Star Powerhouse

  Filipino sociopolitical thriller “Silenced Nights” will next vie for awards in the Bangkok International Film Festival from September 15 to 27, following its historic selection as the first Filipino title in the Toronto International Film Festival’s juried Platform program. Executive producer Atty. Joji Villanueva Alonso confirmed the film’s upcoming selection in the Bangkok filmfest main competition, where it will contend for a $15,000 USD cash prize. Alonso also shared that the project is locked in for two additional European festival stops later this year. Written by Troy Espiritu and directed by Lawrence Fajardo, “Silenced Nights” tells the story of an ordinary gadget repairman (Nico Antonio) living in a Manila slum. His life turns upside down after witnessing police officers commit an extrajudicial killing of a teenager during anti-drug operations. Driven by conscience, he decides to help the victim's grieving mother fight for the truth. Nico Antonio with Dylan Ray Talon in ...

  Audiences in Hong Kong will get the chance to watch Richard Soriano Legaspi’s documentary “Ang Walang Kapagurang Paglalakbay ng Pulang Maleta” (The Untiring Journey of the Red Suitcase) as part of the Migrant Workers Film Festival 2026. Running from September 11 to 13, the festival brings community-focused cinema to several venues, namely the Chinese University of Hong Kong in Sha Tin, New Territories; KUC Space in Jordan Road, Jordan; and Bayanihan Centre in Victoria Road, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong Island. Set against the backdrop of Biella, a quiet province in northern Italy’s Piemonte region known for its wool industry, the documentary captures how a community of migrant workers transformed a foreign town into a home. As local textile mills faced factory closures and economic shifts, Filipino families continued to weave their own vibrant culture into the fabric of daily Italian life. The narrative traces back to Loreta Mercado, who arrived in Biella in 1978 carrying little mor...

  Following a triumphant run in the student film circuit, the award-winning musical short film “Kahel” from Far Eastern University continues its journey across the country.  The acclaimed 20-minute film, which was produced by the Kuwerdas production team, is set to screen on September 5 at the Don Leopoldo Sison Convention Center as part of the 6th Hundred Islands Film Festival in Alaminos City, Pangasinan.  Brought to the festival through the Cultural Center of the Philippines Lakbay Sine program, an initiative dedicated to expanding the reach of Philippine cinema to local communities, “Kahel” arrives as a finalist from the 38th CCP Gawad Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video or CCP Gawad Alternatibo.  The narrative centers on Elias (Justin Abalos), a standard office worker who leaves behind his 9-to-5 job to chase his musical ambitions in the city. His journey hits an unexpected crossroads when a sudden jeepney breakdown strands him along with his longtime musi...

  YAO , a collective bringing together Japanese hip-hop queen Awich, acclaimed rapper CHICO CARLITO, globally renowned rock band ONE OK ROCK, and boundary-pushing band Paledusk, returns with their second single, " FOR OKINAWA" . Fans can listen to the track here . Born from conversations shared between the members throughout the production process, "FOR OKINAWA" explores Okinawa's history, culture, and the lasting scars of its past. Okinawa natives Awich and CHICO CARLITO have long shared stories of their homeland and the realities faced by those who continue to carry its history. Their perspectives deeply resonated with the other members of YAO, including Tokyo-born Taka (ONE OK ROCK), who came to share their desire for peace and determination to preserve Okinawa's cultural heritage. It was this shared sense of purpose that became the foundation for the track. As the members reflected on an essential message they felt was needed not only in modern Japan bu...

  Misamis Occidental turns into a vibrant hub for independent cinema as the 6th Oroquieta Film Festival showcases 28 selected works from across the Visayas and Mindanao from October 12 to 15. Among the entries chosen for the Lumayagan Shorts Competition is “Those Little Things,” a sci-fi short film hailing from Negros Occidental. Produced under Kwentista Produksyon, the short film transports viewers to the year 2222 in a cyberpunk version of Bacolod. The plot follows a teenager (Ynez Arceo) navigating a seemingly routine day with her father (Bon Cerbo), completely unaware that a surprise awaits her. Beneath its futuristic exterior, the film balances speculative technology with deeply human warmth, exploring the quiet bonds between parent and child against a high-tech backdrop. John Arceo plays different characters as a supporting actor. Co-directors and co-producers Poli Gonzales, who also supervised the visual effects team, and Massah Gonzales-Gamboa, who also wrote the screenplay...

After more than a year since their last EP release, SunKissed Lola returns with “Edi Magalit Ka,” a warm, playful, and honest new single that builds on the heartfelt storytelling behind previous fan favorites such as “Pasilyo,” “Paki Sabi,” and “Makalimutan Ka.” Turning a familiar Filipino phrase into a song about love, patience, and choosing the relationship over the argument, the track marks a fresh yet familiar chapter for the band. Known for heartfelt songs about love, longing, and the emotions people carry through relationships, SunKissed Lola enters a new chapter with a track that feels both familiar and refreshing. “Edi Magalit Ka” takes its title from a phrase often heard in everyday conversations, especially between couples and friends, but the band gives it a softer meaning. Instead of sounding dismissive or prideful, the song becomes an affectionate way of saying that even when things get difficult, love is still there. “It’s a song about relationships,” vocalist Laura Lacb...