PURE MAGIC 2019

Pure Magic: The Brightest night of the year yet happened last January 27, 2019.

When you get an invite to a party called Pure Magic, instantly a sense of mystery is awakened.  What’s it all about? In fact, when people heard about it, that’s what they would always ask—-what is it? The only thing I’m certain about this event is that it will be one of the biggest night of the year, the highlight maybe. And yes, I’ll be honest, it did not disappoint.

L-R: Maymay Entrata,

Pure Glam of the Night, KZ Tandingan

& Edward Barber

Wilkins Pure Star of the Night Kim Chiu.

L-R: Pure Lit of the Night, Piolo Pascual  & Jessy Mendiola

Pure Magic is a reset button, an event to remodel events, a refresher course on what it means to enjoy a night out on the town. It was also the coming together to celebrate what’s new: Wilkins Pure Distilled Water and a New Year party for Star Magic.

Gerald Anderson & Bea Alonzo

Donny Pangilinan

Julia Barretto & Joshua Garcia

Kathryn Bernardo & Daniel Padilla

Maxene Magalona-Mananquil & Rob Mananquil

Piolo Pascual

                

So while there was a blue carpet, as blue as the bright blue sea, there was no garish branding, no repetitive jingles, no overkill of plugs. The blue carpet opened onto a open area draped in heavy black curtains, some Zaha Hadid-ish sofas and a 360 degree cam, all the better to capture all the beautiful angles of all the beautiful people. Long lost friends and new acquaintances all mingled freely and naturally, all free from pressures, all just being their most real selves. The black curtains were then pushed aside to reveal a giant bar and an LED display meant to mimic neon lights with the reminder: DONT FORGET TO CLEANSE WITH WILKINS PURE.  The music was blasting from a live band and without any prodding, everyone was soon on the dance floor. Metal chairs reminiscent of old cinemas filled bleachers on both sides, adding to the feeling of a nostalgic prom. As everyone danced around me, I felt, it’s like all the fun and craziness the after party but with all the presence and specialness of a party. Soon, Star Magic talents Jed Madela and Nyoy Volante spontaneously jammed with the band. Vocal powerhouse KZ Tandingan then did a rock and roll version of a Dua Lipa song which made the high octane energy go even higher.

L-R: Junior IMC Manager, Chris Uy, Teejae Sonza& IMC Director, Jenny Cinco

The management team at the helm of Marquis Events Place BGC

(L-R: Lorlyn Lim-Almazora, Laura Lim-Rodrigo, Ms. Lorraine Lim-Aguila)

L-R: Artists Handler/Manager Love Capulong, Star Magic head Mr. M,
& Star Magic’s Mariolle Alberto

Of course there were awards, for the Wilkins Pure Star of the Night, the Pure LIT of the night, and the Pure Glam of the Night. But unlike other events, there were no long boring speeches and everyone was just eager to get back on the dance floor.

As a writer, events are part of the job description. And while some events really feel like work, this night was different.  It didn't feel at all that the people there had to be there, they very clearly wanted to be there. And as the universe sometimes just provides, just when I was desperately trying to capture what Pure Magic was all about, a book that I was lazily perusing (all writers procrastinate while reading the writing of others) provided the answer.

Pokwang

Philippe Magalona

Marco Gallo

Sofia Andres

Kristel Fulgar

Elisse Joson

Enchong Dee

Zanjoe Marudo

Kisses Delavin

Barbie Imperial

Sue Ramirez

Ronnie Alonte & Loisa Andalio

Maris Racal

“I’m always looking for the accident, the thing that comes from a place I can’t know or control. . . . that the thing or person just magically appeared, complete in every way. . . This is a scary way to work but am stuck with it.  And what’s strange is that often enough that magic does strike, and I’m pulled along by it, and encouraged to try my luck one more time. NOW!”  And so wrote Kurt Markus, the fashion photographer whose work has appeared in Vogue, Vanity Fair and been exhibited at the Verve Gallery.

Angelica Panganiban

Maymay Entrata & Edward Barber

Shaina Magdayao

Sam Milby

Well, magic did strike that night, but it was most certainly no accident. Happened in Marquis Events Place BGC, promises the size and scale of a hotel ballroom complete with catering but with more panache and privacy, to launch this new definition of how to party. The name Marquis means an aristocrat (it’s the rank right about Earl and right beneath Duke) but it also alludes to its homonym MARQUEE which means a party tent in British English and the canopy projected over a theater, so that in British English, a marquee name means a household name, or yes, the name of a star.  And so the stars and their handlers and road managers and the people behind both Wilkins Pure and Marquis Events Place BGC gathered all for one night, all revelers, all celebrating just what it meant to be exactly what they wanted to be.

