Thanks for All the Birthday Greetings
I want to thank everyone who greeted me on my 66th birthday last January 26, 2026. The first from CITEM Friends and Family to greet me were Yayot Garcia…
Category: Entertainment
Covering the week’s most noteworthy entertainment news for the Filipino-American and Global Filipino community.
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The Philippine Women’s Open as a learning ground for Filipina tennis players
Alex Eala in action at the Philippine Women’s Open in Manila. – Photo courtesy of @alex.eala / Instagram. MANILA — When the Philippine Women’s Open concluded on January 31, 2026, it did not…
Fil-Am music director Marco Paguia wins Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album
Filipino-American music director and orchestrator Marco Paguia, a 2026 Grammy Award winner for Best Musical Theater Album for Buena Vista Social Club, also won a Tony Award in 2025 for Best Orchestrations for the same production. – Photo courtesy of Marco…
Barretto family says siblings united after matriarch Inday Barretto’s death
The family confirmed the death of Estrella “Inday” Barretto on Jan. 29. Relatives said siblings set aside past conflicts as they cared for their mother in her final days. MANILA —…
NAPA VALLEY ASIAN AMERICAN FILM FESTIVAL Honors Women with Bold 2026 Program
NVAAFF bridges traditional filmmaking with the newest frontiers of storytelling, while giving audiences a taste of Napa Valley’s finest. NAPA, CALIF., Jan. 16, 2026 — The annual Napa Valley Asian…
Family-owned Nathan Studios places two films in 2026 Sundance Film Festival program
Scenes from Levitating (Para Perasuk) (left) and Filipiñana (right), two films with Nathan Studios credits selected for screening at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival. – Photo credit: Courtesy of the filmmakers / Sundance Film Festival Nathan…
Veteran actor Raoul Aragon dies at 78; family says remains to be flown to Philippines
LOS ANGELES — Veteran Filipino actor Raoul Aragon, whose career spanned decades of Philippine cinema and television, died peacefully on January 22, 2026, in Downey, California. He was 78. Family confirms passing, appeals for accuracy…
My Memory of Corazon C. Aquino
The late President Corazon C. Aquino, fondly known as Tita Cory, left an indelible mark on modern Philippine history. She embodied what many described as a quiet courage and a selflessness…
Alex Eala’s rise brings a new kind of pressure and a lesson in tennis’ expanding reach
Alex Eala returns a shot during match play, as packed stands reflect the growing global attention following the Filipina tennis standout on the professional tour. Photo Credit: Alex Eala / Instagram…
My encounter with U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Loss Carlson
I have previously written, on occasion, about MaryKay Loss Carlson in this column. My most recent encounter with the outgoing United States ambassador to the Philippines came earlier this month, during an…
Lea Salonga shares update on son’s transition and confirms separation from husband
International theater icon Lea Salonga with her son, Nic Chien, in celebration of Nic’s 19th birthday. The image accompanied a message reflecting on motherhood, pride, and her son’s journey into adulthood. –…
What will you be looking forward to in 2026? (Part 1)
As the new year begins, I asked nine respondents from different walks of life to share their personal hopes, expectations, and anticipations for 2026. Their reflections span governance, journalism, culture,…
Garth Garcia to headline concert with Lani Misalucha, Cecile Azarcon
“Star In A Million” finalist Garth Garcia, who is currently based in America, has announced his birthday concert Garth Garcia Sings The Classics with Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha and Philippines’…
WORLDBEX 2026: Shaping Vision into Value
Manila, Philippines. The Philippine World Building and Construction Expo (WORLDBEX) is set to make its highly anticipated return in 2026, once again positioning itself as the premier event for the…
The Pitt wins major honors; its realism proves the more consequential achievement
