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| (Image Source: Television Asia Plus/Netflix/Charlie Ottley) |
The Republic of Moldova is making its way into the spotlight of international documentary productions with the launch of the documentary “Flavours Of Romania And The Republic Of Moldova”, created by British director and producer Charlie Ottley, well-known for his successful series Flavours Of Romania. Now available worldwide on Netflix, the documentary offers an authentic journey into the country’s culture, traditions, and tourist attractions. Across three episodes filmed from north to south, the production captures spectacular landscapes, picturesque villages, and local communities where traditions are preserved with respect and pride. The audience will discover Moldova’s cultural and gastronomic heritage, renowned wineries and restaurants that highlight the authenticity of local cuisine, as well as stories about the people who quietly shape the country’s reality. The documentary portrays a land full of contrasts where the beauty of nature and the hospitality of its people harmoniously intertwine with local culture and history.
“Moldova was a revelation for us. We discovered extraordinary people, authentic stories, and a cultural and gastronomic heritage that deserves to be known worldwide. I believe that through this documentary we manage to show the world not only the beauty of the landscapes and the quality of the wines, but also the spirit of a country that has so much to offer,” said Ottley. UMAEF (Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund) Country Representative for Moldova Stella Jemna said, “We are proud to support a project that highlights the Republic of Moldova on the international stage. Through this production, we offer a platform to showcase the country’s wines, gastronomy, traditions, and authentic landscapes. Our support aims to create a positive and lasting image of Moldova, to inspire tourists, and to contribute to the development of the local cultural and tourism sector.” National Association for Inbound and Domestic Tourism (ANTRIM) Executive Director Elena Stepanov commented, “For us, this project represents more than just a documentary – it is a business card of the Republic of Moldova, which we present to the world through our wines, gastronomy, and authentic traditions. We are delighted that we were able to bring together over 200 guests last night and that, together, we are contributing to strengthening a positive image of our country, increasing its tourist attractiveness, and positioning Moldova as an authentic destination, still not fully explored.”
The project aims to showcase the authenticity of the Republic of Moldova, promote unique tourism experiences, and inspire visitors to discover a country that is constantly transforming while preserving its authentic charm. Through this production, Moldova is presented as a destination that offers memorable experiences, where tradition, culture, and spectacular landscapes become part of a captivating story waiting to be explored. The project was implemented by the National Association for Inbound and Domestic Tourism (ANTRIM) with the financial support of the Ukraine-Moldova American Enterprise Fund (UMAEF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova and partners Château Purcari, maib, the National Office of Vine and Wine, and the National Tourism Office who supported the promotion of Moldova as a tourist destination at the international level.
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TBA Studios' “Quezon” To Make Festival Debut At 45th Hawai’i International Film Festival Ahead Of Global Release
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/TBA Studios) |
TBA Studios’ historical epic “Quezon” will make its festival debut this October at the 45th Hawai’i International Film Festival (HIFF45) as part of Spotlight on the Philippines — a special program honoring Filipino American History Month and celebrating the depth and diversity of Filipino storytelling across the diaspora. Quite possibly the most anticipated Philippine film of the season — if not in recent memory — “Quezon” will screen at HIFF on October 26, 2025 at 2:30 pm at Consolidated Kahala Theater and on October 28, 2025 at 6:00 pm at Consolidated Kapolei Theater. For more information, visit the HIFF's official website at hiff.org.
Directed by Jerrold Tarog, “Quezon” is the third chapter in the acclaimed Bayaniverse trilogy, following the box-office and critical successes of “Heneral Luna” (2015) and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” (2018). “We are thrilled to share ‘Quezon’ with audiences in Hawai’i and beyond at HIFF. We’re thankful to HIFF for its warm Aloha to our film and hope audiences will be as excited to see it abroad as they have been in the Philippines,” said TBA Studios Chief and “Quezon” producer Daphne Chiu. Set during the Philippine Commonwealth, “Quezon” centers on the titular character’s fight for the country’s independence from the United States. Manuel L. Quezon finds himself playing the brutal game of politics to outmaneuver his rivals — including Leonard Wood, Sergio Osmeña, and Joven Hernando. In his relentless quest for power, he eventually faces off with Emilio Aguinaldo in the 1935 Philippine presidential elections, using charm and favoritism as both weapons and currency, in a campaign that ultimately changes the face of Philippine politics and history.
