Filipino singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis drops fifth studio album, Not That Girl

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Acclaimed singer-songwriter Barbie Almalbis marks a pivotal chapter in her music career with the release of her fifth studio album, Not That Girl. Out now on all digital platforms, the album offers a fresh, fearless direction in Almalbis’ ever-evolving sound, blending personal reflection with sonic innovation.

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The experimental pop record offers a bold, introspective journey into healing, resilience, 

and self-discovery

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Photo by Nina Sandejas

Far from her previous works, Not That Girl explores themes of emotional healing, resilience, and the challenges of navigating mental health—subjects Almalbis approaches with raw honesty and vulnerability. This collection of songs is not just an artistic evolution; it is a candid exploration of the singer’s own journey, breaking the silence around mental health struggles often shrouded in stigma.

“This album was written during one of the most difficult periods of my life, yet it has become one of my favorites,” Almalbis shares. “The overarching themes are about holding on to faith through struggles, finding hope through surrender, and celebrating the joy that comes from love and friendship. I’ve always written from personal experience—often about heartbreak and unrequited love—but these songs are different, more about personal growth and emotional healing.”

Not That Girl reveals a deeper, more introspective side of Almalbis. In addressing these themes, she reveals a rare glimpse into her inner world, showing how songwriting became both a tool for processing her emotions and a source of solace.

“Writing these songs came naturally, almost out of necessity,” she reflects. “It was my way of processing my thoughts and emotions, of finding a way through my struggles. It helped me focus on the things that brought me hope, and I believe living out these words has played a big part in my own healing.”

She also posted an encouraging message of hope and support on Instagram a few weeks ago, reflecting on how music has turned her indescribable pain into meaningful art. “In the midst of the pain, my friends encouraged me to write. And so, I did. The songs came so naturally, almost effortlessly. I was reminded of the days when I was a teenager, overwhelmed by emotions, and the only way I could process them was to pour them into my writing. It felt like I was reconnecting with something deep within me.”

The album also marks a shift in Almalbis’ sonic direction, as she embraces a more adventurous and experimental sound. Collaborating with producer Nick Lazaro, Almalbis has pushed the boundaries of her music to new and exciting territories.

“Working with Nick has been an incredible experience,” she says. “He’s taken the music and my performance to a place I’d always wanted to go but didn’t know how to reach. His raw, unfiltered approach to recording is refreshing, and I’ve learned so much from him—lessons I’m now applying to our live shows as well.”

In celebration of Not That Girl’s release, Almalbis will host an intimate album launch event at Sari-Sari Cocktails in Makati City on the day of the album’s release. The evening will feature an extended live set, featuring fan favorites with the new tracks from Not That Girl. Joining her for this special launch are some of the Philippines’ most exciting musical acts, including Kai del Rio, .bird, Twin Lobster, and Johnoy Danao.

Barbie Almalbis is also set to debut the new songs live at Music Lane Festival in Okinawa, Japan on Sunday, January 19, 2025.

Barbie Almalbis’ Not That Girl is available now on all digital streaming platforms worldwide.

Small Steps, Better Savings: How to Finally Get Started on Your Ipon , GCash makes saving easy and convenient with its new GSave Tab and Auto-Save feature

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Ever dreamt of going on a vacation, upgrading your phone, or sprucing up your home? While life can throw unexpected challenges like bills, emergencies, and holidays, it's still possible to save.

Saving can be challenging for some, often due to low income or not knowing where to start, but with a clear goal and the right tools, you can finally get started on saving for anything, no matter how small you start.

The Power of Small Steps

Many think “What’s the point of saving when I don’t have much to save anyway?” A big target money can be empowering to some people, but setting overly ambitious savings targets can be difficult to maintain, leading people to give up altogether. The most important thing is to get started – after all, setting aside an amount is better than nothing.

Even a small daily saving of PHP 10 can grow significantly over time. In just one year, you could have over PHP 3,700 if you keep it in a savings account that yields 4.5% per annum thanks to the power of compound interest. The interest you earn is added back to your starting savings amount, and then the interest is calculated based on the new, larger amount. Continue saving consistently for another year, and you get around PHP 7,800.

Habit-Stacking

Ready to start saving but worried about sticking to it? You can benefit from habit-stacking. While it takes time to learn to form a habit, there are just some things that feel automatic to us – something you can latch on to.

Habit-stacking is a technique where you attach new habits to an existing routine. It’s like adding a little extra to something you already do daily. Is buying coffee a part of your daily routine? Set aside PHP 10 each time you grab a cup. Before you know it, you’ve saved enough for a new coffee maker.

An Easy Tool for Saving

Overwhelmed by the entire concept of saving? No matter your goals and amount, it’s easy to start when you have the right financial tools, like your trusted e-wallet. GCash has partnered with reputable bank partners so you can get started through your phone and experience a zero-effort way of saving. GSave is a savings marketplace where you can grow and secure your funds while earning interest of up to 6% per year.

With GSave, it’s now easy to open a bank account. You can select your preferred bank of choice with just a few taps, so you no longer need to go to a physical bank and fill out complicated requirements. The best part? You can easily make small deposits anytime, anywhere – even as low as PHP 10!

