Author: Press Release

TNT’s clever and creative video for SIM Registration goes viral

Think missing the SIM registration deadline is no big deal? Think again.

Mobile brand TNT’s new online video takes viewers on a thrilling ride to show just what might happen if you fail to register your SIM before the April 26 deadline.

In the witty and catchy ad, which has gone viral with over 14 million views on TikTok and 8 million views on YouTube in just two days, what starts as a cozy night for a family quickly turns into a nightmare when a stranger appears at their door.

The tension mounts as the son cautiously opens the door to a woman who identifies herself as “09854980233″. The father’s suspicion kicks in, accusing the stranger of being a scammer and urging her to leave. But as the woman persists, the family barricades themselves inside, terrified of what might happen next.

Unable to prove her identity, the woman is found alone and rain-drenched on the sidewalk, despite the fact that she is the family’s actual mother. Watch the video below:

‘Mag-SIM Reg Para Hindi SIM Dead’

The mom’s identity in the TNT video represents her SIM, which she had failed to register and was therefore permanently deactivated. Although delivered in a funny way, TNT sends a strong message about the importance of registering one’s SIM to avoid permanent deactivation and all its hassles.

With your SIM being permanently deactivated, you won’t be able to receive one-time passwords (OTPs) for your banking apps or mobile wallets, and therefore won’t be able to access or use your savings and wallet credits. You also won’t be able to access all the apps linked to your mobile number like your social media apps, messaging apps, and delivery apps, or recover a forgotten password linked to your mobile number.

“As the April 26 deadline for SIM registration approaches, we want to remind our customers of the critical need to register their SIM. Failure to do so will lead to permanent SIM deactivation and therefore disconnection from the digital world we rely on daily,” said Francis E. Flores, SVP and Head of Consumer Wireless Business – Individual at Smart.

“TNT has always been fun-loving brand that delivers ‘saya’ to Filipinos, which is why we thought of coming up with a public service announcement that is both informative and entertaining to effectively show the dangers and hassles that come with failing to register your SIM,” added Flores.

Viewers of the TNT video have praised it for its creativity, effectively convincing them to finally register their SIM. As of April 16, Smart and TNT continue to lead SIM Registration in the country with 35.6 million registered subscribers.

To avoid permanent SIM deactivation, register your SIM in three easy steps. 1. Go to smart.com.ph/simreg or to the GigaLife App available on Google Play and Apple App Store; 2. Input your info and upload your valid ID; and 3. Wait for confirmation and your FREE 3 GB data.

Register with the Philippines’ Best Mobile Network

TNT is powered by Smart, the Philippines’ Fastest and Best mobile network, according to Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband intelligence.

Smart is the first and only Philippine mobile operator to win Ookla’s Best Mobile Network award.To get this rare and prestigious citation, Smart won both the Fastest Mobile Network and Best Mobile Coverage awards within Ookla’s Q1-Q2 and Q3-Q4 2022 reporting periods.

To learn more about TNT, follow its official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, or visit its official website at tntph.com.

April 19, 2023
The PH’s biggest milk tea chain sizzles summer with the oldest tea brand in the world

Get ready to cool down and savour the best of summer with the latest collaboration from two of the premier names in drinks. Macao Imperial Tea and Twinings of London have joined forces to create a refreshing mix that’s perfect for tea lovers everywhere. With six delicious new offerings, there’s something to satisfy your cravings any time of day.

Macao Imperial Tea, the biggest milk tea chain in the Philippines, together with Twinings Tea, one of the world’s most renowned tea brands since 1706, have combined their expertise to create new and exclusive summer beverages. The newest offerings showcase the very best of both brands providing a balanced and refreshing taste, perfect for enjoying in the sun.

The summer drink collaboration will showcase six newly curated drinks as part of Macao Imperial Tea’s commitment to bringing new flavours and combinations to its customers. Take your pick from these yummy cool refreshers:

Summer podium sale with coconut tree shadow tropical sunlight pedestal product display nature platform for presentation mockup 3d background

Cheesecake Peach Tea. Delicate peach-flavoured Twinings black tea elevated with Macao Imperial Tea’s distinct cheesecake blend. A luxurious and indulgent drink you’ll truly love.

Earl Grey Lemon Tea. That signature zesty bergamot flavour of fine black tea blended cooly with lemons for one elegant drink. Experience refreshing light tea you can experience any time of the summer day.

Mango Jasmine Green Tea. A mix of delicious mango and Jasmine flowers blended in a fragrant and flavorful embrace. Delicate floral characters and tropical bliss made for your unmistakable enjoyment.

