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| Simu Liu and Fala Chen (Image Source: Manila Standard/GoldenTV) |
Presented by GoldenTV and Character Media, the Unforgettable Awards, often considered “the Oscars for the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community”, honors artists, visionaries, and leaders who have made significant contributions to film, television, music, and culture. Now entering its 23rd year, the Awards show will take place on March 7, 2026 at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, California, officially joining Hollywood’s broader awards season and solidifying its place among the year’s premier red-carpet events.
The industry’s longest-running celebration of Asian Pacific Islander achievement in entertainment will feature live performances, tributes, and award presentations recognizing pioneers and trailblazers across entertainment, fashion, and culture. Simu Liu and Fala Chen, who worked together on Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, reunite to help lead the entertainment industry’s premier celebration of AAPI excellence as Co-Chairs of the 2026 Unforgettable Awards. Their connection to Unforgettable runs deep. In 2021, Chen presented Liu with the Breakout in Film Award, marking one of the night’s most memorable moments. “Working with Fala on Shang-Chi was such a formative experience. I have always admired her artistry and grace, and I am thrilled to be co-chairing Unforgettable together this year. Representation is not just about being seen; it is about belonging, and I am honored to celebrate that with her,” said Liu. “It is truly special to come full circle. I still remember handing Simu his award at Unforgettable in 2021, and now we are co-chairing this incredible celebration together. The show has always been about recognizing how far we have come and how much further we can go as a community,” said Chen.
As Co-Chairs, Liu and Chen will oversee the Selection Committee responsible for reviewing and voting on this year’s nominees. The duo will also deliver a keynote address during the awards dinner, joining an esteemed roster of past Co-Chairs that includes Daniel Dae Kim, Destin Daniel Cretton, Adele Lim, and Lisa Ling. “Simu and Fala represent the global excellence and creative influence that Unforgettable was created to honor. Their leadership and visibility continue to pave the way for countless others in the entertainment industry,” said GoldenTV CEO Takashi Cheng.
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The Best Of Hollywood Meets Premium Asian Entertainment – HBO Max & Viu Streaming Bundle Now Available In The Philippines
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Warner Bros. Discovery Asia Pacific/PCCW Media Group) |
The HBO Max & Viu Bundle is now available in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, offering more entertainment and value at a discounted price. A first of its kind in Asia Pacific, the bundle brings subscribers the best of Hollywood content from Warner Bros. Discovery’s iconic brands including HBO, Harry Potter, Game of Thrones and the DC Universe with Viu’s premium Asian entertainment such as Viu Originals, popular Korean and Chinese dramas, and variety shows.
On HBO Max, subscribers can stream Emmy®-winning series The Pitt and The Last of Us; HBO Originals like IT: Welcome to Derry and Max Originals such as Peacemaker; fan favorites including Friends, The Big Bang Theory, the Harry Potter movie collection, Gold Rush and Deadliest Catch; as well as Hollywood blockbusters such as One Battle After Another, The Conjuring: Last Rites, Weapons and Superman. On Viu, subscribers can enjoy access to a rich library of Asian entertainment featuring exciting Viu Original Korean dramas like Taxi Driver 3 and Undercover High School. The platform also offers popular Korean variety shows such as Running Man (2025), GBRB: Joy Pops Laugh Pops (2025) and Exchange 4 among others. Plus, viewers can discover must-watch drama series including Moon River and Love.exe, alongside many more fan favorites.
Consumers can subscribe to the HBO Max & Viu Bundle as a direct-billed purchase through either www.hbomax.com or www.viu.com. Once accounts have been set up on HBO Max and Viu separately, subscribers will be able to access content on each service separately. Once activated, subscribers will receive access to the HBO Max Standard plan and the Viu Premium plan. For more information on the bundle, including billing and cancellation, visit the HBO Max Help Center or the Viu Help Center.
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ROCK Networks And NBCUniversal International Networks & DTC To Launch “Universal DIVA” Across Asia
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| (Image Source: Television Asia Plus/ROCK Networks) |
ROCK Networks recently announced an agreement with NBCUniversal International Networks and Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) to launch a branded entertainment block “Universal DIVA” on its flagship channel ROCK Entertainment. Through this agreement, ROCK Entertainment will deliver globally renowned reality TV content from Bravo and engrossing true-crime series from Oxygen to key Asian markets, broadening the channel's premium entertainment offering.
