Star Powerhouse

Rising Filipino artists Tiara Shaye and Fana took home the coveted “ Grand Champion ” title at the PhilPop Himig Handog Songwriting Festival , held at the New Frontier Theater on Saturday evening. Their winning entry, “ Wag Paglaruan ,”captivated the jury with its enduring songwriting appeal and contemporary artistry, standing out among the twelve finalists from the top Philippine songwriting competition. Tiara Shaye composed the award-winning piece, with both herself and Fana delivering a soulful take that further elevated the song’s crossover potential.  The competition also recognized other outstanding compositions. The Cebuano-penned track “ Buhi ,” composed by Keith John Quito and interpreted by Ferdinand Aragon , secured the first runner-up position, while the emotional ballad “ Papahiram ,” won second runner-up. Written by Rinz Ruiz and performed by acclaimed singer-songwriters Moira and Johnoy Danao , the song resonated deeply with both judges and audiences. Other not...

  Photo credit: Irvin Rivera Singer-songwriter David Archuleta returns with his first taste of new music and what is sure to be his most delectable pop confection of a song with his new single, “ Crème Brulée .” The sweet and sexy track is the first single off of David’s upcoming EP release out this summer and was written by David, Ryan Nealon & Robyn Dell’Unto and produced by Michael Blum. David Archuleta is stepping into a bold new era with “Crème Brulée” - a playful and irresistibly flirty pop anthem that highlights his impressive vocal range and Latin roots like never before. David blends English and Spanish in a way that feels as smooth and addictive as the namesake dessert. “All this time I’ve been singing Spanish covers, but I’ve never had that Spanish flair in my own pop music. I wanted to get in touch with my Latin roots, have fun, be flirty, and explore the sensual side of David.” With infectious energy and a hint of Latin flair, "Crème Brulée" is a confident, f...

What is seemingly a perfect family like in the house when it is time to welcome a non-family member as new family? Kisapmata is a black-box theater adaptation of a film with the same name launched at the 7th 1981 Metro Manila film festival in 1981. The 1981 film was adapted from the 1961 story entitled “The House on Zapote Street” written by Nick Joaquin, who at age 59 became a National Artist in Literature in the Philippines in 1976. More than forty years later, March 7, 2025 was the launch of its theater adaptation, entitled, Kisapmata, shown at the Blackbox Theater, Tangalang Ignacio Gimenez, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Pasay City. The show is about a daughter marrying a man, both of whom struggled under the daughter’s parents. With only four (4) characters: the father, mother, daughter, and son-in-law, the company creatively work out themes on a small stage timely for today’s audiences. This time, in a Blackbox theater, characters become live on stage where audience ...

Prepare for a first-of-its-kind celebration of music and raves as &FRIENDS Festival is bringing top music artists from all over the world to Manila, on May 30 - 31, 2025 in Okada Manila .  &FRIENDS Festival’s star-studded music roster includes Grammy-winning EDM icon Zedd , multi-platinum rapper bbno$ , Billboard Music Top Dance/Electronic Album awardee Illenium , Dutch electronic duo €URO TRA$H, Singapore’s fastest rising DJ Kiara , the creator of melodic dubstep Seven Lions , Filipino-Australian superstar Ylona Garcia , and more.  A Once in a Lifetime Lineup for the Philippines Fresh from playing some of the world’s biggest stages—including Coachella, Ultra Music Festival, EDC Las Vegas, and Tomorrowland—these headliners are no strangers to electrifying massive crowds. Zedd , the Grammy-winning artist behind festival anthems like Clarity and Stay the Night , is making a triumphant return to Manila after nearly 3 years.  Illenium , known for being the first ele...

  Filipino singer-songwriter Noah Alejandre , who gained recognition as half of the award-winning alt-pop duo reon , is back in the spotlight with a new single that tugs at the heartstrings.  Following the success of his previously released hit “ Nahuhulog Na Sa’Yo ,” which has amassed nearly 40 million streams since its 2022 release, Alejandre takes a more introspective approach with his latest track “ Mga Kaibigan .” A melancholic musing on how friendship changes over time, “Mga Kaibigan” pays tribute to the platonic relationships that we leave behind as we grow and pursue our individual paths. Written when Alejandre moved away from his hometown, the song captures the bittersweet truth of how life’s natural progression often leads to parting ways with the people who once meant everything. “It’s a song about how life naturally pulls people in different directions, not out of choice but out of necessity,” shares the Leyte-based artist. “It’s a mix of nostalgia, appreciation, a...