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| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
Future stars took center stage as Sparkle GMA Artist Center celebrated the graduation of 99 students from its Sparkle Prime Workshops during a special ceremony held at GMA Network Center's German Moreno Studios last July 4, 2026. The event recognized graduates from four programs — Fundamentals of Acting, Specialized Acting, Kids 360, and Real Talk Real Presence Public Speaking — highlighting Sparkle's commitment to developing aspiring performers through industry-led training.
Making the occasion even more meaningful was the presence of GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group and GMA Films President and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, Sparkle GMA Artist Center First Vice President Joy Marcelo, Assistant Vice President for Talent Management Tracy Garcia, and Assistant Vice President for Talent Recruitment and Development Jenny B. Donato. Sparkle artist Allen Ansay also joined the celebration to congratulate the graduates on reaching this milestone. Joining this year's graduates were several Sparkle artists including Tala Gatchalian, Justine Ong, Tyrone Tan, Ryke Reyes, and Veiled Cup 2026 Grand Champion Arabelle Dela Cruz. Hosted by Meghan Dionisio and Justine Ong, the ceremony showcased performances that highlighted the graduates' growth and confidence. Sparkle artists Marian Ansay and Tala Gatchalian also treated the audience to special performances. The Sparkle Prime Workshop provides aspiring talents with professional training in acting, public speaking, and performance, helping them build confidence and develop their skills. Through these programs, Sparkle continues to empower the next generation of artists with quality training and meaningful opportunities.
The Public Speaking Workshop for kids and adults is one of the new courses introduced by Sparkle Prime Workshop in 2026. Meanwhile, the Specialized Workshop in Acting tackles various acting techniques under the Eric Morris System of Work, which focuses on the identification and creation of character work for specific scene studies. Sparkle GMA Artist Center is offering special discounts for old students and early bird enrollees who sign up this July 2026 for the second batch of workshops which will run from September to October. For more exclusive updates about your favorite Sparkle artists, follow @sparklegmaartistcenter and @sparkleworkshops on Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok.
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‘Bonjour Bakery’ Wraps Successful Finale As One Of Rakuten Viki’s Top-Viewed Titles Across Southeast Asia
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Rakuten Viki) |
Rakuten Viki, the global streaming destination for Asian entertainment, announced that Bonjour Bakery has concluded its 8-episode run as the platform’s top-performing Korean variety series across Southeast Asia. The series debuted at No. 1 on Rakuten Viki’s weekly rankings in Southeast Asia following its premiere and maintained its momentum through the finale. Bonjour Bakery held the No. 1 position in Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia for five consecutive weeks and remained in the Top 3 throughout its run. The performance marks a milestone for the Southeast Asia-exclusive series which brought together four prominent Korean actors in an unconventional bakery setting.
Veteran actress Kim Hee-ae, known for her performances in The World of the Married and Moonlit Winter, led the front-of-house team alongside Kim Seon-ho whose roles in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Start-Up earned him a large following across Asia. In the kitchen, actor Cha Seung-won served as head pâtissier with actor Lee Ki-taek joining as his assistant. Set in a rural bakery café, the series centers on a “Yes Senior Zone” concept that welcomes guests aged 65 and older for conversations over French-inspired desserts and coffee. Described by its producers as Korea’s first “Senior Dessert Café”, Bonjour Bakery departed from competition-focused variety formats, placing the stories, memories and life experiences of its guests at the center of each episode. At the series’ press conference, Lee Ki-taek reflected on the experience, saying, “The final scene especially stays with me. It moved me so deeply that I couldn’t stop crying. My view of the people around me has become warmer and broader.” Series writer Kim Ran-ju reflected on the show’s message, saying, “If this show makes viewers want to take their parents out for something delicious, that alone means we’ve achieved our goal.” Kim’s sentiment underscores the series’ emphasis on family relationships and shared experiences. Audience reception further underscored the series’ popularity with Bonjour Bakery earning a 9.8/10 rating from 739 reviews on Viki, making it one of the platform’s highest-rated variety series. Viewer feedback frequently highlights the program’s “healing” and “heartwarming” qualities, praising its focus on meaningful interactions with senior citizens, celebration of community, and the cast’s sincere dedication to serving elderly guests.
