Justin Timberlake, "Mirrors" [OPC10 2013.4.30]

It's basically a sleeper week on the OPC10. Avril Lavigne stays at #1 for the third week in a row in the Overall chart and Six Part Invention completes its sweep on all four weekly issues of this month's Pinoy charts. The lone change (apart from the movements) in this edition is a re-entry from Justin Timberlake. His latest single "Mirrors" is at #10 this week: 

OPC10 Overall Picks
April 28-May 4, 2013

1. Avril Lavigne - Here's to Never Growing Up
2. Mikeschair - All I Can Do (Thank You)
3. Hideaki Takatori - Minna Atsumare Kyoryuger
4. Austin Mahone - Heart in My Hand (Piano Version)
5. Bridge Music - Alive in Him
6. Plain White T's - Should've Gone to Bed
7. Newsboys - Your Love Never Fails
8. Blessid Union of Souls - Die for You
9. Building 429 - We Won't Be Shaken
10. Justin Timberlake - Mirrors

Popout Tracks

1. Showgo Kamada - Vamola Kyoryuger
2. Will.I.Am - That Power (feat. Justin Bieber)
3. Six Part Invention - Two Steps Behind

Pinoy Picks

1. Six Part Invention - Two Steps Behind
2. Vice Ganda - Karakaraka (feat. Smugglaz)
3. 1:43 - Halika Na
4. Callalily - HKM
5. Rivermaya - Pilipinas, Kailan Ka Magigising
6. Yeng Constantino - Alaala
7. Jessa Zaragoza - Nasaan
8. Krista K - Feels So Good
9. Daniel Padilla - Nasa Iyo na ang Lahat
10. Rommel Tuico - Dili Tanan

Farewell, Killer Bee!

The station has gone unbranded since Easter and their Facebook page has already started the countdown to April 29, 2013 for The Big Reveal. But before we get to that, Killer Bee 92.3 still has to officially breathe its last, and here's their press release:

"NICE TO KNOW YOU, GOODBYE."

Killer Bee 92.3 Plays Its Last Song After 21 Years  

Cebu City, Philippines – April 26, 2013. Cebu pop FM radio pioneer Killer Bee 92.3 will officially sign off after 21 years of spirited broadcasting. It was April 19, 1992 when it officially signed on and joined the fray of a then otherwise dreary FM radio landscape. With the airwaves dominated by oldies and love songs and announcers with prescription-modulated voices, Killer Bee sounded fresh. It had a 24 hour Contemporary Hit Radio format and a full on-air staff of young, vibrant and edgy, fast-talking DJs. With the now classic slogans "Cebu's 24-Hour Pop Radio" and "Loud and Clear Anywhere", a new generation of radio listeners made the Big Switch.

Killer Bee introduced the concept of active listening that encouraged more audience interaction and participation with phone-in contests, campus raids, sticker campaigns, movie premieres, regular parties and concerts. Early popular DJs were Jojo Banana, Frank Einstein, General John Stormy, Ali McCoy, Mermaid, Angelman, Barry Crocodile and Ray Parrot to name a few. Notable popular programs were Love Notes with Joe D' Mango, Bee Friday Madness, Bass Hour, Party on Weekend and The Final Countdown.

Killer Bee is owned by Quest Broadcasting Inc. and Tiger 22 Media. Its flagship station is Magic 89.9 in Manila. It has sister stations and affiliates in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, General Santos, Dumaguete, Zamboanga and Boracay. Current DJs are Mo Twister, Tony Toni, Slick Rick, Sam YG, Stein, Joe Romeo, Jack Stone, Bobby Bee, Andilicious and Chio Chaves.

Today is Killer Bee's last day of broadcast. The public is invited for the last time to listen to the radio station that has been part of their youth. What will the station play as their last song? Find out at five minutes before 12 MN on April 26, 2013. It will be Magical.

