James Reid, Julia Barretto, Maricel Soriano Lead Regal Entertainment’s ‘Haunted Carnival’ for #MMFF52

James Reid, Julia Barretto, and Diamond Star Ms. Maricel Soriano headline Regal Entertainment Inc.’s official entry to the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Haunted Carnival.

Returning for its third movie installment, the Haunted franchise of Regal Films began in 2015 with Haunted Mansion, starring Janella Salvador and Iza Calzado, followed by Haunted Forest in 2017, which starred Jane Oineza, Jon Lucas, Maris Racal, and Jameson Blake. This time, James Reid and Julia Barretto take audiences inside the terrifying world of Haunted Carnival.

Directed by Joey De Guzman, director of the 2025 episode of Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins, Haunted Carnival is set in the Philippines in 1986, where a group of strangers must survive and escape a perya filled with hostile and deadly attractions operated by the mysterious Salamangkero.

The film also marks the first time that Julia Barretto and James Reid will star in a movie under Regal Entertainment Inc.

During the film’s story conference, James shared his excitement about exploring the horror-slash­er genre in a pre-recorded video message from Sydney, Australia.

“I said yes to this project. It’s really a genre that I haven’t explored yet, so when I heard from the Regal team—horror slasher set in the ’80s—I said, ‘That sounds really fun.’ And I’m very excited to work with Director Joey de Guzman, and I love his work so far, so very excited for that.”

James also expressed his excitement about working with the film’s diverse ensemble cast and bringing his character, Lian, to life.

Joining James Reid, Julia Barretto, and Maricel Soriano in this star-studded horror-suspense film are  Fyang Smith, Ronnie Alonte, RK Bagatsing, Phi Palmos, Prince Carlos, JM Salvado, Celyn David, Charlie Flemming and Joaquin Arce, and Mr John Arcilla. 

Haunted Carnival is set to begin filming in the coming weeks and promises to bring audiences another roller-coaster horror treat when it arrives in cinemas on Christmas Day as part of the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival.

#MMFF52 

#HauntedCarnival 

Mr Philippines Introduces 51 Official Candidates, Sets Stage for Grand Coronation On August 2

rand press presentation and contract signing ceremony held at 38 Valencia Events Place. The event marked the formal start of this year's competition as the candidates were presented to members of the media and pageant supporters.

 

Among those who made a strong impression during the presentation were Angelo Drippin of Pasig City, Zandro Go Sales of Mandaluyong City, and Aethan Calix Cervantes of Makati City, who were recognized as the Media's Choice awardees.

Three prestigious titles are up for grabs in this year's competition: Mister World Quest, Mister Model International, and the coveted Mister Grand Philippines crown.

The grand coronation night is scheduled to take on August 2 in Palacio de Maynila, where the country's newest kings will be crowned and given the opportunity to represent the Philippines on the international stage.

 Here's the official list of candidates of Mr Philippines 2026: 

