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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Sony Music Entertainment Philippines) |
James Reid embraces the freedom of simply being in the moment with “Sunny Side”, his new single featuring producer and artist Luke April, which is now available worldwide on digital music streaming platforms via Sony Music Entertainment Philippines. Driven by vibrant production, an easygoing rap section, and an experimental blend of filtered drums and guitars, the alternative pop track carries an infectious sense of movement without ever feeling rushed. Bright and effortlessly laid-back, “Sunny Side” also captures the feeling of having nowhere to be and being completely at ease with wherever the day might lead.
There’s more to “Sunny Side” than its carefree disposition. For Reid, the song explores a more assured understanding of personal freedom: choosing who he wants to be rather than being defined by outside perceptions. In a press statement, the award-winning multi-hyphenate shares, “Yes, it’s about freedom, but it’s also about feeling untouchable. Who I am is not defined by what people think; it’s who I choose to be despite what people think. Say what you want, I’ll be here on the sunny side.” “Sunny Side” was conceived in an unusually relaxed, spontaneous recording environment. The song, along with several other songs from Reid’s forthcoming album, was produced by Luke April during a week-long creative session in a makeshift outdoor studio in the back garden of an Airbnb. With instruments scattered around, artists and producers coming in and out, and no fixed expectations for what the sessions needed to produce, the collaborators allowed the music to take shape organically. Reid describes the atmosphere as instrumental to the record’s laid-back outcome with the lack of pressure creating room for instinct and experimentation. The track itself was largely developed through improvisation rather than an overly structured approach. April, meanwhile, brought an alternative pop-rock sensibility to the production inspired by artists such as Dominic Fike, pointing out, “Each section of the song sounds a tiny bit different from each other, which makes the listening experience more fun and journey-like. For every project that I do, whether it’s for someone else or my own, I turn off my smarty-pants brain and just let the ‘source’ do its thing. No overthinking, keep mistakes, be patient for happy accidents, and make sure everyone’s having fun during the session.”
The result is a track that feels deliberately loose and lived-in while maintaining the energy and polish of a contemporary alt-pop release. The musical references behind “Sunny Side” reinforce its sun-soaked, carefree character. April cites Dominic Fike’s “Sunburn” and Jean Dawson’s “Bruiseboy” as inspirations during the making of the track while the finished record naturally lends itself to spontaneous drives, sunny afternoons, casual get-togethers, and days without a fixed itinerary. “Sunny Side” will be part of the actor-musician’s forthcoming album, honey, i’m home, which will be released on September 10, 2026. The new release marks a confident leap, both lyrically and sonically, positioning Reid as a reliable hitmaker with a good ear for globally ready music. According to James, the album represents an arrival of sorts, one defined by acceptance and a more assured relationship with himself. As he puts it, “Honey, I’m home comes from a place of quiet confidence: a self-assuring kind of love, from freedom as acceptance, not rebellion. Home is where I’m most myself.”
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Global Hit Format Heats Up September 2026 With MasterChef Asia Premiering On HBO Max, TLC, And Discovery
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| (Image Source: BusinessToday Malaysia/Warner Bros. Discovery Asia Pacific) |
The revamped reality competition MasterChef Asia produced by Warner Bros. Discovery and CreAsia Studio (part of Endemol Shine India) under license from Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of media and entertainment company Banijay Entertainment, is set to premiere exclusively on HBO Max on September 22 and on TLC and Discovery Channel on September 22 and 23, respectively.
Judged by renowned Asian culinary giants Chef Edward Lee, Chef “Pam” Pichaya S., and Chef Kelvin Cheung, the 10-episode series follows former contestants as they go head-to-head in a new series of high-stakes challenges for the ultimate title of MasterChef Asia. Filmed in Macao — a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy — the competition brings together international talent, including Vietnamese-Australian chef Khanh Ong; restaurant owner Sahadol “Pond” Tantrapim; Malaysian pastry chef Marcus Low; Korean gastronomy specialist Areum Yoon; ‘Culinary and Cultural Ambassador of Meghalaya’ Nambie Jessica Marak; and Asian cuisine chefs Audrey Wicksana, Therese Lum, Mime Kataniwa, Ivory Yat, and Sandy Tang from Macao. Fans can look forward to guest judges Mark Wiens, Abi Marquez, Chef Ken Chong, and Chef Julien Tongourian. Shot against the historic backdrop of Macao and produced in partnership with the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO), culinary challenges unfold at iconic local markets, Michelin-starred restaurants, and an exclusive MasterChef Asia kitchen. Contestants will have the ultimate challenge as they put their skills, creativity, and versatility to the test.
