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10 P-pop Cameos In Music Videos That Made For The Best Surprise

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Bet you didn't see that coming.

From SB19’s Justin, BGYO’s Gelo, and BINI’s Jhoanna, these artists made a fun crossover with their fellow P-pop idols in their music videos.

Related: 11 New P-pop Groups To Keep On Your Stan Radar

While some would rather compare their idols and start fan wars, there’s nothing but love in the P-pop community. If the past few years have been any indication, P-pop groups don’t hesitate to show love to their fellow artists. So, when the call comes to appear in a music video for another group, you can bet these stars won’t hesitate to say yes. Aside from serving visuals in their music videos, some P-pop idols have also lent their time and talent to starring and appearing in the music videos of other OPM musicians. It all makes for crossovers we can’t get enough of. Here are some of those cameos that made the videos that much better.

SB19’S JUSTIN IN ALEX BRUCE’S YAKAP

SB19’s bunso channeled his inner dream boy for Alex Bruce’s Yakap, an R&B and rap banger that’s also Stray Kids’ Bang Chan-approved. Even though Justin didn’t do too much in the music video as Alex’s dream boy, he still gave that charming prince vibes we all know and love him for. It’s like he came straight from our dreams.   

BINI’S JHOANNA IN ALAMAT’S MAHARANI

With Maharani, Alamat showcased what they do best, that is, combining elements of traditional Filipino culture with modern elements. The love song heavily uses Philippine mythology, so it’s no wonder that they used native dances in its music video. And serving as its lead female star is BINI’s Jhoanna. In the video, she and Alamat’s Taneo prepare to do a traditional Filipino dance in school, all while a little spark between them grows. Considering how Jhoanna and Taneo are leaders of their respective groups, it felt correct seeing them as the lead couple of the video.

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KAIA, 1.ST ONE, AND DIONE IN JOSH CULLEN’S WILD TONIGHT

Wild Tonight is an upbeat celebration of Josh Cullen’s long-awaited solo debut. But it was also nice seeing the SB19 member include several P-pop idols to cameo in the music video. Members of KAIA, 1st.One, and DIONE all make appearances in the video, whether it be as victims of vampire Josh or revelers during the party scenes.

BGYO’S GELO IN MARIS RACAL’S CARELESSLY

This was a collab we didn’t expect but are happy it exists. In this cute love story for Maris Racal’s Carelessly, BGYO’s Gelo plays a bar patron who is smitten by the night’s entertainment, played by Maris. The two then spend the rest of the evening getting to know each other and having some fun.

SB19’S STELL IN THE JUANS’ SALAMIN

As one of SB19’s resident choreographers, Stell always delivers in serving stage presence and emotion whenever the group performs. It’s that energy The Juans harnessed when they tapped Stell to star in their Salamin music video. In the poignant track’s MV, Stell plays a man battling his inner struggles before he eventually learns to not let those demons drag him down. His acting, graceful moves, and artistic choreography complement the song’s energy well. 

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KAIA’S ANGELA AND CHARICE IN JOSH CULLEN’S PAKIUSAP LANG

In a 180 from Wild Tonight, Josh Cullen decided to go emotional for his second solo single, Pakiusap Lang. Tapping into his hip-hop side, the song is a solemn number on the complicated feelings of moving on from a relationship. Naturally, Josh needed a lead female star to bring to life this tragic love story for the music video. And that’s played by Kaia’s Angela and Charice who take the viewer on a ride as Josh’s love interests.

G22’S AJ IN ALAMAT’S GAYUMA

When it comes to the concept department, Alamat always hits the bullseye. Such is the case with their Gayuma music video. The sensual video has the boys go for a cyberpunk and techno aesthetic. The sexy song is about love at first sight, and serving as the group’s muse is G22’s leader, AJ, who plays the Techno Babaylan they fall head over heels for. She boded that role with her off-kilter aura,   

BINI’S AIAH IN JEREMY G’S BINI

With a song titled Bini, it only felt natural that BINI should feature in its music video. Luckily, Jeremy G got the memo and had BINI’s Aiah star as the female lead of the MV. The modern-day harana is about serenading that special someone, and in this case, it’s Jeremy singing praises to Aiah, who looks stunning in the video. The two even had a little dance number by the video’s conclusion.

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BGYO’S GELO IN JANINE BERDIN’S BAGAY NGA TAYO PERO…

It’s no secret that BGYO’s Gelo has some top tier visuals. It’s the kind of visuals that can make women do crazy things, as seen in Janine Berdin’s bagay nga tayo pero… music video. In it, Gelo plays the Dream Boy in school that Janine’s character falls head-over-heels for. Sadly, she discovers that he’s in a relationship with another student (played by Gillian Vicencio). Naturally, Janine’s character takes the news well and doesn’t snap in a fit of rage.

BGYO’S MIKKI IN CESCA’S WHAT IF

Less a music video and more of a short film, Cesca’s What If tracks those unanswered questions in a relationship. And brining to life this doomed love story if BGYO’s Mikki, who plays Cesca’s male love interest. Set across seven years, the short film charts the rocky relationship of a couple that is torn by the male lead’s music career. From how they fell in love, to their eventual downfall and reunion, it’s all here.

Continue Reading: 6 Times When The Boys Of SB19 Lent Their Talents To Other Artists

7 Times Seth Fedelin Treated Francine Diaz Like A Princess

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That's how you set the standard.

We’re here for the wholesome chemistry Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin radiate.

Related: The FranSeth Agenda Is Thriving In Ace Banzuelo’s ‘Muli’ Music Video

Over a year ago, many netizens rejoiced when it was announced that Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin would be officially paired as a love team. As two of the hottest Gen Z stars, Francine and Seth attracted legions of followers, many of whom wanted to see the two together. And that moment came now that the highly-rated Dirty Linen is currently airing, among other projects featuring FranSeth. But aside from their chemistry, one thing about FranSeth that has charmed many is how they treat each other.

