Author: Press Release

2TinCans Philippines and The Kabilin Center Present, Ang Kawatan: A Public Reckoning with the Stories We Steal

2TinCans Philippines and The Kabilin Center present Ang Kawatan (The Thief), the second production of Kulukabildo II: Stories in Direct Light, running June 27 and 28 at The Kabilin Center, Eduardo Aboitiz Street, Tinago, Cebu City.

Directed by 2TinCans Theatre Company member, Vanessa Fe, and written by journalist and playwright, Maverick Avila, Ang Kawatan is a tragicomedy set during a live televised book launch — Open Book with Frankie, a fading cultural program.

Celebrated novelist Mateo Robles (played by Dave Feril) takes his seat across from veteran host Frankie (played by Lord Lawrence Latonio), ready to tell the story behind his acclaimed bestselling book. What he does not expect to walk into the studio and refuse to be invisible is Ana (played by Judee Kriselle Rallos), a young woman whose trauma he silenced, repackaged, and sold as fiction.

What unfolds is a public confrontation that cracks open the creative community it is set in, exposing the fault lines of complicity, victim-blaming, and the ease with which those who control the narrative can turn a stolen truth into a prize-winning lie.

Fe notes that this story is not new. It has always been there, just repackaged the same way Mateo repackaged Ana’s truth into a prize-winning book.

“Tragedy doesn’t come in loudly. It lives in the quiet moments: a community that keeps applauding, people who knew and said nothing. I didn’t want to put a survivor’s trauma on display. I wanted people to watch this and recognize themselves not as strangers to this story, but as someone who has watched another person be exploited and stayed quiet. It’s the perfect setting to show that the live show was the one place Mateo cannot hide. However, the same system that exposed him is the one that never protected Ana,” Fe said.

The production marks Fe’s directorial debut, a milestone made more meaningful by the story she has chosen to tell. She brings to this production both a director’s precision and a woman’s intimate understanding of what it means when a survivor’s truth falls into the wrong hands.

Ang Kawatan is also the result of many years of creative partnership. Fe and playwright Avila first developed the story in college — a shared conviction that has taken three years to find its stage.

2TinCans Producing Artistic Director, Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson, hopes that audiences leave Ang Kawatan carrying with them not only memories of a compelling performance, but also a renewed sense of curiosity, awareness, and responsibility.

“If the play encourages even one person to see an issue differently, ask a difficult question, or take meaningful action, then it has fulfilled its purpose,” Enclona-Henderson said.

Ang Kawatan arrives as the second installment of Kulukabildo II: Stories in Direct Light, a monthly theatre series running April through November 2026. Rooted in the Bisaya concept of kulukabildo — an informal exchange, the kind of honest conversation that happens when people feel safe enough to speak freely. The series features the distinct visions of eight emerging Cebuano directors under the 2TinCans Directors Program. The series opened in March with The Second Eulogy, directed by Mario Alcoriza.

Completing the cast featuring 2TinCans Theatre Company members are Shiella Pestaño-Gemperoa as Gab, Shane Rennel Ayong as Kirby, and Grant Bacaltos as Patrick. The production is supported by stage manager Regina Binueza.

As a hub for Cebuano culture and community, The Kabilin Center continues to serve as the home for stories that demand to be told — narratives that do not ask for comfort but ask instead for honesty, attention, and the willingness to sit with what is true.

Ang Kawatan runs on June 27 at 7:00 PM and on June 28 at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM at The Kabilin Center. Tickets are available online at 2tincans-philippines.yapsody.com.

June 23, 2026
Hannah Pangilinan’s Just One Fun Run Partners with Posh Skin Co. to Release Exclusive, Limited Edition Collection for its Final Run
As the Just One Fun Run prepares for its closing chapter on June 20 at Vermosa, Imus, Cavite, co-founder Hannah Pangilinan is marking the milestone by partnering with leading pimple patch and acne skincare brand, Posh Skin, to release an exclusive, limited runner’s-edition pimple patch collection.

Featuring four unique designs made with Hannah, the Posh. x Just One collection serves as a keepsake for the movement’s third rendition, celebrating the community and message of Just One since its inception.

Drawing inspiration from the fun of getting ready before a run, Hannah explains that the collection was created to celebrate the expressive side of the running community.

“I wanted to capture the playfulness of getting ready for a run and icons that represent our sport with the collection. Whether you’re part of the Just One community or just a runner who loves to decorate their race face, you’d enjoy this collection!” she said.

