Vinyl Gold Rush.

More and more audiophiles keep digging their hands for hours to score the vinyl record they have been searching for so long. Audiophiles crowded the first "One Stop Record Fair" for this year which kicked off at the new Greenhills Mall in San Juan City recently.

The quarterly music event "One Stop Record Fair" featured over 30 vinyl record sellers, such as Bunnygod Records, Tambai Records, Lennox Records, Kapitan Plaka, Musique Vibe Records, Mamsy Records, Plakatons, Ohmandys, and Perfect Day Records, among others. Vinyl records from as early as the 60s to 2020s were discounted up to 50 percent and sold for as low as 200 pesos, but everyone is welcome to negotiate and ask for discounts. First pressings are often sold for an expensive price so it's good to note for next time to bring additional cash.

Got no turntable and other audio equipment yet? Fret not because cassette tapes and compact discs (CDs) were also available at the record fair. Audio-Technica had a booth selling their audio gear such as turntables and speakers. Notable titles which are sold at the event are Bob James Trio's "Feel like Making Love" and "The World's Greatest Audiophile Vocal Recordings" both from UG34 Music; Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham's "Buckingham Nicks (Japan Pressing" and "City Pop Avenue" by Paper Moon Project from Bunnygod Records; Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians' "Shooting Rubberbands At The Sky (US First Pressing) and Charles Mingus' "Mingus at Monterey (Japan pressing mono)" from New Vintage Culture and other unique records sold.

Cubil's wife Keiko Necesario, who is also a singer-songwriter, joined him on stage to sing their song "Una." Meanwhile, director and actor Bobot Mortiz launched his 8-track vinyl album "Goin' Standard," a collection of standards popularized by Frank Sinatra, at the record fair.

"I am happy with the outcome of this event. One Stop Record Fair is indeed successful. I can say that 'our events are always successful, and it was different from previous fair since it was more fun and more people came,'" said Sari Osorio, the organizer of the record fair.

Osorio noted that the people are also more excited this time because they already know what the record fair offers and they want to get a look at what has been added to the mix since the last fair. Get ready to get digging because the next “One Stop Record Fair will be in June 2024.

Pru Life UK taps Ben&Ben as an ally to help Filipino families get the most out of life.

Leading life insurer Pru Life UK officially introduced Ben&Ben as its new brand ambassador to help more Filipino families get the most out of life at a fun-filled family day event held at The Island in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

At the launch, the company talked about how the band perfectly aligns with the company's progressive and inclusive approach in defining a family. Testament to this is the insurer’s recently announced product called PRUHealth FamLove, a first-of-its-kind yearly renewable life insurance and critical illness plan that protects up to four family members under one policy. Under this plan, family members also include same-sex or common-law partners, parents, and adoptive children.

“Like many Filipino families, Ben&Ben is diverse, inclusive, and warmhearted. They resonate with the strong family ties that Filipinos are known for representing both the traditional and modern Filipino families. We are delighted to welcome Ben&Ben into our Pru Life UK family as our new brand ambassador and ally in helping more Filipino families get the most of life,” said Pru Life UK General Manager and Chief Commercial Officer Gilbert Simpao.

The top-rating Original Pilipino Music band who serenaded the crowd with its top hits such as Paninindigan Kita, Kathang Isip and Pagtingin, is a perfect example of both traditional and progressive Filipino families who are doing great things together, recognizing their differences, and celebrating diversity and inclusivity.

The event is Ben&Ben’s first public performance as Pru Life UK’s ally to help Filipino families of different types and sizes get the most out of their lives through PRUHealth FamLove, and its unique and game changing features. The product is designed for customers to share their critical illness protection coverage with different types of family members, including single parents, cohabiting partners, LGBTQ+ partners, and adoptive family members.

The product is also the first in the country as it provides coverage should any major organs require surgery, without the need to remember the long list of critical illnesses. This is a new generation of solutions designed to provide customers with simple, flexible and future-proof protection benefits against unknown diseases. It also provides long-term coverage until age 85.

