6 Books by Asian Authors to Warm Your Soul this Monsoon Season

Want access to your favorite Hollywood shows and the latest C-Dramas and K-Dramas? Streaming platforms Viu and HBO Max are set to offer a new streaming bundle that will give viewers in Southeast Asia the best of both worlds!

This streaming collaboration will be the first of its kind, spanning multiple markets in the region, and is set to launch in Q4 across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. This follows a trend among many media companies, with HBO Max having existing bundles with other platforms in other territories around the world. 

The bundle will offer complimentary content including HBO Max’s “The Last of Us,” “The White Lotus,” “House of the Dragon,” “A Minecraft Movie,” “Sinners," and "Superman” and Viu’s popular Korean, Chinese and local Asian shows such as “Running Man,” “2 Days 1 Night, “The Immortal Ascension” and “Love Has Fireworks.” The new single subscription plan will also include upcoming Viu features such as the third season of “Taxi Driver ” and “My Youth” starring Song Joong-Ki and Chun Woo-Hee. 

“Following the proven consumer and business benefits of HBO Max bundles in other parts of the world, this new streaming offering will provide strong entertainment value for consumers across Southeast Asia, and help drive subscriber growth and stronger retention,” said James Gibbons, president of Asia Pacific at Warner Bros. Discovery, in a statement. 

“By combining HBO Max’s Hollywood content with Viu’s Asian favorites in a single bundle subscription, we’re offering more choice in shows, easier access to diverse content, and greater value across a wider range of programming,” added Janice Lee, CEO of Viu and Managing Director of PCCW Media Group.

The new bundle will be offered via their respective websites once it launches later this year. More details on the subscription plan will be revealed in the coming months. 

For updates, stay tuned on HBO Max’s Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram pages or follow Viu on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram.

Did a new show pop up on your Netflix watchlist? Or maybe there's a new Asian drama making its rounds on social media? Stop scrolling before you fall into the spoilers black hole and let us help you decide if it's worth watching.

From Hollywood sitcoms that tickle your funny bones and thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seats to romantic K-Dramas that make your heart skip a beat, The Beat Asia is taking a first look at the latest series releases for your viewing pleasure.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy the review!

“Wednesday” Season 2: Episode 1

Run Time: 1 hour

Rating: 13+ 

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Fantasy

Subtitle Availability: English, Spanish (Latin America), Filipino, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional)

Audio Availability: English - Audio Description, English (Original), Spanish (Latin America) - Audio Description, Spanish (Latin America), Filipino, Japanese - Audio Description, Japanese

Warnings: Contains violence, profanity, and injury detail

*SPOILER ALERT! This section contains details from the first episode of “Wednesday” Season 2.

Three years later, we’re back to the scene of the crime — or rather at Nevermore Academy, and Wednesday Addams wastes no time pulling us into another semester of dark humor, deadpan glares, and deliciously twisted secrets.

Even though October is still two months away, Netflix has kicked open the crypt early with “Wednesday” Season 2. In a cruel-yet-clever move, they’ve dropped only the first four episodes on Aug. 6, leaving the rest to creep onto our screens on Sept. 3. That means weeks of speculation, theories, and suspicious side-eyes until we get the full story.

Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, with Tim Burton once again sprinkling his gothic magic behind the camera, the season sees Jenna Ortega return in the iconic titular role, alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones as Morticia, Luis Guzmán as Gomez, Emma Myers as the colorful Enid, and Hunter Doohan as Tyler. The premiere wastes no time introducing fresh mysteries — some lurking in the shadows, others right under Wednesday’s nose. For our latest Screen Test, we’re discussing the pilot, what worked, what didn’t, and whether the rest of the season can match the hype. From the looks of this opener, however, the semester is already shaping up to be deliciously dangerous…and morbid! Read on to find out why.

The Semester Begins…with Bloodstains

Season 2 picks up after the events of its predecessor, where Wednesday returns to Nevermore Academy after an interesting summer that showed her mastering her psychic abilities using Goody’s book of spells and capturing a serial killer. The Addams family pulls up to the school just like in the first season, but this time, they’re dropping off two kids instead of one. Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez) will now be joining Wednesday at Nevermore, and seems to have developed a new skill, now able to control electricity like his Uncle Fester. 

