TBA Studios is excited to announce its upcoming line-up of films for the rest of the year. Among the highly anticipated titles are the surprise US box office hit Sound of Freedom and the Korean dark comedy Cobweb. Both films are set to premiere in Philippine cinemas on September 20 and October 4 respectively.
Sound of Freedom – Image from TBA Studios
“We are thrilled to bring these two amazing films to our Filipino audiences this year,” said TBA Studios CEO E.A. Rocha. “These films are sure to entertain and engage viewers with their compelling storylines and unique cinematic styles.”
Sound of Freedom – Image from TBA Studios
Sound of Freedom is a crime drama that follows the story of former U.S. government agent Tim Ballard as he rescues kidnapped and enslaved children from sex traffickers in Colombia. The film features a stellar cast led by Jim Caviezel and Mira Sorvino, as well as Bill Camp, John Rhys-Davies, and Michael Roark. The film was written and directed by Alejandro Monteverde. Since its release in the US on Independence Day weekend this year, Sound of Freedom has been a surprise commercial success, grossing $181.9 million in the US alone and becoming the highest-grossing independent film of the year.
Cobweb – Image from TBA Studios
Premiering at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, Cobweb is a dark yet hilarious tale of a director in the 1970s haunted by the desire to reshoot the ending of his latest film. Chaos ensues when a web of complications starts to rise on the film set. It stars Song Kang-ho, best known for his award-winning and critically acclaimed performance in 2019’s Parasite. The supporting cast features some of the most recognizable faces in South Korean entertainment, including Lim Soo-jung (A Tale Of Two Sisters), Oh Jung-se (It’s Okay Not To Be Okay), Jeon Yeo-been (Vincenzo), Jang Young-nam (It’s Okay Not To Be Okay), and Krystal Jung (famously of the K-pop girl group f(x) and romcom movie Sweet & Sour). The film was written and directed by Kim Jee-woon, whose previous works include A Tale Of Two Sisters (2003), A Bittersweet Life (2005), and The Good, The Bad, The Weird (2008). Barunson E&A, the same studio behind Parasite, is the producer and the global distributor of the film.
Cobweb – Image from TBA Studios
Both films will be exclusively distributed locally through TBA Studios. Sound of Freedom will be released in partnership with Axinite on September 20 and Cobweb on October 4.
From September 7 to 10, 2023, CEB travelers can book their flights to select domestic destinations including Bacolod, Cebu, Iloilo, Kalibo, and Laoag, and international destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Macau, Seoul, Singapore, and Taipei for as low as PHP 1 one-way base fare, exclusive of surcharges and other fees.
The travel period will be from April 1 to August 31, 2024, allowing passengers to book ahead and score value-for-money fares.
Aside from the Piso Sale, the airline is also offering a special 27% discount on CEB Transfers for all its routes serving Boracay, making travel to one of the world’s best island resorts much easier and more affordable.
CEB currently flies to Boracay 8x daily from Manila, 2x daily from Cebu, and 6x weekly from Clark.
CEB pioneered its trademark Piso Sale as early as 2004. Since then, many Filipinos have been able to fulfill their travel dreams and explore various local and international destinations through the airline’s signature promo.
Passengers may use their existing Travel Funds to book flights and avail themselves of add-ons. CEB also offers multiple payment options, including payment centers, credit or debit cards, and e-wallets.
CEB currently flies to 35 domestic and 24 international destinations, spanning across Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.
When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups’ archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with Victoria Vance, a meteor-obsessed mad scientist, to steal the superpowers and turn themselves into supervillains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it’s too late, and Skye will need to learn that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference.
Directed by Cal Brunker, based on the television series created by Keith Chapman. Screenplay by Cal Brunker and Bob Barlen. Produced by Jennifer Dodge, p.g.a., Laura Clunie, p.g.a., Toni Stevens, p.g.a.
Voice cast includes Mckenna Grace, Taraji P. Henson, Marsai Martin, Christian Convery, Ron Pardo, Lil Rel Howery, Kim Kardashian, Chris Rock, Serena Williams, Alan Kim, Brice Gonzalez, North West, Saint West, Christian Corrao, Luxton Handspiker, Nylan Parthipan, Callum Shoniker, with James Marsden and Kristen Bell.
Opening in cinemas October 11, PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #PawPatrolMovie and tag paramountpicsph
Photo and Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”
A new experience on everyone’s favorite decadent desserts are in the Home of the Original Glazed® Doughnuts, Krispy Kreme. Get ready to enter a new world of chocolate goodness with their newest collection, exclusively available in the Philippines.
Krispy Kreme is serving us their Decadent Chocolate Bliss, a new collection of doughnuts inspired by indulgent chocolate treats.
