December 12, 2024
CHERRY Gift Recommendation: Fans for when you’re on the go this Holiday Season
December 11, 2024
Up to 80% Off HONOR Gadgets, 0% Interest on Installment this 12.12 Mega Pamasko Sale
James Reid hits home with new EP, jgh
The 6-track release serves as his first record under Sony Music Entertainment
James Reid has officially released his highly
anticipated new EP, jgh, under Sony Music
Entertainment and Careless Music.
The 6-track record gives an intimate
glimpse into his past and present life, chronicling how he has matured all
these years, both as an artist and as a person.
Short for “just got home,” jgh also
marks a significant moment in Reid’s musical evolution, symbolizing his return
to a place of peace and serenity, lyrically and sonically speaking. With a
blend of pop, R&B, and OPM sensibilities, the EP captures Reid at his most
vulnerable, rediscovering the earnest, grounded parts of his identity that he
may have lost touch with and learning to forgive himself and accept the flaws
that came with it.
“My home is a reflection of myself,” says
James Reid. “It’s filled with things I’ve gathered along my journey and
decorated with memories. It’s been another crazy year, and now that I’m home, I
have a lot of stories to tell.”
Written and produced by Reid alongside
collaborators Tim Marquez, Niko, Luke April, Alison Shore, and Brian Lotho, the
EP is marked by its introspective nature and sparse production. Many of the
tracks began as simple acoustic guitar or piano compositions, with each
producer adding their own unique touch to further shape the mood of the record.
“All the songs were written from the heart,” James shares. “Some of them were painful to write, others were inspired by realizations I had along the way, and some were inspired by love. It was an emotional journey, and I see each of these songs like a page from my diary or a chapter in my life—truths I may have found difficult to express before.”
The EP’s production style is subtle yet
impactful, reflecting a sense of comforting warmth that resonates deeply with a
universal audience. The songs are intentionally understated, trading polished
arrangements or high-energy hooks in favor of nuanced details that highlight
Reid’s rich vocal delivery and powerful storytelling.
As an entirety, jgh has the
potential to dominate the charts and win over even the most hardened listener's
icy heart.
Tracklist for jgh:
1. Mirasol
2. Di Bale
3. Sandal
4. Hurt Me Too
5. Your Boy
6. Pauwi Na
James Reid’s new album, ‘jgh’ is out now on all digital
music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment and Careless Music.
Filipino band Ben&Ben graces New York’s Time Square billboard
This high-profile feature on the digital
billboard is part of an initiative to promote their third studio album, The
Traveller Across Dimensions. The campaign marks a significant step in
expanding the band’s global presence, bringing their unique sound to new
audiences worldwide.
“It’s a great honor for us to be
featured by Spotify on the Times Square billboard for our new album, The
Traveller Across Dimensions,” shares the nine-piece collective in a statement.
“We feel a deep sense of gratitude for these rare opportunities to share our
music to people from all walks of life.”
Since its release on November 29, 2024,
the band’s new album garnered widespread acclaim, with listeners praising its
expansive concept, as well its foray into sonic experiments.
Ben&Ben vocalist and guitarist Paolo
Benjamin reflected on the positive reception that the Araw-Araw band
has been enjoying so far. “We treasure the response to the album so far, as it
involves a lot of embracing new things from us, both musically and visually,”
he said. “We want to take this journey with our Liwanag, our listeners,
as we navigate these new waters together.”
The band’s recent accolades include
being recognized as the “Most Streamed Artist” at the 37th Awit Awards,
and ranking among the top Filipino groups on Spotify Wrapped 2024.
The Traveller Across Dimensions, is a concept album with
stunning animated visuals, taking listeners to a unique, immersive experience.
The multimedia album follows journey of its central character, Liwanag,
as she embarks on an enchanting adventure to find inner peace. As she travels
through three symbolic realms—Light, Energy, and Feel—Liwanag
confronts trials that challenge her path toward self-discovery.
To further immerse the fans in the
album’s world, Ben&Ben is set to bring the world of The Traveller Across
Dimensions to life on stage with their first-ever arena concert on December
14, 2024, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Produced by Ovation
Productions, the concert promises to be an innovative, multi-dimensional
experience, blending live music with state-of-the-art multimedia elements
inspired by the album.
Ben&Ben are currently taking time to
prepare for a one-of-a-kind show that will be remembered not just for its sheer
ambition and scale, but for its string of surprises. “The concert prep is at
its home stretch,” adds the band. “At this point, it is more of ironing out the
technical side of things, but the band is excited to give a novel and memorable
show on the 14th.”
