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Back in 2016, the soulful, unhurried ballad “Again” quietly made its way to the local music scene, introducing listeners to the effortless harmonies of Leanne Mamonong and Naara Acueza. The two have come a long way since they first began collaborating in college, jamming in between class sessions, and performing at school events, to now becoming one of OPM’s most beloved indie duos — taking them from coffee shop sets to massive festival stages, all the while racking up awards and building a loyal fanbase. 

Now at 29, Leanne and Naara are stepping into a fresh chapter composed of new music, new perspectives, and life lessons that come with nearly a decade in the industry. The Beat Asia caught up with the duo and talked about how their partnership has evolved, the stories behind their latest single “Life at 29,” and even touched on some of their most memorable performances. 

A Musical Partnership Forged in Friendship

Leanne and Naara met at Assumption College, where they both pursued a Performing Arts program. Leanne told The Beat Asia how it started with an opportunity to perform at an event on campus, and how, after that, they became the go-to acoustic performers at school. 

“We did a cover of Adele’s ‘One and Only’ for that first performance,” Leanne shared when asked about the moment she felt they were meant to perform together. “I’m not sure if it was rehearsed, but Naara started harmonizing during the performance, and honestly, it brought chills to my spine. Looking back now, that was probably the start of Leanne & Naara.”

After graduating, the singer-songwriters released their self-written debut single, “Again,” which garnered a million streams in two months and earned top spots on Spotify’s Philippines Viral 50. It even peaked at #12 on the Global Viral 50 charts! This was followed by a series of non-album singles, including “New York and Back,” “Run Run,” and a cover of Nina’s hit song, “Someday,” which became an instant hit on the radio and across various streaming platforms. In 2019, they signed with Warner Music Philippines, which led to their debut album “Daybreak” (2020), led by the single “Keep Me Up.”

From 2016 till now, the duo has been going strong, and when asked about their secret to keeping a solid partnership, Leanne answered, “I believe we’ve survived by respecting each other’s seasons. We’ve gone through a lot of changes individually, and with that also comes the evolution of the way we work together.” 

Through the years, the singer also stated that their music has also grown with them, becoming deeper as they gained new personal experiences. On talks of their creative process and if one is better at music or lyrics and vice versa, Leanne explained that their differing perspectives gave them much room to work with. 

“It allows us to really stretch the material,” she said. “And see where it can go before we decide on its final form.”

Both women have very distinct voices and a unique perspective on songwriting, which also led us to ask about the pros and cons of working solo versus with a partner. 

“I think it applies to all things. Going solo means more creative freedom; you can do pretty much whatever pleases you. But in some ways, they’re also the same,” Leanne said. “Working with a partner is more collaborative. Two minds are working instead of just one. However, it also involves more consideration, especially for us, because we both sing. So stuff like the key of the song and the overall vibe of it has to feel authentic for both of us. And there are times when that’s challenging to find.”

The singers also described their sound today as “a coming together of all the ‘sounds’ we’ve dabbled in.” In a way, it’s a reflection of all the sounds they’ve been exposed to in the last nine years. They also got candid about what they admire the most about each other as artist — and as friends throughout their relationship all these years.

“I’m blessed to have found Leanne as my partner in this path that I'm in,” Naara told The Beat Asia. “She’s not just incredibly talented, but she also has this beautiful way of putting emotions into words that I’ve always admired. It’s something I honestly can’t do, and that’s why we fit so well together. Beyond the music, what means the most is the friendship we share. With her, I never have to pretend. I can be myself, the real and unfiltered version of me. I'm thankful that she sees me, accepts me, and loves me in any way. That kind of connection is rare these days. It's something I treasure deeply.”

“What I admire about Naara the artist is her depth. She always surprises me with the places she goes to in terms of melody and chord progressions,” Leanne explained. “It’s always refreshing to hear her take, because it’s almost always something I never would have thought of myself. What I love about Naara, the friend, is her way of showing support. She goes out of her way to show that she cares about me and my endeavors. It’s really sweet.”

On ‘Life at 29’ and Beyond

Almost a decade since their first single, Leanne and Naara released “Life at 29” last July 4, a gentle ballad marked by their signature warmth, smooth harmonies, and emotionally grounded lyrics. Leanne shared with us that the song was penned in April 2024 and how it was one of three singles they’re hoping to release this year.

“These singles reflect our current state of mind,” Leanne said as we mentioned how the song felt personal, from its intimate storytelling to the emotional delivery. “Apart from being both 29, we feel that this song [“Life at 29] speaks of the life we have now. It’s quiet and filled with contentment. We wanted that feeling to be translated into song.”

