AGP Executive Report

Podcast Backlash: “Machong Chismisan” hosts apologized after mocking Kris Aquino’s son Josh, drawing condemnation from disability advocates and lawmakers. The network terminated the podcast, and the NBI plans to subpoena its hosts. Filipino Music: Ben&Ben, Maymay Entrata and other local acts are in the 2027 Grammy race, while BINI and SB19 have begun their nomination campaigns. A new story on BINI and Taiwanese boy band F4 also spotlights pop music’s power to connect Filipino and Taiwanese fans. Film: The Metro Manila Film Festival named its final four entries, completing its 2026 lineup; three Cinemalaya films also took top honors at the 49th Gawad Urian. Theater: Joanna Ampil will star as Norma Desmond in the Philippine premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard, set for August 2027.

Entertainment: Kris Aquino says she won’t engage in a public feud after a podcast mocked her son Josh, who is autistic; the hosts apologized, while agencies and lawmakers condemned the remarks. Film: Three Cinemalaya films scored major wins at the 49th Gawad Urian, and the Metro Manila Film Festival announced its final four entries. Filipino horror film Anak ng Dilim is also drawing attention, while Status: Rejected is set to compete at Tallinn’s Black Nights festival. Music: Ben&Ben, BINI, SB19, Maymay Entrata and other Filipino artists are eyeing 2027 Grammy nominations. M2M announced a Philippine return in April 2027, and Charlie Puth played Manila after a decade away. Stage & screen: Twelve plays and musicals made the shortlist for the first Puregold Teatro Panalo festival, including a John Lapus play. Elha Nympha is preparing for her stage debut, Bailey May is returning to showbiz, and Vilma Santos is open to reuniting with Edgar Mortiz on film.

Live Music: Charlie Puth returned to Manila after a decade, revisiting familiar hits for Filipino fans. M2M is also set to return in April 2027. Film: Filipino horror title Anak ng Dilim is catching attention, while this year’s MMFF lineup is complete with eight films. Theater: Twelve plays and musicals made the cut for the inaugural Puregold Teatro Panalo festival, including a play by John Lapus. Filipino Talent: Lea Salonga is preparing for Hawaii Symphony Orchestra performances and a role in DreamWorks’ Forgotten Island. Arts & Culture: Cebu’s Migrant Indie Art Festival is championing artistic independence.

Entertainment: Comedian and actor Arnell Tamayo, known for “Okay Ka, Fairy Ko!” and “Maria Leonora Teresa,” has died at 61. Digital Culture: The NCDA condemned a podcast’s mockery of Kris Aquino’s autistic son, Josh; the network has since terminated the show. Music: Ben’s “Leaves (Reimagined)” is up for 2027 Grammy consideration, while BINI and SB19 have begun their nomination campaigns. Film & Theater: Filipino horror film “Anak ng Dilim” is drawing attention, “Pee Mak” gets a Pinoy adaptation, and 12 plays and musicals have made the cut for a new theater festival. Pageantry: Josiela Mae Lagrimas of Northern Samar won Mutya ng Pilipinas-Intercontinental and will seek the country’s third title.

Film: WilBea are taking on the challenge of bringing Thai hit Pee Mak to Philippine cinemas. The MMFF has completed its Magic 8, including films starring Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino, and Ruru Madrid and Zaijian Jaranilla. Indie Cinema: Filipino projects drew attention at Busan, with A Chronicle of Minor Things and Goldfish among the Asian Project Market award winners; a new Philippine-Italian alliance is also seeking international buyers for local independent films. Music: SB19 and BINI are campaigning for 2027 Grammy nominations and welcoming the Grammys’ new Asian Pop category. Janine Berdin also celebrated her first solo concert, sharing the stage with OPM icons. Visual Arts: Eight artists explore space and transition in Cebu’s Unbound Horizons exhibit.

