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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Cultural Center Of The Philippines) |
Visual artist Derek Tumala, one of the 2024 CCP Thirteen Artists Awardees, traces his artistic journey back to his childhood curiosity — a habit of reading encyclopedias that grew into a fascination with nature, geography, and history. That early interest eventually merged with formal training in art school where Tumala began blending science and ecology with creative expression. Over the years, his work has expanded beyond traditional media to include experimental and technology-driven practices.
“I taught myself about emerging technologies and familiarized myself with contemporary possibilities. I expanded my art practice by traveling to different places, researching and working in different kinds of art spaces – from independent, artist-initiated to art institutions, museums and commercial galleries. Our practice serves as a model on how to live and articulate what life or living is all about,” said Tumala who draws inspiration from both ordinary and extraordinary moments — whether reading, traveling, or observing daily life, as well as falling in love or embracing solitude. For the upcoming CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) Thirteen Artists Awards exhibition at the National Museum of the Philippines this October, Tumala is preparing a two-channel video on “loss and damage” which draws on research into endangered animals in the Philippines and reflects on what he calls the “vanishing practices” of artmaking under pressures of capitalism, politics and technology. He is considering the title Vanishing Tribes, presenting both animals and artists as “endangered”. Criticism, he said, remains a constant part of the process. “Criticism can either be a stab or a prick. In the end, you fight for what you believe in with a nudge. Don’t kill, persevere.” Despite challenges, Tumala urges young artists to embrace uncertainty and persist in their craft. “Enjoy life, work hard, be persistent, focus, and believe in yourself.”
Now in its 55th year, the CCP Thirteen Artists Awards recognizes visual artists under 40 who “restructure, restrengthen, and renew artmaking and art thinking that lend viability to Philippine art”. Aside from Tumala, this year's awardees were selected through deliberations on 82 nominations from different parts of the country received by the CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division. These include Catalina Africa, Denver Garza, Russ Ligtas, Ella Mendoza, Henrielle Baltazar Pagkaliwangan, Issay Rodriguez, Luis Antonio Santos, Joshua Serafin, Jel Suarez, Tekla Tamoria, Vien Valencia, and Liv Vinluan.
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Over 200 Students Learn Smart Money Tips At Knowledge Channel’s “Estudyantipid” On-Ground Launch
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
More than 200 high school students learned new practical tips on money management as Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) and BPI Foundation rolled out the on-ground launch of the new season of “Estudyantipid”. Junior and senior high school learners of Rizal High School were treated to an exclusive preview of the latest episodes of the financial literacy series currently headlined by Kapamilya star Mutya Orquia.
KCFI president and executive director Rina Lopez highlighted the importance of bringing life skills straight to classrooms, saying, “Through ‘Estudyantipid’, we aim to reach students where they are, with stories that reflect their experiences and prepare them for real-life challenges.” BPI Foundation executive director Carmina Marquez, meanwhile, underscored financial literacy as key to youth empowerment, stating, “By teaching students how to manage their finances early, we’re helping build a generation that is responsible, resilient, and ready to face the future.” As part of the launch, KCFI and BPI Foundation also turned over more than 1,500 educational video lessons, with “Estudyantipid” as one of its newest series, via the Knowledge Channel Portable Media Library, which teachers can use to support classroom learning.
Catch the “Estudyantipid” every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 1:40 pm, during the Grade 6 Araling Panlipunan (AP) timeslot, via BEAM Channel 31 on free TV, cable (SKYcable, Cablelink, PCTA member operators), direct-to-home satellite (Cignal, Satlite, GSAT), and digital black boxes (GMA Affordabox, ABS-CBN TV Plus, Sulit TV, Baron Home). Audiences can also tune in to Kapamilya Online Live every Saturday at 7:40-8:20 am on ABS-CBN Facebook page and ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel and on Kapamilya Channel every Sunday at 8:15-8:40 am. Episodes are also available for streaming on iWant.