Meanwhile, somewhere deep in the woods, a man is capturing photographs of a couple who look like they are having an affair, and he gets attacked by a flock of crows. Just like that, we’re immediately given the first glimpse of a new mystery brewing, considering the photographer made a call before his attack, and said, “They’re onto me. If I don’t make it, the evidence is safe at the bullpen.” So far, the pacing is good, keeping us engaged and hooked while we refamiliarize ourselves with this fantasy world.

The episode continues with the introduction of some new characters, such as the new principal Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi), who shares that he’s reinstating an outcast tradition called the Pyre ceremony. He then invites Wednesday to be his student of honor, which our lead, unsurprisingly, turns down. As she walks away, we see that she’s receiving a fair amount of admiring looks from her schoolmates, who seem to have become fans since her act of heroism last semester. She climbs up to her dorm and meets Enid. While catching up, Wednesday opens her closet, and an arrow comes flying out with a photo of her and Principal Dort earlier. It also came with a note that said: “Welcome back, Wednesday. I’m still watching,” which gives us another mystery, insinuating that her stalker is back. 

Wednesday tries to get a psychic read on the photo, but ends up empty. Her eyes also begin to water with black tears, which takes us back to the first scene. We assume it happens whenever she’s overexerting her psychic abilities. She also receives a goodbye letter from her former classmate Xavier (Percy Hynes White), showing a crow with a strange eye sitting on top of a headstone, marking the second time crows have shown up in the episode. 

Season 2 is also expanding its side stories, as Morticia gets offered to become the chair of the Gala Fundraising Committee, insinuating that we’ll be seeing more of her at the academy. Later on, she tries to bond with Wednesday, which ends with the latter walking out when her mother mentions how she reminded her so much of her sister Ophelia. 

Additionally, we also see Pugsley struggling to make friends with his roommate, the siren Bianca (Joy Sunday), being invited (or more like subtly blackmailed) by Principal Dort to become the student liaison for the committee, and Enid struggling to face Ajax (Georgie Farmer), with whom she wants to break up. On top of this, we’re following the mysterious murder case connected to the crows and Wednesday’s stalker that keeps sending ominous letters. 

One of these letters involves threatening to burn her manuscript at the Pyre ceremony, which pushes Wednesday to crawl underneath the massive unlit bonfire to retrieve it. Enid tries to stop her just as the bonfire is lit, but Wednesday thankfully makes it out unscathed with her manuscript. The principal then unveils a very smiley portrait of her with the rest of the student heroes, but in true Wednesday fashion, she delivers a scathing speech and burns it down.

As she storms off the stage, Enid reaches out to stop her, but as soon as she makes contact, Wednesday starts having a seizure, and black tears roll down her cheeks. She’s hit with a vision where she sees a crow atop a headstone with Enid’s name. Looking around, she notices more crows, and out of nowhere, Enid appears and strangles her while yelling out, “I died because of you!”

The first episode was undeniably jam-packed, which was both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it kept the pace engaging and delivered strong character development. We could tell from this pilot that season 2 intends to dig deeper into Wednesday — not just her powers, but also her relationships with the people around her. The mention of Ophelia hints at a richer family backstory, one that may connect to Wednesday’s psychic abilities and explain why Morticia is terrified of seeing her daughter follow her sister’s footsteps. 

The recurring crow imagery was cleverly scattered through the episode, too, providing just enough anticipation and mystery. It gave audiences the chance to collect easter eggs and spin theories, while tying seamlessly into Wednesday’s arc, rather than feeling like a detached subplot. 

However, the episode juggles several side stories that occasionally pull focus from the main plot, causing the pace to drag in places. With so many threads in play, there’s a risk of leaving some hanging or underdeveloped by the finale. It’s too early to judge, but we hope these subplots will eventually weave together — and, in Wednesday’s own words, “be of use to me” — by serving the central conflict.

Acting-wise, Jenna Ortega continues to shine as Wednesday, effortlessly breathing life into the iconic character through her sarcasm, wit, and deathly stares. We also observed that she had gotten a little softer when it came to her friend Enid, which was a nice change considering how much they’ve been through together last season. Catherine Zeta-Jones also steps into a more “motherly” role this season, keeping a closer watch on her daughter, while the rest of the cast, both returning and newcomers, blended seamlessly, making each character feel authentic and compelling. 

