Nicole Laurel's new song 'Christmas Without You' debuts on Nov. 26 at Spotify

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Multi-talented artist NICOLE LAUREL is all set to release her new song 'CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU' this coming November 26 in Spotify.

“Christmas Without You” is a prequel of sorts to last year’s original composition “See You This Christmas.”

This year’s composition describes a couple saying their sweet goodbyes and exchanging well wishes as one of them needs to leave to work abroad to support their loved one.

The characters continue to find ways to remain hopeful during the holiday season, even if they are separated from one another.

It is through the little holiday rituals they once shared, that the memory of one another comes alive, and they are renewed by the thought of being together again in due time.

THE CREATIVE PROCESS

 

“The initial songwriting process was quite simple. I began humming a melody and out came the first verse… it was after that that I couldn’t squeeze anything. I started watching Christmas movies on Netflix in hopes of drawing lyrical inspiration. A day later I had my first draft of the song lyrics and melody. It was also at this point in time that I started working with a young Dumaguete- based Nigerian songwriter named

Sam Akins on a few other music projects. I decided to give Sam a zoom call so I could get his creative opinion on the song. Together we made a few lyrical adjustments. I was also unsure about how to end the song at that point so I passed him a rough phone-recorded demo and he tried singing some lines as he would, stylistically.

I loved what he had done when he sang it, so I decided to keep his soulful flavour in the coda of the song. Thematically, I wanted the song to traverse from having the persona alone in present day to plunging into her memories with her lover. Hence, a musical shift of sorts was in order."

"Sam and I got on a zoom call with Michael Guevarra, a bona-fide jazz big-band arranger and saxophone player to brainstorm. Michael screen-shared his music sheets and filled them in as we etched out the notes and melodies together over zoom. It was my first time to write and do arrangement sessions over zoom, with all the connection interruptions, barking dogs and ambient noise… While Michael wrote out the big-band section, me and Ira Cruz got to work mapping out the intro, verse and coda of the song. It was a collaborative effort in terms of sound and arrangement. Michael enlisted Otep Concepcion on drums, Simon Tan (AMP Bigband) on upright bass, Nikko Rivera (who arranged last year’s “See You This Christmas”) on keys Lester Sorilla on trumpet, Darius Mendoza on Trombone and Himself on Saxophone.

We all kept it simple and recorded in our own homes using our own set-ups.

Ira and I worked on our segment while Michael collected the tracks of the other musicians. Once the tracks were complete, I headed to Wildgrass Recording Studios to record and shoot video footage.”

 

THE MUSIC VIDEO

"I wanted to shoot a simple music video and feature a leading man character, something light and comfortable. Timing had it that we had just wrapped filming a musical period piece entitled “Katips.” I was still reeling in the memories of my first experience filming a full-length. One of my cast-mates, Afi recommended a friend, Ranty Portento who had his break on Pinoy Big Brother to fill the leading man role. Communication with Ranty

was quick and easy, we only met once over zoom, but I felt like working with him would be easy. I had one more call with our director to finalize writing the concept and in four days we were on location in Laguna filming. Writing the concept for the video was a collaboration between me and our director, Gorio, it was very home-grown, we brought our own costumes and props, shot in my grandmother’s home and wrapped up on set all in a day’s work. The set was light, full of laughter, sweets, wine and stories. somehow, in a strange way… it felt like the Christmas I once knew… even if it was make believe."

“Christmas Without You” is a simple song with a soulful blend of intimate memories, raw, honest vocals, rich brassy sound and a simple story of love and hope built to outlast distance and all the challenges life brings forth most especially during these trying times. It will be out on all digital platforms on November 26, 2021 and its music video starring Nicole Laurel Asensio and Ranty Portento will be out on December 2, 2021.

In addition to writing and releasing original music, Nicole has been very active in numerous online concerts such as Cultural Center of the Philippines’ “Kung Hindi Man” which also featured her original composition and MFlix brought to you by Pinoy Playlist.

