Christmas is really in the air the Prince of Soul JayR is in for the holiday season as he produces his own Christmas album entitled Holiday of Love.  So I'm sure a lot of music lovers will get a hold of this newest album from the Prince of Soul.

Get more of the story here with the press release...

Platinum Prince of Soul JayR’s Christmas album Holiday of Love may be one of the projects closest to the singer’s heart. Aside from admitting that he is certainly a “Christmas person,” this album features how gifted he is not only as a singer, but also a musician and a music producer.

Holiday of Love was produced by JayR himself for his own Homeworkz label, and distributed by Universal Records.

“This album is very special to me, and I am very proud of it,” says JayR. “I hope everyone grabs a copy. I hope you’ll let me be a part of your Holiday of Love.”

Classic Holiday tunes like Holy Night, Do You See What I See?, Give Love on Christmas Day, Sleigh Ride, The Most Wonderful Time of the Year, White Christmas, Into (O Christmas Tree), Winter Wonderland, The Christmas Song, This Christmas, Santa Baby, and The Little Drummer Boy are given the updated, R&B, groovy feel.

Wrapping up the entire album are two original songs close to Jay-R's heart. There's Spread the Love written by his sister, Jing. But the most special song found in the album is track number 11 intriguingly titled, Tito Remy—the same person cited by Jay-R as the man who inspired the entire project.

"He's a very close Tito sa akin po, uncle ko po," Jay-R confessed, "he died before the holiday so I wrote him a Christmas song." After the Holiday Season, JayR is all set to start working on his new album under Universal Records which will further highlight how extremely versatile he is as a singer.

JayR is being managed by Carlo Orosa of STAGES, which handles the careers of Christian Bautista, Karylle, Sam Concepcion, Enrique Gil, Zia Quizon, Krista Kleiner, Tippy Dos Santos, Mikel Campos, Fred Lo, among others.

Just got home from an album launch held at ARENA Sports Bar.  The place was not that big but good enough to accommodate a number of people while the band is performing on stage.  Yes, it is a band and to be precise it is an indie band called ARKO.  I'm sure a lot of the readers will raise their eyebrows and wonder who is this band.    Actually when a blogger friend invited me and message me the event I didn't actually easily grasps that it was a rock band not until I came to the venue.

Admittedly, I wasn't familiar with the indie band so this is a great time for me to know them more and hear their music mostly.

Since it was the launching of their 2nd Album entitled "Bitter, Sweet and Even", I, together with the other bloggers get a chance to ask questions about their band.  We also get a chance to get up close with them and ask some more questions that they willingly answers but of course there are some that are off the record.

Why ARKO?  According to them they based it on the arch structure which shows the strength of the band that the more pressure being put on them makes them even stronger.  It was not their first name but from a revision of their first band name which they find it easier to pronounce than their previous name.

ARKO band is composed of four great and talented individuals namely Brian Sta. Ana who plays the guitar, Ivan Raquid on bass, Boyet Robleado on drums and Nathalie Parayno as their vocalist.  I'm not much of a good critic with regards to music but I can say that each  member of the band are great in what they are playing and they exceeded my expectation, especially when I heard almost every song in their album tracks.


The band has been together for 7 years already and they have been through different sides of their life and their life as a band.  For this year it has been one of the good side for them because they were able to release their 2nd Album which was independently produced, one of their songs were already on MYX, and they were the first band to be featured in Fansilog.com. and the band's music video "Sayang" was produced by Fansilog.com.

I'm sure this band will be great and I'll be looking forward for their next step in their career.


Aside from the launching of ARKO's 2nd Album it was also the launching of the Fansilog.com which is a newest music content website solely for OPM Artists and fans.  Artists, bands, and fans can log in and exchange.  Also artists and bands can upload  their songs and videos and let their fans know where their next gig will be and at the same time view exclusive content like interviews, music videos, bootlegs, and versions.