Kulay Malazarte Campaign Jingle

The senatorial and local polls are just a few weeks away, so I'm actually feeling it to turn back the hands of time once again and go back six years ago for this actual campaign jingle I recorded for Kulay Malazarte. He ran for barangay councilor in 2007 and here is his election anthem to the tune of "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston.

KULAY MALAZARTE
Barangay Councilor Campaign Jingle
To the tune of "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston
New lyrics by JP Cabrales
[Download MP3]

Austin Mahone, "Heart in My Hand" [OPC10 2013.4.21]

The highest new entries on the Overall Picks and Popout Tracks charts reveal the child inside of me. Hideaki Takatori's "Minna Atsumare Kyoryuger" and Showgo Kamada's "Vamola Kyoryuger" are respectively the closing and opening themes to the current Super Sentai series, Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger. The ending song takes the higher ranking as it is a fun tune one could dance along to.

Another debut on the OPC10 comes from Austin Mahone. His follow-up single to "Say You're Just a Friend" featuring Flo Rida is a very short, piano ballad called "Heart in My Hand." An extended version of this song could probably show up sooner or later. But for the meantime, here's the 17-year old guy from Texas with a beach video of this track that comes in at #5 this week:

OPC10 Overall Picks
April 21-27, 2013

1. Avril Lavigne - Here's to Never Growing Up
2. Mikeschair - All I Can Do (Thank You)
3. Hideaki Takatori - Minna Atsumare Kyoryuger
4. Bridge Music - Alive in Him
5. Austin Mahone - Heart in My Hand (Piano Version)
6. Blessid Union of Souls - Die for You
7. Building 429 - We Won't Be Shaken
8. Plain White T's - Should've Gone to Bed
9. Newsboys - Your Love Never Fails
10. We Are Leo - Oxygen

Popout Tracks

1. Showgo Kamada - Vamola Kyoryuger
2. Will.I.Am - That Power (feat. Justin Bieber)
3. Six Part Invention - Two Steps Behind

Pinoy Picks

1. Six Part Invention - Two Steps Behind
2. Vice Ganda - Karakaraka (feat. Smugglaz)
3. Callalily - HKM
4. 1:43 - Halika Na
5. Yeng Constantino - Alaala
6. Daniel Padilla - Nasa Iyo na ang Lahat
7. Jessa Zaragoza - Nasaan
8. Rommel Tuico - Dili Tanan
9. Rivermaya - Pilipinas, Kailan Ka Magigising
10. Krista K - Feels So Good

Game Review: Hill Climb Racing

Hill Climb Racing is an iOS and Android game by Fingersoft that lets you drive a vehicle through a series of terrains. The objectives are to not run out of gas, to keep the driver alive and to go as far as possible. Don't expect an actual race in this game though as there is none, but there is definitely lots of hill-climbing.

In this game, you only get two controls: Brake and Gas. That means driving might be quite easy to learn, although doing it skillfully could take a while. You pick up coins along the way which you can use to upgrade your vehicle, unlock stages and purchase other vehicles. The game looks like it follows the law of physics well, and I commend them for that. The gas indicator is a different story though. It seems like it primarily functions as a timer rather than actual gasoline consumption. And while I'm not really a fan of the graphics (the coins' appearance and font could be much improved), it is acceptable and shouldn't be a showstopper of some sort.

92.3 Cebu Official On-Air Statement

92.3 Cebu recently started airing this message for the listeners. To quote:

"We wanted a perfect ending. And the perfect time is about to come. Pretty soon, we will take our last deep breath. A very sad moment for all of us here. But please know that even though we haven't met all of you, we love you. Even though we didn't get to shake your hands, we feel connected to you. The hardest part of this is letting go. But we believe that starting over again will be very easy. It's just important for us to say farewell and move on because we have to. Don't be sad because it's the end of our journey. Be happy cause it might just be the start of a new beginning. Thank you for making us a part of your youth. For that, we will always be in love with you. Until next time."