Strawberry Mango Tea. An uplifting infusion of fruity flavours and white pearls expertly mixed for that satisfying sip. Let your tastebuds revel in this sweet and exotic cooler of strawberries and mangoes.

Lemon Ginger Tea. An invigorating cooler that brings together those beloved citrusy flavours and that ginger tang. Revive your senses with that warm and spicy zing that lingers in the tongue.

Camomile Honey Tea with Vanilla. Aromatic Camomile tea touched generously with rich honey and a hint of vanilla. Sophisticated and surprising, surely an elegant tasting refresher.

“Macao Imperial Tea is thrilled to be working with Twinings Tea on this exciting project,” said Avin Ong, CEO of Fredley Group of Companies. “We are confident that our combined strengths and passion for tea will result in this exceptional beverage that will captivate tea lovers everywhere, especially during this warm season.”

Twinings Brand Manager Jeanne Harn adds, “With the warmer season approaching, this partnership is perfect timing to offer tea enthusiasts a refreshing yet unique summer drink experience with a twist. Enjoy the drinks from morning till evening!”

Make sure to visit any Macao Imperial Tea shop and take a sip of this limited summer drink before it’s gone. The six Macao Imperial Tea and Twinings Cool Refreshers are available starting April 13, 2023.

For more exciting news and updates, follow Macao Imperial Tea’s social media pages at @macaoimperialteaph, or visit www.fredleygroup.com.

April 18, 2023
HBO Original Drama Series THE IDOL Debuts June 5

The HBO Original drama series The Idol debuts Monday, June 5. The series will air on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO GO.

The Idol is co-created by Sam Levinson (HBO’s Euphoria), Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and Reza Fahim, and stars Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and Lily-Rose Depp. The series will premiere at this year’s Festival de Cannes.

After a nervous breakdown derailed Jocelyn’s (Lily-Rose Depp) last tour, she’s determined to claim her rightful status as the greatest and sexiest pop star in America. Her passions are reignited by Tedros (Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye), a nightclub impresario with a sordid past. Will her romantic awakening take her to glorious new heights or the deepest and darkest depths of her soul?

Cast includes Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, Lily-Rose Depp, Troye Sivan. Also starring Dan Levy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Eli Roth, Hari Nef, Jane Adams, Jennie Ruby Jane, Mike Dean, Moses Sumney, Rachel Sennott, Ramsey, Suzanna Son, and Hank Azaria.

Co-creators Sam Levinson, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim; Executive producers Sam Levinson, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, Reza Fahim, Kevin Turen, Ashley Levinson, Joseph Epstein, Aaron L. Gilbert for BRON, and Sara E. White; Directed by Sam Levinson; Written by Sam Levinson, Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye, and Reza Fahim. Produced in partnership with A24. Stream or download The Idol from June 5 on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at https://www.hbogoasia.ph/ or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store for only ₱1,190 on the 12-month plan. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.

April 18, 2023
Matt Damon Steps into a Sports Visionary’s Shoes in “AIR”

Who is Sonny Vaccaro?

It was 1984 and Vaccaro, a basketball expert at Nike, hadn’t had much success recruiting top players to Nike’s basketball division. Converse had all but cornered the market with superstars like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Adidas, hyping its cool factor, was attracting the hot prospects from the draft, including the third pick – a guard out of the University of North Carolina named Michael Jordan. Putting his career on the line, Vaccaro decided to take the biggest gamble of his life. In an unprecedented move, he wanted Nike to create a shoe designed specifically for Jordan.

“It is an all-or-nothing gamble, but one in which he entirely believes because he absolutely knows and loves the game,” says Matt Damon, who plays Vaccaro in the film “AIR,” in cinemas April 19. “But he’s at a point where his career is in a precarious place and Nike’s entire basketball division is on the brink. He is risking all their jobs by pushing that agenda because he’s been told Jordan really wants to go with Adidas. Their shoes are cooler, and Nike is considered a jogging shoe company that Michael doesn’t associate with basketball. Nobody really does.

Watch the official trailer of “AIR” below:

“That was one of the things that was so surprising to me when I read the script,” Damon continues, “because I always had this idea of Nike as this absolute powerhouse in the basketball shoe market, which they are now. But when you catch them at the beginning of this story, they are the clear underdogs… One thing Sonny Vaccaro was very clear with me about was that the feelings of camaraderie, friendship and loyalty are his takeaways from that time. That’s what we wanted to put in the movie—a story about these underdogs doing something that had never been done before.”

