Your Story Starts Here: Join National Artist Ricky Lee's Legendary FREE Scriptwriting Workshop!

 

✍️ Your Story Starts Here: Join National Artist Ricky Lee's Legendary FREE Scriptwriting Workshop!

Attention, Aspiring Storytellers! The most-awaited news in Philippine cinema is finally here. After several years, the legendary, personal, and FREE Scriptwriting Workshop of National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts, Ricky Lee, is making its grand return!

I was once part of a scriptwriting workshop back in 2004. I originally applied for this workshop, but for some reason, I ended up with 

Whether you dream of writing the next blockbuster film like Himala, a groundbreaking series, or simply wish to master the art of storytelling, this is your chance to learn from a true Filipino master.

🌟 Why Join the Ricky Lee Scriptwriting Workshop?

This isn't just a class—it's a launchpad for your creative career. Since 1982, Ricky Lee has personally mentored countless individuals, transforming raw talent into cinematic voices.

• Learn from a National Artist: Ricardo "Ricky" Lee is a titan of Philippine cinema, with over 180 produced screenplays, including classics like Himala, Moral, Brutal, and Anak. His work is a cornerstone of the industry's Second Golden Age.

• A Legacy of Excellence: The workshop's alumni list reads like a who's who of acclaimed filmmakers and artists, proving the caliber of mentorship you will receive. Past workshoppers include: Lav Diaz, Dwein Baltazar, Sari Dalena, Jeffrey Jeturian, Bing Lao, Bela Padilla, Agot Isidro, Dustin Celestino, Pepe Diokno, and many more.

• It's FREE! This invaluable, life-changing opportunity is offered completely free of charge, supported by the new Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP), embodying Ricky Lee's commitment to nurturing Filipino talent.

• 📝 Open to All: Your Background Doesn't Matter!

  Ricky Lee believes that everyone has a story to tell. That's why this workshop truly welcomes people from all walks of life.

  • Eligibility: Open to all! Maski anong edad, kurso, o specialization ay puwedeng mag-apply. Your age, academic background, or profession is not a barrier—only your passion and potential matter.

  • The Big Comeback: This return is highly anticipated! The workshop will be accepting participants for two batches: Batch 30 and Batch 31.

  Workshop Details (Batch 30)

  • Schedule: 10 Sundays, starting December 14, 2025.

  • Venue: Quezon City.

  • Limited Slots: Only 30 participants per batch will be accepted to ensure personal, in-depth guidance.

  🚨 How to Apply: Don't Miss the Deadline!

  The application window is narrow—seize this opportunity now!

  Application Period: November 8–30, 2025

  Submission Requirements (in PDF format):

  1. Letter of Intent: Isang maikling liham na nagpapaliwanag kung bakit mo gustong sumali sa workshop. (A short letter explaining why you want to join the workshop.)

  2. Pagpapakilala (Introduction): Malikhaing ipakilala ang iyong sarili gamit ang isang masaya o malungkot na yugto ng iyong buhay. (Creatively introduce yourself using a happy or sad phase in your life.)

  Ready to turn your personal experiences into powerful cinema?

  🔗 FILL OUT THE OFFICIAL APPLICATION FORM HERE:

  https://forms.gle/FuYGuTzXBKhiWfs9A

  For further questions or inquiries, please email:

  rickyleescriptwritingworkshop@gmail.com

SB19 Teases New Song At Fast Zone Concert — Here’s What We Know So Far

 

SB19 once again proved why they’re the country’s premier PPop boy band with a show-stopping performance at Fast Zone on October 26. The one-night-only concert experience was a celebration of 7 years since the band’s debut. It was a visual spectacle that brought music, fashion, and style together, as the group teamed up with Filipino fashion icon Francis Libiran, who unveiled a brand-new collection during the show.

It was an evening full of surprises, but perhaps the biggest surprise of the night came when SB19 revealed a teaser for their next project - a brand-new holiday track in partnership with the country’s top e-wallet GCash for its coming holiday campaign.

A festive tradition for the group, and well-loved by their fans, the video featured SB19 joyfully dancing atop a Christmas tree of gifts, playing instruments, and debuting fresh choreography in what’s sure to be the next holiday anthem and ultimate LSS of the season.

Fans Were Treated to a Series of Surprises

Even before the concert started, the excitement was already in full swing, and fans had plenty of surprises waiting for them thanks to GCash. Guests got into the festive mood with GCash’s “Merry G” photobooth, where they captured their concert-ready moments around the venue.

New SB19 merch also dropped at the event, such as photocards, bag charms, t-shirts, and sticker sets for fans to take home pieces from the celebration.

But the surprises didn’t stop there! Seven lucky fans, selected by random seat number, discovered hidden GCash envelopes under their seats before the start of the concert, each containing premium SB19 merch and exclusive prizes revealed live on stage.

And once the concert kicked off, the energy kept soaring, especially when guest performer Sarah Geronimo joined SB19 for a live performance of Umaaligid, their collab project from earlier this year.

