Magkabilaan, Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Company's 20th Anniversary Concert

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The Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Company in partnership with the Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe and PETA Theater Center proudly presents “Magkabilaan” --- the 20th anniversary concert to pay homage to the late Dr. Paz-Cielo A. Belmonte, Founder & Artistic Director of the Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe (PBFDT).

 Magkabilaan” shall celebrate Lahing Kayumanggi’s and Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe’s long standing partnership and exchange programme spanning two decades.

“MAGKABILAAN” will be held on April 25 and 26 (Friday & Saturday), 7:30PM at the PETA Theater located at No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.

Special guests include the alumni of the Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe, longest folk dance company since 1946; Hail Mary The Queen Children’s Choir and talented singer / fashion designer Leo Almodal. 

Starting as a small informal group of people in London who were nostalgic about Philippine music and dance, Lahing Kayumanggi has become a professional dance company with five professional dancers and musicians leading 35 enthusiastic members from the Filipino community. Their increasing reputation for quality, authenticity and innovation has led them to receive wide acclaim for their performances all over the UK in venues including the Philippine Embassy, World Travel Markets, Filipino Barrio Fiestas and community events, the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Hall, Royal Festival Hall, as well as some countries in the continent. For four years running, Lahing Kayumanggi was a regular and popular feature on BBC TV’s Generation Game.

 

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In December 2006, Lahing Kayumanggi received the Presidential Banaag Award ‘in recognition of its unwavering dedication to artistic excellence, raising the cultural awareness and ethnic pride of the Filipino community in the United Kingdom, and supporting cultural and humanitarian activities in the Philippines’. In 2012, the Lahing Kayummanggi Dance Company won the ABS-CBN Gawad Geny Lopez Jr.  - Bayaning Pilipino Awards (Europe).

For the past 65 years, the Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe (PBFDT) continues to play an important role in folk dance education among the Filipino youth here and abroad  towards the appreciation, preservation and promotion of their Philippine cultural heritage. By traveling to the different stages of the world across Asia, Europe and North America, the PBFDT has showcased the diverse multi-cultural Philippine life through a panorama of songs, dances and music with its customs, traditions, and various religions in their authentic form. Through the pioneering leadership of the founding Artistic Director Dr. Paz-Cielo A. Belmonte, awardee of the ‘Gawad CCP Para sa Sining at Sayaw’ (1990), Philippine Centennial Awards (1999) and the ‘Gintong BAI Awards’ (2005), the PBFDT continues to be one of the leading dance companies in the Philippines.

A recipient of the Philippine Presidential Medal of Merit Award ‘Patnubay ng Kalinangan sa Sayaw’ (1971), the PBFDT aims to further research and study unrecorded Filipino folk dance and music as well as, developing and sharing the ever evolving story of the Philippines on world stages, carrying on the spirit of cooperation, friendly association and harmonious living—which the word ‘Baranggay’ has become synonymous with throughout the Philippines and the world.

Considered as one of the country’s top children’s choir, the Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir (HMtQCC) has been active in both local and international chorale scenes, traveling extensively for performances and competitions. They won as the World Choir Olympic Champion in the Music of the Religions Category in Bremen, Germany (2004); the First Asian Choir Games in Jakarta, Indonesia where they garnered Gold medal in the Gospel and Spiritual category and Silver medals in Musica Sacra and Musica Contemporanea categories 2007. In the local chorale arena, HMtQCC was given the Gold Award in the Children’s Choir Category in the First National Choral Competition organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in August 2009.

In recognition of their multi-awards, they received the Ani ng Dangal from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts in 2009. In 2010, HMtQCC was the Grand Prize winner in the ABS-CBN Star Records’ Sa Yo Lamang Chorale Fest. Recently, together with Jamie Rivera, they won the Best Inspirational/Religious category in the 24th Awit Awards given by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry, Inc (PARI).

Leo Almodal who is a fashion designer by profession has dressed up the country’s top beauty queen titlists Venus Raj, Shamsey Supsup and other celebrities.

“Magkabilaann” is directed by Ronnie Del Barrio; Artistic Director - Lamberto Cruz and Lighting Director - Katsch Catoy.

Costumes were designed by Barge Ramos, Edgar Madamba, Lito Perez, Herbert Custodio, Pipoy Bernardo and Edna  Encarnacîon.

Tickets are at Php 400.00 / Senior citizen: Php 320.00

 Call  +63 915 524 0799 for ticket reservations.

 Or email:  tickets@lkdance.org.uk

Games People Play

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Games People Play, a Palanca-winning play by Glenn Sevilla Mas features theater actors Abner Delina, Thea Yrastorza and Kalil Almonte. Ed Lacson Jr., who also does the production design, directs it while Teresa Barrozo does the sound and music design.

