CFO Launches Search for Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO), though Secretary and Chairperson Francisco P. Acosta, announced today that in recognition of the overseas Filipinos' (OFs) outstanding contributions to national development efforts and their notable achievements in their fields of profession, the Philippine government will confer the Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO) to honor and recognize OFs and other individuals or organizations who contribute to Philippine development initiatives, promote the interests of the Filipino diaspora, or have exceptionally distinguished themselves in their work.

The schedule of the next awards ceremony is in December 2020, and the deadline for accepting nominations is on 31 July 2020 (Philippine time).

“We know that numerous individuals and organizations in your areas deserve recognition for their positive contributions to the Filipino people, society, economy, and heritage,” said Secretary and Chairperson Acosta.

ABS-CBN International launches new podcast, The Last Piece

You might be familiar with that last piece of food served at a Filipino party. Sometimes, out of shyness or modesty, no one reaches for it. Other times, people will race to grab for it. That last piece represents topics served up in The Last Piece podcast, streaming on Spotify and Soundcloud starting February 4, 2020.

The Last Piece is a digital forum that entertains and informs native-born Filipinos across North America through fun, honest, and candid conversations with influencers and thought leaders that make them proud of their heritage and community.​

Award-winning ensemble of Quezon’s Game brings untold history to the big screen

Meet the director with a Jewish connection and the multi-cultural actors who brought his vision to life, screening in more cinemas in Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific this February

“Quezon’s Game” has successfully gathered a collective of multicultural talents from its director and actors to production and musicians. Thus, receiving over 25 awards and citations from film festivals across the globe. An ABS-CBN Film production, in association with iWant and Kinetek, Quezon’s Game reveals the historic leadership of Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon that saved hundreds of Jewish people under the Nazi Regime in Europe.

The film has won nine awards of excellence from the Cinema Worldfest AUTUMN Awards in Canada for Lighting, Original Score, Produced Screenplay, Sound Design, Set Design, Costume Design, as well as acting nods for their leads Raymond Bagatsing and Rachel Alejandro, and supporting actor Billy Gallion. Matthew E. Rosen received an Award of Recognition for directing. An Award for Merit for a Drama Feature was also given to the film.

All Eyes on Ben&Ben’s upcoming new single and 2 music videos this month!

Ben&Ben is showing no signs of slowing down. In terms of consistency, the nine-piece outfit continues to break streaming records and dominate cultural conversation with releases that resonate with people from various walks of life. 

Last January 2020 alone, the acclaimed folk-pop band won Wish FM’s Group of the Year and Urban Performance of the Year for their chart-topper “Pagtingin.” On top of this milestone, the band is currently at number one on Spotify Philippines Top 50, with their cover of “Make It With You.”

With overwhelming support from music fans and industry peers, there is no doubt that Ben&Ben is simply defining the times that we live in: the band pours their energy in uplifting our fellow countrymen with their brand of accessible but well-crafted music. “It really boils down to the heart behind the song,” Miguel Benjamin, vocalist and guitarist points out. “When a song is written as a vessel to carry a message that is beyond ego or prideful intent, and simply mirrors the feelings, experiences and lessons that come from a higher place, then somehow it may find its way from the artist's soul to at least one other person's heart, and that is always enough. We fully know that it isn't up to us to produce these works out of our own will, but we are simply vessels for some greater message to fulfill itself through us.” Striking a balance between relatability and raw honesty, the band has managed to push things forward with songs that not only capture an emotional spectrum, but also throb at the core moment of one’s personal experience.

Get “Comfortable” with H.E.R.’s newest sultry jam

Fresh from reaping various accolades and wrapping up the first part of the sold-out I Used to Know H.E.R. Tour, two-time Grammy winner H.E.R. has recently released a soulful single called “Comfortable.”

Produced by DJ Camper with additional backing vocals from Anthony Clemons, Jr., the latest jam from the Filipina-American R&B star showcases a more stripped-down approach reminiscent of her early releases. The earnestness of her lyrics, paired with the sultry mood of the song, arrives with captivating grace beyond her years—a quality that makes “Comfortable” a standout.  

The newest track from the singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has recently earned positive reviews from music publications. Hypebeast praised its “return to fundamentals,” and went on to acknowledge, “the right amount of modern production cues crescendoing by the song’s end.” 

Space-Ta brings a splash of nostalgia and soul with new single “Sa Piling Mo”

After gaining traction in Japan for his viral hit “Merry Christmas From Your Bed,” Filipino multi-genre artist Space-Ta returns with a brand new single released under Locked Down Entertainment.

Aptly titled “Sa Piling Mo,” the romantic track explores a nostalgic but soulful sound informed by Philly soul and gospel music. But the delivery echoes every Pinoy power balladeer’s dream: an image of a non-stop karaoke filled with Basil Valdez and Rico J Puno hits, delivered drunkenly with every bit of passion and intensity.

According to Space-Ta, the song deals with his romantic journey as a time-traveling musician who broke up with his girlfriend in 2032, and ended up meeting someone new in 1989.

Record-breaking Philippine film Hello, Love, Goodbye returns to Taiwan to make history anew

Romantic drama film with a record-breaking box office gross of PHP 880.6 million (TWD 521.7 million), Hello, Love, Goodbye, is heading back to Taiwan starting February 14th, Valentine’s Day. This also marks the launch of ABS-CBN Global – The Filipino Channel’s partnership with VieShow Cinemas, one of Taiwan’s leading movie exhibitors.

The film labeled as the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time will be subtitled in Taiwanese to reach the local viewers. The audience will be acquainted to two of the Philippines’ biggest names of their generation in both television and film, Kathryn Bernardo as Joy and Alden Richards as Ethan. Hello, Love, Goodbye tells a story of Joy, a young migrant worker, whose primary reason for coming to Hong Kong may be her family, but her choice to stay will be decided by her owns aspirations and brush with romance.