Author: Press Release

  • Save Big with Groceries Day: foodpanda’s Spectacular Grocery Sale Happening on August 18 to 20!

    Get ready for the most anticipated event of the year as online food and grocery platform foodpanda unveils Groceries Day – an extraordinary three-day shopping extravaganza happening from August 18 – 20, 2023. This is the ultimate opportunity for online grocery aficionados who know how to work hard and shop smart. Whether you’re an existing foodpanda app user or a fresh face in the foodpanda family, Groceries Day is your ticket to indulge in an unmatched experience of incredible deals and discounts on a wide range of grocery items, exclusively available on the foodpanda app.

    PH August Groceries Pandamart Day SoMe FRESH KV

    “We are thrilled to announce Groceries Day, the biggest grocery sale of the season. This event is our way of giving back to our valued customers, offering them unparalleled savings and convenience in their grocery shopping experience,” says Danielle Eleazar, Head of Marketing at foodpanda Philippines. 

    Groceries Day offers customers incredible deals and discounts across an assortment of grocery items on the foodpanda app. This fantastic opportunity also allows customers to revel in big savings, with discounts of up to 70% and an additional P300 discount using the code: GROCERDAY.

    In a unique offering, a bunch of your favorite brands have come together to make Groceries Day an unforgettable experience. Some of these awesome brands are Selecta and PepsiCo, serving up treats like Selecta’s Supreme Best Seller ice creams, Ruffles, Cheetos, FritoLay, Lay’s Truffle, and Quaker Oats. Not to forget, Nature Spring, URC, Colgate and Palmolive are also part of this exciting lineup.

    “In today’s fast-paced world, we understand the struggles that come with traditional grocery shopping – the long queues, crowded aisles, and the endless search for elusive items. We know how precious your time is, and that’s why we’ve meticulously crafted Groceries Day to be the ultimate solution for all your grocery needs. Empower yourself as you navigate through our thoughtfully curated selection of products, each one chosen with your needs in mind. More than just an event, Groceries Day is a transformative journey into a new era of grocery shopping. Our unwavering mission is to arm you with the tools to shop smart, all from the comfort of your home.” adds Eleazar.

    During this three-day extravaganza, customers can expect an array of exceptional deals and discounts, so they can save up on their grocery shopping. Whether you are stocking up on everyday essentials, planning a special meal for your family, or simply looking to save money, Groceries Day is the perfect occasion.

    So mark your calendars for August 18 – 20, 2023, and join us on the foodpanda app to embark on a one-of-a-kind grocery shopping journey. 

    For more information about Groceries Day and the incredible offers available, visit https://www.foodpanda.ph/, where you’ll find a complete list of partner merchants and top necessities that will be part of this spectacular event. Also like and follow the official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and Youtube.

  • Artistic Stakes are Higher with Cinemalaya 2024 Finalists

    Still on the high from the Cinemalaya 19 fever, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation Inc are already gearing up for the 20th edition of the country’s biggest independent film festival in 2024.

    Upholding its vision to develop and support the production of cinematic works of Filipino independent filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity, the Cinemalaya organizing committee announces the ten (10) full-length finalists who will be competing to be named the Best Film in Cinemalaya 20.

    The finalists were selected from the 20 semi-finalists who have undergone the Cinemalaya Film Lab, a three-month-long film-laboratory mentorship program to train the finalists in the different aspects of filmmaking such as scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, performance, editing, production design, sound, music, production management, and promotion strategies, among others.

    Here are the 10 finalists of the Main Competition’s Full-Length Category:

    Alipato by JL Burgos

    ALIPATO by JL Burgos

    LOGLINE: The brother of missing activist Jonas Burgos bares in this documentary the untold stories behind the confidential leads, damning evidence, and why the disappearance of his brother remains a relevant case today.

    Ang Tumandok (The Inhabitants) by Kat Sumagaysay and Richard Salvadico

    ANG TUMANDOK by Kat Sumagaysay and Richard Salvadico 1

    LOGLINE: Based on real-life trials of the Atis, the indigenous people of Central Panay, and starred by the Atis themselves, ANG TUMANDOK features a 16-year-old chieftain’s daughter as she fights tooth and nail with her people for their ancestral land. The gripping tale takes us deep into the heart of their fight, highlighting their unwavering spirit and their unbreakable bond with the land they call home.

