Newsletter: Ace Banzuelo documents bouts with betrayal on new single “minsan”

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Filipino singer-songwriter and producer Ace Banzuelo marks the beginning of a new era with the release of “minsan,” a melancholic track that merges R&B with dream pop influences. 

Newsletter: Empowering Seniors: The Role of Media and Information Literacy

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

This is the second part of the four-part series Empowering Vulnerable Populations through Media and Information Literacy. This article shows how Media and Information Literacy (MIL) protects senior citizens by empowering them to navigate digital information safely and confidently, avoiding misinformation and online scams.

Newsletter: Kaspersky discovers 'Tusk,' active information and crypto stealing campaign

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Kaspersky has detected an online fraud campaign aimed at stealing cryptocurrency and sensitive information by exploiting popular topics such as web3, crypto, AI, online gaming, and beyond. Targeting individuals worldwide, the campaign is believed to be orchestrated by Russian-speaking cybercriminals and spreads info-stealing and clipper malware.

Newsletter: SB19's PAGTATAG! THE DOCUMENTARY, out in Philippine cinemas today!

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

SB19’s highly anticipated film, PAGTATAG! THE DOCUMENTARY marks its nationwide theatrical debut today!

Newsletter: Fall In Love with Mitzi Josh’s latest single “Could Get Used To You”

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

With a voice that stirs the soul, Sparkle artist Mitzi Josh introduces her debut single under GMA Playlist, “Could Get Used To You.” Now available on digital platforms worldwide, the acoustic ballad feels like an embrace – warm, comforting, and filled with love.

Newsletter: Empowering Youth: The Critical Role of Media and Information Literacy

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

This is the first part of the four-part series Empowering Vulnerable Populations through Media and Information Literacy. This article focuses on Filipino youths. It will discuss the importance of Media and Information Literacy (MIL) for the youth. Also, it will elaborate on how MIL can empower them to navigate the digital age safely and responsibly.

Newsletter: CRUNCHYROLL SPINS UP CURATED ANIME PLAYLISTS ON SPOTIFY

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Crunchyroll®, the ultimate brand for every anime fan, has an exclusive partnership with Spotify to present listeners with specially curated playlists and a dedicated shelf on Spotify’s global Anime Hub. The partnership comes at a time when global streams of anime music on Spotify have skyrocketed by 395% since 2021, highlighting the growing influence of anime culture worldwide. Turning the daily grind into an epic adventure, the playlists present fans with a thoughtful curation of music that will further immerse them into the action-packed world of anime. 

Newsletter: International breakout star Dhruv releases debut album, Private Blizzard

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Press photo, credit: Stefan Kohli

Private Blizzard, the debut album from breakout vocalist, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Dhruv, is out today via Little Worry/RCA Records—get it HERE.

Newsletter: Number_i J-Pop Royalty Announce Release of First Full Album “No.I”

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

The musical phenomenon continues to sweep Japan and the globe with the announcement of the highly anticipated release of Number_i’s first full album, No.I (Number One), set to drop on 23rd September. This album marks a new chapter for the J-Pop trio following a string of achievements that have solidified their place in the music scene.

The journey began on 1st January, with the digital release of their debut single "GOAT". The accompanying music video quickly went viral, amassing over 10 million views within just three days and clinching the global #1 spot on YouTube's daily music video ranking as of 3rd January. The track also soared to the top of the Billboard JAPAN comprehensive song chart, the "JAPAN Hot 100."

Building on this momentum, the three-piece male group released their "GOAT" EP on 6th March, featuring the titular debut track alongside additional 5 songs (including “Blow Your Cover”), quickly reaching #1 on the Billboard Japan Weekly Single Sales Chart. It also achieved the highest first-week digital download numbers of the year on the Oricon chart, further cementing their status as breakout stars.

