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| (Image Source: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.) |
Samsung TV Plus recently announced that the premium FAST service has surpassed 100 million monthly active users globally, a major milestone as the service celebrates massive growth. With streaming hours increasing 25% year-over-year, engagement also reached new heights in 2025, reinforcing Samsung TV Plus as one of the most-used streaming apps in the world. In an ever-evolving streaming landscape, Samsung TV Plus stands out by connecting advertisers with highly coveted audiences, including millennial families and influential viewers in a brand-safe environment built for engagement. Driven by industry-leading audience loyalty (92% retention after three months), Samsung TV Plus remains one of the stickiest and most effective streaming services for marketers looking to drive meaningful outcomes.
“Our focus remains on delivering premium, authentic experiences that connect our audiences around the world — and this year’s breakthrough interactive moments, live events, and innovative partnerships show just how powerfully that resonates. Surpassing 100 million monthly active users is an extraordinary milestone that reflects the trust our viewers place in Samsung TV Plus and the team’s commitment to providing exceptional entertainment made for every moment,” said Samsung TV Plus Senior Vice President and Head of Global Salek Brodsky. Last year, Samsung TV Plus dominated the cultural zeitgeist with its bold expansion into live events. The service’s foray into fan experiences — most notably the Jonas Brothers’ livestreamed concert series — unlocked the power of Samsung TV Plus’ scale and leveraged its innovative technology. In a standout moment during the livestream of the JONAS 20: Greetings From Your Hometown tour, Samsung TV Plus launched a first-of-its-kind FanVote which gave fans at home the power to vote for their favorite song via remote with the winning track performed live on stage. This interactive poll delivered unprecedented results with an over 13% response rate among Connected TV (CTV) viewers, underscoring Samsung TV Plus’ ability to turn passive viewing into active engagement on the biggest screen in the home.
Samsung TV Plus further solidified its position as a home for Creator-led partnerships with some of today’s groundbreaking digital storytellers including Mark Rober, Michelle Khare, Dhar Mann, and Smosh, among others. These milestones — alongside industry-disrupting partnerships with Spotify, David Letterman, and leading sports leagues spanning NHL, MLB, NBA and NFL — continued to solidify Samsung TV Plus as a destination for culturally resonant, premium programming. Made for everyone and every moment, Samsung TV Plus offers over 4,300 channels globally, all for free – and is available in 30 countries exclusively across Samsung TVs, Samsung Galaxy phones, XR headsets, Galaxy Tab, Smart Monitor, and Family Hub lineups. This includes the new 2026 TV series recently announced at CES, spanning Samsung Micro RGB TV, Neo QLED, OLED, The Frame, The Frame Pro, and more.
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Twinbill Shows “Kislap At Fuego” And “Children Of The Algo” Return To PETA Theater Center
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| (Image Source: TheaterFansManila.com/Philippine Educational Theater Association) |
Following their debut at PETA Control + Shift: Changing Narratives in 2024 and 2025, the bold experimental works “Kislap At Fuego” and “Children Of The Algo” are officially making their return to the stage, now running until February 7, 2026 at the PETA Theater Center. Moving from the experimental fringes to the spotlight, these two productions will headline the Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) Main Theater Season as a highly anticipated twinbill performance.
Originally born in 2024 as raw pieces for the Control + Shift LIVE shows, both works evolved into fan favorites. Their success led to a featured showcase at the Control + Shift: Changing Narratives Festival 2025 where they cemented their reputation for challenging the status quo. Now in its third installment and welcoming broader audiences from educational institutions and the public alike, this compelling double feature bridges historic mysticism with contemporary digital realities. Dominique La Victoria’s “Kislap At Fuego”, directed by Maribel Legarda and J-mee Katanyag with Filipino translation by Gentle Mapagu, revolves around an unexpected fairytale between a kapre and a country girl, set amidst the Philippine Revolution against Spain. This play explores how we talk about love, rebirth, and revolution. Mixkaela Villalon’s “Children Of The Algo”, directed by Johnnie Moran, delves into the lives of Gen Z content creators, hiding their deeper realities while navigating the digital age with wit and vulnerability, challenging viewers to see beyond the algorithm. In contrast, Children Of The Algo casts audiences into the mediated world of Gen Z content creators where identity is curated, justice is hashtagged, and meaning is constantly negotiated within and against the logic of the algorithm. Here, the contemporary quest for relevance, connection, and truth plays out in bite-sized feeds and viral narratives.
