Friday, October 23, 2015

COMELEC Biometrics and Voter Registration Info for Philippine Elections 2016

Want to know if you still need to complete your COMELEC Biometrics data for the upcoming 2016 Philippine elections? You can check it here:

COMELEC Voting Precint Finder

If your COMELEC Biometrics data is incomplete, here's a list of the last-minute COMELEC voter registration happening at a mall near you:

Voter Registration at the Malls

We only have until October 31, 2015 to do this!

*image from: http://www.vancitybuzz.com


Let's all vote so our choice candidate would have a better chance of winning!

Thursday, July 9, 2015

Filipino DJ Defends National Title at Red Bull Thre3style 2015



Back when I was a kid, I was always fascinated by DJs doing scratches and mixing beats for rap artists. Yes, this is the genre that started my interest in music. I listened to Francis M, Andrew E. and a bunch of other rappers and I was always amazed when it's time for the DJ to "do some scratch" with their turntables


Fast forward to 2015: I still love to  listen to rap and one of the rap groups that I really like is the Beastie Boys. They have this song called "Three MCs and One DJ" where they rap and showcase the DJ-ing skills of Mix Master Mike - a true master of mixing hip-hop beats and turntable scratching. I love it! 

TRIVIA: Mix Master Mike is of Filipino descent!

Anyway, few weeks ago, I was fortunate to be invited to the Press-con for the Red Bull Thre3style DJ Competition. This is an international DJ competition that is held every year. At the event they introduced us to the 6 Philippine finalists as well as the critically acclaimed DJ judges: DJ Shortkut & DJ Tashi.



DJ Shortkut from USA

DJ Tashi from Japan


Truly amazing talent that these guys have! Anyway, below is the Official Press release for the event:


MANILA, Philippines – On its sophomore year in the country, Red Bull Thre3style pitted six of the Philippines’ hottest DJs at the National Finals held last June 27 at the metro’s biggest club, Valkyrie, in Bonifacio Global City.

At the epic night’s end, defending champion DJ Carlo Atendido bested fellow finalists in DJ-ing skills, technical wizardry, and the ability to keep the crowd moving for a second shot at representing the country at the World Championships to be held in Tokyo, Japan later this year. DJ Nikita del Rosario, also a national finalist from the Thre3style 2014 run, and DJ Miguel (de Borja), the youngest of the night’s participants, placed first and second runners-up respectively.


DJ Carlo being interviewed


All six competitors, which included DJs Franco Zarate, K Groove (Kristian Hernandez), and Kouta Kutsuma, were given 15 minutes to impress the two judges, multiple DMC title holder DJ Shortkut and Vestax-ITF-DMC Champion VDJ Ta-Shi; and to rouse the Valkyrie crowd with various tracks, bold samples, and technical prowess.

The now two-time Thre3style champion already had the party throng up and moving for most of his set with seamless jumps from one genre to another, clever use of samples, and a body juggle. But he made sure to leave the stage with a strong impression and an audience screaming for more as he played part of Kanye West’s infamous 2011 Grammy acceptance speech that went, “Everybody wanted to know what I would do if I didn’t win… I guess we’ll never know.”

Of the daring choice, the young DJ said, “I liked really the ending. When I found that sample of Kanye West, I was like, ‘Dang it, I gotta use this. I gotta claim it. I gotta take it.’”

The 25-year-old admitted to feeling more pressure this time around; the exact opposite of his experience as an underdog the previous year. DJ Carlo took what he learned from that first competition appearance and added new dimensions, which he showcased at this year’s finals.

“I wanted to implement genres that people aren’t used to hearing in normal DJ sets here in the Philippines: future house, old school hip-hop, dancehall, and punk rock. And I sequenced these tracks in a balanced way. When I would play top 40, I would [follow it up with] dancehall, then top 40 again, then old school hip-hop, back to top 40, and so on. So I made the judges happy while I kept the audience interested and alive.”

First runner-up DJ Niki wowed the audience with a 15-minute mix that cut across genres and showed off his artistic sensibilities. “Actually, Thre3style has been my style during club sets and everywhere else. [It] shows [people] how to really rock a party. You really don’t have to stay in one genre, you have to experiment [and figure out] what people will like.”

The competition’s youngest bet, 18-year-old DJ Miguel, had higher hopes at the national finals but said that his second runner-up finish was a good start. He showed off his turntable skills to the hundreds gathered with a set made up of hip-hop, rock, house, electro, funk, and old school pop. “I visualized my tracks to progress up to a climax and end it with a bang. I didn’t want my set to be on a standard energy level.”

