Star Powerhouse

In line with its mission to promote Philippine heritage, literature, and oral tradition while advancing the art of ballet, the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) has created another original Filipino full-length ballet – Maria Makiling – that reimagines the legendary guardian of Mount Makiling.  The Filipino ballet production captures the essence of Filipino folklore and serves as a reminder to uphold good values through powerful choreography and captivating music. Winning Collaborations The centerpiece of PBT’s 2025 dance season, Maria Makiling marks the third creative collaboration of PBT Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario (choreography) and award-winning composer and arranger Paulo Zarate (original musical score). They are the creative duo behind the successful staging of two PBT original Filipino full-length ballets, Ibalon (2023) and Sarimanok (2024), which have been well received by audiences both locally and in the U.S.A.  Maria Makiling will once again showcase world-clas...

  Bicol-based pop outfit Tothapi continues to make a name for themselves in the local music scene—thanks to their brand of heartfelt pop tunes that brim with crossover appeal. Their breakthrough hit “ Celeste ” has racked up more than 16 million streams on Spotify, fueled by the viral buzz on TikTok and a resounding co-sign from Asia’s Songbird, Ms. Regine Velasquez . Now basking in the glow of newfound popularity, the eight-piece band returns with their latest single, “ Ulan ,” a suave, jazz-laced tune that paints a vivid picture of a love that’s constantly shifting: hot and cold, much like the seasons. Lyrically introspective and sonically lush, “Ulan” captures the experience of being entangled in a relationship marked by uncertainty and half-presence. It’s a modern love story told through someone caught in a loop of seasonal love, drawn back in only when it’s convenient for the other person. As the band describes it, it’s “falling in and out of love in the digital age,” a senti...

Celebrating two decades of nurturing emerging and established playwrights, directors, actors, and designers, the Virgin Labfest (VLF) continues to foster its garden of brave narratives with 12 new scripts ripe for the picking. The country’s theater festival of untried, untested, and unstaged one-act plays returns from June 11 to June 29, 2025, at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater).  NEW SCRIPTS, NEW CONVERSATIONS Featuring 12 new scripts by 8 virgin male and female playwrights and 4 returning playwrights in its milestone year, VLFXX: HINOG blooms into a passionate community of unheard voices and untold stories, bringing people closer through truthful and compelling storytelling. A group of friends makes the most of their summer vacation with a mystery game in YOJ’s TBT: TAKBO, BATANG TONDO . Albin, the policeman in their little world, is baffled when the real “suspect” isn’t punished. Liane Carlo Suelan’s ANG BATA KAG ANG ILAGA is set in St. Jerome’s Home for...

 The highly anticipated return of the Head In The Clouds Festival is set for May 31st and June 1st, 2025 , with the Los Angeles edition of the festival to be livestreamed exclusively on the official 88rising YouTube channel . Fans across the globe will have the opportunity to experience the full event in real-time from anywhere in the world. Hosted by 88rising, a pioneering music collective known for elevating Asian artists on a global stage, Head In The Clouds has become synonymous with cutting-edge music, cultural celebration, and unforgettable live performances. The 2025 edition will mark another major milestone as the brand returns to its hometown of Los Angeles following international stops in New York City, Jakarta, Manila, and China . A Celebration of Asian Music and Culture More than just a music festival, Head In The Clouds LA 2025 is a cultural moment. It’s a two-day event that merges music, art, and cuisine with a strong focus on Asian and Asian American creativity ...

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through its Visual Arts and Museum Division, has loaned five significant artworks from its collection to the National Gallery Singapore (NGS), reinforcing its ongoing efforts to bring Philippine art to a wider international audience. This initiative not only showcases the depth of Filipino creativity but also helps strengthen cultural ties across Southeast Asia, fostering greater appreciation and collaboration in the region’s vibrant arts scene. The artworks from the CCP 21st Century Art Museum (21AM) Collection — Painting No. 1 by National Artist Jose Joya; Portrait of Fernando Zóbel and Fernando Zóbel Lecturing on Art and a Student Listening II , both by David Cortez Medalla; Calligraphic Oracle by Manuel Rodriguez Sr.; and Ku III by Fernando Zóbel — are featured in NGS’s first-ever solo exhibition dedicated to transcontinental abstract artist Fernando Zóbel (1924–1984). Born in the Philippines to a prominent Spanish family, Zóbel was...