PLDT myDSL fresh face Ton Vergel De Dios, Drift Champ Alex Perez, Watchpad Crew Rhian Ramos and UBB’s Nancy Castiliogne.

Last Saturday, PLDT myDSL celebrity crew and its head honcho Mr. Gary Dujali launched the brand’s newest campaign “Beyond Broadband” in elaborate and successive events.

The newest TV commercial was launched on “Eat Bulaga” and was one of the highlights of the press conference that followed soon after, attended by Ms. Rhian Ramos, Nancy Castiglione, drift champ Alex Perez and fresh face Ton Vergel de Dios.

The very upbeat, cool and youthful television advertisement features the true entertainment journey of the internet featuring an encounter with the sneezing panda, LOL cats, plus local celebrities Rhian Ramos and Victor Aliwalas, with fresh talent Ton Vergel De Dios, who can both sing and play the guitar like the Jonas Brothers.

Ton Vergel De Dios was an instant hit among the entertainment press, rousing their interests even more upon learning that he is a nephew of (actor-matinee idol of his time) Roel Vergel De Dios who, he said, now lives in the US.

Ton is a guitarist-vocalist of his bands Hansom and Tonight We Sleep and plays regular gigs in some rock venues in Metro Manila. Though he says he still is quite focused on his music at this point, Ton does not discount the possibility of entering acting or maybe television in the future. “But in the meantime, focus muna po ako sa music. Ito po talaga ang gusto kong gawin,” the 21-year-old Ateneo-graduate said.

During the press conference, the all-new Speedster bus, the star of the Overdrive campaign of PLDT with its Speed Circuit Exhibition and Ultra Broadband Blowout (where one can get laptop and PC packages at awesome low prices),  wowed the press people as they get to sample its internet wonders. Inside the more spacious, bigger and more comfortable Speedster is a mini bar and six laptops where anyone can log in and check out their favorite sites. This mobile internet hub has been going around the country and takes with it the hottest trends and celebrities each time.

With this, PLDT’s stepped-up service of giving broadband experience is played out more meaningfully. Every myDSL plan (the lowest package comes in P990) comes not only with unlimited broadband and landline, but also with Watchpad, the first entertainment portal in the country to give exclusive shows, movies and more to its subscribers for free. Subscribers get 18 of the hottest channels (CNN, National Geographic, E!, Entertainment Splash and MyView are some of them), plus the much-awaited events streamed live – Speed Circuit Drifting, URCC championship on March 27, the upcoming bout of Manny Pacquio and Joshua Clottey on March 14.

Saturday night had Watchpad streamed TV5’s top-rating show “Talentadong Pinoy” at the Cuneta Astrodome and the seamless and uninterrupted airing of the talent show had pleased not just the viewers but the discriminating taste of even PLDT bogwig Manny Pangilinan who gave the team his congratulations right after the event.

To make things more exciting this season, the search for the anonymous five teens to become members of the now famous Watchpad crew is unveiled to the press, too. The winners of this search will have them join the ranks of Rhian, Isabel Oli, Victor Aliwalas, drift champ Alex, and the rest of the Watchpad crew team. Each winner gets a new laptop, free myDSL subscription plus P100,000 cash each. All one has to do is to be cool, be the best in what he or she does, and be on the lookout for the onground events of Watchpad in schools, malls and even on the net!

Indeed, this year proves to be more exciting for PLDT myDSL. We’re equally excited.

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Rachel Alejandro releases ‘Believe’ under Sony Music

It has taken six years for recording artist, stage actress and entrepreneur Rachel Alejandro to come up with a new album and music lovers better “Believe” it’s worth the wait.

According to Rachel, the 13 tracks in “Believe” were chosen so carefully that she refused songs submitted to her by friends (some of whom are big names in the industry) when these didn’t fit the bill. “It was hard telling them ‘no’ because what they wrote were really very good songs. But in the end, we couldn’t just settle for ‘very good’ – we wanted the best,” she said.

One of these is the album’s carrier single, “Tayo Pa Ba?” written by Edith Gallardo and Niño Regalado. Rachel admits crying the first time she heard it. “I had just broken up with my boyfriend then so I was able to relate to the song. ‘Tayo’ will please my loyal fans and will win over younger people who may not be familiar with my music.”

“Tayo Pa Ba?” is about two people who have supposedly moved on from their relationship but are still thinking secretly that what they had may still be worth one more chance. The song is in the vein of Rachel’s biggest hits such as “Paalam Na,” “Bulag Sa Katotohanan” and “Kay Tagal” that all tell of real situations versus mere generic messages.

Released under Sony Music Entertainment, “Believe” also contains the songs “Bakit Hindi Tayo?” (penned by Cholo Escano), “Hanggang” (an Amber-Marcus Davis collaboration) and “The Rain” (written by Rachel herself). The remakes are “You Were There” (by Southern Sons done in duet with her father, Hajji Alejandro), “Xanadu” (Olivia Newton John), “Don’t Stop Believing” (Journey) “Alone” (Heart) and “There’s A Fine, Fine Line” (from the musical “Avenue Q”).

“Although our concept for ‘Believe’ was to come up with strong original materials, we included these remakes to introduce the pop audience to the musicals that I am part of,” she said.

Rachel is part of the puppet-meets-person musical, “Avenue Q,” that runs at Carlos P Romulo Theater inside the RCBC Plaza in Makati City from March 12 to March 27. Produced by Atlantis Productions, the singer plays Kate Monster and Lucy the Slut in the Tony Award-winning show.

“I want my latest album to show people who have not watched any theatrical production that theater is not elitist at all. Many musicals are totally relatable even to young people. Hopefully, the cuts that we chose that are from musicals I am part of, will inspire them to check out the shows,” she said.

Rachel describes “Believe” as a pop album; one that’s easy to listen to but canvasses the geniuses of some of OPM’s finest songwriters and producers. The songs have different flavors and show off her different vocal textures. “I was able to give my voice a rest these past years which now allows me to use its full strength and range. If before, ang boses ko ay parang piano na ilang tiklada lang ang tumutugtog, now every key is functional,” said she.

Asked if the changing trend in music has affected her singing style, Rachel said that what it strengthened is her belief that singing from the heart is potent above all. “I have never been nor will ever be into vocal acrobatics. What’s important in singing is sincerity. When you tell your story as honestly as possible, you make a connection,” she said.

Rachel will also be in the US in April for some shows with Geneva Cruz. She’ll go to New York end of the year to take up skating lessons in preparation for her role in “Xanadu.”

Launched on “ASAP XV” last March 7, Rachel says “Believe” reflects her rekindled purpose as an artist. “If you’re someone like me who has been around, you know that it’s easy to lose sight of why you entered the business in the first place. This album reasserts my belief that new good music still exists. That in these days of the revivals, fresh materials still have a place in the OPM scene,” she concludes.