How Lucky are you in The Year of the Rooster?

We are just a week away from the start of the Chinese New Year, and I guess a lot of Pinoys (including me) are eager to welcome the Year of the Fire Rooster which falls on January 28, 2017!

Even though I dont have any Chinese blood in me, I always look  forward to my yearly horoscope and curios as to how my animal sign would do in the coming year. I was lucky that I got an invite last week at New World Makati together with other members of the media to listen to New World Makati's Resident Feng Shui Expert, Princess Lim Fernandez, as she shared her insights on the Year of the Fire Rooster.

Feng shui expert Princess Lim Fernandez said those who were born in the Year of the Horse were going to be lucky this year. Ehem.. the horse just so happens to be my animal sign so i'm really feeling quite optimistic. She even gave us a personal reading based on the year date and time of my birth and it said: My money luck comes from fire. Therefore, the current year has this element and money luck will be favorable in this year 2017 Fire Rooster. 

My Lucky Element is Metal and Water. Lucky colors are white, gold, blue, black, gray and silver. 
My benefactors and helpful people are the Rabbit, Snake, Rooster and Pig.

Curious about your fortune? You too can have a one on one consultation with Feng Shui expert Ms. Princess Fernandez on Chinese New New Year’s Eve get-together on Friday, JANUARY 27, 2017 at the Grand Ballroom of the New World Makati Hotel. Dubbed as YIN & YANG SHOP OF HARMONY “2017 ENCHANTING THE FIRE ROOSTER” . It will be co-presented by ODV Creative in cooperation with New World Makati Hotel.

Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony’s resident Feng Shui Expert, Princess Lim Fernandez, leads“2017 Enchanting The Fire Rooster,” a Chinese New Year’s Eve celebration at New World Makati Hotel. This much-awaited event will be filled with activities designed to magnify one’s luck in the year of the Fire Rooster.

On the eve of the Chinese New Year, imbibe positive Chi by participating in this largely festive gathering that will ring in Luck for you in the coming year of the Fire Rooster.  The celebration kicks off with much fanfare–guests will be greeted with the opportunity to make their wishes via the “Golden Egg”. It will be followed by auspicious New Year activities that are true to the enchanting spirit of the Fire Rooster. All the traditional and popular elements of a Chinese New Year celebration are to be expected—New Year Wishing Ceremony (參拜Can Bai), offering of wishes, Luck Transforming Rite, traditional lion and dragon dance, eye-dotting ceremony, the New Year countdown topped with “Welcoming the New Year” firecracker blowout while an engaging light show serves as its fabulous backdrop.

Guests will be treated to a Lauriat of meticulously selected auspicious dishes for their “First Lucky Feast” of the year.  The celebration continues with an enchanting entertainment, insightful look at the 12 zodiac signs with essential tips to enhance one’s luck in the Year of the Fire Rooster. Big-ticket raffle prizes also await lucky guests.

Patrons will also vastly enjoy and bring home, specially prepared luck enhancing gifts from the Yin & Yang Shop of Harmony: such as the 2017 Feng Shui Diary & Your Luck in 2017 year of the Fire Rooster, wishing pack, New Year Rattle Drum and a special lucky egg.

If you are looking for charms to guide your lucky zodiac sign this year, you might consider one of these from the New Year's celebration.

Lucky Pouch for the Fire Rooster Year

Carrying this pouch will help boost your luck. Contains special elements to absorb negative energy throughout the year. Special star stone inside to enchant the Rooster.

Longevity Peach

A representation of a celestial peach or “Peaches of Immortality” which is mentioned in Chinese legend as growing in Heaven’s garden. It ripens once every thousand years & grants immortality to humans when consumed. This symbolizes good health & longevity. Best for all heads of households & businesses to have one especially this Fire Rooster year.

Garlic Of Opportunity

Garlic is a symbol of good opportunities coming your way. The sound of Garlic (大蒜 Dàsuàn) is similar to “counting lots of money”. For this reason, Garlic has also become a symbol of wealth & opportunities. Best placed with Fu Lu Shou and you’ll find opportunities knocking on your door soon.

Voracious Tian Lu

Powerful fortune and wealth enhancer that generates good Feng Shui to summon fortune and find benefactors, while guarding & protecting their owner.

