Meanwhile, Vice Ganda — who plays Twinkle in "Call Me Mother" — wins the Best Actor Award at the 2025 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal on Saturday, December 27. During last year's awards night, the actor-host took home the Special Jury Citation.

The Best Director Award at the 51st MMFF Gabi ng Parangal goes to Jeffrey Jeturian, who brought the film “UnMarry" to life.

Read more about Jeturian's work here: https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/movies/unmarry-metro-manila-film-festival-2025/

"I'mPerfect" wins Best Picture at the 51st MMFF Gabi ng Parangal! “Manila’s Finest” and “Call Me Mother” are tied for 3rd Best Picture, while “UnMarry” is named 2nd Best Picture.

FILIPINO PRIDE 🇵🇭🎤

Filipina singer-songwriter Gwyn Dorado places 2nd in the South Korean music show “Sing Again 4.” Dorado was the lone foreigner to make it to the finals — going up against three Korean contestants.

Lee Oh-wook takes home the crown, while Kim Jae-min places 3rd, and Slowly places 4th.

Read more about Dorado here: https://www.rappler.com/entertainment/music/who-is-gwyn-dorado-singer/

We're proud of you, Gwyn!

BEERMEN EQUALIZE 🍻

San Miguel pulls level with Barangay Ginebra in the 2025-26 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals after a 93-84 win in Game 2.

June Mar Fajardo records his second straight 20-20 performance as he tallies 21 points and 23 rebounds to help the Beermen tie the best-of-seven series at 1-1.

TWIN WINS 2️⃣

TNT grabs a 2-0 lead over Meralco in the 2025-26 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals following a convincing 109-92 win in Game 2 on Wednesday, January 7.

Calvin Oftana and Jordan Heading combine for 50 points with 26 and 24 points, respectively.

FLOWERS IN BLOOM 🌻

The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) and the local government officially launched the 30th edition of the Panagbenga, or the Baguio Flower Festival, today, Jan. 12.

With the theme "Blooming Without End", this year's edition highlights the continued growth of Baguio City despite its challenges.

"This year's Panagbenga reminds us that Baguio is a city that continues to grow, progress, renew, and prosper, no matter the challenges we face," Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong said during the official launch.

"May this 30th Panagbenga be a celebration of continuity and hope, proof that despite all the uncertainties and serious challenges we faced as a nation, there is always that spirit that continues to bloom without end," he added.

LOOK: The candidates of Miss World Philippines 2026 were officially sashed and presented to the public at Okada Manila on Friday, January 16.

The 24 queens will vie for three national titles and earn the opportunity to represent the country on the international stage at Miss World, Universal Woman, and Miss Global.

LOOK: NOBITA Band Brings Music to the Streets of Batangas

On the evening of January 15, Mabini Plaza was alive with the sound of guitars, drums, and voices that refused to be ignored. Filipino band NOBITA took the stage for a scheduled street concert, turning the city’s familiar square into a vibrant gathering where students, families, and passersby stood shoulder to shoulder, singing along to hits that carried both nostalgia and raw emotion.

For hours, the plaza pulsed with energy. NOBITA’s songs echoed through the streets, drawing people in and keeping them there long after the music started. The performance wasn’t just entertainment — it was a shared moment, a prelude to Batangas Day that made the city pause, listen, and celebrate together, proving that sometimes the heart of a fiesta beats in the music itself

LOOK | Faith and festivity collide: Sto. Niño lights up Batangas City Day Festivity

Batangueños filled the streets with faith and color as Batangas City celebrated its annual fiesta honoring the Sto. Niño ng Batangan.

From vibrant parades to heartfelt prayers, the city came alive with traditions that unite generations, showing once again that the Sto. Niño remains at the very heart of Batangas City’s fiesta celebration.

BACK TO THE FINALS 🫡

San Miguel gets to a chance to defend its PBA Philippine Cup crown as it arranges a finals rematch with TNT after finishing off Barangay Ginebra in six games with a 101-88 win on Friday, January 16.

CJ Perez sets the tone in the triumph with 30 first-quarter points on a perfect 12-of-12 shooting and ends the game with a career-high 41 points.

HEARTBREAKING EXIT 💔

Alex Eala fails to sustain a dream start as her breakthrough main draw appearance in the Australian Open ends with a 0-6, 6-3, 6-2 loss to American Alycia Parks in the first round on Monday, January 19.

Eala, ranked 49th in the world, blanks No. 99 Parks in the opening set but fizzles out in the last two sets.

📸 : Reuters

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FIRST BLOOD 🫡

TNT gains an early 1-0 lead in the 2025-26 PBA Philippine Cup finals after a hard-fought 96-91 win over San Miguel at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Wednesday, January 21.

Kelly Williams paces the Tropang 5G with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 assists.

A NEW ERA.

The UP Fighting Maroons women’s volleyball team announced that Fabio Menta will serve as the head coach for their upcoming UAAP Season 88 campaign.

HAPPENING NOW: Rising P-pop boy group WRIVE makes its Rappler Live Jam debut on Thursday, January 22.

Composed of members Mathew, Russu, Asi, Drei, and Ishiro, WRIVE first made waves with their pre-debut single “Color Clash” from the game show Rainbow Rumble.

Watch @here: https://www.youtube.com/live/e2ZKYcVcWbE?si=BCtQ6x-za9GKkTz9

ALL TIED UP 1️⃣ -1️⃣

San Miguel comes back with a vengeance as it levels the 2025-2026 PBA Philippine Cup finals with a resounding 111-92 victory over TNT here in Antipolo City on Friday, January 23.

Don Trollano redeems himself from a lackluster Game 1 performance by finishing with 22 points and 4 rebounds off the bench.

CLUTCH CJ ⭐️

CJ Perez shines down the stretch as he propels San Miguel to a 95-89 win over TNT in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup finals on Sunday, January 25.

Perez scatters 17 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter, including a four-pointer and a three-pointer inside the final minute as the Beermen grab a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven affair. 

BLOWOUT 🧨

TNT levels the 2025-2026 PBA Philippine Cup finals at 2-2 after a 110-87 drubbing of San Miguel in Game 4 on Wednesday, January 28.

Calvin Oftana turns in a conference-high 29 points with 6 rebounds and 4 steals in the most lopsided victory of the best-of-seven series.

Hope this will last up to the SUDDEN DEATH Game 7!!!