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| (Image Source: Cinegeeks/Concert Republic) |
Every time fans think it couldn’t get better, A1 comes back for more. The British-Norwegian pop band is set to bring the “kilig” and nostalgia to their Filipino fans once again, performing in Cebu on October 16, 2026 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino and in Manila on October 17, 2026 at the New Frontier Theater. Following their highly successful Valentine’s Tour in the same cities in February 2025, the group consisting of Paul Marazzi, Christian Ingebrigtsen, Mark Read, and Ben Adams returns for a night that goes far beyond a trip down memory lane.
From the soulful harmonies of “Like A Rose”, the fan favorite “Everytime”, the sweet and heartfelt ballad “Heaven By Your Side”, to the high-octane energy of “Same Old Brand New You”, the connection between the quartet and their Filipino fans remains one of the most enduring love affairs in pop music history. With more than five visits to the Philippines under their belt, A1 has evolved from international idols into honorary locals. The bond between A1 and their Filipino fans remains a landmark of pop music loyalty, anchored by a foundation of genuine friendship and a mutual devotion to the band’s melodic hits. A1’s return follows a streak of record-breaking milestones. Their 2023 TWENTY FIVE Anniversary Tour saw packed arenas in Davao and Cebu, culminating in a back-to-back Manila concert after the first night sold out almost instantly. The band shared in an interview, “We’ve just been received so well every time we perform in the Philippines. You don’t get a better welcome than here.”
Don’t get “Caught In The Middle” and miss your chance to be part of this iconic homecoming. Tickets for A1 – LOVE IN THE PHILIPPINES TOUR available at all SM Ticket and TicketNet outlets or log on to www.smtickets.com or call 8470-2222 or log on to ticketnet.com.ph or call 8911-5555 for more details. Tickets for the Cebu Leg, available thru SM Tickets and exclusive of ticket service change, are priced at Php5,000 (VIP), Php4,000 (Gold), and Php3,000 (Silver) with reserved seating and at Php2,000 (Bronze) and Php1,000 (Balcony). For the Manila leg, tickets can be availed via TicketNet and are priced at Php6,750 (Orchestra VIP), Php5,750 (Orchestra B), Php4,750 (Orchestra C), Php6,250 (Balcony VIP), Php4,500 (Balcony 2), and Php3,500 (Balcony 3), all with reserved seating and exclusive of ticket service charge.
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Jessica Sanchez Brings OPM Royalties Together For Homecoming Concert
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| (Image Source: ClickTheCity.com/Wilbros Live) |
The excitement surrounding Jessica Sanchez’s much-awaited return to the Philippines reaches new heights as her homecoming concert transforms into a full-scale musical spectacle. Set to take place on May 16, 2026 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, this already highly anticipated concert now promises even more unforgettable experience.
Sharing the stage with Jessica Sanchez as her Very Special Guests are Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano, Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez, Concert King Martin Nievera, Asia’s Pop Heartthrob Darren Espanto, Asia’s Phoenix Morissette, and Multimedia Prince James Reid. This powerhouse and extraordinary gathering of music royalty promises an unforgettable evening filled with show-stopping performances, powerful collaborations, and heartfelt moments that celebrate Filipino pride, talent and global excellence. Jessica Sanchez is a powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, and global performer whose voice blends emotional depth, technical brilliance, and timeless soul. Rising to international prominence as the runner-up on American Idol at just 16 years old, Jessica quickly became known for her rare ability to deliver both jaw-dropping vocal runs and intimate, heartfelt performances. Since her breakout, Jessica has built a devoted worldwide fanbase and an evolving catalog that fuses Pop, R&B, and Soul. Her artistry is rooted in storytelling — songs that explore love, resilience, identity, and growth — delivered with a signature tone that is instantly recognizable.
In 2025, Jessica reached a historic career milestone when she won America’s Got Talent after earning a coveted Golden Buzzer, captivating millions with performances that showcased her vocal mastery, emotional range, and artistic maturity. The victory marked a powerful reintroduction to the world and confirmed her status as one of the premier vocalists of her generation. Presented by Wilbros Live, tickets for Jessica Sanchez Live In Manila are available either online at ticketnet.com.ph or at the Smart Araneta Coliseum box office and TicketNet outlets nationwide.