Kristin Villanueva, portraying ER nurse Princess Dela Cruz, assists during a critical emergency alongside Noah Wyle as Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch in a scene from The Pitt. – Photo credit: IMDB / HBO…
Here Lies Love comes to Los Angeles: a musical that asks how power feels before it is judged
LOS ANGELES — Here Lies Love, the disco-pop musical by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, is scheduled to run at Center Theatre Group’s Mark Taper Forum from February 11 through March 22,…
I Spent My New Year’s Eve in Presidential Security Command
FOR the first time since my return to the Philippines in August 2025 from Northern California, I spent my New Year’s Eve, December 31, 2025, in the Presidential Security Command…
PIOLO PASCUAL & INIGO PASCUAL: FATHER & SON CONCERT TOUR 2026 LIVE AT PECHANGA
TEMECULA, California— Imagine seeing a mirage of yourself. This is actually happening as multi-talented Filipino heartthrob Piolo Pascual and his son, Iñigo, perform a ‘Father & Son’ concert tour on…
Sharon Cuneta at 60: Her journey from pre-teen star to cultural icon
She was barely in her teens when a novelty song made her a household name. At 60, Sharon Cuneta remains a defining figure across generations of Philippine popular culture. At…
Riding a 4×4 on Paoay Sand Dunes, catching sunsets, escaping storms, and other highlights in our 2025 homecoming
We felt like we were part of Timothee Chalamet’s movie, “Dunes,” as we rode the 4×4 in a heart-stopping, thrilling, bumpy ride in Paoay’s Sand Dunes in Ilocos Norte. It…
My Visits to Manila’s Bgy. 539 and Malacanang’s “Tara sa Palasyo”
Congratulations to barangay chairman Christopher Clark C. Quito of Barangay 539 in Sampaloc, Manila for he has done lots of good deeds for his constituents. He is recognized for fostering…
My first time judging a Christmas group presentation
I arrived on time for the Mass officiated by Fr. Bong Guerrero, widely known as the “Happy Priest,” one of the most dynamic preachers of the Diocese of Cubao. A…
Celebrating the silver anniversary of Alvin and Marissa Varsovia
Marissa Varsovia and Alvin Varsovia marked their 25th wedding anniversary with a renewal of vows at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel along Broadway Avenue in New Manila, Quezon…
Zsa Zsa Padilla returns Aliw lifetime honor after ceremony protocol dispute
Singer and actress Zsa Zsa Padilla. “Instead of feeling honored, I was left feeling small,” the veteran performer said in explaining her decision to return her Aliw Awards Lifetime Achievement honor…
Miss Universe shifts operations from Mexico to New York following CEO’s exit
Mario Búcaro, who concluded his tenure as chief executive officer of the Miss Universe Organization following a brief appointment in late 2025. Photo attribution: Official government portrait / Ministry of Foreign Affairs…
Looking Forward to FIFA World Cup 2026
I was grateful to the Washington DC Foreign Press Center for the FIFA World Cup 2026 media briefing led by Andrew Harold Giuliani, executive director of the White House Task…
25 Years of Charity and Celebration: The Grandest World Bazaar Festival Opens!
The metro’s most anticipated one-stop shop and holiday marketplace —World Bazaar Festival, officially opens its doors today, December 12, 2025, at the World Trade Center Metro Manila. Now on its…
Pasko in America 2025 Fills American Dream in NJ With the Spirit of a Filipino Christmas
East Rutherford, NJ — December 6, 2025 — Pasko in America, the Northeast’s biggest indoor Filipino Christmas celebration, drew about 6,000 families, Filipino Americans, and multicultural holiday shoppers across three…
Eduard Bañez, Pinoy by heart in North Hollywood
Filipino musician and Nickelodeon host Eduard Bañez began singing at five years old and entered show business at 15. By age 17, he had already gained traction in dating blogs under the…
Claudine Barretto denounces revived tale involving sister Gretchen
From left: Claudine Barretto, business leader Vivian Yuchengco, and Gretchen Barretto. Both Claudine and Yuchengco have rejected the long-running RCBC elevator rumor involving Gretchen, describing the decades-old tale as false….