It’s the kind of bond that has us swooning because you can tell that these two have a special place in each other’s hearts. In particular, Seth hasn’t been shy about making Francine feel special. So, let’s take a look at some of those moments where Seth had Francine blushing and fans swooning with his sweet gestures.

HIS HEARTWARMING PROMPOSAL

Seth really went all out for his promposal. He brought Francine all the way out to Cavite just for the outdoor celebration he planned, laying out on the grassy field flowers and candles that spelled out the promposal. Naturally, Francine reacted with surprise and gleeful shook to the gesture as she accepted the invitation. And if that wasn’t enough, the two then ended the night with dinner and a fireworks display.

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GOING OUT OF HIS WAY TO MAKE FRANCINE HAPPY

@franseth.bihon Find a man who is willing to do everything just to make you happy (out of stock na ata😭) | #franseth #francinediaz #sethfedelin #dirtylinen #fyp ♬ original sound – Nix

With the special bond these two have, it’s no surprise Seth wouldn’t hesitate to treat Francine right and make her happy. It’s giving green flag energy.

HIS BIRTHDAY GIFT FOR FRANCINE

Get you a man who thinks of the sweetest gifts to give. On Francine’s birthday earlier this year, he shared on Instagram that he got her a penguin stuffed animal he won at a claw machine, along with other goodies like a bouquet and snacks.

CARRYING FRANCINE AT THE STAR MAGICAL PROM

@jaysonbet FRANSETH EVERYONE CONGRATS BOTH LABYOU 😍 #francinediaz #sethfedelin #franseth #lancecarr #riverjoseph #gablagman #lancejustincarr #jaysonbet #jaysonremoroza #lancecheerersofficial ♬ Dito Ka Lang – In My Heart Filipino Version – From "Flower of Evil" – Moira Dela Torre

Francine was living the dream at the Star Magical Prom. First, she got a sweet (and award-winning) promposal. Then, Seth got her flowers before the event. And finally, after the prom was over, Seth was spotted carrying Francine on his back since her feet were hurting from her heels. Seth was Francine’s Prince Charming for the night. 

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TAKING HER PICS

He truly is a keeper if he knows how to capture your best angles.

WATCHING OUT FOR HER IN PUBLIC

@francinecarrel_0 sabi na nga ba eh, kay Francine pa rin mapupunta yung coat mo Sethyboy 😎 #franseth #francinediaz #sethfedelin #iheartyoufrancine #chiarafiero #nicosinag #fyp ♬ original sound – Lofi_lyrics – Lofi_Lyrics

It’s these low-key moments that make us love FranSeth even more, like when fans spotted Seth lending his jacket to Francine at an event.

SETH SHARING HIS FEELINGS FOR FRANCINE

If it isn’t obvious already, Seth thinks fondly of Francine, something he isn’t afraid to admit. During an interview on Magandang Buhay, Seth shared how he opened up about his feelings for Francine. If that crush will develop into something more, only time will tell.

Continue Reading: 7 Of Francine Diaz’s TikTok Collaborations That Nearly Broke Our FYP

9 Cool Details From BLACKPINK’s Iconic Coachella 2023 Performance

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Welcome to Pinkchella.

As the first Korean act to headline Coachella, BLACKPINK made sure to show up, show out, and shut down one of the world’s biggest festivals.

Related: Asian Domination: These Asian Artists Killed It During The 2022 Coachella Music And Arts Festival

In 2019, BLACKPINK had what could be described as a core-memory moment when they played at the Sahara Tent of Coachella. At the time, the group was just three years into their career and made history as the first K-pop girl group to perform at the festival. They joined a select group of Korean acts, such as Epik High, as some of the only artists to hit the festival. But 2019 was just an appetizer of what BLACKPINK could deliver as 2023 saw them give one of the best performances of their career. BLACKPINK told Coachella that they wanted to make history, and that’s exactly what they did.

Heading into Coachella 2023, BLACKPINK was already making history as the first Korean group to headline the world-famous festival. And they made sure to deliver on that hype. With more than 100,000 people watching in person and millions more tuned in via the YouTube livestream, BP did what needed to be done with an 18-song set. They sang and danced their way through the milestone on the way to becoming the most-viewed performance in Coachella history. And while the whole performance was great, it was those little details that the group added that made it even better. Here are some of those added flourishes that brought their performance to an 11.    

THE INTRO FOR PINK VENOM

@xhlqnm this is so iconic ‼️ #blackpink #blinks #fyp #parati #foryourpage #xyzbca #jisoo #jennie #rosé #lisa #kpop #viral #viralvideo #blackpinklatam #blackpinkmexico #coachella #blackpinkbestgg #pinkvenom #kpopfyp ♬ Pink Venom – BLACKPINK

The intro is what sets the tone for the rest of the performance. So, the girls decided to go for epic right out of the gate with a new arrangement and set-up for Pink Venom. They came on the main stage with their robes before taking them off and getting into their hit single. It was hype in music form.  

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THE UNCENSORED VERSION OF MONEY

@ooo_lin_ooo COACHELLA version was🤑🔥🔥🔥😍@bp_tiktok #blackpink#blackpinkofficial#coachella#coachella2023 #lisa#lalisa#money ♬ MONEY – 리사 (LISA)

With the way they acted on stage, you could tell that BLACKPINK had fun in their Coachella set. Oh, and there’s also the fact that they didn’t inhibit themselves when it came to letting loose a few, or several, curse words. What had us shook the most though was when Lisa debuted the uncensored version of Money, which made the grandiose track hit even harder. Yes, Lisa, we’re gonna drop our MF money.

