Are you ready to put your knowledge on all things Filipino Pop Culture to the test? Pinoy Interactive Entertainment (PIE) is excited to announce the premiere of their newest interactive game show, ISKOOL RUL3Z! This trivia game show takes our KaTroPIEs back to class to test their knowledge on Pinoy music, movies, TV shows, and more!
Hosted by hilarious PIE Jocks Kevin Montillano and Nicki Morena, ISKOOL RUL3Z! promises to be a fun-filled experience. Montillano shares,“Siguradong lahat tayo ay mag-eenjoy at maraming matututunan tungkol sa ating local pop culture sa show na ‘to.” Morena adds, “Nag-handa kami ng exciting lineup para sa inyo kaya naman make sure to tune in para maging mas extra saya ang inyong mga Sabado!”
ISKOOL RUL3Z! premiered on January 20 and will air on the following Saturdays, January 27 and February 3 at 5 p.m. on pie.com.ph. So mark your calendars and don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this exciting new game show.
“As we look ahead, we’re incredibly excited about the new chapter that’s unfolding at PIE. ISKOOL RUL3Z! is just a glimpse of what’s to come and we remain committed to engaging our KatroPIEs with fresh concepts that remain true to our Pindot PIEnalo spirit,” says Jil Go, Head of Tradigital Channels Business, KROMA Entertainment.
Log on to pie.com.ph on the show’s airing dates and answer several trivia questions in a multiple-choice poll. Every correct answer is worth P200.
Now’s the time for you to brush up to get marked PIEsado—and not PIEsang-awa! So, are you ready to take on the challenge?
Grand Hyatt Manila extends a warm invitation to usher in the Year of the Wood Dragon with a celebration that promises a captivating blend of luxury, tradition, and festivities. Get ready to immerse yourself in an array of offers, experiences, and gifts specially crafted for this auspicious occasion.
A Culinary Extravaganza: Chinese Feast by Master Chefs
Indulge in Authentic Flavors
Immerse yourself in an exceptional Chinese feast meticulously curated by the skilled Chinese master chefs at Grand Hyatt Manila. The celebration will unfold with a live cooking show, a prosperity toss, and an enchanting lion dance performance—all designed to create enduring memories. The Chinese New Year set menu, starting at PHP 26,888 net, promises a palate-pleasing journey for 6 persons through authentic flavors.
Dining Experiences: Grandeur Across Concepts
The Grand Kitchen’s Chinese New Year Buffet
Guests can look forward to celebrating in the hotel’s diverse dining concepts. The Grand Kitchen invites you to indulge in a Chinese New Year buffet priced at PHP 3,400 net per person. Available for dinner on 9 February and lunch and dinner on 10 February, this culinary experience promises a delightful fusion of festive flavors.
Merienda Cena: Filipino-Inspired Afternoon Tea with a Chinese Flair
Experience a grand Filipino-inspired afternoon tea affair with a touch of Chinese flair at the Merienda Cena. Priced at PHP 2,200 net per person, inclusive of free-flow food and rosé wine, this experience offers a perfect blend of local and international flavors.
No. 8 China House’s Prosperity Set Menus
Raise a toast to prosperity and abundance at No. 8 China House with special set menus starting at PHP 24,880 net for a table of 6 persons. Delight in an elegant dining experience as you savor carefully crafted dishes in an ambiance that exudes Chinese sophistication.
Sweet Gifts of Fortune: Specialty Cakes and Nian Gao
Chinese New Year Treats
Share the gift of good fortune with Grand Hyatt Manila‘s Chinese New Year specialty cake and signature Nian Gao. Available in traditional brown sugar and the new flavor Osmanthus, these sweet confections, starting at PHP 1,788 net, come in exquisite gift boxes—perfect presents for families, friends, and associates. Available from 15 January to 10 February 2024 through Florentine and Dine at Home.
Reservations and Inquiries
For inquiries and reservations, call (63 2) 8838-1234 or email manila.grand@hyatt.com. For updates on its latest promotions, follow Grand Hyatt Manila on Instagram @grandhyattmanilaph and on Facebook, www.facebook.com/GrandHyattManilaPh.
