ELYSPLANET

John Eriq Bonifacio Wins Mister Cosmopolitan 2026 — the Philippines’ First Title in the Pageant’s History

by Ely Valendez

John Bonifacio becomes the first Filipino to win Mister Cosmopolitan — a crown he dedicated to his father, who passed away three months before the competition.

September 12, 2026

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Pageants

Alden Richards Finally Answered the Question GGV’s Comeback Episode Was Built to Ask.

Vice Ganda’s late-night talk show spent its entire pre-launch campaign promising something it hadn’t had to prove in six years off air: an unscripted hour with a guest who...

Sports

Alex Eala Is Skipping a Mandatory WTA 1000 for the Philippines. The WTA Hasn’t Decided If She’ll Pay for It.

Alex Eala skipped a mandatory WTA 1000 to play the Asian Games for the Philippines. Indonesia's Janice Tjen made the same request and was denied — the WTA hasn't...

Films

National Cinema Day Packed the Seats. The ₱330 Question Comes Next.

Philippine National Cinema Day packed cinemas nationwide at ₱100, timed to the 107th anniversary of the first Filipino feature film. What a full house proves — and doesn't.

Films

Filipiñana Is the Philippines’ Oscar Pick — and It’s Not the Only Filipino-Language Film in the Race

The Philippines has its official entry for the 99th Academy Awards, and it’s the film that closed Cinemalaya three weeks ago. Rafael Manuel’s Filipiñana was named the Philippines’ submission...

Events

Austin Dizon Cabatana and Vienne Luna Are Century Tuna’s New Superbods. Twenty Years In, the Night Still Found New Records to Set.

The wait that our men’s and women’s preview pieces flagged ended Friday, September 11, at Solaire Resort North. Century Tuna crowned Austin Dizon Cabatana and Vienne Luna as its...

September 14, 2026

From Spain to Stories That Inspire, Jesus Guinto Built His Way to Mister Glam...

Jesus “Jessie” Guinto is heading into Mister Glam International this December with something he didn’t have the last time...

by Ely Valendez

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September 14, 2026

Mikay Bautista Fell on Stage. She’s Queen Universe Philippines Anyway.

Something happened on stage at the Mactan Expo Center in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu, during the September 13 finale of...

by Ely Valendez

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September 13, 2026

Meet John Wayne Alba, the Philippines’ Bet to Go Back-to-Back at Mister...

John Wayne Alba has his sash. Mister Pilipinas Worldwide confirmed today that Alba formally received the Philippine sash at...

by Ely Valendez

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September 13, 2026

Miss World Philippines Says Only Three Vietnamese Judges Sat on the Panel. Fans Are...

Miss World Philippines has issued a clarificatory statement on September 12 addressing accusations of judging bias at the Miss...

by Ely Valendez

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Alex Eala Landed on the Front Page of the New York Times. Then She Sat Front Row at NYFW for Tory Burch.

Published by Ely Valendez

A New York Times front page, a CBS Mornings sit-down, and three NYFW front rows — Alex Eala's New York had nothing to do with tennis.

September 11, 2026

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Lifestyle

Nicole Asensio Finally Lets You Hear the Songs She Never Finished

Published by Ely Valendez

Nicole Asensio has spent two decades being introduced by other people’s expectations. She fronted the all-girl rock band General Luna before launching a solo career and releasing her debut...

September 10, 2026

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Music & Arts

Drew Arellano Built a Wall Around His Kids’ Endorsement Money — and a Rental Villa on the Side

Published by Ely Valendez

Drew Arellano invests his kids' endorsements, insures his family, and runs a rental villa in Rizal. Inside the Arellano family's real money moves.

September 9, 2026

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Finance

Beyond the Love Team: How Donny Pangilinan Is Structuring His Fame

Published by Ely Valendez

Donny Pangilinan cut prices at his family's gas station and quietly gave ₱300,000 to strangers on live TV. An inside look at how financial structure lets one actor make...

September 8, 2026

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Finance

Cebu Pacific Is Raising Its Hand-Carry Limit to 10kg — And Filipino Travelers Have Been Waiting Years for This

Published by Ely Valendez

Cebu Pacific's hand-carry limit jumps from 7kg to 10kg on September 15 — after years of viral gate-side frustration, and pulling ahead of PAL and AirAsia on the one...

September 12, 2026

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Travel

Venice Grand Canal Is Manila’s Escape That Doesn’t Need a Passport

Published by Ely Valendez

Venice Grand Canal in McKinley Hill gets loud on weekends. On a quiet weekday evening, it's something closer to what it's actually selling: an escape that doesn't need a...

August 22, 2026

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Travel

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