TALKING to the TNT boys is a hoot and a half. They are so candid with a certain naivete that when they talk about even the most serious things, you still end up smiling. They are also animated when they tell their stories, like the one time they saw Chris Hemsworth in an airport. One demonstrated how his jaw fell to the floor, another showed how he just ended up pointing at him in awe, and the other member reenacted how he screamed and shouted “Thor!” at a pitch that only dogs can hear.
But when they sing, oh these boys can certainly sing. Composed of Mackie Empuerto, Keifer Sanchez and Francis Concepcion, the TNT boys are preparing for their international concert tour, titled TNT Boys Listen: The World Tour.
The boys shared they are busy rehearsing for the concert, practicing almost everyday. They want to make sure ticket holders will have a grand time during the concert, which is why they are making sure their signature renditions like Beyoncé’s “Listen” will be included in the repertoire. And why not? It is their rendition of this song and their other YouTube covers that made foreign audiences take note of them. They have made the rounds of different international shows, the most recent of which are The World’s Best and The Late Late Show with James Corden, the latter even paving the way for the boys to perform with their idol Ariana Grande.
Bongga, ’di ba?
But what makes these kids fabulous is that even when they are busy being the next Destiny’s Child or En Vogue, they are still able to prioritize their education as they recently participated in the moving-up ceremony at the Christian Filipino Academy.
Mackie, Keifer and Francis got certificates of excellence in Math, English and Araling Panlipunan, respectively.
And while doing all these, they were even able to squeeze in time to record a new single, titled “Together We Fly.” This will soon be released and may even be performed in their concert.
Derived from their first major concert in November 2018 which made them the youngest Filipino sold-out concert performers, the trio’s world tour kicked off at Chabot College in Hayward, California, on April 23, followed by The Theatre at Ace Hotel, Los Angeles, California, on April 25. They will also fly to Canada and perform at the Edmonton Expo Centre in Alberta on April 27.
They are taking along with them special guests: Filipino-American artists who have made a splash in the US, including child prodigy Angelica Hale (America’s Got Talent), pop and R&B singer Cheesa (The Voice) and musician Troy Laureta. Hip-hop dance group Str8jacket from World of Dance will also be giving special performances.
For more details, visit www.thetntboys.com.
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Dimples Romana drew from the lessons she learned as a mother of two kids in the latest read from ABS-CBN Books, Dimps Tips, featuring 52 essential life skills every mom needs to know.
Dimps Tips features four helpful categories—essential recipes, mindful mommy skills, time and financial management skills, and “me” time moments, which Dimples stressed to be all equally important.
The mom of Alonzo and Callie wrote: “We, naturally and willingly, put ourselves last when it comes to family. And that’s because a mother’s heart is selfless.”
However, she said that indulging in small luxuries, allowing yourself to relax, and giving in to what your heart needs at the moment also help a lot. “Believe me, I am a stronger, better mother when I take care of myself,” she said, identifying eight simple me time opportunities to take care of oneself.
Among the 20 essential recipes from Dimples’s kitchen are her salted egg shrimp, chili garlic crab, white tuna pasta and ginataang santol concoctions. She also included tips on cooking classic Pinoy favorites, such as adobo, sinigang, pancit and sisig.
There are 14 mindful mom skills in Dimps Tips. “Mindful motherhood is a great way to set the tone for your home and your family life. The practice of being mindful as a mother and as an individual will help in being more productive in life,” she penned.
The Kapamilya actress also revealed 10 time and money management skills she learned ever since she started her own family in June 2003. Among these are mastering to-do lists and having a long-term calendar with big dreams on it.
In between the life skills, the new author also shared her sensible advice for moms, and dads, as well. “Live in the moment. With the rise of social media and excess documentation of each moment we live day by day, we forget to just be. To be in the moment 100 percent.”