Dubbed the Runner’s Version, the 32-piece limited-edition pack includes patches in two different sizes (15mm and 12mm), featuring carefully curated icons that represent all this running:
- The Just One Logo – Representing the core movement itself and the 30,000+ community that has grown alongside it over the seasons.
- The Winged Running Shoe – To capture that “runner’s high” that sometimes feels like flight itself!
- The Lightning Bolt – A bold emblem representing energy, drive, and the electric stamina required to reach the finish line.
- The Heart Pulse Line – Symbolizing the heart of a runner and how it beats for passion and pulses to keep the runner going!
Bridging Fitness and Self-Care

Celebrating three seasons of building an inclusive, beginner-friendly community, this collaboration bridges fitness and self-care by encouraging runners to embrace imperfections and wear confidence proudly. To honor this milestone, every registered participant will receive the exclusive patch collection inside their race kit.

On-ground, the Posh Skin booth will feature an experiential station allowing racers to decorate their faces pre-race with the brand’s full line of pimple patches. Visitors can also test Posh Skin’s comprehensive skincare lineup, including cleansers, toners, serums, moisturizers, and mud masks, all featuring ultra-lightweight Korean formulations engineered specifically to thrive in humid, tropical climates. Beyond the testing station, attendees can participate in interactive activities and challenges throughout the day for a chance to win custom skincare products and additional patches.

Join the Celebration

Celebrate the final season of Just One alongside 3,000+ other runners and secure your limited-edition pack of custom pimple patches designed by Hannah Pangilinan. Pre-register for the final Just One Run on June 20th at https://runjustone.myruntime.com/register.

Can’t make it to the track? You can still grab the limited-edition Posh. x Just One Runner’s Version pimple patches exclusively on Posh Skin’s TikTok Shop at: https://www.tiktok.com/@poshskin.ph.
June 23, 2026
‘Babaye sa Bubon,’ ‘Kundoktor’ Lead Winners at 9th Sine Negrense Film Festival Awards

The 9th Sine Negrense: Negros Island Film Festival honored the region’s outstanding filmmakers and student storytellers during its Awarding Ceremony held on June 20, 2026, at the Negros Occidental Provincial Capitol Social Hall.

The festival showcased films from both the Open Competition and Inter-School categories, recognizing excellence in directing, acting, screenplay, cinematography, and other filmmaking disciplines. Festival screenings were conducted from December 3 to 6, 2025, at the Cinematheque Centre Negros.

In the Open Competition Category, “Babaye sa Bubon” emerged as the festival’s top winner, earning the Best Film award along with a cash prize of P30,000. The film also garnered several major awards, including Best Director for Ginboy Bataclit, Best Actress for Jonah Sabijon, and Best Sound Design for Ry Cortez and Wenny Lord Bacabac.

The Jury Prize, accompanied by P20,000 in cash, was awarded to “Pagdumdom,” which also secured awards for Best Screenplay (Mhika Jhella Cenizal), Best Supporting Actress (Jing Torrecampo), and Best Actor (Jessiah Makilan).

Other Open Category winners included Jade Clarence Susper for Best Cinematography for “Hilum,” Kyle Decana for Best Editing for “Handurawan,” Jehu Peria for Best Production Design for “Hilum,” Chaz Katalbas for Best Musical Score for “Kabay Pa,” and Johnwine Janipin for Best Supporting Actor for “Maria.”

The award for Best Original Song went to “Kaisog sa Imo Makita,” written by Jabez Rees Gonzales and Angel Kay Dejaros for the film “Hilum.”

Special Awards in the Open Category were presented to “Kabay Pa” for Best Trailer, “Pagdumdom” for Best Poster, and “Snatcher” for the People’s Choice Award.

Meanwhile, in the Inter-School Category, “Kundoktor” emerged as Best Film, receiving the top prize and P20,000 cash award. Its director, Joshua Pastora, also won Best Director and Best Screenplay honors.

The Jury Prize, together with P10,000 in cash, was awarded to “Ngaa Tugnaw ang Gab-i.” The film also produced the category’s Best Actor, Paco Gloria, and earned Best Production Design for Kyle David Ebro.

“Gugma sa Balod” dominated several technical awards, winning Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Musical Score, Best Sound Design, and Best Original Song. Khyle Anasta received multiple recognitions for his contributions to the film.

Acting honors in the student category were awarded to Fourth Dillomes of “Isa Ka Higayon” as Best Supporting Actor, Jing Torrecampo of “Gugma sa Balod” as Best Supporting Actress, Wilma Larrazabal of “Isa Ka Higayon” as Best Actress, and Paco Gloria of “Ngaa Tugnaw ang Gab-i” as Best Actor.

Special Awards in the Inter-School Category went to “Hinangpanay” for both Best Trailer and Best Poster, while “Libod Para sa Handum” received the People’s Choice Award.

The Inter-School Category was judged by filmmaker and “Love Child” director Jonathan Jurilla, Negros Director and Manager Candy Nagrampa, and film professor Jag Garcia, who served as jury chairman.

The Open Competition jury was composed of Bakunawa Fest Festival Director Elvert Bañares, film critic and National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Committee on Cinema head Tito Valiente, and award-winning filmmaker Jeffrey Jeturian, who served as jury chairman.

