Philippine TV/Drama, Music, and Pop-Culture thread

MANILA (UPDATED) — Star Magic issued a warning Thursday against people not respecting the privacy of their artists.

"We would like to remind everyone that any action or advance towards a woman in a public place that is unwanted and threatens her sense of personal space may be considered as gender-based street and public space sexual harassment," Star Magic said in a statement posted on BINI's X account.


"We enjoin everyone to respect the personal space and privacy of our talents. More so during their personal time off. Rest assured that we will take appropriate action to protect our artists," it added.

This, after a video of a person allegedly violating P-Pop girl group member BINI Aiah's personal space inside a bar in Cebu made rounds on social media.

The artist has yet to address the incident.

This was also after BINI Maloi was allegedly swarmed by fans wanting to take a photo with her while she was with her family at a restaurant in Batangas.

ABS-CBN executive Laurenti Dyogi also personally addressed the alleged incidents late Thursday, saying that some of the BINI members "didn't seem to enjoy their break."

"I was able to see some very disturbing videos. Some of [the BINI] members didn't seem to enjoy their break from the very stressful 3-night concert," said Dyogi.

The Star Magic head referred to the previously mentioned incidents involving BINI's Maloi and Aiah.

"They went to a public place because they wanted to unwind and spend some time with their families. Unfortunately, naka-experience po sila ng hindi magaganda," he said.

"For Maloi, she went to a place where she was supposed to have dinner with her family pero hindi na niya na-enjoy 'yung dinner na 'yun dahil... people were so excited to see her so they asked for pictures and [disrupted] the dinner. Aiah also had a not-so-nice experience in Cebu where may isang lalaki — may isang fan who got so excited, nilapitan siya in a way that's very improper," he continued.

Dyogi then asked the girl group's fans to respect the privacy of the artists while on and off the spotlight.

"Tao rin po sila kailangan din nila makisalamuha sa ibang tao," he said.

MANILA, Philippines – Several Filipino celebrities participate in relief and rescue efforts amid the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat.

Metro Manila was placed under a state of calamity on Wednesday, July 24. The typhoon left several areas with extreme flooding.

While the typhoon has exited the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) on Thursday morning, July 25, rains from habagat continue.

Here are the Filipino celebrities who have moved to help communities affected by Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon:

Gerald Anderson
Along with several other individuals, Kapamilya actor Gerald Anderson was recorded helping rescue a family stranded in their home in Brgy. Sto. Domingo, Quezon City. According to an ABS-CBN News report, the family had called the barangay for help at around 11 am on Wednesday, July 25, but to no avail.

Anderson and other rescue volunteers had then arrived at the family’s flooded home at around 1:30 pm. As the family was seeking shelter in an elevated area in their house, Anderson helped transport the family’s child out of their home.

Ronnie Liang
Actor-singer Ronnie Liang spent the past two days participating in rescue operations for residents of Brgy. Roxas in Quezon City, who have been affected by the rains.

“Joining the rescue operations for the victims of the flood caused by Typhoon Carina at Barangay Roxas, Quezon City. Reporting for duty as a reservist of the Philippine Army together with the other troops of the 1302 Ready Reserve Battalion, Reserve Command, Philippine Army,” he wrote in his latest Instagram update on Thursday, July 25.

David Chua
Actor David Chua shared several photos of himself on Wednesday, July 24, distributing relief packs to families in Tondo, Manila.

Rocco Nacino
Maria Clara at Ibarra star Rocco Nacino helped pack relief goods at the GMA Kapuso Foundation warehouse alongside members of the army.

Enzo Pineda
Enzo Pineda shared a time lapse video of himself on his Instagram page on Thursday, July 25, packing relief goods.

Anderson, Liang, Chua, Nacino, and Pineda are all military reservists.

Shaira Diaz and Suzi Entrata-Abrera
Unang Hirit hosts Shaira Diaz and Suzi Entrata-Abrera distributed hot meals and relief packs at an evacuation center in Brgy. San Juan, Taytay, Rizal, on Thursday, July 25.

Heart Evangelista
On behalf of the Senate Spouses Foundation Incorporated, Heart Evangelista – along with other Senate spouses – packed and distributed relief packs to evacuees at the Sto. Niño Elementary School in Marikina City.

Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes
Reel-to-real couple Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes put together over 700 relief packs for distribution at the GMA Kapuso Foundation warehouse.

