Poised for their official breakout moment in 2026, these fresh and compelling acts are set to drop new releases that defy conventions and embrace artistic promise. In the months ahead, their work is expected to leave a distinct mark in contemporary OPM, so make sure to show your support and bookmark their names as early as now. 

HARA (Davao) - HARA is the newest P-Pop girl group. The sassy six-piece act is ready to conquer the stage with their dynamic performances and unique sound entirely produced in their hometown. HARA is set to release their pre-debut track “My Love” this February 25, 2026.

AYO (Davao) – AYO is a 7-member boy group that is set to bring their A game into the world of P-Pop. The name is derived from the Visayan word “Maayo” (skillful, talented), embodying their potential as a vital newcomer. Expect the pop group is to debut new music this year.

DAELUX (Davao) - DAELUX is a seven-member Philippine girl group composed of Tabel, Zyra, Shami, Rhya, Ara, Slane, and Alice. Combining Filipina pride with a global flair, the group exudes grace and power in every performance, while enchanting listeners with their refreshing take on pop music. Raring for an exciting debut this year, the group has already started posting teasers via their official social media platforms.

Rock Opong (Iloilo) – Rock Opong has made waves as a grand finalist on The Voice Teens and a semi-finalist on Asia’s Got Talent. He got signed by Balcony Entertainment, marking his official debut with songs that come from a place of authenticity and warmth. he recently released his new single “Favorite,” a song that captures the warmth and comfort that comes with romantic love.

Trisha Puso (Bicol) - Trisha started her career in 2010 as one of the pioneer artists of the CamSur Academy Project. Before joining the Academy, she was making her mark with her performances of cover songs. Her media content containing performances gained a following, which eventually inspired her to write, compose, and produce her own songs. In 2024, she joined Sony Music Philippines as the first licensed artist from CamSur. Her new single, “Alapaap,” is slated to drop on January 28, 2026. The track circles around the concept of love and destiny, yearning for a love that makes one comfortable and safe. 

Mikee Sarmiento (Metro Manila) – Mikee Sarmiento makes soulful pop music that lives in the quiet spaces between longing and comfort. Personal, cinematic, and deeply representative of the Filipino experience, Mikee’s music is characterized by heart-on-sleeve sentimentality, opening wounds and stirring up conversations about life, love, spirituality, and anything in between. His debut single, “Tahan Na,” will be released on January 30, 2026.

LU (Aurora) – Newcomer LU makes music that carries the imprint of her coastal hometown while exploring her own voice as a singer-songwriter. Raised in San Luis, Aurora, and now based in Quezon City, the folk-pop artist delivers melodically rich and beautifully sung tunes with earnest intentions. Her single “Lasing Na Sa’yo” recently found success on streaming, putting her on the cover of Spotify’s Fresh Finds Philippines, debuting at no. 1 on the playlist. She is slated to release her song “PUCHA” on February 13, 2026, an upbeat alt-pop heartbreak anthem. 

NEW LORE (Metro Manila) - New Lore is a 3-piece band that creates music from art and poetry, with Carole Lantican on drums, Tita Halaman on vocals and guitars, and Kim Escalona on bass. Their listeners call it trauma pop, dream pop, ethereal alt pop, or whatever pop – just making what feels true and letting everyone else name it. It's music for the overfeelers, the almost-healers, and the quietly ambitious hearts. Their upcoming single, "substack girl," is a tender, self-aware love song about missing someone through the details of who they are. Built on hypnotic production and list-like lyrics, the song asks quiet questions about identity, growth, and whether love lingers in habits long after people drift apart. The song will be out on February 6, 2026.

These are emerging voices from Sony Music Entertainment that are pushing music to exciting, new places. Watch out for them in 2026. 

The country’s leading fastfood chain bested other parade entries with a vibrant presentation inspired by its iconic Chickenjoy and Yumburger, brought to life through energetic street dance performances by students of Iloilo National High School. The entry featured dynamic choreography, festive music, and colorful costumes that reflected both local culture and the brand’s joyful identity.

Aside from the Grand Champion title, Jollibee also garnered multiple special awards, including Best Street Dance, Best Festive Music, Best Festive Mascot, Best Festive Costume, and Best Festive Marquee.

“Being recognized at the Dinagyang Festival is deeply meaningful for us,” said Dorothy Ching, vice president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines. “But beyond the awards, what truly matters is being able to share moments of joy with the community and celebrate the rich culture and spirit of Iloilo together with the Ilonggos.

