Jollibee Brings the Joy of Friendship to Life with DreamWorks Animation’s "Forgotten Island"

Jollibee, is marking a milestone with its global collaboration with DreamWorks Animation for the worldwide theatrical release of Forgotten Island on September 23, 2026.

At the heart of Forgotten Island are lifelong best friends Jo and Raissa, who discover a mysterious portal that transports them to Nakali, a fantastical island filled with mythical creatures inspired by stories from their Filipino families. When they discover that returning home could come at the cost of losing the memories of their friendship, Jo and Raissa must find a way to leave the island without forgetting each other.

Forgotten Island features Filipino and Filipino-American talent including Tony Award-winning Lea Salonga, global comedy star Jo Koy, Grammy and Academy Award-winning H.E.R., actress Liza Soberano, and co-writer and co-director Januel Mercado.

“Great stories and great food both have a way of bringing people together,” said David Beal, Jollibee Group global chief marketing officer and head of digital marketing. “With DreamWorks Animation’s Forgotten Island, we’re inviting friends and families to celebrate the joy of friendship—from watching the film to sharing a delicious Jollibee meal together. It is a simple expression of what Jollibee has always stood for: serving great-tasting food and bringing the joy of eating to everyone.”

The Filipino connection extends beyond the film, with Filipino girl group, who are also Jollibee endorsers, BINI contributing the song “A Parallel World” to the Forgotten Island soundtrack. The upbeat electronic-pop track, which features English and Filipino lyrics, was released on July 23.

BINI also performed the song at the Forgotten Island panel during San Diego Comic-Con in July, further connecting the group and the film with audiences around the world. The music video for “A Parallel World” also features Jollibee, showing members of BINI enjoying their favorite meals and sharing candid moments while in the United States for the song’s recording and related activities.

“At Jollibee, we value partnerships that allow us to collaborate with world-class brands and create experiences that genuinely resonate with our customers,” said Dorothy Ching, vice president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines. “Our partnership with DreamWorks is especially meaningful because Forgotten Island brings together universal themes of friendship and family with Filipino-inspired storytelling. We are proud to be part of this global collaboration and excited to bring the spirit of the film to Jollibee communities around the world.”

The Jollibee and Forgotten Island collaboration brings together global entertainment, Filipino talent and storytelling, and Jollibee’s own spirit of togetherness, extending the experience from the big screen to everyday moments shared over a meal.

More elements of the collaboration are set to be revealed, including an exclusive Jollibee offer tied to the film. Details will be announced at a later date.

DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island arrives in theaters September 23, 2026.

For more information, visit https://www.jollibee.com.ph/ or follow Jollibee’s social media channels for updates.

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Star Digital Solutions Prepares for 9.9 E-Commerce Mega Campaign

As the Philippines gears up for one of the biggest e-commerce events of the year, Star Digital Solutions (SDS) is preparing for the upcoming 9.9 Mega Campaign, bringing together leading brands, creators, and e-commerce strategies designed to capture one of the year’s biggest online shopping moments.

Recognized as a top MCN and TikTok Shop Partner (TSP) agency in the Philippines, Star Digital Solutions is entering 9.9 with an expanding portfolio of major accounts across FMCG, beauty and personal care, fashion, health, and technology - strengthening its position as one of the country’s emerging forces in e-commerce and livestream commerce.

The agency’s growing roster reflects a broader shift in how brands approach digital growth: e-commerce is no longer simply another sales channel, but an increasingly important engine for brand awareness, customer acquisition, and revenue growth.

Preparing Brands for the 9.9 E-Commerce Mega Campaign

For the upcoming 9.9 campaign, Star Digital Solutions is working with some of the Philippines’ leading brands across multiple industries, developing strategies that combine shop management, livestream commerce, performance marketing, content creation, creatives, and production. Star Digital is geared for more than 100 livestream sessions, covering greater than 1000 livestream hours with creators and brand-led activation, almost double from the recently held 6.6 mega campaign.

