A few days ago, Sparkle GMA Artist Center, the talent agency arm of GMA Network, welcomed three new artists to a roster of Kapuso artists on May 12, 2026, through a contract signing event at the GMA Network Center. Two of them are known as housemates of Pinoy Big Brother from two different seasons, and one of them is a Filipino-British content creator.
These new Sparkle artists are Baninay Bautista, Kobie Brown, and Nicole Fortuna, marking the continuation of expanding its roster of dynamic talents and reflecting its commitment to nurturing artists from various platforms and backgrounds, opening doors to even more exciting projects for the viewers of GMA Network.
Baninay Bautista, known as a housemate from Pinoy Big Brother Lucky 7 (as an Adult Housemate), and Nicole Fortuna, a Filipino-British content creator, are now part of Status by Sparkle. Baninay is widely recognized for her vibrant personality as a vlogger, host, and live streamer. At the same time, Nicole was known for her relatable and feel-good videos about adjusting to life in the Philippines after growing up in England.
Meanwhile, Pinoy Big Brother Connect 3rd Big Placer Kobie Brown, known for his recent appearances in several ABS-CBN series, including Ghosting, What Lies Beneath, and Blood vs. Duty, joins Sparkle Artists Center. Joining in the contract signing event are his talent manager, Vic del Rosario Jr., and Cornerstone Entertainment Presidents Erickson Raymundo and Jeffrey Vadillo.
Furthermore, GMA Entertainment Group will deliver a highly-staking action-drama primetime series that features a world where danger hides behind screens, which could have the greatest impact in every smallest action, in Taskforce Firewall, premiering on May 25, 2026, at 20:55, after The Master Cutter, via GMA, Kapuso Stream, and GMA Play.
The newest primetime offering from GMA aims to raise public awareness and to promote against rampant cybercrimes through compelling storytelling. The story, as the title implies, is about a group of individuals brought together by fate and united by a mission to become cyber protectors.
The drama was headlined by Kylie Padilla, playing as Isa Cervantes, and Miguel Tanfelix, playing as Galo Villareal. Isa is the heart of the Firewall, a disciplined strategist living in the shadow of her parents’ legacy. Galo is a former soldier driven by personal trauma and thrust into handling cybercrime cases.
The Firewall also include Hex Silverio, played by Jak Roberto, who is a survivor-turned-hacker with a highly-weaponized intelligence to solve all cybercrimes, Callie Sandoval, played by Kyline Alcantara, their chosen financial brain, Jhay-Jhay Gonzaga, played by Buboy Villar, a VFX eye of the team and video specialist, Hernan, played by Allen Dizon, a father longing to reconcile with Isa, Franco, played by Dominic Ochoa, a director of PBI who pushed the Firewall team to their own potential, and Tita Glo, played by Glenda Garcia, a nurturing yet practical guide within the PBI office.
Also joining in the series are Rodjun Cruz, Shayne Sava, Cheska Fausto, Anna Abad Santos, John Vic De Guzman, and special participants Yasmien Kurdi, Mark Herras, and Lexi Gonzales.
Directed by Rico Gutierrez and Associate Director Mark Kevin De Vela, Taskforce Firewall is a new primetime offering that aims to raise awareness, resilience, and justice in the digital age, as well as the emergence of cybersecurity strategies.
Taskforce Firewall airs on weekdays at 20:55, starting on May 25, 2026, via GMA, GTV (delayed), Kapuso Stream, and GMA Play.
Entertaining in music and film
DonBelle-led Tayo Sa Wakas launches its mall tour and web portal, MNL48, BINI, and Ian Manibale-related updates
Just a few days before the premiere of Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano-topbilled Tayo Sa Wakas (transl. Us In The End), a film produced by ABS-CBN Star Cinema, releasing on May 27, 2026, fans of the said lead stars can now purchase film tickets in advance through its official website, https://TayoSaWakas.com, as the pair continues to draw huge crowds during their mall tour titled The Road To Wakas.
The mall show was previously held in Zamboanga City, Antipolo (Rizal), and Bulacan, where Donny and Belle visited these locations and gathered their fans in full force to welcome them and take part in the growing excitement surrounding the film.
