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| (Image Source: The Manila Times/MPG Entertainment Inc.) |
The Filipino rondalla is finding new places to be heard. Through live performances and concert programs, Musicondalla is bringing the traditional sound of Filipino strings into modern events and contemporary stages, showing how the rondalla can remain distinctly Filipino while continuing to evolve with its audiences.
Operating under MPG Entertainment Inc. (Musicondalla Performing Group), Musicondalla offers two distinct ensembles designed for different ways of experiencing rondalla music: MPG Rondalla, created for events and celebrations, and Musiko Filipino Rondalla, built for the concert stage. For weddings, corporate gatherings, product launches, galas, and private celebrations, MPG Rondalla brings the sound of Filipino strings into the event experience. Whether welcoming guests, setting the mood during a meal, or becoming part of the celebration itself, the ensemble creates a lively and distinctly Filipino atmosphere without feeling out of place in a contemporary setting. Its versatility also extends to its repertoire. While rooted in the traditional rondalla sound, MPG Rondalla performs across genres, from Filipino folk music and kundiman to OPM, love songs, classical pieces, and international pop hits. Vocalists may also be incorporated into performances, allowing clients to shape the music around the mood, theme, and personality of their event. Musicondalla works closely with clients throughout the process, taking into consideration the occasion, audience, theme, and atmosphere they want to create. From repertoire selection to the performance itself, the goal is to make live rondalla music feel accessible, seamless, and relevant to today’s events. For occasions where music takes center stage, Musiko Filipino Rondalla offers a different experience. Designed specifically for concert programs and audiences who come to actively listen and engage with the performance, the ensemble explores the depth and versatility of Filipino musical heritage through masterful interpretations and creative arrangements. Rather than limiting traditional instruments to familiar repertoire, Musiko Filipino Rondalla demonstrates how the rondalla can move across musical styles and cultural influences. Its performances place Filipino string instruments in a contemporary concert setting while retaining the character and musical traditions from which they come.
“Rondalla is far more versatile than people realize. With MPG Rondalla, we want to make Filipino music easy to experience in different kinds of celebrations and events. It can bring happiness, nostalgia, excitement, or simply a sense of togetherness. With Musiko Filipino Rondalla, we take that same Filipino sound to the concert stage and show that traditional music is not something that belongs only to the past. It is a living art form that can continue to move people today,” said Musicondalla Founder and CEO Mariefrance Vasquez Ballester. Together, MPG Rondalla and Musiko Filipino Rondalla reflect Musicondalla’s belief that the Filipino rondalla is not simply a tradition to preserve but a sound that still has a place in today’s world. As the group continues to grow, Musicondalla hopes to bring the rondalla to more stages and, most importantly, to more people who may hear it for the first time and discover why its sound continues to matter.
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Philippines Brings Filipino Sound To Eurovision Asia With CARMELLE's “Sobra-Sobra”
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
ABS-CBN artist CARMELLE is all set to bring powerful vocals, rapid-fire rap, and Filipino instruments to “Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026” as she represents the Philippines to compete against entries from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam on November 14, 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand through “Sobra-Sobra”. Behind the country’s song entry to Eurovision Asia are Mat Olavides and Nica del Rosario, songwriters whose credits include hits by BINI and Sarah Geronimo. For them, the competition is a chance to show Asian audiences the different sounds and performers that Filipino music has to offer.
“I hope CARMELLE’s journey can show the rest of the world that world-class Filipino talent comes in all shapes and sizes. We are not limited to one sound nor one kind of performer,” said Nica, who co-wrote BINI’s “Huwag Muna Tayong Umuwi” and “Karera” and Sarah Geronimo’s “Tala”. That vision comes through in “Sobra-Sobra” which pairs a message of confidence and self-worth with a lively mix of musical influences. “May Filipino elements like kulintang and kubing, but we also incorporated Latin influences. I think that combination reflects how Filipino music has always been shaped by different cultures while still developing its own identity,” said Mat who co-wrote BINI’s “Salamin, Salamin” and co-produced “Pantropiko”. The composers believe the song can connect with listeners even if they do not speak Filipino. Mat explained, “It’s about knowing your worth, being confident in who you are, and not letting other people define you. Kahit iba-iba ang language and culture natin, I think those are emotions and experiences that many people can relate to. The energy of the song also makes it fun and easy to connect with, even if you don’t understand every word.” For Nica, its message also speaks to women across the region. She said, “‘Sobra-Sobra’ is a song that can empower women all over Asia. I believe that all women go through a lot of the same struggles despite race and culture.”
