Entertainment

Actor Rey “PJ” Abellana said he did not receive an invitation to his daughter Carla Abellana’s weekend wedding in the Philippines and stayed home during the ceremony, learning details only from media and social media posts. He confirmed that other family members appeared to attend the event and that he answered questions from reporters later about his absence and his lack of direct communication with his daughter regarding the wedding arrangements.

“Call Me Mother,” starring Vice Ganda, Nadine Lustre and Lucas Andalio, led the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) box office on opening day with an estimated P49 million, according to producers and MMDA-linked sources. The Jun Robles Lana-directed film widened its lead on the second day with about P29 million more, as “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins” and “UnMarry” followed in second and third place. All eight MMFF entries reportedly earned a combined P98 million on opening day, with proceeds benefiting key Philippine film industry institutions.

Filipino actress Solenn Heussaff returns to the big screen after years away from film work, taking on a new project that focuses on a realistic portrayal of marriage. She discusses her initial nervousness on set, her preparation for the role and her collaboration with the director, co-actors and production team. The film emphasizes everyday challenges between spouses, including communication, conflict and reconciliation, using dialogue-driven scenes and domestic settings.

“The Voice” winner Sofronio Vasquez started recording his debut EP in August 2024 in Los Angeles with guidance from coach Michael Bublé and support from music legends David Foster and Paul Anka. A “Beyond The Voice” episode shows Vasquez tracking a new version of “My Grown-Up Christmas List,” working on a mix of Christmas songs, show favorites, and an original Bublé composition. The feature also highlights Bublé’s request for Tagalog lyrics in a duet to reflect Vasquez’s Filipino roots and documents his return to “The Voice” stage on December 16 to perform “Superman.”

Taylor Swift details why she avoided dating athletes and how she began her relationship with Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in episode four of her Disney+ docuseries “The Eras Tour: The End of an Era.” In a conversation with her mother, Andrea, Swift explains her past reluctance to date in the sports world, her emotional state after two breakups during the Eras Tour, and how Kelce’s friendship bracelet gesture and strong character references led her to give the relationship a chance. She also describes how falling for Kelce sparked an unexpected obsession with learning football.

Filipino actress Carla Abellana marked her “last Christmas as a Miss” in 2024 by indulging in self-care and beauty treatments in the Philippines as part of her bridal preparations. She shared photos and videos of her pampering routine on social media, describing the period as “another bridal era” while she readied herself for her upcoming wedding during the holiday season.

TIME Magazine named “When Life Gives You Tangerines” as the No. 1 title on its Top 10 Best K-Dramas of 2025 list, placing the IU and Park Bo-gum drama ahead of “Way Back Love” and “Squid Game” Season 3. The ranking also included “Tempest,” “Our Unwritten Seoul,” “Resident Playbook,” “Study Group,” “The Tale of Lady Ok,” “Spirit Fingers,” and “Trigger.” Directed by Kim Won-suk and written by Lim Sang-choon, “When Life Gives You Tangerines” is a Pan Entertainment–Baram Pictures co-production released globally on Netflix.

Reigning Miss Universe Philippines Ahtisa Manalo confirmed she now has a boyfriend as she discussed life after pageantry and how she balances a new relationship with her duties as a national titleholder. Manalo stated that she remains focused on her responsibilities to the Miss Universe Philippines Organization while preparing for international competition. She said she chooses to keep her boyfriend’s identity private but emphasized that her personal life does not conflict with her official role.

April Boys member Jimmy Regino, who performed in the Filipino vocal group with his brothers, has died, according to statements cited by local media. His family has not publicly disclosed the cause of death, his age, or full funeral details, and they requested privacy while arranging memorial plans. Fans and fellow artists posted condolences and tributes on social media following the reports.

Taylor Swift donated more than P117 million for Christmas, giving P58.5 million each to two charity organizations on Dec. 25, 2024. Both groups confirmed receiving the funds directly from Swift’s team and said they would use the money to expand food assistance, basic needs support, and outreach programs for underprivileged communities. The donations, recorded as unrestricted funds, will allow the charities to direct resources to their most urgent projects during the holiday season.