Serving as the guest and inspirational speaker during the awarding ceremony was Butch Ibañez, Chief Content Officer of Solar Studios, Inc. Addressing filmmakers, students, and festival supporters, Ibañez shared insights from his decades-long experience in the Philippine media and entertainment industry and encouraged aspiring storytellers to pursue excellence in filmmaking while remaining true to their unique voices and cultural roots.

Festival organizers expressed their gratitude to the Film Development Council of the Philippines headed by Chairman Joey Reyes, Cinematheque Centre Negros, The Performance Laboratory Inc., The Negros Museum, and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts led by Chairman Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo for their continued support of regional filmmaking initiatives.

The organizers also acknowledged the NCCA Committee on Cinema, former committee chair and Solar Studios Chief Content Officer Butch Ibañez, volunteers from the University of St. La Salle’s IWAG Image Makers Collective and the Maskara Theatre Ensemble, and the Province of Negros Occidental under Governor Eugenio Jose “Bong” V. Lacson and Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando P. Diaz II for helping make the event possible.

Now on its ninth edition, the Sine Negrense: Negros Island Film Festival continues to serve as a platform for showcasing the talents of filmmakers across Negros Island and nurturing the next generation of regional storytellers.

June 22, 2026
Toast: The Best of Bread Live in Davao Added to Tour

In response to the fast-selling two-city performance of TOAST the Best of Bread in Manila and Cebu, Ovation Productions has added a third city; Davao. The three-city Philippine Tour dates are now August 12 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, August 13 at the SMX Convention Center in Davao, and August 15 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

TOAST the Best of Bread has faithfully re-created all the hits of the 1970’s legendary band, Bread, as well as the solo works of its founders David Gates and James Griffin. Concertgoers and die-hard fans consistently praise the band for their strikingly accurate recreations of Bread’s warm, sentimental tracks and complex harmonies. The band tours internationally, often packing major venues and bringing a feel-good, emotional experience to audiences worldwide.

The expanded itinerary gives more Filipino fans a chance to experience the band’s live renditions of timeless classics and hits by Bread like “Make It With You”, “If”, “Baby I’m-A-Want-You”, “Everything I Own”, “Aubrey”, “Sweet Surrender”, “It Don’t Matter To Me”, “Clouds”, “Mother Freedom”, “Everything I Own”, “Guitar Man”, “Games Of Magic”, “Lost Without Your Love”, “Goodbye Girl”, among many other Filipino favorites.

Toast the Best of Bread is composed of Jeff Clark, Brett Hart, Rich Bischoff, Robbie Lopez, Davie Rocks, and Troy Jolley. Their three-city Philippine Tour also features Noel Cabangon as special guest. Tickets available through ovationtickets.com. Presented by Ovation Productions in cooperation with Blast TV.

Visit Ovation Productions’ website and social media accounts for more updates on the seat map, ticket prices, and other official announcements.

June 22, 2026
“Gisingin ang Mundo”: Nescafé Fusion Launches a Cultural Movement to Champion Filipino Music

On June 26, 2026, the Filinvest City Events Grounds will transform into the epicenter of Filipino youth culture as Fusion: The Philippine Music Festival returns in partnership with Nescafé.

This year, the festival leaps beyond the format of a traditional concert to become a true cultural movement, all anchored on the rallying cry of Nescafé’s campaign: “Gisingin ang Mundo.” Nescafé Fusion is not just about putting on a show, it is awakening the youth to take action, to stand for what they care about, and to be one in support of Original Pilipino Music (OPM).

Nescafé Awakens the Filipino Youth

We live in an age of uncertainty where economic pressures and digital fatigue often leave the youth feeling disconnected. Yet, a new generation of “Gleamers”, radical optimists who find power in small wins, is rising to combat the chaos.

For decades, Nescafé has been the daily companion that helped generations of Filipinos start their mornings and power through long nights. Now, it is using its legacy to fuel the youth with the language that resonates best with them: music. By merging Nescafé’s global scale with Fusion’s deep roots in Filipino music culture, we are rousing a movement that champions local artistry and human connection over the isolation of the digital world.

Democratizing the Stage and Empowering Voices

At the heart of Nescafé Fusion is a festival experience that belongs to the community. Students are no longer just spectators to history-in-the-making; they are co-creators of the movement. By working in deep synergy with student organizations, we are bringing together the brightest youth to build a festival that reflects the true spirit of today’s generation.

This commitment to the future is best exemplified by the return of Nescafé Fusion FreeJam, an intercollegiate battle of the bands. Supported by the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP), FreeJam is a pillar in nurturing the next generation of Filipino musicians. Finalists receive financial support for their music journey and mentorship from the industry’s best directors and partners. They don’t just warm up the stage, they perform back-to-back with our headliners during the prime segments of the festival.

