For ABS-CBN Music, this is where the story takes off. Let’s show the world the sound of the Philippines. – Roxy Liquigan
After Bhutan (Nyendra) and Malaysia (Aina Abdul) chose their entry representatives in the forthcoming prestigious Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026, led by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Voxovation, the Philippines will be the next selection country for the contest, under the title of “Pili, Pinas!, The Philippine Selection Night,” scheduled to take place on August 30, 2026.
On August 10 and 11, 2026, partner broadcaster ABS-CBN, through its recording entity, Star Music, announced its ten entry songs up for selection in ESCA 2026 and the interpreter of each song. The songs were later released on various music platforms on the following Monday, August 17, 2026, less than two weeks before the Philippine Selection Night on August 30, 2026.
Eurovision has always stood for one powerful idea: that a single song can unite different cultures and move an entire continent. By partnering with the EBU and Voxovation, we are giving our creators the global stage to say. This is who we are, and this is our story, ABS-CBN Music and Integrated Events head Roxy Liquigan explained, saying that participation in the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 has been welcomed to deliver the showcased Filipino sound to listeners globally.
Ten entry songs were up for the Philippine Selection Night of the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026, which are the following:
- “Between Bituin”, composed by Jungee Marcelo, performed by DNA. Titled as a playful pun, “Between Bituin” is a joyful, stellar pop anthem that celebrates new beginnings, faith, and the courage to dream beyond what we can see. DNA is a P-Pop Group led by the Mitra Sisters, Tasha, Ezri, and Julia, which debuted in 2025 through their first-ever single, Don’t Ask Me Why. They recently released their eight-track self-titled album, featuring DNA, Don’t Ask Me Why, Spider (key track), Speeding Ticket, Lessons, BINGO, Glow Up Diary, and Gala To The Max (summer campaign song for SM Supermalls).
- “Broken Beyond Repair”, composed by Angelo Gonzales, performed by SAGA. “Broken Beyond Repair” is an orchestral ballad that delves into the heartbreak of holding on to someone who has already moved on, capturing the pain of loving someone who is no longer looking back with a haunting melody and emotionally charged lyrics. John Mark Saga, known as SAGA, is an alumnus of Tawag ng Tanghalan, a reality singing competition aired on It’s Showtime.
- “Cheri(e)”, composed by Nar Cabico, performed by Elha Nympha, Esang, Lance Reblando, and Nar Cabico. “Cheri(e),” meaning “love” in French, is an anthem celebrating identity, individuality, and the beauty of being uniquely oneself. The song was first commissioned in 2017 by the late Filipino actress Cherie Gil, who wanted to promote the correct pronunciation of her name. Elha Nympha and Esang de Torres previously competed in The Voice Kids Philippines Season 2 and later became part of ASAP’s New Gen Divas, together with co-contender Carmelle Collado and co-members Alexa Ilacad and Kai Montinola. Lance Reblando is a transgender actress, singer, and theater performer under the ABS-CBN talent management firm Star Magic, known for Walang Aray, Warla, and Love At First Spike. Nar Cabico is a singer and stage actor and a contender in the GMA Network reality show Superstar Duets.
- “Di Yan (Red Flag)”, composed by Jason Marvin, performed by Jason Dy and Sassa Dagdag. A playful pop and R&B track, “Di Yan (Red Flag)” is about the denial that comes with falling in love, even when the warning signs, or ‘red flags,’ in a relationship are impossible to ignore. Jason was the winner of The Voice of the Philippines Season 2. Sassa was a finalist of The Voice Kids Philippines Season 2.
- “Good For You”, composed by Hazel Faith Santos, performed by Ryssi Avila. “Good For You” is a soulful, powerhouse anthem about breaking toxic cycles, leaving unhealthy patterns behind, and choosing to become a better version of yourself for the person you love. Ryssi was a runner-up in the second season of the ABS-CBN reality singing competition, Idol Philippines Season 2 from 2022.
- “Make It Exist”, composed by Angelo Calucin, performed by AJAA. “Make It Exist” is a high-energy, funky track infused with the unmistakable Filipino budots sound, turning a bold message of making the impossible possible into an infectious musical experience. AJAA is a four-member P-Pop group under Cornerstone Entertainment, comprised of Ash, JC, Axl, and Alex, as the group name implies.