The strong audience response suggests Bonjour Bakery resonates not only as an entertainment program, but also as a reflection on family, community, and intergenerational connection. While Korean variety programming spans a wide range of formats, Bonjour Bakery distinguishes itself through its slower-paced, conversation-driven approach. The series joins Rakuten Viki’s growing slate of Korean variety content, which includes titles such as Heart Signal 5 and Kumusta, reflecting the platform’s continued expansion beyond scripted drama programming. All 8 episodes of Bonjour Bakery are now available to stream on Rakuten Viki in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
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“58th” Receives International Acclaim At Doc Edge Festival In New Zealand
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| (Image Source: Sunstar/GMA Network) |
GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures' animated documentary film “58th” won the Facing the Edge Award at the 2026 Doc Edge Festival, New Zealand's premier documentary festival and an Academy Awards-qualifying event. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Carl Joseph Papa and with a stellar cast led by Sparkle star Glaiza de Castro, “58th” received the award, which honors films that take audiences “to the boundary of justice, technology, love, and what it means to be human in a shifting world”.
The latest recognition further cements the film's growing international success following its official selection at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France and its inclusion among the Top 10 Audience Choice Films at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands. “58th” revisits the Maguindanao Massacre, widely regarded as the deadliest attack on journalists in history. The film honors the victims while bringing renewed attention to the case of Reynaldo "Bebot" Momay who continues to seek recognition as the massacre's 58th victim. GMA Pictures Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President for GMA Public Affairs Nessa Valdellon, who was present at the Doc Edge Festival, dedicated the award to the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre, stating, “This is for the 58 victims of the Maguindanao Massacre and their families, especially for photojournalist Bebot Momay, whose body was not found and is still not officially recognized in this case. This is for Director Carl Papa, who found his courage while making the film. And for the already very brave Nenen Momay Castillo, who shared her story. Finally, this is for Johnson Tam, Ian Simbulan and my public affairs team back home, who have for decades been making television docs and are finally making documentaries for the whole world to see. This is our first doc festival win, and it means so much to us. Thank you, Doc Edge!” Valdellon also served as a Wayfinder at the Doc Edge Pitch, mentoring documentary filmmakers by providing guidance, feedback, and industry insights to help develop impactful documentary projects.
Blending animation with archival footage, “58th” presents this significant chapter in Philippine history through a powerful and accessible visual language, engaging younger and international audiences. The film explores themes of press freedom, fragile democracies, election violence, impunity, and accountability – issues that continue to resonate across the globe. The recognition of “58th” at Doc Edge reinforces GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures' commitment to producing world-class, socially relevant films that amplify important stories and resonate with audiences worldwide.
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Eraserheads’ ULTRAELECTROMAGNETICPOP! The 25th Anniversary Edition Makes A Comeback Via Repressed White Vinyl
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| (Image Source: INQUIRER.net/Offshore Music) |
One of the most important albums in the history of Filipino music makes its highly anticipated comeback on vinyl as Offshore Music, an independent record label founded by Ely Buendia, has officially opened pre-orders for the repress of the Eraserheads’ ULTRAELECTROMAGNETICPOP! The 25th Anniversary Edition on premium white vinyl. The pre-order will run until August 1, 2026 with exclusive merchandise bundles also available thru bit.ly/ultrawhitevinyl. The new pressing is produced by Diggers Factory in France and mastered by the legendary master engineer Bernie Grundman. This reissue is to ensure an audiophile-grade listening experience while preserving the timeless sound of OPM’s most celebrated debut album of all time.