Slated to launch on January 5, 2026, the new one-hour branded block will air every Monday to Wednesday at 10:30-11:30 pm showcasing Bravo’s most talked-about reality franchises – including The Real Housewives and Below Deck – to audiences across Asia. “Universal DIVA” will also feature gripping true crime titles from Oxygen including Buried In The Backyard, A Plan To Kill, and Accident, Suicide Or Murder as well as curated fashion and pop culture moments featuring all the red carpet glamour from film premieres and awards shows hosted by Bella Varelis. "We are thrilled to partner with NBCUniversal International Networks & DTC to bring iconic Bravo reality programming to our viewers. ’Universal DIVA’ is a curated experience that meets Asia’s growing appetite for premium reality content, further cementing ROCK Entertainment as the region’s destination for world-class entertainment," said ROCK Networks CEO Beatrice Lee.
“A powerhouse brand in the US and a successful free-to-air network in both Australia and New Zealand, Bravo is the linear home of iconic reality TV content, and Oxygen is renowned for its riveting true-crime series; we are delighted that this content will be offered to viewers across Asia with the launch of ’Universal DIVA’ on ROCK Entertainment. As one of the world’s premier entertainment portfolios, we are focused on fulfilling an appetite for branded entertainment offerings across Asia by leveraging our powerhouse content and brands, creating innovative entertainment destinations that complement our clients’ platforms," said NBCUniversal International Networks & Direct-To-Consumer and TV Distribution Asia-Pacific Managing Director Chris Taylor.
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De La Salle Lipa Scores New Milestone At NCCT's Dokyubata National Film Competition
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| Kyle Dexter Millave, De La Salle Lipa AB Communication Batch ‘24 alumnus, with his two Dokyubata distinctions for documentary film Puno’t Dulo Ng Bahaghari (Image Source: De La Salle Lipa/National Council For Children’s Television) |
De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) celebrated a milestone in creative scholarship and social advocacy as Puno’t Dulo Ng Bahaghari, a documentary produced by MAGIK Studios (Kyle Dexter Millave, AB Communication Batch ‘24 alumnus), earned two major distinctions in the Adult Division of this year's annual Dokyubata national film competition conferred by the National Council for Children’s Television (NCCT). The film was recognized as the 2nd Best Documentary and received the Gender-Sensitive Documentary Award. Puno’t Dulo Ng Bahaghari follows the intertwined journeys of Jhen, a transman, and Pat, a transwoman, as they confront the deep emotional toll of deadnaming in a country without gender recognition laws, revealing how a name shapes identity, dignity, and the right to be seen.
Produced as the final output for the course Project in Communication 2, the documentary was completed as a thesis film under the mentorship of Dr. Cherie Glo Cabungcal. Its national recognition underscores the program’s commitment to developing storytellers who use their craft to confront social realities and advocate for meaningful change. This achievement follows the earlier success of another Lasallian-produced documentary Sa Aplaya, Doon, Sa Malayo, created by AB Communication alumni under A5 Productions. The film earned two national recognitions in 2023 — Best Documentary (Young Adult Division) and Best Story (Young Adult Division) — from the same award-giving body. The continued recognition of Lasallian filmmakers reflects DLSL’s enduring commitment to amplifying diverse regional and community narratives, fostering socially responsible media practitioners, and promoting advocacy-driven creative work rooted in human dignity and social justice. Through works such as Puno’t Dulo Ng Bahaghari and Sa Aplaya, Doon, Sa Malayo, DLSL continues to empower students and alumni to use their talents for meaningful impact — telling stories that challenge, enlighten, and inspire.
This recent recognition further affirms the excellence of DLSL’s AB Communication students and alumni, who consistently demonstrate the hallmark competencies nurtured throughout their formation. Their achievements, spanning research, media production, communication management, and community-oriented creative work, reflect a strong command of information, responsible storytelling, ethical practice, and development-focused communication. As they continue to earn national and international acclaim for outputs crafted during their years at De La Salle Lipa, they stand as clear proof of a program that cultivates distinction from day one and empowers graduates to contribute meaningfully to society, grounded in integrity, purpose, and service.
(With words by Cristina Alfarita Larombi, De La Salle Lipa)
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Jonathan Manalo Receives Multiple Accolades From 2025 Awit Awards And 47th CMMA, Garners 9.5 Billion Music Streams
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| Jonathan Manalo (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN Music creatives, content, and operations head and renowned songwriter and producer Jonathan Manalo receives back-to-back wins at the 2025 Awit Awards and 47th Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA). Jonathan bagged two major honors at the Awit Awards, earning Best Song Written for Media for “Pamilya Sagrado” soundtrack “Ulit-Ulit” which he penned and produced for Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and also clinching Best Traditional/Contemporary Folk Recording for producing “ATM” which is written by Francis Contemplacion and performed by Ice Seguerra. He also won Best Inspiration Secular Song for “Bahaghari” at the 47th CMMA.
