Sto Tomas' Xavier Joe Zapata Wins Inaugural 'Ginoo Ning Kapampangan' Title.

 

 

STO. TOMAS’ XAVIER JOE ZAPATA WINS THE INAUGURAL ‘GINOO NING KAPAMPANGAN’

 

History has been made! The very first Ginoo Ning Kapampangan has been crowned! And it’s none other than Xavier Joe Zapata of Sto. Tomas.

 

The 22-year-old barista and culinary student emerged victorious among 21 candidates during the coronation night held at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando.

 

Joe is going home with ₱300000 cash prize and a trip to Japan! 

 

Taking the titles of Ginoo Ning Kapampangan Turismo and Ginoo Ning Kapampangan Kasaupan (Charity) were Patrick Kleyn Gigante of Lubao and Railie Stephen Peña of Magalang, respectively.

 

Completing the Top 5 were 1st Runner-Up Kieron Puno of Sta. Ana and 2nd Runner-Up Charles Jordan Bondoc of Macabebe.

 

Review: #KMJSGabiNgLagimTheMovie – Sanib: A Weak Finale to an Otherwise Strong Lineup

 

#KMJSGabiNgLagimTheMovie

Sanib
Starring: Jillian Ward, EPi Quizon, Lotlot De Leon, Martin Del Rosario.

Sanib follows the story of Angel, a troubled young girl harboring deep resentment toward her mother who abandoned her. Things take a darker turn when Angel begins to experience strange possessions by entities that slowly taking control of her already fragile state.

Unfortunately, this is easily the most disappointing episode of the series. The premise is overused, and we’ve already seen countless films tackle this theme with more depth and creativity. This one falls flat, big time.

It all started with DINUGUAN. Imagine watching the trailer and seeing Jillian Ward drenched in blood, thinking the episode would be gory and intense. But no, lahat pala ng blood came from the dinuguan! Parang the explanation was, blood invites bad spirits daw.

After the Dinuguan scene, ayun na nagsimula na agad yung possesions na para bang wala man lang build up ng kwento, sugod agad sa Climax.

To be honest, the story itself feels weak, which explains why the storytelling ended up messy and unfocused. The prosthetics were really bad, the visual effects were underwhelming, and overall the episode looked like a 90s horror film na umaasa lang sa prosthetics para manakot—pero hindi effective.

I will give credit where it’s due: Jillian Ward and Martin del Rosario delivered strong performances. They acted their hearts out, but even that wasn’t enough to save the entire episode.

What makes it more frustrating is the question of why this story? Of all the submissions and possible concepts they could’ve chosen, bakit ito? They could’ve easily gone with a barkada exploring haunted locations—Diplomat Hotel, Manila City Hall, or any of the countless abandoned places in the Philippines that they’ve featured before. Mas may potential pa yun kaysa sa pinakasafe, pinakacliché, at pinaka-hilaw na exorcism narrative.

Banggitin ko na rin—there is one scene I genuinely liked: yung eksena ni Nikki Co sa simbahan toward the end of the episode. Ang ganda ng rehistro, ang linis ng framing, at ang lakas ng presence niya. Honestly, bagay na bagay si Nikki Co if ever magkaroon ng bagong Feng Shui movie; he fits that eerie-supernatural aesthetic so well.

Pero ayun na nga—balik tayo.
Despite that one strong moment, this is not how you end a special movie. The finale felt rushed, uninspired, and lacking the punch you’d expect from something meant to close a trio of horror stories. Instead of leaving viewers shaken or impressed, it leaves you wondering why they chose the weakest story to wrap things up.

Rating: 1/5

A Melody for the Mountains: Orange & Lemons and Valerie West Release “Heart of Ifugao”

 

Orange & Lemons returns to the music scene, this time lending their signature sound to emerging artist and Miss World Philippines – Ifugao 2026 candidate, Valerie Pawid West. Their collaboration brings to life “Heart of Ifugao,” a heartfelt tribute to the breathtaking wonders of the Cordilleran mountains.

Though raised in the United States, the 23-year-old Valerie has maintained a deep connection to her heritage. Through this song, she honors her Ifugao roots—celebrating the culture, landscapes, and identity that continue to shape who she is.

Members of the media were invited to the single’s launch on November 28 at 70’s Bistro in Quezon City, where Valerie took the stage to jam with Orange & Lemons. The event also featured an exclusive preview of the music video, which was filmed entirely in Ifugao.

Band frontman Clem Castro shared that shooting the music video was a unique and challenging experience. The team trekked through the mountains to capture the stunning vistas of Kiangan, Ifugao—Valerie’s home province. He also recalled that a passing typhoon added another layer of difficulty to the shoot, making the final product even more meaningful.

