Big Hit Music to hold global audition for new talents

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Sep 19, 2025 01:44 pm

Korean agency Big Hit Music announced the holding of the “2025 BigHit Music Global Audition” to find new male talents. 

Big Hit Music is home to K-pop groups BTS and Tomorrow X Together, and new boy band Cortis. 

The audition is open to any male born in or after 2007, with no limit on talent category. Auditions will be held both online and offline.  

Submissions for online auditions can be made via the official website from Sept. 19 to Dec. 7. 

Big Hit Music's announcement (Big Hit Music)

Offline auditions will be held in 13 cities worldwide from Oct. 18 to Dec. 7, with on-site registration only. 

These will be in Los Angeles, Toronto, Sydney, Melbourne, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Bangkok, Jakarta, Singapore, Osaka, Tokyo, Taipei, and Seoul. 

Unique pop-up events will be hosted at The Source OC in Los Angeles and EmSphere in Bangkok.   

The events will offer a firsthand experience of K-pop culture, featuring Korean food tasting and K-pop-themed photo zones. 

Visitors can also participate in interactive sessions powered by audio AI company Supertone’s technology, which will allow them to compare their voices with Big Hit Music artists. The events are open to both audition participants and the general public.

“We aim to offer a unique experience that goes beyond a simple audition by blending K-pop and AI technology. We warmly invite all aspiring artists to participate in this opportunity,” said Big Hit Music. 

K-pop boy band Cortis (X)

Sessionistas share healing power of music: 'Hindi kayo nag-iisa'

By Robert Requintina

Published Sep 19, 2025 10:38 am

Love, Sessionistas. Clockwise: Nyoy Volante, Duncan Ramos, Ice Seguerra, Juris, Kean Cipriano, Sitti, and Princess.

By overwhelming demand, the beloved Sessionistas — Ice Seguerra, Sitti, Juris, Nyoy Volante, Kean Cipriano, Duncan Ramos, and Juris — are returning to the concert stage for Love Sessionistas: The Repeat, after the resounding success and sold-out run of their first two reunion shows, OPM fans now have another chance to relive the magic, music, and memories that defined a generation.

"It feels so good after 10 years, ramdam pa rin namin yung support nila. Nakikita namin yung mga tao na balik ng balik sila sa mga show namin. Nakakataba ng puso. Ilang years na rin kaming walang show together. It feels so good that after a long time, ang sarap sa pakiramdam. Kung gaano kami kasabik mag perform sa kanila, ganun din silang sabik manood sa amin. (We still feel their support. We see people coming back to our shows. It's heartwarming. We haven't had a show together in years. After a long time, it feels good. As much as we're excited to perform with them, they're just as excited to watch us)," said Ice during a media conference for the upcoming concert held at the Noctos Bar in Quezon City.

"Love Sessionistas: The Repeat" will be staged at The Theatre at Solaire on Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. 

A powerhouse ensemble of some of the country’s most iconic voices, the Sessionistas will once again come together for a night of timeless hits, unforgettable harmonies, and heartfelt performances.

Produced by Fire & Ice LIVE!, audiences can expect a show that blends nostalgia with fresh energy, as the group reimagines their signature duets, mashups, and audience favourites while adding a few surprises to keep the night truly special.

Sitti said that the bonding and friendship of the group are still there. "That's what makes Sessionistas special. We don't just share music, but we share music with everyone who watches the show."

Producer Liza Dino-Seguerra said that she was grateful to those who had already reserved and bought the tickets. "Grabe. Ramdam mo ang support ng music fans for Sessionistas. (You feel the support of the music fans.)"

Kean said he is thrilled to be part of the upcoming show. "For me, this is no longer a special project. We're one group with different genres and personalities na nagkakasundo. Kinakabahan pa rin ako because normal lang ang kabahan. More than the friendship and music, I am thankful to be part of this group, even if it's just a repeat. (For me, this is no longer a special project. We're one group with different genres and personalities that get along. I'm still nervous because nervousness is normal. More than the friendship and music, I am thankful to be part of this group, even if it's just a repeat.)"

Princess expressed her anticipation for the upcoming concert.

"Sabi nga ni Nyoy, how long will this go on? I feel fortunate to be part of the Sessionistas. Tama yung sinabi ni Sitti, na nagkatugma-tugma kami. Hindi ako kinakabahan pero na-excite ako because I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful show. (Nyoy said, 'How long will this go on?' I feel lucky to be part of the Sessionistas. Sitti was right, that we were a perfect match. I'm not nervous, but I'm excited because I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful show)," she said.

"We're happy to be working with one another every time we have the chance. May mga sarili na kaming buhay at career. So after our concerts, masaya kami and then balik na uli sa mga buhay namin. And then we got the news about the repeat of the show. Every time we get that, we're always delighted," said Duncan.

"But I want to inform everyone that The Repeat is not the same show. May mga binabago kami," he added.

The OPM artists radiated the unifying power of music, transcending the difficulties and struggles faced in the country during those trying times. Their songs offered a beacon of hope, weaving a tapestry of emotions that connected hearts and souls, reminding everyone that even in adversity, the spirit of resilience could flourish through song.

"Lahat tayo aminado are going through the same things as Filipinos. Lahat tayo may shared na galit or may question sa mga nangyayari. We may not sing about politics pero hindi kayo nag-iisa. (We all admit we are going through the same things as Filipinos. We all have shared anger or questions about what is happening. We may not sing about politics, but you are not alone)," said Ice.

