Pia Wurtzbach draws flak for vacation photos amid Manila storms, floods

By Ian Ureta

Published Aug 20, 2026 01:53 pm

Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach drew criticism from a netizen after vacation photos of her and husband Jeremy Jauncey surfaced online while parts of Metro Manila were dealing with severe flooding.

The photos, shared by Jauncey, showed the couple enjoying a tropical getaway in Madagascar.

One netizen questioned the timing of the posts, saying Pia should have been more sensitive to Filipinos dealing with the effects of the storms and flooding.   

“Manila is literally flooding right now. Konting pakiramdam naman. Your vacation dump can wait a day,” the netizen wrote, while also questioning whether Pia’s advocacy work was merely “a performance.”

The criticism caught the attention of popular online personality Miss Everything, who came to Pia’s defense while arguing that public attention should instead focus on government officials and the country’s long-standing flood-control issues.

“I understand that my twin Pia should be understandability of the super flood 3rd week anniversary, but it is the CONGRESSMEN FLOOD CONTROL FESTIVAL we MUST CALL OUT more!!!” Miss Everything wrote in her trademark humorous style.

She followed it with another pointed remark: “Hello, congressmen? Can you suitcase the flood?” 

Gab Cabangon, NEW LORE, VVINK earn Best New Artist nods at 2026 Awit Awards

By Ian Ureta

Published Aug 17, 2026 10:55 am | Updated Aug 17, 2026 01:42 pm

At A Glance

• Gab Cabangon, NEW LORE, and VVINK shared with Manila Bulletin Entertainment what the their first major Awit Awards nomination means to them and how they hope to introduce their music to a wider audience.

The Philippine music scene’s rising acts are getting their moment in the spotlight as the 39th Awit Awards recognizes a new generation of artists making their mark on OPM.

Among the nominees for Best New Artist are singer-songwriter Gab Cabangon, art-pop trio NEW LORE and P-Pop group VVINK, who are competing alongside Jamiela, Nicole and It All Started in May for one of the ceremony’s most anticipated honors.

The Awit Awards, organized by the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI), celebrates outstanding achievements in Filipino recorded music, recognizing artists, songwriters, producers, and other music industry professionals across various categories.  

With their first major Awit Awards nomination, Cabangon, NEW LORE, and VVINK shared with this writer what the recognition means to them and how they hope to introduce their music to a wider audience.

Gab Cabangon: ‘It hasn’t really sunk in for me’

For Cabangon, the nomination came as an unexpected milestone, particularly because it arrived with his debut single.

“Honestly, it hasn’t really sunk in for me,” Cabangon said. “I never aspired to win an Awit Award, let alone be nominated.”

Despite the surprise, he said he is grateful to receive his first nomination and to be recognized alongside artists he respects and admires.  

“It feels extra special that my first ever nomination was with my debut single,” he said. “Regardless of whoever wins, just the fact that I was one of the artists recognized for the 39th Awit Awards is already a really cool moment.”

Cabangon jokingly describes his sound as “nonchalant sadboi,” but his music is rooted in the singer-songwriter tradition, drawing inspiration from artists such as John Mayer and Ebe Dancel. He combines chill guitar-driven arrangements with soulful and emotional vocals, using his songs to reflect on different stages of life.

“I like to think my songs are my personal reflections about going through different phases of life,” he said. “I do hope that my listeners are able to appreciate the story and message of my songs.”

NEW LORE: Turning grief into music

For NEW LORE, the Best New Artist nomination feels like an affirmation of the world the group has been building through music and visual art.

“It feels surreal and deeply affirming,” the group said. “NEW LORE began as three friends trying to turn grief, paintings, journal entries, and very honest conversations into music.”

The recognition is particularly meaningful because of how early it has come in the group’s journey.

“To be recognized by the Awit Awards this early in our story means so much to us,” NEW LORE said. “We are grateful to everyone who listened, shared our songs, came to our shows, and made space for the strange little world we are building.”

The group describes its music as art pop that moves between dream pop, indie rock, folk, and electronic music. Their songs can shift from intimate and delicate to expansive and cinematic.  

“For us, the songs, paintings, clothes, stories, and performances all belong to the same world,” they said.

VVINK: ‘We get to represent our genre’

P-Pop group VVINK was equally surprised by its nomination, particularly as the only P-Pop group in the Best New Artist category.

“We were honestly very surprised when we found out,” the group said. “It’s such an honor to be included in this category, especially alongside so many talented artists.”

