Miss Philippines Earth 2025's Silver Lining for Its 25th Anniversary

2025 marks another eventful milestone for Miss Philippines Earth as it celebrates its Silver Anniversary!

Looking back throughout the years, Miss Philippines Earth (MPE) has unwaveringly promoted environmental awareness through on-ground events captured on social media and various media channels for its diverse audience.

Since its inception, MPE publicizes tree and mangrove planting, clean up drives, inspiring young learners through school visits, advocating the value of Flora and Fauna and the importance of preserving our heritage, counteracting climate change and most especially, promoting eco-tourism of the Philippines.

“Eventually, Miss Philippines Earth became one of the leading trend setters for environmental awareness, sustainable living and eco-tourism boosters. Our “Beauties for a Cause” take pride in who they are and what they can do for their country through the MPE platform.” Added Lorraine E. Schuck, Co-Founder of MPE and Executive Vice President of Carousel Productions Inc.

Miss Philippines Earth underwent various challenges throughout the years, especially during the Pandemic. Yet, despite the trials and tribulations of the pageant industry Miss Philippines Earth continued to set the pace as it evolved and revolutionized the pageant industry as we know it today.

The resilience of Miss Philippines Earth which has proven the strength of its cause amidst environmental and worldly conflict is the silver lining of its legacy. And thus, for its 25th Anniversary, it is only fitting that Miss Philippines Earth takes on the theme of HOPE and presents, “The Silver Lining” on its 25th, ever shining brightly for the world to see.

The Silver Anniversary milestone celebration and Coronation will be taking place on August 10, 2025, and will be streamed on MPE Facebook and You tube and Kapamilya channels

Lee Jae Wook Returns To Manila For 2025 Asia Fan Meeting Tour pro'log'

Announcement -- Korean actor Lee Jae Wook is making his much-awaited return to the Philippines for his 2025 LEE JAE WOOK ASIA FAN MEETING TOUR pro'log' in Manila! Set to take place on September 20 (Saturday) 6PM at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Presented by Wilbros Live.   

 

This marks the Korean actor's second time in Manila, after his sold-out 2023 fan meeting, where he won over hearts with his genuine charm and sweet interactions with fans. Lee Jae Wook has quickly made a name for himself as one of the most exciting young actors in South Korea today. Whether he’s playing a romantic lead or taking on a role that’s more emotional and intense, he always manages to draw viewers in. Fans in Manila can expect to see the actor behind some of K-drama’s biggest hits, including Alchemy of Souls, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol, Extraordinary You, and Memories of the Alhambra—all of which show his versatile acting range.  

 

Lee first caught viewers’ attention in Memories of the Alhambra, where he shared the screen with veteran actors Hyun Bin and Park Shin-hye. Since then, he’s steadily made a mark with both lead and supporting roles. Earlier this year, he took on a more challenging role in the Netflix drama Dear Hongrang, playing a mysterious figure who shows up claiming to be the long-lost son of a wealthy family. He’s also set to star in the upcoming drama Last Summer, which fans are already looking forward to.  Outside of acting, Lee is currently showing a lighter, more playful side on tvN’s variety show Fresh off the Sea 2, where he’s charming viewers as the lovable youngest cast member. 

 

Following a successful kickoff to his Asia Fan Meeting Tour in Japan, Lee Jae Wook shared, “Thanks to the fans, I created precious memories and received a lot of positive energy that strengthens me as an actor.”  

 

With Manila as his next stop, he is set to bring that same warmth and passion to the stage. Don't miss an unforgettable night with Lee Jae Wook! Tickets go on-sale on July 26 Saturday 12PM via SMTickets.com and SM Tickets outlets nationwide. Follow Wilbros Live on FB, X (Twitter), Instagram and TikTok for more information and the latest updates.  

REVIEW : "BEYOND 75" (A GMA 7 75TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL)

Review by RMS

SCORE: 4 OUT OF 5 STARS

This may be a couple of days late, but as the saying goes - "It is better to be late than never ". That, of commending, raving, and praising a job well done to all those people involved in the creative process of putting -up such a grandeur of a TV special /tribute to GMA 7's seventy five long years of network excellence.

All the KAPUSO stars (the contract artists of gma 7) were there and they were all like stars in the night skies sparkling like diamonds. The musical numbers were original and spectacular, something so new to see and the production numbers were greatly choreographed and performed so well by the great stars who can all sing, dance, and host.