This November, Nicole is also the solo headliner in a Dubai show for the “Veon” convention. She currently has entries in 8 different categories this year’s prestigious AWIT Awards and is nominated for both People’s Choice award for Best Female and Best Song.

Most notably, she has spent the last few months filming for a musical period-piece entitled “Katips” where she was cast as the female lead role “Lara.” Opposite matinee idol Jerome Ponce. Katips is written, directed and produced by ALIW, Palanca and FAMAS award winner Vince Tanada.

Nicole’s future in the entertainment industry seems to be growing slowly and steadily as she expands her craft from singing and writing songs to acting. She is looking forward to delving into more creative endeavours in the coming months and has been steadily writing, recording and producing more material alongside Warner Music Philippines.

THE CHRISTMAS SEASON

“There are still so many people I sorely miss, the spread of food and warmth of nearby family during the holidays. This year, I didn’t plan on writing a Christmas song at all, I didn’t make any holiday plans for that matter… the past months have taught me how to take things one day at a time, let go, let God. In fact, I hadn’t released a song since May. After releasing 6 singles in 6 months… this was quite a lull. I started thinking about my loved ones, people like my grandmothers, who despite being so full of energy and strength at their ages were not able to leave their homes at all… isolation takes a toll on creative spirits. I imagined being in their place, unable to express or connect with others much.”

“My grandmother Celia passed away a few days after my birthday this year. I consider her one of my ultimate inspirations, role models and source of love. Christmas eve every year for our family was spent with her. I found myself entranced by the memory of my small hands wrapped in the warmth of her soft hands, the same hands she used to prepare our Noche Buena feast. It had been nearly two years since then. I know for a fact that in her final days all she really wanted was to see her family as complete as possible, by her side. My mom and I spent her last few days with her, making the most of our time together. While I sat by her piano side…. I thought, maybe I should write?”

This kind of story is not unique to me. In fact, social media feeds alone will tell you that there is a common ache of loss that threads us all to one another, there are those who have been given early tickets to paradise, there are relationships stretched over miles… life goes on… but through it there is a new kind of love, one strengthened by faith.

So I started to write again.

Just for fun…”

 

2022 AND BEYOND

“To be able to continue creating in these times is surreal, every moment spent with those we love, or doing what we love is a gift from God, never to be taken for granted. I am eternally grateful for those around me, for each and every one of you who inspire me to continue creative pursuits even when sometimes it may feel purposeless. I continue to hold full faith in the fact that there is a greater plan behind all of these challenges, and that greater days await us if we keep marching forward and doing the best we can with what we have now.”

 

Digital Platforms:

FB page: Nicole Laurel Asensio

IG: @nicoleasensio

Spotify: Nicole Asensio

Apple Music: Nicole Asensio

Youtube Channel: Nicole Asensio

website: nicolemerch.com

 

“CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU”

LYRICS

 

When was the last time 

I saw you? 

Was it April? 

Or June? Or May? 

I can’t believe a year went by

and not a single day 

I don’t think about you 

by my side. 

 

It’s getting cold outside 

Waiting for a sign 

on the darkest night

A single star burns bright

I’ll light another candle coz it’s 

 

Christmas time 

I hear the sleighbells chime 

And it reminds me  

Of your misty eyes 

When you waved goodbye

and you told me: 

“Baby it ain’t Christmas time without you.”

 

Pulling out the tinsel 

and wrappers

Hanging stockings up 

the way you like 

I’m thinking of you tonight 

Have you been 

naughty or nice? 

Should i wait up 

by the fireside?   

 

On the busy streets  

Where midnight lovers meet 

Wherever you may be 

Know that your heart’s with me 

I’ll leave the mistletoe up coz 

 

It’s Christmas time 

I hear the sleighbells chime 

And it reminds me  

Of your misty eyes 

When you waved goodbye

and you told me: 

“Baby it ain’t Christmas time without you.”

