Looks like TWICE’s Filipino fans are some of the most excited ONCE for the drop of the iconic K-pop group’s 12th mini album, READY TO BE. Latest data from Spotify revealed that the Philippines comes third as the country with the most monthly listeners streaming TWICE, only next to the United States and Japan who are at the first and second spots, respectively.
Timed to TWICE’s highly-anticipated comeback, Spotify has a special treat in store for the ONCE fandom as the iconic K-Pop girl group takes over Spotify’s Idol Lounge. The Idol Lounge is one of Spotify’s many initiatives to bring fans closer to the artists they love by enabling the discovery of their idols’ music tastes.
Presented to fans in the form of a playlist, Idol Lounge gives the featured artist free rein to curate a selection of their favourite music and include special messages about their song choices. In addition to tracks from their discography, you can also enjoy a selection of their favorite songs by other artists.
Exclusively available now until 19 March, be sure to tune in to Idol Lounge: TWICE on Spotify and listen to the 30–track curated playlist personally recommended by the nine-member girl group. Fans will discover:
The songs on the girls’ own playlists, including tracks by fellow female artists Sabrina Carpenter, Beyonce, Nelly Furtado, and electronic music duo HONNE.
The girls’ favourite songs from their discography, such as LOVE FOOLISH from the 2019 Feel Special Album, and POP! by the group’s NAYEON
Their personal recommendations from the latest READY TO BE mini album, including CRAZY STUPID LOVE, which was co-written and selected by DAHYUN, and the title song SET ME FREE.
Why they love the music. In an audio clip by NAYEON, who recommended the song SET ME FREE, she shared that the song is about “realizing the love and showing (an) enterprising self, to risk everything to protect the love.”
Spotify’s Idol Lounge has previously featured boy groups NCT127 and Stray Kids who both let fans in on their personal song choices.
To celebrate Earth Month, ENCANTADA goes on stage once again! A collaboration with Joey Ayala for music, Al Santos for the libretto, and National Artist Salvador Bernal for production design, ENCANTADAfeatures the artists of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Professional Artist Support Program and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP). Itis a showcase of Locsin’s Neo-Ethnic Dance Style as she masterfully utilizes it to explore Filipino folklore, history, and culture, while at the same time bringing awareness to the consequences of man’s destruction of nature.
“Agnes Locsin’s ‘ENCANTADA’ is not just dance for the sake of dancing, but in truth it stands on solid research where Philippine history, folk religion, traditions, and practices are painted into the creation of the whole. Adding to that, this showcases the uniqueness of her movements which she herself conceived in creating her own dance genre – the neo-ethnic style. Thematically, she touches on women’s issues and most especially, the destruction of the environment; issues that are relevant to this day, 31 years after she conceived this masterpiece. It’s well worth a re-staging as well as a re-watching. Its a learning curve for the younger generation”, shares Tats Manahan, President of ARDP.
Recognized as the pioneer of the neo-ethnic style of dance, Agnes Locsin is a brilliant force in the Philippine dance scene which garnered her the title of National Artist for Dance. Together with contemporary Filipino music composer, Joey Ayala, and award-winning playwright, Al Santos, they premiered ENCANTADAin February of 1992.
Drawing inspiration from Philippine tribal dances, practices, beliefs, and stories, Locsin reworked and reinterpreted these into the framework of existing classical ballet and modern dance techniques, resulting in a unique dance form suited for the Filipino’s physical frame, temperament, and culture.
Agnes Locsin says in her book, Philippine Neo-Ethnic Choreography, “Each of the dances was explained to the dancers because they needed to understand all that they were doing. Along with the motivations, precision was also required for those sequences requiring unison in dancing.”
This Neo-Ethnic dance style coupled with Joey Ayala’s rhythmic contemporary Filipino music, Al Santos’ riveting Libretto, and National Artist Salvador Bernal’s remarkable Production Design, brought the story of ENCANTADAto life.
Presented by the Metropolitan Theater, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Carmen D. Locsin Foundation, the production was last staged in 2011 to critical acclaim, garnering 10 Gawad Buhay Awards, including Best Modern Dance Production, Best Choreography, Best Musical Composition, Best Production Design, and Best Lighting Design by John Neil Batalla who returns to light the 2023 Production.
Other citations include Georgette Sanchez-Vargas for Female Lead Performance and Carissa Adea for Female Featured Performance. Both of them will reprise their award-winning roles for the current 2023 production.
