September 2, 2018
Gary V., Maja, John, Joseph, Robi, and Beauty Remain Exclusive Kapamilya
Toni and Alex Gonzaga Reveal Rules for Strong Sisterhood in New Book “Sissums”
Netflix Releases the First Look at Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip in “The Crown” Season 3
X-Men’s Nightcrawler Kodi Smit-McPhee Goes Wilder in “Alpha”
Young Australian actor Kodi Smit-McPhee ("Dawn of the Planet of the Apes", "Let Me In," "X-Men: Apocalypse") provides the crucial human element in Columbia Pictures' new epic adventure, ALPHA (in Philippine cinemas September 5).
Set in the last Ice Age, ALPHA tells a fascinating, visually stunning story that shines a light on the origins of man's best friend. While on his first hunt with his tribe's most elite group, a young man named Keda (Smit-McPhee) is injured and must learn to survive alone in the wilderness. Reluctantly taming a lone wolf abandoned by its pack, the pair learn to rely on each other and become unlikely allies, enduring countless dangers and overwhelming odds in order to find their way home before winter arrives.
Seventeen-year-old Keda is a Solutrean, part of a creative, resourceful Cro-Magnon tribe living in the area we know as southern France and Spain at the end of the last Ice Age, when most of Europe was uninhabitable, covered in ice two miles deep. Glacial winds blew. Winters were brutal and lasted nine months. Dangerous predators roamed the vast, unpopulated landscapes in search of food. The isolation was extreme, and bonds of family and community were essential for survival.
The casting of Keda was of vital importance, because for a large part of the movie, he is the only human character onscreen, and one-half of a carefully knit relationship that needed to cover a lot of emotional ground: from ingrained distrust to hard-won friendship.
Kodi Smit-McPhee's measure of a script, when he reads it for the first time, is where it hits him in his heart and his emotions. "I've been doing a lot of modern tales and I've been waiting for something that deals with earth and mother nature" says the Australian actor.
Smit-McPhee, who at twenty is already a veteran film actor, has been making his own journey from boyhood to manhood onscreen. "I always find a pattern with the characters I play," he says. "They are quite vulnerable, coming of age, and eventually transformed at the end, but this has been the transformation on the biggest scale."
"When you see Kodi on the monitor," says actor Mercedes de la Zerda, who plays a fellow hunter, "you see the subtleties in his work and it blows you away. It's just him and a handful of words in two-thirds of the movie. To have found a talent who can communicate so much, just in body language and to have so much of an inner life happening without dialogue is a major accomplishment."
"Kodi is a deeply and naturally gifted actor," says director Albert Hughes. "His instincts are very mature, and he doesn't come from an intellectual place when he's acting. He comes from an emotional place. He comes from the character, so he's really exciting. I'd say he's leaps and bounds above a lot of guys his age. Then, when I see a close-up, I go 'God! This guy is really special.'"
ALPHA is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.
TNT Singers Bring Historical All-Star Showdown to Cebu this September
“Pokemon Detective Pikachu” Movie Reveals Official Title Logo
At the opening ceremonies of the 2018 Pokémon World Championships, The Pokémon Company, along with its partners from Legendary Entertainment, unveiled the official title and logo for the first-ever live action Pokémon movie, POKÉMON Detective Pikachu.
Mr. Tsunekazu Ishihara, president of The Pokémon Company, welcomed the movie's director, Rob Letterman, and actors Justice Smith and Kathryn Newton to the stage for the surprise reveal.
The stars also engaged the room full of the world's best Pokémon players in a chant of "Pikachu!" which was recorded for use in the upcoming film.
For official assets unveiled at the event as well as photos of the cast's appearance, please visit the link below: https://mediapass.warnerbros.com
In Philippine cinemas June 12, 2019, POKÉMON Detective Pikachu is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a WarnerMedia Company.
TNT Boys Serenade the Meralco Scholars During the MVP Academic Achievement Awards 2018
The singing trio of Francis Concepcion, 11, Mackie Empuerto, 12, and Kiefer Sanchez, 13, also known as the "TNT Boys," wowed a jam-packed theater at the MVP Academic Achievement Awards (MVP AAA) held recently at the Meralco Theater in Pasig City.
The group, which caught the attention of TV audiences in the U.S. when they performed in the hit talent show "Little Big Shots," serenaded close to 300 awardees of One Meralco Foundation's annual recognition program, which rewards the academic achievement of children and siblings of qualified employees of Meralco and its subsidiaries.
