SB19 turns frustration into fire with era-defining anthem “VISA”

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The P-Pop trailblazers raise the stakes with a song that channels global ambition and systemic frustration into a rallying cry for change



 SB19 marks a watershed moment in P-Pop with the release of “VISA,” their first official single of 2026 and the bold follow-up to the Simula At Wakas era. Delivering a more confident and uncompromising approach in artistic direction, SB19’s “VISA” tackles socially relevant themes that stand as both a prologue and a promise: an assertion that the new musical era will not only entertain, but also dare to challenge, provoke, and shake up comfort for conviction.

[LISTEN TO “VISA” HERE]

Their brand-new song confronts the lived realities of Filipinos striving to shift culture and build a life of security and stability for their families. It channels the frustrations of overseas Filipino workers, athletes, creatives, and professionals, who dedicate their hard work and talent to representing the Philippines, only to be met with systemic barriers that hinder their goal and recognition. Through piercing lyricism that confronts as it wounds, the five-piece powerhouse “calls out the invisible cages that restrict opportunities” on their brand-new track, emphasizing the irony of a people celebrated for their resilience yet burdened by bureaucratic inequities.

“This release will really define SB19’s sound, personality, and the way we present ourselves,” Stell admits. “We have always been known for being vocal, but this time it is even stronger. We are addressing sensitive and current topics that people can relate to, even if not everyone agrees with us. We are ready to face any reaction. This release is very powerful and a strong way to start the year and introduce this new era."

Inspired in part by real-world events and ongoing conversations around visa denials affecting Filipino talents, SB19’s latest single also serves as a commentary on access and privilege, on the disparity between global contribution and mobility. By centering these themes with a more defined perspective, SB19 transforms personal and collective frustrations into an anthem of awareness, and, to an extent, resistance.

“We were very affected by visa applications during our tour,” Pablo reveals. “SB19 has been active for seven years, and we hope that songs like these can reach officials and encourage laws that make it easier for athletes, artists, and others working overseas to access visas. This could include creative acts, producing content, or receiving rebates for spending related to the arts. This is not just an attempt to produce music, but to push Filipino culture forward. There is little support from the government, so it is important that our work can make an impact not only personally but also on a national level."

Josh echoes the familiar frustration, sharing parallels with the struggles of athletes who train and work hard to compete abroad and make Filipinos proud. "I have always had this dream during our tour, as someone who represents the Philippines all over the world. I have also seen the struggles of athletes when they represent the country. They give so much for the Philippines, but it often feels like the country does not give back. There needs to be a change."

Justin chimes in on the ongoing issue while highlighting the intentional messaging of the track. "We are highly skilled and hardworking, and we’ve significantly contributed to raising the morale of Filipinos abroad, as well as impacting the economy in positive ways. But somehow, it often feels like we are at the end of the line.”

Musically, “VISA” mirrors its thematic tension with bold, unconventional production and brass sounds. Conceived from a melody Pablo imagined in one of their brand campaign shoots, the track fuses satire, personal experience, and commentary with sonic experimentation.

Ken explains, "This song is very unconventional and unorthodox. The instruments are not the usual ones, especially the melody. It is kind of unusual, but in a good way. The melody is impactful, and the instruments we used in the track are well chosen. The percussions, ad-libs, and other elements are perfectly placed, making it a very pleasing experience for the ears."

SB19’s “VISA” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.

Follow SB19 on their socials:

 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm4v7afBTnJKRm4SlfHJzyg

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SB19Official/

X: https://twitter.com/SB19Official

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialsb19

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@officialsb19

 

The must-have AC upgrade of 2026 has arrived with Midea Chione Inverter Series

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Every beginning of a year is a chance to reset, not just your life goals, but also your space. It’s the perfect time to give your home an upgrade that can truly transform how you relax, recharge, and spend time with the people who matter most.

