Million Views Club

Tweet

Gone are the days when word on what’s hot in entertainment springs only from what critics have to say. Bankability, after all, roots from the appreciation of the public, and the public has long blasted towards a world where a single “like”, “thumbs up” or “star” can tip the scale. 

With YouTube re-establishing the very purpose of music videos, the artists of Ivory Music & Video gain the champagne life by garnering millions of views, giving a bird’s eye perspective of OPM’s finest today. It’s a highly exquisite circle of new-breed talents.

Leading the pack is rapper Abra with a whopping 40 million+ views on official YouTube channels carrying his name. Possessing unparalleled lyrical flair in early years of age and career, the music video for “Gayuma”, featuring Thyro and Jeriko Aguilar, has steadily surpassed the 30-million mark. “Ilusyon” managed to front on critical and commercial reception as, apart from amassing more than 4 million views, the music video gained recognition at the 27th Awit Awards, winning Best Music Video on top of fully-established contenders such as Yeng Constantino, Sandwich and Gloc-9. And since in the camp of young tongue-twisters he’s tagged as “the wordsmith”, Abra’s lyric videos embraced its fandom views with 5 million for “Abrakadabra” and 3 million for the Chito Miranda-assisted “Diwata”. The rest from Abra’s video catalogue are looking at following suit, too, as only a few months upon YouTube publishing, videos for “Cerebrus”, “Deadma”, and “Midas” are still running on replay. 

Charisma also plays a big part in crunching up the numbers, proven by Maja Salvador on her first recording venture, “Believe”, pieced together by Ivory Music & Video. More than a triple threat (a signed actress, dubbed as the Dance Princess, and vaulted her image on magazine covers), Maja gained bigger following when she stepped into the music limelight: non-fans loved her and fans loved her even more, and when “going for gold” wasn’t enough, the album sky-rocketed to Platinum certification. Be that as it may, it wasn’t much of a surprise, really–to begin with, Maja’s pilot music video “Dahan-dahan” tallied 5,973,100 views as this is being written, and is currently the most popular video on Ivory Music’s channel. Quite impressive for a track that’s only getting its feet wet. Follow-up “Halika Na”, with Abra lending his rapping power, is already checking beyond half a million.

JM De Guzman

JM De Guzman, too, needs no introduction. A pre-established appeal is a card on his stack, but unknown to many is a real vocal talent behind the pretty-boy face which he chose to play. Music is career 2.0 for JM, faring well on YouTube introspection: his cover of John Legend’s “All Of Me” and Itchyworm’s “Akin Ka Na Lang” are beyond 2,000,000 views. The remainder in his video archive never have less than a hundred thousand hits.

Besides these soloists, Silent Sanctuary’s also been making the million cut. The rockestra’s premiere record deal with Ivory Music & Video pitched them to be front-liners for the label. The album “Monodramatic” enjoyed continuous success with a huge part of thanks goes to the reverberation of their online presence. The original version of the music video for “Sa’Yo” garnered more than 2,300,000 views, and “Meron Nang Iba” yielded more than 1,100,000. Even the lyric video for “Bumalik Ka Na Sa Akin” is Ivory Music & Video’s 5th most popular video at 1,134, 011 views and the official clip for the same song is following suit at a close 800,000.

The same goes for Moonstar88 who has perfected the slice-of-Pinoy-life songwriting method. Going for alternative tunes friendly to the airwaves, the band’s accompanying music videos have been easy on the eyes that it’s no different from sneaking a peek on someone’s diary. This vivid retelling of very specific life moments is, perhaps, the reason for “Gilid” and “Ligaw” earning not less than 1,100,000 music video views on YouTube.

If view count is the trend, then Ivory Music & Video’s doing a pretty good job creating trendsetters. Online content reveals real-time bearing on commercial relevance, and at a time when fanhood is crucially a musician’s wealth, it’s safe to lay claim that the label is benefitting from the rich rewards of its knack for developing talent on both sides of the camera, and meeting the wants of the audience, if not redefining it. With the goal of keeping every release perfectly in tune with our times, soul is practically breathed into production.

Critical accolades are still a driving force for success, yes, but the sweeter nod still rests on real audience feedback.

A click (or a tap) will, as they say, make or break.

