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| Barbie's Cradle (Image Source: Manila Standard/Sony Music Entertainment Philippines) |
After retreating from the spotlight for more than two decades, Barbie’s Cradle returns with creative confidence and renewal in “Emergency”, their first single since 2003. Now available on digital music streaming platforms worldwide under Sony Music Entertainment Philippines, the harmony-laden indie pop track was penned by guitarist Kakoy Legaspi and produced by Barbie Almalbis together with the band. It finds the pop-rock quartet confronting existential anxiety through an unexpected lens: humor. Rather than offering compelling answers to life’s deepest questions, the song suggests that perhaps the healthiest response is to acknowledge its inherent absurdity and learn to live with it.
Legaspi explains, “It’s a sarcastic take on existential crisis. It’s about trying to make sense of life’s absurdity by simply becoming more ‘zen’ about it — and about ourselves.” “Emergency” mirrors the adventurous spirit that has long defined the band’s late ‘90s to early 2000s work, while also presenting the band at their most collaborative yet. The song begins with an unconventional verse riff written in 7/8 time, a rhythmic idea that became the foundation of the composition. Legaspi recalls, “I came up with the idea of the lyrics when I found myself staring at a piece of paper on the wall that had ‘emergency numbers’ written on it. At first, it was very hard for me to sing and present the song to the band, but Barbie came up with the ingenious idea of cutting up the verses in a very fast, jarring way, like a duet but with no spaces in between. It made the song flow way better and gave it a unique twist.” Although the track was originally written during the mid-2000s, it remained shelved for decades before being rediscovered during the pandemic. Working remotely through e-mail between 2021 and 2022, the band revisited and refined the arrangement before finally recording the song live in Almalbis’ home studio after restrictions eased. The sessions captured the chemistry of the band performing together with vocals and additional overdubs completed in subsequent recordings before acclaimed engineer Angee Rozul delivered the final mix.
“Emergency” also serves as the first glimpse into the musical comeback of Barbie’s Cradle. The band, composed of Barbie Almalbis (vocals and guitar), Kakoy Legaspi (guitar), Rommel dela Cruz (bass), and Wendell Garcia (drums), will release a few more songs throughout the following weeks leading to an EP release. As Barbie mentioned in the previous press release, “We’re excited to revisit the greatest hits and misses while also sharing new songs that reflect where we are now in our lives, both as musicians and human beings. This new body of work is more collaborative and intentional than ever. We’ve poured months of hard work into these songs, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve created.” Widely regarded as one of the most important Filipino alternative bands of their time, Barbie’s Cradle has built a lasting legacy through their acclaimed albums, such as Barbie’s Cradle, Music From The Buffet Table, and Playing In The Fields. The band’s return will culminate in a special one-night-only concert, happening on August 1, 2026 at the Music Museum. Tickets to the Barbie's Cradle reunion concert are now available exclusively at https://www.ticketmelon.com/gnn-entertainment-productions/barbiescradlereunion. You may also contact the Music Museum hotline at 0917-513-0909 for more details.
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BINI Kicks Off ‘Signals World Tour’ With Sold-Out PH Shows; 11-Stop North American Leg Happening In August
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
The nation’s girl group BINI has officially launched its second world tour, “Signals”, with a triumphant string of sold-out concerts in Manila, to be followed by another sold-out show in Cebu next month. The chart-topping P-Pop act is set to bring its highly anticipated concert to the Philippines’ Queen City of the South on July 11, 2026, becoming the first-ever concert to be hosted at the SM Seaside Cebu Arena.
The group will then embark on an 11-stop North American leg, where fans can expect electrifying performances featuring Filipino music. BINI members Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena are set to light up the United States with the “Signals” tour kickoff in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 1. Their North America shows continue in Los Angeles, California on August 5; Rohnert Park, California on August 7; Las Vegas, Nevada on August 8; and San Diego, California on August 9. The girls are also bringing their music to Canada with shows in Vancouver on August 18, Calgary on August 21, Edmonton on August 22, Winnipeg on August 24, and Toronto on August 27. They will also be back in the US in Brooklyn, New York on August 28. The “Signals” Manila leg, which had a two-night run at the MOA Arena last June 20-21, led the top Philippine trends on X for both days, with spectacular performances of BINI’s new songs such as “Step Back” and “Sugar Rush”. They also treated BLOOMs with favorites such as “I Feel Good”, “Lagi”, “Na Na Na”, and “Unang Kilig”. BINI likewise performed Sarah Genomino’s “Duyan” single, Donnalyn Bartolome’s “Kakaibabe”, and surprised fans by bringing their well-loved Coachella set to the show. The group also made a splash with a special performance of “A Parallel World” which will be part of the official soundtrack of the upcoming animated film “Forgotten Island”.
