February 23, 2023

Barbie Almalbis celebrates 25th anniversary with the release of Tower Sessions Live album and a ‘reunion’ concert

Filipino singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis marks a monumental milestone in music with the official release of her Tower Sessions Live album under Sony Music Entertainment and a reunion concert featuring her iconic bands Hungry Young Poets and Barbie’s Cradle.

Both celebrations honor her 25th anniversary in the local music scene as a woman who successfully navigated the realm of Pinoy rock with emotionally resonant songwriting and artistic independence.

Photo by Chealsy Dale

Presenting a new arrangement of her old and new songs, Barbie Almalbis’ Greatest Hits live album was produced by Eric and Carlo Perlas of Tower of Doom, recorded by Kyle Cayton, and mixed/mastered by Simon Durias. It will also feature career-defining hits such as “Firewoman,” “Torpe,” “Tabing Ilog,” “The Dance,” “Goodnight,” and “Just A Smile,” along with fairly new tracks: “Days Are Long,” “Silaw,” “Tigre,” and “Kumpas,” the album’s carrier single.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to record our songs live, because we’re always rearranging songs as a band, and I think there’s something special that gets captured when the we play live together,” Almalbis shares. “My producers and collaborators did such a great job of making you feel like you’re at the gig. You can feel the power of the kick drum and the bass, and then have guitars blasting in your ear — in a pleasant way, of course.”

Aside from the release of Tower Sessions Live on digital platforms, Barbie Almalbis is set to headline her 25th Anniversary concert at 123 Block, Mandala Park on March 11 (Saturday), from 2pm onwards. Celebrating the impact of her music as a guide to many people’s journey in life, the show will reunite her with former bandmates in Hungry Young Poets and Barbie’s Cradle.

Aptly titled Firewoman:25 Years of Barbie Almalbis, the mini-music fest will also feature sets by some of the country’s finest acts, including Sandwich, Gab Alipe of Urbandub, Clara Benin, I Belong To The Zoo, Kai del Rio, and Bird.

Reflecting on her career as an artist, Almalbis expressed gratitude to her fans who have been supportive of her endeavors through the years. “I didn’t have so many plans growing up, but always just dreamt of playing music. I’m so grateful that I get to do this and share the experience with others too. I’m always touched by the support of my fans and friends, and really humbled and encouraged by their words and stories about how these songs have also become part of their journey.”

Barbie Almalbis’ Tower Sessions Live is now available on all digital platforms worldwide under Sony Music Entertainment.

Tickets to her upcoming concert, Firewoman:25 Years of Barbie Almalbis are available for purchase via TicketMelon. The event is presented by GNN Entertainment Productions, in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment, Backspacer Records, JB Music, Nova Wellness Store, D&D,  Smirnoff Mule, and 123 Block.

Follow Barbie Almalbis on socials: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

 

Tips to become internet smart: what and what not to share online

The internet offers kids wonderful new ways to discover the world - a tool for learning, exploring, being creative, and connecting with the people who matter. However, with longer screen time, this has made them more vulnerable to risks such as inappropriate content, online bullying, and even exploitation. 

Parents play a big role in keeping their children safe online, and there are practical internet safety precautions that can protect children from potentially harmful or inappropriate content and activities. Here are some ways to ensure fun and productive screen time for your kids.

       Talk about safety. Engage them in a conversation about how to stay safe online. Discuss with them potential risks and the importance of placing boundaries and protecting their privacy. Teach them to say no to requests that make them feel uncomfortable and to inform you about strangers who are asking them for personal information. It is also important to let them be “share aware” and know that anything they post on the internet stays on the internet for others to see for a very long time.

       Make house rules. Try to set rules on gadget use, such as not allowing them to use their gadgets in their room and setting the amount of screen time they have in a day. Place larger gadgets such as laptops in common areas where they can be better supervised when they are online. 

       Tap into their online presence. Drop in on their profiles and posts and look into their app downloads and browser history so you can check for red flags. Try to get to know their online friends and teach them to alert you for inappropriate messages or posts on their social media feed so you can navigate through the situation together. For their safety, it is better to limit their posts to “friends only” instead of public settings. 

