PhilPOP 2013 is on higher level and is now accepting entries

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After a successful debut earlier this year, the illustrious Philippine Popular Music Festival songwriting competition is gearing up for its 2^nd run this 2013.  As early as January 1, entries are accepted on www.philpop.com.ph, with the deadline running until February 28.

The group behind this this endeavour is the PhilPop Musicfest Foundation Inc, which involves itself in nation building through music.  It seeks to identify deserving songwriters who can inspire and spark positive change through their songs and are given the opportunity to shine. 

Expecting to break the record of 3,000 participants in the initial run, Philpop, under the baton of its Executive Director Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, laid out a more comprehensive and arduous screening process to find the top 14 finalists. 

The competition is open to amateurs and professionals, participant must be of Filipino descent so even those residing abroad can join, the song entry may be written in a popular or new song genre, or a fusion thereof, in any form or structure, as lyrics may be in Filipino, a Philippine regional language, a Philippine dialect, English, or any combination thereof.

The song entry must be entirely original. It must not be licensed to any publisher; has not been printed and distributed as hard copy; or through the internet; has never been previously recorded and must not infringe on any existing copyright or any other rights. It must not have been performed live in any venue, on traditional radio and television, or internet, or pre-recorded and uploaded on the internet, or recorded on video or other format for future broadcast.

The million-peso champion of the first ever Philippine Popular Music Festival is former Akafellas member Karl Villuga with his song “Bawat Hakbang”.  The composition, which was about overcoming a personal crisis, was interpreted by Villuga along with his former groupmates and crooner Mark Bautista. First runner-up award went to Australia-based  Soc Villanueva with his R&B song “Kontrabida” sung by Sam Concepcion.  Young composer Toto Sorioso won the second runner-up prize for his composition “Tayo Tayo Lang” performed by former Sugarfree frontman Ebe Dancel while first timer James Leyte, who works in an IT department, won the Smart People’s Choice Award for his reggae-influenced song entitled “Brown” co-interpreted by Brownman Revival.  Maestro Cayabyab clarifies that even the past winners can still join the competition.

“We are continuing to promote the songs from the Philpop and the album while drawing up strategies to further thrust these songwriters and songs into the spotlight” shares Maestro Cayabyab.  “We are looking forward to again stage the biggest and most illustrious song writing competition in Philippine history with an even more songwriters vying for the 1 million pesos grand prize this 2013”.

PhilPOP is supported by Maynilad, Smart, Meralco, PLDT, Resorts World Manila, TV5, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, NLEX, Sun Cellular, the First Pacific Leadership Academy, KBP, and Philex.   

Marvin Agustin considers 2012 a landmark year

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The year 2012 is undeniably a landmark year for Marvin Agustin, for it is this year that he has been lauded on basically all his endeavors – as a TV/movie actor, entrepreneur, restaurateur, entertainment producer, and a society mover.

Before the end of the year, Marvin bagged two important entrepreneurial awards – the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award from the annual Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards and being one of the recipients of the MVP Bossing Awards. These awards highlight the immense contribution of Marvin as a young entrepreneur, being one of the men behind one of the most successful food chains Sumo Sam.

These achievements were acknowledged by various brands’ support to Marvin by asking him to be their endorser. Currently, Marvin is the face of brands like Knorr, Carbtrim, Tupperware, among others.

Marvin also proved the he continues to be one of the versatile movie personalities in the land by appearing in two important movie projects – the hit comedy vehicle Moron 5 and the internationally-acclaimed horror flick The Road.

On TV, he also showed his mettle as a host when he did Artista Academy on TV5, where he exhibited both wits and empathy towards the contestants.

As a TV and movie personality, Marvin was also named by the Optical Media Board as Anti-Piracy Ambassador.

With all the blessings he has received, Marvin paid it forward by helping the lesser fortunate by participating in Operation Smile Outreaches.

The year 2012 proved that, through having good time management, Marvin Agustin has played his different roles in various industries well.