Starring Jericho Rosales in his much-awaited return to the big screen, the film features Mon Confiado as Emilio Aguinaldo, Benjamin Alves as the younger Quezon, and Iain Glen (Game of Thrones) as U.S. Governor-General Leonard Wood. The ensemble cast also includes Romnick Sarmenta as Sergio Osmeña, Karylle as Aurora Quezon, JC Santos as Manuel Roxas, and Jake Macapagal as Manuel Nieto. Completing the cast are Bodjie Pascua, Angeli Bayani, Jojit Lorenzo, Joross Gamboa, Therese Malvar, Ana Abad Santos, Ketchup Eusebio, and Nico Locco. Following its festival premiere at HIFF, Quezon will be released theatrically in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Middle East after its run in Philippine cinemas. “Quezon” will open exclusively in Philippine cinemas on October 15.
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Lip Sync Assassin, Starring PH Drag Superstar Precious Paula Nicole, Wins Big At West Hollywood’s CinePride Film Festival
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| Precious Paula Nicole, star of the short film Lip Sync Assassin, and director Jon Galvez at the red carpet of the 2025 CinePride Film Festival (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/CinePride Film Festival) |
Lip Sync Assassin walked away as one of the big winners at the recently concluded CinePride Film Festival in West Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, U.S.A. Precious Paula Nicole, star of the short film, bagged the award for Best Lead Performance while Jon Galvez was honored as Best Director. Nicole also got a Special Citation for Best Performance at the Sinag Maynila 2025 Awards Night. The win was celebrated as they returned to the Philippines through a press conference that featured a special screening of Lip Sync Assassin.
Nicole and Galvez shared the victory with the local film, LGBTQIA+, and drag communities. Nicole said that the role was something meant for her as she got the call from Galvez two weeks after she manifested the opportunity. Galvez, on the other hand, always thought that Nicole would be perfect for the movie while he was writing the script. “Complex nga ‘yung character ni Sampaguita pero kailangan puno siya ng puso kasi willing siyang ibigay ang lahat lahat para sa pamilya. And meron din akong nakitang parang magic kay Precious even when I was following her career in Drag Race na ‘yun eh all heart lagi ang binibigay niya.” Lip Sync Assassin follows the story of Sampaguita, a drag queen who also works as a contract assassin so she can earn extra for her daughter and ill mother. Galvez tags it as a breadwinner story which partly resonates with his previous experience as an OFW based in Singapore. The movie also features Star Magic’s Argel Saycon plus drag queen favorite Hana Beshie. At the press conference, Nicole reflected on how she never says no to a challenge and hopes her recent milestone as an actress encourages more people to dream big. “Mahirap siya talaga, ako nga po after 20 years nangyari sa akin yung pag-arte, pero hindi ko binitawan.”
Lip Sync Assassin was screened at select movie houses all throughout the metro until the end of September thanks to Sinag Malaya 2025. CinePride Film Festival, held last September 11-14, 2025, serves as a global celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories through film debuts, workshops, and panel discussions. This year’s films featured international drag legends BenDelaCreme, Monét X Change, and Jinkx Monsoon.
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Morissette Marks 15 Years With Ember, A Night Of Legacy And New Beginnings
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/GNN Entertainment Productions) |
When the lights go down at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on October 28, 2025, the crowd will rise to its feet to welcome back one of the most powerful voices of her generation. Morissette, Asia’s Phoenix, celebrates 15 years in music with Ember, a concert designed not only to showcase her vocal brilliance but to reflect on a journey that has inspired millions. This year has already been monumental for her. She starred in her first feature film Song Of The Fireflies where she showcased her dramatic range alongside her signature vocals. Her rendition of “Golden”, featured in the Netflix hit Kpop Demon Hunters, went viral and captured headlines, reaffirming her ability to leave a mark on both local and global audiences. Beyond the screen and streaming platforms, she has continued to bring Filipino artistry to international stages, building a legacy that now comes full circle on the Araneta stage.