    Aripuen (The Servant) by Christopher Gozum

    ARIPUEN The Servant by Christopher Gozum

    LOGLINE: Stranded for 21 years in a remote mountain village in a Middle Eastern country, 63-year-old Filipina shepherdess Divina Sabangan endures isolation, threats of imprisonment and deportation, homesickness, unpaid salaries, and insanity while clinging to her faith in God and love for her family. But when seven mysterious visitors arrive, they bring challenges and opportunities to finally help her return home to the Philippines.

    Balota by Kip Oebanda

    BALOTA by Kip Oebanda

    LOGLINE: A land-grabbing tycoon and a former sexy male actor are locked in a tight race for mayor in a small town. When violence erupts, Emmy, a teacher, runs into the wilderness with a ballot box, the last copy of the election results. Emmy and the community try to outsmart and outmaneuver the goons who want the elections to fail.

    Gulay Lang Manong by BC Amparado

    GULAY LANG MANONG by BC Amparado 1

    LOGLINE: Pilo is a struggling, old vegetable farmer in Benguet. His stoner brother, Ricky, is part of the prominent Benguet Marijuana Cartel and is being trained by his best friend, Razer, a cunning midget and a well-known personality in the underground Ganja community.  Amidst the all-out drug war, Ricky falls into the hands of a promising patrolman, Ariel, who is in pursuit of the organization. In a desperate attempt to uncover the cartel, Ariel tasks Pilo to fetch Razer in exchange for Ricky’s head. Unable to fulfill the terms in his attempt, Pilo now pledges his alliance with Ariel, and together they try and catch Razer to expose the Cartel and its members learning shocking secrets as they burrow deep into the world of this so-called “drug”.

    Kantil (Trench) by Joshua Caesar Medroso

    KANTIL Trench by Joshua Caesar Medroso 1

    LOGLINE: While facing threats of demolition, a coastal community of informal settlers in Purok 12, Tibungco, Davao City discovers a strange, unearthly shell by the sea. This makes them more vulnerable to menacing powers set out to destroy their homes and their humanity.

    Kono Basho (This Place) by Jaime Pacena II

    KONO BASHO by Jaime Pacena II 1

    LOGLINE: An introspective journey of a Filipino son attending the funeral of his estranged OFW father in a city in Japan that is rebuilding from the aftermath of the March 2011 tsunami.

    Love Child by Jonathan Jurilla

    LOVE CHILD by Jonathan Jurilla 1

    LOGLINE: Young, unmarried couple, AILA and PAO must agree on certain terms on how to properly raise their son, who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), if they wish to keep their relationship afloat. Or would they rather heed the call of their unfulfilled dreams?

    The Errand by Sarge Lacuesta

    THE ERRAND by Sarge Lacuesta 1

    LOGLINE: A driver is sent on a simple errand: to pick up a designer t-shirt and a tin of viagra for his boss, who is shacked up in a hotel with his lover. Simple as it sounds, the road trip crisscrosses the chasms of time, class, and character.

    The Wedding Dance by Julius Lumiqued

    THE WEDDING DANCE by Julius Lumiqued 1

    LOGLINE: In 1942, a Kalinga woman is personally invited by her husband, a warrior of their tribe, to his new wedding dance.

  • Jollibee’s Sundae Surprise: Peach Crumble Meets Newstalgia!

    Remember the joy of biting into Jollibee’s Peach Mango Pie? And the chill of that first taste of their sundae on a hot day? Well, brace yourselves, dessert lovers, because Jollibee is blending the past and the present into a scrumptious treat. Say hello to the Peach Crumble Sundae, a fusion of memories and modern cravings.

    Peach Crumble Sundae

    Peachy Perfection in Every Spoonful!

    Available exclusively in Luzon stores for a limited time, this sundae isn’t just your regular dessert. It’s an adventure! Imagine this: Jollibee’s iconic vanilla soft serve, partnered with the lush peach chunks from your favorite Peach Mango Pie. Oh, and did we mention the butter cookie crumbles and lavish caramel sauce? Heaven!

    Riding the 2023 “Newstalgia” Wave

    “Newstalgia” might sound like a buzzword, but it perfectly captures this trend. It’s all about merging the comforting tastes we grew up with and a sprinkle of the new. And in 2023, it’s the dessert trend to beat.