Angeles City, Migz Ramos

Filcom Australia, Austin Ayles 

Bacolod CIty, Samuel Bryant

BARMM, Jastine Flores

Bataan, Aaron Vinuya 

Bicol Region, Rein Christian 

 Binan City, Nate Dado

Bocaue, Bulacan, Ervin Arciaga

Bukidnon, Glenn Tion 

Bulacan, Jacob Polintan

Caloocan City, Patrick Sy 

Capiz, Adam Amador 

Cordillera Administrative Region,  Haaen Jack Lapinas

Dasmarinas City, Nico Valdez

Floridablanca, Pampanga, Hanz Penas

Iba, Zambales, Cooper Brezzon 

Ilocos Sur, Ozzy Gallardo

Iloilo City, Marvin Jimenez

Laguna, Carl Santiago

Laoag City, Art Rabacio

Macabebe, Pampanga, RJ Capistrano 

Makati City, Aethan Calix Cervantes

Mandaluyong City, Zandro Sales 

Manila City, Francis Vega

Mexico, Pampanga Carlo Ocampo 

Mindoro, Angelo Salonga

Navotas City, Cooco Morris

Henry Tornea, Negros Occidental 

Nueva Ecija, John Java

Orion, Bataan Chris Alcantara

Pangasinan, Jusher King

Pasig City, Angelo Drippin

Quezon City, Mauro Salas

Quezon Province, Reynard Bernisca

Rizal Province, John Morris

San Juan City, Nate Reyes

Silang, Cavite, MJ Oronea

Sto Tomas, Batangas, Marc Yousef Hernandez

Surigao Del Sur, Fred Godinez

Tacloban City, Nathaniel Zamora

Taguig City, Enzo Guarina

Talavera, Nueva Ecija, Pedro Red 

FILCOM UAE, Raed El Zein 

Victoria, Laguna, Genart Nido

Zamboanga City, Kyle Rupinta

 

52nd MMFF Reveals First Four Script-Based Entries Featuring Aga Muhlach, Dennis Trillo, Julia Barretto, James Reid, Vice Ganda, and Vic Sotto

A prequel, the inspiring story of a Moro child, a haunted amusement park, and a historic comedy team-up headline the first four official script-based entries for the 52nd Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

The Metro Manila Film Festival officially unveiled the first four script-based entries for its 52nd edition last July 7 in a mall in San Juan City, offering moviegoers an early glimpse of the diverse lineup that will compete in this year's Christmas film festival. The initial selections showcase a wide range of genres, from heartfelt drama and culturally rooted storytelling to supernatural horror and big-screen comedy.

Leading the first batch of official entries is 2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7, starring Aga Muhlach and directed by Nuel Naval under Viva Films. Serving as a prequel to the 2019 Filipino adaptation of Miracle in Cell No. 7, the film takes audiences back to the events before the beloved story unfolded, exploring the emotional journey and relationships that laid the foundation for the original movie.

Joining the lineup is AMIR, starring Argus Aspiras, Dennis Trillo, Will Ashley, and Glaiza de Castro. Directed by Zig Dulay, the film tells the story of a young Moro child and is produced by the creators of the critically acclaimed MMFF films Firefly and Green Bones. With Dulay at the helm, AMIR is expected to deliver a poignant and culturally rich narrative that celebrates identity, resilience, and hope.

Representing the horror genre is Haunted Carnival, the latest installment in Regal Entertainment Inc.'s Haunted movie franchise. Following Haunted Mansion and Haunted Forest, the newest chapter transports audiences to a mysterious carnival where terrifying secrets lurk behind the bright lights and festive attractions. Directed by Joey De Guzman, the film stars Julia Barretto and James Reid alongside Fyang Smith, John Arcilla, and Ms. Maricel Soriano, promising a chilling cinematic experience for horror fans.

Rounding out the first batch is The Greatest Showdown, a landmark comedy that marks the first-ever big-screen collaboration between noontime television icons Vice Ganda and Vic Sotto. Directed by Jun Robles Lana, the film is produced by ABS-CBN Films, Star Cinema, APT Entertainment, M-Zet, and The IdeaFirst Company. Bringing together two of Philippine entertainment's biggest comedy stars, the film is expected to be one of the festival's most highly anticipated entries, offering audiences a unique blend of humor, spectacle, and star power. 

Road to the Crown Begins as Mister World Philippines Presents 20 Official Candidates

Twenty aspiring kings were officially stepped into the spotlight as Mister World Philippines presented its roster of official candidates during a press presentation held on July 1 at the Sheraton Manila Hotel. The event officially marked the beginning of the competition, with delegates from across the country vying for the opportunity to represent the Philippines at the Mister World pageant.

