Merrell, a brand synonymous with the outdoors, reopens with a whole new look and location in TriNoMa. Located on the 2nd floor, the new store features the brand’s signature footwear, including their Moab line which has sold 28 million pairs worldwide and their newest fan-favorite, the Hydro Moc.
From left: Merrell’s iconic Moab boots. Merrell’s selection of Men’s Performance shoes.
New Look
The brand’s passion for the outdoors is evident in its clean and organic design with nature-inspired elements and textures. The new store carries a wide array of footwear, apparel, and accessories designed to take you places.
From left: Merrell’s selection of bags. The Merrell Hydro Moc. Merrell’s selection of Women’s Lifestyle footwear.
Fan Favorites
Outdoor enthusiasts and sneakerheads alike will rejoice at the store’s selection of performance hikers like their signature Moabs and streetwear-ready shoes like the Hydro Moc and Hydro Runners. You can likewise shop their vast selection of trail runners, after-sport shoes, and sandals.
Merrell TriNoMa is located at the 2nd floor near Starbucks. For more styles, check out Merrell’s official webstore www.merrell.com.ph.
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Merrell’s latest gear for all kinds of adventures are available at SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, Glorietta3, TriNoma, SM North Annex, Market! Market!, Robinson’s Place Manila, Festival Mall Alabang, SM Southmall, SM City Baguio, Marquee Mall Pampanga, Harbor Point Subic, SM City Cebu, Ayala Center Cebu, SM Iloilo, SM City Davao, SM Lanang, Abreeza Mall Davao, Gaisano Mall Davao, Limketkai Mall, Centrio Mall, and selected specialty stores and department stores nationwide.
Marvel Studios has finally given us a good look at the next Black Panther in the new trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
After the passing of lead actor Chadwick Boseman back in 2020, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said that they will not recast or use CGI to bring T’Challa back on the big screen. In the first teaser for the sequel, it was then hinted that a new hero dons the Black Panther cowl, and it has now been fully confirmed in the new trailer.
Check it out below:
The new trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever not only gave us a closer look at the film’s villain Namor and the Talocan people, as well as the debut of Ironheart’s suit, but it also gave the fans a complete look at the new, female Black Panther.
While the trailer didn’t really disclose who it was under the mask, fans were quick to assume that it was Shuri inside the new suit. Not only is she next in line as the ruler of Wakanda, it is also comic book canon that T’Challa’s younger sister took the mantle of the Black Panther when her brother was in a coma.
Letitia Wright reprises her role as Shuri, alongside Angela Bassett, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, and Martin Freeman. Also joining the cast are Tenoch Huerta as Namor and Dominique Thorne debuting as Ironheart.
Director Ryan Coogler also returned to direct the sequel. Black Panther: Wakanda Foreveris coming to Philippine cinemas on November 9.
Today, 88rising, the pioneering and internationally-renowned music and media company amplifying Asian talent and culture, and Live MNL, are thrilled to announce the 2022 Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival lineup in Manila, Philippines. Head In The CloudsManila will take place on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10, 2022 at SM Festival Grounds Parañaque City. Ticket sales begin Wednesday, October 5 at 10am Manila time (purchase passesHERE).
88rising’s Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival will be coming to the city of Manila with an impressive range of curated talent including headliners Joji, Jackson Wang, NIKI, Rich Brian, eaJ, and YOASOBI. The festival will also include live performances from BIBI, MANILA GREY, Warren Hue, Ylona Garcia, GUAPDAD 4000, ATARASHII GAKKO!, MILLI, Zack Tabudlo and many more; plus special guest Grammy-winning hitmaker and electronic producer ZEDD.
“I am so excited to perform at the inaugural Head in the Clouds Manila. I missed y’all and it’s time to bring it to the Philippines.” says headliner Rich Brian. PARADISE RISING’s own Ylona Garcia noted, “I’m so glad 88rising is bringing the Head In The Clouds Festival to the Philippines and I’m incredibly grateful to be part of it! It’s been a while since I’ve seen my fans back home. Can’t wait to see each and every one of them!”