Long Yu

Based on the legend of the “Carp leaping over the Dragon’s Gate” to transform into a Dragon. Only the capable few who are brave enough to successfully make the final leap can be transformed into a dragon which is an auspicious symbol of great & benevolent power. Thus, this unique piece symbolizes persistence in overcoming obstacles. It is also a symbol of courage, perseverance & accomplishment. As only those who persevere will prevail, it is important to have one in this volatile Fire Rooster year.

Mag Pies

The magpies are regarded as a symbol of good luck, joy, marital bliss and long lasting fortune. Based on the legend of the forbidden love between the Cowherd & the Weaver girl, once a year, on Chinese Valentine’s Day all the magpies in the world form a bridge in heaven to reunite the lovers. They symbolize bridging two lovers. Hanging this in the center of your home will enhance communication, clear perception & conjugal happiness.

Event tickets are available for Php3,888 at the Yin and Yang Shop of Harmony at the New World Makati Hotel, Makati City.  For inquiries, please call 7525882 or 811 6888 local 3066 or emailyinandyangshopofharmony@gmail.com.

Top five premium global brand Vivo to launch Stephen Curry-endorsed 20MP dual front cameraV5 Plus

Basketball superstar Stephen Curry is the face of Vivo’s newest flagship model, the Vivo V5 Plus. 

With the ‘selfie’ phenomenon at its peak and its popularity growing unabated, smartphone manufacturers have been producing phones with camera-focused features that can create the selfie worthy of being called ‘perfect’.

In fact, Vivo, one of the top five premium global brands according to data from the International Data Corporation1 is set to launch a smartphone equipped with the most advanced selfie technology to date: the Vivo V5 Plus, to be officially unveiled in a consumer and media launch on January 21, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium.

The Vivo V5 Plus is endorsed by basketball superstar Stephen Curry, who earlier said that he shares the same core values with the brand: energy, professionalism, and pleasure.

Vivo V5 Plus, called the ‘Perfect Selfie’ phone, will be launched on January 21, Saturday, at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium. 

Dubbed the ‘Perfect Selfie’ phone, Vivo V5 Plus features dual front-facing cameras: a 20-megapixel and 8-megapixel combination, a soft-light flash that enables the user to take selfies even in poor lighting conditions, a face beauty mode 6.0 that corrects blemishes, and the “bokeh” effect—the well-loved photography filter that instantly blurs the background of any focused object. Also, the Vivo V5 Plus is equipped with a 16-megapixel rear camera.

Full specifications of the newest Vivo model will be released during the event.

Says Hazel Bascon, Vivo Philippines vice president, “We are excited that the Vivo V5 Plus is finally launching here in the Philippines, as Filipinos are known to be selfie lovers. The phone’s advanced selfie features will surely take the Filipino selfie experience to the next level.” 

Significant guests from the smartphone market, top technology bloggers, fashion and lifestyle bloggers like Verniece Enciso, singer KZ Tandingan and PinoyBoyband Superstar’s Tony Labrusca and James Ryan Cesena are expected to join in the big reveal.

KZ Tandingan

Tony Labrusca of PinoyBoyband Superstar. 

James Ryan Cesena, PinoyBand Superstar

For inquiries about Vivo V5 Plus, visit the Vivo website at vivoglobal.ph, or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivophil) accounts. #

Welcome the New Year with a new Moto smartphone

 A fresh year is always a nice excuse to get a new smartphone—go-getters and adventure seekers need a smart, reliable digital sidekick to complete their bucket list for the year, after all. Welcome 2017 with a bang and try Moto’s newly launched smartphones, which packs in fun and functionality. With the enhanced productivity, speed, and mobility features, you can be sure to accomplish your #2017goals without a hitch.

Empowering Go-Getters with Moto Z Series

Beautifully crafted for fashion trendsetters, Moto Z epitomizes elegance and style: Moto Z is a head turner with its military, aircraft-grade aluminum and stainless steel build. As the world’s thinnest premium smartphone, Moto Z is only 5.2 mm thin. Don’t be fooled by its size though, as it packs a punch: powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon TM 820 processor with 4G of RAM and 62G of internal storage, Moto Z delivers a smooth and blazing performance that keeps users ahead of the game. Moto Z sports a 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display for optimal viewing experience. To top it all off, fashionistas can enjoy taking their OOTDs using Moto Z’s high-resolution 13MP rear camera with optical image stabilization and laser autofocus. Pricingfor the Moto Z starts at P33,999.

