Rico Blanco reimagines iconic PBB theme song now called "Pinoy Tayo"

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"Pinoy Tayo" is also the lead single in the upcoming 20th anniversary album of Jonathan Manalo.

Song to be part of Jonathan Manalo’s 20th-anniversary album OPM icon Rico Blanco delivers a unifying, Filipino folk music spin to the well-loved “Pinoy Big Brother” theme song meaningfully renamed “Pinoy Tayo,” 16 years after the song was first heard and eventually became an anthem of empowerment for many Filipinos.

Rico’s special anniversary version of the Orange and Lemons original “Pinoy Ako” will serve as the official theme song of the upcoming "Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Kumunity Season 10."

“It’s such an honor to do the song. Just what it stands for. The original version is so well-loved,” he said. “This is a chance to rediscover it.”

Now with vibrant elements of Filipino ethnic sound, “Pinoy Tayo” is a composition of ABS-CBN Music creative director Jonathan Manalo, Clem Castro, and Rico, who also produced the remake while Jonathan served as the surpervising producer.

Rico detailed his inspiration in making the new version. “Tinanong ko ang sarili ko ‘ano ba 'yung ako’ and I put in all the small elements that my songs had throughout the years,” he shared.

“Excited ako about that happiness na mabibigay ng kanta. It’s a very bright, upbeat song, and I kept that from the original version,” he added.

Aside from being this year’s PBB theme song, “Pinoy Tayo” will also serve as the lead single in the expansive 25-track album that will celebrate the music of Jonathan in the last 20 years.

The multi-awarded songwriter and producer remains in awe of how the song has become a statement on Pinoy pride and how it continues to uplift the spirits of generations of Pinoy audiences.

“I’m grateful to hear people saying that this song has become part of the soundtrack of their lives,” Jonathan shared. “As I embark on my 20th anniversary in the music industry this year, an icon, a legend who I look up to helped me kickstart the celebration by re-imagining this song with his genius.”

Jonathan also spoke about what the song “Pinoy Tayo” means to him. “Ito yung gusto naming ibigay sa audience na mapagaan man lang ang pinagdadaaanan nating lahat at magbigay ng hope at inspirasyon individually and as a nation. And also to remind us na maraming reasons pa rin to celebrate ang ating pagiging Pilipino,” he said.

Meanwhile, “Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity Season 10” has opened auditions for aspiring adult housemates age 20 to 40 years old until September 30. Just download the Kumu app and create an account. Upload a one-minute Kumu clip, introduce yourself, and explain why you deserve to become a housemate. Don’t forget the hashtag #PBBKUMUADULTS.

Be empowered with the reimagined track “Pinoy Tayo,” out on music streaming platforms worldwide. For more details, like Star Music on Facebook (www.facebook.com/starmusicph) and follow it on Twitter and Instagram (@StarMusicPH).

5 Easy Ways to Maximize Your Money When You Start Your Holiday Shopping at Shopee’s Sep 15 Payday Sale

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It’s already September, and you know what that means—the beloved and uniquely Filipino tradition of counting down to Christmas Day has begun! Aside from setting up our lights and trees, listening to festive jingles, and planning (virtual) reunions once the -ber months set in, we’ve also made it a habit to gear up for some intense early holiday shopping. After all, Filipinos are known not just for our love of Christmas, but for our generous spirit as well.

During these times, it’s more important than ever to spread joy to friends and family. If you’re wondering how to do so safely and conveniently without breaking the bank, read on for a few holiday shopping tips that you can use at Shopee’s upcoming Sep 15 Payday Sale:

1. Take advantage of Shopee’s multiple monthly sales 

To score major price drops and deep discounts, make sure to schedule your holiday shopping around sales. Mark your calendar during Shopee’s payday sales every 15th and 30th of the month. Each sale has its own exciting perks and promos that will make shopping more exciting and rewarding. At the upcoming Sep 15 Payday Sale, for instance, you can enjoy promos such as free shipping with no minimum spend, 50% bills cashback exclusively with ShopeePay, and ₱150 off vouchers.

2. Shop at midnight 

Worried about missing out on vouchers? Get first dibs on the best promos by shopping at midnight. Add all the items to your cart beforehand, log on to your Shopee app from 12:00 to 2:00 AM, and check out with your vouchers. You can go to bed and sleep soundly knowing you scored the best deals.

3. Stack your vouchers

For you to get your money’s worth, you have to get yourself fully acquainted with the app’s features. Always check your home page and click on icons such as Free Shipping and Cashback for vouchers you can collect. Then stack these vouchers upon checking out for even bigger discounts. Remember to diligently check the voucher terms and conditions.

