For 12 days, Ilocos Sur became a center of culture, faith, and community pride as the Ilocos Sur Festival 2026 unfolded across the province. From early morning prayers to late-night concerts, towns and cities came alive with activities that welcomed everyone—farmers and fisherfolk, balikbayans, and younger creatives—into one shared celebration.

This year’s Panagbenga has been nothing short of a color spectacle showcasing Baguio’s arts and culture. 

The ASEAN-India Music Festival is making a much-anticipated return this year, spotlighting the vibrant musical traditions of its participating nations.

This year’s event, set for November 29 to December 1, 2024, will take place at the historic Purana Qila in New Delhi, India. The festival aims to foster greater appreciation for India’s cultural ties with ASEAN countries, bringing audiences closer to their shared heritage.

Described as an “incredible showcase of unity through music and culture,” the 2024 edition marks a decade of the Act East Policy. It reflects key decisions from the 21st ASEAN-India Summit, emphasizing India’s deepening partnership with ASEAN, particularly in cultural collaboration.

ASEAN-India Music Festival will feature performances by bands from ASEAN countries and top Indian music sensations such as Shaan, Jasleen Royal, Sukriti Prakriti, and Raghu Dixit.

The event is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs and Seher, India's premier cultural organization known for producing large-scale events in India and abroad, particularly in the fields of music, dance, visual arts, theater, and cinema.

Sanjeev Bhargava, Founder Director of Seher, shares that this year’s ASEAN-India Music Festival promises to live up to the expectations of the global audience while upholding its top-notch programming with a carefully selected lineup of performers.

He explains, “The third edition of the ASEAN India Music Festival is a celebration of a decade of India's 'Act East Policy.' The festival brings together diverse musical traditions and promotes a deeper cultural bond between India and ASEAN. With new initiatives like international performances and educational collaborations, we aim to take the cultural exchange to a new level. The new addition to this 3rd edition of ASEAN-India Music Festival is a one-day music extravaganza in Bangkok, Thailand, one of the ASEAN-member states."

Following the main event in New Delhi, the festival will continue its journey to Bangkok, Thailand, further enhancing the cultural connections between India and ASEAN. Details about the bands performing from Southeast Asia will be announced soon.

Along with senior officials from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Heads of Missions from all 10 ASEAN Member States, Mr. S Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs, Govt. of India, will also grace the event as the chief guest.

After its well-received inaugural edition in 2017 and successful follow-up in 2022, AIMF has continued its mission of promoting a sustained cultural exchange and interaction between ASEAN and India while championing its unique adoption of traditional and modern music influences. Some of the previous headliners in the past from Southeast Asian nations include Linying of Singapore, The Ransom Collective of the Philippines, and Makaohang from Thailand.

For more information about the ASEAN India Music Festival, visit the official website.

In the realm of festive feasts, few dishes hold the iconic status that Christmas ham does. As families gather around the table to celebrate the holiday season, the succulent aroma of ham often takes center stage. But how did this delectable tradition begin, earning its place as a Christmas culinary staple?

The roots of Christmas ham trace back centuries, with its origins deeply intertwined with cultural practices and seasonal festivities. One prevailing theory suggests that the tradition of serving ham during Christmas can be linked to ancient pagan celebrations. In many cultures, pigs were slaughtered during the winter months, and the meat was cured and preserved to ensure a stable food supply throughout the colder season.

As Christianity spread across Europe, the practice of feasting on ham during the winter months continued, blending seamlessly with the Christmas festivities. The timing of these winter pig slaughters coincided with the Christmas season, giving rise to the association between ham and the holiday. The salt-curing process not only preserved the meat but also imparted a distinctive flavor that became synonymous with Christmas indulgence.

The specific term "Christmas ham" began to gain popularity as the dish became a focal point of holiday celebrations. In medieval England, for example, the tradition of serving a boar's head as a centerpiece during Christmas feasts was well-established. Over time, this evolved into the more familiar ham we know today, as the boar's head was gradually replaced by the easier-to-obtain and equally delicious ham.

Fast forward to the New World, and Christmas ham continued to evolve. In the United States, the Southern tradition of serving ham during the holidays became deeply ingrained, with many families adopting the practice during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The influence of Southern cuisine on Christmas ham spread throughout the country, solidifying its place as a beloved holiday dish.

 

Mayor Jerry P. Treñas of Iloilo City was over the moon with the return of the Dinagyang Festival to the city's streets, describing it as a "complete success." With thousands of domestic and foreign visitors flocking to the festival's various activities, the Mayor said everyone wanted a strong comeback and it was a triumph, showing that Dinagyang and their Sto. Niño are beyond politics.

“Everyone wanted a strong comeback…It was a complete success and this showed that Dinagyang and our Sto. Niño are beyond politics,” added Treñas. Dinagyang Festival is known far and wide for its participants’ impressive choreography and striking costumes that reflect Ilonggo ingenuity, craftsmanship and artistry.