Meanwhile, Moto Z Play is the perfect companion for heavy multimedia users who need a smartphone that can last throughout the day. Asthe Moto smartphone with the longest battery life on a single charge, Moto Z Play can last up to 50 hours with regular use. Moto Z Play boasts of a 5.5-inch 1080p HD AMOLED display that deliverscrisp and vivid images. It is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon TM 625 processor with 3GB of RAM and 32G of internal storage. Moto Z Play’s 16MP rear camera with laser and phase detect autofocus makes taking photos on any lighting condition such a breeze. Pricingfor the Moto Z Play starts at P22,999.

Moto Z Series smartphones are compatible with special snap-onscalled Moto Mods: the IncipioOffGrid Power Pack, JBL Soundboost Speaker Mod, Moto Insta-Share Projector Mod, Hasselblad True Zoom Camera Mod, and Moto Style Shell Mods, which enhance the functionality of the smartphones.  Without having to turn off the phone and remove the back panel, users can just simply snap the Moto Mods on using strong magnets that work like magic.

Elevate Your Digital Prowess with Moto G Family  

The Moto G family of smartphones packs in all the essential features social media-savvy millenials need.Today’s selfie generation can capture the perfect picture with Moto G4 Plus’s 16MP camera with enhanced autofocus features, and upload them directly on social media without missing a moment. YOLO travelers keen on documenting their journeys will love Moto G Turbo, which is as adventurous as they are: Moto G4 Turbo features the IP67-rated dust and water protection, so users won’t have to worry about splashes and spills when they take travel selfies.Moto G Turbo also features a 5-inch full HD scratch-proof screenprotected by Gorilla Glass 3.Notable for its long battery life, Moto G Turbo is powered by 2470mAh battery, which lasts the whole day without charging. Moto G Play, meanwhile,is a boon to mobile gaming enthusiasts:  it packs in a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 quad-core processor with 2GB and a 2800mAh battery that allows users to play all night. Pricingfor the Moto G4 Plus starts at P13,999. Moto G Turbo and Moto G4 Play may be availed exclusively for free with Smart's GIGA Plan 999and Globe's MyLifestylePlan 799, respectively.

Welcome the New Year with a new Moto smartphone, and fearlessly take on 2017’s challenges without skipping a beat!

Avail of COSMOSkin Glutathione at 50% discount at Watsons Big White Blowout and have a chance to win a brand -new iPhone 7!

Since my teenage years ,I’ve always been proud of my morena skin but it doesn’t mean I don’t want to get a bit fairer and have better skin!

It was in 2009 when I started taking Cosmo skin glutathione that was I think the time when glutathione pills became wildly popular and gluta drip or cocktails were still unheard of.

CosmoSkin was recommended by a friend for its whitening side effect but what got me hooked was its promise of being able to even my skin tone. After all, what good is getting whiter if you have uneven skin tone right?

I was in my early 40’s when I started taking it and I was really satisfied with the results. Unfortunately I had to stop taking Como Skin when I left for UAE in 2013. While in UAE I felt a bit weak and sickly, I thought it was because of the weather or because my body was still adjusting to the different work load.

CosmoSkin founder and Marketing Deirector Dr. Nino Bautista and CosmoSkin Ambassador Ms. Ruffa Gutierrez

When I came back a year later, however, I still felt the same, but thought it was just due to age. Last year was worse as I had to be treated for a number of ailments (UTI, stye etc..)and although thankfully I wasn’t confined to the hospital, it was still strange for me to get sick numerous times in a year.

I’ve become even more conscious of my diet, avoiding any fatty or oily food, and taking lots of vitamins and supplements but somehow I still felt something was missing.

A few months ago while shopping I saw CosmoSkin again and they were having this Buy 2 take 1 promo at Watsons SM Makati. So I bought two and began taking it again, and that’s when I realized that my body was actually missing Cosmo skin!

You may think it’s a bit far-fetched but somehow I felt like my old self when I began taking CosmoSkin again regularly, I felt stronger and less sickly and I also noticed a change in my skin.