In a social media post, Jonathan said, “Thank you, Awit Awards, for the several wins we received! All glory and honor to my Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. Thank you also to the 47th CMMA for recognizing Bahaghari as Best Inspirational Secular Song. It is an honor to have written/composed, produced, and interpreted this piece (for Reverb Worship/CBN Asia) and an even greater privilege to minister through this song and share its message at the awards night.” Aside from these new milestones, the OPM hitmaker continues to dominate in various music platforms as he surpassed over 9.5 billion streams according to music credit database Muso. He has also reached more than 18 billion streams across different video platforms. As he gears up for 2026, “Mr. Music” will mark his 25th anniversary in the music industry with more exciting surprises and projects. Best known for producing and writing classics like “Tara Tena”, “Gusto Ko Nang Bumitaw”, “Pagbigyang Muli”, “Patuloy Ang Pangarap”, and “Pinoy Ako”, Jonathan’s impact on OPM is unmatched with hundreds of recordings, multi-platinum successes, and a long list of beloved hits.
Jonathan has been responsible in building evergreen catalogues for Erik Santos, Kyla, Yeng Constantino, KZ, Angeline Quinto, Jona, Ice Seguerra, Juris, Morrissette, and Moira dela Torre and producing theme songs performed by Gary Valenciano, Regine Velasquez, Sarah Geronimo, Pablo and SB19. He also produced some of BINI’s hit songs “Lagi”, “Strings”, “Blooming”, and “Paru-Paro”. He is also the producer behind tracks for ABS-CBN movies and series, among which are the “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay” soundtrack album, various “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition” songs, and Maki’s “Dilaw” for “My Love Will Make You Disappear”. Early this year, some of his classic hits were featured in the musical “Delia D: A Musical Featuring The Songs Of Jonathan Manalo” which ran from April to June at the Newport Performing Arts Theater and received multiple nominations from the upcoming Aliw Awards.
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BINI Caps The Year With A Jam-Packed, High-Energy "BINIfied" Concert At The Philippine Arena
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
The nation’s girl group BINI brought the house down at their year-end party, “BINIfied”, at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan last November 29, 2025, drawing a jam-packed crowd for an electrifying night of show-stopping music and captivating visuals. The audience enjoyed never-before-seen performances of BINI’s new songs from the group’s latest album “FLAMES” including “Infinity”, “Paru-Paro”, and “Bikini” and crowd favorites “Karera”, “Pantropiko”, and “Salamin, Salamin” as well as explosive solo numbers of Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena. The event also doubled as a thanksgiving celebration of the group’s 2025 milestones, from the successful “BINIverse” World Tour and EP, the launch of BINI cosmetics line and new album “FLAMES”, and more.
BINI’s fans called BLOOMs who availed the sold-out “BINIfied Concert Experience” also enjoyed an all-encompassing journey beyond the show. The package included a three-day, two-night hotel accommodation at either Solaire Resort North or Novotel Manila Araneta City, exclusive merchandise and ticket perks, special access to merch booths, access to pre-party “BINIfied” soundcheck (for A and B Package Holders), and hi-bye session with BINI after the concert. They also experienced hassle-free round-trip bus transfers from hotel to the concert venue through “BINIfied’s” travel partner JAC Liner. At the BINIfied Party bus, BLOOMs participated in games, got a chance to win BINI merch, and listened to their favorite BINI songs during their rides to and from The Philippine Arena. They were likewise treated with snacks during their ride. The “BINIfied” package holders also got “It’s Showtime” Live Audience passes which allowed them to watch during the program’s anniversary week.
Apart from the live showcase at the world’s largest indoor arena, “BINIfied” was livestreamed on iWant last November 29, with a special replay last November 30, via iWantTickets. The concert, which was presented by ABS-CBN Events, Star Magic, and ABS-CBN Music, sparked buzz and trended widely on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), with the topics #BINIFIED, #BINIfiedYearEndParty, and BINIFIED PH ARENA PARTY. Special thanks to Solaire Resort North and Novotel Manila Araneta City, and Jac Liner Inc. for helping make the BINIfied weekend truly a memorable experience for the BLOOMs.