Ben&Ben’s
The Traveller Across
Dimensions is now available for
streaming on all digital platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
December 10, 2024
How to Capture Picture-Perfect Portraits with the OPPO Find X8, according to Magic Liwanag
Taking photos is one thing but knowing how to photograph moments is another. Internationally-renowned photographer Magic Liwanag has taken countless photos in his many years in the industry, each evoking a captured moment and amazing experience. But when he’s not taking them with a professional camera, his next device of choice is the newly launched OPPO Find X8.
Equipped with the Hasselblad Master Camera System, the new flagship from OPPO brings professional-level photography tools to your pocket and makes it easier than ever to snap jaw-dropping shots and immortalize the best experiences in life.
Ready to learn from one of the best photographers? Here's how Magic uses the OPPO Find X8 to take portraits to the next level.
Use Hasselblad Portrait Mode for Professional Depth
Magic’s first tip? Tap into the OPPO Find X8’s Hasselblad Portrait Mode. The OPPO Find X8 boasts a Hasselblad Master Camera System featuring a triple 50MP setup designed to deliver professional-grade results, your photographs captured with the OPPO Find X8 will showcase stunning details and vivid colors.
“This mode brings out natural bokeh and incredible detail,” says Magic. Whether you're capturing candid moments at a café or a friend's laughter during brunch, the OPPO Find X8 isolates your subject, giving your shots that polished, studio-quality feel.
One of Magic’s pro tips is to experiment with the five different portrait focal lengths to find the perfect frame for your subject.
Let AI Do the Heavy Lifting
It’s always been the dilemma of many people that the colors and quality of their photos they take in their phone does not give justice to what they actually saw. This is where OPPO Find X8’s HyperTone enters. This tool intelligently merges multiple RAW frames to deliver high-resolution images with vibrant colors and balanced shadows. “The OPPO Find X8’s HyperTone Image Engine is a game-changer,” Magic shares. Whether you're snapping photos at golden hour or capturing nightlife scenes, the AI ensures your shots stay sharp and true-to-life.
Maximize AI Telescope Zoom for Creative Perspectives
Magic encourages experimenting with AI Telescope Zoom, which allows you to zoom in up to 120x without sacrificing clarity. “This is perfect for shooting intimate portraits from afar or focusing on small details that tell a bigger story,” he says. With its ability to zoom in from 10x to 60x up to a max of 120x for both photos and videos, the OPPO Find X8 leverages the power of AI to restore details often lost at extreme distances.
Capture Every Moment with Lightning Snap
The innovative Lightning Snap mode ensures you never miss a moment, even with moving subjects from sporting events or if you are taking a snap of your pet by capturing up to seven frames per second. For those who love action shots, Magic suggests holding down the shutter button to activate Lightning Snap. “It’s like having a DSLR in your hands. You can capture pets, kids, or any fast-moving subjects with ease,” he adds.
One of his pro tip is to use Lightning Snap during outdoor adventures or impromptu photo walks to freeze every fleeting moment.
Fine-Tune with AI Photo Remaster Tools
After capturing your portraits, enhance them with AI Photo Remaster tools. Magic highlights the power of AI Clarity Enhancer to sharpen images and AI Reflection Remover to clean up unwanted glare. “These tools give your photos that extra pop,” he notes. Apart from AI Reflection Remover, the AI Photo Remaster is packed with other usefulAI tools such as AI Clarity Enhancer and AI Unblur, taking and editing photos with the OPPO Find X8 is made seamless, turning ordinary images into professional masterpieces with a few taps.
Embrace Spontaneity
Magic’s final advice: “Don’t overthink it. The best portraits often happen when you’re just having fun.” With the OPPO Find X8’s suite of AI tools and Hasselblad enhancements, your creative possibilities are endless.
Ready to elevate your photography game
Let your creativity shine, one portrait at a time. The OPPO Find X8 is now available nationwide. It’s priced at PHP 54,999 and comes in two colorways - Space Black and Star Grey. Visit any authorized OPPO stores or shop in the OPPO’s official stores in Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop to get your hands on this powerhouse device.
Celebrate Christmas the Maligayang PaskOPPO way
Are you a My OPPO App user? Register now to participate in the Maligayang PaskOPPO promo where over Php 500 million worth of gifts await Filipino shoppers until January 5, 2025 both online and in stores.
Download the My OPPO App or visit this link to know more or drop by your nearest OPPO stores nationwide to enjoy these exciting perks
To know more about the OPPO Find X8, Maligayang PaskOPPO Campaign, and the My OPPO App, visit OPPO Philippines’ official website at www.oppo.com.ph/ or OPPO Philippines’ official social media pages on Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.