In the heart of Manila’s bustling SM Mall of Asia, where the hum of shoppers mingles with the distant call of seagulls from Manila Bay, a portal to the enchanted land of Oz has quietly materialized. It’s September 21, 2025, and Universal Pictures Philippines, in a spellbinding partnership with SM Cinema, has unveiled the “Awiting Wicked: For Good” audition stations—wickedly magical setups designed to transform ordinary mall corridors into stages of destiny. Picture this: emerald-green backdrops shimmering under soft lights, broomsticks propped against velvet ropes, and microphones poised like wands, all inviting you and your bestie to channel the unbreakable bond of Elphaba and Glinda. These stations aren’t just photo ops; they’re launchpads for aspiring vocal powerhouses, offering the ideal enchanted environment to record TikTok entries for a nationwide singing competition that could catapult everyday Filipinos into the spotlight alongside the stars of one of Broadway’s most beloved tales. From the Seaview Wing Atrium at SM Seaside in Cebu to the SM Cinema Lobby in Iloilo, the Cinema Hallway at SM Lanang in Davao, and Level 3 of the South Entertainment Mall at SM Mall of Asia in Pasay, these pop-up havens are open now through October 5, beckoning duos to unleash their potential and harmonize the iconic duet “For Good” with the fervor of witches defying gravity itself.
The “Awiting Wicked: For Good” competition—launched as a vibrant celebration of Filipino voices and the timeless magic of friendship—invites pairs of friends, siblings, or soulmates to submit their renditions of the song’s soaring lyrics: “And now whatever way our stories end, I know you have rewritten mine by being my friend.” Inspired by the emotional crescendo of the musical’s second act, this contest builds on the success of last year’s “Awiting Wicked” for the first film, where winners lent their voices to a Philippine rendition of “Defying Gravity” that debuted alongside the movie, captivating audiences and racking up millions of streams. Now, from September 19 to October 5, participants can upload their videos directly to TikTok using the hashtag #AwitingWickedForGood, with entries judged by none other than director Jon M. Chu, Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba), and Ariana Grande (Glinda) themselves. 11 Three winning duos will be announced on October 13, earning the ultimate prizes: starring in the official Philippine music video for “For Good,” an all-expenses-paid trip to Singapore to meet the cast live, and exclusive merchandise that screams Ozian glamour. 10 It’s not just a contest; it’s a chance to rewrite your own story, much like the witches whose fractured paths converge in redemption and unbreakable loyalty, all while hyping the film’s Philippine premiere on November 19—just days before its global theatrical rollout in immersive formats like RealD 3D, IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, ScreenX, and D-Box on November 21. 0
To sweeten the spell, Universal Pictures Philippines has dropped a vocal guide video on their TikTok account @UniversalPicsPH, breaking down the harmonies, breaths, and emotional swells of “For Good” to help duos nail that heart-wrenching build from quiet reflection to triumphant catharsis. 12 Whether you’re belting it out in the emerald glow of an audition station or from the comfort of your living room, the guide ensures every entry captures the song’s essence—a poignant ode to how true friendship alters destinies, echoing the film’s core theme. Fans are already buzzing on X (formerly Twitter), with posts from Ariana Grande Philippines fan accounts sharing teaser clips of duos practicing under mall lights, and SM Seaside Cebu hyping the Cebu station as a “chance to star in the MV and jet off to Singapore.” 21 One viral thread captures the excitement: “Grab the Elphaba to your Glinda, sign up now!”—a rallying cry that’s sparked over 2,900 views in days, blending Filipino passion for karaoke with the universal allure of musical theater. 26 It’s a perfect storm of cultural crossover, where the archipelago’s love for harmonious duets meets Oz’s whirlwind of wonder, turning everyday Filipinos into potential icons.
At the heart of this frenzy lies Wicked: For Good, the electrifying conclusion to the two-part cinematic adaptation of the generation-defining Broadway musical that has enchanted over 60 million people worldwide since its 2003 debut. Last year’s Wicked, directed by the visionary Jon M. Chu, shattered records as the most successful Broadway-to-film adaptation ever, grossing $750 million globally and earning 10 Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, while clinching Oscars for Costume Design and Production Design. 3 That first installment, which flew into Philippine theaters on November 20, 2024, left audiences levitating with its lush visuals of the Emerald City and powerhouse performances, particularly the duet “Defying Gravity” that propelled Elphaba’s rebellion against conformity. Now, Wicked: For Good picks up the thread, delving into Act II’s turbulent aftermath: Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), demonized as the Wicked Witch of the West, hides in the Ozian forest, fighting for the silenced Animals and unraveling the Wizard’s (Jeff Goldblum) deceptions, while her once-devoted friend Glinda (Ariana Grande) grapples with the throne’s corrupting allure. 2 Estranged yet inexorably linked, the witches must reunite amid rising mobs and personal reckonings, their friendship becoming the fulcrum for Oz’s salvation—or its undoing.
