M1ss Jade So Unleashes ‘BAPHOMETA’ After Drag Race Win

M1ss Jade So Unleashes ‘BAPHOMETA’ After Drag Race Win

Thursday, September 3, 2026

Fresh from her RUBADGE win on the fourth episode of Drag Race Down Under vs. The World Season 1, M1ss Jade So is turning her latest drag transformation into new music.

The Filipino drag artist has released “BAPHOMETA,” a new track produced by her collaborator Naive Supreme and released under Offshore Music.

The song takes its name from the character M1ss Jade So created for the competition's “Wildlife Couture” category, where she transformed into a dark, stylized version of the occult figure Baphomet.

What inspired M1ss Jade So’s “BAPHOMETA”?

The concept began with a much simpler idea.

M1ss Jade So initially considered dressing as a goat for the challenge. She eventually pushed the concept further, developing BAPHOMETA, a character that combines elements associated with Baphomet with her own deliberately unconventional aesthetic.

The result reflects an approach to drag that has become central to M1ss Jade So's artistry: using fashion, music and transformation to explore identity while challenging conventional ideas of beauty.

“I like creating art that is provocative,” M1ss Jade So says.

That approach can also be heard throughout her music. Her catalog includes the sex-pop track “Power Top na Bratzy” from 2024, followed by the darker “ESOTERICA” and the more divine-themed “GODDESSA” in 2026.

“BAPHOMETA” continues that fascination with contrasting and sometimes provocative imagery.

“BAPHOMETA” mixes darkness with playfulness

Despite the song's occult-inspired concept, M1ss Jade So did not want the track to sound completely sinister.

According to the artist, she and co-writer Pette (Shabu) wanted the song to carry a destructive and chaotic energy while still feeling playful.

That contrast is an important part of the track's concept. Rather than treating its darker imagery with complete seriousness, “BAPHOMETA” uses humor and playfulness alongside its provocative themes.

It is a combination that fits M1ss Jade So's broader creative identity, where exaggerated characters and unconventional visuals are matched with equally distinctive music.

Why Baphomet became part of M1ss Jade So’s drag identity

The symbolism associated with Baphomet also resonated with M1ss Jade So because of its connection to duality.

The figure has been represented through contrasting concepts such as masculine and feminine, light and darkness, and mortal and divine.

For a drag artist, those ideas naturally lend themselves to transformation and identity.

M1ss Jade So says the concept connects with her own experience as a drag artist, particularly her exploration of identity, beauty and transformation.

That makes BAPHOMETA more than a character created for a single competition runway. It has become another extension of the world she is building through her music and visual art.

From Drag Race runway to new music

The release of “BAPHOMETA” also highlights how M1ss Jade So continues to blur the boundaries between drag performance and music.

Her latest project arrives at a time when her visibility has expanded through Drag Race Down Under vs. The World, giving audiences another opportunity to discover the artist behind the looks.

Rather than separating her drag persona from her music, M1ss Jade So uses the two mediums together. A runway concept can become a character, and that character can then inspire a song and visual experience.

That approach gives “BAPHOMETA” a natural place within her growing body of work.

Where to listen to “BAPHOMETA”

“BAPHOMETA” by M1ss Jade So is now available on streaming platforms under Offshore Music.

Fans can also catch the music video at a watch party on September 5 at Hoesik in Makati.

Following her RUBADGE win, the release gives M1ss Jade So another way to bring her latest Drag Race moment beyond the runway and into music.

With its dark imagery, playful energy and deliberately provocative concept, “BAPHOMETA” adds another unusual chapter to M1ss Jade So's evolving artistic universe.

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Ylona Garcia Marks 10 Years in Music With PH Homecoming

Ylona Garcia Marks 10 Years in Music With PH Homecoming

Ylona Garcia is marking a decade in music with two homecoming performances in the Philippines this September, revisiting the songs and experiences that have shaped her journey while giving fans a preview of what comes next.