THE COLORS FOR THEIR SOLO STAGES

@ovi_duct FILO BLINKS PHILIPPINES, WHAT DO YOU THINK? #BLACKPINK #bornpinkmanila #bornpinkphilippines #pinkchella #coachella #pinkwave ♬ original sound – ezzieee

Some may think it’s a coincidence, but we’ll consider this a win for Filo BLINKS. During their solo stages, their names lit up in different colors with Jennie’s turning blue, Jisoo’s going red, Rose’s in white, and Lisa’s in yellow. However, these colors aren’t normally used during their solo stages. Instead, these were the colors Filo BLINKS used during the group’s Bulacan stop back in March as reference to the colors of the Philippine flag. Does this mean that BLACKPINK learned from their Filipino fans and adopted the colors? Either way, Filipino fans did that.

THE BLACK AND PINK OUTFITS

The stylists knew what they were doing when they decided to give the group black outfits for weekend one and pink outfits for weekend two. It’s giving BLACKPINK, literally.

NEW CHOREOGRAPHY

@jendukiecutiee suka bgt opening typa girl di coachella 😭😭🫶🏻🫶🏻 #coachella #coachella2023 #blackpinkcoachella2023 #blackpinkcoachellaheadliner #typagirl #fyp #fypシ ♬ Typa Girl – BLACKPINK

If haters thought that the Pinks would just do their Born Pink tour routine for Coachella, they were sadly mistaken. Despite their busy schedule, the group and their team found the time to add new flourishes to the set. They prepared new costumes, had fresh arrangements from their top-tier band, and flexed new moves and choreography. From the chair choreo in Pretty Savage to the opening of Typa Girl, BP gave us new routines to fawn over.

THE GIRLS SPEAKING KOREAN AT THE END

@tokychae i am so proud of them #blackpink #rosé #jennie #lisa #jisoo #fyp ♬ Pink Venom – BLACKPINK

While the members are global stars, headlining the Coachella mainstage was an extra special moment for South Korea. Not one to forget their roots, BLACKPINK decided to end their weekend one performance by thanking the crowd in Korean. Now whose cutting onions?

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KIEL TUTIN JOINING THE GROUP ON STAGE

@sunwoosberrys bro they all absolutely DESTOYRED that stage #sunwoosberrys #lisa #kieltutin #blackpink #jennie #jisoo #rosé #coachella2023 #coachella #pinkchella ♬ FLOWER – JISOO

During their set, BLACKPINK was joined by a cadre of backup dancers. And in case you didn’t know, one of them was Kiel Tutin, BP’s choreographer who is responsible for making the moves to many of their biggest hits. It was a moment seeing the girls finally dancing alongside their choreographer. They really brought out the big guns for Coachella.

JENNIE’S VIRAL SPIEL

@emeteriopaulo This is gonna be me everywhere i go #blackpink #blink #jennie #coachella #kpop #kpopfyp ♬ MISS JENNIE SLAY – Paulo Emeterio

From Japan to California, always expect Jennie to give us that intro that will get us hyped. And that’s exactly what she did with her pop star intro at Coachella. Her energy and confidence had us screaming.

ROSE FEELING HERSELF

@ctrlchaennie She was there to make A STATEMENT!!! #rosé #coachella2023 ♬ Tally – BLACKPINK

The members oozed confidence the entire time. And no truer was this than for Rose. She was that pop star during her verse in Tally who made it known how she felt. If Rose had something to prove that night, she succeeded.  

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Continue Reading: 6 BLACKPINK Songs That Would Eat On The Coachella Main Stage

Grab Philippines Wants You To Go All Out This Summer

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Grab it while it's hot!

This summer, Grab is going all out with its in-app activities, brand new Summer Hangout Spots, and over 1,000 prizes available, including a trip to Europe for four!

Summer 2023 is here and Grab Philippines is ready to make it a season to remember! With their reliable services, exciting prizes, and fun activities, they’re encouraging everyone to go all-out and make the most out of the season. Whether you’re hanging out in the city or exploring the great outdoors, Grab has got you covered. So, let’s create new and unforgettable memories this summer with Grab by our side!

Related: Here Are The Hottest Winners Of The First Summer MMFF 2023 Awards

ALL OUT SUMMER

Summer is now in full swing and we’re pretty sure you’re already gearing up for your much-needed and -deserved vacation trips with your family and barkada. And whatever or wherever your summer getaway may be, be it a relaxing staycation or an island hopping experience, Grab is here to be your guide in making this summer your best one yet.

Get ready to savor the taste of summer with GrabFood’s wide selection of local and international restaurants that offer every culinary delight you can think of – all delivered right to your doorstep! But if you’re feeling adventurous and want to enjoy some sun-soaked outdoor time with your barkada, GrabFood’s Self Pick-Up feature allows you to skip the in-store queues and pay for your orders via the Grab app, making your experience seamless and convenient. To top it off, don’t forget to take advantage of the great deals and discounts that come with ordering from restaurants with the Grab All Out Summer Sticker!

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Grab Executives - L-R - J-ANNE ARUTA Country Marketing Head of Grab, Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz, Anton Bautista Senior Director for Deliveries and Business Development GRAB Philippines, Greg Camacho Director for Deliveries
Grab Executives from left to right. ANNE ARUTA Country Marketing Head of Grab, Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz, Anton Bautista Senior Director for Deliveries and Business Development GRAB Philippines, Greg Camacho Director for Deliveries

Your spontaneous summer trips are also made easy and hassle-free with GrabMart. From sunscreen to slippers, choose from a wide variety of GrabMart’s products, including packaged food, fresh produce, healthcare essentials, personal care items, and household products, and have them delivered instantly or at a time more convenient for you. With GrabMart, there’s no need to line up at the grocery store or rush to the mall for your Summer vacay shopping!

Are you ready to be back on the road and have an All Out Summer? GrabCar is here to give you worry-free transportation with safe and reliable services available in major cities across the Philippines, including Metro Manila, Cebu, Bacolod, and Iloilo. Say goodbye to the stress of airport transfers or road trips – GrabCar has got you covered!

