Star Powerhouse

For immediate release — 19-year-old singer-songwriter  Rol3ert  releases his fifth single, “ say my name ”, via Exciter Records and FRIENDSHIP. The track arrives on the heels of growing momentum across Southeast Asia — with Indonesia now ranking as his #1 Spotify market and the Philippines driving over a quarter of YouTube views for his previous single “ Nerd ”. (Credit: Exciter Records) “say my name” marks a new chapter for Rol3ert as his first-ever alternative ballad, co-produced with  Yuto Uchino  lead vocalist of acclaimed Japanese indie band  The fin. . Built around weeping guitar riffs, live drums (performed by Yusuke Okada of indie pop band  BROTHER SUN SISTER MOON ) and shimmering synths, the track wraps his vulnerable, near-crying vocal in a quiet yet powerful soundscape. The lyrics reflect on life, death, symbolic love, and the lingering of a name, intertwining loss with the desire to leave a lasting presence. Rol3ert, who usually builds near-comp...

 World-renowned pianist Cecile Licad is set to captivate Manila audiences in an exclusive one-night-only concert, Cecile Licad Up Close , happening on October 1, 2025, 6:30 p.m. at the Gallery MiraNila inside the MiraNila Heritage House & Library. Presented by the Benitez-Tirona MiraNila Foundation in partnership with the Erehwon Center for the Arts , the P. Ilusorio Foundation , and Gallery MiraNila by The Blue Leaf , the concert offers an intimate evening with the multi-awarded pianist hailed by The New Yorker as “a pianist’s pianist.” Set against the garden-surrounded charm of MiraNila, Licad will perform a thoughtfully curated repertoire featuring Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 (Moonlight) , Schumann’s Carnaval, Op. 9 , Liszt’s St. Francis de Paolo Walking on the Waves , selections from Scott Joplin —pieces she recently performed at Carnegie Hall—and Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 in G Minor , the composer’s most cherished work. A recipient of the Leventritt Gold Medal , Gr...

After an excellent display of Filipino artistry in its recently concluded tour in the United Kingdom, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) exhibits its adaptable musicality for its 41st concert season, dubbed “VERSATILE.” With the commanding presence of conductor Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, this concert season serves as a brilliant reminder of the PPO’s four decades of musical prowess. Welcome the music season with CONCERT I: OUVERTURE on September 12, 2025. With acclaimed pianist Andrey Gugnin, the orchestra opens with Antonin Dvořák’s Carnival Overture, op.92, Sergei Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43 and Johannes Brahms’ Symphony no. 4, op.98, E minor. On September 19, 2025, a reprise of the PPO’s repertoire for its UK Tour is in store for the audiences with CONCERT II: LE RETOUR . The celebration continues with Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake Suite Waltz and concludes with Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony no. 5, op.67, C minor . Catch PPO’s very own...

True to keeping its mandate of transforming lives through the arts, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through its Venue Operations Division, conducted its Front-of-House (FOH) Apprenticeship Program with participants belonging to the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community. As in years past, the project provides opportunity for the differently-abled youth through various trainings in different aspects of arts management and appreciation, as well as theater operations, especially in the frontline service areas. Together with the Philippine School for the Deaf (PSD) and the Philippine Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (PRID), the CCP takes proactive steps in fortifying the vision that art matters to the life of every Filipino.  The 2025 FOH Apprenticeship Program welcomed 10 Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing participants who all share a strong interest in the arts and a desire to become a frontline personnel of the CCP. In a span of two weeks, the participants went through a series...

ONE OR EIGHT will release two consecutive singles, each serving as an “ anthem of challenge ” for dreamers and those embracing their individuality. ONE OR EIGHT consists of YUGA, MIZUKI, NEO, TAKERU, TSUBASA, REIA, RYOTA, SOUMA (L to R) (credit: Avex Music Creative Inc.) The first track, “Young & Reckless” (out 29th August ), captures the concept of “ Like a kid ”, an uninhibited spirit that embraces challenges without fear of judgment. Produced by Kavi (co-producer of Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby” which debuted at No. 2 on U.S. Billboard Hot 100) and Edwin Honoret of PRETTYMUCH, the song blends futuristic electronic textures with nostalgic 90s-00s boyband influences, channeling the rebellious, free-spirited energy at the heart of ONE OR EIGHT. The accompanying music video will premiere on 29th August at 9PM JST, stream it here . Together with the upcoming follow-up single “ BET YOUR LIFE ”, it forms their “ anthem of challenge ” series, each track spotlighting a differ...

NOBITA links up with Yeng Constantino in the collaborative new single “ Gayuma ,” out today via Sony Music Entertainment .  Caught between wanting to confess and being afraid to take the first step, the song explores a quiet kind of love that swells in secret.  “The lyrics capture the uncertainty—whether what you feel is genuine love or just something that seems magical, almost like a spell,” NOBITA shares in a press statement. “It reflects the theme of secret love because it’s about holding back, wondering if the other person feels the same way, and hoping the emotions are mutual.” The track has an interesting history. According to NOBITA, the demo had been shelved for some time until they revisited it and realized something was missing. The band began considering a female collaborator who could bring balance and emotional nuance to the song.  “And there’s no one more perfect than Ms. Yeng—we’re just so lucky she agreed,” NOBITA explains. “Our first meeting was very pro...

  The Ridleys are officially joining Morissette’s 15th anniversary concert, Ember , as the opening act—bringing their heartfelt storytelling to the Smart Araneta Coliseum stage on October 28, 2025 . Known for their intimate and emotionally stirring performances, The Ridleys have built a loyal following in the local music scene, and their addition to the lineup makes Ember even more of a must-see event. Their presence offers fans of both The Ridleys and Morissette a rare opportunity to celebrate two generations of Filipino artistry on one historic night. In response to overwhelming demand, organizers have also opened Patron A , offering premium reserved seating with risers near the stage. While this section was not part of the initial seat map, its release follows venue clearances and strong calls from fans to make more seats available. Organizers emphasize that this move was made “by popular demand,” ensuring more supporters can be part of the milestone concert. Beyond expanded ...