Represented internationally by Banijay Entertainment, MasterChef is the world’s most successful cookery television format (Guinness World Records). Commissioned across 74 markets, the life-changing show has aired over 750 seasons and more than 16,000 episodes to date. Created by Franc Roddam and first launched in 1990, the super brand is known and enjoyed across the globe. MasterChef Asia is also supported by several partners including SJM Resorts S.A, Cathay Cargo and Darling Downs. Experience the rich flavors on MasterChef Asia, premiering on September 22 on HBO Max in the region, where available, and TLC in Southeast Asia at 9:00 pm PHT and September 23 on TLC in Taiwan at 7:00 pm CST and Discovery Channel in Southeast Asia at 7:10 pm PHT.
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Brigiding Takes The Conversation Beyond The Brand In Newly Evolved Podcast
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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine PH/Beyond The Brand With Brigiding) |
The Drag Race Philippines Slaysian Royale Superstar Brigiding is back behind the mic with Beyond the Brand with Brigiding, a newly evolved podcast that builds on the foundation of her previous show The Brand. Following its August 16, 2026 debut with its first episode titled “Beyond The Confidence with Minty Fresh” featuring fellow Drag Race Philippines queen Minty Fresh, Beyond The Brand marks a new chapter for Brigiding as a host, storyteller, and conversationalist.
While The Brand centered on the personal stories and experiences that shaped its guests, Beyond The Brand takes those conversations further, using their stories as a springboard to explore broader concepts, ideas, and topics that extend beyond the individual. “I love hearing people’s stories because you never really know what someone has gone through to become who they are. With Beyond The Brand, I want to go beyond that story and talk about the things we can take from it. Something we can relate to, learn from, or carry with us. Kasi kahit iba-iba tayo ng pinagdadaanan, I think there’s always something in someone’s story that can make us feel seen, make us think, or maybe even make us look at our own experiences differently,” said Brigiding. The podcast will also bring in personalities and perspectives outside the drag community, opening up conversations that can resonate with Brigiding’s audience while offering new ideas, connections, and lessons from experiences outside the world of drag.
The show's first episode sets the tone for the conversations to come: honest, engaging, personal, and willing to look beyond what audiences already know about each guest. Beyond podcasting, Brigiding continues to expand her creative work beyond the drag stage, building spaces centered on entertainment, community, storytelling, and connection. Beyond The Brand serves as another platform for her to bring people together through conversations that are both entertaining and meaningful. Beyond The Brand is now available on Youtube and Spotify.
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Stage Bites: PIGLAS Brings Six Fresh Stories To The Batangas Community
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| (Image Source: Facebook/Lipa Status/Dularkada Playhouse) |
Fresh stories and new collaborations come together onstage as Stage Bites: PIGLAS, the first Community Edition of the short play festival, brings six original plays to the Batangas community on September and October. Presented by Dularkada Playhouse, the festival brings together six playwrights, six directors, 17 actors, and a production team to create and present six original short plays. More than a showcase of performances, the festival serves as a platform where local artists can meet, collaborate, and create despite coming from different schools, different places across the province, and different professional backgrounds.
This year’s theme, PIGLAS, explores stories of breaking away, breaking cycles, breaking silence, and becoming. At the same time, the festival reflects a simpler kind of piglas among its artists: finding time to come together, work around demanding schedules, share ideas, and have fun making theater with one another. The festival is led by Festival Director RK Mercado with Queenay Mercado serving as one of its producers. Through Stage Bites, Dularkada Playhouse hopes to create a sustainable space for local theater activity while giving audiences opportunities to encounter new stories and artists. While this year’s edition focuses primarily on performance and collaboration, Stage Bites is envisioned to grow in succeeding editions. Future editions will include a workshop component, creating more opportunities for artists and members of the community to learn, exchange skills, and develop their practice. Stage Bites: PIGLAS ultimately brings together people who may not normally share the same rehearsal room. Artists from different schools and places, with different professions and schedules, come together to create something together. It is a celebration not only of the stories that make it to the stage, but also of the people and community that make those stories possible. These original short plays include:
“PLANTSADO”
PLAYWRIGHT: Kurt Isaac
DIRECTOR: Janina Mendoza
ACTORS: Anton Bautista, Caseka Paran
“SA ILALIM NG BUWAN TUWING HATINGGABI”
PLAYWRIGHT: Lan Ty
DIRECTOR: Darwin Peña
ACTORS: Erin Cometa, Elyanna Estinos, LJ Cruz
“SUSI”
PLAYWRIGHT: Celina Naraja
DIRECTOR: Zek Ramos
ACTORS: Charity Caraan, Alexandrea Perante
“MAY NAIIWAN”
PLAYWRIGHT: Jairuz De Castro
DIRECTOR: Angelo Hulip
ACTORS: AK Ferraro, Deyb De Leon, Dennis Cusi, Jomar Velasquez
“AFTER SUNDAY”
PLAYWRIGHT: Carlo Aguila
DIRECTOR: Armyr Encarnacion
ACTORS: Ken Mendoza, Melvin Comia, Jarell Salazar, Jeshua Montenegro
BAGO ANG “I DO”
PLAYWRIGHT: Rome Rodriguez
DIRECTOR: Raymond Dimayuga
ACTORS: Vanessa Barbosa, John Henry Balaoro
The performances will be held on September 26–27 and October 3–4, at 3:00 PM, at Amalfi718 Hotel at Km. 84, President Jose P. Laurel National Highway, Pilahan, Sabang, Lipa City, Batangas which continues to open its doors to and make space for local artists and creative communities. For Php600, audiences get one ticket to six original stories and one whole theater experience, an afternoon of different worlds, voices, and perspectives brought together in a single festival. For more information, visit and contact Dularkada Playhouse through its official Facebook page.