Killer Bee, I never wanted it to end. But I understand it's your time to go. For the music, for the fun times, for the friendship, please hear my heart-felt thank you. I will eagerly wait for your next incarnation. But I will miss you, and please know that you will always leave a beautiful sting in my heart.

Update: Looks like "the big reveal" will be on April 29, 2013. So let's all find out together on this day what exciting things await us in the new 92.3. I guess it will be mind-blowing, awesome, great, ingenious and cool.

Just Couldn't Get It Right

From the same outlet that had a lotto costume comes this new sign.

I suppose Superman took the first S and placed it on his chest.

Six Part Invention, "Two Steps Behind" [OPC10 041513]

Avril Lavigne is back with "Here's to Never Growing Up", her latest single from her upcoming fifth studio album. The song skyrockets out of nowhere to the #1 spot on this week's Overall Picks. Meanwhile, Six Part Invention spends their second week on top of both the Popout Tracks and Pinoy Picks charts. Here's their take on the Def Leppard hit, "Two Steps Behind":

OPC10 Overall Picks

April 14-20, 2013

1. Avril Lavigne - Here's to Never Growing Up
2. Mikeschair - All I Can Do (Thank You)
3. Bridge Music - Alive in Him
4. Blessid Union of Souls - Die for You
5. Building 429 - We Won't Be Shaken
6. Plain White T's - Should've Gone to Bed
7. Newsboys - Your Love Never Fails
8. Eve - Make It Out This Town (feat. Gabe Saporta)
9. We Are Leo - Oxygen
10. Justin Timberlake - Mirrors

Popout Tracks

1. Six Part Invention - Two Steps Behind
2. Will.I.Am - That Power (feat. Justin Bieber)
3. Beckah Shae - Incorruptible

Pinoy Picks

1. Six Part Invention - Two Steps Behind
2. Rivermaya - Pilipinas, Kailan Ka Magigising
3. Callalily - HKM
4. 1:43 - Halika Na
5. Krista K - Feels So Good
6. Yeng Constantino - Alaala
7. Jessa Zaragoza - Nasaan
8. Daniel Padilla - Nasa Iyo na ang Lahat
9. Rommel Tuico - Dili Tanan
10. KZ Tandingan - Scared to Death

Irreplaceable - Bee Top 30 Jingle

Yesterday, I posted about 92.3 Cebu going unbranded and dropping the Killer Bee name. Well, there might be nothing much to worry about after all and Quest's next move is something to look forward to, but I'll keep my mouth shut for now. Allow me though to kick in some nostalgia and take you back in time with this Bee Top 30 jingle used in 2007-2008 that I recorded to the tune of "Irreplaceable" by Beyoncé.

IRREPLACEABLE (TURN IT UP) - Bee Top 30 Jingle
New lyrics by JP Cabrales for Killer Bee 92.3 Cebu
[Download MP3]

Plain White T's, 'Should've Gone to Bed' [OPC10 040713]

The Plain White T's are back with a brand new track that has them singing about wanting to get some sleep. But the song is not a lullaby that will make you doze off at all. Instead, it's a good song that might just land them their fourth Top 40 hit, and perhaps their second #1 (the first was "Hey There Delilah" back in 2006). Here's "Should've Gone to Bed," debuting at #4 on this week's OPC10:

OPC10 Overall Picks
April 7-13, 2013

1. Bridge Music - Alive in Him
2. Blessid Union of Souls - Die for You
3. Building 429 - We Won't Be Shaken
4. Plain White T's - Should've Gone to Bed
5. Newsboys - Your Love Never Fails
6. Eve - Make It Out This Town (feat. Gabe Saporta)
7. Justin Timberlake - Mirrors
8. We Are Leo - Oxygen
9. Demi Lovato - Heart Attack
10. Jessica Sanchez - Tonight (feat. Ne-Yo)