March 2, 2024 is set to be a night to remember as The Simon and Garfunkel Story’s internationally acclaimed cast graces Manila with a sensational performance at The Theatre at Solaire. Brace yourselves for a musical journey through time, a celebration of timeless melodies, and a revival of classic hits that have resonated across continents.
A Night of Nostalgia
Prepare to be swept off your feet by this West End hit performance, promising an unforgettable evening filled with the echoes of iconic tunes. Mark your calendars for this special concert that guarantees a magical experience, happening this March 2, 2024 at The Theatre at Solaire.
The Simon and Garfunkel Story Unveiled
Bask in the glory of a globally acclaimed musical tribute to the iconic duo, spanning over 55 years of their illustrious career. The show not only narrates the history of Simon & Garfunkel but also treats audiences to favorites such as “Mrs. Robinson,” “The Sound of Silence,” “Cecilia,” “Homeward Bound,” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”
A Global Triumph
This successful production has become a global phenomenon, leaving an indelible mark on audiences in over 50 countries. From three extensive tours across Canada and the USA to SOLD OUT shows at the prestigious LONDON PALLADIUM and a residency at VAUDEVILLE THEATRE in London’s West End, the group’s journey is nothing short of spectacular. Not to mention, celebrating a decade on tour is a testament to their enduring appeal. The Simon and Garfunkel Story has just celebrated 10 years on tour.
Witness the magic unfold at The Theatre at Solaire, where the cast promises an evening of pure musical enchantment. With a repertoire that spans decades, every note will transport you to the heart of Simon & Garfunkel’s timeless legacy.
The Philippines continues to be one of the most vibrant markets for artistic innovation in Southeast Asia, with the country’s creative economy amounting to P1.6 trillion in 2022, a 12% increase from the previous year.
Bitto and Apl.de.ap share the stage with host Jaz Reyes as they talk about the creative process of their first phygital art collaboration
Now with the emergence of phygital art, a fusion of traditional art forms and interactive digital elements, a new era of storytelling is born, inviting audiences to actively immerse, interact, and engage with different narratives.
Ushering in the advent of a new artistic form, finance super app GCash, through GCrypto, partnered with renowned Filipino American rapper Apl.de.Ap and Manila-based contemporary artist Bitto to bring phygital art to life at the Agents of Peace and Love, the Apl.de.Ap and Bitto Phygital Art Collection.
“We are delighted to work with Apl.de.Ap and Bitto, two Filipino artists who have established their marks in the global space, as they break artistic boundaries,” said Luis Buenaventura, GCash head of Web3. “This collaboration is in line with our goal of amplifying more local talents to the global stage while enabling more Filipino creatives and collectors to access premium art collaborations.”
Luis Buenaventura, GCash Head of Web3, kicks off the program by sharing the importance of Filipino artists having more than one avenue for displaying their works.
At the Apl.de.Ap x Bitto Phygital Art Launch in Apotheka Makati, Poblacion, art enthusiasts, and NFT collectors came together to witness the launch of Agents of Peace and Love, a collection featuring Apl.de.Ap’s NFT music and Bitto’s Bittoverse artworks.
An art auction in collaboration with homegrown NFT marketplace, Likha, and the popular art gallery, Vinyl on Vinyl, showcased a one-of-a-kind canvas painting by Bitto, accompanied by original unreleased music by Apl de Ap, which will be for the benefit of the Apl.de.Ap Foundation. Collectors snagged limited edition sculptures with embedded music, along with signed event-exclusive art prints.
Apl.de.ap and Bitto pose with the winning bidder of their phygital artwork, content creator Jax Reyes. The canvas painting comes with an NFC chip that allows you to hear the song and all the remixes when scanned with your phone.
“Finally, a Bitto artwork piece but it’s even more special since it’s also a collaboration with Apl! It’s something you don’t see often: a collaboration of two big names in the creative/art space,” shared Jax Reyes, winning bidder of the 4x5ft canvass painting that comes with the ownership of Apl’s exclusive song ‘Turnaround.’ Asked what inspired him to bid for the artwork, Reyes said “More than anything else, it’s the cause. It’s the portion that will be donated to nurture the youth through education and [help them] explore their creative side.”