“Strengthening Filipino families through financial wellness is one of our biggest advocacies at Pru Life UK. We want every Filipino household to have peace of mind by bringing protection closer to everyone. PRUHealth Famlove, with its shareability feature, is a step forward in achieving that as it gives families an affordable and accessible life protection option,” Pru Life UK Senior Vice President and Chief Customer & Marketing Officer Allan Tumbaga said.

In celebration of family diversity and championing individuality, Pru Life UK launched Famvatar, a unique digital experience that lets anyone create a personalized group avatar starring one’s family. Users can then use their unique, fun-filled chat stickers in group chats and more.

To make a Famvatar and know more about Pru Life UK’s PRUHealth FamLove, please visit www.prulifeuk.com.ph.

Where to Go to Find the Best Live Music.

Most of us haven't seen a live event in so long that even the filthiest black hole of a bathroom sounds appealing right now. During the pandemic, musicians have devised solutions such as livestreams and remote outdoor concerts, but the locations themselves remain crucial. Maybe it's the sense of camaraderie you'll find there, or the booker whose judgement you trust enough to show up without even looking at the schedule. Perhaps it's the flawless live sound, the bartender's strong pour, or the raggedly appealing ambiance that drives less committed customers away.

Your best bet is to start simple and google - live entertainment near me. Most cities feature an online 'What's On' website that lets you know what performers or bands are performing in the near future. It also aids in narrowing your search by identifying which genres are popular in each city. For example, because New Orleans is known for its music, you'll find more live jazz venues there. Whether you want to see Beyonce or an unknown local favorite band, you should be able to find out who is playing in town when you go online.

Brooklyn Steel, New York City

Brooklyn Steel.

The huge facade of Brooklyn Steel, which pays homage to its previous existence as a steel production facility, appears menacing at first glance. The facility, which is located in Brooklyn's Bushwick area, is quickly becoming one of the city's top live music venues. LCD Soundsystem opened Brooklyn Steel with five sold-out nights in 2017, and since then, the Pixies, PJ Harvey, and, most recently, Mitski on her sold-out Be the Cowboy tour have all performed there.

Stubbs, Austin

Stubbs.

No vacation to Texas' capital is complete without a stop at Stubb's, a superb barbecue place on Red River Street with a great stage in the rear. The Waller Creek Amphitheater has a capacity of 2,200 people, but it's a laid-back kind of setting where you may feel like you're hanging out in someone's garden while enjoying a show by one of the world's best bands.

9:30 Club, Washington, DC

9:30 Club.

The 9:30 Club, which has been there since the early 1980s and has been at its current location for nearly 20 years, has long been regarded as one of the country's best indie rock venues. The club, which hosted gigs from famous local bands like Fugazi and Minor Threat during the city's 1980s and 1990s hardcore scene, has been the center of the D.C. music scene for generations. The 1,200-seat theater now hosts a steady stream of major touring groups, as well as a series of secret gigs from bands like Green Day, Radiohead, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers over the years. Gwar, the Roots, and Thievery Corporation are among the artists who have performed at the venue more than 20 times since it opened. When Rolling Stone surveyed musicians and industry experts in 2013 to determine the greatest big-room clubs in the country, the 9:30 Club came in first.

Hollywood Bowl, LA

Hollywood Bowl.

Year after year, artists have made history at the 17,500-person capacity theater, which opened in 1922: The Beatles performed there in 1965 and 1965, and released The Beatles at the Hollywood Bowl, a live album based on those performances; the Doors did the same in 1968; Monty Python staged their final full revue there in 1982; Kanye West chose the venue as the perfect place to perform his 808s & Heartbreak album in its entirety in 2015; and Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers played their final shows together there in 2017 before his death. Ringo Starr once observed of the Beatles' appearances at the Hollywood Bowl, "It was the Hollywood Bowl."

Prudential Corporation Asia and SuperM launch new “We DO” Music Video

Pru Life UK’s regional headquarters, Prudential Corporation Asia (PCA) and the Korean pop (K-pop) super group SuperM have launched a new “We DO” music video (MV) to encourage people to stay well and healthy, and have fun doing it. PCA announced earlier this year its collaboration with SuperM to launch the “We Do Well Together” campaign aimed at promoting new and engaging ways of maintaining physical and mental health.