Final Verdict

“Wednesday” Season 2’s opener indeed lived up to the hype, wasting no time as it pulled us back into the twisted hallways of Nevermore, delivering a mix of sharp character work, eerie symbolism, and just enough mysteries to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

While the abundance of subplots threatens to stretch the audience's focus, the intrigue kept us focused, coupled with Jenna Ortega’s spectacular performance, the gothic atmosphere, and the stunning setting. If this first episode is any indication, we’re in for another semester of secrets, family drama, and plenty more bloodstains. 

Watch “Wednesday” on Netflix today. 

For updates on the latest movies and series, follow Netflix on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Instagram. 

Orange is officially the color of the season, now that Taylor Swift has just announced her newest album, “The Life of a Showgirl”!

After sending the Internet into a sleuthing mood with hints on her website, Taylor Swift sent the entire world into a frenzy after dropping the news that she will be announcing her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” on New Heights, a sports podcast hosted by her beau, Travis Kelce, and his brother Jason Kelce. 

In the podcast episode’s teaser, Taylor was seen bringing out a mint green briefcase with an orange “TS” at the front. When she opened it, she revealed the cover of her newest album (albeit blurred), to which Jason Kelce reacted ecstatically surprised. Travis Kelce also exclaimed, “TS 12!!!” 

Prior to the announcement, Taylor Swift’s website showed a countdown for Aug. 12, 2025, 12:12 AM EST, with a glittery orange background and mint green font. 

What We Know about TS12: The Life of a Showgirl

The album cover has yet to be revealed (literally locked), so everyone has to keep their eyes peeled! No release date has also been announced, but Taylor’s website says that the albums will be shipped by Oct. 13, 2025, so it may be released before then! 

Also, there may be some variants to the album, with eagle-eyed fans spotting some sneaky additions to the "New Heights" set, with a couple of “T.S.” designed covers in different colors here and there. 

Taylor Swift has also dropped a Spotify playlist titled “And, baby, that’s show business for you,” featuring songs produced by Max Martin and Shellback, who worked with Taylor for her “1989” and “Reputation” albums. Some fans speculate that the two have produced the songs for TS12, but we shall have to wait and see. 

Stay tuned to this space once we get more updates! 

Follow Taylor Swift on her official Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram, and follow Taylor Nation (Taylor Swift’s official Social Team) on X (Formerly Twitter) and Instagram for more updates!

Listen to the "And, baby, that's show business for you" playlist here:

In case you haven’t heard, many popular films from the 90’s and 2000s are getting sequels and reboots, a trend that’s currently taking over today’s cinema landscape. From the action-packed “Tron: Ares” and “Karate Kid: Legends” to upcoming romcoms and comedy dramas “My Best Friend's Wedding” and “The Devil Wears Prada,” we’re seeing some of our favorite actors return to the big screen, reprising roles we loved and admired growing up. 

One of which is Disney’s “Freakier Friday,” the sequel to the 2003 family classic “Freaky Friday.” Ever since Lindsay Lohan made an amazing comeback to Hollywood with a string of Netflix movies, we just knew that there was no way Disney wasn’t going to tap her for a project. After all, the actress made her feature film debut in the 1998 classic, “The Parent Trap.” Little did we know that the House of Mouse had something much freakier in store. And we’re so not complaining!

Directed by Nisha Ganatra and written by Jordan Weiss, this comedy FREAKquel brings back Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan as mother-daughter Tess and Anna Coleman. This time around, they’re joined by Harper (Julia Butters), who plays Anna’s 15-year-old daughter, Lily (Sophia Hammons), her soon-to-be stepdaughter, and Manny Jacinto, who plays her fiancé, Eric Davies. Some of the cast from the first film are also making a comeback, including Mark Harmon as Ryan and heartthrob Chad Michael Murray as Jake. 

The story follows Anna, now 36, who is co-parenting her daughter with Tess, and meets a dashing single dad with whom she falls in love. They decided to get married after six months, which caused some issues with their daughters, who hate each other. At Anna’s bachelorette’s party, the four leading ladies met with a psychic and, in “Freaky Friday” tradition, she gave them an ominous message that turned their worlds upside down. 

The Beat Manila got to attend a special advanced screening of the film last Aug. 5 at the SM Mall of Asia, which was preceded by an exciting fan event with Manny Jacinto.