Orange & Lemons are no strangers to collaborating with beauty queens; in 2024, they teamed up with Chelsea Manalo for the song “La Bulaqueña.”

With this new release, “Heart of Ifugao” stands as both a musical homage and a personal testament to the power of embracing one’s origins, no matter the distance.

Meanwhile, Valerie Pawid West is set to represent the province of Ifugao in the upcoming Miss World Philippines 2026 pageant, which is scheduled to begin in just a few weeks.

“Heart of Ifugao” is now available for streaming on all major music platforms.

Listen to "Heart of Ifugao" here: 

Himig ng TECNO, Munting Regalo: Best Christmas Deals for as low as Php 699

Give the gift of love, seamless connection and ultimate entertainment this Christmas with an innovative, AI-driven TECNO smartphone, tablet or earphone. Affordable, stylish and packed with advanced technology features, complete your gift list with TECNO Mobile smartphones and receive customized Christmas freebies when you purchase from today until December 31, 2025.

CAMON 40 Pro 5G - ultimate snapshot photography

Pick the TECNO CAMON 40 Pro 5G for loved ones who love taking photos so they can take perfect snaps with One Tap Flash Snap powered by TECNO AI. The CAMON 40 Pro 5G also features 50MP SONY LYT-700C Ultra Clear Camera, MediaTek Dimensity 7300 Ultimate 5G, and has an IP68/IP69 water & dust resistance rating.

The CAMON 40 Pro 5G is available in glacier white, galaxy black and titanium colors.

The CAMON 40 Pro 5G 12+256 is competitively priced at PhP14,999, while the CAMON 40 Pro 5G 8+256 is affordable at PhP12,999. Get a freebie worth up to PhP2,999 – the CAMON Premium Gift Set with capsule powerbank and speaker or TECNO Lifestyle Box – when you buy a CAMON 40 Pro 5G.

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Choose the POVA 7 Ultra 5G for avid gamers, and the young, edgy and futuristic generation who will love the smartphone’s full customization capability.  The POVA 7 Ultra 5G’s sleek, interstellar spaceship design features a 1.5K AMOLED display, 144Hz Refresh Rate for ultra-smooth, high-resolution gameplay, and MediaTek Dimensity 8350 Ultimate AI Processor that delivers ultra-smooth performance and supports up to 120FPS in PUBGM, HOK, and MLBB. Its durable and robust battery is capable of 70W ultra charge and 30W wireless fast charging.

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The second-generation flip smartphone features an infinity pool-inspired 3.64” ThruPool cover screen and an ultra-flat  6.9” flagship main screen. PHANTOM V Flip2 5G has a 50MP main camera, 50MP ultra-wide angle camera, and front 32MP camera, while its flip form unfolds new shooting perspectives. PHANTOM V Flip 2 has a long-lasting 4720mAh Super Battery with 70W Ultra Charge. It also supports over 2,000 apps. 

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MEGAPAD Pro - the essential AI tablet

Give a must-have Christmas present to family members who are still studying, building a career, or will enjoy entertainment anytime, anywhere. Dubbed as the “Essential AI Tablet,” the MEGAPAD Pro is packed with features but is lightweight at only 547 grams. It has a 12” 90Hz 2K Display, TECNO AI, Up to 512 GB micro SD expansion, 10000mAh Ultra Battery,  and a 6.9mm metal finish.

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Buy this December to get a TECNO Christmas freebie

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Review: #KMJSGabiNgLagimTheMovie – Berbalang: Sharp Storytelling, Intense Performances, and a Killer Finale

 #KMJSGabiNgLagimTheMovie

Berbalang
Starring: Sanya Lopez, Elijah Canlas, Rocco Nacino, Joel Saracho
Dirtector: Dodo Dayao

Berbalang tells the chilling tale of a mythical creature said to have been documented in the 1960s in Southern Philippines. Described as flying, human-like beings with cat-like eyes, bat-like wings, and long, razor-sharp claws, the Berbalang are believed to exhume corpses from their graves to feast on the dead.

The episode follows siblings Lia (Sanya Lopez) and Kain (Elijah Canlas). Lia, fiercely protective of her younger brother—rumored to be the last of their kind—keeps them hidden in a remote town deep in the South. For years, they lived quietly in isolation… until a wave of grisly killings and missing corpses rattled the community. Whispers spread: a Berbalang is on the loose.

Their fragile peace shatters when authorities capture Kain and force him to unleash his monstrous form. What the townsfolk don’t realize is that Kain isn’t the only one. Nearby, another man has been secretly sheltering yet another creature of their bloodline—setting up darker truths and a violent reckoning.

This episode is arguably the strongest of the three. Despite the limited runtime and lack of detailed backstory, the storytelling remains tight and effective. Alam mo kung saan nanggagaling yung kwento—walang naliligaw, walang bitin sa flow. Even with its fast pace, the narrative was laid out clearly.