Level up your chocolate bite with the Ring-filled Chocolate Truffle, an unglazed chocolate ring doughnut filled, dipped in premium dark chocolate and dusted with dark chocolate powder.
The much awaited pairing of two favorite desserts are now within reach with the Broughnut, made with dark chocolate cake doughnut dipped in premium dark chocolate coating, sprinkled with peanut fines, swirled with chocolate kreme icing then topped with chopped peanuts. Brownies and doughnuts in one is all you need to brighten up your day!
Adding to the list of sumptuous treats is the Broughut Chiller, a luscious blended drink made with our signature base, dark chocolate sauce, topped with whipped cream, roasted peanuts, broughnut (brownie and doughnut) pieces and chocolate syrup. It’s a sip of heaven in each cup!
These chocolatey treats are available in all Krispy Kreme stores nationwide starting at P70 for the doughnuts and P160 for the chiller.
“Here at Krispy Kreme, we continue to innovate our doughnut line up for our guests. We constantly improve our items as it’s what our OGs deserve. They deserve to have the best time whenever they get a box of Krispy Kreme. So for this month, we decided to take in everyone’s favorite flavor, chocolate, and level it up with our Decadent Chocolate Bliss. We are excited for everyone to try this new collection, ” said Ysabel Cruz, Marketing Manager of Krispy Kreme.
Go to any Krispy Kreme stores nationwide to check out these specials. Visit your nearest store today, or have it delivered to your doorstep by calling (63 2) 888-79000 or ordering online through now.krispykreme.com.ph, GrabFood, Foodpanda, Pick.a.Roo, OrderMo, and Groover.
People can’t just get enough of Taylor Swift. So Hard Rock Cafe is bringing back its Tribute Night to this phenomenal pop star on September 7. Showtime is at 8 pm. Shake it off with a fun performance by CIRCA, whose rendition of Swift’s biggest hits will keep you singing and dancing along.
If you’re feeling fearless, be at Hard Rock Cafe S Maison, Conrad Manila, swifties! Be there early and enjoy dinner feasting on new dishes and cocktails launched recently. For inquiries & reservations, contact (02) 89909809. Entrance fee is P500 inclusive of a beverage.
Then on September 6 and 13, soak up the rock vibes from the legendary band, Queen! “We Will Rock You, The Queen Tribute Night” will feature the all-time hits of this inimitable British band- a mix of glam rock heavy metal and camp theatrics. Think Bohemian Rhapsody, We Are The Champions, Another One Bites The Dust and more!
On September 6, The Queen Tribute Night will feature Innervoices and Bluegrass (P1,000 entrance fee inclusive of a beverage) while tribute bands, Lockdown, Innervoices and Bluegrass will perform on September 13 at Hard Rock S’Maison, Conrad Manila (P1,500 entrance fee inclusive of beverage).Showtime on both dates is at 7:00 pm.Don’t miss the chance to sing along to all your favorites and feel like a true rockstar, just like Queen!
To reserve seats, please call Hard Rock Cafe Manila (02) 89909808 and Hard Rock Cafe Makati (02) 79003353.
Follow @hardrockcafemanila and @hardrockcafemakati on Facebook & Instagram.
Be among the first to see Concrete Utopia in the Philippines! Catch sneak previews in your favorite cinemas on September 11 and 12, one week before the regular showing on September 20.
Directed by Um Tae-hwa, Concrete Utopia is loosely based on Part 2 of the hit webtoon “Joyful Outcast” (“Pleasant Neighbors”) and stars an ensemble of A-list Korean actors including Lee Byung-hun, Park Seo-jun, Park Bo-young, Park Ji-hu, Kim Do-yoon and Kim Sun-young. It is a disaster thriller about the aftermath of a devastating earthquake. The film will follow the story that begins when the survivors gather at Hwang Gung Apartments, the only building left standing in an earthquake-ravaged Seoul.
The film is a sobering parable, following its characters’ gradual descent into ruthless tribalism in a way that eerily mirrors so many contemporary global events.
Watch the main trailer below :
Concrete Utopia has been picked by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) to represent South Korea in the selection for Best International Feature Film at the 2024 Academy Awards, and will soon have its North American premiere and gala presentation at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) on September 9.
Join us on September 29, 2023 at the Music Museum and get ready for an unforgettable night of soul-stirring melodies and captivating performances as two of OPM’s finest, Nyoy and Juris will take you on a captivating musical journey revisiting timeless classics and presenting fresh renditions of modern hits.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of Nyoy and Juris or a newcomer eager to discover their musical brilliance, this concert guarantees an enchanting and soul-stirring experience that will leave you wanting more.
Tickets are now available at TicketWorld (891-9999)/ www.ticketworld.com.ph, Music Museum (721-0635/721-6726) and at 0917-8032571.
Ticket prices in VIP at 4500, Gold at 3000, Silver at 2500 and at Balcony for 1500.