Apart from their Signals World Tour, BINI recently released their “Step Back” performance visualizer last June 27 on the BINI Official YouTube channel. Fans can also check out exciting merch at the BINI pop-up store at the 3rd level, north wing of the SM Mall of Asia until August 15. They can likewise join the Bloom Membership on Weverse to enjoy numerous perks, exclusive content, and members livestreams.
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Crunchyroll Announces it Will Stream Highly Anticipated New Shonen Anime ‘Kagurabachi’ Beginning April 2027
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| (Image Source: SciFi Japan/Crunchyroll) |
Global anime brand Crunchyroll announced that it will stream the upcoming anime adaptation of Kagurabachi, based on the manga by Takeru Hokazono. The series is slated to premiere in April 2027 and will stream on Crunchyroll worldwide excluding Japan, Mainland China, North Korea and South Korea. Kagurabachi has quickly emerged as one of the most talked-about new titles in Weekly Shonen Jump, drawing strong fan anticipation for its stylized action and striking visual identity. The previously released teaser trailer and visual offer a first look at protagonist Chihiro Rokuhira and the enchanted blade, Enten, setting the stage for the story’s unfolding conflict.
The anime adaptation is directed by Tetsuya Takeuchi, with character design by Keigo Sasaki, and animation produced by Cypic (Umamusume: Cinderella Gray, The Summer Hikaru Died). The Japanese voice cast announced thus far includes Taihi Kimura as Chihiro Rokuhira, Tomokazu Seki as Kunishige Rokuhira, and Katsuyuki Konishi as Togo Shiba. Alongside today’s announcement that Katsuyuki Konishi has joined the cast as Togo Shiba, the character’s visual and trailer have also been revealed, offering fans a closer look at one of the series’ key characters. In addition to its broadcast and streaming debut, a global “World Tour” of early episode screenings has been confirmed, bringing Kagurabachi to fans around the world ahead of its premiere. The Kagurabachi Anime World Tour Part 1 will kick off at Anime Expo before heading to Japan Expo, AnimagiC, Otakon, and Anime NYC.
For more information and updates on the Kagurabachi Anime World Tour, visit https://anime.kagurabachi.jp/en/worldtour/. Additional details, including further casting and production updates, will be announced at a later date.
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HEY JUNE! Pays Tribute To OPM Legacy With New Single “Ai Shite Ruyo”
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| (Image Source: The New Hue/Island Records Philippines) |
HEY JUNE! surprises fans with a fresh take on a beloved Filipino classic with their rendition of “Ai Shite Ruyo”, originally recorded by legendary pop group Smokey Mountain. The release marks a milestone for the band and the local music scene as it becomes the first special collaboration between EMI Records Philippines and Island Records Philippines. By reimagining a song that has resonated across generations, HEY JUNE! brings a contemporary perspective to a timeless track while honoring its enduring legacy. The single further demonstrates the band’s commitment to celebrating Filipino music through their own distinct artistic lens.
Following their well-received cover of Tears For Fears’ “Everybody Wants To Rule The World”, “Ai Shite Ruyo” becomes HEY JUNE!’s second officially released cover song. While remaining faithful to the emotional core of the original, the band infuses the track with their signature sound, introducing the song to both longtime fans and a new generation of listeners. The result is a version that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly new, highlighting HEY JUNE!’s ability to reinterpret classics without losing their essence. Adding another layer of significance to the release is the participation of bassist Coey as one of the featured vocalists on the track. For the first time in HEY JUNE!’s recording history, Coey takes on a singing role in an official release, joining bandmates Jim and Aci in bringing new life to the song. The collaboration highlights the band’s evolving creative dynamic and showcases a different side of their musical chemistry. Fans who have followed the group’s journey will be treated to a new dimension of the band’s sound through Coey’s contribution to the recording. Originally released by Smokey Mountain as part of their critically acclaimed third album Death Penalty in 1994, “Ai Shite Ruyo” remains one of the standout songs from the group’s celebrated catalog. More than three decades later, its themes and melodies continue to resonate, making it a fitting choice for reinterpretation by one of today’s rising acts. Through their version, HEY JUNE! bridges generations of Filipino music while paying tribute to a landmark era in OPM history. The release serves as both a celebration of Smokey Mountain’s enduring influence and a reminder of how great songs continue to find new audiences across generations.
The single artwork pays homage to the iconic Death Penalty album cover with Jim, Coey, and Aci recreating the poses of the original Smokey Mountain members. Beyond the artwork, the band has also released an official visualizer that complements the track’s nostalgic yet contemporary spirit, giving listeners another way to experience the song. The artwork and visual elements may contain subtle details that pay tribute to the song’s history, offering a few clues and connections for those paying close attention.