The launch of the “We DO” song will be followed by PCA’s “We DO Dance” initiatives across Asia. This is a series of health and wellness initiatives designed to offer people a fresh perspective and approach to manage their health and wellness, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.

Super M, the "Avengers of K-pop".

In the Philippines, Pru Life UK is set to launch the #WeDoDanceChallengePH from April 26 to June 25 via the social platform Tiktok, inviting Filipinos to create and upload their dance covers of the song “We DO”, accompanied by a short caption describing how dancing helps them keep fit.

Participants will get a chance to be recognized in the roster of the Top 100 videos and win a prize in the weekly electronic raffle draw – these include exclusive SuperM x Pru Life UK merchandise, as well as tickets to a regionwide SuperM virtual concert.

“In line with our long-standing commitment to help people protect their health and wellbeing, the launch of our ‘We DO Dance’ series aims to create a fun and exciting way to engage Filipinos to dance and be active to get the most out of life,” shares Allan Tumbaga, Pru Life UK SVP & Chief Customer Marketing Officer.

We Do Well Together!

PCA was the first regional life insurer to collaborate with a renowned Korean pop group. In January, PCA announced to hold a series of events with SuperM to motivate people to lead healthier lives and achieve better wellness in 11 markets in Asia, including the Philippines, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.

Find out more about the “We DO Dance” initiatives on Pru Life UK’s website, and/or download Pulse app to be part of the “Dance For Wellness” community.

Watch the “We DO” music video here: https://youtu.be/45eaXV6CJOk.

3 Reasons to Have Live Music at Every Party.

In the recent Power of Live Study conducted by Live Nation in partnership with Culture Co-op, nearly three-quarters of respondents stated they believe the moments that give them the most life are "live experiences." 

That alone should tell you how much importance people place on live music experiences but if you're still on the fence about whether you should book a musician for your party, think back on the parties you've attended. Which were your favorites? Did they include a live, interactive band with great musicians that made them stand out in your mind? If the answer is yes, you'll immediately understand why you should have live music at every party - otherwise, consider these three reasons to always provide this unforgettable experience to your guests. 

The doctors of Hospital Playlist (2020).

It Makes the Event More Exciting and Engaging

The energy and excitement that comes with live music really can't compare to even a very well thought out playlist. Live performances carry an energy that recordings just can't match - by the time that recording plays, it's been changed multiple times, assessed and adapted to radio, but when it's live, the artist or group of artists are performing their craft directly to the audience. That type of one-on-one communication is powerful and can't be matched by any playlist.

Live musicians also know how to get the crowd excited and engaged, giving any party more of an upscale feel. An experienced leader of any band not only sings or plays an instrument, but knows how to interact with guests while also assessing the atmosphere of the room to choose the best tunes to play. It's a communal event that transforms the group of people who are all sharing the experience together, creating a tangible sense of community. Other research focused on live experiences confirmed this, with an Eventbrite survey revealing that nearly 80 percent of millennials stated that attending live events typically makes them feel not only more connected to the community and other people, but to the world.

Park Hae Joon in The World of the Married (2020).

You'll Have Fewer No-Shows

One of the best ways to get people excited about attending your party is to have live entertainment. It automatically brings that "wow" factor most are looking for - they'll immediately know it's not going to be a boring event where everyone is sitting around twiddling their thumbs trying to come up with something clever to say.

The Liar and His Lover (2017).

Higher Quality Sounds and Songs

With live musicians, they can change up the style or tempo to accommodate your requests or the feel of the room. With recorded tracks, the songs will always sound the same no matter how often they're played. When it's live, the artists often add their own unique flavor and style. Plus, the sound will be much higher quality than what you'd get with a playlist.

Another issue with using a playlist is that it takes a significant time to put together something that will last throughout the party, and no matter how much thought you put into it, it's extremely challenging to accommodate everyone's preferences. Having live music frees you from this arduous task, eliminating the need to consider the music preferences of every guest. Good musicians will have lots of experience performing live and will know how to keep the energy up with a playlist that's much more likely to be a widespread success.

