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| SAINT SATINE (Image Source: Starmometer/HYBE x Geffen Records) |
HYBE x Geffen Records revealed the name of its next powerhouse global girl group: SAINT SATINE. The four-member lineup brings together three globally recognized standouts and a newly discovered force. EMILY (20, USA), LEXIE (21, Sweden), and SAMARA (20, Brazil) were first introduced through the hit Netflix docuseries Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE where they quickly drew a devoted international following. The search for the final member took place in Japan via a process documented on WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE, created with and airing exclusively on Japan’s ABEMA streaming service. As revealed in the series finale, SAKURA (16, Japan) was selected from over 14,000 applicants to become the fourth member of SAINT SATINE.
In conjunction with the global girl group name reveal, HYBE x Geffen Records recently released the digital single album World Scout: The Final Piece – Finale which captures the intense, high-stakes finale that determined the “final piece” of SAINT SATINE. Finalists AYANA and SAKURA each demonstrated their undeniable vocal strengths and live energy as each had an opportunity to team up with group members EMILY, LEXIE and SAMARA. The two-track album kicks off with SAKURA performing “PARTY b4 the PARTY” alongside EMILY, LEXIE and SAMARA. The high-energy urban track explodes with intensity at every beat. Driven by playful percussion, heavy bass switches and a strong, bouncy groove, the song showcases the performers’ dynamic vocal chemistry and bold ad-libs. It is a fearless celebration of pre-party hype, proving that the best part of the night often happens before you even arrive. “WE RIDE”, featuring runner-up AYANA with EMILY, LEXIE and SAMARA, offers a warm escape from the noise of the city. Rooted in nostalgic 2000s R&B but polished with a sleek, modern edge, the song is built on silky four-part harmonies and a smooth, effortless bassline. With the lineup set and anticipation building worldwide, SAINT SATINE is positioned not just to enter the global stage, but to shape what comes next. SAINT SATINE exists at the intersection of desire and transcendence — a tension where instinct meets restraint. Defined by control over excess, the group moves through contradiction with precision, balancing allure and refinement without compromise. “SAINT” symbolizes outstanding musicality and charisma and “SATINE” expresses a soft, elegant and sophisticated image.
WORLD SCOUT: THE FINAL PIECE is a large-scale scouting project led by HYBE America, which has launched numerous global artists including BTS, in collaboration with Geffen Records of Universal Music Group, one of the world’s largest music companies. The initiative follows HYBE x Geffen Records’ successful prior collaboration. In 2021, the continent-crossing music industry titans released an open call for applicants around the world with the aim of creating a group that “transcend[s] national, cultural, and artistic boundaries”. Twenty contestants were chosen from over 120,000 submissions. They then underwent a year of Korean idol-style training before competing on the Dream Academy show. The full journey was captured by the Netflix docuseries Pop Star Academy: KATSEYE. With members coming from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, experiences and personalities, KATSEYE made good on HYBE x Geffen’s promise, earning two GRAMMY® Awards nominations and three American Music Awards nominations. The group’s second EP, BEAUTIFUL CHAOS, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200. KATSEYE’s third EP, WILD, will be released on August 14, 2026.
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Rakuten Viki Marks Pride Month With New BL Releases ‘Love Class 3’ And ‘The Lie We Lived In’
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Rakuten Viki) |
Rakuten Viki, the global streaming destination for Asian entertainment, is celebrating Pride Month with two new Boys' Love (BL) titles – Love Class 3, the latest chapter in its beloved campus romance franchise, and The Lie We Lived In, a gripping mystery thriller romance – both now streaming on Viki across the Americas, Europe, Oceania, Middle East, India, and Southeast Asia including the Philippines and Thailand.