Guests interact with the phygital art pieces on display by scanning the artwork using their phone
Apl.de.ap pumped up the dance floor with Black Eyed Peas hits ‘Let’s Get it Started,’ ‘Ritmo,’ ‘Mabuti,’ ‘Bebot,’ The APL Song,’ and ‘I Gotta Feeling.’ Guests were also treated to Apl’s performance of his new song ‘Never.’
The Agents of Peace and Love: Apl.de.Ap x Bitto Phygital Art collection explores an intersection of technology and creativity where colors, shapes, and emotions come to life. As a pioneer in the fintech industry, GCrypto staged the art launch to bring together the best of blockchain technology paired with physical art, featuring a digital certificate of authentication (COA) which documents the transaction on the blockchain to bring peace of mind to both artists and buyers alike.
“I’m excited to have my foundation collaborating with Bitto to release our first physical art launch, ‘Agents of Peace and Love.’ It means a lot to see the art move into a myriad of dimensions,” said Apl.de.Ap.
“It’s really an honor for me to be working together with Apl and APLFI through GCrypto. I’m truly grateful to know that I created a few artworks for this project that could provide support and grant opportunities to the youth in the Philippines,” added Bitto.
Multi-awarded Filipino Grammy winner Apl.de.Ap of hip-hop group Black Eyed Peas has been a champion of the Filipino creative industry through Web3. Before the launch of his phygital art collaboration with Bitto, he announced an NFT collaboration with Sevi, a 10-year-old artist with autism and a beneficiary of the First Mint Fund at the 2022 Philippine Web3 Festival. He also established the Apl.de.Ap Foundation to empower Filipino youth with grant opportunities through arts, technology, and healthcare.
Manila-based modern and contemporary artist Bitto draws inspiration from nature, textiles, Japanese fashion magazines, and streetwear, to create a vibrant and cohesive body of works that delve into personal narratives and reflect his diverse interests. His paintings feature recurring characters in encapsulated moments, portraying intimate scenes of everyday life. Prior to partnering with Apl.de.Ap, Bitto has worked with global clients like Shakeshack, Nike, Bench, Sentosa, Fjallraven, and Apple.
(L-R) Robert Gonzales, Chief People Officer of GCash; Neil Trinidad, Chief Marketing Officer of GCash; Pebbles Sy- Chief Technology and Operations Officer of GCash; Bitto; Apl.de.Ap; Commissioner Kelvin Lester Lee of the Securities and Exchange Commission and wife; Luis Buenaventura, Head of Web3, GCash; Jong Layug, VP Wealth Management, GCash; Mark Nunez, Head of Partnerships for Web3, GCash
“As the leading fintech company in the Philippines, we at GCash are pioneering innovation in financial spaces and artistic breakthroughs, and that includes making NFTs and phygital art accessible to more people,” noted Buenaventura “As we work towards the goal of financial progress, this is our way of fostering innovation, democratizing art ownership and making crypto easier for every Filipino.”
In 2023, GCash launched its first GCrypto NFT collection: The House of Ohlala, from Filipino contemporary artist, Reen Barrera, along with the introduction of the GCrypto NFT Hub, which features digital art created by famous and up-and-coming local artists. Through GCrypto NFT Hub, art was made accessible for GCash users as they can now own a piece of these artists’ work through blockchain technology. At the GCrypto NFT Hub, they can explore digital art available for sale by National Artist Larry Alcala, Superordinary Friends x TRNZ, and Monster Mayhem by Distort Monsters.
Ready to access premium art collaborations and discover more artists? Get first dibs on curated and legitimate digital art through the GCrypto NFT Hub (https://www.gcash.com/services/gcrypto/nft)! Kaya Mo. I-GCash Mo.
QCinema International Film Festival is now accepting submissions for #QCShorts 2024. The festival is offering six production grants, each valued at P350,000, to support emerging filmmakers. Deadline is on February 25, 2024, 11:59 PM.
All Filipino citizens aged 18 and above are qualified to submit their narrative fiction, animation, or experimental entries, with a maximum total running time (TRT) of 20 minutes, including opening and closing credits.
