Philippine News

November 16 ------ On Nov. 16, the Philippine Association of Record Industry (PARI) will confer on Vic del Rosario Jr., or VRJ, the Lifetime Achievement award. It is in recognition of VRJ’s massive contribution to Filipino music. And in this situation, the word “lifetime” is most appropriate. After all, he has been in the music business, and continually at that, for 60 years. It was in 1966 when the 20-year-old VRJ accepted his cousin Orly Ilacad’s invitation they put up a re

PARIS, France, November 16 ------ It has become nearly impossible for people to tell the difference between music generated by artificial intelligence and that created by humans, according to a survey released. The polling firm Ipsos asked 9,000 people to listen to two clips of AI-generated music and one of human-made music in a survey conducted for France-based streaming platform Deezer. "Ninety-seven percent could not distinguish between music entirely generated by AI and h

November 15 ------ Singer-songwriter Zia Quizon made her musical comeback with the single “Reto Na Naman” at the Dolphy Theater — a “bittersweet, full-circle” moment at the venue named after her late father, Comedy King Dolphy. “Not meaning to, it was just the most logical place to have it logistically. There is a sense of finality. We are moving into a new chapter. This physical space won’t be here for much longer, so it is nice we got to do it while it is here,” she said, m

November 15 ------ Chadwick Boseman is set to be honored with a posthumous star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on November 20. Variety reported Boseman will be awarded the 2,828th star in the Motion Pictures category next week, as part of 2024’s class of honorees. Boseman’s widow, Simone Ledward-Boseman, will accept the honor on his behalf. The morning ceremony will include speeches from “Black Panther” director Ryan Coogler and actress Viola Davis, the actor’s

November 14 ------ Following its official venue signing at the historic Araneta Coliseum, Mr. and Ms. Chinatown Global (MMCG) announced its new leadership under Pageant Director Nicole Cordoves and Assistant Pageant Director and Pageant Manager Cassandra Chan—signaling a bold new chapter for the CHiNOY TV-produced cultural pageant. A Binibining Pilipinas alumna, crowned Miss Grand Philippines 2016 and Miss Chinatown 2014, Cordoves is also the longest-running host of Binibinin

November 14 ------ Kylie Padilla paid tribute to her mom, Liezl Sicangco, and to all the mothers, praising their strength and selflessness for their children. Kylie spoke about motherhood while showing a photo of Sicangco on her Instagram page. “Motherhood is what forever changed me, the sacrifice, the endless selflessness, and silent resilience will forever be what I hold onto when things feel hard to navigate,” she said. “Watching my own mother navigate her journey influenc

November 14 ------ The delegates of the 74th Miss Universe pageant continued their journey in Thailand in the coastal city of Pattaya, but the Philippines’ Ahtisa Manalo was missing in the welcome event. The city hosted a special dinner dubbed “Memorable Night of Thainess” at Baan Suan Thai, with most of the candidates going onstage. Eagle-eyed pageant fans who followed the event via a live video on social media, however, noted the absence of the Philippines’ Miss Universe be

November 14 ------ As Team Philippines was eliminated in the latest episode of “Physical: Asia,” two of its members, Justin Coveney and Ray Querubin, expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the sports-themed show. Team Philippines — composed of Coveney, Querubin, team captain and CrossFit athlete Justin Hernandez, CrossFit athlete Lara Liwanag, national team Sambo athlete Mark Mugen, and national team hurdler Robyn Lauren Brown — is the latest team booted

November 13 ------ Jodi Sta. Maria pondered on the Filipinos in light of the recent calamities, stressing how the public should demand more from those who are meant to protect them. The actress spoke about this while showing roads and damaged houses submerged in floodwaters after the typhoons, through her Instagram page. Written on the photos are the sentences, “Even in the storm, you showed grace just by getting through the day. Not every strength looks like bravery. Sometim

November 13 ------ As Emma Tiglao finds herself in the spotlight after attending some of Miss Universe 2025’s pre-pageant activities, she reminded the pageant community that being a “true queen” goes beyond winning the crown and is about fulfilling one’s duties with a purpose. Tiglao spoke about the definition of a true queen on her Instagram page on Monday, November 10, although her message is dedicated to the pageant community as a whole. “To everyone in the pageant communi

