Star Powerhouse

  In line with the celebration of the 80th founding anniversary of the University of the East, the UE College of Fine Arts, Architecture and Design recently launched a unique journey into history, art, and memory through their annual art exhibition entitled “Estuario: Sining na dumadaloy, Diwang nagtatagpo, Kuwentong Nagpapatuloy” (Estuary: Flowing Art, Converging Minds, Continuing Stories). The word “estuario,” derived from the Latin word “aestuarium,” refers to a place where freshwater from rivers and saltwater from the sea meet and mix. In the context of the exhibition at the Chua King Ha Galleries on the 5th floor Tan Yan Kee Academic Building at UE Caloocan, this metaphor symbolizes the convergence of generations, traditions, and creative visions. UE CFAD, like a living ecosystem, bridges academia and the community, where students, faculty, alumni, and various disciplines merge to create a more vibrant channel of culture. Housed in the Mezzanine Gallery are important materi...

  A silent film, which explores the delicate line among the stillness between breaths, the deliberate weight of unspoken grief, and the unsettling beauty of obsession, has been officially selected to the LAGIM! Benilde Film Horror Festival, which runs from October 28 to 29. Co-written by De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde student filmmaker Paul Venj Coralde with fellow Benilde frosh Nicolo Jacinto and co-produced by ATBP Pelikula, Agaw-Dilim Projects, and Chikamalaya Studios, “Pomegranate” frames devotion not as a gentle sanctuary, but as something raw, visceral, and inherently dangerous. The story follows a bride, brought to life by executive producer and actor Rhed Bustamante, as she stumbles upon a solitary pomegranate in an open field on the eve of her wedding. The fruit quickly morphs from an innocent discovery into a vessel of haunting recollection. As sweet memories of tenderness with her past lover, played by Samuel Dias, clash against startling visions of violence, the b...

  Cinemalaya 2026 Best Film “Mag-iina” (The Mothering) will be the closing feature of the 10th Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Festival. Running from October 24 to 28 at Cinematheque Centre Davao, Ngilngig returns with a curated lineup under the theme “Metamorphosis.” The five-day event gathers 50 short films and five regional feature premieres, celebrating genre stories rooted in myths, shifting identities, and regional perspectives across Asia. Directed by Giancarlo Abrahan and written by Guelan Varela-Luarca, “Mag-iina” explores grief, inherited trauma, and the complex bonds between women. The film centers on Anj (played by Janine Gutierrez), who returns to her family’s home as the 40th day of her estranged father’s passing approaches, a period when his spirit is believed to make its final departure. Instead of closure, Anj encounters an environment suspended in madness, where three generations of women confront a legacy of love that operates dangerously close to evil. The horro...

  Decathlon Philippines welcomed fans and athletes on October 13, 2026, for an exclusive Asia Showcase featuring pickleball World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters and leading American sports brand Franklin Sports. Designed to celebrate the rapid rise of pickleball in the Philippines, the event gave fans an intimate meet-and-greet with Anna Leigh Waters and her coach and mother, Leigh Waters. Attendees had their paddles and exclusive photo cards autographed while getting an up-close look at Franklinʼs mystery paddle teased to be launched soon. The event gathered prominent figures from sports and entertainment, including celebrity Vern Ong, beauty queen Alethea Ambrosio, and professional volleyball player Ced Domingo. The spotlight also shone on 11-year-old rising star Gabe Ocampo, a decorated Philippine Pickleball League 13U multi medalist, who fulfilled a dream by playing an exhibition point with Waters. Jessica de Leon-Ramos, Country Marketing & Communications Leader of Decathlon Phili...

  Filipino singer-songwriter Gab Cabangon finds his path back into love on his debut 5-track EP, Learn to Love Again —out via Underdog Music. Photo credit: Meika Vieve Catog Cabangon describes the EP as an “open diary” of his experiences as a millennial singer-songwriter, chronicling the frustrations and emotional setbacks of life's grind while ultimately realizing there’s still room for renewed love and passion even in a world that tries to dim your light. Across five songs, Gab Cabangon explores the difficult process of confronting life’s disappointments while finding his way back to the people, his own dreams and aspirations, and parts of himself that once brought him joy. After years of navigating the demands of the industry, Gab Cabangon’s passion for songwriting and performing began to wane. He had to juggle gigging, supporting other artists behind the scenes, and pursuing his plans to release his own music—all while lacking the confidence to wear multiple hats with ease. In...

