Entertainment

Claudine Barretto publicly thanked fellow actor Kiko Estrada on Jan. 22 after he saved her during an undisclosed on-set accident while taping their TV5 series “Totoy Bato.” Barretto, who called Estrada her “hero” on social media, said she remained alive because of his actions and revealed that he hurt himself badly in the process. Estrada downplayed the incident and assured Barretto she would always be safe with him. Producers and network representatives did not immediately release further details about the accident, its impact on production, or the extent of Estrada’s injuries.

Philippine TV host Kim Atienza marked his 59th birthday on GMA-7’s “TiktoClock” on Jan. 22, 2026, calling it his “toughest birthday” as it was his first without his late daughter, Emman. Co-hosts surprised him with a small on-air celebration and a cake, prompting Atienza to share a birthday wish for continued blessings and the long-running success of the show, now in its fourth year. The emotional segment, aired live from Quezon City, showed Atienza acknowledging his grief, thanking colleagues for their support, and addressing viewers as he navigated the milestone without his daughter.

TV host Robi Domingo and his wife Maiqui Pineda celebrated their second wedding anniversary with a “babymoon” in Boracay before welcoming their first child. Domingo shared photos and videos of the beach trip on Instagram on Jan. 22, 2026, showing the couple enjoying the sun and sea. Fellow celebrities, including Janine Gutierrez and Melai Cantiveros, left congratulatory messages and compliments in the comments. The couple did not disclose their baby’s due date but referred to the vacation as their time together “before we become 3.”

Actress and TV personality Solenn Heussaff said on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” that she and husband Nico Bolzico do not allow their daughters to use gadgets and plan to give them their first phones only at 18 or 19. She explained that her concerns about society’s dependence on technology shape their strict no-gadget rule at home, adding that their children do not have iPads and do not use Instagram. The couple instead encourages offline activities and consistent screen limits.

A young “Harry Potter” fan met series author J.K. Rowling at Puerto Princesa Airport in Palawan, Philippines, during the writer’s private visit to the province. Witnesses said the child recognized Rowling in the passenger area and briefly approached her, drawing attention from nearby travelers. Airport staff maintained standard security procedures while the interaction took place in a public section of the terminal. Authorities and local sources confirmed Rowling’s presence in Puerto Princesa but did not disclose further details about her itinerary or the identity of the fan.

South Korea’s National Tax Service reportedly issued a tax assessment to singer-actor Cha Eun-woo, legally known as Lee Dong-min, after an audit found that more than 20 billion won ($13.6 million) in entertainment income flowed through a company established by his mother. The company, identified as “Company A,” held a service contract with his management agency and received payments for his activities. Authorities examined whether the structure aimed to reduce his personal tax burden and treated the funds as his income for tax purposes. The case forms part of a broader NTS review of tax practices in the entertainment sector ahead of Cha’s planned military enlistment in July 2025.

Ben&Ben released the official music video for “Duyan” on January 16, 2025, featuring Khalil Ramos and Gabbi Garcia in lead roles, as the band marked a major streaming milestone by surpassing three billion Spotify streams and secured multiple honors at the 28th Awit Awards, including Album of the Year for their third studio album, reinforcing the group’s position in the Original Pilipino Music landscape through coordinated digital releases, award-recognized work, and visual storytelling that connects their recorded music with audiences in the Philippines and international markets.

Filipino actress Carla Abellana clarified in an Instagram Stories post on Jan. 21, 2026, that she is not on leave from work following her Dec. 27, 2025 wedding to doctor Reginald Santos. Abellana stated that she does not plan to take a leave anytime soon and remains ready to accept projects. She said she has been looking and waiting for work and used her social media platform to address assumptions about her professional status after her recent marriage.

Andre Yllana expressed support for the ongoing courtship between his mother, actress-politician Aiko Melendez, and former matinee idol Onemig Bondoc during a press conference for the series “Hell University.” Andre said he has given his blessing if they decide to become a couple and noted that the two appear happy together. Bondoc earlier confirmed in a joint TikTok live that he is courting Melendez, while she has not yet publicly accepted him as her boyfriend. Andre declined to discuss details of their relationship status, citing respect for his mother’s privacy.