The most memorable production number for us is the dancing duo number of Alden Richards and Michael V. They are both great dancers, and even though Michael V. is already old, his dancing skills never faded (Michael V. started it out as a dancer of OctoArts recording company). And to add, the concept of their dance number is a "dance duel" with action stunts and all.

The introduction of this TV special is also among those which we liked most. A child actor was watching TV and channel 7 was his favorite channel. He grew up well because of the good values imparted by the TV station. This intro number was executed so perfectly.

The event as seen on this TV special was very "Hollywoodish", as glamour, poise, and fabulous evening gowns and men's tuxedos were seen everywhere, as worn by the stars. So exciting to look at.
A very stylish and collaborative TV special - that is, BEYOND 75.

We could feel, another 75 years of network excellence is waiting for this TV network channel.

FOREVER.

 

A Lost Love Story Returns: Japanese Silent Film Screening at UPFI Cine Adarna + A Chance to Win JFM Limited Edition Merch

 A love story nearly erased. A voice that brings it back to life.

The International Silent Film Festival Manila continues its celebration of cinema history and live performance with a special screening of The Scent of Pheasant’s Eye: An Episode from the Tales of Flowers, directed by Jirô Kawate. This rare 1930s Japanese silent film is adapted from the work of Yoshiya Nobuko—one of Japan’s earliest openly queer women writers and a trailblazer of shōjo and yuri literature. In a time when stories of women loving women were rarely told, Yoshiya wrote them into existence, offering narratives that still feel quietly revolutionary.

This revival is told in the tradition of how silent films once were—through the voice of a benshi. Nanako Yamauchi, one of only around 20 active benshi remaining in Japan, will perform a live narration that blends storytelling, performance, and emotion, bringing this nearly forgotten film vividly to life.

Accompanying her is a live original score by an all-female ensemble: Mariah Reodica, Teresa Barrozo, and Pat Sarabia. Together, they weave indie rock, experimental sound, and bold percussion into a contemporary reimagining of Yoshiya’s world.

Attend the screening and get a chance to take home limited edition Japan Foundation Manila merchandise, including:

• JFF & JF Tote Bags
• SUKI: The Official Magazine of JFM
• JFF Postcards
• Japanese Film Festival Theater Fans

First come, first served. One item per person while supplies last.

This isn’t just a screening—it’s a reclamation. A revival. A tribute to queer storytelling and women’s voices, past and present.

July 14, 2025 | 2:00 PM | Cine Adarna, UP Film Center

Free admission | Walk-ins welcome | Register here: https://bit.ly/JapaneseSilentFilmScreening

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For more information and updates:

Visit the International Silent Film Festival Manila on Facebook and Instagram.

International Silent Film Festival Manila 2025 Officially Kicks Off at Shangri-La Plaza

The International Silent Film Festival Manila (ISFFM) 2025 officially kicked off on June 17, 2025,

at Shangri-La Plaza, warmly welcomed by members of the press and media. After years of

pause and reflection, the festival returns with renewed energy and purpose, bringing together

cultural institutions, musicians, and film lovers in a celebration of cinema, music, and

international collaboration.

Mr. Johnny Rios, Retail Operations Head of Shangri-La Plaza Corporation, also graced the

event and offered his warm welcome to the partners and media in attendance. He expressed

the mall’s excitement in supporting ISFFM as one of their special cultural collaborations with

participating countries, envisioning Shangri-La Plaza as a space for world cinema to thrive and

be experienced by wider audiences.

This year’s festival embraces the exclamation point as its central symbol—a mark of excitement,

urgency, and joyful noise. In the spirit of silent film, where expression is everything and every

gesture is heightened, the exclamation point becomes a fitting emblem for a festival that seeks

to amplify its voice in silence. It signals a bold return, a shared declaration: we're back.

The 2025 edition reassembles its international community, reconnecting participating countries

and introducing new voices, with an eye toward growth and reinvention. This is not just a return,

but a reimagining of what the festival can be. Once again, ISFFM affirms its role as a platform

for cultural dialogue, artistic experimentation, and cinematic exploration.

This year’s edition features new partnerships with Instituto Cervantes, the Philippine Italian

Association, Japan Foundation Manila, the Austrian Embassy, and the Goethe-Institut

Philippinen. Their curated films include Gigantes y Cabezudos (Spain), The Scent of Pheasant’s

Eye (Japan), Wie Sich Der Kientopp Rächt, Aschenputtel, and Geschichten von Freiheit und

Freundschaft (Germany), Beethoven (Austria), and Fra Diavolo (Italy)—a rich tapestry of stories

from across cultures and eras.