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Turn Waiting Time Into Quick Escapes With Globe And Beetzee’s Binge-Worthy Piso Serye
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| (Image Source: bohol island news/Globe Telecom) |
Turn life’s little pauses into moments of kilig-filled escapes, action-packed breathers, or touching stories as Globe Telecom and Beetzee Play offer short, binge-worthy episodes for just Php1 each through the GlobeOne app. The first telco in the Philippines to collaborate with Beetzee Play, Globe is again redefining the mobile entertainment experience. GlobeOne users can now access seamless streaming, convenient top-ups, and Globe Rewards integration all in one place. No need to download a separate app or sign up on another platform. Simply open the GlobeOne app, tap Essentials on the dashboard and select Beetzee Play. Register your number and start watching the Piso Serye you love. This partnership responds to two converging consumer trends: the rise of mobile-first, short-form content and the increasing need to deepen in-app engagement. Beetzee Play changes that dynamic by inviting customers to stay engaged through quick, emotionally resonant content designed specifically for mobile.
“We are always delivering ways for everyday life hacks and moments of delight to our customers, bringing happiness to them wherever we can, and our partnership with Beetzee Play does just that. We’re letting people choose what they want, when they want it, in quick but satisfying doses,” said Globe Chief Commercial Officer Darius Delgado. Globe introduced its latest Beetzee series titled “First Things Last” during The Blueprint event last August 27, 2025. The series revolves around a heartbroken Lisa who after being dumped before a dream trip to El Nido, drunkenly searches online for a travel companion who shares the same name as her ex. When a stranger named DJ shows up, the two embark on three days of ‘firsts for the last time’, blurring the line between healing and heartache until Lisa’s past comes calling. Beetzee’s Piso Serye are bite-sized vertical dramas tailored for mobile phones and created for Filipinos who love teleserye, regularly scroll through TikTok and Reels, and prefer content in short bursts. The Philippines ranks among the top consumers of short drama content in Southeast Asia, contributing to the global surge of over 475 million app downloads in 2024 alone. Globe’s highly engaged customer base, who open the GlobeOne app an average of 14 times per month, makes it an ideal platform for delivering localized, mobile-native content without disrupting user habits.
This appetite for quick, mobile-friendly viewing is part of a global trend. Short drama content reached over 475 million downloads in 2024 with the Philippines among the top adopters in Southeast Asia. So whether you’re stuck in traffic, awaiting cooking time, or taking a rest in-between errands, Globe and Beetzee Play let you turn everyday pauses into a drama break, a feel-good break, or an action break. To learn more, visit https://www.globe.com.ph/apps/globeone.
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Park Seo-Jun And Won Ji-An Rekindle First Love Memories In Surely Tomorrow, Now Streaming Exclusively on Prime Video
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| In Surely Tomorrow on Prime Video, Park Seo-jun and Won Ji-an play as Lee Kyeong-do and Seo Ji-woo who were brought together by fate in a chapter plagued by the backdrop of public scrutiny and personal history. (Image Source: Amazon MGM Studios/Prime Video) |
Prime Video recently launched Surely Tomorrow, a charming new Korean romance series starring Park Seo-jun (Itaewon Class, The Marvels, Jinny’s Kitchen) and Won Ji-an (Squid Game S2-3, HeartBeat, D.P.). The series is now available for on-demand streaming exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories, including the Philippines, with new episodes dropping weekly.
Surely Tomorrow follows the intertwined lives of Lee Kyeong-do (Park Seo-jun) and Seo Ji-woo (Won Ji-an). The pair first fell in love in their early twenties, only to part ways. They reunited in their late twenties and gave romance another chance, but once again went their separate paths. Years later, fate brings them together unexpectedly — Kyeong-do, now a journalist covering a sensational scandal, and Ji-woo, the wife of the man at the center of it. Against the backdrop of public scrutiny and personal history, their story unfolds into a surprising third chapter. Directed by Lim Hyun-ook (King the Land, Reflection of You) and written by Yu Young-ah (Thirty-Nine, Divorce Attorney Shin), the series blends heartfelt storytelling with a touch of nostalgia, capturing the bittersweet journey of love, loss, and second chances.