Last month, Head In The Clouds hosted 70,000 people over two days at Brookside at the Rose Bowl in its fourth year in Los Angeles, California. 88rising earlier announced Head In The Clouds Music & Arts Festival will travel to Indonesia later this year, marking the debut of the festival in both Indonesia and the Philippines.
Head in the Clouds Manila is presented by Globe, with major sponsor GCash.
2-day GA passes are priced at Php 12,888 and 2-day VIP passes are Php 15,888. For more information, please visit mnl.hitcfestival.com.
Full Line Up:
Joji
Jackson Wang
NIKI
Rich Brian
eaJ
YOASOBI
Adawa
Akini Jing
Atarashii Gakko!
BIBI
Elephante
GUAPDAD 4000
JinxZhou
MANILA GREY
MILLI
Spence Lee
Stephanie Poetri
Warren Hue
Ylona Garcia
Zack Tabudlo
Very Special Guest
ZEDD
About 88rising:
88rising is the pioneering global music & media company representing the best of Asian talent. 88rising was the first company to launch an Asian-centric music festival in the United States (Head in the Clouds Music & Arts Festival – now in its fourth year), the first to have an Asian artist top the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop charts and Spotify’s Weekly Global Albums chart, and the first to launch an all-Asian radio channel reaching all of North America. In 2021, 88rising executive produced and curated the soundtrack to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings – Marvel Studios’ first Asian-American superhero. In 2019, they were awarded Label of the Year by NetEase, one of the largest music streaming platforms in China. With over 160 million followers across global social media platforms and over 40 billion total streams and views, 88rising’s global influence is undeniable.
About LiveMNL
LiveMNL is KROMA Entertainment’s event and activation agency that curates and creates on-strat, on-time, and on-budget world-class events and productions in the Philippines – on-ground, online or hybrid.
Drag Race Philippines has been my source of joy and a way for me to connect to the Philippines while I am overseas. It’s a wonder why it is only now that we are getting a local version of Ru Paul’s award-winning drag queen competition franchise because with every new episode being aired it just feels right at home with our local queens!
The season 1 finale is nearing as the contestants are now whittled down to these fabulous five: Eva Le Quen, Marina Summers, Minty Fresh, Precious Paula Nicole, and Xilhouette. But today’s tea is not about the queens–we get cozy with a couple of judges as they share their thoughts about being part of the first-ever Drag Race Philippines! Here’s our exclusive Q&A with American singer, actress, and drag performer, Jiggly Caliente and renowned Filipino fashion designer Rajo Laurel:
Question: How do you feel being a part of the very first season of Drag Race Philippines?
Jiggly Caliente: It is an honor to be asked and even be a part of it. So, yeah. An honor and a privilege, definitely.
Rajo Laurel: RuPaul’s Drag Race is my favorite show in the world! I am a superfan of the show and I have been watching it since the very first season aired more than 15 years ago. To be part of the cast of Drag Race Philippines is more than a dream coming true. It’s like pure joy. I am so proud and deeply honored to be part of the show.
Jiggy Caliente [Photo by Magic Liwanag, courtesy of Perceptions, Inc.]
The Drag Race franchise already has many international versions – from Canada, UK, Down Under, and Thailand (the first Asian country to have a local RPDR). What do you think will set Drag Race PH apart from the rest that will make it a must-watch around the world?
Jiggly: We’re the prettiest f*cking franchise, period. The judges alone are the prettiest, the contestants are pretty, and on top of that, we’re super, super talented. And [Kalad]Karen is so f*cking smart. I was sitting next to her and I would think parang shunga next to her, kainis.
