'Ikaw' by Jonalyn Viray is the 2013 ASOP TV Grand Final's “Song of the Year”

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Crowd favorite 'Ikaw' interpreted by Jonalyn Viray won the  2013 ASOP TV Grand Final's “Song of the Year.”

A Song of Praise Music Festival 2013 Best Interpreter Jonalyn Viray. (ROVIC BALUNSAY / Photoville International)

'Ikaw', a crowd favorite song of praise composed by Boy Christopher Ramos Jr., bested 12 finalists to win “Song of the Year” award in this year's ASOP TV Music Festival Grand Finals Night while Jonalyn Viray received the “Best Interpreter Award” for the same song.

Composer Boy Christopher Jr. and interpreter  Jonalyn Viray  for ‘Ikaw’. (MARLON BONAJOS / Photoville International)

Ramos is a professional composer whose awards-worthy “Ito ang Buhay Ko” won in the Best Theme Song category of the 2011 Asian Television Awards. Viray, on the other hand, is a 2006 WCOPA gold medalist known for her power vocals.

(Left to Right) Runners up at ASOP Year 2. Composer RJ Jimenez and interpreter Miro Valera for ‘I Am Grateful’, 1st Runner Up; interpreter Gerald Santos at composer Christian Obar for ‘Lagi Kang Nariyan’, 2nd Runner Up;  ‘You’ll See Miracles’ interpreter Carl Trazo and composer Paul Hildawa, 3rd Runner Up. (REY VERCIDE / Photoville International)

Meanwhile, RJ Jimenez's “I Am Grateful”, earned the first-runner up prize while Christian Obar 's “Lagi Kang Nariyan” received second-runner up prize,  and Paul Hildawa's “You'll See Miracles” was third-runner up.  Stonefree's Miro Valera, pop prince Gerald Santos and Carl Trazo were interpreters for Jimenez's, Obar's, and Hildawa's song entries, respectively.

ASOP Year 2 Judges. (Left-Right) Veteran actor & OPM artist Joey de Leon; Universal Records General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go; Composer/Singer/Actress Annabelle Borja; Theater actor / singer & composer Audie Gemora; OPM Hitmaker / Composer Mon Del Rosario; Cultural Center of the Philippines President, UST Dean & Professor in Music and Statistics at the Conservatory of Music / International pianist Dr. Raul Sunico, Ph.D.; Veteran OPM Artist & Composer Snaffu Rigor (PRINCE MARQUEZ / Photoville International)

The grand prize-winning song comes with P500,000 cash prize. The other runners-up receive P250,000, P150,000, and P100,000 for first, second and third runner up placers, respectively.

Among this year's board of judges include CCP President and concert pianist Raul Sunico, world-renowned musical stage actor and director Audie Gemora, and veteran film and television personality and comedian, Joey De Leon. Other judges include former Star Records executive Anabelle Regalado-Borja, Universal Records General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go, veteran composer and vocalist Snaffu Rigor, and multi-awarded composer and record producer Dr. Mon Del Rosario.

Judging of winners was based on text voting from the public and judges' scores.

Chairman and CEO of Breakthrough and Milestones Production International, Kuya Daniel Razon launched the show two years ago on television. The broadcast journalist related that it was a suggestion from Bro. Eli Soriano to open a praise songwriting contest that is open to amateur and professional Filipino composers.

The Members Church of God International, where Bro. Eli is Presiding Minister, have been holding A Song of Praise (ASOP) Music Festival but this songwriting contest is exclusive only for Church members.

Today, ASOP TV is the only Philippine songwriting competition which focuses on songs of praises to God aired by UNTV-37 every Sunday. Annually, ASOP TV Music Festival showcases 12 songs out of the monthly finals.  To encourage amateur and professional Filipino composers to join the songwriting contest, ASOP TV gives more than P1-Million in cash prizes.

To download for free all 12 songs of praise entries this year, visit www.asoptv.com.

Win cool gadgets from KakaoTalk’s Facebook and Twitter contests!

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Do you love tweeting your friends and taking wacky shots with them?  If yes, then get a chance to you win cool gadgets from KakaoTalk Philippines’ Facebook and Twitter contests! 

#KakaoKita Twitter Contest

For Tweeps, you just need to follow @KakaoTalkPH on Twitter and like KakaoTalkPH on Facebook. 

