Star Powerhouse

  Multi-hyphenated artist, entrepreneur, actor and fashion icon  A$AP Rocky  released his long-awaited fourth studio album  DON’T BE DUMB   via  A$AP Worldwide/RCA Records .  DON’T BE DUMB  is Rocky’s first album in 8 years, driving unprecedented global demand from fans with the album reaching over  130k  vinyls sold before release date and claiming the place of  #1  pre-saved Hip-Hop album on Spotify with over  1 million  saves.  DON’T BE DUMB  features a stacked list of collaborators, including  BossMan Dlow, Brent Faiyaz, Danny Elfman, Doechii, Gorillaz, Jon Batiste, Jessica Pratt, Slay Squad, Thundercat, Tyler, The Creator, Westside Gunn, and will.i.am. Danny Elfman and Thundercat also appeared in the music video for “Punk Rocky,” as band members alongside an ensemble of characters.  The two tracks preceding the album, “ Punk Rocky ” and “ Helicopter ,” built immense hype for  DON’T B...

Filipino representation reached a groundbreaking milestone as Abi Marquez , globally known as the “Lumpia Queen,” was named ADCOLOR’s Creator of the Year —   joining other esteemed Filipino winners, such as Geena Rocero, who was honored with the ADCOLOR Advocate award in 2024. The 19th Annual ADCOLOR Awards, held in Orlando, Florida , brought together global leaders and innovators from advertising, media, tech, and creative industries. Each year, ADCOLOR honors individuals who embody its mission to “Rise Up, Reach Back” by advancing representation and uplifting underrepresented communities. Abi’s historic win celebrates her influential voice as a Filipino creator whose culinary storytelling, cultural pride, and inventive content have captured audiences worldwide. Her work continues to amplify Filipino identity on the international stage, proving that culturally rooted digital voices can spark global conversations. As part of NYMA and representing the Philippines, Abi dedicates thi...

Producer, production manager, film festival coordinator, and educator Kristin Bactad-Jor recently shared her industry experience with University of the East-Caloocan Visual Communication senior students during a talk at the Chua King Ha Gallery. Drawing from nearly two decades of practice, Bactad-Jor shared her knowledge and tips on producing films, production management, and the complexities of film festival operations. Since joining Red Room Media Productions in 2006, Bactad-Jor has established herself as an integral part of several film productions. Her career is defined by a commitment to advocacy-driven storytelling, spanning short films, documentaries, and high-impact video projects. Bactad-Jor has worked on numerous projects, including collaborations with institutions such as the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, GMA News TV, Techtales Asia-Pacific, and the Bacolod City Government Center. She has served as line producer and production manager for award-winning films ...

Se nior Nursing student at the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod has competed at the Sine Negrense: The Negros Island Film Festival for three consecutive years. Chelsea Tasic’s streak began in 2023 with   “Dalit sa Sala,”   a social commentary produced by Dulaab Productions. Despite the ambitious nature of the project – which involved a complex two-day shoot on a moving bus – the film resonated deeply with audiences. The film earned eight nominations and secured the People’s Choice Award and a special citation for its compelling narrative at Sine Negrense that year. In 2024, Tasic was selected as one of ten directors for the inaugural Bacolod Film Festival. Her entry,   “A Flower A Day,”   competed in the Sine Negrense Open Category. Set in a rundown cafe, the story follows a young woman who routinely visits with a different flower, sparking the curiosity of a local barista. The film received eight nominations and won Best Musical Score at BFF in 2024, further cemen...

Cavetown, the moniker of UK-born artist Robin Skinner, has released his highly anticipated new album Running With Scissors via Futures Music Group, marking a bold and emotionally expansive new chapter in his career. Blending hyper-pop textures, heavy guitars, and Cavetown’s signature dream-pop sensibility, the album captures the disorienting transition between youth and adulthood, shaped by themes of healing, love, identity, and self-discovery. Arriving alongside the album is the empowering lead single and music video “Cryptid,” a poignant short film reflecting Skinner’s experience as a transgender person while offering a broader commentary on how marginalized communities are often cast as “other.” In celebration of the release, Cavetown has also announced a limited run of Running With Scissors Tour headline shows in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Brooklyn, with $1 from every ticket supporting LGBTQ+ community organizations through PLUS1. Together, the album, video, and tour underscore Ca...

Now on its 20th year, the CCP Pasinaya: The Open House Festival, the country’s flagship multi-arts festival organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), ushers in this year’s National Arts Month with new components and venue partners. Bannering the theme “Paglikha sa Kinabukasan,” the milestone 20th edition of CCP Pasinaya celebrates two decades of artistic collaboration, creativity, and public engagement. Slated for February 7 and 8, 2026, the CCP Pasinaya expands to an additional regional venue in Roxas City, Capiz, adds Rizal Park Luneta as a new venue partner, Calle Wright as part of Paseo Museo and introduces a new component Paligsahan, which aims to broaden public participation and foster deeper appreciation of Philippine arts and culture. “We are pleased to expand the festival to additional partner venues across Metro Manila and the regions, enabling wider public participation in artmaking and appreciation. As CCP Pasinaya marks its 20th edition, the festival conti...