Now that the national champion has been declared, DJ Carlo is setting his sights on Japan and the world championship that eluded him last 2014. “Well, last year we got third [place]. So I’m hoping we can move up a slot or, you know, we get first. I’ll do my best – again – to represent us all.”

Head on over to www.mixcloud.com/RedBullThre3style to listen to the official mixes from the National Finals. For more information, visit www.redbullthre3style.com



About Red Bull Thre3style
Red Bull Thre3style pits the world’s best DJs in a competition that values technical skill as much as the ability to thrill a dancefloor. Competitors are judged on the dual platforms of technical ability and crowd reaction, and are given just 15 minutes each to prove that they’re the best in the room. Judges work to a strict criteria that also marks DJs on their originality in song choices, confidence performing and mixing prowess.

Red Bull Thre3style World DJ Championships 2015 will be held in Tokyo. For more information and highlights from last year’s Red Bull Thre3style, visit www.redbullthre3style.com and www.redbullcontentpool.com.


About Red Bull Philippines
The premium Energy Drink known all around the world – Red Bull (Blue & Silver can) – was launched in the Philippines last May 2012. Thanks to its unique formula, Red Bull Energy Drink gives you wings by vitalizing body and mind. For more information on Red Bull, visit our website at www.redbull.com and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: facebook.com/redbull | twitter.com/redbullph |instagram.com/redbullph

Saturday, May 23, 2015

Up Dharma Down and their latest single "All the Good Things"

Last Tuesday, I went to 12 Monkeys Bar in Century Mall Makati to attend the launch of Up Dharma Down's latest single and music video, "All the Good Things".

If you don't know who Up Dharma Down is, then you are missing out! Up Dharma Down is a very popular Filipino band that plays indie, alternative music. And they are one of my favorite bands! Their music has been recognized all over the world. The band has released three albums to date and in the event they announced that they have a new album coming out soon! YEAH! 



Up Dharma Down played around 3-4 songs that night. They played my favorite song "Tadhana" and really got the crowd going. After which, they were interviewed by the very pretty host, Carla Dunareanu



In the interview, Up Dharma Down mentioned that their new song, "All the Good Things", was inspired by their experiences in Singapore. We learned that the band has recently visited Singapore and had a blast there. The new music video was even shot there! I really should bring my family to Singapore soon :)




I'm a big fan of their guitar player, Carlos. This guy really creates amazing guitar lines that really complement their songs. I strongly suggest you go and checkout their songs and hear it for yourself.



To see what inspired Up Dharma Down in Singapore and to download a FREE copy of their latest single "All the Good Things", visit www.yoursingapore.com/ph


Hooray for new music 2015! :)

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Masha's Music Video for "Alas Singko"


I'm really happy to announce that my band, Masha, has released its first ever music video! This is for the song "Alas Singko" (5 o'clock). The song is about the daily struggles of your regular 9 to 5 worker and the excitement he/she feels when it's almost time to go home at 5 o'clock. Definitely something that anyone could relate to :)

Would you believe that the music video was shot in just a day in various parts of Metro Manila? Not bad, huh? Here's another trivia, the music video features Kate Bernal(if you are wondering, yes, she's the sister of actress, Kris Bernal) and everyone in the band could be seen in various parts of the video. Check it out below:


What do you think? Did you see me? Haha! 

Anyway, I would like to thank Fourth Wall Media, Kate, my brothers in Masha and everyone who helped us make this music video possible. Hopefully, we'll also see it on MYX and MTV Pinoy soon!

'Til my next post..love and peace! :)




Friday, May 15, 2015

My Band Masha and our New Single "Alas Singko" (5 'o clock)

As some of you may know, I play the guitar for the alternative rock band, Masha.

Masha started back in May 2013 and is actively playing gigs in bars around Metro Manila. We got the name of band the from non other than the tennis Goddess herself: Maria Sharapova. The band released its first album "Stalemate Guards for Defiant Hearts" last November 7, 2014. A copy of the album is available for FREE download at http://mashatheband.bandcamp.com/. I will create a separate post about the details on how the band got together but for now, you may visit http://www.facebook.com/mashatheband for more info. 

Anyway, I would like to let you know that Masha will be premiering its new single called "Alas Singko" (5 'o clock) with a music video (oh yes, a music video!) on May 18, 2015 at 5PM(but, of course!) on http://www.amplify.ph. The band members will be making cameo appearances throughout the video so be sure to check it out!

Here's a preview of the video:


Premiering our next single, Alas Singko, with a music video on Amplify.ph on Monday, May 18, 5pm. Visit http://amplify.ph \m/ #alas5 #masha2015
Posted by Masha on Thursday, 14 May 2015

Keep the music alive in 2015!
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