The song features beautiful vocals amid gentle guitar strings over a jazzy melody. It’s seemingly more stripped down compared to their previous works, which we believe gave the storytelling aspect a chance to take center stage. When asked if this was intentional, they both agreed.

“We wanted our listeners to feel the warmth of this song, and so we made sure to keep it as raw as possible, blending a few instruments together and our voices to tell the story,” Leanne explained. “It was wonderful working with Gani Palabyab on this one. He was really the right fit. He brought out the rawest emotion from us during our recording. We revisited a few vocal techniques with him to get the vocal quality that we wanted for the adlibs at the end of the track, most especially. We were also lucky to have Makko Abreu and Josh Tulagan on board, who played electric guitar and bass for the track, respectively.”

“We felt like that was the sound and production that fit best for the song,” Naara added. “We wanted to keep it raw and intimate. While our previous songs were sonically different, those choices were also intentional. Each song has always been carefully shaped to serve the story we were telling at the time.”

The two artists decided that the word “contentment” perfectly encapsulates their lives at 29, a theme that was very much interwoven in the song from its gentle melody to lyrics like “It’s been the healthiest couple of years I’ve been in” and “Lately, it’s hard getting out of our den” — which pertains to that feeling of satisfaction and content from the mere fact of being home with the person you love. 

However, “29” also proves to be a daunting year for many, seeing it as the end of their youthful years. But Leanne and Naara provide a hopeful message with this new single, giving it a more optimistic view as it reminded us that the older we get, the wiser we also become.  

“We’re still growing and every day teaches us something new,” Leanne said when asked about what they look forward to in their thirties. “Whatever challenges come our way in the years ahead, we trust that we’ll be able to face them in a more mature way.”

There’s no doubt that this dynamic duo will continue to entertain and inspire audiences with their music in the years to come. The artists recently took the Fête de la Musique Philippines Main Stage, where they collaborated with Bras Pas Pas Pas Pas in an explosive retro-themed set. Despite performing songs that were different from their usual sound, the two singers managed to bring the house down and even gave their own songs a different vibe, proving their versatility and talent. 

“That performance was a core memory for us! Getting to headline one of the most sought-after music festivals in the Philippines was such a huge blessing for us,” Leanne expressed. “We also felt super lucky to have collaborated again with Brass Pas Pas Pas Pas. It was our second time performing together, and it still blows our minds how they bring so much life and energy to our songs. We were given a chance to perform their song, 'Yatap' — that one was a killer because of the high notes! After performing it, we definitely felt like rockstars. We still get kilig whenever we look back on those moments on stage.”

Surely, there will be more stages to come, and we can’t wait to see more of Leanne and Naara taking over the local music scene. And you heard it here first, the duo is planning to release one more song before the year ends, so watch out for it!

Additionally, they’re also throwing a birthday gig slash get-together called “BYE BYE 29” on Aug. 22 at Jess and Pat’s in Quezon City, where they’re also welcoming special guests Pixie Labrador and Eliza Maturan. You can get your tickets here.

Follow Leanne and Naara on Facebook and Instagram for updates on their latest music releases and upcoming shows. 

Fintech just got a little bit more fashion-forward as GCash, the Philippines’ #1 Finance Super App and largest cashless ecosystem, launches its latest payment innovation, Tap to Pay, which allows users to pay by simply tapping onto Mastercard-enabled terminals that accept NFC payments. 

To bring this stylish convenience to life, GCash tapped Philippine fashion icon and actress Heart Evangelista-Escudero as the face of this new feature, even releasing a special film to showcase it. 

Hot on the heels of this collaboration, the company unveiled the second installment of their GCash Spotlight YouTube Series last Aug. 12 at the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in BGC. The Beat Manila got to attend this exclusive live recording, where Heart sat down with King of Talk Boy Abunda for an intimate afternoon chat where she opened up about life at 40, her fashion beliefs, and how GCash has changed her life — all while serving looks and giving us a dose of fame, style, and celebrity stories. 

Heart’s Soft Power Era

In true Tito Boy fashion, he opened the program with some hard-hitting questions that revealed Heart’s vulnerable side. This year’s GCash Spotlight event explored the milestones she has accomplished and how her journey has changed her perspectives on fame and life in general.  

“This year, I am living my truth and entering my soft power era. I know when to say no!” She said, explaining how she molded into different versions of herself to please people due to her strong desire to be part of the “in” crowd in the past.

“I allowed them to chop me up and sell pieces of me just to make people happy,” she added. “But now I’m not going to waste my energy. I have channeled my energy towards building my future and towards being productive.”

