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Blind Pinoy Balladeer Gets Invite from Ellen DeGeneres after Sam Smith Cover Goes Viral

It all started when blind Pinoy balladeer Carl Malone Montecido unmindfully sang “Too Good at Goodbyes”, one of the iconic songs of Sam Smith, while inside SM Bacolod in Bacolod City, central Philippines. But someone was so impressed by his voice and took a video that would soon take the internet by storm.

Photo credit: Trixie Madison / Facebook

Posted by Trixie Madison, the video would gain over 14 million views – and quickly reached Sam Smith who praised the young man for his impressive cover! Soon, many celebrities also praised his performance, leading no less than popular talk show host Ellen DeGeneres to extend an invitation for the young man to appear on her show!

Photo credit: Trixie Madison / Facebook

And we are all quite positive that once Carl will be on the show, Ellen is surely going to let him meet face to face with Sam Smith. Wow.

A number of avid TV viewers quickly recalled that Carl was one of the finalists of ABS-CBN’s Showtime’s “Tawag ng Tanghalan” in 2016. He finished as in Top 5. He was also invited to participate in GMA Network’s “Clash” but was quickly eliminated during the first round.

Photo credit: SunStar Bacolod

While the young man wishes to have a better singing career, he was no longer invited to anymore shows. So, he’s back in his hometown when he was unexpectedly “discovered” again. This time, it would seem that he is on the path to make his talent known worldwide!

Days after his cover went viral, SM Bacolod management invited him back. He once again sang “Too Good at Goodbyes” to the cheers of the crowd. He also sang “Exchange of Hearts” by David Slater.

Photo credit: SunStar Bacolod

This time around, the SM Bacolod management had prepared a surprise for this young performer. Accompanied by his parents Ferdinand and Divina, Carl received two big carts of groceries, brand new Grand videoke symphony pro plus, and SM gift certificates.

Photo credit: SunStar Bacolod
Photo credit: SunStar Bacolod

The young man confirmed that they received an invitation from Ellen but the details need to be smoothed out first. We sure to watch him on the show soon!

Here’s the video the made him go viral:

😨😨😨😨

Posted by Trixie Madison on Wednesday, February 5, 2020

What’s a Balladeer?

A balladeer is someone who sings or composes ballads, a type of slow, sentimental music that often tells a romantic story.

Entertainment

Xian Gaza Fulfills Bucket List to Walk around Shibuya with Sibuyas (Onions)

Xian Gaza fulfills bucket list of walking around Shibuya in Tokyo, Japan, with sibuyas (onions) – and it’s hilarious (if you get the joke, that is).

Would you dare do this, too?

Xian Gaza Fulfills Bucket List in Shibuya

If you’re a fan of anime (hand-drawn or computer-generated animation that originates from Japan), then you might be familiar with Shibuya.

Also called Shibuya City, is a special ward of Tokyo, Japan, and is known for being the heart of the country’s modern culture.

Xian Gaza fulfills bucket list
Photo credit: Christian Albert Gaza

It has one of the world’s busiest railway stations – and there are lots and lots of busy people walking in the streets and crossing the intersections.

It isn’t surprising that the place is a favorite setting in anime.

But while Shibuya literally means “harsh valley” in Japanese, it spells so closely to “sibuyas” (onions) if you’re a Filipino.

Photo credit: Christian Albert Gaza
Photo credit: Christian Albert Gaza

Knowing that Pinoys can be witty and so hilarious, some might joke about getting a “sibuyas” from Shibuya or something to that effect.

Still, even if some Pinoys might joke about it, it’s just something “mababaw” (shallow) that might not even make other people laugh.

For Xian Gaza, however, he just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to fulfill his “bucket list” when he visited the place.

Photo credit: Christian Albert Gaza
Photo credit: Christian Albert Gaza

He shared a video of how he bought the pack of “sibuyas” from a store and walked around Shibuya while holding it out on his hand.

He captioned the video, “BUCKETLIST: Itawid Ang Sibuyas Sa Shibuya” – that’s with a check mark to show that he was able to tick it off his list.

The goal is to become the first ever Filipino citizen na nagtawid ng sibuyas sa Shibuya with proper documentation. Congrats sa akin,” jokingly adding that he’s congratulating himself for the achievement.

Here’s the video:

What’s a Bucket List?

It’s a list of achievements or experiences that a person hopes to accomplish or have during their lifetime, before their “kick the bucket” (an idiomatic expression about passing on).