Rajo: What sets Drag Race Philippines apart from the rest of the world is our Queens. We have so much heart and soul. Every Filipino can sing and dance and perform but when you put the art of Drag in the equation then this becomes a completely different aspect altogether. The production also remains very Filipino at the core however the execution is truly world-class. We have been a constant presence on all Drag Race platforms since the very first season of the international franchise and now the rest of the world will realize why. We are an incredibly talented race and the Season One Queens are a testament to this.
Let’s talk about the other judges in the panel. What was it like working with all of them?
Rajo Laurel, Jiggly Caliente, Paolo Ballesteros, and KaladKaren Image courtesy of HBO GO
Jiggly: I mean like these – like the panel of men, let’s start with them. BJ Pascual is a known international fashion photographer. He has taken photographs of Miss Universe. He’s taken photographs of Pia Wurtzbach – who is like my ultimate idol, and then, of course, Anne Curtis and other top celebrities of Asia. Then Rajo Laurel, who’s a known international fashion designer as well. And then, of course, Jon Santos is a comedy legend in the Philippines. That is crazy! And lastly, [Kalad]Karen, who’s so smart, so quick, so witty, and I was just in awe. It was really a nice balance of having [Kalad]Karen there, and it was also really cool that the two main judges are two trans women, and that’s a first also for Drag Race herstory.
Rajo: It was truly a riot! I loved working with all the judges. Each one of us brings a unique perspective to the judging panel. It was really very difficult to judge the Queens because you get so emotionally attached to them. As you continue to watch the show you will understand why. However, it was truly a life highlight getting to know all of them. All I remember is the laughter and the joy of working with my co-judges, cast, and crew.
Rajo Laurel [Photo by Magic Liwanag, courtesy of Perceptions, Inc.]
There are many Filipino fans that love Ru Paul’s Drag Race but still are yet to discover the local drag scene. Can you share with us what makes Filipino Drag unique?
Jiggly: Their work ethic and their drive are crazy and this is a part of our culture that I think the other franchises will hopefully get to understand, that a lot of these queens are the breadwinner of their families. They make money to help their family, to put their little sisters and brothers to school, or to help their mom and dad with the house bills. That in itself is the story of a hard-working immigrant anywhere. I feel like that should speak volumes to people worldwide.
Rajo: What makes Filipino drag unique is our sense of CAMP. It has been there since the very beginning as we as a nation and as a culture find light and comedy in the most dire situations. This attitude translates so perfectly in drag and you end up on your knees roaring with laughter. We also have a unique way of cross-referencing various cultures as we adapt so effortlessly. You feel this in our local gay lingo and how our diaspora has influenced most of our lives. This global perspective definitely sets us apart.
If you found yourself on the Drag Race stage, what song would you want to have played in a lip sync for your life, and which RPDR queen would you want to lip sync against?
Jiggly: As much as l hope that I would never have to do it again, if I had to lip sync and it was my choice, I would want it to be Janet Jackson’s “If,” and you could put any bitch next to me coz’ I’m going to destroy them.
Rajo: OMG! I love this question. I would definitely want to lip sync Total Eclipse Of The Heart and I want to lip sync this song with my favorite drag queen, Alaska Thunderf*ck. LOL!
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The final episode of Drag Race Philippines happens on Wednesday, October 12. Find out which of the finalists will be crowned as the next drag superstar by streaming the show on HBO GO and discovery+.
This week, the mystery comedy thriller Amsterdam, starring Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington, is coming to Philippine cinemas!
The star-studded movie follows three friends– a doctor, a nurse, and a lawyer– from the 1930s who become the prime suspects in a murder. As they try to track down the real culprit of the crime to clear their names, their investigation will lead them to uncover one of the most outrageous plots in American history!
Watch the trailer for Amsterdam below:
Before Amsterdam hits theaters this week, we’ve rounded up a few facts about the movie that you might want to know. Check them out below.
1. David O. Russell and Christian Bale reunite for Amsterdam.
Director David O. Russell has worked with actor Christian Bale in his films The Fighter and American Hustle. In a report from Reuters, it was revealed that the director worked closely with Bale over the years to develop the story of Amsterdam.