And productive she has become indeed, as Heart is now one of the most sought-after figures in fashion, gracing global runways, front-row seats, and designer brand collaborations that cemented her status as a true style icon. However, the star emphasized that to get to where she is today, she had to walk a road littered with challenges and obstacles, and had to overcome her fear of not belonging and feeling like a “factory reject,” before eventually finding her place in the world. “I don’t have any regrets. I accept what I’ve done. I accept what has happened to me. And I just magically adjusted into the woman I am today.”

“Although I still have my moments, the difference now is that I know what to do with them. I know what to do with this feeling, and I’m going to fight it. I’m going to be productive. I’m going to create something with what I feel. I’m an artist, and this is what feeds my soul. So I’m not going to let it rob me of a life I didn’t live. I’m going to fight it, and I’m going to be what I am today, however big or small. I’m going to make sure that there’s a reason that was put in me. I think that has made me more grounded and grateful.”

The stimulating talk also touched on her fashion work, where she revealed that it’s more than just an aesthetic but a form of empowerment. From couture gowns to a plain t-shirt and jeans, Heart stated that there are no rules when it comes to what’s ‘right’ in fashion. 

“Fashion is self-expression. It’s truly an armor. I’d rather dress than put my anxiety all over my face,” she told Tito Boy. “This is my way of fighting it. Some people say fashion is so pompous, it’s so shallow — no, it’s not. It’s how I live, and it’s how I choose to fight my battles every day. Fashion week is not all about taking photos. It’s a party where everybody can come as they are, dress however they want, and be whoever they want. It’s so liberating to be able to just ‘be.’”

Next Level Payments Meet Next Level Looks!

They were also joined by Vogue Philippines’ Fashion Director Pam Quiñones, who shared her perspective on ‘trends’ and how fashion is more than just a look but a narrative, removing the belief that it should feel intimidating. 

“My personal relationship in fashion has changed through the years, and I feel that when we say ‘trend,’ we put it in the framework of the now and of a season. If it’s uso (trendy) now, it’s potentially not uso next year,” she explained. 

“And I started having this relationship with my clothes in a way that I look at them as objects that I’m committed to, and having a personal investment in these pieces. So when I look at your look, it’s not a trend for me. It’s a story. It’s a point of view. It very much communicates what your beliefs and interests are. It’s the physical manifestation of what’s inside. And what’s beautiful about it is that you can add to that story next year or go back to it. It’s not a trend, it’s a story that goes on.”

Pam also led a styling segment that attempted to create some of Heart’s iconic fashion week looks, allowing guests to learn more about finding their personal style and what pieces work for them. 

Beyond fame and fashion, the second episode of GCash Spotlight highlights the brand’s mission of providing accessibility and convenience in the lives of every Filipino. Throughout the talk, Heart mentioned how GCash Tap to Pay had been so useful and how it had given her more breathing room between work. From attending fashion shows, filming content for her social media pages, to producing and creating storyboards for her TV show, “Heart World,” Heart has a lot on her plate, and it makes a big difference that she can expedite the process when it comes to her purchases.

“You save so much time! When I travel, I’m there for work, I go to café shops, and sometimes we’d take a side trip for a tour. Having GCash saves one or two hours of your time. And for me, time is precious. Before you have to line up, and it’s going to take forever. Now it’s so convenient. Wala kayong choice (you don’t have a choice), you will see me on the app all the time! *laughs*"

Aside from purchasing being easier and faster, Heart also pointed out that GCash makes her more responsible in her spending as she can track her transactions in real time. 

GCash Tap to Pay is now widely accepted at thousands of partner merchants nationwide and internationally via its partnership with Alipay+ and Mastercard. This makes travelling for Filipinos simpler and more seamless, and they can choose to either scan via QR or tap via NFC at small local stores, as well as their favorite restaurants, cafes, and shops while abroad.

“The introduction of the new GCash Tap To Pay is in line with GCash’s bigger goal of creating products with our customers in mind, helping provide ease and convenience throughout their day-to-day,” said Ferdie Perez, Product Innovation Head of G-Xchange, Inc. “With GCash Tap To Pay, there’s no more fumbling about with signatures and PIN numbers. A single tap is all you need to get exactly what you need. It is quick, fast, instant, and secure. Making everyday moments more convenient and a lot more stylish!”

As of the moment, GCash Tap to Pay can only be used on Android phones, and the device has to support NFC. Once you’ve activated the feature through these steps here, you can just tap away! 

You can catch all of Heart’s tips and insights in the upcoming GCash Spotlight podcast dropping soon on their YouTube channel. For updates, follow GCash on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram.

“I feel like music is supposed to be made with other people,” said Gabba, whose new collaboration with Singaporean singer-songwriter and producer Alicia DC blends his signature math-rock sound with Alicia’s lyrical vulnerability, marking a bold genre-blurring moment for both artists.