- “Mapadama”, composed by Jungee Marcelo and Jeremy Glinoga, performed by JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano. “Mapadama” is an inspiring bilingual pop-jazz duet that speaks about finding the courage to embrace what lies within and believe in what could be. JM dela Cerna and Marielle Montellano, known by their fans as JMielle, are a vocal duo known as the champions of several ABS-CBN singing reality shows, including Tawag ng Tanghalan Duets 2023 and Your Face Sounds Familiar Season 4.
- “Reason to Live”, composed by Stephen Tan, performed by Khimo Gumatay. The R&B ballad “Reason to Live” is about finding hope to carry on despite challenges and uncertainty. The song was inspired by a period of hopelessness, ultimately leading to a shift in perspective and the realization that there is always a reason to keep pushing forward. Khimo Gumatay is a grand winner of Idol Philippines Season 2 (2022) and is known for his self-titled album produced under Star Music, released in 2025.
- “Round N’ Round”, composed by Julius James de Belen and John Michael Conchada, performed by VVINK and Russu Laurente. Born from the chaos and pull of love, “Round N’ Round” navigates the unpredictability of love, where two people meet, may take different paths, but somehow end up finding their way to each other. VVINK, pronounced “wink”, is a five-member P-Pop group that debuted under FlipMusic Records in 2025, comprised of Angelika, Ayaka, Jean, Mariel, and Odri. Russu Laurente is a main rapper and songwriter of the P-Pop Group WRIVE, under Polaris Star Magic, comprised of co-members Asi, Drei, Ishiro, and Mathew. He also appeared in several ABS-CBN reality shows, including Pinoy Big Brother Connect in 2020 as a housemate, and Dream Maker in 2022-2023 as a Dream Chaser.
- “Sobra-Sobra”, composed by Nica del Rosario and Mat Olavides, performed by Carmelle Collado. Composed as a tribute to Filipinas, “Sobra-Sobra” is an empowering dance track that reminds women they are never ‘too much’ or ‘not enough,’ and that they have the freedom to embrace who they are and become whoever they want to be. Carmelle Collado was a runner-up of The Voice Kids Season 4, a grand champion of Tawag Ng Tanghalan The School Showdown (2025), and an ex-housemate of Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0. She recently released her single “Morena” under Star Music, ahead of her sold-out live concert held at the SM North EDSA Skydome on May 17, 2026.
A week ago, on August 15, 2026, Malaysian singer-songwriter and Anugerah Juara Lagu (AJL) Season 40 contestant Aina Abdul will represent Malaysia in the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 through the said singing competition, aired on Media Prima’s TV3, the country’s partner broadcaster for the contest.
The Philippine Selection Night for the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 will air on several ABS-CBN Platforms on August 30, 2026, at 21:45, via Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, iWant, ALLTV2, A2Z, Myx (delayed airing), and The Filipino Channel (TFC).
Apart from Bhutan (BBS), Malaysia (Media Prima), and the Philippines (ABS-CBN), the next entry selection for each participating countries in the Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 will include South Korea (ENA), Laos (VTE9), Nepal (Himalaya TV), Thailand (BEC Channel 3), Bangladesh (NTV), Cambodia (TV5 Cambodia), Vietnam (VTV), and Mongolia (Mongol HD TV), and will compete in the grand final taking place at the IdeaLive (Bangkok, Thailand) on November 14, 2026.
Entertainment Update for Kapamilya Shows:
The Loyalty Game leads on Prime Video ahead of the finale; CocoJul kilig scenes in Sigabo; Billy vs. Abi in Someone Someday
A few days before the final two episodes of the ABS-CBN Studios and Star Creatives-produced Prime Video original drama series The Loyalty Game were released on August 14, 2026, it retained the lead as the most-watched show on Prime Video Philippines. It continued to rank among the Top 10 shows of the streaming platform in Singapore and the United Arab Emirates.
To date, The Loyalty Game remains the number one show on Prime Video Philippines, a few days after the release of Episodes 13 and 14. It has also generated buzz online since it premiered on Prime Video, with its intriguing and mysterious storyline and impressive performances from its cast. The latest episodes showed that Mara (Yassi Pressman) revealed more of Ben’s (Jericho Rosales) dark secrets to Anna (Janine Gutierrez), including his role in covering up the death of his father.
She also said she believed Regina (Charlie Dizon) was right in suspecting that Ben was responsible for the deaths of their father and Regina’s husband. Viewers may feel what they left wondering about Anna: what she does next and whether she can still believe and trust her husband after learning the truth about him.
