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  • Spotlight shines on Puregold Teatro Panalo’s 26 shortlisted one-act plays

    Spotlight shines on Puregold Teatro Panalo’s 26 shortlisted one-act plays


    From 373 original entries, Puregold Teatro Panalo has officially announced its shortlist
    of 26 one-act plays.


    Straight plays and musicals were sent from a whole host of theatrical practitioners, be they respected veterans of the scene or exciting up-and-comers. All of them took the chance to be part of the first ever Puregold Teatro Panalo, and now only 26 have advanced to the next stage of the selection process.


    Festival chair and Puregold senior marketing manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad spoke on the significance of the first ever shortlist. “We received a remarkable level of interest in the first Puregold Teatro Panalo,” Hayagan-Piedad said. “The volume and quality of submissions reflect the depth of Filipino talent and the continued vitality of the country’s theatrical community. Narrowing the entries down was a rigorous process, and the 26 represents a compelling mix of stories, perspectives, and creative voices with the potential to be brought to the stage.”


    The 26 shortlisted one-act plays of the Puregold Teatro Panalo include:


    STRAIGHT PLAYS


    ● “@Home” by Edralin Cabrera, Kathlyn Castillo, Michael Ian Lomongo, Marjorie
    Lorico, Maria Teresa Jamias, & J. Victor Villareal
    ● “Ang Huling Panawagan sa Pagdarasal” by Mubarak M. Tahir
    ● “Ang Pagbabalik ng Voltes V” by Neil Arkhe Azcuna
    ● “Mga Diwata IRL” by Jay M. Crisostomo IV
    ● “Nang Muli Kang Makakanta” by Ma. Angelica S. Chiuteña
    ● “Nothing But Dreams” by Ricardo C. Novenario
    ● “Palabas/Exit” by Angel Oclarit
    ● “Pax Silica” by Robert Arlou De Guzman
    ● “Silang mga Bayani’t Banal” by Anthony Kim Vergara
    ● “Soap Opera” by Jerry O’Hara
    ● “The Boy Foretold by the Stars” by Dolly Dulu
    ● “The Girl Scout Law” by Rhain Arabella Alcoriza
    ● “Trahedya ng Kamote” by Marjay S. Manalastas
    ● “True to Life” by John “Sweet” Lapus
    ● “Walang Maliit na Bagay” by Joshua Lim So
    ● “Youngstunna” by Jerom Andrei M. Canlas


    MUSICALS


    ● “Ang Maayong Balita Sumala Kang Bibo Bautista” by Jude Thaddeus M.
    Gitamondoc
    ● “At Bumaba Ang Mga Tala” by John Rey Tayag Magin
    ● “Baka Mali ang Tamaraw” by Emmanuel Benbinuto Antonio
    ● “City in Darkness: A Lockdown Musical” by Senedy Que
    ● “Feverish Time” by John Edrick R. Alcontado
    ● “Manang-Mana Nga!” by Steven Hotchkiss
    ● “Outside Looking In” by Timothy Carlo Racho & Michael Angelo Lopez
    ● “Tagpuan” by John Austin Perez
    ● “Tala” by Jiezl Virmy Chua
    ● “The Fourth Wall Has Fallen” by Heber Justin P. O’Hara


    Festival director Vincent de Jesus believes the shortlisted works demonstrate great
    promise for the festival.


    “It was difficult enough narrowing things down to 26 deserving one-act plays,” said de
    Jesus. “From this bunch, only the very best of the best will make it to the stage in February. The Puregold Teatro Panalo will be a showcase of the many talented Filipinos working in theater today and will be the breeding ground for many great works to come.”


    From the 26 shortlisted works, only 12 will be selected to form the inaugural festival’s lineup. Of those 12, there will be 8 straight plays and 4 musicals, all of which will be staged at the upcoming festival from February 20 to March 14, 2027.


    The selected playwrights will receive ₱100,000 in financial compensation on top of development and production support from festival organizers Wishbone Collective Inc.


    At the end of the festival, one straight play and one musical will receive development grants set to turn these one-act plays into full-length theatrical productions

  • Tiffany & The Jets Bring the Soundtrack of Our Youth Back to Manila

    Tiffany & The Jets Bring the Soundtrack of Our Youth Back to Manila


    There’s a certain kind of magic that only the 1980s can still deliver. The big hair. The neon lights. The pure, unfiltered rush of a song that made you feel invincible at 15 and somehow still does decades later. On February 16, 2027, that magic is coming home to Manila.


    Two of the most beloved names of the late-’80s pop era, Tiffany and The Jets, will share the stage for one night only at The Theatre at Solaire. Presented by NP Asia Inc., the concert is more than a show, it’s a reunion with the version of ourselves who once blasted these songs through cassette players, danced in living rooms, and believed every lyric was written just for us.

    Tiffany Darwish was only 15 when she stepped into the spotlight and never really left it. Her cover of “I Think We’re Alone Now” knocked Michael Jackson off the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1987. Then came “Could’ve Been,” a heartbreak ballad so pure it still stops people mid-conversation. At 16 she became the youngest female artist to top the Billboard 200 with a debut album. The mall tours. The big sweaters. The unmistakable voice that could turn a simple pop song into something that felt personal. Later came “All This Time,” the track that gave this night its quiet emotional center, a song about looking back, holding on, and realizing some feelings never really fade.


    Then there are The Jets. Eight brothers and sisters from the Wolfgramm family, Tongan-American kids raised in Minneapolis who turned family harmony into chart gold. “Crush on You” still makes people smile the second that synth line kicks in. “You Got It All,” with Elizabeth Wolfgramm’s impossibly mature vocals (she was barely a teenager), became a quiet anthem for anyone who ever felt seen by a song. “Make It Real.” “Rocket 2 U.” “Cross My Broken Heart.”