The goal goes beyond simply driving traffic during a mega campaign.

By combining commerce, content, creators, and paid media, SDS helps brands build an integrated digital presence designed to turn attention into engagement - and engagement into sales.

This approach has become particularly relevant during major e-commerce moments such as 9.9, 10.10, 11.11, and 12.12, where brands compete not only for consumers’ purchasing power but also for visibility in an increasingly crowded digital marketplace.

In less than two years, Star Digital Solutions has rapidly established itself as one of the Philippines’ top e-commerce agencies, showcasing strong capabilities across Store and Shop Management, Livestream Commerce (Brand-led Live session and Creator Live Session), Creative Development, and Production, Media Planning and Buying, Affiliate Marketing, Influencer Marketing, Warehousing and Fulfillment.

Its growth reflects the agency’s ability to operate at the intersection of commerce and entertainment—two forces increasingly shaping how Filipino consumers discover, engage with, and purchase products online.

Rather than treating livestreaming as a standalone promotional activity, Star Digital Solutions integrates livestream commerce into broader e-commerce and marketing strategies, allowing brands to maximize both content and conversion.

(Left to right: COO– Scott Adrian So, CEO– Kevin Richard Lim, BD Manager– Micaela Angela Padua, 

KLS Manager– Maybeline Marvilla, SOM– Zebedy Rafael San Agustin)

A Proven Track Record in Livestream Commerce

Star Digital Solutions has also worked on livestream campaigns featuring some of the Philippines’ most recognizable celebrities, creators, and personalities, including Denise Laurel, Criza Taa, Iwa Moto, Bea Borres, Lauren Young, Nadine Lustre, Rei Germar, Luis Manzano, BINI, and Jelly Eugenio.

These projects demonstrate the agency’s growing expertise in producing and managing high-impact livestream campaigns capable of combining entertainment, community engagement, and commerce.

Among its notable achievements are livestream campaigns that have contributed to record-breaking sales performances for content creators, highlighting the growing commercial potential of creator-led livestreaming in the Philippines.

For brands, the opportunity is clear: livestream commerce can transform creators and personalities from simply being sources of awareness into powerful drivers of real-time engagement and sales.

Scott Adrian So — COO, Star Digital Solutions “A successful livestream is never the work of one person or department—it is the result of synergy. From hosts and creatives to operations, performance, and production, every function must work toward one objective. When teams move as one, a livestream becomes more than a broadcast—it becomes a complete commerce experience that turns attention into engagement and engagement into sales.”

Why More Brands Are Turning to E-Commerce

The rapid growth of e-commerce is changing the way brands build their digital presence.

Consumers are increasingly discovering products through short-form videos, livestreams, creator recommendations, and social commerce platforms. As a result, brands are looking for partners capable of connecting brand building, content, creators, media, and commerce into one cohesive strategy.

Star Digital Solutions currently manages key accounts from some of the most recognized names in their respective industries, including L’Oréal Group, P&G, Unilever, Nestlé, Christy Ng, Rejuran, ROUND LAB, Strokes Beauty Lab, BLK Cosmetics, Happy Skin and many more.

These brands represent major players across beauty, fashion, FMCG, personal care, and consumer products—industries where digital commerce and livestream shopping continue to create new opportunities for growth.

Building What Comes Next for Philippine E-Commerce

As the 9.9 Mega Campaign approaches, Star Digital Solutions is positioning itself not just to participate in the country’s e-commerce growth, but to help shape it.

Kevin Richard Lim— CEO, Star Digital Solutions “E-commerce in the Philippines is no longer just a sales channel—it is becoming a critical driver of brand growth. As consumers increasingly discover products through content, creators, and livestreams, brands need more than an online presence; they need a commerce strategy that connects discovery, engagement, and conversion. At Star Digital Solutions, we continue to invest in e-commerce, livestream commerce, performance marketing, and creator capabilities to help brands turn that opportunity into growth.”

