think, and behave. It's the way I was taught to be as a man when I was growing up. I think that these values need to be recognized and applied today by anybody who wishes to be considered a gentleman. I'll be doing my best to be up to the task," said the management.

McJim Classic Leather creates its leatherwear following the gentlemanly values that have kept it a favorite brand. Like their endorser, McJim Classic Leather products embody a commitment to quality, craftsmanship and skill, style, and the drive to excel.

You can rediscover these classic yet always relevant and modern values whenever you buy your own McJim Classic Leather accessory.

Christian Bautista wins The 2013 Élan Awards Search for Modern Filipino Gentleman

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International singer and matinee idol Christian Bautista has been proclaimed as the winner of The 2013 Elan Awards, the epitome of the Modern Filipino Gentleman.

As the 2013 Élan Man, Christian Bautista will be awarded the prestigious Élan trophy, designed by acclaimed contemporary Filipino artist Igan D’Bayan; 100,000 pesos; and a year’s supply of McJIM Classic Leather products. The Élan Awards will also donate 100,000 pesos to Bautista’s favorite charity, World Vision.This Elan Awards was held at 55 Events Place in Scout Rallos, Quezon City, August 15, 2013.

In the first ever online competition established by McJIM Classic Leather, the 2013 Elan Award's purpose to inspire all Filipino men to become true gentlemen of our modern times.

The award has been established by popular leather brand McJIM to find and honor the best role models for style and elegance among today’s Filipino gentlemen. The finalists were chosen from a lengthy list of entertainment, fashion, sports, music, and public service personalities. The winner was chosen by popular vote; the votes were cast on the Official Facebook Fan Page of McJIM Classic Leather.

Bautista was picked from among twelve stellar finalists. His co-finalists included Senator-elect Sonny Angara; actor and director Dingdong Dantes; celebrity food blogger Erwan Heussaff; actor Xian Lim; acclaimed actor Coco Martin; actor and producer Piolo Pascual; singer and businessman Richard Poon; actor and fitness enthusiast Derek Ramsay; actor and singer Jericho Rosales; professional basketball athlete, businessman, and TV host Chris Tiu; and AZKALS member Phil Younghusband.

The finalists were chosen by a celebrity panel of judges that included society columnist Tim Yap; actor and top male model Victor Basa; and radio and TV personality Sam YG based on three criteria:
    a. Elegance of Style; 
    b. Refinement; and
    c. Accomplishment

In an official statement, McJIM Classic Leather said it was very pleased over Bautista’s victory. It said that Bautista is a perfect choice as winner because the award highlights the fact that Filipino talent is respected in the world and is capable of great accomplishment—qualities that Bautista possesses as an international performer and recording artist.

“We are glad that Mr. Christian Bautista has been judged to represent the best in what is truly Filipino. As a singer, Mr. Bautista has an international fan base, proving that Filipino talent and passion has no bounds. He shows us that the Filipino stands proud and can hold his own with any other race or nationality. Mr. Bautista is an inspiration to us all for his sense of style, his Filipino values and manners, and his drive to succeed,” said 2013 Élan Awards Project Head Chris Cahilig.

The 2013 Élan Awards trophy was designed by Filipino visual artist and writer Igan D’Bayan. D’Bayan has held several sold out exhibitions that gained critical and popular acclaim. He is also an art columnist and illustrator for a major Philippine broadsheet.

Cahilig added that the overriding purpose of the award is to inspire Filipino men “to live the life and apply the values of a true gentleman of the Philippines” and that Christian Bautista exemplifies this gentlemanly lifestyle. He also said that they were overwhelmed by the response of Filipinos to the online search for the 2013 Elan Awards winner. “Filipinos from Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and even across the globe, all responded by Liking our page, nominating, and voting for their candidates.”

The criteria for the 2013 Elan Awards, which include elegance in style, refinement, and accomplishment, are also represented in the prizes that the winner receives. The supply of McJIM Classic Leather represents stylish elegance in their manufacture and design while the cash prize represents the success and accomplishment that the winner has achieved.

“We note in particular the trophy that we had especially designed for the awards. The trophy was designed by a person of notable accomplishment, in this case it’s Igan D’Bayan. We wanted Mr. D’Bayan to create a trophy that is, by itself, a work of Art: it represents refinement in manners, values, and etiquette—the true Filipino gentleman.

“Through this competition, even we at McJIM Classic Leather learned a valuable lesson: our Filipino youth’s ideals are alive and well. Their participation in this competition signals that they are at one with, and are ready to uphold, the ideals that make us true Filipino gentlemen.

“The Elan Award is a celebration and a challenge: it reminds us of our calling to be Filipino gentlemen wherever we are—to be proud of being Filipino, to be stylish, refined, and to accomplish great things for ourselves and our nation,” said Cahilig.

The eleven other Élan Awards finalists will receive certificate of recognition and a six-month supply of McJIM products.

For more updates visit https://www.facebook.com/OfficialMcJIM and check out for more
Photos.