Star Powerhouse

Cup Of Joe made a historic mark on the international stage at the second annual MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN (MAJ) 2026, held on Saturday, June 13, at the prestigious Toyota Arena Tokyo. Cup of Joe receives Special Award: Philippine Popular Music at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 Representing the Philippines, the band was nominated for the major Best Song Asia category for their hit single "Multo" and took home the Special Award: Philippine Popular Music. Adding to the milestone, Cup Of Joe delivered a captivating live performance of "Multo" during the afternoon’s Premiere Ceremony, earning massive praise from the international crowd. Organized by the Japan Culture and Entertainment Industry Promotion Association (CEIPA), MAJ 2026 was guided by its mission of “Connecting with the World and Illuminating the Future of Music.” This year's event spotlighted a highly sophisticated regional scene, celebrating standout entries from Southeast Asian artists alongside the Philippines, inc...

Mariinsky Ballet principal dancers Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim return for Ballet Manila's La Bayadere   Two of the world’s most celebrated ballet artists will once again step onto the Philippine stage to give Filipino audiences a glimpse of their extraordinary and world-renowned artistry, passion and technical brilliance. This August, Ballet Manila brings back ballet superstars Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim, principal dancers of the Mariinsky Ballet, to breathe new life into the timeless classic, La Bayadère happening at the Aliw Theater on August 14 at 8 PM, and on August 15 and 16 at 5PM.   Notably, their return solidifies Ballet Manila’s long-standing mission of bringing world-class ballet closer to the Filipino audiences, giving local theatergoers a rare chance to witness internationally celebrated performers in the country.  “We are very excited to welcome Renata and Kimin back to Ballet Manila,” exclaimed Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s founder and ar...

Bais filmmaking workshop facilitators, organizers, and participants The 4th Bais Film Festival of Short Films is officially gearing up to take center stage in December 2026. This after three successful editions that have anchored the local filmmaking tradition. Led by a collaborative effort between the City Government of Bais under the leadership of Mayor Luigi Marcel T. Goñi and the Office of Culture and the Arts headed by Rolin Cadallo Obina, the festival serves as a platform for homegrown visual storytellers.  “The festival, now on its 4th year, is divided into two programs. First, all participants to the filmfest shall undergo a filmmaking workshop facilitated by The Academy member Arvin Belarmino and Ms. Kyla Romero. The second part is the film showing and appreciation and the awards ceremony which is held every end of December,” Obina shared. Rolin C. Obina at the 3rd Bais Film Festival awards night in 2025 Majority of the participants to the festival are students from differ...

The demand for wellness is changing. More Filipinos are searching for ways to relax, recover, and feel better without always depending on massage spas, therapists, or outside recovery centers. Searches around terms like massage chair, back massager, neck massager, foot massage machine, body massage, and massage support for recovery show one clear direction: people want wellness solutions that are easier to access and more consistent at home. This is where ZION strengthens its position in the Philippine wellness market. ZION is not just offering a massage chair. It is building a complete home wellness experience designed for people who want relaxation, body comfort, and recovery support as part of everyday living. Through its product lineup of massage chairs, recliners, saunas, and cold plunge solutions, ZION gives Filipino homes access to wellness products that support rest, relaxation, and smarter recovery routines. ZION’s official collection includes massage c...

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) employees have reportedly filed administrative and ethics complaints against Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis, accusing her of abusing her authority and cultivating what they describe as a climate of fear inside the agency.  Central to the employees' concerns is Agrupis' reported insistence that she enjoys a close relationship with First Lady Liza A. Marcos. According to employees, Agrupis has invoked this claimed closeness in a manner that has created the impression that she is politically protected — even untouchable — despite the complaints and mounting criticism surrounding her leadership. Employees stress, however, that the supposed relationship is based on Agrupis' own claims, and questions remain over whether the First Lady herself is even aware that her name is allegedly being invoked in this way. The claim has cast a long shadow over the complaints, fueling worry that the allegations against Agrupis will be quietly sh...

  In celebration of National Heritage Month, Lampara Books unveils its latest collection of literary and educational releases that honor the long-standing traditions of Filipino storytelling and encourage cultural appreciation and values formation among the next generation of readers. The lineup includes Filipino classics, modern retellings, and innovative educational series that share the publishing house’s mission of providing accessible, values-based, and culturally relevant literature for Filipino children and families. Among the highlights of the launch are two of Philippine literature’s most enduring masterpieces: Ibong Adarna and Florante at Laura . Edited by acclaimed scholar and children’s literature advocate Eugene Y. Evasco , the new edition of Ibong Adarna offers an enriched reading experience through chapter summaries, vocabulary guides, and comprehension prompts designed to support students, teachers, parents, and independent readers alike. The volume features cove...

AME has officially released Kwentong Barbero , a seven-track album that tackles the unfiltered realities of everyday Filipino life. As one of the few active blues bands in the local music scene, AME takes the genre to a thrilling new place through its riveting balance of classic blues sound, ‘70s psychedelic rock, and contemporary punk edge. Redefining OPM with their eclectic sound and personality, Kwentong Barbero delivers a record wity easygoing charm and confidence. The retro-modern album features previously released singles “ Ipagpatawad Mo ,” “ Hala Bira ,” and “ Palaboy ,” alongside four new tracks ready to hit hard and stay with the listeners until the final note. From the urban grit of “ BluKolar ” to the poignant farewell in “ Langit ,” the record paints vibrant stories of love, survival, identity, and hope into anthems that cut across generations. “BluKolar,” in particular, connects the album to broader themes of labor, migration, and resilience, grounding AME’s music in th...

  Following the radiant charm of their critically acclaimed debut DEFINITELY LOVE! , ALYSON returns to the spotlight with AFTER OURS —a sonically ambitious sophomore album released via Offshore Music Philippines .  ALYSON’s second full-length album lingers in the aftermath of a romantic connection, exploring uncertainty after intimacy, the temptation that complicates devotion, and the painful realization that love endures not through perfection but through choice. Embracing a more sophisticated approach to songwriting and production, AFTER OURS treats the art of listening to albums as a sanctimonious experience, with each track carefully sequenced and every detail presented with intentionality at every level.  In an era increasingly dominated by algorithmic design and standalone singles, ALYSON wants listeners to rediscover the beauty of experiencing albums as complete bodies of work that are meant to be lived through in sequence, with no skips. The record feels like one...