The movement is also bolstered by an unprecedented unity of media organizations. Cignal, a major media partner, brings the movement from the music community to the sports community through properties such as the UAAP to connect with youth culture even further. Myx, one of the country’s iconic music platforms, remains a long-time partner of Fusion, sharing our vision of promoting our very own music.

Walking the Talk: Sustainability and Community

Nescafé Fusion believes that global ambitions must be matched by local, tangible action. We are moving beyond the “table stakes” of sustainability to create a truly resourceful event that today’s consumers trust and champion. We are partnering with Briyo Energy to power parts of our festival using solar power, directly addressing the environmental impact and carbon footprint delivered by large-scale entertainment events.

We are also working with The Plastic Flamingo to ensure that concert plastic waste, which is significant in events of this scale, is upcycled into useful products, such as school chairs, that circle back to serve the student communities that define our roots.

A Unifying Celebration for the Future

Nescafé Fusion transforms the Filinvest Concerts Grounds into a vibrant, multi-sensory playground where the electric energy of the movement is felt in every corner. Elevating this experience is the Nescafé Mansion, a festival centerpiece that elevates on-ground experiences beyond the stage.

The festival’s lineup is a direct reflection of the youth’s own voices. Featuring a powerful roster of OPM icons like IV of Spades, Maki, Angela Ken, BGYO, Earl Agustin, and Arthur Miguel, the artist selection is meticulously guided by the performers that the youth listen to and relate to on their own journeys. Adding to the excitement, the Fusion FreeJam finalists are not only an opening act, they have a spot in the limelight, performing back-to-back with Fusion main artists during prime segments of the festival.

Beyond the music, Nescafé Fusion walks the talk in community support through the Nescafé Fusion Youth Village. This space will hold student entrepreneurs and youth artisans to sell their products without any concessionaire fees or commissions, providing a tangible platform for the next generation of young creators to thrive in a real-world setting.

The festival culminates in a powerful, unified moment when the audience gathers for the anthem, “Gisingin ang Mundo.” To be performed alongside university hitmaker Earl Agustin, this performance serves as the ultimate call to action, uniting the crowd in a collective chorus that champions Filipino music that we’re proud of.

Shared Rituals for a New Generation

The Nescafé Fusion experience is also a reflection of how the brand is evolving alongside the very audience it celebrates. As the culture of coffee shifts from a purely functional morning ritual toward personal “micro-moments,” the kind that defines one’s identity and social rhythm, Nescafé is meeting today’s generation exactly where they are.

Whether it’s through refreshing, on-the-go coffee experiences that fit a fast-paced festival lifestyle or accessible options for daily life, the brand is prioritizing versatility. By integrating into the social rituals of the youth, Nescafé aims to be more than just a drink; it serves as a companion to the moments, big or small, where young Filipinos continue to connect, dream, and shape their future.

Join us on June 26, 2026, as we transform the Filinvest City Events Grounds into a beacon of the Filipino youth’s creativity, hospitality, and hope. Together, we are building the next global cultural phenomenon in awakening the world to the heartbeat of Filipino culture.

Lock in your ticket on Ticketmelon and be part of the #GisinginAngMundo movement. Follow Fusion’s page for updates.

June 22, 2026
Rody Vera Cast as Older Noah in The Notebook, The Musical

Theatre Group Asia (TGA) proudly announces that renowned playwright, screenwriter, actor, and singer Rody Vera will take on the role of Older Noah in its highly anticipated international premiere of The Notebook, The Musical.

A towering figure in contemporary Philippine theater, Vera has spent over four decades helping shape the country’s cultural landscape through his various artistic endeavors as a performer, writers and cultural voice. His career has traversed the worlds of theater, film, television, literature, and advocacy, making him one of the rare artists whose influence extends both onstage and behind the scenes.

As an actor, Vera has delivered memorable performances across generations of Philippine theater. He first gained prominence onstage in productions such as PETA’s Kahapon, Ngayon at Bukas and the landmark musical 1896, where he portrayed Andres Bonifacio. Over the years, he has built a body of work encompassing both Filipino classics and international repertoire, appearing as Padre Damaso in Noli Me Tangere, The Musical, Edgar Jopson in EJ, Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Evelio Javier at Edgar Jopson, Iago in Otelo, Reuven in Mga Mansanas sa Disyerto, Gov. Danforth in The Crucible, and Bobby Gonzales in Mario O’Hara’s Stageshow, a performance that earned him the Gawad Buhay! Award for Best Featured Actor. Audiences have continued to embrace Vera’s performances, from his role as Fernan in the hit musical Rak of Aegis to Tawfiq in the Philippine production of The Band’s Visit, and his performance in Tiny Beautiful Things. Most recently, he is most known for his role as The Narrator in TGA’s phenomenally successful staging of Into The Woods alongside Lea Salonga, Eugene Domingo, and Arielle Jacob.