ICYDK, Gabba Santiago is a well-known Filipino multi-instrumentalist who has been taking the indie music by storm with his wordless narratives dressed in his signature sound, composed of brisk guitar and intricate drumming. He began his solo journey in 2020 and released a string of hit singles, as well as a full-length album, which he performed on international stages such as Wanderland Music and Arts Festival in Manila and SXSW in Sydney. He also recently won Guitarist of the Year at The New Hue’s Video Music last month, further cementing his name as one of Indie music’s most promising talents. 

Meanwhile, Alicia DC is a rising musician in the Singapore music scene, having composed songs that can be described as pop, coupled with authentic lyrics. She released her first EP, “Maybe,” in 2022 and has since shown her versatility as a producer and songwriter.  

The two artists released their collaboration, “fall,” this month, which tells the story of a lover’s quarrel, portrayed through raw and emotional lyrics and coupled with dynamic shifts in instrumentation. Co-produced by Francis Lorenzo, the three-minute track merges the brilliant minds of two very distinct artists, creating a retrospective piece that carves its place within the indie music scene. 

The Beat Asia got to meet up with both artists to talk about their latest collaborative effort, and together we dove into the story of how the project came to be, their creative process, and what this track meant to each of them at this point in their careers. 

A Collaboration that Made Sense

“Fall” wasn’t just an opportunity that fell into their laps, but began as Alicia DC’s effort to collaborate with artists outside of Singapore. 

“It was more like I was listening to a bunch of artists on Spotify, and figuring out what would best suit my music and what kind of collaborators I could collaborate with,” the singer told The Beat Asia. “I just came across Gabba’s stuff, and it just so happened that he was coming to Singapore to perform.”

Gabba was part of the lineup for Music Day Out 2024, but even when they both attended the festival, it wasn’t until only a few weeks ago that they met up in person. Alicia mentioned how she had been too shy to approach and that her manager convinced her to pitch demos for Gabba to hear. “It took off from there,” she said.

The collaboration was done remotely, with them sending demos back and forth for a few months. However, Gabba told us an interesting tidbit about the production process. “It was stagnant for a bit,” he revealed. “Alicia sent me demos to choose from, and then we chose the demo for ‘fall’ but for two months nothing happened ‘cause we were both busy. But when it started to move, it was continuous.”

“There was a lot of stuff that we were doing. It took off when we were freer,” Alicia added, emphasizing how the entire process was smooth sailing once they had time to really sit down and focus on the track. 

It didn’t take long before the demo was shaped into “fall” — a track which was inspired by Alicia DC’s personal experience.

“It’s about two lovers fighting, but the song itself doesn’t sound like a fight. Maybe because of the genre as well [math-rock]. There’s a lot of this constant groove that keeps changing now and then. There’s a continuous drive in it that makes it feel like you’re taking off. But the meaning of the song is basically about two lovers fighting, like the girl is saying ‘You don’t get me’ and the guy is like ‘You’re mean to me with your words.’ The two sides are clashing with each other because of their differences in communication styles.”

The songwriter also explained how, despite it being inspired by personal experience, she detached from it once she put it into music because the rhythm of the words created something that transformed into a math-rock song. 

This collaboration marks Gabba’s first song that is more lyric-forward in terms of form, considering he had made a name for himself with his instrumental rock pieces and expressive compositions. Despite having words in the song, it never felt like the instrumental took the back seat and instead felt more like a duet, successfully balancing music and lyrics to form one cohesive track. 

We asked the rock instrumentalist about what inspired the overall sound and how he managed to spotlight Alicia DC’s vocals without overshadowing his music.  

“She sent the lyrics beforehand, and I tried my best to match the production in a way. My interpretation of it is like the ups and downs of the fighting — when you’re almost okay and then you’re not. I didn’t want to ask her what it was about. I wanted to interpret it on my own and then craft something around what my interpretation was.” 

It made sense that the music felt like you’re taking off, the sound going through these shifts, which beautifully mirrored the emotional turmoil that happens in that situation. 

“It was fun and challenging at the same time. I’m used to making music over a blank canvas, wherein I can put anything. But this time there it’s more direct, there are words to support. The production was much more intentional around what was being said. I also learned to restrain a bit to give way to the lead vocalist. Usually, the lead vocal in my songs is my guitar, but since we have Alicia’s very great voice, it was a challenge to make parts that were still me but at the same time guiding a centerpiece which was her vocals,” he added.

Having completed the track within a few months, we also asked the artists if there were any good surprises or challenges during the production. Alicia DC was quick to answer that there were more good surprises, emphasizing how Gabba brought out a whole new perspective, encouraging her to create something she would never have thought about in the first place. 