The two-part celebration begins with Backyard Live: Ylona Garcia Spotlight on September 4 at Backyard Warehouse Studio in Baesa, Quezon City. The invitation-only event will offer a limited audience an intimate look at Ylona's 10th anniversary project.

On September 5, the celebration opens to the public with 10 Years of Ylona Garcia: Live at Venice Grand Canal Mall in McKinley Hill, starting at 7 p.m.

What will Ylona Garcia's 10th anniversary shows feature?

The anniversary performances will revisit songs from Ylona's decade-long career, but the material will be presented through her current perspective as an artist.

Rather than simply looking back, the project reflects how her experiences over the past 10 years have influenced the way she approaches music today.

Ylona described her first five years in the industry as a period of learning, particularly as she navigated Filipino culture and the entertainment business. She said the following five years brought more difficult personal experiences, including loss, emotional challenges and periods of being alone abroad.

Those experiences, she explained, helped her understand the distinction between being a singer and becoming an artist.

That evolution will be reflected in the anniversary performances.

From Philippine pop star to international artist

Ylona first gained recognition in the Philippines before expanding her musical career internationally.

Her journey eventually brought her to Paradise Rising, the Filipino-focused label under 88rising, and to Los Angeles, where she continued developing her music career.

Her international work has included a performance at 88rising's Head in the Clouds festival and the release of "Entertain Me," a collaboration connected to Riot Games' VALORANT.

Her growing profile has also brought attention from international publications, including V Magazine.

The path has not always been straightforward, but the different stages of her career have helped shape the artist she is today.

A new live album is also coming

The two Philippine performances will eventually form part of Ylona Garcia's 10th Anniversary Live Album, a nine-track collection featuring her interpretations of songs from the past decade.

The album will also connect her previous work with her next musical chapter.

Elements of the sounds and influences being developed for her long-awaited second EP will be incorporated into the anniversary performances, giving the project a forward-looking component.

For fans, that means the homecoming is not simply a retrospective. It is also a glimpse into the direction Ylona wants to take next.

Ylona Garcia begins a new chapter with Sony Music

Ylona is working with Sony Music Entertainment to reimagine her catalog for the anniversary project.

For the singer, the collaboration has also become part of her personal and artistic growth.

She described learning how to bring her own vision into a creative room, consider other perspectives and build something collectively without losing the message she wants to communicate.

That process appears to be central to the next stage of her career: maintaining her identity while becoming more intentional about the music she creates.

Two shows, one decade of music

Ylona Garcia's 10th anniversary homecoming brings together different parts of her journey, from her beginnings in Philippine showbiz to her international ambitions and the personal experiences that have influenced her songwriting and artistry.

The September 4 show at Backyard Warehouse Studio offers an intimate start to the celebration, while the September 5 performance at Venice Grand Canal Mall brings the anniversary to a broader audience.

After a decade of change, Ylona is returning to the Philippines not only to revisit where she started, but also to introduce audiences to the artist she has become.

The anniversary performances mark a significant milestone for Ylona Garcia, but the bigger story may be what follows. With a live album and second EP in the works, her 10th year in music looks less like an ending and more like the beginning of another chapter.

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The Itchyworms Bring OPM to New Zealand This September

The Itchyworms Bring OPM to New Zealand This September

Filipino pop-rock band The Itchyworms are taking their music to New Zealand this September with the Akin Ka Na Lang New Zealand Tour, bringing their signature mix of catchy melodies, sharp lyrics, humor and heartbreak to four cities.

The band will headline shows in Auckland, Wellington, Queenstown, and Christchurch, giving Filipino communities in New Zealand an opportunity to reconnect with home through OPM while inviting Kiwi audiences to experience one of the Philippines' well-known pop-rock acts.

Where will The Itchyworms perform in New Zealand?

The Itchyworms will perform in four New Zealand cities throughout September 2026:

• Auckland: September 18 at Galatos
• Wellington: September 19 at Notre Dame Performing Arts Center
• Queenstown: September 25 at Queenstown Memorial Center
• Christchurch: September 26 at Christ's College Auditorium

Tickets are priced at NZ$99 for Standing VIP, which includes a photo opportunity, and NZ$69 for Standing General Admission.