With the alleged victims’ bodies seemingly being uncovered, Ben may still be able to keep the truth hidden, as it seems in the final two episodes of The Loyalty Game. Episodes 13 and 14 of the Prime Video original are now out exclusively on the video streaming platform.
Meanwhile, lead stars Coco Martin and Julia Montes are bringing the ultimate kilig and romantic comedy vibes as their characters, Gabo and Sam, enter each other’s lives upon the release of its teaser photos and video featuring their sweet scenes that may excite its viewers and fans in the hit Kapamilya primetime series Coco Martin’s Sigabo.
ABS-CBN Studios, Dreamscape Entertainment, and CCM Film Productions got its viewers excited about the episodes of the series aired on August 20, 2026, by dropping some of the behind-the-scenes photos and a teaser video of their much-awaited kilig-filled scene together, showing how Gabo (Coco) took care of Sam (Julia) in his house while they lay next to each other.
Following their incidental but not-so-pleasant encounters, Gabo and Sam are set to cross paths again when she, Sam, suddenly finds herself in his community, Gabo, after a do-or-die battle against high-profile syndicates. The action of Sigabo will further intensify as Gabo fully commits to doing special secret missions to take down notorious criminals.
Coco Martin’s Sigabo airs on weeknights at 20:00 (after TV Patrol) via Kapamilya Channel, ALLTV2, TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live (on the ABS-CBN Facebook and YouTube pages), iWant, and The Filipino Channel (TFC) on pay TV and IPTV platforms for Kapamilyas abroad.
Furthermore, following the intense acting showdown between Kathryn Bernardo and Maja Salvador, and how they go head-to-head in a string of heated confrontations, ABS-CBN primetime drama Someone Someday achieved two all-time high concurrent live online views on August 18 and 19, 2026, garnering 338,800 (Aug. 18), and 353,672 (Aug. 19), respectively, according to data from Kapamilya Online Live via the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel. It also ranked second among the top 10 most-watched shows on iWant in the Philippines, as of August 20, 2026.
The confrontation between Billy and Abi, which began in an episode aired on August 14, 2026, showcased their eye-to-eye (“mata-mata”) acting prowess in their fiery face-off, where Billy (Kathryn) slapped Abi (Maja) and called her a liar over her betrayal, earning rave reactions from netizens for their nuanced portrayals and emotionally charged performances.
Abi has fully revealed her true colors, from pretending to be an obsessed fan to now being Billy’s number one rival, as she becomes determined to derail her success, which will fuel their intense confrontations throughout the series. Someone Someday also builds its excitement for viewers as Billy, with the help of her best friend Jordan (James Reid), inches closer to uncovering the truth behind Abi’s evil ulterior motive when they learn that she has been faking her identity all along and that her real name is actually Bea.
Someone Someday airs on weeknights at 20:45 (after Coco Martin’s Sigabo) on Kapamilya Channel, ALLTV2, TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live (via ABS-CBN’s Facebook and YouTube accounts), and The Filipino Channel (TFC) for Overseas Kapamilyas subscribed to pay TV or IPTV. Netflix and iWant subscribers may watch the series 48 to 72 hours in advance (subscription required).
Kapuso Updates this week:
Heart Evangelista renews ties with Sparkle GMA Artist Center; Apl.de.ap teases new EP releasing on September 25, 2026
The People Have Spoken host, award-winning Global Fashion Icon, and GMA Sparkle star Heart Evangelista recently renewed her contract with GMA Network’s talent management arm, Sparkle GMA Artist Center, continuing her partnership with the Kapuso network and entering her 28th year in show business.
Heart Evangelista has fulfilled her milestone by garnering prestigious collaborations, awards, and recognitions, including Fornasetti Italy x LME, ION Orchard Singapore Campaign, CASETiFY x Heart Evangelista, Vone World Indonesia 1st and 2nd Bag Collection, Mugler Fragrances Regional Ambassador for Southeast Asia, and the EMIGALA 2025 Global Fashion Influencer of the Year Award, to name a few.
The artist has also appeared on several magazine covers and features in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia, including Harper’s Bazaar Singapore 2026, Tatler Philippines 2024, L’Officiel Singapore 2024, ELLE Indonesia 2024, Grazie Malaysia 2024, GLAM Malaysia 20th Anniversary Special 2024, and ICON Magazine Singapore 2023.