4. Follow your favorite brands in-app 

Eyeing that brand-new smartphone for dad or that luxurious skincare set for mom? Head on over to your favorite brand’s page on Shopee Mall and hit that “Follow” button to receive announcements about new products, exclusive discounts, flash sales, and more. Make sure your notifications are turned on. Otherwise, someone else might just beat you to those deals! 

5. Pay with ShopeePay for great savings on load, bills, and essentials

For more savings, here’s a handy little hack: use ShopeePay, an all-in-one e-wallet that you can use to Buy Load, Pay Bills, and Scan to Pay at thousands of merchants nationwide. Avail of promos such as up to 50% off on mobile load; up to 50% bills cashback when you pay your bills at Meralco, Maynilad, PLDT, Globe, and more; and ShopeePay ₱1 Deals for Puregold, Seaoil, Potato Corner, and many more when you scan to pay in-store. This September 14, you also get a chance to win ₱15,000 when you top up your ShopeePay wallet with a minimum of ₱500. Top up through your debit card, online banking, or over-the-counter payment partners to enjoy safe and hassle-free transactions during the holidays.

With these shopping hacks, you can score the best deals and allocate some extra cash towards your shopping budget. Enjoy splurging on your loved ones! Start your holiday shopping at the Sep 15 Payday Sale here: https://shopee.ph/m/payday-sale.  

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

realme Philippines Official Store emerges as no. 1 top-selling mobile store during 9.9 Big Brands Sale

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realme, the country’s no. 1 smartphone brand for Q2 2021 continues to strengthen its foothold in the e-commerce landscape as proven by a successful performance during the recently concluded 9.9 sale on Lazada and Shopee.

From September 9 to 11, the brand rolled out discounts of as much as 50% OFF on realme smartphones and TechLife products, along with other offers such as free shipping and shopping vouchers.

After the three-day Lazada Big Brands Sale, the realme Official Store emerged as the no. 1 top selling mobile store, while the brand ranked no. 2 in terms of overall mobile sales. realme achieved a 65% growth from last year’s 9.9 performance on the platform.

On the other hand, realme also achieved strong numbers during the Shopee 9.9 Super Shopping Day, recording a 142% year-over-year growth. The e-commerce platform also reported that the brand ranked no. 2 in the overall mobile brand category, and no. 3 in the audio and wearables category.

Among the best-selling realme smartphones recorded is the well-loved C-Series: realme C11 2021, realme C25S, and realme C21Y. The realme C11 2021 in particular proved to be the unbeatable mobile contender as it became the fastest smartphone to sell out during the sale, having been wiped out in under 30 minutes.

realme’s AIoT products also performed well on both platforms with the realme Buds Q2, the realme Buds Classic, and the realme Powerbank 2i emerging as the best-selling realme TechLife units.

These 9.9 sale achievements came on the heels of realme’s other milestones in the AIoT category. Global research firm Canalys recently reported that realme emerged as the no. 1 watch vendor in the Philippines with a 49% unit share and a whopping 2,286% annual growth.

Similarly, the brand was also hailed by the research firm as the no. 1 True Wireless Stereo (TWS) vendor, accounting for 30% market share with a 613% annual growth in the category.

This recent success underscores the three-year-old brand’s commitment to providing the best digital experience to every Filipino. 

“With every milestone we achieve, we are reminded of the tremendous support and loyalty of the whole realme community including our fans, partners, and employees across the nation. We are truly grateful for the love of our Squad, and rest assured, we will continue to disrupt the industry with quality products and services for our Filipino fans”,shares Austine Huang, realme Philippines’ VP for Marketing.

For more info and updates, be sure to follow realme on Facebook at facebook.com/realmePhilippines, @realme_PH on Twitter, and @realmephilippines on Instagram. #realmePH

Why “Pinoy Big Brother” (PBB) songs are the perfect hype songs for Pinoys

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ABS-CBN’s “Pinoy Big Brother,” which has played a big factor in the lives of Filipinos through iconic moments and talented personalities since 2005, is also home to popular songs that can give you a boost when you need some positive vibes. 

The songs don’t just scream Pinoy pride, they also underscore the importance of being true to one’s self, forging strong connections with other people, being brave, and never giving up on chasing dreams. With the return of "PBB" for its 10th season, a new theme song will definitely capture the heart of Filipinos.

As we Filipinos continue to face different challenges with the enduring pandemic, sometimes all we need is to listen to good music to get us through the day.

Check them out here and be sure to stream them, start!

1 “Pinoy Ako” by Orange and Lemons

When “PBB” premiered in 2005, the hit Orange and Lemons’ song skyrocketed in music charts and dominated the airwaves for a long time. Most Filipinos still know the song by heart and dance to it as it is a global Pinoy anthem for empowering Filipinos to show their talent to the world.

