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| (Image Source: pelikula mania/Alternativa Distribution) |
Critically acclaimed Filipino film “Sunshine” by director Antoinette Jadaone has been selected as one of the first titles acquired by Alternativa Distribution, the newly launched nonprofit distribution label supported by global mobility platform inDrive. The film, which follows a young gymnast (played by Maris Racal) navigating an unplanned pregnancy, was selected for wider global distribution thanks to its honest portrayal of women’s reproductive rights. Through this acquisition, “Sunshine” is poised to reach more audiences through licensing opportunities across streaming platforms, television broadcasters, in-flight entertainment services, and educational institutions worldwide.
“We selected ‘Sunshine’ as part of our inaugural film lineup as it sparked meaningful conversations about women’s reproductive rights in a conservative country like the Philippines. This selection reflects our wider mission to champion thought-provoking films and ensure they are seen by audiences all over the world. More importantly, we hope to level the playing field for filmmakers from the Global South and give them the representation they deserve,” said Alternativa Distribution Head of Distribution Avital Lavi. Alternativa Distribution provides independent filmmakers with upfront minimum guarantees, a share of revenue from licensing agreements, and end-to-end distribution support, including subtitling, dubbing, translation, and territory-specific marketing support. “Sunshine” is one of the first 10 films acquired by Alternativa Distribution which includes films from Colombia, Brazil, India, Bangladesh, Mongolia, China, Iran, Mexico, and Georgia — which have all gained acclaim at the Alternativa Film Festival, Cannes, Berlinale, CPH:DOX, and the Toronto International Film Festival. The label’s debut film line-up includes “9-Month Contract”, “After The Rain”, “A Poet”, “Being Olimpia”, “Bird Of A Different Feather”, “Grand Me”, “If Only I Could Hibernate”, “Saba”, and “The Nature Of Invisible Things”. These films will form the foundation of Alternativa Distribution’s growing international catalog of stories that matter, reaching audiences across Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Alternativa Distribution is also pursuing distribution opportunities in Europe, North America, and Oceania to ensure more global audiences enjoy these films.
Lavi added, “Too many exceptional films from the Global South struggle to find international audiences, despite their artistic quality and social relevance. By offering premium titles at accessible pricing, a fair business model, and localization support, we hope to dismantle the structural barriers facing films from or about the Global South and use the opportunity to connect a wider range of both broadcasters and audiences with high-quality works that inspire critical thinking and dialogue.” It is also currently sourcing films through its international film scout network, industry partnerships, and direct submissions. It will also host the 4th Alternativa Film Festival in 2027 with further details to be revealed in the coming months. Alternativa Distribution is inDrive’s first foray into the global film industry. More than just a mobility platform, inDrive’s wider mission is to make the world a fairer place for a billion people by 2030 by amplifying underrepresented voices in its impact programs. Aside from Alternativa Distribution, the company has dabbled in supporting female tech founders via the Aurora Tech Award and children’s football teams in Supernovas.
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FAMAS Honors Television, Radio And Digital Media In First Broadcast Arts Awards
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| Broadcast journalist Kara David and actress/content creator Ivana Alawi are hailed as Best Host for Public Service recipients at the inaugural FAMAS Broadcast Arts Awards. (Image Source: Asian Journal News/Filipino Academy Of Movie Arts And Sciences) |
The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), established in 1952 and known for its annual Philippine film awards, extended its recognition to television, radio, podcasts and digital content at the inaugural FAMAS Broadcast Arts Awards, held last July 20, 2026 at the Fiesta Pavilion of The Manila Hotel and streamed live on its official Facebook page. FAMAS President and Chairperson Francia Camacho-Conrado said the program was developed in response to calls for the organization to recognize broadcasters, vloggers and other creators working beyond cinema while the organization's annual film awards, first presented in 1953, remain a separate undertaking.