Baby it ain’t Christmas time without you! 

baby, it ain’t Christmas time without you! 

 

And I’ve been really tryin’ to 

Shake off all the blues

And I still do some things the way we used to do, ooh oooh 

‘coz I miss you—I miss the way we used to kiss forever, 

Mix & Match our Sweaters

All I really wish for is to see you once again

 

Baby, you know it ain’t Christmas without you

Baby ah, it ain’t Christmas without you 

Baby, Oh I Can’t imagine Christmas without you.

 

 

“CHRISTMAS WITHOUT YOU”

CREDITS

 

 

MUSIC: Nicole Laurel Asensio

LYRICS: Nicole Laurel Asensio and Sam Akins

 

MUSICAL ARRANGEMENT:

Michael Guevarra, Ira Cruz, Nicole Laurel Asensio

 

PRODUCER:

Ira Cruz, Nicole Laurel Asensio

 

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

Nicole Laurel Asensio

 

DRUMS: Otep Concepcion

UPRIGHT BASS: Simon Tan

GUITAR and BELLS: Ira Cruz

ELECTRONIC PIANO: Nikko Rivera

SAXOPHONES: Michael Guevarra

TRUMPET: Lester Sorilla

TROMBONE: Darius Mendoza

VOCALS AND BACKUP VOCALS: Nicole Laurel Asensio

 

TRACKING ENGINEERS: Jess Fermino and Ira Cruz

MIXING ENGINEER: Angee Rozul
MASTERING ENGINEER:  Christian Wright (Abbey Road Studios, UK)

 

DISTRIBUTED AND PUBLISHED BY:

Warner Music Philippines

 

MUSIC VIDEO CREDITS

 

CONCEPT BY: Nicole Laurel Asensio and Gorio Vicuna

DIRECTED BY: Gorio Vicuna

LINE PRODUCER: Peejay Vicuna

2ND CAMERA OP: Enzo Vargas

GAFFER: Teddy Mapano

TECHNICAL ASSISTANT: Eddiezon Grutas

PRODUCTION ASSISTANT:  Angelica Frayco

MAKEUP: Carla Avancena

HAIR: Townet Pelea

TALENTS: Ranty Portento and Nicole Laurel Asensio

SCORING: Ira Cruz

 

Post Production: Gorio Vicuna and The Gward Inc.

 

2 Benildeans compete in new filmfest

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Two students from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde are vying for awards in a new and unique film competition tonight, November 12 at 8 p.m.

Nicole Lyka Calingasan and Janina Cortez, both fourth year film majors at Benilde, are among the Top 20 finalists in the Three Shots Film (3SF) festival organized by Media Underground or MUD Studios.

Calingasan’s entry which made it to the 3SF finals is entitled “Lamang Lupa.” The short film is about a special fertilizer which holds the secret to a gardener’s lively plants.

Meanwhile, Cortez is behind the short film finalist “4:00 p.m.” It is about a high school student who comes home exhausted after a long day at school.

Calingasan and Cortez, who also both hail from Rizal aside from being film students, were challenged by MUD’s call to make a short film using only three shots and three cuts for a story composed of a beginning, middle and end, with a minimum running time of one minute and a maximum of 15 minutes.

Calingasan, who took a specialization in Screenwriting at the Benilde film department, “loves stories that disturb.” She has written and directed films that “often explore the morbid and the deeply personal.”

Following her passion for storytelling, Calingasan also enjoys experimenting with various themes and genres. “After all, stories have been my playground since childhood and now, I consider filmmaking as the means of bringing my imagination to life,” she shared.

On the other hand, Cortez’s films are “based on her own experiences or of those around her.” She turns these stories into either a poetic drama or romance. Through her films, she wants “to raise awareness on issues that she experiences herself such as those related to identity, loss, and trauma.”

Cortez grew up drawing, painting, and making arts and crafts. She finished senior high school with Arts and Design as her track. “My interest in filmmaking sparked in junior high. I was a photographer for the school’s publication for three years, so I was one of the few students with a camera. Because of this, I was often asked to film for requirements. And so, I learned to love the craft,” she recalled.