Elevate your everyday living with the Midea Chione Inverter Series, a next-generation line of air conditioners that redefines comfort through advanced AI technology. Engineered to last in every season, the Midea Chione Series comes in two variations, high-wall and floor standing, both designed for smart cooling that intelligently adapts to your lifestyle, delivering an all-in-one solution for every space.

Smart Cooling for All-in-One Comfort

Every family deserves a home that feels comfortable all year round. With Midea Chione High Wall Split-Type Air Conditioner, every room can become a haven of comfort, turning moments from cozy mornings to family dinners into something extra special. Coming in 1.0 HP to 3.0 HP models, its PrimeGuard Hyper Grapfins provide 12.5x more corrosion resistance than blue-coated fins, ensuring all-weather comfort while keeping your air conditioner efficient and long-lasting.

What’s even cooler is that it is powered by Smart Control + AI Ecomaster, which allows you to adjust the temperature anytime, anywhere, while intelligently managing energy consumption, while its AI Humidity Control helps maintain balanced moisture levels, delivering healthier air quality throughout your home.

Smart Cooling for Bigger Spaces

Upgrading to a bigger space but unsure if your current AC can keep up? The 3.0 HP Midea Chione Inverter Floor Standing Split-Type Air Conditioner has you covered. Designed for residential and commercial spaces, this compact variant is suitable for cooling areas of up to 47 square meters, such as bedrooms, study rooms, lounge areas, restaurants, coffee shops, and working spaces, among others. It delivers Powerful Cooling for long-distance and wide-angle airflow reaching up to 10.8 meters with 100 wind-speed settings to cool every corner of your room.

The system also guarantees long-term performance with its PrimeGuard Golden Fins to protect the unit against corrosion.  It's also equipped with Wi-Fi Control for a more personalized, convenient, and smart cooling experience in any space. And need not worry about your electricity bill because it has Eco Mode to manage your consumption.

This year, upgrading is more than just spending more; it is investing in comfort. Elevate your space and everyday moments with the new Midea Chione Inverter Series and step into a new era of smart cooling that goes beyond performance, savings, convenience, and style. To learn more about Midea Chione Series, visit www.midea.com/ph, follow @midea_philippines on Instagram and on TikTok @mideaphilippines, subscribe to Midea Philippines Official on YouTube, and like @MideaPhilippines on Facebook.

Lenten Specials now available at The Manila Hotel

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THE Manila Hotel welcomes guests to gather over meat-free, comforting dishes thoughtfully prepared for this Lenten season. 

Across its dining outlets, a selection of Lenten specialties joins the hotel’s well-loved vegan and vegetarian offerings, creating menus that feel both meaningful and satisfying.

At the Lobby Lounge, the Lenten menu leans into bright flavors and wholesome comfort. 

Guests can try the Spring Citrus Salad, a refreshing mix of mesclun greens, orange and pomelo in olive oil-raspberry dressing, or the Green Lentil Soup infused with fresh herb pistou.

Heartier options include Linguine in Walnut Sauce with cherry tomato and fresh basil, White Cheese and Spinach Pizza with roasted garlic and ricotta, and Tandoori Pompano served with tomato-cucumber salad and freshly baked naan.

MEAT-FREE OFFERS 

The Manila Hotel offers meat-free, comforting dishes this Lenten season across its dining outlets. Photo shows the Buddha Salad Bowl at the Lobby Lounge. 

Beyond these Lenten specials, the hotel continues to offer an extensive selection of vegan and vegetarian dishes year-round from salads to vegetable entrees and meat-free dishes, reflecting its commitment to inclusive and mindful dining.

For plant-based diners, the vegan a la carte menu at Lobby Lounge and In-Room Dining offers comforting favorites with a wholesome twist.

For those seeking a more refined culinary journey, Champagne Room presents its Vegan Degustation menu, a multicourse dining experience that evolves monthly.

At Red Jade, the Vegetarian Set Menu brings the classic Chinese flavors to the forefront. Meanwhile, M Takeout completes the meat-free offerings with well-balanced solo meals, comforting rice and noodle bowls with its vegan options.

