From endings to beginnings: SB19 concludes EP trilogy with Simula at Wakas

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The 7-track EP reflects SB19’s complex humanity and evolving artistry, while dealing with the constant pressures of fame, identity, and public opinion

Celebrating a journey marked by shared experience, invaluable wisdom, and artistic growth, SB19 returns with the release of their third EP, Simula at Wakas—out on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Their highly anticipated body of work captures the band’s evolution as artists and individuals, honoring the past while stepping boldly into the future.

“It’s our way of saying thank you and showing how much we’ve evolved,” the P-Pop kings share in an official statement. “Simula at Wakas encapsulates everything we’ve been through: the struggles, the growth, the milestones. We hope it speaks not only to those who’ve been with us from the start but also welcomes new listeners into our world.”

As the final installment in a trilogy that began with 2021’s pagsibol and 2023’s PAGTATAG!, Simula at Wakas chronicles the Filipino pop group’s artistic and personal transformation while signaling a bold, forward-looking direction. The EP explores the universal themes of closure and renewal, portraying the life of an artist as they navigate fame, pressure, and identity. The band further shared personal anecdotes and reflections on their journey to Simula at Wakas in the This is SB19 playlist on Spotify.

The P-Pop trailblazers explain, “It’s both a celebration of our journey so far and a declaration of what’s to come. We’re the same group as when we started. It's just that we’ve matured, evolved, and grown into artists who are more confident in our voice and purpose.”

Simula at Wakas showcases the DAM hitmakers' captivating and universally relatable sound, all while remaining true to their values as human beings. From emotionally resonant lyrics to innovative, genre-bending soundscapes, the EP offers a meaningful experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

The 7-track release is written and produced by SB19 with their trusted pool of international and local collaborators, including Xerxes Bakker, Alawn, August Rigo, Simon Servida, and Josue (RADKIDZ). The EP features the full creative involvement of all five members. SB19 admits that they took a hands-on approach in shaping every aspect of the project and were very deliberate in contributing not just musically but also creatively—from the narrative of each track to its visual interpretation, from the choreography to music videos.

“We held meetings almost every day to carefully discuss how each song would come together, from conceptualizing and message to planning how we could execute and promote the EP in ways we’ve never done before,” SB19 explains. “This is the first time after how many years that every member has been this hands-on. Everyone was involved in conceptualizing, producing, and writing the songs. But we also owe a lot to our collaborators who helped us push our ideas further and elevate the project on both the technical and creative sides.”

The envelope-pushing EP cements their position as one of the vital forces behind contemporary pop music in the Philippines and Southeast Asia for the last decade, providing a riveting insight into less explored paths and a thrilling outlook for future developments. Simula at Wakas contains 7 songs, including the now-viral single “DAM” and the focus tracks “DUNGKA!” and “Time.” The latter will be released with a music video at 12 noon.

The anthemic ballad “Time” essays the inevitability of time’s passing—an undeniable and unavoidable reality. As the lyrics go, “One day we’ll run out of time,” the song reveals a sobering reminder of life’s impermanence, yet one that inspires purpose and presence. “Hindi naman kami forever SB19,” acknowledges the five-piece act. “Nothing is permanent in this world, even from where we are at this point. Time will run out soon. All we can do is try our best and make the most out it.”

“DUNGKA!,” another focus track, vaults SB19 back to their experimental phase: evangelizing pop music in unrecognizably exciting form and embracing maximalist production with rave and hyper-pop elements. It’s easily one of the biggest surprises of the EP, standing its ground as both a sonic rebel and revelation.

To complement the EP’s release, SB19 introduces the DAM Tree, an immersive public art installation, now open to the public in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) until May 4, 2025. As part of the promotional campaign, fans can experience the world of Simula at Wakas through hanging parabolic sound domes where A’TIN first heard exclusive track previews from the EP. Beyond the immersive listening experience, visitors also get the chance to win exciting prizes, quickly becoming a hotspot for fan frenzy.

“A tree, by nature, reflects life’s different stages, starting from a seed, growing roots, eventually branching out and bearing,” the group explains. “That aligns with the message of DAM and the EP as a whole: acknowledging where we began, embracing how we’ve evolved, and looking ahead to what’s next. The DAM Tree is not just a design; it’s an experience. We wanted people to feel connected to the music in a more immersive way. It’s our way of turning the emotions behind Simula at Wakas into something you can actually see and feel.”

