Metroscene Mag - For the young, empowered & creative

The eight-episode third season of HBO’s Emmy ® -winning original series The White Lotus , from Mike White, debuts Monday, February 17 on Max and will be available on HBO. The social satire is set at an exclusive Thai resort and follows the exploits of various guests and employees over the span of a week. Season three of The White Lotus will star Leslie Bibb, Carrie Coon, Walton Goggins, Sarah Catherine Hook, Jason Isaacs, Lalisa Manobal, Michelle Monaghan, Sam Nivola, Lek Patravadi, Parker Posey, Natasha Rothwell, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Tayme Thapthimthong, Aimee Lou Wood. Additional cast include Nicholas Duvernay, Arnas Fedaravičius, Christian Friedel, Scott Glenn, Dom Hetrakul, Julian Kostov, Charlotte Le Bon, Morgana O’Reilly, and Shalini Peiris. Watch The Trailer Here: The first installment, which premiered July 2021, was set in Hawaii and received 20 Emmy ® nominations across 13 categories and ten wins, the most wins of any program that year including Outstanding Limited or An...

Wild Dream Records isn’t just another record label – it’s a sanctuary for dreamers. It's a place where artists push boundaries, embrace their potential, and unapologetically chase their wildest creative goals. From TikTok to the mainstream, Wild Dream's vision is simple: believe in the artist, empower them, and watch them thrive. Founded by the multi-talented Marion Aunor and her sister Ashley, Wild Dream is a sub-label of Viva ready to change the game. With a vibe that’s all about diversity in sound and artistic freedom, Wild Dream is set to be your go-to for discovering fresh talent, no matter what genre you vibe with. Meet the artists turning heads: Matt Wilson View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wild Dream Records (@wilddreamrecords) Matt Wilson is the acoustic pop sensation who’s been winning hearts with his indie-electronic blend. His breakout track, “Alitaptap,” hit 2.5 million streams on Spotify, after being featured in a popular Wattpad a...

This is the right moment to watch a Filipino musical film. A month or so after the release of the Wicked the musical, uniting the fascination of both theater kids and film enthusiasts, Jose Lorenzo (Pepe) Diokno’s Isang Himala, the musical redirects our Filipino sensibility putting a distinct yet unique genre ingredients among the entries of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival. How miraculous it is to live in this era to have seen the nuptiality of Ricky Lee ’s ingenious work Himala (1982) , and Himala, Isang Musical (2018) , to give birth to Isang Himala, the Musical this year, an adaptation of the adaption— Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t like Elsa and I, nor the defying miracles. This is not like Wicked, but if you love both theater and film and have Filipino sensibilities. Surely, you would love Elsa, because Elsa loves you. Adaptation is a thing. Adaptation of the adaptation, for sure, is another thing. Let me get it straight,  Isang Himala, the musical  which will be scre...

The holiday season carries a special kind of magic—a time of reflection, renewal, and hope. For many, it’s a chance to reconnect with family, faith, and the traditions that ground us. But for some, the season also brings quiet moments of longing: a yearning for acceptance, understanding, and a place to truly belong. In a society where identity often feels constrained by tradition and expectation, navigating the path to self-discovery can be a deeply personal and emotional journey. This is especially true for Filipino queer individuals, whose experiences are shaped by a culture that holds faith and conformity in high regard. The struggle to reconcile one’s authentic self with societal norms is as complex as it is universal, and yet, within that struggle lies a quiet, unshakable hope for a brighter, more inclusive future. This December, Metroscene Mag explores the profound intersection of identity and faith in our special issue, Nandito Na Kami. Featuring TikTok sensation Sassa Gurl, th...

We have heard them before in an angry tone. From the bustling roads, inside those public transportations, and even in televisions, preachers like to put that queerness and faith cannot coexist. However, for the queers, there’s a different side of divinity that people and religious homophobes always miss—that God loves and welcomes everyone as His diverse creation. In this December issue of Metroscene Magazine, we highlighted that exploring identities often mirrors one’s self-love and spiritual connection. Suggesting that “coming out” for queer people of faith may also be akin to “accepting and embracing the fullness of who we truly are as God’s creation”. If anyone remembers, Oprah Winfrey declared this on live TV wayback 1997. “Well I have a different view of Christian than you do. The God I serve doesn’t care whether you’re tall or short, whether you’re born black or asian, or gay… I believe God created her gay. I believe God did that… I support her right to be who think she is.” ...

As the Bible says, “Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.” It’s a simple yet profound verse, one that calls us to reflect on our own imperfections before judging others. In a world where faith is often wielded as a tool for division, the question must be asked: Aren’t we all children of God, saved and loved, and yet why are queer individuals so often excluded? Why is love, the very essence of faith, withheld from those who don’t fit society’s narrow definition of what is “acceptable”?  This December, we bring this question to the forefront with TikTok sensation, Neo, whose journey challenges and reflects the way faith and identity are often viewed in our society. Through Neo’s voice, we explore the intersection of queerness and faith, shedding light on the transformative power of embracing one’s authentic self.  Dapat May Bakla! For Neo, faith was something ingrained in him from a young age. Raised in a Catholic school and by a grandmother who deeply valued religiou...

There’s something deeply moving about waking up before dawn for Simbang Gabi. The quiet streets, the crisp air, and the anticipation of gathering with others under the soft glow of church lights create a moment that’s both peaceful and filled with hope. It’s not just about tradition—it’s a quiet yearning for something meaningful, a belief that completing the novena might bring a long-held wish to fruition. But it’s more than the rituals. Simbang Gabi is a time to pause, reflect, and look back on the rollercoaster of the year. It’s about finding gratitude amid chaos and nurturing hope for what’s to come. In these sacred moments, the usual judgments fade away, leaving only a collective longing to be thankful, to grow, and to keep moving forward. For some, simply showing up to Simbang Gabi, or stepping foot into the church, is a quiet act of resistance. To be queer, to be different, and to claim a place within this tradition is a powerful statement. In the end, aren’t we all searching for...