Puregold ignites a celebration of Filipino artistry and identity in OPM Con Generations, with SB19, Ben&Ben, Alamat, Flow G, and more

 

Original Pinoy Music (OPM) has long been the language—across generations—of Filipino sentiments, memories, and identity. On July 11, Puregold’s profound connection to OPM takes center stage at the Araneta Coliseum as it mounts a concert that is bigger, louder, and prouder than ever. 

 

More than just a grand music production, Puregold’s OPM Con has evolved into the company’s signature retailtainment platform, reinforcing its role as a pioneer in merging retail, entertainment, and Pinoy fan culture in epic events. Through the years, Filipinos found their voices in music—in songs they grew up with, lyrics they quote online, anthems they scream during concerts, and fandoms that become families, built around artists they love. 

 

After Puregold’s two straight years of sold-out concert crowds and viral fan moments—and amid nationwide anticipation—the much-celebrated music event of the year returns. Dubbed “OPM Con Generations,” it is set to gather today’s biggest talents for a night that revels in the evolving sound of Filipino music, and the communities that have formed around it. 

 

To begin with, acclaimed folk-pop Ben&Ben and rising P-Pop group Alamat will charm the audience not only as performers, but also as two of Puregold’s newest brand ambassadors—a major moment for the devoted fan communities they proudly call “Liwanag” and “Magiliw.”

 

This year’s lineup is the concert’s strongest yet, featuring the most sought-after names shaping the local music landscape, led by P-Pop kings SB19, rap heavyweight Flow G, crowd-favorite rapper Skusta Clee, well-loved rock band SunKissed Lola, and breakout all-female P-Pop acts G22, KAIA, and Xonara. 

 

From arena-shaking P-pop performances and rap anthems to emotional sing-alongs and viral chart-toppers, “OPM Con Generations” promises an unforgettable celebration of Filipino music across genres, generations, and fandoms.

 

Since launching in 2024, OPM Con has quickly become one of the country’s most anticipated live music events, sparking nationwide fan frenzy through Puregold’s signature ticket redemption mechanics, where grocery shopping transforms into a full-scale fan experience. 

 

“Music has a unique way of bringing people together, no matter the generation or genre,” said Ivy Hayagan-Piedad, Senior Marketing Manager of Puregold Price Club Inc. “Through OPM Con Generations, Puregold hopes to create a space where loyal Puregold customers and fans can proudly gather, interact, and celebrate Philippine artistry and culture.”

 

Ticket-selling for OPM Con Generations officially begins on June 12 across 12 participating Puregold stores nationwide: Taytay, Rizal; Biñan, Laguna; Anabu-Imus, Cavite; Valenzuela; QI Central, Quezon City; Cubao, Quezon City; Fairview Terraces, Quezon City; Tayuman, Tondo, Manila; Sucat, Parañaque; Kalentong, San Andres, Manila; Sto. Domingo Cainta Junction, Rizal; and San Pedro, Laguna.

 

Aling Puring and Perks members may redeem free concert tickets through qualified single-receipt grocery purchases made at participating stores. Ticket tiers include VIP Standing for a minimum purchase of P8,500, Patron for P7,000, Lower Box for P5,500, Upper Box for P4,000, General Admission for P2,500, and Obstructed Upper Box and Obstructed General Admission for P1,500.

 

For customers in the provinces, Puregold is also rolling out a limited Regional Fan Pass initiative, giving more fans outside Metro Manila the opportunity to sign up and avail of tickets while supplies last.

 

For updates, like @puregold.shopping on Facebook, subscribe to Puregold Channel on YouTube, and follow @puregold_ph on Instagram and X, and @puregoldph on TikTok.

 

EJK Truth Commission Established to Document and Uncover the Truth Behind Extrajudicial Killings

 

Independent, civilian-led body to document EJK cases, center survivors, and recommend accountability, reparations, institutional reform, and safeguards against recurrence Manila,Philippines. 

The EJK Truth Commission was formally launched

today as an independent, civilian-led, and truth-seeking body dedicated to establishing a credible public record of extrajudicial killings and related abuses in the Philippines.

The creation of the EJK Truth Commission comes as the Philippines marks nearly a decade since drug war-related killings escalated nationwide in 2016. The Commission recognizes that while the violence did not begin in 2016, the scale, persistence, and social targeting of killings in recent years have left thousands of families still seeking truth, justice and healing.

The Commission will be guided by Cardinal Pablo "Ambo" David as Adviser. Cardinal David will serve as an independent moral and institutional guide to help safeguard the integrity, independence, and mission of the Commission, particularly in relation to truth-seeking, due process, survivor protection, confidentiality, public trust, and institutional independence.