Grammy Campaign: BINI and SB19 have submitted entries for consideration at the 2027 Grammys, treating the awards as a chance to open more doors for Filipino pop. MMFF Spotlight: The 2026 festival’s Magic 8 is complete, with Kim Chiu celebrating her film “A Perfect Marriage” making the lineup; Dolly de Leon has also shared how her grandmothers inspired her role in “Forgotten Island.” Busan Bound: Filipino films are bringing local stories to the Busan festival, while “Goldfish” and “A Chronicle of Minor Things” lead the Asian Project Market winners. Onstage: Janine Berdin turned a long-held dream into her first solo concert, and Ebe Dancel, Urbandub and Itchyworms are set to play a benefit gig for Echo Singson.

Live Music: Ebe Dancel, Urbandub and Itchyworms are set to play a benefit gig for Echo Singson. BINI and SB19 have also begun campaigns for 2027 Grammy nominations, while both acts were named among this year’s Dangal ng Musikang Pilipino honorees. Film: The MMFF’s Magic 8 is complete, with a Kim Chiu–Paulo Avelino drama among the selections. At Busan’s Asian Project Market, ‘Goldfish’ and ‘A Chronicle of Minor Things’ led the winners. Arts: A new campaign is introducing a younger generation to painter Nena Saguil’s legacy. TV and Streaming: ABS-CBN and TV5 are teaming up to produce ‘ASAP XP,’ while a new Apple TV 4K is coming to the Philippines.

P-pop Goes Global: BINI and SB19 have submitted songs for 2027 Grammy consideration, including entries in the new Best Asian Pop Performance category; BINI is also seeking Best New Artist. MMFF 2026: Films starring Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino, Ruru Madrid, and Zaijian Jaranilla complete this year’s Magic 8 lineup. TV & Music: ABS-CBN and TV5 will co-produce “ASAP XP,” while TV5’s new slate includes a Marvin-Jolina reunion show. Film Scene: Cebuano short “Gasolina” earned four FAMAS nominations, and the Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Fest will screen 55 films. “Once Upon a Time in the Philippines” is also drawing attention at Busan. Solo Spotlight: Janine Berdin has held her first major solo concert.

MMFF Lineup: Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino’s A Perfect Marriage completes the 2026 Metro Manila Film Festival’s Magic 8, alongside new entries starring Ruru Madrid and Zaijian Jaranilla. The festival opens on Dec. 25. Film Festivals: Ngilngig Asian Fantastic Film Fest will screen 55 short and feature-length films, while Cebu short Gasolina earned four FAMAS nominations. Industry Honors: Jericho, Carlo, Maris and Odette were named among the big winners at the 49th Gawad Urian. Veteran actress Erlinda Villalobos has died at 84. Music: Janine Berdin has staged her first major solo concert, and Ben&Ben reflected on nine years together as a member announced their departure.

Television: ABS-CBN and TV5 are joining forces on musical variety show ASAP XP. Film: Cebuano short Gasolina scored four FAMAS nominations, while Jericho, Carlo, Maris and Odette emerged as top winners at the 49th Gawad Urian. Comedy: Malupiton is set to lead a film and hopes to revive the classic comedy style of Dolphy and Babalu. Entertainment Industry: Voice artist Inka Magnaye criticized a major brand for choosing AI over her mother’s voice talent. Pageantry: Gabrielle Galapia placed third runner-up at Miss Asia Pacific International in Cebu. Music: Ben&Ben marked nine years together as a member announced their departure; KZ and TJ also brought their “In Between” story to fans in Doha. Film Business: Asian producers launched a cross-border alliance at the Busan market.

TV Partnership: ABS-CBN and TV5 will co-produce “ASAP XP,” bringing the Kapamilya variety show to TV5 from Oct. 18 and creating more opportunities for Filipino artists. Film: At Busan, E del Mundo’s “Once Upon a Time in the Philippines” explored how a bystander becomes complicit in a journalist massacre, while the Philippines unveiled a revamped international co-production fund with minority and majority tracks. Music: KZ Tandingan and TJ Monterde brought their “In Between” love story to Doha; BINI and SB19 also lead the nominees for the 11th PPop Music Awards. Pageantry: Tanzania’s Jihan Dimack won Miss Grand International 2026, while the Philippines’ Angelica Lopez bowed out in the Top 25. Gabrielle Galapia placed third runner-up at Miss Asia Pacific International. Arts & Heritage: Baguio’s Tam-awan Village celebrated its 16th international arts festival, and Paete’s traditional taká papier-mâché craft faces the challenge of passing its skills to a new generation.