Working with director Ben Affleck

Besides the inspiring story of “AIR,” Damon relished working with his longtime buddy Ben Affleck as his director. “Obviously, we’ve written and produced together over the years, but getting to work with him as a director was utter joy and so creatively rewarding,” shares Damon. “We tend to have similar sensibilities about what’s working in a scene and what isn’t, so we had such an ease with each other.”

Affleck also had only great things to say about his old pal. “He is very, very gifted and it was a pleasure to direct him for the first time and discover even more about him as an actor,” says Affleck about Damon. “I feel very lucky that my oldest friend and I are in the same line of work and get to work together. We’re doubly blessed in that way.”

The ticketing site for “AIR” is already live at www.airmovie.com.ph. Don’t forget to calendar your “AIR” movie date!

From award-winning director Ben Affleck and starring Matt Damon, “AIR” reveals the unbelievable game-changing partnership between a then-rookie Michael Jordan and Nike’s fledgling basketball division, which revolutionized the world of sports and contemporary culture with the Air Jordan brand.

“AIR” also stars Ben Affleck, Jason Bateman, Chris Messina, Marlon Wayans, with Chris Tucker and Viola Davis in a moving story that follows the career-defining gamble of an unconventional team with everything on the line, the uncompromising vision of a mother who knows the worth of her son’s immense talent, and the basketball phenom who would become the greatest of all time.

Affleck directed from a screenplay by Alex Convery. “AIR” is produced by Peter Guber, Jason Michael Berman, David Ellison, Jeff Robinov, Madison Ainley, Damon and Affleck.

In Philippine cinemas April 19, “AIR” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company.

Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #AIRMovie

April 18, 2023
Tropical Mocktails: Refreshing Mocktails for A Cooler Summer

For the first time ever, Locally Blended Juice Drinks and milk tea shop chain Serenitea are collaborating to help Filipinos beat the summer heat. Introducing the all-new Tropical Mocktails, a drink collection from two beloved local beverage brands who have come together to give customers a cool summer drinking experience; combining the best Filipino flavors carefully and masterfully crafted with quality, rejuvenating teas. Tropical Mocktails will be available in all Serenitea outlets nationwide starting on April 15 until June 15.

Beat the heat and support local with these three limited edition Tropical Mocktails. For a mellow taste, Paloma combines the taste of black tea and Locally’s Pomelo juice, with tones of blue tea and rosemary to create a tasty blend of rejuvenating flavors. Guyana brings in a fun blend of banana, black tea, and Locally’s Guyabano juice – topped with banana chips. Rosey Dalandan, on the other hand, offers a fresh harmony of minty black tea, blended with Locally’s Dalandan juice and roselle tea, finished off with a lemon slice.

Summer is definitely in full swing with more hot and sunny days ahead. Expected to last until May, it has become increasingly important for us to stay hydrated, but it can be a challenge for Filipinos especially with the heat index rising and the country’s humid climate. That is why Locally and Serenitea have partnered up to bring a fun and refreshingly new drinking experience to help us stay cool.

“Locally is a brand that stands for social goodness made fun. Our juices are made with local, Filipino-loved flavors, sourced from Filipino farmers. We are very excited to partner with another locally proud and innovative brand like Serenitea as we continue to introduce refreshing and unique Filipino flavorites to more customers across the country. As days get hotter, keep your cool with these fun and locally-made Tropical Mocktails,” said Gretchen King, Senior Marketing Manager, Locally Blended Juice Drink

“Serenitea prides itself to be a pioneer introducing milk and tea drinks to the Philippine market. Together with Locally, we are happy to introduce another first – mocktail drinks that make use of the superb combination of real tea from Serenitea, and Filipino-loved fruit juices from Locally,” said Juliet Chen, General Manager, Serenitea

Have a good and fun summer with the all-new Tropical Mocktails by Locally and Serenitea. Visit your nearest Serenitea store today or order online via GrabFood or FoodPanda. Follow @locally_ph on Instagram, @LocallyPH on Facebook for more news and updates.

April 17, 2023
Make your final stand in Magic: The Gathering’s “March of the Machine”

Wizards of the Coast will be releasing March of the Machine, the latest set for the world’s greatest trading card game, Magic: The Gathering. The final installment to the four-part Phyrexian storyline, March of the Machine, will see players team up with Legendary creatures and Planeswalkers from all across the Multiverse to battle against the Phyrexian invasion. The set will launch for the tabletop on 21 April 2023.

“All worlds will know perfection”

Elesh Norn, Mother of Machines and leader of the Phyrexian army, have amassed a force to take over the entire Multiverse at once. She now expands her reach to bring the glory of New Phyrexia to other planes in an attempt to complete all beings.

