Cherry Mobile and Globe Telecom launch the CHERRY PREPAID SIM and phone bundles

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Cherry Mobile and Globe Telecom launch the CHERRY PREPAID SIM and phone bundles held at The New world hotel, November 11, 2015.

“This year marks another milestone for the company. After dominating the market with its hip entertainment-on-the-go TV and multimedia smartphones, Cherry Mobile gets even better as it partners with Globe to provide Filipinos with the newest and most diversified prepaid mobile service – the game-changing Cherry Prepaid powered by Globe,” says Cherry Mobile Chief Executive Officer Maynard Ngu.

Cherry Mobile, leading Philippine mobile phone company  has entered into a co-branding partnership with the country’s number 1 mobile brand and purveyor of the digital lifestyle Globe Telecom to launch the new Cherry Prepaid SIM and phone bundles.

The prepaid service, dubbed as Cherry Prepaid powered by Globe, aims to be a game-changer in mass market mobile connectivity that combines high quality mobile phones and prepaid service into one affordable package.

With flexible starter options like the Cherry Prepaid SIM and phone bundles for as low as P399 and a SIM-only option for only P29, users can immediately call, text, and surf the Internet.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu noted that the co-branding agreement forms part of the telco’s commitment to enable the digital lifestyle of the mass market segment, leveraging on Cherry Mobile’s strong foothold in the prepaid market with its compelling device offerings.

“With competition in the mobile industry getting more intense and cutthroat, this co-branding agreement will allow us to explore business models that will generate new revenue streams as well as strengthen our position in the prepaid segment and as the network of choice for smartphone users,” Cu said.

What makes Cherry Prepaid more exciting is the bonus Load feature exclusive to all Cherry Prepaid subscribers. Depending on your starter package, you can receive P10 to as much as P300 Bonus Load monthly which you can use to surf the Internet, text all networks, and call and text any Cherry Prepaid subscriber.

Users can choose between a P399 Lite Bundle that comes with a CP1 Bar Phone, a 999 Big Time Bundle that comes with a Cherry Mobile Astro Smart Phone, and P1699 Partner Bundle that comes with two mobile phones: a Cherry Mobile Comet Smart Phone and a CP2 Bar Phone. All Cherry Prepaid Phone Bundles come with a Cherry Prepaid SIM and freebies so one can immediately enjoy using the service.

With as little as P10 of your Bonus Load, you can enjoy an entire day of Clash of Clans, 1 day chat on Facebook Messenger, 3 minutes on Youtube, 10 texts to any network, 20 texts to any Cherry Prepaid subscriber, OR a 30-minute call to any Cherry Prepaid number. Enjoy more text, more calls, more chat and surfing. In addition, the Bonus Load is not a one-time perk, but an exclusive privilege enjoyed by all Cherry Mobile users.

“We are constantly trying to push and redefine what it means to be connected, and Cherry Prepaid’s unique offers like the Bonus Load; the CM365 option that allows the SIM to stay active for a year even without load which is perfect for OFW’s; as well as the CM399 which has the longest data validity of 60-days for data usage and other mobile internet offers that can be rollover; will empower more people than ever before,” Ngu added.

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu

“This partnership with Cherry Mobile serves as a vehicle for us to provide mobile internet services for every Filipino to ultimately empower their digital lifestyle, further increasing smartphone penetration in the country and positioning the Philippines as the next digital lifestyle capital of the world,” expressed Cu.

Globe remained the undisputed leader in the mobile data segment with mobile browsing and other data revenues reaching P15.1 billion for the first nine months of 2015, up by a solid 48% from P10.2 billion a year ago. Mobile data users grew by 126% year-on-year, while mobile data traffic increased by 89% from previous year’s level.

In 2009, Cherry Mobile CEO Maynard Ngu envisioned Cherry to become the brand that has “Everything for Everyone,” providing handsets that cater to different age groups and match different lifestyles. In the span of six years, Cherry has already reached several milestones and has become the number one mobile phone company in the Philippines for the past two years.

Cherry Mobile CEO Maynard Ngu, Cherry Prepaid Ambassador Actor/celebrity Michael V, and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

“We realized early on that in order to fully achieve what we sought out to do, we have to remain steadfast in our belief that real innovation happens when it helps to benefit the majority, and not just the few,” Ngu said.

He further added that: “When people can enjoy the fruits of the innovation that Cherry Mobile provides. When Cherry, the pioneer in mass market mobile connectivity can combine high quality mobile phones and prepaid service into one affordable package. We can then safely say that my dream, our dream is no longer just a dream, but a happy reality.”

As Cherry finally reaches its dream of providing “everything for everyone”, Ngu further said that: “In reaching this dream, one cannot help but dream some more – to provide the countless Filipinos access to data, of bringing the internet to the masses.”

