Jasha Gamao

Filipina tennis sensation Alexandra Eala delivered a masterful performance at the WTA 500 Mubadala DC Open on Thursday, July 30, stunning defending champion and No. 7 seed Leylah Fernandez in straight sets, 6-2, 7-6 (1). 

Roaring through the first set, Eala later staged a spectacular comeback from a 1-5 deficit in the second set, flashing ice-cold composure to dominate the subsequent tiebreak and punch her ticket to the quarterfinals. 

The historic victory in Washington, D.C. continues Eala’s rapid ascent on the global stage, proving once again her ability to neutralize elite, top-tier opponents when the stakes are highest.  

Eyes are now fixed on the quarterfinals as Eala prepares to return to the hard courts on Saturday, August 1, at 6:30 a.m. (PH Time). 

The 21-year-old rising star will battle the winner of the highly anticipated clash between Polina Kudermetova and world No. 10 Elina Svitolina. 

With momentum firmly on her side, the Filipino powerhouse stands just three wins away from capturing a monumental WTA 500 title.

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Japanese-Filipino singer REIKO officially returns to the Philippine music scene with his latest release, Folklore Vol.1 – Tadhana / Multo. 

Following a successful promotional tour in Manila earlier this year for his EP VOICE, the rising artist drops the special two-track project to reconnect with his Filipino fans and celebrate his multicultural identity. 

The project serves as a heartfelt tribute to Original Pilipino Music (OPM), reflecting REIKO's deep appreciation for his roots and his dedication to sharing Filipino music with audiences across Asia.

The new project features fresh, culturally blended reinterpretations of two beloved Filipino tracks. For "Tadhana," REIKO recorded in Manila under the expert production guidance of original vocalist Armi Millare. 

The second track, "Multo," reimagines the hit song by Cup of Joe entirely in Tagalog. Both tracks masterfully combine the emotional depth of OPM with the elegance of traditional Japanese instrumentation, showcasing REIKO's distinct dual heritage while introducing iconic Filipino music to broader international listeners.

Born in the Philippines and raised in Japan, REIKO is actively bridging the cultural gap between the two countries through regular live performances, media appearances, and promotional tours. 

The multilingual artist—fluent in Japanese, English, and Tagalog—has steadily grown his local fanbase since expanding his musical career to the Philippines in 2024. 

While his previous EP VOICE initially solidified his bond with local audiences, Folklore Vol.1 – Tadhana / Multo marks his most personal artistic tribute to his Filipino heritage yet.

Managed by BMSG since his discovery in 2021, REIKO officially debuted in October 2023 with the single "Butterfly" and has quickly earned recognition for his exceptional vocal ability and expressive performances. 

His growing pan-Asian appeal was highlighted in October 2025 when his single "maybe" landed on Spotify's New Music Friday playlists across 10 distinct regional markets, including Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore. 

With this latest OPM-focused release, REIKO continues to establish himself as a next-generation artist capable of building lasting musical connections throughout the region.

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The famous girl group KATSEYE is back with a wild new pop song called "Animal." Co-written by superstar Ed Sheeran, the song is all about letting go and showing your wild side. 

The new song is already a massive hit, racking up 25 million views on YouTube and 9.3 million plays on YouTube Music since its release on July 27.

The song comes with a stunning music video that shows the band members switching between different styles and features a surprise appearance by famous actress Demi Moore. 

Band member Megan shared her excitement, calling the song, the video, and Demi Moore "awesome." The video debuted on big screens, including MTV and billboards in Times Square.

KATSEYE is also showing extra love to their fans in the Philippines. 

The group serves as global ambassadors for the popular fast-food chain in the country, and they even put the brand in their new music video. 

The members also had fun trying to guess Tagalog words in a recent video feature. Filipino member Sophia said she feels very proud to see her groupmates learning about her culture.

This exciting new track starts a fresh chapter for the group called the WILD era, which they first showed off at the Coachella music festival. 

Fans can watch a special movie about the group in theaters starting August 12. Their highly awaited new album, WILD, will officially come out on August 14 through HYBE and Geffen Records.

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Vice President Sara Duterte released a strong statement on July 30 about the growing problem of gun violence in the Philippines. 

She said that violent crime has become "alarmingly commonplace" and is a real danger that people face every day. 

Duterte explained that this is a serious issue, not just fake news or internet gossip. "Gun Violence is a reality not just a clickbait," she wrote, adding that it "reflects the daily reality faced by Filipinos on the streets wondering whether they can go home safely."

The Vice President made it clear that the problem is bigger than just political talk or her family name. 

She pointed out that many people are now used to seeing bad news every day because shootings, stabbings, and kidnappings happen so often. 

According to Duterte, these crimes take away the peace of mind that every citizen should have. She described the problem plainly, stating, "This is not merely a 'Duterte and kill, kill, kill,'" and added, "The reality is - Filipinos do not feel safe."

To fix this, Duterte demanded that the government take quick action to protect the public and the youth. 

She said that keeping people safe should be the main goal of the country, not just something people talk about briefly in the news. 

"The safety of the Filipino people must be treated as a national priority not a mere single line of news item," she stated.

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Vice President Sara Duterte fiercely condemned the ongoing detention of her father, former President Rodrigo Duterte, during a fiery speech in The Hague, Netherlands on July 29, 2026. 

Speaking before a crowd just miles away from the International Criminal Court (ICC), the Vice President openly expressed her fury over the arrest of the former leader, who faces grave charges of crimes against humanity stemming from his administration's controversial war on drugs.

Duterte did not hold back her emotions, framing the arrest as an outright violation of Philippine sovereignty and an attack on her family. 

“Ako, anak, kapamilya, syempre magagalit ako sa ginawa sa aking ama at sa isang Pilipino na ninakaw, kinuha, kinidnap doon sa Pilipinas para ihatid diyan sa ICC,” she declared, directly challenging the international court's jurisdiction over her father.

The Malacañang Palace immediately countered the Vice President’s accusations on Thursday, firmly deflecting any blame away from the current administration. 

Palace press officer Claire Castro clarified that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had no hand in the elder Duterte's apprehension, emphasizing that the chief executive is merely upholding international legal frameworks and statutory obligations.

Castro took a direct swipe at the former president, asserting that his current legal predicament is entirely of his own making. 

“Hindi ito kasalanan ni Pangulong Marcos Jr., tumutupad lang ang Pangulo sa batas. Kung meron dapat sisihin, walang iba kundi ang kanyang sariling ama. Dahil sa mga pag-amin nito na siya mismo ay pumatay at nagpapatay,” Castro stated on July 30, shifting the accountability back to the former leader's public admissions.

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