Then simply tweet who you want to be your Kakao (KakaoTalk chatmate) and tag him or her and @KakaoTalkPH.

To complete your post, include the hashtag #KakaoKita.

Sample Tweet: “I want @SarahG to be my Kakao!  You too can invite your friends to @KakaoTalkPH and win an iPad!  #KakaoKita

Qualified entries will be put into a raffle. There will be one winner per week that will be announced on KakaoTalk’s Facebook and Twitter accounts.   Each winner will receive an iPad Mini and KakaoTalk sticker dolls.

Kakao’s Wacky Group Facebook Photo Contest

For Facebook netizens, KakaoTalk introduces “Wacky Groupie photo contest.” Focusing on the value of barkada and our penchant for taking crazy shots, KakaoTalk will give prizes to the wackiest groupie photo submitted.

Join by liking KakaoTalkPH’s Facebook page and following @KakaoTalkPH on Twitter.  

Take a wacky groupie photo with your friends and post it on the official KakaoTalkPH Facebook Wall. 

Add a catchy caption using the hashtag #KakaoTalkWackyGroupie. 

Complete your entry by tagging KakaoTalkPH, yourself and your friends in the picture. 

Share your photo and encourage your friends to join and like KakaoTalkPH FB page as well as your photo entry.

Winners will be judged on photo impact 50%, caption 20% and likes 30%. One photo will be awarded per week who will received four iPhone 5 or Samsung Note 2 or iPad Mini.

Contest period is from September 7, 2:00 pm to October 7, 2:00 PM.

Enjoy the wonderful world of KakaoTalk !  Have fun by joining the KakaoTalk Facebook and Twitter contests now!

Isla Lipana & Co. extends Philippine Gems voting to September 25

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Isla Lipana & Co., the Philippine member firm of PwC, has extended the voting period for Philippine Gems, the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project, until September 25.

Launched in June of this year, www.philippinegems.com is a campaign to determine the country’s top ten new tourist destinations.

The campaign has drawn nearly 40,000 votes so far with online voting to identify 10 Philippine Gems out of the 25 shortlisted travel destinations.

“By extending the voting period, we are providing every opportunity available to promote our country to our citizens and to the rest of the world,” said the new Isla Lipana & Co. Chairman, Atty. Alex Cabrera. “We are grateful to everyone who supports this project and we hope that we are able to increase awareness and appreciation of the beauty our country.”

“To add to this, local tourism offices and local government have been rallying and inviting their constituents to vote and support their sites. This positive effect we have been getting has inspired us to extend it to give more time for other sites to also rally their supporters,” Cabrera added.

The Philippine Gems aims to showcase the many other magnificent natural wonders that the Philippines has to offer from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

This project of Isla Lipana & Co. is in cooperation with the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (PTB) of the Department of Tourism (DOT) , and the University of the Philippines-Asian Institute of Tourism (UP-AIT). Aside from PTB/DOT and UP-AIT, other members of the screening committee were representatives from FleishmanHillard Manila, Management Association of the Philippines, travel blogger James Betia and media personalities Love Añover, Jing Lejano and Jose Javier Reyes.

For more information about the Philippine Gems and to cast your votes now visit www.philippinegems.com.

Acoustic sensation Aiza Seguerra remains grateful for blessings

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I always remember "Little Miss Philippines",  "Aiza Kabisote, daughter of Enteng Kabisote in Okey Ka Fairy Ko!", "Wake Up Little Susie", "Pagdating ng Panahon", "Acoustic Artist of the Year", "Sessionistas", "Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa".

History becomes Cariza Yamson Seguerra, well known as Aiza Seguerra singer-songwriter, guitarist, actress. She remains to be the most successful child star story in local entertainment scene.

Her 26-year-old career started when she joined a nationwide TV contest when she was 4 years old, After she becomes Eat Bulaga!'s Little Miss Philippines 1987, child star starring in several movies and TV shows.

She began pursuing a career in music; singing and playing the guitar. Her single Pagdating ng Panahon became a major hit in 2001. She was voted Best Female Recording Artist in Awit's Award. Her song "Pagdating ng Panahon" won for Best Pop Recording, Best Produced Record of the Year and also for the "Song of the Year award! This  enabled her to start a music career.  She has dabbled in acting for TV and movies, recording, composition, stage musicals, and concerts. 

Acoustic sensation Aiza Seguerra became the biggest child star and eventually one of the most respected performers in the country.

