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(Billboard Philippines) Manila — P-pop group SB19 is set to grace the back cover of Japan’s “anan” magazine, with the September 16 issue’s borderless-culture feature spotlighting the Philippine quintet as its representative Filipino act. The group also released a live performance video this week of “Toyfriend,” a collaboration with Japanese group BE:FIRST, filmed during the D.U.N.K. Showcase 2026 in Japan. The releases add to a string of international milestones for Pablo, Josh, Stell, Ken, and Justin this year, following their historic set at Lollapalooza in Chicago this past summer — the first time a Filipino act has performed at the festival — and their continued push to bring P-pop and Filipino culture to global audiences. Fans, known as A’TIN, have been celebrating the group’s growing recognition across Asia and the U.S. as SB19 continues expanding its international footprint under its own label, 1Z Entertainment. Read More

(PhilNews) Manila — Social media personality Sachzna Laparan has agreed to give up the “Miss Flawless” title following a public dispute with former actress and Laguna board member Angelica Jones, the song’s original owner. The controversy began after Jones called attention to Laparan’s use of the title in a 2019 revival of the song with rap artists Flow G and Bosx1ne, saying the collaboration happened without her camp’s permission. In a video statement posted Tuesday, Laparan apologized directly to Jones, saying she has great respect for her and did not intend to create conflict, adding that she no longer wishes to hold onto the title if doing so affects her peace of mind.

Jones, who had raised the issue during an appearance on the vodcast “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” urged Laparan and her camp to be transparent about what happened, saying acknowledging the lack of permission would have been enough to settle the matter from the start. Despite the friction, Jones said she remains glad the song found new life through the revival, with her disappointment stemming mainly from not being informed beforehand. Read More

(Rappler) Los Angeles, California — Lea Salonga made history on September 4 as the first Filipina to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, unveiled in a ceremony in front of the historic Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. The Broadway legend, who won a Tony Award at just 20 years old for originating the role of Kim in “Miss Saigon,” was joined by guests including Ming-Na Wen, Brandy, Darren Criss, and H.E.R. for the celebration. Salonga, the 2,855th star recipient in Walk of Fame history, reflected on her decades-long journey from performing as a child in Philippine musical theater to becoming the singing voice behind Disney’s Jasmine in “Aladdin” and the title character in “Mulan.”

She dedicated the honor to her family, mentors, and the community that shaped her, saying no career is ever the work of just one person. The ceremony came just two days before she received the inaugural Icon Award at the Manila International Film Festival’s Closing Night Gala in Los Angeles. Fans and fellow Filipino artists have celebrated the milestone as a landmark moment of representation in Hollywood… Read More

(Rappler) Manila — The Sandiganbayan Third Division ordered on Friday the transfer of former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez to the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital for an independent medical examination, moving him out of the private Cardinal Santos Medical Center where he has been confined since his arrest. Associate Justice Karl Miranda, who chairs the division, issued the order after two days of hearings on Romualdez’s motion to remain hospitalized rather than transfer to a regular jail facility.

The transfer is set for Saturday, Sept. 12, with the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, PNP, and judiciary marshals coordinating to bring him to UP-PGH by ambulance. The court directed UP-PGH’s doctors to conduct the exam independently of Romualdez’s current physicians at Cardinal Santos, and ordered a medical report by Sept. 13 ahead of testimony on Sept. 14.

Romualdez’s own doctors testified Friday about his cardiological, neurological, and psychiatric conditions, including a psychiatrist’s disclosure that he has been diagnosed with depressive disorder and anxiety. Miranda stressed that any hospital confinement must rest purely on medical necessity, saying the court “must be very careful and dispel any perception that the grant of hospitalization was based on the status, position, wealth or influence of the accused.”

Romualdez faces a ₱7.44-billion plunder case tied to alleged flood control project kickbacks, with his arraignment now set for Sept. 16… Read More

(Associated Press) Coron, Palawan, Philippines — The death toll from a fire that gutted the passenger ferry MV June Aster off Palawan province has risen to 35, with rescue teams still searching for 54 people who remain missing. The vessel, which had departed Manila carrying 117 passengers and 17 crew, was only a few kilometers from its destination in Coron when the blaze broke out Wednesday evening. Survivors told investigators the fire followed two loud explosions from the cargo hold, which was carrying vehicles, a forklift, and other goods, though officials say the exact cause is still under investigation. The fire spread so rapidly that some passengers had no time to grab life jackets, with survivors describing scenes of panic as people were trampled while trying to escape. One survivor told reporters he spent two hours floating in the water before rescuers reached him. Of those aboard, 43 people have been confirmed as survivors so far. The ship’s operator, Atienza Interisland Ferries, said it is cooperating fully with the investigation and assisting affected families, while search and rescue operations continue in the waters off Palawan. Read More

(Inquirer.net) Manila, Philippines — Former House Speaker and Leyte Rep. Martin Romualdez was arrested Monday night on plunder charges tied to an alleged ₱7.44-billion kickback scheme involving flood control and infrastructure projects funded between 2022 and 2025. The Sandiganbayan’s Third Division issued the arrest warrant after the Office of the Ombudsman filed the case earlier that day, also naming former Ako Bicol Rep. Zaldy Co and two other co-accused. Romualdez, a first cousin of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., was served the warrant while confined at Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City, where he reportedly experienced a cardiovascular event and an anxiety attack following the charges. His lawyers have asked the court to allow continued hospital confinement, though the Sandiganbayan has said it will independently assess his fitness for regular detention. Officials say this is expected to be the first of several related charges. Read More

(Variety) Cupertino, CA — Apple has unveiled its first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, marking what the company calls its biggest iPhone redesign since the original. The device opens book-style into a 7.6-inch inner display — the largest screen ever put on an iPhone — while a 5.4-inch outer screen lets it function like a standard phone when closed. It’s powered by Apple’s new A20 Pro chip and includes a dual rear camera system, though notably skips a telephoto lens. Pricing starts at $1,999 for the 256GB model and climbs to $3,199 for the top 2TB configuration, roughly $800 more than the standard iPhone 18 Pro announced the same day. Pre-orders open October 16, with the device arriving in stores October 23 across more than 70 countries. The launch is also notable as the first major product unveiling under Apple’s new CEO John Ternus, who took over from Tim Cook on September 1. Read More

(AN) Manila — Thousands of Pinoy fans came together to enjoy unlimited Fries, games, and activities as McDonald’s Philippines held its biggest Fries celebration yet with its first-ever McDo FryFest last September 4. Held simultaneously across more than 50 branches nationwide, the McDo FryFest is the culmination of months-long Fries-filled celebrations by the quick service restaurant, bringing together a community of Fries lovers to celebrate their shared love for McDonald’s World Famous Fries.

A Season of Fries-Filled Celebrations

McDonald’s Philippines started the celebration of its beloved Fries last July 10 during National Fries Day, making its fan-favorite BFF Fries more enjoyable and shareable through a one-day-only P99 promo. Building on the excitement, every Friday that followed became a FryDay, giving customers more reasons to enjoy and share McDonald’s World Famous Fries through weekly deals and exclusive offers. Week after week, Fries fans showed up for FryDay, turning individual cravings into a nationwide celebration of one of the brand’s most iconic products… Read More