    Luis Berba, the Marketing Director for Jollibee Complementaries, couldn’t have put it better: “As we created the Peach Crumble Sundae, we made sure that it offers both the comfort we seek from familiar favorites as well as the thrill of trying new flavors and textures. This is why we’re very excited for everyone to try this newstalgic delight!” 

    Grab it While It Lasts!

    Priced at just PHP 59.00, this creamy concoction is waiting for you in all Jollibee Luzon stores. Whether you’re dining in, grabbing a take-out, swinging by the drive-thru, or ordering a delivery, ensure you experience this wave of delicious newstalgia.

    Stay Bee-Updated

    Craving more buzz-worthy news from Jollibee? Stay in the loop! Like Jollibee on Facebook, hit subscribe on Jollibee Philippines’ YouTube channel, and follow @jollibee across Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.

  • UNIQLO and Clare Waight Keller to Unveil UNIQLO : C on September 15

    Global apparel retailer UNIQLO today announces the start of a new era for its womenswear with the launch of UNIQLO : C, a women’s collection created by acclaimed British fashion designer, Clare Waight Keller. Waight Keller’s fluid designs, delicate use of color, and modern silhouettes bring to life a fresh new vision of UNIQLO LifeWear for customers.

    Photo Press Release UNIQLO and Clare Waight Keller to Unveil UNIQLO C

    The name UNIQLO : C was selected to reflect the many elements throughout the collection that are inspired by the letter C : Curiosity, Conversation, City, Clarity, Connection, and Creativity, as well as the designer’s name, Clare. The UNIQLO : C collection combines advanced techniques and sophisticated designs cultivated from Clare Waight Keller’s extensive experience, delivering comfort and functionality to fully support and align with people’s lives today. It is a collection where each piece feels tailor made, and where the joy of wearing refined ready to wear intersects effortlessly with the ease and comfort of familiarity.

    Yukihiro Katsuta, Fast Retailing Group Senior Executive Officer and Head of R&D for UNIQLO, commented, “UNIQLO : C marks an exciting new chapter in the design of UNIQLO women’s wear. I believe Clare’s wealth of experience and her designs that fully appreciate the modern woman will usher in a new standard of LifeWear for women. We hope to continue to work with Clare for a long time to come, creating collections full of energy and sensibility that will delight the wearer.”

    Clare Waight Keller said: “I am honored to have been asked to create a new label for UNIQLO. I have long appreciated its LifeWear design philosophy of technical innovation and functional authenticity. I have always admired the Japanese aesthetic of subtlety, simplicity and detailed perfection, so to be able work with the UNIQLO team to craft a new sensibility for my womenswear collection on such a global scale is a truly exciting opportunity.”

    COLLECTION

    The classic trench coat is redefined in a four-season gabardine twill. PUFFTECH blousons and coats are warm yet lightweight, and the light down is specially treated with anti-static technology. Soft luster satin is heat-pressed to create the perfect knife pleated maxi skirt. The trousers cut a casual attitude while fluid skirts and dresses come in delicate micro-floral and paisley prints which can be mixed and matched with a collection of relaxed sweaters, and shrunken cardigans. UNIQLO’s iconic round shoulder bag comes in a chic, oversized version that can transport all your personal items. A variety of appealing shoes are also available to complete the style.

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    More Information About the UNIQLO : C Collection is Available at the Special UNIQLO : C Website https://www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/contents/collaboration/uniqlo-c/23fw/

    Clare Waight Kellerd

    Photo Clare Waight Keller

    British-born designer Clare Waight Keller has worked at many of the world’s top fashion houses and has been the Creative Director of some of the world’s best-known luxury brands in London and Paris, where she oversaw ready-to-wear and couture collections. In 2018 she won Womenswear Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. She was named one of the most influential people of 2019 in TIME magazine’s TIME 100 Awards.

  • ASICS AW 2023 Collection: A Fusion of Style, Performance, and Eco-Consciousness in Bangkok Showcase

    While globally recognized for their sports shoes, ASICS’ launch at Urban Yard, Bangkok, showcased its grandeur in all its categories – Performance Running, Core Performance Sports, and ASICS SPORTSTYLE and Apparel. The event layout resonated with the brand’s multifaceted image, engaging attendees with four unique thematic spaces.