The group also expressed pride in “Baduy” and what it has accomplished since their debut. Being recognized as Best New Artist carries an added significance for VVINK because of the opportunity to represent P-Pop on the Awit Awards stage.

“Being nominated as Best New Artist, and being the only P-Pop group in the category, makes us even prouder because we get to represent our genre and what we do,” they said. The group sees the nomination as recognition of the work that went into their training, debut, and album.

VVINK describes its sound as playful, energetic, and distinctly FlipMusic, with each member bringing different personalities and strengths to the group.

“We love experimenting with different styles while keeping our identity as a P-Pop group,” they said. “We want our music to feel fresh, fun, and very VVINK.”

For Cabangon, NEW LORE, and VVINK, the nomination is already a milestone regardless of who ultimately takes home the trophy; an indication that their respective sounds and stories are finding a place in the ever-evolving OPM landscape.

Denise Julia responds to criticism over Tondo-themed 'From the Block' performance

By Ian Ureta

Published Jul 28, 2026 04:32 pm

At A Glance

The 24-year-old artist performed her song "SPEECHLESS" on the U.S-based music performance series "From the Block,". Instead of unanimous praise, however, the video sparked debate online.

Filipina R&B singer Denise Julia just allowed global audiences a peek of Tondo, Manila.

Not everyone is convinced she did it the right way, though.

The 24-year-old artist recently became the first Filipina to appear on the US-based music performance series "From the Block," performing her song "SPEECHLESS" from her latest EP, "LOVE AGAIN."

Filmed in the streets of Tondo, Manila, the performance follows the series' signature format of artists performing live in neighborhoods closely tied to their roots.

Instead of unanimous praise, however, the video sparked debate online.  

Some social media users criticized its visual direction, with one fan calling it "poverty porn," while another argued that the portrayal felt inauthentic, saying, "Hindi naman ganyan itsura ng mga tao sa kalsada ng Pilipinas eh."

Denise addressed the criticism directly, explaining that the concept wasn't created simply for aesthetics; it reflects the premise of the platform itself.

"'From the Block' is an American platform built around artists showing the block they're from," she wrote. "I'm from Tondo. So I simply filmed in Tondo, brought my people out and worked with a Filipino director, crew, and designer, to show the place and culture that made me."

"At the end of the day, I will always represent where I come from because I know what it took for a girl from Tondo to accomplish the things she once thought were impossible," she added.

Launched in 2021, "From the Block" has featured performances from major artists including Cardi B, Chris Brown and Latto, and has recently expanded to include international acts. Denise is among the first non-American artists invited to participate. Now based in New York, the singer said representing her roots remains central to her career despite the backlash.   

Azi Acosta trades sexy roles for mainstream projects

VMX star Azi Acosta is taking her career in a different direction.

By Ian Ureta

Published Jul 11, 2026 04:51 pm

The 22-year-old actress has announced that she is leaving sexy films behind as she pursues more wholesome, mainstream roles.

Along with the change comes a new management team.

Acosta has left longtime manager and discoverer Jojo Veloso and is now under talent agency 12Stones Atelier, headed by Rhina Montemayor.

Her new management said the move is part of efforts to broaden her career beyond the genre that first made her popular.

Acosta became one of VMX's most familiar faces through films such as "Pamasahe," "Sex Games," and "Sugar Baby."

While she was known for daring roles, some filmmakers believed she could do much more.

In 2023, she received a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the FACINE Filipino International Cine Festival for her performance in "Erotica Manila," earning recognition for her acting as well as her screen presence.

She has not appeared in a VMX project for almost a year. During that time, she stepped away from acting and helped run her family's café in Tanay, Rizal.

Now back in show business, Acosta said she no longer accepts roles that require nudity or sexually explicit scenes. Instead, she wants to focus on projects that showcase her acting.

Her first project under her new management is GMA-7's action-drama series "The Master Cutter." 

Beabadoobee kicks off 'Pylon' era with new single 'Sun Has Set'

 

By Ian Ureta

Published Jul 8, 2026 11:41 am

Filipino-British singer-songwriter Beabadoobee has just dropped a new single titled "Sun Has Set" as accompanied by a music video that begins like a revenge fantasy before taking an unexpectedly relatable turn.

Shot from a first-person perspective, the video shows Beabadoobee confronting and beating someone up, only to suddenly grow tired halfway through and curl up for a nap. It's funny, slightly absurd, and somehow perfectly captures the emotional exhaustion that often follows anger.

In a statement, Beabadoobee described "Sun Has Set" as a song fueled by "petty tunnel vision."