    Their music was pure joy, danceable, heartfelt, and full of that unmistakable 80s optimism.
    These two acts once shared stages in the late 1980s. Now, almost four decades later, they’re sharing one again,.this time in Manila.

    Expect the hits, of course. Tiffany’s “I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Could’ve Been,” and “All This Time.” The Jets’ “Crush on You,” “You Got It All,” “Make It Real,” and “Rocket 2 U.” But more than the setlist, expect the feeling. The kind of night where strangers sing every word together. Where someone in the row behind you quietly cries during a ballad. Where you catch yourself smiling at a memory you didn’t know you still carried.


    It’s the kind of concert that doesn’t just entertain, it time-travels. For a couple of hours, the years between then and now shrink. You remember the first crush. The school dances. The car rides with the windows down and the volume up. And somehow, standing in a modern theater in Entertainment City, it all feels close again.

    The Theatre at Solaire has hosted its share of big nights, but this one feels different. It’s intimate enough to feel personal, grand enough to match the songs. Doors open for an 8:00 PM start on February 16, 2027. Tickets are available through TicketWorld.


    There’s also a Cebu stop on February 11 at the IC3 Convention Center, billed as “Love on Stage”, a pre-Valentine’s night with the same nostalgic spirit. For many, the Manila date will be the one that feels like the main event.

    In a music landscape that moves faster every year, there’s something quietly radical about nights like this. No heavy production gimmicks. No attempt to reinvent the past. Just two artists who helped define an era, still standing, still singing the songs that raised a generation.
    All this time later, the voices are still there. The melodies still land. And for one night in Manila, the 1980s get to feel brand new again.


    Some concerts you go to because the artist is hot right now..This one you go to because the songs never stopped mattering.


    February 16, 2027.
    The Theatre at Solaire.
    Tiffany & The Jets.


    Bring the people who grew up on these songs with you. The night will do the rest.

    Get your tickets here:

    https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=TIFFTJ27

  • ena mori, SHNTI Put Filipino Indie in the Spotlight at Taiwan’s Golden Indie Music Awards

    ena mori, SHNTI Put Filipino Indie in the Spotlight at Taiwan’s Golden Indie Music Awards

    Filipino indie artists ena mori and SHNTI are taking their music beyond Philippine borders, earning nominations at Taiwan’s 17th Golden Indie Music Awards (GIMA) in a year that marks the awards’ most competitive edition yet.

    ena mori’s Ore and SHNTI’s Melting PT. are among five works nominated for Best Asian Creative Artist, a category recognizing original music from artists across Asia outside Taiwan. They join KIKI’s Death of a Daisy & Birth of an Oyster, N.Y.P.D. 南洋派對’s DON’T LIKE 我鍾意, and NAMDO CALLING—Jung Eunhye, CADEJO and Yechan Kim’s NAMDO CALLING.

    The significance of the nominations is amplified by the category’s record-breaking turnout. A total of 105 entries from artists outside Taiwan were submitted for Best Asian Creative Artist, making this year’s field the largest in the category’s history.

    For ena mori and SHNTI, the nominations place two distinct Filipino voices within a broader Asian independent music conversation, one increasingly defined by genre-crossing sounds, different languages, cultural influences, and artists pushing beyond conventional boundaries.

    The 17th GIMA received 4,242 submissions overall, with this year’s nominees spanning alternative pop, jazz, electronic music, hip-hop, and other forms of contemporary independent music. The awards reflect the diversity of a regional music scene where artists are bringing distinctly local perspectives into an increasingly interconnected landscape.

    That idea is reflected in this year’s theme, “觸 TRUE.” Combining the Taiwanese character 觸 (chù), referring to being emotionally moved or deeply affected, with the English word “TRUE,” the theme centers on authenticity and music’s ability to resonate across cultural and geographical borders.

    Fang Q, bassist of Taiwanese band Cosmos People and chair of this year’s jury, noted the record-breaking number of submissions as a reflection of the vitality and diversity of Taiwan’s contemporary music landscape.

    Among the biggest names in this year’s field is Taiwanese band Sunset Rollercoaster, whose album QUIT QUIETLY earned nominations for Best Album, Best Band, and Best Alternative Pop Album. Its track “Bluebird” is also nominated for Best Alternative Pop Song, while Tseng Kuo Hung is in contention for Best Singer-songwriter for QUIT QUIETLY.

    The nominations further underline the breadth of Taiwan’s independent music scene, where artists continue to move between genres, languages, and creative traditions.

    Beyond the competitive categories, the Jury Award will go to Yuhan Su for Over The Moons, while the GIMA Impact Award will recognize Blue Note Taipei and founder Tsai Bop for their contributions to Taiwan’s jazz culture and live music community.

    Before the awards ceremony, GIMA LIVE will bring the nominees to the stage on October 21 and 22 at CORNER MAX in Taipei. The official showcase will feature the finalists for Best Live Performance, with the category’s winner determined following the performances.

    The 17th Golden Indie Music Awards Ceremony will take place at 7 p.m. on October 31 at the Taipei Music Center, with a livestream available for international audiences.

    For ena mori and SHNTI, the nominations arrive at a moment when independent music in Asia is becoming increasingly difficult to define by borders alone. Their inclusion among this year’s Best Asian Creative Artist finalists gives Filipino indie another point of entry into that conversation, putting Ore and Melting PT. alongside works representing the region’s expanding range of sounds, languages, and stories.

  • One Zone Music Fest Brings 1Z Entertainment’s Filipino Music Vision to the Araneta Coliseum

    One Zone Music Fest Brings 1Z Entertainment’s Filipino Music Vision to the Araneta Coliseum

    What began as a vision to build a home for Filipino artists is set to take shape on a much larger scale as 1Z Entertainment stages its first-ever music festival, One Zone Music Fest (OZF), on October 24 and 25 at the Araneta Coliseum.

