SB19 drops THE FIRST TAKE versions of “GENTO” and “MAPA” on streaming platforms

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P-Pop royalty SB19 continues to captivate music fans from all over the world with the release of “GENTO” and “MAPA” from THE FIRST TAKE sessions on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Entertainment.

The new versions feature the award-winning group’s performance at THE FIRST TAKE, a popular YouTube channel with nearly 10 million subscribers under its belt. The show's format features Japanese and international music guests performing a song in one take, filmed with shots of the artists and a microphone against a minimalist and usually white backdrop.

To date, THE FIRST TAKE renditions of “GENTO” and “MAPA” have amassed more than 4.5 million views on YouTube, becoming one of the most viewed performances from an Asian pop group/band.

“We’re eternally grateful to THE FIRST TAKE for giving us an opportunity to showcase our work on a platform known not just for its massive global following but for elevating the audio-visual experience of music fans with much-needed authenticity and rawness,” SB19 shares in a collective statement. “The performances really challenged us to work within our limitations and deliver with the best of our abilities. We’ve always considered performing as a sanctimonious process that deserves utmost preparation, love, and respect. Constantly reminded by THE FIRST TAKE that we can only perform the songs once, we had to reconnect with our roots and embrace the beauty of spontaneity.”

SB19 is the first Southeast Asian group and the first Filipino artist to be invited on the globally renowned platform, which also served as host to several acclaimed performances by other artists such as aespa, ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, Hitsujibungaku, MANESKIN, ITZY, (G)-I-DLE, imase, Maluma, and more.

For THE FIRST TAKE version of “GENTO,” SB19 delivered a genuinely compelling performance that highlights the five-piece act’s incredible talent and range in harmonizing, singing, and rapping.

 The chart-topping hitmakers also took musicality on a different level with their rousing version of “MAPA,” which SB19 redressed with a soaring arrangement and an inspiring gospel-infused delivery.

Both versions are now available for streaming and are bundled with its original versions:

Gento: http://sb19.tunelink.to/gento-fromtft

MAPA: http://sb19.tunelink.to/mapa-fromtft

 

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About THE FIRST TAKE

THE FIRST TAKE is a YouTube channel that clearly captures the performance of musicians and singers performing in a single take. With the concept “capture the take. This moment. This sound. THE FIRST TAKE. It only happens once,” THE FIRST TAKE presents pure music in overwhelming quality with no exaggerated performance.

The channel started on 15 November 2019 and has now hit 9.69 million subscribers (as of 7 June 2024). Total views have exceeded 1.4 billion, and contents have been viewed from over 220 countries and regions around the world. Growing as a comprehensive music platform, new initiatives have been launched and become viral contents. THE FIRST TAKE INTERNATIONAL features international music stars such as Harry Styles, Avril Lavigne, V from BTS, Jason Chan and Jolin Tsai, having them to give their 1TAKE performance exclusively on the channel.

Follow THE FIRST TAKE on socials:

Website: https://www.thefirsttake.jp

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_firsttake

Twitter: https://twitter.com/The_FirstTake

X: https://www.tiktok.com/@the_first_take

THE FIRST TIMES: https://www.thefirsttimes.jp

Sign Up for 10% Off Smart and IoT Products from CHERRY Philippines!

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CHERRY Philippines is as assertive as ever. Not only do they give out quality products, but affordable prices. 

Why Sign Up? - Discount, discount, discount! 

Visit their online shop on the days of August 16 to September 16, 2024 so you get can 10% off Smart and IoT products! All you have to do is sign up to get exclusive discounts, promotions, and more!

The Internet of Things or IoT 

The Internet of Things or IoT is a network of things with technology with the agenda of exchanging and connecting data with different systems and devices using the internet. CHERRY Philippines offer a variety of products that will help you in many ways. There are security cameras for safety, cleaner and vacuums for disinfecting, fans to beat the heat, and more! Remember that you should visit and sign up at cherryshop.com.ph from August 16 to September 16 only to get 10% off voucher on Home and Smart CHERRY products.

Live SMART with CHERRY. 

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Just connect every device in your home using the CHERRY IoT Solutions Application. With just one click, you can turn on and off your new appliance in your house.