Available starting DECEMBER 1, 2015 you can purchase the Cherry Prepaid Phone kit Bundle, the Cherry Prepaid Sim and Cherry Prepaid Load Cards at all Cherry Mobile Outlets. Reload for as low as P5 at all Cherry Mobile Outlets and from Globe AMAX retailers nationwide.

Techbox Christmas MegaSale!

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It's Holidays Shopping Season! Techbox Philippines is going all out with its Christmas MegaSale!

From November 13-15, customers can enjoy discounts of up to 80% on smartphones, tablets, and other gadgets from Lenovo, LG, Nikon, and Nokia. TIM Accessories and other surprise brands will also be offered.

The sale will take place at TAO’s new head office: the Tao Technology Group Bldg. at P. Antonio St. cor. F. Legaspi St., Brgy. Ugong, Pasig City.

“This megasale is perfect for people who want to avoid the Christmas rush – considering how nightmarish the traffic situation is bound to be. With the Techbox Christmas MegaSale, you can get the perfect gadget for your parents, your loved ones, even for yourself at incredibly low prices!” said Angela Gutierrez, Business Unit Head for Techbox Philippines. 

Aside from the impressive 80% discounts, customers can also avail buy-one-take-one deals and freebies for early birds. The sale would start from 10am to 7pm.

Techbox Philippines is the fastest growing gadget retail chain in the country. They offer trusted handset brands and cellphone accessories at affordable prices.

To get the latest Techbox deals, visit www.techboxhub.com.

FUN HOME and JERSEY BOYS set for Manila in 2016! Auditions announced

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Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) is proud to announce that it will be bringing two Tony Award winning Best Musicals to Manila in 2016. After the recent success of the new International Tour of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER and as it prepares to open the Tony Award winning musicalTHE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY starring Joanna Ampil and MiG Ayesa, ATEG has begun preparations for 2016. It will bring this year’s Tony Award winning musical FUN HOME, as well as the 2006 Tony Award winning musical JERSEY BOYS to Manila in 2016.

FUN HOME is the most awarded and acclaimed musical of the year, winning 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical. When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires. FUN HOME is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.Based on Alison Bechdel's best-selling graphic memoir, FUN HOMEfeatures music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. The New York Times calls it, “THE BEST NEW MUSICAL TO OPEN ON BROADWAY.” Both, Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron are scheduled to grace Opening Night of what will be the first international production of FUN HOME in Manila next year.

“TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE!” raves the New York Post for JERSEY BOYS, the 2006 Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award®-winning Best Musical about Rock and Roll Hall of Famers The Four Seasons: Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito and Nick Massi. This is the true story of how four blue-collar kids became one of the greatest successes in pop music history. They wrote their own songs, invented their own sounds and sold 175 million records worldwide – all before they were 30! They were just four guys from Jersey, until they sang their very first note. They had a sound nobody had ever heard… and the radio just couldn’t get enough of. But while their harmonies were perfect on stage, off stage it was a very different story -- a story that has made them an international sensation all over again. JERSEY BOYS features their hit songs “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Rag Doll,” “Oh What a Night” and “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” “THE CROWD GOES WILD!” cheers The New York Times.

Bobby Garcia, who will be directing both shows, says, “We are extremely honored to be producing the first international production of FUN HOME. It is a ground breaking and heart tugging musical that we believe in with all our heart and we are thrilled Manila audiences will get to experience it. ATEG thanks Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron for believing in us and we can’t wait to have them both as our guests on Opening Night. We are also excited to be staging JERSEY BOYS, an electric night at the theatre. JERSEY BOYS just celebrated it’s 10th Anniversary on Broadway and continues to be a worldwide phenomenon. We hope to see you all at these two fantastic musicals next year.”

ATEG producers Tony Tuviera and Bobby Barreiro say, “We are proud to be premiering FUN HOME and JERSEY BOYS in Manila for the first time. These are two acclaimed and award winning Broadway musicals we know will capture the hearts of Manila audiences. 2016 will be a very exciting year for theatre in the Philippines.” 

Open call Auditions for FUN HOME and JERSEY BOYS is on Thursday, November 26, 2015 at Opera Haus, 3657 Bautista Street (near the corner of Buendia), Makati City. Sign up begins at 10am with final sign up at 2pm. Please prepare 16 bars of a musical theatre song and 16 bars of an uptempo song from the 1950s/1960s. Please bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. Also bring a current resume and photo.

A special FUN HOME audition for KIDS aged 8 - 13 will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2015 from 1 - 4pm at Opera Haus. Please prepare one musical theatre song of your choice. An accompanist will be provided.

For more information about auditions and for a character breakdown for FUN HOME and JERSEY BOYS follow ATEGasia on Facebook or call 650-5144. 

