Christian Bautista’s ‘Soundtrack’ hits platinum





Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista proved that he is still one of the most reliable male singers in the country with his latest record award – a Platinum Record Award for his latest album “Soundtrack.” The awarding happened at “Sunday All Stars” last Sunday, June 8.



“This is a surprise,” says Christian. “You are good at keeping this to me.”



Christian was awarded by Universal Records Managing Director Kathleen Dy-Go. During the said episode, Christian also performed his duet with Julie Ann San Jose – their rendition of “Cruisin.”



Christian thanked his fans Christian Friends for their support to the album, and his sponsors.



Soundtrack includes memorable theme songs from the most romantic movies of all time. It includes the hit “Up Where We Belong,” theme from “Empress Ki.” “A Thousand Years” is also part of the album.



Christian also tapped some of the best female singers to collaborate with him. Former sweetheart Rachelle Ann Go joins him in their rendition of “The Way We Were.”



Perennial stage leading lady Karylle performs the romantic “After All” with Christian. Nikki Gil also lends her beautiful voice in the duet “Come What May.”

Coca-Cola, Habitat Philippines give cleaner, safer water systems to two Bohol towns




(Manila, Philipines) — The towns of Tubigon and Maribojoc in Bohol province now have clean and safe drinking water due to a joint effort of the Coca-Cola Company and Habitat for Humanity Philippines. The two towns have newly rehabilitated water supply systems, a project which began in February 2014.



In Tubigon, a redeveloped 105,000-liter water storage tank will be able to provide clean water to 500 families in the barangays of Panaytayon, Ilijan Norte and Ilijan Sur. Meanwhile, 2,000 families across nine barangays in the town of Maribojoc will benefit from a new multi-filtration water system that outputs 1.2 million liters of clean water per day.



Representing the provincial government of Bohol, Atty. Anthony Damalerio expressed his gratitude to Coca-Cola Philippines and Habitat for “this good example of public-private partnership. This is one way to honor our strong commitment to deliver that basic commodity to our barangays.”



Damalerio said that the province’s demand for clean water will be increasing this year since Bohol will be embarking on massive infrastructure projects. Due to this, he explained, providing barangays access to clean and safe drinking water is a topmost priority. “We must not forget the role of our barangays.”



Coca-Cola Philippines Foundation President, Cecile Alcantara, said that the two projects are the company’s way of giving back to the community the water they’ve consumed for their products. “We call this ‘replenish,’ and we are happy to say that we have given back 40 to 50 percent of the water we’ve consumed back to the communities,” she said.



Alcantara also requested local government officials to educate their constituents to take care of the resource entrusted to them. She emphasized that “[since] water is not an infinite resource, we have to conserve it.”



Habitat for Humanity Philippines Managing Director and CEO, Charlie Ayco, says they took on this project as part of the organization’s goals of ensuring that Filipino families can have more decent and secure lives. “We are known for shelter, but in our housing-quality standards, clean water and sanitation are a vital components of a decent home.”



Both the Coca-Cola Company and Habitat for Humanity Philippines see themselves as partners for development, eyeing more projects together with the local government of Bohol to help rebuild the lives of those who have been affected by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake last October 2013.



“Perhaps the blessing is that the earthquake brought us all together, to work together so that we can [also] rise up together,” Coca-Cola’s Alcantara said.

Aiza Seguerra pays tribute to Maestro Ryan Cayabyab in new album





Years ago, Universal Records gathered the biggest rock acts to pay tribute to the APO Hiking Society in the album “Kami NApo Muna.” This was followed by Ogie Alcasid’s tribute to George Canseco (“Ngayon At Kailanman”) and Christian Bautista’s tribute to Jose Mari Chan (“Romance Revisited”).



This year, Aiza Seguerra pays tribute to Maestro Ryan Cayabyab in the album “Araw Gabi: Mga Awit ni Maestry Ryan.” This is Aiza’s first album under Universal Records.



The album, composed of some of the most-loved Ryan Cayabyab compositions, also features Mr. C playing the piano for the first single “Tuwing Umuulan At Kapiling Ka.”



“Napaka-special ng album nito kasi binigyan ko ng sarili kong take ang pinakasikat na compositions ni Mr. Ryan Cayabyab,” says Aiza.  “Ang sarap ka-trabaho niya kasi maski Maestro na siya, he listens to my inputs.”



Aiza also shares that the people working on the album prefer the execution to be very “organic.”



When asked about some of the realizations the singer had during the recording of the album, Aiza shared, “his songs are very familiar, but if you get technical about it, like when you are already recording, ang hirap pala kasi komplikado ang mga notes niya.”



The album also includes “Araw Gabi,” “Minsan Ang Minahal Ay Ako,” “Kay Ganda Ng Ating Musika,” “Kahit Ika’y Isang Panaginip Lamang,” “Paano Na Kaya,” “Tunay Na Ligaya,” “Iduyan Mo,” among others.





1.”Araw Gabi”

2.”Tuwing Umuulan at Kapiling Ka”

3.”How Can I”

4.”Kahit Ika’y Panaginip Lang”

5.”Paano na Kaya”

6.”Can This be Love”

7.”Kailan”

8.”Limang Dipang Tao”

9.”Iduyan Mo”

10.”Mama”

11.”Minsan Ang Minahal ay Ako”

12.”Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika”

Never The Strangers releases new album in four years





After four years, Never The Strangers returns to the local record industry with the release of their new album “Screenburn,” their first album with Universal Records.


The release of this album also marks the introduction of its new members. Never The Strangers is now composed of original members vocalist and keyboard player Ace Libre, guitarist JP Del Mundo, and new members bassist Gab Palanca and drummer Nash Ignacio.


Asked how the change in line-up affected the music of the band, Ace considers the different experiences of Gab and Nash contributed to the new sound of the band. He also notes JP’s uncanny ability to play guitars like a “chameleon.”


Ace also notes maturity in the way the band deals with each other, “we seek to serve the song rather than our egos, which I believe is a sign of maturity. We hear one another out, whether it's one reaffirming the opinion of another or opposing it.”


Ace expressed that this open communication has helped make the music better.


“The fans can expect a new sound from the new single,” Ace shares. “The single features the band having a go at electronic sounds.”


Ace also describes the upcoming album as having a “more narrative-based showing dressed in a bigger yet more nuanced sound from screenburn.”



“Screenburn” will be launched this June 19, Friday, 7:00 p.m., at the Eastwood Central Plaza.




“Screenburn” Tracklist:



1. The Light

2. Mundo

3. Showbiz

4. Machine Heart

5. Bones

6. Tiwala

7. Meant To Be

8. Sabay

9. Elisa

10. OK

11. So Long

12. Glass