Also joining the cast is Kris-Belle Paclibar-Mamangun, a highly acclaimed Filipino Dancer and former member of Cirque du Soleil, who will be alternating the role of Babaylan with Carissa Adea.
ENCANTADA featuring artists of CCP’s Professional Artist Support Program and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines runs from April 14-15, 2023 at the Samsung Theater and April 21-22 at the Metropolitan Theater, with evening shows at 7:30 PM and matinees at 2:00 PM. All evening shows will have live music performed by Joey Ayala and Ang Bagong Lumad with the Philippine’s World Music Siren, Bayang Barrios.
Show Schedule:
April 14, 2023 | Friday | 7:30 PM | Samsung Performing Arts Theater*
April 15, 2023 | Saturday | 2:00 PM | Samsung Performing Arts Theater
April 15, 2023 | Saturday | 7:30 PM | Samsung Performing Arts Theater*
*With live music performed by Joey Ayala and Ang Bagong Lumad with Bayang Barrios.
Future Shows:
Alice Reyes’ RAMAHARI
Sept. 15-16, 22-23, 2023
CARMEN AND OTHER SPIRITS, a mixed bill featuring Alice Reyes’ CARMEN and new works by young Filipino choreographers
Oct. 20-21, 27-28, 2023
PUSO NG PASKO, the celebration of Paskong Pinoy
Dec. 1-2, 22, 2023
Subscribe to ARDP’s 2023 Dance Season and celebrate the best of Filipino artistry and talent! For season subscriptions and ticket reservations, email ardancephilippinesinc@gmail.com. For more information, check @ARDancePh on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Kill Boksoon is a 137-min Action/Thriller/Drama movie that revolves around Gil Boksoon (Jeon Do-yeon), a top-ranked contract killer who continues to build her impeccable kill record while raising her adolescent teen daughter Gil Jae-young (Kim Sia) as a single mother. Boksoon is keeping her job as a killer a secret from her daughter. Right before renewing her contract with the assassin agency ‘MK’ run by Cha Min-kyu (Seol Kyung-gu), she breaks her agency’s rules and consequently puts a target on her own back.
Directed by star director Byun Sung-hyun (The Merciless, Kingmaker), starring award-winning actress Jeon Do-yeon (Crash Course in Romance), Sul Kyung-gu (Yaksha: Ruthless operation),Kim Si-A (The Silent Sea, Kingdom : Ashin of the North), Esom (Black Knight), Koo Kyo-hwan (D.P., Kingdom : Ashin of the North),and a special appearance by Hwang Jung-min (Narco-Saints).
Kill Boksoon launches on March 31st, only on Netflix.
Everything Everywhere All At Once, which had a ground-breaking awards season,took home seven awards at the 95th Academy® Awards including; ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Director’ (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), ‘Best Actress’ (Michelle Yeoh), ‘Best Supporting Actor’ (Ke Huy Quan), ‘Best Supporting Actress’ (Jamie Lee Curtis), ‘Best Original Screenplay’ and ‘Best Film Editing’. Watch Everything Everywhere All At Once on HBO and HBO GO.
Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, Everything Everywhere All At Once is an irreverent and big-hearted sci-fi action adventure about Evelyn Wang, a flustered Chinese American mother who is contacted from a parallel universe and told that only she can save the world. The unlikely hero learns to channel her new-found powers and fight through the splintering timelines of the multiverse to save her home, family and herself. The global hit stars Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., James Hong and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Awarded the Oscar® for ‘Best Documentary Feature’, CNN Films and HBO Max co-produced documentary thriller Navalny was directed by Daniel Roher and explores the life and work of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who, after years of campaigning against corruption, has developed powerful enemies. Navalnychronicles the politician and activist’s brave stand against the government that tried to silence him – and his never-ending fight for democracy. The feature is available to stream on HBO GO.
Top Gun: Maverick available on HBO and HBO GO took home the Oscar® for ‘Best Sound’. After more than thirty years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete ‘Maverick’ Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. Maverick then finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialized mission no living pilot has ever encountered. Stars Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm and Glen Powell.
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 new 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.
The summer sun is shining brightly and the heat is on! Enjoy brighter days ahead and cool down with the freshest pairing of the season. With fun summer activities up ahead, SaladStop! is here to give your body the right kind of fuel so you can look and feel your best.