Dingdong Dantes and Beatrice Luigi Gomez
As part of GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Operation Bayanihan, Dantes also helped distribute relief packs to families at the Tañong High School in Marikina City, together with Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez.

Ruru Madrid and Jon Lucas
Actors Ruru Madrid and Jon Lucas also helped distribute relief packs for GMA Kapuso Foundation’s Operation Bayanihan.

Filipino celebrities, including Marian Rivera, Dingdong Dantes, Heart Evangelista and Rocco Nacino, among others, participated in relief efforts for Filipino families affected by the onslaught of Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon, or habagat.

Rivera and Dantes, along with their two kids, Zia and Sixto, personally wrapped more than 700 relief goods to turn over to the GMA Kapuso Foundation for Operation Bayanihan for the affected individuals of Typhoon Carina.

On Instagram, the Kapuso primetime queen shared some of her photos and videos preparing the relief goods. She asked her followers for their respective locations to be able to extend help to those in need.

Meanwhile, Dantes, alongside co-Navy reservists Nacino and beauty queen Beatrice Gomez, led the distribution of relief goods in a school in Marikina.

On the other hand, as the president of the Senate Spouses Foundation, Evangelista spearheaded the packing and distribution of relief goods in Marikina.

Celebrity couple Jennylyn Mercado and Dennis Trillo took to Instagram to ask for donations for individuals and pets affected by the typhoon.

“Muli naming ibinabalik ang @startruck.ph para maging daan sa pagpapaabot ng inyong mga tulong. We are now opening our lines for cash donations. Lahat po ng malilikom ay gagamitin para matulungan ang communities na nasalanta ng super typhoon Carina. Magtulong-tulong po tayong muli para sa ating mga kababayan,” wrote Mercado in her caption.

Other celebrities who volunteered for the packing and distribution of relief goods were Enzo Pineda, Ashley Ortega, Faith Da Silva, and “Unang Hirit” hosts Shaira Diaz and Suzi Entrata-Abrera, among others.

Meanwhile, Gerald Anderson and actor-singer Ronnie Liang participated in rescue operations for a stranded family and other residents of Quezon City, respectively.

“Joining the rescue operations for the victims of the flood caused by Typhoon Carina at Barangay Roxas, Quezon City. Reporting for duty as a reservist of the Philippine Army together with the other troops of the 1302 Ready Reserve Battalion, Reserve Command, Philippine Army,” Liang wrote on his Instagram update on Thursday, July 25.

The statement comes after fans made the keyword 'PROTECT BINI' and hashtag #SMProtectBINI top trending topics on X in the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – ABS-CBN’s Star Magic condemned the spread of “malicious” deepfake (AI-generated) photos and videos of P-pop girl group BINI circulating on social media, and vowed to take legal action against those responsible for the content.

“Our team has already taken action to remove some of these accounts. We are working with the government agencies and authorities to identify the individuals behind these acts,” the agency said in a statement on Monday, September 2.

Star Magic added that the safety and well-being of the BINI members is “our top priority,” and that it will continue taking measures against exploitation and harassment.

Fans earlier made the keyword “PROTECT BINI” and hashtag #SMProtectBINI top Philippine trends on X, after they discovered a Telegram group chat room and X accounts that allegedly contained messages, photos, and videos that sexualize the BINI members.

BINI is not the only idol group that is dealing with deepfake videos. YG Entertainment and JYP Entertainment said they will take go after those behind deepfake content against their artists.

This comes as sexually explicit deepfake images and videos of South Korean women circulate in domestic Telegram chat rooms. South Korean police launched an investigation Monday into whether Telegram has been complicit in the distribution of sexually explicit deepfake content. – Rappler.com

Filipino horror fans and those just looking for an early fright before Halloween this year have something to look forward to as an annual Halloween favorite will also be available for livestreaming tonight.

In one of the more recent posts on its official Facebook page, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho announced that its annual Halloween special, “Gabi ng Lagim,” will also be available for livestreaming. This year's edition will be the Halloween special's twelfth.

In the comments to the post, multiple people expressed their excitement at the upcoming night of frights, with some even doing their chores in advance so they could focus solely on the show.