“He had no script. He just had a couple of ideas. We started trading music that we would listen to, bits of history that we would learn about. David would scribble all this down. And then, over years and years, came up with this story,” Bale told Reuters.
Photo: 20th Century Studios
2. The story is mixed with real historical events.
Director Russell’s screenplay mixes fact and fiction to deliver an exciting mystery caper to viewers. As for its conspiracy plot, the script takes bits of historical events from when a fascist group tried to overthrow the US government. As the film’s synopsis described it, Amsterdam is “a fascinating and richly intricate tale that brilliantly weaves historical fact with fiction for a timely, cinematic experience.”
Photo: 20th Century Studios
3. The film is packed with big stars.
While the film already has an intriguing premise, movie buffs are sure excited to see its star-studded cast on the big screen. Aside from Bale, Robbie, and Washington, Amsterdam also has Robert De Niro, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rami Malek, Zoe Saldaña, Chris Rock, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Timothy Olyphant, Andrea Riseborough, Matthias Schoenaerts, and Alessandro Nivola.
Photo: 20th Century Studios
4. Taylor Swift returns to acting, and sings with Bale.
Following her appearance in the highly-criticized movie adaptation of Cats, Taylor Swift is returning to the big screen through Amsterdam. According to Variety, the famous singer-songwriter is set to play a mourning daughter in the film, most likely the victim of the murder in which the lead trio has been wrongfully implicated.
Photo: ‘Amsterdam’ trailer
Bale also told The Hollywood Reporterthat he got to sing with Taylor Swift during filming. “I went to my daughter and said, ‘You know who I sang with today? Taylor Swift.’ And she was like, ‘Wait, what? Why would you be doing that?’ Our pitch was all over the place … and then all of a sudden, David just goes, ‘How about Christian and J.D. [Washington] just shut up for this one and let Taylor do it?’ And it was like we had been drowning out an angel’s voice all day long with our cacophony and our rough, terrible voices.”
5. Bale loved the friendship between the film’s main characters.
In the film, Christian Bale’s Doctor Burt, Robbie’s Nurse Valerie, and Washington’s lawyer Woodsman crossed paths during the war and formed a pact that they will protect each other no matter what. While the film intrigues with a historical conspiracy and social commentary that stays relevant today, Bale told THR that the reason he loves the film so much is because of the friendship in the core of the movie.
“They have all suffered absolutely crushing circumstances in their life, but they refuse to be beaten by it or defined by it. So David and I just loved those characters. We want to be around them, and we want to watch them. We want to see these friends take care of each other no matter what. Oh man, that’s a friendship that I want to have in my life,” said Bale.
Photo: 20th Century Studios
— Amsterdamopens in cinemas nationwide this Thursday, October 6. Book your seats in advance and buy your tickets here.
SeedIn Technology is a mobile app, a web-based financial platform that matches Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) with potential investors. Or Executive Director Edison Tsai likes to joke, “It’s essentially Tinder for SMEs —and you don’t even have to swipe right!” The easy-to-use app has taken the world of finance by storm, making the stuffily perceived industry accessible for everybody. The model has been so successful that SeedIn Technology is now the biggest P2B (person to business) crowd lending platform in the region and has put over $200 million in SMEs across Asia.
SeedIn Technology was brought to the Philippines by Edison Tsai, a successful entrepreneur who founded his first company, Sigmasouth Technologies, at only 21 years old. After selling the software business, Tsai looked for the next big thing. He saw the potential in SeedIn’s inclusive model and the benefits it would give SMEs and investors in the country. He tirelessly worked to bring the company here from Taiwan and Singapore, eventually launching operations in 2017.