 Tickets to THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, which runs from November 20 - December 6, 2015 at RCBC, Makati, are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999.

New album a head of full of dreams out this December 4! Coldplay's Adventure of A Lifetime on #NewMusicFridays

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Coldplay have today announced the global release of their seventh album, A Head Full Of Dreams, on Friday, December 4 via Parlophone Records. It is preceded by the single, Adventure Of A Lifetime, which is available to download and stream now.

Listen to Adventure of A Lifetime on #NewMusicFridays by Topsify Philippines: http://spoti.fi/1Po0Sby

The album, recorded in Malibu, LA and London, was produced by Norwegian duo Stargate together with the band’s long-time collaborator Rik Simpson. It features more guests than any previous Coldplay record, with Beyoncé, Noel Gallagher, Tove Lo and Merry Clayton among those appearing across its 11 tracks (12 if you count the buried treasure of the hidden track X Marks The Spot).

A Head Full Of Dreams is the widescreen follow-up to 2014’s fragile and lovelorn Ghost Stories, Coldplay’s sixth consecutive worldwide chart topper, award winner and multi-million seller. The band chose not to tour Ghost Stories and headed straight back into the studio to record A Head Full Of Dreams.

Revitalised, they’ve made an album that’s bursting with energy, colour and big, life-affirming moments such as the deliciously ebullient first single Adventure Of A Lifetime and the rocket-powered Hymn For The Weekend.

Coldplay have never enjoyed making a record more than this one. Nor have they been happier with the results.

And, this time, they plan to take it around the world.

TRACKLISTING

1. A Head Full Of Dreams

2. Birds

3. Hymn For The Weekend

4. Everglow

5. Adventure Of A Lifetime

6. Fun

7. Kaleidoscope

8. Army Of One

9. Amazing Day

10. Colour Spectrum

11. Up&Up

For more information please visit Coldplay.com

The Elements Music Camp: Building a homebase of talent

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This year’s Elements Music Camp is ready to unleash a new batch of talent when it opens this November.

Set for November 15-16 in Hacienda Isabella, Indang, Cavite, this will be the Camp’s sixth year of discovering and mentoring promising musical talent.

Ryan Cayabyab, Twinky Lagdameo and Julio D. Sy Jr.

The Elements Music Camp is a project of 7101 Music Nation, an organization under the Tao Corporation community of companies. It was formed by Tao Corp.’s president, Julio D. Sy Jr., and music industry veterans Ryan Cayabyab and Twinky Lagdameo in 2010.

The aim of the Camp—which has trained some of the music business’ best and brightest in recent years—is to gather aspiring and professional singers and songwriters from all of the country and provide them with a venue to learn, collaborate, interact and create music in a natural setting.

For five days, more than two dozen respected and renowned artists and practitioners from the Philippine music industry will be on hand to mentor and guide the campers through the different activities.

According to Twinky Lagdameo, this year’s Elements Music Camp will consist of plenary talks, breakout sessions, music and team-building challenges, individual consultations, performances and critiquing, modules and case studies.

“Our topics range from OPM history to Basic Music Theory, (pointers on) how to create a song and lyrics, arranging, making a demo, recording, teamwork and collaboration, jingle writing, and a number of other topics, all related to the craft of creating songs.”

They also cover the business aspect of music, with speakers on music publishing, and licensing, artist management, social and digital media, and some inspirational talks that focus on topics like “creativity and fear.”

Among the new scheduled speakers this year will be Jonathan Serbin, head of Billboard Music Asia, who will talk about “Crossing Over: How to Break Into International Markets,” James Koo of Maker Studios, owned by Walt Disney Company, is the number one producer and distributor of online content) while Terry Waterhouse, a brand specialist from the UK, will teach about how individual artists can be brands in themselves.

“We always try to level up the content and experience for both campers and mentors to stay relevant and effective,” points out Lagdameo.

Past mentors include Gary Valenciano, Raimund Marasigan, Jay Durias, Ogie Alcasid, Joey Ayala, Noel Cabangon, Gary Granada, Ebe Dancel, Chito Miranda, Armi Millare of Up Dharma Down, Abra, Gloc-9, Aiza Seguerra, Nyoy Volante, ABS-CBN Philharmonic conductor Gerard Salonga, Jim Paredes, Rey Valera, Louie Ocampo, Trina Belamide, Jungee Marcelo, Jonathan Manalo and Jimmy Antiporda. Most are returnees every year.

Trina Belamide said being a camp mentor is extremely rewarding. 

“It’s a way of giving back to an industry that has made me so happy and fulfilled. I’ve had my share of people helping me succeed and giving me opportunities and tips, and I remember and appreciate these people. It would be great if I can do the same for this new generation and be remembered the same way,” said Trina.

