Miss Universe PH 2023 Michelle Marquez Dee joins PLDT Home at Kadayawan 2023

Festivals are at the heart of Filipino culture, celebrating the country’s rich heritage with vibrant and lively events each year. This is also the best time for communities, families, and friends to gather together and celebrate. 

One of the country’s biggest festivals is Davao’s Kadayawan Festival. Held every August, it’s a thanksgiving event that celebrates bountiful harvests, nature, and the city’s history and heritage.

In 2023, the festival celebrated its 38th year, with the theme “Colors of Abundance, Vibrance of Diversity, Festival of Festivals, the 'Pag-abli sa Kadayawan,” and ran from August 10-20. It was a return to form for the festival with tourists flocking to the city to witness the many events and festivities. From a colorful and vibrant opening ceremony to energetic concerts, and a rich cultural showcase of the entire city, Kadayawan 2023 was a beautiful spectacle enjoyed by locals and festival goers alike. 

Kalye X is Spotify’s latest initiative dedicated to Pinoy hip-hop

As part of Kalye X, Spotify unveils its first-of-its-kind hip-hop Spotify Singles with artists, Cookie$, Midnasty, Morobeats, Gloc-9, Hero, and Ramdiss.

Spotify’s Kalye Hip-Hop playlist grew five times since 2018, reflecting the growing popularity of the local genre.

At its launch party, Spotify partners with local hip-hop artists and the community to celebrate the best of Pinoy hip-hop music and culture, including performances from Al James, Morobeats and Midnasty. 

realme 11 Pro Series 5G now available, starts at PHP 17,499

Get up to PHP 3,000 OFF during its first online selling from August 24-28

realme Philippines unveiled two new models of the realme 11 Pro Series 5G during an exclusive launch held at Whitespace Manila. The on-ground event was opened to the public via livestream on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. 

Guests and viewers were treated to an experiential product launch, complete with pre-show activities, a fashion show inspired by the colors of the Series, a special premiere of The World Up Close TV ad, and a live appearance by realme Brand Ambassador, Kathryn Bernardo.

Korean Action-Comedy Series "Han River Police" To Debut September 13 On Disney+

Set along one of Seoul’s most beloved destinations,

“Han River Police” combines action, humor and criminal intrigue to deliver a hilarious new take on crime dramas

When a hardworking and hot-tempered police officer gets partnered with a lackadaisical lay-about, the mismatched duo will be thrown into the deep end when a criminal conspiracy unfolds in front of them in Han River Police - a new Korean action-comedy series coming September 13 exclusively to Disney+.

Tasked with keeping Seoul’s most iconic leisure destination safe, Sergeant Dujin and Lieutenant Chunseok regularly patrol the banks of the Han river, taking on terrorists, saving citizens involved in accidents, and solving a range of crimes. An unlikely duo that find themselves in a number of bizarre situations, the team will find themselves in over their heads when a wide-spread criminal conspiracy is uncovered within their jurisdiction.

The film Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story came to Archie Madekwe’s radar through a chance encounter.

“I met with one of the writers almost a year earlier [before he was cast]. He told me a story I had never heard before, and I was taken aback when I was sent the material – a couple of podcasts, interviews, YouTube videos,” shares Madekwe, who plays Jann Mardenborough, the real gamer-turned-professional racecar driver whose story the film is about. “I was really moved, because one thing that appeals to me as an actor is finding unknown, inspiring stories about people who look like me. When I was growing up, these stories – a young person achieving their dreams – were never told about a person whose face looked like mine. So I was unbelievably compelled to tell this story.”

The real Jann Mardenborough agrees. “I hope it shows kids that look like me that they can trust themselves and can go after what they love,” he says.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/sM8xVZp2aKs

Like the character he plays, Madekwe had one hiccup when he began racing cars: he didn’t know how to drive. While working on another production, before Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story began shooting, he would shoot his scenes during the day, then sneak in a driving lesson in his evenings. 

Pinoy rock queens Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Aia de Leon, Acel, Lougee Basabas-Alejandro, and Hannah Romawac release “Talinghaga,” their first single as a group

The star-studded collaboration reflects on their respective experiences finding God and walking with Him in faith

After staging a sold-out concert last year at the Solaire Theatre, Pinoy rock queens Barbie Almalbis, Kitchie Nadal, Aia de Leon, Acel, Lougee Basabas-Alejandro, and Hannah Romawac continue their collaborative streak with the release of “Talinghaga,” their first single together as a group.