PHOTOS FROM THE MANILA HOTEL

A fresh sound for 2026: Christian Bautista releases city pop-inspired anthem “Sa’yo Lamang”

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Celebrated as Asia’s Romantic Balladeer, Christian Bautista embraces his signature romantic charm while exploring a fresh sonic direction—pairing nostalgic pop glow with a stylish, contemporary edge.

In “Sa’yo Lamang,” his new single under Sony Music Entertainment, Bautista embraces the romantic love song template with renewed confidence, pairing its feel-good energy with sophisticated production and city pop grooves. Imagine the neon glow of ‘80s Tokyo at twilight, yet the atmosphere feels distinctly Pinoy in its comforting glory. That’s how it sounds.

“Sa’yo Lamang captures exactly where I am musically and emotionally: fully committed, joyful, and ready to connect,” shares the award-winning OPM icon. “This year I’m all in. I want listeners to feel uplifted, have fun, and start the year with good energy.”

Produced by Ziv, the track benefits from its intentional marriage of global and local flavors, past and present sounds, and the insistence of not wanting to be easily defined or pinned down. From slick arrangements to meticulous production, Ziv’s instincts for groove—particularly in the drum pattern and basslines—anchor the track’s smooth, vintage edge while allowing Bautista’s vocals to shine and charm their way through the listeners.

Christian Bautista describes his collaboration with Ziv as a game-changing experience. “His attention to detail in sound design and vocal production elevated every element, while his clear vision and collaborative approach pushed us to take creative risks. The process was smooth and professional from start to finish, and his contributions shaped a final mix that truly exceeded our expectations.”

The vibrant personality of “Sa’yo Lamang” seamlessly translates into its upcoming music video, which incorporates smooth retro styling, warm neon tones, and playful choreography. Designed to be a joyful night out, the MV captures intimate singing moments, carefree dancing, and lilting city snapshots that somehow mirror the easygoing vibe of the track. “There’s also a small Easter egg hidden in the karaoke machine: make sure you look for that,” Bautista adds.

The music video is directed by Tristan Ortega and conceptualized in collaboration with the Sony Music Philippines team and Balcony Productions, with creative direction by Rico Blanco.

As Bautista steps into a new era, music fans can look forward to celebrating the moment live. He is set to share the stage with Mark Bautista for an exciting night of timeless hits and exciting new music. Dubbed “Bautista x Bautista,” the concert is set to take place on March 6, 2026, at the New Frontier Theater in Cubao, Quezon City. Tickets are available via ticketnet.com.ph.

HONOR Advances Its AI Vision at MWC 2026 with Robot Phone, Humanoid Robot, Magic Pad4, MagicBook Pro 14 and Magic V6

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From robotics innovation to flagship devices, HONOR expands its AI device ecosystem at MWC 2026

At MWC 2026, HONOR advanced its Augmented Human Intelligence (AHI) vision and accelerated ALPHA PLAN through three connected pillars: Alpha Phone, Alpha Store and Alpha Lab. Building on its long-term commitment to human-centric AI, HONOR offered a preview of Robot Phone, a bold exploration of embodied intelligence and a new species of smartphone that reimagines how future AI devices could integrate motion and spatial awareness.

Alongside this futuristic innovation, HONOR unveiled Magic V6, the pinnacle of its foldable innovation, combining breakthrough silicon-carbon battery technology, advanced display engineering and AI-enhanced productivity in its most refined foldable design to date. Together with new ecosystem devices, HONOR MagicPad 4 and MagicBook Pro 14, these announcements reinforce HONOR’s roadmap to integrate intelligent hardware and software around real human needs.

James Li, CEO of HONOR, said: “With Human-centric as our lighthouse, we navigate the growth of AI through the two beams of IQ and EQ, bringing three forms of intelligence together. We are exploring the new paradigm of AI devices with Alpha Phone; hosting the new paradigm of AI ecosystem with Alpha Store; and building the new paradigm of a silicon-carbon civilization with Alpha Lab. With three waves of the Alpha Plan, we now have all the components in place and we are driving this journey at full warp speed.”