See the numbers rise higher by subscribing to Ivory Music & Video’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/IvoryMusicVideoPH, and follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ivorymusicandvideophilippines for updates on your favourite OPM and international artists!

By: Riley Bardos

Maja Salvador’s debut album “Believe” went for the Gold, then for the Platinum

Tweet

Maja Salvador’s debut album “Believe” signifies more than an exhibition of her singing abilities, one of her many talents. It has proven once again that this girl’s formula for success pans out the way she intends to: dream hard...then work hard for it to come true. “Napatunayan ko na hindi mahirap mangarap. Kapitan mo lang ang pangarap mo. Huwag mong pakawalan.”

It was an inspiring feat for Maja when “Believe” reached 7,500 in sales figures and had been certified Gold by the Philippine Association of the Recording Industry (PARI) last June 5th. It was quite an overwhelming triumph for a young woman testing the waters of a different industry. With her diligent willingness to leave a mark on music and a charismatic hold on a fanbase that never seem to thin out, things that took place after this Gold certification fell beyond the reach of the word “success”.

Numbering in the accolades of “Believe” is the Philippine Movie Press Club awarding the album as the Dance Album of the Year at the 6th PMPC Star Awards For Music, with another nomination for Maja for the New Female Recording Artist Of the Year award. It also pioneered the bar-raising “mastered for iTunes” hallmark for the entire OPM industry. “Dahan-dahan”, the flagship single for the album claimed the nod of OPM buffs as it charted atop national radio and music TV channel charts, and scored almost 6 million views for its music video on YouTube.

The end of the “Believe” era is still not in sight though.

IVORY MUSIC & VIDEO

(Exclusive licensee and distributor of Sony Music in the Philippines) 782 Aurora Blvd. corner Seattle Street, Cubao, Quezon City 1109 | Tel.: +632.722.9771 to 75 | Fax: +632.726.2156PRESS RELEASE

With a sprawling spread of recognition under her belt, “Believe” hits it even bigger with Maja tirelessly touring the country to promote the record and eventually, the countless hours of boosting the acquaintance of the public with the new sound that is Maja, paid off. Only 6 months after receiving

the Gold award from PARI, “Believe” called for a crown change to a Platinum certification, selling over massive 15,000 copies. The plaques were handed to a surprised and teary-eyed Maja on ABS-CBN’s ASAP show last Sunday, December 14.

OPM’s kudos to Maja’s musical work is truly significant, but the belief that she can take over this industry too as regarded by her fans, both newfound ones and those who have grown with her from the early beginnings of her career, is the highlight on Maja’s impressive resumé so

far. Though some “critics” bomb her vocal ability as half-baked at best, Maja knew better: she can sing, and right now that’s what she wants to do. Unlike most of her contemporaries, it wasn’t her intention to follow the regrettable practice of merely creating a 30-minute ad for a celebrity brand. In creating “Believe”, singing and creating a real record was her primary concern. At the very same time she can dance, she can act, she can model. She can relate to the audience. She knows how to envelop herself in the uniqueness of her skillset. From where we're all standing, Maja's got it pretty good at entertaining overall.

More than the efforts she has given to complete and promote the album, Maja only has one last advice: “Just BELIEVE!”

Follow Ivory Music & Video on Facebook for updates on your favorite OPM artists including Maja at https://www.facebook.com/ivorymusicandvideophilippines

ASUS Ranks Number 1 in the Prestigious 2014 Taiwan Global Brands Value Survey

Tweet

ASUS has been recognized as the number-one Taiwanese brand in the Best Taiwan Global Brands Awards 2014. This year marks the second consecutive year ASUS has won the award as well as the twelfth straight year the company has been in the top-three list of international brands from Taiwan. The brand value is now estimated at US$1.723 billion and has maintained steady growth despite a competitive market.

"We are honored to be recognized as the top brand in the Best Taiwan Global Brand Awards for the second year in a row. 2014 has been an especially remarkable year for ASUS with the launch of ZenFone. ZenFone brings empowering luxury to everyone, and consumers have responded by making it the number-one phone in Taiwan by market share in the third quarter of this year. We will continue with our In Search of Incredible brand promise as we strive to create an effortless and joyful digital life for everyone." - - - ASUS Corporate Vice President S.Y. Hsu.