The final film output must have its world premiere in this year’s edition of QCinema. In addition to screenings during QCinema 2024, both theatrical and online, QCinema reserves the right to screen the film after the festival, with prior notice to the proponent.
Rights to the final film output belong to the proponent.
Applicants must submit two PDF files: a full script in standard screenwriting format and a full deck containing the logline, short synopsis (maximum of 3 paragraphs), long synopsis (maximum 1-page concept treatment), director’s statement, director’s profile, producer’s profile, producer’s statement, sample works (project details with link/s, including access credentials for password-protected files), proposed cast and crew, line item budget (pre-production, actual production and postproduction costs), financial plan, and timeline of production.
Only one entry per proponent (either the director or producer) is allowed.
Filmmaker proponents and co-financiers must abide by QCinema festival rules, guidelines, deadlines, and contracts. In case of violations, QCinema reserves the right to disqualify the filmmaker or proponent and forfeit the entire grant.
The festival also reminds everyone to adhere to health and safety protocols. QCinema will not be liable for any untoward incidents during production. Also, use of original literary sources, music materials, and film footage must have proper clearance from its respective copyright owners before it can be used in the final film output
A continuation of its 10-year anniversary celebration, Ramen Nagi is launching Series 5 showcasing a mouthwatering collaboration with the critically-acclaimed Musashi-Ya from Japan. Headed by Chef Fujisaki, Musashi-ya first came to rise in Kichijoji, Japan, and has since grown to ten additional stores, four of which are located in Tokyo and one in Shanghai, China. Currently at 25 years, Musashi-ya stands as a major player in the Japanese ramen world, participating in ramen events throughout Japan. What sets it apart is its particular focus on ingredients, while maintaining clean and delightful ramen experiences for its loyal fanbase.
This January to February, Ramen Nagi is bringing Musashi-ya’s famous Iekei-Style Pork Bone Ramen to Filipinos! For a limited period, Pinoys can get their hands on a light and savory experience that bursts addictive flavor. What makes it stand out is the expertise applied in cooking; in fact, Yokohama Iekei-style ramen is a major genre of ramen in Japan that requires exquisite skill. Musashi-ya’s Pork Bone Ramen achieves its distinct flavor by using pork meat and bones in their purest forms; then large amounts of pork offal are cooked over high-flame without stopping. Furthering the gastronomic adventure, the Pork Bone Ramen features aromatic pork broth, as well as textural additions like thickly sliced chashu pork, spinach, and nori.
The Pork Bone Ramen, in its core, is a love letter to skill in cooking and mastery of ingredients, with every slurp, a perfect moment. For the complete experience, enjoy the Pork Bone Ramen with a bowl of hot rice on the side.
Chef Fujisak-san’s kitchen takeover, which only serves 150 bowls of Iekei-Style Pork Bone Ramen per day, is ongoing at Ramen Nagi Greenbelt 3 from January 18 to 19! After the takeover, the delectable Iekei-Style Pork Bone Ramen will be available in all Ramen Nagi branches nationwide starting from January 22 to February 28.
10 Years of Great Ramen
Ramen Nagi continues to be a favorite destination among ramen lovers in the Philippines. Celebrating a decade in the industry, Ramen Nagi Philippines marks this significant milestone with a commitment to innovation, an unwavering exploration of diverse flavors, and the seamless integration of cultural influences.
The 10th year anniversary celebration gathered many of Japan’s notable restaurants and chefs that provide nothing but the best in ramen culinary.
Series 1 headlined Ramen No. 11 headed by Chef Masa-san. The limited-edition ramen was crafted with homemade noodles layered generously with cabbage, bean sprouts, quail eggs, garlic, and Buta. The piece de resistance is the unmistakable “Naruto” topping, a hallmark of Ramen No. 11’s distinct flavour.
Series 2 featured a kitchen takeover by ANTCICADA headed by visionary Chef Yuta, who brings a unique blend of innovation, flavor, and tradition to the culinary landscape. His signature creation, the “Cricket Ramen,” shatters traditional boundaries by introducing crickets as a central ingredient.