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Shopee: https://bit.ly/CherryPhShopee

Lazada: https://bit.ly/CherryPhLazada

Over PHP 155 billion of loans disbursed to 5.4 million Filipinos through GCash’s lending arm Fuse

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In the Philippines' pursuit of financial inclusion, access to fair lending is an essential pillar that empowers individuals and businesses alike. The country's leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem GCash, through its lending arm Fuse, is driving economic empowerment by putting accessible and affordable credit in the hands of millions of Filipinos.

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Fuse Lending opens doors to digital lending for unbanked communities, MSMEs

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It was in 2016 when GCash's parent company Mynt launched Fuse Lending to better serve underbanked Filipinos. Six years later in 2022, Fuse launched GLoan, a pioneering lending product that provides them with their first access to credit, without the need for credit history or collateral.

Fuse has expanded to include services beyond GLoan, such as GCredit (revolving credit line), GGives (installment loan for partner merchants), GLoan Sakto (nano-loans), and Borrow Load. With loans as low as Php100, GCash has disbursed more than PHP 155 billion worth of loans to over 5.4 million Filipinos, including those in the grassroots sector, namely, sari-sari store owners, public market vendors, and farmers.

Meanwhile, 68% of GLoan borrowers are women, while one out of three are micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

GCash opened the door to digital lending for many Filipinos who borrow money from informal sources – 86% of GLoan users are first-time formal borrowers.

“We saw GLoan as a lifeline for millions of Filipinos to get by in the aftermath of the pandemic, where there was the increased need for easier access to credit," said Fuse Lending president and CEO Tony Isidro. "We pulled many individuals and businesses from the dark, and fast forward to today, the enterprises we've helped are thriving, while the individuals have been able to bounce back. That is the transformative power of digital finance—to harness technology for good.”

Supporting the national strategy for financial inclusion

The progress that GCash and Fuse have enabled aligns with the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2022-2028. The BSP is targeting a 10% percentage share of MSME and agricultural loans by 2028. Data from the Philippine Guarantee Corporation in 2021 shows that the percentage share for the two sectors, which drive the country's economic growth, are at 1% separately. GLoan’s entry also came at a time when the total percentage of their total loan portfolios had been declining.

The BSP cited data that shows some reasons that hinder Filipinos from accessing credit, including lack of money to open bank accounts (45%), documentary requirements (26%), and proximity to financial institutions (8%), while others (31%) also report being intimidated by traditional bank processes.

Despite their successes, GCash and Fuse are constantly innovating on ways to reach more Filipinos who remain in the “credit vacuum,” in view of the goal of Finance For All.

Reaching more Filipinos through Fuse's business partnerships

GCash and Fuse have expanded their lending services through recent business partnerships with various organizations such as Lazada (seller loans), and Mayani and Farm Konekt (farmer loans).

Through its partnership with Lazada, GCash is supporting online sellers, providing them with digital loans that accelerate their business growth. Fuse has integrated its seller loan product within the Lazada Philippines Seller Center app, giving the lending company access to MSMEs beyond the GCash platform.

Meanwhile, the partnership with Mayani and Farm Konekt provides farmers and fisherfolk not just with non-collateral loans and access to other GCash services, but also sessions on financial literacy and digital finance. This is in line with GCash's vision of financial inclusion, empowering the agricultural sector through technology and access to credit that helps them withstand challenges such as calamities and weather disturbances.

Innovating to address various needs

GCash is also rolling out Borrow Load and Borrow on the Spot, which will be useful for prepaid subscribers who might need access to load or data during emergencies while on a budget.

“GCash and Fuse have always built their relationship with their customers around trust," Isidro said. "That also means being able to tell Filipinos that we trust them with these loans, which they might need for varying circumstances. It has been our vision since Day One, and we're glad that our users have also placed their trust in us.”

Ballet Manila’s Giselle to feature global superstars Renata Shakirova and Alexei Timofeyev

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World-renowned ballet superstars from the prestigious Mariinsky Ballet, Renata Shakirova and Alexei Timofeyev, will be coming to Manila for a rare Philippine performance in the restaging of Ballet Manila’s Giselle set to happen at the Aliw Theater on August 31, 2024 at 8pm and September 1, 2024 at 5 pm.

