Young set invests time, effort in web design firm

DAGUPAN CITY, Philippines—Twenty-six-year-old Mikkle Angelo Fernandez dreamed of having his own company and running it someday.

He was still an information technology student then but he was already designing websites with the passion and excitement of a child playing with a favorite toy.

Two months ago, Fernandez’s dream came true when he and college friends, William Allan Balanza and Ronald de Leon, launched Pixel Hub Creative, the first web design agency in Pangasinan.

“We’re so excited to have this business and this office,” says Fernandez, the company’s managing director.

But before getting where they are now, Fernandez and his friends had to work in different places, adapt to different work environments and deal with different clients.

After his college graduation in 2006, Fernandez was hired as web designer and developer by The Design People in Metro Manila. After two years, he went freelance and had as clients CIS One/CIS Media, a web designer and developer firm based in Pasadena, California; Bain and Mercer, an online marketing specialist based in Singapore; and Paper Boat Creative, a web design firm based in London.

“I was inspired by The Design People, my first company. They started small and look at them now. I realized, pwede pala (it can be done),” says Fernandez, a native of Bayambang town.

Balanza, 30, a computer engineering graduate, used to be a freelance web and graphic designer.

His clients, all of them based in the US, included the software giant Microsoft, animated cartoons and movie producer Walt Disney and telecommunications firm Siemens.

“We set up this company here in Dagupan, and not in Metro Manila, to showcase the talents of local web designers and to cater to local clients,” says Balanza, the company’s creative director, who is from Mapandan town.

De Leon, 30, has worked for more than six years as software engineer in different companies in the US. He is now connected with the Recreational Equipment Inc., an award-winning gear and clothing company in the US.

Fernandez says they had to put together part of their savings to set up their office and pay for their operating expenses, such as rental, utilities and salaries of their four employees.

“We really had to spend a lot,” he says.

But losing all their investments is the least of their worries because they say they know they have a good market here.

“Those who need our services are just there, especially now that we are in the digital age,” Fernandez says.

Balanza says being the first web design company with an office in the province gives them an edge over freelance web designers.

“It’s about trust. Having a physical office builds trust,” Balanza says. “It’s because there are some freelancers who do not finish a project and the clients do not know where to look for them.”

Today, Fernandez’s team is already working on some projects and negotiating with several local clients.

In April, his company “branded” the Bangus Festival—from website (www.dagupanbangusfestival.com), billboards to brochures. They also redesigned the Pangasinan provincial government’s website (www.pangasinan.gov.ph) to make it more attractive and interactive.

Fernandez says one of the challenges his team is dealing with right now is educating many of their clients.

“Many people are hesitant to spend for a website. So we tell them why they need a website and how it can help their business,” Fernandez says.

Some prospective clients, he says, also find it expensive to have a website. “And we do a lot of explaining why it is so. We have to explain the specifications,” he says.

But he says it will not take long for business owners here to realize what a website can do to their businesses, “like in Baguio City and Metro Manila.”

“From our experience, Faces, a portrait studio [based here], increased its sales after we launched its website. Overseas Filipino Workers contact them for their weddings when they came home,” Fernandez says.

At their office, Fernandez and Balanza come in their shorts and rubber sneakers.

“But we have professional relationships here. We see to it that we meet our deadlines,” Fernandez says.

article source: http://technology.inquirer.net

Billy Corgan promises ‘an emotional, enthusiastic Smashing Pumpkins show’

“We made a lot of people a lot of money just by being weird.”

That’s Billy Corgan pretty much summing up the success of the Smashing Pumpkins, the Grammy-winning alternative rock band that sold over 30 million albums worldwide.

Corgan and company will perform on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. That’s one day later than originally scheduled, courtesy of the massive floods in Metro Manila on Tuesday.

In a press conference at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel on Monday, the outspoken rocker and only remaining original member of the band that helped define alternative rock music in the ’90s gamely talked about a lot of things ranging from the band’s current line-up, their latest album, career outlook, his thoughts on the music industry, his musical heroes and yes, his enormous respect for Filipino family values.

