Orange & Lemons to celebrate 25-year milestone with a major concert

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Filipino pop-rock band Orange & Lemons are staging a one-night concert to commemorate their 25 years of unforgettable musical journey.

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The award-winning Filipino band will be performing a three-hour set featuring timeless and obscure songs from their critically-acclaimed, four-album catalog

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The hitmakers behind the generation-defining anthems “Hanggang Kailan,” “Heaven Knows (This Angel Has Flown)” and “Just A Splendid Love Song” will perform the greatest hits of their career in a three-hour concert happening at the Metrotent Convention Center in Pasig City on October 18, 2024, from 7 p.m. onwards.

Dubbed “Now & Then: Orange & Lemons 25th Anniversary Concert,” the special show serves as an important milestone for the four-piece band as they continue to grace the local music industry with captivating releases and memorable performances, albeit going through lineup changes through the years.

“Reaching this quarter-century milestone feels like a dream come true, and it’s a testament to the incredible community that surrounds us,” shares Clem Castro, the lead vocalist and guitarist of seminal alternative rock outfit, Orange & Lemons. “We normally play short sets on the big stage all over the country, leaving out most of our catalog in favor of more popular ones. For this concert, we want to bring to the big stage and perform live, if not all, a majority of songs from our past 4 albums. The albums that defined different eras of our career in the music industry from the beginnings—the shot to commercial success, the psychedelic, and the cultural eras. Expect us to perform and tell our story for over 3 hours!”

As an established indie act who continuously pushes their boundaries from a genuine artistic standpoint, O&L promises to deliver a true concert experience like no other. The Bulacan-based alternative rock outfit considers the full-length concert as a special gift to their legion of supporters, who have been with them through highs and lows, from their beginnings as struggling artists to their well-received reformation.

O&L explains this profound love and respect for their fans in a collective press statement:

 “The music industry has seen a lot of changes, and being flexible and open to evolving with the times has helped us stay relevant. Our fans have been a cornerstone of our journey. Their support, enthusiasm, and feedback have inspired us to keep pushing boundaries and to stay true to ourselves. We’re always looking to grow and improve, whether it’s through honing our craft, exploring new musical avenues, or learning from our experiences. Building a genuine connection with our audience and staying true to our artistic vision has been key to our lasting presence. It also helped a lot to learn that we have to wear different hats, a business and a creative one that keeps us on check and balanced, staying focused on the bigger picture and not letting obstacles derail our journey. We intend to last as long as we can.”

"NOW AND THEN" 25th Anniversary Concert is produced by Orange & Lemons and Lilystars Records, in cooperation with GNN Entertainment Productions. 

Tickets are available at https://orangeandlemons.helixpay.ph with the following tiers:

• General Admission (PHP 2,000) - access to the concert
• VIP (PHP 2,500) – access to the VIP section and access to the Meet and Greet
• SVIP (PHP 3,500): access to the VIP section, access to the soundcheck and the Meet and Greet, and limited-edition merchandise

Josh Cullen drops first solo album, Lost & Found

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Josh Cullen opens up about his old wounds and internal struggles on his debut solo album, Lost & Found—released under Sony Music Entertainment today.

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The nine-track release unravels openness with riveting sincerity

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The nine-track release revels in the space of openness and pain, not afraid to tackle themes that are often considered a sign of weakness. Here, the SB19 leader shares an unadulterated version of himself as he deals with past traumas in life, recovers from its ruins to find light in an often cruel world, and takes control of his creative agency by telling an inspiring story of resilience and hope.

The acclaimed P-Pop singer-songwriter explains, "This album explores themes of pain and suffering, redemption, and the strength of human resilience, inspired by my inner truth. In Lost and Found, I wrote about the pain that never truly goes away, the trauma that lingers long after we think our wounds have healed, and discovering strength within ourselves.”

Lost & Found, taken as a listening experience, shows Josh Cullen’s songwriting strengths in its unfiltered sense. He doesn’t mince words about the pressures and fakery of the industry, and even in exploring his recollections of childhood, he surmounts the dreadful experience of having to go through the bins all over again, with nothing but a pen as armor. Josh treats vulnerability as a form of refuge: it stings and lingers, but its effect only fuels his spirit as a storyteller.

He points out, “I know what it means to be lost and found. I've experienced being lost throughout my life, sometimes trapped between trying to process all these intense emotions while desperately hoping to be found. I hope to connect with my fans and listeners who have been through the same journey or are going through the same.”

Sonically speaking, Lost & Found marks a vital vibe shift from the rap/urban-leanings of his pre-album era to a more amorphous musical strain that blends emo, pop-punk, and alt-rock sensibilities with producer-driven hip-hop and R&B influences. Moving towards genre-defiant territory, Josh’s unmistakable chameleonic presence, coupled with his affinity for emotionally captivating lyrics and inescapable hooks, makes Lost & Found a more intriguing but enjoyable effort.