With capabilities spanning MCN and TSP Operations, Store and Shop Management, Livestream commerce, Media Planning and Buying, Creative Production, and Creator Partnerships (Affiliate Marketing/ Influencer Marketing), Warehousing and Fulfillment. SDS continues to build an ecosystem where brands and creators can work together to drive measurable results.

Zebedy Rafael San Agustin — Senior Operations Manager, Star Digital Solutions “Technology, data, and strategy drive performance, but people drive success. At Star Digital Solutions, we believe in understanding our brands, creators, hosts, and consumers—and bringing their strengths together with the right direction. Our people-first approach enables us to build campaigns that deliver results while creating partnerships and capabilities that last beyond a single campaign.”

The upcoming 9.9 campaign is another opportunity for the agency to demonstrate what it does best: turning attention into engagement, engagement into commerce, and commerce into sustainable brand growth.

For brands looking to scale their presence in the fast-growing Philippine e-commerce landscape—and for creators looking for opportunities to work with brands through livestream commerce and social commerce—Star Digital Solutions is building itself as a partner for what comes next.

The 9.9 rush is coming. And Star Digital Solutions is ready.

For inquiries and exploratory call— Can reach out to Micaela Angela Padua (Business Development Manager) aseals@stardigitalms.com and Maybelline Marvilla (Key Live Session Manager) maybelinemarvilla@stardigitalms.com

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Gabbi Garcia Brings Her Feel-Good Approach to Money as Salmon’s Newest Brand Ambassador

Fast-growing fintech brand Salmon officially introduced actress and host Gabbi Garcia as its newest brand ambassador at the close of the Salmon Feels Good Weekend, a two-day celebration held at the Glorietta Activity Center.

Held from September 5 to 6, the event invited mallgoers to enjoy life’s little feel-good moments. Guests sang their favorite songs, refreshed their looks, captured photos with friends, and even won exciting prizes in the two-day event.

The celebration culminated in a lively late-night show hosted by Salmon brand ambassador Sam YG. He was joined by Gabbi, and the trending Unang Hirit personalities, Joy Barcoma and Baus Rufo.

During her conversation with Sam YG, Gabbi was unveiled as the newest ambassador of Salmon. The announcement was marked by a playful piñata moment and a colorful shower of confetti, an appropriately joyful welcome for the brand’s new ambassador.

Having started her career at a young age, Gabbi learned early on the importance of building financial independence. By age 22, she had taken charge of managing her own finances, developing an approach that balances saving and investing with pursuing business opportunities.

But being financially responsible does not mean missing out on the things she loves. A fashion enthusiast, foodie, and avid traveler, Gabbi knows how to make thoughtful financial choices while still enjoying the rewards of her hard work. Whether she is discovering a great fashion find, trying a memorable meal, or exploring a new destination, she believes money should help people create experiences they genuinely value.

“I started working at a young age, so I also learned early on the value of being responsible with money. This is why I’m excited to work with Salmon, a secure and reliable tool that I genuinely believe can make growing and managing money easier and more empowering for money-savvy Filipinos like me,” Gabbi said.

“Gabbi manages her own money with real discipline, and she still spends on what she values. That mindset represents a generation of Filipinos who want both: control over their finances and the freedom to enjoy what they’ve earned. This makes her the ideal ambassador for Salmon, a finance app designed to be a reliable partner for Filipinos through their everyday money moments,” said Raffy Montemayor, Co-Founder of Salmon.

Salmon is a modern money app that lets customers access credit and banking products to make growing and managing money easier. Through its credit products offered by Salmon Finance, customers can manage their everyday household expenses and even turn big purchases into manageable monthly installments. Through Salmon Bank’s time deposit products, customers can grow their money faster with high interest rates. Whether saving for personal goals, managing daily expenses, or making room for feel-good moments, customers like Gabbi can rely on Salmon as a secure and dependable partner for their financial needs.