“I really hope I can do even better in 2013, but really, I have no doubt because I have been blessed with a competent team,” says Marvin. “I really hope everyone will have blessed 2013!”

Gee Canlas: From being TV’s fastest talker to Amazing Race Philippines’ surprise frontrunner

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TV host Gee Canlas impressed audiences when she was introduced in the now-defunct ABS-CBN show Music Uplate Live, where he made a name for herself as Speedy Gee because of her ability to talk really fast.

She then was given a hosting assignment in Pilipinas Win Na Win, alongside Pokwang, and Kris Aquino. The show however was axed after only a few months.

Recently, however, Gee made a surprise, bold move when she figured as one of the finalists of TV5’s Amazing Race Philippines, where she is paired with her good friend Sheena Vera Cruz.

Her inclusion in the program also showed her transformation. Since she started her stint in the business, she lost considerable weight.

 

“Joining Amazing Race Philippines is an opportunity that presented itself, so I grabbed it. In fact, even before this local edition, I auditioned for the regional show,” says Gee. “Pero ngayon, with a new partner Sheena who is a very good friend of mine, we were chosen to be part of the show, so thankful talaga kami.”

In the reality show, Gee and Sheena were tagged as the “reunited friends” because Sheena lives in New York. Their team became the 4^th top team.

The “reunited friends” positioning served the team well because their friendship became one of the strongest assets of their partnership.

“We know each other since we were in College. We both love to dance. She is a member of the Philippine All Stars. Kabisado naming ang isa’t-isa,” adds Gee. “Pero her being an Inglisera also became a problem for us.”

Gee recalls that in one challenge, where they should have the same answer to a question, Sheena mistook the word “malas” to “malakas,” which obviously made the two have different answers.

In retrospect, however, Gee feels that their sense of humor made their team last that long in the competition.

“Malaking bagay talaga yung marunong kaming pagtawanan yung mga pangyayari,” admits Gee. “Pero, one thing I’ve really learned was that we were guided by two things as we joined the competition- FAITH and FATE.”

Their journey on the show, according to Gee, is something she would cherish for the rest of her life.

Any regrets?

“Nothing really. It is just that after I saw the episode where we got eliminated, I felt na sayang, andun na e. That’s the only painful part,” says Gee. “But it is something that I will never forget.”

Aside from her participation in the show, Gee has been reaping commendations for her portrayal in the independent film Melodrama Negra. Which won Audience Choice award.

“I welcome every opportunity that comes my way – hosting, acting, dancing,” enthuses Gee, who is now part of MediaNation, management of Marvin Agustin, Aiza Seguerra, David Pomeranz, among others.

Chikungunya virus on the move

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DOH:  cases of dengue-like mosquito-borne disease now rising

Little did we know that aside from dengue, there are many other life-threatening mosquito-borne diseases that have hounded Filipinos for decades.  Though there is no vaccine available in the country to cure these illnesses, preventive measures are available to assure safety of adults and children alike.

Last October, the Department of Health (DOH) warned the public to take extra precautions against the chikungunya virus.  The DOH confirmed that there were 150 recorded cases of this dengue-like disease last month.  And last year, more than 1,000 cases of chikungunya were recorded in the country.

The origin

Chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus first reported in Africa in 1952 and has spread in Asia, the Indian subcontinent, Europe and United States, infecting millions. Believed to be derived from an East African dialect that means “to be contorted,” chikungunya describes the curved posture of patients experiencing severe joint pain.

Just like dengue, chikungunya virus was caused primarily by Aedes aegypti, the daytime biting mosquito and by Aedes albopictus, a species of mosquito that bites most actively at night.

DON'T take mosquito bites for granted. Mosquitoes carry several potentially deadly viruses, including the dreaded Chikungunya virus. A Chikungunya infection may be fatal if left untreated--so it's best to prevent the infection by keeping away those pesky mosquitoes. Use Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion and level-up your kids' protection against mosquito-borne diseases.