    Bringing together SB19, XONARA, J2X, and special guests, the two-day festival is designed to be more than a showcase of 1Z Entertainment’s roster. It is an extension of the company’s larger vision for Filipino music and creativity: a space where artists can experiment, collaborate, and introduce different sides of their artistry while sharing the same stage.

    “For us, it was already such a dream to be able to start and build our company, 1Z Entertainment, but to even touch lives and help create a future of longevity for Filipino creatives and Filipino music is something truly special,” 1Z Entertainment president Pablo says.

    That spirit of collaboration is central to the festival’s first day. Rather than following a conventional artist-by-artist concert format, OZF will bring together 1Z Entertainment’s artists through subunit performances, solo stages, special collaborations, and surprise appearances. The format gives the artists room to move beyond their established identities and explore what happens when different creative voices occupy the same space.

    For J2X, that opportunity is just as meaningful behind the scenes as it is onstage.

    “Sobrang thankful namin sa 1Z Entertainment, SB19 dahil nabibigyan kami ng ganitong platform. More than yung performances namin as artists, meron pang subunits na mapapakita kung gaano kagaling at ka-close ang mga artists ng 1Z Entertainment,” J2X says.

    XONARA’s Megumi likewise sees the festival as an opportunity to celebrate the relationships that have developed within and beyond the 1Z Entertainment roster.

    “The great thing about this festival is that it goes beyond just promoting us as artists but also the camaraderie it upholds by collaborating with different artists. And us in XONARA, we’re excited also to share a platform and stage with people we admire,” she says.

    The collaborative spirit extends to the festival’s special guests, with each 1Z Entertainment artist given the opportunity to share the stage with artists they admire. The result is a lineup designed not only around individual performances but around the possibilities created when artists meet, experiment, and build something together.

    Adding another layer to Day 1 are five individual 45-minute sets from SB19 members Pablo, Josh, Stell, FELIP, and justin. Rather than presenting SB19 solely as a collective, the individual stages put each member’s artistry under the spotlight, allowing fans to experience the distinct musical identities they have developed alongside the group.

    If Day 1 expands the idea of what an artist-centered festival can be, Day 2 turns inward toward the community that made much of that journey possible.

    October 25 will mark SB19’s eighth anniversary, with the group dedicating the second day of One Zone Music Fest to A’TIN. The anniversary celebration will feature games, activities, surprises, and special moments built around the community that has accompanied SB19 throughout its rise.

    “Of course, we’ll never forget about A’TIN. Yes, we’re celebrating One Zone Fest, but of course, we also like to celebrate the community that brought us here. That’s why the second day is dedicated to them. We’ll make sure the second day is a fun experience for them,” Stell says.

    Taken together, the two days reflect the dual purpose behind One Zone Music Fest: to look ahead at where Filipino music and its creative community can go, while also acknowledging the people and relationships that made that future possible.

    For 1Z Entertainment, the festival is ultimately a statement of intent. It puts its artists in one venue, but more importantly, places collaboration, individuality, and Filipino creativity at the center of the conversation.

    One Zone Music Fest takes place on October 24 and 25, 2026, at the Araneta Coliseum. Day 1 will feature 1Z Entertainment subunits, special guests, collaborations, and individual performances, while Day 2 will celebrate SB19’s eighth anniversary with A’TIN.

    Tickets are available through TicketNet.

  • Belle, Pip, Christian, Bituin & Bobot: A Night of Standards Across Generations

    Belle, Pip, Christian, Bituin & Bobot: A Night of Standards Across Generations

    Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz is going standard once more, and this time with a repeat that feels even more special.


    At 71, the veteran actor, director, and lifelong crooner proved it’s never too late to chase a dream when he staged his first solo concert, Goin’ Standard, on June 13 at the intimate Proscenium Theater in Rockwell. The night was packed, the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra soared under Maestro Rodel Colmenar, and the audience, mostly people who grew up with him, left smiling, nostalgic, and a little misty-eyed.​

    Now he’s doing it again.


    On Saturday, October 10 at 7 PM, Goin’ Standard The Repeat returns to the same elegant stage. Same warm, unpretentious spirit. Same love for the timeless standards that first put a teenage Bobot on the map as a Tawag ng Tanghalan champion way back in 1967. Different generations sharing one stage for one night of pure, heartfelt music.​

    Bobot has always said he knows people aren’t necessarily there just to hear him sing, they’re there because they love him. That humility is part of his charm. He still delivers the Sinatra and Bennett classics with that familiar gentle smoothness, the same voice that once made crowds scream the opening line of “My Pledge of Love.” This time, the guests make the evening even richer.


    Tirso Cruz III (Pip) is back, a longtime friend, fellow veteran, and easy chemistry partner from the first show. Their shared numbers last June felt like old barkada just hanging out and having fun with the classics.


    Christian Bautista brings that polished, romantic power that blends so well with the standards. Expect smooth, heartfelt moments that bridge the generations.


    Bituin Escalante adds soul and depth. Her voice has that lived-in richness that turns a ballad into something that settles right in your chest.


    And then there’s Belle Mariano, young, radiant, and already deep in rehearsals with Direk Bobot. Watching her share the stage with him feels like a full-circle moment: the new generation meeting the man who started it all with pure song. Different eras, same love for melody.​


    The first concert had its own beautiful lineup, Klarisse de Guzman, Alexa Ilacad, Julie Anne San Jose, daughter Calin Mortiz, plus the powerhouse duo of Christopher de Leon and Tirso Cruz III. Vilma Santos even sent a video greeting, teasing that she’d join if there was ever a repeat. The room was full of family, old friends, and people who simply wanted to celebrate a man who’s spent more than five decades making Filipino entertainment warmer and more human.​

    This October night carries that same spirit forward. It’s not a flashy production chasing trends. It’s Bobot doing what he’s always loved, singing the songs that never go out of style, surrounded by people who get it, in a theater that feels just the right size for real connection.