Series 3 starred INOSHO headed by Chef Nakamura-san, whose robust broths has garnered much acclaim. The collaboration introduced two Limited King bowls. First is the Tsukemen, which is drizzled with pork bones, backbones, pigs’ feet, pork and chicken skin, all submerged in sensational tsuke sauce (super soup). Second is the Spicy Hot Fish Ramen, a fiery sensation that boasts a stunning ‘red mountain’ of spice at its heart, with medium-thick noodles and rich pork bone seafood soup.
Series 4 delivered a grand experience with Ramen Nagi founder Satoshi Ikuta’s jaw-dropping creation: the Wagyu King. Prepared with fresh Wagyu flown directly from Miyagi Prefecture in Eastern Japan, the dish boasts authentic Japanese flavor with tender melt-in-your-mouth beef, complimented by a full-bodied broth, green onions, bamboo shoots, and enoki mushrooms.
With Series 5 now available nationwide on January 22 showcasing Musashi-ya’s Iekei-Style Pork Bone Ramen, a creation by Chef Fujisaki, Ramen Nagi Philippines expands its remarkable journey in making exceptional Japanese ramen within reach among Filipinos.
In the last decade, Ramen Nagi has proudly served more than 10 million bowls of ramen across its 37 branches throughout Metro Manila and Luzon. Anticipating further growth, the growing ramen chain is expanding its presence to Visayas and Mindanao in the near future.
Ever wondered how Small Laude lives large in the Lion City? Step into her world and join the Filipino YouTube sensation’s big adventures made in Singapore as It’s A Small World: Singapore premieres on Metro Channel from 21 January 2024.
The three-episode series was made in collaboration with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). Each leg showcases rich and unique experiences that await Filipino travelers looking to book a trip to Singapore.
Accompanied by her son Timothy, her angel Lotlot, and her bestie Karen Davila, here are some of the ways Small Laude discovered how ordinary moments are made extraordinary in Singapore. Tune into the full series to find more amazing made in Singapore experiences that await you upon your next visit.
Episode 1 – Featuring her son Timothy 21 January 2024
In lieu of a regular guided tour, Small and her son Timothy rode along with Storytellers and zipped around the city in the sidecars of restored vintage Vespa scooters. Small and Timothy booked a night tour with Singapore Side Cars – the world’s first vintage Vespa sidecar tour – and rode through quaint alleyways, met with locals, and enjoyed the glittering Singapore skyline in a whole new way.
Aside from getting a glimpse of Singapore on land, the mother and son duo also got a bird’s eye view of the city by hopping aboard the Sky Helix Sentosa. Designed to be Singapore’s highest open-air panoramic ride, the gondola takes riders up to 79m above sea level and offer mesmerizing 360-degree views of Sentosa, Keppel Bay, and the Southern Islands.
Episode 2 – Featuring her angel Lotlot 28 January 2024
People say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. But leave it to Small to start her day off in a pretty unconventional way.
Alongside her angel Lotlot, Small enjoyed Breakfast in The Wild – served within the Ah Meng Restaurant inside the Singapore Zoo, Breakfast in The Wild offers diners scrumptious planet-friendly meals served with a hearty helping of stories about the animal kingdom, habitats, and nature straight from wildlife ambassadors and their keepers.
Beyond breakfast, Small and Lotlot customized their own chocolate bars at Mr. Bucket Chocolaterie in Dempsey Hill. Known for their unexpected flavor offerings, local chocolates made daily, and their use of sustainably sourced cacao from Asia, Mr. Bucket also hosts educational experiences such as appreciation sessions and hands-on chocolate making classes for chocolate lovers to bite into a different side to the tasty treat.
Episode 3 – Featuring bestie Karen Davila 4 February 2024
When you’re in the middle of some serious retail therapy, it’s always good to make time for a break. For Small Laude, that means stopping by one of the world’s 50 best bars for a drink.
Gracing the ground floor of Parkview Square building in Singapore’s historic Bugis neighborhood, Atlas delights patrons with an extensive selection of drinks inspired by the Art Deco movement. For guests looking to skip the booze, Atlas also offers afternoon tea and an elegant range of European dishes made with the finest ingredients.