    ASICS AW23 Media Preview Setup and Product Display 4

    A Gathering of Icons and Influencers

    Southeast Asia’s prominent media figures, brand partners, and celebs graced the launch. Philippines’ pride, Miss Universe Philippine 2019, Gazini Ganados, influencers Bea Benedicto, Marline Capones, and actor Gab Lagman were among the illustrious attendees. Global icons, from Tay Tawan, Pon Nawasch, Toey Pongsakorn, and Neng Sarun to marathon sensation Natalie Dau, underscored the collection’s global appeal.

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    “ASICS is firmly rooted in the founding philosophy of “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body” in a bid to improve both the body and mind through movement in sports and exercises. The new Autumn Winter 2023 collection aims to inspire all within the community to move their bodies to positively impact their mental and physical health.”  – Yogesh Gandhi, Managing Director of ASICS Southeast Asia.

    Embracing Sustainability with Art

    The event emphasized sustainability, with ASICS joining hands with Thai artist WISHULADA. Their collaboration birthed art installations crafted from repurposed ASICS products, symbolized aptly by the upcycled ASICS logo. This sustainable theme highlighted their eco-conscious ASICS GEL-LYTE™ III CM 1.95 shoe.

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    Performance Running: A Legacy Continues

    Guests explored ASICS’ groundbreaking running innovations, from the GEL-CUMULUS 25 to the 30th-anniversary special, GEL-KAYANO™ 30. An interactive GEL-KAYANO™ 30 Running Clinic offered a tactile experience, spotlighting the shoe’s three-decade-long evolution. Most notably, guests were introduced to the latest 30th anniversary iteration of the ASICS GEL-KAYANO™ series – the GEL-KAYANO™ 30 – that is designed for a more comfortable and stable ride with the 4D GUIDANCE SYSTEM™. To put the shoe to the test, regional guests had the first-hand opportunity to participate in the GEL-KAYANO™ 30 Running Clinic held earlier in the day, that has been designed with stability-centric workouts while having the opportunity to learn about the shoe’s illustrious 30-year legacy.

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    Fashion Meets Function: Core Performance Sports

    Guests got a glimpse of the GEL-RESOLUTION 9 Tennis Shoe, a majestic collaboration with fashion giant BOSS. ASICS’ ACTIBREEZE AW23 and NAGINO Collection emphasized comfort and body confidence. Complementing the launch, ASICS initiated the ‘Move Every Mind‘ study, highlighting movement’s mental health benefits.

    ASICS SPORTSTYLE Café: Where Fashion Meets Comfort

    The SPORTSTYLE Café showcased trendsetting designs from the AW23 Collection. Trailblazing in the SPORTSTYLE category, the ASICS AW23 Collection combines form, function and fashion to put forth reimagined models of the GT-2160, JAPAN S ST and EX89. Through the eyes of fashion house Cecile Bahnsen, the ASICS GT-2160 harmonises everyday couture intricacies of hyper feminine form and embellishments fused with ASICS’ technical expertise. The JAPAN S ST model amps the iconic basketball silhouette with improved cushioning and modern properties, while the latest iteration of the EX89 flashes new colourways on top of the inaugural introduction last year.

    Embrace the Autumn Winter 2023 ASICS collection available at key ASICS outlets, premium department stores, and online at ASICS.COM.

    For the latest on ASICS, connect online:

    Website: ASICS.COM
    Facebook: ASICSPhilippines / ASICS Sporstyle PH
    Instagram: ASICS Philippines / ASICS Sportstyle Philippines

  • Shangri-La Plaza sends K-fans over the moon with HallyUniverse Fair

    Shangri-La Plaza dives into the dynamic world of K-culture with HallyUniverse KFair on August 19-21 at the Red Carpet Cinema.

    The free fair blasts off with Hello Future: Hallyu Fest Opening on August 19, 11am at the Red Carpet Cinema Lobby.

    Hallyuniverse

    It’s followed by back-to-back afternoon sessions on academic opportunities in South Korea starting 1PMat the Red Carpet Cinema Premier. Check out Go na sa Korea to Study (GKS): A Brief Talk on Academic Opportunities organized by Global Korea Scholarship Philippines Alumni Association, Following the K-Dream: Fan’s Journey for Academic Pursuit by UP Korea Research Center and UP Department of Linguistics.

