Star Powerhouse

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...

  Moira Dela Torre is set to mark a major career milestone with her first-ever headline concert at the SM Mall of Asia Arena on October 4, 2026. Titled “Moira: Where It All Started,” the highly anticipated Manila concert will bring together her signature heartfelt melodies, soulful storytelling, and some of her most memorable songs in one emotional musical experience. The SM Mall of Asia Arena has officially listed the concert among its October 2026 events, while Ovation Productions has also confirmed the show as part of its upcoming lineup. “Where It All Started” is expected to take audiences through Moira’s musical journey, highlighting the songs and stories that have shaped her career and strengthened her connection with Filipino listeners. Known for emotionally resonant tracks such as “Paubaya” and “Tagpuan,” Moira has established herself as one of the defining voices in contemporary OPM. The concert also follows the release of the deluxe edition of her album I’m Okay , whic...

Film enthusiasts in Manila are set for a cinematic celebration as the Italian Film Festival 2026 returns to the city from June 26 to July 1, 2026 , bringing six acclaimed contemporary Italian films to the big screen at Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinema in Mandaluyong City . Organized by the Embassy of Italy in Manila in partnership with Elephant Pictures, Cineforum Robert Bresson, the Philippine-Italian Association, and Shangri-La Plaza’s Red Carpet Cinemas, the festival aims to showcase the diversity of contemporary Italian cinema while strengthening cultural ties between Italy and the Philippines. A major highlight of the Italian Film Festival Manila 2026 is its lineup of recent films from some of Italy’s notable filmmakers, including Academy Award-winning director Paolo Sorrentino , known for The Great Beauty and Youth , and acclaimed filmmaker Paolo Genovese , director of Perfect Strangers . The festival opens with La Grazia (The Pardon) by Paolo Sorrentino, a political drama cente...

More than 300 artists are set to gather at TOPS in Cebu City for Tops ArtFest 2026 , a four-day celebration of art, creativity, and new ideas happening from October 22 to 25, 2026 . Carrying the theme “Building and Breaking Norms,” Tops ArtFest 2026 encourages audiences to look at art, traditions, and familiar ideas from a different perspective. The festival explores the ways artists preserve foundations while challenging conventions and imagining new possibilities. At the center of this year’s festival are two of the Philippines’ distinctive artistic voices, Junyee and Nune Alvarado , who will serve as the festival’s main artists. They will be joined by leading names in Philippine art, including Ronald Ventura, Romulo Galicano, Demi Padua, Charlie Co, Randalf Dilla, and Dino Gabito , among many others. Their participation reflects the festival’s central message: art can honor the traditions and ideas that shaped it while continuing to question what comes next. Tops ArtFest 2026 Highl...

Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership with the Freedom Flame Award The Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership has been recognized as one of the recipients of the 2026 Freedom Flame Awards, highlighting its continued efforts to promote good governance, ethical leadership, and meaningful youth participation in Philippine public life. The recognition was given by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Philippines (FNF) during its 40th anniversary celebration and the 15th year of the Freedom Flame Awards, held under the theme “Kalayaan Noon, Ngayon at Bukas – 40 Years of Freedom in Action.” The ceremony gathered advocates, policymakers, leaders, and artists at Decagon Events Place in Pasig City. Former Nagcarlan, Laguna Vice Mayor Amie Hernandez and fellow Kaya Natin! core member Marian Pastor Roces accepted the award on behalf of the movement. FNF recognized Kaya Natin! for inspiring future leaders to lead with integrity, serve with...

 Regional cinema continues to gain recognition as filmmakers from Negros Occidental bring compelling local stories to audiences beyond their home communities. At the upcoming 6th Oroquieta Film Festival , happening from October 12 to 15 in Oroquieta City, Misamis Occidental, 28 independent films from across Visayas and Mindanao will be showcased, including three notable Negrense entries in the Lumayagan Shorts Competition : Manami Guid Man Mag **** sa Mansion , Sa Duta sang Kabuhi (In the Soil of Life), and Those Little Things . Co-directed by Seb Valdez and Trini Garcia, Manami Guid Man Mag **** sa Mansion previously competed in the Sagaynon Shorts Competition at the 7th Margaha Film Festival in Sagay City, where it earned awards for Best Production Design and Best Original Song. Meanwhile, Steve Villasor’s Sa Duta sang Kabuhi presents a timely look at the environmental and social challenges affecting Negros, widely known as the “sugar bowl of the Philippines.” Produced by 23 T...