    Tickets are available through TicketWorld. If you were there in June, you already know why it’s worth going back. If you missed it, this is your chance to sit in a room full of people who still believe good songs and genuine hearts never get old.


    Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz is still going standard. And somehow, it still feels brand new

    Tickets are available here:

    https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=EDGARMTR26

  • SM Prime Live Venues posts over 1M Visitors on Strong Event Demand

    SM Prime Live Venues posts over 1M Visitors on Strong Event Demand

    SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) continued to see strong demand across its major live entertainment venues, driven by a steady pipeline of concerts, sporting events and family shows, as well as the opening of the SM Seaside Cebu Arena.

    As of August 2026, the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena, SM Seaside Cebu Arena and SMDC Festival Grounds welcomed over 1 million visitors, a 52 percent increase from approximately 710,000 visitors in the same period last year.

    SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay continues its strong 2026 lineup, with more performances and sold-out shows set for 2027.
     

    The double-digit growth reflects the continued strong demand for live entertainment in the Philippines, further supported by the addition of SM Seaside Cebu Arena to SM Prime’s growing venue portfolio.

    “Our venues provide Filipino audiences with a complete experience before, during and after a live event,” said Jeffrey C. Lim, president of SM Prime. “With dining, retail, entertainment and other amenities within easy reach, we are able to extend the experience beyond the event itself while creating more value across our properties.”

    More than 110 shows were staged at the SM MOA Arena from January to August, showing up to 20% increase during the same period in 2025.

    SM Seaside Cebu Arena has also made a strong start since its official opening in July, with sold-out opening concerts by BINI and IV of Spades.

    The momentum is expected to continue through the final months of the year. At the SM MOA Arena, upcoming sold-out shows include performances by Regine Velasquez, Silent Sanctuary and 5 Seconds of Summer.

    Tickets are also on sale for Jason Mraz, Wave to Earth, and LE SSERAFIM, along with 34 performances of Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance!

    In the SM Cebu Arena, the upcoming lineup includes Bida Sa Arena, Premier Volleyball League (PVL) and Spikers’ Turf, East Asia Super League and LANY, as well as 14 performances of Disney On Ice presents Let’s Dance!

    SM Prime-managed venues are also building their 2027 calendar. Major events already announced include Westlife’s anniversary tour, The Script’s sold-out three-show run, Maroon 5’s Asia 2027 tour and BIGBANG at the SMDC Festival Grounds in Manila, as well as the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup in Cebu.

  • Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal Returns in 2027: Here’s Why It Still Hits

    Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal Returns in 2027: Here’s Why It Still Hits

    Two decades later, Zsazsa Zaturnnah remains the queer icon the Philippines deserves


    What happens when a shy gay beautician swallows a magical stone from outer space? In the hands of Filipino creator Carlo Vergara, the answer is pure magic: a towering, red-haired superheroine named Zsazsa Zaturnnah is born—glamorous, powerful, and unapologetically fabulous.


    It has been twenty years since Zsazsa first exploded into Philippine popular culture, and she has never felt more necessary. First introduced in Vergara’s self-published 2002 graphic novel Ang Kagila-gilalas na Pakikipagsapalaran ni Zsazsa Zaturnnah (The Spectacular Adventures of Zsazsa Zaturnnah), the character reached a wider audience through the 2006 stage musical and live-action film. Two decades on, her beauty, power, and irrepressible spirit continue to inspire.


    At the heart of the story is Ada, a soft-spoken gay man living a quiet life in a small town. When he swallows a mysterious pink meteor, he transforms into Zsazsa Zaturnnah, a voluptuous, high-kicking superheroine who battles zombies, alien invaders, and the man-hating Queen Femina Suarestellar Baroux from Planet XXX. The premise is pure camp, but the emotional core is deeply personal. Ada’s everyday struggles, searching for love, facing homophobia from society and even a zombified version of his own father, remain woven into every spectacular adventure.


    Vergara has always said the story grew from a personal place. In a 2020 interview with When in Manila, he reflected on why the character refuses to fade: “May timeless quality siya. A lot of the concerns sa libro about LGBTs, not just LGBT, but also about women, about love, favorite topic natin yung love, nandiyan pa rin siya. Hindi siya nawawala.” He added, almost with a sigh, “Sad to say, habang nandiyan pa rin yung mga problema, hindi talaga mag-eexpire yung relevance ni Zaturnnah.”


    That relevance has only deepened. Zsazsa has become more than a comic-book creation. She is a lasting symbol for LGBTQIA+ Filipinos fighting for representation, equal rights, and simple survival in a society that can still be casually cruel. Writer Alain Tavita once described her as “an everlasting symbol to the LGBTQ+ members and their mass fights for representation, equal rights, and survival.” Her design, bold, feminine, larger-than-life, has both drawn from and inspired local drag culture, turning the character into a living emblem of queer joy and resilience.


    Across every adaptation, Zsazsa has carried that spirit forward. On the pages of Vergara’s meticulously drawn komiks, on the big screen where Zsa Zsa Padilla embodied her in the 2006 film Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh, and especially on stage in the beloved musical, she has given Philippine audiences a rare and joyful reflection of the local gay experience. A recent animated feature directed by Avid Liongoren has further expanded her universe, proving the story still sparks new creative energy more than two decades later.


    One of the most distinctly Filipino gifts Zsazsa offers is her humor. The story is packed with the sharp, self-aware “bakla” comedy that has long been a survival tool in queer communities. Vergara understands this instinctively. “Siguro comedy… that’s how we deal sa mga problema, concerns,” he has said. “So in a way, it’s a means for us to process things.” Through laughter, spectacle, and pure heart, Zsazsa turns pain into power and makes the fight for dignity feel both urgent and deliciously fun.


