Balitang New York : November 2021

Monday, November 29, 2021

The Modern Filipino Sound is ready to Rock the World with the Back-to-Back Music Experience of “1MX Dubai 2021” and “1MX Manila 2021”

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA – The countdown is on to the first ever live event to be staged by ABS-CBN since the pandemic forced the world to a standstill from March 2020, and there is a shared excitement felt worldwide, as global audiences get ready for “1MX Dubai” and “1MX Manila” happening on December 3, 2021.

At the recent global media conference held for the back-to-back music extravaganza, press and bloggers from different regions around the world had a very spirited exchange during the Q&A, a sign that the public has been yearning for a live show from their longtime favorite artists and from the fast-rising new performers.

Bamboo (right) shares with Lambert Parong of Balitang New York (left) lessons from the pandemic and how he continues to create music.

Pinoy rock icon, Bamboo, says that the pandemic has made him more appreciative of a lot of things in life. Right now, he wants to “reclaim what we have lost. It’s been a couple of years and I think it’s time we got back on track as a people and as a country, as well. So, game on.”

For many of the artists, the past 20 months have given them much to reflect on, to be grateful for, and time to hone their craft further.

Nino Llanera of MYX (top right) with AC Bonifacio (top left) and (bottom L-R) Edward Barber and BGYO.

Moira dela Torre shares that there was so much fear since the pandemic. She adds that “We didn’t even know if this day was going to come, but here we are, elevated and filled with hope. And I am so excited to see our Kapamilyas in Dubai.”

Music is also an important way to convey the realities of life. According to rapper-composer Kritiko, “Pag gumagawa ako ng kanta, gusto ko maiba ako sa lahat. Gusto ko sabihin yung totoong nangyayari pero hindi kaya sabihin ng iba. Ako po yung nagiging boses nila.” (When I write songs, I want to be different. I want to show what is happening in real life that others cannot express. I get to be their voice.)

Filipino American rapper EZ Mil asserts that one must cultivate new ideas all the time. He says, “Everybody is scrolling through their phones trying to look for something new. So, if you have an idea that is so out of the box or NBD – never been done – go for it.”

Albert Bataclan of TFC News (top left) asks AC Bonifacio (top right) and EZ Mil (bottom) about the mentoring process among the veteran musicians towards the younger performers in preparation for the show.

Filipino artists continue to innovate, not just for Filipino audiences, but for the rest of the world. Bamboo underlines the importance of bringing Filipino music through 1MX Dubai and 1MX Manila to feel that sense of community in the world. “We’re going to give a piece of ourselves for this show. We are trying to boost spirits up, especially in this time of the holidays. It’s time to get people ready again, our hearts pumping again.”

Catch Bamboo, Moira dela Torre, EZ Mil, Gigi de Lana, BINI, and BGYO at 1MX Dubai 2021.

Featured artists for 1MX Manila 2021 are: AC Bonifacio, Angela Ken, Carlo Bautista, Fana, Jayda, Jeremy G, Kritiko, Lian Kyla, Nameless Kids, Sab, and Trisha Denise.

Do not miss this back-to-back music fest: 1MX Dubai 2021 happening at the Trade Centre Arena in Dubai World Trade Centre; and 1MX Manila 2021 streaming LIVE worldwide (except UAE) via ktx.ph.

1MX Dubai 2021 and 1MX Manila 2021 are brought to you by TFC, ABS-CBN Music, One Music PH, and Myx, together with DJMC Events, Camella Homes, and Philippine Airlines.

Tickets are still available at ktx.ph. Click here to watch the full global media conference.

Friday, November 19, 2021

US FDA: All Individuals 18 years of Age and Older, Eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters

Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration amended the emergency use authorizations (EUA) for both the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines authorizing use of a single booster dose for all individuals 18 years of age and older after completion of primary vaccination with any FDA-authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices will meet later today to discuss further clinical recommendations.

“Throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FDA has worked to make timely public health decisions as the pandemic evolves. COVID-19 vaccines have proven to be the best and highly effective defense against COVID-19. Authorizing the use of a single booster dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for individuals 18 years of age and older helps to provide continued protection against COVID-19, including the serious consequences that can occur, such as hospitalization and death,” said Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D.

Prior to today’s authorizations, a single booster dose of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines was authorized for administration to individuals 65 years of age and older, individuals 18 through 64 years of age at high risk of severe COVID-19 and individuals 18 through 64 years of age with frequent institutional or occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Today’s action expands the use of booster doses of both vaccines to include all individuals 18 years of age and older at least six months after completion of the primary vaccination series of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine or at least two months after completion of primary vaccination with the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine.

“The FDA has determined that the currently available data support expanding the eligibility of a single booster dose of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines to individuals 18 years of age and older,” said Peter Marks, M.D., Ph.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research. “Streamlining the eligibility criteria and making booster doses available to all individuals 18 years of age and older will also help to eliminate confusion about who may receive a booster dose and ensure booster doses are available to all who may need one.”

Data Supporting Effectiveness

The EUA for a single booster dose for individuals 18 years of age and older for the Moderna (administered as half of the dose of a primary series dose) and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines is based on the FDA’s analysis of immune response data that supported use in the previously authorized populations for boosters.

For the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine booster dose, the FDA analyzed the immune response data from 149 participants 18 years of age and older from the original clinical studies who received a booster dose at least six months after their second dose and compared it to the immune responses of 1,055 study participants after completing their two-dose series. The antibody response against the SARS-CoV-2 virus 29 days after a booster dose of the vaccine demonstrated a booster response.

For the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine booster dose, the FDA analyzed the immune response data from approximately 200 participants 18 through 55 years of age who received a single booster dose about six months after their second dose. The antibody response against the SARS-CoV-2 virus one month after a booster dose of the vaccine when compared to the response one month after the two-dose primary series in the same individuals demonstrated a booster response.

FDA Evaluation of Benefits and Risks

Since Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech initially submitted safety and effectiveness data on a single booster dose following primary vaccination to the FDA, additional real-world data have become available on the recently increasing number of cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. and on the risk of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the outer lining of the heart) following vaccination with these vaccines. These additional data enabled the FDA to reassess the benefits and risks of the use of these vaccines in the general adult population. The FDA has determined that the benefits of a single booster dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines outweigh the risks of myocarditis and pericarditis in individuals age 18 years of age and older when used following completion of primary vaccination to provide continued protection against COVID-19 and the associated serious consequences that can occur including hospitalization and death.

Both Pfizer and Moderna are conducting post-authorization/post-marketing studies to assess known serious risks of myocarditis and pericarditis. In addition, the FDA and the CDC have several systems in place to continually monitor COVID-19 vaccine safety and allow for the rapid detection and investigation of potential safety concerns.

The fact sheets for both vaccines for recipients and caregivers and for healthcare providers contain information about the potential side effects, including the risk of myocarditis and pericarditis. The most commonly reported side effects by individuals who received a booster dose of the vaccines were pain, redness and swelling at the injection site, as well as fatigue, headache, muscle or joint pain and chills. Of note, swollen lymph nodes in the underarm were observed more frequently following the booster dose than after the primary two-dose series.

The FDA did not hold a meeting of the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee on these actions as the agency previously convened the committee for extensive discussions regarding the use of booster doses of COVID-19 vaccines and, after review of both Pfizer’s and Moderna’s EUA requests, the FDA concluded that the requests do not raise questions that would benefit from additional discussion by committee members.

The amendments to the EUAs were granted to ModernaTX Inc. and Pfizer Inc.

ABS-CBN and TFC to stage back-to-back music fest in one night with “1MX Dubai 2021” and “1MX Manila 2021” on December 3

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES -- ABS-CBN, the leading global Filipino media and entertainment network, through The Filipino Channel (TFC), recently announced its return to staging international live events with “1MX Dubai 2021” happening on December 3 at the Trade Centre Arena in Dubai World Trade Centre.