Tickets are available through the tour's ticketing page.

The tour is more than a series of overseas performances for The Itchyworms. It also gives the band a chance to connect with Filipinos living in New Zealand and introduce OPM to friends and audiences from outside the Filipino community.

The Itchyworms bring a distinctly Filipino sound overseas

The Itchyworms have built their identity around songs that combine memorable pop-rock melodies with clever and often relatable storytelling.

For drummer and vocalist Jazz Nicolas, that combination is part of what makes the band's music accessible across generations and cultures. Their songs can tackle petty frustrations, heartbreak and difficult experiences while packaging those emotions in melodies that are easy to remember.

That balance of humor and emotion has become part of the band's appeal.

It also makes the New Zealand tour an opportunity to introduce international audiences to another side of Original Pilipino Music (OPM). Filipino music is not limited to one sound or genre, and bands such as The Itchyworms show how contemporary OPM can blend rock, pop and distinctly Filipino storytelling.

A chance to celebrate Filipino culture

For vocalist and guitarist Jugs Jugueta, the New Zealand shows are also about reconnecting with Filipino communities abroad.

Jugueta said the band is encouraged by the growing international interest in Filipino culture, including its music and artists. He also encouraged Filipinos attending the shows to bring their Kiwi friends and family.

That invitation reflects an important part of overseas Filipino concerts. These events can serve both as a gathering for Filipinos abroad and as an introduction to Filipino culture for international audiences.

For The Itchyworms, music becomes a way to share not only familiar songs but also the energy and humor associated with Filipino celebrations.

Four cities, one OPM experience

The New Zealand tour gives Filipino music fans across the country several opportunities to catch The Itchyworms live.

Auckland opens the tour on September 18, followed by Wellington the next day. After a short break, the band heads to Queenstown on September 25 before wrapping up the tour in Christchurch on September 26.

For Filipino fans who have been away from home, hearing familiar OPM songs performed live can offer a strong connection to the Philippines. For first-time listeners, meanwhile, the shows could provide a lively introduction to the songwriting and sound of The Itchyworms.

With four stops across New Zealand, The Itchyworms New Zealand Tour is set to bring a familiar Filipino sound to audiences far from home while giving OPM another opportunity to travel beyond Philippine shores.

For Filipino music fans in New Zealand, it is also a chance to sing along, reconnect and, as Jugueta puts it, show their Kiwi friends how Filipinos party.

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James Reid Releases ‘Sunny Side’ With Luke April

James Reid Releases ‘Sunny Side’ With Luke April

Monday, August 31, 2026

James Reid has released “Sunny Side,” a new alternative pop single featuring producer and artist Luke April, ahead of his upcoming album honey, i’m home.

Released on August 27, 2026, through Sony Music Entertainment, the track explores freedom, self-acceptance, and the decision to define oneself rather than be shaped by other people's expectations.

“Sunny Side” combines bright guitars, filtered drums, a relaxed rap section, and alternative pop production. Its laid-back sound mirrors the song's central idea of enjoying the present without feeling pressured to be somewhere else.

What is James Reid’s ‘Sunny Side’ about?

At its core, “Sunny Side” is about personal freedom.

Reid describes the song as a reflection of choosing his own identity despite how other people may perceive him.

The track's message moves away from freedom as rebellion and toward freedom as self-assurance. Rather than responding directly to outside expectations, the song presents a more comfortable relationship with one's own identity.

That idea also connects to the themes of Reid's upcoming album, honey, i’m home.

How was ‘Sunny Side’ created?

The song was developed during a week-long creative session held in a makeshift outdoor studio at the back of an Airbnb.

According to the artists, the informal setup helped create an environment where there were few expectations about what the sessions needed to produce.

Musicians and producers moved in and out of the space while instruments were left around the studio. Instead of following a rigid recording plan, the collaborators allowed ideas to develop through experimentation and improvisation.

Reid said the relaxed setting helped create room for instinct and reduced the pressure that can sometimes come with recording music.