“Ipakilala ang iyong sarili/ Ano man sa iyo ay mangyayari/ Ang lagi mong isipin/ Kayang kayang gawin”

2 “Kabataang Pinoy” by Itchyworms

When “PBB” introduced a teen edition, “Kabataang Pinoy” made a huge splash. It became the perfect theme of every youth event for its high-energy music and great lyrics that encourage the Filipino youth to do their best as they are the future of the country.

“Hamon sa buhay handang daanan/ Kaya namin 'yan/ Ipaglalaban namin ang nararapat/ At tamang gagawin”

3 “Sikat Ang Pinoy” by Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga 

Sam and Toni became a hit love team in the mid-2000s for their undeniable chemistry. It was no wonder why Big Brother also asked his ex-housemate and host to help sing the theme of the  “PBB” celebrity editions. Titled “Sikat Ang Pinoy,” the song is an ode to “Pinoy Ako” and also puts the spotlight on Filipino talent that is recognized worldwide.

“Pinoy laging maaasahan/ Kailan ma'y 'di ka iiwan/ Handang tumulong sa iyo/ Ano man ang pagdaanan mo”

4 “Otso Na” by Toni and Alex Gonzaga 

Besides hosting the eighth season of “PBB,” sisters Toni and Alex also sang the theme song for “PBB Otso” that was aptly titled “Otso Na.” The catchy song was a bop among fans as it highlights the enduring connection of “PBB” and its loyal fan base. "Otso Na" also cleverly plays on the number eight to higlight the lasting bonds formed inside the "PBB" house.

“Maraming masayang nangyari sa samahang nabuo/ Nawa'y palagi lang maging maligaya/ Higit pa sa walang-hanggang pagsasamang kay saya”

5 “Connected Na Tayo” by Jem Macatuno, Shawntel Cruz, Kiara Takahashi,  and Lie Reposposa

“PBB” is truly a home of songwriters. For “PBB Connect,” “PBB Otso” housemates Jem, Shawntel, Kiara, and Lie got to write and sing the show’s theme song despite quarantine restrictions. “Connected Na Tayo” is all about pursuing dreams together, making it a fan favorite.

“Tara na, abutin ang pangarap/ Di papipigil sa bawat hakbang/ Sa saya at kalungkutan/ Di ka iiwan/ Dahil connected na tayo”

6 “Pinoy Tayo” by Rico Blanco 

For its 10th season, “PBB” collaborated with OPM icon Rico Blanco to reinvent the famous “Pinoy Ako” song. Titled “Pinoy Tayo,” the new the theme song of the upcoming season still echoes the message of the original hit with new lyrics and a refreshed arrangement – a perfect song to give you that much needed boost in whatever challenge you’re facing.

“‘Pakita mo ang tunay at kung sino ka/ Mayro’n mang masama at maganda/ Wala namang perpekto/ Basta’t magpakatotoo”

Stream “Pinoy Tayo” by Rico Blanco on ABS-CBN Star Music’s YouTube channel. Watch Rico’s “Pinoy Tayo” performance on “ASAP Natin ‘To” on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel. 

BPI Foundation reforests 170 hectares of land in Nueva Ecija for BPI’s 170th anniversary

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BPI Foundation, the social development arm of BPI, has started to reforest 170 hectares of land in Pantabangan, Carranglan Watershed Forest Reserve, Nueva Ecija through its Lakbay Luntian initiative as part of the Bank’s 170th-anniversary celebration in August.

Beneficiaries from the Kalanguya and Bugkalot tribes plant the seedlings on behalf of BPI employees.

“In previous years, we held nationwide volunteer activities as part of our anniversary celebrations. This year, we aligned with the Bank’s 170th-anniversary theme and reinvented how we do volunteer work and give back to our communities as one BPI,” said BPI Foundation Executive Director Owen Cammayo.

Lakbay Luntian is the first-ever virtual tree planting initiative organized by BPI Foundation, in partnership with eco-social enterprise Bambuhay and Ayala Corporation’s Kasibulan Project, a long-term program on reforestation and forest protection. This is part of the Balik-Kalikasan program, which aims to preserve and restore rainforests across the country while equipping local communities with sustainable alternative livelihood and strengthening every Filipino’s commitment to protecting the environment through reforestation.

Through the collaborative efforts of BPI employees and BPI Foundation, a total of 68,000 bamboos and trees will be planted in Nueva Ecija. This will also help offset BPI’s total carbon emissions for the year 2020, while providing sustainable livelihood to 17 Indigenous People (IP) families in the area.

“Our BPI employees have shown that amid the pandemic, the Bayanihan spirit remains very much alive in all of us,” said BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco. “Remember that we have not survived 170 years by remaining still. It’s been 170 years of constant reinvention, progress, and thinking to do good for our friends, neighbors, clients, and colleagues.”

To know more about BPI Foundation and its initiatives, visit https://www.bpifoundation.org.