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HONOR 600 Pro MOLLY Edition Available Exclusively on Lazada For Only Php49,999

HONOR Philippines today announced the launch of the HONOR 600 Pro MOLLY Edition, a limited-edition smartphone created in collaboration with Pop Mart and available exclusively on Lazada Philippines for as low as Php 49,999.

Bringing together HONOR’s premium smartphone technology and MOLLY’s distinctive style, the special-edition device is designed for users who want powerful everyday performance with a more expressive, collectible appeal.

“We are excited to bring the HONOR 600 Pro MOLLY Edition to the Philippines and introduce this special collaboration with Pop Mart,” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. “MOLLY has a distinct identity and strong connection with its community, and we’re thrilled to bring that personality together with HONOR’s technology and innovation. Through this collaboration, we hope to connect with new communities and give both HONOR and Pop Mart fans a smartphone experience that is both powerful and expressive. We look forward to seeing the MOLLY Edition become part of the everyday lives of our consumers.”

A Stylish Smartphone with Collectible Appeal

The HONOR 600 Pro MOLLY Edition gives the HONOR 600 Pro a fresh special-edition treatment inspired by MOLLY, offering fans and collectors a device that stands out in both style and function.

At just 7.8mm thin and 200g, the device features a cold-carved unibody design, translucent Composite Fiber back panel, matte metal frame, and an industry-leading 0.98mm narrow black bezel for a sleek, refined look.

Designed for photography and content creation, the HONOR 600 Pro features a 200MP Ultra-Clear Night Camera with a 1/1.4-inch sensor and CIPA 6.0 OIS, paired with a 50MP 3.5X Periscope Telephoto Camera that supports up to 120x zoom and CIPA 6.5 OIS. Its industry-exclusive AI Image to Video 2.0 feature also enables users to transform still images into cinematic video content powered by AI.

The device is powered by a 7,000mAh battery with 80W Wired and 50W Wireless HONOR SuperCharge, while its 6.57-inch display delivers up to 8,000 nits peak brightness and a 120Hz refresh rate for a smooth, vivid viewing experience.

Exclusively on Lazada

As the exclusive platform for the HONOR 600 Pro MOLLY Edition in the Philippines, Lazada provides HONOR and MOLLY fans with a dedicated destination to access the limited-edition collaboration.

The launch coincides with Lazada’s 9.9 Campaign, giving consumers the opportunity to discover the special-edition smartphone with exclusive pricing and flexible payment options through LazPay, Lazada PayLater, and credit card installments, subject to applicable campaign terms.

The HONOR 600 Pro MOLLY Edition is available exclusively on Lazada for an SRP of Php 59,999, but consumers can enjoy up to Php 10,000 in total discounts, including a Php 1,500 HONOR discount, Php 3,000 Lazada platform voucher, and an additional Php 5,500 voucher for UnionBank credit card users, bringing the checkout price down to as low as Php 49,999, subject to applicable terms and conditions. For more information and to purchase the limited-edition device, visit https://bit.ly/H600Pro_Molly.

With the HONOR 600 Pro MOLLY Edition, HONOR Philippines and Lazada Philippines continue to bring consumers new ways to experience mobile technology through the intersection of innovation, personal style, and collectible culture.

For more information about HONOR Philippines, you may visit: https://www.honor.com/ph/. 

To stay updated on launch announcements, product information, and exclusive offers, follow HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms on Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines) for exclusive launch updates, product information, and more.

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Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto "Always Yours, Never Mine" Movie Poster

Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto fuel anticipation for their highly anticipated reunion movie, “Always Yours, Never Mine,” with the unveiling of the official poster of the film, set to be shown in cinemas starting September 30 (Wednesday).

Joshua and Julia held a poster reveal event along the historic Calle Crisologo in Vigan, Ilocos Sur, one of their shoot locations. They were joined by cast members Karen Reyes, Bob Jbeili, Migs Almendras, Paulo Angeles, and Joy Barcoma.