But the exciting announcement does not stop there.

TFC, ABS-CBN Music, One Music PH, and Myx together with DJMC Events, Camella Homes, and Philippine Airlines will also be staging “1MX Manila 2021” happening on December 3 (Philippine time), the same day as the “1MX Dubai 2021,” and will be streaming LIVE worldwide (except UAE) via ktx.ph.

“It’s been a quite a long pandemic intermission for our world-class Filipino talents, but it’s showtime once again,” said ABS-CBN Global Chief Operating Officer Aldrin Cerrado. “We are jumpstarting where 1MX in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Singapore left off a couple of years back. While we are still mindful of precautions and safety measures, we know how fans of Filipino artists and music around the world have been itching to see and hear them live again. Back-to-back 1MX with in-person and virtual components offer the best of both worlds to Filipino music lovers everywhere.”

The lineup for “1MX Dubai 2021”:

Bamboo: Filipino rock superstar who is also a coach in “The Voice Philippines”
Moira dela Torre: The most-streamed Filipino singer-songwriter
EZ Mil: Los Angeles-based Filipino American rapper whose popularity soared internationally with his hit single “Panalo.”
Gigi De Lana: Philippines’ newest pop-rock diva
BINI: All-female P-Pop group with a growing fan-base internationally
BGYO: Internationally fast-rising all-male P-Pop group

The lineup for “1MX Manila 2021”:

AC Bonifacio: An artist who made an appearance at the Netflix series “Riverdale,” and whose dancing skill was praised by choreographer Kiel Tutin for her dance cover of the song “Money” by K-Pop star Lisa.
Angela Ken: TikTok music star turned recording artist
Carlo Bautista: A product of the talent search show “Idol Philippines” and recently released his single “Kwarto” under Tarsier Records
Fana: Singer-songwriter who has shown her musical growth since her “The Voice Teens” stint in 2017
Jayda: Singer-songwriter who made a directorial debut with the music video of her song “Paano Kung Naging Tayo?” that won Best Music Video at the International Film Festival Manhattan.
Jeremy G: An artist whose sound is a mix of old school and modern music
Kritiko: rapper-songwriter whose song “AMAZAK” was among the most streamed song on Spotify in the U.S., Canada, Singapore, and UAE in 2020
Lian Kyla: Singer-songwriter who also wrote songs for the P-Pop sibling group BINI and BGYO
Nameless Kids: A five-man rising OPM band whose music brings laidback vibes
Sab: Singer-songwriter who composed one of BINI’s hit singles “Golden Arrow”
Trisha Denise: Singer-songwriter who have written songs for some OPM big names like Moira dela Torre and Jake Zyrus

“ABS-CBN have always been after giving platform and opportunities for artists to showcase their talents and offering something different to the table. We are excited for everyone to witness what this new breed of Filipino music artists can offer and possibly contribute to the music scene,” said ABS-CBN Global Managing Director for Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) and Head of ABS-CBN Global Events and Experience Joseph Arnie Garcia.

Do not miss this big celebration of Filipino music all over the world on December 3 with “1MX Dubai 2021” happening live at the Trade Centre Arena in Dubai World Trade Centre, and “1MX Manila 2021” streaming live worldwide (except UAE) via ktx.ph.

For those watching the “1MX Dubai 2021” on-site in Dubai, tickets are sold at AED 299 for Platinum, AED 249 for Diamond, AED 199 for Gold, AED 149 for Silver, and AED 99 for Bronze. You may purchase your tickets on Virgin Megastore (https://tickets.virginmegastore.me/ae/music/13637/1mx-concert?ref=list), Platinumlist (https://dubai.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/82292/1-mx-dubai-bamboo-moira), and on 800Tickets (https://www.800tickets.com/).

While for those watching the back-to-back “1MX Manila 2021” and “1MX Dubai 2021” via KTX.ph, tickets are sold at Php 499 for viewers inside the Philippines and $20 for viewers outside the Philippines (except UAE). Purchase your tickets via ktx.ph.