What does Luke April bring to the track?

Luke April produced “Sunny Side” and brought an alternative pop-rock approach to the recording.

April cites artists including Dominic Fike and Jean Dawson as references during the creative process.

He also intentionally allowed the different sections of the song to have slightly different sounds, creating a less predictable progression.

That approach is reflected in the production, which combines guitars, drums, rap, and pop elements without keeping the entire track within one rigid musical style.

What kind of sound does ‘Sunny Side’ have?

“Sunny Side” sits between alternative pop and pop-rock, with an intentionally relaxed arrangement.

Its production includes:

• Filtered drums
• Guitar textures
• An easygoing rap section
• Alternative pop elements
• Contrasting sounds between different sections of the song

The arrangement gives the track a sense of movement without making it feel hurried.

Its lyrical theme and production also make the song suited to casual listening, whether during a drive, a relaxed afternoon, or a day spent without a strict schedule.

When is James Reid’s new album coming out?

“Sunny Side” will appear on James Reid's upcoming album, honey, i’m home.

The album is scheduled for release on September 10, 2026, through Sony Music Entertainment.

Reid has described the project as being rooted in acceptance and a more confident understanding of himself.

The album's title also reflects that idea. For Reid, “home” represents a place where he can be most fully himself.

James Reid’s ‘Sunny Side’ and the idea of finding freedom

The release presents a more relaxed interpretation of independence.

Rather than framing freedom as pushing against expectations, “Sunny Side” focuses on being comfortable enough with one's identity that outside opinions carry less weight.

That perspective gives the song a natural connection to its laid-back production. The music does not sound hurried, while the lyrics center on the freedom to simply exist on one's own terms.

For listeners following Reid's musical direction, the track also provides an early indication of the themes that will carry into honey, i’m home.

Where can you listen to ‘Sunny Side’?

James Reid featuring Luke April's “Sunny Side” is available on digital music platforms worldwide through Sony Music Entertainment.

The single arrives ahead of the September 10 release of honey, i’m home.

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Ben&Ben Reimagines ‘Leaves’ With a More Mature Sound

Ben&Ben Reimagines ‘Leaves’ With a More Mature Sound

Nearly a decade after “Leaves” became one of Ben&Ben's most recognizable songs, the Filipino band has returned to the track with a new interpretation titled “Leaves (Reimagined).”

Rather than simply reproducing the original arrangement, the new version approaches the song from the perspective of musicians who have grown older and experienced more of life's uncertainties. The reimagined track explores themes of forgiveness, second chances, and growing together, with orchestral elements adding depth to both its quieter passages and emotional peaks.

How is ‘Leaves (Reimagined)’ different from the original?

Ben&Ben chose not to treat “Leaves (Reimagined)” as a straightforward remake.

The band added orchestral sounds alongside its existing musical identity, creating more space between the intimate and expansive sections of the song.

According to Ben&Ben, the arrangement was designed to reflect the emotional complexity that comes with growing older. Instead of making the song simply bigger, the orchestral elements help emphasize its quieter moments while giving the more dramatic sections additional weight.

The result is intended to feel more lived-in than the band's earlier recording.

What does ‘Leaves (Reimagined)’ say about growing older?

The new interpretation connects the song's message with the band's own experiences over the past nine years.

Ben&Ben describes the reimagined track as a reflection of how its members and their community have experienced different stages of love, loss, uncertainty, and change.

The band also connects the song's message to long-term relationships, whether between romantic partners, family members, or close friends.

For people who continue to grow alongside someone they love, forgiveness and giving another chance can become part of maintaining that relationship.

That perspective gives the song a different emotional context from its earlier version.

Why did Ben&Ben revisit ‘Leaves’?

The project follows the band's earlier experience with “Lifetime (Reimagined)”, but the group says the creative process for “Leaves” developed differently.

Rather than applying one formula to its older songs, Ben&Ben approached each reimagining as an opportunity to discover where the track could go next.

The band says that changing the musical and lyrical perspective can lead each song toward a different trajectory, allowing the original composition to take on another identity without losing its connection to its earlier version.

