 |
| (Image Source: Starmometer/Roc Nation) |
Global superstar Jackson Wang recently released his new single “Thank You” as well as its official music video, directed by Ojun Kwon and shot on the new iPhone 18 Pro, featuring real life Jackson Wang fans from all around the world. “Thank You” is Jackson’s first new music release since signing with powerhouse entertainment company Roc Nation. “We’re excited to have Jackson Wang join our family here at Roc Nation. He’s an incredible artist with a very special drive, and we can’t wait to see what he does next,” says Roc Nation Founder Jay-Z.
Shot in black and white, the “Thank You” music video sees Jackson stripped-back, moving through different stages of his life, thanking his fans and those who have always championed him for their unwavering support. For Jackson, sharing this song with his biggest supporters is the ultimate celebration of all the eras in his career leading up to this moment. “Thank You” closes a chapter, but paves the way for more new music and creativity. Jackson invited fans from all around the world to be a part of the project with applicants from more than 80 countries, selecting 30 individuals from China, the U.S., Australia, Mexico, the UK, and more to join him on set. Every character, outfit and circle in the music video represents an important person, memory or chapter that has shaped Jackson into the person he is today. From his early start in gymnastics and fencing to memories with childhood friends, through to his astounding music career and now signing with Roc Nation, Jackson is grateful for every part of it. The new single follows an incredible year so far for Jackson. This spring, Jackson continued his MAGICMAN 2 World Tour across North America and Latin America including sold-out shows at Los Angeles’s Kia Forum, Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, and a milestone first-ever MAGICMAN Tour stop in Manila at the Araneta Coliseum last November 2025. The album, MAGICMAN 2, debuted at No. 13 on the Billboard 200 chart and landed Jackson in the Top 15 of the Billboard Artist 100. This July, Jackson was also announced as the first ever global ambassador for the International Fencing Federation (FIE), shining a light on the sport he excelled at before starting his music career. Up next, Jackson will continue his MAGICMAN 2 World Tour with a run of mainland China dates beginning this October.
Wang’s connection with the Philippines has only deepened this year. His Manila stop for the MAGICMAN 2 Tour marked his first time bringing it to the country, where he closed the night with a personal message of gratitude for his fans. Wang told fans that he hoped they’d take away more than a performance — a reminder to hold onto hope and encouragement — a sentiment that echoes directly into the spirit of ‘Thank You.’ Reflecting on the experience afterward, Jackson called the stop “insane” and said he’d finally learned what “Manila vibe” means.
* * * *
Samsung TV Plus Expands Global Creator Lineup To More Markets
 |
| (Image Source: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.) |
Samsung TV Plus is expanding its creator offerings to more markets worldwide as Samsung Electronics’ subscription-free streaming service introduced new creator-led channels across Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and the United Kingdom while extending existing creator channels to Brazil and Mexico. Spanning lifestyle, food, sports, news, and science, the additions broaden access to content from leading creators. The new global offerings include:
• U.K.: In partnership with 208 Studios, Samsung TV Plus has launched three new creator channels.
* Happy Place: Interviews from the acclaimed podcast by Fearne Cotton who has more than 15 million social media followers
* Golf Life: Golf and comedy from Ange, Jimmy, and Tubes Bullard who have more than 3 million combined followers
* JOE Media: News and entertainment from the U.K. media brand which has more than 30 million followers across platforms
• Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand: Luke Nguyen’s World follows Australian-Vietnamese chef, restaurateur and television personality Luke Nguyen as he explores food, culture, and travel. The program features more than 95 episodes across nine seasons, adding to Nguyen’s portfolio of content aired in more than 150 countries.
• Brazil & Mexico: Mark Rober TV is now available in these markets. It is a dedicated 24-hour science and engineering channel featuring dubbed content from former NASA engineer Mark Rober, who has more than 79 million followers across platforms.
The expansion underscore Samsung’s role in bridging the creator economy and the new era of television, helping creators reach new viewers through Samsung TV Plus. “The creator economy has become a global phenomenon, reshaping how audiences discover and engage with content. Samsung TV Plus is at the forefront of this evolution, giving the creators a global platform to grow their brand and connect with millions of viewers through television,” said Samsung Electronics Head of Global TV Plus Salek Brodsky. Already home to Dhar Mann, Michelle Khare, Smosh, and The Try Guys, Samsung TV Plus continues to redefine the television experience, connecting digital storytellers with its 100 million monthly active users worldwide.