Photo Credits: Ralph Marco   Award-winning producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Ziv teams up rising P-pop girl group VVINK for “ Trisikulo ,” a bona fide bop that turns the familiar third-wheel experience into a euphoric celebration of friendship, longing, and young romance. Released under Sony Music Entertainment , the track follows Ziv’s previous releases, “Kuryente” and “Walkie Talkie,” and expands his solo offerings with indelible pop sensibilities and deceptively simple production. Built around a Filipino wordplay that links a tricycle’s three wheels to the feeling of being the extra person in someone else’s love story, “Trisikulo” reflects on wanting companionship and watching the people around you find love. According to Ziv, the concept comes from a personal encounter, with his third-wheel status becoming a running joke among friends and family. “I wanted to write about something that genuinely reflects where I am in life right now,” he shares. “It's funny becaus...

  As the Philippines hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2026, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) brings the region’s creative communities together through Seas Unbroken , a cinematic music video commissioned to tell a collective story of Southeast Asia through the eyes of its people. Produced by Voyage Film Studios, the project celebrates the region’s diversity and shared experiences through the perspectives of local filmmakers. Rather than focusing on national landmarks and tourist destinations, Seas Unbroken turns its lens toward everyday life: livelihoods sustained by the sea, families gathering around meals, bustling urban communities, and children carrying traditions into the future. The film highlights how arts and culture can deepen understanding among nations, allowing artists to represent their own communities while contributing to a broader regional narrative. By bringing together filmmakers, creatives, and production teams from all 11 A...

  Some stories make us laugh. Others remind us of the people we love, the choices we regret, and the truths we sometimes find difficult to face. This November, Saglit Lang, Totoo Na – The Re-Run brings these familiar yet deeply personal experiences to the stage in a collection of seven short plays that reflect the many sides of being human. Following its successful run in June 2026, FirstSun Production revives the theater production with works by five Filipino playwrights: Rene O. Villanueva, Vincent De Jesus, Alfonso I. Dacanay, Glory Ann Nacional, and Caleb Alvarez . Blending comedy, drama, and relatable storytelling, the production explores love, identity, family, sacrifice, and the unexpected turns that shape our lives. From Alfonso I. Dacanay’s Eyeball , which examines online connections and first impressions, to Vincent De Jesus’ Over a Cup of Coffee , a story of honesty, identity, and family acceptance, each play offers a different perspective on relationships. Rene O. Vill...

GRAMMY-nominated and multi-platinum selling artist  Tate McRae  releases her new single  “Housewife”  alongside the music video via  RCA Records . The pop anthem is about a woman who can’t be contained and explores themes of love, fame, and independence.  The cinematic and playful music video, directed by Pierre-Ange Carlotti, was shot in the south of France and choreographed by Sergio Reis (Madonna, Miley Cyrus, Troye Sivan & Charli XCX). It showcases a glamorous illusion that slowly fades into a quiet ache and the empowering but bittersweet truth that claiming your absolute freedom can sometimes mean sacrificing true love.  This is the first music release since Tate’s critically acclaimed #1 album  So Close To What.  This Sunday, Tate is set to perform at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show live in Los Angeles.  Earlier this summer, Tate gave a show-stopping headline performance at both Osheaga and Lollapalooza. The star also recent...

  Singaporean pop artist Estelle Fly returns with ‘Shut It Down’, a playful club-pop single about switching off the overthinking and making the dance floor your own. Inspired by the Rihanna and Kesha songs she used to get ready and go out to, the new release is an invitation to let loose, dance with friends and have fun even when life feels complicated. ‘Shut It Down’ is about the nights when friends persuade you to stop overthinking and go out. Instead of waiting for a text or checking your phone, it is an invitation to get dressed, feel good and spend the night dancing. As Estelle puts it: “Your problems will still be there tomorrow, but you deserve to enjoy yourself tonight.” Listen to Estelle Fly’s ‘Shut It Down’ here “I’ve always loved singing and dancing, so making a song like this feels very natural to me,” says Estelle. “I love the club songs from Rihanna and Kesha that we used to get ready and go out to, and I still listen to them now. I wanted to make something that gives...