Jollibee also drew large crowds during the ILOmination Float Parade, where its illuminated float and the Jollibee and Friends mascots engaged festivalgoers with lively dance performances, adding to the festive atmosphere of the city-wide celebration.

The brand’s Dinagyang activities began earlier in the month with a media day that offered partners a preview of its festival initiatives. Travelers arriving at the Iloilo International Airport were also welcomed by the Jollibee mascot, helping set a festive tone as visitors entered the city.

Throughout the festival period, Jollibee stores across Iloilo featured Dinagyang-themed decorations and activities, transforming branches into gathering spaces for families. The company also rolled out its “Likha Local: JOYful Arts Program,” an initiative that encouraged children to participate in the festivities through art and creative expression.

Jollibee’s continued participation in Dinagyang underscores its commitment to supporting local culture and community celebrations, helping amplify the festival’s spirit while creating shared moments of joy for families and visitors alike.

Craving more Jollibee treats and exclusives? Head to www.jollibee.com.ph for the latest updates, order your favorites at https://order.jollibee.com, and follow us on social media for more JOYful surprises!

As more Filipinos manage business, investments, and travel across borders, long-term residency options are becoming part of forward planning. 

Leading Philippines-based residency-by-investment consultancy Golden Visa Centrale (GVC) has become the first local player to open access to Dubai’s Golden Visa program in the country. Launched in partnership with international real estate company Arish Capital Partners, the initiative offers eligible Filipinos a direct pathway to 10-year UAE residency with no minimum stay requirement, creating new opportunities for asset growth, international mobility, and lifestyle enhancement.

The Dubai Golden Visa is often used by investors, entrepreneurs, and globally mobile families to support overseas investments, cross-border operations, and flexible living arrangements, while maintaining their primary base in their home country.

Dubai gives Golden Visa holders an efficient pathway to business and capital growth. Its conducive business environment, zero personal income tax and a competitive 9% corporate tax for companies earning profits above USD 800,000, make it even more attractive to global investors and entrepreneurs.

While permanent relocation is optional, Dubai is uniquely positioned as an attractive base for families offering work and study flexibility, access to elite international schools, and high-quality healthcare. These benefits are reinforced by the stability and security of the United Arab Emirates, which was ranked the safest country globally in the 2025 Numbeo Safety Index.

Under the real estate route, the Dubai Golden Visa requires a minimum qualifying investment of AED 2 million in eligible Dubai property, which may be met through one or more completed assets. GVC and Arish Capital Partners are offering access to Palm Jumeirah properties, which are widely regarded as one of Dubai’s most established and sought-after residential locations, allowing eligible Filipinos to meet Golden Visa requirements while investing in a premium segment of the market. Golden Visa processing can take a minimum of two (2) weeks.

“The Dubai Golden Visa offers a high degree of flexibility, allowing investors to structure their residency around specific objectives, whether that’s asset diversification, supporting cross-border businesses, long-term wealth planning, or family relocation,” said Vicky Luis, Founder and President of Golden Visa Centrale. “For Filipinos, having a trusted local partner is important in going through this process. We provide end-to-end guidance, helping clients align the program with their broader investment strategies and navigate the process seamlessly.”

Dubai: A Premier Investment and Lifestyle Destination

Dubai is now firmly positioned as a premier investment destination, with its 2025 real estate market recording AED 51.1 billion in transactions, presenting exceptional returns alongside unmatched lifestyle benefits. Its real estate industry, with no rental income taxes or capital gains tax, combined with strong rental demand and property appreciation, delivers double digit returns, making it highly attractive to Filipino investors. 

Demand for long-term residency has also grown steadily. By mid-2025, over 309,000 Golden Visas had been issued, nearly doubling from 158,000 in 2023, a 95% growth in just two years. The expansion of the Golden Visa has strengthened Dubai’s appeal, positioning it not only as a strategic investment hub but also as a second home for expatriates and global investors. Prime locations like Palm Jumeirah, continue to show strong capital growth due to limited land availability. Renowned for its exclusive beachfront villas and global iconic status, it has long been highly desirable for investors.

“As Dubai’s economy continues on a strong growth trajectory, Filipinos now have a chance to combine financial growth with lifestyle advantages,” Vicky expounded. “The program allows global investors to contribute to Dubai’s development while enjoying residency benefits and enhanced travel access.”