This year's roster features a dynamic mix of seasoned pageant veterans and promising fresh faces, all vying for the opportunity to represent the Philippines on the international stage. Among the early standouts are seasoned pageant contenders Christian Villarin of Iloilo and Vandave Paragas of Bayambang, Pangasinan; events host Sean Kyle De Ortega of Quezon City; banker Alexei Cruz of Manila; model and Cornerstone artist Wendel Pamfilo of Nueva Ecija; FilCom Hottie Canada winner Logal De Leon Culp; pageant newcomer Shon Villanueva of General Santos City; and former Far Eastern University Tamaraws basketball player Aaron Davis, who brings his athletic background to this year's competition.

Aside from the coveted Mister World Philippines crown, six other national titles will also be awarded during the grand coronation night on July 27 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, where the country's next batch of international male pageant representatives will be crowned.

 Here's the complete list of the 20 candidates for this year's Mister World Philippines pageant. 

AKLAN, Jason Laurence Salvador

ALBAY, Aaron Beau Davis

ANGELES CITY, Jser Sinfuego 

BAGUIO CITY, Paris Cabuco

BATAAN, MJ Quiroz

BAYAMBANG, Pangasina, Vandave Paragas

BULACAN, Jessie Guinto

FILCOM Canada, Logan De Leon Culp

FILCOM UK, Michael Alfonso Carter 

GENERAL SANTOS CITy, Shon Villanueva

ILOILO, Christian Villarin

LAGUNA, Aldreg Alvarez 

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan, Harvey Joshua Sagum

MANILA, Alexei Cruz

NUEVA ECIJA, Wendell Pamfilo

PAMPANGA, Christan Manalo

PANGASINAN, Alex Herberich 

QUEZON CITY, Sean Kyle De Ortega 

SARIAYA, Quezon, Leinard Curachea

TANAUAN CITY, Batangas, Archan Perez.  

ALV Pageant Circle Unveils New International Representatives in Grand Coronation Gala

 

Weeks after the Miss Grand Philippines franchise parted ways with its previous organization and just days after then Miss Global Philippines 2026, Valerie Pawid West, tendered her resignation, the ALV Pageant Circle staged a grand coronation gala at a hotel in Quezon City.

The event served as a formal appointment ceremony for the organization's new titleholders and international representatives, particularly those under the Miss Grand Philippines franchise.

Leading the list of newly appointed queens is Gabriel Galapia of Pampanga, who was named Miss Asia Pacific International Philippines. Galapia previously earned the title of 2nd Princess at Miss World Philippines 2026.

Meanwhile, Michelle Arceo, who was crowned Miss Tourism World Philippines 2025, received a new assignment and will now represent the country at the Miss Tourism International pageant.

Representing Sultan Kudarat, Olivia Grace Reiley is set to pursue a historic three-peat for the Philippines at the Face of Beauty International pageant. Reiley was previously crowned Miss Teen International during the Miss World Philippines 2026 coronation.

Also receiving international assignments was Margarette Briton, the Miss Grand Philippines 2025 1st Runner-Up, who will compete in the Miss Interglobal 2026 pageant.

After a long wait for her international stint, Sofia Bianca Santos, the Miss World Philippines 2024 1st Princess, was officially crowned Miss Elite Philippines and will represent the country on the international stage.

Completing the roster is ALV Talent artist Erika Davis, who was appointed as the Philippines' representative to the Miss Glamour Look pageant.

The evening's highlight was the crowning of the new Miss Global Philippines 2026, Jayveelyn Lorejo of the Davao Region, who previously held the title of Miss Tourism International Philippines.

Present during the ceremony were TPN Global CEO Piyaporn Sankosik, Miss Global 2025 Nguyễn Đình Như Vân of Vietnam, and Miss Global 2025 4th Runner-Up Xena Ramos, who joined in welcoming and crowning the country's newest Miss Global Philippines titleholder.

No new representative was announced for Reina Hispano Americana Filipinas yet.  

With a new lineup of queens set to compete abroad, ALV Pageant Circle officially begins a new chapter as it prepares to send its representatives to various international pageants in the coming months.