(From left to right) House Speaker Martin Romualdez, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos, and Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas during the Dinagyang Dance Competition at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand

The special guests were seen enjoying the Ilomination night at SM City Iloilo with Mayor Jerry Treñas,  SM’s SVP for Operations Bien Mateo, Talent Manager Jojie Dingcong, Youtube celebrity Small Laude,veteran broadcaster Karen Davila, former senator Franklin Drilon, SM Supermalls president Steven Tan, philanthropist and influencer Tessa Prieto, eventologist Tim Yap, Manila Bulletin’s Arnel Patawaran and Chef Tibong Jardeleza,Jr.

Shopee, the leading e-commerce platform in Southeast Asia and Taiwan, introduces its newest brand ambassador, Kim Chiu, alongside the launch of the 10.10 Brands Festival, its biggest brands sale of the year. The famous actress, dubbed the Princess of Philippine Movies and TV, will feature in Shopee’s new TV commercial and many exciting in-app activities.

Martin Yu, Director at Shopee Philippines, said, “Shopee Philippines is happy to welcome one of the country's top entertainers into the Shopee family, Kim Chiu. Kim's bubbly, charming personality and love for online shopping both resonate with millions of Filipinos who find joy and excitement on Shopee. This 10.10 Brands Festival, we hope to bring the best brand deals and so much more with our valued and trusted brand partners.”

Users can look forward to these from Shopee brand ambassador Kim Chiu:

• ●Kim Chiu’s new Shopee TV commercial: Kim Chiu gives the viral “Proof of Delivery” trend her own spin. Fans can look out for the TV commercial on local TV networks and on Shopee’s official Facebook and YouTube accounts. 
• ●Kim Chiu for Shopee Prizes: Users can find Kim Chiu on in-app games such as Spin & Win and Guess It Right, which they can play to win rewards such as coins and vouchers. 
• ●Mini-games and contests with Kim Chiu: This October, users can join the #10BrandFaves contest featuring Kim Chiu for a chance to win 1,000 Shopee coins.

One of my way to distress is to visit art galleries and by way of looking at different arts created by different great artist put at peace. Something that makes me relaxed. It is my serenity.

It seems that my usual place to visit will have an addition, though its only once a year. Yes, Ortigas & Company through one of its mall, Estancia, presents their 10-day Ortigas Art Festival. Their way of asserting their commitment to bring arts and culture closer to the people.

As it opens and celebrates the second year, Ortigas Art Festival establish Estancia as the art hub of Ortigas and they made this year's exhibit a place to visit and see arts at its finest. This year's approach brought individual artists to the spotlight, showcasing their creative individuality and placing them a the forefront of the art scene.
Hmmm... I hope I can also showcase my artworks. Maybe their next year.

It was the idea of Renato Habulan, renowned social realist painter, to tap the various groups of artists from all over the country and give them a venue to exhibit their works. Ortigas Malls was receptive to the idea of promoting grassroots participation in the art scene. No gallery representation - just artists working together, no admission charge for the viewers - walk through the art for free.

Presenting the artists.

Among the featured artists is master engraver Benjie Torrado Cabrera, the only engraver in the country specializing in this laborious, centuries-old medium. His works, which are complex in detail, are inspired by his interest in cosmology, with geometric shapes and spheres that signify the universe.

Another one to look out for is Darwin "Japat" Guevarra, a self-taught artist inspired by the works of masters and his peers, showcases works that reflect his concepts of life and social realism, expressed through his mastery of the paintbrush, sculpting, photography, and experimenting with scrap and molded materials.

Also in the spotlight is photographer Bern Wong, with her camera that has captured the most moving meditative with breathtaking landscapes she has seen encountered in her travels. her works express the minimal, abstract, and even the surreal aspects of places she visits.

Don't forget to check out also the works of Richard Buxani, architect who has since harnessed his talent to create sculptures made out of metal. Inspired by Ronald Castrillo, Richard discovered a natural fondness for bending , crafting , cutting, welding and molding materials, which are showcased in the exhibit.

Artists and groups who also joined the art festival are AgawXena, Agos Kulay Maynila, Banta Artists Initiative, Hibon, Biskeg, The Guild, Group Artists of Taytay, Pinoy Printmakers Association, Hilaga, and Westgrove Fine Arts.

To create a more interactive and immersive art experience, the organizer of the exhibit lined up various activities for visitors that is all for free. On February 23, master engraver Benjamin Cabrera shows his prowess in print-making. On February 24 and March 2, artist Peter Sutcliffe will be holding tutorials on watercolors. On March 3, Renato Habulan introduces guests to Print Alla Prima with the Master. Throughout the festival, the public is also encouraged to participate through the "Comment Areas" where they can share their thoughts and opinions to let the artists know how their works are perceived.

The rapidly-evolving festival has already grabbed the attention of various artists from across the globe, including some from New York, Los Angeles, and Singapore who want to become part of this movement - a sign that bigger and better things will come about in the coming years for Ortigas Art Festival.

"Ortigas & Company is delighted to see that support for contemporary Philippine art has been growing. As part of our commitment to the arts, we are holding the second run of this art festival in the hope that this will increase appreciation for the creative individuality of artists. By holding this in Estancia, we are also making art accessible to Filipinos, especially for our mall patrons and the Capitol Commons community," as per expressed by Arch. Renee Bacani, VP of Ortigas & Company.

For more updates and information about Ortigas Art Festival, connect through their Instagram and Facebook page and use the hashtag #OrtigasArtFestival.