Soundtrip Sessions Volume 2 also features the talent of Kiko Versoza. Show starts at 8pm.
This production is brought to you by Dragon Arc Events Management and in cooperation with Katinko, Le Marais Esthetics, Gusto Goto and Distileria Barako.
Two Korean dramas made their premiere on Viu earlier and, by the looks of it, they’re on their way to becoming modern classics and huge hits.
If you’re a murder-mystery fan, My Perfect Stranger is a fascinating whodunit with a twist: the main characters travel back in time to 1987. The male lead, news anchor Yoon Hae-Joon (played by the handsome Kim Dong-Wook), is trying to solve a series of murders to prevent his own death in the present. The female lead, literary editor Baek Yoon-Young (played by Jin Ki-Joo who at 34 can easily pass as a high school student), accidentally time travels and chooses to stay to get to know her mother more.
Meanwhile, All That We Lovedis a story about two very close high school friends, Go Yoo (Sehun of EXO) and Ko Joon-Hee (Jo Jun-Young), and their object of affection, Han So-Yeon (Jang Yeo-Bin). Go Yoo is the school’s star basketball player while Go Joon-Hee is a shy, less athletic student. While the series also fast-forwards to when they are adults, the main story plays out when they are in high school.
The two K-dramas have very different plotlines, but My Perfect Stranger and All That We Loved are both set in high school — and here are a few lessons everyone can learn from their stories about teenage life in South Korea:
1. Have fun while you’re young
In My Perfect Stranger, Yoon Hae-Joon finds himself in 1987 by way of a car that can travel back and forward in time (it’s not a DeLorean). In the present time, his own car stalls one rainy night and he chances upon the time-traveling car in a tunnel, which takes him to a Korean countryside village in 1987. The series shows that while Korean kids wore colorful outfits in the ‘80s, it wasn’t nearly as “wild” as they were in the West. But, like everywhere else, teenagers just wanna have fun, even in a rural Korean village. The 80s vibe is so fun to watch!
2. Keep your friends close — they can literally save your life
All That We Loved opens with a big plot point. Go Yoo and Go Joon-Hee are wearing hospital gowns and fooling around — or at least the former is laughing while the latter is quite somber. In the next scene, they are being wheeled into an operating room where Joon-Hee is getting a kidney transplant from Yoo. The two boys have very different personalities, but their friendship keeps them close; Yoo defends Joon-Hee from school bullies while Joon-Hee and his grandmother provide him with a sense of family.
3. Don’t let complicated family relations break you
In My Perfect Stranger, Yoon-Young’s mom Lee Soon-Ae (Syeo Ji-Hye) commits suicide in the present, leaving her a note by the riverbank where she drowns herself. When she sees her mom in 1987, who is now younger than her, all her feelings of guilt make her stay. Yoon-Young tries to prevent her mom from marrying her dad who will not be a good husband. It’s amusing to watch the two women play out familiar family dynamics in reverse.
In All That We Loved, Yoo’s parents are both doctors and have no time for him. This leads him to become very resentful and so he appreciates his friendship all the more with Joon-Hee. It is Yoo’s parents who look after Joon-Hee when he is beaten up by the school bullies and brought to the hospital.
4. Knowing how to stand up for yourself is essential
It’s a lesson that high schoolers need to learn: stand up for yourself or you will be bullied all your life. Yoon-Young tries to teach her mom Lee Soon-Ae to stand up against her classmate Ko Mi-Sook who orders her to do her writing assignments.
Yoo also tries to teach Joon-Hee to stand up to bullies, telling him that he is taller than even their teachers, but it’s just not Joon-Hee’s personality to fight back — or at least not yet in the earlier episodes. Joon-Hee suffers from cellular memory syndrome (memories transferred through cells from an organ transplant) and when he is attacked by bullies, Yoo can also feel that his friend is experiencing physical pain.
5. Walk your own path
To the point of being stubborn, the main characters in My Perfect Stranger and All That We Loved are all headstrong and resolute in what they want. They are all charming and likable, but like with any good drama, we want to shake them by the shoulders and say, “Hey, communicate with each other!” or “Tell him about your past!” or “Tell her that you love her!”
Stream My Perfect Stranger, All That We Loved, and more Korean hit dramas for only P80/month on your PLDT Home Fiber account – the most affordable Viu Premium subscription in the Philippines.
Exciting rewards await existing PLDT Home customers availing Viu via their Fiber account. On their first month of subscription, they will receive 100 PLDT Rewards Crystals that can be used to redeem shopping vouchers and bill rebates. On their second month of Viu subscription, PLDT Home customers will receive a P100 Maya Cashback when they pay their PLDT bill via Maya.
Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua team up for the fifth time in “The Equalizer 3,” which ties Fuqua with the late Tony Scott as Washington’s most frequent director collaborator.