Planting the Seed for SMEs
SeedIn Technology has changed the game of finance by tapping into SMEs, a sector that is often overlooked by banks due to their heavy risk portfolios or low credit scores. The company’s crowdfunding model has found a decentralized solution to financing. While banks are centralized (meaning their money comes from one place), SeedIn pulls together the resources of the thousands of people who use their app. Tsai calls crowdfunding “The People’s Bank.” As a result, many small businesses are flourishing and helping the economy grow.
The process to be a “listed business” on SeedIn’s app is smooth and easy. SMEs need to apply for inclusion. SeedIn then takes over, doing the necessary due diligence by analyzing the company’s financials and business plans. Once approved, they go live on the app, where their loan requests become visible to a vast network of investors. These investors need to press a button to loan money to deserving SMEs looking for capital. With SeedIn’s stamp of approval, the possibilities for SMEs and investors are endless.
Financial Inclusion
The Fin-Tech company is also trying to make the finance sector more inclusive by allowing anybody to be an investor. What was once a job reserved for high net worth individuals has now become accessible to anyone over 18 years old, as long as they have a Philippine bank account. The process is easy: download the app on the Google or Apple store, upload your ID, register, and done within 15 minutes. Now the fun begins to the fascinating and prosperous world of finance. SeedIn also provides investors with the proper information that shows how the SMEs plan to use the loan and how/when they will get payment back. They offer an average of 10% per annum returns, and you can invest for as low as PHP 1,000.
While SeedIn is relatively new in the Philippines, Tsai is optimistic that it will leave a positive social and economic impact on the country. “It’s really about connecting people and allowing them to invest in an easy, convenient way,” he says with a hopeful disposition. “We’re not lending [to the big conglomerates] because they don’t need us. We’re thinking about the other 99%. That’s our mission—our social purpose.” The company encourages “social lending” by providing local businesses with impact investment capital to aid their growth.
Serve the Deserving
Now operating in the Philippines for five years, SeedIn Technology has continued serving deserving SMEs and discerning investors. Today they have over 80,000 investors across 80 countries around the world. Local companies that have benefited from the model include: Ellena Mineral Cosmetics, Vida Nutriscience Inc. (which produces popular Glutathione Capsules Snow Caps), natural foods corporation Multifresh, and account software enterprise Xirrus, amongst many others. As the only P2B SME crowd lending platform in Asia, SeedIn plans to further educate SMEs and investors on alternative financing and investment by branching out to other regions in the near future.
It’s the Ber-months once again and Pinoys as usual are gearing up for the Christmas season! And what better way to make the season more special than enjoying a familiar favorite? The good news is that Jollibee is bringing back a well-loved rice meal, the Garlic Pepper Beef just in time for the holidays! It’s just as delicious as you remember it, with tasty beef slices, flavourful pepper gravy, and toasted garlic bits served with steamed rice.
“We’re really excited to bring back a fan-favourite, the Garlic Pepper Beef, in time for the holidays. The timing can’t be more perfect, as we all know that Pinoys love to make Christmas season special. Fans can enjoy Garlic Pepper Beef as a special treat to make their everyday more exciting.” said Pam Reyes, Assistant Vice President for Marketing.
Enjoy the tasty-beefy sarap of the Jollibee Garlic Pepper Beef starting October 3 in Metro Manila, October 10 for the rest of Luzon, and October 31 in Visayas and Mindanao for only P95 solo and P120 for the value meal! Aside from Dine-in, Take-Out and Drive-Thru, you can also have them safely delivered to you via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and Foodpanda!
For more info and updates on Jollibee products, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
How many red flags did you ignore only to find yourself hurting more?
Discerning whether the products you use are nourishing or noxious is the first step to real skin care
Ouch! But we get you, sis! It’s easy to get carried away by the great promises and ignore the warning signs until it’s too late. But remember: you deserve better! Small compromises may lead to bigger ones and will keep you stuck in the toxicity. Avoiding risks to guard your peace is always worth it.
Almost everything can carry red flags, not just relationships. Some are even hiding behind our favorite and most-used beauty and skincare products (uh-oh)!
