Limelight

By Alvin I. Dacanay Actress and former beauty queen Alma Concepcion expressed anew her determination to fight for her 14-year-old son Richard “Cobie” Puno’s rights after lambasting her ex-partner Rodolfo “Dody” Puno, former executive director of the Department of Public Works and Highways’s Road Board and a member of the politically prominent Puno family, for failing to financially support their …

The biggest-selling instrumental artist of the modern era is recognized worldwide—particularly in China—for his smooth saxophone skills and trademark mop of curly hair. Sure, he’s long been a punchline for South Park and musical purists, but generally laughs off criticism with his own self-deprecating humor.

Louise Watt / The Associated Press Beijing—Asia will be tuning in to the Oscars and its glitz and glamour, even though the region’s films are missing from the shortlists.

Review by Lindsey Bahr / The Associated Press Curious? One of the posters for Fifty Shades of Grey coyly asks.

By Alvin I. Dacanay This month marks the 70th anniversary of one of World War II’s most brutal episodes: the Battle for Manila. In this conflict, which lasted from February 3 to March 3, 1945, United States forces shelled the Philippine capital to compel the remaining Japanese troops in the city to come out of hiding. They did, but at …

Derrik J. Lang / The Associated Press Los Angeles—It seems as though nothing can come between the Wachowskis. When the filmmaker-siblings are asked what incites the biggest spats between the duo best known for writing and directing The Matrix trilogy, Andy and Lana Wachowski provide a non-verbal response: The brother and sister sweetly clasp each other’s hands and tap their …

Review by Jake Coyle / The Associated Press Within the warped wardrobe of the Wachowskis latest sci-fi extravaganza, Jupiter Ascending, there are some fantastical feasts of intergalactic ridiculousness. Channing Tatum as a combination elf and speed skater. Space dinosaurs in leather jackets. A robed Eddie Redmayne as the universe’s overlord, who so gravely whispers his lines that you fear he …

Mesfin Fekadu and Nekesa Mumbi Moody / The Associated Press New York—Will Beyoncé reign as queen of the Grammys, or will the pop diva be dethroned by newcomer Sam Smith?

Few Filipino albums capture the disorienting intensity of heartache as compellingly as Songs to Slash Your Wrist By (MunkeyMusic), composer/lyricist/musical director/actor/playwright Vincent de Jesus’s terrific, if underheralded, collection of 11 songs written over a 24-year period that were sung by some of the most talented vocalists in the Philippine music industry today.

By Alvin I. Dacanay This February, several local performing-arts companies will present their final productions for the 2014–2015 season. By many accounts, this season has been a strong one that featured entertaining, yet thought-provoking works and improved ticket sales, despite the government’s continued neglect of artists, performing and otherwise. If the productions set to open this month are any indication, …