    Jinho Bae

    Get the fun started with Zimzalabim: Fanzone and Games by 3PM at the Red Carpet Cinema Lobby! Hosted by singer and YouTuber Jinho Bae, Zimzalabim is where fans can join entertaining games and karaoke sessions, and win exciting prizes from Max’s, Puma, Globe Kmmunity PH and Viu Philippines. They can even shop for their merch must-haves at the booths run by trusted merchants like Shopparkjimin, Catherine Ong, KAJ Designs, Coolbreeze Charlie and Hangang Friends. Local fanbases such as BTS PH, ONCE HQ, Carat Land Philippines, Cha Eun Woo PH, NewJeans Philippines, Korean Drama Society PH, Red Velvet Philippines, ONE DREAM TXT Philippines, Enhypen Philippines, and ZB1 Philippines are also organizing booths and activities for Filipino fans at Hallyuniverse.

    Brands like Dunkin Donuts that’s already brought Korean stars Cha Eunwoo and Kim Soohyun to the Philippines are also putting up booths to delight more fans. Others joining in are Korean grocery store No Brand, BT21 goodies seller Kosneyland, and online video streaming service provider Viu Philippines that’s loved for its diverse catalog of K-drama and K-films.

    Explore more K-fun as the fanzone also features, mouth-wateringly delicious K-street food, and a spot to try on and take photos with the traditional hanbok. Keep the energy up at Polaroid Love: Meet Me Korean Photobooth and Blue Hour: K-booths and Fanclubs throughout the fair.

    Dance The Night Away: A K-POP Random Play Dance led by Big Crown Productions completes the first day of HallyUniverse with energetic K-pop fans dancing to contagious K-pop earworms by 4PM at the Red Carpet Cinema Lobby.

    On August 20 and 21, fanbase DOrKyungsoo Philippines is indulging EXO-Ls, Dandanies, and K-cinephiles with multiple screenings of the space survival drama The Moon starring the main vocalist of legendary K-pop group EXO and actor Doh Kyungsoo. Also featuring respected Korean actors Sol Kyung-gu known for acclaimed films like Peppermint Candy and The Merciless and Kim Hee-ae from the popular The World of the Married series, the highly anticipated Korean film by Along With the Gods film series director Kim Yonghwa is a riveting tale on what it takes for one man to survive in the cold depths of space.

    Time to go over the moon with your ults and biases and have a jolly good Hallyu-filled time at Shangri-La Plaza!

    For updates and inquiries, follow Shangri-La Plaza on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial and on Instagram @shangrilaplazaofficial.

  • Davao Aurora Music Festival 2023: A Spectacular Fusion of Finest OPM Acts and Hot Air Balloon Extravaganza

    Brace yourselves for an unprecedented extravaganza that is set to make history as the first-ever Davao Aurora Music Festival and Hot Air Balloon Display takes flight this coming October 28, 2023.

    This groundbreaking event promises to captivate audiences of all ages with a mesmerizing fusion of live music from the country’s top acts, artistry, and a stunning hot air balloon display that will leave you in awe.

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    Dubbed as a monumental celebration of music, culture, and artistic expression, the Davao Aurora Music Festival will bring all the fun while highlighting Davao City’s vibrant cultural landscape. Organized by EPIC EVENTS in collaboration with Eggstop and Mr. Machiatto, this festival is the culmination of a vision to create an experience like no other, embracing the finest local talents of today.

    Prepare for electrifying performances from some of the Philippines’ most beloved musical acts as the Davao Aurora Music Festival brings together an enchanting lineup headlined by none other than Ben&Ben, Zack Tabudlo, and Adie. Music aficionados of all ages will groove to the heartwarming melodies and soulful tunes that have captivated the nation.

    Furthermore, The Davao Aurora Music Festival is a family-friendly affair, open to music enthusiasts of all ages, with the condition that children under 3 years old are accompanied by an adult on a 1:1 ratio. This ensures that everyone can revel in the joy of music and creativity, fostering an atmosphere of inclusivity and togetherness.

    That’s not all. The festival will proudly bring amazing hot air balloon displays for everyone! The festival is expected to transcend the auditory senses, extending to the visual realm with a breathtaking hot air balloon display. 

    Embark on an adventure in the sky as majestic balloons adorned with special characters for AURORA Mode transform the atmosphere into a magical wonderland, making this event truly unforgettable.

    Mark your calendars for October 28, 2023 at Crocodile Park Concert Grounds Davao Riverfront which will provide the perfect backdrop for a day of musical euphoria and awe-inspiring visuals.

    Festival ticket prices are P1,000 for Gold & P3,000 for SVIP. 