Nourish, energize, refresh with SaladStop!’s Sunny Duo, featuring the Summer Fling salad and Sunny Slush smoothie.
A perfect pairing Light and energy-giving, taste summer in a bowl — or wrap! — with Summer Fling (P375) which combines juicy chicken ham with romaine, kale, quinoa, carrots, sweet corn, grapes, pomelo and tossed in a tangy Sesame Lime dressing. This salad is high in fiber, protein, and iron – giving you the nutrients needed to power you up for the day.
Picnics or parties with colleagues, friends, and family are made more exciting as Summer Fling is now also offered as a Party Tray (P1,200 for salad tray / P2,300 for wrap tray). What’s more, this seasonal salad is also available for ordering as part of your Daily Bowls 3-day or 5-day subscription via saladstop.pickup.ph.
Need something refreshing on a hot day? Pair your Summer Fling salad with the Sunny Slush (P160), a sweet and zesty blend of mango, lemon juice, honey, and chia seeds. A good way to start the day or boost a slow afternoon, this smoothie is good for the palate as well as the heart.
Keep feeling fresh so you can do more, be more, and feel more this season. The Sunny Duo — enjoy it as a duo or order individually — is available from March 14 to May 8 in all SaladStop! stores.
View the Daily Bowls by SaladStop! menu here. Updates are also up on the SaladStop! Philippines Facebook page and @SaladStopPH on Instagram. Subscribe to a 3-day or 5-day meal plan via saladstop.pickup.ph and get fuss-free daily deliveries of fresh, healthy bowls and wraps from the store straight to your doorstep.
HMD Global, the home of Nokia phones, today announces the new Nokia C12. Coming with all the C-series family reassurances, it provides a more efficient smartphone experience, making the promises of durability and security more accessible than ever. It brings enhanced imaging, the most recent battery smarts for longer battery life, the latest security and privacy features, and better performance with memory extension. Plus, its resilient build has endured some of the toughest reliability tests around, so you can fully trust that Nokia C12 will stand the test of time.
Vivek Khandelwal, General Manager for Pan-Asia, HMD Global:“What people love about Nokia phones is how extremely resilient they are. The new Nokia C12 brings exactly that, plus improved performance.”
More storage and making the most out of your data
Nokia C-series devices with AndroidTM 12 (Go edition) give you an average of 20% more free storage so you can store up to a thousand more songs or pictures, or even a few hours of HD video.
With memory extension giving you 2GB of additional virtual RAM, you can navigate between your favourite apps even faster, whilst ensuring others don’t slow you down.
By cleaning up unnecessary apps running in the background, Nokia C12 ensures no data is wasted. With resources freed up and data saved, your mobile plan will go further.
Faster and more efficient
Enjoy 30% faster app opening times courtesy of AndroidTM 12 (Go edition). Greater memory combined with more advanced octa-core processing gives you an enhanced performance that can keep up with the busiest of lifestyles, while performance optimizer carries out a regular “Spring clean” for a fluid everyday experience.
Always safe and secure
In a world of growing cyber threats, the top-notch security Nokia phones are known for is always working in the background to keep you safe. The C-series family ensures at least two years of regular security patches to keep you shielded from threats.
Stellar shots day or night
Enjoy an enhanced imaging experience and capture memories with confidence in Night and Portrait modes, on both front and rear cameras, and then relive them on a stunning 6.3” HD+ display.
Pricing and availability
Nokia C12 is available in Charcoal with 5GB of RAM and octa-core CPU with Php 300 off for only Php 4,290 (from Php 4,590) on our official Shopee and Lazada store, in all Nokia mobile stores, authorized retail partners and resellers nationwide from March 15 to 31, 2023.
Holistic wellness, relaxation, and much-needed private sanctuary has returned home to its premier address as Chi, The Spa returns with enhanced facilities, featured brand partners, and an elevated program of spa treatments for our discerning urbanites.
On March 9, 2023 Chi, The Spa, Edsa Shangri-La Manila’s premier day spa reopened its doors with its full collection of wellness journeys, signature massages, and facial and body treatments. To mark its return, a short program format – Chi Chats, featuring wellness keynote speakers Elizabeth Abela and Tet Fojas Bachmann took an intimate group of guests on a quick guide to wellness fundamentals: the quality of sleep and how to get there; and the mindfulness of breathwork. Self-care being among the primary takeaways of the last couple of years, Chi The Spa’s return includes the launch of a healing journey with invitational Chi Chats resource speakers and specialists that will enable members and guests towards their holistic wellness goals.