This much-awaited collaboration with the Russian superstars of ballet once again highlights Ballet Manila’s artistry and keen eye for excellence in every production, by working with world-class performers – this time for Giselle. This very special collaboration was made possible by Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s artistic director and chief executive officer, and her close ties with the Mariinsky Ballet (formerly Kirov Ballet) where she also trained and became the first foreign soloist in the mid-80s. She shared, “The fact that we are collaborating with guest artists and star performers Renata Shakirova and Alexsei Timofeyev will always bring out the best in the company.”

With their star power, Macuja Elizalde couldn’t be more excited for their rendition of the well-loved Giselle. “I think that Renata’s true romantic style of dancing and the fact that she is dancing with her real-life prince Alexei is going to transform Ballet Manila’s Giselle to a Giselle of another level,” she adds. The world-renowned Russian dancers, incidentally, are married to each other in real life.

Born in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Renata joined Mariinsky Ballet, one of the leading dance companies in the world, upon her graduation in 2015 and was immediately given her first principal role as Kitri in Don Quixote. That same year, she was listed among the 25 to Watch by Dance Magazine. And in 2016, she competed in the Bolshoi Ballet Competition, where she won first prize.

Meanwhile, Leningrad-born Alexei joined Mariinsky Ballet in 2004 and is currently the soloist of the dance company. As a soloist, he managed to secure various awards under his belt, including prize-winner at the VII International Ballet Competition in Seoul in 2010; diploma-recipient at the XVI International Rudolf Nureyev Ballet Festival in 2010 where he was cited for his superb levels of professionalism and contribution to the development of ballet in the Republic of Bashkortostan; and diploma-recipient at the XI International Ballet Dancers’ and Choreographers’ Competition in Moscow in 2009.

While it is their first time to perform on the Philippine stage, Renata is looking forward to connecting with the Filipino audience through her performance. “What’s important to be able to connect with the audience, wherever they are, but especially with a Filipino audience, is to highlight the small nuances that are included in the performance, like the turn of the head or the eye-to-eye contact with your partner, so that the emotions in the story can be conveyed and that the audience can enjoy the show.”

Meanwhile, Alexei excitedly looks forward to performing in front of a new audience, as he noted, “We are feeling the good kind of vibes with the Filipino audience, and we want them to live the story of Giselle with us on stage. It’s going to be our first time, and we hope to share that special experience with all of them.”

The third offering of Ballet Manila’s 26th performance season, dubbed Ballet Masterpieces, Giselle is a classic love story of a village girl (Giselle) who falls in love with Albrecht, not knowing he is already engaged. When she finds out, she dies of a broken heart and becomes a wili, joining the souls of girls who are also wronged by their men. Meanwhile, Albrecht visits the grave of Giselle, who protects him from Myrtha, the vengeful queen of the wilis.

Complementing their performances is a dynamic ensemble made up of young and veteran dancers from Ballet Manila, which, according to Macuja Elizalde, is the main change for the restaging of Giselle. “Ballet Manila Corps de Ballet is made up of more young members who have just joined the company post-pandemic - standing side by side with Ballet Manila dancers who are "veterans" and have performed the ballet many times before.”

The two-act ballet will interestingly showcase the talents of real-life couples both on and off stage. Ballet Manila's principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo will headline the performance on August 31 at 1pm while the world-renowned duo Renata and Alexei will take on the title roles on August 31 at 8pm and September 1 at 5pm.

All performances will be staged at Aliw Theater, Pasay City. For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. To know more about Ballet Manila and its shows, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph

Gloc-9 Unveils Heart-Wrenching Tale of Cherished Memories in New Single “Ala”

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The ever-prolific songwriter Gloc-9 has a new song out and it’s called “Ala.” The fresh single is something deeply emotional and it masterfully weaves together themes of love, family, and the fragility of memory.

The title "Ala" is a playful yet effective wordplay of the Filipino word "alaala," meaning memories, which serves as the heart of this storytelling narrative.

