All posts tagged: featured

Eugene Domingo in Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 4 Live sa Cheter!

What We Flush Out: Notes from Septic Tank 4, Now That the Run Is Sold Out

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Before the curtain even went up, there was a wall. Sticky notes, three colors, stacked over each other until the board underneath disappeared. The question at the top, in block letters: “Anong gusto mong i-flush sa bayang ito?” What do you want to flush out of this country? People had written names. Robin Padilla. Sara Duterte. Ramon Ang. Alan Peter Cayetano. Si Bato. A few feet away, a second wall — softer, messier, more personal — asked people to spill the real shit instead: “Self Love Stage.” “Ang malimutan siya =).” “Quarter Life Crisis T_T.” One wall wanted a country cleaned out. The other just wanted somebody to survive their twenties. Standing between the two, it was hard not to think: this is either going to be very smart or very tired. Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sht! It’s Live sa Cheter!* is PETA’s stage leap for a franchise that’s spent fifteen years being a mirror to Philippine media — first to indie filmmaking, then to reinvention culture, and now, finally, to the …

Cubao Expo, Metro Manila, Philippines

Cubao: Where the Philippines Meets Itself

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There’s an old saying that as long as you can find your way to Cubao, you’ll never truly be lost in the Philippines. Everyone, it seems, passes through here eventually. Fold a map of the country in half, and the crease lands almost exactly on this stretch of Quezon City. The Machine at the Center Cubao isn’t just a junction where two train lines cross. It’s the country’s clearing house — a place where buses from the Cordillera mountains idle beside long-haul liners from the south, while jeepneys from the eastern valleys pour their passengers straight into the diesel-thick air of the highway. Nobody really stays in Cubao. Everyone is passing through, moving fast, trying to avoid getting stuck. The whole district runs on an economy of speed: how quickly you can tap a transit card, how efficiently you can wedge yourself onto a crowded platform. It’s a system built to move millions of bodies a day — and it was never designed with anyone’s individual comfort in mind. A Reputation Earned the Hard Way …

The 8 MMFF 2025 Films You Should Know This Year

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For the first time in two or three years, we’re finally back to watching the Metro Manila Film Festival the way we used to. No shortcuts, no half-attending, no “maybe next year.” Just the familiar excitement of stepping into a cinema on a December night, lining up with families and barkadas, and immersing ourselves in Filipino stories during the holidays. And honestly—wala, ang sarap lang sa feeling. We missed this festival more than we realized. This year, MMFF welcomes us back with a lineup that feels different—not just bigger, but braver and more varied. ⸻ WHY THIS YEAR’S MMFF FEELS DIFFERENT If you’ve followed the festival over the years, you’ll notice right away: MMFF 2025 doesn’t look like the typical holiday lineup. This year feels like a reset. A recalibration. Maybe even a quiet revolution. Here’s why: 1. The Variety is Surprisingly Strong A queer parenthood comedy-drama, a representation-led film starring actors with Down syndrome, a 1969 period thriller, a future-set horror anthology, a legal drama about annulment, a Gen Z romance, and a decade-later …

babae sa septic tank

Eugene Domingo Returns in Septic Tank 4 Live at PETA Theater

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Eugene Domingo returns as… Eugene Domingo, in the franchise’s boldest leap yet. The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is shaking up its own stage—literally and figuratively—as it announces the newest, wildest chapter in the beloved “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank” universe. After conquering cinemas and streaming, the cult-classic satire is finally jumping into the world of live theater. Mark your calendars: from June 19 to August 16, 2026, the PETA Theater Center will be home to a production as messy, meta, and magnificently Filipino as the franchise itself. This fourth installment, cheekily titled “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4: Oh Sh*t! It’s Live Sa Cheter!”, brings the franchise to an entirely new medium—one where anything can happen, and with PETA at the helm, it probably will. In true Septic Tank fashion, the show doesn’t just pull back the curtain; it shreds it. Expect a sharp, riotous commentary on the world of Philippine theater-making—its egos, its ambitions, its impossible dreams, and the everyday chaos that somehow, magically, still leads to opening night. PETA’s official synopsis leans …

Nachos at Cebu Pacific in-flight

Cebu Pacific Unveils a Tastier In-Flight Menu

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If you’ve flown Cebu Pacific recently, you’ve probably noticed how the experience has slowly been leveling up—not just with better punctuality, but now with tastier options on board. And starting December 1, the airline is giving travelers even more to look forward to with a refreshed, expanded CEB Fun Café menu. No pre-ordering. No fuss. Just order when you’re up in the air. Fresh Drinks You’d Actually Want Mid-Flight What caught my eye first? The new lineup of cold drinks—yes, freshly prepared in-flight. Cebu Pacific now offers: • Iced Black Coffee • Milk Tea with Jelly • Iced Hibiscus Lychee with Mango Popping Boba And the best part: prices start at ₱80. For a budget carrier, that’s surprisingly friendly. Perfect for waking up before landing or keeping you company on those longer hops. New Snacks & Breads for Quick Cravings They also added more snack options—great for those flights when you skipped breakfast or got stuck in airport lines. • Nachos with Salsa Dip • Cheesy Garlic Brioche • Tuna Asado Pull-Apart • Pan de …

Lola Helen Panciteria in Marikina

Lola Helen’s Panciteria: Marikina’s Humble Heart in the Michelin Guide Philippines