Beyond the Music: A Night that Redefined Collaboration

Fast Zone wasn’t just an anniversary show; it was proof that SB19 can do it all. Music,

fashion, and storytelling came together in one spectacle that pushed the boundaries of

pop performance.

And while Fast Zone may have come to a close, the excitement is far from over. In fact,

they’re just getting started for what's next in their new era. Up next? Their highly

anticipated collaboration with GCash - and its music video is set to drop soon.

Follow GCash’s official pages for more updates soon!

PHINMA Properties’ First Masterplanned Township in Bacolod

 

Imagine waking up to the warmth of Bacolod mornings, walking through tree-lined streets to a neighborhood café, or sending your children off to school without ever leaving your community. This is everyday life envisioned at Saludad, PHINMA Properties’ first masterplanned township in the city—one designed with Bacolodnons, for Bacolodnons.

Unlike many developments that import Manila’s blueprint to the provinces, Saludad was shaped by Bacolod’s heritage and aspirations. The township was co-created with JEPP Real Estate Co., a Bacolod- based firm rooted in the heritage of the city’s prominent families, and masterplanned by Royal Pineda+, an award-winning architectural firm known for championing Modern Filipino sensibilities and “Practical Luxury”—design that elevates everyday living while remaining accessible. This collaboration ensures that at the heart of Saludad is authenticity: a township that feels deeply familiar yet forward-looking enough to carry Bacolod into its next chapter.

“Bacolod has always been a city with a strong sense of identity and community,” said Raphael B. Felix, President and CEO of PHINMA Properties. “We didn’t want to simply bring in a template. We wanted to listen and collaborate with Bacolodnons so that Saludad truly reflects the culture, aspirations, and everyday life of the people who will call it home.”

A Complete Ecosystem—Homegrown, Holistic, and Human-Centered

Saludad offers a complete ecosystem designed to complement Bacolod’s rhythm of life. Maayo Terraces, its mid-rise condominium enclave, redefines practical, well-balanced living for modern families and professionals. Likha Estates gives Bacolodnons the freedom to build their homes—and legacies—from the ground up, offering spacious lot-only options that grow with every generation.

Beyond its residences, Saludad brings together institutions that enrich life and opportunity. Southwestern University PHINMA extends PHINMA Education’s legacy of accessible, quality learning, while PHINMA Hospitality’s TRYP by Wyndham Hotel strengthens Saludad as a lifestyle destination for locals and visitors alike.

At its core, however, Saludad’s town center and retail hubs are where Bacolod’s entrepreneurial spirit takes center stage. Designed for walkability and connection, the retail district will serve as a platform for homegrown businesses, local artisans, and Bacolod-based brands—from family-run cafés and culinary staples to creative concept stores and service ventures. It also opens doors for local entrepreneurs who have made their mark outside Bacolod to bring their brands back home, reestablishing their roots in a setting that reflects the city’s energy and pride.

Here, commerce and community blend naturally—creating spaces that are not just transactional, but transformational, where Bacolod’s success stories continue to grow and inspire.

A City Ready for Its Next Chapter

Bacolod itself provides fertile ground for this vision. It is one of the fastest-growing urban centers in the Visayas, buoyed by a rising middle class, strong OFW remittances, and consistent growth in property values across Negros Occidental. Its reputation as a cultural capital and emerging business hub continues to attract investors, balikbayans, and young professionals who see Bacolod as a city where lifestyle and opportunity go hand in hand.

The PHINMA Legacy: From Residences to Masterplanned Communities

Behind Saludad is PHINMA Properties, the trusted property development arm of the PHINMA Group, with over three decades of experience and more than 22,000 Filipino families served nationwide. Known for developing well-built, accessible homes and nurturing communities, PHINMA Properties has long been guided by the mission to make lives better through shelter.

Today, with the strength of the PHINMA Group—spanning education, construction materials, and hospitality—the company has evolved from building residences to developing integrated, masterplanned communities, beginning with Saludad.

“Saludad is a homegrown story,” Felix said. “It reflects Bacolod’s culture, crafted with the input of its people, and made stronger by the synergy of the PHINMA Group. It’s proof that Bacolod is ready for a township that celebrates who they are, while taking them forward into the future.”

Saludad is more than just real estate—it is Bacolod’s next neighborhood. Built to nurture connections, celebrate heritage, and carry the city’s warmth into the next generations, Saludad stands as a lasting promise: that Bacolod’s future will be shaped not by imported models, but by communities truly built by Bacolod, for Bacolod.

The Plight of South East Asian Domestic Workers Through the Magic of Dance and Witchcraft

 

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), and the Goethe-Institut Philippinen, proudly presents Magic Maids, a cultural ritual and dance performance interlacing the fear and oppression of women from centuries ago to today, at the CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater) from November 7 to 9, 2025.

Conceptualized and choreographed by Eisa Jocson and Venuri Perera, Magic Maids is a dance performance that interweaves the complexities and similarities of maids to the trials and tribulations of witches. Through the lens of feminist resistance, the 80-minute performance is told through the perspective of both the witch and the maid, using the broom, not only as a metaphor for the shared experiences of prejudice and sacrifice, but also as a physical device that connects both archetypal figures.

