As we get ever so closer to the official relaunch of Billboard Philippines, it’s time to get to know the core team behind the authority in music.
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Music isn’t made with just a snap of a finger. Often, it requires someone or a team of individuals to make the magic happen. After all, behind your favorite bops and albums are people who turned empty noise into music. That much also applies when it comes to Billboard Philippines. As the authoritative music platform, Billboard PH will have its finger on the pulse of the new, next, and now in the local and international music scene when they return to the Philippines, under the direction of Modern Media Group Inc. (MMGI) through AGC Power Holdings Corp.
Billboard Philippines hopes to be a home for meaningful content that champions inclusivity, diversity, and global collaboration that will allow the discovery and rediscovery of music by Filipinos for Filipinos. And to do so, the publication will need a core team who will lay down the foundation for OPM to reach greater heights. That is why Billboard Philippines is bringing together a group of trailblazers who come from the varied industries of the local music scene to help lead the team. So, check out the four individuals who will serve as the key pillars for Billboard Philippines.
BRET JACKSON, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
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Bret Jackson is no stranger to the limelight. The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate has flexed his talents in the worlds of acting and music. But it’s the latter he’s proven most adept at. He was co-founder of the independent record label Paraisla, which is home to some of the hottest rising stars in OPM, and the production house 7640. Bret has worn many hats over the years, but his love for music has led him to take his biggest leap yet as the Editor-in-Chief (EIC) of Billboard Philippines.
Relocated from America to Dumaguete when he was 13 years old, Bret is as Pinoy as they come, especially when it comes to OPM. But his love for the art isn’t just relegated to the borders of the Metro, but all over the Philippines whose regions are as diverse as its music. “Hearing their stories really instilled in me a relentless feeling to want to do more for the people and places I loved. This led to becoming a full-time student of the Filipino music industry,” he narrates.
As EIC of Billboard Philippines, Bret hopes to use the platform to celebrate Filipino music in all its forms and showcase the best of every island to reach a global audience. For Bret, it’s a matter of rising above the noise and giving a space for Filipino music to reach its full potential. Under his watch, Billboard Philippines will become a bridge to help artists and labels collaborate to make the sweetest kind of music.
FRANCIS REYES, EDITOR-AT-LARGE
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Music runs through the DNA of Francis Reyes. After all, the OPM icon is not only recognized for his booming voice as one of the pioneering radio jocks for then-Philippine rock radio station NU107, but he’s also a phenomenal guitarist for the iconic Filipino rock band The Dawn. And after years of being in the thick of the local music industry, Francis brings his experience to Billboard Philippines as Editor-at-Large.
In the same way that he has used music to tell stories, so too will he with the content in Billboard Philippines. He shares, “The Philippine music landscape is healthy and diverse, encompassing countless scenes, communities, tastes, and perspectives. Billboard Philippines will hopefully be able to reflect, report, and create a roadmap of sorts for all audiences — local and international — as a resource. It won’t be easy, but we are excited to take on the challenges and help celebrate the triumphs of Philippine music.”
PAOLO VALENCIANO, EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
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Name an A-list OPM star and chances are Paolo Valenciano has worked with them. The noted creative has directed concerts for titans such as Bamboo, Eraserheads, Sarah Geronimo, Ben&Ben, Regine Velasquez, Sharon Cuneta, and more. And now, one of the most in-demand concert and event directors in the country becomes the Executive Producer for Billboard Philippines.
With his penchant and talent for elevating music to new visual heights and delivering core memory-worthy experiences, expect the creative maestro and Billboard Philippines to push the boundaries on what can be done both onstage and off. “I am so thrilled to be a part of such an iconic brand like Billboard. I’ve always believed that our local acts deserve to be on a global stage and this new era of Billboard Philippines will give our artists even more opportunities to be seen and heard,” he reveals.
ANTON MOLINA, PODCAST PRODUCER
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The audio experience isn’t complete without the podcast, which is an area that Billboard Philippines will not be lacking. And leading the charge for the publication will be Anton Molina, an experienced radio jock with years of expertise as an audio production head. Given the experience he brings to the role, Anton will help deliver podcasts under Billboard Philippines that will serve as a medium for Filipino musicians to connect with their music and life stories with audiences all over the world.
On what he hopes to see for Billboard Philippines, Anton shares, “I envision the brand to be a home for the latest in the local music stage and to be a place wherein a lot of fans discover artists or rediscover their love for other artists.”
Billboard Philippines is set to have its formal launch on October 2023. Catch the latest news and updates on Billboard Philippines at https://agcpowerholdingscorp.com/category/news/.
Styled By Gee Jocson
Assisted by Angelo Vasallo and Jason Mago
Special thanks to Vans Philippines
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