Star Powerhouse

  Celebrating two decades of nurturing emerging and established playwrights, directors, actors, and designers, the Virgin Labfest (VLF) continues to foster its garden of brave narratives with 12 new scripts ripe for the picking. The country’s theater festival of untried, untested, and unstaged one-act plays returns from June 11 to June 29, 2025, at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater).  NEW SCRIPTS, NEW CONVERSATIONS Featuring 12 new scripts by 8 virgin male and female playwrights and 4 returning playwrights in its milestone year, VLFXX: HINOG blooms into a passionate community of unheard voices and untold stories, bringing people closer through truthful and compelling storytelling. A group of friends makes the most of their summer vacation with a mystery game in YOJ’s TBT: TAKBO, BATANG TONDO . Albin, the policeman in their little world, is baffled when the real “suspect” isn’t punished. Liane Carlo Suelan’s ANG BATA KAG ANG ILAGA is set in St. Jerome’s H...

Peej and acclaimed Indian singer-songwriter and producer Dhruv Visvanath have come together for the release of their evocative new single, “ Pieces ”—out globally on Friday, May 16, 2025.  Born from a serendipitous meeting at Singapore’s All That Matters music conference in 2024, the track explores the universal human longing for connection in an increasingly disconnected world.  “At its core, Pieces is about drifting—emotionally and spiritually—and trying to find your way back to something or someone,” shares Dhruv Visvanath. “This past year, I’ve been pushing myself to write differently, explore new places, and seek deeper connections. When I met Peej in Singapore, we clicked instantly–we even swapped t-shirts! Pieces began as a quiet, introspective idea, like drifting alone at sea, longing for connection. The moment I created the demo, I knew Peej was the missing piece. He brought a rare sincerity to the song–and, of course, his stunning saxophone."  Peej, whose e...

The Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival continues to sail as it opens its doors for new entries for the Full-Length Film category of its 2026 edition.  The deadline for submissions is on or before  6PM  of  JUNE 6, 2025  (Friday). The country’s biggest independent film festival continues its pursuit of innovative and excellent filmmaking as it celebrates 21 years of nurturing independent Filipino filmmakers eager to make their marks in the film industry in 2026.   Those who are interested in submitting their entries may submit it  ONLINE  through   https://forms.gle/ XFAaxKrwY34VDLjz8  with the following requirements: the concept paper of the project containing the premise(s) of the film, the genre, the tagline, the key characters, and their descriptions in Filipino or English; a two-page synopsis/storyline of the film project; resume of the proponent/s; two (2) recent photos of proponent/s; and a sample of the work dire...

Ever Bilena, the Philippines’ leading cosmetics brand, proudly introduces South Korean actor and K-pop idol Choi Bo-min as the newest face of its latest campaign. The collaboration was unveiled through a surprise launch featuring Ever Bilena’s best-selling EB Face Powder, which has sold over one million units in online alone. A rising star both on-screen and in the hearts of many, Choi Bo-min brings fresh energy to the EB Face Powder—an iconic product that has long been a staple in Filipino beauty routines! Now, it’s being reintroduced through the lens of youthful charm and global appeal. The campaign’s makeup direction, led by Toni Aviles, featured the EB Face Powder in Natural, the OG EB Lip & Cheek Stain in Very Red, and the newly released EB Pillow Pop Multipot in Dreamy Dahlia. For his brows, Bo-min wore the EB Ultimate Brow Fix in Clear, paired with a soon-to-launch 24-hour wear retractable brow product coming later this year. “We chose Bo-min because he embodies the youthful...

TINASHE  announces 4 new stops in Asia on her  Match My Freak: 2025 World Tour . MANILA will be on  August 28th  at the  New Frontier Theater . Presented by  Wilbros Live  and  Eventim Live Asia . Tickets go on-sale on Thursday, May 15, 11AM via   TicketNet.com.ph   and TicketNet outlets nationwide.   Tinashe is a multi-platinum-certified R&B disruptor singer, writer, and dancer - but she also produces, mixes, engineers, creative directs, and edits.  She is one of music’s most compelling artists, fusing innovative sounds from R&B, pop and hip-hop that has generated a global cross-genre fanbase of over 13 million social media followers.  Tinashe has headlined two world tours and accrued over 1.5 billion global streams all time. Her first album,  Aquarius , came out in 2014 and debuted in the top 20 on the Billboard 200. She has since released four more studio albums, not including  BB/ANG3L , as ...

 In celebration of the founding anniversary of the Department of Tourism, the National Parks Development Committee proudly presents ADHIKA , a free and public cultural performance under its Concert at the Park series. The event will be held on Sunday, May 11, 2025, at 5:30 PM at the Open Air Auditorium in Rizal Park (Luneta), Manila . ADHIKA is a vibrant cultural showcase featuring two esteemed dance companies: the Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe from Manila and the Parangal Dance Company from California, USA. This one-of-a-kind performance brings together the energy and artistry of Filipino folk dance, celebrating the country’s rich tapestry of indigenous traditions. Admission is free and open to the public —a perfect opportunity for families, tourists, and culture lovers to experience the beauty of Philippine heritage. A Living Tribute to Filipino Culture Co-directed by Ronnie del Barrio and Eric Solano , ADHIKA blends traditional dance, music, and storytelling...

 Renowned Hollywood fashion designer Alexis Monsanto will debut a breathtaking Qin Dynasty-inspired couture collection during the Bowers Museum’s fundraising gala on Thursday, May 22, 2025 , in Orange County. The exclusive fashion presentation coincides with the museum's landmark exhibition, "World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries," making the evening a rare fusion of history, art, and high fashion. Best known as “Hollywood’s Fashion Expert,” Monsanto brings his signature elegance, innovation, and artistry to this one-of-a-kind runway event. His latest collection, inspired by ancient Chinese imperial aesthetics , pays homage to the luxurious attire and opulent jewels worn by the noblewomen of Emperor Qin Shi Huang’s court. Elements such as mythological dragons , precious stones , and ornate embellishments inform the collection's rich color palette and intricate detailing. Crafted in his Los Angeles-based Alexis Monsanto Atelier , the...