Senate Hearing Confirms the Core Issue: Illegal Gaming Platforms

We commend the Senate for surfacing the central truth in its hearing: the harms highlighted—underage access, uncontrolled betting, and financial distress—stem from illegal, unlicensed platforms, not from PAGCOR-licensed operators.

Licensed operators are subject to oversight, audits, and sanctions. They run KYC, age verification, and responsible gaming mechanisms. The Senate’s work draws a clean line: where regulation exists, protection exists; where illegality thrives, protection vanishes.

We share the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ objectives on consumer protection and financial integrity. As an industry alliance, we firmly believe that the most effective way to achieve both is to keep lawful activity inside the regulatory perimeter with traceable, supervised payment rails. Delinking licensed operators from online payment platforms would not stop gambling. It risks pushing players into the dark corners of the internet where activity is untraceable, taxes disappear, and harm is harder to detect.

--PlaySafe Alliance of the Philippines

Award-Winning Filipino Musical Walang Aray Returns with Refreshed Staging and Inclusive Cast Lineup

The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is set to restage its critically acclaimed musical Walang Aray from August 29 to October 12, 2025, at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City. A contemporary adaptation of Severino Reyes’ classic zarzuela Walang Sugat, the production returns with sharper satire, deeper emotional stakes, and bold new interpretations. Blending humor, romance, and political commentary, Walang Aray continues to resonate with audiences as it explores the intersection of love and resistance.

As the flagship production of PETA’s 58th season, themed Love and Power, this revival features a more comedic, more subversive, and bolder and biting Walang Aray while retaining its heartwarming core. 

Director Ian Segarra reprises his role at the helm, now joined by Norbs Portales as Associate Director, who brings a fresh and daring creative pulse to the production. “His insight, energy, and collaboration helped shape this new version into something sharper and, in many ways, braver,” Segarra shares.

Plan Your Next Trip With Travel & Lifestyle Expo 2025 At Circuit Makati

Planning your next travel destination soon? Make it easier and hassle-free with Travel & Lifestyle Expo 2025 happening at the Activity Center, Upper Ground Floor, Ayala Malls Circuit, Makati.  from August 29 to 31, 2025 

Organized by JJ Events Management, in partnership with STEP UP Travel + Events, the 3-day event will once again bring together top travel destinations, lifestyle brands, tourism agencies, and media partners to offer exciting deals, immersive experiences, and fresh travel inspiration for all wanderlusts and adventurers. 

Gloc-9 and Abaddon Share An Inspiring Message With Their Latest Release"BLGBGN"

Award-winning artist and rap phenom Gloc-9 has just dropped his latest single, "BLGBGN," featuring fellow rapper Abaddon. This new track continues Gloc-9's impressive streak of monthly releases throughout the year, as he continues to share new music every month.

"BLGBGN" is an empowering song that encourages listeners to embrace life to the fullest. The track delivers the message that life is a journey filled with mistakes, challenges, and fears, but it’s essential to take chances and make the most of every moment. As the artists express, “Huwag kang matakot na magmahal at masaktan, isang beses lang ang buhay, wala nang balikan,” reminding us that we only live once and there are no do-overs.

In collaboration with Abaddon, Gloc-9 emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the pursuit of dreams. The lyrics inspire listeners to not take life too seriously, to reach for the clouds, and to navigate through the seas of life even without a predetermined destination. “Abutin mo and ulap, languyin mo and dagat, bumiyahe ng walang patutunguhan, simulan mong lumakad, balagbagin mo ang ‘yong istorya,” they declare, encouraging everyone to keep moving forward and to craft their own unique stories.

Pull back the curtains from the Land of Oz and go behind-the-scenes in the “Wicked: For Good” first look

In PH cinemas Nov 19

“It’s wild. It’s unbridled. It feels really, really epic,” is how Elphaba actress Cythnia Erivo describes the closing chapter of the spellbinding film adaptation, Wicked: For Good. Directed by Jon M. Chu, the film is the end to the untold story of the witches of Oz, Elphaba and Glinda (Ariana Grande).