The film also stars veteran actress Chanda Romero and Kapuso star Bianca Umali in her first-ever movie project with Star Cinema.

The movie poster features JoshLia in a bustling setting, with warm cinematic tones that hint at the film’s themes of love and longing.

“Always Yours, Never Mine,” a film by ABS-CBN Studios and Star Cinema, is led by blockbuster director Cathy Garcia-Sampana, with a by Olivia Lamasan, Trishtan Perez, and Vanessa Valdez.

Completing its cast are Ina Raymundo, Franco Laurel, Reign Parani, Paolo Gumabao, and Jan Silverio.

Watch out for “Always Yours, Never Mine” in cinemas starting Sept. 30 (Wednesday).

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Baby Dolls Releases "Meme"

After making waves with their viral hits “Oohh Lala Baby” and “Ikembot Mo,” breakout girl group Baby Dolls is back to keep the good vibes going with their new dance anthem “Meme,” a feel-good track that invites listeners to let loose, have fun, and dance without a care.

The upbeat dance-pop track was composed and produced by Christian Martinez and arranged by Albert Tamayo, with StarPop label head Roque “Rox” Santos serving as supervising producer. Baby Dolls also contributed to the song’s choreography in collaboration with Renz Januz Bercasio. Packed with infectious energy and carefree spirit, “Meme” showcases the playful personality that has helped Baby Dolls connect with audiences and turn their music into a source of fun and good vibes.

The new single follows the phenomenal rise of the “It’s Showtime” girl group, who made their mark with their debut EP “Zoom Baby Dolls.” The EP, which features the hits “Oohh Lala Baby” and “Ikembot Mo,” has amassed nearly 14 million streams on Spotify, while its lyric videos on YouTube have earned more than 23 million combined views. Both songs have also inspired millions of posts on TikTok, further cementing Baby Dolls’ growing presence online.

Leading the group’s viral breakthrough, “Oohh Lala Baby” has surpassed 17 million views on YouTube, where its music video previously topped the YouTube Music chart. The song has also garnered more than 9.3 million streams on Spotify and landed on the OPM Rising, Viral Hits Philippines, and P-pop On The Rise playlists. It also marked another milestone for the group as it entered the Billboard Philippines Hot 100 at no.96, giving the group their first-ever appearance on the chart.

Meanwhile, “Ikembot Mo” continues to reach listeners with its lyric video surpassing 6.4 million views on YouTube and 3.6 million streams on Spotify.

The seven-member Baby Dolls is composed of Arianne Dela Cruz, Chole Florendo, Eriel Reyes, Ina Ortega, Jelai Ahamil, Johaira Moris, and Juby Sabino. Listen to their new single “Meme” out now on all digital streaming platforms.

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Acer Day 2026 Concert Features a Star-Studded Lineup of OPM Artists at the Araneta Coliseum

Acer marked a defining year in 2026 with the 10th anniversary of Acer Day. The milestone also coincided with Acer's 50th year as a technology company. In the Philippines, the celebration came to life with a concert at the Araneta Coliseum featuring some of the country's most exciting artists.

Over 8,500 Acer fans filled the Araneta Coliseum on a Sunday night to witness the musical extravaganza headlined by Acer ambassadors SB19. Other featured artists were 6cyclemind, Hey June!, El Manu, Jessy Kang, Dionela, Fitterkarma, and Earl Agustin. There were surprise performances by Janine Berdin and Jose Mari Chan, who sang his holiday anthem, “Christmas in Our Hearts.” Host Luis Manzano kept the energy strong throughout the evening.

This year's celebration carried the theme #ShiftTheGame, encouraging the youth to step out of their comfort zones, take ownership of their future, and find new ways to approach culture, work, and play. In keeping with the theme, Acer Day 2026 also featured fitness activities, reflecting Acer's expansion into the lifestyle space through offerings like Acerpure home appliances and its new line of Acer luggage.

