ABS-CBN Remains the Foremost Media and Entertainment Leader in the Philippines

ABS-CBN stands as the premier media and entertainment enterprise in the Philippines, providing top-tier content through television, radio, digital channels, and film production. The company is steadfast in its mission to serve the public interest and promote Filipino heritage and values. Through its diverse offerings, ABS-CBN consistently inspires audiences both locally and internationally, fostering a strong connection with viewers around the globe. The organization also maintains robust corporate governance, investor relations, and an extensive international distribution network to support its ongoing growth and outreach.

Denise Laurel Distances Herself from Political Legacy, Emphasizes Hard Work in Entertainment Career

Denise Laurel acknowledges the weight and privileges of being part of the renowned Laurel family but remains intent on forging her own path outside of politics. Despite her lineage, which includes former President Jose P. Laurel and Vice President Salvador "Doy" Laurel, Denise chooses to build her career independently, rejecting the label "nepo baby" often assigned to individuals succeeding through family ties. In a recent interview with broadcast journalist Karen Davila, Laurel admitted to feeling shy when discussing her influential relatives but was clear about steering away from politics. "I don’t dabble in politics at all. You won’t hear anything from me," she said, emphasizing that entertainers interested in political roles should first educate themselves on governance and legal frameworks. "How are they going to help the country if they don’t know even just the basis of the groundwork? The love to help the people will always be there. But if you really, truly love your country and do something good for it, educate yourself first," she stressed. Growing up amidst a family celebrated for achievements in both politics and the arts has been both inspiring and challenging for Denise. "It does have its pros and cons. I look at my family, and it gives me so much honor and pride, and it also makes me work harder," she stated. Determined to prove her merit, she began her entertainment journey at age eight as a member of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic. Despite initial parental reservations, she insisted on independence, commuting to work alone and managing all responsibilities without assistance. "People didn’t think I deserved to be there, or I was there because of a relation, but I really was in it alone," Laurel reflected. "In my family, we really practiced hard work and not resting on our laurels. Pun intended." She recounted deliberately earning every opportunity through her efforts to demonstrate her capability separate from her family name. Denise also shared fond memories of her grandfather, Salvador "Doy" Laurel, recounting their close relationship and mutual fondness for chocolate. "For me, I never felt that he was the vice president of the country. He was just my Papa Doy that would sneak little chocolates under the table for me because we both love chocolates," she recalled. Currently known for her performances in "Annaliza" and "Midnight Phantom," Denise is part of the cast of the drama "Prinsesa ng City Jail" and serves as a host on the morning show "Unang Hirit." Additionally, she regularly hosts K-pop fan meetings and concerts across the Philippines, continuing to establish herself on her own terms.

OPM Retro Band Retrospect to Reunite for Exclusive Pasay City Concert

Renowned OPM retro band Retrospect, comprising members Goldie, Ogie, Teejay, and JMRTN, is set to reunite for a special one-night concert in Pasay City. The event will take place on September 19 at The Grand Bar and Lounge, located within Newport World Resorts. The group will revisit their celebrated musical journey spanning the late 1990s through the 2000s, performing fan favorites such as "Shake Your Booty," "Hot Stuff," "It Takes A Man and A Woman," and "Pag Tumatagal, Lalong Tumitibay." The setlist will also include tracks like "Chika Doo," "It’s Party Time," "Bakit Nga Ba," and "Buzhalan." Expressing his enthusiasm on social media, band member JMRTN shared on Instagram, "I\'m coming home soon, Manila," underscoring the excitement surrounding the upcoming reunion. Throughout their career, Retrospect has earned acclaim as a three-time recipient of the Best Group Performer award in Hotels, Bars, and Music Lounges at the Aliw Awards. Their consistent recognition in this category granted them induction into the Hall of Fame during the 23rd Aliw Awards. Further cementing their international stature, the American Federation of Musicians of the USA and Canada has officially recognized Retrospect as an "internationally renowned retro pop group." This acknowledgment highlights their impact beyond Philippine shores. Fans of OPM retro music can look forward to an evening that revisits the classic sounds and hits of a band that helped define a significant musical era.

Lovi Poe and Monty Blencowe Expecting First Child Following 2023 Wedding

Actress Lovi Poe and filmmaker Monty Blencowe are preparing to welcome their first child, sharing the exciting news nearly two years after announcing their engagement and shortly following their August 2023 wedding in Berkshire, England. Poe revealed her pregnancy on September 1 through a photoshoot with a well-known local clothing brand. She posed in a two-piece set that highlighted her baby bump, accompanied by the caption emphasizing self-love and body positivity: "This is what it means to truly Love Your Body—inside and out." The announcement was met with widespread congratulations from fellow celebrities and friends in the entertainment industry, including Hayden Kho, Max Collins, Megan Young, Rabiya Mateo, and many others who expressed their joy and support in the comments section. Poe and Blencowe had kept their engagement private for nearly two years before officially tying the knot in a destination wedding ceremony held in England last year. In a May 2024 interview, Poe opened up about her perfectionist nature, particularly in her acting career, and her earnest desire to extend that dedication to motherhood. "I’m such a perfectionist when it comes to the characters I play, what more in real life? If there’s one thing I would like to do perfectly, it’s to be a good mother. When that time comes—if God blesses me with that opportunity—I just want to be a great mother," she shared. Fans and admirers eagerly await the next chapter in the couple's life as they embark on parenthood.