With a comprehensive menu of treatments, Chi, The Spa’s selection includes facial and body treatments with brand partner, Algotherm. A French marine cosmetics brand with over 55 years of industry mastery on skin care and beauty with its in-depth study, selection, and assembly in what is now known as Algotherapy. A haven for not only wellness but beauty inside and out, Chi, The Spa also features New Lounge with facilities and innovative amenities on eyelash technology and nail spa treatments promoting confidence and empowerment right down to every minute lash flutter.
Embrace Your Chi
Visit Chi, The Spa and learn more about our enhanced offers, from A Little Time with Chi wellness journeys, massage therapy, to signature facial and body treatments.
Among its unique offers are treatments that blend tradition, culture, and innovation. The Traditional Philippine Hilot is an ancient traditional Filipino massage that uses banana or tuba-tuba leaves to release any obstruction to energy flow, pushes out toxins, hold changes in temperature and prevent external elements (wind or cold) from entering the body. The treatment includes the use of virgin coconut oil with ylang ylang or lemongrass scent. Traditional Philippine Hilot starts with a Foot Bath “Suob,” followed by Head and Shoulder Massage “Hingut-an,” gentle patting dry of the feet, the Hilot massage and soothing ginger tea to end the 120-minute relaxing respite.
From the deep roots of Philippine massage therapy, Chi, The Spa also serves as the haven for the unique Traditional and Royal Hammam body treatments. This enchanting old-world tradition has been transported to Chi, The Spa’s carefully curated facilities – a private refuge elegantly covered with a heated marble-topped ‘bathing slab’, cold wall panels, bathtub, and private shower and changing room. Hammam is traditional bath which may be traced to meanings related to heat or heating. Commonly referred to a Turkish Bath, it is a full body treatment that captures a reviving body scrub and a foam massage to soften muscles and refresh the mind, body, and soul. Guests can enjoy an exfoliating scrub and relaxing foam massage designed to help blood circulation, revive skin and release tension. This ritual succession was created to draw deep impurities, detoxify, invigorate, and relax the whole body.
Chi, The Spa is open to all hotel guests, outside customers and wellness afficionados. It offers a wealth of other treatments that draw inspiration from the origins of the Shangri-La legend, a place of personal peace, enchantment and well-being. It is a private sanctuary of calm, personal space and timelessness.
Nestled within Edsa Shangri-La Manila’s Garden Wing, this private luxury spa features an exclusive entrance for ultimate privacy and convenience of guests. It also features a variety of single, double and specialty treatment suites, outdoor bathing facilities, relaxation lounges, a library, and a yoga studio.
Chi, The Spa at Edsa Shangri-La, Manila is open daily from 9am to 11pm. For reservations, please call (63 2) 8633 8888 extension 7777 or e-mail chi.esl@shangri la.com.
Bonifacio Global City (BGC)’s doors are always open to those in need for an adventure. From wanting to hunt down the latest coffee shops, going for a morning cycle, to being constantly inspired by street art that add vibrancy to its streets, you’re sure to always come out of BGC feeling more refreshed and content than ever.
To initially celebrate this culture long enjoyed at BGC, the district first launched its Coffee Festival in 2022, bringing all coffee lovers into one space as they enjoyed a range of local coffee merchants. Now following this success, BGC brings the community together once more as it holds this year’s Coffee Festival – now more jam-packed by also celebrating the best of arts and biking culture.
Wheel your way towards High Street South from March 18-19, 2023 and be surrounded with coffee merchants, bike shops, and a number of art installations all while being serenaded with musical performances; To let every visitor easily access and delight in these attractions, entrance to the festival is free.
The place to be for coffee lovers
Go beyond your usual cup of coffee and explore the various merchants joining the festival. Whether you’re looking at new flavors to try out or wanting to support small businesses and local farmers, enjoy brands such as Elephant Grounds, harlan + holden Coffee, Single Origin Coffee & Tea, Malongo Atelier Barista, Coffee Lab, Pocofino, Luntian by Luna, Figaro, Paik’s Coffee, Supersam, Caravan Black, Twenty Four Bakeshop, and Tiger Sugar.
