Singer Carmelle Collado is eagerly getting ready to represent the Philippines at Eurovision Asia, set to take place in Bangkok. This recent development was highlighted during Star Magic’s latest Spotlight press conferences. Collado won the Philippine selection for Eurovision Asia 2026 and is scheduled to showcase her talents at the grand finals on November 14. For her, this competition marks an exciting new chapter in her musical career, allowing her to present her skills to an international audience. She reflected on her journey, mentioning past experiences on talent shows like 'The Voice' and 'Tawag ng Tanghalan', acknowledging how they have paved the way for this moment. "It felt like a flashback for me because right now, I'm really focused on Eurovision. But I realized that I had been on 'The Voice,' competed in 'Tawag ng Tanghalan,' and spent four months inside Kuya's house," she stated, recognizing the significance of the upcoming event.
Collado expressed her gratitude for this opportunity, noting that while she has achieved success, including winning 'Tawag ng Tanghalan', her dreams continue to drive her progress. However, with the honor of representing her country comes significant pressure, as she acknowledges the vast international audience of Eurovision. "When you represent the country, it's a huge responsibility. Eurovision is for a worldwide audience, so the pressure is really intense," she remarked. Despite the nerves, she emphasized the importance of enjoying the journey and not overthinking her performance, promising that it will be different from her earlier performances during the Philippine selection night. Her creative team is collaborating on new ideas to ensure a unique presentation in Bangkok.
Alongside Collado's preparations, the love team of Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin is also stepping into new territory with their latest project, 'A Cake to Remember'. They aim to explore more challenging roles as they move forward in their careers. This iWant vertical microseries, in which the pair shares their first kiss, unfolds the story of Mandy, a baker portrayed by Diaz, and Landon, played by Fedelin. Their relationship becomes complicated when Landon is absent from their wedding day, leading Mandy to believe he no longer loves her. The plot reveals that Landon was involved in an accident, and two years later he returns, only to find Mandy poised to marry another man.
During a recent press conference, Fedelin described their first kiss on-screen as one of the most memorable moments from the series. He mentioned that they were previously hesitant to portray such scenes, wanting them to happen only in the right context. Diaz affirmed the meaningfulness of that moment, highlighting that it transpired under the same network that launched their careers. The duo shared their desire for this scene to not only excite viewers but also leave a lasting impression beyond mere entertainment.
They also discussed the unique demands of working within a vertical format. Fedelin noted the need to quickly portray emotions and engage the audience effectively, as the pacing differs from traditional storytelling. Despite these challenges, the actors view the experience as an opportunity to showcase a new facet of their partnership, pushing the boundaries of their creative expression. They revealed their openness to taking on bolder roles in the future, while remaining cognizant of the impact they have on their predominantly young fan base. Diaz articulated their aim to ensure that their subsequent projects impart valuable lessons to viewers.
"A Cake to Remember" is now available for streaming on iWant, providing audiences with a fresh narrative that blends drama and romance, along with the undeniable chemistry between the two leads.