Popout Tracks

1. Six Part Invention - Two Steps Behind
2. Will.I.Am - That Power (feat. Justin Bieber)
3. Beckah Shae - Incorruptible

Pinoy Picks

1. Six Part Invention - Two Steps Behind
2. Rivermaya - Pilipinas, Kailan Ka Magigising
3. 1:43 - Halika Na
4. Callalily - HKM
5. Yeng Constantino - Alaala
6. Jessa Zaragoza - Nasaan
7. Daniel Padilla - Nasa Iyo na ang Lahat
8. Krista K - Feels So Good
9. Rommel Tuico - Dili Tanan
10. KZ Tandingan - Scared to Death

92.3 Cebu Goes Unbranded

CEBU, Philippines — The Killer Bee is out, and the frequency 92.3 MHz has gone unbranded, on-air without a name.

This piece of development came as a shock to me, as there was no hint of it happening at all. On Holy Wednesday, during 10 Most Wanted, Jack Stone told the listeners that, like they do every year, the station will be off-air from Maundy Thursday to Black Saturday, and will be back on Easter Sunday. True enough, 92.3 was back on Easter, but it was Killer Bee no more.

At the moment, the playlist is still the same. The ads are still there. But the DJs are no longer on board and the simulcasts from Magic 89.9 are gone (see update below). All we hear for identification is a stinger that states "ninety-two point three."

Killer Bee's official Facebook page states: "Things could only get better! Wait for something BIG!" Well, here's hoping they will rebrand and adapt their mother station's name in Manila and become Magic 92.3 Cebu while retaining their DJs and crew. But if "big" is a keyword, is it even remotely possible that they will become like Manila's 91.5 Big Radio? This idea might be too far fetched though as Progressive Broadcasting (the owners of Big Radio) is not affiliated with Quest Broadcasting (the owners of Killer Bee).

What's next has not yet been revealed to the public. The station is currently in transition, and may undergo reformatting in the coming days. As for me, I am waiting for my favorite radio jocks - Chio, Jack and Stein - to return on-air.

Update (4/16): As per comment by Arjan and confirmation from Stein, Good Times with Mo and Boys Night Out are still being aired on 92.3. I just can't seem to catch them though when I tune in at the time slots of these programs (perhaps there were technical problems and therefore no simulcasts during those times I was listening).

Also, check out the station's official on-air statement here.

Britt Nicole, "Gold" (Acoustic) [OPC10 Q1 2013]

It's been the Yeng Constantino show on our Pinoy Picks chart for the first quarter of 2013. She topped the first month with "B.A.B.A.Y." and the following two months with "Alaala." She's also the only one who's got two entries on our Overall Picks. Meanwhile, it's Britt Nicole who's definitely having her time to shine as she manages to stay on the chart for the second quarter in a row. She was #7 in Q4 of 2012, and after she shamelessly wore her crown in January, she's up five spots to #2 for Q1 of 2013. Here's her acoustic performance of "Gold":

OPC10 Overall Picks
1st Quarter of 2013

1. Newsboys - Your Love Never Fails
2. Britt Nicole - Gold
3. Yeng Constantino - Alaala
4. Avril Lavigne - How You Remind Me
5. Josh Wilson - Carry Me
6. Blessid Union of Souls - Die for You
7. Daniel Padilla - Nasa Iyo na ang Lahat
8. Yeng Constantino - B.A.B.A.Y.
9. Bruno Mars - When I Was Your Man
10. tobyMac - Steal My Show

Pinoy Picks

1. Yeng Constantino - Alaala
2. Daniel Padilla - Nasa Iyo na ang Lahat
3. Yeng Constantino - B.A.B.A.Y.
4. David DiMuzio - (You Can) Depend on Me (feat. Yassi Pressman)
5. Marlou Morales - Basta Pasar Lang
6. Jovit Baldivino - Sana'y Magbalik
7. Angeline Quinto - One Day
8. Toni Gonzaga - Kahit Na
9. Callalily - HKM
10. KZ Tandingan - Scared to Death