“My thing with making adjustments on my side is like when we fleshed out the demo, I kept saying the song is too long here or the song is too long there, so we kept cutting the sections. And then when we cut it, the demo sounded a bit empty, but when I sent it to Gabba, he would come up with something completely different from what I was imagining. And for me it was like, 'Oh! I did not know that it could sound like this,' and I would build up on that.”

“I think my favorite surprise was the ending of the song,” the vocalist added. “There was supposed to be a quiet outro, but because of the way the song was fleshed out, the ending was too long, and we ended up just taking that part out. Gabba did this thing where he remixed my vocals and created some loops with electro beats, and then he made the ending loud towards the end instead. When I heard it, I immediately came up with ideas of my own. It was a good surprise, and it also made the song sound a lot more concise with a stronger impact.”

As for challenges, Gabba also mentioned the two-month stagnant sea they had to sail through and how they viewed music very differently. However, they eventually found common ground, and from there, they were able to use their strengths and complete the song efficiently.

This isn’t Alica DC’s first rodeo when it comes to working with other artists, having collaborated with the likes of electronic musician Ceratone in “Bridges” (2024) and Taiwanese singer June Pan in “You Up?” (2023). However, she did say that this collaboration felt the most effortless and that the challenge didn’t act as a hurdle in the process, but as motivation to try something new. 

“I felt like this collab was easier to do. Even though there were challenges, it felt more effortless, and it made more sense because our sounds do work well together,” she said. “In my previous collaborations, it wasn’t bad, but it just wasn’t something authentically me. I was going for a super pop — very compressed pop sound. But for this song, because I had more knowledge of how I wanted it to sound in comparison to those previous pop songs, it made sense to collaborate with Gabba.”

Both artists are talented producers in their own right, having composed and produced their music on their own. However, they both agreed that being in a collaborative project creates a different experience production-wise, and gives them an opportunity to work on music beyond what they’re used to creating.

When asked if they prefer working alone or with collaborators, Gabba answered, “I think there are pros and cons for both, but if you’re going to ask me now, I would prefer to work with people just because it’s more organic and I feel like there’s more magic to be done in real time. It was really fun. I’ve been doing the Gabba thing on my own for the most part. I feel like music is supposed to be made with other people. It was so fun bouncing ideas with someone else.”

“I love doing both because I’m comfortable working with myself and with people. But when I produce by myself, I just sound super sterile. My ideas are very clear-cut, and my vision for the music is usually very clean and precise, but when I work with other people, there’s a beautiful mess that happens. And it sounds a lot more lively. So I think based on that alone, I would prefer to work with other people,” Alicia added.

The duo recently debuted the track at the inaugural edition of Spur Labs at Salu Salo last Aug. 2, and the song was launched on Aug. 6 on all streaming platforms.

With more collaboration down the line for Gabba and a new lead single in the dance-pop genre from Alicia DC in the coming months, stay tuned on their official social media pages for updates on the latest music releases and live performances.

You can follow Gabba Santiago on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram, and Alicia DC on Instagram. 

“If you make eye contact with him… System error,” a fan said, which perfectly encapsulates our experience after seeing Ju Ji Hoon. 

The beloved “Princess Hours” actor graced the Newport Performing Arts Theater stage in Manila last Aug. 2, meeting with over 1,500 Filipino fans for his first-ever fan meet event in the country!

The South Korean actor has starred in a variety of hit K-Dramas through the years, including “Princess Hours” (2006), where he played the brooding Crown Prince Lee Shin, “Mask” (2015), and “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (2025) for which he won Best Actor at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards. He also starred in a string of popular films such as “Asura: The City of Madness” (2016) and “Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds (2017).”

So, it’s no surprise that a great actor like Ji Joon has a legion of fans and admirers across the region, with the Hallyu star currently on his Asia Fan Meet Tour, having already stopped in Taipei and Bangkok. The JUNIVERSE in MANILA was nothing short of fun with the actor bringing the kilig and stealing hearts left and right with his easy-going smile and loveable personality. 

Ji Hoon kicked off the show with his rendition of Lee Juck’s “Relieved.” Host Sam Oh led a couch talk with the actor where they discussed about his acting career, answered fan questions and requests, and even teased about two upcoming projects he’s currently working on — one of which is the adaptation of the popular webtoon “The Remarried Princess,” where he’ll be working with other well-known stars like Shin Min-ah, Lee Se-young and Lee Jong-suk. 

Known to have portrayed varying characters in the past, Ji Hoon acknowledged that every person is different in “various ways,” which gives him room to be creative in the characters he plays on screen.  