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New P-Pop Group AZTER Launches Debut Album “univerZity”
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| (Image Source: manila concert scene/ABS-CBN Corporation) |
New P-Pop group AZTER turns the experiences of youth into music in their debut album “univerZity”, a seven-track collection that explores friendship, heartbreak, uncertainty, healing, and self-discovery. The group’s name carries a special meaning, drawing inspiration from the aster, a flower associated with blooming, as well as a star that shines brightly. For AZTER, this reflects their mantra to “blossom like a flower and shine like a star.” The letter “Z” also represents one of their two sub-units, Zodiac, alongside AXIS.
The 12-member group — Kean, Charlie, Tatin, Gee, Alas, Laurence, Wayne, Loyd, Kiel, Gem, Miguel, and Cray — builds a fictional university around “univerZity” where each “classroom” represents a different experience and lesson. The album features “Parang May Mali”, “Kupido”, “Kick Ball Challenge”, “K Dot”, “OTW”, “Unlove You”, and “Boys Night Out” composed and produced by Roel Rostata, Patrick Rodriguez, John Reinard Fernandez, Jungee Marcelo, Renz Jomel Salazar, Ron Pangyarihan, Randy Preysto, and AZTER Gee. The album was overall produced by StarPop label head Roque “Rox” Santos. The campus concept also reflects how AZTER sees its large lineup as one of its biggest strengths, allowing each member’s individuality to contribute to the group’s identity. “We have always thought that having so many members is our strength as a group, and we wanted to make use of that. We intended to incorporate school, university, and classroom themes to embody the concept that each member has different individualities, and when together, we make one great team,” said AZTER. Beyond performing the songs, the members were also actively involved in shaping the album’s music, visuals, concepts, and choreography. The group shared, “Through the making of the songs, the visuals, and concepts, we made sure that we always had our input in the ideas and work. Gee has written and solely composed three songs from the album. Kean, Laurence, Kiel, Tatin, Cray, and other members, along with our coaches, brainstormed the choreography of each song.”
Leading the album is “Parang May Mali” which captures the frustration of feeling stuck in the same situation while holding on to the hope that things will eventually change. The song immediately stood out to the members during their listening session, making them confident that it would be the right introduction to AZTER’s sound. The group said, “We had a listening session for the songs presented for the album. The moment we heard the demo for ‘Parang May Mali,’ everyone in the room instantly knew it was a banger and would be the perfect sound to introduce AZTER in the scene.” Through “univerZity”, AZTER hopes to build a sound that continues to evolve beyond trends while encouraging listeners, especially the youth, to embrace their individuality, believe in themselves, and pursue their dreams.
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Sassa Dagdag Ignites A Bold New Era With “Alamat Ng Baga”
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Former “The Voice Kids Philippines” season 2 finalist Sassa Dagdag channels confidence, grit, and resilience in her new single “Alamat Ng Baga”, her first release now available worldwide on digital music streaming platforms under ABS-CBN’s DNA Music. Fueled by powerful lyrics and unapologetic attitude, the fiery hip-hop anthem is about refusing to be defined by criticism and choosing instead to turn setbacks into motivation. The song was co-written by Sassa, Michael “Cursebox” Negapatan, Venzon “Abaddon” Malubay, and DNA Music label head Gab Tagadtad.
Sassa first captured the hearts of viewers as a finalist on “The Voice Kids Philippines” in 2015 under Team Bamboo. She officially debuted as a recording artist in 2017 with her EP “Sassy Sassa” which featured the songs “Itatago Na Lang” and “Kumakaba”. Since then, she has continued to showcase her versatility through singles such as “Pasensya Ka Na”, “Picking Petals”, and “Hulog Ni Bathala”. In recent years, Sassa also gained widespread attention online after her cover of Flow G’s “Rapstar” went viral, earning more than 3.7 million views on TikTok and introducing a new audience to her impressive rap skills alongside her powerful vocals.