Take a Sneak Peek at the HONOR Robot Phone: A New Species of Smartphone

Robot Phone is a new species of smartphone, combining embodied AI interaction with robot-grade motion and cinematic imaging capabilities. Rather than reacting solely through screens and voice commands, HONOR is, figuratively, giving its next generation of devices not only a brain, but also hands and feet, combining AI with more physical, expressive interaction through motion and camera movement. It goes beyond what a static smartphone can offer, bringing more human, expressive interaction into everyday technology and adjusting its perspective in real time. Multimodal perception means it can identify sounds, track motion and maintain visual awareness, creating a more natural, sensory, and intuitive interaction model.

Robot Phone also introduces embodied AI interaction designed to feel more natural and expressive. It supports all-angle AI video calling that follows the user through robot-grade motion control. It also responds with emotional body language, including expressive nods and head shakes, and can even dance to the beat of music, bringing playful, lifelike interaction to the smartphone experience.

Packing a robot into a smartphone required rethinking space, strength, and weight at a microscopic level. HONOR applied high-performance materials and reliability know-how developed for foldables to Robot Phone engineering, enabling a self-developed micro motor designed for extreme compactness and strength. By significantly reducing motor size, HONOR was able to fit an ultra-compact 4DoF gimbal system into the phone, creating the hardware foundation for robot-grade embodied motion control.

This mechanical architecture supports a three-axis gimbal stabilization system, delivering smooth and precise motion even in dynamic environments. Super Steady Video mode enhances stability in high-movement scenarios, while AI Object Tracking allows Robot Phone to intelligently follow subjects in real time. AI SpinShot further expands creative control, supporting intelligent 90° and 180° rotational movement for fluid, cinematic transitions, even when shooting one-handed.

Built around a 200MP sensor and a stabilized gimbal camera system, Robot Phone is designed to help users move beyond capturing moments and toward capturing life stories. Through stabilization, intelligent tracking, and cinematic-style camera movement, it aims to close the gap between smartphone video and professional-looking storytelling.

Together, these capabilities demonstrate how embodied AI can unlock new forms of capture and interaction, positioning Robot Phone as a defining step in HONOR’s evolution toward more intelligent and adaptive devices. As HONOR continues to advance its ALPHA PLAN, Robot Phone offers a glimpse into how embodied intelligence may shape the next generation of mobile technology.

HONOR Magic V6: A New Foldable Benchmark

While Robot Phone explores the future of embodied intelligence, Magic V6 represents cutting-edge flagship foldable innovation. Building on HONOR’s leadership in foldable design, Magic V6 delivers a device engineered for durability, performance and intelligent productivity.

Combining an ultra-thin 8.75mm1 closed profile with reinforced structural integrity and advanced hinge architecture, Magic V6 is engineered for long-term reliability while maintaining exceptional slimness. The device is rated IP68 and IP692 for water and dust resistance, reinforcing its resilience in everyday environments. Within this ultra-thin foldable design, HONOR integrates its next-generation silicon-carbon battery technology.

Made possible by partnering with ATL, Magic V6 gets HONOR’s fifth-generation silicon-carbon material, addressing the challenge of balancing slimness and high energy density. This innovation empowers HONOR Magic V6 to achieve an industry-first silicon content of 25%, supporting higher energy density in an ultra-thin foldable design. The result is a 6,660mAh battery3 housed in one of the thinnest foldables on the market, redefining expectations for endurance in the category without compromising design.

At MWC 2026, HONOR also demonstrated next-generation battery innovation with the all-new HONOR Silicon-carbon Blade Battery, featuring 32% silicon content and 900+ Wh/L. Designed to enable foldables to enter the 7000mAh era, it signals a further leap in ultra-thin, ultra-high energy battery technology.

