Young rap phenom Shanti Dope is celebrating back-to-back accomplishments for his latest hit "Normalan."

The track recently hit over 1 million streams on the music streaming platform Spotify, less than a month after releasing the track where he raps about keeping things 'no strings attached.'

 

 On top of this, Shanti just released the accompanying visual for the track on the Universal Records YouTube page, which has already ranked at the #10 spot on the YouTube Philippines Trending chart. Staying true to the song's message, Shanti navigates through the world of online dating in the video as he tries to search for his one true love (if she even exists). Watch out for more exciting releases from Shanti Dope soon.

   

 Normalan is still streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, Deezer, and Amazon Music, with the music video on the Universal Records YouTube page.

After a successful first few days of Bayanihan Musikahan, featuring Ryan Cayabyab, Ebe Dancel, Karylle, Sponge Cola, Top Suzara, Noel Cabangon, Bayang Barrios and Mike Villegas, Jazz Nicholas, Davey Langit, Keiko Necessario, and more, the concert series continues for another round of online performances this week. The marathon online concert is the biggest citizen-action juggernaut to raise funds and immediately address the food and personal protection needs of the most vulnerable Filipinos in the National Capital Region.

The star-studded fundraiser, expected to run for at least two weeks with three to five concerts a day, heightens momentum with individual showcases from a wide range of genre:

March 23, 2020 – Monday:

5:00 PM – Nyoy Volante

6:30 PM – Bullet Dumas

8:00 PM – Nino Alejandro

9:00 PM – Ito Rapadas and Jimmy Antiporda of Neocolours

March 24, 2020 – Tuesday:

4:00 PM – Jim Paredes

7:00 PM – Lara Maigue

8:00 PM – Gloc-9

9:00 PM – Ice Seguerra

March 25, 2020 – Wednesday

TBD – Morissette

TBD – Martin Nievera

March 25, 2020 – Thursday

7:00 PM – Tim Pavino

8:00 PM – Jett and Rafi Pangan

9:00 PM – Juris

10:00 PM – Chito Miranda

March 25, 2020 – Friday (Visayas / Mindanao artists)

7:00 PM – Jewel Villaflores

8:00 PM – Jacky Chang

9:00 PM – Eamarie Gilayo

March 26, 2020 – Saturday

7:00 PM  – Joseph Gara

8:00 PM – Johnoy Danao

9:00 PM – Chud Festejo

10:00 PM – Kent Charcos

March 26, 2020 – Sunday

8:00 PM – Sitti Navarro

9:00 PM – Hopia Tinambacan

As the pandemic threatens to affect the most vulnerable Filipinos, the digital concert, streamed live on Facebook, represents quick citizen response to catastrophe. The project creates an opportunity for ordinary Filipinos to be at the forefront of efforts to help their kapwa-taumbayan find the strength to survive, and hopefully best, the lethal impact of the pandemic.

“We call on our citizenry to heed the call of the times, to stay at home and to prevent at all costs the spread of this virus that has wreaked havoc all over the world,” National Artist for Music and lead organizer Ryan Cayabyab shares in a statement. “And while doing so, be reminded that there are many, many of our brothers who are in dire need of assistance in the form of food and medical supplies. This is a call for citizen action. All of us are in this together. We the artists are there to throw a lifeline to the most vulnerable among us: Bayanihan na tayo! Any amount you can donate will all help our kababayans who are in dire need. Tulungan natin sila sa abot ng ating makakaya.”

Share your love and send your donations to: pymy.co/pbsp

The initiative, started by Ryan Cayabyab, Trina Belamide, Dan Songco, Jay Adlao Block, and Marian Pastor Roces, is partnered with Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSB). The NGO’s Likhaan, Samahang Nagkakaisa Pantawid Pamilya, Caritas Manila, and Oxfam Pilipinas are undertaking targeting survival kits delivery.  

The era defying, chart-topping, button-pushing, mega-group are back! The Pussycat Dolls have announced they are reuniting for a world tour, performing together for the first time in over a decade. The voices of a generation will be taking their Pussycat Dolls 2020 Tour to Manila on Saturday, May 9 at the Mall of Asia Arena. Presented by Wilbros Live.

The multi-platinum pop sensations returned to music earlier this month with their acclaimed new single ‘React’, seeing Nicole Scherzinger, Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Jessica Sutta and Carmit Bachar bring back Doll Domination on a global scale. 

Having sold more than 54 Million records worldwide and streamed over 1 Billion times, X2 Winners at the MTV VMA and achieved eight U.K. top 10 singles the dolls have Stick Wit Ya throughout the decades.

Nicole Scherzinger says “I love all my girls so much and cannot wait to show you what we've got in store for you. It’s been a long time coming but this feels like the perfect time to remind the world what it means to be a Pussycat Doll”.

Robin Antin, founder of The Pussycat Dolls says “I created The Pussycat Dolls back in 1994 and never in my wildest dreams would I have thought it would become one of the most iconic girl groups of our time. I’ve been working on making this reunion happen now for years, so I am very excited that the stars have aligned for THE PCD REUNION! It’s with gratitude to our fans and during this amazing time of female empowerment, to be able to announce the launch of our PCD reunion, celebrating ALL GENDERS, & the brilliant success and talent of the girls that helped influence a movement that was long overdue”.

The Pussycat Dolls will embark on a world tour bringing their chart-topping hits such as ‘Don’t Cha’, ‘Stickwitu’, ‘When I Grow Up’, ‘Buttons’, and many more fan favorites back to life with their iconic dance routines and show-stopping vocals.