    Tickets are expected to sell out fast! First come, first serve basis! 

    Tickets go on sale starting August 16, 2023.

    Visit our website for tickets https://ticket.epiceventsph.com/ and www.smtickets.com

  • Binge-Watch This Thrilling Drama Now: ‘Manhattan’ Is a Must-Watch After Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’

    Still can’t get over Oppenheimer? Christopher Nolan’s newest masterpiece hasn’t just captivated audiences around the globe, but has also sparked renewed interest in the historical events surrounding the development of the atomic bomb during World War II. If you want to delve even deeper into the subject, you’re in luck — the critically-acclaimed period drama Manhattan Season 1 and 2 is now streaming exclusively on Lionsgate Play.

    Manhattan Poster

    A fictionalized retelling of the events surrounding the Manhattan Project, Manhattan is a gripping drama set in Los Alamos, New Mexico during the height of World War II. The series follows the brilliant yet flawed scientists and their families in Los Alamos as they navigate a world saturated with intrigue and tension. Though the series isn’t intended to be historically accurate, history buffs will enjoy the attention to detail and comparing the fiction against the facts. For instance, J. Robert Oppenheimer (Daniel London) makes recurring appearances.

    With a stellar cast that includes John Benjamin Hickey, Olivia Williams, Rachel Brosnahan, Ashley Zukerman, and David Harbour,  Manhattan was met with positive reviews when it first aired in 2014. Its first season got a 90% “certified fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and its second had an even higher score of 92%. Manhattan also won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Design at the 67th Primetime Emmy Awards and Excellence in Title Design at the 2015 SXSW Festival.

    Creator and Executive Producer Sam Shaw, on how at the heart of it, the show is about secrets and their impact on relationships and society: “At a fundamental level, this is a show about secrets. As a person and as a writer, I’m really interested in the things we choose not to tell each other. I think a lot of the time, the things we conceal are more revealing than the things we choose to share with the people we love, with our friends, with strangers… So fundamentally, that’s what the show is about, it’s a show about secrecy and secrets, what secrets do to a marriage, what they do to families, to friendships, what they do to a community, what they do to a country. Part of it, for me, I think we’re living in a moment where we as a country are grappling with the question of how many secrets we keep, how we keep them, what level of secrecy is acceptable in a democracy. Really, I think this story is a story of the beginning of that conversation. It’s the moment when as a country, we began to keep the biggest secret of all, which is that we had this weapon with the capability of wiping all human life off the face of the planet.”

    You can now watch all episodes of Manhattan on Lionsgate Play.

  • Lifelong “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” fans Seth Rogen and director Jeff Rowe talk about their vision for “Mutant Mayhem”

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles made a big impression on Seth Rogen at a very early age. “The animated series came out in 1987, when I was five. The first movie came out in 1990, when I was eight,” he says. “It was perfectly geared toward someone my age and I loved it. They were funny. They were referential. I started taking karate probably because of the Turtles. I was just kind of obsessed.”

    So when Brian Robbins, President and CEO of Paramount and Nickelodeon, called Rogen to ask him if he’d like to discuss making a new Turtles movie, Rogen already knew exactly what he wanted to do. 

    “It’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” Rogen says. “Of all those words, the teenage part was the most under-explored, and the most interesting to me.” And that is how Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem began. Rogen saw in it a Turtles movie made with a genuine teen spirit – breaking all the rules, ripping up the playbook and doing everything on its own terms. 

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    To help shape a Turtles movie with the wit and verve they wanted, Rogen, his producing partner Evan Goldberg, and Mutant Mayhem producer James Weaver  needed a director who could tell a story full of heart and humor, but who was also not afraid to break the rules. They were pointed in the direction – by Phil Lord and Chris Miller no less – of one man: Jeff Rowe, co-writer and co-director of The Mitchells Vs. The Machines.

    Rowe admits that he didn’t need all that much in the way of persuading. As a professed lifelong Turtles fan, when he heard there was a search on for a director for a new version of them, his head started spinning. “I thought, ‘That sounds like a dream project. I would kill to do that,’” Rowe says. 

    Rowe and his producers all agreed on the direction for the story, which would consider the siblings teenagers first, turtles second. But then Rowe wanted to push the concept even further. What if the movie about teenagers looked like it was made by teenagers? “When he first pitched it,” laughs Goldberg, “we said, ‘Maybe… I don’t know, man. It sounds a little crazy.’”

