The month’s movies, shows, music, and more were straight bangers. Here are the ones that we couldn’t stop thinking about.
Related: NYLON Manila Picks: The Media We Lowkey Obsessed Over This May 2025
As mundane as it may seem to some, your friend recommending you something is lowkey a big deal. Someone liking something so much that they’d recommend it to you means a lot. It shows that they think something is worth your time the same way it was for them. That’s the energy we’re getting from this month’s media picks. From the hottest entertainment offerings to discoveries of classics, June 2025’s media picks just did it for us, and we think they might do it for you, too. Check them out below.
COME FROM AWAY – RAFAEL BAUTISTA, DEPUTY EDITOR
I was vaguely familiar with this musical, knowing that it was about a small Canadian town that welcomed thousands of international passengers during the aftermath of 9/11. So when I watched the local staging of it, I came in with no expectations.
When I tell you I was blown away, I was blown away. The story combines heart and comedy while the ensemble gave a masterclass in acting. Each actor played a handful of characters (which was honestly impressive), yet the transitions felt smooth, which was aided by creative production design that made the most of its one stage. I entered knowing little, and I left experiencing one of the best musicals I’ve ever seen in the Philippines.
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS – RAFAEL BAUTISTA
June was a good month for animation. Predator: Killer of Killers was a thrilling ride that delivered on expectations. But KPop Demon Hunters threw me for a loop in the best way possible. The main story is good as it is, but I was surprised by how emotional it got, especially with Rumi’s inner turmoil. The animation is dazzling, the weaving of K-pop culture into the movie’s world is clever, the characters are memorable, and the OST slaps. Oh, and if you haven’t seen the Tagalog dub yet, you should.
THE PITT – BIANCA LAO, SR. BRAND ASSOCIATE
Hearing about the series from a few friends, I was immediately interested in the show’s concept. Unlike most med shows where a season is paced in a few months or so, The Pitt is uniquely designed to have a season equal to one shift (every episode is one hour of the shift). It’s a very interesting and complex show and I’ve been enjoying it a lot! I would definitely recommend this to add to your watchlist.
KAHEL NA LANGIT BY MAKI – BIANCA LAO, SR. BRAND ASSOCIATE
Since the release of Saan, I’ve always been on the lookout for Maki’s new song releases. After coming across the teaser he posted on his TikTok and hearing the lyrics at the start of the song, I instantly fell in love. I’ve found a lot of comfort in the song and have found myself discovering more and more meanings for it each day. It’s also beautiful watching how other people do the same and find comfort in the song, too. It’s a wonderful listen that deserves even more love, so give it more streams if you come across this.
LOVE AT FIRST SPIKE – NICA GLORIOSO, FEATURES AND POP CULTURE WRITER
I’m not someone who watches local TV a lot, but the promise and potential Love At First Spike has shown just in its first two episodes were a pleasant surprise. I love a story that has non-cringe writing, engaging plot points, complex characters, and something important to say. The sports aspect is exciting to watch even though I don’t like sports like that, and queer themes that run through the series are plentiful, diverse, and very relevant.
HAMILTON – PRECY TAN, CREATIVE SERVICES COPYWRITER
Right before their 2025 Tony Awards performance, I finally listened to my friends and watched Hamilton with the original Broadway cast. I didn’t expect it to hit that hard, but it genuinely changed something in me. Lin-Manuel Miranda really said, “Let me make history hit like a breakup album,” and somehow created something brilliant, emotional, and wildly addictive all at once. Non-Stop, Satisfied, and Alexander Hamilton have been on repeat ever since.
KATSEYE’s BEAUTIFUL CHAOS ALBUM – GELO QUIJENCIO, MULTIMEDIA ARTIST
KATSEYE delivered yet again and they served majorly. The album showcased a different side and artistry of KATSEYE. From their recent EP, I love M.I.A and Gameboy!
FAMOUS BY ALLDAY PROJECT
I love it when a song just clicks with just one listen — and they didn’t disappoint. Their two songs are such groovy-filled tracks and you just can’t stop dancing. I love how the group chemistry blends as well. I’m really excited about how the group emerges and flourishes in their next comebacks. – GELO QUIJENCIO, MULTIMEDIA ARTIST
Word on the street was that a certain rookie group was channeling 2nd Gen energy — and honestly, that was all the convincing I needed to come out of stan retirement. After seeing the Famous MV when it dropped last June 16, it’s definitely been a while since a group had me this hooked. – JAMES JACINTO, MULTIMEDIA ARTIST
ANXIOUS PEOPLE BY FREDRIK BACKMAN – LUNA ZABALA, MARKETING COPYWRITER
Anxious People is a book about idiots. It makes this declaration early on (and multiple times throughout its pages), so I’m not spoiling anything. But it’s not about idiots in the sense of “God, look at these hapless fools.” It’s a bit more like “We’re all just pretending to know what we’re doing, so let’s be a bit kinder to each other.” I’m scared that I’ve watered it down for you, but please give this story a chance; it’s a treasure trove of whimsy, charm, and heart.
Backman’s irreverent prose counters the inherent preachiness of some of his ideas on humanity, and in a world that’s slowly forgetting how to forgive, his idealism is a welcome respite. I laughed for most of it, shed a few tears here and there, fell in love with the off-kilter characters, and came out of it a bit more hopeful. Who wouldn’t want all that in a novel?
Continue Reading: NYLON Manila Picks: The Media Of April 2025 That Had Us Yapping Non-Stop