Surely Tomorrow joins thousands of other shows and films available on the Prime Video catalogue including Confidence Queen, Head Over Heels, GOOD BOY, The Divorce Insurance, Newtopia, No Gain No Love, and anime hits such as Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, and Rurouni Kenshin along with award-winning and critically acclaimed Amazon Originals like Fallout, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Heads of State, G20, Another Simple Favor, You’re Cordially Invited, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Reacher, and The Boys. Prime Video members are able to watch films and shows anywhere and anytime on thousands of compatible devices. In the Prime Video app, members can also download episodes on their mobile devices and tablets and watch anywhere offline at no additional cost. Prime Video is available in the Philippines for just Php149 per month.
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Jimmy Carr Becomes Most Followed UK Comedian On YouTube
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| Jimmy Carr (Image Source: Television Asia Plus/Banijay Rights) |
Award-winning comedian, writer and television host Jimmy Carr has become the most subscribed UK comedian on YouTube as his official channel surpasses the 1.5 million subscriber mark. One of the biggest selling comedy acts in the world, Jimmy consistently performs to capacity crowds and his YouTube channel has seen significant growth after reaching 1 million subscribers in July 2024.
New content strands such as Jimmy Carr’s Heckle Amnesties, featuring original content from his live shows compiled in collaboration with Chambers Management, have driven engagement and subscriber numbers with the channel amassing over 400 million views in the last year. Hitting the 1.5 million milestone secures Carr the top spot among UK comedians on the platform. Banijay Rights Vice President of Digital Shaun Keeble said, “To see Jimmy Carr’s channel reach this incredible milestone is thrilling for all of us at Banijay Rights and truly reflects the strength of our partnership with both Jimmy and Chambers Management. With a growing roster of top-tier and emerging comedians, we’re proud to be leading the expansion of comedy entertainment onto YouTube and in the digital space.”
The Jimmy Carr YouTube channel has been operated by Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, since July 2023. The channel showcases the best clips from Jimmy’s stand-up comedy shows, TV appearances, and podcasts with new video content posted daily. Jimmy’s live tour entitled Jimmy Carr: Laughs Funny arrives in major arenas on December 2025 including performances in the OVO Arena, Wembley and The O2.
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The Pod Network Launches Audio Anthology Series ‘Stories @ The Pod’ With ‘Trese’ Writer Budjette Tan
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN.com/The Pod Network) |
The Pod Network, the leading podcast network in the Philippines, announces the launch of Stories @ The Pod, an audio anthology series that transforms Filipino literary works into immersive, cinematic podcast experiences. Co-produced by award-winning audio production company Hit Productions, the limited series is designed to showcase contemporary Philippine literature through audio listening. “I’m excited that Hit Productions’ collaboration with our partners at The Pod Network and author Budjette Tan has made it possible for his stories to reach new and wider audiences,” said Hit Productions CEO Vic Icasas.
The first season kicks off with four tales from ‘Kwentoys’, the upcoming book by Budjette Tan, the writer behind the Netflix animated series Trese. Kwentoys is a collection of short stories he wrote over a span of 20 years, blending folklore, memory, and the magic of everyday Filipino life and features illustrations by his brother Brandie Tan. The tales are eerie, nostalgic, and deeply personal, each with an interesting backstory from the author. Budjette shared, “These stories deserve to be heard — literally. They’re not just retold; they’re reimagined.” Episodes of Stories @ The Pod feature a fully-produced audio drama adaptation from Steve and Nyx of the Book of Bad Ideas podcast and a heartfelt conversation with Budjette with Earl of the Philippine Campfire Stories podcast, diving into the inspiration, culture, and emotion behind each tale.
With narratives about lost kids, ancient myths, and childhood memories, Stories @ The Pod is a new space for Filipino authors to share their work and a chance for listeners to connect with literature through an immersive soundscape. “We at The Pod Network are thrilled to share this collaboration with such creative minds and talents in the literature, sound, and podcast spheres,” says The Pod Network Head of Content Inna Salazar Acuña.