During 2014, ASUS has continued its tradition of innovation with the launch of several flagship products, including ZenFone, ZenWatch, and EeeBook X205. The ZenFone smartphone series incorporates beautiful design, high-quality materials, and the seamless functionality of ASUS ZenUI to provide an unparalleled mobile experience to users. The new ZenWatch, the first wearable device from ASUS, is an exquisitely crafted watch that pairs seamlessly with ZenFone or other Android smartphones to provide relevant and useful information when it is needed most, and serve as a personal wellness manager. Continuing the concept of the iconic EeePC, EeeBook X205 is an affordable 11.6-inch Windows 8.1 notebook with a full-size keyboard that integrates the latest technology in a compact, lightweight design perfect for consumers who are always on the go.

The Best Taiwan Global Brands Awards is held by the Industrial Development Bureau, Ministry of Economic Affairs, R.O.C and global branding consultancy Interbrand. The awards are seen as a key indicator of the position held by Taiwanese brands in the global market. The awards are given out based on brand value, which include the financial performance of the company, the role the brand plays in the consumer purchase decision, and the competitive strength of the brand.

Where to stay in Baguio, The Residences at Brent: Where the Past Intertwines with the Present

Tweet

Baguio is one of the most famous cities in the Philippines as the Summer Capital of the Philippines for the past 99 years.

Baguio offers a world of adventures, especially during the season with a lot of new events and activities that everybody will definitely enjoy. One of my yearly travel activities is going to Baguio's Panagbenga Festival , a Kankana-ey that means "a season of blooming" or "a time for flowering," a major annual festival in Baguio City.

A day isn’t enough in this town, so keep your itinerary open. Burnham Park, Camp John Hay and Mines View Park are places to hang out. Hotels and homestays are a plenty such as log cabin serviced apartments, as you always looking for comfortable place you might want to stay for a while or for good.

Baguio has been a top tourist destination since the 1900’s. Originally the American’s playground, the remnants of its culture and heritage have remained in the many pine trees and beautiful landscapes. Unlike other places in the Philippines, Baguio’s western vibe has remained – from the city’s planning to the recreational activities one can enjoy.

We cannot deny that many still flock to Baguio because of its cool weather, which averages around 8 degrees lower than most parts of the country. It is the best place to sit back and read a book or you can simply catch up on rest and relaxation. For those who are up for an adventure, there are many activities for all ages like biking or the good ‘ol horseback riding.

A visit to Burnham Park is always a fun experience. There are many things to see and do. One can watch or even join football games and Zumba sessions, go biking, rowing in the lake or have a picnic. Going for a walk is another pleasurable experience in Baguio. There is less pollution as there are many gardens and landscaped areas spread around the city.

However, not everyone is a fan of crowds which is quite common because many Baguio locals indulge in the simple and healthy lifestyle. The park for example is situated at the heart of the city which makes it accessible for all. In fact, most public transportation terminals surround it. It serves as a melting pot for those who want to enjoy the outdoors especially during weekends.

The Residences at Brent by Willowtree Development Corporation situated along Brent Road located strategically close to the heart of the city but far enough to breathe the freshness of Baguio. This securedcommunity offers a unique experiencewith access to landscaped gardens, pocket parks and even bike trails. There’s no need to ride a car to go to the park. All you have to do is step out of your home and you have the beauty of nature right at your doorstep.

“We have here something here that captures everything that Filipinos and tourists alike love about Baguio: the cool weather, the serene ambiance, the thrills and the rustic atmosphere. As a Baguio local myself, this premium residence brings back sweet memories of the “old” Baguio intertwined with the contemporary,” said Mr. Ulysses Gaerlan, Willowtree Development Corporation Vice-President for Marketing and Sales. 

With all the advancement of today’s society, Baguio along with The Residences at Brent was able to preserve the past’s loved memories.

And with the soon-to-rise second building, which is aligned with the 7-building Master Development Plan that makes up The Residences at Brent, it only proves that Baguio is an enduring destination that even time cannot break.

It's more fun in the Philippines. It's more fun in Baguio. 

For inquiries on The Residences at Brent or Willowtree Development Corporation call/text 0999-8853715 or 0927-4664442, e-mail at info@theresidencesatbrent.com, or visit the website www.theresidencesatbrent.com.

Enjoying the wonderful world with U

Tweet

People always look forward to relax and rest in a something that brings solid support, dreamy comfort and give your body and your mind restful and peaceful sleep every time after the day's schedule.