Their dynamic performance at the "88rising Futures" special stage during this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on 14th April caught the attention of a global audience. Following this performance, "GOAT" skyrocketed to #10 on the US iTunes overall chart and secured the #3 spot on the Hip-Hop chart, generating substantial buzz and acclaim.

27th May saw the release of the Mini Album No.O-ring-, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Japan comprehensive album chart "Hot Albums". The music video for its lead track "BON" achieved a remarkable milestone, surpassing 10 million views within two days and ranking 2nd globally on YouTube's daily MV ranking as of 27th May. The song also held the #2 position on the Billboard JAPAN comprehensive song chart, the "JAPAN Hot 100".

Anticipation builds as the lead track "INZM" (Inazuma) from the forthcoming album No.I will be released on streaming services on 19th August. Produced by Yuta Jinguji, "INZM" promises to be an electrifying addition to their discography, following the success of tracks like "GOAT" and the Sho Hirano-produced "BON".

STREAM “INZM” here

WATCH “INZM” official music video here

The album No.I will feature a total of 13 songs in its limited first edition, while the regular edition will include an additional bonus track, bringing the total to 14. This release showcases the group's evolution and artistic range, poised to captivate audiences around the world.

[END OF PRESS RELEASE]

Newsletter: Ena Mori to celebrate birthday with second installment of Ena Matsuri

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Following the success of the inaugural edition of her birthday show, Japanese-Filipino indie artist Ena Mori returns with the second offering of Ena Matsuri, promising a more club-leaning, endorphin-inducing experience for her dedicated fan base and music fans alike.

Newsletter: SB19 drops THE FIRST TAKE versions of “GENTO” and “MAPA” on streaming platforms

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

P-Pop royalty SB19 continues to captivate music fans from all over the world with the release of “GENTO” and “MAPA” from THE FIRST TAKE sessions on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Entertainment.

Newsletter: 2024 "VMAs" reveals second round of global superstar performances

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

The 2024 “VMAs” return to New York LIVE from UBS Arena to celebrate the biggest names in music, with headline-generating surprises, one time only performances and a fan-filled audience. Benson Boone, Halsey, Lenny Kravitz and LISA are joining the ever-growing roster of global superstars slated to perform at this year’s show, which will air across 150+ countries globally on September 11 (please check local listings for details).

Newsletter: Ely Buendia marks triumphant comeback with new single “Bulaklak Sa Buwan”

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Ely Buendia enters a new era of his solo music career with the release of “Bulaklak Sa Buwan.”

Newsletter: KonsultaMD launches LGBTQ+ Inclusive Care with PEPFAR-USAID’s EpiC Project

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

KonsultaMD has taken a significant step towards inclusive healthcare for the LGBTQ+ community by partnering with the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) Project. 

Newsletter: UNPREDICTABLE THAN EVER! Aurora ends week 1 unscathed, underdogs Omega and ONIC exhibit impressive performance!

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

MPL Philippines Season 14 Week 1 concluded with the most unexpected outcomes. New team Aurora (RORA) sits atop the leaderboard making a statement win in their season debut, along with previous season's underdogs Smart Omega (OMG) and Fnatic ONIC (FNOP). Despite being fielded by promising players, powerhouse Blacklist International ended their opening week with a devastating loss scoring 0, along with M5 World Champions Falcons APBren and RSG Philippines.


With many fans expecting TNC Pro Team (TNC) to deliver a significant improvement, the team once again finds itself at the bottom of the ranking. "Iba talaga sa MPL eh, confident kami eh. Meron kaming preparations malalakas ang players na ito as a team. Pero when we look back sa game one, mistake lang ang nangyayari and it becomes exponential. So that's how we assess it," Wolf said

Newsletter: PRINTING AND GARMENTS CONVENTION ‘PROJECT CULTURE’ AIMS TO EMPOWER LOCAL INDUSTRY

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

To promote a movement dedicated to advancing the local clothing line scene, fostering artistic expression, and empowering Filipino entrepreneurs, printing company Tees&Prints will be organizing its annual textile and garments convention titled PROJECT CULTURE. Happening on August 24 at Metrotent, Pasig City at 3PM. 