Internationally, Vera has collaborated extensively with Singapore’s renowned The Necessary Stage, appearing in productions such as Mardi Gras, Top or Bottom, Good People, The Year of No Return, and most recently Old Gaze at Victoria Theatre in Singapore. His international work has also brought him to Hong Kong, Romania, Hungary, Tokyo, and New York, where he participated in productions and collaborative projects exploring the intersections of culture, identity, and performance across borders.

TGA Creative and Overall Artistic Director Clint Ramos remarks, “Rody Vera is one of the most important theater artists of our time. He is a master storyteller whose artistry is rooted in compassion, intelligence, and an extraordinary understanding of the human experience. As Older Noah, he brings a lifetime of wisdom, emotional truth, and theatrical excellence to a role that demands all three. We are honored to welcome him to The Notebook.”

For Vera, the role resonates deeply with the musical’s central themes of memory, devotion, and enduring love. “The Notebook reminds us that love is not only found in grand gestures but in the choices we make every day to remember, to stay, and to care with patience and loyalty ,” he reflects. “What moves me most is how the story finds beauty even in fragility. I am grateful for the opportunity to tell this story alongside Celeste Legaspi and this remarkable company of artists. And I’m very proud to be part of this musical’s international premiere.”

His casting as Older Noah alongside the previously announced Celeste Legaspi as Older Allie brings together two of Philippine theater’s most respected and beloved artists. Together, they anchor a multigenerational cast that also includes Morissette as Middle Allie, Laurence Mossman as Middle Noah, Sheena Belarmino as Young Allie, and Benedix Ramos as Young Noah.

Based on the bestselling novel by Nicholas Sparks and the beloved film adaptation, The Notebook, The Musical is a sweeping story of love that endures across decades, memory, and circumstance. Featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson and a Tony Award-nominated book by Bekah Brunstetter, the musical has captivated audiences worldwide with its intimate portrayal of a love that evolves through youth, adulthood, and old age.

With Rody Vera bringing his impassioned artistry, humanity, and lifetime of theatrical achievement to the role, TGA’s production promises a moving and unforgettable portrait of one of literature’s most enduring love stories.

For more information, visit TGA’s website www.theatregroupasia.com, Instagram @theatregroupasia, or Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/theatregroupasia.

Watch Rody Vera’s Performance of “Iron in the Fridge” from The Notebook: The Musical

June 22, 2026
Ayala Malls Cinemas Is Ready for Playtime as ‘Toy Story 5’ Comes to Life on the Big Screen, Now Showing

Ayala Malls Cinemas is the home for fun family experiences as it showcases the latest chapter in a beloved franchise. Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story 5 return for another big screen adventure, with toys meeting tech as shiny new tablets get kids hooked on screentime. Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee), disrupts the peaceful life the toys have with their kid Bonnie, taking her attention away and changing what playtime is all about. Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and Joan Cusack lend their voices once more as Woody the sheriff, astronaut Buzz Lightyear and Jessie the cowgirl respectively.

Ayala Malls Cinemas is joining the celebration, welcoming families, longtime fans, and a new generation of moviegoers to experience the magic of Toy Story 5in premium comfort and state-of-the-art presentation. Years after the last film, Toy Story 5 is a chance for audiences to reconnect with a story that has been part of their lives for decades.

The Toy Story franchise was a childhood companion for many moviegoers, a film that grew alongside them throughout the years. Now, as Woody, Buzz, Jessie, and the rest of the toys return to the big screen, Ayala Malls Cinemas offers the perfect setting to create new memories while revisiting old ones, bringing the film in exciting and immersive formats such as 4DX. To add to the experience, visit the Toy Story 5 activation at Glorietta activity center where kids and adults can experience both tech and play until June 21.

While Ayala Malls Cinemas is known for its premium moviegoing experience, the true luxury lies in sharing the moment with the people who matter most. Whether it’s parents introducing Toy Story to their children for the first time, siblings reliving the films they grew up with, or friends gathering to celebrate a franchise that raised them, Toy Story 5 becomes both entertainment and a shared experience.

At Ayala Malls Cinemas, the premium experience goes beyond the screen, becoming about laughter shared across generations, friendships rekindled through familiar characters, and memories made together in the dark of a cinema as a beloved story unfolds once more.

Toy Story 5 comes to life in Ayala Malls Cinemas, Now Showing.

June 18, 2026
ASUS Republic of Gamers Launches the 2026 Strix Gaming Laptop Series

ASUS Republic of Gamers (ROG) announces the availability and pricing of the 2026 Strix G and Strix SCAR series gaming laptops in the Philippines. The ROG Strix G and Strix SCAR represent the pinnacle of gaming experiences, with the new 2026 models combining upgraded ROG Nebula Display technologies, refinements to ROG Intelligent Cooling, expanded high-speed connectivity, and the latest-generation hardware to deliver an even more immersive gaming experience in a sleek, upgrade-friendly chassis.