A1 Expands “Love in the Philippines Tour 2026” with Third Show in Santa Rosa Laguna

 

British-Norwegian Boy Band A1 confirms additional Laguna date amid strong demand for their October Philippine return

There are comebacks—and then there’s the kind that keeps multiplying by fan demand.

A1 are set to return to the Philippines this October 2026, and what was already shaping up to be a two-city pop celebration has now grown even bigger with the announcement of a third show in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

The newly added stop lands on 18 October 2026 (Sunday) at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex, completing a tightly packed Philippine run that now spans Cebu, Manila, and South Luzon. Tickets go on sale, June 15, 12 noon onwards.

The expanded itinerary comes ahead of what is expected to be one of the group’s most emotional and high-energy Asia visits in recent years, following continued strong fan response to their previous Philippine tours.

Across the dates, A1—Paul Marazzi, Christian Ingebrigtsen, Mark Read, and Ben Adams—will revisit the songs that defined their rise during the late 1990s pop era, a catalogue that continues to resonate deeply with Filipino audiences decades later.

Expect live renditions of signature tracks including “Like a Rose,” “Everytime,” “Heaven by Your Side,” and “Same Old Brand New You,” each performance reinforcing the enduring bond between the group and their Philippine fanbase alongside new music.

Their return follows the success of their earlier Valentine’s run in 2025, which drew strong turnout across key cities and reaffirmed their status as one of the most supported international pop acts in the country.

PHILIPPINE TOUR 2026 – FULL RUN

 

CEBU
16 October 2026 (Friday) | Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino | 8:00 P

MANILA
17 October 2026 (Saturday) | New Frontier Theater | 8:00 PM

SANTA ROSA (NEWLY ADDED)
18 October 2026 (Sunday) | Sta. Rosa Sports Complex | 8:00 PM

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TICKET DETAILS

CEBU (Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino)

VIP – ₱5,000
GOLD – ₱4,000
SILVER – ₱3,000
BRONZE – ₱2,000
BALCONY – ₱1,000
Exclusive of ticketing charges

MANILA (New Frontier Theater, Quezon City)

ORCHESTRA VIP - ₱6,750
ORCHESTRA B - ₱5,750

ORCHESTRA C - ₱4,750
BALCONY VIP (Loge) - ₱6,250
BALCONY 1 - ₱4,500
BALCONY 2 - ₱3,500
Exclusive of ticketing charges

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SANTA ROSA (Sta. Rosa Sports Complex)

VIP - 5,500 Peso

GOLD - 4,500 Peso

LOWER BOX CENTER - 3,500 Peso

LOWER BOX LEFT / RIGHT - 3,000 Peso

UPPER BOX -1,500 Peso

*Exclusive of ticket service charge

Ready for Another Shot: Jose Carlos Paras Alls Set For His Mister National Universe Journey

Mister National Universe is happening in just a few weeks, and one of the Filipino representatives set to compete in the Thailand-based pageant is Jose Carlos Paras, who will proudly represent the beautiful island of Boracay.

Jose is no stranger to the international pageant stage. In 2022, he represented the Philippines at Mister Friendship International, also held in Thailand. Now, four years later, he returns to the international spotlight after being tapped to replace a supposed candidate for this year's Mister National Universe competition.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Jose for a brief interview following an event in Intramuros, Manila. When asked about his initial reaction after being offered the title, Jose candidly admitted that he initially felt he was only the second choice. Instead of dwelling on that, however, he chose to embrace the opportunity with optimism. Describing himself as a go-getter, he shared that he believes in making the most of every opportunity that comes his way.

As he prepares for his second international pageant, Jose said that one of the things he looks forward to most is meeting new people from around the world. More than the competition itself, he sees international pageantry as a platform for building genuine friendships and brotherhood among candidates. For him, that has always been one of the most meaningful aspects of representing the Philippines abroad.

