Astrovision and Orange Magazine TV's Blogger's Blowout Music Edition

A treat was in store for bloggers courtesy of Astroplus/Astrovision and Orange Magazine TV during its first ever Blogger’s Blowout held recently at the Astroplus/Astrovision store at Greenbelt 5. I was there among with some music bloggers to see the current and upcoming releases by the major recording labels, all of which are available at Astrovision branches and very soon, at Astroplus/Astrovision online stores.

Blogger's Blowout Music Batch

I admit that I am not as updated as I would like to be when it comes to current music, like which songs and artists are enjoying massive radio and video airplay, whose albums are really selling and whose gigs are jampacked. And because of this, I am truly grateful for the opportunity that Astroplus/Astrovision and Orange Magazine TV gave me to be informed with what’s happening to the popular side of music.

Before we got to know what’s new in the recording scene, we had the chance to check out first the impressive LG Cinema 3D TV. While wearing the special 3D glasses, were were able to watch some clips and the 3D effect was really breathtaking. If I were a hardcore television viewer and if I really like watching 3D movies at home, then I would definitely want this. Too bad that I am more of a musician although I think that the movie and gadget bloggers were left drooling for sure after getting a very brief taste of this LG Cinema 3D TV.

LG Cinema 3D TV

Then it’s time for the music to take center stage. Before I continue, I want to clarify that the representatives from the major record labels did feature more artists like those from overseas especially Korea. But I’d really like to spotlight the local recording artists or OPM music here that’s why I deliberately left the others out in favor of the Filipino recording artists.

First off was Sony Music Philippines which is licensed and distributed locally by Ivory Music & Video. The local artists that they’ve featured were Sheng Belmonte, Stephanie Dan (Love to Love Acoustic) and JM de Guzman. Both Sheng and Stephanie were also recently featured at the launch of the Mang Inasal Mang Aawit Music Advocacy Program.

Sheng Belmonte

Stephanie Dan's Love to Love Acoustic

Next to be showcased was Ebe Dancel whose double CD record Dalawang Mukha ng Pag-Ibig under Warner Music Philippines was recently released in the market. Dancel, the former frontman of Sugarfree, also had some in store appearances at Astroplus stores to promote his album. Clips of these were shown in the video of his current single Muli.

Ebe Dancel's Dalawang Mukha ng Pag-Ibig

MCA Music (Universal Music Philippines) then presented their current and upcoming local releases. Solenn Heusaff, Richard Poon (I’ll be Seeing You), Kitchie Nadal (digital release of her single Isang Araw) Jim Paredes (Laro), Urbandub (Sending a Message Tee Dee), Lica (All I Want to Be), Humanfolk, 1:43 (Time for Love), Tricia Garcia (Kulay), and the Lamars (Kung Puede Lang) were the artists whose local releases were presented to the bloggers present. Upcoming releases to watch out for are those from Sabrina, Krissy & Ericka and Ramon “RJ” Jacinto. As a side note, I was also recently on hand to witness the album launch of Tricia Garcia.

Solenn Heusaff

Richard Poon's I'll Be Seeing You

Jim Paredes' Laro

Ubrandub's Sending A Message

Lica's All I Want to Be

Humanfolk

1:43's Time for Love

Tricia Garcia's Kulay

The Lamars' Kung Puede Lang

Last but not the least was the presentation by Star Records. Juris (Forevermore), Erik Santos (Awit Para Sa 'Yo), Maria Aragon, Yeng Constantino (Versions Live!), Gary Valenciano (With Love) and Marcelito Pomoy (Duet Yourself). And I do find it satisfying to note as well that I’ve seen Erik Santos’ recent concert wherein he had an impromptu duet with Gary Valenciano.

Juris' Forevermore

Erik Santos' Awit Para Sa 'Yo

Yeng Contantino's Versions Live

Gary Valenciano's With Love

Marcelito Pomoy's Duet Yourself

I still feel that the local artists still trail in terms of promotions compared to the foreign releases especially the KPop artists who are extremely popular today. But I am glad that most of the local releases presented have more original material in them. Too many cover versions from local artists have been released for the past few years thinking that this would be a quick way to crack the international market. The Philippines has a lot of songwriters whose work deserves to be recorded and I’m glad that the record labels are now really concentrating on more original material.

After each record label’s presentation, some CD’s and merchandise were raffled away to lucky bloggers. Since they were so generous, everyone had the chance to win at least once and I went home with a copy of Erik Santos’ latest album which is quite fitting since I did see his concert as I’ve said earlier.

I left the event feeling like that I’m now more informed with what’s current with the local recording scene and with the urge to hear more from them. And with Astroplus/Astrovision just a mall and soon a click away, along with Orange Magazine TV, still just a click away, I am confident that I’ll be as updated with the local popular music as I am with the classical music scene here in the country.