    Now the icon is preparing for another triumphant return. A major revival of Zsazsa Zaturnnah Ze Muzikal is set to run at Shooting Gallery Studios from April to June 2027 under Wishbone Collective. The production reunites an all-star creative team: playwright Chris Martinez handling the theatrical adaptation, award-winning lyricist and composer Vincent A. De Jesus as musical director, and director Chris Millado, the former artistic director of Tanghalang Pilipino whose previous work on the show helped make it a landmark of Philippine theater.


    Twenty years after she first dazzled audiences, Zsazsa Zaturnnah still stands tall, wigs flying, fists raised, heart wide open. In a country that continues to wrestle with questions of acceptance, belonging, and love, she remains exactly the queer icon the Philippines has always deserved: fierce, funny, fabulous, and utterly, unapologetically herself.

  • Where Asia’s Hitmakers Write Together: Inside FILSCAP’s Songwriting Master Camp 2026

    Where Asia’s Hitmakers Write Together: Inside FILSCAP’s Songwriting Master Camp 2026

    In the quiet luxury of Kamana Sanctuary Spa Resort in Subic, something special is unfolding. Songwriters and hitmakers from across Asia have traded their usual studios and stages for open sessions, shared notebooks, and the kind of creative energy that only happens when talented people are given space to simply create.


    It’s Day 2 of FILSCAP Asia’s Songwriting Master Camp 2026, and the ideas that were still sparks yesterday are already turning into melodies, lyrics, and complete new songs.


    Hosted by the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP), this four-day gathering has brought together established songwriters from India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. These are not beginners or hopefuls. These are working professionals, people who have written the songs that play on the radio, fill arenas, and become part of the soundtrack of everyday life in their home countries.


    What makes the camp different is the intentional mix of cultures and musical languages in the room. A melody that starts with a Korean pop sensibility might find its emotional core in a Filipino ballad tradition. A rhythmic idea from India can sit comfortably beside a Thai melodic phrase. Indonesian storytelling meets Japanese precision. The result is not forced fusion, but something more natural: songs that carry the fingerprints of multiple cultures while still feeling cohesive and true.


    On this second day, the participants are deep in the work. They’re divided into writing groups, bouncing ideas back and forth, refining hooks, testing lyrics against melodies, and discovering which combinations click. Some songs arrive quickly. Others take longer, requiring patience and the willingness to throw out good ideas in search of better ones. The atmosphere is focused but open, collaborative rather than competitive.


    The camp continues through October 6, giving the writers enough time to shape, revise, and polish their new material. Then, on October 7, the songs will leave the writing rooms and step into the light during Showcase Night, where they will be performed live for the first time.


    FILSCAP’s approach with this camp is clear. It is not simply about bringing international songwriters to the Philippines for a photo opportunity or a networking event. It is about creating the conditions for real creative exchange, giving talented people the time, the setting, and the freedom to write together. In an industry that often moves too fast and measures success by streams and charts, this kind of intentional, unhurried collaboration feels increasingly rare and valuable.


    For a few days in Subic, the usual boundaries of language, market, and genre are secondary. What matters is the song taking shape in the room, the shared excitement when a chorus finally lands, and the quiet recognition that music remains one of the most natural bridges between cultures.
    By the time Showcase Night arrives, the songs written here will carry more than just melodies and lyrics. They will carry the spirit of this gathering—proof that when songwriters from across Asia sit down together with open minds and open hearts, something new and lasting can emerge.

  • Ben&Ben to Bring ‘Saranggola: The Concert’ to Cebu in 2027

    Ben&Ben to Bring ‘Saranggola: The Concert’ to Cebu in 2027

    The band’s major Cebu show will celebrate friendship, memories, and the road ahead with their Liwanag.

    Fresh from a sold-out show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Ben&Ben is taking Saranggola: The Concert to Cebu.

    The multi-awarded folk-pop band will bring the special concert to SM Seaside Cebu Arena on April 10, 2027, marking their first performance at the newly opened venue and coming just a month before they celebrate their 10th anniversary.

    The Cebu show will give the band’s Liwanag another chance to experience Saranggola, a concert concept shaped by months of looking back on Ben&Ben’s nine-year journey — from playing intimate gigs in small bars to filling arenas and bringing their music to audiences around the world.

    “We are truly excited to go back to Cebu for yet another major show. Saranggola: The Concert is very special to us, so we would like to share its magic with as many Liwanag as we possibly can,” Ben&Ben said.

    The announcement comes on the heels of the band’s three-hour Araneta show, where they performed more than 30 songs in a career-spanning set that moved backward through their discography, from 2024’s The Traveller Across Dimensions to Pebble House, Vol. 1: Kuwaderno and Limasawa Street. The band also surprised fans with a setlist not revealed ahead of the show, along with a fan-request segment.

    Rather than ending the night with their usual closer, “Ride Home,” Ben&Ben opened the concert with “Ride Home (Reimagined),” making their way through the center aisle of the packed arena before taking the stage.

    The show also carried a more personal significance for the band as it served as a sendoff for drummer Jam Villanueva, who is set to leave Ben&Ben at the end of 2026. Villanueva announced her departure last year after De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, also known as Drummer’s Wrist, affected her ability to play the drums.

    In an emotional message to the audience, Villanueva reflected on the years she had spent with the band and the fans who had grown alongside them.

    “We love you. We love every single one of you,” she told the crowd, thanking them for spending the night with the band and describing the concert as a celebration not only of their music, but also of their friendship.

    She also turned to her bandmates to express her gratitude for their support throughout the years, making the moment one of the night’s most poignant reminders of the relationships at the heart of Ben&Ben’s story.