Produced by Tony and Emmy winner Marc Platt alongside multiple Tony winner David Stone, with executive producers including legendary composer Stephen Schwartz, the film boasts a screenplay by Winnie Holzman and Dana Fox, a score blending John Powell’s orchestral sweep with Schwartz’s Grammy- and Oscar-winning lyrics, and the same stellar ensemble: Jonathan Bailey as the flamboyant Fiyero, Ethan Slater as the tinkering Boq, Marissa Bode as the wheelchair-using Nessarose (reimagined to champion inclusivity, avoiding stage tropes of ableism), and Michelle Yeoh as the formidable Madame Morrible. 0 Filmed back-to-back with the first movie from December 2022 to January 2024—pausing only for the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike—Wicked: For Good expands the stage play’s intimacy into a visual spectacle, with Chu’s direction emphasizing the witches’ evolving bond through sweeping aerial shots of Munchkinland and intimate close-ups of tear-streaked faces. 9 The trailer’s debut at CinemaCon in April 2025, where Erivo, Grande, and Chu surprised fans onstage, teased “For Good” as the emotional pinnacle, a duet that transcends the stage’s confines to deliver a runtime of 2 hours and 18 minutes packed with rebellion, romance, and redemption. 7
What elevates Wicked: For Good beyond spectacle is its unflinching exploration of themes that resonate deeply in 2025’s divided world: the cost of power, the redemptive power of empathy, and the quiet heroism of standing by a friend through societal storms. Rooted in Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which reimagines L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from the green-skinned outcast’s perspective, the musical—penned by Holzman and Schwartz—has spawned a cultural empire, from sold-out tours to merchandise empires. The films, split to honor the story’s breadth (as Schwartz noted, cramming it into one would mean “cutting things fans will appreciate”), allow Chu to delve deeper into character arcs, like Glinda’s arc from bubbly socialite to conflicted icon, mirrored in Grande’s nuanced portrayal that blends vulnerability with vocal fireworks. 2 Erivo’s Elphaba, meanwhile, evolves from defiant dreamer to weary warrior, her Tony-winning stage chops infusing every note with raw soul. Early buzz from test screenings hints at a soundtrack drop on November 21 via Republic Records and Verve Label Group, promising tracks like “Everyday More Wicked” that could rival the first film’s chart-toppers. 0
Back in the Philippines, where musical theater thrives amid a karaoke culture that turns living rooms into concert halls, “Awiting Wicked: For Good” feels like destiny. The contest echoes the first film’s fan engagement, where winners’ voices wove into the local “Defying Gravity” video, blending Tagalog inflections with Oz’s whimsy to create a hit that played in theaters nationwide. Now, with stations decked in the film’s palette of emerald and pink, duos can film amid props evoking Shiz University or the Wizard’s chamber, their entries potentially echoing in a music video that premieres alongside the film. Social media is ablaze: Arianators United PH shared mechanics on Canva, urging fans to “see the casts live,” while 8List.ph broke down the prizes in a thread that went viral for its step-by-step hype. 25 27 Even rumors swirl of a Southeast Asia star tour, with Singapore as a potential stop for winners, fueling speculation that Erivo and Grande might grace Manila’s stages post-premiere. 18 23
As October 5 looms, the clock ticks for duos to grab their microphones and besties, heading to these mall oases or syncing up at home with the vocal guide. Wicked: For Good isn’t just arriving in Philippine cinemas on November 19; it’s inviting locals to co-author its legacy, proving that in Oz—or Olongapo—the right harmony can change everything for good. Whether you’re a theater die-hard who’ve seen the stage production a dozen times or a first-timer lured by Grande’s pop prowess, this is your cue to step into the spotlight. After all, as the song reminds us, “Because I knew you, I have been changed… for good.” Tune into @UniversalPicsPH on TikTok for the announcement video and more, and let the auditions begin—your yellow brick road to stardom awaits.
The Pop Blog general news and updates, mostly from press releases and conferences.