James Morrison live for The Awakening World Tour on October 9, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum!

Tweet

This is a special evening  as the English singer-songwriter and guitarist James Morrison performs in Manila on October 9, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Morrison achieved worldwide success in 2006 with the release of his debut single “You Give Me Something.” His first album, Undiscovered, debuted at the top of the UK Album Chart and sold millions of copies, making him the biggest-selling British male solo artist in 2006. The album, which also has the hit singles “Wonderful World,” and “The Pieces Don’t Fit Anymore” won him a BRIT Award in 2007 for Best British Male Solo Artist.

"You Give Me Something"

You only stay with me in the morning
You only hold me when I sleep
I was meant to tread the water
But now I've gotten in too deep

For every piece of me that wants you
Another piece backs away

You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing 
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
Because someday I might know my heart

You only waited up for hours
Just to spend a little time alone with me
And I can say I've never bought you flowers
I can't work out what they mean

I never thought that I'd love someone
That was someone else's dream

You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing 
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
Because someday I might call you from my heart

But it might be a second too late
And the words that I could never say
Are gonna come out anyway

You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing 
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something

You give me something
That makes me scared alright
This could be nothing 
But I'm willing to give it a try
Please give me something
Because someday I might know my heart

Know my heart, know my heart, know my heart

He released his second album, Songs for You, Truths for Me in 2008, which entered the UK Album Chart at number three. The singles from the album reached the top ten of the UK Singles Chart: “You Make It Real,” and  “Broken Strings,” a duet with Nelly Furtado.

Morrison’s is currently touring to promote The Awakening album, released in September 2011. As the title of his third and by far best album suggests, The Awakening is the sound of an artist coming of age. In his personal life, Morrison has become a father, while losing his own father after the latter’s long battle with alcoholism and depression. At the same time, Morrison, 26, has matured as a singer, songwriter and musician, enabling him to channel all of that emotion into his most accomplished collection of songs yet. 

“My first two albums felt like practice shots,” he says, “and now I’ve graduated. In many ways this feels like my first proper album.”

Fortunately, The Awakening has turned out to be the album that James Morrison always had the potential to make – at last a worthy platform for his extraordinary singing voice. 

“This time I wasn’t worrying about success at all, and that’s why it was really enjoyable. I didn’t feel I had to go for the big, loud notes all the time – I just sat back and sang how I felt and it all just came flooding out.”

The Awakening is a warm, live-sounding collection of classic but contemporary folk-soul songs. There are musical similarities with Morrison’s debut, but with added panache and self-belief. There are soaring strings, uplifting harmonies, soulful ballads and, in Slave to the Music, a hand-clapping dance floor groover – a new string to his bow. There are nods to Motown, gospel, country and a hint of Latin. Technically, Morrison remains one of the finest white soul singers, equal parts Stevie Wonder and Paul Young. But he is more than just a Big Voice – he sings from the heart. 

“To me, pop music is just great music that lasts for years,” he says. 

“Though there is the other side of pop, which is where you have a hit, but then, after it comes out, it never gets heard again. I never wanted to make that sort of music.”

He has retained the services of regular co-writers including Steve Robson, the man behind Take That’s “Shine,” Eg White (Duffy), Dan Wilson (Adele); as well as Toby Gad, best known for Beyonce’s “If I Were a Boy.” Ten of the 12 songs are produced by Bernard Butler – the acclaimed former guitarist in Suede. Butler, who also played guitar on The Awakening and is hailed by Morrison as “the director of the album”, has forged an impressive studio-based career, producing the likes of The Libertines, Tricky and Duffy .

The song “Up,” a duet with Jessie J has “hit” written all over it. It is one of two songs produced by Mark Taylor, who helmed “Broken Strings.” Morrison’s strained relationship with his father, who died last year from heart failure after a protracted and painful battle with alcoholism, inspired the lyrics for “Up” – and several other songs on the album.

  

The Awakening is full of raw emotion, but these are not “downer songs”, says Morrison. “Yes, some of it’s about dealing with shit – but it’s also about looking at yourself and what you’ve got around you, and weighing stuff up to keep yourself thinking positively. I think a lot of people will be able to relate to that, because that’s what life’s like, what relationships are like.”

Tickets may be purchased from Ticketnet outlets or the Ticketnet Website www.ticketnet.com.ph. For inquiries please call 911-5555.

UNIQLO Introduces Ultra Light Down, an Ultra Light and Ultra Stylish FASHION INNOVATION for Filipinos

Tweet

Japan’s No. 1 fashion brand UNIQLO introduces to the country its latest in FASHION INNOVATION, the Ultra Light Down Collection of vests, coats, parkas and jackets, that are sure to become a must-have for frequent travelers as well as street and office fashionistas.

The “warm” fashion statement for this season, UNIQLO Ultra Light Down is an innovation of lightness, weighing in at a surprisingly light 206 grams, or the equivalent of a summer shirt, while providing the ultimate comfort and warmth. It is an innovation of material, utilizing super light nylon made from ultra-thin thread while preserving its durability and softness. Lastly, it is an innovation of mobility, as the apparel packs down to the size of a small milk carton, allowing one to store it in a bag which makes it perfect for travel or people on the go.

Not to forget about fashion, the Ultra Light Down collection boasts a wide array of silhouettes, colors and prints, all featuring unique ultra lightweight quality. The entire collection of men’s and women’s lines is comprised of more than 100 colors. New designs perfect for our wet season include a casual yet elegant women’s A-line silhouette with a three-quarter sleeve as well as a men’s half-length silhouette, ideal for the commute to work or an evening out with friends and loved ones.