Broadcast journalist Kara David received three competitive awards. The “Embalsamador de Motor” episode of GMA Public Affairs' weekly documentary program I-Witness won Best Documentary while I-Listen with Kara David is hailed as Best Public Affairs Talk Show. David shared Best Host for Public Service with actress and digital creator Ivana Alawi whose eponymous YouTube channel won Best Public Service Show. Asia's Unkabogable Phenomenal Superstar Vice Ganda received Best Host for Entertainment while ABS-CBN's flagship noontime variety show It’s Showtime won Best Variety Show. Coco Martin, Ang Hari Ng Aksyon Sa Ating Henerasyon, received Best Screenplay and Best Director for FPJ’s Batang Quiapo which also won Best Series while Joel Lamangan was named Best Supporting Performer for the said program. Kelvin Miranda won Best Performer in a Series or Anthology for GMA Network's Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre. Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK) received Best Anthology; CongTV on YouTube won Best Comedy Show; Family Feud was named Best Show for Game, Reality or Competition; and Fast Talk with Boy Abunda received Best Entertainment Talk Show. Asia's longest-running English-language newscast The World Tonight, on ABS-CBN News Channel (ANC) won Best News Program while Korina Sanchez-Roxas received Best News Anchor for Agenda on Bilyonaryo News Channel. Born To Be Wild, Biyahe Ni Drew and Rise And Shine Pilipinas won the educational, lifestyle and magazine-show categories, respectively.
Radio and podcast winners included Healing Mass sa Veritas (Best AM Radio Program), Papa Ahwel Paz (Best AM Radio Anchor), Dr. Love (Best FM Radio Program), Papa Jack (Best FM Radio Jock), Gabi ng Lagim (Best Radio Drama Series), Nong Lading (Best Radio Drama Performer), Facts First (Best Podcast), and Christian Esguerra (Best Podcast Host). Tina Loy received the Rosa Rosal Lifetime Achievement Award. CongTV also received the FAMAS Broadcast Arts Breakthrough Award while Sining Bulilit earned a Special Citation for Excellence in Children’s Arts Education. The winners of the inaugural FAMAS Broadcast Award Winners were announced by theater director Anton Juan who served as chairman of the jury.
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Raco Ruiz Secures Third Consecutive Hashtag Asia Award With Silver Win
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/NYMA Talent Management) |
Filipino content creator Raco Ruiz has extended his winning streak at the Hashtag Asia Awards, taking home Silver for Best Campaign by a Micro Influencer at the 2026 regional competition for Burger King’s The Big 4 Students Try The Whopper. NYMA Talent Management, a Philippines-based talent management agency committed to nurturing trailblazers across media and bringing Filipino talent to the global stage submitted the entry on his behalf as his management, under the said category, based on the campaign’s publication on his Instagram account. The win was announced during the Hashtag Asia Awards ceremony held last July 10, 2026 at Sofitel Singapore City Centre in Singapore. The latest recognition marks Raco’s third consecutive Hashtag Asia Award, having received an award every year since 2024.
He began the streak in 2024 with a Bronze award for Best Campaign by a Macro Influencer for McDo Chicken Check!, created in collaboration with McDonald’s Philippines. In 2025, he returned to the category and earned Gold for his HP Smart Tank campaign with HP Philippines. His 2026 Silver win further establishes Raco as a consistently recognized creative voice in Asian social media with three different campaigns for three major brands earning regional honors over three consecutive years. Raco shared, “Winning back-to-back was already an incredible experience, so receiving this recognition for a third consecutive year came as a genuine surprise. I am deeply grateful to the Hashtag Asia Awards, Burger King, and all the brands, creative teams, and advertising agencies that have trusted me with the freedom to bring my ideas to life. I am also thankful to NYMA Management for the support and work that happens behind the scenes. Being able to create content for a living, connect with audiences, and make people happy through these campaigns is already deeply rewarding. To have that work recognized on a regional stage is something I will never take for granted.” Known for turning everyday Filipino observations into clever, highly relatable content, Raco has developed a distinct creative voice grounded in humor, cultural insight, and visual storytelling. His work demonstrates how branded content can communicate a commercial message while remaining authentic to both the creator and the audience.
“Raco’s third consecutive Hashtag Asia win is a remarkable achievement and a testament to his consistency as a creative. He approaches every campaign with intelligence, originality, and a deep understanding of his audience. We are incredibly proud to see Raco, Burger King, and Filipino creativity recognized on the regional stage,” said NYMA Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Kat Bautista. The Hashtag Asia Awards recognize outstanding social media campaigns, creators, brands, platforms, and agencies from across Asia. The regional program celebrates work that demonstrates creativity, innovation, effectiveness, and meaningful audience engagement.