After 3 months of taking it.  I never felt any discomfort in urinating. I stopped taking antibiotics for my UTI I also lost 4 pounds and felt better! I don’t know if its my body clock or the glutathione withdrawal. But the moment, I took Cosmoskin again, I felt better.

Yes CosmoSkin is not cheap, but having to go to the hospital and having to buy medicine is certainly a lot more costly.

Now the good news is Cosmoskin is a part of the Watsons Big White Blowout, and for those who are into Glutathione and whitening, its about time you drop by any Watsons branch and try Cosmoskin. Cosmoskin is having a 50% sale. You can buy one Cosmo Skin with free grapeseed at only php1035.00. 

So if you havent tried it this is the best time to get a bottle and try it out for yourself.

Watsons Big White Blowout also includes hundreds of other whitening products available ranging from whitening soaps, facial creams, body lotions, and deodorants to ingestibles and other skin care brands.

Also if you have an SM Advantage or BDO Rewards card you can have the chance to win a brand-new iPhone 7 as every PHP 500 purchase on whitening products earns you an e-raffle entry. So headover to the nearest Watsons store or The SM Store Beauty Section and be part of the biggest blowout to start the year!

KFC ADDS HOPE TO OVER 60,000 SCHOOL KIDS IN WAR-TORN MINDANAO

Continuing its global commitment to ending hunger, KFC Philippines through its Add Hope initiative donated PHP6, 798,811.61 to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP). The money raised will fund WFP’s School Meals Program, which provides hot, nutritious lunch meals to thousands of children from conflict-affected areas in Mindanao, enabling them to perform better in school.

Every child deserves a chance for a better tomorrow. Don’t let hunger stop them from making their dreams come true. Take part in adding hope to their future with your PHP10.

Visit any KFC store to drop your donations. For more information, visit www.AddHope.com.ph

Kick-start your health with these items from Daiso, Japan!

Got more pounds than presents over the holidays? Time to put down that plate of leftover lechon and pick up a dumbbell. Committing to an exercise routine is a great way to usher in the new year not only to lose the holiday weight but more importantly, to keep fit and healthy.

Starting slowly with simple exercises is the best way to help you stay motivated. Daiso Japan
 offers plenty of fun fitness contraptions at affordable prices starting at P88 which you can use outdoors or at home. Pick one that suits your goal or get them all to introduce variations into your workout.

Water Dumbbells. These exercise tools are especially great for beginners. They are more joint-friendly but still do the job of building strength and working on different muscle groups. Do some dumbbell curls for toner biceps and stronger arms.

Hand grips and hand and ankle weights. A good hand grip says a lot about your personality and, as researchers say, your health. With our hands getting the most use and abuse on a daily basis, it’s only proper to give them some TLC. Improve your grip, tone forearms, and develop hand strength, endurance and flexibility using these contraptions. Daiso Japan sells hand grips available in 10 kg, 20 kg and 25 kg resistance.

Jump rope. Skipping rope might sound old school but it remains an effective method in burning calories. Jumping rope at a moderate rate, for instance, can burn 10 to 16 calories per minute or roughly 480 calories for half an hour of working the rope. It’s the perfect exercise on days when you don’t feel like running.

Armband for gadgets. Like listening to music while running? Before hitting the pavement, strap your smartphone on your arm with this nifty workout gear so you won’t have to fiddle with your hands to play good workout music. You can also download fitness apps on your phone and track your progress real time.

Hit those balls.  Sports buffs would love to know that there are badminton and table tennis rackets at Daiso Japan.  So keep fit and burn those calories using these gadgets at amazingly low prices!

Sports support.   Protect yourselves while hitting those balls or pounding the pavement with  knee and ankle support. Less injury means more time to keep fit.
Inspired to work out? Pick up these items at Daiso Japan and start your fitness journey this year for a better, healthier you.

In the Philippines, Robinsons Retail Holdings Inc. (RHHI) is the only authorized and exclusive retailer of Daiso merchandise and owns and manages all 59 authorized Daiso Japan stores in the country.

3 Easy tips on how to turn your leftovers into tasty dishes from King Sue

Wondering what to do with all that food that’s been sitting on the fridge after the holidays? Get creative with the help of King Sue Ham & Sausage Co., Inc., makers of quality meat products like ham and sausages for the past 85 years. Here are 3 easy tips on how to turn your leftovers into a tasty dish.

