Leo Balante, Author at Rank Magazine

The Ballad of Erik Santos
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The Ballad of Erik Santos

Featured, Hive, Mastermind

The Ballad of Erik Santos

From landing on his now-iconic winning finals piece to becoming the quintessential balladeer of his generation, Erik Santos' stake in the entertainment industry is every bit divinely-ordained. As he turns a year older, Rank Magazine editor Leo Balante sits down with the celebrated artist and OPM mainstay on the making and remaking of the artist facing the "new normal", boxes left unticked on his creative bucket list, and the poetic justice in continuing to perform on the very stage that gave him his first steps into an illustrious two-decade career given today's situation.

By Leo Balante|2025-01-28T13:30:11+08:00October 18, 2021|Featured, Hive, Mastermind|Comments Off

Heart and Conviction Elevate ‘Gameboys: The Movie’ to Transcendent Genius

For a game-changing and culture-shaping series as Gameboys, expectations run high on continuing its careful and meticulous handling of a subject matter that has not been given “proper” representation, particularly in mainstream media. With the record-breaking success of Gameboys: The Movie, we look at how the cast of talented young actors, the series and film writer Ash Malanum, director Ivan Payawal, and The IdeaFirst Company step up to the challenge.

By Leo Balante|2021-08-17T20:11:41+08:00August 3, 2021|Featured, Hive, Review|Comments Off

All Eyes on Abed Green

Much like the rest of us, the Filipino-American student athlete turned fashion model and now actor-in-the-making Abed Green, took an opportunity in the midst of the great pause that we are presently in, trying to find the most fruitful of ways to be sane and empowered amid the darkness of being stuck and cooped up at home. Now, on social media and on his slowly-blossoming career as an on-cam talent and actor, Green is showing no signs of slowing down.

By Leo Balante|2021-06-18T16:24:19+08:00June 18, 2021|Featured, Hive, Next, Recent Stories|Comments Off

Nadine Lustre Bares ‘Absolute Madness’ in Upcoming First Solo Concert

Following the titanic success of her much talked about visual album, multimedia queen Nadine Lustre returns in all her glory, doing what she does best in a platform she has long mastered, through her first-ever solo concert entitled “Absolute Madness.”

By Leo Balante|2021-06-30T21:16:08+08:00June 14, 2021|Events & Festivals, Featured, Recent Stories, Source|Comments Off

Editor’s Picks: Father’s Day Gift Guide for All Types of Dads

Whether you are celebrating your husband, your two fathers, your best friend who just became a dad, or whoever served as your father figure, we rounded up an extensive guide you on what to give the man of the hour with a list of swag from grooming, gear and gadgets, down to food and experiences for this special man and where you can get it.

By Leo Balante|2021-06-18T13:01:30+08:00June 11, 2021|Featured, Lists & Guides, Recent Stories, Source|Comments Off

Why ‘Rak of Aegis’ Remains a Timeless Filipino Theater Triumph

In every sense, "Rak of Aegis", beyond its high-octane numbers, its hilarious skits, and blaring vocal performances, is a story of human triumph. Beneath the surface—the razzle-dazzle and the knee-slapping comedy—is a poignant story of persistence and resilience, of clinging on to hope in a time of restlessness and desperation—making it an important achievement in Filipino theater.

By Leo Balante|2021-05-21T14:46:40+08:00May 24, 2021|Featured, Hive, Recent Stories, Review|Comments Off

Chris Nick Springs Forward with a Bold, Elegant Awakening in New Eveningwear Collection

For young, rising designer, Chris Nick Delos Reyes, behind the lustrous label, Chris Nick, imagining life post-pandemic is as taxing as it is necessary, and his Spring/Summer 2021 collection speaks of an adage to a time when the ominous veil of fear and doubt would then be lifted, and the fun, flirtatious, modern Filipina could come out and socialize, dressed to the nines.

By Leo Balante|2021-05-11T12:54:04+08:00May 10, 2021|Featured, Hive, Insider, Recent Stories|Comments Off

From Brgy. Venezia to the World: Phenomenal Musical ‘Rak of Aegis’ Sails to the Virtual Stage

The iconic and culture-shaping jukebox musical, "Rak of Aegis" makes its way to the virtual stage with a limited run streaming event happening in two weekends of July and August as part of the celebration of the Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino 2021.

By Leo Balante|2021-05-20T17:32:33+08:00May 8, 2021|Featured, Recent Stories, Source, Stage & Performing Arts|Comments Off

About Leo Balante