MUD Studios founder and director August Lyle Espino attended a workshop a few years ago, “where they were challenged to think outside of the box and create an even shorter version compared to what was usually required for a short film.” This inspired him to help organize the 3SF festival.

Espino revealed that the Best Film, Best Direction, and Best Cinematography winners will receive cash prizes and plaques of recognition. The festival will also award a Jury’s Choice and People’s Choice.

A four-lens kit worth 12,000 pesos, including a travel case bag, 7.5mm fisheye lens, 16mm wide-angle lens, 25mm macro lens, 65mm telephoto lens, two clip mounts, and cleaning cloth, courtesy of Kase Lens PH, and three pieces Selens Redhead Lights with light stand kit await the special prize winners.

Filmmakers Arvin Belarmino, Tristan Cua, Emmanuel Dela Cruz, and Peter Mackie made up the 3SF jury.

1982 Ventures invests in Lista, the MSME book-keeping app for the Philippines

Wazzup Pilipinas!?

Lista is empowering millions of MSME businesses in the Philippines move from pen and paper to digital says Herston Elton Powers of 1982.vc.

Lista is a bookkeeping app for MSMEs based in the Philippines. Through its financial inclusion app, they offer Filipinos a free and secure way of managing finances such as tracking debts, recording transactions, and even issuing invoices.

Lista raised an oversubscribed round from 1982 Ventures, East Ventures, Saison Capital, Alternate Ventures, Monde Nissin Family Ventures' Willy Arifin and prominent angel investors such as former Grab Philippines President and co-founder Brian Cu, Pinelabs CEO Amrish Rau, CRED Founder Kunal Shah, Jupiter Bank Chief Executive Officer Jitendra Gupta and Google APAC Senior Execs Aurelien Pichon, Alap Bharadwaj. 

Lista was founded by Aaron Villegas, an experienced entrepreneur with product experience, and Khriz Lim, a former Grab executive that led GrabFood's expansion into the region. Since its launch in September, Lista has helped collect close to US$1.5 million in receivables of MSMEs all over the Philippines.

Aaron Villegas, co-founder of Lista, stated, "Helping Philippine MSMEs was an advocacy close to my heart. Growing up, I saw the challenges my family endured in running a sari-sari store (community store)." Continuing, "I spent almost a year just talking to various MSMEs in the province and trying different ideas to help them grow. And that's when I realized that the first thing to do to really help them grow is through digitization and replacing pen and paper with easy-to-use tech."

As the pandemic struck early last year, digitization of business processes proved to be pivotal in ensuring the continuity of business operations. Micro, small and medium enterprises or MSMEs were among the most affected during the prolonged quarantines - 74% of these businesses halted operations due to the lockdowns according to the country's Department of Trade and Industry. MSMEs are vital to the Philippine economy as they comprise about 99.51% of business establishments in the country and employ around 63% of the country's workforce, according to data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).

Khriz Lim, former Grab executive and co-founder of Lista stated, "MSMEs are the backbone of the Philippine economy and it's time we stop leaving them behind. Through this app, we want to revolutionize the way MSMEs operate and provide them with a reliable digital partner for small businesses in the country."

Using digital tools can help fill this gap and allow them to record transactions and track their growth more easily. Lista aims to help MSMEs, including freelancers, logistics operators and riders, and other small businesses, digitize their business and provide a free and secure way of easily managing their finances.

Herston Elton Powers, Managing Partner of 1982 Ventures stated, "Lista is empowering millions of MSME businesses in the Philippines move from pen and paper to digital. The bookkeeping app space in the Philippines is wide open and Aaron and Khriz are the right founders to capture the opportunity. Lista's product and strong traction have put them in pole position to win the market."

Lista will use the funds to grow their team and expand their product offering to reach more MSMEs in the country.