From Local to Global: Filipinos Expands their Capital Overseas

For Filipino investors, this trend aligns with broader overseas activity that are increasingly looking beyond local markets. Data shows that by mid-2025, Filipino individuals and entities had invested approximately USD 2.88 billion internationally. 

Golden Visa programs supports overseas investments through qualifying property purchases and may help strengthen travel profiles over time, while offering residency benefits without requiring permanent relocation, and also enhances travel credibility and simplify visa approvals for major destinations including the US, UK, and Schengen countries, and access to tax-efficient, dollar-denominated assets in one of the world’s most stable financial hubs. In Dubai’s case, the 10-year residency provides continuity for those balancing business interests, family needs, and frequent travel across regions.

“The rise in overseas investments by Filipinos shows a growing appetite for global opportunities and financial growth,” said Vicky Luis, Founder and President of Golden Visa Centrale. “Through these programs, we help Filipinos expand their assets internationally, while they enjoy greater mobility, and access to major global markets, all without the need to relocate.”

Explore Your Golden Visa Options with Golden Visa Centrale

Beyond Dubai, Golden Visa Centrale also facilitates other established residency-by-investment pathways in Portugal and Greece, which continue to draw interest from Filipino investors and families. These programs offer different investment thresholds, timelines, and residency benefits, allowing applicants to choose options aligned with their financial goals, mobility needs, and long-term planning preferences.

Golden Visa Centrale invites interested individuals to explore the latest opportunities, insights, and gain expert guidance in residency-by-investment programs through their exclusive event in Manila.

Event Details

Dubai Golden Visa Program (limited slots available)

• February 3, 2026 | 6:30 PM | The Rizal Room Manila House Private Members Club

Greece and Portugal Golden Visa Programs (limited slots available)

• February 4, 2026 | 5:30 PM Manila House | Rizal Room

• February 5, 2026 | 11:00 AM | The Last Chukker Manila Polo Club

• February 6, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM | Shangri - La At The Fort Horizon Club Lounge *Strictly By Appointment

Register your attendance by contacting Vicky Luis at +63 917 856 1237 or vickyluis@goldenvisacentral.com. For more information on GVC’s other offerings, visit https://goldenvisacentral.com/ or the GVC Facebook page.

“Sinulog is a deeply important celebration of faith, culture, and togetherness for Cebuanos,” said Dorothy Dee-Ching, vice president for marketing of Jollibee Philippines. “We’re thankful to be part of the Sinulog season, and we hope that through simple moments of joy, we can bring smiles to both Filipinos and visitors joining the festivities.”

The celebration began on January 12 with Jollibee’s Sinulog Media Day, where media partners were given an early look at the brand’s activities for the season. This helped build momentum and community engagement ahead of the peak festivities.

To welcome the steady flow of visitors arriving in Cebu, Jollibee staged airport activations at Mactan-Cebu International Airport from January 15 to 17. Travelers were greeted by Jollibee, received fun giveaways, and learned about special Sinulog offers, creating a warm and festive welcome in a key entry point in the province.

Throughout the Sinulog season, Jollibee stores across Cebu were transformed into vibrant spaces of celebration. Select branches featured festive arches, buntings, and air dancers, while digital teasers and influencer content extended the festive spirit online, allowing more people to join the celebration even beyond Cebu.

Adding to the excitement were exclusive Sinulog Festival Treats, including a free Go Large Coke upgrade with any Chickenjoy value meal and a free 1.5L Coke with every Chickenjoy bucket. These offers delighted customers while supporting store activity during the peak holiday period.

The celebration reached a high point during the Sinulog weekend, with flash mobs at major malls including Ayala Center Cebu, SM Seaside, and Robinsons Galleria, featuring the beloved Jollibee mascots alongside Sinulog inspired dance performances and interactive games. The fast food chain’s General Maxilom branch, located in one of the festival’s busiest parade routes, likewise hosted fun activities with the mascots and allowed customers to win exciting prizes.  At the Sinulog Devotee City near the Basilica Minore del Santo Niño, Jollibee also shared moments of joy with nearly 1,000 pilgrims staying in the area.

The festivities culminated with Jollibee’s participation in the Sinulog Grand Parade, where the brand’s colorful float became a crowd favorite, reflecting Jollibee’s ongoing commitment to celebrating Filipino culture and traditions.

Want to know more about Jollibee’s joyful activities? Head to www.jollibee.com.ph for the latest updates, order your favorites at https://order.jollibee.com, and follow us on social media for more JOYful surprises!