How Instagram Can Help Wannabe Singer/Songwriters.

Making a name for yourself as a musician is a real challenge; it’s a saturated industry which requires people to really stand out in order to make it into the mainstream. With so many people trying to find their big break, you need to use everything at your disposal to catch people’s attention. Social media, especially Instagram, can be a fantastic platform to help you share your music, but you need to approach it in a certain way in order to get the results you want.

Jang Geun Seuk as an aspiring musician in Marry Me, Mary (2010).

Profile
Your Instagram profile is your opportunity to tell people your story. Singer/songwriters are artists and creatives who take inspiration from their lives in order to create their music. Producing songs that people can relate to is a sure-fire way of becoming popular, therefore reinforcing your approachable image with a personal profile that is available for the public to view can only contribute towards this. Letting people know your back story helps you to build up a relationship with potential fans, which in turn leads to a more loyal following. You need to choose the theme of your profile carefully as it needs to give off a professional image too, and try to be as consistent as possible with top-quality photos.

Tools
Instagram has a number of features designed to help you boost engagement as well as increase your follower count, so it is important to make the most of these. Firstly, use hashtags in your captions to highlight what your post is about, especially focusing on the kinds of things people are most likely to search for, for example #newmusic as this will bring up your post in searches for that hashtag. The more engagement your posts get the more likely they are to appear on people’s feeds and searches too, so try to do posts that spark feedback.

Yoo Yong Min in Her Private Life (2019) - barista by day, musician at night.

Other methods you could use are holding competitions where you give away tickets to your concerts to someone randomly picked from those who have ‘liked’ your post, or getting an auto like on instagram from kenji.ai. Timing is also important when it comes to when you post; try to make sure you schedule posts at times when more people are likely to be online otherwise it could end up being buried. And finally, post regularly so that you have a constant presence on social media, as this will help your name to become familiar to people.

Networking
Your main aim on Instagram is to have as many followers as possible and one of the best ways to get your name out there is to have a presence in places where your target market is likely to be found. For example, you could contribute towards online forums that discuss new music. 'Cross promoting' aka sharing the posts of other artists will often result in them returning the favour, so you will soon start to be recognised as a reputable singer/songwriter in the same circles.

Instagram is a brilliant marketing tool for business including for those who are trying to promote their own talent to create a career. For more tips on how to succeed in different industries, take a look at therebelsweetheart.com.

Adele’s Hard-To-Get Game | Why Are Her Show Tickets So Rare & Expensive?

It’s nearly impossible for a fan nowadays to purchase the tickets for his favorite show, especially if Adele is the hot-star. Why? Learn about it right here!

Why are tickets to Adele's shows so rare? Is there a solution?

Did you know that Adele loves two lumps of sugar in her tea? I know I had no idea before some advanced research. But what I do now (and so do most of you) is that her shows are playing the ultimate  'hard-to-get game'..

I mean, seriously, just look at her recent tour across the US and Mexico. Did you have a shot at getting in? Well you probably haven’t. What’s even funnier is the fact that Adele's concert ticket prices are not too high. I’d even say the tag is somewhat below average given the scale of Adele’s popularity.

And yet, resellers tend to charge up to 10 times more, there aren’t enough for everyone who wants to visit the show and so on and so forth. Why?

Photo credit: Telegraph UK.

What makes Adele show tickets so special?
Let’s get this party started with some hot answers to our top question. Below are the facts. Reading through them will guarantee your understanding of the ticket situation.

Demand is higher than the supply.
Just think about the numbers – 5 million people chose to buy 25, Adele’s latest album. This fact, being one of the most successful music releases in history, narrates on how big is the hype. Add at least 5 more millions of people who have downloaded the album illegally from torrents and you’ll get the bigger picture. It’s finally time to acknowledge that the entire North America tour was only selling 1 million tickets. Bummer.

Adele has a dedicated fan club.
Most of the tickets were sold to them way before ticket booths were open for sale. Meaning those of you who were not included into the fan base list only got what was left.