On its eighth year, the MVP AAA recognized 210 winners and 76 top achievers.
Each winner received an MVP AAA medal and a P20,000 cash prize. Meanwhile, top achievers — those who won during the previous year and continued to excel academically and have received honors during the current academic year — each received an MVP AAA Top Achievers medal.
The awardees and their parents cheered as the TNT Boys rendered a back-to-back performance of Angeline Quinto's "Patuloy ang Pangarap" and Sarah Geronimo's hit single "Forever's Not Enough."
Addressing a primarily young audience, the boys congratulated the MVP AAA winners for doing their best to deserve the recognition. They also shared that despite their very tight work schedule, they still set aside time for their studies in between shows. They are currently home-schooled.
"Natutuwa po kami na nandito kami para makisaya sa inyo kasinaniniwala rin po kami na mahalaga talaga ang pag-aaral," Kiefer said.
"Sa guidance ni God, sa tulong ng parents natin, at sapamamagitan ng edukasyon, talagang walang imposible. Kaya tayong lahat, patuloy lang sa pangarap," he added.
The TNT Boys capped the show with an encore performance of "This is Me," a theme from the musical film, "The Greatest Showman."
Award-Winning Young Actor Jacob Tremblay Triggers Return of “The Predator”
From the outer reaches of space to the to the backwoods of southern Georgia, the hunt comes home in director Shane Black's explosive reinvention of the Predator series. Now, the universe's most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before. And only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and an evolutionary biology professor can prevent the end of the human race.
Young gifted child Rory (Jacob Tremblay), unknowingly triggers the return of "The Predator" to Earth when he tinkered with the package that contains alien technology his dad , Quinn McKenna (Boyd Holbrook), sent to their home from a recent military mission. With the government attempting to cover up the extent of Predator incursions on Earth, a rag-tag group of military veterans must figure out what is going on and how to save the world – or at least themselves – as the battle spreads from the depths of outer space to once-safe suburbia. Rory's gift for solving puzzles helps him understand the Predator language. "He's really good at figuring out the Predator," Tremblay says.
Shane Black directs an extraordinary cast from the script he penned with Fred Dekker. Boyd Holbrook heads the ensemble which also stars Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Thomas Jane, Alfie Allen, Augusto Aguilera, and Sterling K. Brown. "The Predator" is produced by John Davis, who brought the seminal Predator franchise to life.
Quinn's son, Rory, is on the autism spectrum. To help research his role, Tremblay and Black paid several visits to the Canucks Autism Network, a Vancouver-based organization providing sports and recreational programs for individuals with autism. "We made friends and got to hang out with some of the kids," says Tremblay.
"This wonderful little boy was probably the most dependable actor in the cast," says Black about Jacob Tremblay, who plays Rory. "He's a one-take wonder." Black notes that when they were pressed for time, they never needed to worry about young Tremblay hitting his marks. "We'd get all three shots because he'd do every one perfect, the first take!"
Jacob Tremblay has quickly established himself as one of the industry's finest working young actors. Tremblay garnered international recognition for his breakout performance opposite Brie Larson in the critically-acclaimed, Oscar-nominated film Room. Tremblay received the "Breakthrough Performance Award" from the National Board of Review, a Critics' Choice Award from the Broadcast Film Critics Association for "Best Young Actor," and a nomination for "Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role" by the Screen Actors Guild, among other accolades, for his performance in the film.
"The Predator" opens September 12 nationwide in cinemas from 20th Century Fox.
August 20, 2018
Disney’s Live-Action “Mulan” Coming Soon, Cast Includes Liu Yifei, Donnie Yen, Jason Scott Lee with Gong Li and Jet Li
Production on Disney's "Mulan," a live-action adaptation of the studio's 1998 animated feature, has begun. The film will shoot on locations in New Zealand and China and will open in Philippine theaters on March 27, 2020.
Liu Yifei ("The Forbidden Kingdom," "Once Upon a Time") was cast as Hua Mulan following a year-long global casting search. Joining her in the film are: Donnie Yen ("Star Wars: Rogue One"); Jason Scott Lee ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny"); Yoson An ("The Meg"); Utkarsh Ambudkar ("Pitch Perfect"); Ron Yuan ("Marco Polo"); Tzi Ma ("Arrival"); Rosalind Chao ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine"); Cheng Pei-Pei ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon"); Nelson Lee; Chum Ehelepola; with Gong Li ("Memoirs of a Geisha," "Raise the Red Lantern") and Jet Li ("Shaolin Temple," "Lethal Weapon 4").
