Category: News

JULY 17. MANILA, PHILIPPINES. Pop Royalty BTS unveiled the music video for “NORMAL” from their chart-shattering fifth studio album ARIRANG – now available to watch first on Spotify.

The music video reveals BTS’ raw and vulnerable side, portraying each member through deeply personal and intimate moments. Set in the aftermath of a celebration, it moves between scenes from the previous night’s festivities and the stillness of the following morning, capturing the quiet moments that exist beyond the spotlight. One of the video’s most memorable scenes recreates the now-viral image of all seven members standing before a row of toilets, bringing the teaser campaign full circle.

To watch BTS’ “NORMAL” music video, Premium subscribers in beta markets can open Spotify on their TV, desktop, iOS or Android device, search for and play “NORMAL” by BTS, and tap “Switch to video”. The music video will start playing right where the song left off. For a full-screen experience on mobile, simply turn your device to landscape mode. And to return to background listening, simply press “Switch to audio”.

When the lights dimmed inside Araneta Coliseum and thousands of fans gathered for Puregold OPM Con Generations 2026, they witnessed more than a star-studded concert—they experienced a celebration of Original Pilipino Music that brought together iconic performers and today’s biggest artists in one unforgettable production.

Behind the creative execution of the show was Arnold Sanchez, who served as Show Director, overseeing the concert’s creative direction, storytelling, and live production.

For Sanchez, the vision was clear from the very beginning: create a concert that honors the legacy of OPM while allowing every artist’s story to resonate with audiences across generations.

“Every concert tells a story,” Sanchez says. “Our responsibility is to create an experience where every performance, every transition, and every technical element work together to support that story.”

Central to that process was the close collaboration with the Puregold team. According to Sanchez, the project’s success began with a shared creative vision.

“They knew exactly what they wanted the concert to represent,” he shares. “Because we shared the same creative perspective, my role was to elevate that vision and bring it to life through storytelling, stage direction, and technical execution. That trust made all the difference.”

Sanchez is no stranger to large-scale live productions. As the resident Show Director of Wish 107.5, he has helmed some of the country’s biggest music events, including the Wish Music Awards, the Wishdate Concert Series, concerts for Rico Blanco and The Juans, and the Aurora Music Festival. These productions have shaped his approach to creating immersive live experiences where creative storytelling and technical precision go hand in hand.

Yet despite an accomplished portfolio, Sanchez remains quick to point out that productions of this scale are never the achievement of one person alone.

“The audience sees what happens on stage, but every successful concert is built by hundreds of people working behind the scenes,” he says. “From the production team and technical crew to the artists, suppliers, and organizers, everyone contributes to making moments like these possible.”

He likewise expressed his gratitude to the entire Puregold family for the trust they have consistently placed in him and his team.

It is a privilege to work with an organization that continues to champion Filipino artists and celebrate OPM on such a grand scale.

I am deeply grateful to Mr. Vincent Co, President of Puregold Price Club, Inc., for his unwavering support of Original Pilipino Music and for providing a platform where artists can come together to celebrate OPM with their fans.

My sincere appreciation also goes to Ms. Ivy Piedad, Senior Marketing Manager of Puregold Price Club, Inc., whose clear creative vision and direction became the foundation of this production. To Ms. Thess Ordonez-Cuisia, President of Cozoz, Inc., thank you for your guidance and for entrusting our entire production team with the responsibility of bringing this vision to life. And to Ms. Katherine Jusayan, Project Director of Cozoz, Inc., thank you for your meticulous oversight, steady leadership, and collaborative spirit, which made even the most demanding moments feel lighter and more enjoyable.

To the entire Puregold and Cozoz family, thank you for believing in our team and for giving us the opportunity to help turn this vision into a memorable experience. It was an honor to contribute to a production that celebrates the richness of Filipino music and the artists who continue to shape it.

Sanchez also credits much of his professional growth to the mentorship and opportunities entrusted to him by Kuya Daniel Razon, CEO of Wish 107.5, and General Manager Jay Eusebio, whose leadership has profoundly influenced his creative philosophy.

“The guidance, discipline, and values I’ve learned from Kuya Daniel Razon and General Manager Jay Eusebio continue to shape every production I direct. Those experiences have become the foundation of my work as both a creative and a leader.”