Tayo Sa Wakas, directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, was the first romantic drama film offering from Star Cinema that revolves around Cheska (Belle) and Cisco (Donny), a long-time couple who have been partners in life and career but are now forced to confront how their ambitions have set them on different paths. Apart from Donny and Belle, Epy Quizon, Joross Gamboa, River Joseph, Jaime Fabregas, Yayo Aguilar, Allan Paule, Matthew Mendoza, Emilio Daez, Jude Hinumdum, and Miah Canton will also join in the said film.
Star Cinema also announced that the nationwide mall tour will continue with upcoming stops within May and June 2026, including KCC Mall of Cotabato (May 22), Ayala Malls Marquee Mall Pampanga (May 23), SM City Bacoor and Dasmariñas (May 24), Robinsons Galleria Cebu (May 30), SM City Iloilo (June 6), and SM City Bacolod (June 7). Furthermore, the film’s stars are also set to attend several block screenings in Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, and Davao.
Fans of DonBelle, both nationally and globally, can also access the official film website for updates on participating cinemas, exclusive content, milestones, and upcoming events.
Furthermore, in celebration of their 33rd anniversary as a film production company, during the Cine Expo 2026 event held on May 12, 2026, the lead stars, Donny and Belle, made a special announcement that they would offer special ticket pricing for their upcoming film.
With this, upon the film’s release in Philippine cinemas on May 27, 2026, moviegoers in selected cinemas, including SM Cinemas, Ayala Malls Cinemas, Vista Malls Cinemas, Robinsons Movieworld, Gateway Cineplex 18, Megaworld Cinemas, Shangri-La Plaza, Fisher Mall, NCCC Malls, and Sta. Lucia Malls will offer discounted, limited-time ticket rates.
Tayo Sa Wakas is set to premiere in Philippine Cinemas on May 27, 2026.
Furthermore, on May 20, 2026, P.O.S., Inc., the company behind the Idol Girl Group MNL48, announced its disbandment, which will conclude its activities as of the end of this month (May 2026), following extensive discussions with its relevant parties.
In its official statement regarding the disbandment, after carefully considering the sustainability of the management structure, the future operating environment, and the various conditions necessary to continue supporting the Idol Girl Group, the management decided that it would be difficult to continue their activities going forward.
The statement also noted that the group’s final work, the music video for Pag-Ibig Fortune Cookie, was recently released on the official YouTube channel of the girl group.
MNL48, also known by its fans as MNLoves, is an Idol Girl Group formed by Hallo Hallo Entertainment (HHE) in 2018 and is an international sister group of AKB48, based in Japan.
Maraming-maraming salamat for the love, support, memories, and for being part of this journey. This chapter may be coming to an end, but everything we shared will always remain in our hearts, MNL48 added to its statement.
Meanwhile, starting on May 21 and 22, 2026, the Nation’s Girl Group BINI celebrates its fifth year as a P-Pop phenomenon that reached millions of global audiences through sold-out shows (locally and globally), international milestones (including their Coachella 2026 debut), and a growing worldwide fanbase, through a 10-episode reality series premiering via iWant and its YouTube channel, titled BINIverse and Chorus.
Ahead of the fifth anniversary on June 11, 2026, the BINIverse and Chorus show, starring its members – Aiah, Colet, Maloi, Gwen, Stacey, Mikha, Jhoanna, and Sheena – will review more than three hundred demo entries submitted by BLOOMs featuring only a verse and chorus. They will eventually narrow the entries down to a Top 12 before selecting the Top 8 songs that will be opened for public voting.
The series is scheduled to release on May 21 and 22, 2026, via iWant – both on the streaming app and its YouTube Channel.
Furthermore, Tawag ng Tanghalan All-Star Grand Resbak runner-up and One Music Management singer-songwriter Ian Manibale captures the vulnerability and quiet courage of falling in love with his new single, Ganito Ba, available on all major music streaming platforms.
The R&B track, composed by Kiko Salazar and produced by Gabriel Tagadtad, explores the emotions of unexpectedly finding a deep connection at a time when love feels uncertain. It also reflects the risks of opening their hearts again despite past doubts and fears.
Ian, based in Catanduanes, was a runner-up in Tawag ng Tanghalan Season 5 (2021) and a second placer of TNT All-Star Grand Resbak Season 2. He debuted as a recording artist a year ago with songs he had previously released, including Vicente Cruz, Laging Nasa Tabi Mo, Naubos Na, and Hindi Na Mahal (a collaboration with fellow alum Jezza Quiogue).