1.  Leftover ham is such a versatile ingredient you can practically create a hundred and one meals from it. Put together a quick carbonara dish by tossing together cubed ham, chopped garlic, sliced onions, and frozen peas into melted butter. Cook for one minute; stir in all-purpose cream and add cooked pasta. Cook for another 3 minutes until it’s done.

You can also include leftover ham in quesadillas, fresh vegetable salad, creamy chicken and ham chowder, and as topping on homemade pizza and backed mac and cheese.

2. With its smoky, salty flavor, chorizo can turn an ordinary frittata into a 5-star omelet! You can actually include your favorite vegetables like spinach and asparagus in this dish to make it healthier. Beat five eggs with parmesan, salt and pepper. Sauté ingredients like onions, mushrooms, spinach, and chopped leftover chorizo in melted butter. Pour egg mixture and stir until the egg mixture has set on the bottom. Remove from heat and bake in the oven for five minutes.

3.   Sausages are great on their own but if you have a surplus of these meaty bites, turn them into brand new meals with only a few additional ingredients. A perfect dish for your Hungarian sausages is a comforting potato and sausage soup. All you need are diced potatoes, chopped onion, diced tomatoes, bite-sized sausages, chicken stock, and sour cream. In a deep pan, simmer all ingredients except for the sausages in chicken stock for 15 minutes. Add sausages cook for another 10 minutes until potatoes are tender. Whisk in sour cream and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with chopped parsley.

Turning 86 this year,  King Sue Ham & Sausage Co. has been part of many Filipino celebrations and traditions, providing generations of families with high quality meat products that can be enjoyed any day of the year.

Aside from the signature hams, the company has expanded its product offerings over the years and now includes the popular Chorizo Bilbao, gourmet sausages, bacon, burgers, cold cuts, and Filipino favorites such as sisig, tocino, and corned beef.

Call 881-0530 364-5430, 376-6441 and +639199889642 for inquiries and orders, and check out FB IG Twitter @kingsueham or email sales@kingsue.com. Hashtags: #kingsueham #kingsue #ilovekingsue #cookingathome #philippines.  Also check out  www.kingsue.com

Your STEAKation begins at McDonalds with their newest offering Mushroom Pepper Steak

I got an invite to try out McDonald's newest offering yesterday. I left the house at 10am with an empty stomach. When I got off at Ayala,  I took my brunch at McDonald's SM Makati before proceeding to McDonald's Forum. I asked for a breakfast meal, the service crew told me that they're not serving Breakfast meals at their branch. I opted for a Mushroom Pepper Steak which turned out to be delicious with the lavish and creamy mushroom sauce! Not to mention its affordable at Php55.  After my heavy breakfast I proceeded to McDonald's event and was surprised that Mushroom Pepper Steak was their newest meal. I hope that they would put this on their permanent menu. This one became my favorite right away,  next to their fries and Big Mac.

McDonald’s welcomes the New Year with the new Mushroom Pepper Steak! A welcome addition to McDonald’s range of filling and affordable rice meals, it features a juicy burger patty, smothered in a mushroom cream sauce with a hint of pepper, and topped off with sliced button mushrooms.

With the New Mushroom Pepper Steak, customers can enjoy a STEAKation wherever they are, may it be in their home or office. Taste the 1-pc Mushroom Pepper Steak with a regular drink for only Php55. It also comes as a 2-pc meal with a regular drink for only Php89 or with a McFreeze starting at Php69 for a 1-pc meal and Php 99 for a 2-pc meal.

Your STEAKation begins when you dine in at any McDonald’s restaurant nationwide. You can also order the New Mushroom Pepper Steak via Drive-Thru or McDelivery (86-2-36, www.mcdelivery.com.ph, or the McDo PH app).

Share your photo of the day while leisurely enjoying your STEAKation with the new Mushroom Pepper Steak on Facebook, facebook.com/McDo.ph or tag @McDo_PH on Twitter or Instagram. 

UNIQLO JEANS: Evolution of Versatility

Global Japanese brand UNIQLO continues to make good lives of Filipinos better by offering a wide variety of denim designs made with high quality materials as it continues to pioneer the evolution of denim with the newly established Denim Innovation Center.