"Mulan" is the epic adventure of a fearless young woman who masquerades as a man in order to fight Northern Invaders attacking China. The eldest daughter of an honored warrior, Hua Mulan is spirited, determined and quick on her feet. When the Emperor issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the Imperial Army, she steps in to take the place of her ailing father as Hua Jun, becoming one of China's greatest warriors ever.
"Mulan" is directed by Niki Caro ("Whale Rider," "McFarland USA") from a screenplay by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver ("Jurassic World," "In the Heart of the Sea") and Elizabeth Martin & Lauren Hynek based on the narrative poem "The Ballad of Mulan." The producers are Jason T. Reed ("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles"), Chris Bender ("A History of Violence") and Jake Weiner ("Criminal") with Barrie M. Osborne ("The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King"), Bill Kong ("Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," "Monster Hunt") and Tim Coddington ("Crazy Rich Asians") serving as executive producers.
Disney's animated feature, which was released in 1998, starred Ming-Na Wen, Miguel Ferrer and Eddie Murphy and was nominated for an Oscar® and two Golden Globe® Awards.
The story of the legendary warrior is one of China's most popular folktales, and is still a part of the curriculum in Chinese schools today.
August 19, 2018
Kim, Alex, Robi, and Melai Follow Stories and Journeys of Filipino Dreamers in “Star Hunt” Starting August 20
Some of the country's brightest stars today started their journey to stardom with a simple audition – all it took was a confidence, a spark of hope, and a little dream.
Filipino dreamers get their place in the spotlight and share their stories on ABS-CBN's grand audition show "Star Hunt," which premieres on Monday (August 20) on Kapamilya Gold.
The show will heavily feature the stories and talents of promising Star Dreamers or auditionees who came to ABS-CBN's "Star Hunt" auditions in 13 locations in and out of the country.
They will be introduced to viewers by the show's hosts Kim Chiu, Alex Gonzaga, Robi Domingo, and Melai Cantiveros – stars who were once dreamers and showcased their authenticity on "Pinoy Big Brother."
But more than highlighting the Star Dreamers' life stories and aspirations, the show will follow their journey to achieving their dreams and improving their skills.
So far, many successful Star Dreamers have become or may become a part of "I Can See Your Voice," "Tawag ng Tanghalan," "Dance Kids," "Pilipinas Got Talent," "MMK," "Pinoy Big Brother" and the soon-to-be-launched dance competition "World of Dance Philippines."
"Star Hunt" will also give opportunities to the Star Dreamers to appear in or join ABS-CBN's different platforms, whether it is on television, radio, online, movies, or music.
Which of the Star Dreamers will become a housemate in the newest season of "Pinoy Big Brother"? How are Piolo Pascual and Coco Martin help some of the Star Dreamers achieve their dream?
Don't miss the premiere of "Star Hunt" on Monday (August 20) on ABS-CBN. For updates, follow visit fb.com/starhuntabscbn and follow @@starhuntabscbn on Twitter and Instagram.
August 18, 2018
Kris Bernal Opens Up About “Mag-asawa, Magkaribal,” “House of Gogi,” and Cruelty-Free Lipstick “She”
Constance Wu and Henry Golding Steal Your Hearts in “Crazy Rich Asian”
Warner Bros.' new romantic comedy "Crazy Rich Asians" takes a fun, engaging and hilarious look at what can happen when young love collides with old money.
Singapore's favorite son, Nick Young (Henry Golding), proudly brings his beautiful and successful New Yorker girlfriend Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) home for a meet-and-greet, but the family dynamics aren't quite what she expects. For Rachel, what starts as a dream romantic holiday with the man she adores becomes a battle to remain true to herself and her roots, while holding her own against picture-perfect backstabbing rivals and a prospective mother-in-law who thinks this modern American girl will never measure up.
Set in Singapore and featuring the first all-Asian ensemble in a contemporary Hollywood film in 25 years, the story mines humor from the idiosyncrasies of one family in a way that people everywhere can relate to—no matter who they are, how much money they have, or where they call home. It taps into the fundamental desire to fit in, while honoring your own identity, in an era of blending—and sometimes clashing—cultures.
As Rachel's friend tries to warn her: these people aren't just rich. They're crazy-rich. And that's just the tip of the iceberg.
Constance Wu, who stars as the intrepid Rachel, describes her as "a college professor raised by a working-class, single mom. For many people, that's a point of pride, but not for the Youngs. Their pride comes from legacy. I don't think the story says one value system is better than the other, but shows those cultural differences and the differences between Asian and Asian-American, that are often overlooked. What I love about Rachel is that when things get tough she has the courage to follow her heart and forge her own path, in ways that are tested, but, ultimately, make up who she is."