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There are restaurants that dazzle with spectacle — and then there are restaurants that warm you with familiarity. Lola Helen’s Panciteria in Marikina belongs to the second kind: the quiet, comforting kind. The kind that feels like stepping into a memory you didn’t even know you missed. For 25 years, this unassuming eatery has served classic Filipino-Chinese stir-fried noodles to loyal locals who know exactly what they’re coming for: honest food, generous portions, and flavors that feel like home. In 2025, that warmth and sincerity earned Lola Helen’s a place in the Michelin Guide Philippines, proving once again that culinary excellence can be found far from the glitz of fine dining. Sometimes, it lives in the steady hands of a cook tossing noodles in a battered wok, and in the simple joy of a steaming plate placed before you. ⸻ A Pancit Story Rooted in Tradition Pancit is more than a dish in the Philippines — it’s a cultural motif. We eat it during birthdays, family milestones, town fiestas, and even on the most ordinary …

Miss International 2025 Winners Colombia, Philippines

Miss International 2025 is Colombia; PH’ Bet Myrna Esguerra Places 4th RU

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The Miss International stage has a new queen, and her name is Catalina Duque of Colombia. In a night filled with elegance, emotion, and cultural pride, Duque emerged victorious among dozens of global candidates, taking home the crown and solidifying Colombia’s status as a pageant powerhouse. The evening concluded with a strong and diverse final lineup representing four continents — Africa, Asia, and the Americas — each carrying impactful advocacies and memorable performances. Miss International 2025 Official Results Miss International 2025 is Catalina Duque of Colombia Colombia’s Catalina Duque captivated the judges with her polished communication skills, timeless beauty, and advocacy on cultural identity and environmental consciousness. Her final speech emphasized unity and purpose — a standout moment that sealed her win. First Runner-Up is Yollanda Chimbarami — Zimbabwe The Zimbabwean representative delivered one of the most heartfelt closing statements of the night. Her advocacy on youth empowerment and inclusive education resonated worldwide, marking the highest placement for Zimbabwe in Miss International history. Second Runner-Up Paola Guzman — Bolivia Bolivia’s Paola Guzman impressed with her …

Miss Universe 2025 Top 5 Winners

Miss Universe 2025 — when beauty, scandal, and mistrust collide

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The coronation of Fátima Bosch of Mexico as Miss Universe 2025 in Bangkok was supposed to be a night of celebration. Instead, it became the centre of a firestorm — judge resignations, allegations of manipulation, online wars between fandoms, and criminal investigations swirling around the organisation’s top leadership. By the next morning, the question wasn’t “Who won?” — it was “Can Miss Universe still be trusted?” The allegations: rigged, manipulated, and mishandled Fans worldwide have been unusually unified in one sentiment: “Something didn’t feel right.” Among the biggest reasons: • Judges resigning before the finale, with at least one cryptically hinting at process issues. • On-stage and backstage altercations circulating on social media. • Delegation walkouts and complaints about inconsistent treatment. • Leadership miscommunication, livestream rants, and contradictory official statements. These were not small hiccups — they were structural cracks. And they pointed to one name repeatedly: Raul Rocha. Raul Rocha: the controversy magnet at the centre of it all Even before the coronation, Raul Rocha, co-owner and president of the Miss Universe Organization, was …

Where to Dance in Taguig: Imperial Dance Studio Opens at Venice Grand Canal Mall

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If you’re looking for unique things to do in Taguig, there’s a new creative spot right above the iconic gondolas of Venice Grand Canal Mall. Located on the second level of the San Marco Wing, Imperial Dance Studio is the newest addition to McKinley Hill’s growing creative community. This 100-square-meter dance hall first opened on October 15 and officially held its grand opening on November 22, complete with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. ⸻ Who’s Behind Imperial Dance Studio? The studio is led by Milai Imperials, a former member of the UP Filipiniana Dance Group in Diliman and Douglas Nierras Powerdance, one of the country’s most respected contemporary dance companies. She later performed professionally at Hong Kong Disneyland. Her husband, Franz Gerald Imperial, is a theater actor and international performer who also performed at Disneyland Singapore. Together, they bring decades of performance experience into McKinley Hill’s newest creative space. ⸻ What Classes Do They Offer? Imperial Dance Studio offers one of the most multi-disciplinary programs in Taguig. Their lineup includes: • Jazz • K-pop • Ballet • …

Anino sa Likod ng Buwan

Uncomfortably Brilliant: Why ‘Anino sa Likod ng Buwan’ Still Matters

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ON A QUIET Saturday night — I found myself entering a different kind of space. The air felt still, the audience hushed, and as the lights dimmed, it was as if the outside world dissolved. I was about to experience Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan, the award-winning one-act play written by Jun Robles Lana, first recognized in the 1993 Bulwagang Gantimpala Playwriting Competition. ANINO is an adaptation of the Cinemalaya film of the same title. I’m more than glad to have been able to catch tonight’s show, it’s closing show. This staging, directed with restraint and surgical emotional precision by Tuxqs Rutaquio, featured a cast configuration I now consider unforgettable: Edward Benosa as Joel, Ross Pesigan as Nardo, and Elora Españo as Emma. I didn’t just enjoy this trio — I adored them. Their rhythm, tension, and emotional shifts felt instinctive and lived-in. Nothing felt performed. Everything felt dangerously real. This isn’t the kind of cast you watch — it’s the kind that pulls you into their unraveling. The story takes place in a tight, …