Joshua Garcia and Jojo Mendrez Shine at 37th Star Awards for Television

At the 37th Star Awards for Television held on Sunday, August 24 at the VS Hotel Convention Center, Joshua Garcia was recognized as the Male Celebrity of the Night, while Rochelle Pangilinan received the Female Celebrity of the Night award. The event also highlighted rising social media figures, with Jojo Mendrez earning the Trending Social Media Personality accolade. Mendrez, known for resurrecting the song "Nandito Lang Ako," originally popularized by the late Julie Vega, openly expressed his excitement upon meeting Garcia during the ceremony. Serving as one of the presenters for the Male and Female Celebrity of the Night honors, Mendrez revealed his enthusiasm: "I couldn’t wave at him because I was holding the microphone. He still wanted to shake my hand." In his acceptance speech for the Trending Social Media Personality award, Mendrez addressed some of the controversies surrounding his social media presence, saying, "Is this because of my issue with Mark Herras, PMPC, or Rainier Castillo? Anyway, I want to thank the Lord because I learned a lot from how I conduct myself on social media. It’s been difficult at the start, and many doubted me. But that’s part of life, so I kept going. Now, people are starting to notice me on social media." The ceremony celebrated notable talents in television, emphasizing both established artists and emerging personalities making an impact on and off the screen.

Chloe Grace Moretz Marries Longtime Partner Kate Harrison in Intimate Ceremony

Hollywood actress and model Chloe Grace Moretz has married her longtime partner, Kate Harrison, in a private ceremony held over Labor Day weekend. According to reports, both brides chose wedding dresses and reception outfits designed by Louis Vuitton, with the unique touch that they did not see each other’s ensembles prior to the ceremony. Reflecting on the moment, Kate Harrison shared, \"The thing I\'m most excited for—other than being married—is that first look moment. Having no idea of what we look like in our dresses, it\'s going to be so special. This dress just kind of makes you feel ready. This design is perfect. I\'m ready!\" Chloe Grace Moretz highlighted that their wedding was designed to incorporate activities they both enjoy, saying, \"So there\'s fishing, horseback riding, and poker. Kate made a custom poker mat herself, so we\'re going to kind of be leaning into it. Our second day is going to be line dancing and everything.\" She added, \"I think what I\'m most looking forward to about getting married is just being together. We\'ve been together for almost seven years and making this promise to each other in a new way, and exchanging these vows. I think it\'s important to just stay every day choosing each other.\" The couple publicly announced their engagement earlier this year in January with an Instagram post showing them holding hands, each wearing rings on their left ring fingers. Chloe Grace Moretz publicly came out as gay in a social media post in November 2023. Their relationship, first made public in 2018, has been visible on social media with frequent appearances in each other\'s posts, capturing nearly seven years of partnership culminating in their recent nuptials.

Affair Suspicion Deepens in "My Father's Wife" as Mackie Catches Gerald and Betsy Together

In the latest episode of "My Father's Wife," tension escalates when Mackie (Andrei Paras) uncovers a potentially damaging encounter between Gerald (Jak Roberto) and Betsy (Kazel Kinouchi). The episode began with Gina (Kylie Padilla) expressing her concerns about her husband Gerald possibly being involved with another woman, prompting her to enlist Mackie to observe his actions closely.\n\nResponding to Gina's request, Mackie trailed Gerald to a park near Nora’s (Sue Prado) residence. There, the situation took a surprising turn as Betsy, still agitated after a confrontation with her husband Robert (Gabby Concepcion), appeared and confronted Gerald. Despite Gerald's insistence that their meeting place was inappropriate, Betsy led him back into Nora's home and initiated an intimate moment in an attempt to calm her emotions.\n\nUnbeknownst to them, Mackie witnessed the interaction firsthand and inferred that Betsy might be the woman Gerald is secretly seeing. His revelation prompted an angry confrontation with Gerald, causing Betsy to abruptly leave. Mackie then warned Gerald to confess the truth to Gina or face him revealing the secret instead.\n\nThe episode concluded with Mackie updating Gina on his findings, leaving viewers eager to see how the revelation will affect their relationships.\n\nDirected by Aya Topacio and Dominic Zapata, "My Father's Wife" continues to air on GMA Afternoon Prime at 2:30 p.m., captivating audiences with its intricate portrayal of trust and betrayal.