2026 ROG STRIX G – POWER UP TO THE LIMIT

The 2026 ROG Strix G raises the bar for mainstream gaming laptops with faster Nebula displays, expanded high-speed connectivity, and next-generation performance. Retaining its gamer-focused design and advanced thermal solution, the latest Strix G empowers users to game and stream like never before.

The Strix G series are more ready than ever to accelerate your victories. Both the ROG Strix G16 and Strix G18 feature stunning 2.5K ROG Nebula Displays, now upgraded with an ultra-fast 300Hz refresh rate that delivers exceptional motion clarity and responsiveness, allowing gamers to stay ahead in even the fastest-paced competitive titles.

Both models are capable of ultra-high framerates for all the latest AAA games, thanks to the latest Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080. Advanced ROG Intelligent Cooling technology featuring end-to-end vapor chambers, ROG Tri-Fan Technology, and Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal reduces internal temperatures by up to 15°C, keeping the Strix G performing at its best for uninterrupted gaming, streaming, and demanding professional workloads.

2026 ROG STRIX SCAR 18 – ULTIMATE POWER

The 2026 ROG Strix SCAR continues ASUS ROG’s pursuit of uncompromised gaming performance, combining flagship-grade hardware with premium display technologies and advanced thermal engineering.

The ROG Strix SCAR 18 features the world’s first 18-inch 4K 240Hz Mini LED laptop panel with over 2,000 dimming zones, delivering stunning visual fidelity and ultra-smooth gameplay. ROG Nebula ELMB provides up to 16x greater motion clarity, while up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness, 100% DCI-P3 coverage, and AGLR technology reduce reflections and enhance contrast by up to 4.5x for exceptionally vivid visuals.

Armed with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU and Intel Core Ultra 9 processor 290HX Plus, the Strix SCAR 18 delivers exceptional graphics fidelity, enhanced by DLSS 4, Multi-Frame Generation, and GPU-accelerated technologies for the latest AAA titles

Engineered for peak performance, the 2026 Strix SCAR 18 boosts total system power to 320W in Manual Mode and features a 20% thicker vapor chamber, now 3.5mm versus 2.5mm on the previous generation. Upgraded Liquid Crystal Polymer fans increase total airflow by 91%, while the chassis sides and bottom serve as dedicated intake zones and exhaust airflow is directed toward the rear hinge to keep mousing hands cooler during extended gaming sessions. These advanced cooling features reduce internal temperatures by up to 15°C, while a new graphite-and-copper heatsink solution exclusive to the Strix SCAR 18 lowers SSD temperatures by up to 12°C.

TOOL-LESS UPGRADES AND ICONIC ROG STYLING

The 2026 Strix G and Strix SCAR feature a patented tool-less design to make upgrades easier than ever, and allows for simple access to RAM, SSD, and fans, and even includes our latest Q-latch system for the SSDs. A specially designed frame covers the rest of the mainboard to protect the other components, but it can be easily removed with a few screws for users who want to tinker further.

Gamers can also showcase the sleek ROG aesthetic on the Strix G and Strix SCAR 18 with a full-surround Aura RGB light bar, customizable through the Armoury Crate app. Originally pioneered on the Zephyrus series, the Strix SCAR 18 also features an AniMe Vision display on the laptop lid. With an array of 810 LEDs shining through 8,522 precision-milled holes, users can express their style with a wide selection of pre-made animations, import a GIF of their choice, or create custom animations from scratch.

ASUS NO. 1 QUALITY & SEVICE AND MORE

Available through authorized retailers, the ROG Strix G and Strix SCAR laptops will come with the  ASUS No. 1 Quality & Service Program, featuring a 3-year International and Local Warranty with a 1-year Local Accidental Protection, as well as up to 6x claim of the Premium Care package.

The series will also include the following out-of-box: ROG Universal Backpack, ROG gaming mouse, 3-months PC Game Pass, Office 2024 Lifetime License, 1-year access to Microsoft 365 Basic with free 100 GB cloud storage, and up to 700 GB ASUS Cloud Storage Bundle.

LIFE WITH ROG

Celebrating 20 years of gaming leadership, ROG Philippines continues the festivities with the Life with ROG campaign. Get a chance to win exclusive prizes, visit the official Life with ROG website to learn more: https://rog.asus.com/ph/content/life-with-rog-ph/.

