As we wrap up February and march to a new month (get it?!), we round up and pick the week’s most relevant news, from big comebacks, exciting artistic collaborations, and events that marked the end of the love month and National Arts Month.

Listening Station

Filipino alternative pop band Any Name’s Okay comes back with ‘Yugto’

Filipino quintet Any Name’s Okay delivers a fresh new single “Yugto” on the complexities and layers of the human experience of love. Released on February 23, the track serenades us with joys of being in love and celebrates being part of a relationship.

The new singles marks the first release of the band since their 2019 EP “All I Feel And See”, which include the tracks “Coconut”, “Vivid” and “? (Who Do You Think Of)”, and the tracks “The Sun” and “Orasan,” previously released before the EP.

BamBam and F.HERO drops new single “Skrrt” featuring YOUNGOHM 

On February 20, 2022, High Cloud Entertainment premiered the collaboration of Thai rap artist  F. HERO and K-pop idol and GOT7 member BamBam, featuring Thai  hip hop singer YOUNGOHM, with the track, “Skrrt.”

The music video, as of this writing, gained 1.7 million views making headlines on the music section. BamBam, who is a natural born Thai, continues to make his name both in South Korea and Global music charts with numerous collaborations. Recently, he released his second album “B” featuring Red Velvet’s Seulgi, and American singer and songwriter Pink Sweat$. 

Red Velvet teases fans with a surprise comeback this March

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Red Velvet brings their fans ultimate happiness as they gear up for upcoming group projects this March. 

On February 21, SM Entertainment announced that the girls will be holding a concert along with the comeback announcement this coming March 19-20 and it will be held at the SK Olympic Handball Gymnasium with a title, “2022 The ReVe Festival: Prologue.”

In August of last year, the group released “Queendom” , gaining seven music awards and marking their first comeback after a long hiatus in 2020. 

SB19’s Wish Bus Roadshow comeback gets huge love from fans 

The whole Eton Centris was filled with the ‘blue ocean’ as thousands of A’tin (fans of SB19) flocked to the venue where the famed PPop group staged their Wish Bus performance to express their support and love to SB19 as they performed last February 21, 2022.

#SB19BackInTheWishBus also landed as the top trending that day, where they feature heartwarming photos and updates regarding the event. The fans even distributed snacks with their co-A’tin while waiting for the event.

Aside from the exceptional and ‘heart fluttering’ performance of the band, what made the event even more special was the discipline, solid, and warm support of the fandom; the cleanliness of the venue was maintained despite the huge number of people gathered all day. 

SB19 will have its official comeback on March 9, 2022. Follow their official accounts and the hashtags #SB19IkalawangYugto and #SB19WhatIsComing for more updates.

Screening Room

He’s into Her Season 2 Introduces new and fresh faces

Upon the anticipated release of the second season of Filipino teen series, He’s Into Her, the production just announced new sets of characters and roles that the fans should look forward to. 

The official Twitter page of the series teases fans with the upcoming cast of characters to join the roster and to stay tuned on what their characters will portray inside the Benison International School. Among the new faces are Hello, Stranger lead actor JC Alcantara, and Pinoy Big Brother Kumunity celebrity housemate Shanaia Gomez.

In addition, new cast members that will complete the second installment of the series include Reich Alim, Rajo Serrano, Mikha Lim, CJ Salonga, Zach Casteñeda, and River Joseph.

Culture

Cultural Center of the Philippine’s Pasinaya Festival 2022

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Two years into the pandemic, the arts has continued to make its way to cater to its audience. This month, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)  Pasinaya Open House Festival carries on with an online celebration to continue the Pasinaya Festival 2022 which ran from February 26-27 with the theme: Sana All: Lumilikha, Lumalaya. 

This Pasinaya 2022, the festival commemorated the 36th anniversary of EDSA revolution and displays the power of art in social reform, revolution, encouragement, and empowerment. 

Pasinaya 2022 served as a two-day virtual event that will conduct exhibits, forums, and features a variety of performing arts, literary arts, visual arts, cinema, and broadcast arts. The celebration will also include the lighting of the CCP’s facade.