The dance performance is a ritual, a collective retelling of the hushed stories of domestic workers in the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, providing a broader perspective on the exploitation of labor in the Global South likened to the European witch hunts. 

Venuri Perera_Courtesy the artist

With Jocson and Perera born and raised from the Global South, it adds an extra layer of cultural and personal touch in the show’s storytelling through its ritual in denouncing the oppression of women that continues to haunt the globe and uplifting feminist resistance.

Eisa Jocson_Courtesy Rockbund Art Museum

On November 9 at 11:00 AM, Jocson and Perera will lead a workshop titled Broomology 101 at the TIG Lobby. In this session, the broom serves as a central axis linking the archetypes of the witch and the housemaid, becoming a tool for playful transformation and somatic exploration. Participants will explore what it means to extend themselves through the broom—merging, becoming wild, and engaging with the power of intention through movement and collective experience—while examining the spectrum between beauty and monstrosity. 

Jocson is an interdisciplinary artist based in La Union. With a background in ballet, she drifted towards the contemporary dance genre and pole dancing, which continues to amplify her work and exploration of body politics and exploitation of migrant work in her own country, the Philippines.

Perera is an independent creator from Colombo. She has curated and produced projects of the Colombo Dance Platform and is currently a member of the Dance Panel of the Arts Council in Sri Lanka. Her works focus on the patriarchy, colonialism and class struggle, a reflection of her own experiences and the collective experience of women in her nation.

Performances for ‘Magic Maids’ will be held on November 7 and 8, at 5pm, and November 9, at 8pm. Regular ticket price is Php600 and student discount ticket is priced at Php300 upon presentation of valid ID.

Interested workshop participants can register until November 4, 2025 through the registration link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf3GUt_9AlzYuTEt31AiA-fhPT4A_FuctYhl1-Y4viMabAFjg/viewform. Selected participants will receive a confirmation from the Goethe-Institut.

To get the latest updates on CCP’s events, follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) for more news.

Raise your glass at Araneta City’s exclusive beer & bites this Oktoberfest

 

Araneta City invites you to experience Oktoberfest like never before—a celebration where cold

mugs of beer, hearty food, and the joy of togetherness come alive in one unforgettable event.

What began as a festive tradition in Munich has blossomed into a global phenomenon, uniting

people across cultures with good food, great drinks, and cheerful toasts—an experience that

resonates deeply with Filipinos.

This October, the City of Firsts gives you even more reasons to raise a glass with a vibrant lineup of Oktoberfest-inspired feasts and festivities. Blending international flavors with the Filipino love for a tall, ice-cold pint, Araneta City brings you the perfect fusion of merriment and taste. Here’s where you can drink, dine, and celebrate all October long at Araneta City:

Double the fun, double the cheers at World Kitchens

Sometimes, the best moments happen over a shared plate and a cold drink. At World Kitchens, you can enjoy comfort food from around the globe while swapping stories with friends. Until October 31, try their Double the Cheers Around the World offer—order any

featured appetizer with two bottles of San Miguel Pale Pilsen or San Mig Light, and enjoy two extra beers on the house, plus a chance to win a set meal for six, all for just ₱599. The menu features familiar favorites and a few unexpected bites, like crispy calamares, deep-fried karaage, mozzarella dynamite, pizza margherita, and even spicy frog legs. It’s a flavorful way to toast to good company and great food, and it’s found at Gateway Mall 2.

Good times on tap at Farmers Plaza

Round up the barkada for a relaxed afternoon at Farmers Plaza’s Food Plaza and make the most of their Happy Hour Promo. Until October 31, drop by from 2 PM to 5 PM and enjoy a buy-one-get-one deal on San Miguel Pale Pilsen (₱100 per mug) or San Mig Light (₱110 per mug). Catch up with good friends and let time slow down with this refreshing deal.

A fiesta of flavor at Novotel Manila Araneta City

For those looking to add a Spanish twist to their Oktoberfest celebration, Novotel Manila Araneta City invites you to cheer, “Viva España!” with España en tu Mesa: Olé to Spanish Fiesta Feasts at Food Exchange Manila. From October 10 to November 30, enjoy a weekend buffet elevated by the rustic flavors of Spain. Indulge in free-flowing local beers alongside paellas, savory tapas, and decadent desserts. Families are welcome too, with kids aged eight and below dining for free, and special offers available through My Novotel Manila Boutique.

The beer is cold, the food is bold, and the celebrations are in full swing. From unique global flavors at World Kitchens to unbeatable happy hour deals at Farmers Plaza, and Spanish-style feasting at Novotel Manila Araneta City, there’s no better place to eat, drink, and make memories this Oktoberfest. Don’t just hear about it—gather your friends, head to Araneta City, and be part of the experience. The cheers, the bites, and the good times are waiting.

To know more about the latest promos, activities, and happenings at Araneta City, please visit

www.aranetacity.com. You may also like and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly

Twitter), and TikTok.