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| (Image Source: SINEGANG.ph/Philippine Educational Theater Association) |
Aligned with its continued commitment to advocacy and educational theater, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) presents “Gen G: GG Na ’To!” — a new interactive play about choice, survival, and community. Created in partnership with Move To Change Foundation Inc. (M2C) — a social purpose organization creating opportunities for young people to lead positive change — the production is part of Project GG: Game Changers For Good Governance, a youth-centered campaign that transforms civic education into lived experiences where young people learn that every voice matters and every act of participation helps shape more accountable communities and stronger democratic systems. But this isn’t your usual sit-back-and-watch kind of play as the audience gets to participate, make choices, and help shape the experience.
Set in an alternate Philippines submerged in flood waters, Gen G follows a group of young people placed in “Balangay Gen Zones”, temporary communities for youth who are adaptable, flexible, and have high chances of survival. They were to remain safe in the Balangay while adults sought solutions elsewhere. But when the supposed return date arrives, the adults are nowhere to be found. Left to fend for themselves, the young people must figure out how to run their Balangay — and this time, the audience gets a say. Through votes, choices, negotiations, and unexpected consequences, audiences become part of the community and help determine what happens next. As the story unfolds, Gen G asks: Who gets heard? Who gets left behind? What do we prioritize? Survival isn’t just about making the “right” choice. And when the system we inherit doesn’t work anymore, do we simply adapt — or do we dare to change it? Through the world of the Balangay, Gen G invites young people to see participation as something that extends beyond elections, and agency beyond choosing among options given to them. It encourages them to question, imagine, and act together. For co-playwright and PETA Artistic Director J-mee Katanyag, the starting point was the seemingly simple question “G?” Katanyag shared, “Every time we say yes to something, we are also making a choice. And whether we realize it or not, our choices reveal what we value, whom we care about, and what kind of community we are helping create.” At the helm is an exciting creative team led by director Ian Segarra (Walang Aray, 2023 & 2025 – PETA), playwrights J-mee Katanyag (Nobody is Home, 2025 – PETA) and Jhudiel Sosa (Identité, 2024 – Virgin Labfest 19), musical director Kabaitan Bautista (Si Faust, 2025 – Areté), set and props designer Julio Garcia (Walang Aray, 2023 & 2025 – PETA), and costume designer Johnnie Moran. The cast features a mix of emerging and established performers, including Lyle Viray as New Character, Johnrick Noynay as Dex, James Lanante as Sid, Camille Fabian as Chloe, Francheska Andaya as Achi, Cb Lagapa as Achi/Chloe, and Ada Tayao and Zoe Damag as Joker. The show will be touring 12 schools from September to December 2026.
Beyond the performance, “Project GG” will create opportunities for young people to engage through interactive experiences, workshops, community conversations, and other participatory activities designed to encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and collective decision-making. From September to November 2026, the campaign will bring together partners and communities through initiatives focused on Global Citizenship Education, narrative change, and youth participation — from Reclaiming Democratic Spaces for Children through GCED in partnership with Terre des Hommes and Dachser, to the Narrative Change Education Series with DAKILA, Misereor, and FNF Philippines, culminating in Control + Shift Live! Narrative Change StudioLab and the Narrative Change Forum, which will extend conversations around narrative, power, care, and social change through performances, dialogue, and community exchange.
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Ben&Ben’s ‘Leaves (Reimagined)’ Finds New Meaning In Second Chances And Forgiveness
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Sony Music Entertainment Philippines) |
Nearly a decade after “Leaves” made a dent in pop culture consciousness with its unassuming tenderness, Ben&Ben reinterprets the heartwarming ballad with “Leaves (Reimagined)”, a new rendition that transforms the original into a more mature reflection on forgiveness, second chances, and the complexities of growing together. Instead of recreating the original, “Leaves (Reimagined)” approaches the track from a different emotional vantage point, mirroring the profound depths and tensions of life in sonic form. The orchestral elements do not make the track bigger or more ambitious; instead, they give the emotional peaks and quiet moments greater dimension and more room to sink in.