    The concert eventually closed with “Saranggola,” with Villanueva leaving her percussion setup to take the drum kit for an extended performance of the song — her final time playing drums at a major Ben&Ben concert. She will continue fulfilling the band’s remaining commitments through the end of the year.

    That sense of looking back while moving forward is at the heart of Saranggola: The Concert. As Ben&Ben approaches its 10th anniversary, the Cebu show offers another opportunity to celebrate everything the band and its fans have built together, while turning toward whatever comes next.

    For Cebu’s Liwanag, the April 10 concert will mark a new chapter in that journey — this time on the stage of SM Seaside Cebu Arena, which opened in June and can accommodate up to 25,000 guests.

    Saranggola: The Concert in Cebu is presented by Karpos Multimedia and Sony Music Philippines. Tickets will be announced soon.

  • The Itchyworms Bring Their Filipino Rock Sound to Three Kansai Cities in Japan

    The Itchyworms Bring Their Filipino Rock Sound to Three Kansai Cities in Japan

    The Filipino rock veterans return to Japan for a three-city Kansai run spanning Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe.

    The Itchyworms are back in Japan, and this time, they’re taking their songs across three cities in the Kansai region.

    Following a successful Osaka run in 2023, the Filipino rock band returns for a special three-city tour this October, bringing their live set to Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe. The tour opened October 4 at Panhead Groove in Osaka, where the band represented the Philippines at the Kansai Music Conference, an international gathering of artists and audiences from across the globe.

    The band continues its Japan run October 5 at Kyoto MUSE, sharing the stage with fellow Filipino singer-songwriter Reese Lansangan and Los Angeles-based artist Ariel. The show is presented by Pintig Productions. The following night, The Itchyworms will make their Kobe debut at Live Music Club Padoma, once again joining Lansangan for another night of live music.

    Japan has increasingly become a familiar stop for The Itchyworms. The band has made a point of returning nearly every year, following their Osaka appearance in 2023 with shows in Tokyo and Saitama, then Nagoya the following year. With more cities still on their wish list — including Okinawa, Fukuoka, and potentially Hokkaido — the band’s relationship with Japanese audiences continues to grow.

    For this Kansai run, however, The Itchyworms are dialing things back. Rather than bringing an elaborate production, the band is presenting a more stripped-down set built around the musicians, their instruments, and the songs themselves — a format that puts the songwriting and chemistry of one of the Philippines’ most enduring rock bands front and center.

    Three cities, three nights, and another chapter in The Itchyworms’ growing Japan story.

    Remaining schedule:
    Kyoto — October 5 (Monday)
    Kyoto MUSE
    Tickets: https://peatix.com/event/5166570
    Kobe — October 6 (Tuesday)
    Live Music Club Padoma
    Tickets: https://peatix.com/event/5166611

    #AkinKaNaLangJAPAN2026

  • Authentic vibes, self-expression, and bold flavors take center stage at the Bonchon Fanverse with XONARA!

    Authentic vibes, self-expression, and bold flavors take center stage at the Bonchon Fanverse with XONARA!

    P-Pop girl group XONARA showcased what authentic, flavorful vibes taste like at their first-ever Bonchon Fanverse in SM Fairview, following the successful launch of their brand ambassadorship for the Eat 7 campaign.


    As the new faces of the original Korean chicken favorite of Filipinos, XONARA brings to life the seven classic Korean ‘chikin’ flavors of Bonchon—each matching the members’ distinct vibes and personalities. Lucky fans got to indulge in the ultimate fan meet experience, enjoying up-close interactions and memorable moments with XONARA.


    Every XONARA member brings one Bonchon flavor to life with an undeniable vibe: Eurekah’s bold and creative spirit shines through “Soy Garlic,” while Dominique’s fearless edge finds its perfect match in “Honey Citrus.” Lei embodies the fiery, confident character of “Spicy,” Namie brings her signature bubbly energy to “Crunchy Garlic,” and Tin’s ambitious, passionate drive naturally pairs with “BYN Bonchon Yangnyeom.” Ella’s effortless grace captures the elegance of “Snow Cheese,” and Megumi delivers a punch of sassiness with “Golden Crunch.”


    The “EAT 7” campaign highlights Bonchon’s seven crave-worthy flavors crafted to suit every mood and taste, showcasing Bonchon’s signature Korean chicken expertise through OG flavors that continue to champion Filipinos’ love for variety, self-expression, and unique experiences.

    You can still catch XONARA’s latest EAT 7 video ad here and discover which of the seven flavors fit your vibe.

    “We believe that everyone has their own unique vibe, and that’s what makes each of us special. Through Bonchon’s EAT 7 campaign, we get to celebrate our different personalities and express ourselves in our own flavorful ways. We hope our fans are inspired to embrace who they are, find the flavors that match their vibe, and always remember that being yourself makes you shine,” said Eurekah, the girl group’s leader and main rapper.


    From fun surprises to an intimate Q&A session, XONARA brought the hype and served up unforgettable moments with lucky fans who won Bonchon’s Fanverse raffle. The event brought together Bonchon’s signature Korean-inspired taste and XONARA’s fresh P-pop energy, giving the fans a unique experience like no other.


    XONARA then upped the ante with a surprise drop of Bonchon’s new “Blind Box” where fans can get a free XONARA Exclusive Premium Item when they order any of the featured meals from participating Bonchon stores: 2pc Chicken + Café Koreano (or any drink), Dosirak Meal + Café Koreano (or any drink), or the Bonchon Fanverse Meal featuring Chicken Rack with Cheese Balls and Tteokbokki. The excitement doesn’t stop here! Fans can also take their Fanverse experience to the next level by signing up and posting a TikTok video for a chance to meet and greet XONARA this November 2026.


    The undisputed highlight of the day was a chaotic and hilarious game of “Who’s Most Likely To.” The XONARA members let their guard down, teasing each other and showing off the genuine, endearing group dynamics that have quickly earned them a dedicated fanbase.


