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!

 

FAO: ₱20/kilo rice program threatens local farmers' livelihoods

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) commended the Philippine government for introducing the ₱20-per-kilo rice program, which expands access to cheaper rice for underprivileged sectors, but warned that it could threaten farmers’ livelihoods if left unchecked. Read more

Brotzeit Philippines brings Oktoberfest to The Podium

 

Here's how to secure your pass to this merry event

By Jessica Pag-iwayan

Published Sep 17, 2025 09:02 am

Ortigas is about to get a Bavarian makeover. On Saturday, Sept. 20, The Podium Hall will host its very first Oktoberfest celebration—a night of authentic German food, free-flowing premium beer, and live entertainment, brought to Manila by Brotzeit Philippines.

The one-night-only event named “Oktoberfest at The Podium” kicks off at 6 p.m. at The Podium Hall, Level 6, and promises an unforgettable Bavarian feast. Guests can look forward to unlimited pours of Weihenstephaner Festbier and Paulaner Oktoberfest Bier—both brewed exclusively for the season—alongside overflowing platters of classic German dishes.

Oktoberfest wouldn’t be complete without hearty fare, and Brotzeit is pulling out all the stops. The menu features Bavarian favorites designed for sharing with friends and family. Diners can snack on Brezn, the classic Bavarian pretzel (₱140), or indulge in Überbackene “Flammkuchen” Brezn (₱180), pretzels gratinated with caramelized onions, cheese, bacon, and caraway seeds. For sausage lovers, the Bayrische Weisswurst (₱390) pairs veal sausage with a pretzel, while the Regensburger Bierwurst (₱480) offers smoked pork and beef sausages with bacon sauerkraut and mashed potatoes.  

For larger appetites, Brotzeit serves the Metzger Pfanne (₱780), a plate of pork belly, Regensburger sausage, bacon sauerkraut, dumplings, and onion sauce, or Knusprige Schweinbauch (₱950), crispy roasted pork belly with mustard gravy. The Zwiebelrostbraten (₱1,650) features Black Angus beef striploin with fried onions, potatoes, and beans, while Wiesen Hendl (₱520) offers golden fried chicken leg quarter with potato cucumber salad and cranberry sauce. The showstopper is the Oktoberfest 2025 Wiesen Platte (₱3,850), a massive sharing platter of pork knuckle, crispy pork belly, fried chicken, sausages, and sauerkraut. Each dish is meant to be enjoyed with seasonal Oktoberfest brews—malty, smooth, and stronger than the usual pint.

No Oktoberfest is complete without lively entertainment. The Podium’s bash will be hosted by DJ Tony Toni, with beats by DJ Tom Suplico and Christian Tiu, plus a high-energy performance by Anton Showband from Austria. Guests can also join games like the Stein Holding Contest and the Beer Guzzler Challenge, with prizes up for grabs.

Tickets are priced at ₱3,600 for a single pass or ₱25,000 for a group package good for eight with one table.

While the Sept. 20 celebration is the season’s highlight, Brotzeit is extending Oktoberfest across its branches from Sept. 7 to Nov. 10, 2025. Expect festive décor, Bavarian weekend games, and specialty menus at Brotzeit BGC, Alabang West Parade, and The Podium branch.

3 dead in Agusan del Sur landslide

By Mike Crismundo and Philippine News Agency

Published Sep 16, 2025 04:18 pm

LANDSLIDE blocks a road in Agusan del Sur.

BUTUAN CITY – Three persons were killed in a landslide in San Luis town, Agusan del Sur province. 

The search team recovered the remains of another victim around 11 a.m. on Tuesday. 

The identity of the victim was still being withheld as of posting time pending confirmation from family members.

The landslide occurred Sunday night in Sitio Tagbulakan, Barangay Mahayahay, triggered by continuous rains.

Authorities recovered two bodies since the start of the search and retrieval operations on Monday. Six were reported missing.

The other two recovered were a three-year-old and a truck driver, both male.

“The local government unit (LGU) of San Luis continues to work with the provincial search and rescue teams and other support groups to recover the three remaining victims in the landslide incident,” the LGU said in a statement Tuesday.

Mayor Ronald Corvera said that equipment and technical personnel from the LGU have been sent to the area  for search and rescue operations.

The municipal social welfare office has coordinated with the victims' families for support.

"We are still monitoring the  tragic incident,” Police Major Jennifer S. Ometer, chief of the Regional Public Information Office of the Police Regional Office 13, said.   

Embrace nature to ensure water security, solve flooding

 

By Manila Bulletin

Published Sep 17, 2025 12:05 am

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is proposing a nature-based strategy to address flooding. This is an approach that views floodwater or excess water not merely as a hazard but as a vital resource.

This sounds like a good idea for a nation relentlessly battered by storms and monsoon rains that oftentimes trigger flooding—a seasonal inconvenience and a crisis that redefines lives, erodes livelihoods, and tests the very legitimacy of public institutions. The Philippines, long vulnerable to climate extremes, faces a crucial decision in its approach to flood management. Will it continue investing in traditional gray infrastructure, considering the mounting economic, environmental, and ethical costs; or will it embrace a nature-based flood management that is more sustainable, transparent, and appears to be a more effective solution?