Games People Play is about three characters who try to understand why they are the way they are by revisiting their childhood, specifically the games that they played with each other.

Each game is a rite of passage and it represents a significant moment in their coming of age. The writing of the play was inspired by this quote from child psychologist and writer Bruno Bettelheim:

“The monster a child knows best and is most concerned with [is] the monster he feels or fears himself to be.”

The production will run from April 22 to 26, 2014, 7:30 PM with a 2:30 PM show on April 26, at the Fine Arts Blackbox Theater, Fine Arts Annex, Ateneo de Manila University.

For ticket inquiries, contact John Yap at 0917-722-5399 or visit www.facebook.com/gppgamespeopleplay for more information.

MYX named its three newest VJs

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A new batch of winners has emerged from MYX VJ Search 2014. The local cable music channel MYX named its three newest VJs last Tuesday, April 8, 2014 held at the Alphonse Bistro, City Golf Plaza, Pasig City.

After closely deliberating on 12 finalists for the VJ search, three winners emerged this year namely Luigi D’Avola, Gianna Llanes, and Vieo Lopez as they beat nine other finalists and are now officially part of the MYX family.

D'Avola, a 19-year-old singer/composer was emotional when his name was first called as no one knew how many new VJs will be picked. He said joining MYX is like a dream come true for him.

“I didn't expect to cry I'm sorry. Thank you so much. I just want to thank everyone from MYX. You guys have been so kind and it's been so nice working with you. To get to work with you after [the VJ search] is a dream come true,” he said.

He also said that he will continue making songs and do albums.

The former 89.9 DJ,  Llanes, who is also a fresh graduate of Ateneo de Manila University, vowed to do her best now that MYX has given her the chance to make it big.

“I was not expecting this. They can expect me to really, really work hard and really give them the best performance. Thank you so much to everybody who supported me. They always brighten up my day. I didn't expect it. I'm really happy so thank you,” she said.

Lopez believes that the third time’s indeed a charm. Winning this year meant a lot for Vieo as this was his third time to audition for the VJ search and first time to be included in the 12 finalists.

“I really, really want this. There are no words talaga to express everything I feel about this. Alam ko lang na gusto ko ipakita sa kanila na hindi ako 'yung tipong kapag sinabihan na ‘now is not yet the time,’ hindi na ako magta-try,” he said. “I think the best thing that I can say is that, if you wanted something you go get it. No matter how many times you fail, keep trying, keep doing it, go get it.”

The winners of the MYX VJ Search 2014 have six months contract with MYX channel. Other personalities who started with MYX include Robi Domingo, Chino Lui Pio and Bianca Roque.

More photos click HERE !

National Geographic Channel Rejoices Over Sky-High Ratings For ‘Science of Stupid’

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Starting with a big bang this April is a show that details the scientific principles behind the world’s most ridiculous stunts gone wrong—an apparent hit with Filipino viewers of National Geographic Channel (NGC) as it premiered on April 8, 2014 at 9 PM. Science of Stupid was launched with a screening of three consecutive episodes plus an immediate replay, which rated highly non-stop for three hours and garnered a combined rating of 1.875 for adults aged 16-49. In short, everyone loved the show!

NGC considers the premiere of Science of Stupid its highest rated launch ever, with the show peaking at 0.531 (A16-49) for the first replay of the first episode and averaging at 0.315 (A16-49) over the three hours for a consistently strong performance. Females aged 16-24 also tuned intoScience of Stupid in huge numbers, rating at 1.114 at the premiere’s peak.

Science of Stupid is hosted by Internet and TV sensation Ramon Bautista, whose humor is the perfect antidote to the humiliation and pain experienced by the wannabe daredevils featured on the show. Bautista serves as a witty and engaging guide through this wacky world of wipeouts, epic failure and painful realizations so viewers can learn the scientific principles that govern our physical world and sometimes foil the ambitions of amateur stuntmen.

Online reactions to Science of Stupid were overwhelmingly positive, with the show trending on Twitter on the day of the launch and Bautista being inundated with kudos through his personal social media accounts. IWC Media (@IWC_Media), the company that produced the show for NGC, even gave a shoutout for the show’s success online in the Philippines, tweeting “Congrats to #ScienceofStupid in the Philippines - top trend after the 3-ep series premiere with the great @ramonbautista! Hello from the UK!”

Science of Stupid is a 14-part series that explains why stunts go wrong when amateurs try to copy them. Each episode examines stunt videos with disastrous endings and explains in scientific terms what factors caused the stunts to fail. Catch Science of Stupid hosted Ramon Bautista every Tuesday at 9 PM, exclusively on National Geographic Channel!