Keane added, "Ganun ka powerful ang music. Sa three hours na magkakasama tayo, nakakalimutan natin ang problema natin. Kami rin. Iba ang energy na binibigay while performing. Yung positive energy coming from the show, sa title pa lang ng show namin 'Love Sessionistas,' may nagmamahal na. Hindi mo madadaya yun or mape-fake. After watching the concert, what I can promise is good vibes kayo. Masarap siya sa puso. (Music is powerful. In the three hours we're together, we forget about our problems. The energy that is given off while performing is different. The positive energy coming from the show, just from the title of our show 'Love Sessionistas,' we give love. You can't fool that or fake it. After watching the concert, what I can promise is good vibes for you.)"

Nyoy believes that everyone who watches will feel the uplifting energy and positive vibes radiating from the show.

"We can't promise what this show will give to you or kung ano ang tatama sa'yo. But one thing is for sure. Ang theme namin is sama-sama. You will feel that in the show. Mararamdaman ninyo yan. You will be involved. Kung ano man ang magagawa nito para sa inyo, magkakasama tayo. (We can't promise what this show will give you or what will hit you. But one thing is for sure. Our theme is being together. You will feel that in the show. You will be involved. Whatever it can do for you, we will be together)," he also said.

First brought together through their celebrated live performances on ABS-CBN’s ASAP stage and recordings, the Sessionistas quickly became a phenomenon, redefining the meaning of jam sessions and cementing their place in OPM history. Their music is a mix of love songs, anthems, and soulful ballads, resonating with Filipinos everywhere and continues to do so today.

“Nothing compares to the feeling of singing and sharing the stage with this family again,” said Ice. “The love we received from the fans for our first two shows was overwhelming, so we’re beyond excited to give them another show that feels like home.”

"Love Sessionistas: The Repeat" promises not just a concert but an experience, a celebration of friendship, music, and the enduring power of OPM to bring people together, added Liza.

Fans are encouraged to secure tickets now, as demand is expected to be just as strong as the first two shows. "Love Sessionistas: The Repeat" will be staged at The Theatre at Solaire on Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. Tickets available via TicketWorld or through Fire and Ice LIVE! (Viber: 09178771758)

Various groups stage protests leading to Sept. 21 nationwide protest against corruption

 

Bulacan farmers, fisherfolk, youth leaders, progressive groups, and Iskolar ng Bayan raise their voices in protest against corruption outside the DPWH Bulacan District Office on Friday, Sept. 19. (Photo by Freddie Velez)

Around 300 students from Bulacan State University (BulSU) joined by professors, youth groups, and marginalized sectors staged a campus walkout on Friday, Sept. 19, to protest alleged corruption and “ghost” flood control projects in the province. Read more

In Cebu City, a coalition of various groups will hold another round of indignation rally in time for the 53rd anniversary of the declaration of martial law on Sunday, Sept. 21. Read more

Meanwhile, police forces from Makati City, Cavite, Baguio and Butuan City said they are ready for the upcoming Sept. 21 rallies and vowed to uphold peace, order, and public safety.

We are meant to give and share

 

By Fr. Roy Cimagala

Chaplain

Center for Industrial Technology and Enterprise (CITE)

Talamban, Cebu City

Email: roycimagala@gmail.com

THAT’S the lesson we can get when Christ said that “no one who lights a lamp conceals it with a vessel or sets it under a bed; rather, he places it on a lampstand so that those who enter may see the light.” (Lk 8,16)

And he continued by saying that “there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing secret that will not be known and come to light,” practically warning us that there is really no point keeping secrets because in the end everything will be known. 

We should be as transparent as possible. The only exception is when, given our limited and wounded human condition, we need to practice some discretion since certain matters are subject to confidentiality for one legitimate reason or another.

And then Christ rounded up the whole thing by saying that “to anyone who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he seems to have will be taken away.” This obviously is a very clear indication that we really need to give and share what God has given and shared with us.

We need to understand that our life, whether considered in its purely natural aspect or in its supernaturally oriented spiritual dimension, that is, particularly our Christian life, is by definition a shared life. It’s a shared life with God and with everybody and everything else.

I think we need to be reminded of this fundamental truth about ourselves, since there are now many tricky factors around us that tend to undermine this important character of our life. They make us think our life is just our own.

In fact, I would say that we need to develop the skills not only to protect and keep this property of our life, but also to continually reinforce and enhance it. That’s because our life is always a dynamic affair, with new challenges and changing circumstances.

We cannot remain naïve and think that our life more or less would just automatically be a shared life. Some people say so, because they claim we cannot avoid sharing our life with others.

To a certain extent, that assertion is true. But neither can we be blind to the fact that we and the world in general have ways, often subtle and deceptive, that effectively negate this shared characteristic of our life. 

But why is our life a shared life? Firstly, because that’s how we are made, how we have been hard-wired. That we have intelligence and will, that we have feelings, memory, imagination, etc., can only show we are meant to be with others, we are meant to go out of our own world. They are not there just for our own private enjoyment.

But more importantly, especially for those with Christian faith, it’s because God created us that way. We are the image and likeness of God, elevated through grace to be nothing less than children of his. 

And since God is love, and is self-giving, we therefore cannot be other than that—that is, we are meant to love also and to give ourselves to others. Thus, God’s commandments to us always exhort us to love, first Him, and then everybody else.

We actually are sharers of God’s divine life. Of course, with the misuse of our freedom, we can lose that most sublime privilege. But there is no doubt, through faith, that we are meant to share in God’s life.

And we should give our all in sharing what we have with God first, and then with everybody else as a consequence!