Biggest recording stars sing for compassion, volunteerism in Red Cross song


In the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda last year, the country’s biggest recording artists decided to dedicate their time and talent to inspire people to help our kababayans by recording the song “I Am You,” composed by Ryan Cayabyab and Joey Reyes. This is a project of the Philippine National Red Cross.



Sharon Cuneta, Regine Velasquez, Lea Salonga, Sarah Geronimo, Martin Nievera, Ogie Alcasid, Christian Bautista, Karylle, Sam Concepcion,Erik Santos, Tippy Dos Santos,  Kuh Ledesma, Ebe Dancel, Yael Yuzon of Sponge Cola, Chito Miranda of Parokya Ni Edgar, Verni Varga, Gloc-9 are just some of the singers who lent their voices in “I Am You.”

The music video of this special song will premiere this Sunday, Dec. 21, on “ASAP.” This is a good reminder to every Filipino to keep a giving heart this Holiday Season.

Currently, the Red Cross has almost helped 600,000 families in Yolanda-stricken areas, built hundreds of thousands of houses and almost 200 classrooms.

Gloc-9, Universal Records lead this year’s Awit Awards winners




Universal Records nabbed numerous commendations from the recently-concluded 2014 Awit Awards, held at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World, with Gloc-9 winning most of the major awards – Album of the year for “Lihim at Liham,” Song of the Year for “Magda,” Best Rap Recording, and Best Collaboration.

Asia’s Songbird received two awards for Best Inspirational Song for “Nathaniel,” and Best Christmas Recording for “Hele Ni Inay.” These songs are part of the album “Hulong Ka Ng Langit,” which won Best Album Packaging Award.

Sam Concepcion won Best Dance Recording for the carrier single of his “Infinite” album – “No Limitations.”

PhilPop entries also made it to this year’s roster of winners – “Papel” and “Pansamantagal” won  Novelty, and World Music Recording of the Year, respectively.

Here is the list of Universal Records winners from the 27th Awit Awards:

Best Collaboration

Song Title: Magda
Artist: Gloc 9 feat. Rico Blacno
Record Label: Universal Records Inc

Album of the Year

Song Title: Liham at Lihim
Artist: Gloc 9
Record Label: Universal Records, Inc

Song of the Year

Song Title: Magda
Artist: Gloc 9 feat. Rico Blanco
Record Label: Universal Records Inc

Best Dance Recording

Song Title: No Limitations
Artist: Sam Concepcion
Record Label: Universal Records, Inc

Best Inspirational/Religious Recording

Song Title: Nathaniel
Artist: Regine Velasquez-Alcasid
Record Label: Universal Records, Inc

Best Christmas Recording

Song Title: Hele Ni Inay
Artist: Regine Velasquez-Alcasid
Record Label: Universal Records, Inc

Best Rap Recording

Song Title: Magda
Artist: Gloc 9
Record Label: Universal Records, Inc

Best Musical Arrangement

Song Title: Hele Ni Inay
Artist: Homer Flores
Record Label: Universal Records, Inc

Best Album Package

Album Title: Hulog Ka Ng Langit
Artists: Jay Saturnino D. Lumboy & Anne Kate PiƱero (Graphic Desigers); Jay Saturnino D. Lumboy (Album Concept); Mark Nicdao (Photography)
Record Label: Universal Records, Inc.

Best World Music Recording

Song Title: Pansamantagal
Artist: Sitti Navarro & Julianne Tarroja
Record Label: Universal Records, Inc

Best Novelty Recording

Song Title: Papel
Artist: Joey Ayala & Gloc 9 feat. Denise Barbacena
Record Label: Universal Records, Inc

Karylle scores gold for ‘K’



Singer-actress-TV host Karylle received a Gold Record Award for her latest album “K” yesterday, December 4, during the live episode of “It’s Showtime.” PolyEast Records’ Managing Director Jesmon Chua presented the award.

The album includes the hit singles “Sa ‘Yo Na Lang Ako,” “Kiss You,” “Kapiling Kita,” among others.

“K” celebrates a number of firsts for Karylle – joining a contest and collaborating with a cousin-rapper.

“I’ve never ever joined a contest before, but it was worth it because I got to sing a beautiful song – Lara Maigue’s ‘Sa ‘yo Na Lang Ako,’ which everyone loves,” expresses K. “I am also thrilled big time that I got to collaborate with one of my favorite rappers – my cousin Dash Calzado.”

The singer-actress also thanks Kiko Salazar for turning an unfinished “Kiss You” to complete song, and for contributing “Kapiling Kita.”

Karylle adds, “This album is extra special because of a million reasons. It was a reunion with my first two producers Ito Rapadas, who produced ‘Sa’Yo Nalang Ako’ and DJ MOD, who remixed ‘Bad Boys.’”

Karylle also expressed gratitude towards friend and co-host Jhong Hilario for choreographing “Kiss You,” which was performed by her “It’s Showtime” family, including its hosts, staff, Dumbo, XB GenSan and Showtime dancers, for the music video.

The album also fulfilled Karylle’s dream of recording something for the kids as “K” includes her version of “My Own Little Corner,” a song from the musical “Cinderella,” which Karylle topbilled last year for Resorts World Manila.

“I’ve never sold so many CDs in my life!” gushes Karylle. “I am so thankful for all the love and support. Many thanks to everyone who watched our shows with my band Reasons once or twice or even more times!”

Asked what her fans can expect in the future, she shared that she is currently working on a number of new songs with Alvin Cornista, whom Karylle met years ago when she celebrated her birthday with Nyko Maca + Playground. Karylle and Alvin collaborated on previous singles like “OMG,” “Running,” and “Bad Boys.”

Sam Concepcion scores three record awards in a day

Singer-actor Sam Concepcion proved that indeed he is a young hitmaker when he was awarded three record awards during his Birthday production number in ASAP last Sunday, Nov.30. He was awarded by Universal Records General Manager Kathleen Dy-Go three record awards - Gold for his album Infinite, a Platinum for his single Mahal Na Mahal, and a Double Platinum for Dati, a collaboration with Tippy Dos Santos and Quest.




Overwhelmed by these recorgnitions, Sam, via his Instagram account (samconcepcion) expressed his gratitude to his fans, record label and management groups,  “This ones for the SAMSTERS! You never fail to surprise me. The Gold, Platinum and Double Platinum don't mean anything without you. To the people who believed in me first, @universalrecordsphilippines @kat_dygo Stages and Star Magic, I will always be grateful. Giving back all the glory and honor to my God, My Savior Jesus. More music to come!”

Sam is set to release multiple singles in the coming weeks, and will soon star in teleserye, slated to premiere early next year.