Bringing these elements together is CARMELLE whose voice and performance style give the Philippine entry its character. Nica shared, “CARMELLE’s distinct high and powerful belt and her rapid-fire rapping are also performance elements that are very Filipino that we hope the Asian audience can appreciate.” CARMELLE earned the chance to represent the country in the inaugural Eurovision Asia after besting nine other contenders at the Philippine Selection Night last August 30, 2026 which can be seen worldwide on iWant and on Eurovision's official YouTube channel (excluding the Philippines). ABS-CBN serves as the competition’s official broadcast partner in the Philippines. “Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026” on November 14 will be aired worldwide on the official Eurovision YouTube channel and in the Philippines across ABS-CBN broadcast and digital platforms.
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CisuMusiC Expands Cross-Border Music Connections Following SONIK Philippines 2026
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/CisuMusiC) |
CisuMusiC strengthened its cross-border music connections through the participation of Vietnamese artists CHIVAN and MINH at SONIK Philippines 2026, held last September 11–12, 2026 at Green Sun, Makati. Their performances marked a new connection between Vietnam and the Philippine music scene while reflecting CisuMusiC’s broader work in creating opportunities for artists to reach audiences, industry communities, and markets beyond their home countries.
SONIK Philippines 2026 brought together Filipino and international artists, music professionals, and industry communities through a two-day conference and showcase focused on music export, international expansion, touring, and industry networking. The program moved from industry discussions into live performances with SID opening the first day of the showcase and acts including One Click Straight taking the stage before Itchyworms closed Day 1 with a crowd-filled sing-along. Day 2 continued the showcase alongside conversations on pathways for Filipino artists to build international careers. For CHIVAN and MINH, the event provided an opportunity to bring their work to a new audience in the Philippines while connecting with a wider community of artists and music professionals. Their participation demonstrates how cross-border artist development can happen through live showcases and industry platforms that create direct connections between artists and new markets. Their participation was supported by CisuMusiC whose work extends beyond individual artist appearances to a broader international music network. The platform works across music festivals, showcases, live house tours, fan platforms, and media networks to help connect artists, audiences, music organizations, and opportunities across different markets. CisuMusiC’s network includes connections across Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and other international markets. Through these cross-border activities, the platform creates pathways for artists to move between markets, build new audiences, and develop relationships with music communities beyond their home territories. The Philippines now forms part of this expanding network with SONIK providing a platform for CisuMusiC-supported artists to engage directly with the local music ecosystem.
The Philippine market also presents opportunities for further two-way exchanges. Beyond bringing international artists to Philippine stages, CisuMusiC sees potential to build relationships with Filipino artists, music organizations, festivals, and industry partners and connect them with opportunities across other Asian and international markets. As the connection between CisuMusiC and the Philippine music industry develops, SONIK Philippines 2026 serves as an early example of how cross-border music activity can create new pathways on both sides. For CisuMusiC, the broader goal is to continue connecting artists, audiences, music organizations, and opportunities across markets — turning individual showcases into longer-term international music connections.
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Rol3ert Releases “With you” Ahead Of Debut Album “meet me in my head” And Announces First-Ever Shows In Jakarta And Manila
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Exciter Records) |
Japanese singer-songwriter Rol3ert released “With you”, the advance single from his debut full-length album “meet me in my head”. The song features Malaysian singer-songwriter and producer Johnson, making it Rol3ert’s first collaboration with a Southeast Asian artist on record, and a unique male-to-male duet in which both voices share the same longing. The music video, shot in Singapore in May with a local production team, premiered last October 10.
“With you” was written at SONG BRIDGE 2025, a songwriting camp held in Kyoto in May 2025 as part of the MUSIC WAY PROJECT, a co-creation initiative by CEIPA and TOYOTA GROUP to support the global growth of the Japanese music industry. Co-written with an internationally diverse group of creators, it is the first international collaboration to come out of SONG BRIDGE. The song portrays the two opposing sides of memory, a guiding light and binding chains, through the bittersweet lyric 「咲ききれないまま枯れるのを待つだけ」 (“left unbloomed, only waiting to wither”) and the contrasting shades of Rol3ert’s and Johnson’s vocals. Beneath its smooth, urban sound runs a quiet struggle. Rol3ert is heading to Southeast Asia to share the song with fans in person. On October 28-November 1, 2026, he will make his first-ever promotional trip to Indonesia and the Philippines. On October 28, a week after his debut album is out, he will play his first-ever show in Indonesia, Rol3ert “meet me in my head” Showcase & Fan Meet, at Houma Jakarta. Doors open at 18:30 WIB and the show runs at 19:00-20:30 WIB. The room is small on purpose: he will perform album tracks, talk, and stay afterwards to meet everyone who came. Entry is free, dinner is included, and there is merch to be won on the night. Seats are limited, so RSVP is required to be accessed via bit.ly/4zfsslk. Rol3ert will also be in Manila for promotion and a confirmed live appearance on October 31. Stay tuned to his social media accounts for further details.