Washington says there are many reasons why he looks forward to reteaming with Fuqua: “His spiritual maturity, his collaboration, his humility, his eye,” says the actor. “There was never a question about his talent, his experience. We’re brothers – I trust him completely, he trusts me, and I’m excited about our future together. The deeper he goes, the higher he’ll go, and I’m not talking about movies.”
Fuqua returns the compliment: “Denzel constantly surprises me because the environment changes. He’s like an athlete,” says Fuqua of Washington. “If Michael Jordan is playing against the Celtics, it’s one game. If he’s playing against the Lakers, it’s another game. Each situation Denzel is in, he’s so much in the moment of the character, that there’s times I’m discovering constantly, ‘What’s he going to do?’”
Watching Washington be “in the moment” of his character, in Fuqua’s words, is a unique experience. “I’ll go to Denzel to give him a note about something he did, and he’ll literally ask, ‘What did I do? What did I say?’ He’s so in the moment,” shares Fuqua. “So I tell other actors that they have to be in the moment with Denzel. Your instinct has to be heightened and you have to really listen. You can’t come in with preconceived ideas, because that won’t work. It’s just like a dance – Denzel will stick to the intention of the scene, but you must move with him.”
Watch the trailer below:
While waiting for “The Equalizer 3” to open in cinemas on September 13, let’s take a look back at the previous films that the critics-favorite duo have worked on together:
TRAINING DAY (2001)
Also stars: Ethan Hawke, Eva Mendes
Synopsis: Every day a war rages between drug dealers and cops on the streets of America’s inner cities. With every war comes casualties, none greater than 13-year veteran Los Angeles narcotics officer Alonzo Harris (Washington), whose questionable methods blur the line between legal and corrupt. Today Alonzo gets a new partner, idealistic rookie Jake Hoyt (Hawke), and Jake has one day – and one day only – to prove his mettle to his fiercely charismatic superior. Over 24 hours, Jake will be dragged into the ethical mire of Alonzo’s logic as both men risk their careers and their lives to serve conflicting notions of justice.
Fun fact: Washington’s portrayal of Alonzo earned him a Best Actor Oscar.
THE EQUALIZER (2014)
Also stars: Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Melissa Leo, Bill Pullman
Synopsis: McCall (Washington) has put his mysterious past behind him and is dedicated to living a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri (Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.
THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (2016)
Also stars: Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke
Synopsis: In Director Antoine Fuqua’s modern vision to a classic story, the desperate townspeople of Rose Creek employ protection from seven outlaws, bounty hunters, gamblers and hired guns after the town falls under the deadly control of industrialist Bartholomew Bogue. As they prepare the town for the violent showdown that they know is coming, these seven mercenaries find themselves fighting for more than money.
THE EQUALIZER 2 (2018)
Also stars: Pedro Pascal, Melissa Leo, Bill Pullman
Synopsis: Washington returns to one of his signature roles in the first sequel of his career. Robert McCall serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed – but how far will he go when it is someone he loves?
And don’t forget:
THE EQUALIZER 3 (September 13, 2023)
Also stars: Dakota Fanning
Synopsis: Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.
The Equalizer 3 opens in Philippine cinemas September 13.
**The interviews for this article were done before the SAG-AFTRA strike.**
Tuna Festival of General Santos City is a celebration of the ocean’s bountiful offerings with diverse activities that mirror the city’s vibrant marine industry. In celebration of this tradition, Café Ilang-Ilang embarks on a culinary journey that puts the spotlight on the ocean’s prized gem—tuna.
“Tuna is a true gem of the ocean, and we want to highlight its amazing flavors through a variety of dishes. Our goal is to provide our valued guests with an exceptional dining experience that celebrates this extraordinary fish,” stated Ester Joy Yap, assistant food and beverage director of The Manila Hotel.
The Tuna Festival at Café Ilang-Ilang promises a gourmet adventure that showcases a wide array of tuna dishes in addition to the extensive buffet selection. Some of the dishes included are: Tuna Kilawin, Tuna Chicharon, Sinigang Tuna Panga sa Miso, Bistek Tuna Belly, Tuna Bicol Express, Sizzling Tuna Sisig, Tuna Kare Kare, Tuna-Shrimp Paella, Grilled Tuna Steak, Tuna Putannesca, and Indian Tandoori Tuna Kebab. These dishes are available on a rotating line-up at Café Ilang-Ilang’s lunch and dinner buffet until September 30, 2023.
Join us in celebrating the Tuna Festival at Café Ilang-Ilang and revel in seafood sensation that reflect the rich tapestry of the Philippine seas. For more information, please call (63 2) 8527-0011 or (63 2) 5301-5500 or email restaurantrsvn@themanilahotel.com.