As Puregold OPM Con Generations 2026 concluded, the concert stood not only as another milestone in Philippine live entertainment but also as a testament to what can be achieved when vision, collaboration, trust, and excellence come together.

For Sanchez, however, the greatest measure of success is not found in the spotlight but in the collective effort behind it.

“This production belongs to everyone who poured their hearts into it. Every member of the team played an important role in making this experience possible. Above all, I thank God for His guidance throughout the journey. To God be all the glory.”

It takes a bongga cast to stage a bongga musical. Newport World Resorts, in association with VIVA Communications and The Philippine STAR, has unveiled the cast of Bongga Ka, ‘Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical, assembling some of today’s most exciting theater performers and rising stars.

While the actress who will portray the title character Annie Batungbakal remains under wraps, audiences can now meet the colorful personalities who inhabit the worlds of House of Pasion and Coco Banana in the musical. Between House of Pasion, where Annie works as a dispatsadora or sales clerk while dreaming of becoming a designer, and Coco Banana, the famed Malate disco where creatives and socialites gather, unfolds a story of ambition, friendship, love, and self-discovery set to the soundtrack of the Manila Sound era.

Among the first names announced are the show’s leading men. Sam Concepcion, Jeff Moses, and Anthony Rosaldo, will alternate as Romer Pasion, the worldly flight attendant and heir to House of Pasion. Joining them is KD Estrada as Burn, the folk rock musician determined to make a name for himself through original music.

The House of Pasion itself is anchored by Aurora Pasion, alternately played by Jackie Lou Blanco and Ring Antonio. In her 50s, Aurora is an old-school yet influential fashion designer whose signature clothing line defines the house she built.

Annie’s personal world includes Suzy Batungbakal, played by Air Paz-Pablico, her modista mother and former Aurora employee who is considering working abroad as an Overseas Contract Worker (OCW). Yani Lopez and Andrea Babierra alternate as Iste Batungbakal, Annie’s sister who harbors a crush on Burn. By her side is Toots, played by Gerhard Krysstopher, her loyal gay friend and fellow House of Pasion staff member. Guiding Annie along the way is Amor, portrayed by Akie Cedilla, a street-smart balut vendor whose practical advice often makes her the unintentional voice of wisdom and an occasional cupid.

Adding color to Annie’s journey are the eccentric personalities who populate Coco Banana. John Lapus and Dindo Divinagracia alternate as Tarurit, the larger-than-life proprietor of Coco Banana, and Tito Tambay, a humorously-portrayed neighbor.

Completing the male ensemble are Rapah Manalo (Burn Understudy), Bomba Ding, MC Dela Cruz, Franco Ramos, Richardson Yadao, Vyen Villanueva, Gerald Magallanes, Mark Panganoron, Jay Cortez, Moi Gealogo, Yahweh Sangalang, Dan Wesley and male swing Tep  Logmao.

Joining them are female ensemble members Iya Villanueva (Annie Understudy), Misha Fabian, Chez Cuenca, Abi Sulit, Paui Luzuriaga, Sam Marasigan, Coleen Paz, Mica Fajardo, Mia Bella, Abegail Turiano, Yna Arbiol, and female swing Jannah Baniasia.

Newport World Resorts, in association with VIVA Communications and The Philippine STAR, reunites for Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical featuring Hotdog’s timeless hits. The show, staged with PETA Plus, is slated to open in September 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Get first dibs on tickets by signing up for the waitlist now via https://newportworldresorts.com/bkd-waitlist. Ticket selling for Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical begins in July. Learn more about the artists and the production through Newport World Resorts (@newportworldresorts), VIVA Communications Inc. (@vivaartistsagency), and The Philippine STAR (@philippinestar) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Sign up for the waitlist now via https://newportworldresorts.com/bkd-waitlist to be the first in line for tickets.

For a music genre born under disco lights and bell-bottoms, Manila Sound has had an unusually long afterlife. Decades after its peak, its songs still feel woven into everyday Filipino life. Karaoke nights somehow always end with “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal”. Family celebrations are incomplete without Tito suddenly requesting “Rock Baby Rock”. The genre pulses in the DNA of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) itself. Even Gen Z listeners who never stepped foot inside a disco club can instantly recognize the sound.