Heads up! Spoilers ahead.

Safe to say the movie did the first film justice, and was brimming with comedy gold, heartfelt family moments, and great acting. We have to admit that we were a little skeptical about the four-way body swap, as we had hoped for Anna and Tess to switch again, but woven together with the storyline, it made sense. 

It gave the film a fresh take and managed to be relevant to the times, having kept up with Gen Z trends that made millennials, Gen X, and other generations in between and beyond, laugh out loud. 

Relatable, heartfelt, and sprinkled with the Disney comedy magic, we’re here to tell you five moments in the film that gave us déjà vu, and sure, we’ll throw in a recap of Manny’s Manila homecoming, too. 

Do you get Déjà vu? Five Movie Moments that Got Us ROFL

Four Bodies…and a Wedding?

What’s a “Freaky Friday” without a little body swapping action, right? In this film, things get freakier when Anna and Tess switch places with Harper and Lily. Imagine Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis playing 15-year-olds while Julia and Sophia step into the shoes of much older women. As seen in the trailer, the girls also did a jolt, similar to what Anna and Tess did in the first film and had to go out and pretend to be each other for a day. 

The result- comedy gold! We especially enjoyed that morning scene when Lily (now in Tess’ body) faced the mirror and screamed, “I’m bloody decomposing!” or the montage of Anna and Tess (now in Harper and Lily’s bodies) stuffing their faces with fast food because who needs to worry about calories when you’re young? We believe this particular aspect of the film—the generation gaps and inside jokes—was what made it so funny and relatable. 

One other similarity is how the story revolved around an upcoming wedding. In “Freaky Friday," Tess was about to marry Ryan, and now Anna is walking in her shoes as she prepares to wed Eric—with whom, by the way, she shares extremely cute chemistry—all the while navigating the strain of having to relocate, as Eric and Lily are from England, and doing what’s best for the family. 

Makeover Madness

Nobody can forget the iconic Tess makeover in the first film, and how Anna gave her mom a new look with a spunky new haircut, some piercings, and a wardrobe’s worth of sexy and cool outfits. The good news is we also get that in this film, with Harper and Sophie calling a temporary truce to execute their plan of breaking their parents up. Talk about “The Parent Trap” but reversed! 

They find out about Jake, Anna’s first love, and intend to make him get back together with her. Luckily, he’s in town and the two girls get their plan in motion, starting with a fabulous makeover, which gifted us a fun photoshoot montage. 

Crazy Car Rides

We have to admit that we were excited when we saw that car scene in the trailer, and safe to say it didn’t disappoint! We got to see Jamie and Lindsay, with the latter now riding shotgun as they cruised—well, more like raced—through the streets of L.A. Definitely funnier and crazier than the first time!

Alexa, play “…Baby One More Time!”

Who can forget Chad Michael Murray singing this Britney Spears classic at the top of his lungs outside the Coleman’s house? 

Well, we get to hear this song again, but what’s iconic about it in this sequel is that we get to see Jake gushing over Tess, proving that he never really got over his little crush. And yes, it’s a delight to see him reprising this role. There’s almost an impossible amount of good-looking people in this film, it’s insane! And to think more than half of them were in the 2003 film! 

Speaking of songs, one of the things that made "Freaky Friday" a huge hit is the music. We got some pretty good musical numbers in this, including a stage reunion everyone has been waiting for. We’ll keep it zipped for now and let you enjoy it once you watch the movie. 

Family Drama x 2

Unlike in the first film, which focused more on Tess and Anna’s relationship, we felt that this movie expanded the spotlight to its other characters, giving them just enough backstory and motivations that made the story fuller and more relatable. 

We loved how it didn’t just tackle parent-child tensions but also generational misunderstandings, the emotional strain surrounding weddings and relocation, as well as stepfamily issues. 

Although the story was predictable and felt more like a nostalgic revisit than an original feature, it was equally entertaining and heartfelt as the first. We might even say that was the original intention—to not create an entirely new story, but to ride on the charm of the old one, tweak it to fit the times, and hopefully connect generations. We believe the film did well in that aspect. As fans of the 2003 movie, we enjoyed the predictability, the laughs it pulled out from us, and the return of its familiar characters. 10/10 would recommend watching with the whole family. 