The updated denim line offers various styles, allowing both men and women to choose which piece best fits their lifestyles.

Women’s Denim Jeans Collection

UNIQLO Ultra Stretch jeans for women are made with an exclusive material that provides 50% stretch while retaining 90% shape recovery, resulting in a supportive fabric that hugs the body in all the right ways. Its unique fabric ensures a flattering silhouette while remaining soft and lightweight and comes in both regular and high rise ankle design.

UNIQLO Slim Boyfriend Fit Ankle Length jeans for women are on-trend, with a slim feminine silhouette and embellished with whiskering and fading in strategic areas. Cut above the ankle, it gives off a light, casual feel, perfect for a laid-back, effortlessly stylish look.

UNIQLO Skinny Fit Tapered jeans for women have a flattering leg that makes for a slim silhouette, with flexible denim material ensuring all-day comfort. It comes in both regular and ankle-cut design and regular and colored denim.



Men’s Denim Jeans Collection

UNIQLO Miracle AirRegular Fit Tapered jeansfor men arealso developed with internationally-acclaimed denim manufacturer,Kaihara, and aremade of uniquely hollow woven fibers that make it 20% lighter than the average pair of jeans. This innovative fabric also provides stretch, as air can pass through and around these fibers, for a soft, comfortable feel.  


UNIQLO Jogger Slim Fit jeans for men have ribbed cuffs that provide a low-key and sleek look perfect for an active lifestyle. Its elastic waistband creates a relaxed fit and allows superb ease of movement while its design features authentic denim fading and wear.

UNIQLO Slim Fit Straight Jeansfor men feature a basic, stripped down look essential for daily wear, and comes in regular, damaged, and colored styles. With a comfortable amount of stretch to ensure comfort and ease of movement and stylish rivets and buttons, it is the perfect pair for an active lifestyle.

UNIQLO Stretch Selvedge Slim Fit jeans for men are developed with internationally-acclaimed denim manufacturer, Kaihara, and feature a straight-leg cut.It is perfect for both every day casual style and slightly dressed up day. Its fabric fades after every wash, creating that perfect worn-in look and feel. It is made of 98% cotton and 1% spandex for a stretch fabric that allows easy movement.


UNIQLO Slim Fit jeans for men feature a basic, stripped down look essential for daily wear.It comes in regular denim, distresseddenim, and colored denim styles. With a comfortable amount of stretch to ensure comfort and ease of movement and stylish rivets and buttons, it is the perfect pair for an active lifestyle.


UNIQLO Stretch Skinny Fit Tapered jeans for men feature a sharp and stylish design. Its exceptional side-to-side and vertical stretch provides easy movement and comfortable fit, perfect for everyday wear. It comes in both regular and colored denim varieties and is an essential addition to any wardrobe.

DENIM INNOVATION CENTER, new R&D facility

Fast Retailing, UNIQLO’s parent company, establishes the DENIM INNOVATION CENTER in Los Angeles, California, new R&D center specializing in denim to further enhance the quality and value of UNIQLO jeans. The facility is a research hub that brings together specialists in jeans development utilizing innovative technologies and materials, based on the established tradition of jeans. One of the first projects for the facility will be research on jeans for UNIQLO.Products that will be developed in the center will be available from the fall winter 2017 season.

With a full range of in-house equipment for the entire production process, Fast Retailing will be able to quickly incorporate the essence of current trends in its designs. By focusing on the fit, fabric, and finish, the finished jeans will look exceptional while being comfortable.



For more updates, visit UNIQLO Philippines’ website at www.uniqlo.com/ph and social media accounts, Facebook (facebook.com/uniqlo.ph), Twitter (twitter.com/uniqloph) and Instagram (Instagram.com/uniqlophofficial). 

Make Way for Blue Way

The up-and-coming band Blue Way—composed of Ace Agamata on guitar and vocals, Josh del Mundo on saxophone, Nathan Manansala on guitar, Paul Matcott on drums and Stephen Lachica on bass—are ready and raring to bring something new to the local music scene. As of this writing, they’re putting the finishing touches on their debut EP, which features six original songs written by Ace himself.

Ace describes Blue Way’s music as blues (hence the band’s name) with a little bit of classic rock and soul thrown in for good measure. Although he admits that blues isn’t a very well-known genre in these parts, Ace and his band mates believe they do have what it takes to win the hearts and ears of the public.