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Culture Wars Inks Deal With AWAL, Announces Highly Anticipated Debut Album Don’t Speak
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| Culture Wars (Image Source: Starmometer/Eliot Lee) |
The Austin, Texas-bred rock collective Culture Wars have officially arrived. Upon signing a fresh deal with AWAL, the alternative powerhouse recently released their highly anticipated debut album Don’t Speak — a defining moment for a band poised to lead the next generation of guitar-driven rock. Culture Wars is the bridge between the raw grit of ‘90s guitar rock and the cinematic sheen of modern pop, reclaiming authentic instrumentation for the arena stage. With a million monthly listeners and a proven global headline draw, their debut album Don’t Speak marks the arrival of the next great rock icons.
Rooted in “song-first” authenticity, Culture Wars reject the hyper-digitized landscape of modern rock in favor of real instruments and undeniable collective chemistry. On Don’t Speak, the band delivers a high-octane, genre-blending statement that fuses surf-rock pulses, ‘80s synth textures, and towering guitar work into arena-ready anthems built to last. It’s a record that feels both nostalgic and forward-looking — equally indebted to the emotional urgency of ‘90s guitar grit and the widescreen ambition of contemporary pop. The momentum surrounding Don’t Speak is undeniable. Nine tracks from the album have already amassed millions of streams, helping propel the band to over one million monthly listeners ahead of release. Breakout single “Typical Ways” has surpassed 13 million streams while “It Hurts” cracked the Top 20 at U.S. Alternative Radio — solidifying Culture Wars as one of the format’s most exciting new forces. Since their 2021 EP teche, Culture Wars have maintained an explosive upward trajectory as a fiercely independent, self-managed unit. Their relentless drive has earned them coveted opening slots for global heavyweights including Maroon 5 and LANY — momentum they’ve transformed into a formidable headline presence of their own. The band has already sold out iconic venues in New York City, Los Angeles, and London, proving their international draw well before the release of a full-length album.
2025 has marked a breakout year. In addition to their radio and streaming milestones, Culture Wars stepped onto arena stages alongside LANY, Wallows, and Keane, further cementing their reputation as a band built for scale. Now, with Don’t Speak, they channel that live intensity into their most cohesive and commanding work to date. In support of the album, Culture Wars will embark on a headline U.S. tour kicking off on May 14, 2026, bringing their electrifying live show to major markets including Seattle, San Francisco, Phoenix, Nashville, and more. Known for their cathartic performances and magnetic stage presence, the upcoming run signals the band’s transition from rising contenders to full-fledged headliners. With Don’t Speak, Culture Wars aren’t just releasing a debut album — they’re making a statement. At a time when rock music often leans on digital gloss, the band is reclaiming authenticity, amplifying real instrumentation, and proving that guitar-driven music still belongs at the center of the arena stage.
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Ben&Ben Reclaims Chart Dominance With Viral Smash ‘Lifetime (Reimagined)’
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| Ben&Ben(Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Sony Music Entertainment Philippines) |
Award-winning Filipino folk-pop band Ben&Ben has surged back to the summit of the streaming charts with “Lifetime (Reimagined)” — released under Sony Music Entertainment. The new version of the hit ballad has reached a peak of No. 4 on Spotify Philippines Daily Top Songs Chart while making a dent internationally with a No. 3 debut on the Spotify Top Songs Debut – Global.
Released on March 31, 2026, the updated version of “Lifetime” has found renewed success across digital platforms, buoyed by its virality on TikTok. The new version resonates with the general public through the recent wave of social media trends hinging on the new verse: “how do you grieve for a love that doesn’t even exist?” It has since then sparked interest, particularly the videos featuring an edit of characters from popular movies and TV shows, which have collectively amassed more than 100 million views. With the song’s immediate climb to the top 5 of the Philippine streaming charts, Ben&Ben returns as the top OPM group on Spotify Philippines — their first time since December 23, 2024. In addition to its growing list of achievements, the track has also reached No. 1 on Genius Lyrics Charts.