Asked if he already considers himself a pageant veteran, Jose humbly answered that he does not. He believes there is still so much for him to learn in the industry, and every experience has helped him grow both as a competitor and as a person. Reflecting on the two years since his first international pageant, he shared that he now returns to the stage more mature, more professional, and with a stronger sense of self. He believes those experiences have helped shape him into a better representative for the Philippines.

The 22-year-old model and content creator is set to compete in Hua Hin, Thailand, beginning July 22, alongside fellow Filipino Paulo Dela Cruz, who will represent the Philippines in the pageant.

No Filipino has yet to capture the coveted Mister National Universe title. The country's highest achievements in the competition came through Michael Ver Comaling, who was named MNU-Earth in 2023, and RJ Dinolan, who earned the same distinction in 2025.

With greater maturity, valuable international experience, and a mindset that transforms setbacks into opportunities, Jose Carlos Paras now has the chance to make history. As he takes on the global stage once again, will he be the first Filipino to be crowned Mister National Universe?

The Script Adds Third And FInal Shw On March 20 After Selling Out Two Shows In Manila.

ANNOUNCEMENT – Due to the overwhelming demand, the multi-awarded and platinum-selling Irish band, THE SCRIPT have announced a third and final show on March 20, 2027 (Saturday) for their highly anticipated world tour MAN IN THE ARENA TOUR, following the remarkable sell-out success of their first two concerts (March 18 and 19, 2027) at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Presented by Wilbros Live and Midas Promotions. Tickets will go on-sale on Saturday, June 13, 10AM via SMTickets.com and SM Tickets outlets nationwide.

This announcement comes on the heels of The Script’s frontman Danny O’Donoghue’s recent visit to Manila, where he personally promoted the upcoming world tour and reconnected with the band’s loyal Filipino fanbase. During his stay, Danny filmed a special performance video for the band’s iconic hit “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved” on the streets of Manila, recreating the spirit of one of The Script’s most beloved songs in the heart of the city.

 

MAN IN THE ARENA TOUR will feature The Script’s greatest hits like “The Man Who Can’t Be Moved”, “Hall of Fame”, “Breakeven”, “Superheroes”, “For The First Time”, “If You Could See Me Now” and songs from their new album ‘The User’s Guide To Being Human’, which comes out on 14 August 2026. 

 

‘The User’s Guide To Being Human’ follows 2024’s ‘Satellites’. It was a record that saw vocalist Danny O’Donoghue attempt to process the grief that followed the tragic passing of his bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan in 2023. The record was followed by a global arena tour in which every show paid tribute to Mark.

 

The skyscraping ambition of ‘Man In The Arena’ lives up to its title, with a hard-hitting R&B groove suddenly bursting into a classic Script mega-chorus built for the biggest of stages: a rousing Danny O’Donoghue delivers a typically charismatic vocal, with lyrics that affirm that the person who dares to put themselves in the spotlight is infinitely braver than anyone who criticises from the sidelines. Its lyrics are taken, in part, from a famous speech by American President Theodore Roosevelt.

 

Danny explains, “He talks about how honours don't belong to the critics. They don't belong to the people sitting on the couch, laughing at the person in the ring stumbling and falling around. The honours belong to the one who gets in there and whose face is marred with dust and blood. I remember reading it and being like: that needs to be in a tune, the energy in it is beautiful.”

Silent Sanctuary Releases “Una” Music Video Starring Xyriel Manabat, Highlighting the Sacrifices of OFWs

 

Silent Sanctuary teams up with Xyriel Manabat for the official music video of “Una,” now available on the Universal Records Philippines YouTube Channel.

In the music video, Xyriel portrays the painful reality of an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), highlighting the sacrifices, silent struggles, loneliness, and emotional distance endured for the love of family. The story resonates deeply with many Filipinos whose loved ones continue to work far from home in hopes of providing a better future.