“Whenever I talk to directors or my colleagues about a specific role, I don’t have a specific idea of how a role is supposed to be played. I accept what other people say about them,” he explained. “I’m the type of person who accepts and understands that people have different thoughts about a certain character. It helps me a lot in setting up my own character as well, so I’m very thankful.”

The actor also showed much love for his fans and went all out with the fan service as he signed posters, gave warm hugs, and even played games with them through the interactive segment. Some memorable moments include a lucky fan recreating the popular “Zootopia” selfie trend with him and Ji Hoon learning to say Tagalog terms from “Mahal kita” to “Gigil ako!”

Ji Hoon also acquiesced to fans’ request to bring his character, Dr. Baek Gang Hyeok from “Trauma Code: Heroes on Call," to life by shouting his favorite word, “Shut up!” 

Never would we have thought a room full of fans would be screaming and cheering after being told this. When asked how he managed to come up with the way of delivering it, Ji Hoon adorably answered, “I just did it with a happy heart like this.”

Despite this being his first fan meet, Ji Hoon revealed that he had actually visited the country before. When asked whether he had tried some of the local fare, the actor replied, “Whenever I go visit another country, I always visit the local market, so I try local food a lot. I don’t remember the exact name of the dish, but I remember eating some kind of fried rice dish and an iced shaved dessert (Halo-Halo).” He also added that he tried a crispy pork dish, which we assumed was the classic Crispy Pata. 

Speaking of delicious food, we observed that Ji Hoon maintains a lean physique, standing at six feet tall with a slightly muscular build. The host asked what he consumes to make him look this way, to which he honestly answered, “I still maintain my usual diet, but I eat a lot more meat. Since the character that I’m going through right now is asking me to have a more defined body, I’m eating a lot more meat.”

A group of lucky fans also got the chance to take photos with the actor, wrapping up a truly memorable event for everyone there. 

For updates on his upcoming dramas and movies, follow Ju Ji Hoon on Instagram.

Ever wanted to live your modelling dreams, or finally get to that Pinterest-worthy photoshoot? 

In today’s content-forward culture, everyone, and we mean everyone has been gunning to try out professional photoshoots and content studios—all beyond the self-made backdrops and ring lights—to get that perfect shot, the perfect look, the perfect pose. 

Answering this demand are all-inclusive photo studios have been popping up here and there all over the metro, offering curated full-on experiences for everyone. Think: wardrobe options, on-site hair and makeup teams, personalized sets, creative direction, modeling direction—everything. 

It’s a one-stop setup for anyone looking to oomph up their branding, celebrate special occasions and milestones, or simply step into their main character era. 

From aesthetic driven setups to creative concepts tailored for any vibe, here are five photo studios that can help you make your dreams a reality! 

Schild Studios

Established in 2022, Schild Studios is one of the trailblazers of the “All-In Professional Portrait Studio” concepts in the Philippines. Known for their highly personalized photo sessions, which they affectionately refer to as “projects,” Schild Studios offers full-on portrait experiences for any kind of moment—from major milestones to “just-because” memories. 

Their packages are thoughtfully categorized based on your vibe: 

• Profile Project: All-in solo portrait sessions to celebrate milestones, or to try out something new.
• Glow Project: A stunning pre-maternity shoot, styled and shot to celebrate a mother’s glow before the little one arrives.
• Spark Project: A romantic portrait session to capture a couple’s journey together.
• Duo Project: Designed for pairs like sisters, best friends, mother-daughter pairs, and more.
• Clique Project: A portrait session tailored for groups and families who want to document their bond.

Each session comes with services: Photo and Video shooter, Hair & Makeup, Studio Use, Creative Direction, Wardrobe Styling, and Soft Copy of photos for their packages. 

Visit Schild Studios’ website here and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages to find out more. 

Location: 2/F, D Ace Plaza, United cor. Brixton St., Kapitolyo, Pasig City, Philippines

BRH Project

BRH Project is a Makati-based photo studio, featuring photo and modeling concepts inspired by what’s trending online. With their motto, “We create what you desire,” BRH Project brings your dream shoots to life—exactly how you envisioned, and maybe even better.

They offer several packages and creative concepts based on what story you want to tell: 

• Create: An editorial portrait session to celebrate milestones, and more.
• Yearbook: Dive into the viral “Yearbook” concept, complete with ready-to-wear and trendy school uniforms. You can even bring in your furry friends on it!
• Portrait: Clean, classic, and focused entirely on you. Let your face cards and smiles do the talking here.  
• Idol: Channel your K-Pop idol dreams here, with a photo session complete with an idol stage and a fanmeet.

Each session comes with a dedicated photographer, Hair & Makeup, Studio Use, Creative Direction, and Wardrobe Styling. Soft copies and add-ons are available at an additional cost. 