Last September 10, we had the very fun day, birthday press conference held at Sir Boy’s Food Republique, Panay Avenue, Quezon City.

This September 28 at the Araneta Coliseum, Aiza, who is also celebrating her 30th birthday, is all set to unleash her power in Power of Two opposite Charice. It must be remembered that Aiza had a sold-out show same time last year at the Big Dome for her 25th year in showbiz billed Bente Singko.

Power of Two, produced by Wilbros Live and E-TALent Events, also celebrates 30 years, and gives fans a preview of bigger things to come in her 26th year in showbiz.

Aiza expressed gratitude for the public’s continued support in her major undertakings, may it be on TV, musical theater, concert stage or recording.

On television, the former child star continues to shine on the number one morning series ABS-CBN’s Be Careful with My Heart as the supportive Kute.

Aiza’s mettle as an actor was again highlighted in her participation in two musicals – as the charming Genie in the kid-friendly Aladdin and as the fearless Regina in Rock of Ages. Both musicals were produced by Atlantis Productions.

She also lent her beautiful voice to the Grand Prize-winning entry of Joven Tan in the ABS-CBN/Star Records’ 2013 Himig Handog P-Pop Love Songs – Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa.

She also supported the hit musical Katy by recording her version of Minsan Ang Minahal Ay Ako. On the concert stage, Aiza proved that he is one artist respected by her fellow musicians. She shared the stage with Noel Cabangon in a two-night successful concert billed Tambayan Hits. She also was blessed with an endorsement deal this year- St. Augustine School of Nursing.

This September, she once again teams up with Charice to complete Power of Two. It must be remembered that Charice expressed her desire to work with Aiza in a concert, and the latter obliged, so the concert became a reality.

In between these engagements, Aiza toured the world to share her gift of music to Filipinos. She has done shows in, among others, US, UAE and Australia.

Her 25th year may be a big triumph for Aiza, but there seems to be no stopping her from achieving more in her career. She will be part of two MMFF entries – MZET/OctoArts’My Little Bossing with Vic Sotto, Kris Aquino, Bimby, and Ryzza Mae, and Be Careful With My Heart The Movie.

Power of Two will also commence the Unbreakable Tour, which will go local and international venues. For tickets to Power of Two, contact (02) 911-5555.

Aiza is being managed by E-TALent Management and Entertainment headed by Annabelle Regalado- Borja. For bookings and inquiries, call (0917) 589 6284.

"Sandwich Fifteen" concert on September 14 !

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One of the most prolific rock bands in the country, Sandwich is celebrating 15th Anniversary with a concert titled "Sandwich Fifteen" on September 14 to be held at 19 East Bar & Grill in Sucat, Paranaque City.

Also playing that night, the Radio Active Sago Project, one of the band's contemporaries.

To mark their anniversary, the band is getting ready to perform a set filled with old and new songs, hit singles and obscure favorites as well. Me and my friends also witness their preparations last night when we have an intimate media conference held at Polyeast Records office. Luckily, we had the time to meet them in a fun and casual moments. 

Sandwich is a Filipino Experimental rock band that was formed in 1998 by Raimund Marasigan and Diego Castillo. And from that time, Sandwich has released seven albums, including their latest album entitled Fat Salt & Flame under Polyeast Records.

(stylized as < S >andwich in earlier releases)

Sandwich Members

• Raimund Marasigan - lead vocals, keyboards , rhythm guitar, backing vocals (1998-2005)
• Myrene Academia - bass, backing vocals 
• Mong Alcaraz - lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards 
• Diego Castillo - rhythm guitar, backing vocals 
• Mike Dizon - drums 

Sandwich band had a chance to travel and share their music to different countries. They participated in the Hongkong Clockenflap Music and Arts Festival, Malaysia's Future Music Festival and the Hollywood Bowl with Apl de Ap of the Black Eyed Peas in Los Angeles, USA.

"Sandwich Fifteen" has been presented by Smart Bro and Soupstar Entertainment in cooperation with Polyeast Records. Special thanks to MYX, Inksurge, Team Manila and 19 East Bar & Grill.

Follow @SMARTPromos on twitter and answer Smart's trivia questions with the hashtag #SmartBroSandwichfor a chance to win tickets to Sandwich's 15th Anniversary concert!

Tckets will be available at the gate for only P350.00 Show starts promply at 9:00 pm.

Visit the Facebook for more updates: <S>andwich