PBB Gen 11 and Collab 2.0 updates
JMFyang-led Almost Us, now with PHP 30-M in gross, Anton in Kamao, and Fred and Kanata in Mahiwaga MV
Two weeks after the release of the highly anticipated and positively received Regal Entertainment-Project 8 film Almost Us, directed by Dan Villegas, and topbilled by Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 ex-housemates JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith, the producers announced on May 19, 2026, that it reached over PHP 30 million (USD 487,574.96) in Box Office sales since its release on May 6, 2026.
As of this writing, the romantic-comedy film is still showing in an extended run, showing in about 90 cinemas nationwide, on its third week. Earlier today, the Gen Z love teams from PBB and Star Magic appeared at the Spotlight Presscon of the talent agency, where they discussed their recently released projects, including Love Is Never Gone, a Prime Original series headlined by Joshua Garcia and Ivana Alawi.
The third episode of Love Is Never Gone also starred Kanata Tapia as Ms. Mendoza, where they fought against Raya (Fyang Smith) about paying for parking, which she said that “it was made for the rich and privileged people,” which was later stopped by Ronnie (JM) and discussed in this issue, and told Ms. Mendoza (Kanata) to stay in the office. In contrast, the others left after being told that it was Raya should not do that again.
Almost Us is showing in its third week, in 90 cinemas nationwide. Love Is Never Gone is streaming exclusively via Prime Video, releasing two new episodes every Friday at midnight (Philippine Standard Time), and is available in over 240 countries and territories worldwide.
Meanwhile, following his remarkable role in a 2025 GMA Prime hit series, Mga Batang Riles, and as a housemate of Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0, Anton Vinzon, dubbed as the Astig Anak-tion Star ng Baguio, will make his mark as the first solo lead project in a GMA Afternoon Prime Series premiering on May 25, 2026, under the title of Kamao.
The first-ever sports drama series from GMA tells the story of every Filipino who remains strong, resilient, and determined to show up for their family, despite life’s challenges.
The story begins when Makisig “Makmak” Batumbakal (Anton) is an amateur boxer who aspires to become a boxing champion. However, his toughest battles happen elsewhere as he gets caught up in the lies and controversies surrounding his former boxing champ father and endures the unbending rules of his grandfather. In pursuing his championship belt, Makmak learns that his true victory is measured not only by awards and accolades but also by triumphing over the battles in life.
Apart from Anton, the series will also join together with some of the seasoned stars in the industry, including Amy Austria, Roi Vinzon, Wendell Ramos, Neil Ryan Sese, and Katrina Halili, as well as promising young stars and trending social media personalities, like Bruce Roeland, Therese Malvar, Chanty Videla, Tito Abdul, Tito Marsy, Matt Lozano, and Euwenn Mikaell.
Directed by L.A. Madridejos, Richard Arellano, and associate director Kevin de Vela, the series highlights that true winning is discovering oneself more deeply and finding love, peace, and acceptance within the family. As this is his first-ever lead role in a GMA Afternoon Prime series, it will deliver a wide range of drama, comedy, romance, and intense action that fans of Anton have come to expect.
Kamao will premiere on May 25, 2026, via GMA, Kapuso Stream, and GMA Play, airing weekdays at 15:20 (after Born To Shine), replacing House of Lies in its timeslot.
And for fans of the Courtside Charmer of Albay and the Lola-Ving Apo of Occidental Mindoro, ABS-CBN Music-Tarsier Records singer-songwriter Zion Aguirre, known for his previously released tracks, including Paradise, Sunshine, Yakap, Promise, Fallin, and In Another Life (from Bigkas EP), will capture the thrilling rush of a happy crush in his upcoming single, titled Mahiwaga, available for listening on all streaming platforms.
The alternative dream pop track composed by himself and handled by Jhay Ehidio dives into the irresistible feeling of being drawn to someone who feels almost magical—hard to explain, yet impossible to ignore.
The music video, released recently on the official YouTube Channel of the record label, starred PBB Collab 2.0 Kapamilya ex-housemate Fred Moser, together with Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 ex-housemate and Love Is Never Gone star Kanata Tapia, as speculated in its teaser videos a few days before it was released.
Zion also released his previous song under the same record label upon his return, titled Ayoko Na, featuring PBB alums Jasmine Dudley-Scales (Gen 11) and Argel Saycon (Otso), who appeared in the music video released a year ago.
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