These films will be accompanied by live musical scores from a compelling lineup of Filipino

musicians. Featured performers include the genre-bending Psychic Surgeon, Pepe Manikan’s

Progharmonic Orchestra, Hearlife Verein, the experimental duo Ma.Ma, and the all-female trio of

Teresa Barrozo, Pat Sarabia, and Mariah Reodica — each bringing their distinct sound to this

celebration of silent cinema.

Opening the festival on July 11 is Japan’s featured film, accompanied by a special performance

from Nanako Yamauchi, a benshi or silent film narrator. Yamauchi will provide a live

interpretation of the Japanese silent film, reviving the traditional art of benshi narration and

offering audiences a rare and immersive cultural experience.

The festival runs from July 11 to 13 at Red Carpet Cinemas, Shangri-La Plaza, with a pocket

screening event taking place on July 14 at Cine Adarna, UP Film Center.

ISFFM 2025 promises not only a revival of the beloved silent film tradition but a fresh encounter

with its enduring power. The excitement is palpable—and this year, it ends not with a period, but

with an exclamation point.

For more details kindly visit International Silent Film Festival in Manila on Facebook

(https://www.facebook.com/InternationalSilentFilmFestivalManila) and @ISFFM on Instagram.

Choi Bo Min Shines at the Beauty Empire Grand Media Con

The Beauty Empire Grand Media Con last June 17 was a star-studded affair. Apart from its stars Barbie Forteza, Kyline Alcantara, and Sam Concepcion, Korean star Choi Bo Min also attended the event.

Dressed to impress, Bomin looked dashing in a suit designed by the renowned Filipino fashion designer, Francis Libiran. His stylish ensemble perfectly complemented his charismatic presence, capturing the attention of fans and media alike.

Beauty Empire, which tells the story of the cutthroat beauty industry, is currently streaming on Viu and is set to premiere on GMA Prime on July 7. The series is getting a lot of attention, particularly after the release of its second episode, which showcased the undeniable chemistry of its stars. The on-screen interactions of Bo Min with Barbie and Kyline have been a focal point for viewers, drawing parallels to their playful TikTok collaborations that have taken social media by storm. One example of this is the viral TikTok of Bo Min and Barbie dancing “Me Jalo” inside a set that looks like a train, which has generated millions of views.

For more kilig moments and undeniable chemistry, catch Bo Min, Barbie, and Kyline in Beauty Empire, now airing on Viu and premiering on GMA starting July 7.

A REVIEW OF THE NETFLIX FILM 'STRAW'

 Written by RMS

Rating: 5/5 stars

Excellent. Five thumbs up. Truly wonderful. This Netflix film is the film that we've been waiting for all our life. A kind of film that will haunt you, stab your heart, and feel anew the goodness of the human heart - alongside with the kindness of strangers.
Though the female lead actress of this film, a black woman whose love for her daughter had reached the echoes of heaven - suffered so many hardships, and bad lucks, and wrong judgements- with the concern and care of other human beings, she could have died and shot carelessly by the sniper bullets of the policemen and NBI agents, whom all thought that she was a bank robber and the experimented toy (made by her daughter) she was carrying was a bomb.

Yeah, the kindness of some total strangers could save lives. Thanks God, there were two black women like herwho could feel and understand her. One, the bank manager who stood for her and chose to be beside her until the end, and second, the policewoman who communicated with her and fought hard for her to be understood. And with that, people who watched via the FB LIVE of a hidden cp of a bank teller, knew what really happened to her. People flocked to the bank and rallied for her LIFE.

A highly -dramatic and suspenseful film with many twists and turns, surprises overload and unexpected events, STRAW, the film could be just another Netflix film, but this one has a PURE HEART.

That, amidst the evilness, corporate ways, selfish policies and rules of banks and other business establishments, harsh landlords, and road rages -, ... a few living angels and ordinary real-life heroes will still keep-up with your faith for HUMANITY and its undying spirit.

With edgy and profound Cinematography, crisp Sound, perfect lighting and artistic Production Design - and wow, a very awesome and great direction of the film's director and the whole cast's perfect acting showcase...

STRAW IS THE KIND OF FILM

THAT WILL LAST

FOREVER.