Newsletter: Kai Del Rio announces first headline show in nearly a decade

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Filipino singer-songwriter Kai Del Rio (formerly known as Kai Honasan) gears up for an electrifying comeback with her first solo headline show in nearly a decade. 

Newsletter: The Itchyworms announce first-ever Canada tour: A bittersweet reunion and farewell

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Get ready, Canada! The Itchyworms, one of the Philippines’ most beloved bands, are hitting the road for their first-ever Canadian tour this November 2024 with their “Akin Ka Na Lang Canada” tour. 

Newsletter: Keep your modem cool and safe, enjoy undisrupted connectivity

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

In today's digital age, your modem is the unsung hero of your home. It powers your internet, enabling everything from streaming movies to remote working. But like any hardworking device, your modem needs some tender loving care to keep it running smoothly, especially when it comes to avoiding overheating. 

Newsletter: Work, life and AI: 34% believe that AI can be a better boss than a human

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

AI is becoming a new member of society according to results from a new Kaspersky survey ‘Excitement, Superstition and great Insecurity – How global Consumers engage with the Digital World’. The study also found that today artificial intelligence is taking new roles in fields where it can succeed and be trusted by humans. A third of respondents (34%) believe that AI can be a better leader than humans because of its impartiality. The vast majority (57%) are prepared to use AI to run their daily lives more efficiently, and 31% would use AI to help them to find the right partner on a dating app.

Newsletter: USANA Empowers Malapascua Island with Garden Towers for Sustainable Nutrition

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

USANA Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Usana Health Sciences, has built over 100 garden towers on the island of Malapascua, Cebu in pursuit of providing sustainable and accessible sources of nutrition. This initiative strengthens USANA’s broader mission to be the healthiest family on earth.  Founded in 2012, USANA Foundation's mission is to eliminate hunger and malnutrition globally.   

Newsletter: Kaspersky Highlights the Challenges of Offensive AI in a Brave New World

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

The rapid proliferation of advanced AI systems in the public domain has resulted in widespread usage by individuals and businesses. These systems are exceptionally adaptable to various tasks, including content generation and code creation through natural language prompts. However, this accessibility has opened the door for threat actors to use AI for sophisticated attacks. Adversaries can leverage AI to automate attacks, speed up routines, and execute more complex operations to achieve their goals.

Newsletter: NIKI RELEASES NEW ALBUM BUZZ OUT NOW SHARES TITLE TRACK MUSIC VIDEO

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

NIKI. (Photo credits: Annie Lai)

Jakarta-born, LA-based singer-songwriter and producer NIKI firmly plants herself as one of the most dynamic artists of today with the release of her new album Buzz via 88rising, out now. Accompanying the release is the music video for title track “Buzz”, directed by Isaac Ravishankara. The video, a cheeky line-by-line depiction of the lyrics, encapsulates the rush of raw emotion and bittersweet nerves of a budding romance – glimpses of buzzing bees, a crackling guitar amp, and longing looks between two people, all signaling towards the start of something new. NIKI was initially inspired to name the record after the budding growth she observed in her garden every spring. Across thirteen tracks on the album, the singer encapsulates the feeling of being on the precipice of something undiscovered. 

Newsletter: Partnership for Development Assistance in the Philippines, GCash team up to raise awareness on human trafficking

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, and the Partnership for Development Assistance in the Philippines (PDAP), are working together to raise awareness on human trafficking and Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC).

Newsletter: Through GCash, Overseas Filipinos can extend a helping hand to typhoon victims back home

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Kababayans abroad may donate to the victim of Typhoon Carina through GCash

In the spirit of financial inclusion and Bayanihan, leading finance app GCash has expanded its relief program 'Tulong Mo I-GCash Mo' to mobilize the support of Overseas Filipinos (OFs) amidst the disaster brought about by Typhoon Carina. The relief program allows Filipinos worldwide to send financial help to relatives and loved ones, and donations to non-government organizations (NGOs) through the GCash app. 