From the hard-hitting, guitar-rock swells of "1999," where he navigates the harsh realities of life, to the suave electro-pop strums of "See Me," where he shares the beautiful, glowing feeling of finding happiness in someone else's love and presence, Lost & Found shimmers with tension and pull, and surprisingly rolls with effortless transition from one sound to another. Other standouts include the sensual and moody “Lights Out,” which features Mo of P-Pop group Alamat, the ceiling-punching anthem “No Control,” and the acoustic ditty “Honest.”

Check out the Lost & Found track list below:

1. 1999

2. See Me

3. Silent Cries

4. Honest

5. No Control (ft. (e)motion engine)

6. Lights Out (ft. Alamat Mo)

7. Sumaya

8. Silent Cries (Instrumental)

9. No Control (Instrumental)

Josh Cullen’s new album, Lost & Found is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

GCash’s lending arm, Fuse recognized for transformative lending campaigns

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In a country where financial inclusion remains a critical challenge, Fuse Lending Inc., the official lending arm of leading finance app GCash, was recognized as a leader in reshaping the lending landscape with two prestigious awards for innovative and consumer-focused campaigns that break down barriers to financial inclusion and redefined the meaning of credit for unbanked and underserved Filipinos.

(L-R) GCash Vance Pineda, Nicole Garcia, Lou Batac, Sami Garcia, Isobel Althea Palijo, Kim Martin Viray, Visa CMO presenter Gladys Chan, GCash Lio Cana, Dhana Martinez, Publicis JimenezBasic Riri Rarilio, GCash Gabo Itchon, Gabriel Hernandez and JC Tajolosa

In the first half of 2024, Fuse's 'Learn to Loan' campaign gained the attention of the Tambuli Asia-Pacific Awards, resulting in GCash's lending arm receiving the Bronze Award for Champion for Humanity. Fuse's Learn to Loan campaign promotes responsible lending to empower Filipinos to achieve their dreams rather than drowning in debt.

Meanwhile, Fuse was also given the Silver Award for Best in Event Activation at the PR Awards Asia-Pacific for its theatrical performance, "Borrow for Tomorrow: A Play on Fair Lending.” The play showcased the commitment of Fuse and GCash to 'finance for all' by presenting fair and accessible lending options in the most relatable manner to the audience. Set in fictional Barangay Pag-asa, the play brought the message of financial empowerment to life, attracting over 200 attendees, including media, celebrities, and influencers. The aftermath of the event translated into over ₱561 million in additional loan disbursements and a noticeable improvement in loan repayments, reflecting a growing trust in GCash’s lending solutions.

“These awards are not just accolades for Fuse but are also a validation of our commitment to making finance accessible to all Filipinos. By transforming the stigma around borrowing, we are helping more people take control of their financial futures,” said Fuse head of growth marketing Zo Canaria.

As Fuse continues to innovate, its efforts are not just about lending money to customers but rather in making a tangible difference in the lives of Filipinos. Through programs like "Learn to Loan" and "Borrow for Tomorrow," Fuse is ensuring that more people have the opportunity to participate in the financial system, moving closer to the vision of a truly inclusive economy where everyone has the financial tools to achieve their goals.

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, driving the financial inclusion agenda by providing accessible lending solutions that truly resonate with the everyday Filipino.

For more information, visit https://www.gcash.com

OPPO A3, the Strongest and Fastest A Series Phone Yet, to Launch Nationwide on September 13

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Leading global smart device brand OPPO is set to unveil its strongest and fastest A Series device yet this month. The new OPPO A3 will be available nationwide in all authorized OPPO stores starting September 13.

The OPPO A3 is another testament to the A Series’ standard-setting durability and reliability, proving to many Filipinos why #OPPOLangSakalam when it comes to great value for money and everyday use.

The OPPO A3 is engineered with Military-Grade Shock Resistance, ensuring it can withstand bumps of everyday life, including accidental falls from as high as 1.6 meters. The smartphone also received a 5-star rating from the performance test conducted by SGS, putting users’ minds at ease should their phones fall off their hands or pockets while going about their day.

Under the hood, the OPPO A3 is powered by the Snapdragon 6s 4G Gen 1 Mobile Platform, designed to deliver a smooth and responsive gaming experience. Casual gamers will appreciate the lag-free performance, allowing them to enjoy their favorite games. Prompting attacks on your enemies and claiming victory is made possible with OPPO A3’s superb chipset that provides clear visuals and seamless gameplay.