Unlike the original anniversary pressing which was limited to 2,500 copies and quickly became a sought-after collector’s item, the repressed version aims to make the album more accessible to the fans who were unable to secure a copy the first time around. According to Offshore Music General Manager Audry Dionisio, the decision was made because of the high commercial demand and a desire to reward longtime supporters of the Eraserheads. Dionisio shares, “There were only 2,500 copies printed in the first run, and sadly because of the limited nature of the release, it prompted scalpers to resell it at ridiculous prices, which then alienated the true fans of the album. This time around, we wanted to give everybody a chance to own the album at a more affordable price. The timing couldn’t be more perfect since Offshore is celebrating its tenth-year anniversary. It’s our gift to the fans.”
More than three decades after its release, ULTRAELECTROMAGNETICPOP! continues to occupy a singular place in Pinoy pop culture. Its songs have become anthems of the everyday Filipino, with its rawness and enduring appeal resonating from one generation to another. To date, the album has sold more than 300,000 copies and was certified sextuple platinum (6x) by the Philippines Association of the Recording Industry (PARI). For collectors still considering whether to place an order, Dionisio emphasizes that this edition represents far more than another repress or reprint, stating, “This time it’s released on white vinyl. It’s more affordable, but more importantly, it’s an album you should own and pass on to your kids. Compared to the first release, this repressing is our gift to those who weren’t able to grab the first one.”
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The Red Strings Floats On The Feeling Of First Love In New Single “Nasa Ulap”
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
The Red Strings continues to build its momentum with the release of “Nasa Ulap” the band’s newest single following its launch through ABS-CBN’s “The Next Big Band”. The bright and feel-good track tells the story of an encounter that blossoms into romance, capturing the excitement, wonder, and butterflies that come with meeting someone who instantly makes one’s heart race. Band members Gello, Cedryck, Llana, Nicholas, Risen, and Liam all took part in writing the song while DNA Music label head Gab Tagadtad produced the record. It has been featured on Spotify’s OPM Rising, All New OPM, and New Music Friday playlists.
The Red Strings was born from ABS-CBN Entertainment’s reality docu-series “The Next Big Band”. Their name is inspired by the concept of the red string of fate, symbolizing their belief that they are destined to find one another and create music together. Earlier this year, the band released back-to-back singles “Asado” and “Kupido”. The latter has since surpassed over 700,000 streams and earned spots on Spotify’s Hot Hits Philippines, Tatak Pinoy, and OPM Rising playlists. The Red Strings recently performed on the Wish 107.5 Bus where they debuted “Nasa Ulap” live alongside “Kupido” and “Asado”.
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Live Replay: “MYX On Repeat” Rolls Out On Facebook And YouTube
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Giving audiences another chance to relive their favorite performances and other highlights, global music and pop culture platform MYX launches “MYX On Repeat”, a live replay experience on Facebook and YouTube. “MYX On Repeat” streams daily from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Philippine Time or at 6:00 pm to 12:00 am Pacific Standard Time on MYX Global's Facebook page and YouTube channel featuring fan-favorite shows, artist interviews, lifestyle content, specials, and other memorable MYX moments. Programs streaming include recent and currently airing shows such as “Booked”, “Discovering Routes”, “Making It In America”, “Making It In Canada”, MYX Eats”, “MYX Now”, “MYXclusive”, “Filgrimage”, “The Ripple”, “The Wrizzards”, and more.
“MYX On Repeat” will also feature timeless programs that deliver playful entertainment every Saturday. The nostalgia begins with “MYX Olympics” which lets fans relive the excitement of seeing their favorite artists step outside their usual music performances and take on fun challenges in the celebrity game show. After “MYX Olympics”, viewers can catch “MYX 3 On 3”, “MYX Forum”, “MYX Wer U At”, “MYXposed”, and “MYX Adventures” in the coming weeks. “MYX On Repeat” can also be seen on cable television via SKYCable channel 23, Cignal channel 150, Satlite channel 111, GSat channel 35, Cablelink channel 41, and in 160 cable operators nationwide. MYX is also available on IPTV and iWant.