The multi-awarded band explains, “We wanted to highlight how much more dynamic life is emotionally when you grow up and grow older, and for this project, we wanted to explore the use of orchestral sounds playing alongside the band. This is because we wanted to make the quiet parts more nuanced and the grand parts more emotional, but in a ‘lived-in’ way.” The new version continues the story not from the perspective of who they were when they first recorded it, but from where they are now: as musicians who have matured alongside a community that has experienced its seasons of love, loss, uncertainty, and change. Ben&Ben shares, “Since we have grown up — and so have our Liwanag — in the past nine years, we wanted to encapsulate what that experience is like through the lyrics of this song. We think that if we are to live a life with someone constant with us, whether it be family, a best friend, or a romantic partner, the concept of giving someone another chance will always be a given.” Following the success of “Lifetime (Reimagined)”, the band considers the reimagined version of “Leaves” as a distinctly different creative process: one that allows the song to reveal new possibilities rather than recreate what came before it, stating, “Leaves definitely demanded a different creative process. One cool discovery we had was that even in the process of breathing new air into each song, continuing their respective stories leads into very different trajectories in many layers: melodically, lyrically, and musically. Each song really has a life of its own.”
In June, Ben&Ben were named Duo/Group Artist of the Year at the 17th PMPC Star Awards for Music, with the recognition citing their stellar work on their latest album The Traveler Across Dimensions. The band has also earned multiple nominations at the 39th Awit Awards including Record of the Year, Best Performance by a Group, and Best Pop Recording for “Saranggola”. The nominations further solidify Ben&Ben’s consistent presence at the forefront of OPM, leading up to the grand celebration of music, friendship, and memories via their upcoming major show Saranggola: The Concert, happening on October 2, 2026 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Ben&Ben’s “Leaves (Reimagined)” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
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dwta and Arthur Miguel Reunite For Third Collaboration In ‘At Kung Sakali’
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Sony Music Entertainment Philippines) |
After the breakthrough success of their previous collaborations, “Lihim (Nuarin Sasabihon)” and “Tahan Na”, singer-songwriters dwta and Arthur Miguel reunite for the third time in the velvety new single “At Kung Sakali” — out now on digital music streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. The latest release is monumental for both solo artists, as it’s their first time writing a song together in one room. Brimming with natural chemistry and mutual trust that seem to have stemmed from their first team-up in 2023, “At Kung Sakali” started as an unplanned creative exercise that eventually morphed into a fully realized output.
dwta clarifies, “Actually, our past collaborations were both written separately. Arthur wrote Lihim (Nuarin Sasabihon) while I wrote Tahan Na. We never really tried writing a song together before, so this time we thought, why not? At first, we were really doing it for fun. We didn’t even have any plans to release it or anything. We just wanted to see what we could come up with, and we were already happy just making something together. But then ‘At Kung Sakali’ happened. I think one of the reasons we keep coming back to working with each other is because of the friendship we built since our first collaboration back in 2023.” Written in just half a day, “At Kung Sakali” came together effortlessly, as if radiating their shared creative wavelength into a personal piece of work. With both artists known for their distinct artistic visions and songwriting styles, dwta and Arthur approached the writing with openness, letting their ideas meet in the middle and spark magic. According to dwta, the song tackles the anxieties of imagining a future with someone and the inevitable doubts that come with thinking about what happens when life doesn’t go as expected. Framed through the playful imagery of a dollhouse or bahay-bahayan, “At Kung Sakali” ultimately becomes an affirmation of choosing love despite uncertainty.
The Bicol-born singer-songwriter explains, “At Kung Sakali is also our first collaboration that’s really about being in love. Our first collab was about confessing your feelings, while our second one was more about heartbreak and hope. This time, we’re in our ‘in-love’ era even though we’re both happily single. We’re both actually known for making heartbreak songs, so it was fun to make something that’s warmer and purer this time.” Produced by Luke April, the track retains the spontaneity of its songwriting process and lets each contributor’s input shape the final sound with the producer’s guidance. dwta shares, “We did the production on a separate day from the songwriting, and Luke April joined us in producing the song. After we finished writing the song, our team really liked it, so we decided to release it. Luckily, everyone was available and was immediately game for it.”