Nathan says, “Blues isn’t too far from rock, so I think it’s just a matter of having catchy songs with good lyrics. The musicians in the local blues scene are really talented and the blues scene itself is still growing. So if artists from the blues scene will be able to bring their songs to the masa, then maybe the genre will become more popular.”

“Some of our songs have the OPM feel, but the way we approached them is from a blues perspective. If you listen to our EP, you’ll see na parang kundiman yung melody and structure nung ibang kanta namin. So even if our approach or genre is foreign, Pinoy na Pinoy pa rin ang dating ng mga kanta namin,”Ace adds.

Blue Way’s music isn’t the only thing that’s foreign yet very Filipino at the same time. While three of its members were born and raised in the Philippines, the other two spent their formative years and then some in Australia and the USA. Even so, they’re all Pinoy at heart.

Ace, Nathan and Stephen first started playing together in 2014. “At first I started the band with two other guys, tapos naging busy yung bassist namin, so we had to find a replacement for him. That was when Stephen came on board. Nathan joined us a year later,” Ace says. “As for Paul, he used to do session work for us whenever our previous drummer wasn’t available for gigs, so when we needed a new drummer, Paul was our first choice.”

Josh is the baby of the band in more ways than one. (“I’m the newest addition and the youngest member,” he says.) But he quickly adds that he didn’t find it hard to gel with the rest of them—same as Paul, even though the drummer is the oldest member of the band. Long before he married a Filipina named Brenda and settled in Manila with her in 2010, Paul lived and worked in his native Australia as a music teacher. He says he didn’t have trouble adjusting to life in the Philippines because all the people are so nice, especially his band mates.

“They’re the kind of guys you can just sit down and have a beer with,” Paul explains. “They’re very easygoing. Actually, Filipinos in general are very friendly, so I found the transition from my hometown of Victoria to here easy to make.”

That easygoing vibe is reflected in how they work with each other. For example, Ace is the chief songwriter of the band, so he usually starts a song then presents a rough cut of it to the rest of the band. Although Ace is more than capable of finishing a song by himself, he prefers to enlist Josh, Nathan, Paul and Stephen to help him do so. According to the members of Blue Way, cooperation is crucial to their success.

“Sometimes he’ll have the whole song in mind, so he’ll just tell us how he thinks the bass, drums, guitar, or saxophone should sound. We’ll make a few suggestions and then we’ll run through the song once or twice just to try it out,” Nathan shares.

The band’s first single is titled “Simbang Gabi,” and Ace wrote it about his wife. “I wrote it four years ago, mga December yata. My wife works at night kasi for an American bank, and at the time matagal na kaming hindi nakaka-attend ng Simbang Gabi, so I wrote that song kasi miss kona magsimba na kasama siya.”

The song “Simbang Gabi” may not sound like most of the songs playing on Philippine radio these days, but Ace believes even the masa will find it relatable because it’s about a universal subject—missing someone you love. Ace says the rest of the tracks on Blue Way’s upcoming EP (“Long Legged Woman,” “The Doctor,” “Romansa Blues,” “My Woman” and “Eleksyon Na Naman”) are just as relatable.

The second that Blue Way band is promoting now is "Long-Legged Woman."

“Whether you’re happy or you’re sad, our songs can be the soundtrack of your life.You can play them when you want to relax, when you want to dance and have fun at a party, or if you want to impress your date. Our songs reflect what happens in people’s lives—which is actually what influences my songwriting. Everyday life lang,” he says.

According to Ace, he and his band mates are determined to introduce blues to the masa because doing so is their way of revitalizing the OPM scene. There are a lot of people doing hip-hop, pop and rock these days. More and more Filipino artists are getting into EDM as well. But no one has been able to bring blues to the mainstream yet, and that’s exactly what Blue Way plans to do.

“I think, with our songs, we write and record partly because we want to express ourselves,” Ace says. “We can actually always go on and rather be known for playing a lot of instrumental jams and covers of classic songs since that’s the common public perception of blues artists; but that’s not what Blue Way is all about.We also consciously write original songs that other people can relate to, because that’s our main objective as a band. We want to share and promote Philippine blues and contribute to make it a permanent part of OPM.”

There you have it. Make way for Blue Way!