Ticket distribution is heavily regulated.
This is done to actually limit the amount of tickets on the secondary market. Thus availability is narrowed down even further. Plus, the lesser the total amount of tickets, the higher the prices.

Is there a way out?
Or should I say a way into the concert hall? Services like TicketCrab offer a fine array of solutions to music lover and Adele fans from all over the world. How? Digital resellers usually have lower rates and as such the tickets are cheaper. As a bonus users get access to the following functionality on TicketCrab:

Favorite events are easily tractable. You have the power to organize lists of shows you wish to see in the way you find fit.

Personal alerts and notifications will ensure you know all about upcoming shows way in advance, this way you will get empowered to purchase the ticket before anyone else does.

Geo-based event trackers. If there’s something cool going on in your area – you will know about it from first hands. Neat, right?

All in all, the digital era of easily accessible online services is destined to change the way we are used to have fun as well. TicketCrab is a fine example of innovation to rock the world of music shows.

Seoul Searching | SMTown at COEX Artium!

For any Kpop fan, no trip to COEX (or Seoul, for that matter) would be complete without visiting SMTown - a sprawling, six-story hub of all things Kpop.

Hello, SMTown! We finally meet! :)

The huge 'SMTown' sign was actually the first thing that I noticed as we entered the premises of COEX Mall. And like a piece of metal attracted to a magnet, my feet just automatically took me there. My boys obviously had no choice but to follow suit. Haha!

Life-size versions of EXO Paper Toys.

Follow me to SMTown! Virtual tour after the jump! :)

Make More Music, and Make it Better!

Computers, digital emulators of old-school analog machinery, and cutting-edge editing software are all now easily attained by anyone with passing interest in music and a little extra spending money. Albums, record-deals, and careers have been born out of much less, so a small set-up in the bedroom or basement makes the dream of being a rock star seem even more attainable. Something that used to require schlepping gear all over town, praying to get spotted and signed, is now something doable independently, through drive, talent, and, naturally, lots of luck.

Old school!

There is, however, something most on-label acts have at their disposal that at-home artists lack: a professional-sounding recording space. The acoustics of a room play a huge role in the sound of a record, and how one hears the music they're working on, mixing, and mastering. Studios often include rooms that are built for superior acoustics off the bat, and then include a substantial amount of room treatment products to make sure the sound being recorded is true to the one being produced by the musician and his or her instruments and voice. On the other end of the spectrum, small, square, boxy rooms in homes represent one of the worst acoustical environments for recording music.

Photo credit: Musicblazt.

Fortunately, along with the technology people have access to, acoustical treatment has become more accessible too. With the right research and testing, you can address issues in your room with particular products, be they store-bought, or one of the multitude of effective DIY solutions. With the right combination of research and testing, you can identify what sonic areas you need to address most. In addition to the companies offering surprisingly affordable treatment products, like low frequency absorbers, wall tiles, and diffusors, most provide acoustical advice as well!
Regardless of how expensive or minimalist your gear is, music will only sound as good as the room allows. With the advances in room acoustics, you can get your room to help you make some of your best music ever.

Article submitted by The Foam Factory, an online resource for room-improving acoustic products, with items like wall tiles, low-frequency absorbers, and eggcrate foam for economy treatment.

Spotify Asia launches the best of K-Pop playlist!

Attention all music lovers - hallyu is taking Spotify by storm!

The world’s leading music streaming service today rolls out its first-ever curated Asian playlist bringing music fans the best of K-Pop.

K-Pop Daebak!

K-Pop Daebak (that's the Korean word for 'awesome') features the hottest songs from all-time favourite Korean idols, such as BigBang, 2NE1, EXO, and Girls’ Generation, upcoming rookie groups BTS, Boys Republic, Akdong Musician & Red Velvet, as well as the latest releases from Super Junior, Taemin, B1A4 and HyunA.

The playlist also includes the debut single from YG Entertainment’s newest group, WINNER, who has recently launched their album, 2014 S/S, on Spotify. WINNER’s track, Empty, has been dominating various music charts for the entire month since the album launch. The five-member boy band is YG Entertainment’s first boy group in eight years since BigBang.

