Just Between the Girls: DJ Patty and Kriesha

Patty Tiu (Left) & Kriesha Tiu (Right)

From the fashionable t-shirts that read:  WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS or THE FUTURE IS FEMALE, it is strongly and undeniably a great time to be a girl.  When a full-blooded Filipina who grew up in California (but she comes back to the Philippines ever year) and a known innovator of the dance scene come together , musical sparks are about to fly.

While many Filipinos are K-Pop fans, one girl went above and beyond and conquered the K-Pop World.  Kriesha has already launched two albums in Korea, she has become a finalist in a reality singing show, and she is the face of a skin care brand as well.  And all this while still in her teens!

Kriesha Chu

The theme of homecoming hits close to home for Kriesha.  She was only 16 when she decided that she would move to Korea and become a k-pop star.  “I was just so determined to prove that a Filipino could make it there.  There was just something in me that was so sure that it was something that I could do.  For most teenagers, their biggest decision of their life is going to college.  But for me, there was so much that I had to do, I had to learn to multitask. Learn to be more confident and just be so much more.  I’m such a perfectionist.   And so for me, the idea of home is something movable.  I grew up in the States but we would come here to the Philippines to go on vacation every year. So when I think about our song, I imagine that the listeners will be able to feel the joy of what a homecoming is.”

“When I heard that I was going to work with a DJ, then I knew that I would be with someone creative, someone who has a lot of ideas!” Kriesha admits.  DJ Patty then adds, “I was just so happy that someone who is part of my scene can be a part of this collaboration, that our scene was recognized.  Some people have this misconception that being a DJ is just about partying. We don’t just press the play button and then that’s it. But there’s also an art to it.”

Kriesha Chu & Patty Tiu

And still on the topic of family, in the brief time that they worked on their collaboration, Kriesha and DJ Patty were able to form a close-to-being-a-family bond.  “I was really very impressed that she would just go to Korea and try to make it at such a young age. She was so sure of herself. But she was so quiet and reserved on the set, while I was more all over the place. When we were working on our song, I felt as if I had a younger sister, that she is someone with so much heart,” DJ Patty observes.

Of their collaboration, they look back with a lot of insight and heart.  Kriesha reflects, “Because I had to think so much of what home really is, then I also learned a lot about myself.”  DJ Patty says, “There were times when it was still surreal.  That I couldn't believe that I was asked to be part of it, and thinking, ‘Is it true?’  And I felt that I was representing my whole scene.  Though I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved, we still have to keep on pushing forward, to just keep pushing.  I’m very grateful that our scene is being recognized, we’re artists, too.”

Patty Tiu

When asked what’s it really like to be a female in the music industry, and what that perspective brings to their music, both of them have a lot to say. “When you’re a girl, you just know that you’re being scrutinized more, both on the stage while you’re performing and also off the stage.  So, at the same time, it just makes you work harder,” Kriesha realizes.  “As a woman, you’re just more in touch with your emotions.  You have so much heart, and that will come out in the music.”

For many young girls, fairy tales encourage them to dream of happily ever after.  Kriesha and DJ Patty were brave and savvy enough to dream big dreams of fulfilling their musical destinies. Their dreams didn't come from fanciful storybooks but from their own hearts. And in the world of music, there is no happy ending, just one big happy journey.

Taste the sounds of Pinoy music as Kriesha Chu and Patty Tiu collaborate for Coke Studio Season 2. Catch them on September 30, at 11:15 a.m. before ASAP on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH

Stay Woke: The power of words & ideas by Quest & Juan Miguel Severo for Coke Studio Season 2 Homecoming.

Quest & Juan Miguel Severo

They’re only words, goes the refrain of an old pop song, but rapper Quest and spoken word pioneer Juan Miguel Severo wield words as mighty weapons.  And their love affair with words began very, very early.

Quest

Quest remembers:  “My childhood was not easy.  Both my parents had problems so I spent a lot of time with my cousins.  And I would borrow casette tapes from them.  That’s how I fell in love with both words and music.  It happened at the same time.  Imagine, I started with cassettes and now there’s streaming!”  Juan Miguel’s memories are actually his mom’s stories.  “My mom said that when I was two years old, I would give her a flower and recite a poem when I handed it to her.  She would write down these poems and save them.  Sadly, we live in a flood prone area and those poems are now lost.  I read my first book at 5 and wrote my first poem at 11.  And I also love performing and so it all comes together with spoken word.”