Presented as a twinbill, these works invite reflection on how Filipino values persist, adapt, or are contested across generations. By placing folklore beside feeds and myth beside memes, this pairing embodies PETA Control + Shift’s narrative change approach — asking how tradition and technology collide, converse, and co-exist, and how Filipinos continue to imagine revolution in a rapidly shifting world. For more information on “Kislap At Fuego” and “Children Of The Algo” including performance dates, ticketing, and educational engagements, visit PETA’s official channels and social media.
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ABS-CBN News Kicks Off 2026 With Fresh Lineup Of Digital Programs
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN News kicks off January 2026 with a fresh lineup of public affairs programs featuring gripping investigations, supernatural encounters, and heartwarming hometown stories, reinforcing its commitment to deliver meaningful and relevant content for Filipinos.
The long-running investigative program “SOCO: Scene Of The Crime Operatives”, hosted by veteran journalist Gus Abelgas, made its highly anticipated return to free television on Kapamilya Channel via ALLTV2 last January 17, airing every Saturday at 4:30-5:15 pm. Joining Gus in presenting spine-tingling, real-life crime cases are ABS-CBN News reporters Zyann Ambrosio, Dennis Datu, Jeff Caparas, Lyza Aquino, and Jessie Cruzat. Viewers can also catch the program’s simulcast on A2Z, Kapamilya Channel on cable and iWant, and Kapamilya Online Live. Meanwhile, award-winning actor John Arcilla takes center stage in the new season of “Possessed: Real Life Stories From Filipino Exorcists,” premiered last January 20 on the ABS-CBN News YouTube channel, exploring supernatural and spiritual phenomena documented by the Catholic Church. Adding to the lineup is “Rated R: The Rico Hizon Podcast”, led by journalist Rico Hizon presenting candid, unscripted conversations with viral personalities that challenge viewers’ perspectives.
Rounding off January’s offerings is “Philippine Hometown Stories”, premiering on January 29, which features the hometowns of ABS-CBN News personalities and offers a closer look at local communities, culture, and everyday life beyond familiar tourist spots. The series debuts with an adrenaline-filled adventure featuring Andrea Taguines in Tarlac, followed by Michael Delizo in Imus, Cavite, Dennis Datu exploring Batangas underwater, and Bea Cuadra leading a culinary journey through Iloilo. New episodes of “Possessed: Real Life Stories From Filipino Exorcists”, “Rated R: The Rico Hizon Podcast”, and “Philippine Hometown Stories” will be available every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, respectively, at 8:00 pm on the ABS-CBN News YouTube channel.
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“Pinas Sarap” Is GTV's Top Program For 2025
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| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
GMA Public Affairs' travel and food documentary program “Pinas Sarap” continues its supremacy on air, emerging as the No. 1 program on GMA Network's second free-to-air channel GTV for 2025. According to Nielsen TV Audience Measurement data, the show hosted by award-winning broadcast journalist Kara David was the leading GTV program in Total Philippines (Urban and Rural) for 2025. From January to December 2025, Pinas Sarap won the single-channel ratings over all its TV5 and A2Z/Kapamilya Channel competitions, tallying an average people rating of 2.9 percent in Total Philippines. Likewise, in Urban Philippines, Pinas Sarap rated higher, with an average people rating of 3.3 percent, compared to the single-channel ratings of its TV5 and A2Z/Kapamilya Channel competitors throughout 2025. This marks Pinas Sarap's second consecutive year as the top-rating program on GTV.
Since 2017, Pinas Sarap has taken viewers on a journey through the country's rich culinary landscape. In addition to promoting local delicacies, the popular GTV program goes beyond the kitchen and into the heart of the harvest. David joins local fishermen on the open seas and farmers in the muddy paddies to gather ingredients firsthand. By showcasing the grueling work needed to bring food to the table, Pinas Sarap reminds viewers that every dish is not just a meal, but a tribute to the hard work of our local communities. Kara credited the program's continued success to its loyal viewership and the dedicated production team, stating, “When we started Pinas Sarap, the mission was to highlight the food, history, and culinary creativity of Filipinos. I'm really happy that after nine years, patuloy kaming tinatangkilik ng mga Pinoy. Nagpapasalamat kami sa lahat ng home cooks na pinapasok kami sa kanilang mga kusina, pati na rin sa mga mangingisda at magsasaka na sinamahan kami sa dagat at palayan. Kitakits hanggang sa susunod nating lusong! (When we started Pinas Sarap, our mission was to highlight the food, history, and culinary creativity of Filipinos. I'm really happy that, after nine years, our viewers continue to support us. We thank all the home cooks who opened their kitchens to us, as well as the fishermen and farmers who welcomed us into their daily lives at sea and in the rice fields. Join us on our next dive in!)”