For its part, GCash is temporarily waiving selected transaction fees for disaster recovery. 

Newsletter: The Dawn Of A New Rivalry: Much-awaited battle between Blacklist International and Aurora happening in MPL Philippines Season 14 Week 1!

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Professional League (MPL) Philippines starts tomorrow, 16 August, with the opener between Smart Omega (OMG) and TNC Pro Team (TNC). All eyes are on TNC's former analyst turned coach Caisam "Wolf" Nopueto's historic coaching and how he can help the team move up from the bottom of the standings. Is his analytics-driven approach enough to help the Phoenix rise from the ashes?

Newsletter: SB19 and Gloc-9 join forces on uplifting new single “KALAKAL”

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

OPM is abuzz with excitement as P-Pop kings SB19 and legendary rapper Gloc-9 drop their joint single “KALAKAL” on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

Newsletter: Ampverse Group Appoints Distinguished Global Executives to Advisory Board

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Ampverse Group, a leading gaming and entertainment ecosystem, announces the appointment of a new board of advisors comprising distinguished global executives from the gaming, advertising, investment, technology, and media sectors. This strategic move accelerates Ampverse Group's expansion and solidifies its position as a dominant force in the industry.

Newsletter: EQT to acquire a majority stake in Acronis, a leading cybersecurity and data protection platform for Managed Service Providers and corporate IT departments

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Acronis (the “Company”) and EQT are pleased to announce that the EQT X fund (“EQT”) will acquire a majority stake in the Company. The founders, management, and existing investors – including funds and accounts managed by CVC, Springcoast and BlackRock Private Equity Partners – will remain as significant minority shareholders. Acronis is valued in the transaction above the last growth funding round which was completed in 2022.

Newsletter: GCash welcomes the signing of the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA) into law

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

The country's leading finance app, GCash, welcomes the signing into law of Republic Act 12010 or the Anti-Financial Account Scamming Act (AFASA). This law is crucial for enhancing the security and trustworthiness of digital financial services in the Philippines, ensuring that its users can transact with confidence.

Newsletter: Filipino artists Maki, Munimuni, crwn, bird. and Muri to join AXEAN Festival 2024 in Bali, Indonesia

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

After mounting successful in-person events in Singapore for two consecutive years (2022-2023), AXEAN announces its return in a new tropical destination thousand miles away from its former homebase.

Newsletter: GCash levels up access to crypto with launch of PayPal USD in PH

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

PayPal’s stablecoin PayPal USD (PYUSD) is now available in the Philippine market through GCash, the country’s leading finance super app. This allows users and freelancers to easily send PYUSD tokens at low transaction fees to GCrypto, the in-app feature of GCash powered by PDAX. GCrypto users will also be able to buy, sell, and hold PYUSD tokens inside the GCash app.

Newsletter: ANTI-EDM STARS ISOKNOCK DROP SURPRISE ALBUM 4EVR - THE DEBUT LP FROM THE COUNTERCULTURE ELECTRONIC DUO OF ISOXO AND KNOCK2

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

ISOKNOCK - the boundary-pushing duo composed of ISOxo and Knock2 - have just released their surprise debut album, 4EVR, an unexpected drop that exemplifies the pair’s fervent drive to redefine the next decade of dance music. 

Newsletter: Harnessing AI in SOC: how to reduce the burden on cybersecurity team

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Sergey Soldatov, Head of Security Operation Center at Kaspersky

Striving to minimize the risk of missing cyberattacks, we are forced to deal with a huge number of false positives in our detection logic. According to the MDR analytical report for 2023, the Kaspersky SOC team processed 431,512 security alerts, but only 32,294 were classified as a result of 14,160 incidents reported to customers. In these situations, there is considerable room for automation, including the use of machine learning (ML), deep learning, and artificial intelligence (AI). Notably, the AI-based Autoanalyst used in MDR processed about 30% of false positives on average in 2023, which reduced the load on the SOC team by approximately 25%.