“I grew up in the outskirts of Chicago and I have many Filipino friends,” he revealed. “They respect they give to their elders, their grandparents. For them, family means a lot, it’s real and I have great respect for that.”

And family is how Billy, now 45, prefers to treat his bandmates which currently consists of guitarist Jeff Schroeder, bassist Nicole Fiorentino and drummer Mike Byrne.

“We eat together, we travel together,” he continued. “These guys were fans of the band before they even met me. So there is musical respect. More important than that, there is also personal respect, something that was lacking in my earlier bands. For them, what we mean to people is more important than our commercial value.”

And for Corgan, commercial value is not the reason why he reformed the Pumpkins and continues to use the name after officially breaking up and holding a farewell concert back in 2000. Unlike many other bands who already broke up only to reform again, the Pumpkins did not come back only to make money off their back catalogue.

“We can’t be in the oldies business,” he said in justifying why he continues to make new music. “If I was still 25 years old, I’d be worried about impressing everybody in the room. But I talked to fans in places we have played and people want to value that experience of connecting to us on a new level.”

That Corgan said is what introducing new material is about—to stay relevant, to move audiences, both old and new.

“If we connect to a younger generation of fans, great. If we don’t, then we don’t. But without the young fans, there is no future for the Smashing Pumpkins.”

This also explains why the band had planned to play the 13-track “Oceania” in its entirety for the first half of the concert.

“Because you need it,” he quipped in response to a question. “The basic storyline in that album is reclaiming your innocence without losing your wisdom. The live experiences displays the depth of the work we’ve done on the album. If people connect to it, then I’m doing a good job and that’s all I care about.”

Billy said he expects an “emotional, enthusiastic show” here. “I’m going to make you people cry because that’s part of what I do,” he vowed.

Corgan does not find it ironic that the Pumpkins also continue to cover classic tunes in just about every show. In one of their shows for the ongoing tour, the set list included David Bowie’s “Space Oddity.”

“I like covers. I consider it one of the key moments of each show,” he admitted. “When we play the classic tunes of people like David Bowie, Bob Dylan and John Lennon, for me it’s like playing Picasso or Monet. I feel the best way to honor them is to play their songs in the Smashing Pumpkins tradition.”

Although he only listens to Bach and Beethoven nowadays, Corgan talked about many other diverse musical influences over the course of the press conference, including Iggy Pop, Black Sabbath, Queen, Scorpions, Wire, the Velvet Underground and yes, even the Carpenters.

“I was sitting in the pool in the morning and I noticed you play a lot of the Carpenters here in Manila. Is she (Karen Carpenter) like the queen bee here or something?,” he asked smiling. Not that he really minds, of course. “To me, ‘Superstar’ is one of the greatest songs ever written.”

source: interaksyon.com

Megadeth frontman, bassist invite Pinoy fans to concert on Sunday

In a message to their Asian and Filipino fans, Megadeth lead singer and lead guitarist Dave Mustaine and long-time bassist David Ellefson expressed their excitement at being able to perform in Manila at their one-night-only concert on Sunday, July 29, at Hall D of the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Megadeth is one of the biggest bands to have come out of the 1980s thrash scene. With more than 38 million records sold over the years, they are also hailed as part of the Big Four of Thrash Metal that includes Anthrax, Slayer, and long-time rival band Metallica.

It was after Mustaine left Metallica in 1983, allegedly kicked out of the group over his alcohol and substance abuse, that he formed the metal quartet.

While the same relentless blueprint permeated their music, Megadeth distinguished itself by streamlining the heavy handed attack, adopting more nihilistic lyrics, a slightly faster tempo, and rounding it up with Mustaine’s signature sneering vocals.

After a grand entrance with their 1985 debut LP “Killing Is My Business…and Business Is Good!”, a string of popular, seminal albums followed. These included “Youthanasia”, “Rust in Peace” and “Countdown to Extinction.”

The Megadeth concert, a first for the band on Philippines shores, is organized by PULP Live World and co-presented by Colt45. It is part of the global tour in support of their 2011 studio album, aptly titled “Th1rte3n”, the first since 2001’s “The World Needs a Hero.”