MANILA, Philippines, November 13 ------ It was an easy “yes” for Maricel Soriano to accept the expected tearjerker, “Meet, Greet & Bye.” “I could relate to the role, being a mother myself. She has three sons, and I have two sons, so I immediately connected with her experiences of motherhood,” Maricel said in an exclusive interview. “Also, yung parang sa tingin ng mga anak ko na dalawa (in film), kay Papa P (Piolo), parang paborito ni Mama yan. Of course, na-hi-hurt ang nanay

MANILA, Philippines, November 13 ------ After six years apart, members of the Filipino pop-rock band IV of Spades are officially back together with their second album, “Andalucia,” a comeback born out of their mended friendship. Seven years after releasing their debut album “CLAPCLAPCLAP!” (2019), Zild Benitez, Blaster Silonga, Unique Salonga and Badjao de Castro have reunited to begin a new chapter. Their latest release also marks the band’s evolution from breakout acts to m

MANILA, Philippines, November 12 ------ “Song of the Fireflies,” the musical film based on the true story of the Loboc Children’s Choir, has won the Best International Feature Audience Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival in the United States. The movie, starring singer Morissette, tied with the German film “Köln 75,” a biopic about American pianist Keith Jarrett. “What a blessing to wake up to such wonderful news!” said “Song of the Fireflies” executive producer Celeste

November 12 ------ Angeline Quinto is celebrating her 15th year in show business with a comeback lead role and her first venture as a producer in the upcoming drama-thriller “Ang Happy Homes ni Diane Hilario.” In the recent special advance screening and press conference of the film, Quinto admitted that while she started out as a singer and enjoyed being one, she has also learned to love acting. “Magfi-fifteen years na ako as a singer, wala naman sigurong masama na subukan ko

MANILA, Philippines, November 12 ------ Singer-songwriter Jona Viray gave a glimpse of her Rizal farm, where stray animals she rescued reside. In her latest YouTube upload, broadcast journalist Karen Davila visited Jona's three-hectare farm in Tanay, Rizal, which the singer has been overseeing since the pandemic, though her rescue efforts date back to 2009. Jona shared that she had rescued around 70 dogs and cats to date, though some of them, who are ill or have disabilities,

MANILA, November 12 ------ "America's Got Talent" (AGT) Season 20 grand winner Jessica Sanchez is coming back to Manila to welcome the year 2026. The Filipino-American singer will be performing at the New Year's countdown party of Newport World Resorts at the Manila Marriott Grand Ballroom on December 31. This was confirmed by Newport World Resorts on Tuesday morning via a social media post. Sanchez, a Chula native, was part of the hit show's first season, where she also made

November 11 ------ The Miss Universe Philippines organization (MUPH) has called for “bayanihan” to help those who were affected by the back-to-back typhoons “Tino” and “Uwan” in the country.   “Our hearts go out to the communities, especially our partners, delegates, and their families, who are navigating the aftermath of this calamity. We stand in solidarity with all Filipinos facing this challenging time,” MUPH said in a statement on Nov. 9.   The organization has a nationw

November 11 ------ Filipino singer-songwriter Dionela said he would donate all proceeds from his upcoming concerts to those affected by Super Typhoon Uwan.   The "Marilag" hitmaker is set to take the stage of the New Frontier Theater on November 21 and 22 for his "Grace" tour, marking his first major concert.   "I'm beyond grateful that tickets are almost sold out with just a few seats [left]," he wrote on a whiteboard, posing with it in a photo he shared on social media. "To

November 11 ------ Alden Richards is back in Hong Kong, this time as an Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Ambassador! As seen in Athena Imperial's report in "24 Oras," the Asia's Multimedia Star interacted and bonded with the Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Hong Kong while promoting the importance of mental health.   "Mahirap siya kasi walang ibang kalaban 'yung individuals kundi ang kanilang sarili and based on experience I've been there so I know how it feel

MANILA, November 11 ------ The nation’s girl group BINI has unveiled its latest single, “Paruparo,” now available on all major streaming platforms. The track’s official lyric video, released on BINI’s YouTube channel, has already drawn nearly half a million views.   Co-written by members Stacey, Jhoanna, and Mikha with Dana Balagtas and producer Jonathan Manalo, “Paruparo” showcases the group’s continued growth as artists and songwriters.   “Paruparo” was described as "an ant