Spanning 14 songs written and sung in both Japanese and English, meet me in my head brings together fan favourites including “meaning”, “savior”, “Boy”, “Kodoku”, and “HOPE” with brand new songs. It is his first release on CD alongside digital formats, mastered by Mike Bozzi (Bernie Grundman Mastering), whose credits include Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” and Jung Kook’s “Seven (feat. Latto)”. He will celebrate the album at home with “Rol3ert Live Tour 2026 ‘meet me in my head'” at Osaka’s BIG CAT on November 6 and Tokyo’s Spotify O-EAST on November 12. The Southeast Asia trip follows a breakout year. In June, Rol3ert took home the Rising Radio Artist of the Year Award at MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026, and on Spotify, Taipei has overtaken Tokyo as his No.1 city in the world by listeners. It is a chance to bring that growing overseas response face to face with fans in Jakarta and Manila.
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Xyriel, Karina, Kaori, And Elyson Haunt Viewers In iWant's Limited Horror Original “True Manila Encounters”
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corppration) |
Xyriel Manabat, Karina Bautista, Kaori Oinuma, and Elyson de Dios will shed a haunting light on Manila’s true-to-life frightening encounters in iWant’s newest limited anthology “True Manila Encounters”, premiering on October 29 (Thursday) exclusively on the streaming platform. From the award-winning production company CreaZion Studios, the newest horror offering from iWant dramatizes chilling real-life encounters with the supernatural with its stories carefully selected from multiple submissions gathered across Metro Manila.
The horror series kicks off with the “Undressed” episode starring Xyriel and Karina as they face a vengeful spirit bound to a piece of thrifted clothing. The story follows Pearl (Karina), a woman who suppresses her third eye to hide from the paranormal. However, she is forced to confront her deepest fears when her coworker Mei-Mei (Xyriel) buys an innocent-looking ukay-ukay dress, unaware of its gruesome past and the restless entity waiting to unleash terror on anyone who touches it. The “Undressed” episode will be helmed by Rae Red, the filmmaker behind critically acclaimed films including “Birdshot”, “Si Chedeng At Si Apple”, and “Eerie”. Meanwhile, Kaori and Elyson top-bill the succeeding episode “Occupant”, a true-to-life story about a strained long-distance relationship that takes a sinister turn. The hauntings begin during video calls between Ana (Kaori) and her workaholic boyfriend Jam (Elyson). As a disturbing entity relentlessly torments Ana, pushing her to the brink of losing her grip on reality, Jam must race against time to save both her sanity and their relationship. The Kaori-Elyson starrer will be directed by Dodo Dayao, who received local and international acclaim for his works in “Uninvited”, “Midnight In A Perfect World”, and “Violator”.
Experience the haunting real-life accounts in “True Manila Encounters”, premiering on October 29 with its “Undressed” pilot and on November 5 with the “Occupant” episode, both streaming exclusively on iWant. Catch its episodes via 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 in the rest of the world.
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ESPN Launches ESPN JV, A New YouTube Channel For Kids
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| (Image Source: ESPN) |
ESPN has launched ESPN JV (Junior Varsity), a new YouTube channel dedicated to introducing young audiences to the excitement of sports through engaging, entertaining and family-friendly content. Designed with the next generation of sports fans in mind, ESPN JV brings together some of the biggest names in sports, interactive challenges and familiar characters to make discovering and celebrating sports fun for kids.
Available now on YouTube at youtube.com/@ESPNJV, the channel offers a growing collection of original videos that encourage young viewers to test their sports knowledge, explore memorable moments, and connect with their favorite athletes in new ways. From basketball and football to soccer, baseball, and tennis, ESPN JV introduces a wide range of sports through colorful, accessible storytelling and interactive formats that invite kids to participate in the action. Through a mix of original programming, athlete-driven storytelling and collaborations, ESPN JV reflects ESPN's continued commitment to reaching the next generation of sports fans, creating new opportunities for young audiences to engage with sports and discover the fun of being a fan across digital and social platforms. “ESPN JV is about creating an exciting entry point into sports for the next generation of fans. By combining ESPN's connection to the biggest moments and personalities in sports with creative, interactive storytelling, we're building a destination where kids can explore their interests, discover new sports and develop a lifelong love of the game,” said ESPN Vice President for Multi-Platform Video Celia Bouza.
The channel also features The Sports Explorers, an original animated series starring four characters (“The ESPN Squad”) — Ez, Shay, PJ and Nora. Created by ESPN Creative Studio, each bring their own unique personalities and perspectives to the world of sports, helping young fans discover new games and experience the fun of being a fan through entertaining and educational storytelling. The 'Explorers' series was developed through a creative collaboration between ESPN and WSC Studios, the new creative production arm of WSC Sports. New videos will be added regularly, giving young fans fresh opportunities to play along, learn and experience the excitement of sports.