Grab All Out Summer - Grab All Out Summer Destination Lounge Area

“The pandemic has discouraged many of our kababayans from fully celebrating and experiencing summer,” says Grab Philippines Country Head Grace Vera Cruz. “This 2023, Grab is here as your reliable partner in creating an exciting Summer experience, and as we continue to widen our geographic footprint and expand our available services in cities and communities across the country, Grab will be every Filipino’s partner towards bespoke and meaningfully curated seasonal experiences. With our on-demand delivery, fun activities, and convenient mobility service, there is no doubt you can go all out this Summer.”

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And speaking of having a meaningful summer season, take your summer adventure up a notch by visiting Grab’s newly-minted All Out Summer Hangout Spots, where you can enjoy exclusive treats and deals, and take on challenges and games in these interactive spots. The four interactive spots are located in Market, Market in BGC, Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo, SM Lanang Premier in Davao, and SM CDO Downtown Premier in Cagayan de Oro.

Grab All Out Summer - Grab All Out Swim Booth

Plus, don’t miss your chance to win over 1,000 prizes including special deals, exclusive items, domestic flights, and even a trip to Europe for four! Simply use the Grab app to learn more and join the daily giveaway. Grab really is going all out this summer and you should, too!

Continue Reading: A Summer Switch Up: Andrea Brillantes Shares New Ways To Enjoy The Heat

This Upcoming Documentary Is Giving Filipino Tattooing Its Deserved Spotlight

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Exploring the rich and powerful ink of Filipino tattooing.

Treasure of the Rice Terraces, a documentary by Filipino-Canadian Kent Donguines, aims to offer a deeper understanding and appreciation of the age-old practice of Filipino tattooing.

Despite the growing popularity of tattooing as a form of self-expression and art, it is still stigmatized in many parts of the world today. In some societies including the Philippines, tattoos are still associated with criminality, rebellion, or deviance from traditional norms. Tattooed individuals may even face discrimination in various aspects of life. This stigmatization, global impact, and the rich history and culture of traditional Filipino tattooing is at the core of Filipino-Canadian filmmaker Kent Donguines’s documentary, Treasure of the Rice Terraces, which seeks to offer a fresh perspective and inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of the timeless art form.

Related: This Filipino Movie About Real-Life Catfishing Is Making Waves In International Film Festivals

TATTOOING AS A POLITICAL ACT

In his journey of self-discovery, Filipino-Canadian filmmaker Kent Donguines traces his native roots through the lens of the Philippines’ tattoo culture. Donguines explores the old practice of tattooing and its evolution from becoming once banned and tabooed in the archipelago to now becoming a popular form of body art that carries with it a sense of pride and cultural belonging amongst the Filipinos around the world.

“As a first-generation Filipino-Canadian, I understand the importance of identity and belonging, and the desire to reconnect with one’s roots,” says Donguines in a press release. “Growing up, tattoos were discouraged in my family, but as I became independent, I found a love for the art form and discovered deeper personal meaning behind each tattoo. I now feel secure in my identity as a Filipino because I get to carry my culture with me wherever I go.”

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This complex pursuit of identity and meaning is what made Donguines to travel to Buscalan, a secluded community in the Cordilleras that has been the haunt of tattoo enthusiasts from around the globe, and learn firsthand about the history and symbolism of the Kalinga tattoo from the legendary mambabatok herself, Apo Whang-Od. In the doc’s five-minute teaser, the 106-year-old cultural heroine, who recently made history as the oldest cover star of Vogue magazine, recounts her beginnings as a tattoo artist and how tattoos serve as an everlasting treasure that we can keep until death. 

With Treasure of the Rice Terraces, Donguines also aims to foreground the importance of preserving the age-old tradition of Filipino tattooing and highlight the challenges encountered by those who are trying to do so. The documentary zeroes in further on the issues of cultural appropriation, stigmatization, and discrimination faced by tattooed individuals.

Grace Palicas, Whang-Od’s granddaughter, also lends her voice in the documentary as one of the torchbearers and inheritors of the pambabatok tradition. Palicas will also serve as one of Treasure’s co-producers. She will be joined by Jacob Crawford and Bailey Wood, and Filipina producers Bianca Balbuena (Nocebo, Oda sa Wala) and Patti Lapus (In My Mother’s Skin). Kent Donguines’s Aimer Films and Crawford Filmworks will back the film.

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“The current Philippine administration is poised to let China take over the country. Never has the time been riper to interrogate our national identity,” says Lapus. “At this juncture in our history, [the rediscovery of cultural identity and national pride] has become more than a mere personal exploration, but an overt and proactive political act.”

Currently, Treasure of the Rice Terraces is being filmed in Manila and in the province of Kalinga. It is directed and co-written by Kent Donguines, who previously produced shorts such as Paco and This Ink Runs Deep, and Zlatina Pacheva. While the documentary is still under works, its relevant and important subject of the Filipino tattooing culture is sure to resonate with those seeking to reconnect with their Pinoy identity, not to mention give the proper spotlight on a revered cultural icon.

Continue Reading: Love Wins (And Hurts) In These Award-Winning Filipino Queer Films

These Transgender Filipinas Are Philippine Cinema’s Historic Trailblazers

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Unstoppable and groundbreaking Filipinas.

From Kaladkaren’s recent historic win to the Pinay director who rewrote the history of the oldest film festival in the world, here are the transgender Filipinas who proved they are queens of Filipino cinema.

Representation in film matters because it has the power to shape public perception and influence cultural attitudes towards different groups of people. For members of historically marginalized communities, such as the transgender community, representation can be especially impactful, as it can break down harmful stereotypes and misconceptions. 

Thanks to the passion, dedication, and groundbreaking successes of the following transgender Filipinas in the film industry, the colorful and complex experience of the trans community becomes more visible and the discourse on acceptance and inclusivity is furthered. The trailblazing queens that they are, here are the Pinays who shattered glass ceilings with their cinematic talents.