Released under WATERWALK RECORDS, a music label focused on bringing fresh Christian music to a new, streaming generation, the praise anthem narrates their individual experiences walking in faith with God and finding him even in the most tumultuous of times. 

According to Aia de Leon, “Talinghaga” is an attempt to describe the manifold glory of our Holy Creator. “While we wonder at His splendor, we find there is none like Him. While we revel at His glory, we find that we are blessed with His goodness and how His generosity is unmatched. The world we live in is but a temporary metaphor of the plans He has for us in His dwelling. Our final destination, without the tears and suffering.”

Andrea, Kyle, Juan Karlos, Elijah, Zaijan, Xriel Top-Bill ABS-CBN And iWantTFC's New Primetime Series "Senior High"

The newest coming-of-age primetime series, “Senior High,” will showcase the country’s next generation of stars - Andrea Brillantes, Kyle Echarri, Juan Karlos, Elijah Canlas, Zaijian Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat, Daniela Stranner, Miggy Jimenez, Tommy Alejandrino, and Gela Atayde. Joining them are veteran actors such as Angel Aquino, Baron Geisler, Mon Confiado, and Sylvia Sanchez, together with Desiree Del Valle, Kean Cipriano, Ana Abad Santos, Gerald Madrid, Inka Magnaye, Angeli Bayani, Ryan Eigenmann, Rans Rifol, Rap Robes, Kakki Teodoro, and Floyd Tena. ABS-CBN Entertainment and iWantTFC present a Dreamscape Entertainment production, “Senior High,” coming this August 28 at 9:30 PM on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, TV5, iWantTFC, and TFC.

Rising Tigers Team Made Waves In Seoul, Korea

The board and co-owners of Rising Tigers Magazine visited Korea as part of the Philippines Korea Economic Council (PhilKorec) business delegation. 

Representing their own companies; Robert Laurel Yupangco of Yupangco Group, Brian Poe Llamanzares of Pantheon Holdings, Atty. Arnel Mateo of ADM & Partners Data Privacy and Consulting Inc., Sarah Mateo of SPD Jobs, Engr. Grace Bondad Nicolas of Tag Media Group and Andria Terese Nicolas of Rising Tigers Magazine Inc. 

The delegation goal is to expand their business through partnership or joint venture with the companies in South Korea. 

Activities includes the company visits in the following to check their technology; SD Bio Technologies, HD Hyundai Energy Solution and Deepnoid. 

Korean Crime Drama "The Worst of Evil" Arrives September 27 Exclusively on Disney+

Starring Ji Changwook, “Squid Game” icon Wi Hajun, and Lim Semi, step back onto the crime-ridden streets of 1990s Seoul in this upcoming fast-paced drama

When a potent new recreational drug begins spreading throughout Seoul’s liveliest venues, an undercover officer will infiltrate the gang responsible in The Worst of Evil - a thrilling new crime drama coming September 27, exclusively on Disney+.

In 1990s Seoul, a former DJ seized control of a gang and began pushing a popular new drug nicknamed “Gangnam Crystal” in the city’s nightclubs. With little known about its source, a rural officer is recruited into an undercover police unit and is tasked with infiltrating the gang to bring it down from the inside. Forced to keep his new assignment a secret from everyone, officer Park Junmo is stunned to discover his wife and fellow officer Yu Euijeong has volunteered for the same assignment and that she has a mysterious past with the city’s new drug lord. Torn between his dedication to his job and his need to keep his wife safe, Junmo’s actions will keep viewers on the edge of their seat throughout.

PhilKorec Visits Korean Global Knowledge Exchange & Development Center

The attendees in the trade mission under Philippines Korea Economic Council (PhilKorec) enjoyed the Korea history when they visited the Global Knowledge Exchange & Development Center (GKEDC) in Korea. It’s an eye opener and an inspiration since the people of that country transformed Korea from one of the poorest country in Asia to one of the biggest trade supplier globally with known and popular brands trailblazing from different industries such as Hyundai, Samsung, Etude House and Kia among others with Samsung defends crown as South Korea's most valuable brand at US$82.7 billion. Samsung retained its title of being the most valuable brand in South Korea despite recording a decrease in brand value by 7% to US$82.7 billion.