It's a test for Nick, too, even though he knows what's coming. "Having decided that Rachel is the one, he first has to get over the speed bump of bringing her home," says Henry Golding, making his feature film debut as Nick. "He's afraid if she sees how he was brought up, she might think he's not the guy she fell in love with. Also, once home, he sees more clearly the forces conspiring to tear them apart and how standing his ground will affect them both."
At its core, "Crazy Rich Asians" is a love story…a kind of savvy Cinderella tale, complete with a charming prince, a magnificent castle, and a battle of wills between two strong women determined to write their own ending. "I definitely see this as a modern-day, aspirational fairytale," states Chu. "Rachel is our princess-warrior, and this is her journey to discover who she is—an American girl on her first trip to Asia, who comes away with a deeper appreciation not only of her past, but of her future."
"Rachel is the way in for audiences," says Wu. "We see everything through her eyes. She's living a regular life, meeting her boyfriend for karaoke, et cetera, after work. Everything she has she has earned through hard work, and she's remained humble and appreciative. So, when she's thrown into this world of wealth unlike anything she's ever known, it's hard to fathom. Rich is something many of us have seen before: rich means you can buy whatever you want. Wealth means you can buy whatever you want and you control the market."
On the plus side, Wu points out, "Rachel and Nick really love each other. Love transcends class and culture and logic. When someone's your person, you know it, and that's what Rachel and Nick are to each other."
But will that be enough?
In Philippine cinemas August 22, "Crazy Rich Asians" is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Entertainment Company.
After Her Sold-out Manila Concert, Maymay Entrata Takes “The Dream Tour” to Baguio and Cebu
Maymay Entrata, the MOR Pinoy Music Awards 2018 Song Of The Year winner for "Shanawa," is taking Baguio and Cebu by storm on September 14 and October 19, respectively, for the continuation of the highly anticipated "The Dream Tour Maymay in Concert" series.
Maymay's sold-out concert, her first-ever solo major show held last February 23 at the Kia Theatre, led the singer-actress to "The Dream Tour," a Star Events production which commenced at Imus Sports Complex in Cavite last April 13.
The "Wansapanataym Presents: Ikaw ang GHOSTo Ko" star will be performing at the University of Baguio with her special guests—heartthrob performers Edward Barber, Zeus Collins, Migz Haleco, and Marlo Mortel.
Her onscreen partner, Edward, will also be joining Maymay in the tour's Cebu leg to be held at Hoops Dome Arena, Lapu-Lapu City.
Fans will get to catch the 2017 Eduk Circle Awards' Best Novelty Singer of the Year perform her hit songs such as "Kabaduyan," "Toinks," "Baliw," and "Shanawa."
After being hailed as the big winner in "Pinoy Big Brother Lucky Season 7," Maymay has consistently topped radio charts with tracks from her self-titled debut album produced under Star Music's record sublabel, Star Pop. It reached platinum status just a few months after its release.
"The Dream Tour Maymay in Concert" happens in Baguio and Cebu on September 14 and October 19, respectively, at 8 PM. Grab your tickets now at SM Tickets or call 4702222. For more details, follow Star Music on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @StarMusicPH.
Gretchen Ho Named “Happinews” Ambassador of “The Happinews Project”
Over a hundred students turned a rainy Friday night into a bright and sunny one as they listened to inspiring talks on positivity and kindness in the launch of "The Happinews Project" at the University of the Philippines (UP) Bahay ng Alumni in UP Diliman.
"The Happinews Project," is a movement that encourages Filipinos to post and share positive stories on social media as a way to counter the bad news and negativity that proliferate online. Currently, over a thousand people have joined the Facebook group of The Happinews Project, which will also go to the University of Santo Tomas and Far Eastern University to spread the good vibes to more people.
Fresh from her London trip, "Happinews" ambassador Gretchen Ho recounted how losing her bag in a foreign land and being locked out of the place she was staying in actually led to good things.
"I lost my belongings but I also witnessed first-hand the kindness of Filipinos who volunteered to help me. Even if what happened to me was bad, there was still a better side to the story," she said.
Gretchen added that it is "happy news" like this that should circulate more on social media.
"We should share more happy thoughts, happy stories, happy news, in a world that's full of bad news and conflicts. We need a breath of fresh air. Why don't we highlight instead these small acts of kindness," she explained.