K-Pop fans can now bob their heads to the latest hits and all-time favorites in the Hallyuwood sphere on the Spotify Asia page with a playlist that’s going to be updated regularly. Check out Spotify’s K-Pop Daebak playlist here.



About Spotify
Spotify is an award-winning digital music service that gives you on-demand access to over 20 million tracks. Our dream is to make all the world’s music available instantly to everyone, wherever and whenever you want it.

Spotify makes it easier than ever to discover, manage and share music with your friends, while making sure that artists get a fair deal. Spotify is now available in 56 markets globally with more than 40 million active users, and over 10 million paying subscribers.

Since its launch in Sweden in 2008, Spotify has driven more than US$1bn to rights holders. Spotify is now the second biggest source of digital music revenue for labels in Europe, and the biggest and most successful music streaming service of its kind globally.

*Number of tracks licensed globally. Catalogue size varies per market and can also change over time.

Fashion Pulse | Punk is a Way of Life.

The Punk Rock movement of the late 1970s was about much more than just music. The Ramones' look was as much a part of their appeal as their sound and matched their attitude. Some said they brought that 'sense of a gang or brotherhood' to the music scene and that was what made them so influential. Likewise, the Sex Pistols had a look and sense of style that set them apart from the mainstream acts of the time and that fashion lasts to this day.

The Ramones.

Punk clothing may look like just a bunch of ripped jeans and disheveled tee-shirts to some, but those close to the scene know that they are not that easy to come by. Angry Young and Poor has been selling punks clothes since 1995 and they are known for their wide selection of quality items. But they do not just sell clothes; Angry Young and Poor has a wide selection of all things punk-related, including music albums, studs and spikes, and band merchandise, as well as gift certificates.

Sex Pistols.

Angry Young and Poor also has a rewards program that gives purchasers points based on the amount they spend. AYP Punk Rock Points are given per dollar spent and are worth $0.05 toward your next purchase. That means that if you spend $100.00, you get $5.00 off your next order. Even better, AYP offers free shipping on orders of $100.00 or more. Note that wholesale orders do not accrue AYP Punk Rock Points.

Spotify Makes it to the Top!

And by that, I mean the top of the charts in both Apple iTunes and the Google Play Store. Among the free and paid apps, Spotify is the first and only music app to make it to the top ten!

It's no surprise, actually. Especially when you have 40 million users in 57 markets worldwide, plus a catalogue containing more than 30 million songs. I'm a huge fan of Spotify myself (it's one of the most used apps on smartphone), and most of my friends are, too (I know because we share our playlists on our Facebook pages, haha!)

KPop x Spotify! :)

Now if you're a Globe subscriber such as myself, you can enjoy streaming your favorite music for free with a GoSURF Data Plan. Aside from the premium access to all the music on Spotify, this postpaid plan also gives you access to the internet for sending e-mails, updating social networks, sharing photos or playing games. Streaming Spotify is completely free and won’t eat up a GoSURF data plan’s mobile internet allocation.

So whether you’re a social media spectator - busy checking everyone else’s status, posts, selfies, or a social media butterfly - constantly posting hilarious videos, quizzes for your friends to take, and responding to comments in a flash, GoSURF has the right data plan that fits your digital lifestyle. Stay online for as low as P10 for 10 MB of data valid for 1 day. If you want to stay online longer, you can register to GoSURF299 with 700MB of data for 30 days plus free Spotify Premium. The best part about Spotify Premium? You can listen to music without any advertisements, stream music with the highest quality audio, and download music using offline mode so you can listen to songs even without an internet connection or WiFi!

Make your world sound wonderful with GoSURF and Spotify!
Prepaid subscribers can register to GoSURF10 which gives 10MB of data and free access to Spotify for 1 day, while Postpaid subscribers can avail of GoSURF 299 with 700MB of data valid for 30 days plus free access to Spotify Premium.

Mastering the Arts | Learning New Skills with the Help of YouTube Videos

Learning a new skill never hurts and you never know when it might come in handy. Luckily, you can learn an incredible array of new skills with instructional videos on Youtube. This infographic demonstrates the incredible range of skills that you can learn just by watching videos online.