Manny in Manila: The “Freakier Friday” Fan Event

Prior to the screening , the Walt Disney Company and SM Malls gave fans a treat by flying in one of the stars of the film. Manny Jacinto caused quite a stir at the SM Mall of Asia atrium, stealing hearts with his beautiful face (throwing it back to him!) and charming personality. 

Hosted by Sam Oh, the program included a fun trivia game where they gave away some “Freakier Friday” merch, a thrilling dance-off to the movie’s main theme song “HOT TO GO!” by Chappell Roan, and even a special song number by The Voice Kids Season 5 Grand Champion Shane Bernabe, who rocked the house down with her rendition of “Take Me Away” by Pink Slip, a.k.a. Anna’s band from the movie! 

But the highlight of the night was the arrival of Manny, who was surprised by the overflowing love and support from his Filipino fans. 

“Maraming, maraming salamat. Sobrang excited to be here (Thank you very much! I’m so excited to be here)!” He said, showcasing his Tagalog-speaking skills. “This is so much love. It really means the world! Thank you for waiting and for hopefully getting to watch.”

Sam then asked the actor how it felt when he found out that he would become part of a massive global franchise. 

“I called my parents and let them know,” he chuckled. “It was unbelievable. I was going to play a father for the first time. I would have an anak—a little kid of my own for the first time. I didn’t know how to react at first. I just drew upon the experiences of my parents and kind of drew upon those memories. And now, here we are!”

The Filipino-born Canadian actor known for his roles in “The Good Place” and the Star Wars series “The Acolyte” also participated in a couple of rounds of “Pinoy Henyo” (Filipino word guessing game), took some photos with fans, and even gave free hugs. It was truly a memorable moment for the fans and moviegoers alike.   

“Sana panoorin ninyo ang ‘Freakier Friday’ (I hope you guys will watch ‘Freakier Friday’). It’s a fun one, so please watch. Thank you for having me. It’s a dream to be here right now. Thank you so much! Mahal kita (I love you)!”

And the surprises didn’t end there. Manny also dropped by the theater just before the movie started. When asked how it felt to walk into a room full of people about to watch him on the screen, he adorably replied, “It’s cool walking into a theater where people look like me *laughs* Everyone’s so pretty and beautiful! I am so excited. Sana mag enjoy kayo (I hope you enjoy yourselves)!”

Let this movie take you away for a couple of hours. “Freakier Friday” is now showing in a cinema near you! 

Follow Walt Disney Studios on Facebook, X (Formerly Twitter), and Instagram for more Disney movie magic.

Everything starts with a great song. That’s key to having a successful record, according to veteran producer Mark Feist, who has made it his life’s mission to produce music that speaks to people, as well as find and develop artists that have the potential to take over the world stage. 

Known for his incredible body of work with global icons such as Destiny’s Child, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Celine Dion, John Legend, The Spice Girls, Outkast, Brian McKnight, Kelly Rowland, and Regine Velasquez; and a proud nephew of OPM legend Pilita Corrales, the Filipino-Australian label head of HITMAKERS ENTERTAINMENT has flown back to the Philippines, bringing with him a string of exciting musical projects and industry-shaping collaborations. 

The Beat Asia caught up with the multi-platinum producer to chat about his latest single with Filipino-American R&B artist Jay R called “Tunay”—what inspired the track and how he decided on its musical direction.

Our conversation also delved into his musical legacy, what continues to fuel his passion for creating, and how he remains driven to push boundaries in sound and storytelling. He spoke candidly about the main goal of his label: to create relevant, impactful music that resonates with today’s audience while championing the next generation of great artists. 

One of their success stories includes Australian pop artist Tash, who is gearing up for her US tour next year. Having signed on with zero fanbase, Mark and his team were able to help her build a formidable catalog, and is now amassing millions of streams and selling out show tickets like pancakes. 

In line with this, we also touched on the label’s recent partnership with Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists. The collaboration aims to support future initiatives focused on developing both emerging and established talent from Australia and Southeast Asia.

Hi Mark! Can you tell us a bit about what inspired the sound and message behind your latest track, “Tunay”?

Jay R was the leading force in inspiring the sound. Part of my process is I love to get inside the artist’s head as much as I can and understand where they come from—what inspires them and what musically moves them. Because at the end of the day, the artist has to sell it. How can they sell something they don’t love? 