Over 9.3 Million Views Na Mga Mumshie! “Mudrasta: Ang Beking Ina” Trends Online, Bringing Back The Comedy We’ve All Been Missing

Official Trailer Link: https://youtu.be/lLJtrLiA94s?feature=shared

Over 9.3 million views in just a short time, mga besh, mga Mars — gano’n kabilis pinag-usapan ang pagbabalik ni Roderick Paulate sa comedy sa upcoming film na “MUDRASTA: Ang Beking Ina.” From Facebook to Tik Tok, todo share, todo comment, at todo tawa ang netizens, proving na miss na miss na ng bayan ang ganitong klaseng comedy.

Fans are living for the signature Roderick Paulate comedy branding — witty banat, halakhakan na may kurot sa puso, and characters na parang kakilala mo lang. The overwhelming reaction shows that people are

craving the classic, feel-good humor na nakakapawi ng pagod at stress. As one of the purely comedy films to come out this year, MUDRASTA: Ang Beking Ina promises to deliver laugh-out-loud moments alongside heartfelt storytelling.

Let love lift you up ❤️ REGRETTING YOU trailer now available!

Based on the best-selling book, “Regretting You” opens in cinemas October 22

We read it. We felt it. Now we’re about to see it. Regretting You, from the best-selling author of It Ends with Us and the director of The Fault in Our Stars, opens only in cinemas October 22. Starring Mckenna Grace, Mason Thames, Allison Williams, Dave Franco, Scott Eastwood and Willa Fitzgerald. 

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

#RegrettingYouMovie

Photo credit: Paramount Pictures

Based on the bestselling book, REGRETTING YOU introduces audiences to Morgan Grant (Allison Williams) and her daughter Clara (Mckenna Grace) as they explore what’s left behind after a devastating accident reveals a shocking betrayal and forces them to confront family secrets, redefine love, and rediscover each other. REGRETTING YOU is a story of growth, resilience, and self-discovery in the aftermath of tragedy, also starring Dave Franco and Mason Thames with Scott Eastwood and Willa Fitzgerald, in cinemas October 22.

Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal are out to steal hearts in “Materialists”

After finding the perfect Lucy in Dakota Johnson, director Celine Song set her sights on completing her leading trio in Materialists. For Lucy’s broke, soft-hearted ex John,  Song met an immediate match with Chris Evans after meeting with him. “I walked away from that conversation knowing that in his humility, his passion, his dedication to his craft... there was something about the way he was talking to me about his love and his work, his ambitions, the places he felt certain and the places he felt uncertain. It was very moving to me, it's a feeling that doesn’t leave you.”

A New MMORPG Experience with LORDNINE: Infinite Class Now Online in the Philippines

Want to try a new experience with MMORPG? LORDNINE: Infinite Class was recently launched in the Philippines now open to players to try an elevated style of gaming. Developed by NX3GAMES and serviced by Smilegate Megaport, LORDNINE has their a launch event on July 29 at the SM Makati Cyberzone.

Filipino gamers were called to step into a new world as the SM Makati Cyberzone was transformed into an immersive universe, featuring PC and mobile displays for hands-on gameplay, various booth activities, and LORDNINE characters sprawled around the venue, allowing players to truly visualize themselves within the continent of El-Sera.

Palawan Group of Companies further strengthens its financial services as it celebrates its 40th year; launches Cash In and Cash Out ng Bayan in collaboration with GCash

As part of its 40th anniversary celebration, the Palawan Group of Companies marks a major milestone by strengthening its financial services through a new partnership with GCash.

The Palawan Group of Companies continues to make financial services more accessible to every Filipino with the rollout of its service for GCash’s Cash In and Cash Out. This service will be available in more than 3, 500 Palawan Express Pera Padala (PEPP) branches nationwide.

With this partnership, customers can conveniently convert their digital money into physical cash through Palawan Pawnshop for a minimal fee. As a trusted name in serbisyong mura, mabilis, walang kuskos-balungos (service that is affordable, fast, hassle-free), this initiative is another testament to Palawan Group’s commitment to expanding access to essential financial services, especially in underserved and remote areas.