The latest installment of the popular Korean BL franchise Love Class follows aspiring idols navigating friendship, ambition, and romance amid the pressures of the entertainment industry. Following the success of its first two seasons and strong audience reception in markets such as Japan, Love Class 3 expands the series with a fresh story that speaks directly to Southeast Asia’s passionate K-pop and BL fan communities. The series follows Hyun Jae (Sae Byeol), a trainee who successfully debuts after competing on an idol survival program, and Soo An (Seo Yi Han), whose journey takes a different path. Years after being separated by their careers, the two reunite through a professional project and must navigate lingering feelings in an industry where personal relationships often come under intense scrutiny. With K-Pop continuing to shape youth culture across Southeast Asia, Love Class 3 offers a relatable coming-of-age story that explores identity, ambition, friendship, and love through the experiences of young performers chasing their dreams. The series also marks a milestone for Korean BL productions as the first Korean BL drama to launch simultaneously in more than 190 countries worldwide, reflecting the growing global appetite for Korean BL storytelling. Adding to its regional appeal is the inclusion of Thai actor Panutuch Saelee alongside South Korean performers Lee Woo Jin, Seo Yi Han, and Sae Byeol of K-pop group WAKER, who makes his acting debut in the series. The cross-cultural cast reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of Asian entertainment and offers audiences in Southeast Asia a familiar connection within a globally streamed production.
Where Love Class 3 leans into coming-of-age longing, The Lie We Lived In is a genre-defying BL thriller that weaves mystery, crime, and forbidden romance into one pulse-pounding story. When contract killer Seo I Do (Kim Seung Beom) is ordered to hold his target captive, the arrival of an unexpected houseguest throws everything off plan. Forced into a week of tense cohabitation under a stolen identity, I Do finds himself in an increasingly dangerous game — especially when he discovers the cheerful stranger getting closer to him is actually a detective hunting the truth. I Do is forced to confront an impossible choice: complete the mission or risk everything for someone who could destroy him. Starring Kim Seung Beom alongside debut performers Kim Gyeong Min and Lee Jeong Ho, the series marks a bold arrival of fresh talent on screen. “This June, Rakuten Viki marks Pride Month by spotlighting stories that celebrate love and belonging. The release of Love Class 3 and The Lie We Lived In is part of that celebration — a reminder that stories of identity, connection, and community resonate across every border. With these new titles, viewers will find characters navigating the challenges of pursuing their dreams while discovering who they are and the connections that matter most to them. We are excited to bring this new season to fans as part of our commitment to making diverse Asian stories accessible to global audiences,” said Rakuten Viki Vice President of Marketing Karen Paek. Both titles are available to stream on Viki in the Philippines and Thailand — joining a growing slate of BL favorites including Wishing Upon The Shooting Stars, Sammy’s Children’s Day, and Feel What You Feel.
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Sienna Spiro Announces ‘My House Tour’ Coming To Manila
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| (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Wilbros Live) |
Show-stopping London-born singer and songwriter Sienna Spiro recently announced the “My House” tour, including an extensive North American fall run followed by dates in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Europe. This includes Manila, slated to be held on January 9, 2027 at the New Frontier Theater and presented by Wilbros Live. Tickets to Sienna Spiro “My House Tour” Manila leg are available exclusively via TicketNet.com.ph and TicketNet outlets nationwide. “I truly can’t wait for this tour. This is the biggest I’ve ever done and we’re going to perform in places I’ve never been before! I’m so excited to see you all and sing the songs from Visitor with you,” said Sienna.