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Filipino-American Singer-Songwriter Rocco Kicks Off A Bold New Era With Indie-Pop EP ‘A Comedy Romantic (Act.1)’
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/NYMA Talent Management) |
23-year-old rising Filipino-American singer-songwriter Rocco kicks off a bold new era with the release of his EP, ‘A Comedy Romantic (Act.1)’. Born out of a deep-seated love for the romantic comedy surge of the 1990s and 2000s, the project sees Rocco building an immersive universe. This body of work is punctuated by an episodic short-form narrative series across his social platforms showcasing his acting talents, a rollout format that has already generated an overwhelming reaction online.
Rocco shared, “What’s a good cheeky love story without a good soundtrack. I decided to build a world from the ground up. Writing music which doesn’t just support the narrative but is embedded in the story.” Driven by a conversational, deeply evocative perspective, the EP’s focus track “Palm” captures the poignant realization of growing apart from someone who once knew you best. Grounded in specific, intimate memories rather than traditional love tropes, the track navigates the complex nostalgia of watching someone you love take a path you cannot follow. It is a cinematic slow-dance track that beautifully encapsulates the quiet ache of moving on. Following his previous single “Break”, this new EP positions itself perfectly at the intersection of sombre slow jams and upbeat heart-stoppers. By tying these tracks to his social skits, Rocco delivers a completely cohesive visual and sonic experience.
With ‘A Comedy Romantic (Act.1)’, Rocco delivers more than just a collection of songs; he invites listeners into a fully realised world where heartbreak and humour beautifully coexist. By blending raw, bedroom-pop vulnerability with the grand scale of a cinematic episodic series, the EP serves as a definitive statement of his evolution as a multidisciplinary creative. It is a poignant, brilliantly structured first chapter that leaves audiences eager to see where his sonic and visual journey takes them next.
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Jarren Goes All Out For Love In ‘Luvbomb’ EP, Drops MV For Lead Single ‘Runaway’
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Jarren Garcia bares his heart in his freshly dropped extended play (EP) “LUVBOMB” alongside the music video for its lead single “Runaway” Taglish version. He shared, “It’s about pouring all your love and effort into that one person. I’ve poured my heart and soul into making this EP. I can confidently say this music is more me — it’s more Jarren.”
The seven-track EP, now available worldwide on digital music streaming platforms, is headlined by “Runaway”, released in both Taglish and English versions. The Taglish version has an official music video while the English version is paired with a lyric visualizer — both streaming on ABS-CBN Star Music’s YouTube channel. Jarren explained that the track was intentionally crafted to blend an international R&B sound with emotions and storytelling that Filipino listeners can easily relate to, stating, “I also want to connect with the Filipino listeners that’s why most of the songs are mainly Tagalog. We chose ‘Runaway’ as the key song because it has that international sound and making it Tagalog also helps stick to the OPM side of it.”
Prior to “Runaway”, Jarren released two singles — “GOTCHU” and “Pinaka Pretty” — showcasing his groovy R&B sound. Other tracks in his first EP include “Tatapatin”, “APK (Ang Pahinga Ko)”, and “Pinili Kita, Pero”. Meanwhile, Jarren’s fan club, which is celebrating its second year anniversary, launched a free ride program across Metro Manila last July 23, 2026, showing support for their idol’s new project. Four modern jeepneys offered free rides to commuters while playing Jarren’s latest music.
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ABS-CBN News Explores Unconventional Jobs In New Docuseries “Philippines’ Oddest Jobs”
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN News takes viewers to check on the country’s rarest and most unconventional occupations imaginable in its newest online docuseries “Philippines’ Oddest Jobs”, streaming every Tuesday at 8:00 pm and on-demand on on the ABS-CBN News YouTube channel. The new human-interest docuseries shines the spotlight on the unusual and overlooked livelihoods some Filipinos take with each episode delving into the bizarre stories, struggles, and surprising realities that few people witness.
For its debut episode released last July 28, discover the life of Manila’s garlic peelers who painstakingly peel garlic bulbs into individual cloves by hand before they are distributed to markets. In every skinned clove and calloused hands, each peeler has a story to tell about first venturing into their odd livelihood and day-to-day hardships. The episode will also feature the exciting and adrenaline-filled occupation of pool slide testers who regularly inspect and ride steep water slides to help ensure the safety of poolgoers. Behind the thrilling task lies a serious responsibility, as they meticulously check each slide to ensure it meets operational standards — knowing that the safety of every tourist depends on it.
Discover some of the Filipinos’ bizarre and unconventional jobs in “Philippines’ Oddest Jobs” on ABS-CBN News’ YouTube channel where you can also enjoy exclusive documentaries and special features on the country’s current topics.