Since Small and Karen wanted to discover more of Singapore’s cocktail scene, they also stopped at Nutmeg & Clove – a restaurant and bar that pays homage to Singapore’s rich history through modern Singaporean cuisine and progressive cocktail program.
In search of signature shopping experiences, Small and Karen got to design their own pleated bags at GINLEE Studio – a brand known for their take on thoughtful and timeless clothing and accessories. Through the GINLEE Make Experience, Small and Karen learned the art of pleating, and each brought home bags made with sustainability in mind.
Catch It’s A Small World: Singapore on Metro Channel every Sunday beginning 21 January 2024, at 7:30PM. For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/VisitSingaporePH
After entertaining audiences across the world in 2023 with his unmissable super-powered drama Moving, lauded screenwriter Kangfull returns later this year with Light Shop – a mysterious drama that explores life, death, and what makes us human,exclusively on Disney+.
An adaptation of Kangfull’s hit webtoon of the same name, Light Shop follows a group of strangers, each struggling to come to terms with a traumatic event in their past. Going about their daily lives, each individual is mysteriously drawn to a light shop that sits at the end of a seedy alleyway. Guarded by a vigilant shopkeeper, the light shop could hold the key to the strangers’ pasts, presents and futures.
Light Shop will star Ju Jihoon (Kingdom, The Spy Gone North) as Jung Wonyoung, the owner of the light shop; Park Boyung, (Strong Girl Bong-soon, Oh My Ghost) as Kwon Youngji, a nurse with an unusual connection to her patients; Bae Seongwoo (Veteran, The King) as police officer Yang Sungsik; and Lee Jungeun (Parasite) as Jung Yuhee, a distraught mother. The series is adapted for the screen by Kangfull (Moving) and is directed by Kim Hiewon.
Light Shop will join an ever-growing array of award-winning Korean entertainment now available on Disney+ including: Moving, about a group of South Korean special agents working to protect their super-powered children from harm and exploitation at the hands of malicious government agencies, and Big Bet, about the rise and fall of a serial entrepreneur who will do anything to get ahead; as well as The Worst of Evil, Vigilante and an extensive library of other APAC originals and beloved international movies and shows.
Come to terms with your past when Light Shop launches in the second half of 2024, exclusively on Disney+.
The cast and crew of Tokyo Revengers 2: Bloody Halloween- Destiny went all out in physical effort and production for the film. One third of the entire two-parter is shot on what producer Shota Okada declares as, “The largest set in the history of Japanese cinema”.He’s also proud of the reproduction rate of the adaptation from the original work. The large junkyard set is where the pivotal war between the Tokyo Manji gang and the Valhalla gang will commence.
The dialogue of the film is done almost entirely on set as well, as action director Yuta Morokaji wants to show off how the emotions of the characters play against the sharpness of the actions. He says, “There’s almost no dubbing”. The culmination of their work is filmed on the large junkyard set, which was scorching during the daytime. The cast and the staff jokingly claimed they were “hanging from wires and doing all-out action in the sauna.”
Looking for a cool space to hold your next community gathering or workshop? Robinsons Malls has got you covered with their Co-Events Spaces. These venues are equipped with basic amenities and are perfect for seminars, workshops, group study, business meetings, panel discussions, auditions, band practices, dance rehearsals, exhibitions, fandom meetups, and other small-size events, and they’re totally free!
The Co-Events Spaces are clean, well-lit, and have complete facilities. Plus, they are located within Robinsons Metroeast, Robinsons Naga, Robinsons Galleria Ortigas, Robinsons Las Pinas, Robinsons Imus, Robinsons Gen Trias and Robinsons Dasmarinas, so they’re super easy to get to.
Here’s how to book your spot! First is download and register on the RMalls+ App, head to the RVoucher section, and look for the Co-Events Space voucher. You need to reserve at least three days before your activity and keep in mind that there will be a maximum guests allowed per mall locations.
Don’t miss this excellent opportunity to hold your next event at Robinsons Malls’ Co-Events Spaces! For more information, check out Robinsons Malls’ Official Website: www.robinsonsmalls.com