Visit BRH Project’s website here, and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages to know more.

Location: Unit 331, Mile Long Building, Amorsolo Street, Makati City, Philippines

Cielo Studio MNL

Cielo Studio MNL is a Korean-style professional photo studio offering enchanting, K-Drama worthy photo concepts. Imagine florals, forest fairytales, and soft portraits you’ll want to frame forever.

Here are their most popular concepts: 

• Warm Bloom: This concept is soft, floral, dreamy, and mystical, just like a princess in a fairytale.
• Enchanting Forest: A dreamy, and magical concept that places you in an ethereal forest straight out of a daydream.
• Flower Rainfall: A classic and romantic concept, surrounded by blossoms in full bloom.

They also offer different packages for everyone: 

• Little Ones
• Ethereal Maternity
• Modest Profile
• Modern Gentlemen
• Dashin’ Duo
• Chic n’ Confident
• Eternal Lovers
• Loving Family
• Paw Prints

Visit Cielo Studios’ website here and follow their Facebook and Instagram pages to know more. 

Location: Universal Motors Corporation, 2232 Chino Roces Ave., Makati City, 1233 Metro Manila, Philippines

JMM Studios

JMM Studios is a photo studio dedicated to turning your best moments into masterpieces—with an editorial edge. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or simply capturing the now, their shoots are personally designed to turn you into the main character, every frame blending aesthetic with personalized storytelling.

One of their packages is the All-In Photoshoot Package, where JMM Studios takes care of everything: hair and makeup, wardrobe styling, creative direction, free use of studio and equipment, professional photographer, and unlimited shots. 

Visit JMM Studios’ Facebook and Instagram to learn more. 

Location: Blk. 97, Lot 37, Fortune St., Brgy. Rizal, Taguig City

LEON Studios

LEON Studios is a photo studio that does everything—from graduation pictures, debut shoots, editorial shoots, and more. Known for their styling and direction, they offer photo shoots that feel like magazine covers, turning you into models for even just a day. 

Their All-In Photo Packages offer a wide variety of services and inclusions that’ll guarantee an experience of a lifetime, complete with hair and makeup, set styling, creative direction, unlimited shots, wardrobe styling, and more. 

Visit LEON Studios’ Facebook and Instagram pages for more information or contact them through [email protected] or 09158074117. 

Location: 815 Banawe St., Quezon City, and 9 F. Manalo, Taguig City.

The BGC amphitheater was packed with the young and young-at-heart donned in their fire streetwear fits to celebrate the very heart of Filipino pop culture: Music. 

Sony Philippines held the ULT Power Sound: Vibe Live last Aug. 2, an event that aims to not only launch their latest lineup of audio equipment from their ULT Power Sound series but also present its duality as both a music companion and a fashion statement. This feature was presented through a mini-concert and runway show featuring some of OPM’s hottest artists and rising talents. 

“Sony strives to create products that tap into your emotions. As part of Sony’s corporate direction, we aim to get closer to the people by deep diving into the heart of what makes people who they are,” said Shuhei Sugihara, President and Managing Director of Sony Philippines, Inc., who opened the show with an inspiring talk on the company’s vision. “It’s their passions or interests, such as filmmaking, movie watching, music, photography, videography, and content creation, that get people to move. I believe our technology can boost creativity and support your ideas and passions.”

The Beat Manila got to sit front row and center at this thrilling music celebration, and we’re here to tell you about some of our favorite moments, as well as what makes the ULT Power Sound series the ultimate music and vibe companion. 

Where Music and Fashion Collide

Anyone who’s anyone knows who Sony is. The Japanese multifaceted brand is known for its diverse activities, from manufacturing consumer electronics to producing films and music. One thing it’s really good at is promoting sound excellence through innovative audio electronics such as speakers and headphones.  

The ULT Power Sound series was first launched in the country last July 2024, highlighting the ULT Field 7 and ULT Tower 10 speakers. They also launched the “For the Music” campaign in 2023, which aimed to promote their classic headphones. 

This year, the brand is expanding the lineup with four new products designed to give customers an unparalleled listening experience—music that you can bring wherever, whenever. 

Portability is one of the top things we consider when purchasing speakers, and the ULT Power Sound series embodies this very feature with its two categories: Tower and Field. The former caters to those who want loud, powerful, and punchy bass, while the latter is designed for music on the go. 

Arbie Bandiling, Senior Product & Marketing Communications Executive, Personal Audio Systems of Sony Philippines, Inc., gave us a brief rundown of the new products, highlighting their best features and explaining how these speakers marry music with fashion. 

