Barbie’s Cradle reunites for a comeback concert, announces new music

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Barbie’s Cradle, one of the Philippines’ most iconic alternative bands of the late 1990s and early 2000s, are set to stage their highly anticipated comeback this year.

Fronted by lead vocalist and guitarist Barbie Almalbis and composed of members Wendell Garcia on drums, Rommel dela Cruz on bass, and Kakoy Legaspi on guitars, the multi-awarded supergroup will return with the release of three new songs, culminating in a special one-night-only concert on August 1, 2026, at the Music Museum.

“We’re excited to revisit the greatest hits and misses while also sharing new songs that reflect where we are now in our lives both as musicians and human beings,” shares Barbie Almalbis. “We’ve reached a point where we approach music-making with greater confidence and purpose. This new body of work is more collaborative and intentional than ever. We’ve poured months of hard work into these songs, and we can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve created.”

Known for award-winning albums such as Barbie’s Cradle, Music from the Buffet Table, and Playing in the Fields, the band has remained deeply influential in the local music scene, particularly for woman-fronted bands and singer-songwriters. Their evolving sound, introspective and inspirational songwriting and lyrical depth, shaped by the personal journey of vocalist Barbie Almalbis, continue to appeal to audiences across generations. Over the years, the group has earned multiple recognitions, including NU Rock Awards, Awit Awards, and KATHA Awards.

Barbie Almalbis: One Night Only is presented by GNN, a Manila-based concert and events promoter. According to Milley Habito, one of the heads behind the production company, the comeback concert represents not only a nostalgic dream for longtime fans but also an important cultural moment for today’s music audience.

“It’s an honor to work with Barbie’s Cradle for this special project,” explains Habito. “We first teased the iteration of the show during Barbie Almalbis’ 25th anniversary show three years ago, but this time, we’re taking the concert experience to an entirely new level. Staged in a theater setting, the concert is built around a meticulously crafted concept and theme, with elevated production values designed to create a memorable experience for fans and new listeners alike.”

Tickets are now available via:

https://www.ticketmelon.com/gnn-entertainment-productions/barbiescradlereunion

VIP – PHP 2,900

Includes photo op (6pax/batch), soundcheck access, signed poster

Orchestra – PHP 1,900

Balcony – PHP 1,300 (free seating)

SB19’s justin enlists Maki’s songwriting magic for upcoming new single “dahon”

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The song marks another creative partnership between the two artists, following justin’s appearance in the “habangbuhay pansamantala” music video

P-Pop star justin teams up with acclaimed singer-songwriter Maki on his upcoming new single “dahon,” which he describes as a “vow of timeless love amid an ever-changing world.” The track is penned by Maki, a gifted singer-songwriter whose knack for heartwarming melodies and relatable sentimentality is prevalent in the material.

The collaboration marks another creative partnership between the two artists, following justin’s appearance in the sci-fi-inspired music video of Maki’s “habangbuhay pansamantala."

According to justin, the upcoming new single captures romance in its purest form. “It’s a song about love that blossoms, thrives, and grows through time.”

Lyrically, “dahon” expresses the enduring power of real love, and as Justin puts it, “It stands like a firm tree that survives the biggest adversity and the only things that are constant in life: change and time.”

A multi-faceted performer known for his work as a performer, creative director, visual artist, and member of SB19, justin reveals that working with Maki has long been a personal aspiration, being a longtime fan of his work in music.

“His creativity and branding align closely with my vision and preferences. Working with him is not only a great opportunity for my career but also an incredible experience.”

As a solo artist, justin has proven himself as a visionary creative across multiple disciplines, driven by his commitment to an advocacy of meaningful existence. He is one of the most-streamed P-Pop soloists, racking up more than 45 million streams on Spotify alone with only four official songs released to date. Beyond his individual pursuits, the charismatic multi-hyphenate is also part of the iconic P-Pop powerhouse SB19, where he takes on multiple key roles, including serving as the creative director.

justin’s “dahon” will be available on all digital music platforms worldwide beginning June 19, 2026, via Sony Music Entertainment. Pre-save link: https://justin.sng.to/dahon

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Lisa Macuja Elizalde brings creative vision to Ballet Manila’s first full-length Paquita in the Philippines

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Ballet Manila's artistic director and CEO Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s unparalleled creative vision takes center stage as Ballet Manila presents the Philippines’ first ever, full-length production of Paquita – a bold and historic move that reflects her unwavering commitment to elevate classical ballet in the country. The production will star two pairs alternating in the lead roles, principal dancers Mark Sumaylo and Abigail Oliveiro; and soloists Shamira Drapete and Jos David Andes.

