by Boy Villasanta One of the most awaited annual film festivals in the country is on. Officially, the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival will start on December 19 when the Parade of Stars included in the eight official lineup kicks off at the Makati City grounds organized and sponsored by the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Makati. Unofficially, though, the …
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In this day and age of the pollution, hustle and bustle, confusion etc. in the city, country living is one option to consider for pros, celebrities, retirees, Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) and other investors in serenity and placidity of the body and the soul. They see the idyllic setting of a rural place as an ideal haven to breathe life …
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After a long hiatus in music recording, Asia’s Sentimental Songstress Imelda Papin is back on track. Imelda, amid her busy schedule as a concert artist and one of the Directors of the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO), is able to wax the song “Pilipino Tayp,” a patriotic anthem designed to unite the Filipinos in diversity despite adversity. (Boy Villasanta)
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Indie actress Cataleya Surio is indeed resourceful. When times get rough and movie assignments are scarce, Cataleya resorts to selling items practical to all and sundry. One of them is vending Spanish sardines. Yes, Surio doesn’t mind convincing showbiz denizens to buy her stuff. Aside from bottled sardines, Cat helps Banana Sisters market its various types of socks. Aside from …
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President Marcos has appointed veteran journalist and Market Monitor Lifestyle Editor Nestor Cuartero as member of the board of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), effective immediately. Cuartero, who joined the weekly business newspaper TMM last year, will join Maria Rosario Fabregas, and Maria Cecilia Villarosa as the newest members of the MTRCB, headed by …
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THE Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) has rated and classified nearly 160,000 materials from January to November 2025. Of this total, 116,634 were television programs, 39,784 TV plugs and trailers, 1,617 publicity and optical media materials, 1,226 movie trailers and 647 films, both local and foreign. These figures reflect the MTRCB’s proactive role in upholding its mandate …
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The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) proudly announces the newest—and wildest—addition to the iconic “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank” universe. After two blockbuster films and one hit series, the franchise is finally leaping from screen to stage with its live theatrical installment, from June 19 to August 16, 2026, at the PETA Theater Center. Bringing the beloved satire to an entirely new medium, PETA’s “Ang Babae Sa Septic …
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The Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association (PIATA) and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Philippines Chapter announce their first-ever collaborative fundraising concert, ERA: Healing Hearts, a landmark initiative dedicated to supporting survivors of recent calamities in Cebu. The concert will take place on December 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM at RJ Dusit Thani, featuring Ms. Lou Bonnevie alongside a lineup of celebrated artists. …
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by Boy Villasanta Filipina actress Carmi Martin confessed before thousands of people gathered at the Rizal Park during the recent Baha sa Luneta protest action—against corruption in government—that it was her baptism of fire joining a street march. ”Yes, virgin pa po ako sa mga rally, (It’s my first time, I am still new in this business called) rally,” confessed Carmi. The …
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It’s business as usual between ABS-CBN Broadcasting Corporation and TV5. The Manny V. Pangilinan empire is demanding unpaid dues from the Lopez conglomerates. They are debts incurred during the showing of some ABS-CBN shows in TV5. Socio-culturally, though, there are many ways to skin the cat. Filipinos are known for “pakikisama” and this might work to solve the problem. …
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The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business