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GMA Regional TV Launches Newly Refreshed Unified Hiligaynon Newscast “Ratsada Balita”
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| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
GMA Regional TV (RTV) is set to usher in a faster, stronger, and more community-focused era of local news in Panay and Negros Occidental with the launch of Ratsada Balita. Formerly known as One Western Visayas, RTV’s unified Hiligaynon newscast takes on a new name and a refreshed identity, bringing a more dynamic approach to news delivery while reinforcing its commitment to providing timely, relevant, and impactful journalism that keeps communities informed and connected. Ratsada Balita will be anchored by Gerthrode Charlotte Tan. Reporting from various areas across Western Visayas and Negros Occidental are Adrian Prietos, Kim Salinas, Zen Quilantang-Sasa, John Sala, and Aileen Pedreso.
Building on the trusted foundation established by One Western Visayas, Ratsada Balita introduces several new segments designed to provide more comprehensive, engaging, and community-driven content. Leading the lineup is Tatak Ratsada (Ratsada Balita Special Report), a mini-documentary segment that offers in-depth coverage of significant issues, human-interest stories, and emerging concerns affecting communities across the region. Viewers can also look forward to Ratsada Exclusive which features exclusive reports, special investigations, and firsthand accounts that provide unique perspectives and deeper insights into important developments. Further strengthening the program's public service commitment is Ipa-Ratsada Mo!, a segment dedicated to addressing complaints and concerns from residents, barangays, and communities to ensure action and resolution. Adding a lighter touch to the newscast is Mga Istorya Ni Alyas Kanor, an engaging and humorous feature that highlights relatable everyday experiences through entertaining storytelling. Meanwhile, Ratsada Express delivers quick updates on police reports and breaking developments as well as bulletin-style coverage of government and community activities, keeping viewers informed about the latest happenings across the region. The newscast also expands its coverage of livelihood and sports through Money-Obra (May Trabaho Ka) which showcases local and overseas job opportunities while providing updates on foreign exchange rates and Isports Lang, a dedicated segment covering local and regional sports stories.
Complementing these new offerings are the well-loved legacy segments that will continue to be part of the program, including Tsapa Report, Hayop Sa Balita, Kapuso Serbisyo, Lakat Sang Panahon, Astig, Fiesta!, Namit!, Kuwento Ng Pilipino, Health Watch, #SpreadKindness, and Showbits. Ratsada Balita airs weekdays at 5:10 pm on GMA TV 6 Iloilo, GMA TV 6 Guimaras, GMA TV 5 Roxas, GMA TV 2 Kalibo, GMA TV 7 Tablas, GMA TV 13 Bacolod, GMA TV 30 Kanlandog, and GMA TV 10 Sipalay. It is also available on GMA News TV International outside the Philippines for Global Pinoys and GMA Regional TV's official YouTube channel.
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JM And Fyang Turn Fake Love Into Real Sparks In iWant’s New Vertical Rom-Com ‘Will You Fake Marry Me?’
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
The phenomenal pairing of JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith is back on iWant, the home of Filipino feels, and brings their signature chemistry in their newest vertical rom-com “Will You Fake Marry Me?”. JM and Fyang’s newest short rom-com series follows the success of their two-part iWant original “Ghosting” in 2025 which became an online hit after spawning trending topics across social media and drawing over 30 million views for its teasers and trailer alone.
Directed by Jojo Saguin, the series follows June (Fyang), a cheerful and hardworking tocino brand promoter who learns she’s set to inherit a vast fortune from a distant family patriarch — on one condition: she must marry his godchild, Ping (JM), the young CEO of the very tocino brand she represents. Despite his distrustful nature and her determination to secure the inheritance, the two enter a fake engagement. But as they work to prove their love is real legally, genuine feelings begin to blossom. “Will You Fake Marry Me?” is the latest addition to iWant’s growing lineup of vertical dramas which includes the hit short romance series “The Chambermaid’s Daughter” starring Alexa Ilacad and Gelo Rivera and the intense affair drama “Twist Of Fate”.
Feel the romantic chemistry of JM and Fyang in “Will You Fake Marry Me?” with its first 15 episodes now available exclusively on iWant and the remaining episodes to be released on July 15. Stream the first five episodes for free via iWant’s official Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube pages as well as via ABS-CBN Entertainment’s TikTok and YouTube accounts. Episodes 6 to 30 are available to stream through iWant’s subscription plans, starting at Php35 per month in the Philippines, US$12.99 per month in the United States, and US$4.99 per month for the rest of the world.