Have you ever used Youtube in this way before? Take a look to see some of the skills that are featured.
For example, you can learn how to make your own cheese, perform CPR, peel a clove of garlic in 10 seconds or defend yourself from an attacker.

Did you know that you could learn so many skills just from watching Youtube? These are just a few of the examples from the hundreds of thousands of helpful videos on Youtube that you could choose from.    

The infographic also offers some great tips on how to make the most of instructional videos on Youtube or a Youtube downloader, such as where to find the best videos from trusted sources and checking when the video was posted.

What do you think of the infographic? Which skills would you like to learn? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. Yes, you can master a new skill in a day.

An infographic by the team at youtubedownload

Create the Playlist of your Life with Spotify!

Hello everyone! How's your weekend so far?
I've been pretty busy this weekend, with the World Cup Quarterfinals, UFC 175, and all. Oh, and I spent a good part of yesterday organizing my Spotify playlist.

Spotify, a digital music service allows you to enjoy all your favorite songs on your smartphone. With this app, can listen to your favorite songs anytime, anywhere, even without WiFi or mobile internet. You can also create your own playlist and share it with your friends and social networks. Spotify also has a feature that allows you to 'follow' your favorite artists and bands. listen to their playlists, and make them your own.

And thanks to the exclusive tie-up between Spotify and Globe Telecom, you can stream your favorite music at pocket-friendly rates.

More ways to enjoy Spotify!

To register, text the keyword of your preferred offer to 8888. When you register to Spotify Premium, you also get 10MB of mobile internet daily that you can use for social media, surfing, and more!

For more information or to start using Spotify, visit www.spotify.com or check out the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/spotify.

Spotify + Globe Telecom | Making Beautiful Music Together.

Spotify, the most popular music streaming service in the market to date, has made yet another milestone. It's now available in the Philippines, and it's made possible by no other than Globe Telecom.

Available to all Filipinos today, Spotify gives you:
An unbeatable music experience. Listen to whatever music you want, whenever you want, on any device. Discover, organise and share. Offering amazing audio quality of up to 320kbps and with a brand new design, playing your favorite music never looked and felt this good.

Unrivaled music access. Over 30 million songs at your fingertips and updated daily, mixing global hits with one of the most extensive OPM catalogues available. Check out music from your friends and favourite celebrities. Add in our unbeatable music discovery and organisation tools and Spotify has all your music needs covered.

Music anywhere, everywhere. Download the Spotify app and listen to any song, album or artist, on any device, for free. Shuffle play on mobile or play any song on tablet or desktop. Alternatively, upgrade to Spotify Premium for P129 per month and enjoy the ultimate music experience.

On my Spotify playlist. :)

Spotify's exclusive tie-up with Globe Telecom offers all 38 million Globe Postpaid, Globe Prepaid and Tattoo-on-the-go Prepaid subscribers free access to the app through the telco's new data plan, GoSURF. GoSURF gives customers mobile internet access complete with Spotify for as low as P10 a day. Even better, streaming music on Spotify won't touch your default data allowance across all GoSurf plans!

Postpaid subscribers, on the other hand, can choose from a variety of offerings, from GoSURF 299 with 700MB of data valid for 30 days including Spotify Premium, up to GoSURF 999 with 5GB of data plus Spotify Premium.

"Globe customers will have music to discover right at their fingertips with Spotify, and sharing music with all their friends is just but a click away," says Peter Bithos, Chief Operating Advisor at Globe.

He adds, "With its comprehensive music catalogue and features such as playlist creation, music discovery and offline mode, Spotify gives us a new and exceptional way of listening to music. Coupled with our GoSURF plan, our customers get to enjoy the best of both worlds; consumable mobile internet to do the things they love plus 30 million songs to listen to and share, all for free."

Spotify is the biggest music service of its kind globally, with over 24 million active users and over 6 million paying subscribers. For more information or to start using Spotify, visit www.spotify.com or check out the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/spotify.

Unwrap Hope | Bamboo and Tattoo Home Broadband give smiles to children of Ormoc.

Ever wondered what your favorite stars and celebrities do during Christmas and the New Year? Here's a peek at how rock icon Bamboo celebrated the holidays.