“Gabi ng Lagim” has been airing annually since 2013, usually on the Sunday closest to Halloween. The very first “Gabi ng Lagim” featured the stories “Kulam”, “Ang Mansyon”, and “Horror Van”. Last year, the “Gabi ng Lagim” stories were “Ang Pagbabalik sa Diplomat Hotel”, “Haunted Maynika”, “Hiwaga sa Loakan Road”, at “Levitation.”

“Gabi ng Lagim” has grown so popular that some of its stories have gone on to become feature length films, like Clarita which was based on “Sanib” from “Gabi ng Lagim IV” and Sunod which was based on “Junjun” from “Gabi ng Lagim V”.

Several award-winning directors have also helmed “Gabi ng Lagim” stories, such as Adolf Alix Jr., Jerrold Tarog, and Zig Dulay.

Meanwhile, meet the creatures, ghosts, and undead that have haunted us in horror movies in this gallery:

Where else would one find vehicles previously involved in accidents, deadly crashes, and other tragedies, if not a car impounding area?

The MMDA Tumana Impounding Area, located in Tumana, Marikina, has collected a number of abandoned cars since it began operating in 2014.

“Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’s” Gabi ng Lagim episode ventures into the eerie space, and introduces security guards Marlon Sosmena, Manuelito Buo, and Richard Dionena, who each have their share of scary encounters while on the job.

One of the cars that truly frightens them is the car that got into an accident while passing along the C-5 Ortigas Libis Flyover in Pasig City in September 2021. The accident resulted in the deaths of three passengers and damage to other vehicles involved.

Marlon claims that one of the passenger haunts them every night, appearing at the hood of the heavily-dented car.

Marlon would answer and say, “Huwag mo naman ako takutin. Binabantayan ko lang ‘yung kotse mo. Maawa ka sa ‘kin. Nagtatrabaho lang ako.”

[“You don’t need to scare me. I’m just watching over your car. Have mercy on me. I’m just trying to do my work.”]

Manuelito said that the same unknown entity also visits him.

“Sa tower na ‘yan, diyan ako pumupwesto sa gabi. Makikita ko talaga na mayroong nakaupo siya dyan. Nakaputi lang,” he said.

[“I stay at that tower at night and can clearly see someone sitting there. The figure is dressed in white.”]

During moments alone in the dark, Manuelito would often feel as if something was lurking behind him.

There was also this black van where Richard would hear a voice, asking for help.

“‘Pag nagtatambay ako, nakaupo, minsan kalabitin ka, ihipan ang tenga mo wala naman tao,” he said.

[“When I’m just sitting there, sometimes I feel a tap or a breath on my ear, but no one’s around.”]

In January 2021, a bus caught fire in Commonwealth Avenue, burning two passengers, a female conductor named Amelene and a passenger, to death. It was then uncovered that the two were a couple who argued with each other inside the bus, eventually causing the fire.

“Nagalit ang lalaki kaya sinunog sa loob ng bus ‘yung konduktora. Ang naramdaman ko nu’n, kumalabog doon sa loob ng bus,” Marlon said.

[“The man got angry and set the conductor on fire inside the bus. It felt like there was a loud thud inside it.”]

“Nung pagdating nu’n, nakalapit talaga kami. Parang makita mo talaga na parang may tao doon sa loob na gumagalaw,” Manuelito added.

[“When the bus arrived, we got close enough to really see it. It was almost as if someone was moving inside.”]

ccording to Richard, the ghosts of the fire victims would haunt them every midnight as they made their rounds in the area, including the bus.

The bus is no longer in the impounding area. However, they think that the spirit of the male passenger stayed.

“Wala na ‘yung bus e. Parang naiwan pa siguro siya dito,” Isagani Delos Santos, another security guard, said.

[“The bus is gone, but it’s like she might have been left behind here.”]

Amelene’s mother, Flordeliz, said that the couple’s argument stemmed from jealousy.

When they were fighting inside the bus, Amelene’s partner, Edwin, kept her inside the burning vehicle.

Flordeliz said she’s not surprised that Amelene’s soul still wanders around.

“‘Yung biglaan na pagkamatay. Hindi niya rin ma-accept na ganun. Sabi pa nga niya daw, ‘Paano ‘yung mga anak natin?’ Ganun daw ang last na sinabi dun nu’ng sunugin.” she said.

[“Maybe she couldn’t accept her suddend death. She even said, ‘What about our children?’ That’s what she supposedly said before he set her on fire.”]

Amelene’s daughter, Yumi, would dream about her mom asking her why she died.


