Star Powerhouse

  The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) presents Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s brilliant arias in “Le Nozze di Figaro” as the sixth installment of CCP’s The Met: LIVE in HD - Season 10 this July 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m., at Glorietta 4, Cinema 1 in Makati City. Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro) centers on servants Figaro and Susanna, who are about to marry. The Count and Countess, each with personal reasons, hope to stop the wedding. While trouble lurks in the shadows, Figaro and Susanna juggle shocking truths with their immense love for each other. Chasing greater fame and financial security, Mozart based Le Nozze di Figaro on Paisiello’s Il barbiere di Siviglia, which Beaumarchais’s Le Barbier de Séville had influenced. He worked with librettist Lorenzo Da Ponte to finish the opera. The then-emperor had refused permission to stage Beaumarchais’s iteration because of its German translation. As a precaution, Da Ponte omitted political content from Mozart’s w...

Queer representation has always had a home in Filipino theater. Over the years, it evolved from subtle innuendos and comic relief to a more nuanced, empowering portrayal that challenges societal norms and celebrates diverse identities. These plays assert the importance of inclusive human narratives and provide an opportunity for self-discovery – both for LGBTQIA+ individuals and audiences. Today, a growing number of playwrights, directors, and theater companies in the Philippines have embraced the responsibility of telling queer stories with authenticity and depth. For years, the Virgin Labfest puts the spotlight on queer characters, particularly their struggles, joys, and triumphs. Their stories are brought to full bloom in the 20th edition of the country’s theater festival of untried, untested, and unstaged plays. Mga Magindara sa Siyudad In the play written by CJ Junio, two friends Maureen and Maylene are known as the magindara (mermaids) of the local carnival. Together with their ...

Rock Opong drops his latest single, “ We Tried ”—out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment . “We Tried” captures the bittersweet journey of letting go, growing, and finding peace after love is lost. The tender, piano-led ballad tells the story of two people who gave their best to love each other, but in the end, had to walk away. There’s no drama and no betrayal, just the silent heartbreak of trying, failing, and remembering.  “It came from a very real and honest place,” the promising newcomer shares. “There was no big fallout—just two people trying so hard to make something work, and it still wasn’t enough. That kind of heartbreak can be the hardest to understand, and I wanted to give it a voice.” The song’s emotional weight is matched by its minimalist production. Built around intimate piano lines, fingerpicked acoustic guitar, and hushed harmonies, “We Tried” lets each lyric breathe. Nothing is overproduced. Every sound is intentional and org...

  The Department of Science and Technology-Science Education Institute has moved the deadline of submission of entries to the 9th Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition to June 29, 2025.  DOST-SEI established Indie-Siyensya, one of the pioneering science filmmaking competitions in the Philippines, to promote science and technology culture through film. This year’s competition theme is “Halik sa Lupa” (Kiss the Earth), which explores the multifaceted significance of soil.  Indie-Siyensya features two categories: the Open Category for college students, teachers, and science and technology professionals (at least 19 years old on the last day of submission), and the Youth Category for other students and out-of-school youth (aged 13-18 on the last day of submission). Winners in both will receive substantial prizes, with 200,000 pesos awarded to the Best Film, 150,000 pesos to the second placer, and 100,000 pesos for the third prize. Participants in the Open Category can create ...

  The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) proudly joins the global celebration of Pride Month with a stunning façade lighting display that honors the rich diversity, individuality, and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. Starting June 25, the iconic façade of the CCP Main Building will be transformed into a living canvas of light, bathed in a vibrant spectrum of rainbow colors and complemented by GOBO projections with a dynamic interplay of patterns resembling intricate human fingerprints. Designed by CCP Production Design and Technical Services Division, the concept draws from the idea that every fingerprint is unique to every individual, mirroring the individuality and distinct journeys of the members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Just as no two fingerprints are alike, the stories and experiences of those who continue to push for equality and acceptance are equally distinct. The centerpiece of the Pride Month celebration, the façade lighting reflects the CCP’s longstanding co...

Rol3ert (pronounced “Robert”) is quickly emerging as a breakout artist in Japan’s music scene. His presence across Asia has been steadily growing since the release of his debut single “ meaning ” in January, followed by “ HOPE ” in April. Both tracks have landed on user-generated playlists across major streaming platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. Credit: Exciter Records His new single “ Nerd ”, released on 25th June under Exciter Records , arrives as an poignant anthem for those navigating solitude while still holding on to hope. A tribute to the “beautiful nerds” looking toward the future, the track blends emotional vulnerability with melodic clarity. Rol3ert revealed that the melody came to him during a bike ride,  and the song, written primarily in English, features emotionally piercing verse in Japanese that strike a deeper chord:  “I erased my colors  And I was okay with that  But I was still scared of the end.” The song eventually unfolds into a qui...

  The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), through the Cultural Exchange Department (CED), brings the 2025 Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) Apprenticeship Program to Bacolod City from July 15 to 24, 2025. Now in its seventh edition, the University of St. La Salle (USLS) will be the official venue of the program, specifically at the Gallaga Theater and the Coliseum. This year’s apprenticeship program welcomes 24 participants from 18 KSS organizations nationwide (eight from Luzon, eight from Visayas, and eight from Mindanao).   The hands-on training modules are designed to enhance the competence level and skills of regional cultural workers in technical theater (sound and lights), stage management, and production-tour management. The program will feature mentorship sessions focused on specific areas of arts and theater, accompanied by lectures, interactive sessions, demonstrations, case studies, and practical applications. The roster of trainers, facilitators, and resource speake...