Paquita's historic run is set to take place at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City on June 19 at 8:00 p.m. followed by 5:00 p.m. shows on June 20 and 21.

(L-R) Ballet Manila principal dancers Romeo Peralta and Mark Sumaylo; soloist Shamira Drapete; artistic director and CEO Lisa Macuja-Elizalde; soloist Jos David Andes; principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro; and soloist John Balagot

The journey to this full-length production began last March 2025, when Paquita’s divertissement was performed during Ballet Manila’s Pearl Gala celebration. The performance sparked a deeper curiosity in Macuja Elizalde as she recalled, “I have always wondered where this beautiful ballet excerpt comes from in the context with the story of Paquita. The ballet excerpt is always described as the culmination of the love story of a gypsy girl Paquita with a French officer Lucien.”

At its core, Paquita is a story of love, self-discovery, and triumph that Macuja Elizalde believes will deeply resonate with local audiences. The narrative follows a young Romani woman in Spain who saves the life of a French officer, Lucien, from a governor’s assassination plot. Along the way, she discovers her own noble heritage, allowing the couple to overcome rigid social barriers and marry in a happy ending that many Filipinos love.

Ballet Manila artistic director and CEO Lisa Macuja-Elizalde

When Macuja Elizalde started to dig into the story behind the ballet excerpt, reading it in full, did she decide to present the production in its full-length form: “I concluded that it would be exciting and perfectly manageable to present a two-act classical ballet to the Filipino audience.”

While Ballet Manila’s production honors Paquita’s classical roots, Macuja Elizalde deliberately avoided watching existing versions of the ballet to ensure her choreography remained entirely original. Instead, she immersed herself in research and music to shape her own interpretation.

“I read the lengthy text in a book about rare Russian ballets that included Paquita. I listened to the music of the full-length ballet by Anna-Marie Holmes, Kevin Gaile, and Li-Mei Liang. I started to build the ballet chapter by chapter in my head,” she shared.

Drawing from these materials, Macuja Elizalde crafted a version that merges tradition with her own artistic sensibilities. “I combined and interchanged music pieces. Included some of the famous variations but to be danced in the beginning and middle portions of the ballet, instead of having all the variations in the end divertissement the way it is normally performed.”

Still, she admitted that the true creative process only fully came alive inside the studio, in collaboration with her dancers. Working closely with her team has reinforced Ballet Manila’s strong Russian Vaganova foundation. Macuja Elizalde noted that the company's 40-member ensemble is the perfect size for executing the demanding classical choreography. She also expressed immense gratitude for her leading ladies, Abigail Oliveiro and Shamira Drapete, who are both debuting in the titular role and "dancing her so well."

(L-R) Ballet Manila principal dancers Romeo Peralta, Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo

For Oliveiro, debuting as Paquita under Macuja Elizalde's guidance has been both an exciting and collaborative experience. “It is always a good experience, and she is very clear in what she wants while keeping an open mind," Oliveiro shared. "I try to listen and observe what Ma'am Lisa wants from the ballet, character, or scene so I can understand her vision and fulfill it.”

The role also offers Oliveiro a rare chance to showcase a different side of her artistry. “I realized I had to tap into my more playful side which, dare I say, is not a common theme in a lot of my repertoire," she added. "So I’m certainly enjoying being playful.”

Ultimately, Macuja Elizalde regards Paquita as far more than a performance; she considers it part of her 40-year legacy in Philippine ballet. And much like the fiery performance, she believes it can ignite Filipinos’ appreciation for the art. “Personally, this particular world premiere of Paquita is like a baby of mine. When you create a new full-length ballet almost from scratch, it is like giving birth to a living, breathing creation. It is a ballet that will be uniquely Ballet Manila’s. A part of our classical ballet legacy!”

Ballet Manila soloists Jos David Andes and Shamira Drapete

Keep up-to-date with Ballet Manila’s schedule of performances and celebration events by visiting Ballet Manila’s website www.balletmanila.com.ph or Ticketworld page www.ticketworld.com.ph

Ballet Manila celebrates love and triumph with historic full-length world premiere of Paquita

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Filipino audiences have long embraced stories of sweeping romance, hidden identities, and hard-won triumph. Ballet Manila now brings these themes to life in a landmark moment: the country’s first ever, full length staging of the classical masterpiece Paquita. Choreographed by the company’s founder and artistic director, Lisa Macuja Elizalde, the production goes onstage at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City, with performances on June 19 at 8:00 p.m. and June 20–21 at 5:00 p.m.

Ballet Manila principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro and Joshua Enciso

Though Paquita is a cornerstone of classical ballet, it is rarely performed in its entirety. And because of its dramatic narrative, Lisa believes that it will be remarkably relatable, to the Filipino. Lisa describes the narrative as “quite like a soap opera, with twists and turns that are amusing and entertaining which is perfect for Filipinos who love a great story or telenovela.”