       Set parental controls. There are phone features that can set phone limitations and content controls. Parents can also manage the websites their kids can visit on Google Chrome and disable the “browse incognito” feature. You can also turn on the feature that blocks sexually explicit and violent sites through the search engine’s Family Link app. You can also set parental controls on streaming services to make sure that your child will only have access to age-appropriate content. 

       Read reviews. Do some research on an app before downloading it for your child, and take the time to pre-screen games, movies, or a series by reading reviews before allowing your child to play or watch them on his gadget. Better yet, double the fun and play or watch it with him!  

       Build strong connections. Make it a habit to spend quality time with them. This will establish trust and make it easier for them to open up to you about the things and situations that they encounter while scrolling. To set a more natural tone, you can also share interesting things you found online, such as funny videos, fascinating trivia, or current events while you are having dinner together.  This will help set the course for their own online behavior and help them to use the internet in a more positive way.  

Keeping Filipino families safe online

As kids become more digitally-savvy, it is important to guide them to be safe, confident explorers of the digital world. As the Filipino families’ partner in creating stronger connections and in raising a generation of responsible digital citizens, the Philippines’ leading home broadband and digital service provider PLDT Home and Google joined forces in creating a kid-oriented video series on YouTube, Be Internet Awesome. This online series combines animation and live action — featuring Gen Alpha whiz Sam and his trusty friend Robo-berto in fun-filled yet enlightening adventures on how to be smart, alert, strong, kind, and brave online.

These initiatives of keeping children safe online are in line with PLDT’s Child Safeguarding Policy implementation and underscore the company’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #16 that promotes just, peaceful, and inclusive societies including the end to abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

Find out more about how to #BeInternetAwesome. Watch the YouTube series HERE.

Watch sci-fi inspired music video for Rico Blanco’s “Palibot libot”

Acclaimed singer-songwriter/producer Rico Blanco explores sci-fi themes in the music video of “Palibot libot,” his current single under Sony Music Entertainment.

Helmed by Cris Escolano and Rico Blanco himself, the visuals present a story of humanity in a world completely engulfed by hopelessness. The MV stars Rico Blanco, model Tuti Pon, and “The Entity,” a robotic figure created by Richard Somes.

According to Pon, she had fun playing the female lead and embracing the intricacies needed to pull off her character convincingly. “It was definitely a new experience for me and I’d do it again if I got a chance.”

Production Designer Justine Arcega-Bumanlag expressed enthusiasm in working with the team and conveying the fantastically imaginative vision of the material. She shares, “For this, Rico Blanco was aiming for a classic-looking music video that stands the test of time. He wanted to veer away from CGIs, so we started building a set that looks like a wreckage from an unknown planet, and using it all throughout the time.”

The song, which reflects on the uncertainty that thrives between friendship and relationship, was inspired by one of the characters in a series that he filmed in La Union last year. With its storytelling “anchored precariously on someone’s steadfast devotion,” albeit a one-sided one, the song minces no words about the reality of love: It’s not always synchronized. It comes with complications, but that’s the beauty of it.

“Palibot libot” will be part of Rico Blanco’s fourth studio album to be released under Sony Music Entertainment.

Watch the music video of “Palibot libot” here.

Teleperformance supports youth education for talent-building

Teleperformance Philippines employees with senior high school students from PHINMA Southwestern University during ACCESS--their site tour as part of the TP Launchpad Program where TP opens its doors to graduating students to give them an idea of their work environment.


Teleperformance, the global leader in outsourced customer and citizen experience management and related digital services, recently announced the annual results of its sustainability initiative to support children’s education. Over 50 countries where Teleperformance Group operates were responsible for this effort, where more than 60,000 children in situations of vulnerability were supported as part of its proprietary corporate social responsibility program Citizen of the World.