Further solidifying this milestone, SB19 will kick off the ‘Simula at Wakas’ World Tour with two landmark concerts at the iconic Philippine Arena on May 31, 2025, and June 1, 2025, with the first one already sold out. The tour will span across major cities in Taiwan, the United States, Canada, Singapore, and the Middle East from June to October this year, with additional stops in Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong to be announced.

“We’ve been working on new arrangements for some of our songs, and we’re really excited for fans to hear them,” the group shares. “We’ll be performing tracks from our latest EP, Simula at Wakas, and we can’t wait to share the energy and emotion behind each song. Every performance has been thoughtfully prepared, and we’re really looking forward to seeing how our fans react to these new versions of our music. Each day will be a different experience!”

Listen to ‘Simula at Wakas’ Track list:

1. DAM

2. Time

3. 8TonBall

4. Quit

5. Shooting for the Stars

6. DUNGKA!

7. DAM (Extended Ver.)

SB19’s EP, Simula at Wakas is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. Stay tuned for the release of the “Time” music video to be released at 12 nn.

Day 2 tickets to the Philippine Arena concert is still available via SM tickets.

Watch out for their upcoming Listening Party on Spotify (to be announced on SB19's socials soon).

Visit:

Website: https://www.sonymusic.co.jp/artist/SB19

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm4v7afBTnJKRm4SlfHJzyg

X: https://twitter.com/SB19Official

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsb19

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialsb19

Batangas Housewife Wins First Car in PlayTime’s 100 Cars, 1 Epic Giveaway First Raffle Draw

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Epic Wins Start Rolling in as First Live Draw Concludes with a Big Winner

PlayTime, one of the leading online entertainment platforms in the country, officially raffled off the first red, hot vehicle that players can win from its 100 Cars, 1 Epic Giveaway promotion.

Leslie Ann Villanueva, a housewife from Batangas City, was named the winner of the first 2025 Toyota Vios from PlayTime’s 100 Cars, 1 Epic Giveaway promotion. Streamed on PlayTime’s official Facebook page (@ph.playtime), Leslie said she never expected to win. She shared that she only plays on the platform casually and only when her budget allows it. “I only play when I have some extra money and only very small amounts. I wasn’t aiming to win anything—I just find it entertaining,” she shared during a fun post-draw interview.

https://www.instagram.com/ph.playtime/reel/DIxy7vFPNR-/

Although this is the case, luck landed squarely on her name. Out of over 1.9 million entries, Leslie’s name was drawn—transforming what she viewed as a simple form of entertainment into something life-changing. “I’ve never won anything in raffles before and this car from PlayTime is the first. This is truly a blessing,” she added, her voice full of gratitude.

When asked about her readiness to own a new car, Leslie couldn’t help but laugh. “We didn’t even have a parking space,” she admitted. “But the moment my husband and I found out we won the car, we had the front of our house cemented right away—parking space done in a day!”

Beyond the excitement and celebration, Leslie emphasized that while online games can be fun, players should always be responsible. “There’s nothing wrong with playing, but make sure your priorities are straight and attend to your and your family’s needs first. Only spend what you can afford and never expect anything in return—just enjoy it.”

PlayTime’s “100 Cars, 1 Epic Giveaway” is extended until April 30, 2025 with 99 more cars waiting to be given away so don’t miss out!

To enter, simply sign up for a PlayTime account by visiting www.playtime.ph, link your mobile number, make a deposit and play, and Like and Follow the official PlayTime PH page (@ph.playtime) on Facebook. The next live draw is just around the corner—and your story could be next.

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About PlayTime

PlayTime is an online entertainment platform licensed by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). It boasts over 2,500 games and more than 30 million subscribers. The platform offers the highest daily cashback of up to 2% and fastest withdrawals guaranteed within 10mins. Visit www.playtime.ph to access a revolutionary entertainment experience.

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HONOR Revolutionizes Mobile Photography with AI-Driven Camera System on the HONOR Magic7 Pro

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Experience professional-grade photography with advanced AI-powered innovations.