The Magic Lives Forever: Enchanted Kingdom officially reopens its doors

Good news to amusement rides lovers as one of our go-to amusement parks opened it’s magical gates, Enchanted Kingdom reopens on February 25.

The amusement park in Sta. Rosa, Laguna voluntarily closed its doors in January after the high cases go COVID-19 but as the alert level both in Metro Manila and nearing provinces gradually lowering, the management announced that it will now start resuming operations. 

Based on the official website of Enchanted Kingdom, the park is open to everyone regardless of the vaccination status of the visitor following the IATF Resolution No. 161-A 2022 effective FEBRUARY 16 – 28, 2022 under Alert Level 2.

Check out the important guidelines before being enchanted to visit the establishment’s official website.

The Philippines, together with Japan and Indonesia, will be hosting the FIBA World Cup 2023

The 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup will be hosted by the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. The unanimous decision was made by FIBA’s Central Board, in time for the 19th edition of basketball’s biggest competition.

There were 4 bidders, Russia, and Turkey who backed out their bids and the Philippines–Japan–Indonesia and Argentina–Uruguay who competed to host the event.

Eighty national teams will be fighting for their spot in the 32-team tournament through six World Cup qualifying windows, which take place from November 2021 to February 2023. Then, the start of the event will be on August 25th in the three host countries and will end in the Philippines for the Final Phase. On September 10th, a champion will earn the crown.

The Philippines is slated to host 16 teams while Japan and Indonesia will host 8 teams each. The final draw will take place in Manila in March 2023. 

The Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, and the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan will be used as event venues.

Pulse

Park Bo Gum gets an early discharge from mandatory military service

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South Korean actor Park Bo Gum gets discharged from mandatory military service last February 21, 2022, ahead of his earlier reported discharge on April 30. According to reports, due to COVID-19 protocols, the Record of Youth star discharged him from his final vacation. This also follows reports of an increase in COVID-19 cases in South Korea amid the spread of the Omicron variant.

Park Bo Gum started his military service in August 2020 and was assigned to the Navy unit. During his stay, he passed the barber license exam. After his service, he is said to star in the upcoming South Korean sci-fi fantasy film Wonderland with Bae Suzy.

Jake Gyllenhaal breaks his silence about Taylor Swift’s ‘All Too Well’

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In an Esquire interview, Hollywood actor Jake Gyllenhaal denied that Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well,” is about him contrary to popular beliefs. Gyllenhaal said, “It’s about her relationship with her fans. It is her expression. Artists tap into personal experiences for inspiration, and I don’t begrudge anyone that.” 

He also reminded the public about the importance of responsibility and being civil, and that cyberbullying is never okay. The actor said that he had not receive serious threats and clarified that he is speaking in general. 

Gyllenhaal and Swift dated for a few months in 2010. Their then-romantic relationship was put in the spotlight again last November 2021 after the release of “All Too Well: The Short Film” starring Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien, directed by Swift herself.

The actor is currently in a three-year relationship with French model Jeanne Cadieu.

Metro Manila mayors unanimously voted to downgrade to Alert Level 1 by March 1

In an announcement, Metro Manila mayors have unanimously voted to the lowest COVID-19 alert level status, Level 1 starting March 1. This was revealed by Parañaque City Mayor and Metro Manila Council (MMC) Chairman Edwin Olivarez last Wednesday as per their meeting last Tuesday night.

“Local chief executives of the NCR are ready and fully capable of implementing the IATF-prescribed health and safety protocols under COVID-19 Alert Level 1 status,” according to the resolution signed by the MMC.

Independent pandemic monitor OCTA Research also reported on Tuesday that the current positivity rate of Metro Manila is only at 4.9 percent, which is “way below” according to Metropolitan Manila Development Authority officer-in-charge and General Manager Romando Artes as he is referring to the 5 percent standard of the World Health Organization.

Metro Manila remains at low risk status for COVID-19 transmission, OCTA added. The face mask mandate, however, will remain as of the Department of Health.

Compiled and written by Jaime BautistaMelanie UsonAndrea Ysabel Andres, and Roni Mae Serrano. With additional text by Leo Balante.