Week In Review: At the Onset of August, Catch All Things Art and Entertainment, Not Ghosts

First week of August is done. Catching all things arts and and entertainment (not ghosts), we rounded up this week with highlights we loved and happenings we are most looking forward to. Here’s what’s up: from local to international stages, sporting events, and movies to watch out for that should be on your radar.

Listening Station

Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars lead the VMAs 2025 nominations

This week, MTV has officially released the full nomination list for one of the awaited music award shows globally, Video Music Awards. Lady Gaga is this year’s most nominated artist with 12 nominations, followed by Bruno Mars receiving 11 nods. Other frontrunners include Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, ROSÉ, Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, and Billie Eilish.

Lady Gaga is also nominated for VMAs biggest category, Artist of the Year, along with Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, Bad Bunny, and Morgan Wallen. Two new categories were also introduced this year: Best Pop Artist and Best Country.

The VMAs 2025 is set to happen on September 7, 2025 in New York. The voting period is now open until September 5, except for the Best New Artist category which will remain available during the live show.

Voting is accessible through vote.mtv.com.

BINI, BGYO tease upcoming music drops in consecutive announcement

P-Pop domination hits this week after groups BINI and BGYO simultaneously announced upcoming music drops this week. 

BINI announces the upcoming music video for their recent release “Shagidi” on August 8 at 8 PM. The dance-infused pop track was released on June 5 as a special single during their Grand BINIverse Tour 2025 run, inspired by a popular childhood game in the Philippines.

Meanwhile, BGYO is also gearing up for fresh music in their newest era with the single “Headlines” set to be released on August 21. Additionally, the boy band teases their brand-new EP of the same name to be released soon. All of these new lineup of things to watch out for trail an announcement last month of the quintet’s first-ever solo concert this coming October at the New Frontier Theater.

BINI and BGYO are both homegrown P-Pop groups of ABS-CBN’s Star Music. Debuting around the pandemic both groups established a wide fanbase while spawning smash hits like “Pantropiko”, “Salamin, Salamin”, & “Cherry on Top” for BINI, and “He’s Into Her”, “Tumitigil ang Mundo,” & “The Light” for BGYO.

Screening Room

Manny Jacinto’s Freakier Friday Philippine tour is a wild, ‘freaky’ ride

Following a well-anticipated release shortly after the drop of teasers, the sequel to the classic film Freaky Friday, starring Jamie Lee-Curtis and Lindsay Lohan officially premiered in the Philippines on August 6. Aside from the two talented leads, the body-swap family drama also features Chad Michael Murray, reprising his role, Julia Butters, and Sophia Hammons and our very own Manny Jacinto.

To join Filipinos in the film’s Philippine release, the Filipino-Canadian star visited the country to join the advanced premiere, ahead of the global release. He was welcomed by Filipino fans as he walked the red carpet in SM Mall of Asia. Loyal and new supporters online have also shown love for the movie star, admiring his charisma and speaking in his native tongue to the delight of the screaming fans.

Freakier Friday is still showing in cinemas nationwide.

100 Awit Para Kay Stella: A new chapter is to be told in songs

After eight years, the love story of Fidel and Stella returns to the big screen in 100 Awit Para Kay Stella. The sequel to the 2017 hit film 100 Tula Para Kay Stella is set to star JC Santos and Bela Padilla reprising their roles, and now with young actor and musician Kyle Echarri in the mix. The film is written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, also behind the film’s predecessor. This follow-up shifts from poetry to music, featuring new original songs by Rob Deniel, Amiel Sol, Shanne Dandan, and Kyle Echarri. 

Set to premiere on September 10 exclusively in cinemas, the film is expected to rekindle the emotions and nostalgia of the original, bringing audiences back to the bittersweet world of unspoken feelings, missed chances, and enduring love.

Stage & Performing Arts

Select “VLF XX: Hinog” plays to restage in one-night-only showcase

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) announces a new date for the one-night-only showcase of selected plays from the latest edition of the annual festival with this year’s theme “VLF XX: Hinog” this coming August 21, 8 PM at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez Black Box Theater.

Previously postponed from its original date July 24 due to the typhoon, the showcase will feature three plays, loved from its original VLF run such as “Minating ni Mariah Ang Manto ng Mommy ni Mama Mary” by Eljay Castro Deldoc, “Presidential Suite #2” by Siege Malvar, and “Mommy G” by Jobert Grey Landeza. 

Tickets are available through TicketWorld and Ticket2Me, with prices:

• ₱800.00 – Regular
• ₱1,000.00 – Premium

Additionally, all tickets availed from the July 24 show will still be honored for the upcoming theatrical showcase.

Marina Summers makes waves in RuPaul’s Drag Race Live! in Las Vegas

Strutting the floor like a true queen. From the national stint to UK vs. the World, the battle to greatness didn’t end for our Filipina Queen, Marina Summers. 

The bearer of firsts, the multi-talented drag queen has officially joined the “RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!” in Las Vegas–making her the first ever Filipina drag artist to grace the stage of Flamingo Showroom. 

“RuPaul’s Drag Race Live!” is a sold-out variety show in Las Vegas featuring the alumni of beloved reality show franchise Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Part of the current cast are the 4th placer of the 10th season of the, Asia O’ Hara, and the recently-crowned All Stars winner, Ginger Minj.

Sports

Agatha Wong and Raph Trinidad bearing the flag to World Games

Wushu star and five-time Southeast Asian Games Winner, Agatha Wong, and the IWWF Asia and Oceania Championships gold winner, Raph Trinidad, joined hands in raising the country’s flag to lead the 47-strong delegation of the Philippines in the World Games from August 7 to 17. 

The Philippines has long sent delegations to the competition since it was staged in 1981; clinching two golds, five silver and five bronze medals so far.

At the top mission and principle of the competition is highlighting strength and excellence in more than thirty sporting events including finswimming, gymnastics, karate, powerlifting, and waterski.

Alas Pilipinas roster for 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship is out

The 21-man lineup of the Philippines for the 2025 Volleybal Men’s World Championship is finally out. Headlined by the power duo of Bryan Bagunas and Marck Espejo, new faces and talents are expected to bring the country’s rank higher as men’s volleyball slowly but surely gains momentum to regain notoriety on the international stage.

The strong list includes: 

• Outside Hitters

• • Bryan Bagunas 
  • Marck Espejo 
  • Kennedy Batas
  • Buds Buddin 
  • Jade Disquitado

• Opposite Spikers

•  Steven Rotter 

• • Ike Barilea
  • Leo Ordiales 
  • Louie Ramirez 

• Liberos 

• • Josh Ybanez 
  • Vince Lorenzo 
  • Jack Kalingking  

• Setters 

• • Joshua Retamar 
  • Elijah Kim 
  • John Michael Paglaon 
  • Eco Adajar 

• Middle Blockers 

• • Kim Malabunga 
  • JP Bugaoan 
  • Lucca Mamone 
  • Peng Taguibolos 
  • Lloyd Josafat

Note that the names are still subject to FIVB eligibility verification. With the combination of fresh and familiar faces, where this will lead the Alas Mens Volleyball team. Finishing the two legs in fourth spot in the recently concluded SEA V. League, the team is charging  to compete with the world champions. 

The tournament will be opened by the match of the host country, The Philippines, against Tunisia in the country’s capital, and having the iconic arenas of SM Mall of Asia Arena and Smart Araneta Coliseum as the venues from September 12-28. 

To cater to the 32 national teams, the tournament is divided into 8 pools. The Philippines belongs to Pool A alongside the powerhouses from Iran, Egypt, and Tunisia.