Ben&Ben continues a strong 2026 run

The release comes as Ben&Ben continues to receive recognition for its recent work.

In June, the band was named Duo/Group Artist of the Year at the 17th PMPC Star Awards for Music, with the recognition citing its work on the album The Traveler Across Dimensions.

Ben&Ben also received multiple nominations at the 39th Awit Awards, including:

• Record of the Year for “Saranggola”
• Best Performance by a Group for “Saranggola”
• Best Pop Recording for “Saranggola”

The nominations add to the band's continued presence in the Philippine music awards circuit.

When is Ben&Ben’s ‘Saranggola: The Concert’?

Ben&Ben will bring its music to the stage for “Saranggola: The Concert” on October 2 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The upcoming major concert follows the band's latest body of work and gives fans another opportunity to experience its music in a live setting.

The timing also places “Leaves (Reimagined)” within a broader period of reflection for the group, as it revisits earlier material while continuing to develop its current sound.

‘Leaves’ continues to evolve with Ben&Ben

Songs can change meaning as listeners and artists grow older.

For Ben&Ben, “Leaves (Reimagined)” offers an opportunity to revisit a familiar song from a different point in life. The new arrangement retains its emotional foundation while adding orchestral textures and a more mature perspective on relationships.

Nearly a decade after the original recording, the reimagined version presents “Leaves” not as a song frozen in its original moment, but as one that can continue to take on new meaning.

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dwta and Arthur Miguel Release ‘At Kung Sakali,’ Their First Song Written Together

dwta and Arthur Miguel Release ‘At Kung Sakali,’ Their First Song Written Together

Singer-songwriters dwta and Arthur Miguel have released “At Kung Sakali,” their third musical collaboration and their first song written together in the same room.

The new single follows their previous collaborations, “Lihim (Nuarin Sasabihon)” and “Tahan Na.” Released through Sony Music Entertainment, “At Kung Sakali” takes a different emotional direction, focusing on the uncertainty and excitement of imagining a future with someone.

Unlike their earlier collaborations, the song began without plans for an official release. The two artists initially wrote it simply as a creative exercise before deciding to turn it into a finished track.

How did dwta and Arthur Miguel write ‘At Kung Sakali’?

Their previous collaborations were created separately. Arthur Miguel wrote “Lihim (Nuarin Sasabihon),” while dwta wrote “Tahan Na.”

For “At Kung Sakali,” they decided to try writing together for the first time.

The song was completed in roughly half a day. What started as an informal songwriting session eventually became a track they felt was worth releasing.

Their established friendship also played a role in the collaboration. The two artists first worked together in 2023 and have since developed a creative partnership that led them back into the studio.

What is ‘At Kung Sakali’ about?

“At Kung Sakali” explores the doubts that can come with imagining a future with another person.

The song uses the familiar childhood imagery of bahay-bahayan, or playing house, to frame questions about love, commitment, and the possibility that life may not turn out exactly as imagined.

Despite those uncertainties, the song ultimately leans toward choosing love.

The theme also marks a shift from the emotional territory of the pair's previous collaborations.

According to dwta, “Lihim (Nuarin Sasabihon)” centered on confessing feelings, while “Tahan Na” dealt with heartbreak and hope. “At Kung Sakali” moves into a warmer perspective focused on being in love.

Why is this collaboration different?

The most notable difference is the songwriting process.

For the first two collaborations, the artists worked independently on the songs. This time, their ideas were developed together from the beginning.

That approach allowed the song to reflect both artists' perspectives instead of one songwriter's work being interpreted by the other.

The track was produced by Luke April, who joined the artists during the production stage after the songwriting session had been completed.

The production took place on a separate day, allowing the songwriting and recording processes to develop independently.

What can fans expect from dwta and Arthur Miguel?

Both artists have become known for songwriting that explores relationships, emotions, and personal experiences.

Their latest collaboration shows another side of that repertoire by moving away from the more familiar themes of heartbreak and unrequited feelings.