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STAY PURE STAY COOL: Wilkins Pure is one party essential you mustn’t forget

While partying can be pure fun, it can also take out of you. Dancing all night, toasting to the good times, munching on party chow, and catching up and laughing with friends old and new do add up to a roaring good time, and the good energy and adrenaline can make you feel invincible.  But you’re expending energy and taking in toxins. Constant hydration is the key to dancing till dawn and keeping yourself nice and ready for a whole night of partying.

Wilkins Pure keeps you fresh and well-hydrated and flushes out whatever toxins you may ingest, so that you’ve got the fuel to dance all night (or even longer)!  While all waters might be clear, not all are pure. So not all waters can deliver the same quality of hydration. But it’s not just for partying nights. On your down time, if you’re chilling with chips or after a workout, pure water will flush out the toxins and replenish what you’ve lost.

KZ TANDINGAN AND APL DE AP: WE WILL ALWAYS RETURN HOME

Left to Right: Apl De Ap & KZ Tandingan

If there’s one thing we Pinoys love, it’s a good underdog story. And it’s even better when that underdog goes way beyond our shores to fly the Pinoy pride flag.  Then, when we know that they choose to return to the Philippines and spread the love, then it’s the modern day edition of the fairy tale, with a particularly Pinoy twist.  For the finale of Coke Studio Season Two, artists who have conquered the international arena come together for a surprise collaboration that captures the soulful and complex journey of each and every Filipino proving their worth to the world.

APL De Ap

KZ first came to national prominence when she won a major reality show on one of the country’s top free television networks.  She joined the contest so that her family could help out in the building of their parish church.  She became a part of ABS CBN’s Sunday variety show ASAP and also sang theme songs for Star Cinema movies.  But KZ went way beyond her comfort zone when she joined a singing contest in Beijing where she trended on the Chinese equivalent of Twitter, aka Weibo.  “Even if the schedule would allow me to be home only for one day, I would go.  I just couldn't be away from home too long.  Home is where I can just really be myself and I needed to feel that so I could be my best at the competition.”

KZ Tandingan

Apl de Ap, born Allan Pineda Lindo, was actually legally blind as a child and this condition qualified him for an operation in America, sponsored by the Pearl S. Buck foundation. When he got to California and settled there, he then befriended a neighbor, William James, who then became more famous as rapper and songwriter Will.i.am; Apl then went on to worldwide phenomenal success.  They won Grammy’s and sold -out stadiums and arenas all over the world.  But Apl always made it a point to remember his roots.  “I try to follow in the footsteps of those who came before me.  The Pearl S. Buck foundation helped me and so I want to do the same.  If I come back to help my countrymen, it’s because I love my country and want to see us be competitive among the best  in the world.”  In this light, he has set up the Apl de Ap foundation, which concentrates on empowering Filipino youth especially in the fields of arts and technology.  On a personal note, he says, for him coming home can be summed up in three words. “Family. Food. Festive.”

APL De Ap

KZ Tandingan

When it was time for KZ and Apl to collaborate, it is reasonable to imagine that the younger KZ would be intimidated.  “I had followed Season 1, and did want to be included but when it was time to meet Apl and also start recording, I was a bit quiet.  He was always asking me, ‘how do you feel about it?’ or ‘how would you  change it?’  And my first thought would always be, ‘Who am I to do that?  What gives me the right to tell you anything?’  But after a while , I would give my inputs and suggestions, and I think I was able to add my own flavor to it.  He allowed me to see that my complexity can be my strength.  And so our song reflects the story of the Filipino who has to go away, how they manage their fears. ”  Apl says of their song, “It’s the story of every Filipino.  It’s about trials and tribulations.  It’s about having to to seek a better life.”  When he is traveling, Apl loves it when he lands at an airport with a lot of Filipinos who love to  call out to him, “Kabayan.”  He reveals, “They know that I know what they’re going through.  I did what they’re doing.”  KZ also gets a rush when she does shows for the Filipino communities abroad.  “When they come to our shows, it’s  a way for them to get to feel they’re at home, even if they’re still far from home.” 

For both KZ and Apl, music is also their home, and through music they can bring that feeling of home to all who share in their art.

Taste the sounds of Pinoy music as KZ Tandingan and Apl De Ap collaborate for Coke Studio Season 2. Catch them on November 18, at 11:15 a.m. before ASAP on ABS-CBN or on www.youtube.com/CokeStudioPH