Eve, "Make It Out This Town" [OPC10 March 2013]

I haven't really heard much from Eve after she scored a #1 hit in 2001 with "Let Me Blow Ya Mind" featuring No Doubt's Gwen Stefani. But 12 years later, she's back with a track that's got hit written all over it. She collaborates with Cobra Starship's Gabe Saporta and together, they're gonna "Make It Out This Town" as they go their way to the top of the charts. Here's its official music video, followed by this blog's top picks for March 2013:

OPC10 Overall Picks
March 2013

1. Newsboys - Your Love Never Fails
2. Blessid Union of Souls - Die for You
3. We Are Leo - Oxygen
4. Building 429 - We Won't Be Shaken
5. Demi Lovato - Heart Attack
6. Parachute - Hearts Go Crazy
7. Eve - Make It Out This Town (feat. Gabe Saporta)
8. Fun - Why Am I the One
9. Yeng Constantino - Alaala
10. Jason Mraz - The Woman I Love

Pinoy Picks

1. Yeng Constantino - Alaala
2. Daniel Padilla - Nasa Iyo na ang Lahat
3. Callalily - HKM
4. KZ Tandingan - Scared to Death
5. Angeline Quinto - One Day
6. Toni Gonzaga - Kahit Na
7. 1:43 - Halika Na
8. Bugoy Drilon - Pwede Bang Ako na Lang Ulit
9. Jessa Zaragoza - Nasaan
10. Jovit Baldivino - Sana'y Magbalik

Rolan's Campaign Jingle

The midterm elections are near, and the campaign period is here. So it's high time for me to repost this track I recorded some years ago just for fun, which is a fake senatorial campaign jingle for a real friend named Rolan V. Hinayon. He did not run nor do I think is he planning to, but if he will, he's already got this piece on his hands, although I guess he'll need to change the lyrics of the first part of the chorus. Here's his supposed campaign song (yes, he's running for senator but his jingle is in Cebuano, just because I wrote it so) to the tune of "Proud Mary." And if you're wondering about why the jingle uses his full name complete with middle initial, well, the V is really important because it stands for victory!

ROLAN V. HINAYON
Senatorial Campaign Jingle
To the tune of "Proud Mary"
[Download MP3]

Bridge Music, "Alive in Him" [OPC10 2013.3.31]

If this was only posted on time, it would have been a more fitting Easter entry as Bridge Music debuts at #1 on the Overall chart with "Alive in Him." Indeed, we are alive in Jesus who died to pay our debts, conquered death and rose again! From the album New Has Come, here's Jon and Shea Althoff with this week's spotlighted song:

OPC10 Overall Picks
March 31-April 6, 2013

1. Bridge Music - Alive in Him
2. Blessid Union of Souls - Die for You
3. Building 429 - We Won't Be Shaken
4. Newsboys - Your Love Never Fails
5. Eve - Make It Out This Town (feat. Gabe Saporta)
6. We Are Leo - Oxygen
7. Jason Gray - Nothing Is Wasted
8. Jessica Sanchez - Tonight (feat. Ne-Yo)
9. Demi Lovato - Heart Attack
10. David Archuleta - Don't Run Away

Popout Tracks

1. Emeli Sandé - Next to Me (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
2. 1:43 - Halika Na
3. Jessa Zaragoza - Nasaan

Pinoy Picks

1. 1:43 - Halika Na
2. Callalily - HKM
3. Yeng Constantino - Alaala
4. Daniel Padilla - Nasa Iyo na ang Lahat
5. Jessa Zaragoza - Nasaan
6. Krista K - Feels So Good
7. Rommel Tuico - Dili Tanan
8. Marlon Tansengco - Whenever I'm with You (with Therese Villarante)
9. Jessa Zaragoza - Buti na Lang
10. KZ Tandingan - Scared to Death