Juan Miguel Severo

Quest discovered his talent for rap with his church but then moved on to more mainstream works.  Recognized as an eminent urban storyteller and a “microphone revolutionary’ Quest’s song “Sige Lang” was named in 2012 as the official song of Gilas Pilipinas, the national men’s basketball team.  Juan Miguel Severo began performing his spoken word works in university venues and smaller clubs until he was given a role in the Jadine teleserye On the Wings of Love and he brought spoken word to the world of television and thus, more popular recogntion.

The life of the artist is itself a quest, and both these artists cherish the journey.  Quest says:  “I want my listeners to go on a journey from darkness to light; from sadness to joy; from confusion to clarity.”  Juan Miguel sees a more personal view of it.  “I know what I want to be and that’s better.  The quest is to be better; to face wanting to be better.”

Inspired by the theme of the homecoming and the dynamic energy of their collab, Quest and Juan Miguel was eloquent on the very essence of home.

Juan Miguel Severo

“Home is not tangible,” Quest declares.  “It is a personal message to find home; like a ‘note to self.’  To find home is to find what makes you feel alive, to solidify what you are as a person.”  Juan Miguel says, “I know that this collab is a big thing for myself, but it is also bigger than myself.  We need to push boundaries.  What I want to express is to let everyone know that their journey, their story is valid.  I want to give them hope.”

Watch how Quest and Juan Miguel Severo collaborate for a refreshing kind of music that celebrates their own genres in the second episode of Coke Studio. Catch it every Sunday at 11 a.m. on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH.

COKE STUDIO SEASON 2: IV OF SPADES X SHANTI DOPE

IV of Spades X Shanti Dope: left to right: Blaster Silonga, Badjao De Castro, Zild Benitez & Shanti Dope.

“Shookt,” sums up Zild Benitez of IV of Spades when he and his bandmates Blaster Silonga and Badjao de Castro when they were told of their Coke Studio collaboration. “Although, we have to admit that there was also some fear,” admits Badjao. “But even if there was that fear, we still had to do it.  We’re just enjoying it.” ZILD then turns philosophical and says,  “There’s a saying that you should grab opportunity, but sometimes you should also grab the fear.”  Known for their distinctive and some would say, brave sartorial choices, fear is not exactly what we would associate with this groundbreaking band that makes not just music but also creates a super stylish and cool vibe for their fans.

IV of Spades

Just going into music, even though they are all from musical families was a big act of audacity for these three musicians.  “People think that because our parents were musicians, they encouraged us, but it’s actually the opposite. They were always pointing out to us how hard it is to choose a life in music,” Zild begins. And Badjao and Blaster nod in agreement.  “We still did it!” Blaster says. Of the collaboration itself, they come up with the words unusual, challenging and exciting to describe the whole process.  Badjao adds, “Very challenging and exciting.” ZILD adds, “We are part of a generation that’s not boxed in by genre. We knew that Shanti Dope is edgy so we just wanted to enjoy the collaboration.”

Shanti Dope

Teen prodigy Shanti Dope exploded onto the rap scene at age 16, but he himself says that even as a child, he wasn't like other children. He discovered rap at age 9, as he was sound tripping with his friends, and it created a space where he could be himself.  His parents separated when he was young and he was shuttled among various relatives.  Though adults expect teenagers to be obsessed with puppy love and such, Shanti Dope raises the big questions. His songs tackle such weighty topics as the futility of materialism and biting social commentary.  “Bata pa ako, inuusisa ko na ang mga bagay na hindi pang-bata.” (Ever since childhood, I would be curious about matters that are not just for children.)  Now mentored by rap legend Gloc 9, Shanti Dope just waves aside any fancy titles as the next big thing in rap, just happy to keep on experimenting on his music.  “Lahat lahat puedeng i-adapt,” he muses, echoing the open and experimental attitude to music as the IV of Spades guys.

IV of Spades x Shanti Dope

 When asked how to describe their song, Shanti Dope, quips, “Parang vintage na classy barong.”  ZILD pipes in, “It’s like a big work of graffiti.”  “That has been enhanced by photoshop,” adds Blaster. 

They all marveled at how effortless and seamless their chemistry emerged.  Maybe it’s their shared openness to experimentation.  Maybe it’s their youth.  Or maybe it’s just that when you love creating and performing, your shared artistry just flows.

Experience the Biggest & Coolest Collabs of your fav world-class Pinoy Artists at Coke Studio PH Season 2!

Coke Studio Season 2 goes deep to the heart of what we all want: to come home.  And to give life to this idea of home, Coke Studio has gathered stellar talents from diverse genres, differing music scenes and backgrounds and even distant (and not so distant) shores to create works that not only reflect our times but could also define them.  While the first season gave audiences a very real look into what goes into the production of a song, Season 2 delves more deeply into the back stories of the artists.  