Fansilog.com was conceived by four individuals from various fields, a freelance video producer Frank Lloyd Mamaril, Robbie Ortega who's a Licensed Engineer, Jason Talon an IT Practitioner, and Raul Robles who's  an IT Support Engineer.   Fansilog.com is not yet on it's full blown but expect something good from because everything is made out of their love and advocacy in producing good Pinoy Music to Filipinos.

Youtube sensation and international acoustic artist Marie Digby launched her latest album entitled “Your Love”. This is her gift for her Filipino fans who have supported her.

After her phenomenon rise to fame with her home made video of her acoustic rendition of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” in 2007, she was able to make it into the music industry. In 2009, she released her debut album “Unfold” which broke into the billboard charts at #29 on its first week and spawned the hit single “Say It Again”. Songs from the album have been used in top US shows like ER, The Hills, Greek, Smallville and One Tree Hill. She followed it up with her sophomore release “Breathing Under Water.”

Though she has performed all over the US, Europe and Asia, Marie recognizes that huge chunks of her fanbase are Filipinos. Even though she has no Filipino blood (Marie is half-Irish and half-Japanese descent), her captivating beauty, charismatic personality, and heartfelt songs have enthralled the Pinoy market.


“Your Love” single is already playing heavily on radio stations and music channels all over the country. It features her collaborations with the Philippines’ hottest actors Sam Milby (“Your Love” duet) and Jericho Rosales (“I Do”). It also includes other original tracks such as “Swoon” and Loving You Is Easy”, her version of the OPM hit “I Think I’m In Love” and her hit songs “Say It Again” and “Umbrella”. There are also minus one version of the tracks so you can sing along with Marie’s music.

Fans and followers can still catch Marie on the following malls: Robinsons Sta. Rosa on November 12, Robinsons Galleria on November 13, Robinsons Starmills Pampanga on November 19 and Robinsons Place Imus on November 20.

“Your Love” is available now in CDs and digital downloads under Star Records and MCA Music and will also be released soon in Asia. The songs can also be downloaded online via www.starrecords.ph. To download “Your Love” as your ringback tone, simply text KL222 send to 2332 for GLBOE?TM, text YORLUV send to 2728 for SMART/ Talk N Text and text 5493042 send to 2300 for SUN Cellular.

It’s really great experiencing things that you only once seen on TV or on mall tours. Yes, I was one of those people before who only watched from a distance. I watched those people line up just to get their CDs or posters signed by their favorite artist. For some reasons I never did that before. Not until now.

I was fortunate enough to experience and have my CD signed by each of the members of the rock band, Sponge Cola. This was my very first time! The good thing is that I never have to fall in line and wait for long hours just to have my CD signed by the artist. Another good thing about it is that it’s exclusive, casual and cool. No harassed mood!


Yes, I was one of the fortunate bloggers to attend a Blogger’s Night Meet and Greet with the Sponge Cola. Aside from meeting them in person, we also get a chance to hear them sing live. It’s more like a normal school room jam. Some of the bloggers shoot some question to the band which they answered willfully excluding the last question about relationship.

Here’s a press release about Sponge Cola’s latest album and their thoughts about it.


Sponge Cola is the only recording band to reach diamond after Eraserheards for the outstanding sales of Tambay (EP) via Coca-Cola’s summer promo, Sponge Cola scores yet again as the band releases its highly anticipated fourth full-length album titled Araw Oras Tagpuan under Universal Records. But the band is not content to rest on its laurels yet, this is just the beginning.

Composed of Yael Yuzon (vocals/guitars), Erwin Armovit (lead guitars), Gosh Dilay (bass) and Tedmark Cruz (drums), Sponge Cola has always made its presence felt since breaking the local music scene in 2002 via Madonna’s Crazy For You.


In the past nine years, Sponge Cola has gone from nowhere to full-fledged phenomenon on the strength of its three bestselling albums: Palabas (2004), Transit (2006) and Sponge Cola (2008). Only one of the few bands that couldn't help but hit, Sponge Cola went on to producing chart-topping singles such as KLSP, Gemini, Jeepney, Bitiw, Tuliro, Movie, Pasubali, Puso, Ayt!, Makapiling Ka, Di Na Mababawi and so on.