  SOURSPLASH , the anniversary exhibition of MakiSining Art Group of Los Baños, Laguna , brings together the works of 15 active members and probationary artists at the Chua King Ha Galleries of the University of the East (UE) Caloocan Campus. The exhibition forms part of the UE College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design (UE CFAD) Sangang-Daan Community Exhibition Series , which highlights the intersections of art, history, tradition, creative practice, and community. Opening on July 23, 2026 , SOURSPLASH examines the complex meaning of disgust and how this seemingly natural human response can influence the way people understand cleanliness, identity, difference, belonging, and morality. Through a collection of thought-provoking artworks, the participating artists explore how disgust can serve different purposes—from protection and judgment to discrimination, alienation, and social division. The exhibition invites audiences to look beyond disgust as a simple physical reaction. In...

Andrew Troy Nicolas is a businessman, media executive, and entrepreneur who serves as Chairman of TAG Media Group and Publisher and Chairman of five print magazine titles under the group: Rising Tigers, TopNewsAsia, InCharge, Leading Women, and Exquisite. Beyond his leadership in media, Nicolas is the Vice President of the Indonesia-Philippines Business Association, where he contributes to strengthening business connections and economic opportunities between the Philippines and Indonesia. He is also a Board Member of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)–Los Baños. TAG Media Group is a member of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), recognized as the largest business organization in the Philippines, representing businesses and entrepreneurs across various industries. Under Nicolas’ leadership, TAG Media Group has grown into a diversified business group composed of seven companies, with interests spanning Agriculture, Construction, Manufact...

The Asia Leaders Awards 2026 returns this year with another celebration of leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and excellence, bringing together distinguished business leaders and changemakers in Jakarta, Indonesia, on October 18, 2026, and Manila, Philippines, on November 19, 2026. As we look forward to this year’s awards, we also look back at some of the remarkable personalities and organizations who have been recognized in previous editions. Among them is Ernesto Tanmantiong, President and CEO of Jollibee Foods Corporation, whose leadership has helped transform a homegrown Filipino brand into one of Asia’s most recognizable food-service companies. Another distinguished awardee is Kevin Tan, Executive Director of Megaworld Corporation and President and CEO of its parent company, Alliance Global Group, Inc. (AGI), whose work reflects the continuing growth and global competitiveness of Philippine business. From Indonesia, Kopi Kenangan, known globally as K...

Isang pelikulang hindi lamang basta maghahatid ng kuwento, kundi magbubukas ng mga mata sa realidad na araw-araw na kinakaharap ng maraming Pilipinong nasa laylayan. Ang “WANTAWSAN” ay isang pelikulang naglalayong ipakita ang mga katotohanan, sakripisyo at pakikibaka ng mga ordinaryong Pilipino na patuloy na humaharap sa mabibigat na hamon ng buhay. Sa likod ng bawat eksena ay mga kuwentong puno ng emosyon, pagsisikap at pag-asa—mga kuwentong maaaring pamilyar sa marami dahil bahagi ito ng tunay na mukha ng lipunan. Ilan lamang ito sa mga behind-the-scenes photos mula sa paggawa ng WANTAWSAN, na nagbibigay ng sulyap sa pagsisikap ng buong production team at cast upang mabigyang-buhay ang isang kuwentong may puso at mensahe. Sa bawat kuha, makikita ang dedikasyon ng mga taong nasa likod ng pelikula upang maiparating sa manonood ang isang realidad na madalas ay hindi napapansin. “WANTAWSAN” — isang pelikulang hindi lamang dapat panoorin, kundi dapat pa...

Championing the best of Filipino alternative storytelling, the CCP Gawad Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video returns this 2026 with Pag-aninag (Reflecting the Light) , inviting audiences to discover stories that illuminate hope, memory, struggle, and the dreams that connect people and communities. Established in 1987, CCP Gawad Alternatibo is considered the longest-running film competition and festival in the country and Southeast Asia, harvesting the best of Philippine films competing in various categories of Animation, Documentary, Experimental, and Narrative.  Now in its 38th year, Gawad Alternatibo reaffirms its commitment to provide a platform for emerging and established Filipino filmmakers who dare to challenge conventions and tell stories that evoke critical reflection, cultural discourse, and social transformation. Participating films for the Animation category are: AKO AY MAY LOBO by Siege Ledesma; ANO KA, ASO? by Marc Trisha Domingo; BANGKANG PAPEL by Rey Tamayo, Jr....