HONOR, a leading global technology brand, unveils the HONOR Magic7 Pro, a flagship smartphone designed to elevate mobile photography with its state-of-the-art AI-driven camera system. From capturing intricate details to enabling professional-grade edits, the HONOR Magic7 Pro promises a groundbreaking experience for photography enthusiasts.

“At HONOR, we’re committed to pushing the boundaries of mobile photography. With the HONOR Magic7 Pro, users can achieve exceptional photography results, combining advanced hardware with intelligent AI innovations.” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines.

AI HONOR IMAGE ENGINE: Redefining Mobile Photography

The HONOR Magic7 Pro’s cutting-edge AI HONOR IMAGE ENGINE integrates hybrid device-cloud AI large models, delivering an unparalleled imaging experience. Key features include: AI Falcon Camera System: The 50MP Super Dynamic Main Camera ensures every detail is captured with vivid brightness, while the 50MP Wide Camera is perfect for expansive landscapes and group shots. The 200MP Telephoto Camera excels in photographing distant subjects with stunning clarity, even in challenging lighting conditions.

• AI Super Zoom: This feature offers a remarkable focal length range of 30x to 100x, allowing users to capture distant sceneries with unmatched precision.

• Harcourt Portrait Modes: Users can create striking portrait shots with studio-quality lighting effects, showcasing their subjects in the best light.

• AI Motion Sensing Capture: Perfect for action photography, this feature freezes fast-moving moments with exceptional clarity.

Enhanced Creativity with AI-Powered Features

The HONOR Magic7 Pro takes creativity to the next level with a suite of intelligent tools designed to simplify and enhance the user experience:

• AI Scene Recognition: Automatically optimizes camera settings for a variety of environments, ensuring picture-perfect results.

• HD Super Burst: Capture dynamic scenes at up to 10 frames per second, preserving every detail of the action.

• AI Enhanced Editing: Transform ordinary shots into extraordinary images with advanced AI-powered editing tools and filters.

Color, Price, and Availability

Available in Lunar Shadow Grey and Black, the HONOR Magic7 Pro is now officially available for pre-order until April 25, 2025 at Php 59,999 with FREE JBL Soundgear Frames worth Php 9,499! Pre-order now at any HONOR Experience and Partner Stores, and online via Lazada https://bit.ly/Laz_M7Pro_PR,Shopee https://bit.ly/M7ProLaunch_PR, and TiktokShop https://bit.ly/TikTok_M7Pro_PR.

For more affordable offers, the HONOR Magic7 Pro is also available at Home Credit for as low as Php 2,484/month with 0% interest and payable up to 18 months.

To know more about HONOR Magic7 Pro, head on to: https://bit.ly/Web_M7Pro_PR. For more exciting announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram(Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

Direk Nijel de Mesa, Arci Muñoz brings the foreign council of NDMstudios to the Hongkong Filmart & Disneyland

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Award-winning Director-Writer-Producer Direk Nijel de Mesa (formerly known as “Njel”), Ms. Jan Christine (Executive VP of NDMstudios) with Arci Muñoz (Creative Director) has accomplished yet another feat by bringing his most loyal and trusted people from NDMstudios to attend the Hongkong Filmart. 

Their main objective was to acquire content for a global audience but it seems that Direk Nijel sees the world differently—rather than restricting his plans for just the Philippines, he has expanded his operations all around the world. His selected foreign council consists of sort-of-attachés that speak Japanese, Mandarin, Korean—aside from English and Filipino. This makes his global business transactions (particularly in the APAC region) are carried out with great ease.

The trip, apparently, serves as a “loyalty incentive” to people from NDMstudios who have shown great initiative, concern, and love for the company. Among the people who joined the trip with Direk Nijel, Ms. Jan Christine, and Arci Muñoz were artists from Japan: Kazuo Nawa, Keiko Makikawa, (from Taipei) Johnson Ching and Pau Cantos-- as well as NDMstudios’ homegrown film actress, Shane Santos, Seasoned Managing Director Junna Mangalindan, and award-winning director Carlo Alvarez.

“It has been quite an emotional journey for all of us, because we never knew there would be a time that members from our international offices will be able to meet in a different country. Work a little bit, bond, and have a bit of fun,” Direk Nijel de Mesa recounts as he expounded on his “Fly-Film-Fun” business model. “Basically, our filmming culture says it all. We fly to another destination, we film something, and then we have fun while we’re doing it. Sort of an ‘Ikigai’ moment for us.”