Filipinos who love to take photos every chance they get will find a lot to love with the OPPO A3’s 50MP Ultra-Clear Main Camera and 5MP Front Camera. This fantastic camera set-up will capture every detail with exceptional clarity, making it perfect for taking breathtaking landscapes or detailed close-ups.

Battery anxiety is a thing of the past with the OPPO A3’s powerful 5,100mAh Battery and 45W SUPERVOOC™️ Flash Charge technology. This feature allows you to quickly charge your device for as fast as 10 minutes for a 19% battery top up. Gamers will also feel the power of its battery when they realize how much time they’ve been playing – the robust battery of the OPPO A3 is able to be fully charged for just 85 minutes, providing continuous fun.

Prepare to experience the power of OPPO’s strongest and fastest A Series smartphone in just a few more days! On September 13, the OPPO A3 will be widely available in the Philippines in two colorways – Starry Purple and Sparkle Black at a starting price of Php 8,999 for the 6GB+128GB variant. The sleek Starlight White of the OPPO A3 is set to follow soon.

Those who can’t wait to get their hands on the OPPO A3 can now order via OPPO’s official Lazada, Shopee, and TikTok channels.

For more updates on the upcoming nationwide launch of the OPPO A3, visit OPPO’s official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official Facebook page.

Catch the realme 9.9 Mega Sale and save up to P7,400

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realme announces limited-time promos at the 9.9 Mega Sale on Shopee and Lazada

realme kicks off the ‘ber months’ by joining the 9.9 Mega Sale on Shopee and Lazada. Massive discounts and limited-time treats await the Squad, making it perfect for those who want to get a head start on holiday shopping. Don’t miss out on savings and freebies at one of the biggest sale campaigns of the year.

Shopee 9.9 Mega Sale

The Squad can enjoy free shipping discounts, Mega Discount platform vouchers, and realme store vouchers when shopping from September 9-10. 

Proving itself to be a true Flagship Killer not only as it provides superior gaming experience with its Qualcomm Snapdragon® 8s Gen 3, the realme GT 6 is also designed with state-of-the-art AI capabilities. Its Next AI technology allows users to experience enhanced interface with the AI Smart Loop, AI Smart Removal, AI Night Vision Video, AI Eye-Protection Display, and GT Mode.

The realme GT 6 retails for P34,999 SRP but will be available at P7,400 OFF only during the Shopee 9.9 Mega Sale once vouchers are applied. First customers to check out will take home a FREE TechLife Power Bank 10000mAh while stocks last.

Anyone can Be The Portrait Master with the 50MP Sony LYT600 OIS Portrait Camera of the realme 12+ 5G (12GB+256GB) as it supports OIS with up to 2x In-Sensor Zoom and Cinematic 2x Portrait Mode. This means crisp images where every detail of the subject is captured, even when zoomed in. While the realme 12+ 5G (12GB+256GB) officially retails for P19,999 SRP, fans can score up to P5,400 OFF during the Mega Sale campaign period.

realme will also be giving out freebies on top of the big discounts on selected products. See below for the complete freebie guide.

realme Shopee 9.9 Mega Sale
Product	SRP	Checkout Price with Voucher	Freebie (until stocks last)
realme C65 (8GB+256GB)	P9,999	P8,799	TechLife 12W Charger
realme C67 (8GB+ 128GB)	P9,999	P6,999	TechLife Wireless Earbuds
realme C67 (8GB+ 256GB)	P10,999	P8,699
realme 12 Pro+ 5G (12GB+ 512GB)	P25,999	P20,799	realme Buds T300

Lazada 9.9 Mega Sale

From September 9-13, savings worth up to P7,400 can be scored along with vouchers, coins, and free shipping discounts that are available for redemption during the Lazada 9.9 Mega Sale. 

Similarly, fans can cop the realme GT 6 and save up to P7,400 when vouchers are applied. Aside from the limited-time discount, lucky fans who will purchase the realme GT 6 will get a FREE TechLife Power Bank 2 20000mAh until stocks last.

For those who are into mobile photography, the Lazada 9.9 Mega Sale is the best opportunity to redeem vouchers to purchase the realme 12 Pro+ 5G (12GB+512GB) with a 64MP Periscope Portrait Camera for only P19,969 (P25,999 SRP). Meanwhile, fans who are seeking a Quality Champion Experience can get their hands on the realme C65 that is an ideal all-rounder smartphone companion at a friendly price point. Available in 8GB+256GB storage variant and retails for P9,999 SRP, the realme C65 will be up for grabs at only P8,569 when vouchers are applied.

Make sure to browse through the realme Lazada Store to see more of the promos and offers, and be quick to check out the cart once the 9.9 Mega Sale starts.

For more details about the realme 9.9 Mega Sale, head over to the official realme Facebook page.