Film: The Philippines unveiled revamped international co-production funding tracks at the Busan market, while journalist-massacre drama Once Upon a Time in the Philippines was presented at the Busan Asian Project Market. Sylvia Sanchez also represented the country at the festival. Music: BINI and Maki were among the Filipino Music Awards winners, while BINI and SB19 lead the 11th PPOP Music Awards nominations. Pageants: Tanzania’s Jihan Dimack won Miss Grand International 2026, ending Filipino bet Angelica Lopez’s run in the Top 25. Thailand’s Sasiwararin Atsawahirankarn took the Miss Asia Pacific International crown in Cebu, with Filipina Gabrielle Galapia placing third runner-up. Arts: Baguio’s Tam-awan Village marked the 16th year of its international arts festival, celebrating local and global creative work.

Music: BINI, Maki and other acts took home Filipino Music Awards trophies. BINI also made history with a first nomination for a Filipino act at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Film: Paulo Avelino won Outstanding Asian Star at the Seoul International Awards. Marian says she’s taking a different approach in her new film, while Heart Evangelista and John Prats are reuniting for a movie. Pageants: Gabrielle Galapia advanced to the Top 11 at Miss Asia Pacific International in Cebu. Angelica Lopez’s bid for a Miss Grand International three-peat ended outside the Top 11. Stage and style: Gawad Urian announced its 2026 winners, 26 one-act plays made the Puregold Teatro Panalo shortlist, and Alex Eala made her Chanel debut at Paris Fashion Week.

Celebrity Watch: Sarah Lahbati stirred dating rumors with birthday posts featuring a mystery man, but she has not confirmed his identity or their relationship. Live Music: Charlie Puth joked that his Oct. 14 Manila concert is the only stop on his Asia tour not yet sold out; fans cited ticket costs and limited awareness. Esports: Acer’s Predator League 2027 Philippine qualifiers offer ₱1 million across VALORANT and League of Legends, with registration open until Oct. 15 and champions earning a shot at representing the country in the regional tournament. Filipino Pop: BINI made history as the first Filipino act nominated for a Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Award, after taking Artist and Tour of the Year honors at the Filipino Music Awards. Film & Theater: Filipino films including Filipiñana and 58th are set for Busan screenings, while 26 one-act plays made the Puregold Teatro Panalo shortlist.

Global Pop: BINI became the first Filipino act nominated for Favorite Global Music Star at the 2026 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, after winning Artist of the Year and Tour of the Year at the Filipino Music Awards. The group is also set to perform at LaLaLa Fest Manila 2027, headlined by Olivia Dean. Filipino Music: Artists ena mori and SHNTI earned nominations at Taiwan’s Golden Indie Music Awards, while SB19 joined a Senate push to create more global opportunities for Filipino creatives. Theater: Twenty-six one-act plays made the shortlist for Puregold Teatro Panalo’s 2026 competition. Film: DreamWorks’ “Forgotten Island,” a Filipino-inspired animated feature drawing on folklore, family and home, is putting an original Filipino story before global audiences. Awards: Will Ashley won Gawad Urian’s Best Supporting Actor for “Bar Boys: After School.”

Pageantry: The Miss Universe Organization says Vietnam has not been confirmed as host of the 2027 pageant, disputing an announcement on the pageant’s Facebook page. Film: Maris Racal and Odette Khan shared the Gawad Urian Best Actress award, while Carlo Aquino and Jericho Rosales tied for Best Actor; “Sunshine” and “Bar Boys: After School” also won supporting acting honors. P-pop: Filipino KATSEYE member Sophia Laforteza is set to resume group activities in January after taking time to focus on her health. Live Music: Olivia Dean will headline LaLaLa Fest Manila 2027 alongside BINI and other Filipino acts. Filipino Music: BINI and SB19 scored major wins at the 2026 Filipino Music Awards.