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REP Celebrates The Power Of Classics With Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
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| (Image Source: SINEGANG.ph/Repertory Philippines) |
Shakespeare is everywhere, and you’ve probably seen all sorts of modern adaptations of his works in various media possible. What made Shakespeare one of the most influential literary figures ever was how he transformed and elevated the English language to show his readers and audiences the beauty and the complexities of the human experience.
Repertory Philippines, a Filipino theater company dedicated to showcasing English language productions, is bringing back its Shakespearean tradition with the staging of A Midsummer Night’s Dream ahead of the company’s 90th season. Directed by REP Artistic Director Jeremy Domingo, the production will have a limited three-weekend run on September 12-27, 2026 at the historic Saint Cecilia’s Hall, a National Cultural Landmark inside St. Scholastica’s College in Manila. “Shakespeare has been such a significant part of REP’s 60-year history. It is about time that we revisited the Bard’s masterpieces, especially as our Artistic Director is known for his love for Shakespeare. We are all excited to approach a milestone year with one of the world’s finest works of drama that puts the playwright’s inventiveness in the spotlight,” says REP President and CEO Mindy Perez-Rubio. Domingo adds that REP’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream will be a faithful adaptation that focuses on Shakespeare’s text and themes, stating, “We want to celebrate the power of Shakespeare’s dialogues, which of course defined modern theater as we know it today. It’s a faithful adaptation in a sense that my goal as a director is to guide these talented actors in reading, interpreting, and acting Shakespeare text to bring out the wit, the double entendres, and the sarcasm that made the Bard a pillar of English language and the art of theater-making, even four hundred years after he graced this earth.” Leading the cast is Leaf Awardee for Best Featured Actor Randy Villarama who will play fairy king Oberon/Theseus, Duke of Athens. Actor and playwright Lesley Leveriza Lina and Giannina Ocampo-Van Hoven will alternate as fairy queen Titania/Hippolyta, Queen of the Amazons and Theseus’ fiancée. The four mixed-up young Athenian lovers will be played by promising young actors: Dani Roque and Isabelle Prado who will be alternating as Helena, Sevee Eslabra as Hermia, Luis Marcelo as Lysander, and GK Diola as Demetrius. Joining them are Joey Cosio-Mercado as Puck/Philostrate and Joel Parcon as Hermia’s father Egeus. The Mechanicals will be played by Tristan Bite as Nick Bottom, Alexa P. Sandiego as Peter Quince, Rico Del Rosario as Francis Flute, Ysh Bautista as Robin Starveling, Robert Bradly Hao as Tom Snout, and Bella Alejandro as Snug. The Fairies include Alejandro doubling as Peaseblossom, Dana Lee as Cobweb, Rosea Ansay as Moth, and Lorrie Figueroa as Mustardseed.
Andie Villegas joins the creative team as Assistant Director with Jay Pangilinan as Musical Director, Jomelle Era as Choreographer, Ohm David as Set Designer, Meliton Roxas as Lights Designer, and 2026 Gawad Buhay winner for Best Costume Design Carlos Siongco as Costume Designer. The production team will be headed by Production Manager Bojo Barnes. Completing the team are Assistant Production Manager Phalie Medina, Stage Manager Nicole Chua, and Deputy Stage Manager Marta Muñoz. For tickets, visit Ticket2Me and Ticketworld or contact REP at 0966-9054013, 0962-6918540 or via e-mail at promotions@repphil.org or sales@repphil.org. For updates and show schedules, visit www.repertoryphilippines.ph or like and follow REP's official Facebook and Instagram accounts.
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GMA Network Strengthens Ties With Thai Trade Commission Delegation During Courtesy Visit
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| Top photo: Thai actors and media personalities Karittha Sungsaopath, Sarocha Nakbamrung, Yang Dong Won, and Thannidhi Tharinpirom with GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group and GMA Films President and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes (center) Bottom photo (L-R): GMA Network Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications Jojo Aquio; GMA Network Vice President and Head for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier-Cruz; GMA Network Entertainment Group Officer-in-Charge and Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy; GMA Network Senior Assistant Vice President for Program Management Department Ma. Concepcion R. Agnes; GMA Worldwide Assistant Vice President Roche S. Salvador; GMA Network Vice President for Program Management Department Mitzi G. Garcia; GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group and GMA Films President and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes; Thai Trade Center Manila Director Sutinee Vathana; Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) Professional Level Trade Officer Wannapong Waiyawuththanapoom; Thai Trade Center Manila Counsellor Kanthima Kanjanadecha; DITP Professional Level Trade Officer Prachak Manosuthi; GMA Network First Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia (Image Source: GMA Network) |
Leading Philippine broadcast media company GMA Network welcomed representatives of the Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand and the Thai Trade Center in Manila at the GMA Network Center in Quezon City last August 26, 2026. Leading the courtesy visit was GMA Network Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group and GMA Films President and CEO Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes with First Vice President and Head of International Operations Joseph T. Francia, Entertainment Group OIC and Vice President for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Vice President and Head for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier-Cruz, and Vice President for Program Management Department Mitzi G. Garcia among the Network's executives.