"Acer is constantly evolving to stay relevant to what our customers are passionate about, and that's reflected in how Acer Day has grown to include both music and fitness," said Sue Ong-Lim, Managing Director of Acer Philippines. "As we mark 50 years as a brand and 10 years of Acer Day, we wanted this celebration to be bigger and more meaningful than ever."

Acer Day has long been a festive tradition that fans look forward to each year, and 2026's edition was no exception. The celebrations began weeks earlier, on August 1, with the Acer Electric AI Night Run and will close out on September 13 with the Music Run, billed as "Asia's Fittest Party," at the SM MOA Complex.

For more information about Acer, visit Acer’s official website and follow its social media platforms on Instagram, Facebook, and X for the latest updates.

About Acer

Founded in 1976, Acer is one of the world’s top technology companies with a presence in more than 160 countries. The company continues to evolve by embracing innovation across its offerings, which include computers and displays, while branching out to new businesses. Acer is also committed to sustainable growth, exploring new opportunities that align with its environmental and social responsibilities. The Acer Group employs nearly 12,000 employees that contribute to the research, design, marketing, sales and support of products, solutions, and services that break barriers between people and technology. Visit www.acer.com for more information.

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Queer Dating Show "Sparks Camp" Heats Up with Season 4, Introduces New Campers in Quest for Love

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 Ted 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.

Watch as sparks fly in the newest season of "Sparks Camp," coming soon this September on iWant.

Viewers can soon get early access to each episode through iWant's subscription plans, starting at P35 per month in the Philippines, and USD 4.99 per month in the United States* (*promo price until October 31, 2026) and for the rest of the world.

Enjoy all the feels you want, only on iWant, the Home of Filipino feels. Download the app and subscribe via Google Play or the Apple App Store.

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From Script to Stage: Here’s How to Join Puregold Teatro Panalo

For playwrights dreaming of seeing their masterworks on stage, Puregold Teatro Panalo may be their portal to the world of theatre.

Puregold Teatro Panalo is now searching for original one-act plays and musicals from which selected entries will be professionally staged for its inaugural festival in 2027. Apart from featuring new work, the festival could propel these select few into full-length productions.

Raring to submit a script? Here are six things you need to know.

1. ANY GENRE, STYLE OR THEME IS WELCOME

Puregold Teatro Panalo is open to amateur and professional playwrights aged 18 and above.

Potential applicants have plenty of room to experiment. Entries may explore any genre, style or theme—from comedy and drama to experimental work and musical theater. Scripts may also be written in English or any Filipino language, although entries in regional languages must come with an English translation.

The goal is simple: cast the widest possible net for stories that reflect the diversity of Filipino experiences and voices.

2. ONLY 12 WORKS WILL MAKE IT TO THE STAGE

Competition will be tight.

From all submissions, the festival’s Selection Committee will choose just 12 works for the official lineup: eight straight plays and four musicals.

All 12 will receive full production support and will be staged during the Puregold Teatro Panalo festival, which is set to run sometime between February and March 2027. The official venue will be announced separately.

For the select playwrights, this means their scripts will actually be brought to life before an audience.

3. AI-GENERATED WRITING IS OUT

Puregold Teatro Panalo is drawing the line at Artificial Intelligence: the creative work must come from the playwright.

The use of AI-generated plot, characters, structure, scenes, dialogue, lyrics, and other major creative elements is prohibited. AI may be utilized for non-creative assistance such as general research, fact-checking, organization, formatting and proofreading. But human authorship is strictly required for the script.

4. EACH SELECTED PLAYWRIGHT GETS ₱100,000

Funding goes with bragging rights.

Each of the 12 chosen playwrights will receive a ₱100,000 fee for their work. Production costs for the festival run, including the professional fees of the cast and crew, will be shouldered by the festival. They may recommend a director for their production, but festival organizers will have the final say.