“Ikigai” is a Japanese philosophy that combines “raison d’etre” with profitability and an expanded worldview. Aside from NDMstudios Animation opening this month and a new academy brewing on the horizon, Direk Nijel is actually wants to create and provide jobs to more people. He is now looking for actors to perform for his Palanca Award-winning Subtext the musical and teachers to teach in his film and performing arts academy. Interested parties may send a letter of intent to www.facebook.com/NDMstudios or via ndmstudiosph@gmail.com .

Alpas Pinas Calls on Students to Take Charge of the Philippines’ Energy Future

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Alpas Pinas, a non-stock, non-profit organization advocating for clean, cheap, and reliable energy, led an insightful discussion on the role of nuclear energy in the Philippines’ future at an event hosted by the University of Santo Tomas Senior High School (UST-SHS) Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) Faculty. Addressing the students, Alpas Pinas emphasized how nuclear energy can provide a reliable power source while promoting inclusive and sustainable development.

The event aimed to cultivate socially engaged, transformative, and globally aware Filipino citizens committed to social transformation and sustainable development while also opening a conversation on how the youth can become leaders in nuclear advocacy in the Philippines.

Spearheaded by Alpas Pinas Lead Convenor Gayle Certeza along with members of organization Gabrielle Andrea Tresvalles and Augustine Narcida, they addressed the common misconceptions about nuclear energy while also understanding the current energy landscape in the Philippines and the energy crisis the country is currently facing.

Certeza opened the discussion by educating students on the country's reliance on fossil fuels, highlighting that 78 percent of the Philippines' energy comes from these sources. She explained that coal-fired power plants burn vast amounts of coal to generate electricity. This process, while sustaining modern conveniences, releases harmful pollutants into the air, water, and land, contributing to environmental degradation.

“So, what does that mean? Nuclear energy not only eliminates greenhouse gas emissions but also provides a denser energy source capable of meeting our electricity needs for future generations,” said Certeza.

Tresvalles highlighted how the youth will be the number one beneficiary once nuclear energy becomes part the energy mix, as it will create jobs for people and how it will provide energy security in the future.

“As young as we are now, we have the opportunity to engage. I strongly believe that our students here can contribute to research and policymaking that will shape how energy is produced, consumed, and distributed. This conversation goes beyond nuclear energy—it intersects with health sciences, ethics, governance, economics, and social justice,” Tresvalles reiterated.

Narcida, on the other hand, highlighted the crucial role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the significant amount of electricity required to sustain the technology that students enjoy today.

For instance, a single use of ChatGPT, the widely known generative AI platform, consumes approximately 12 minutes' worth of a laptop's battery charge. With ChatGPT receiving around abillion queries per day, this translates to about 12 billion minutes of laptop energy consumed daily. As AI's energy demand continues to rise, electricity costs are expected to surge. Without a reliable energy source, neither AI nor future technological innovations can thrive.

“You may choose to believe me or not, but at the very least, believe that this is the future—because we need energy. We are falling behind, and that’s a problem,” Narcida emphasized.

During the fireside chat, Certeza emphasized the youth’s role in driving change in nuclear energy advocacy. More than just supporting policies, she noted that change begins with young people initiating conversations about it.

“Share it with your family, friends, and on the internet. That’s the advantage of your generation, you’re more expressive and braver in sparking discussions about what can help the country progress. Keep that fire in your heart, and you can help us in this fight,” Certeza urged.

Tresvalles echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that nuclear energy advocacy is about young people becoming activists in their own ways.

“How can you help? Be an activist. The fight to secure clean, cheap, and reliable energy for the Philippines is in our hands. You have the power to change the future. Believe in yourself and become the change you aspire to be,” Tresvalles concluded.

UST-SHS Faculty Member Leilani P. Arocha expressed her hope that the event provided valuable insights and encouraged students to think critically about the country’s energy landscape.

“I hope that through this discussion, our students have gained a deeper understanding of the role energy plays in our daily lives and how crucial it is to advocate for sustainable solutions. This is more than just a lesson in science or policy—it’s about shaping the future of our nation,” Arocha shared.

The event not only sparked meaningful conversations about nuclear energy but also empowered students to see themselves as key players in the country’s journey toward a more sustainable and energy-secure future.