Related: Love Wins (And Hurts) In These Award-Winning Filipino Queer Films

MIMI JUAREZA

In 2013, Davaoeña actress Mimi Juareza broke a few records in Philippine cinema: she became the first transgender actress to win a lead acting honor at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival and (sadly) be nominated in the best actor category at the Gawad Urian Awards. Cinemalaya hailed Mimi’s performance as a conflicted mother in Eduardo Roy Jr.’s gritty drama Quick Change for her “bold take on a gender-bending role” and for “endowing [her] portrayal with a right mixture of repulsion and sympathy.”

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Mimi accepted the Balanghai trophy in a stunning blue dress (as she should) and expressed her gratitude to the late director for his trust. “Binigyan mo kami ng konting espasyo sa Cinemalaya para makita ang maliit at makulay naming mundong mga transgender,” she said in her emotional acceptance speech. While Mimi should have been deservingly included in the best actress lineup, she knew then that for her work as a transgender actress to be recognized was already a win. “In my opinion, it doesn’t really matter what category they put me in,” she says in an interview. “What’s important is that they noticed and valued my work in Quick Change.


At the 37th Gawad Urian Awards, Mimi Juareza stood proud in its best actor lineup with industry greats like the late Mark Gil, Joel Torre, Sid Lucero, Ping Medina, Alex Medina, and Jhong Hilario. Having worked as a singer in Japan for a decade, Mimi admits that she has already forgotten about her dream to become an actress and that it’s impossible for a transgender person to enter show business. Yet she persisted and proved herself wrong. After her historic win for Quick Change, Mimi would later star in Jun Robles Lana’s Die Beautiful and Eduardo Roy Jr.’s Fuccbois.

IYAH MINA

History books were rewritten again in 2018 when comedienne-actress Iyah Mina became the first-ever Filipino transgender woman to receive a best actress recognition. The longtime stand-up comedienne made her acting debut in Rod Singh’s equally groundbreaking offering, Mamu: And a Mother Too, as a trans woman sex worker, who suddenly has to be a foster mother to her transgender niece. “Ito po ay para sa trans community, sa LGBT,” an emotional Iyah Mina says in her acceptance speech. “Para sa atin ‘to. I-celebrate na natin ang equality. Babae ako!”

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ROD SINGH

In an interview, director Rod Singh shares that one of her motivations in mind while she was writing Mamu was to have a first Filipino transgender woman win best actress. And while Iyah Mina has deservingly achieved this, Singh also has quite a historic feat herself. Apart from winning the audience choice and the best supporting actor (for Aaron Villaflor) awards in Cinema One Originals Film Festival on top of Iyah Mina’s trophy, Singh also received the best first feature film plum from the Young Critics Circle in 2019, the first trans woman director to ever get recognized in the award-giving body’s 29-year history.

KALADKAREN

Kaladkaren with her MMFF Summer Film Festival best supporting actress trophy

Another herstory was made just last week when host and comedienne Kaladkaren, nabbed the best supporting actress honors at the inaugural Summer Metro Manila Film Festival. She is the first transgender actress to win the award in the fest’s decade-spanning history and the first in, well, the history of Filipino cinema.  

For her role as pageant veteran Wilhelmina in Chris Martinez’s soul-swapping comedy Here Comes The Groom, Kaladkaren bested crowd favorite Maris Racal and newcomer Ana Abad Santos. “Itong parangal na ‘to ay hindi lamang po recognition ng aking trabaho kundi pati na rin ang aking pagkatao,” said Kaladkaren while in tears during the Gabi ng Parangal. 

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“I wanna share this to all transgender people, drag artists, members of the LGBTQIA+ community,” she continues, “whose lives and existence are being threatened in the world right now, para sa inyo pong lahat ito. And I wanna remind all of you, that we are more than enough.”

In an interview with her “twin sister” Karen Davila, Kaladkaren shares how being nominated as an actress is already a “huge victory” for her and how being able to give life to a transgender character is a big hurrah for representation. “They respect my gender identity and gender recognition is important!” And just recently, Kaladkaren made yet another momentous feat as she became the first trans woman Star Patroller of TV Patrol, the country’s longest-running Tagalog news program.

ISABEL SANDOVAL

Dubbed as the “queen of sensual cinema,” U.S.-based Filipina filmmaker and Academy member Isabel Sandoval is the writer, director, producer, editor, and lead actress in another groundbreaking cinematic offering, Lingua Franca. In the film, Isabel plays an undocumented Filipino trans woman caregiver faced with the threat of deportation and a complicated relationship with a lover, who’s oblivious to her true identity. A transgender woman auteur in her own right, Isabel made history in 2019 as the first trans woman director of color to screen in competition at the Venice International Film Festival, the oldest film fest in the world.

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Continue Reading: This Sobering Video Campaign Aims To Make Philippine Schools More Inclusive

10 Must-See Interactions From ITZY’s Latest Fanmeet In Manila

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ITZY x MIDZY moments.

After just a few months from their Manila concert, ITZY came back to the country over the weekend for a short but memorable stay.

Related: And We’re Live: Concerts, Festivals, And Fanmeets Coming To The Philippines This 2023

Filo MIDZYs’ plate has been full this 2023. First, ITZY kicked off the 2023 Philippine concert scene with their two-day concert in Manila back in January. And just a few months later, the girls are back, this time for their biggest fanmeet in the country yet. Thanks to Bench, thousands of Pinoy MIDZYs got to meet their fave K-pop girl group in person at the MOA Arena. Robi Domingo hosted a night that was filled with games, activities, performances, and other fun surprises. While ITZY’s overnight stay in the country was admittedly short, they still made sure to make the most out of the moment. Here are just some fanmeet moments that made for an amazing reunion with ITZY.

BLONDE LIA

Lia shook us with this look because she’s stunning with blonde hair. This Barbie is a K-pop star.