Heart teased its fans with former on-screen partner John Prats for a possible reunion. She also showcased her creativity and passion in the jewelry business through her jewelry line named The Love Marie Edit.
Present at the contract renewal signing event for Heart Evangelista were Senior Vice President for Programming, Talent Management, Worldwide, and Support Group, and President and CEO of GMA Pictures, Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, First Vice President for Sparkle GMA Artist Center, Ms. Joy C. Marcelo, Vice President for Musical, Variety, Specials, and Alternative Productions for Entertainment Group, Ms. Gigi Santiago-Lara, and Assistant Vice President for Talent Management, Mr. Vic Del Rosario, and Event Host Sean Lucas, known as a co-host of GMA’s own game show airing on Saturday primetime, The People Have Spoken.
Meanwhile, international music icon and Black Eyed Peas co-founder Apl.de.ap has officially teamed up with GMA Network’s recording label, GMA Music, in a milestone distribution deal held at the GMA Network Center last Friday, August 14, 2026. Under the partnership between Apl.de.ap and GMA Music, the recording label will manage the global distribution and release strategy for his upcoming three-track Extended Play (EP) album, scheduled to be released through all major digital streaming platforms on September 25, 2026.
Apl.de.ap was known for centering on themes of national pride, Filipino identity, cultural unity, and global Pinoy spirit, which the EP will serve as a powerful showcase of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). The three-track EP’s key track is the carrier single “Why”, an explosive collaboration between him and OPM rock legend Bamboo. Also featured on the EP were Turn Around with J. Rey Soul and Pinoy United with Datu Khomeini.
I am incredibly excited about this collaboration with GMA Music. This will really connect me with our kababayans and the Filipino audience, not just here, but around the world. This partnership is just a stepping stone in highlighting OPM and upcoming Filipino artists. This is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to keep creating content and releasing music, and collaborations, and acknowledging upcoming amazing, talented Filipino artists, Apl.de.ap said.
Present in the signing ceremony event were Mr. Felipe S. Yalong (GMA Network Executive Vice President and Chief Finance Officer, and EVP and COO for GMA Music), Ms. Gigi Santiago-Lara (Vice President for Musical, Variety, Specials, and Alternative Productions), Ms. Angel Javier-Cruz (Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications), Mr. Jojo Aquio (Assistant Vice President for Corporate Communications), Ms. Ruth Mariñas (Assistant Vice President for Musical, Variety, Specials, and Alternative Productions), Mr. Rene Salta (Managing Director of GMA Music), Ms. Cathy Villarba (Talent Manager for Apl.de.ap) and Mr. Dan Vo (Business Manager for Apl.de.ap).
Yalong shared about the contract signing for the artist and that Apl.de.ap is the first foreign artist signed with GMA Music. I want to make GMA Music a company that will be identified as a home for talented Filipino artists. This is just the start of more collaborations using the full resources of GMA Network. On behalf of the community of GMA Network, we are so glad that you chose us to be your distribution partner for your digital works. Rest assured that we will do our best to ensure the success of our initial venture.
We warmly welcome Apl.de.ap to GMA Music. We are honored and excited to be chosen as the distributor for his upcoming EP, a project that will really connect him with his audiences here and around the world, Mr. Salta added.
Kapamilya Love Teams Update:
FranSeth’s A Cake To Remember; JMFyang’s Will You Fake Marry Me S2, coming to iWant; Star Magic All-Star Games 2026
ABS-CBN’s video streaming service iWant will deliver two new offerings on its Quick Feels lineup during the second half of 2026, adding to its growing lineup of vertical dramas released in 2026, such as The Chambermaid’s Daughter, Twist of Fate, A Mother’s Vengeance, and Runaway Love.
By next Friday, August 28, 2026, iWant will release the first part of a new vertical drama headlined by Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin, A Cake To Remember. The FranSeth love team is set to swoon fans with their chemistry anew as they navigate the struggles of recalling a sweet but forgotten romance in this latest microdrama offering.
Directed by Emerald Silvestre, the microdrama follows pastry chef Mandy (Francine), who reluctantly accepts a wedding cake commission to save her struggling bakery. But fate struck hard when she found out that the one who received the cake was none other than her ex-fiancé, Landon (Seth), who had apparently left her at the altar on their supposed wedding day.
Unknown to Mandy, Landon was in a coma after a tragic accident just before their wedding, causing him to lose all memories of her. Now determined to make him remember their love before he marries someone else, Mandy hopes the cakes they once made and shared can unlock his lost memories.
