Akapela Special Repeat Concert Set on Sept. 23 and 24 in Baguio City

Wazzup Pilipinas!

After bagging the 2016 Overall Champion of the A Cappella Championships held last July in Singapore, The Philippine Contemporary A cappella Society proudly announces that AKAPELA, a one-of-its-kind, contemporary a capella concert will have a special repeat show featuring the award-winning PINOPELA together with BAIHANA on Sept. 23 - 6:30 pm and Sept. 24 - 1:30 and 6:30 pm at the Center for Culture and the Arts Theater, St. Louis University, Baguio City.

The A Cappella Championships encompasses participation of A Cappella groups and choirs from Singapore and also internationally with the following categories:

1. Ensemble Categories: High School, College, Open, International
2. Choir Category
3. Beatbox Battle
4. Loop Station Competition


PINOPELA won four awards namely:

1) International Category Champion
2) Judges' Choice Awardee/Overall Champion,
3) Most Impressive Vocalist (Anthony Castillo)
4) Gold in Looping Category (Pinopela’s former beatboxer Zsaris Mendioro)

PINOPELA is an alumni group of the internationally acclaimed choral group, Saint Louis University Glee Club and was originally formed for the singular purpose of competing in the Akapela Open, but since placing second in 2013 and further after winning the championship in 2014, the group has evolved into a true professional. Pinopela began accepting invitations to perform at various functions after their warm reception at the Akapela Open 2013, and has since then wowed innumerable audiences previously unacquainted to contemporary a capella. The group opened the Myx Mo 2015 anniversary concert at the MOA concert grounds, that became one of the concert highlights, with an all a cappella opm number with some of the country’s biggest stars !

BAIHANA is an all-female vocal trio that creates, arranges and performs music that is uniquely refreshing to young and old alike. Let Krina Cayabyab, Anna Graham and Mel Torre take you back in time with their doo-wop take on standards and current radio hits. Whether you’re a devout jazz lover or someone searching for entertainment after a hard day’s work, Baihana has something for you and much, much more.

Before conquering Singapore, these two groups held a sell-out fund-raising concert at the Carlos P.Romulo auditorium at RCBC Plaza, Makati City last April 23.

The Philippine Contemporary A capella Society is a young and dynamic group spearheaded by Krina Cayabyab and JJ Valiente Pimpinio that aims to demonstrate leadership in the development, awareness, innovation, and education of the contemporary a cappella community so that every Filipino music creator, singer, educator and fan of this genre may further extend the love for vocal music.

Their mission is to promote and cultivate contemporary a cappella music in the Philippines through performance opportunities, recognition and education; to foster local artists that they be recognized around the world; and to enrich Original Pilipino Music through vocal music.

The artistic team of AKAPELA is composed of Anthony Falcon - Creative Consultant; Krina Cayabyab & JJ Pimpinio – Musical Directors; Stephen Vinas – Choreographer; Lei Lu - Lights Designer; Joee Mejias and Tonibelle Chan - Video Projections Designer; Monoxide Works - Video Clips Editor; Jasvir Basra - Technical Director.

For tickets, visit Normita Ria-Pablico Music Studio at Room 409 GP Bldg., Mabini Street, Baguio City. You can call the ff: numbers - 0915 3833978, 0926 8115853, and 0975 1598344.

Dutertards Versus Noytards: Which Army Do You Belong To?

Wazzup Pilipinas!

So a blogger asked me if I was under the payroll of the Yellow army since I keep criticizing the deeds of Duterte, his administration, and their supporters popularly called Dutertards.

Unlike some who would only post the positive and avoid political, intriguing or controversial opinions to keep in good standing with all, I chose to remain opinionated and sincere with my thoughts. I would not let myself be hold back by neutrality just to avoid conflict. Holding back would only further hurt and destroy us inside.

I find it healthier if we would not prevent ourselves from expressing our real intentions and beliefs. How can we understand each other if there is no clear communication among us? How can we find better solutions if we are prevented to discuss or debate on our ideas?

To disagree is a sign of critical thinking. Let us not fear to be judged if we support a less popular but appropriate choice. It is always admirable to choose the path less taken. Trying to get along with everyone should not stop us from being true to ourselves.

However, we should stop with the curses and slurs if we could no longer give a logical reasoning. Those who resort to personal attacks only shows how weak their stands are.

Am I under the payroll of the Yellow army? I am not even going to dignify that with a direct response. Just bear in mind that I would never utter something I don't fully believe in.

The failure of many is that they quickly conclude that if an individual is against the Dutertards, he is automatically among the Noytards. We should take note that life does not only revolve within the two factions only. I could be against Duterte, but it doesn't mean I support the Yellow army, and the other way around.

A September with a Twist on Discovery Channel

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Who says science is boring? Discovery Channel will strike ‘boring’ out of your vocabulary this month with high-standard factual entertainment and programs which will definitely give you some good laughs.

September on Discovery Channel kicks off with a show that is designed to tackle basically…everything. The first season of HOW TO BUILD EVERYTHING will take audiences through how to build a state-of-the-art laser-guided cow milking machine, to the designs behind a 20-story cruise ship, to the transition of a tandem vibratory roller aka steam roller aka a cartoon bunny-flattening machine, and a ton of other mind-blowing engineering marvels. All these, plus a couple of witty commentaries inserted here and there, are rolled into one show.

The new series features a cast of whip-smart and hilarious personalities including: comedian and former airplane mechanic Alonzo Bodden, science communicator and bug expert Alie Ward, real-life doctor and Jane the Virgin’s Keller Wortham, Nerdist science editor Kyle Hill, tech expert and futurist Veronica Belmont, mad inventor Eric Gradman, astronaut Leland Melvin, and so many more.

Augmented with CGI, the brilliant commentators will take the viewers through each build, while a retro-style test lab demonstrates scientific concepts.

Do not miss out on How To Build Everything as it premieres September 7, and airs every Sunday thereafter at 9pm.