RYUJIN’S BIRTHDAY SURPRISE

Even though the fanmeet was a day before her actual birthday, Ryujin still got treated to a nice surprise. Bench prepared a cake for her as Filo MIDZYs sang her Happy Birthday in Korean, causing the K-pop idol to get emotional.

YEJI BEING A WHOLE MOOD

Yet another reason why we love ITZY’s leader. Yes, Yeji, that’s our favorite workout, too.

ROBI DOMINGO AND RYUJIN’S SHOULDER SHOWDOWN

Never did we imagine we would see Robi Domingo and Ryujin dancing WANNABE together. But here we are. Okay Mingyu’s best friend, you better work those shoulders. 

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YUNA WITH THIS FANBOY

@aruaree bro is so lucky he got to dance wannabe with Yuna, and Yuna asked him his name after 😩 #wannabewithbench #benchxitzy #itzy #fyp ♬ original sound – iz (리 자) saw enha thrice! 😭🧡

The way everyone was looking at Yuna, but she was only looking at the fan, that’s a core-memory moment right there.

CHAERYEONG WORKING SMART

Chaeryeong’s mind was working on overdrive when she got the signature of each member on her custom shirt she was going to give away. Just like that, the shirt’s value went through the roof.

RYUJIN WEARING THIS FAN-MADE HAT

How sweet was Ryujin to wear this special hat for this special day? Shoutout to the MIDZY who made the hat, it looks great.

SINGING IN TAGALOG

Seeing ITZY sing their biggest hits in Tagalog felt surreal but in a good way. Hindi mahiyan, hindi ako.

RYUJIN’S FAVORITE FILIPINO FOOD

@rjyj_sh Ah~ street food tayo next time, Ryujin! #itzy #ryujin #shinryujin #benchxitzy #kpop #fyp ♬ Cheshire – ITZY

Her favorite Filipino food is kwek-kwek, and is down to trying balut? Ryujin, our Filipina queen.

ITZY GOES SHOPPING

@rjyj_sh ITZY in BGC #itzy #yeji #lia #ryujin #chaeryeong #yuna #kpop #fyp ♬ Miracle Nights – ALLMO$T

Even though they only had an overnight stay in Manila, ITZY still found the time to go shopping as they were spotted checking out the clothes at the Bench store in BGC. Lia picking out a shirt that had the Jollibee mascot on it felt so correct.

Continue Reading: Highlights That Made Us Go Loco For Itzy During Their Weekend In Manila

rolling loud thailand music festival outfit

14 Music Festival ‘Fit Inspos That Brought Out The Heat At Rolling Loud Thailand

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Spoiler alert: each artist took at least one thing off of their outfits during their performance. 👀

As festival season continues, the biggest hip-hop artists did not come to play despite the heat in Thailand.

For the first time, the highly-anticipated hip-hop music festival Rolling Loud was brought to Asia, specifically on the shores of Thailand. To fill you in, it’s a huge event that started in the US back in 2015 and discovered emerging hip-hop talents like Travis Scott, Kendrick Lamar, and standout Soundcloud rappers. Held in Legend Siam in Pattaya, Thailand, notable rap artists headlined Asia’s first ever Rolling Loud.

The festival was nothing short of fire ‘fits (literally) aside from the limited edition merch that included bootleg tees and Levi’s one-off denim DIY tailor shop.

From Cardi B throwing her heels to Offset’s Michael Jackson tribute, here are the best music festival outfits we spotted at Rolling Loud Thailand. (Spoiler alert: each artist took off at least one thing from their outfit during their performances.)

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READ MORE: Ena Mori Is The Only Filipino Artist At SXSW’s All-Asian Music Festival in Texas

CARDI B AS A GOLDEN STATUE

La Cardi turned up at Rolling Loud Thailand wearing a golden catsuit with fringe and a Cruella De Ville type of weave. She was sweating so bad, her lace front was coming off and took her heels off by the end of the set. (Check slide three to see the moment!) Despite all that, she still performed the hell out of the music festival’s stage.

LIL UZI VERT’S ROLEX SUNVISOR AND SPARKLY TRACKSUIT

Who said the 2000s were over? Lil Uzi pulled off a Juicy Couture look complete with a sparkly zip-up hoodie, joggers, and a Rolex sunvisor.

CHRIS BROWN’S QUILTED JACKET

Chris Brown initially performed onstage wearing a blue quilted jacket with continental-shaped patches that mimicked a globe and patched shorts, but took it off early on as it was too humid.

OFFSET’S MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE

Despite the intense humid weather, Migos’ Offset wore a full military look inspired by Michael Jackson from the brooch, the trousers with harness details, and the leather gloves. (Spoiler alert: he also took ’em off after a few songs.)

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JESSI’S SULTRY ONE-PIECE

We see you looking. 👀 K-Pop’s Jessi sizzled on the music festival stage with a purple one-piece outfit complete with matching arm warmers.

MILLI’S “I WANNA BANGKOK” SHORTS

The pride of Thailand slayed everyone else with her vibrant red cut-out top matched with “I Wanna Bangkok” baller shorts. Tough ‘fit, TBH.

DA BABY

DaBaby nailed his first ever Thailand music festival outfit with a bunny-eared basketball cap, white muscle tee, and shorts. To cap his set, he took his shirt off and gave away the pair of Jordans he was wearing onstage.

NAKED BIBI’S BOLD KNIT OUTFIT

Nothing else feels more powerful than wearing a skirt. K-Pop’s BIBI knew she killed her music festival performance outfit in a two-piece distressed knit look.

JAY PARK AND H1GHRMUSIC’S ALL WHITE OUTFITS

If anyone truly gave the high-voltage type of energy onstage, it’s probably Jay Park and H1GHERMUSIC’s Sik-K, Woodie Go Child, Haon, Big NaUGHTY, pH-1, and Groovyroom. They didn’t mind the humidity though, wearing heavily-layered white utilitarian outfits while still rocking the stage. The day prior, Jay Park made a surprise appearance during Jessi’s set and wore a white, breezy mesh tee.