For so many years, we have been using a genuine Uratex bed foam for my family. We really trust a product which gives us comfort experiences in our lives. We buy Uratex foam because of its durability and its high quality, and ability to support the body giving a truly comfortable sleep.

I remember my childhood days when we will buy things, my parents say 'let's buy 'Uratex', synonymous in meaning bed, mattress, foams, and pillows. That's why up to now with my own family, we trust and buy 'Uratex.' We also buy products, like monoblock chairs, and others at the Uratex branch in Project 7 Quazon City and SM shopping malls.

One of the reasons why we love Uratex foam, a suitable mattress that give us uncompromised sleep at reasonable cost, comfort for life. 

Uratex, one of the most progressive manufacturers in the Philippines today, makers of quality foams and mattresses started in 1968 with Robert Cheng who established Polyfoam Chemical Corporation to produce polyurethane foam and as he realized his dream of producing high-quality foam, he expanded into related businesses to address the growing needs of the automotive, furniture, bedding, footwear, textile, garment and food.

Through the modern technology and by using state-of-the-art equipment, Multiflex RNC Philippines of the RGC Foam Group, makers of the popular Uratex foam, totally revolutionized foam-making not only in the Philippines but also in South East Asia. Being one of the largest foam-makers in the region and with advanced foam manufacturing equipment, let us see how a Uratex foam product is made.

The recently media tour at the Uratex facility in Alabang, Muntinlupa, we visit the areas of Foaming, Curing, Cutting, Research and Development , and also the Showroom.

I Trust U - Uratex  (Uratex Plant Tour) 

The Research & Development laboratory. 

It all starts with the R&D facility of the RGC Foam Group, one of the country’s most advanced in foam-making. Uratex laboratory personnel develop formulations that result to certain types of foam and also conduct tests to ensure that the formulation will meet final product specifications that customers look for.

Uratex Philippines has a Foam Research and Development and Process Engineering Departments that are dedicated in continuous development and acquisition of advance technology, equipment, processes all over the world. The departments ensure that Uratex Foam are of high quality and of world class standard. The company is also making sure that the members of these two departments are updated and in-the-know of the latest advancements in the foam-making industry.

The company only uses the best raw materials from global suppliers such as Bayer, BASF, Shell, Dow, Mitsui. The company has not given in to purchasing cheaper materials from local China companies due to its belief that the China polyurethane raw materials technology has not arrived.

Foaming

The formulation is entered into the foaming machine’s computer system. There, up to 26 streams of different chemicals are doused using computer-controlled metering pumps for precision.

The liquid will turn into cream within seconds and then into solid state within 1.5-2 minutes, and where the solid foam block may be cut between 1 to 60 meters in length.

At the Muntinlupa plant, the foam is cut in 30-meter lengths. This high-tech machinery is complimented by a quality management system and ran by highly-trained personnel. 

Curing area

The 30-meter long blocks are then picked up by an overhead crane and transferred to the curing area. Foam is produced via an exothermic reaction where the center may reach up to 145-165 degrees Celsius within 20-30 minutes. It will not start to cool for another 3-4 hours but will reach room temperature within 24 hours and is “cured”.

Foam block warehouse. This is the storage area for the foam blocks. From there, the plant’s production department will request for a specific type of block with different sizes as per orders coming from customers. These blocks are then moved to the production area where they will be cut according to the desired sizes.

Production area

The foam blocks are cut into the requested size and then “contoured” based on the type of product to be produced, whether a pillow, a mattress, or even a car seat foam. Once cut and contoured, the product goes straight to packaging under strict quality control standards, ready for delivery to the customer.

Uratex foams produced by the company are of high and world-class quality. The companies that produce Uratex foams are ISO 9001 certified companies.

Something to cherish, visiting the Uratex plant tour and seeing how the foams are made. Thank you AMPR and Richard Mamuyac for the opportunity you gave us.

And thank you Uratex. For having unmatched quality and comfort you are giving us all these years, enjoying the wonderful world with Uratex from then up to now, and till forever.  #itrustU, we trust you Uratex !

Uratex Plant is located in Alabang Km. 23 East Service Rd., South Superhighway, Bo. Cupang, Muntinlupa City.

For more information about Uratex, visit www.uratex.com.ph.