Set in Spain, the story follows a young Romani woman who saves the life of a French officer, Lucien, from a governor’s assassination plot. Along the way, she discovers her own noble heritage, allowing the couple to overcome rigid social barriers and marry in a happy ending that many Filipinos love.

The journey to this landmark production began in March 2025, when Paquita’s grand divertissement was performed during Ballet Manila’s Pearl Gala celebration. The brief excerpt sparked a deeper curiosity in Lisa as she recalled starting to dig into the story behind the ballet excerpt: “When I finally read it in full, I decided that it would be exciting and perfectly manageable to present a two-act classical ballet to the Filipino audience.”

While the production honors its classical roots, Macuja Elizalde intentionally avoided watching existing versions to keep her choreography entirely her own. “I started to build the ballet chapter by chapter in my head," she explained. "But the actual creation didn’t happen until I was in the studio in front of the dancers.”

Working closely with her team has reinforced Ballet Manila’s strong Russian ballet foundation. Lisa noted that the company’s 40-member ensemble is the perfect size to handle the intricate, challenging choreography. At the heart of this production, two luminous pairs alternate in the main characters role: Joshua Enciso with Abigail Oliveiro, both principal dancers, and Shamira Drapete with Jos David Andes, both soloists. Together they embody the dual spirit of Paquita and Lucien, bringing fresh brilliance to one of classical ballet’s most dazzling showcases.

For Oliveiro, stepping into the shoes of Paquita under Lisa’s guidance has been an incredibly rewarding and collaborative experience, “It is always a good experience, and she is very clear in what she wants while keeping an open mind," Oliveiro shared. "I try to listen and observe what Ma'am Lisa wants from the ballet, character, or scene so I can understand her vision and fulfill it.”

The role also offers Oliveiro a rare chance to showcase a different side of her artistry. “I realized I had to tap into my more playful side which, dare I say, is not a common theme in a lot of my repertoire," she added. "So I’m certainly enjoying being playful.”

Ultimately, the creative team and cast hope the production leaves audiences feeling uplifted and delighted. As Lisa concludes: “I hope the audience will laugh at the comedic scenes and swoon in the romantic ones; as well as stand up and scream during the technically difficult portions! I hope the audience comes out of the theater smiling and humming the music.”

The Philippine ballet scene will reach another milestone with the historic world premiere of Paquita on June 19 at 8:00 p.m., June 20 & 21 at 5:00 p.m. Keep up-to-date with Ballet Manila’s schedule of performances and celebration events by visiting Ballet Manila’s website www.balletmanila.com.ph or Ticketworld page www.ticketworld.com.ph

Anne, Marian star in vivo X300 Ultra camera showdown

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The new vivo X300 Ultra proved that smartphone photography can now rival professional cameras during a live fashion shoot led by renowned celebrity and fashion photographer BJ Pascual at Manila House.

Hosted by Joey Mead King and held in front of Manila’s tastemakers and notable personalities, including Georgina Wilson, Bea Soriano, and Eric Dee Jr., the showcase highlighted the imaging power of the vivo X300 Ultra beside a professional mirrorless camera setup.

The live shoot featured vivo ambassadors Anne Curtis and Marian Rivera as subjects, while BJ Pascual captured photos using both devices.

For his mirrorless setup, Pascual used three different lenses. In contrast, the vivo X300 Ultra delivered the same creative flexibility through its dual 200MP Triple ZEISS Master Lenses system, which includes:

●        14mm ZEISS Ultra Wide-Angle Camera,

●        35mm ZEISS Documentary Camera, 

●        85mm ZEISS Gimbal-Grade APO Telephoto Camera. 

The side-by-side comparison demonstrated how the vivo X300 Ultra can produce professional-grade depth, detail and cinematic quality in a compact smartphone.

Beyond photography, the vivo X300 Ultra also showcased advanced filmmaking capabilities. All cameras on the device support 4K 120fps 10-bit LOG video and Dolby Vision recording. These features give creators greater control in color grading, slow-motion capture and cinematic storytelling, making the device suitable for professional shoots, fashion reels, and digital filmmaking.

Here are the highlights of the event shot on vivo X300 Ultra.

 https://www.tiktok.com/@vivo_philippines/video/7643752662789311764]

“The vivo X300 Ultra was designed to push mobile imaging beyond expectations. By combining ZEISS optics with advanced video capabilities, users can now achieve results once only possible with professional camera systems,” vivo Philippines Brand Marketing Director Liu Lu shared.

