Daily TribuneThe Pinay actress whose last movie release, ‘Hello, Love, Again,’ is the highest box office grossing Pinoy film so far, seems to be gearing to do not just romantic social drama, but also very sensual ones
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Kathryn Bernardo.
BGYO
Now it can be told: Kathryn Bernardo’s new career goal is to become the country’s hottest-selling sexy actress. She will most likely not hesitate to do scenes in her next movies with the scantiest body cover the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB) can tolerate.
The Pinay actress whose last movie release, ‘Hello, Love, Again,’ is the highest box office grossing Pinoy film so far, seems to be gearing to do not just romantic social drama, but also very sensual ones. If Alden Richards is unwilling to disrobe, Bernardo’s managers at ABS-CBN would have to find for her someone as wiling as her to show as much skin as the MTRCB can accept
Bernardo may lose a sizeable chunk of her fans who are still minors. Their parents might even stop them from looking at Bernardo’s almost naked photos. Well, they might just be a minority whose contribution to her box office triumph is negligible, so Bernardo doesn’t really care for them. (She began her showbiz career as a child actor.)
The Lopez-owned media-entertainment enterprise has too many talents to handle and try to catapult into unquestionably profitable stardom. One of them is the P-pop boyband BGYO (pronounced as B-G-Y-O, and not us “bagyo,” the Fiipino/Tagalog for “storm”).
It is not impossible to make the BGYO approximate SB19’s massive popularity. Or possibly even overtake it eventually. Not impossible but may take a longer time to pull off than what ABS-CBN spent to make BINI massively popular. But the enterprise ought to keep trying. BGYO’s promise is boldly palpable.
If SB19 and the BINI girl group are credited to be the bands that pulled off P-pop domination in some international award events last year, the five boys of BGYO were part of the domination.
For instance, at the BreakTudo Awards 2024 in Brazil, where SB19 and BINI were awardees, so was BGYO. The P-Pop Kings bagged the Best International Male Group award, besting seven other boy bands, such as 5 Seconds of Summer, Stray Kids, Seventeen, TXT, BE:FIRST, Big Time Rush and RIIZE.
The Nation’s Girl Group BINI brought home two awards: International Breakthrough Artist and International Video of the Year for its song “Cherry on Top.” For its part, BGYO won the Song by New International Artist award for its song “Patintero.”
There are numerous social media posts last year celebrating P-Pop milestones. ABS-CBN News garnered the highest number of “love” reactions (191,046) for a post celebrating the senior high school graduation of BGYO members Gelo, Mikki and JL, alongside BINI members Maloi and Cole
The most engaging post came from ABS-CBN News, featuring the senior high school graduation of BGYO and BINI members, achieving an engagement score of 47,565. That means people care about BGYO.
Meanwhile, on 27 March, BGYO took the spotlight at Star Magic Spotlight press conference, celebrating another milestone in their career.
The event, held at Coffee Project, Wil Tower, Quezon City, celebrated BGYO’s journey, highlighting their triumphs, growing presence on the music stage and, of course, their new music.
The group recently launched a self-titled EP featuring five tracks, including their latest music video, “Divine.” It’s a vibrant video that celebrates the beauty of love in a fresh, summer-like way.
When asked if they are ready to take on more mature concepts in their next releases, BGYO member Nate said, “We’re ready for anything, and we’re getting older din po, so we should match our feelings to our music so that it’s really us, BGYO.”
Mikki added: “Also, ilang years na rin kami (how many years have been together), four years! Nag-mature na rin kami (We have matured) when it comes to our music and how we present ourselves in live performances and in our music videos. “
The members also shared that they are open to exploring other fields such as theater arts, gaming and acting. Reflecting on their experiences, Akira shared: “First time namin (It is the first time for JL and I) mag-musical nung 2023 sa Tabing Ilog: The Musical. Sana makapag-perform ulit kami sa (I hope we can have another chance to perform in the) theater arts.”
When asked about their thoughts on the rising P-Pop groups, Mikki replied: “Sobrang saya po (It’s such fun)! Kasi (Because) when we started, konti pa lang (there were just a few). We were just so happy na (that) there are a lot of artists now who are trying to lift up OPM music around the world.”
As they continue to refine their craft, the members remain committed to telling stories through music. Mikki shared, “More music, more performances.”
This 2025 is shaping up to be one of BGYO’s most exciting years. With their passion burning brighter than ever and their fanbase growing stronger, BGYO can hope to get close to the top eventually.
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How many nurses do you know who are very much artists, too?
We surely know of one: a male nurse named Rommel Rico, who is both painter and fashion designer. He is self-taught as an artist. (And Rico is a nurse mainly in the US.).
In the Philippines, he has put up Vrcco Pinay Collection. (The brand name is pronounced “vir-co.” The guy seems fond of tongue-twisters!)
Vrcco Pinay Collection is the latest addition to Klaypel’s featured art. Klaypel is a unique art medium as it is both paper and clay. It is recycled paper made into soft, colorful clay used mainly for painting on frames that have guide designs on them. Klaypel has turned art-making more accessible and fun for all.
Rico designed five exclusive pieces for the Klaypel Pinay Collection, and they are now available in both digital and physical Klaypel stores. These designs continue his mission of honoring beauty and strength, offering art enthusiasts new ways to engage with his work.
His outfit designs are known as “wearable art.”
Rico’s Pinay Collection designs for Klaypel are sold in kits. The Kaypel collection features the Filipina in culture-based outfits. Some of the Klaypel designs are now on exhibit at Eastwood Mall and Uptown Mall BGC until 6 April. The best works of other Klaypel artists are in the exhibit, too.
Also on display are two of Rico’s recent Filipiniana outfits which he hopes could be worn in an international modeling competition one day.
From visual to wearable arts, Rico aims to transform these cultural garments into symbols of national pride that resonate with contemporary audiences. His work focuses on modernizing traditional elements such as as butterfly sleeves and tapis, adapting them to contemporary settings.
He envisions a future where the Filipiniana is a common sight in offices and daily life, much like how traditional attire is embraced in cosmopolitan cities like New York.
“My inspiration for this collection comes from the women who shaped my life. I grew up in a matriarchal family; my grandmother raised me and I witnessed my mother’s relentless dedication to provide for us,” he confided.
Filipino women have always been resilient, capable, and determined and Rico is putting spotlight on the unsung heroines of the nation who work tirelessly for their families.
Through his sustainable lifestyle brand Vrcco, the New York-based registered nurse and wellness ambassador Rico seamlessly blends his medical profession with his passion for art and fashion.