From then on, the band's popularity doesn't seem to be waning. It was evident from numerous awards and citations received by the band. From favorite artist to favorite song to favorite group to favorite rock video to favorite vocalist to achieving gold and platinum awards, Sponge Cola’s rise to full stardom never stops, and it shows no sign of flickering.

In fact, the rocket ride to the top doesn't look as if it's going to end any time soon.


Just recently, Sponge Cola's Tambay (EP) earned the band a diamond record in sales. The band in unison says, "It's a great feeling. We're very thankful. We appreciate the support we get from people."

The band’s new album's title says Araw Oras Tagpuan—date, time, place—Armo said they just wanted to create something that strings our ideas on space, time, fate and choice together.

Yael elaborates, "I like the swagger that the title suggests. It's like ‘Give me a time, date and place and we'll be there.’ But with said swagger, it still feels down to earth, which is I think how are we these days, in my head at least.”

Araw Oras Tagpuan consists of 12 tracks that include massive hits Tambay, Regal and the new hit single Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay. Other songs included are Walang Wakas which became the theme song of ABS-CBN’s series Wansapanatym: Rod Santiago’s Buhawi Jack; New Steel which features Paolo Valenciano of Salamin, Ria Redulla, and Los Magno of Out of Body Special; and Warning featuring Norma Love, Iwa Motor, and Mowmow of Tanya Markova.


In this album, nine out of twelve songs were mainly written and co-written by Yael along with Gosh. It is interesting to note that the collaboration with these artists adds hip hop, new metal, and retro to the band’s definitive music.

In an exclusive interview with BANDS Magazine when asked what the video for Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay is about and what new fans can expect from it, Yael shares, "My brother Yanny who plays guitar for Pupil and sings for Archipelago directed it in Bacolod. As a theater director, he's known for bold, riveting plays, often pushing boundaries and never failing to move. It was our first time to fly outside Manila to shoot a music video. It showcases the beauty of provincial life. And yeah, love."

"I just want them to listen freely and take whatever they want/can from the material, Armo says when asked what they would want the audience to hear within the lyrics of their songs from Araw Oras Tagppuan. Yael adds, “[And] Catharsis lang naman as always."


When asked what happens in his head when he composes – the creative process before he writes it down or put his hands on the guitar – and how his persona plays a role in that process, Yael says, "It depends. Sometimes I play with words, then a persona is formed. Sometimes it's me, sometimes it's someone else. It's usually someone similar to me at least."

"Fall where they may. And then someone figures it out for us. We just write," says Yael when asked if he consciously thinks, "Oh, this will work for us with the market; that will work well with the mainstream"? Or do the songs just fall where they may.

In the latest issue of Pinoy Magazine, correspondent Boy Garchitorena writes that it would be hard to pick singles in this record that throws a lot of possible ones. The record as he puts it screams a resounding "we’re not done!"

The one thing commendable with Sponge Cola is that this group is not afraid to experiment and take the music to different places. True enough.

That’s what Sponge Cola always known for. They are not afraid to experiment and take the music to different places. "This is just how we are. We do whatever we want to go, making music is what we do. We keep it real. [And] We’re all about the fun," Yael says.




And when asked how their values and faith changed in these remarkable years of success, Yael proudly states, "They haven’t, they’ve stayed the same, and we’re still the same people with the same beliefs, fighting for the same principles."

The album Araw Oras Tagpuan is out now in all major record bars nationwide under Universal Records.

Sponge Cola’s Blogger’s Night is brought to you by Universal Records in cooperation with Pinoy Magazine (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pinoy-Magazine-Fanpage/158056554242211), BANDS Magazine (http://www.facebook.com/bandsmagazine) and official online partner Orange Magazine TV (http://www.facebook.com/orangemagazinetv). Special thanks to Coca-Cola Philippines.

To know get updates from the band just visit the Facebook Fanpage of Sponge Cola: http://www.facebook.com/spongecola and Universal Records: http://www.facebook.com/universalrecordsphfanpage.