New Filipino BL Series "Got My Eyes On You" Premieres on TikTok

The highly anticipated boy love (BL) digital series "Got My Eyes On You" is set to premiere on TikTok tomorrow, September 3, featuring stars Mikoy Morales and Esteban Mara. The pair portray Drew and Shawn, two contenders vying for the same managerial position who unexpectedly develop a romantic connection. According to the series' press release, "Drew and Shawn may be competing for the same job, but their mutual affection for their pets, Miller and Matcha, ultimately brings them closer." Inspired by iconic romantic dramas such as Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles’ film "10 Things I Hate About You" and the Korean drama "What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim," the series showcases a slow-burning gay romance reflecting the modern Filipino experience. Beyond the main storyline, "Got My Eyes On You" also highlights an additional narrative featuring Ady Cotoco and Darwin Yu, offering a deeper look into the complexities and realities of queer relationships. The short-form TikTok series adopts an enemies-to-lovers format and is directed by award-winning filmmaker Dizelle Masilungan, recognized for his Best Director win at the 2024 CinePanalo Film Festival for "Kung Nag-aatubili." He is supported by assistant director Ram Tolentino, director of photography Lloyd Garciano, and production designer Migo Morales. Produced by the same team behind the popular digital series "Si Sol at Si Luna," starring Jane Oineza and Zaijian Jaranilla, "Got My Eyes On You" promises to present fresh perspectives on balancing love and aspirations faced by many young Filipinos today.

Amanda Seyfried Stars in 'The Testament of Ann Lee,' a Unique Musical at Venice Film Festival

Amanda Seyfried takes on a transformative role as Ann Lee, the 18th-century leader of the Shaker religious movement, in the upcoming musical film "The Testament of Ann Lee," premiering at the Venice Film Festival. The film explores Lee's journey from a child laborer in northern England to a celibate spiritual leader of the Shakers in America. Norwegian director Mona Fastvold emphasized the rarity of such a story centering on a female historical figure, stating, \"How many stories have we seen about male icons on a grand scale? How many stories again and again and again? Can we not get to see one story about a woman like this?\" Fastvold praised Seyfried for her capacity to embody the character's complexity, describing her as \"a little mad\" and able to convey both tenderness and intense spiritual fervor. Seyfried herself discussed the freedom she experienced during filming, especially when portraying Ann Lee's trance-like ecstatic rituals that gave the Shakers their name. \"Anything goes because there\'s so much freedom, and the only threat is to not use that freedom to your advantage as an artist to go as far deep as you can go to make the craziest sounds,\" Seyfried remarked. Despite initial reservations about mastering the English accent, Seyfried was convinced to take the role by Fastvold's passion for the project. The film uniquely blends drama, choreographed ritual dances, and rhythmic songs inspired by nearly 1,000 original Shaker hymns. The Shakers, officially known as the United Society of Believers in Christ\'s Second Appearing, advocated celibacy, gender equality, simplicity, and communal labor, also earning recognition for their distinctive architecture and furniture design. Co-writer Brady Corbet, Fastvold's husband and director of the acclaimed film "The Brutalist," highlighted the challenges of financing such an unconventional musical, noting the difficulty in marketing \"a Shaker musical\" to investors. The production was completed on a $10 million budget. "The Testament of Ann Lee" marks Fastvold\'s third feature film and stands among 21 contenders for the prestigious Golden Lion award, which will be announced on September 6 at the festival.

Janella Salvador and Klea Pineda Address Rumors Amid Cinemalaya Media Conference

During the Cinemalaya media conference held on Wednesday, September 3, actresses Janella Salvador and Klea Pineda faced questions regarding their relationship status but chose to remain discreet. When asked directly about dating Pineda, Salvador gave an ambiguous reply, stating, \"What you see is what you get.\" She firmly denied any role in Pineda's recent breakup with Katrice Kierulf, emphasizing, \"To be clear, I am not involved in their separation. I am not the third party. I prefer to distance myself from that issue.\" Pineda, who was visibly amused by the questions, responded with laughter. Her fellow actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith then playfully remarked, \"Right now, we’re physically together.\" Pineda added, \"Whatever you see online or elsewhere, that’s it. All I can say is we’re happy.\" Saliently, she urged fans to keep their focus on their upcoming project, saying, \"Let’s focus on the film first.\" The two leads, along with Curtis-Smith and Leanne Mamonong, star in the sapphic film \"Open Endings,\" which is among the entries competing in this year’s Cinemalaya festival. The confirmed split between Pineda and Kierulf, after three years together, was announced in July 2025. Pineda had previously refuted claims that Salvador was a factor in their breakup. This event marks an important moment as the actresses promote their new film while clarifying personal rumors, maintaining professionalism amidst persistent speculation.