Paranormal investigator weighs in

Paranormal investigator Mary Cuevas and “Misteryo” host Ryan Eigenmann visited the area to talk to the spirits. They set up CCTV cameras in different parts of the impounding area, and Mary noticed odd figures.

“Ang daming lumabas sa screen, hindi rin kasi siya insect or dust na sasabihin natin kasi bilog. Tsaka meron siyang specific direction na pinupuntahan, yung iba lumiliko rin naman sa ibang direction. Naging active ‘yung mga entities or spirits na nandito sa place na to. ‘Yung puting lumiliko, it’s a lambana,” she said.

[“Many things appeared on the screen, and it couldn’t be an insect or dust because it’s round. It also seemed to be moving in a specific direction, while others went in different ways. The entities or spirits in this place became very active. That white figure is a lambana.”]

As Mary and the guards roved around, they felt as if something was holding them back.

Meanwhile, one of the KMJS crew mentioned that it seemed like they were being discouraged from going there because the audio died just before they started.

Isagani felt as if something went inside his body and moved around his scalp, while Marlon was burdened by a heavy sensation.

When they visited the car that often frightened them, Mary said that she sensed the presence of supernatural beings nearby.

Meanwhile, Ryan tried approaching the black van, but he felt an uncomfortable vibe.

“Out of-- sa lahat ng stations na pinuntahan natin, itong auction area… itong pangatlo, balik na tayo dun, medyo hindi ko gusto ‘yung— Balik na tayo dun and let's meet up with our paranormal expert,” he said.

“Out of all the stations we visited, this auction area... this third one felt different. Let’s go back there and meet up with our paranormal expert.”]

Ryan admitted that he missed doing such activities.

“I would say na aside from the paranormal experience na ma-experience mo when you go to places like this, it's more of the ano rin, a big part of it rin is learning about the history of where you go. Kasi doon naman nagmumula lahat yung mga kwento nila,” he said.

[“I would say that, aside from the paranormal experiences you have when visiting places like this, a significant part of it is also learning about the history of the locations. That’s where all their stories originate.”]

In hopes of giving the wandering souls peace, Mary and the security guards performed a cleansing routine.

“Ang payo ko lang dun sa mga guard, huwag silang matakot kasi normal reaction natin ‘yun dahil lahat naman tayo bukas ang third eye natin, magkakaiba lang tayo ng level,” Mary said.

[“My advice to the guards is not to be afraid. We all have our third eye open; we just experience it at different levels.”]

Chino Corpus, a video expert, explained that the orb seen in the CCTV footage is dust, not orbs.

“Actually, alikabok siya. Sa mga hindi kasi sanay, ang alikabok kasi attracted sila sa heat. So, pag naalala mo yung video, meron kasi doon light post tapos nandito yung CCTV. So, yung light post na yun, mainit yun. Yung init na yun, nagke-create yun ng air current. Yung air current na yun, yun yung pinaka-humihila sa alikabok,” Chino said.

[“Actually, the things caught on camera were dust. Dust is attracted to heat. If you remember the video, there was a light post nearby, and the CCTV was positioned here. That light post generates heat, which creates an air current that pulls in the dust.”]

Chino also added that because there’s a light post nearby, dust can absorb and reflect light, making it appear like an orb. Since the CCTV’s shutter speed isn’t as fast as that of professional cameras, it captures the dust as a blur, enhancing the orb-like appearance in the footage.

Psychiatrist Randy Dellosa explained that night shift guards at the impound lot often experience strange sensations near accident-damaged vehicles, as spirits are believed to be more active at night.

"Siguradong maapektuhan ‘yung mga gwardiya dahil aandar yung fight or flight response nila eh. So, nag-i-imagine sila, meron silang paniniwala na baka may multo or something. So, matatakot sila, and dahil doon, mananerbyos sila, so ‘yun na ‘yung either lalaban sila or tatakbo," Dellosa said.

[“Because of the history of the vehicles, the guards may hold certain beliefs. These beliefs can trigger fear or their fight or flight response.”]

He added that knowing the tragic histories of the cars intensifies the guards' fear, creating anxiety.

Meanwhile, the chief of Towing and Impounding Group of MMDA Reden Acoba has a reminder for the guards in the area.

“The most important thing is not to let fear take over, so they can perform their tasks well,” he said.

—JCB, GMA Integrated News