"The EJK Truth Commission was created to ensure that the stories of victims, survivors, and families are heard, verified, and preserved. This is not about replacing the courts or assigning guilt. It is about building a credible truth record that can guide accountability, healing, reform, and the prevention of future violence," said Atty. Raul Pangalangan, Commissioner for Legal Affairs and Due Process, who will help safeguard due process, ethical standards, and the legal integrity of the Truth Commission's processes and outputs.

Pangalangan also serves as Chairman for the Truth Commission, and will be joined by the following civilian Commissioners representing distinct areas of expertise:

Dr. Raquel Barros del Rosario-Fortun, Commissioner for Forensic Sciences and Independent Investigation, who will help advance credible fact-finding standards, forensic review protocols, and evidence protection;

Dr. Al Fuertes, Commissioner for Psychosocial Support and Trauma Healing, who will guide trauma-informed practice, survivor protection, psychosocial protocols, and healing and recovery support;

Fr. Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, CM, Commissioner for Church and Education, Truth Literacy, and Institutional Reform, who will help lead truth literacy, prevention strategies, public education, and institutional reform recommendations; and

Carlos Conde, Commissioner for Public Documentation, Transparency, and Democratic Accountability, who will help set standards for public documentation, reporting, accessibility, transparency, and non-partisan public communication. Conde will also serve as the Executive Director for the EJK Truth Commission.

The Commissioners will provide civilian leadership and overall direction for the Truth commission. They are expected to approve policies and standards, convene and chair National Truth Hearings, adopt findings and reports, authorize referrals and recommendations, and lead control.

public engagement while maintaining the Truth Commission's independence from government control.

A key component of the Commission's work will be the conduct of public Truth Hearings, which may be public, semi-public, closed, anonymized, or representative depending on survivor consent, safety considerations, and risk assessment. These hearings will be conducted under non-adversarial rules and survivor-centered safeguards, with the goal of documenting lived experiences, institutional patterns, historical context, and the social impacts of violence in a safe, dignified, and non-adversarial environment.

Participants may include victims, survivors, affected families, community representatives, witnesses, former participants in violence, heads of institutions, government officials, subject-matter experts, academics, historians, researchers, psychosocial practitioners, faith leaders, civil society organizations, and members of the media, subject to informed consent, confidentiality protocols, and survivor-protection measures.

The Truth Commission will also prepare referral-ready packages and evidence-based recommendations for relevant institutions. These may include oversight bodies and agencies such as the Commission on Human Rights, NAPOLCOM, the DOJ, the NBI, and other lawful recipient institutions, while maintaining the PTRC's independent civilian role.

The EJK Truth Commission is expected to submit periodic reports of its findings and recommendations every six months to appropriate bodies, including NAPOLCOM, Congress, and the President, and to submit a final report at the end of its tenure. Reports will be made available to the public, subject to data privacy and confidentiality requirements.

"The truth must be protected not only as a matter of record, but as a matter of dignity for the families who have carried these stories for years. The EJK Truth Commission exists so these stories can be heard, verified, preserved, and acted upon." said Cardinal David.

Bam Aquino delivers on campaign pledge with the launch of RLE financial assistance for nursing and allied health sciences students.

Another campaign promise fulfilled for Senator Bam Aquino as his Related Learning Experience (RLE) financial assistance program was formally launched on Monday, May 25, 2026, by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through the AHEAD (Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students) grant.

Sen. Bam helped secure the P500 million allocation in the 2026 national budget to help cover the RLE expenses of nursing and allied health sciences students during his time as chairperson of the Committee on Basic Education.

In a Facebook post, Sen. Bam said 19,000 qualified allied health science students may receive a one-time ₱25,000 RLE subsidy under the AHEAD grant.

“Malaking ginhawa ito para sa ating mga nursing at allied health students na matagal ding nag-alala kung paano mababayaran ang kanilang Related Learning Experience (RLE) at clinical internship fees habang nagsasanay para makapaglingkod sa bayan,” Sen. Bam announced.

During the 2025 senatorial campaign, Sen. Bam vowed during his meetings with nursing students to address their concerns over the high cost of RLE, which is similar to on-the-job training (OJT) and is required for graduation.

“Matagal nating ipinaglaban na mabigyan ng suporta ang ating mga future healthcare professionals, kaya naman napakahalagang hakbang ng paglulunsad ng AHEAD (Allied Health Experiential Assistance for Deserving Students) grant ng CHED upang mas marami pang kabataang Pilipino ang makapagpatuloy sa kanilang pag-aaral at mas mapalapit sa kanilang pangarap na maging healthcare professionals,” he stressed.

Sen. Bam expressed gratitude to CHED, under the leadership of Chairperson Dr. Shirley Agrupis, for creating this program, swiftly releasing the guidelines, and developing the portal that students can use to apply for the RLE subsidy.


