Metroscene Mag - For the young, empowered & creative

VR Relosa and Cannes-featured actress Nour Hooshmand headline Starfish , a student short film selected for the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival . Two rising names from different corners of Philippine cinema are coming together for Starfish , an upcoming student short film that brings VR Relosa and Nour Hooshmand to the forefront of the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival. Relosa, known as the “Vivamax King,” and Hooshmand, who recently appeared in the Cannes and Toronto International Film Festival-featured Agapito , lead a rising ensemble in the film directed by John Clite Apolinar of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) . View this post on Instagram A post shared by Starfish (@starfish.film) In Starfish , Relosa plays Boyet , a   macho dancer who returns to his home province after losing his job in Manila. His homecoming forces him to confront the same social pressures, family expectations, and structures that shaped his life in t...

Filipinos are no strangers to fighting. Whether it's in the ring, on the court, or simply navigating everyday life, there's a certain resilience that comes with being Filipino. Now, that spirit is stepping into one of gaming's most iconic fighting franchises. Meet Yasmine , Street Fighter 6 's first Filipina character and newest addition to its roster. Her arrival brings Filipino culture and representation to a game known for introducing fighters from all over the world. With everything happening in the Philippines right now, seeing a Filipina character take her place on a global stage feels especially significant. Yasmine isn't just a new fighter—she's a long-overdue piece of Filipino representation in a franchise played by millions around the world. Yasmine’s backstory stems from training alongside her Kuya under the guidance of their Lolo. Her personal quest in the land of Street Fighter is deeply connected with her mission to find her missing Kuya, that ...

If your current playlist feels a little too manufactured, it’s time to deep-dive into a band that is building an entire universe of their own. Meet NEW LORE —the all-female alt-pop trio that is quickly becoming the undisputed soundtrack of the local creative youth. Composed of visual artist and poet Tita Halaman on vocals and guitar, Kim Escalona on bass, and Carole Lantican on drums, this three-piece act doesn't just write hooks. They turn physical art into indie melodies. The Evolution of the Lore ICYDK, the band originally started out as NO LORE, a dynamic indie-electronic sibling duo. But when that era came to a close, frontwoman Joisha Juatco fully embraced her visual artist moniker, Tita Halaman. Ready to expand her sonic universe, she teamed up with Escalona and Carole Lantican last year to officially birth NEW LORE. What makes them a total visual and sonic experience is their creative process. Supported by independent record label Off The Record in a distribution partner...

Dermorepubliq returns to TikTok Beauty Fest 2026 following its milestone year as the event's sole title sponsor in 2025. Building on the success of last year's "Welcome to the REPUBLIQ" campaign, the brand returns with a renewed focus on celebrating the community that made its success possible while reaffirming its continued commitment to science, innovation, and education. Last year's campaign reinforced Dermorepubliq's position as one of the country's leading science-backed skincare brands, highlighting its formulation philosophy centered on effective, sensitive skin-friendly solutions. By introducing consumers to the science and purpose behind every Dermorepubliq product, the campaign reflected the brand's commitment to creating effective skincare that remains gentle enough for sensitive skin. The Community That Built Dermorepubliq This year, more than showcasing products, Dermorepubliq recognizes the creators, affiliates, consumers, and scientific ...

The landscape of fashion in the Philippines has always been far more than just garments—it is about the stories stitched into them. Today, a new wave of Filipino designers is challenging the limits of what Filipino fashion can look like. With young and talented designers entering the fashion scene with their bold takes on traditional wear, daring silhouettes, masterful techniques, and collections that have a story, they shape the next chapter of Philippine fashion. Here are 6 Filipino designers who are already shaping the future of Filipino fashion:

As NEW ERA Philippines celebrates its 11th anniversary , the iconic brand is marking the milestone with one of its most ambitious local collaborations to date. Through the NEW ERA Artist CO11ECTIVE , the brand transforms its signature silhouettes into canvases for Filipino creativity, bringing together four of the country's most influential visual artists for a limited-edition capsule collection and immersive exhibit at Uptown Mall BGC. Leading the collaboration are Jethro Olba, Lei Melendres, Nicolo Nimor , and Raco Ruiz , each reimagining a core NEW ERA value—Individuality, Collaboration, Authenticity, and Pride—through their distinct artistic styles. More than an anniversary collection, the Artist CO11ECTIVE celebrates the intersection of streetwear, art, and culture, highlighting the creative voices shaping today's Filipino visual landscape.  A Full Circle Moment for Local Art Forms View this post on Instagram A post shared by New Era Philippines (@newer...