* * * *
P-Pop Music Awards To Celebrate Filipino Music, Talent, And The Rising P-Pop Scene
 |
| Award-winning Filipino music composer and educator Dr. Mon Del Rosario to serve as one of the members of the P-Pop Music Awards jury (Image Source: Starmometer/P-Pop Music Awards) |
Filipino musical talent is something that comes naturally to many Filipinos according to award-winning music composer and educator Dr. Mon Del Rosario. Dr. Mon emphasized that many Filipino artists possess remarkable musical abilities even without formal training in conservatories or music institutions. He believes that this innate talent, combined with the passion and creativity of Filipino musicians, has the potential to gain recognition not only in the Philippines but also on the international stage. In celebration of Filipino artists who continue to contribute to the growth of Pinoy pop culture, the P-Pop Music Awards is set to hold its awards night on October 18, 2026 at The Big Dome, Araneta Coliseum.
 |
| Award-winning music composer and educator Dr. Mon Del Rosario (Image Source: Starmometer/P-Pop Music Awards) |
The awards ceremony will recognize artists and performers across various categories including achievements in social media engagement, music releases, performances, and music videos. One of the highlights will be the recognition of performances that have made an impact on the international music scene as well as outstanding music videos. Dr. Mon described P-Pop as a unique genre that combines song and dance, interpretation, glamour, and distinctive visual presentation, particularly through the artists’ performances and fashion. The awards night will also shine the spotlight on the country’s rising P-Pop groups, giving emerging artists an opportunity to be recognized alongside established performers. According to Dr. Mon, awards and nominations can provide important benchmarks for new artists as they pursue their careers. “The nominees and winners set the standard for the new groups, so they have something to measure their success as artists. You need metrics.” Beyond recognizing individual achievements, the P-Pop Music Awards also aims to help strengthen the identity of Filipino music and encourage audiences to support original, homegrown talent. Dr. Mon also observed that appreciation for local music has grown significantly over the years, stating, “I think the support of music listeners today, compared with the 1960s, shows that there is greater appreciation for local music.”
As part of the celebration, audiences can look forward to performances from some of the country’s promising local artists and rising P-Pop groups. Dr. Mon, who will also serve as one of the members of the P-Pop Music Awards jury, extended an invitation to music fans to attend the much-anticipated celebration. Music fans can visit the official P-Pop Music Awards Facebook page for updates, announcements, nominees, performers, and other details about the awards night.
* * * *
Enjoy Filipino Classics, iWant Originals, And Hit Kapamilya Shows For Free On iWant
 |
| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Audiences can enjoy an improved free viewing experience of classic Filipino series and movies alongside hit Kapamilya shows and originals on iWant, the Home of Filipino Feels. Through its “What U Want, Libre sa iWant” campaign, viewers can stream a variety of Filipino favorites of all genres through its vast library of programs and films while also providing easier access and seamless streaming via mobile, PC, or smart TV, all for free for users based in the Philippines.
iWant viewers can still enjoy live and on-demand free streaming of ABS-CBN’s marquee programs, including its primetime teleseryes “Coco Martin’s Sigabo”, “Someone, Someday”, and all previous episodes of “The Alibi: Ang Buong Katotohanan.” Also available for free are the hit noontime show “It’s Showtime”, news telecast “TV Patrol”, and game shows “Kapamilya Deal or No Deal” and “Everybody, Sing!” among others plus live access to Kapamilya Channel, DZMM TeleRadyo, and Knowledge Channel programming. Alongside ABS-CBN’s current shows, audiences can also watch various timeless Filipino movies, from award-winning films “Oro, Plata, Mata” and “Moral”, Star Cinema’s box-office hits “Hello, Love, Goodbye” and “Four Sisters And A Wedding”, to classic flicks “Ang TV Movie: The Adarna Adventure” and “Hey Babe!”, among others. Also streaming for free are episodes of previous Kapamilya series such as “Be Careful With My Heart”, “Saving Grace: The Untold Story”, “Love In 40 Days”, “What Lies Beneath”, and the Tagalog dub of the hit Asian drama “Meteor Garden.” Viewers can also relive the true-to-life stories from “Maalaala Mo Kaya” from classic features to its comeback episodes in 2025. Viewers are in for laughs and heartwarming chats with the free streaming of its talk shows “Gandang Gabi Vice” and the debut episode of “The Angeline Quinto Show”.
Viewers can also enjoy a selection of iWant originals including the recently concluded “Miss Behave” headlined by Alexa Ilacad with all episodes out now for free. Also streaming for free are “Love At First Spike” top-billed by Emilio Daez and Reign Parani, and “Beach Bros” featuring Kyle Echarri, Lance Carr, Brent Manalo, Sean Tristan, and Raven Rigor. All these and much more Pinoy favorites are available to stream for free anytime and anywhere on iWant via its official mobile app on Android and iOS or iWant.ph.