Tattoo Home Broadband together with celebrated rock icon Bamboo gave the children of Brgy. Tambulilid Elementary School in Ormoc, Leyte plenty of reasons to smile with gifts of toys in time for Christmas.

A fitting finale to a successful run of Bamboo's Christmas concert Believe: Christmas at Home with Bamboo, the concert became the prime vehicle to be able to collect over 2000 toys for the benefit of the kids in the said barangay. After the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda, Tattoo, through Globe Telecom's Bangon Pinoy program, gave its commitment to restore and rebuild 100 homes in Ormoc, in partnership with Gawad Kalinga. And with the holiday season Tattoo chose to give importance to the children of the community who were left most vulnerable after the calamity.

Bamboo’s concert Believe: Christmas at Home with Bamboo held at the Music Museum is part of Tattoo’s #UnwrapHope project with an end goal to give over 2000 kids toys as gifts for Christmas

Everyone who wanted to watch the concert purchased toys in exchange for the tickets. On the other hand, those who simply wanted to share a simple Christmas message posted their video greetings on Instagram with the hashtag #UnwrapHope. Each video post was also equivalent to a toy that Tattoo donated on their behalf. And as a special treat, a creative selection of these videos were compiled and revealed during Bamboo’s concert.

Bamboo together with Tattoo Home Broadband's Jurist Gamban holding some of the stuffed toys that will be given to the children of Brgy. Tambulilid in Ormoc, Leyte.

Following the collection of toys was the gift wrapping activity held at the Globe Tower where employees, Tattoo customers and Bamboo's fans alike helped each other to wrap and put a bow on every single toy. The gifts were sealed with Christmas cards from the kids of Taguig Elementary school.

Bamboo, together with the whole Tattoo team, Tattoo subscribers and fans alike
worked together to wrap over 2000 gifts for the kids.

As Globe Senior Vice President for Broadband Business Gilbert Simpao said, "What better way to end a blessed year right than to give back. We feel very lucky to have this opportunity to make kids happy especially after what happened with typhoon Yolanda. And this is just the beginning as we commit to return in time to rebuild of their homes".

Brand new toys were shipped to Ormoc in time for the gift-giving celebration with Tattoo and Bamboo.

And just like Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, Bamboo and the whole Tattoo team and Globe employee volunteers arrived at the elementary school bearing gifts of joy in the form of truckloads of toys.

"We will forever be thankful that these children welcomed us and allowed us to be a part of their Christmas celebration. But we don't only want to be here just for the holidays. We are here for this community for the long haul and we look forward to making more children happier in the near future," continues Globe Vice President for Tattoo Home Broadband Business Jurist Gamban.

Joining Bamboo, Simpao and Gamban in the recent gift giving was Globe Senior Vice President for Corporate Communications Yoly Crisanto, and Globe Vice President for Nomadic Broadband Business Dong Ronquillo alongside Globe employee volunteers who gave their time and effort for this meaningful cause.

The children gave the Tattoo team a warm welcome and even had a chance to dance with them. Kids received toys from huggable stuffed dolls and building blocks to action figures.

The kids of Brgy. Tambulilid gave the Tattoo team a warm welcome and eagerly waited for their turn to receive a toy.

Tattoo together with Gawad Kalinga are now in the process of preparing in time for the building of the Tattoo-GK village in Brgy. Tambulilid this January. Apart from 100 houses, the village can also count on Tattoo's support with livelihood programs designed for sustainable living. Tattoo was able to raise funding for this project with their donation of 100% of their sales from their sticks and home broadband plans for November and December.

Bamboo and Jurst Gamban handing out the gifts to the children.

Bangon Pinoy is Globe Telecom’s enterprise-wide disaster response initiative that aims to have a unified system for donations, relief efforts, and corporate social responsibility programs across products and services. It is an integrated program that allows communities devastated by calamities to benefit from various efforts geared towards rebuilding and rehabilitation. It was first introduced by Globe in 2009 after typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng wreaked havoc in the country.

For more updates visit www.globe.com.ph/BangonPinoy.