The warning signs

Chikungunya shares some clinical signs with dengue as both manifest skin rashes and a high fever.  Its most distinctive characteristic though is severe joint pain which usually ends within a few days or weeks. Although a number of patients fully recover after a few days or weeks, there are some cases that joint pain or arthritis may persist for several months, or even years. Another distinct factor between dengue and chikungunya is that the former affects mostly children, while the later affects adults.

The transmission

DOH expressed fear that the virus might spread more widely because it survives in temperate climates, the Philippines included.    Increases in global travel and climate change might have encouraged its spread.

Though no vaccine or specific treatment for the disease has been discovered yet and treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms only, there are preventive measures against the virus.

Level-up protection

Prevention and control rely heavily on getting rid of the natural and artificial water-filled breeding grounds of the mosquitoes.  Unattended bottles, cans and tires with water inside are the usual breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and if left unchecked, a single pool of water can produce hundreds of chikungunya virus-carrying mosquitoes.

CHILDREN need to be protected from the Chikungunya virus, a potentially fatal dengue-like infection transmitted by day-biting and night-biting mosquitoes. Level up their protection with Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion.

Though clothing which minimizes skin exposure to these vectors is advisable; it is more prudent to use insect repellent lotions that can be applied anytime. And the most ideal insect repellent lotion is one that is effective not only against daytime-biting mosquitoes, but also mosquitoes that bite at night.

The new Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion is proven effective against both day and night mosquitoes, known carriers of both the dengue and chikungunya virus. It is ideal for families because it has long-lasting protection of up to10 hours, is hypoallergenic, and provides anti-bacterial protection that the Green Cross brand has always been known for.

The breakthrough discovery on day and night dengue-lamok teaches us to level up our anti-dengue measures. Now, with an additional threat on the move – chikungunya virus – this further teaches us to act on an urgent threat:  we need to change our mindsets and recognize the fact that insect repellent lotion may effectively protect us against these disease-carrying mosquitoes. 

A single mosquito bite may be deadly.  Do not let these pesky bugs come near you or your loved ones.  Use Green Cross Insect Repellent Lotion as it may not only save your body from big red marks but also from serious illnesses like the chikungunya virus.

Inspirational New Year Quotes 2013!

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Always inspired by reading quotes - especially now,  New Year Quotes , New Year Wishes and Greetings. This activity gets a great head-start for New Year, being a time for new beginnings.  We think of what we have learn and experiences. This is the start of a new adventure with motivations, along with things to ponder upon.

Here are some  quotes I hope to leave you with a special significance in your mind to kick-start 2013 for you and your love ones.

- Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you   a better man. - Benjamin Franklin

- For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning. - T.S. Eliot

- Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. -Hal Borland

One resolution I have made, and try always to keep, is this: To rise above the little things. -John Burroughs

- May the New Year bring you courage to break your resolutions early. My own plan is to swear off every kind of virtue, so that I triumph even when I fall. - Aleister Crowley

- Let the new year be an entirely fresh start towards achieving all our goals. Lets kick start and era of excellence! - Pearl Aman

- It's the year of cakes and candles, new songs, celebration and decoration, laughter and love. Wishing you a lovely 2013 that brings with it great love and luck for you. Happy new year! - Pearl Aman

- No one ever regarded the First of January with indifference. It is that from which all date their time, and count upon what is left. It is the nativity of our common Adam. -Charles Lamb

- Begin another new chapter and remember that you have 365 days to make every page of the chapter worth remembering when you finish the year. - Pearl Aman

- Let the new year be an entirely fresh start towards achieving all our goals. Lets kick start and era of excellence! - Pearl Aman

- The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for - Ankit Aggarwal

- If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people." -  Confucius 

- Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.-Oprah Winfrey

Here is my favorite New Year’s quote from one famous and inspirational person:

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. - Helen Keller

Hope you enjoy reading these quotes . . hope these quotes to convert your dream into reality in this New Year 2013! 

Enjoy our wonderful world!

Wishing you all Blessed , Meaningul, Happy and Prosperous New Year!