In "Ala," Gloc-9 takes listeners on a journey through the life of a man who reflects on the cherished memories of his love story, from meeting his partner, building a family, to growing old together. The song begins with a celebration of life’s milestones, capturing the joy of marriage and the blessing of children. As the years pass, the couple's bond remains strong, even as their children move away, leaving them with only each other.

The narrative takes a heart-wrenching turn as the man begins to experience symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, a condition that slowly erodes his memories. Gloc-9's lyrics vividly depict the fear and confusion that come with the diagnosis, as well as the heartbreak of forgetting the very people and moments that once defined his life. The verses are filled with raw emotion, portraying the man's struggle to hold onto the memories that are slipping away, and the pain of his family as they watch him fade.

The rap song effectively depicts the inevitability of time and the importance of treasuring every moment with loved ones. The track serves as a reminder of the beauty and sorrow that memories hold, making "Ala" a standout piece in Gloc-9's growing discography.

The song is part of the latest New Music Friday Philippines and Bago sa Kalye playlists on Spotify.

Stream “Ala”:

Spotify | Lyric Video | Audio Clip and Hi-res photos

GLOC-9!

Facebook: www.facebook.com/glocdash9

Instagram: @glocdash9

X (formerly Twitter): @glocdash9

YouTube: www.youtube.com/channel/Gloc9official

Spotify: 

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7HJDRQAfEcFiARVehhM6qD?si=CfgJxS0XShSr-UQHidQHkw

TikTok: @glocdash9

UNIVERSAL RECORDS PH!

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UniversalRecPH

LYRICS

Ala by Gloc-9

Hook:

Puwede ko pa bang balikan

Lahat ng mga ala ala

Nong kapiling ka at wala nang ibang nais makasama

I

Nag kakilala tayo

Sinabi sa sarili na malayo

Man ay palagi kong ilalapit sayo

Ang puso na ikaw lang ang syang tanging minahal

At kinasal nga tayo

Nagsama ng matiwasa’y at lalong

Tumibay ang pag ibig sa isa’t isa

Hiling ko na mabibiyayaan tayo ng anak

Panganay si rujelio tapos ay nasundan criselda pancho lito

Aabot pa ng ilan

Karen at Joselito Susan Leslie at Levan walang di matatandaan

Puwede ko pa bang balikan

Lahat ng mga ala ala

Nong kapiling ka at wala nang ibang nais makasama

Makayakap lang

habang dumadaan

Panahong na aking binabalikan

mga alalala

II

Nung tumanda na tayo

Lahat sila ay nandun sa malayo

Ang meron lamang tayo ay isat isa

Ramdam ko na

Tila may di tama sa daan

Rap

Nahilo ako at tila tutumba

Kita ko sa mata mo ang pag aalala

Agad sinabi mo sakin bukas mag patingin ka na

Malakas naman ako kaya nag tataka

Sinamahan mo ako pagod lang wala to

Tapos ay pinatawag tayo dok sa kwarto

Ano pong resulta di ba delikado

Di pa nya masabi nung una parang barado

alzheimer's ano yun kainan?

May taning na ba ‘ko sabihin mo kung kailan

Di kaya itong gamot baka dapat na palitan

Wala akong bisyo ano ang pwedeng dahilan

Hindi ka pa mamamatay kaso lang ano

Maraming mga bagay ang malilimutan mo

Dahan dahan yan di agad agad ito

Sinasabi ko sayo para mapag handaan mo

Nag patuloy tayo na parang di naganap yun

Ang pigilang mahalin kita hindi sapat yun

Sinulit ang lahat ng dumaang okasyon

Susundo ako sayo teka anong oras yun?

Anong araw ngayon kaarawan ko ba?

Nasaan ako teka sino ka?

Bakit ka naka yakap sakin umiiyak ka pa

Bitawan mo ako kilala ba kita?

Tay ako po si rojelio

Panganay nyong anak

Criselda pacho lito

Na iyak lang ng iyak

Karen at joselito Susan Leslie Levan

Sanay iyong matandaan..

Puwede ko pa bang balikan

Lahat ng mga ala ala

Nong kapiling ka at wala nang ibang nais makasama

Makayakap lang

habang dumadaan

Panahong na aking binabalikan

mga alalala