“Teleperformance is always fortunate to give back to the communities through our CSR program, especially to support vulnerable children and their families,” said Clémentine Gauthier-Medina, Senior Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility, Teleperformance Group. “We are ready to help and happy to contribute to building a future where they can thrive and reach their full potential, independently of challenging initial life conditions. Our company is grateful for partnering with committed and reputable NGOs, local governments, universities, and other stakeholders devoted to improving people’s lives worldwide.”

Francisco Lara, Teleperformance Philippines Chief Executive Officer, shares, “It is our mission at Teleperformance to provide development support and career opportunities to those with potential, regardless of their status, gender, or orientation. We will continue to uphold these worthy causes to enable underserved communities, improve people's lives, and provide access to opportunities that will one day reward them with life-long success in their chosen fields.”

In the Philippines, among these partnerships are with universities, student organizations, and government and industry institutions to help develop and hone around 10,000 young people on their flight to become future business services professionals.

Their most recent initiative is their partnership with Life Project for 4 Youth (LP4Y), a non-profit organization dedicated to the professional and social integration of young adults living in extreme poverty and exclusion. Teleperformance employees participate in volunteer opportunities to help youth participants at LP4Y centers, including mentorship programs and contact center skills training. Teleperformance also donated five million pesos in 2022 to sponsor 75 young people who will undergo the six-month LP4Y program of professional integration and character formation.

Teleperformance likewise donated to Project Angel Tree, a Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) program under its Child Labor Prevention and Elimination Program. This project aims to aid victims of child labor, and Teleperformance provided shoes, clothes, bags, and office supplies.

To help Filipinos looking to upskill to increase their job market competitiveness, especially after the lockdowns, Teleperformance also launched the English Communication Webinar Series, which were live virtual sessions about various English and grammar topics. With English being a basic requirement for Teleperformance customer service agents, the sessions were taught by Teleperformance communication experts that benefited not just their employees but the general public.

In addition, Teleperformance partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and industry organizations such as the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) to focus on promoting talent development in the countryside by providing training opportunities for locals. In 2022, Teleperformance inked a partnership with the Negros Occidental Language Information Technology Center (NOLITC), wherein graduates of NOLITC and its associated institutions would be given priority in job application, screening and recruitment processing.

Moreover, Teleperformance formed the TP Launchpad, the company’s university relations program that helps build students’ capabilities and prepares them for future careers through mentorships and seminars, internships, mock interviews, and campus job fairs. The company also supported conferences that recognize and foster talent development and innovation among the youth. For instance, Teleperformance partnered with the Philippine Marketing Association to stage the StratMark Strategic Marketing Conference for Students and the Agora Youth Awards, which recognizes exemplary students in a marketing case competition.

Teleperformance employees continue to dedicate their time for education causes by participating in Brigada Eskwela, the Department of Education’s annual nationwide volunteer activity. Teleperformance volunteers visit public schools to do school maintenance and repairs in preparation for the opening of classes.

Teleperformance Citizen of the World aims to improve people’s lives worldwide by implementing various local social work initiatives. Learn more about Teleperformance’s philanthropic projects in different countries here.

Are you ready for the NEW Mang Inasal Extra Creamy Halo-Halo?

In celebration of its 20th anniversary, Mang Inasal, the country's Grill Expert, introduces a more affordable variant of its well-loved Extra Creamy Halo-Halo.

“Over the years, we have noticed how our customers are fond of enjoying a complete Ihaw-Sarap meal together with our Extra Creamy Halo-Halo. As a special treat for them, we are offering a 'sakto' size 8oz Halo-Halo that is more affordable. Now, even more people will get to enjoy Halo-Halo with their favorite Mang Inasal meals,” said Mang Inasal business unit head Mike V. Castro.

Intended for those who want to complete their savory Mang Inasal meals with an extra-creamy dessert, the 8 oz. add-on treat comes in either Extra Creamy Halo-Halo or Crema de Leche Halo-Halo. Simply pay only P39 to add the 8oz Halo-Halo to your dine-in experience.

Want more Mang Inasal exclusives NOW? Visit www.manginasal.com for the latest updates, https://manginasaldelivery.com.ph for delivery deals, and follow Mang Inasal on social media!

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