LOS ANGELES -- Bob Dylan is releasing his first album of new music in eight years following a spurt of creativity from the man regarded as one of the world’s most influential songwriters.

To argue that Disaster Report 4: Summer Memories has an interesting backstory would be an understatement. Originally supposed to be offered for the Sony PlayStation 3, it found itself stuck in development hell after the 2011 earthquake in Tōhoku, Japan. Similarities between the natural calamity and its premise all but secured its place in the dustbin of history as abandonware -- until, that is, popular demand brought it back to the public eye. The renewed interest spurred chief producer Kazuma Kujo to acquire rights to the title under Granzella, his new company based in Ishikawa. Working with former Irem staff, he finally managed to steer the project to fruition a full nine years after its initial release date.

A PANDEMIC has forced us to hole up in our homes in little better than T-shirts and robes. In this stagnation, it’s easy to think that fashion isn’t important -- but how can something not be important when it sits right on your skin?

TWO major cultural groups have announced the cancellations of their performance seasons due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

FORCED to do much of his work at home with the enhanced community quarantine in effect in the National Capital Region and nearby provinces, Ronald Mascariñas, Bounty Agro Ventures Inc. (BAVI) president and general manager, said that the setup is not much of an adjustment to him as he had been working from home on occasion even before the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic rendered outside movement limited.

CASA DE MEMORIA, Palacio de Memoria’s auction house, celebrates its fourth anniversary with two online auctions.

THE Unilever-owned Korean beauty brand AHC has launched a new line targeted for those who want brighter skin -- the line can “improve skin pigmentation and reduce [dark] spots in just four weeks,” it promises in a release.

THE COVID-19 pandemic has changed how the world views health, and now, more than ever, it is important to keep healthy -- and health and beauty chain Watsons Philippines has a few suggestions on how to do this.

FILIPINO hip-hop singer LIRAH has released her newest single, “Bakit Hindi,” today. The song is about facing one’s budding romantic feelings for a friend.

PROMINENT Filipino singers have banded together to create a tribute single for the COVID-19 frontliners “who work tirelessly to keep society functioning despite collective struggles.”

PETA’s Rated: PG Liza Magtoto’s Rated: PG, a play on positive discipline, directed by Mae Quesada-Medina, is now available for streaming on PETA’s YouTube channel...

PEQUE Gallaga, the multi-awarded director best known for Scorpio Nights (1982) and Oro, Plata, Mata (1985), died on May 7 due to complications arising from past health conditions. He was 76. The Gallaga family announced his passing on social media. “He was a visionary director and artist; a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and a dear friend. He has brought so much joy to so many people and he will always live in our memories and in his art,” the statement read.