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B.I’S FRINGED MUSCLE TEE

Korean rapper B.I brought his A-game to Rolling Loud Thailand wearing a dark-wash vintage tee with fringe that was unintentionally styled in so many ways onstage. From a plain gray shirt, he took it off and it surprisingly looked like a scarf on top of his gray muscle tee.

SKI MASK THE SLUMP GOD’S MUAY THAI SHORTS

It’s a crime to go to Thailand and be unable to grab a pair of Muay Thai shorts. Ski Mask The Slump God did not disappoint and wore a camo vest, boots, and you guessed it, a pair of Muay Thai shorts.

TRAVIS SCOTT’S STATEMENT TEE

Like what one of his rap verses in Franchise says, “yeah in my white tee,” Travis Scott wears a statement shirt that takes a jab at one of the current political issues in the US. He also wore a baseball cap, cargo pants and a pair of his sneaker collab with Nike, the reverse mocha Jordan 1 low.

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RAMENGVRL’S FAST AND FURIOUS ‘FIT

Braving the Thailand heat, Indonesian rapper wears a moto jacket paired with racer gloves, baggy cargo pants with a cheeky whale tail.

SLIM JIMMI’S ASTRO BOY BOOTS

NGL, we did not expect MSCHF’s infamous big red boots to look this good onstage. Slim Jxmmi of the rap duo Rae Sremmurd wore nothing but distressed pants, an iced-out chain with his initials and the Astroboy boots.

10 Truth Bombs Nadine Lustre Dropped With Bea Alonzo That Made Us Love Her Even More

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Zero lies detected.

Nadine Lustre is known to keep it 100. And that’s exactly what she did during her lie detector test with Bea Alonzo.

Related: The Spiciest Secrets Liza Soberano Spilled With Bea Alonzo

Aside from being an actress, musician, mental health advocate, budding businesswoman, and environmentalist, Nadine Lustre is also as real as it gets. Over the years, she’s built a reputation as a confident woman who calls it as she sees it. Beating around the bush is the last thing you can expect from Nadine as she isn’t afraid to speak her truth. And speaking of, that was put to the test as she became the latest celebrity to take part in Bea Alonzo’s tantalizing lie detector series.

During the 30-minute video, the self-described horrible liar was game to answer multiple questions on life, with some of her answers revealing interesting things about the multi-hyphenate. Here are a few of those answers from Nadine that had us gagged.   

SHE USED TO FEEL INSECURE BECAUSE OF HER SKIN COLOR

These days, Nadine isn’t shy when it comes to flaunting her morena skin tone. But when she was a young artist in the industry, it was the opposite. She admitted to Bea that she felt insecure when it came to her skin color because of her auditions. She would spend hours lining up for VTRs only to be told by the staff that they weren’t looking for girls who looked like her. It even reached a point where she would lighten her skin color. Thankfully, Nadine is long past that chapter of her life.   

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SHE’S NO LONGER FRIENDS WITH HER PRE-SHOWBIZ FRIENDS

As much as we would like to, the reality of life is that friends come and go. And this is something Nadine knows well as she shared that she is no longer close with her pre-showbiz friends. Understandably, she cited changing as a person and the natural tendencies of growing apart as the reasons why that connection has waned. Still, Nadine did say that she does catch up with some of them on Facebook now and then.

SHE HATED BEING KNOWN BY HER CHARACTERS

While Nadine Lustre is one of the most popular stars of her generation, she had a career that sometimes felt more like a whirlwind than a breeze. There was a time in her life when her career was a blur because she was doing too much. In a candid moment, Nadine made it known that she hated just being known by her characters rather than who she was as a person. She didn’t like it when she would be called by the name of one of her characters as it took away from who she was behind all the glitz and glam.

SHE LIKES TO TROLL HER BASHERS

One of the many reasons why we love Nadine is that she isn’t afraid to clap back at her bashers and do so flawlessly. During the lie detector test, she gave more context to that by sharing how she responds to her bashers by trolling them. Trolling the trolls, we love to see it.

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SHE FELT THAT JADINE COMPETED WITH LIZQUEN AND KATHNIEL

There’s no denying that JaDine, LizQuen, and KathNiel were their generation’s Holy Trinity of love teams. But this distinction also led many to compare the three. This was something Nadine felt. She shared that she did not like how there was competition between the three love teams. Still, she added that she tried to not give too much of her attention to being pitted against each other.

THERE ARE PROJECTS SHE REGRETS DOING

Thanks to the lie detector test, we know that there is a movie and song Nadine regrets being involved in. Now, all we need is to know what exactly those are. This sounds like the job for Stan Twitter.

SHE FELT THAT FAME (AND MONEY) GOT TO HER HEAD

With the heights Nadine has reached, it’s understandable if fame felt like an overbearing force that changes you. During the test, the star admitted that, at one point, fame got to her head, particularly with how she used to spend so much of her money. Luckily, she’s learned to pinch her purse and practice more sustainable monetary moves.  

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SHE BELIEVES WE HAVE MULTIPLE SOULMATES

Love is sometimes portrayed as having that one person who can change everything. But having one person destined for you isn’t what Nadine subscribes to. Instead, she believes that we all have multiple soulmates who enter our lives at one point or another. So, if who you thought was Mr. Right is actually Mr. Wrong, take it from Nadine and know that there is someone else out there for you.

SHE DOES THE DUMPING

When you’re a baddie like Nadine, this is to be expected. Boys don’t dump her, she’s the one who ends things. On a deeper note though, she revealed that she used to be the kind of person who would give her all in a relationship before she eventually dries out. But as she’s gotten older, Nadine has learned to not emotionally drain herself.