The Savings Tab on the GCash app lets you see all your savings in one place, making it easy to track your progress. Its Quick Save feature lets you quickly deposit funds from your GCash wallet to your savings account on GSave – no complicated steps required.

To make saving even easier, the GSave Auto-Save feature lets you set a preferred amount and schedule, so your money is automatically transferred to your savings account. This way, you can save effortlessly.

With these helpful techniques and tools, you can now begin your journey towards saving. Start by setting aside a small amount each day, use habit stacking to make it easier, and take advantage of the convenience of GCash with its GSave Tab and Auto-Save features. With consistent effort, you are well on your way to your goals. Kaya mo na! Madali na magsimulang mag-ipon with the new GSave tab!

Ready to grow your money? You may access GSave through the GCash dashboard or find it under “Grow.” No GCash yet? Download the GCash App on the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei App Gallery. Kaya mo, i-GCash mo!

Infinix Fan Festival 2024 celebrates XFans community with games, music, & awards

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Infinix Philippines has had a pretty awesome year. It launched new phones, held exciting events, and won international awards in 2024. Behind all this success is the unwavering support of the brand’s community of XFans. So before the year ends, Infinix hosted the Infinix Fan Festival 2024 at Sky High Bar in Pasig City to celebrate with fans and partners.

The Infinix Fan Festival (IFF) was a lively Thanksgiving event where XFans mingled, played Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) and Honor of Kings (HOK) with friends in the gaming lounge, and posed at the photo booth. Guests also got to test out some of the brand’s newest phones at the Experience Booth, like the Infinix HOT 50 Pro+, the world’s slimmest gaming phone with four new colorways: Aurora Green, Blossom Pink, Rising Red, and Dreamy Purple. Popular Filipino singer Arthur Miguel also serenaded the crowd with his soothing voice.

“It has been a huge year for us, and we couldn’t have done it without our amazing XFans and brand partners. Your support has inspired Infinix to continue delivering the best products and experiences. For that, we are truly grateful,” said Jelly Buan, Infinix Philippines Marketing Manager.

The Infinix Fan Awards recognized this year’s Fantastic Infinix Creator, Fantastic XClub Super Content Partner, and Fantastic XFans Leader. The Fantastic Fans Collaboration Awards were proudly presented to Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) and Honor of Kings (HOK), recognizing their outstanding partnerships and contributions throughout the year. 

This award serves as a heartfelt appreciation for their dedication to fostering collaboration and strengthening community engagement within the gaming industry. The brand also gave prizes for OOTD of the Night, as well as raffle prizes to lucky fans.

Capping off the celebration was a gorgeous fireworks display, symbolizing a bright and colorful year ahead for Infinix, XFans, and every person who was instrumental in the brand’s success this year. Attendees took home tote bags that they customized themselves during the party to show off their style and love for gaming.

As Infinix Philippines looks forward to the new year, Infinix Community Manager Willy Lloyd Cruz expressed excitement for more meaningful campaigns and collaborations to continue bringing the brand’s vision to life. “We are deeply grateful for the support you have given us this 2024. We are excited to share more events with you next year, 2025.” he said.

XFans can continue supporting Infinix and get exciting updates on new products, events, and promos through the Infinix Philippines Facebook Community. Join now, so you won’t miss the fun!

For more updates, be sure to follow Infinix Philippines’ official Facebook page visit the website.

Asia’s grandest dog show set to take place at Smart Araneta Coliseum

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From January 9-13, the Smart Araneta Coliseum will host Asia’s biggest dog show, the Philippine Circuit 2025.

This year’s event brings the debut of the first-ever National Grooming Team Competition, a groundbreaking addition elevating the Philippines’ status in the global grooming arena. Alongside this competition, 17 world-class judges will oversee the All-Breed Championship Dog Shows, featuring 96 breeds and 7,560 entries across 12 shows.

The event boasts impressive numbers, with daily entries reaching 1,890 and top breeds like the French Bulldog, Golden Retriever, and Pomeranian among the highlights.

Get your tickets for as low as P100. To get your tickets please visit this link, https://www.ticketnet.com.ph/event-detail/PHILIPPINE-CIRCUIT-2025

BDO Credit Cards are now on BDO Pay!

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Credit cards are more than just payment tools, they can also be great for managing your finances while unlocking amazing perks. Every month, you can enjoy discounts, rewards, cashback, and more from various brands and partners.

Now, BDO Pay allows you to simplify your transactions while still earning numerous discounts and promos. The BDO Pay app puts all your cards in one place, allowing you to link and choose what BDO credit or bank account to use for seamless payments—without the need to carry the physical cards. You can also view your credit card details and transactions, including those of supplementary cards, right on the app.

Be a smart spender with BDO Pay

You can maximize your BDO credit or even debit cards on the app. Before paying for that lunch bill or buying that item in the store, you can open up BDO Pay and check to see which of your cards has an ongoing promo or deal for that store. This allows you to not just pay without your physical card, but even enjoy the perks of that card while paying through the app.

With BDO Pay, even without your physical card, you have access to great Deals and important information such as your available credit limit, outstanding balance, transaction history, and soon, your card statement, plus more!

Download BDO Pay and use it with your BDO Credit Card to unlock a world of exclusive dining deals, shopping rewards, and so much more! Get it for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. For more information, visit BDO’s website.