Before OPM became a catch-all term for Filipino music, Manila Sound was already defining what local pop culture could sound like. Back then, the Philippines had long consumed Western music with enthusiasm. American and British rock records dominated the radio. Meanwhile traditional kundiman and folk songs remained symbols of an older, more formal Filipino identity. Somewhere between, the younger generation was searching for a sound that felt closer to their own lives: urban, chaotic, romantic, funny, ambitious, and unmistakably Filipino.

Hotdog as pioneers of Manila Sound
The rise of Manila Sound can largely be traced back to Hotdog, the genre-defining band that made Taglish, disco, and Manila street culture sound effortlessly cool. Formed by brothers Dennis and Rene Garcia, the group rose to fame in 1974 through the hits “Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko” and “Pers Lab.” They would later cement their legacy through era-defining anthems such as “Manila,” “Annie Batungbakal,” and “Bongga Ka Day.”

Hotdog wrote lyrics exactly how young, middle-class Manileños actually spoke: a casual, conversational mix of Tagalog and English. Combined with catchy, Western-style pop arrangements, the music was instantly relatable. Suddenly, Manila Sound was taking over radios, parties, and pop culture conversations everywhere.

The Manila Sound explosion
Seeing the massive success of Hotdog, the local recording industry went into overdrive. The movement was heavily championed by Vicor Music Corporation, spearheaded by executives Vic del Rosario and Orly Ilacad. They actively scouted and produced local talent to ride the Manila Sound wave.

This era saw an explosion of sub-genres under the Manila Sound umbrella. Artists like Rico J. Puno took Western soul and R&B and infused it with Filipino lyrics and sentimentality as heard in “Kapalaran” and his Taglish cover of “The Way We Were”.

Disco fever took over
As disco took over the globe, the Philippines responded with its own vibrant dance tracks. VST & Company became the undisputed kings of Manila Sound disco, earning comparisons to the Bee Gees with upbeat anthems like “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko,” and “Magsayawan,” songs that still dominate Filipino parties decades later. Meanwhile, Hagibis brought macho camp into the mainstream with funk-driven hits like “Katawan” and “Legs,” turning clubs and dance floors into full-blown spectacles.

Soundtrack of Filipino Romance
On the softer side of the genre, bands like Cinderella and The Boyfriends ruled the airwaves with melodic love songs and harmony-filled ballads. The Boyfriends became known for romantic staples such as “Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal,” “Dahil Mahal Kita,” and “Salawahan,” while Cinderella captured the sweetness and innocence of young love through timeless hits like “T.L. Ako Sa’yo” and “Bato sa Buhangin.”

The Birth of OPM
By the end of the 1970s, Manila Sound began evolving beyond the disco grooves and Taglish pop style that first defined the movement. As the music matured, songwriters and artists began crafting more complex, diverse, and universally Filipino music that extended beyond the capital city of Manila.

Artists like Ryan Cayabyab, Rey Valera, Hajji Alejandro, Marco Sison, Basil Valdez, and Freddie Aguilar started producing music that was more sweeping and sophisticated. To reflect this broader, more mature national identity, pop singer Danny Javier (of the APO Hiking Society) coined a new term: Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

The Manila Sound ultimately became the blueprint for modern OPM. Whether through Hotdog’s witty urban storytelling, VST & Company’s disco anthems, or Cinderella’s melodic love songs, Manila Sound captured the pulse of a generation learning to define itself through music.

The Manila Sound gave way to the rise of OPM in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but its legacy was permanent. It proved that Filipinos wanted to hear their own stories, sung in their own language, to their own beat.

Manila Sound returns onstage

Today, that genre returns in spectacular fashion through Bongga Ka, ’Day!: The Annie Batungbakal Musical. Set against the glittering backdrop of ‘70s Manila, the production revives the music and spirit that made Manila Sound a cultural phenomenon.

Newport World Resorts, in association with VIVA Communications and The Philippine STAR, reunites for an original production featuring Hotdog’s timeless hits. The show is slated to open in September 2026 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Learn more about the artists and the production through Newport World Resorts (@newportworldresorts), VIVA Communications Inc. (@vivaartistsagency), and The Philippine STAR (@philippinestar) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Sign up for the waitlist now via https://newportworldresorts.com/bkd-waitlist to be the first in line for tickets.

SM Prime Holdings, Inc. (SM Prime) officially unveiled the SM Seaside Cebu Arena to trade, industry, and corporate partners on July 9, marking a major milestone in the continued development of its South Road Properties (SRP) estate and reinforcing Cebu’s position as a premier destination for world-class entertainment.