Known for its heartfelt lyrics, “Una” captures emotions that go beyond romantic relationships. While often seen as a love song, the track also speaks about longing, sacrifice, and unconditional love for family — themes that strongly connect with the experiences of many OFWs and their loved ones.

Lines such as “Alam mo bang hindi ko na matiis na hindi ka nakikita” reflect the emotional weight of separation and unresolved pain, making the song relatable not only to couples, but also to families forced apart by circumstance and responsibility.

Xyriel Manabat shared that she is a longtime fan of Silent Sanctuary and expressed happiness in becoming part of the project.

Through emotionally driven storytelling and powerful performances, the “Una” music video delivers a touching tribute to the sacrifices made every day out of love.

Watch the official music video for “Una” now on the Universal Records Philippines YouTube Channel.

Dave Moffatt is Joining Music Travel Love on Their Philippine Tour this June

Music Travel Love, the powerhouse duo composed of Canadian brothers Bob and Clint Moffatt, dropped a massive bombshell for their upcoming Philippine Tour this June 2026. The globetrotting, harmony-heavy brothers won’t be traveling alone. They are officially bringing along their brother, Dave Moffatt, as a special guest for the entire multi-city trek.

Music Travel Love, is set to bring their highly anticipated Philippine Tour to fans across the country, with performances scheduled at The Atrium, Limketkai Center in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday, June 26, 2026, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino in Cebu on Saturday, June 27, 2026, and New Frontier Theater, Araneta Center, Quezon City in Manila on Sunday, June 28, 2026, promising unforgettable nights of music and connection for Filipino fans.

Dave Moffatt, best known as the soaring voice behind iconic The Moffatts anthems like “If Life Is So Short,” has carved out a massive solo career of his own in recent years. Boasting over 1.7 million Facebook followers and 375,000+ subscribers on his Dave Moffatt Music YouTube channel, Dave continues to melt hearts worldwide with his acoustic renditions of timeless classics like “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love for You,” “Forever Young,” and “I Swear.”

The addition of Dave to the lineup instantly elevates this tour from a cozy acoustic session into an essential milestone for longtime fans. Bringing his signature vocals alongside Bob and Clint means audiences will finally get to experience those legendary, genetically locked family harmonies live in a way they haven't in years. It transforms an already highly anticipated summer run into a much more exciting, full-circle celebration of their musical legacy.

By joining forces with Bob and Clint, Music Travel Love brings together a unique blend of legacy and global reach for this tour. The project, which ranks in the top 1% of global social media influencers with over 25 million followers, has become known for its intimate, nostalgic acoustic covers filmed in scenic locations around the world, earning a strong presence among streaming audiences worldwide.

Before Music Travel Love, Bob and Clint performed with their brothers Scott and Dave as part of The Moffatts, where they were signed to Polydor Records in Nashville and became the youngest band ever to secure a major label recording contract. Today, Music Travel Love bridges that early musical legacy with their global digital success, uniting decades of experience with a modern, viral reach.

For fans who grew up on the melancholy pop hooks of “Miss You Like Crazy” or “If Life Is So Short,” it’s a rare chance to see a foundational piece of their childhood catalog recontextualized in a live, acoustic setting.

The tour will hit three major hubs across Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, giving fans across the archipelago a chance to experience the magic live.

Event Details:

The Atrium, Limketkai Center, Cagayan de Oro City, Friday, June 26, 2026 | 8:00 PM

Ticket Prices (Cagayan de Oro):

VIP – Reserved Seating – PHP 4,790

GOLD – Reserved Seating – PHP 3,730

SILVER – Free Seating – PHP 2,660

LOWER ALFRESCO – Free Seating – PHP 1,440

UPPER ALFRESCO – Free Seating – PHP 850

*All prices are inclusive of ticket service charges.

Tickets are available online via VEENT TIX at https://mtlcdo.veent.net/

For inquiries, please call +63 991 329 7869.