In her talk, Dr. Rosel San Pascual of UP pointed out the incivility among people that has made social media an even more toxic place. She said that people should learn how to express disagreements "intelligently, passionately, and respectfully."
ABS-CBN Creative Communications Management division head Robert Labayen, an advertising legend who leads the team behind ABS-CBN's well-loved Station IDs, also advised the students, who were mostly communication and business majors, to use positive communication when creating a brand.
"It builds a warmer relationship with your audience. If you make them feel good about themselves, they will feel good about you," he explained.
UP alumnus Miggy Bautista, meanwhile, shared how positivity was key for him in getting through college with flying colors, even as a person with a disability. Gawad Kalinga's Issa Cuevas-Santos, on the other hand, reminded the students not to put too much pressure on themselves when it comes to making a difference in the world.
"You don't have to be the superhero every single time. You just have to be the good one. Being good is enough because it inspires others to do good," she said.
Apart from the inspiring talks, the students also enjoyed fun booths like a freedom wall, photo booth, and games in the event, which was held in partnership with UP Ad Core.
Joshua Ambrosio, president of the student organization, said they were happy to help share an interesting advocacy to the UP community.
"A lot of times when you are in school, you get tunnel vision. You are so focused on what you are doing that you forget to see like other happy stuff outside and your immediate experiences," he said.
Loudette Tejada, a business administration major, also praised The Happinews Project, which is an initiative of the ABS-CBN Integrated News & Current Affairs.
"It's good that we are inviting more people to join the Happinews group. I really think it is a good way to engage people to share the happy vibes," she said.
For more information on the project, join the "The Happinews Project" group on Facebook (facebook.com/groups/HappiNews
August 17, 2018
#MeTime with Watsons: Loving Your Beauty, Health, and Wellness More
'I'm busy!'
This is everyone's favorite line. We glorify being busy because we are pressured to achieve a lot, all at once: to climb the corporate ladder, take care of our family's needs, raise children, and manage the household all while curating our lives into a perfect feed on social media.
"Busy" is our badge of honor. But is it really?
Because when you are too "busy" 'round the clock, day in and day out, you end up giving everything and everyone else that one precious gift that you deserve to first give yourself:
Your time.
Make Time for #MeTime!
Whether you are a stay-at-home parent or a professional with a killer schedule, you need to pause, take a break, and make time for #MeTime. The reason is simple: You owe it to yourself and to those you care for to take time to recharge and be your beautiful and healthy best.
Watsons takes to heart this self-caring philosophy with the "Make Time for #MeTime" campaign. This campaign inspires everyone to take time to take care of themselves with Watsons' skin, beauty, hair, and health products plus a wide range of cosmetics that are perfect for a relaxing treat at home.
Pamper your skin
What better way to spend #MeTime than lavishing your neglected skin with love? Watsons' range of products from Ponds, Olay, Neutrogena, St. Ives, Belo, Celeteque, Mediheal, Snow, and Garnier have all the skin-pampering love to keep your complexion fresh and radiant.
Revitalize your hair
The perfect place to spend some #MeTime effortlessly? In the shower, of course! Treat your strands to Watsons' hair products from Creamsilk, Palmolive, Lauat Shampoo, Suave, Dove, and Moringa and give your locks a luxurious #MeTime treat.
Get gorgeous
Take some #MeTime to swipe on some lipstick or paint your nails! Watsons' extensive collection of cosmetics from Celeteque, Belle, and Chic Bobbie will get you gorgeous in no time.
Nourish from within
There's no other way to put it: To be truly beautiful, you need to be healthy. That's why your #MeTime must also include taking care of yourself from within with Watsons' range of supplements and health products from Enervon, Cosmo Skin, Poten-cee, MX3, and Salonpas.
Busy is the enemy of Health and Beauty
Are you too busy to be beautifully healthy? All it takes is a trip to Watsons to curate a set of health and beauty revitalizers and treat yourself to some well-deserved #MeTime! Plus, if you're an SM Advantage Card holder and purchase at least P500 worth of products, you can even win an iPhone X while you're at it!
Indeed, with Watsons, #MeTime is not only essential. It is rewarding.
Less stress. More self-love.
At the end of the day, making time for #MeTime is all about stressing less and loving your beauty, health, and wellness more. At a time when everyone is busy with bucket lists and to-do lists, don't forget to make time for that one person who deserves all the extra TLC you pour out to everybody else: Yourself!
After all, when you love yourself, you can love others more. And when you do, you don't only look good, but you also feel great!