During the launch, 10 nursing students from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMar) held a ceremonial enrollment via the online application portal for the AHEAD grant. (https://ahead.ched.gov.ph/).

Enter If You Dare: The “Backrooms Immersive Experience” Launches Ahead of the Philippine Release of A24 and CreaZion Studios’ Horror Event Backrooms

The nightmare is becoming real.

 

Ahead of the highly anticipated Philippine release of Backrooms, CreaZion Studios is bringing horror fans face-to-face with the terror through the “Backrooms Breakout,” an immersive horror escape room happening for a limited time only from May 23 to June 7 at Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong City.

Inspired by the viral horror phenomenon that terrified millions online, the experience plunges guests into the eerie, endless maze of yellow corridors and unsettling liminal spaces that made the Backrooms a global obsession. Participants will navigate distorted hallways, mysterious rooms, and an atmosphere designed to make every step feel wrong.

Built as a chilling lead-up to the film’s Philippine premiere, the attraction invites fans to physically enter the world of Backrooms before it arrives exclusively in cinemas on June 3, 2026.

“Backrooms is more than just a movie release for us — it’s an experience designed to pull audiences deeper into the world of the film even before they enter the cinema,” said Anter RJ San Agustin, CEO of CreaZion Studios. “We wanted Filipino horror fans to feel the fear, the mystery, and the disorientation that made Backrooms a global phenomenon. This is something audiences have never experienced before.” 

HOW TO ACCESS THE EXPERIENCE

Guests may access the “Backrooms Breakout” by presenting a pre-purchased Backrooms movie ticket from Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinemas. Tickets may be purchased online or directly through the cinema box office.

Each movie ticket corresponds to one player admission to the attraction. Guests who wish to experience the attraction again must purchase another Backrooms movie ticket.

For online reservations, guests may reserve slots in advance through the official booking website. Reservations will only be held for 24 hours and will only be confirmed upon submission of proof of movie ticket purchase or online reservation through Customer Service.

The Backrooms movie ticket serves as the official entry pass to reserve a slot and experience the attraction.  

www.breakout.com.ph

Directed by Kane Parsons — the creator behind the original viral Backrooms videos — the feature adaptation stars Academy Award nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor and Cannes Best Actress winner Renate Reinsve. Produced by A24, the film has quickly become one of the most talked-about horror releases of the year.

For horror fans, thrill-seekers, and the chronically curious, the question is simple:

Can you get out of  the Backrooms?

  

HOW TO ENTER THE BACKROOMS

 

·       Present a pre-purchased Backrooms movie ticket from Shangri-La Red Carpet Cinemas.

·       Tickets may be purchased online or through the cinema box office.

·       1 movie ticket = 1 player.

·       Want to enter again? Purchase another movie ticket to play another round.

·       For online reservations, guests may visit the official website to reserve a slot in advance.

·       Reservations are only held for 24 hours. Only 20 game slots are available each day with 6 players each. The Backrooms Breakout Immersive Experience starts at 11 AM - 8 PM at Shangri-La Plaza, Mandaluyong.

·       To confirm your booking, guests must send proof of their movie ticket or online reservation and show the physical ticket upon entering the Backrooms Experience Escape Room.

Your Backrooms movie ticket serves as your official entry pass to reserve a slot and experience the Escape Room.

Directed by Kane Parsons and starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Renate Reinsve, Backrooms opens exclusively in Philippine cinemas starting June 3, 2026.

 

Limited slots only.
Enter at your own risk.

Direct Ronald and Claudine Barretto Praise Jojo Mendrez’s “Yakap” Revival

Direct Ronald Carballo shared how Jojo Mendrez’s version of “Yakap” gave the song a fresh and more emotional feel. According to him, Jojo’s vocals sounded smooth and heartfelt, making every lyric feel genuine and easy to connect with. He also appreciated how Jojo, known as “The Revival King,” was able to preserve the classic OPM vibe of the song while still adding his own style and personality to the performance. The overall delivery created a comforting and nostalgic atmosphere that made the video even more enjoyable to watch.  

Direct Ronald also highlighted how natural and sincere Jojo’s rendition sounded from start to finish. He mentioned that the arrangement perfectly complemented Jojo’s voice, allowing the emotions of the song to stand out effortlessly. Rather than simply recreating a classic hit, Jojo managed to give “Yakap” a modern touch that can resonate with both longtime OPM fans and younger listeners today.  

 

Even Claudine Barretto praised Jojo Mendrez’s performance, sharing that for her, this is one of the best versions of “Yakap” she has heard. Her appreciation made the revival even more special and proved how Jojo was able to give new life to a timeless OPM classic.

  

Jojo Mendrez’s heartfelt revival of “Yakap” is now available on all digital streaming platforms. Released under Star Music and produced by Jonathan Manalo, the song brings a fresh yet timeless take on the beloved OPM classic.