Apart from the first part of the microdrama releasing next week, iWant will also drop the remaining episodes through its Part 2, scheduled for September 4, 2026. The first five episodes will also stream globally for free on the official social media accounts of iWant and ABS-CBN Entertainment.
They can also watch the rest of the series through its subscription plans, priced locally at PHP 35.00 per month for the Basic Plan, and PHP 119 per month for the Premium Plan. Kapamilyas abroad may also enjoy it for the price of USD 4.99 per month worldwide (or equivalent currency), or in the United States (promotional price until October 31, 2026).
Meanwhile, iWant also announced that the second season of the JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith-headlined microdrama series, Will You Fake Marry Me, will soon be released under the direction of Theodore Boborol, the man who is also behind their previous leading roles in an iWant original series, Ghosting, and The Chambermaid’s Daughter (led by Gelo Rivera and Alexa Ilacad), the other iWant microdrama series he also directed.
iWant also shared that the second season of Will You Fake Marry Me will also star Emilio Daez, Cris Villanueva, and Ms. Matet. The first season of the microdrama was known for its leadership in the most-watched shows in the Philippines and for achieving more than 37 million online views across all first five episodes released via iWant and ABS-CBN Entertainment’s social media accounts.
As JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith, colloquially known by their fans as JMFyang, were known as the ex-housemates of Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11, Will You Fake Marry Me is one of the three iWant Quick Feels vertical dramas featuring the ex-housemates of the said season, including Shadow CEO (led by Dylan Yturralde and Vivoree Esclito) and When Brothers Fall (led by Jas Dudley-Scales and Argel Saycon). Aside from Ghosting and Will You Fake Marry Me, they also star in several shows and films, including Love Is Never Gone, Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins – 2025, and Almost Us.
Furthermore, the intense “SEAbling” showdown between several Kapamilya artists from Star Magic Shooting Stars and Thai Boy’s Love (BL) Actors from GMMTV Thailand will take place at the SM Arena, Mall of Asia, for the Star Magic All-Star Games 2026, scheduled for August 23, 2026 (Sunday), at 13:00.
Since August 13, 2026, ABS-CBN and Star Magic commenced its All-Star Fan Fave voting through the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel, from where the main live streaming of all celebrity basketball and volleyball games through its channel memberships (alongside iWant Tickets, through live streaming access booking at the same price), priced at PHP 79.00, which also feature exclusive All-Star Fancam access for a closer look at their favorite Star Magic artists.
The exclusive All-Star Fan Fave voting on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel, which shall run until August 22, 2026 (23:59), will give fans a chance to see one Star Magic artist appear in the All-Star Fancam access if they are subscribed to their YouTube channel membership and/or booked a live streaming access pass via iWant Tickets.
Star Magic first announced the vote standings of each fan fave category on August 14, 2026, at 17:00, where JM Ibarra (Main Game), Fyang Smith (Women’s Volleyball), and Seth Fedelin (Junior Basketball) would appear in the All-Star Fancam, with Francine Diaz as their Fan Fave Muse, and JMFyang as their Fan Fave Duo.
In their latest vote standings as of August 18, 2026, at 10:00, JM and Fyang remained in the top position to appear in the All-Star Fancam access, with Fred Moser overtaking Seth’s lead in the Junior Basketball Fancam Fave voting. Similarly, Eliza Borromeo also overtook the leading position as the Fan Fave Muse against Francine Diaz and Jane de Leon.
Since then, JMFyang has remained their lead as their Fan Fave Duo since its first vote standing announcement on August 14, 2026. As of August 22, 2026 (18:00), just a few hours before the deadline passes, the love team partners, who were known as ex-housemates of Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11, and their recent 2026 series appearances in Love Is Never Gone, Almost Us, and Where You Fake Marry Me, retained their leading spot against ArJas (Argel Saycon and Jas Dudley-Scales), LelQuin (Lella Ford and Joaquin Arce), and FranSeth (Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin).
The Star Magic All-Star Games 2026 will also feature halftime performances of BGYO, Baby Dolls, Wrive, DNA (Mitra Sisters), Jarren Garcia, and Kai Montinola.
Tickets for the Star Magic All-Star Games 2026 are available for purchase via the SM Tickets website and its outlets nationwide. Viewers at home or anywhere in the world may watch the live stream via the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel membership (monthly payment) and iWant Tickets (one-time payment), for the price of PHP 79.00.
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