* * * *
“The Loyalty Game: Level Up” Unlocks New Scenes, Untold Stories On Free TV And iWant
 |
| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Viewers who followed every twist of “The Loyalty Game” on Prime Video have more secrets to uncover as its more immersive version, “The Loyalty Game: Level Up” premiered last October 5. The ABS-CBN series offers a fuller and richer viewing experience through additional scenes, extended storylines, and character backstories not seen in the Prime Video version. Audiences can also get ahead of the story on iWant which will stream each episode seven days before its television airing.
At the center of the series are married couple Ben and Ana, played by Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez. Their seemingly stable relationship begins to unravel when a test of loyalty exposes dangerous secrets. Jericho teased during the show's media conference that the expanded version will reveal more layers to the characters and their relationships, stating, “There would be more twists, and the plots and backstories are fleshed out. Mas magandang viewing pleasure.” Janine shared that viewers will finally learn more about the loyalty testers whose stories left audiences with questions after watching the Prime Video series, saying, “Maraming madadagdag na scenes sa loyalty testers. Excited akong mapanood sila. Ang daming nagtatanong anong nangyari sa kanila, so ’yung mga nakapanood sa Prime, masasagot ’yung questions nila.” she said. Creative manager Jay Fernando added that the longer version gives audiences more time with the characters, offering new context and a deeper understanding of their choices and motivations. Produced by Star Creatives, “The Loyalty Game” has remained among Prime Video Philippines’ most-watched series since its premiere with its cast earning praise for portraying complex and challenging characters. Jericho and Janine are joined by Charlie Dizon as Ben’s sister Regina and Maika Rivera and Kira Balinger as two of the loyalty testers. The cast also includes Sofia Andres, Yassi Pressman, Yen Santos, Elisse Joson, Karina Bautista, KD Estrada, Robbie Jaworski, Alyanna Angeles, and Carmina Villarroel with veteran actors Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Bernard Palanca, Desiree del Valle, and Pilar Pilapil. “The Loyalty Game: Level Up” is directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar, together with Ian Loreños, Raymund Ocampo, and Cathy Garcia-Sampana.
Catch the expanded story of “The Loyalty Game: Level Up”, airing weeknights at 9:30 pm on ALLTV2, A2Z, TV5, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live on Facebook and YouTube. The series will also be available outside the Philippines on TFC while iWant viewers can stream episodes seven days ahead of their television airing.
* * * *
Maluma And Shakira Reunite On “Agua”, A Merengue That Plays With Fire Their Fifth Collaboration On A Global Scale
 |
| (Image Source: Starmometer/@phraa) |
In under a month, Maluma’s name has appeared alongside the two biggest female icons music has produced in the last decade. First came Beyoncé, who brought him onto “Cuerpo (Tumbao)” for the commemorative edition of B’Day. Now it’s Shakira, with whom the global Latin star reunites on “Agua”: “We went global with the queen.”
“Agua” is a sensual merengue that crosses tropical energy with contemporary production. The vocal chemistry between the two is once again the heart of the story, this time built around a simple, effective metaphor: no matter how much water they need, when they’re together, everything ends up on fire. It’s a song of tension, flirtation, and complicity, one that recognizes the DNA of their earliest collaborations without settling into nostalgia. The artistic relationship between Maluma and Shakira began with “Chantaje”, continued with “Trap” and “Clandestino”, and also ran through the remix of “La Bicicleta” alongside Carlos Vives — a run that produced several of Latin music’s biggest hits. Shakira was one of the first globally established artists to bet on Maluma when his international career was just beginning, and that closeness has held up over the years. The two recently spent time together again at the artist’s horse-breeding ranch in Medellín, far from studios and cameras. Within Loco X Volver, “Agua” adds a new sonic dimension to the project. The release comes with a music video directed by Hannah Lux Davis, one of the most recognized directors in international pop. The piece builds a world where water is the connecting thread: reflections, liquid surfaces, shine, movement, and dance sustain a constant tension between the two artists, in a narrative designed to become one of the album’s strongest visual moments. With two of the most defining names in Latin music together again, “Agua” arrives as one of the most significant releases in the Loco X Volver universe and as another chapter in a shared history now measured in years, not songs.
Shakira continues her hot streak following her headline performance of her global smash hit “Dai Dai” at the inaugural FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show, watched by 2 billion people worldwide. “Dai Dai” has been hailed as the biggest song of the year internationally, spending 7 weeks at No. 1 globally. The song’s video has officially surpassed 1 billion views on YouTube and Shakira is the most-viewed female artist on the platform, further cementing her status as a global icon. Later, Shakira will take the stage at Shakira Stadium for her sold-out Madrid Residency, which has sold over 500,000 tickets. For the highly anticipated residency, Shakira unveiled “Es Latina”, a month-long cultural platform celebrating Spanish and Latin artists across music, fashion, art, literature, gastronomy, and dance at Macondo Park.