In 2025, Pinas Sarap was conferred with the Philippine Tourism Excellence Award for Travel Show at the Department of Tourism's inaugural Philippine Tourism Awards for its significant contributions to Philippine tourism. It won Best Lifestyle/Travel Show at the 37th Star Awards for Television and received the Anak TV Seal during the 2025 Anak TV Seal Awards for its Baler Seafood episode. Catch Pinas Sarap every Saturday at 8:15 pm on GTV. Global Pinoys can also watch the show on GMA Life TV. You may also enjoy full episodes of Pinas Sarap on GMA Public Affairs' YouTube channel.
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Puregold CinePanalo Partners With FDCP To Open Global Opportunities For Filipino Filmmakers
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| Left: Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) Chairman and CEO Jose Javier Reyes stands at the forefront of institutional efforts expanding access and visibility for Filipino films. Right: Puregold CinePanalo Festival Director Christopher Cahilig and Puregold Price Club Inc. Senior Marketing Manager and Puregold CinePanalo Festival Chair Ivy Hayagan-Piedad continue to strengthen opportunities for Filipino filmmakers through Puregold CinePanalo and its collaborative industry partnerships. (Image Source: Business Mirror/Puregold Price Club Inc.) |
The prestigious Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival, now in its third year, has become a platform that opens meaningful opportunities for Filipino filmmakers. This year, the festival takes a significant step forward through a partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) — a union that provides greater visibility, international screening opportunities, and new channels to connect with audiences worldwide. With Puregold CinePanalo’s longstanding vision of “Panalo Sa Husay” and the FDCP’s reputable programs and resources, the festival continues to showcase remarkable Filipino stories while helping filmmakers expand their reach both locally and abroad.
Through the FDCP’s Special Partnership Program (SPP), filmmakers participating in Puregold CinePanalo 2026 can take advantage of concrete avenues for professional growth and exposure. Opportunities include screenings at FDCP Cinematheque Centres, visibility on JuanFlix: The FDCP Channel, and potential inclusion in FDCP international mission delegations, connecting their work to wider audiences and global industry networks. Puregold Price Club Inc. Senior Marketing Manager and Puregold CinePanalo Festival Chairperson Ivy Hayagan-Piedad emphasized the value of creating space where local creatives can grow, stating, “This festival is about giving our very own filmmakers a platform where their creative abilities can be fully recognized. Puregold CinePanalo offers filmmakers the chance to gain exposure, reach audiences internationally, and hone their skills. We’re particularly excited about the fresh perspectives and heart that this year’s entries will offer, as well as our collaboration with the FDCP, which opens up even more chances for development and recognition.” FDCP Chairman and CEO Jose Javier Reyes also highlighted the film festival’s growing role in shaping the future of the Philippine film landscape, stating, “Even though it has just been on for a number of years, right now, CinePanalo has proven itself to be an important venue for the development of the voice of Philippine cinema. It is in CinePanalo that we are able to discover the next generation of Filipino filmmakers.”
This partnership between the Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival and the Film Development Council of the Philippines offers filmmakers tangible support to broaden their presence and gain recognition in the industry. By leveraging FDCP-supported platforms, curated screenings, and international programs, participants can share their work with new audiences and engage with professional networks while further developing their craft. These initiatives allow Puregold CinePanalo to further support talented filmmakers and share the richness of Filipino cinema around the world.
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Abi Marquez Wins At ADCOLOR Awards As Creator Of The Year
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN.com/ADCOLOR) |
Filipino representation reached a groundbreaking milestone as Abi Marquez, globally known as the “Lumpia Queen”, was named ADCOLOR’s Creator of the Year — joining other esteemed Filipino winners such as Geena Rocero who was honored with the ADCOLOR Advocate award in 2024. The 19th Annual ADCOLOR Awards, held in Orlando, Florida, U.S.A., brought together global leaders and innovators from advertising, media, tech, and creative industries. Each year, ADCOLOR, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion across creative industries, honors individuals who embody its mission to “Rise Up, Reach Back” by advancing representation and uplifting underrepresented communities.
Abi’s historic win celebrates her influential voice as a Filipino creator whose culinary storytelling, cultural pride, and inventive content have captured audiences worldwide. Her work continues to amplify Filipino identity on the international stage, proving that culturally rooted digital voices can spark global conversations. As part of NYMA and representing the Philippines, the award-winning Filipino food creator known for her vibrant culinary storytelling and global influence dedicates this milestone to Filipino creatives everywhere — affirming that our stories and creators deserve to be seen, celebrated, and honored on the world’s biggest stages.