On the other hand, graduates of Elements Music Camp who have been making a name for themselves in the music industry are renowned fashion designer Kate Torralba, Cebu-based composer Jude Gitamondoc (who has written songs for Gary Valenciano, among others), Philpop finalists Ramiru Mataro, Q-York, Keiko Necesario, Lara Maigue and winners Thyro and Yumi, Davey Langit and Toto Sorioso.

Bullet Dumas and his unique songwriting style is also getting much attention nowadays in the industry.

Zsaris Mendioro, grand champion of this year’s Mossimo Music Summit, is a former camper. A few of them have been finalists of “The Voice of the Philippines:” Kai Honasan, Hans Dimayuga, Talia Reyes and Emmanuelle Vera.

They make no distinction between amateurs and professionals.

“Some established names in the industry have auditioned and joined the camp like SinoSikat’s Kat Agarrado, Nino Avenido of Greyhoundz, Paolo Valenciano, Boogie Romero of Kjwan, Sitti and Princess Velasco, to name a few,” says Lagdameo.

“Our camp alumni have moved on and thrived in so many ways, as songwriters for TV and for other artists, as individual composers and performers here and abroad, as winners of songwriting competitions like Philpop, as music teachers, as builders of music studios and music schools (in Dumaguete and Davao), to name a few. Many have released albums and Eps. Some have gone into teaching or further studies, like Jireh Calo from Batch 5, who is now at the Berklee School of Music in Boston and she is doing extremely well.”

For Ryan Cayabyab, known as the “Mad Maestro” of 7101 Music Nation and is the organization’s artistic director, the goal of the camp is simple.

A professor at the UP College of Music for two decades, he considers it an important part of nation-building to keep passing on and sharing his knowledge with the younger generation of songwriters and musicians.

To him, that is what the Camp is meant for. 

“I view the Elements Music Camp as a platform for educating our songwriters, giving them enough courage to explore and create ideas that are musical or non-musical,” he says.

Mentors Jam 

Elements Music Camp mentor Ebe Dancel agrees there is much for Elements Campers to benefit from. It gives them basic tips while sharing the experience of songwriting among fellow musicians. More important, the Camp encourages kids to keep exploring, keep learning, keep writing.

Cayabyab clarifies that the Camp is not just intended for professional songwriters, or those with previous songwriting or performing experience. Even if you’ve never been part of the Camp before, and whether you feel your talent is at par or not, you are always welcome. They are not necessarily looking for polished talent.

Ryan Cayabyab

“Talent is most important, but I think character is also what we are looking for. We are always in the lookout for possible trailblazers, untapped geniuses or those with great musicality in the way they perform their songs.”

Lagdameo qualifies that admission to the camp is based on only two things: talent and a real willingness to create and contribute to the Philippine music industry and Philippine culture.

This was precisely the reason why she became an active participant in the Elements Music Camp.

“My personal interest in helping Ryan and Jun set up the Elements Music Camp was to help find and grow the next generation of Filipino musical talent through the mentoring and support of our respected and successful artists, to allow them to share their experiences and gifts. 7101 Music Nation was created by Ryan Cayabyab, Jun Sy and myself with a common vision and this has been studiously followed all these years,” she says.

Lagdameo sees that in the future, the Elements Music Camp will continue in its goal of discovering and mentoring new talent.

“We now will have 360 alumni nationwide after this year, an army of great singer-songwriters who are creating original material for their generation. It’s exciting to see what more they can become because they’re so talented,” she says.

Future plans include making the Camp even more responsive to the needs of promising singer-songwriters out there.

The Elements Music Camp has found the talent, discovered and nurtured it, but will not just leave it there. There are more important things yet to be done.

Building a massive talent base, like they have done with past Camps, is just the beginning.

“Our next steps now are to level up what we can do to continue their development and promotion. We are thinking of a number of activities to help them and their music get out, from considering setting up a music publishing service for them to building tours or festivals, or working with brands, online platforms or creative agencies. We are still planning and studying things with help from music industry key players. Nothing is set yet for now but the talent is certainly on hand.”

Jun Sy

Jun Sy, CEO of 7101 Music Nation said "building a talent base in a natural offshoot of Camp—and this talent will become available to whoever needs it in whatever way."

“This just happened naturally and organically without intention. Because of the networking and camaraderie that happens during camp, the graduates organize themselves and do shows together and they collaborate for songwriting projects. 

Furthermore, they organize reunions among themselves. It has created a large community of Elements Music Camp artists who have a shared passion to make Philippine music flourish,” says Sy.

For more information and details on the Elements Music Camp, visit :

Wbsite:  http://elementsmusiccamp.com.ph

Facebook : Elements Music Camp 

Youtube: Elements Music camp

Twitter: @elementscamp

Hashtag #elementsmusiccamp

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