Stay updated on the latest gaming machines by following ROG Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

June 18, 2026
The Stripped down and Special Reading Performances of VLFXXI: Hubo’t Hubad

Apart from the must-see main features, the Virgin Labfest (VLF) continues to expand its offerings with stripped-down reading performances of selected scripts from the VLFXXI: HUBO’T HUBAD submissions, reading performances of works from the diaspora, and a showcase from the VLF Writing Fellowship Workshop.

The staged readings are composed of three sets, each featuring two scripts selected from the VLFXXI submissions. For Set 1, Jose Victor Torres’ Mga Tatsulok and M. Manalastas’ The Devoured will take the VLF stage on June 12, 2026. Set 2 takes the stage on June 19, 2026, featuring Dingdong Novenario’s Manang and Rafael Jimenez’s Suor. Set 3, meanwhile, will spotlight Juan Ekis’ Kasal(anan) and Jay Fernandez’s Ang Huli on June 26, 2026.

Mga Tatsulok follows the lives of three characters: Beng, a single mother struggling to cope with the death of her only son; Allan, her live-in partner who tries to keep their relationship together despite the tragedy; and Marky, Beng’s deceased son, whose memory continues to haunt her.

The Devoured centers on Raymond, a celebrated author and esteemed professor, whose world is turned upside down when his wife, Gloria, reveals that she is leaving him.

Manang explores themes of domestic labor, gratitude, and the unspoken tensions within families.

Suor tells the story of Francis, an atheist conductor mourning the death of his grandfather, who meets Anna, a nun with a deep interest in music. As they grow closer, they begin to navigate and make sense of their intersecting worlds.

Ang Kasal(anan) follows Xandra and Simon as they prepare for their wedding. The story explores the complexities of relationships, marriage, unraveling, and love, suggesting that love is more than just an emotion, it is a decision that is not easy to make.

Ang Huli centers on a confrontation between Andy and Bene in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, exploring how the crisis reshaped their lives, intensified the struggle for daily survival, and left their “situationship” suspended in uncertainty.

The special staged readings will feature works of Ihot Sinlay Cihek’s How Romantic: A Guide To Modern Pangcah Lifefrom the Taiwan International Play Reading Festival on June 10, 2026 and Prison Dancer from the Canada’s National Arts Centre on June 21 and 24, respectively.

All staged readings will be at 5pm, at the Bulwagang Roberto Chabet, 3/F Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater). Admission is free to the public, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Also part of the lineup is the culminating presentation of the VLF Writing Fellowship, a two-week mentorship program focused on the study and practice of writing for the stage under the guidance of award-winning playwright Glenn Sevilla Mas with direction by Rafael Jimenez, slated on June 28, 5pm, at the TIG Bulwagang Roberto Chabet.

The VLFXXI: HUBO’T HUBAD main features are scheduled at 2 p.m. matinee and 8 p.m. gala from June 3 to 28, 2026, from Wednesday to Sunday. Tickets are priced at Php1,000(regular) and Php1,200 (premium), available for purchase at the CCP Box Office and Ticket World.

For more updates on the festival schedule and ticket-selling, visit the official pages of VLF, CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation Inc., and Writers’ Bloc across Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

June 15, 2026
The ‘Virgin’ Playwrights of VLF XXI Bravely Unwrap Humanity’s Innate desire for Acceptance

Translating the intricate language of the human soul into words requires an insurmountable amount of dedication and courage. The process is not for the faint-hearted, as it often makes writers shed blood, sweat, and tears for simply wishing to execute a vision that has been haunting them for days, months, or years.

The Virgin Labfest (VLF), the country’s pioneering theater festival of untried, untested, and unstaged one-act plays, has turned these daydreams and ambitious ideas into reality since its establishment in 2005. Carrying the theme “Hubo’t Hubad” in its 21st edition, it transforms into a sanctuary for narratives that unwrap humanity’s innate hunger to be desired, seen, and celebrated.

Among the first-timers or “virgin” playwrights this year are Elijah Felice Rosales of HUMAN RIGHTS STORY OF THE YEAR, Alab Usman of HARAM, Ron Evangelista of SHE’S ELECTRIC, and Gab Mactal of LUALHATI.

The harrowing but rewarding writing process for VLFXXI: Hubo’t Hubad

“My first love talaga is writing for theater,” Mactal confessed, her journey beginning in 7th grade.

While writing Lualhati, the Theater Arts student faced the roadblock of not knowing the conclusion. She visited the St. Aloysius Gonzaga Chapel situated in Ateneo de Manila University despite not being religious: “It was a low point, then may random girl na nakakita sa akin. Niyakap ako. I just surrendered to the fact that I didn’t have everything figured out.”

Media and philosophy teacher Evangelista confessed to falling into the same rough patch while drafting She’s Electric. “Pagdating sa scripts, naramdaman ko kasi na there’s a certain freedom. Doon ako talaga na-hook. I have so much to tell,” he shared, noting how the absence of catharsis in academic papers led him to theater and fiction.

