Star Powerhouse

  The countdown has officially begun. With just weeks to go before tens of thousands of music fans gather once again in Pampanga,  Aurora Music Festival 2026 is all systems go  as it prepares to celebrate its  5th anniversary on May 2–3 at Clark Global City,  promising one of the most exciting weekends for OPM lovers this year. What began as a bold vision to spotlight Filipino music has evolved into one of the country’s most anticipated annual music festivals. Now in its fifth year, Aurora continues to bring together some of the biggest names in OPM, creating a rare live music experience where multiple generations of Filipino artists share one massive stage. For its milestone edition, the festival is pulling out all the stops. Headlining the two-day celebration are  SB19  and  IV OF SPADES , two of the most influential acts shaping the modern Filipino music scene today. Their performances are expected to be among the biggest highlights of the fest...

AYO is the latest addition to Sony Music Entertainment ’s esteemed roster of P-Pop acts. Arriving with primal energy and unmistakable superstar aura, the Davao-based, seven-member boy group is composed of Justin, Renzo, GV, TJ, Enzo, Zack, and Patrick. Their name is derived from the Cebuano word “ maayo ,” which means talented. It’s also commonly used as a call for attention, much like knocking on a door. Representing a new generation of pop groups that are unafraid to disrupt the norm, AYO embodies the multicultural spirit of their hometown while rewriting the rules with effortless confidence and discipline. These qualities reflect the unapologetically authentic sound of “ I'm Him ,” their pre-debut single. Anchored in rebellious spirit and self-awareness, the song defies expectations while encouraging their listeners to stand firm on who they are and embrace their individuality. “Within our group, we each bring different strengths and come from varied backgrounds,” shares the P-P...

  What is the most essential building block for the future of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in the visual arts? This question set the tone for the recent Philippine Arts Roundtable organized by the country’s premier cultural institution, bringing together a diverse group of experts to examine the current landscape and explore the future directions of Philippine contemporary art. The recent roundtable discussion brought together Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizan, contemporary visual artists and cultural practitioners; Isa Lorenzo, founder and co-director of Silverlens Galleries; Carlos Quijon Jr., art historian, critic, and curator currently serving as the C-MAP Fellow for Southeast and East Asia at the Museum of Modern Art in New York; Clarissa Chikiamco, curator at National Gallery Singapore and a PhD candidate at King’s College London; Dindin Araneta, co-founder of Art Fair Philippines and Director of the Benilde Center for Campus Exhibitions (CCE) at De La Salle–College of S...

Filipino singer-songwriter Clara Benin explores the “inner weather of love” in really got me thinking —her latest EP under Sony Music Entertainment . Pivoting towards delicate soundscapes and lush arrangements, the 6-track release embraces a quieter form of introspection: the sonic treatment, pared down and intimate, leaning towards newfound openness in both sound and storytelling.   “I’ve learned to sit with simplicity and to trust that not every space needs to be filled, that silence and restraint can carry just as much meaning as sound,” Benin explains. “Because of that, I allowed the words and melodies to breathe more, and I think it creates a more intimate listening experience, like you’re just sitting in the moment with me.” Benin adds that it’s her first time writing a record entirely dedicated to love from a more optimistic perspective. “Having an EP that’s entirely made up of love songs is something new for me. It feels like a different kind of openness and a big part of...

Two-time GRAMMY ® Award winner TYLA , the South-African star whose debut campaign disrupted the global music scene and cemented her as a bonafide global superstar, is ready to step back into the spotlight. TYLA has formally announced her hotly-coveted sophomore studio album, A*POP , supported by the Billboard chart-topper “Chanel,” and the already viral “She Did It Again,” featuring Zara Larsson. The announcement follows the unleashing of the official A*POP album trailer , starring TYLA outlining the “unapologetic,” “confident,” and “global” nature of her new era.   The album arrives July 24th. Pre-order it here via Epic Records. A*POP follows TYLA and TYLA+, which were released in March and October of 2024. TYLA earned the singer the distinction of the highest-charting African female soloist in the history of the Billboard 200 Albums chart, and the achievements that followed reflected the ascent of one of music’s biggest and brightest new stars. Two years later, TYLA is prepared...