Following stateside festival stops including Lollapalooza, Newport Jazz, Outside Lands, All Things Go, and Austin City Limits, Sienna kicks off The My House Tour on October 13 at Nashville’s iconic Ryman Auditorium. She then plays cities including Atlanta, D.C., New York, Toronto, Chicago, Seattle, Vancouver, and more, before wrapping up on November 10 at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. She’s also returning to San Francisco’s historic Castro Theatre, where she joined Sam Smith in March for a surprise duet of her hit “Die On This Hill”. The tour news arrives as Sienna covers the June/July issue of Rolling Stone UK and follows a series of overseas dates where she debuted a striking yet cozy stage setup including plush curtains, carpeted floors, vintage audio equipment, lamps, and vinyl records — get a glimpse, and preview her unreleased song “My House”. The spring U.S. leg of that same tour stirred up rave reviews, including from Variety who dubbed Sienna “one of the greatest voices of her generation” and Los Angeles Times, who professed that her voice “might be the most impressive instrument to come out of England since Adele emerged nearly two decades ago”. Sienna recently released the official music video for her enthralling single “The Visitor”. Written and produced by Sienna with Omer Fedi (SZA, Lil Nas X) and Michael Pollack (Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus), the song draws its power from a spellbinding vocal recorded in one take, lyrics that cut to the bone, and a 20-piece string orchestra led and arranged by Academy Award-winner Peter Rotter (Oppenheimer, The Last Repair Shop). While Sienna’s poetry and the video nod to matters of the heart, by the song’s end, we sense that she’s singing about something more: a strong awareness of impermanence — of things ending and people leaving — that can quickly turn into paralyzing fear. That sentiment is the driving force behind the concept that powers Visitor, the album. Of course, Sienna is very much here to stay. Her music has amassed over 1.2 billion global streams so far and, in late March, she had a trio of singles climbing the Hot 100 all at once: “The Visitor” (which so far peaked at #43), heartwrenching UK Platinum smash “Die On This Hill” (#19), and the enduring “You Stole The Show” (#55). All three are set to appear on Visitor which was executive produced by Fedi with additional production from an elite crew including Blake Slatkin, Yakob, and Pollack, plus composers like Larry Gold (Al Green, Silk Sonic) and Rotter. Sienna and her hand-picked collaborators brought her vision to life in an array of legendary spaces like Electric Lady Studios in New York, Abbey Road Studios in London, and Valentine Recording Studios in Los Angeles.
As much as her timeless songcraft, Sienna’s staggering performances have been central to her rise. She opened 2026 with an unforgettable rendition of “Die On This Hill” on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, inspiring a standing ovation and flabbergasting her host. Recently, she capped off a series of stunning UK TV appearances by singing Nat King Cole’s “Nature Boy” for the BBC’s David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth special. Sienna will also make her debut as a featured artist on Season 52 of Austin City Limits, taping July 15. After entering the year shortlisted for the BRIT Awards’ esteemed Critics’ Choice for 2026 award, 20-year-old Sienna landed on Forbes’ latest 30 Under 30 list; received two 2026 American Music Award nominations for Best Vocal Performance and Breakthrough Pop Artist; sat down for equally charming and revealing interviews with the likes of ELLE, NYLON, and Interview Magazine; and garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, Dazed, The New York Times, V Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter, and more. Sienna also wrote the song “Material Lover” exclusively for The Devil Wears Prada 2 soundtrack. A DIY-minded artist who first started penning songs when she was 10, Sienna’s earliest inspirations included Frank Ocean, Etta James, Frank Sinatra, and Amy Winehouse. She began integrating jazz elements into her music while gently leaning toward more contemporary sonic aesthetics on her 2025 debut EP SINK NOW, SWIM LATER. Now, with Visitor on the way, Sienna shows no sign of slowing down.
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Yannie Paul Basical Leads Central Luzon To Victory In “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” Season 10
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Yannie Paul Basical of Region III (Central Luzon) was named the Season 10 grand champion of “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” after earning the highest score of 97.4% from the hurados in the grand finals held last June 13, 2026, making history as the first winner on the autism spectrum. Yannie sealed his victory with a Smokey Mountain medley that earned a standing ovation from the judges and audience. In the first round, he also moved the hurados with his emotional rendition of “Wakas” by SB19. He edged out fellow finalists Charlie Palalisan, who placed second with 97.1%, and Jeanel Silvestre, who finished third with 95.1%, in the final showdown.