The trade launch offered more than 400 guests from the events, entertainment, tourism, hospitality, and corporate sectors an exclusive first look at the arena through an immersive hour-long flythrough presentation showcasing the venue’s scale, design, and capabilities ahead of its official opening.

“This arena is part of our long-term vision for Cebu,” said Jeffrey C. Lim, president of SM Prime. “By creating a world-class platform for live entertainment and large-scale gatherings within SRP, we give local and foreign tourists another reason to visit and stay longer. More importantly, this investment will generate economic opportunities for local entrepreneurs and nearby communities.”

Strategically located within the SM Seaside City Cebu complex, the arena enjoys direct access to the mall and the upcoming SMX Convention Center Seaside Cebu, Park Inn by Radisson, and Radisson Hotel. Together, these developments form an integrated lifestyle, tourism, and business district in the Queen City of the South.

Designed by the internationally acclaimed architecture firm Arquitectonica, the P7-billion venue spans more than seven hectares of gross floor area and can accommodate up to 25,000 guests, making it the largest indoor arena in the Visayas. Its striking exterior features wave-inspired glass windows that pay homage to the iconic façade of its sister venue, the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

At the heart of the arena is Cebu’s largest and most advanced center-hung display, engineered to deliver crystal-clear visuals, immersive audio, and real-time data integration. The venue is built to host a wide range of events, including concerts, sporting competitions, electronic dance music (EDM) festivals, family entertainment shows, corporate events, circus productions, and motorsports exhibitions.

To elevate the guest experience, the arena features 30 luxury Premier Suites situated above the VIP sections. Each suite accommodates between 13 and 31 guests and offers premium seating, private restrooms, and unobstructed views of the event floor. Suite holders and their guests will also enjoy access to exclusive VIP lounges, a private café, and a dedicated entrance.

The SM Seaside Cebu Arena will officially launch its major events calendar with the BINI Signals World Tour on July 11. Upcoming performances at the venue include concerts by IV of Spades, TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan, Hillsong Worship, and LANY.

“Cebu has long been one of the country’s most dynamic markets,” Lim said. “With this arena, we can bring more Filipino and international acts to the Visayas and strengthen the region’s place in the live entertainment circuit.”

With the opening of SM Seaside Cebu Arena, SM Prime further expands its footprint in the country’s live entertainment industry while supporting Cebu’s growing tourism, hospitality, and events sectors. The new venue is expected to serve as a key destination for both local and international productions, positioning the Visayas as a major hub for world-class entertainment.

Rising OPM alternative act polaris. continues to make waves in the local music scene with the release of their latest single, “Huling Mensahe,” under KDR Music House—a deeply emotional track that captures the quiet heartbreak of love on the verge of letting go.

Formed in early 2020, polaris. hails from Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija, and has steadily built a name for themselves through their distinctive sound—an eclectic fusion of pop, funk, alternative rock, disco, and blues. Drawing inspiration from global icons like Queen and The Beatles, alongside Filipino legends such as Rivermaya, Eraserheads, P.O.T., and VST & Company, the band delivers music that is both musically rich and emotionally resonant.

With “Huling Mensahe,” polaris. leans fully into vulnerability. The song unfolds like a final conversation—capturing the last words of someone who is about to lose the person they love. It reflects the painful reality of watching a relationship slowly fade, while still choosing to love sincerely until the very last moment.

Driven by melancholic tones and heartfelt lyricism, “Huling Mensahe” explores a universal truth: sometimes love remains even when the relationship is already ending. It is a song about everything left unsaid—about holding on to memories, emotions, and hope, even as separation becomes inevitable.

The band’s ability to translate complex emotions into relatable music has been a defining strength since their breakthrough, establishing polaris. as one of OPM’s most promising new acts. Their sound effortlessly balances intricate musicianship with compelling storytelling, making each release feel both intimate and expansive.

Now under KDR Music House, polaris. continues to expand their reach, connecting with a growing audience that finds comfort in their honest and expressive songwriting. “Huling Mensahe” further cements their place in the alternative OPM landscape—offering listeners a soundtrack for moments of reflection, closure, and quiet acceptance.

As polaris. moves forward, their music remains rooted in authenticity—telling stories that linger long after the last note fades. And with “Huling Mensahe,” they remind us that even in goodbye, love can still speak its truth.