We spent a lot of time chatting about eras of music. He’s been around for a long time, which is nice since there’s so much to draw from.  

He said he loves the late 90s and early 2000s, which is great, because that’s when I started my career. But at the same time, you have to be careful because it’s a fine line. You don’t want the track to sound dated. But with that era of music, for this generation, is new. The average 19 or 20-year-old doesn’t understand that. I believe music is cyclical. We take from eras, we make adaptations of them with the influence of that. 

In terms of message, being Filipino and understanding that this is Jay R’s biggest market, sticking to just what we know—how, culturally, Filipinos are obsessed with love and things that move them emotionally. When the first version of the record was penned, I told the writer of the lyrics and melody to keep it about love; keep it about a special someone. That’s how it came about.

Speaking of musical eras, “Tunay” truly blends classic R&B with a fresh, local vibe. What made you decide to take this musical direction?

It’s my job as a producer to keep my hand on the pulse. I’m constantly trying to stay on top of what’s working and what’s not. When I sat with Jay R, we took a deep dive into the Filipino artists that are working right now and what’s currently clicking. It doesn’t always translate, but after doing this for as long as I have, I’m pretty good at figuring out how to take those elements and make them work. It was just trying to stay in touch with what’s clicking and finding Jay R’s version of that. 

Jay R can sing anything, and it’s going to sound great. He really is special. But like I say, it's not always about the voice. Everything starts with the song. You have a great song, and you put a great artist on it, that’s lightning in a bottle!

Was there a particular moment during the recording process that stood out to you?

When the record was first written that part with the chant (“Pag-ibig ko'y tunay, sa'yo lang iaalay”) was actually written by an American artist who signed to the label. His name is Mönt Lee, a talented kid from Atlanta. When the demo came back, that Tagalog chant really stood out. 

When you meet an artist for the first time, there’s a little bit of a learning curve. But with Jay R, in the first fifteen minutes there was just a sense of trust and synergy between the artist and the producer. I thought that was a really magical moment because I knew right there and then that we had something special. 

Can you tell us about your label and how artists from this region will benefit from the partnership with Symphonic Distribution?

Artist development is what we really want to be known for. You look at the Top 10 most streamed acts in the world—Bruno Mars is almost 40, The Weeknd, Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Justine Bieber. The only two people that are really under 25 are Billie Eilish and Sabrina Carpenter. The problem is that two out of ten artists are nowhere near the demographic of the consumer.

We owe it to ourselves to find the next Michael Jackson or Pilita Corales. If we don’t do that, we fail as humans. Artist development now is a lot harder than it used to be. It’s expensive. It’s costly to put out great music constantly, and that’s the only way to do it. There’s so much music; how you rise above the clutter is through consistency and persistence. 

That has always been our goal, and Symphonic really got that. They understood that there’s a place for that and that was really important. 

We have a bit of a calling card with the first artist that we signed seven years ago, Tash. She just sold out a series of tours in Australia and her biggest market is now the US and she’s going to be touring there next year. That’s why they reached out. Everyone has seen what we’ve done with Tash. I think the Symphonic team in the US really had a connection to that vision and a passion for the same goals. 

Do you plan to set up an office in Asia? Perhaps in Manila?

Sure, eventually. Right now, it’s very early days. I think we can safely say that the Symphonic team is representing us well. But yes, we’re definitely looking to have a presence here. 

Are you focusing on a particular genre like R&B and Pop, or can we expect a broader range?

I think those two genres that you mentioned are the main goals. That’s definitely our areas of expertise. I think Pop and R&B are the way to go. 

Awesome! Could you share a teaser on some projects you’re currently working on in those genres?

Jay R’s the first thing, and then we Shanice, who we signed about a year ago and she’s just a powerhouse! She’s like, if Ariana Grande, Mariah Carey, and Kelly Clarkson had a baby, vocally. She’s incredible! She has a record collab with Jay R called “Never Ever” which comes out on Aug. 22, and it’s really spectacular! 

Other than that, we’re going to have to find something that we’re passionate about artist-wise; that fits the bill, that has the work ethic, and that we feel like has a special talent that we can globalize. We’re not interested in anything that cannot compete at a global level. It’s got to be special like that. 

How exciting! Having worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, what does it mean to you to return to the Philippines at this point in your career?

