Entertainment

Roblox Ban? Filipino Game Developers Push Back—But the Child-Safety Questions Are Getting Harder to Ignore

MANILA, Philippines — Calls to ban Roblox in the Philippines are facing strong resistance from local game developers, who argue that shutting down the entire platform could punish millions of legitimate users without addressing the specific online threats authorities are trying to stop. The Filipino Roblox Developers Association (FRDA) on Saturday urged the government to pursue a more targeted approach, saying authorities should identify and act against specific features, communities, communica

August 23, 2026

Entertainment

BTS Jungkook Was Among the Targets of a ₱1.5-Billion Cybercrime Ring—Now Its Alleged Leader Faces 20 Years Behind Bars

The alleged leader of an international hacking ring that targeted wealthy South Koreans—including BTS member Jungkook—has been sentenced to 20 years in prison after a Seoul court found him guilty of fraud and violations of South Korea’s Information Network Act. The Seoul Central District Court handed down the sentence on August 20 to the Chinese national, identified by his surname Jeon, over a cybercrime operation that investigators said targeted high-net-worth individuals and used stolen perso

August 23, 2026

Entertainment

Heart Evangelista and Raymond Gutierrez Are Trading Cryptic Posts—But Their History Makes the Timing Hard to Ignore

MANILA, Philippines — A string of cryptic social-media posts involving Heart Evangelista and Raymond Gutierrez has sent Philippine showbiz watchers into overdrive, reviving questions about whether two personalities who once moved in the same entertainment and fashion circles are now caught in a quiet war of words. But behind the viral speculation is a much longer story involving an old management dispute, fashion-week controversy, fan wars and a friendship that has already endured public tensio

August 23, 2026

Entertainment

Ukraine Just Targeted the People Behind ‘Masha and the Bear’—But the Reason a Children’s Cartoon Ended Up in a National Security Fight Goes Much Deeper

KYIV, Ukraine — One of the world’s most recognizable children’s cartoons has become the unlikely focus of Ukraine’s expanding campaign against Russian cultural influence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has imposed sanctions on five Russian citizens and four organizations connected to the creation and distribution of the hugely popular animated series Masha and the Bear, accusing those behind the program of helping spread pro-Russian narratives through entertainment aimed primarily at c

August 23, 2026

Entertainment

Derek Ramsay Says He’s ‘Not a Smuggler’—But What Customs Found in His Porsche 918’s Paper Trail Raises a Much Bigger Question

MANILA, Philippines — Actor Derek Ramsay is pushing back against suggestions that he was involved in smuggling as government scrutiny of his ultra-rare Porsche 918 Spyder expands from an alleged fake-license-plate controversy to questions about how the multimillion-peso hypercar was declared when it entered the Philippines. “I’m not a smuggler,” Ramsay maintained as he addressed the latest allegations surrounding the vehicle, saying he is prepared to cooperate with the Bureau of Customs (BOC) j

August 23, 2026

Entertainment

Alexei Cruz Gave Up His Master of the World Philippines 2026 Crown Just Weeks After Winning—But One Big Question Is Still Unanswered

MANILA, Philippines — Just weeks after walking away from one of the major crowns at Mister World Philippines 2026, Kristoffer Alexei Cruz has relinquished his title as Master of the World Philippines 2026, bringing an unexpectedly short end to what was supposed to be the next stage of his international pageant journey. Cruz stepped down for “personal and professional reasons,” according to a report published by INQUIRER.net on Saturday, August 22. The announcement is striking because Cruz had

August 22, 2026

Entertainment

From Star Magic to a New Life in Canada: Ingrid dela Paz Reveals the Painful Turning Point That Changed Everything

For years, Ingrid dela Paz was recognized as one of the young talents who emerged from Star Magic Circle 2013, the same batch that included Liza Soberano, Julia Barretto, Janella Salvador, Jane Oineza, and other familiar names in Philippine entertainment. Today, however, the former actress is living a very different life. Now based in Canada, Ingrid is focused on her family, content creation, and building a future for her children. In an exclusive interview with PEP.ph on August 21, 2026, she

August 22, 2026

Entertainment

CONCACAF Chief Tells Gianni Infantino to Skip Youth Tournament as FIFA Crisis Explodes—But He Went Anyway

The power struggle at the top of world football has reached an unusual new stage. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani has asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to stay away from a youth football tournament in the Dominican Republic, warning that his presence could overshadow the young players and turn the event into a focal point for FIFA’s growing governance crisis. The request concerns the Caribbean Football Union’s (CFU) U-14 Series, a youth tournament being held in the Dominican Republic

August 22, 2026

Entertainment

Philippine Officials Want Roblox Banned—But Local Developers Say One Missing Piece of Evidence Could Change Everything

MANILA, Philippines — A renewed push to ban Roblox in the Philippines is facing resistance from local game developers, who argue that shutting down the entire platform could punish thousands of legitimate users and creators without eliminating the online risks authorities are trying to stop. The Filipino Roblox Developers Association (FRDA) said Saturday, August 22, that the government should pursue targeted restrictions, stronger safeguards and evidence-based enforcement instead of imposing a

August 22, 2026

Entertainment

GMMTV STARS HAVE ARRIVED IN MANILA — BUT WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THEY FINALLY FACE STAR MAGIC ON THE COURT?

MANILA, Philippines — The much-anticipated Philippine–Thailand celebrity showdown is officially getting closer as stars from GMMTV have arrived in Manila ahead of the Star Magic All-Star Games 2026 on Sunday, August 23. The arrival of the Thai actors on Saturday, August 22, adds another layer of excitement to an event that is shaping up to be one of the biggest entertainment-sports crossovers of the year. The GMMTV stars are in the Philippines to represent Team GMMTV Thailand, which will face

August 22, 2026