    To close out the successful launch, fans were treated to a Meet & Greet and Photo Op, securing photocard-worthy moments with the new ambassadors.


    “Welcoming XONARA to the Bonchon family was an incredible experience. Seeing the energy, passion, and excitement of the fans firsthand showed us just how powerful this connection is. Bonchon has always been about bringing people together over great food, and we’re thrilled to give fans a memorable way to celebrate their vibes with their favorite idols,” said Scott Tan, Managing Director of Bonchon Philippines.

  • CALLING ALL EYEKONS! CHECK OUT THE TRAILER AND KEY ART FOR THE DOCUMENTARY FILM “KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS” STREAMING OCTOBER 16 ON DISNEY+

    CALLING ALL EYEKONS! CHECK OUT THE TRAILER AND KEY ART FOR THE DOCUMENTARY FILM “KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS” STREAMING OCTOBER 16 ON DISNEY+

    Disney+ released the official trailer and key art for the upcoming documentary film “KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS”, streaming October 16 on Disney+ Philippines.

    The release of “KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS” on Disney+ follows the limited theatrical run and the kickoff of KATSEYE: THE WILDWORLD TOUR earlier this month, as well as the release of the third EP WILD, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200.

    “KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS” takes audiences inside the global girl group’s bold new era, celebrating the fans who helped make it possible. Featuring never-before-seen footage, EYEKONS fan videos, and intimate interviews with the group, the film explores the powerful bond between KATSEYE and their global fandom. From the intense pressure of Dream Academy to chart-topping viral success, audiences experience the highs, setbacks, sacrifices, and breakthrough moments that shaped KATSEYE’s rise to global pop stardom. A love letter to EYEKONS, “KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS” reveals why their story is only just beginning.

    “KATSEYE: WILD HEARTS” is produced by Interscope Films and Boardwalk Pictures, in partnership with HYBE x Geffen, and directed by Nadia Hallgren.

  • Asia’s Songwriters Converge in the Philippines for FILSCAP’s Asia’s Songwriting Master Camp 2026

    Asia’s Songwriters Converge in the Philippines for FILSCAP’s Asia’s Songwriting Master Camp 2026


    This October, the Philippines becomes a creative crossroads for some of Asia’s most accomplished songwriters and music creators. From October 4 to 7, FILSCAP Asia’s Songwriting Master Camp 2026 will bring together talent from India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam for four intensive days of collaboration.


    These aren’t beginners or workshop attendees learning the basics. They are established hitmakers and seasoned creators representing their countries’ music industries. Instead of sitting through lectures, they will step into shared songwriting rooms to trade ideas, blend distinct musical influences, personal stories, and cultural perspectives, and write new original songs together.


    The format deliberately moves past the traditional songwriting workshop. Organized by the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP), the Master Camp prioritizes genuine cross-border collaboration. The Philippines serves as both host country and creative backdrop, positioning itself as a regional meeting point for Asian music creators.


    Over the four days, participants will develop original material that reflects the diversity of the group, melodies, rhythms, and narratives that could only emerge from this mix of backgrounds. The process culminates on October 7 with Showcase Night, when the songs written during the camp receive their first live performances. Audiences will hear brand-new tracks born from these international sessions, performed for the first time on stage.


    FILSCAP, established in 1965 and accredited by the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines, has long protected the rights of Filipino songwriters, composers, and publishers while advocating for creators through its #iValueMusic campaign. This Master Camp continues that mission on a broader scale. It follows a busy year for the organization that already included its Master Lecture Series and Songwriter’s Night Select earlier in 2026, initiatives that spotlighted both established and emerging local talent.


    For a Philippine music scene gaining increasing international attention, the gathering offers more than a one-off event. It creates space for lasting professional relationships and potential future collaborations across Asia. In an industry where songs often travel faster than the people who write them, putting creators from ten different markets in the same room for several days is a rare and valuable opportunity.


    The result should be a set of original songs that carry traces of multiple cultures while remaining true to the collaborative spirit of the camp. Whether those tracks later find their way onto playlists, stages, or recordings across the region, the connections formed in the Philippines this October are likely to linger longer than any single session.


    A rare concentration of Asian songwriting talent, new collaborations, and original music, all unfolding in the Philippines. The stages are set, the rooms are ready, and the songs are about to be written.


  • KAIA Leads “Made in the Philippines” Spotlight at Music Matters Live Singapore

    KAIA Leads “Made in the Philippines” Spotlight at Music Matters Live Singapore


    Filipino girl group KAIA takes P-Pop to Singapore this weekend, leading the “Made in the Philippines” spotlight at Music Matters Live as the group continues.a series of appearances bringing Filipino music to audiences at home and
    abroad.


    KAIA will take the Music Matters Live Mainstage at Clarke Quay on October 3, joining fellow Filipino girl group PIX!E under the Philippine spotlight presented by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.


    The appearance brings KAIA before an international audience at one of Singapore’s music showcase festivals, while giving the group another opportunity to represent the growing P-Pop movement alongside fellow Filipino artists.


    The Philippine presence continues on October 4 with Lola Amour, bringing another side of contemporary Filipino music to the Music Matters Live stage.


    From Manila to Singapore
    The Singapore weekend follows KAIA’s recent participation in CREATE Philippines x.Manila International Performing Arts Market (MIPAM) and the ASEAN Creative Industries Expo, two platforms that brought together artists, creative professionals,.cultural leaders, and industry stakeholders around the growth and internationalization of.the creative industries.


    Through these appearances, KAIA has become part of a wider conversation around Filipino music and performing arts as creative exports, demonstrating how homegrown artists can reach audiences and opportunities beyond the Philippines.