SHE STILL DOESN’T WANT KIDS

In a patriarchal society like the Philippines, it’s bold for Nadine to publicly say that she doesn’t want kids. But to this day, she’s still sticking to her beliefs, telling Bea that getting pregnant and giving birth is what scares her the most and turns her off from having kids. Still, that doesn’t mean we won’t see Nadine being a mother in the future as she’s open to adopting to start her family.

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Continue Reading: Need Some Therapy? See How Nadine Lustre Spends Her Chill Weekends

Moments From TREASURE’s Two-Day Concert In Manila That Hit Different

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A treasure trove of memories.

Filipino Treasure Makers stayed winning with the K-pop group’s two-day concert in Manila.

Related: TREASURE Finally Makes Their Highly Anticipated Comeback With JikJin And It Feels So Good

The first time TREASURE performed in Manila was in 2022 as part of an omnibus concert. But clearly, their set was way too short for Filo Teumes as they hoped the boys would come back for a solo concert. And after nearly a year of waiting, that finally happened as Pinoy fans were treated to a two-day concert as part of the Manila stop of TREASURE’s Hello World Tour.

And BOY, did the group prepare a big Hello for their first solo concert in the country. Considering how the group dropped this TikTok video before they arrived in the country, it was foreshadowing of how the two-day concert was set to be a moment to remember. Lightsticks were waved, lungs were exhausted, and lives were changed. If that FOMO or PCD is still running high, take a look at these memorable highlights to soothe those feelings.  

THE BOYS GIVING THE BEST FAN SERVICE

Do we expect anything less from TREASURE? This is the same concert where they performed their Japanese singles, Yamai and Beautiful, even though they aren’t part of the setlist as it was requested by Filipino fans. They’ll always be there for their Treasure Makers.

TREASURE AND THEIR HUGOT LINES

@caliy__ I DO PO AGAD TANGNA WLA NG AMINAN TOH WDHHWJWJDJS STAP THE CAR!!! #treasure_yg #트레저 #hellotourmanila #fyp #4upage ♬ original sound – FЯΛП

TREASURE? No, that’s TRIZZURE.

UP CLOSE WITH THE MEMBERS

How does it feel to live our dreams?

THE RAINBOW OCEAN

Day two Teumes understood the assignment when it came to making the rainbow ocean and wave. The successful moment, which was a first for TREASURE’s current tour, was a stunning sight to see that left some of the members in awe.   

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THE BIRTHDAY PROJECT FOR HYUNSUK

Only the best birthday project for the best leader.

THE ENCORE

@snskyj so it's not confirmed if they actually cancelled the flight or not but atleast we heard it from hyunsuk himself that they wanna cancel their flight bc they wanted to spend more time with us, and that is more than enough. i know they love us as much as we love them🥹😭 #hellotourinmanila #TREASURE ♬ kiss it better sped up – xxtristanxo

You really are that fandom when the group’s leader jokes that they canceled their flight just so that they can spend more time with you. If only they could stay longer.

ASASHI LEADING FANS IN THE DANCE

This is the special bond that TREASURE has with their fans. When Asahi asked fans to dance, you bet Filo Treasure Makers did.

THIS MOMENT BETWEEN HARUTO AND JUNKYU

Nothing to see here, just this heartwarming moment of Haruto pouring water on Junkyu before he hugged him. Another Harukyu moment for the books.

THIS FAN BANNER

Excuse us, we’ll just get the tissues.

HYUNSUK’S WHOLESOME REACTION

@daeksola hyunsuk's reaction to see rainbow ocean fan projects🌈✨😭😭 | cr. illdo421 #treasure #treasure_yg #fypシ ♬ suara asli – daeksola

The absolute look of joy and wonder Hyunsuk had on his face seeing Filo Teumes is enough to warm the coldest of hearts. That’s genuine happiness right there.

PINOY FANS DRESSED IN THEIR BEST

These fans dressed as Junkyu, Doyoung, and Jaehyuk’s tree costumes for the concert? It’s giving dedication.

MALE TREASURE MAKERS COMING OUT IN FORCE

We love male fans who aren’t afraid to show love to their fave idols. Those are the type of fans we want to be around.  

FANSIGN MOMENTS

@sowpikeyt doyoung pare is so cute pleaseeee 😭 #doyoung #도영#treasure @mikomercz ♬ Call Me (Ring Ring) – Tikitukop

Even before the concert started, TREASURE was ready to give the best time to their Pinoy Treasure Makers.

CELEBRITY ENCOUNTERS

@yg_treasure_tiktok Bet you didn’t see this one coming😜 Forever Young Challenge @Niana Guerrero 🔥🤩 #트레저 #TREASURE #최현석 #CHOIHYUNSUK #아사히 #ASAHI #HELLO #MANILA ♬ original sound – Leonora Custodio

While the thousands who attended the two-day concert had the time of their lives, some had an extra fun night. Such is the case for a handful of local stars who met the group backstage. First, there was Niana Guerrero, which was extra special since it was her first-ever K-pop concert. Then, AC Bonifacio got to film two TikTok videos with the members. Kim Chiu got her fangirl life when she met the boys. And topping it all was successful fangirl Denise Laurel who not only got to film multiple videos with the boys, but even filmed some content with them for her YouTube channel. TREASURE in Dee’s Room when?

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THE MOA MARCHING BAND SLAYING ONCE MORE

Whenever a K-pop group holds a concert at MOA Arena, expect the MOA marching band to entertain fans in the area. Such is the case when they ate yet again during TREASURE weekend.

THE WHOLE VIBE OF MOA ARENA

Once again, Pinoy fans continue their streak as some of the best fans in the world. The energy of Pinoy Treasure Makers was at an 11 as they sang and danced their hearts out in the two-hour set.

Feature Photo By: YG Entertainment

Continue Reading: Highlights From The K-Verse Concert That Made For The Best Universe

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