It’s always a familiar, warm feeling. There are beautiful memories here. I started my career here, and my family still lives here. I think it’s just exciting to be here at this point in the journey where I hopefully can help and discover other worthy talents that need to be heard.

What would you say is the Philippine music scene’s biggest potential?

It’s basically a Latin country. That’s what separates us. Yes, we are Asia, but we have so much of the Latin influence here. You look at Indonesia, Malaysia, and South Korea, and it’s still very oriental leaning, which is great! But I think on the western side of things, that’s a little harder for our western audience to connect with. Not that it can’t, but you look at K-pop and musically, it’s completely American. It’s westernized. 

English is also a very spoken and understood language here. That gives an edge. The Philippines always had an affinity for Western American culture, so there’s an ability to connect and assimilate to it, especially in music. Given all of that, we just have a head start over most of the Asian countries. 

What excites you the most about the local music scene?

Filipinos' love for music is what excites me the most. Locally, there’s so much talent. Live music is such a big thing here, which I think is something lacking in other parts of the world. Being good on the live scene is very different to being good in the studio but I think when you’re good as a live musician, it’s going to help you when you make the jump over. 

Having done this for many years, what continues to drive your passion?

Music. I just love the music. 

There’s something about putting on a great record and the way it makes you feel. It makes you smile, it makes you move, it just does something to you. I’m still as obsessed with it more than ever! I’m obsessed with the process, and compete with myself so hard that every time I produce something new, there’s a newer, better version of my process, which I think is really key.

I love the greats. Michael Jackson is one of my many influences and if you look at his work, “Thriller” and “Off the Wall,” it’s still very relevant today. I want that kind of legacy with the artists we work with. 

Has your creative process changed through the years?

A little bit. I think like with anything, as you go on doing it more and more, certain things become easier or become like bodily functions almost. Producing vocals, for example, which is one of the most intricate parts of the process, has gotten a lot easier in terms of being able to pull the best out of an artist. We live in a world where it’s a lot easier to record now. I have the programs and Pro Tools that help me work faster. I think that part of the process has changed and evolved. 

Seven years into HITMAKERS, we are a little bit better at figuring out or identifying “X” factors in artists. They’re superheroes in one way, but then in other ways they have their quirks. So we’ve been able to flesh that out and understand how to connect and motivate artists and speak their language faster.

How do you manage to balance staying true to your musical roots while continuously innovating and evolving with the times?

Look, you got to find a balance, right? You can’t let the artist get lost in my process, otherwise every artist I work with is just going to be another clone of the last thing I did. So understanding who they are, what separates them, what makes them special, why people like them is key. 

But you also have to help them be the best version of themselves and be open to evolution. That has to happen a little bit organically. Sometimes changing or making these adjustments to a record ends up just being personal preference, and that’s okay. I’m fine with that. I’ll put my foot down when I feel like it’s technically incorrect or it affects the final outcome in terms of it being the best version of itself. 

Do you have any advice for producers and musicians who dream of making it on the world stage?

Number one, you only get what you put in. Be obsessed with the journey and be obsessed with your craft. Be aware of what’s around you in terms of product. As a producer, you’re competing with the greats, and it’s a science. Nowadays you're fighting for a spot on a playlist on Spotify or on Apple, and if you can’t create a final product that keeps people on your song, then you’ve failed. 

Second, never be afraid of what’s new. I stay relevant a lot of the times because my wife and I are listening to the newest and the latest. Whether you get it at the first listen or not, you have to stay in touch with what’s out there. That’s key. 

You also have to understand social media—what’s working? What are people buying into? What are the trends? How are kids discovering music? Why is Taylor Swift generating a billion dollars in touring revenue? And why are 13-year-olds and their 30 or 40-year-old mothers going to her concerts together while still being able to relate to her? You got to understand it. 

If you could sum up this new chapter—new music and return to the Philippines—in one word, what would it be?

Trendsetters, because we live in a world of norms now. Everyone wants to conform to the norms but we want to be ninjas and rebels who think outside the box and set the trends. 

You can learn more about HITMAKERS ENTERTAINMENT and its artists by visiting their website or following them on Instagram and TikTok. You can also stay updated on Mark Feist’s latest collaborations on his Instagram and X (Formerly Twitter) pages.