Billed as a rare return to form, “Th1rte3n’s” tracks like “Sudden Death” and “Public Enemy No. 1” fuse a vintage sound with very modern metal elements in a step towards what is becoming a new, breath-taking opinion of heavy for the band.

source: interaksyon.com

TV5, Dolphy’s last home, joins nation in mourning

TV5, Dolphy’s last home network, commiserated with the Filipino people on Wednesday on the death of the revered comedian.

“The management and staff of TV5 join the whole nation in mourning the passing of our most cherished colleague and one of showbiz’s most revered icons, Dolphy.

“For us in TV5, Mang Dolphy forever lives as the symbol of the indomitable joyful spirit of the Filipino. May the legacy of his laughter sustain us through our trials and triumphs as a people,” the network said in an official statement.

In early 2010, Dolphy joined TV5 where he starred in the sitcom “Pidol’s Wonderland”.

“I think ABS-CBN felt bad about it. But I just wanted to work. I’ve been waiting for a job for the past three years. I love ABS-CBN, but I need to move on,” he explained to the media.

For Dolphy, the transfer to TV5 represented a chance to work with his sons and old colleagues once again and be directed by his son, Eric Quizon.

For TV5 chairman Manny V. Pangilinan, it represented an opportunity to be associated with a legend he had long admired.

“I find Dolphy especially outstanding in two things—a Filipino in the truest sense, and, at bottom, a kind and generous man,” Pangilinan said in his note to Dolphy’s biography, “Hindi Ko Ito Narating Mag-isa”.

In December 2010, Dolphy played the narrator in TV5’s first film venture, “Rosario”, a well-crafted period drama about the life of Pangilinan’s grandmother.

The role won for him the best supporting actor honors at the 36th Metro Manila Film Festival, a welcome bonus to the best actor trophy he bagged for his other MMFF entry, “Father Jejemon”, the last entry in his long filmography.

On July 24, 2011, TV5 celebrated Dolphy’s 83rd birthday with a two-hour special called “Talentadong Pidol”.

Dolphy also co-hosted a special segment of “Talentadong Pinoy” with Ryan Agoncillo.

source: interaksyon.com

Fête de la Musique 2012 tonight, June 23

All roads lead to Makati Avenue tonight as the Embassy of France, the Alliance Française de Manille, together with Rustan’s, the City of Makati, B-side (The Collective) and San Miguel, bring you the yearly Fête de la Musique 2012, featuring French DJ Collective Chinese Man and 10 of today’s up-and-coming Filipino bands!

One of the most-awaited musical events of the year, Fête de la Musique will be held for the first time on Makati Avenue for an outstanding Street Party Concert on Saturday, June 23, from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Chinese Man, made up of High Ku, SLY and Zé Mateo started in 2005 at the behest of their grand master, the renowned and mysterious Chinese Man, founder and inseparable figurehead of the Chinese Man Records Label. Their music, a blend of Hip-Hop, Dub, Afro-Beat, Baile Funk, traditional music and forgotten samples make them one of the most innovative DJ collectives in France. The release of Groove Sessions Vol. 1 & 2, Chinese Man’s albums, paved the way for a sold-out tour in France and Europe.

Chinese Man’s live acts are a one-of-a-kind experience, especially with their latest opus, Racing with the Sun, as they showcase special live music and VJ’s performance featuring eight people onstage. As an impressive and uniquely multi-faceted group, Chinese Man Records label brings together producers, DJ’s, graphic artists and filmmakers who build and promote a collective visual and musical identity.

The collective will infuse a zen and groovy touch on the Fête de la Musique stage that will thrill Filipino audiences and artists. Fête de la Musique is also an event to showcase the richness and variety of the Filipino Music Scene.

Filipino bands set to rock the stage include Brigada, Paul Zialcita, Cynthia Alexander, Johnny Alegre Affinity feat. Alvin Cornista, The Blue Rats feat. Cooky Chua, Jonan Aguilar feat. Tondo Tribe, Flippin Soul Stompers, Indio I, Hijo, Pepe Smith and Manila-based French singer Julien Drolon.

source: interaksyon.com