    The direction echoes broader efforts to take Filipino creative content beyond domestic
    and diaspora audiences and reach wider international markets.


    Bringing the P-Pop Music & Culture Caravan to Singapore


    KAIA’s Singapore weekend goes beyond the Music Matters Live stage. On October 4, the group will join PIX!E for the Singapore edition of the P-Pop Music & Culture Caravan at lyf Funan, bringing P-Pop closer to audiences through performances, workshops, activities, a marketplace, and opportunities to interact with the artists.


    The Caravan offers a more immersive side of the P-Pop experience, giving audiences an opportunity not only to watch Filipino artists perform but also to experience the music, culture, and community surrounding the movement.


    Presented by National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Music Matters Live, and BSE, with the Philippine Embassy in Singapore, CREATE Philippines, CITEM, and lyf Funan among its partners, the Singapore edition extends the P-Pop Music & Culture Caravan beyond the Philippines.
    Connecting Southeast Asian Artists at Bridges & Beats.


    KAIA will also make a special appearance at Bridges & Beats at Swee Lee Clarke
    Quay, a relaxed gathering bringing together artists, creatives, and members of the
    regional music community.


    The group will perform alongside Indonesian singer-songwriter Jordan Susanto and
    Singapore-based Filipino artist Mariae Cassandra, bringing together artists from across Southeast Asia and creating another opportunity for music and connections during the Singapore weekend.
    Taking Filipino Music Further Across the weekend, KAIA moves through three different spaces: an international showcase stage at Music Matters Live, a community-centered celebration of P-Pop at lyf Funan, and a regional gathering of artists and creatives at Swee Lee Clarke Quay.


    Coming on the heels of their participation in creative-industry platforms in Manila, the Singapore engagements reflect a continuing effort to bring Filipino music and performing arts to wider audiences.


    For KAIA, the weekend represents another step beyond the Philippine stage—sharing their music with new audiences while carrying P-Pop and Filipino creativity with them across the region.

  • Anthology ASEAN Architecture Festival 2026 Turns Intramuros Into a Shared Ground for Southeast Asia

    Anthology ASEAN Architecture Festival 2026 Turns Intramuros Into a Shared Ground for Southeast Asia

    The seventh edition brings more than 100 voices together for three days, exploring architecture, culture, care, and collective futures

    For three days, Intramuros will become more than a backdrop for architecture.

    From October 2 to 4, the historic district will serve as the meeting ground for architects, designers, artists, students, educators, cultural workers, policymakers, developers, and communities from across Southeast Asia as the Anthology ASEAN Architecture Festival 2026 explores what it means to build places that care for people, preserve culture, and imagine shared futures.

    Now on its seventh edition, Anthology centers this year’s festival on the theme “Shared Ground: Architecture of Care, Culture, and Collective Futures,” bringing together more than 100 voices from the region through talks, dialogues, exhibitions, installations, performances, and public experiences.

    Rather than positioning architecture solely as a professional discipline, the festival opens up a broader conversation about the spaces people inhabit every day—and how those spaces shape relationships, identities, memories, and possibilities for the future.

    The program unfolds across three thematic days: CARE on October 2, CULTURE on October 3, and COLLECTIVE FUTURES on October 4. Together, they trace a progression from the ways architecture responds to people and communities, to the role of culture and identity in shaping places, and ultimately to the possibilities that emerge when communities imagine and build together.

    Among the festival’s featured voices are internationally recognized architects Shigeru Ban and Ole Scheeren, alongside Filipino and ASEAN practitioners whose work reflects the region’s varied approaches to heritage, identity, community, and the built environment.

    A key part of this regional exchange is the presentation of 10 Filipino × ASEAN collaborative installations. Bringing practitioners and perspectives from different parts of Southeast Asia into conversation, the installations offer another way of understanding how architecture can cross borders—not by erasing differences, but by creating space for them to meet.

    And the conversation does not remain inside a conference hall.

    Anthology is designed as an experience that extends throughout Intramuros, with programs including Anthology Talks, Shelter Dialogues, Anthology RAW, Ground Works, and Living Anthology. Across these platforms, architecture intersects with art, performance, heritage, community, and public life.

    The festival’s venues—including Foro de Intramuros, Centro de Turismo, Teatrillo Casa Manila, Plaza Roma, Fort Santiago, and the Pasig River Esplanade—turn the historic district into an interconnected festival landscape.

    In this setting, the city itself becomes part of the conversation.

    Intramuros carries layers of history, architecture, memory, and cultural identity, making it a fitting setting for a festival examining how places are inherited, inhabited, transformed, and imagined anew. By bringing its programs into different parts of the district, Anthology invites audiences to encounter architecture not simply as something to look at, but as something experienced through movement, gathering, memory, and everyday life.

    That openness also extends to audiences beyond the architecture and design communities.

    Students, families, culture enthusiasts, creatives, and curious members of the public are invited to experience Shared Ground throughout the three-day festival. The festival’s installations are free and open to all, offering opportunities to encounter creative works and perspectives from across ASEAN without the boundaries of a traditional industry event.

    Adding another layer to the regional celebration, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will host a dedicated booth where participants can claim their ASEAN Passport for free and join the ASEAN Passport Stamp Rally. As visitors move through the festival, the passport offers another way to engage with the cultures and creative expressions represented throughout the event.

    At its core, Anthology 2026 asks a question that extends well beyond architecture: What kind of places do people want to build—and what kind of future can they build together?

    For three days, Intramuros will offer possible answers through conversations, installations, performances, collaborations, and encounters that bring Southeast Asian perspectives into the same shared space.

    From care and culture to collective futures, Anthology ASEAN Architecture Festival 2026 turns the historic heart of Manila into a living forum for imagining how the region can build, connect, and move forward together.

    Anthology ASEAN Architecture Festival 2026 runs October 2 to 4 in Intramuros, Manila.