Kriesha Chu

This year, the format is also tweaked, as Coke Studio ventures out into the studio to let us all in each artist’s journey and yes, sometimes, literally, their very own homes.  What is homecoming all about?  It’s all about taking the best lessons of all your journeys and letting them all come together.  It’s knowing that no matter how far you go, there will always be a place that is your home.  It’s about roots.  It’s where you’re accepted for who you are.  It’s where you’re reunited with what you love.  And who you love.  That love and freedom gives you the power to voice out your views.  

December Avenue

To state what you believe in.  To simply be listened to.  To reignite what your heart desires.  To simply be where you grew up.  To return to where it all began.  To feel, see, hear, and lift your spirits. Every single day. Homecoming is a chance to be all that you want to be, all that you can dream you can be, and to feel that faith that there is still so much more left to do!  It’s about bringing out the best in you and being surrounded by those who inspire you.

IV of Spades

And who you love.  That love and freedom gives you the power to voice out your views.  To state what you believe in.  To simply be listened to.  To reignite what your heart desires.  To simply be where you grew up.  To return to where it all began.  To feel, see, hear, and lift your spirits. Every single day. Homecoming is a chance to be all that you want to be, all that you can dream you can be, and to feel that faith that there is still so much more left to do!  It’s about bringing out the best in you and being surrounded by those who inspire you.

Ben&Ben

AJ Rafael

Coke Studio bridges musical categories and brave artists to come up with collaborations that will break new ground.  Moira Dela Torre brings her distinct and deeply felt artistry to this season’s stellar selection. Folk indie band and style rule breakers IV of Spades, bring the sound of now.  The power of words is given a new dimension with rapper Quest.  Sam Concepcion, who has made forays into theater and movies, returns to his first love: music.

Sam Concepcion

Khalil Ramos

AJ Rafael crosses genres and general preconceived notions of music today. Ben&Ben who frames family within the flow of music itself. An exploration of what girl power can really reach is a fun and fresh K-pop but Pinay sensation Kriesha Chu. December Avenue, known for their soulful sound and the many layers in their music, show off the depth of their musical talents. Spoken word pioneer Juan Miguel Severo combines wokeness with wit and word play.   The rap prodigy Shanti Dope will wow with his deftness and mad skills. Khalil Ramos reveals his deep affinity for singing and composition. DJ Patty Tiu expands the definition of dance music.  And vocal powerhouse KZ Tandingan showcases a more vulnerable and heartfelt part of her artistic journey. There are also some surprises that will wow music lovers of all genres and generations.

Juan Miguel Severo

The second season of Coke Studio further establishes itself as a hub of Pinoy talent by going beyond our local shores and connecting with Filipino talents of various genres. “We received such an overwhelming response during the first season of Coke Studio PH and this really inspired us to work harder this second season and explore ways to take it further. Last year, Coke Studio became a home for OPM and now we want to continue and strengthen that legacy, making sure that  the younger generation and the new lineup of artists can feel the same sense of belonging,” enthuses Stephan Czypionka, Coca-Cola Vice President for Marketing.

Quest

And as this generation knows, more than any other in the past, that we all have the same home and same duty to care for that home, our planet Earth, Coca-Cola is going all out to make a big grand gesture on recycling. Along with the announcement of Coke Studio Season 2, Coca-Cola announced an industry-first goal to collect and recycle the equivalent of every bottle it sells by 2030, in line with the Company’s vision of a World Without Waste.  At all Coke Studio events, all teens are encouraged to deposit their PET bottles in designated recycling bins.  The Coke Studio TuneCycle, a stationary bicycle that grinds recyclable PET bottles will also be a part of all Coke Studio events; this will give a second life to the recyclable PET bottles and turn them to new materials.

KZ Tandingan

Shanti Dope

Coke Studio emphasizes divergent musical acts coming together, and all these environmental initiatives are also programs for consumers and the company to come together.  Every collaboration goes to the heart of connection, which is really what music is all about.  When time and talent are given a free space to come together and just connect, the works brim with magic. Coke and music have always been deeply and constantly connected, to provide moments of fun and high spirits.  Iconic jingles and unforgettable campaigns have, time and time again,  captured the dynamic energy and infections optimism of being young, being with friends and just being yourself.  With Coke Studio Season 2, that special buzz and the undeniable electric wonder that only music can bring comes alive again.

Catch them every Sunday starting September 16, at 11:15am before ASAP on ABS-CBN.