Magic V6 also sets a new benchmark in foldable display innovation. Its dual flagship LTPO 2.0 screens, measuring 6.52 inches externally and 7.95 inches4 when unfolded, deliver adaptive 1–120Hz refresh rates and peak brightness of up to 6,000 nits and 5,000 nits respectively for HDR content. The inner display features ultra-thin flexible glass with SGS Minimized Crease Certification and a 44% reduction in crease depth compared to the previous generation, creating a flatter, more immersive canvas. A silicon nitride–based anti-reflection stack reduces reflectivity to as low as 1.5%, while advanced 4320Hz PWM dimming5 and AI Defocus Display enhance comfort during prolonged use. Together, these innovations make Magic V6 more refined and durable across everyday interaction.

When using its expansive unfolded display, AI-enhanced productivity features optimize multitasking, content creation and communication. Cross-ecosystem tools further enhance flexibility, positioning Magic V6 as a powerful companion device, seamlessly working alongside Apple’s ecosystem.

As the first foldable powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 56, matched with advanced vapor chamber cooling for sustained performance, Magic V6 delivers ultra-smooth gaming, multitasking and demanding workloads, making it the truest expression of an AI-era foldable available today, engineered to endure and assist.

HONOR AI Ecosystem: MagicPad 4 and MagicBook Pro 14

Extending its AI-powered portfolio beyond smartphones, HONOR also introduced MagicPad 4 and MagicBook Pro 14 to its flagship ecosystem at MWC 2026.

HONOR MagicPad 4, powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 mobile platform⁵, brings flagship-class performance to an ultra-slim 4.8mm tablet form factor. Its category-leading 3K OLED display features a 165Hz refresh rate, and with AI-enhanced multitasking tools, MagicPad 4 is designed to support fluid productivity and content creation across its 12.3-inch display. As with Magic V6, cross-device collaboration enables seamless interaction alongside smartphones and multi-platform environments, including Apple’s ecosystem. Moreover, based on the new Linux Lab in Developer Options, we can successfully deploy and run the OpenClaw7 AI assistant on HONOR MagicPad4, providing a more convenient environment and broader possibilities for unlocking more efficiency tools and productivity scenarios in the future.

HONOR MagicBook Pro 14 further strengthens HONOR’s AI-laptop offering, with performance driven by the Intel Core Ultra Series 3 Processors8. Engineered for sustained workloads, creative tasks and everyday efficiency, it pairs a color-accurate 14.6-inch OLED display with class-leading battery performance, intelligent performance management and an ultra-light design for enhanced portability.

Together, MagicPad 4 and MagicBook Pro 14 reinforce HONOR’s strategy of integrating AI across device categories, delivering connected, intelligent experiences beyond the smartphone.

Advancing Intelligent Devices and Robots for the AI Era

At its launch event, HONOR also unveiled its first humanoid robot, signaling a broader strategic move to leverage its expertise in mobile technology to create consumer-grade robots. HONOR’s robots will focus on three core scenarios: shopping assistance, workplace inspections, and especially supportive companionship. Unlike traditional robotics companies, HONOR brings a deep understanding of users developed through its smartphones and connected devices. This ecosystem continuity enables future embodied AI devices to recognize users, understand their needs and provide personalized physical assistance from the first interaction.

Together, Robot Phone, humanoid robot, HONOR Magic V6, MagicPad 4 and MagicBook Pro 14 demonstrate how HONOR is extending AHI across both digital and physical experiences. From embodied AI exploration to flagship foldable engineering and AI-powered productivity, each announcement reflects deeper integration of intelligence across hardware and software.

Availability and Pricing

HONOR Magic V6 will be available in select markets in H2 this year, with regional availability to be confirmed. Further details on configurations, color options and pricing will be announced locally.

To some countries, HONOR MagicPad 4 will be available in Grey and White. Price, Availability, configurations, and promotional bundles may vary by region.