“Umabot ako ng 12 drafts,” Usman, a full-time freelance artist, said in between chuckles. Haram was derived from his college thesis. Before affixing stage directions, Usman started with character sketches of his protagonists inspired by the real struggles he stumbled upon online: “Doon ako nagsimula talaga, since wala pa akong background dati sa pagsusulat.”

Rosales, on the other hand, has been a journalist for almost a decade. With Human Rights Story of the Year, he steps into the world of Philippine theater as a playwright. “Kahit sabihin mo na the piece is meant to be watched by hundreds of people at the same time, na collaboration makes it work, the writing process is a lonely act,” he lamented, stressing the need to find fellow artists who believe in the same vision.

Presenting humanity’s flaws and gray areas as its strength

Rosales’ Human Rights Story of the Year captures the eternal dilemma that media practitioners face. “May mga sitwasyon kasing naghihilahan ‘yong tama at mali. Kapag ginagamit sa balita ang kuwento ng marginalized, sila ba ‘yong nakikinabang o ang media?” he expressed, hoping the audience would entertain the questions that fueled his script.

As he comes to terms with the natural yearning for love and acceptance in She’s Electric, Evangelista weaves an absurd circumstance after falling into a depressive episode: “Napaisip ako na parang mahihirapan akong makahanap ng taong matatanggap ako for who I am, dahil sa perceived eccentricities ko. Everybody just wants to be understood.”

“My play [Lualhati] naman is an invitation for older queer people to reconcile with how they were raised. I’m sure sobrang iba sa how I was raised,” Mactal expounded. While dedicating her work to those who feel the need to justify their existence and box their identities into societal conventions, she highlights the religious guilt that stems from the imposed belief that nonconformity is an anomaly.

Meanwhile, Usman emphasizes kindness as the core of all religions in intertwining the fates of three queer Muslims in Haram. “I believe na shared experience ‘yong pag-come out, pero marami akong friends sa province na nagtatago pa rinuntil now,” he narrated, acknowledging the heartbreaking disparity he witnessed in the city compared to his hometown, Zamboanga City.

The VLF stage as a manifestation of every artist’s dream

Back in VLF 2024, Usman served as the dramaturg to Neil Arkhe Azcuna’s Si Hesus Na’a Sa US. He now shares the festival stage with Azcuna as a playwright, a profound full-circle moment for the mind behind Haram. “I believe angVLF ay isa sa mga medium para ipakita sa mga tao ‘yong kultura at religion ko [Islam]. Nabibigyan kami nito ng espasyo,” Usman explained.

Rosales, an avid VLF audience member since 2013, mounted his first work in the culmination of the Writing Fellowship Program in 2023. Captivated by the theater festival’s ins and outs, he felt immense joy to be among the mainstage playwrights of VLF XXI: “Alagang-alaga kami sa puna. Ang writer, mahal ang mga tauhan niya pero para sa ‘kin, mahalaga ang kritisismo, ‘yong disiplina.”

As a complete outsider to the world of theater, Evangelista discovered the prestige of VLF to be the passion poured by every hand and mind that goes into mounting it. “It’s cheesy, pero no’ng na-experience ko siya, I realized I love this. The first time na nag-full run kami [ng She’s Electric], naluha ako nang kaunti,” Evangelista recalled needing a moment after seeing his work come to life.

“Is this a dream?” was Mactal’s initial thought upon receiving news that Lualhati had been accepted to VLF. She wrote it during the COVID-19 pandemic, blissfully unaware that it would someday be staged. She continued, “The VLF reveals parts of yourself and undresses the work. Hubad ka talaga sa harap ng keyboard para sa play mo.”

Unwrapping the soul in VLFXXI: Hubo’t Hubad

In its 21st year, the Virgin Labfest confronts humanity’s grit and shortcomings that often invite devastating but poignant consequences. While granting playwrights the opportunity and freedom to share their narratives, it dares its spectators to bask in the beauty, brilliance, and filth that make up the human soul.

“Virgin” playwrights Evangelista, Rosales, Usman, and Mactal had graciously accepted this challenge. They navigated the emotional whiplash of excitement upon being accepted to VLF, facing nerve-wracking critiques and relishing in the best versions of their work during premiere week. But besides their talent and commitment, these playwrights’ bravery deserves to be lauded for how they undressed and dissected their personal tales onstage for all the world to see.

Catch Usman’s HARAM, Rosales’ HUMAN RIGHTS STORY OF THE YEAR, Mactal’s LUALHATI, and Evangelista’s SHE’S ELECTRIC at VLFXXI: Hubo’t Hubad shows at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. from June 3 to 28, 2026, at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater).

For the latest updates on the festival schedule, ticket-selling, and accredited showbuyers, visit the pages of VLF, CCP, Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation Inc., and Writers’ Bloc across Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.

June 15, 2026