Natural or NOT-ural?
REAL TALK: It’s easy to fall for highly raved-about skincare products when you see great reviews with buzzwords like “natural,” “holy grail,” and “sustainable.” It’s understandable—we only want the best for our skin and take cues from others’ experiences. However, these products—no matter how appealing—may still contain toxic chemicals that build up into real and serious risks for your body, your family, and even the environment.
To help Filipinos combat disinformation and make wise choices as consumers, Human Nature, the pioneer brand of effective, safe, and affordable genuinely natural products, encourages the habit of doing the 3Rs—READ the label, REPLACE unsafe products with Philippines’ genuinely natural ones, and RAISE AWARENESS—one step at a time.
To keep or to skip?
Human Nature encourages Filipino consumers to make it a habit to read product labels
Looking for the right skincare products is pretty much like looking for your right match (free from red flags, of course!). To help you find your “The One”, here are the top most common harmful ingredients to keep an eye out for in product labels, and their natural counterparts.
Red Flag #1: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLS/SLES)
Don’t you just love it when your face wash, soap, or shampoo creates a foamy lather? While it sounds fun, what’s sad is that these suds are usually caused by SLS. This harsh chemical may strip your skin and hair of essential moisture, cause irritation, and make them dry.
✅Natural counterparts: Gentler, non-stripping surfactants like sodium cocoyl isethionate (coconut-oil-derived) and decyl glucoside (coconut-derived). Try products like Nourishing Facial Wash and Strengthening Shampoo.
Red Flag #2: Parabens
Preserving a toxic, long-term relationship is not worth it if it puts you at serious risk. Just like how parabens prolong the shelf life of common skincare and cosmetic products, but may cause irritation and allergic reactions. They are also known as endocrine disruptors and may weaken the immune system.
✅ Natural counterparts: Plant-derived preservatives like rosemary essential oil, gluconolactone (from corn), and glyceryl caprylate (coco, palm, and glycerin derived). Try our Cooling Body Cleanser and Feminine Wash Bar.
Red Flag #3: Mineral oil
Another red flag is mineral oil, which is used in lotions, moisturizers, and makeup removers. While it’s known to lock in moisture to heal dry or irritated skin, it can also clog pores, suffocate the skin, and damage the skin barrier.
Usually found in conditioners and hair styling products, silicone is also a no-no in skin and hair care. While it can make your hair look silky and healthy, this harmful ingredient coats skin and hair like plastic, which may lead to clogged pores as well as speed up skin aging.
A product looks natural but has striking colors? It most likely contains an added synthetic dye! Lake dyes in personal care products may contain contaminants which may be neurotoxic, possibly carcinogenic, and may cause skin irritations.
Filipino scientists uphold the highest and strictest standards at Human Nature’s Natural Care Labs
Ever since we started in 2008, we have been conscientiously committed to ensuring that no harmful chemicals slip into our formulations. From research to formulation and production to distribution, Human Nature upholds the strictest standards for naturalness, human safety, and environmental responsibility. Since we use natural ingredients, our microbial safety standard is also set 100 times higher than the local industry’s. Likewise, our products aren’t only natural but also cruelty-free and environmental-friendly
Why risk it when you can choose beauty, safety, and health at the same time? Start choosing products that promise you more than just beauty! All it takes is for you to read the label, replace unsafe products with natural alternatives, and raise awareness.
Tara, let’s #SwitchToNatural and be #MoreThanJustBeautiful
When it comes to tasty and satisfying eats, Jollibee Burger Steak remains a firm Pinoy favorite for its beefy-saucy linamnam goodness at an unbeatable price. One bite is enough to make anyone smile and go “oooh” with delight. This is why Jollibee came up with a new TikTok filter that emphasizes and brings out the fun in these “Beefy Smile Saucy Oooh” expressions!