“One Last Stand”

Rallied by a heroic team of Planeswalkers, Legends from across all planes of existence must team up to fight the Phyrexian scourge. Popular characters from across Magic’s history will band together for the final fight with the fate of their world – and all other worlds – on the line.

March of the Machine features several new mechanics, the most exciting being a brand new card type – Battle. Battles are a new type of dual-faced card: when you play a Battle, you pick an opponent to protect it. Similarly to Planeswalkers, Battles can be damaged or attacked, and when they are defeated, flip into a powerful new card for free! This is the first new card type since the debut of Planeswalkers in 2007. With that, players can look forward to an exciting new gameplay experience.

Another feature is the creature-based mechanic, Backup. Backup allows players to add +1/+1 counters to creatures and gain additional abilities based on the creature giving the counter. Fans of the Phyrexian armada will also get to play with Incubators – artifacts that enter with a number of +1/+1 counters and can be turned into creatures by paying two mana.

Both Jumpstart and Commander product lines return for March of the Machine with five exciting themes for Commander decks:

● Phyrexian Cats

● Zhalfir Knights

● Shaman Creatures

● Convoke Angels

● Gremlin Artifacts

Five new Jumpstart booster themes will also be introduced:

● Brood

● Overachiever

● Expendable

● Reinforcement

● Buff

To capture the battles happening all across the Multiverse, March of the Machine will feature the most number of showcase art styles to date. All showcase frames from recent sets will feature in March of the Machine alongside several brand-new frames to represent additional planes. These showcase frames will primarily focus on Multiverse Legends: Teams of Legendary creatures who are fighting against the Phyrexian invasion.

Additionally, a new type of foiling process will feature in the set. The new Halo Foil pattern will appear for Multiverse Legends cards in Collector Boosters only. Lastly, the 30th-anniversary celebrations continue for Magic with three more unique promo cards released in WPN stores to celebrate the launch of March of the Machine.

March of the Machine will be available as Draft Boosters, Set Boosters, Collector Boosters, Jumpstart Boosters, Welcome Boosters, Commander decks, Bundles, and a Secret Lair.

For more information on March of the Machine, visit https://magic.wizards.com/en/products/march-of-the-machine.

April 17, 2023
The Grid Co-Living: A New Way to Live in the City

The Grid Co-Living is pleased to announce the launch of its innovative co-living space in the heart of Makati City.

The Grid Co-Living offers a holistic approach to urban living for professionals, entrepreneurs, students and creatives who want to be part of a vibrant community, while enjoying the benefits of city life. It is a purpose-built co-living development that combines high-quality, affordable accommodations with community spaces designed for residents to connect, collaborate, and thrive.

The development offers a range of room sizes and configurations, from studios to multi-bedroom apartments with modern and high-quality furnishings. There are five unit types namely, Single (14 sq.m), Triple (14-18 sq.m.), Quadruple (16-21 sq.m.), 4-in-1 (36-39 sq.m) and 8-in-1 (36 sq.m). Each unit is inclusive of a pantry space, dining area, ensuite bathroom with hot and cold shower, air-conditioning, work space and storage locker.

Residents of The Grid Co-Living can enjoy an array of amenities designed to promote community and well-being, including a rooftop swimming pool, rooftop lounge, study and work lounge, fitness center, and various establishments located at the ground floor. The co-living spaces are designed to be flexible, with short and long-term lease options including 24/7 building security.

“The influx of working professionals in Makati and the horrible traffic going to and from workplaces prompted us to venture into a co-living project. We envision The Grid to be the young urban workers’ home near their offices. We hope that cutting their travel time to and from work would improve their overall well-being,” Says Kristopher Yang, President of First Georgetown Ventures, Inc (FGVI).

The Grid Co-Living is a 10-storey, 192 room building centrally located along Yakal, Lumbayao and Bakawan Streets in San Antonio Village, Makati with access to public transport, shops, and restaurants. The property is managed by Hospitality Innovators, Inc (HII), one of the leading hotel & resort management companies in the Philippines with over 25 years of experience in the industry and 17 properties currently in its portfolio. Visit the https://www.thegrid.ph/ to learn more.

April 17, 2023
Child Actor Plays the Devil’s Chosen One in “The Pope’s Exorcist”

During the audition, DeSouza-Feighoney mimicked the voice of the Pope, incorporating German and Italian dialects, before transitioning into the unholy growls of a demon. “We weren’t quite prepared for the fact Peter had developed a demon voice,” says producer Doug Belgrad. “In the audition, he gave a performance that is not too different from the final performance he gives in the movie. He exceeded our expectations at every turn.”