UNIQLO has carefully selected prints featuring easy-to-coordinate patterns such as dots and checks. The protective and comfortable gear are not only great for the outdoors, but the Ultra Light Down tops are so light and sleek they make the perfect underlayer for chilly days ahead. A FASHION INNOVATION that delivers style, comfort and warmth, the Ultra Light Down collection is set to transform the way Pinoys dress going forward.

The UNIQLO Ultra Light Down Vest is now available at the UNIQLO store located at the 2^nd floor, Main Mall, SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. Other ULD products will be available in December of this year. Store hours are from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information about UNIQLO and other FR group companies, please visit www.uniqlo.com or www.fastretailing.com. 

Esquire Financing and Philippine Franchise Asia see fast growing future of SMEs

Tweet

According to the International Franchise Association (IFA), franchising currently represents 18 million jobs and $2.1 trillion worth of economic activity in the U.S. 

In Southeast Asia, the Philippines leads in terms of franchise concept development. Last year, more than 124,000 franchisees offered the products and services of over 1,100 franchisors in the country. The industry generated more than a million jobs while recording a total of $9.45 billion output—equal to five percent of the country’s total gross domestic product (GDP).

ESQUIRE Financing Inc.'s CEO Rajan Uttamchandani (Center) with staff at the inauguration of the new CAPITALIFE Business Center in Makati. 

PFA Chairman Lim said that the recent growth can be attributed to the entry of new players from micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the continued rise of the business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, and the introduction of indigenous and food concepts.

ESQUIRE Financing Inc.'s CEO Rajan Uttamchandani at the Philippine Small and Medium Enterprise Expo 2012

ESQUIRE Financing Inc. also recognizes the potential in funding the development of emerging enterprises, especially now when there is positive economic growth in the country. “MSMEs are the pillars of growth of the Philippine economy. They will catapult economic production into greater numbers through job development,” ESQUIRE President/CEO Rajan Uttamchandani stated.

Learn more about how EFI can help you grow your SME with its fast and efficient financial solutions by visiting http://esquire.com.ph/, or contact david@esquire.com.ph or call 0917-5135573. 

    

Beyonce Debuts 'I was Here' Video for World Humanitarian Day

Tweet

DO SOMETHING GOOD, SOMEWHERE  

FOR SOMEONE ELSE

RnB superstar Beyonce has released her video for the song “I was Here” as part of her World Humanitarian Day campaign.

Free Carinderia Makeover with SM Hypermarket Master Chefs

Tweet

Do you have a food business? Do you have a Carinderia ? Here’s your chance to give your business a Makeover with SM Hypermarket MASTER CHEFS free CARINDERIA MAKEOVER!

Entrepreneurs who run a carinderia, catering or small restaurant business can own a brand new kitchen and dining area furnished by SM Hypermarket with SM Master Chefs Free Carinderia Makeover – one of the three components of this year’s run.

Aside from the Free Makeover for food business owners, SM Master Chefs 2012 is made more exciting with back-to-back Cooking Demos of notable chefs and a Master Recipe contest for those who love to eat, cook and experiment with their food.

Sustaining food business operations

Food service business is close to the heart of SM Hypermarket. In fact, an entire section of the store is solely dedicated to products and services essential in running a food business. Owners of food businesses can buy their ingredients in big packs or bulk and other essentials for their operations – plates, cups, utensils, tables and chairs, pots and pans and even chef’s uniforms at SM Hypermarket’s Food Service Center. The Center delivers and takes orders via a phone call.

And as a tribute to food service owners, SM Hypermarket is giving away a free makeover of their kitchen and dining area to five lucky and deserving food business operators in order to help them sustain their operations. A minimum P500 worth of groceries inclusive of two sponsor brands or a fully stamped loyalty card give food business owners a chance to win a makeover.

Here's how to join: 

Secure first a registration form at the Customer Service Counters at any SM Hypermarket Branches and submit at least 3 clear printed photos of your carinderia business.

Submit the form and the fully stamped loyalty card or a single receipt purchase worth P500 including at least 2 sponsor items during the following schedules

Draw Date: August 31 (Submission Period: Aug 16 – 26)

Draw Date: September 21 (Submission Period: Aug 27 – Sept 16)

Draw Date: October 5 (Submission Period: Sept 17 – 30)

Draw Date: October 19 (Submission Period: Oct 1 – 14)

Draw Date: November 9 (Submission Period: Oct 15 – 31)

Cooking marathon with the “master chefs”

Last year’s SM Master Chef’s cooking marathon was a big hit to SM Hypermarket shoppers, that’s why it brings it back this year with new recipes prepared by the respective master chefs of the different master brands.

This year’s run is sponsored by master brands Bounty Fresh, CDO, Nestle, Purefoods, Magnolia and Unilever Food Solutions Knorr. Each will have a featured chef who will go around the 34 branches of SM Hypermarket every week in three months for cooking demonstrations and a delectable shopping experience open to all shoppers for free.

Whip up your own master recipe and be hailed as Master Chef!

Quality ingredients at affordable prices make a good recipe and SM Hypermarket brings you these so you and your family may enjoy good food. And when you buy your ingredients at SM Hypermarket and whip up a great tasting, unique and reasonably priced recipe using any of our master brands, you will get the chance to win in SM Master Chefs recipe contest.

Check the following schedule:

Just bring your finished product to any SM Hypermarket store on judging day and you could be hailed one of the thirty three SM Master Chefs 2012.