The nine-piece collective shares, “For this version of Lifetime, we felt that we could be there for someone in their pain, longing, and yearning through these new lyrics and melodies. There’s a deep sense of gratefulness in our hearts for how people have received the song so far. We’re very humbled, and we promise to keep working hard in writing and performing music that connects deeply with Liwanag, our listeners.” “Lifetime (Reimagined)” features a new arrangement with additional verses, an instrumental break, and a bridge, resulting in an extended duration of four minutes and thirty-seven seconds. The song was written by Miguel and Paolo Benjamin with the latter serving as co-producer alongside Jean Paul Verona.
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ABS-CBN, PACE, Assumption College To Gather Students, Educators For Pinoy Media Congress 2026
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| L-R: PACE President Reginald Gonzales, Assumption College San Lorenzo President Sr. Irene Cecile Torres, r.a., Ph.D., ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Head of Corporate Communications Kane Errol Choa (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corppration) |
How do aspiring communication and media professionals keep up with the changing media landscape shaped by social media, streaming, and AI (Artificial Intelligence)? ABS-CBN, the Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE), and Assumption College San Lorenzo will bring students closer to the answers as they stage the Pinoy Media Congress 2026 on April 29–30, 2026 at Assumption College San Lorenzo in Makati City.
The partnership was formalized through a memorandum of agreement signed by ABS-CBN President Carlo Katigbak, ABS-CBN Chief Operating Officer Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN Head of Corporate Communications Kane Errol Choa, PACE President Reginald Gonzales, and Assumption College San Lorenzo President Sr. Irene Cecile Torres, r.a., Ph.D. The two-day congress is the country’s largest learning event for communication students which aims to connect future storytellers with industry professionals through talks and discussions on how media is created, distributed, and consumed today. Participants can expect sessions covering digital platforms, radio and TV journalism, content creation, entertainment production, music, film, advocacy communication, and audience research that are designed to help bridge classroom learning with current industry practices.
Launched in 2005, the award-winning Pinoy Media Congress has earned recognition from the Philippine Quill Awards of the International Association of Business Communicators Philippines and the Anvil Awards of the Public Relations Society of the Philippines. Registration is ongoing via https://bit.ly/PACEreg. Interested communication students and professors may visit the official Facebook pages of ABS-CBN Pinoy Media Congress and PACE for more details. For inquiries, contact PACE at secretariat@pace.org.ph.
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‘SOCO’ Returns With More Gripping Cases For Season 2 On iWant, Kapamilya Online Live, And ABS-CBN News YouTube
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN News’ investigative docudrama “SOCO: Scene of the Crime Operatives”, led by veteran journalist Gus Abelgas, returns for its second season featuring new cases on family killings, group assaults, and other crimes, with episodes streaming first on iWant. More explosive revelations take center stage as the new season rolls out across digital platforms, with episodes available on iWant seven days ahead of their release on the ABS-CBN Entertainment and ABS-CBN News YouTube channels beginning April 18.
Joining Gus in season 2 are ABS-CBN reporters Jeff Caparas and Jessie Cruzat who present the details and developments of each case, providing context to these spine-tingling, real-life crime stories. The new season opens with the first episode “Maso” which revisits a 2025 case in Malaybalay City involving a criminology student who killed his father, mother, and younger sibling using a hammer. Also featured is “Kuyog” which examines a case from October 2023 in Tondo, Manila where a 20-year-old criminology student was attacked by a group outside a bar, an incident captured on CCTV, and later died. Meanwhile, “Pagnanasa” looks into a January 2026 case in Valencia, Bukidnon involving a 15-year-old student who was found dead and beheaded after being reported missing with authorities later identifying a suspect with a prior record.
Catch new episodes of “SOCO” Season 2 first on iWant every Saturday, available seven days ahead of their release on other platforms. Early access is offered through iWant subscription plans with the Basic plan priced at Php35 per month. Episodes will then stream live on Kapamilya Online Live (KOL) via the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel, the most-subscribed YouTube channel in Southeast Asia, every Saturday at 5:00 pm, beginning April 18, in simulcast with its television broadcast. Full episodes will also be available on demand on the ABS-CBN News YouTube channel while the program airs on ABS-CBN on ALLTV2, A2Z, and Kapamilya Channel and TFC (The Filipino Channel) for viewers outside the Philippines.