Recent revelations regarding massive corruption in flood control projects have ignited national outrage, and rightly so. Reports from multiple agencies indicate that up to 70 percent of flood-control budgets may have been lost to anomalous transactions, including “ghost projects,” identical costs across unrelated sites, and exorbitant kickbacks reportedly demanded by some public officials. According to various investigations, these irregularities may have cost the country as much as ₱118.5 billion over a two-year period alone, enough to drive the country’s economic growth by six percent.

Beyond these shocking figures lies a deeper tragedy. Public trust is once again betrayed, and the country’s ecosystems are once again ignored.

Nature-based flood management is not only economically prudent, it is also morally indispensable. It offers a dual solution—water security and institutional integrity. Rather than forcing rivers into ever-narrower concrete channels and “flushing” floodwaters toward the sea that often worsen downstream flooding, let nature-based solutions work with the landscape. Restored wetlands, reforested watersheds, protected floodplains, and permeable urban surfaces slow down runoff, absorb excess rainwater, and replenish groundwater aquifers.

Across the globe, nature-based approaches have been proven effective in addressing flooding and water resource woes. In the Netherlands, the “Room for the River” program deliberately reclaims floodplains, moves dikes inland to widen waterways, and restores natural overflow zones, significantly reducing flood risks while enhancing ecological integrity. Germany’s “Sponge City” initiatives use green roofs, vegetated swales, and permeable pavements to allow rainwater to be absorbed on-site rather than diverted into overburdened drainage systems. In the Philippines, the implementation of a Sponge City concept is being considered in Metro Manila and New Clark City. This could dramatically reduce flood risks and increase climate resilience in these areas.

Moreover, the shift toward nature-based solutions has tremendous implications for governance and public accountability. Gray infrastructure—canals, dams, dikes, and diversion tunnels—often entails enormous budgets, complex contracts, and opaque procurement processes. This makes them fertile ground for corruption. By contrast, nature-based approaches tend to be decentralized, community-driven, and transparent, with smaller-scale investments spread across wider areas and often managed in collaboration with local stakeholders. In doing so, they reduce opportunities for large-scale graft while empowering citizens and local governments to steward their environment responsibly.

Think about it. Every peso lost to corruption through anomalous gray infrastructures is a peso withheld from communities desperate for protection. Every tree cut, every wetland drained, and every river narrowed under the guise of “progress” is a step away from true resilience. Therefore, we must reframe our relationship with water—not as a destructive force to be diverted to the ocean, but as a valued resource.

Let us not perpetuate systems that have repeatedly failed both people and nature. Water will come, and that is certain. But if we manage it wisely, it need not bring devastation. It can bring life.

Now is the time for us to put floodwaters to good use.

BINI ioins Globe in celebrating 10 years of GDay with an unforgettable fan experience

 

By Manila Bulletin Entertainment

Published Sep 16, 2025 02:22 pm

As part of its 10th year of GDay, Globe is giving customers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to get up close with the nation’s top P-pop girl group, BINI, in a special fan meet at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre.

More than 1,500 Globe customers will get the rare opportunity to sing, dance, and celebrate alongside the beloved girl group in an afternoon filled with music, games, and joyful surprises. For BINI’s loyal “Blooms” and new fans alike, the fan meet promises to be one of the most unforgettable moments of the year, with activities and prizes crafted just for them, designed to bring fans closer to BINI and make every connection feel personal.

Access to the fan meet was made possible through Happy Tappy on the GlobeOne app, Globe’s all-in-one platform where customers can manage their accounts, track usage, pay bills, and discover rewards and experiences. By joining the activity, customers unlocked their chance to score tickets to the exclusive fan event while also enjoying daily treats throughout GDay. This is part of Globe’s commitment to make every celebration feel personal and unique to each customer, with surprises and experiences that match their passions and interests.

“At Globe, GDay has always been about giving back to our customers in ways that feel personal and meaningful,” said Roche Vandenberghe, Globe Chief Marketing Officer. “This fan meet with BINI is a perfect example of how we celebrate our customers’ passions by creating personalized experiences that bring them closer to the artists and moments they love.”

The BINI Fan Meet is just one highlight of GDay 2025, alongside the G Raffle Rush with life-changing prizes and Provincial GDay Pop-Ups that bring the celebration to communities nationwide. Together, these underscore Globe’s commitment to making every day rewarding and every connection worth celebrating.

Fans who missed the live event can also catch the excitement through the livestream on Globe’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, where exciting prizes await lucky viewers in a special raffle.

Customers can download and open the GlobeOne app to enjoy exciting and personalized rewards just for you, and to discover more ways to celebrate Globe’s 10 years of GDay.

BINI to perform at Coachella

 

By Jonathan Hicap

Published Sep 16, 2025 12:51 pm | Updated Sep 16, 2025 03:40 pm

Filipino girl group BINI will be performing at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in the US in April next year. 

Coachella unveiled the lineup of artists for next year’s event that will be held on April 10 and 17, April 11 and 18, and April 12 and 19. 

BINI will perform at Coachella on April 10 and 17.   

“It’s official… BINI is heading to Coachella 2026! See you there, Blooms!!” BINI posted on X. 

Coachella posted on Instagram, “Hard launch. Passes on sale Friday, September 19 at 11am PT. Register now for access.”

Sabrina Carpenter will headline the dates. Other performers on the two dates include The xx, Katseye, Nine Inch Noize, Disclosure, Turnstile, Ethel Cain, Dijon, Teddy Swims, and Devo. 

Coachella is held annually at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California.