“At Kung Sakali” instead approaches love with optimism while acknowledging the uncertainty that comes with it.

The song's playful bahay-bahayan imagery also gives the track a distinctly familiar Filipino reference, using a childhood game to explore adult questions about relationships and the future.

Where can you listen to ‘At Kung Sakali’?

dwta and Arthur Miguel's “At Kung Sakali” is now available on digital music platforms worldwide through Sony Music Entertainment.

The release marks their third collaboration and their first songwriting partnership, giving the song a different place in their growing body of work together.

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Ben&Ben’s ‘Limasawa Street’ Gets CD and Vinyl Release

Ben&Ben’s ‘Limasawa Street’ Gets CD and Vinyl Release

Ben&Ben is bringing its debut studio album, Limasawa Street, to physical formats for the first time, with CD and vinyl editions now available for fans and collectors.

Released in 2019, Limasawa Street introduced the nine-piece band’s folk-pop sound and included songs that would become closely associated with Ben&Ben, including “Pagtingin” and “Araw-Araw.” The album went on to receive multi-platinum certification from the Philippine Association of the Record Industry (PARI) and won Album of the Year at the 33rd Awit Awards.

Pre-orders for the physical editions open August 29 at 12 noon through Backspacer Records.

When can fans pre-order Ben&Ben’s ‘Limasawa Street’?

Pre-orders for the CD and vinyl editions of Limasawa Street open on Saturday, August 29, at 12 noon.

Fans can place their orders through Backspacer Records.

The physical release gives listeners an opportunity to own a tangible edition of an album that has primarily been experienced through digital platforms and live performances since its 2019 release.

Why is ‘Limasawa Street’ important to Ben&Ben?

Limasawa Street was recorded during an early stage of Ben&Ben's career, when the group was still developing the sound and identity that would later define the band.

According to the group, the album captures a particular point in their lives and serves as a record of their ideas, emotions, and perspective on love and life at the time.

The album also has an unusual place in the band's history because the material was recorded before the group had fully settled into its nine-member formation.

For Ben&Ben, revisiting the record means looking back at the period when the band was beginning to establish itself and learning what it meant to create music collectively.

What songs are on ‘Limasawa Street’?

The album produced several of Ben&Ben's best-known songs, including:“Pagtingin”

“Araw-Araw”

The songs helped establish the band's distinctive approach to Filipino folk-pop and became part of its early musical identity.

The album's success eventually took Ben&Ben beyond recorded music and into live performances across the Philippines and Singapore through the Limasawa Street tour.

‘Limasawa Street’ receives a new physical treatment

The CD and vinyl versions have been remastered by Jett Galindo, a Grammy Award-winning sound engineer.

Remastering involves preparing previously recorded audio for a new release format. For a vinyl edition, the mastering process also considers the technical characteristics of the format to create a suitable pressing master.

For longtime listeners, the physical editions therefore offer more than a different way to store the same album. They provide a collectible version of a record that has been part of Ben&Ben's catalog for several years.

Why are physical music formats making a comeback?

The release arrives at a time when music consumption is dominated by streaming, but physical formats continue to have a place among music fans and collectors.

Streaming provides immediate access to enormous music libraries, while physical albums offer ownership, artwork, packaging, and a more tangible connection to a particular period in an artist's career.

Vinyl, in particular, has become increasingly associated with music collecting and album listening as an experience rather than simply a way to access recorded music.

For Filipino artists, physical releases can also give fans a way to preserve albums that might otherwise exist primarily as digital files or streaming links.

A physical bookmark in Ben&Ben’s career

Nearly a decade into Ben&Ben's career, the physical release of Limasawa Street gives the band's earliest major body of work a new place in its catalog.

The album captures a version of the group that was still developing its sound, audience, and ambitions. Its songs have since moved beyond that particular moment, but the physical editions allow fans to revisit the record as an artifact of where the band began.

For longtime followers, that makes the CD and vinyl release especially significant. For newer listeners, it offers another way to discover the album that helped establish Ben&Ben as one of the prominent names in contemporary Filipino music.

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