While the camera system is built for professionals, vivo emphasizes that the X300 Ultra is also designed for everyday users who want premium-quality content without the complexity of traditional camera equipment.

For Marian Rivera, the device fits naturally into her lifestyle and creative process.

“Super love ko talaga ang vivo X300 Ultra. Kaya niyang sumabay sa lifestyle and creativity ko. Kahit anong i-shoot ko na content or everyday moments, ang dali niyang gamitin. Very premium talaga siya, at saka cinematic result talaga,” she said.

Rivera also praised the smartphone’s clarity and zoom capabilities. “Kahit naka zoom na, sobrang clear pa rin,” she added.

Meanwhile, Anne Curtis highlighted the importance of detail and storytelling in fashion and content creation.

“When it comes to fashion and style, it's so important to have a camera that shows the detail. That's why I think this is perfect,” Curtis shared.

She also emphasized the value of cinematic video for creators today. “Storytelling is important in my career. Whether it be fashion reels, and I think Marian can relate to this. We like to shoot our content, our BTS, our films, so having a really great camera is essential,” she said.

Pre-order details

The vivo X300 Ultra is available for pre-order until June 5 at vivo stores nationwide and through the official vivo e-store.

The vivo X300 Ultra in Steppe Green is priced at Php 109,999, while the vivo X300 Ultra Photographer Kit retails for Php 149,999. Customers who pre-order will receive exclusive offers, including:

●        vivo X Series VIP Exclusive Card with event invitations and lifestyle perks;

●        Limited-edition vivo Watch GT 2 worth Php 7,999; and

●        Exclusive vivo Photography Bag for e-store purchases.

Through Home Credit, customers may also avail of flexible payment terms starting at Php 76 per day at 0% interest.

THE SCRIPT are coming back to MANILA with ‘MAN IN THE ARENA TOUR’ on 18 March 2027

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Breaking News – With over 14 billion streams, 5 million album sales, six UK #1 albums and countless international Platinum certifications led by two US Platinum singles and two US Top 10 albums, the multi-awarded and platinum-selling Irish band, THE SCRIPT are coming back to MANILA and bringing their ‘MAN IN THE ARENA TOUR’ on 18 March 2027 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Presented by Wilbros Live with Midas Promotions. Tickets go on-sale on Friday, May 29, 9:30AM via SMTickets.com and SM Tickets outlets nationwide.

 

Today, The Script enter a new era by sharing their new single ‘Man In The Arena’ - the first taste of their new album ‘The User’s Guide To Being Human’ which follows on 14^th August 2026. The Script will follow the album with a huge UK and Ireland arena tour which starts in October, with further global touring also confirmed - adding to the 4.5 million tickets they have sold in their career. Listen HERE.

 

‘The User’s Guide To Being Human’ follows 2024’s ‘Satellites’. It was a record that saw vocalist Danny O’Donoghue attempt to process the grief that followed the tragic passing of his bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan in 2023. The record was followed by a global arena tour in which every show paid tribute to Mark.

 

After the tour ended, Danny found himself energised and inspired. Within a week of finishing, he was writing and recording new material with Andrew Frampton, Steve Kipner and Jimbo Barry, who between them had previously contributed to many of The Script’s huge hits, including ‘Hall Of Fame’, ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’ and ‘Breakeven’.

 

Recorded in Topanga Canyon, Los Angeles, the result is an album in which Danny has established a powerful sense of purpose and direction for the next stage of the band, full of the real, emotional, soul-deep connection that their fans have come to love.

 

Danny says, “The title is what this album is about. If you need something to remind you of the spectrum of feelings and emotions that make you feel human, this is it.”

 

The skyscraping ambition of ‘Man In The Arena’ lives up to its title, with a hard-hitting R&B groove suddenly bursting into a classic Script mega-chorus built for the biggest of stages: a rousing Danny O’Donoghue delivers a typically charismatic vocal, with lyrics that affirm that the person who dares to put themselves in the spotlight is infinitely braver than anyone who criticises from the sidelines. Its lyrics are taken, in part, from a famous speech by American President Theodore Roosevelt.

 

Danny explains, “He talks about how honours don't belong to the critics. They don't belong to the people sitting on the couch, laughing at the person in the ring stumbling and falling around. The honours belong to the one who gets in there and whose face is marred with dust and blood. I remember reading it and being like: that needs to be in a tune, the energy in it is beautiful.”

 

‘The User’s Guide To Being Human’ is now available to pre-order / pre-save HERE. It will be available on CD and limited transparent vinyl with the artist store also stocking exclusive merch bundles, extremely limited test pressing vinyls and a cassette. 

 

Follow Wilbros Live (@WilbrosLive) on social media for more updates.