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Entertainment

Seller Goes Viral for “Angry” Reviews to Prove Products’ Durability

A seller goes viral for “angry” reviews to prove his products’ durability – and customers love it! He’s also gaining fame as a content creator in the process because of his unique content. Win-win situation, yes?

Seller Goes Viral for Unique Marketing Strategy

When you’re buying something online, you want to make sure that it’s exactly the way it is described and that it’s durable. After all, there are so many unscrupulous sellers out there who post pics or vids of great products but send you something that totally different from what they advertised.

seller goes viral
Photo credit: Jomar Yee

But you’d have to buy the products being endorsed by Jomar Yee, a TikToker who’s making a name for himself with “angry” reviews that prove these products’ durability.

In his product reviews, Jomar is known to smack on the item, slam it on the floor, smash it on the wall, or even stomp on it repeatedly.

While reviewing a bag product, he “angrily” pulls the zipper back and forth.

To prove that a basin is durable, he even stomped on it several times, pushed it back to its original shape, then stomped on it again.

@jomaryeedump_

OH BAKA HINDI PADIN KAYO MANIWALA!? WAG NYO KO GIGILIN JAN!

♬ original sound – Dump ni Jomar Yee – Dump ni Jomar Yee

Reviewing an umbrella meant shaking it back and forth, reminiscent of the strong stormy winds that you might encounter – and the product survived that without breaking.

Many of his videos are now making waves on social media, with lots of netizens praising the product reviews (and the products themselves).

@jomaryeedump_

ANO PANG REVIEW GUSTO NYO NANG MATIGIL KAYO JAN!! GO!

♬ original sound – Dump ni Jomar Yee – Dump ni Jomar Yee

While many netizens are saying that they’re enjoying his videos, some have also bought the products.

Although some were also skeptical and said that these are likely fake reviews and he’d send less quality products just like other online sellers, some of those who actually bought the products commented that these were, indeed, as durable as Jomar had reviewed.

@jomaryeedump_

Replying to @JOC Thrifts OH WAG NYO KONG ANUHIN JAN MAGSIBILE KAYO! GO!

♬ original sound – Dump ni Jomar Yee – Dump ni Jomar Yee

Which of his product reviews did you like best?

Best Marketing Strategies

There are many different wants to market your products – and being unique is something that can truly make you stand out from the competition. That’s exactly what Jomar was able to achieve.

While there are already so many sellers using TikTok as a platform to expand their customer base, it seems that he’s the first to conduct reviews in this manner.

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Entertainment

Funny Photos: Congratulations to the New RSCs (Registered SIM Card Users)

Funny photos are making rounds on social media with the same theme: congratulations to the new RSCs (registered SIM card users)! LOL

Have you joined the RSCs?

Funny Photos of New RSCs Go Viral

As the SIM card registration law in the Philippines took effect on December 27, 2022, millions of Filipinos scrambled to register their SIM cards on the day, fearing that they might lose their numbers if they don’t do so.

funny photos
Photo credit: Banjoy Morningstar

It wasn’t surprising that the first day was marred with glitches – and so many users complained that they were unable to register their SIM cards no matter how many times they tried.

The telcos were forced to announce that they were having technical glitches, urging their subscribers to be patient as they try their best to improve their systems to accommodate the registrations.

funny photos
Photo credit: Jonell Jay Deyparine
funny photos
Photo credit: Liency Ansino

With so many people experiencing difficulties in registering their SIM cards on the first day, those who managed to do so quickly took to social media to announce their success – and many found creative ways to do.

Soon enough, social media became flooded with posts of photo cards and faux tarpaulins announcing a similar theme: congratulations to the new RSCs (registered SIM card) users!

funny photo
Photo credit: Roxan Segovia Carabio
funny photos
Photo credit: Fernan Suson Cabuso

Others had different ways to announce their successful registration, but most followed a similar format to that of supportive family members or friends supposedly congratulating them for their success.

It’s reminiscent of tarpaulins for board exam passers – but most of those who posted these photo cards and pseudo tarpaulins created it themselves. LOL.

funny photos
Photo credit: Jaynard Biene Rivero
funny photos
Photo credit: CGV The Explorer

At least, the board passer whose mom made her create her own tarpaulin won’t feel too bad because others are also doing it (but for completely hilarious reasons).

So, have you posted your own version to congratulate yourself for successfully registering your SIM card?

Photo credit: Leo Lauron
Photo credit: Leo Lauron
Photo credit: Leo Lauron

How to Register Your SIM Card in the Philippines?

Here’s a handy guide on how to register your SIM card for free from Business News Philippines.

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