As the year 2025 draws to a close, the Philippine entertainment industry reflects on a period marked by profound loss, shocking revelations, and significant personal changes for some of its biggest stars. The past twelve months have delivered a rollercoaster of emotions for fans, from mourning national treasures to navigating the fallout of high-profile controversies and separations.
A Year of Profound Loss for Philippine Music
The cultural landscape of the Philippines was deeply scarred by the passing of several iconic figures in 2025. The music industry, in particular, faced a series of heartbreaking goodbyes. The year saw the loss of legendary singer Pilita Corrales on April 12, followed swiftly by the passing of the "Superstar" Nora Aunor on April 16. The tributes continued as OPM pillar Hajji Alejandro died on April 22, and folk music hero Freddie Aguilar on May 27.
The tragedies continued into the final month, with Budoy Marabiles of the band Junior passing on December 4, and Jimmy Regino of the April Boys following on December 26. These departures left an irreplaceable void in the heart of Original Pilipino Music.
High-Profile Scandals and Controversial Events
Beyond the losses, the year was rife with scandals that captured public attention. In May, actress and content creator Ivana Alawi found herself in a viral controversy after being linked to politician Albee Benitez. The situation intensified when Benitez's estranged wife made allegations about him having children with other women. Both Albee Benitez and Ivana Alawi firmly denied the claims linking them romantically.
Another scandal erupted from a Coldplay concert in July. A "kiss cam" moment during the show unexpectedly revealed a relationship between two high-ranking officials from a major tech company, causing a major scandal as the male figure was revealed to be married.
The business side of entertainment also faced turmoil. In a shocking business move, TV5 owner Manny V. Pangilinan terminated the network's partnership agreement with ABS-CBN on December 5. Pangilinan cited the slow payment of a debt nearing one billion pesos as the primary reason for the sudden withdrawal.
Legal Battles, Tragedies, and Public Backlash
Several other stories dominated the headlines. Actress Kim Chiu filed a qualified theft case in December against her own sibling, Lakam, concerning missing business assets valued at an estimated 300 million pesos, believed to have been lost through gambling.
The industry was also shaken by untimely deaths. Controversial Cebuana talent manager and businesswoman Aida Patana passed away suddenly from a heart attack in Manila on July 29 at age 51. In a deeply tragic event, Emman Atienza, the 19-year-old son of TV host Kim Atienza, died by suicide in Los Angeles, California, on October 22. He was known for sharing his mental health journey on TikTok.
Public figures also faced severe criticism. Actor and congressman Arjo Atayde was named in a kickback allegation related to flood control projects in September. Although he denied the claims, his family continued to face intense bashing online. Similarly, a statement made by veteran actress Vilma Santos in December, where she said "you can attack us because we are on top," sparked significant public outrage, with many calling for her and her camp not to be voted for in future elections. Her team defended her, stating the viral video was edited.
Former Pinoy Big Brother winner and developer Slater Young faced controversy in November after his Monterrazas Condo project was blamed for exacerbating severe flooding in Barangay Guadalupe during Typhoon Tino, an event that claimed many lives.
A Season of Celebrity Breakups
2025 also proved to be a year where several celebrity relationships came to an end. The list of confirmed breakups included couples Jake Cuenca and Chie Filomeno, Elise Joson and McCoy de Leon, Gerald Anderson and Julia Barretto, Kyline Alcantara and Kobe Paras, and Ellen Adarna and Derek Ramsay.
Amidst the turmoil, there was a bright spot of achievement. Filipino-American singer Jessica Sanchez was declared the grand champion of America's Got Talent Season 20 on September 24, a remarkable victory as she was nine months pregnant at the time.
As the New Year begins, the Philippine entertainment world looks back on a year defined by extreme highs and lows, remembering the legends lost while bracing for the new stories that 2026 will inevitably bring.