Burger Steak lovers enjoyed trying out the “Beefy Smile Saucy Oooh” TikTok filter at the Burger Steak booth at SM City North Edsa on August 27-28, and SM Mall of Asia on September 3-4. By recording and uploading their own videos using the filter, they also had the chance to win free Jollibee gift certificates!
Over 400 participants were so game to join in on the craze and tried out the Tiktok filter. Check out all the exciting moments that unfolded during the 4-day booth rollout by watching the highlights video below:
Of course, not to miss out on the fun, some of our favorite content creators and foodies also shared their own best Beefy Smiles and Saucy Ooohs. Among them is the “Majestic Superstar” herself, Maja Salvador:
Enjoy the beefy-saucy linamnam goodness of Jollibee Burger Steak at all stores nationwide for only P55 (Solo)! Aside from Take-Out and Drive-Thru, you can also have them safely delivered to you via the Jollibee Delivery App, JollibeeDelivery.com, #87000, GrabFood, and Foodpanda!
For more info and updates on Jollibee products, like Jollibee on Facebook, subscribe to
Jollibee Philippines on YouTube, and follow @jollibee on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
Trombonist Ricson Poonin will be the second featured artist of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Special Concert Series on October 20, 2022, 7:30pm at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater).
For his solo concert, he will be rendering “The Casterede Sonatine” which he described as challenging to play because of its 20th century syncopated rhythms; “Milagros”, a showpiece Filipino music presented with piano accompaniment; and the Pandemic Concert Piece for Trombone and Piano.
Composed by Poonin’s long-term mentor Maestro Herminigildo Ranera, The Pandemic Concert piece is a new trombone composition which Poonin himself requested from Ranera to create especially for this recital.
According to Poonin, the piece is highlighted by various composition techniques and represents the Filipinos’ experiences during the crisis
During the pandemic years, together with his colleagues, Poonin gathered different Filipino trombonists who lived in the Philippines and overseas and had practice sessions, lectures, open fora, and virtual videos featuring multiple trombonists playing together in the first-ever Philippine Trombone Festival held virtually.
Poonin is renowned for his distinctive musicality, sound technique, and adaptability as a soloist in an ensemble or with an orchestra.
He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in 2012 with a degree in Bachelor of Music Major in Trombone Performance under the tutelage of the Maestro, Dr. Herminigildo Ranera.
“Sir Hermie has been a big influence in my career,” Poonin said. “As my mentor, I would like to pay tribute to him by featuring his work here”, the artist recounted.
Maestro Ranera described Poonin as “very musical, meticulous and highly skilled.”
Ranera, who is associate conductor of the PPO, and Poonin continue to work together in the orchestra.
Due to Poonin’s outstanding performances and active student life, he was granted a full scholarship at the famous John Hopkins University’s Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, with the support of Irene Marcos Araneta, Zenaida Tantoco, Monique Villonco, Tricia Amper-Jimenez, and Chuchu Madrigal Eduque and the FAPI. He won both the Peabody Excerpts Competition and the James Winship Lewis Memorial Prize Performance Award. He also played with a great number of other Peabody Ensembles including the Fourtissimo Trombone Quartet, Marquee Brass Quintet, the Peabody Jazz Ensemble, and the Trombody Peabones Trombone Choir.
Consequently, he became a part of the International Trombone Association’s Guinness record for having the most number of trombone players performing at a single event in Lincoln Center in New York.
Currently, Poonin is a trombone teacher at St. Scholastica’s College and at the University of Santo Tomas–to which he proudly says that his students have improved and progressed and are winning in competitions too.
Savor music through the instrument known to be “the Voice of God” (trombone) as it creates a full and beautiful reverberation through the versatility of interpretation by Ricson Poonin, an amusing and light-hearted musician in this otherwise serious concert setting.
Likewise, applications are being accepted for the Ricson Poonin Trombone Masterclass which will be held on October 19, 2022, 2:00pm – 6:00pm at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez.