Ember will be her first major solo concert at Araneta since 2018, and it carries the promise of an unforgettable night. With Troy Laureta directing the music, the performance is set to combine powerful arrangements with deeply personal storytelling. Morissette has hinted at a setlist that spans her 15-year career — songs that, for the first time, will come together in one breathtaking show. Some may never be performed again in a major concert, making Ember a rare chance to experience her story in its fullest form. Fans can also expect surprises, with the possibility of special guests joining Morissette on stage to mark the milestone. Adding to the excitement, indie-folk favorites The Ridleys will open the night, known for their heartfelt storytelling and devoted following. Their presence creates a rare moment where two generations of Filipino musicians share one stage in celebration of artistry and legacy. Tickets, priced from ₱999 to ₱9,499, have been in high demand since their release on Ticketnet. A newly opened Patron A section now brings more fans closer to the stage while VIP and SVIP tiers offer exclusive experiences including soundcheck access and signed memorabilia.
For Morissette, Ember is more than a concert — it’s a celebration, and a promise that her flame will continue to burn for years to come. Leading the way is Philippine Airlines as the major sponsor with Nyxys powering the event. Other valued partners include El Calle Food and Music Hall, Southwestern Flaming Grill, Maruca Bistro Italia, Ming’s Pei Pa Koa, and Guevarra’s with more sponsors to be announced in the coming weeks.
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Mika Salamanca Booked And Busy With A Purpose
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| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
Sparkle artist Mika Salamanca continues to open more doors after being hailed as GMA’s first-ever Big Winner for Pinoy Big Brother Collab Celebrity Edition alongside ABS-CBN's Big Winner Brent Manalo. From back-to-back magazine covers and endorsement shoots to a new single, a movie, and a series, Mika remains unstoppable – yet still makes time to nurture her advocacies. Mika recently released her newest single with Brent, “What If Tayo?”, further solidifying their bond beyond PBB. This followed the successful release of her rendition of “Sino Nga Ba Sya,” which surpassed 500,000 streams on leading audio streaming platforms in under a month. Her big screen debut is also on the horizon as part of the upcoming MMFF 2025 entry “Call Me Mother”. On top of that, she reunites with her PBB batchmates in another GMA Network and ABS-CBN Studios collaboration entitled “The Secrets Of Hotel 88”.
An advocate for mental health, Mika also released her first-ever children’s book “Lipad” which aims to inspire and encourage self-belief. She hopes to deliver the message not only to the younger audiences but to all the people who dream of rising above fear, embracing their truth, and taking flight toward the life they deserve. Proceeds from book sales are dedicated to supporting charities and outreach activities for those in need. In her recent interviews, Mika expressed deep gratitude for all the love and support she receives, saying it fuels her drive to dream big for her family. Now, with both mainstream and online success, Mika is more determined to continue growing and being a positive influence to her supporters. Beyond being the face of big brands, she ensures that she is not the only one benefiting – part of her brand deals includes donating appliances to cancer patients and the elderly in home care.
To continue honing her craft, Mika diligently attends singing and acting workshops. For balance, she also dedicates time to writing and painting, even converting one of the rooms in her condo into a workstation for her artwork, which she plans to release soon. Mika’s newfound success feels more than just a breakthrough – it’s a rebirth. And she is now fully embracing the life she was meant to live.
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Kyla Is Back With “Next Episode”, Her First Album In 7 Years
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Queen of R&B Kyla returns with “Next Episode”, her comeback album after seven years as she marks her 25th year in the industry this year. Now available worldwide on digital music streaming platforms, the album contains 11 tracks, which blends contemporary pop, soul, and R&B genres in an OPM record and spotlights Kyla’s unparalleled vocal quality, emotional range, and lyrical vulnerability. “Next Episode” is a thematic narrative of the multi-awarded singer’s inner strength and growth that highlights her empowering journey towards healing. It was produced by ABS-CBN creatives, content, and operations head Jonathan Manalo under Star Music.
The album’s key track is “Kaya Ko Yan”, a song about realizing one’s worth and taking control of one’s own happiness. It features up-and-coming rapper Ace$. Other songs in the album are “Stand Up”, “Bring Your Jacket”, “SANDAANDALI”, “Totoo Na”, “Konti Na Lang”, “Trust Issues”, “Litong Lito”, title track “Next Episode”, and previously released single “Back to Bliss”. Also part of the album is “Kahit Kayo Pa Rin”, her collaboration with Nyoy Volante. “Next Episode” follows her last album “The Queen of R&B”, released in 2018.
Meanwhile, the favorite R&B hitmaker is set to headline “The Kyla Soundscape: The Best Of 25 Years In Concert” on October 18, 2025, 8:00 pm, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati. The event is produced by Cornerstone Concerts and directed by John Prats. Tickets are available via ticketworld.com.ph.