Inspired by the actual files of Father Gabriele Amorth, Chief Exorcist of the Vatican, The Pope’s Exorcist, directed by Julius Avery, follows Amorth as he investigates a young boy’s terrifying possession and ends up uncovering a centuries-old conspiracy the Vatican has desperately tried to keep hidden.

“I love horror films and I’ve always wanted to star in one,” says DeSouza-Feighoney. The young actor explains that he was able to empathize with his character’s experiences. “Henry’s father died in a car accident, and he’s traumatized – that’s why the demon is able to go into him – and Father Amorth is trying to get the demon out. There are parts of the film when Henry is aware that Father Amorth is helping him – and he wants the priest to help him – but these moments don’t last very long because the demon soon takes over.”

Playing a boy possessed by a demon did not just require acting the part; DeSouza-Feighoney had to look the part too. Practical effects and prosthetics required the young actor to spend three hours in the makeup chair, giving the young actor a crooked nose, a prosthetic forehead with no eyebrows, and a jaw glued to his neck. “I also had an evil grin prosthetic, which made me look constantly smiling,” recalls DeSouza-Feighoney, who found the whole process quite awesome. “I loved getting the prosthetics done, because the finished product was really cool.”

“His favorite thing is playing the demon,” shares Alex Essoe, who plays Henry’s mother Julia. “He played an excellent little boy, but he just wanted to get on the prosthetics and talk like the demon.”

The Pope’s Exorcist is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #ThePopesExorcist

Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”

April 17, 2023
National Halo-Halo Blowout: A Tasty Success for Mang Inasal Customers

Mang Inasal Extra Creamy Halo-Halo brought delight to customers across the Philippines during the celebration of the National Halo-Halo Blowout on April 16.

“We thank all our beloved customers nationwide for making the Mang Inasal National Halo-Halo Blowout a success,” said Mang Inasal Business Unit Head, Mike V. Castro. “It is a heartwarming sight to witness families and barkadas getting together for our special one-day event. We’ve seen happy faces in our stores while they enjoy their favorite dessert and it’s a great validation for us to keep on giving our customers the best halo-halo they deserve, especially this summer season.”

As a part of its year-long 20th anniversary celebration, Mang Inasal National Halo-Halo Blowout offered a ₱20 discount on the Extra Creamy Halo-Halo Small (12oz).

Mang Inasal brand ambassadors, Coco Martin and Jane de Leon, joined the celebration by visiting branches at SM Fairview and Ever Gotesco Commonwealth, respectively.

“Salamat, Mang Inasal para sa National Halo-Halo Blowout. Marami sa atin ang na-miss ang ganitong bonding moments, kasama pa ang ating paboritong pampalamig ‘pag summer – ang Mang Inasal Extra Creamy Halo-Halo. (Thank you, Mang Inasal for the National Halo-Halo Blowout. We surely miss bonding moments like this where we also get to enjoy our summer favorite – the Mang Inasal Extra Creamy Halo-Halo),“ said Martin.

De Leon, on the other hand, shared how long she has been an avid Mang Inasal fan. “Mang Inasal Extra Creamy Halo-Halo has always been my guilty pleasure, especially during summer! Its creaminess is like no other! Mas macrema talaga!”

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Following the National Halo-Halo Blowout, customers can look forward to more more Unli-Saya activities and promos as part of Mang Inasal’s 20th-anniversary celebration.

Craving more Mang Inasal exclusives? Visit www.manginasal.com for the latest updates, https://manginasaldelivery.com.ph for delivery deals, and follow Mang Inasal on social media!

April 17, 2023
Grab-and-Go Delights: Pancake House Classics Ready at 7-Eleven
In case you missed the news, Pancake House has recently launched three (3) of their classic house favorites as ready-to-eat microwavable meals at 7-Eleven. This is perfect for when you need a quick break from your busy day and crave a satisfying meal you can simply heat in a microwave.

Pancake House Classic Favorites
1. Spaghetti, P99 – Enjoy Pancake House’s all-meat spaghetti served with garlic bread.
2. Best Mini Tacos In Town, P99 – Indulge in DIY-style tacos featuring ground beef, lettuce, tomato, onion, cheese, and crispy taco shells.
3. Beef Tapa, P125 – Savor pan-fried marinated beef strips, served with garlic rice, egg, and ensalada.
All of these products can be heated in a microwave for immediate consumption and thought they might be exactly like the store’s version, they still feature the signature taste of the ones in the restaurant. You can get them from select 7-Eleven Luzon stores.

For more information, visit the official Facebook page at @MaxsGroupKitchen.
April 15, 2023