Metroscene Mag - For the young, empowered & creative

Lea Salonga has officially made history. The Filipina theater icon has received her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame , becoming the first Filipina to be honored with the prestigious recognition . With a career spanning Broadway , film, television, and music, Salonga has long been one of the Philippines’ most celebrated performers on the global stage. She first rose to international prominence as Kim in Miss Saigon , a role that earned her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1991 and cemented her place in theater history. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hollywood Walk Of Fame (@hwdwalkoffame) She later became the singing voice of two beloved Disney characters—Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Mulan in Mulan —and was named a Disney Legend in 2011. Her career has continued to move between international productions and the Philippine theater scene. In 2025, she returned to Manila to play The Witch in the local production of Into the Woods . ...

There's something extra special about sharing a meal with the people you love—and that's exactly the vibeyou get at Villa Parmigiano , an Italian restaurant tucked into the quiet, wealthy streets of Alabang . From the outside, it looks like a rustic Italian country house. Step inside and you're greeted by high ceilings, warm lighting, and that cozy "nonna's kitchen" aroma—like wood-fired pizza and simmering sauces filling the air. Villa Parmigiano isn't just another Italian spot. It's built on generations of family recipes, reimagined with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The restaurant sources real Italian flour for its pasta and pizza, then pairs them with locally grown vegetables and fresh seafoo d for that perfect balance of authentic and local. And who better to whip up our favorite Italian classics than the people who grew up with them? At Villa Parmigiano, the kitchen is led by chefs straight from Italy—the very Cradle of the Renaissance . Chef...

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 ...