The cinematography also stands out. Ang ganda ng eksena sa presinto when Kain begins to transform—the gun flashes, the red lights, the chaos—it all created a gripping, atmospheric sequence that elevated the tension.

Nagustuhan ko rin itong episode because even with the limited space and duration, wala siyang iniiwang malaking tanong. While I wasn’t a fan of the visual effects and prosthetics, forgivable naman sila dahil ang solid ng pagkakalatag ng story.

And the cast—sobrang galing. Nico Manalo, Rocco Nacino, Joel Saracho, Elijah Canlas all delivered. But Sanya Lopez? She was on another level. Her character was badass from start to finish, and I am so here for it. The final scene with her in red, wearing those punk round glasses—she looked like she was ready to slay.

Honestly, this could’ve been even better as a full-length film. Imagine Sanya Lopez doing full-blown action sequences, leaning into the grit and swagger of her character. That would’ve been epic.

Overall, despite shortcomings in the visual effects and some missing story details, the episode still conveyed its message clearly—and ended with a bang.

Rating: 3.5/5 

Review: #KMJSGabiNgLagimTheMovie – Pocong: Strong Ending, Uneven Journey

 

#KMJSGabiNgLagimTheMovie – Pocong Review

Starring: Miguel Tanfelix, Jon Lucas, Kristofer Martin

Director: Yam Laranas

An effective horror film always starts with a solid story and smooth, coherent storytelling, and that’s where Pocong shows both its promise and its pitfalls.

The episode follows Mark (Miguel Tanfelix), a seaman aboard an Indonesian vessel. With his third eye open, Mark encounters disturbing apparitions: dead seafarers and, most notably, a pocong, a supernatural entity in Indonesian folklore, wrapped tightly in white burial shrouds with bound limbs, echoing traditional Muslim funerary customs. A sighting of a pocong is believed to herald misfortune or death, a warning that hangs heavily over Mark as he fears tragedy might strike him, his family, or the ship itself.

Pocong holds great potential, especially with its introduction of a creature rarely explored in Philippine cinema. Unfortunately, the episode falls short in building a strong foundation. We never really learn where the pocong comes from or why it fixates on Mark. The lack of a proper backstory results in a plot that feels incomplete. Sudden scene transitions also disrupt the momentum, making it harder for the story to establish itself meaningfully.

The prosthetics, while present, don’t quite deliver the intended impact. Sometimes, less is more, implying horror rather than overemphasizing it can be far more effective.

What truly elevates the episode are the performances. Miguel Tanfelix, Jon Lucas, and Kristofer Martin all give compelling portrayals that ground the story. A special mention goes to Phi Palmos, who shines in every moment he appears. You can’t help but wish he had been given more screen time; he delivers his role with such precision that he easily becomes a standout.

The ending, however, redeems much of the episode’s earlier shortcomings. The final twist is chilling and Miguel absolutely delivered, and the conclusion, it leaves you holding at the edge of your seat.

Overall, Pocong is a good episode with clear room for improvement. A narration or a stronger POV centered on Mark could have provided the depth it lacked. The setting, a vast ship surrounded by endless sea offered so much potential for atmospheric horror that wasn’t fully tapped. There was an ocean of possibilities, literally and figuratively, that could have strengthened the episode’s impact.

Rating: 2.5/5

Chasing for Back-to-Back Pink Crown: Nikki Buenafe Cheveh Sets Sights on Face of Beauty International 2025

Nikki Buenafe Cheveh is all set to compete for a back-to-back crown for the Philippines at the upcoming Face of Beauty International on November 30 in Taipei, Taiwan.

At 26, the Pharmacy student is ready to proudly carry the Philippine flag on the global stage. For Nikki, wearing the Philippines sash has always been a childhood dream—one she worked tirelessly to fulfill, even joining Miss Grand Philippines earlier this year despite already holding a title from the previous edition of Miss World Philippines.

I vividly remember our short conversation during their closed-door interview for Miss Grand Philippines. I asked her what crown she hoped to win, and she eagerly replied that any crown would do, as long as it meant getting the chance to represent the Philippines.

And now, that dream is finally becoming a reality. Nikki remains unfazed by the challenge of vying for a back-to-back victory. As ALV said during her send-off press conference last Tuesday, “If Emma can do it, why can’t Nikki?”

Today, November 20, Nikki is set to fly to Taiwan—and all we have for her are our warmest wishes. May she shine on the international stage and bring home the second pink crown for the Philippines!

Best of luck, Nikki!