This season’s grand finals featured an esteemed panel of hurados composed of Darren Espanto, Erik Santos, Yeng Constantino, Klarisse de Guzman, Jed Madela, Marielle Montellano, Nyoy Volante, Bituin Escalante, Jonathan Manalo, Kyla, JM Yosures, and Ogie Alcasid. As the newest “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” grand champion, Yannie took home ₱1 million, a trophy designed by Toym Imao, a management contract from ABS-CBN, a recording contract from ABS-CBN Music, and two round-trip tickets to any destination in Asia, Australia, and the Middle East. Meanwhile, Charlie received ₱200,000 while Jeanel won ₱100,000. Fellow grand finalists Von Keirule, Will de Sosa, and Russian Ouano each received ₱20,000. The grand finals likewise generated buzz online with #TNT10AngHulingTapatan trending nationwide on X (formerly Twitter). As “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” Season 10 concludes, viewers can look forward to the return of the iconic “Miss Q&A”. Meanwhile, auditions remain ongoing for the upcoming new segments of “It’s Showtime” including “Tawag Ng Tanghalan: The School Showdown”.
Don’t miss the excitement and fun on “It’s Showtime” every Monday to Saturday at 12:00 noon on GMA-7, ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube and ABS-CBN Facebook), Kapuso Stream (GMA Network YouTube and Facebook), iWant, GMA Pinoy TV, and TFC IPTV. Catch the online companion show “Showtime Online U” on It’s Showtime’s YouTube channel starting at 11:45 am.
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“FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” Brings Pinoy Action Drama To African Viewers
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
After being the most-watched primetime series in the Philippines from 2023 to 2026, ABS-CBN’s hit action-drama “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” continues to expand its worldwide audience reach as book four of the series is now available in 41 countries across Africa. Known internationally as “Gangs of Manila”, the top-rating series is available in English, Portuguese, and French through the StarTimes channel, bringing Coco Martin’s action-packed portrayal of Tanggol to more viewers around the world. It continues to make waves online where snippets from the episodes generate strong engagement on the StarTimes Facebook and TikTok accounts.
Book four of the series follows the final chapter of Tanggol’s journey where he attempts to restore order in the city as the rightful mayor. The hit action series’ growing fanbase in Africa coincides with Coco’s highly anticipated return to primetime in the action-romance series “Coco Martin’s Sigabo” where he stars alongside Julia Montes. “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” marked its historic conclusion by bagging major wins at the first Philippine Arts, Film, and Television Awards (PAFTA) where it was awarded as Best Drama Series, Best Drama Actor for Coco, and Best Breakthrough Performance for Maris Racal. With over 50,000 hours of content sold to more than 50 countries worldwide thru its International Distribution division, ABS-CBN continues to expand the global reach of Filipino storytelling across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms.
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Dingdong Dantes And Marian Rivera Reunite For Star Cinema’s “Remember”, Begin Filming In Quebec
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Beloved superstars and royal box-office couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera reunite for Star Cinema’s upcoming family drama “Remember” and head to Quebec, Canada to begin filming the movie. Slated to premiere in cinemas worldwide in 2026, the film is a joint production of Star Cinema, APT Entertainment, AgostoDos Pictures, and Regal Entertainment. It also reunites the real-life couple with award-winning director Mae Cruz Alviar who helmed their blockbuster hit “Rewind”, one of the highest-grossing Filipino films of all time.
Before their departure, Dingdong expressed excitement about working once again with the same team behind “Rewind”, stating, “Ready na kami umalis papuntang Quebec. Sisimulan na namin ang isang espesyal na pelikula. After three years nung huli kaming nagsama at nandun na si Direk Mae, inaantay na kami at uumpisahan na namin ang pelikulang ‘Remember’. It feels good to work with the same team behind ‘Rewind’ plus more. Nakakatuwa na nare-reminisce namin lahat ng magagandang nangyari. We’re just so excited to work on this project.” Marian, meanwhile, said the timing felt right for their reunion film, stating, “Actually kanina nag-uusap kami on the way here, parang sabi nga namin ilang years na ba? Three years na pala. Siguro ito na yung tamang panahon ulit gawin ito. At the same time, yung kuwento siguradong ma-i-in love sila sa ‘Remember'.”