Atty. Gozon-Valdes highlighted the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and Thailand and spoke of the Network's support, sharing, "The Philippines and Thailand have a long shared connection in culture, media, and entertainment. GMA is proud to have been among the early Philippine broadcasters to bring Thai lakorn to Filipino audiences. Since 2018, we have aired close to 100 Thai series." The visit to GMA Network is part of the Thai Trade Commission's Overseas Trade Negotiation Mission aimed at further strengthening trade relations, exploring collaborations, and exchanging insights on the evolving media, entertainment, and digital landscape in both the Philippines and Thailand. The Thai delegation led by Sutinee Vathana, Director of the Thai Trade Center in Manila, was comprised of executives, producers, and actors representing Thailand's media and entertainment industry: Go On House, Kantana Group, Mahamongkol Film Studio Production, Matching Maximize Solution, Mojo Living, One 31, Progold Plus, Rabbit Moon Corporation, RS Multimedia & Entertainment, Starhunter Entertainment, Thai Broadcasting or Workpoint Group, Themework Studio, Waga Creative, and World Premier Art.
In her remarks, Vathana spoke of how the meeting is a learning opportunity for the delegation. “We are very pleased to have been given this opportunity to learn more about the Philippines' media and entertainment industries from one of the country's leading broadcasting and content companies. We are particularly interested in learning about GMA Network's experience in content production, reaching audiences, and adapting to changes in the media industry.” Following the courtesy call, members of the Thai delegation were given a tour of the studios where GMA Network's popular game show "Family Feud" and the variety program "TiktoClock" are filmed, as well as the radio stations Super Radyo DZBB and Barangay LS. Expressing optimism about a future collaboration between the two countries, Gozon-Valdes also said, "There is already much that connects us, and we hope today opens the door to even more."
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Queer Dating Show “Sparks Camp” Heats Up With Season 4, Introduces New Campers In Quest For Love
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
The Philippines’ first queer dating reality show finally finds a new home with iWant as the fourth season of “Sparks Camp” heads to the streaming platform this September, promising bolder, sizzling romance from its newest set of campers as they share their journey and search for meaningful connection.
Continuing from its previous iterations, “Sparks Camp” Season 4 promises a sexier atmosphere for the campers, with a new set of intense challenges ready to test their sparks and chemistry, while continuing to provide a safe space for queer love and genuine connections that resonate with audiences. This season features a highly diverse group of campers, some of whom bring a distinct international flair into the fiery mix. Among the introduced campers are “Mr. Explore-Actor” Tommy, “The Drag Queen-Sation” Ian, “The Japinoy Charmer” Taku, “The Shy Achiever” Jury, and “The Babyboy Next Door” Michael. Also joining to find their match are “The Walkin’ Conyo Heartthrob” Joaquin, “The Gio-Target Chinito” Gio, “The Genz-Incere Lover” EJ, “The Daddy-Sirable Cutie” Beej, and “The Fil-Am-Azing Wonderboy” Howie. Guiding the campers through transformative challenges is the “Mother Sparker” herself, Mela Habijan, offering loving advice and helps campers find meaning in their camp journey.
The newest season of “Sparks Camp”, directed anew by Theodore Boborol, will be co-produced by iWant and PlayTime Entertainment following the success of the vertical drama series “Will You Fake Marry Me?” starring JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith. Viewers can soon get early access to each episode through iWant’s subscription plans, starting at Php35 per month in the Philippines and US$4.99 per month in the United States (until October 31, 2026) and for the rest of the world.