"It's like, I hate you. You're gonna stay here and listen to how much I hate you. Because I never got to say that," she said.

"Sun Has Set" is the lead single from Beabadoobee's fifth studio album, "Pylon," which arrives on September 18 via Dirty Hit.

The release marks another milestone in one of alternative music's most compelling success stories.

Born Beatrice Laus, Beabadoobee first built an audience online with intimate bedroom recordings before breaking into indie rock's upper ranks with songs like "Coffee," "Care," "Glue Song," and "Real Man."

Her blend of soft-spoken vulnerability, fuzzy guitars, and '90s alternative influences has made her one of the defining voices of a new generation of indie artists, while her Filipino heritage has earned her a particularly devoted following around these parts.

"Pylon" reportedly draws from grunge, Midwest emo, and the kind of '90s alternative rock that once dominated radio, pointing to a heavier, more guitar-driven sound than some of her previous releases.

'We need live shows more than ever': Lola Amour, Over October, and Shirebound gather for ALT.CHESTRA

By Manila Bulletin Newsroom

Published Jun 29, 2026 05:15 pm

"ALT.CHESTRA" is the latest showcase series by GNN, bringing together alternative musicians for live performances backed by an 11-piece orchestra. The result transforms beloved songs into lush, strings-heavy and brass-filled arrangements typically heard only in grand concert halls.

Leading the inaugural presentation are three of the country's most beloved acts—Lola Amour, Over October, and Shirebound. 

For "Raining in Manila" hitmakers Lola Amour, whose catalog spans funk, jazz, rock, and emotional ballads, hearing their signature grooves and intricate arrangements performed by a full ensemble feels like a natural progression.  

TravelGuides & Travelogues

Meanwhile, Over October's atmospheric soundscapes and introspective songwriting already carry a cinematic quality. Songs like "Ikot" seem destined to be accompanied by sweeping string sections, giving them the emotional depth of a memorable film score.

For Shirebound, whose folk-inspired storytelling shines through songs such as "Waltz of Four Left Feet" and "Pahintulot," orchestral arrangements feel equally fitting. Tales of youth, longing, fantasy, and adventure naturally lend themselves to the grandeur and emotion of a live ensemble.

But "ALT.CHESTRA Vol. 1" is more than an orchestral novelty—it's a statement.

At a time when algorithms optimize songs for streaming and AI can generate endless playlists in seconds, the concert argues that indie music deserves the same scale, drama, and permanence often reserved for film scores and classical masterworks.

That conviction extended beyond the performances. During the event's media conference, the artists emphasized that live music has become even more essential in the age of AI.   

"We need live shows more than ever," said the members of Over October, Shirebound, and Lola Amour.

As with any concert built around familiar songs, audiences—whether they're Lola Amour's "apos," Over October's Octobears, or longtime fans of Shirebound's understated charm—will undoubtedly realize that these tracks would have sounded great regardless of the new arrangements.

Still, "ALT.CHESTRA" promises something far more special: a rare musical experience that can only happen when the right artists, the right audience, and the right moment come together on one stage. (Ian Ureta)

Myrtle Sarrosa phone theft: Tracker trail ends, possible ransom claims surface

 By Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Published Jun 17, 2026 07:02 pm

Sarrosa said her family was initially able to trace the phone’s movement from Pasay City to Quezon City using tracking features, passing through Commonwealth, Fairview, and Mindanao Avenue. At one point, she said someone briefly answered a call from the device before cutting it off.

The situation took a turn when the phone stopped transmitting its location. “The tracker stopped moving. The phone suddenly went offline,” Sarrosa said, marking the point where recovery efforts stalled.  

She also said communication with the person currently holding the device appears to have shifted away from a simple return arrangement. “It doesn’t feel like the goal is simply returning the phone anymore,” she said. “Right now, it feels like the goal is to get more money.”

Online speculation about the contents of the phone has also circulated, but Sarrosa firmly dismissed claims that it contains sensitive or scandalous material. “My faith, values, and principles would never be compromised,” she said, stressing that the device only holds personal files, work materials, and creative archives.

Despite the developments, Sarrosa continues to appeal for the phone’s return and remains open to honoring the original ₱30,000 reward. “Ang hiling ko lang po sana ay maibalik ang phone ko,” she earlier said in her appeal, noting the device contains irreplaceable memories and professional content.

She also thanked ToyCon organizers, security personnel, and authorities who assisted during the initial search efforts.  

As of the latest update, the phone has not been recovered, and its current location remains unknown. (Ian Ureta)