    It probably was a little crazy, at least at first. Rowe’s idea was that he wanted to make a movie that looked not slick and polished – like most CG movies – but as messy, fun and unpredictable as the story’s heroes. “We just wanted it to look like teenage drawings,” says Rowe. “You know, the kind of drawings you did when you were in high school that have weird shapes and bad perspective but are lovingly rendered in places. And were always sincere.”

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    As the Turtles co-creator and a man who has seen them transform so many times over the years, Kevin Eastman couldn’t be more happy with what everyone has achieved with Mutant Mayhem. “It’s big and loud and proud,” he says. “These guys nailed it.”

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem opens in Philippine cinemas August 23. Cowabunga! 

    **The interviews with Rogen and Rowe were done before the writers’ and actors’ strikes.** 

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    About Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

    In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, after years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts. Their new friend April O’Neil helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.

    In Philippine cinemas starting August 23, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #MutantMayhem #TMNTMovie and tag paramountpicsph

    Photo and Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”

  • ARTablado Presents Dream Line by Arturo Arsega, Jr.

    The line drawings of artist Arturo Arsega, Jr. call to mind art class projects where one had to draw faces and figures without lifting the pen or brush from the paper. The end result may look deceptively simple but getting there takes practice and a lot of trial and error. 

    PR ARTablado Presents Dream Line Arturo Arsega Jr.

    Arsega makes it look easy even if the journey he took to get to where he is now was not exactly a walk in the park. By his own admission, he wandered into the art scene just three years ago after working for close to a decade in the Middle East.

    PR ARTablado Presents Dream Line Every Breaking Wave

    “I worked as a sales representative in Saudi Arabia until our company closed down. I returned to the Philippines where I got sick and had to be hospitalized and operated on. Sobrang down ako,” Arsega narrated. 

    PR ARTablado Presents Dream Line The Series of Emotion

    Few people know about this chapter in his life. It was during this low point that he turned his attention to the arts. “My only concession to my health predicament then was the time I spent drawing on my own.”

    PR ARTablado Presents Dream Line Flashback Memories

    Arsega had long been interested in drawing. As a child of seven, he would draw on whatever he could get his hands on including cartons and paper packaging. Drawing comics was his way of expressing his creativity and letting his imagination run free. The images he would draw often consisted of human faces showing a range of emotions—ecstatic, despondent, frightened, and expectant.

    PR ARTablado Presents Dream Line We All Belong

    He would return and focus on this decades later after experimenting with landscapes and abstract art. Arsega counts Vincent Van Gogh as a major inspiration not just because of the works of art he would go on to create and belatedly earn recognition for, but also because of his troubled journey as an artist. 

    PR ARTablado Presents Dream Line Exceptional Series 3

    His favorite artwork? Spoliarium by Juan Luna.

    Arsega’s line drawings may not be as detailed or belabored like Van Gogh’s and Luna’s but he has made them his own. With the addition of a few strokes of paint or a background in a watercolor-like wash, he has come up with his own distinct style.   

    PR ARTablado Presents Dream Line Unstoppable Confidence

    “My style is a combination of continuous line art emotions and abstract art. I find that I’m able to connect with viewers with this type of artwork,” he said.

    PR ARTablado Presents Dream Line Mask On

    Despite no formal training whatsoever, Arsega was able to find his style that resonates with viewers. He said he researched on how best to showcase his talent. In 2020, with the help of an online gallery, he was able to sell his first artwork. It signaled his entry into the art scene.

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    Since then, Arsega has gone on to hold a solo exhibit with his second solo show opening at ARTablado, Robinsons Galleria this August 16 – 31. He chose to title it “Dream Line” because this has been his dream since he was a kid. “All the lines I drew as a child have led me to this moment, a moment I only used to dream about.”

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    Visitors will get to see Arsega’s line drawings as well as some of the new artistic styles he has been experimenting on.

    “I’m very thankful for being given the chance to exhibit my work at ARTablado, and become a part of their family especially since I’m a fairly new artist,” he said.

    Established in 2020, Robinsons Land ARTablado, a portmanteau of “art” and “entablado” is Robinsons Land’s very own stage in showcasing the Filipino ingenuity and creativity. This platform allows emerging and established artists to freely express themselves through art and paves the way to greater recognition of their talent and hard work. To date, ARTablado has mounted numerous exhibitions and hosted over 300 artists.