Newsletter: Acronis H1 2024 Cyberthreats Report Highlights a 293% Surge in Email Attacks

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Acronis, a global leader in cybersecurity and data protection, shared new research findings from the first half of 2024 in its biannual cyberthreats report by Acronis Threat Research Unit. Titled, “Acronis Cyberthreats Report H1 2024: Email attacks surge 293%, new ransomware groups emerge,” the report leverages over one million unique Windows endpoints from 15 key countries around the world to bring awareness to global trends in the cybersecurity industry. Most notably, the report found that email attacks have seen a 293% surge when compared to the same period in 2023. The number of ransomware detections were also on the rise, increasing 32% from Q4 2023 to Q1 2024.

Newsletter: NOBITA releases “Gitna,” a song inspired by Cong and Viy’s love story

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Filipino pop-rock outfit NOBITA is back with another heartfelt ballad that expresses a vow of lifelong commitment and eternal love.

Newsletter: Halsey releases highly anticipated single and video for “Lucky”

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

GRAMMY® nominated, genre-blending artist Halsey has released her highly anticipated new single, “Lucky.” The song, produced by Michael Uzowuru (Frank Ocean, SZA, Rosalia), features an interpolation of Britney Spears’ “Lucky” in the chorus, as well as the No. 1 Billboard Hot 100 Hit, “Angel of Mine” in the track’s production. 

Newsletter: UP Scientists Explore Non-Gaussian Laser Effects on Metal Heat Diffusion

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

By: Eunice Jean Patron

While existing research on material properties rarely examines changes in laser pulses, or the flashes of laser lights, over time, scientists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman College of Science (UPD-CS) approached laser exploration differently by investigating how non-Gaussian lasers affect the diffusion of heat in metals.

Pulsed laser ablation of a material inside a vacuum system. (Photo credit: Dr. Lean Dasallas)

Newsletter: How businesses can upskill their cybersecurity workforce by creating constant learning environments

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

In the digital era, the protection of any kind of information has become important, placing cybersecurity professionals at the forefront of safeguarding the information infrastructure of businesses. The landscape of cybersecurity is evolving, presenting both promising career prospects and challenges for specialists in this field. 

Newsletter: XG drops new single "SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT" and unveils accompanying music video

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

XG has unveiled their latest single, “SOMETHING AIN’T RIGHT”, accompanied by a captivating music video that has premiered on their YouTube channel.

Newsletter: WARREN HUE: 88RISING STAR DROPS "BLACKONBLACK FREESTYLE", AFTER HIS VIRAL ON THE RADAR PERFORMANCE EARLIER THIS WEEK

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

Jakarta-born, Los Angeles-based rising star, Warren Hue, responds to the demands of his fans with the official release of his “BLACKONBLACK FREESTYLE,” which is out today on all platforms. Warren first performed the freestyle on the popular channel, On The Radar, generating lots of fan commotion who were excited to see Warren rapping after recent genre-bending releases like “RODEO” and “SPLIT.” “BLACKONBLACK FREESTYLE was created during a transit from Japan to Los Angeles,” Warren shared on his process. “With my headphones on, I searched for type beats, feeling the need to prove myself. The verses explore various topics, including the lifestyles in LA and Jakarta, and touch on themes of motivation.” The music video was filmed, directed and edited by Warren himself. Watch the video here and listen to “BLACKONBLACK FREESTYLE” here. 

Newsletter: Mikee Quintos’ latest single “Senyales” brings light to the uncertainties of love

[THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE]

After her bubbly debut single “Just Enough” in 2021, Sparkle artist Mikee Quintos returns with a new single under GMA Playlist, “Senyales,” now available on digital platforms worldwide.