5. PLAYWRIGHTS RETAIN OWNERSHIP OF THEIR WORKS

Playwrights will retain ownership of their submitted works while granting Wishbone Collective the right to stage and produce them under the festival’s terms.

The relationship could also extend well beyond the festival. Wishbone Collective reserves the right to further develop and stage selected works as full-length theatrical productions for up to five years after the festival run.

This opens an intriguing possibility: a one-act play debuting at Teatro Panalo could eventually return as a bigger, fully developed production.

6. THE DEADLINE IS 11:59 PM 0N SEPTEMBER 11

Applications are being accepted online, with each playwright allowed to submit up to two entries. However, only one work from each applicant may ultimately be selected.

Playwrights can submit their applications here: https://forms.gle/FxqLrDzivaqNwDx56. 

The complete festival mechanics are also available in the application form.

For Filipino playwrights sitting on an unfinished draft - or perhaps an idea they’ve been waiting for an excuse to finally write - Puregold Teatro Panalo offers not just a competition but an actual path from page to stage.

And for 12 playwrights, that one-act script may just be the beginning.

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Carmelle Collado's “Sobra-Sobra” Chosen as Philippines' Entry to Eurovision Song Contest Asia

“Sobra-Sobra,” a powerful anthem of women’s empowerment composed by Nica del Rosario and Mat Olavides and performed by Carmelle Collado, emerged as the winner of the “Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026: Philippine Selection Night.”

Carmelle, who first rose to fame after winning in “Tawag ng Tanghalan: The School Showdown,” will represent the country at the inaugural Eurovision Asia in Bangkok, Thailand on November 14.

Taking second place at the “Philippine Selection Night” last August 30 at the New Frontier Theatre was “Broken Beyond Repair,” written by Angelo Gonzales and performed powerfully by “Tawag ng Tanghalan” alumnus SAGA.

“Mapadama,” penned by Jeremy G and Jungee Marcelo and performed by “Tawag ng Tanghalan Duets” season 1 champion JM Dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano, was named third-place.

These songs bested seven other entries: Jungee’s “Between Bituin” performed by DNA; Nar Cabico’s “Cheri(e)” sung by Esang, Elha, Lance Reblando, and Nar; Jason Marvin’s “Di Yan (Red Flag)” performed by Jason Dy and Sassa; Hazel Faith Santos’ “Good For You” interpreted by Ryssi Avila; Angelo Calucin’s “Make It Exist” brought to life by AJAA; Stephen Tan’s “Reason to Live” performed by KHIMO; and Julius James de Belen and John Michael Conchada’s “Round N’ Round” interpreted by VVINK and WRIVE Russu.

The winners were determined by a combination of jury and public votes received during the live show: 40% votes from the jury, 40% votes from viewers from the Philippines, and 20% votes from other parts of the world.

Among the jury were veteran songwriter and FILSCAP president Nonoy Tan, songwriter Choi Padilla, concert and TV director Joane Laygo, musical director Louie Ocampo, and OPM singers Angeline Quinto, Jed Madela, and Vina Morales.

A special song number, “Mabuhay ang Musikang Pilipino” composed by ABS-CBN Music’s Jonathan Manalo for the competition, opened the show with vocals from AZTER, Bryan Chong, Ian Manibale, Klarisse de Guzman, Lyka Estrella, MIAH, and Reiven Umali.

ABS-CBN serves as the official Philippine broadcaster of “Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026,” reinforcing its commitment to bringing Filipino stories, music, and talent to audiences around the world.

“The Philippine Selection Night,” hosted by Vice Ganda, together with Alexa Ilacad and Darren, streamed live on iWant and was also available on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, A2Z, Kapamilya Channel, and Kapamilya Online Live. It also aired on TFC with a delayed telecast on MYX.

The event took X by storm in the Philippines, with multiple related topics leading the platform’s trending list, including #PhilipineSelectionNight, #EurovisionAsia, and #PSN2026.

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