Tickets to Pussycat Dolls 2020 Tour in Manila will go on-sale on Saturday, February 29 at 10am via SMTickets.com. For more information, visit any SM Ticket outlets or call 8470-2222.

For more than two decades, the Filipino metal band Slapshock celebrates its 23rd anniversary with a new album-in-the-works.

Slapshock consists of vocalist Jamir Garcia along with other band members Lee Nadela, Lean Ansing, Jerry Basco, and Chi Evora. Till this very day, the band has the same members since day one.

Back on February 14, 1997, the band had its first foray via UP Fair in Diliman. A year later, Slapshock released its first album.

Currently, they are writing their 10th studio album and will be releasing the new songs sometime this year.

In 2019, at the MYX Live! stage, the last Original Pilipino Music (OPM) to perform via their loud and head-banging act was Slapshock.

Their explosive performance on the cult classic Agent Orange was a much-talked-about video as it hit a million views in just one day after sharing it on the MYX official Facebook page.

Over two decades, Slapshock's brand of thunderous Filipino rock-metal sound still lingers in the consciousness of Pinoy rock fans. The band will not shortchange their Slap Army as they prepare to launch their upcoming 10th album.

Slapshock is here to stay as they promise their Slap Army. Collectively, they will not slow down but will be louder and aggressive even more in their songs and in their performances.

For more Slapshock news and updates, follow us on all our social media accounts:

Facebook: Slapshock (@slapshock.official)
Instagram: @slapshock_official
Twitter: @slapshock
Youtube: Slapshock (SlapshockPilipinas)

Multi-platinum recording artist Noel Cabangon returns with brand new single "Pipiliin Pang Maghintay" that is sure to give all the feels.

The poignant track is about a love that just won’t be denied despite the odds, and serves as the singer/songwriter's latest original composition. 

Inspired by beloved kundimans of yore, Cabangon’s new song promises to be a classic in the making with its soothing melody and universal theme of true love, one that sacrifices without counting the cost.

   

 Pipiliin Pang Maghintay is now available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, and Amazon Music under Universal Records.

Songs for and from the heart: Boyce Avenue alongside December Avenue and I Belong To The Zoo serenaded the Filipinos for a brimming post-Valentine’s Day show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last February 16, 2020. This also marks the end of their very successful Asian Tour. Earlier in the week, they have performed in Pangasinan, Cebu, and Davao to the delight of their fans from different regions.

Songs from the heart last night. Photo credit: April Ann De Guzman

I Belong to the Zoo opened the night with their melancholic hits Balang Araw, Patawad Paalam and Sana. Vocalist Argee Guererro admits that most of their songs are sad, some are even from past experiences making the crowd relate to the songs’ sincerity even more.

Parang tangang kausap ang tala at buwan

Naghihintay ng meron sa gitna ng kawalan

Natutong lumipad kahit pagod at sugatan

Pag-ahon ko sa lupa'y iiwanan na naman

- Balang Araw, I Belong To The Zoo

Following Zoo’s lead is December Avenue who’s main vocalist Zel Baustista even lamented, “Kung di ka masasaktan, hindi mo malalaman kung hanggang saan ang kaya mo.” (If there’s no pain, you won’t know your capabilities.”) Pain is necessary. Then comes the healing.

Lovers and spectators alike sang along to Kahit Di Mo Alam, Dahan-Dahan and Huling Sandali. The band dedicated Ears and Rhymes to all the lovers and reminded the crowd that even though 2019 is full of hurt and people leaving, 2020 is about moving forward and should be spent more on loving ourselves.

December Avenue finished their set with performances of the crowd favorites Kung Di Rin Lang Ikaw and Sa Ngalan Ng Pag-Ibig.

Boyce Avenue then takes the centerstage by hyping the crowd up with their original song called Hear Me Now. Armed not only with covers but originals as well, brothers Alejandro, Daniel and Fabian Manzano then did what they do best: performing acoustic performances that tug strings to the heart.

Singling out “Broken Angel”, a song written by lead singer Alejandro is about a friend who had a broken relationship with her father. The singer sang about moving on, reasoning how people deserve better than to be treated a certain way.

According to the group, they have been performing for the past few years in the Philippines that it almost feels like a tradition to have a show in the country come Valentines’ season and still,  they are being overwhelmed by the support of the Filipinos; the unwavering love for acoustic music never grows old.

As if charming the crowd with their vocals isn’t enough, the Florida natives proceeded to perform Oasis’ Wonderwall while uplugging all of their instruments, increasing the acoustic energy even more, something that they don’t normally do given a huge venue and crowd. Their sound was amplified by the crowd loudly singing along making this performance a hands down highlight of the night.

Another highlight of the show is the mini-collab stages with the vocalists Argee (I Belong To The Zoo) and Zel (December Avenue) as they performed covers of Say You Won’t Let Go and A Thousand Years respectively.

The boys ended the night with Goo Goo Dolls’ Iris.

THE SET LIST

Hear Me Now

Wake Me Up

Cinderella

Every Breath You Take

Torn/Castle on the Hill

Queen of Hearts

Imperfect Me

Bitter Sweet Symphony

Broken Angel

Family

Say You Won’t Let Go (with I Belong To The Zoo)

A Thousand Years (with Zel Bautista of December Avenue)

Fast Car

Ride the Wave

A Sky Full of Stars

Story of my Life

Can’t Help Falling In Love

Perfect

Anchor

ENCORE

On My Way

Wonderwall (Unplugged)

Iris

The Boyce Avenue Philippine Tour is presented by Wilbros Live.

Words by April Ann De Guzman
Boyce Avenue photos by Mike Yap