When Happy Homes Turn Deadly: Angeline Quinto Returns to the Big Screen in Suspense-Thriller “Ang Happy Homes ni Diane Hilario”

 

Angeline Quinto is making her big-screen comeback through the suspense-thriller “Ang Happy Homes ni Diane Hilario,” where she plays the titular role. The story follows Diane Hilario and the community of Happy Homes. What was once a joyful and tightly knit neighborhood inside the tenement begins to descend into fear as a series of mysterious deaths and unsettling incidents shake the residents. As paranoia spreads and darkness tightens its grip, Diane and the people of Happy Homes must uncover the truth behind the sinister events before the terror consumes their entire community.

Joining Angeline Quinto in “Ang Happy Homes ni Diane Hilario” is a powerhouse ensemble cast led by Richard Yap, Sherry Lara, Paolo Contis, Luis Alandy, Joel Sarracho, Nor Domingo, Teroy De Guzman, Erlinda Villalobos, Frances Ignacio, Carlo San Juan, Kritiko, Donna Cariaga, and Ms. Eugene Domingo.

Directed by Marlon N. Rivera and produced by KreativDen, the film brings together this impressive ensemble that will surely deliver a suspense-thriller high in tension and emotional depth.

“Ang Happy Homes ni Diane Hilario” premieres in cinemas nationwide on December 3.

 Watch the full trailer below: 

 

Josh Groban Brings 'Gems World Tour' to Manila.

 JOSH GROBAN 

BRINGS ‘GEMS WORLD TOUR’ TO MANILA

CELEBRATING HIS BEST AND GREATEST RECORDINGS

Tony, EMMY and five-time GRAMMY Award-nominated singer-songwriter Josh Groban announces his newest tour ‘GEMS WORLD TOUR’ with a concert in MANILA on February 18, 2026 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Presented by Wilbros Live. Tickets go on-sale on November 22 Saturday, 11AM via SMTickets.com and SM Tickets outlets nationwide.

 

Josh Groban possesses one of the most outstanding and instantly recognizable voices in music. Moreover, he continues to captivate fans everywhere as both a powerhouse vocalist and dynamic renaissance man. He has sold over 35 million albums worldwide, headlined legendary venues on multiple continents, and has also entertained audiences with acclaimed film and television appearances. His catalog spans a series of chart-topping blockbuster albums, including Josh Groban (5x-platinum), Closer (6x-platinum), Noël (7x-platinum), Awake (2x-platinum), Illuminations, All That Echoes, Stages (his first UK #1 album), Bridges, and his most recent release, Harmony. Along the way, he has packed arenas throughout North America, Europe, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Asia.

 

Extending his repertoire, Groban made his Broadway debut in 2016 with a starring role in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812. He garnered a Tony® Award nomination for Best Lead Actor In A Musical. He has expanded his presence with appearances on Glee, The Simpsons, The Office, CSI: NY, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and The Crazy Ones as well as in the feature films Coffee Town, Muppets Most Wanted, and Crazy, Stupid, Love. In addition, he starred in the NETFLIX series The Good Cop in 2018. Groban maintains his position as the consummate American showman in 2022 and beyond. In 2022, he returned to the hallowed stage of Radio City Music Hall for his Great Big Radio City Show residency and launched a nation-wide live tour. Groban also starred in ABC’s special Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration as none other than the Beast in December 2022.

 

In the spring of 2023, Josh took to Broadway once again, performing in the highly anticipated revival of Sweeney Todd, playing the title role which earned him Tony and GRAMMY Nominations along with widespread acclaim. Deadline:‘Groban makes himself over into a full-blown, and fully developed, Broadway star…His Sweeney is by turns sympathetic and monstrous.’ The New York Times: “The “gorgeously sung” part is no surprise with Groban, whose quasi-operatic pop baritone perfectly encompasses the range of the role, and whose technique makes sure every word is bell clear. That some of the songs are thus even prettier than usual is all to the better.”

 

This year, Josh released an 18-track career-spanning collection of songs, titled Gems. He also took to the Las Vegas stage for a sold-out, exclusive five-night run at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace with its hits-focused production of the same name.

 

Josh recently announced Hidden Gems, a special collection that brings together ten of his fans’ most beloved and rare tracks - many of which have never been available on streaming platforms - along with one brand-new song. Over the years, Josh has released a wide array of deluxe editions, fan exclusives, and special international tracks. Now, these fan favorites have been carefully curated into a single collection that showcases the versatility of his musical journey. To herald the announcement, Josh shared his brand new song, “The Constant”, a stunning collaboration written by Josh and the acclaimed songwriting duo Pasek and Paul (The  Greatest Showman, La La Land). It's a beautiful addition to this collection of rare treasures, offering something fresh while honoring the songs fans have cherished for years.

 

He remains an active arts education philanthropist and advocate, and his Find Your Light Foundation helps enrich the lives of young people through arts, education, and cultural awareness.