Let’s start with the big guy: the ULT Tower 9, which gives you a chance to fully immerse yourself in the music. Its soundfield optimization feature detects local noise and automatically changes the sound setting to deliver clear music even when you are surrounded by other sounds. Another highlight is the prominent “ULT” button, which gives you two types of bass modes: press once for ULT1 to get a deeper, lower frequency bass, and press twice to activate ULT2 for a powerful, punchy bass. 

The ULT Tower 9 also has several fun features that make sure you can carry the party with you wherever.  The 360-degree party lights can turn any room into a rave, while its built-in handle and wheels let you carry, lift, or pull over the speaker with ease across any distance. The speaker also has a splashproof top panel, and has a plugged-in (P39,999) and battery variant (P52,199) — the latter giving you around 25 hours of playtime in a full charge. For context, a full charge will take around 3 hours, and in exchange you get over a full day's worth of speaker power.

For those who want their music on the go, the ULT Field 3 (P10,999) and ULT Field 5 (P19,999) give you top-tier sound quality with soundfield and bass optimization, as well as battery life of over 24 and 25 hours, respectively. It has the signature ULT Power Sound bass, but in a more compact design. Its highlights include a stylish color range and functional handheld features, such as the adjustable strap, which allows you to wear it cross-body or over your shoulder like a purse. Who says your speakers can’t sound and look good?

Lastly, the ULT Mic 1 (P9,999) is for every Filipino karaoke lover. Light, wireless, and powerful, this product aims to enhance your experience with the speakers. Although designed to work best with Sony speakers, you can still use the mic with any audio equipment that has a mic input. 

Sony Hypes Up the Local Music Scene

In Mr. Sugihara’s opening speech, he mentioned the Japanese term “Kando,” a word that describes “the sense of awe and the emotion you feel when experiencing something beautiful and amazing for the first time.”

And what better way to experience that than through live music?

“To strengthen our music efforts in the Philippines, we have exciting synergies with our sister company Sony Music,” mentioned Shuhei, as he welcomed the “ULT Squad” — a group of musicians and dance artists who are inspiring and entertaining the current generation. “We aim to further strengthen the collaboration with several artists to showcase the diversity and strength of our brand. We ask for your continued support in creating kando together.”

Sony organized a spectacular way to showcase their new speaker lineup by allowing their customers to experience it firsthand through a series of live performances by some of the country’s trending musicians, dance artists, and fashion influencers. 

“Sony works with music people behind the scenes, like producers and music engineers, to capture every note — making it feel like they are in the studio with the artists,” said Mr. Kentaro Imamura, Marketing Director of Sony Philippines, Inc. “We keep our promise in creating authentic music experiences by connecting listeners and creators.”

The show began with a fashion show, the night’s guest artists strutting down the runway carrying an ULT Power Sound speaker or wearing the ULT Wear headphones. Artists present at the event include couple fashion influencers David Guison and Angelique Manto, P-Pop girl group KAIA, and singer Jeremy G. 

This was quickly followed by a thrilling dance routine by A-TEAM, who showed us all the moves and grooves, and dance artist Carlos Serrano III, who danced to Destiny’s Child’s classic hit, “Brown Eyes.”

Jeremy G then hit the stage and kept the party rolling with his cover of Bruno Mars’ “Treasure” and Cup of Joe’s hit “Multo.” He also serenaded his fans with his latest single, “Parking Lot,” and gave them an up-close-and-personal moment when he went down the stage to vibe with the crowd. Talk about #FangirlMoment! 

The fiery girls of KAIA also lit up the Sony ULT Vibe stage with a string of their hits, such as “YOU DID IT”, “Dalawa,” and “TURN UP”, sending ZAIAs (fandom name) into a frenzy. As if the night couldn’t get any better, rising singer-songwriter Maki took to the stage to perform some of his most popular songs, including the viral “Dilaw,” “Bughaw,” and “Namumula.” 

The OPM trendsetter is known for his color-themed songs that are currently making waves on local and international music charts. During his set, Maki mentioned how Sony collaborates with local artists by giving them the chance to use their equipment, which has helped support their creative and production process. He then proceeded to announce his forthcoming album, “KOLORCOASTER,” which drops on Sept. 19, and performed his latest single, “Kahel na Langit,” as well as his song, “Saan?” before wrapping up the concert. The audience echoed every lyric, singing and vibing along to each number, proving how music’s blend of emotion and sound can truly bring people together. 

Sony Philippines didn’t just give us a great show but also big surprises, having given away several speakers for the attendees, as well as the ultimate karaoke setup to one lucky winner. Safe to say, Sony passed the vibe check, and we can’t wait to see more of how they will elevate the music experience for every Filipino. 

The ULT Power Sound series is now available at a Sony authorized dealer near you and online. For updates, follow Sony Philippines on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), Instagram, and YouTube.