Maja Salvador Releases New Album “Believe”

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The "Dance Princess", Kapamilya star and actress Maja Salvador is now a singer. It was December 2013 when Maja signed a recording contract with Ivory Music & Video. After months of excitement and anticipation, the actress-turned-singer unleashes her talent in singing with her debut album BELIEVE!

Produced by award-winning arranger and producer, Jonathan Ong, the album features 8 tracks including her first single “Dahan-Dahan” and the sure-to-be hit collaboration with hip-hop star Abra called “Halikana”. Maja Salvador also awakens the songwriter in her as she co-writes a track called “Buong Gabi” featuring Project Pinas. 

It was not a long time ago when Kapamilya star, Maja Salvador, appeared on Gandang Gabi Vice and shared that she’s serious about pursuing singing as a career, “Gusto ko na, kaya nga ako nag-tour kasi 10 years na ako sa business.” She even shared that she was taking voice lessons from Annie Quintos of The Company.

“Gusto ko i-share sa kanila [sa fans] na meron akong bagong minamahal, which is yung pag-kanta. Sobrang swerte lang na may nakarinig ng boses ko from Ivory Music na yun nga, willing silang gumawa ng album ko.”

"Gusto ko ma-prove na singer din ako, na kaya kong kumanta. Parang ‘si Maja, hindi lang sya umaarte, hindi lang sya sumasayaw, pero kaya din niyang ibigay lahat sa music, sa paggawa ng isang kanta’.

Produced by award-winning arranger and producer, Jonathan Ong, the album features 8 tracks including her first single “Dahan-Dahan” and the sure-to-be hit collaboration with hip-hop star Abra called “Halikana”. Maja Salvador also awakens the songwriter in her as she co-writes a track called “Buong Gabi” featuring Project Pinas. 

The “Dance Princess” shared that this album is a dream come true for her as not everyone is given the chance to have a record deal, “Hindi lahat sumusugal na bigyan ng album ang isang artista so I’m very thankful. Sobrang naa-amaze ako sa nangyayari sa akin today.” 

She admitted that the recording process wasn’t an easy ride for her since it’s a first-time endeavor to record a music album, but all was well with the help of the engineers at Sonic State Studios. “Parang nung umpisa, hindi ko alam kung tama ba yung ginagawa ko kasi first time ko mag-record ng kanta [at] first time ko gumawa ng album pero nahanap ko rin yung placement ng voice ko,” she confesses.

Surreal would be the best word to explain her feeling when she heard her first single “Dahan Dahan” on the radio, “Nung una ko siyang narinig sa radyo, nakatulala lang ako kasi parang hindi parin ako makapaniwala.” In fact, her first single hit the radio airwaves and music charts by storm. After its first week of airing, “Dahan-Dahan” reached as high as #1 on the radio charts including MOR Dagupan. It’s also one of the top-selling songs on iTunes and her song landed on the top spot along with foreign artists since its release on March 6, 2014.

Maja is just beyond grateful to be enjoying the blessings coming her way, “Grabe na yung nangyayari sakin ngayon, yung mga blessings na dumating talaga na parang dun lang ako nagising talaga nung narinig ko na siya sa radyo na eto na, totoo talaga na meron na akong album.

TRACKLISTING: 

KILIG

HALIKANA (feat. Abra) 

WALA NA BANG PAG-IBIG 

DAHAN-DAHAN 

URONG-SULONG 

BUONG GABI (feat. Project Pinas) 

BONUS TRACKS: 

KILIG (MINUS-ONE) 

DAHAN-DAHAN (MINUS-ONE) 

“Believe” album, under Ivory Music & Video, is now available in major record stores for only P200.00! Also available on iTunes at http://smarturl.it/MajaiTunes and Spinnr.ph. 

Maja Salvador would like to thank her sponsors: Ivana by Tupperware, Coby, Petit Monde, SPINNR.ph and LINE Messenger. Special thanks to PGA Cars, Sir Boy’s Food Republique, Sun Cellular, GSM Blue and My Dentist.

Catch Maja Salvador LIVE on these dates: Maja Believe Album Tour 2014

April 26 SM Marilao

May 15 Talavera Gym, Nueva Ecija

May 17 SM Marikina

June 7 SM Tarlac

June 14 SM Lipa

June 28 NCCC Mall Puerto Princesa City Palawan

July 5 SM Sucat

July 12 NCCC Mall Tagum 

July 13 SM Taytay

August 2 SM Sta Mesa

August 9 SM Calamba

August 16 Kadayawan Event, NCCC Mall Davao

September 13 SM Rosales

September 20 SM Pampanga 

September 28 SM Dasmariñas

Be updated with your favorite local and international artists! Visit Ivory Music & Video’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ivorymusicandvideophilippines.