Aiming to put the spotlight on more merchants, the fest is also welcoming more shops around the metro, including De’ja Brew, Ten-Four Coffee by Overlandkings, Sspace Coffee, Wideye Coffee, Kombi Brew, Commune Coffee, Gourmet Farms, Kaulayaw Coffee + Gringos– perfect for those who’d like to try something different than their usual coffee order.
For coffee aficionados, don’t miss out on the Growing Coffee Culture talk session featuring Calibre Magazine Editor-in-Chief Carl Cunan; El Kapitan Coffee Owner and Operator Raymond So, and Coffee Commune Chief Extractor Rosario Juan, as well as an Outdoor Brewing Demo by Alex Aranzanso of Ten-Four Coffee by Overlandkings, both happening on March 18.
Inspiration starts with art
As BGC bustles with creativity, the festival is not leaving out what breathes the area to life everyday – art. Everyone is encouraged to decorate the FreedomCup installation that will find its home at the fest. There will also be an Art Section featuring the works of the Baraks collective, consisting of Archie Oclos, Tsarlyboy, Apok, Epi, and Bato Manila, who will be doing live murals on March 18 for visitors to witness their art process from start to finish.
For those looking for a sign to take the plunge and get inked, a tattoo popup by Crimson River Tattoo will be waiting to finally bring attendees’ design dreams into reality.
The ‘B’ in BGC stands for something else, too
Biking culture has seen rampant growth and love among Filipinos over the years; and BGC itself has been a haven for bikers. That said, the festival has you covered for the equipment to jazz up your future sessions, with merchants such as R.O.X, adidas,2Wheel Nation Cycling, Specialized Philippines, Built Cycles, Blocks, Passe, Everyday Camo, The Breakaway, Team ABC.
To cap off each festival day, attendees can also witness a variety of musical performances from Pedicab, Party Pace, The Espasouls, The Buzzer Beaters, The Diegos, and DJ Honey.
Meet you there? See you from March 18 to 19 and get a taste of everything BGC – from coffee to bikes to art – all in one place. For more information, be sure to follow BGC on Facebook and Instagram.
BGC COFFEE FESTIVAL is presented in partnership with Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation (FBDC) and Bonifacio Global City Estate Association (BGCEA).
The film’s amped-up action, new worlds, stakes of mythological proportion, roster of aspirational heroes, exceedingly menacing villains and signature brand of humor perfectly tailored to star Levi made signing on for the David F. Sandberg-directed sequel an easy “yes” even before the script had been penned by writers Henry Gayden and Chris Morgan.
“I thoroughly enjoyed the pitch before I even got to read the script!” recalls Levi. “When David and Henry told me what the whole concept of the second movie was going to be, I was in. I thought, ‘These are great ingredients for building a really wonderful sequel to what we had already created,’ so I was very excited about that and about getting back together with all of the cast and crew I loved so much, and it’s just a really fun role to play. I mean, I get to be a Super Hero, and a really fun one at that.”
Sandberg returned to the helm excited to take the story and characters to the next level. He says, “At the end of ‘Shazam!’ we finally introduced the whole family as Super Heroes, but we just got a glimpse of that. One of the exciting things for me in this movie was exploring more about how they live as teenagers and work as Super Heroes together—and, as you might expect, it’s not always successful. Like Shazam, they are all still young at heart, some more than others, going through everything kids do.”
However, with all of that, there is still one secret ingredient at the core of the story that Levi believes is the real hook for audiences of all ages. He reveals, “It’s wish fulfillment! At some point in all our lives, we had dreams of becoming something like a superhero: stronger, faster, braver, or just more heroic in the world. That’s why comic books exist—these colorful pages full of fantasy, surrealism and magical realism that we can disappear into. Mix that with tons of heart and humor and charm, together with David’s direction, the terrific script, our incredible cast and crew—it all coalesces to create a superhero movie for everyone and just a really entertaining film.”
In Philippine cinemas starting March 15, “SHAZAM! Fury of the Gods” is distributed by Warner Bros. Philippines, a Warner Discovery company. Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #ShazamMovie
Check out the one-sheet art below and watch Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One in Philippine theaters this July.
About Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One
Paramount Pictures and Skydance present a Tom Cruise Production a film by Christopher McQuarrie, Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One.
Directed by Christopher McQuarrie, based on the television series created by Bruce Geller. Produced by Tom Cruise, Christopher McQuarrie. Executive produced by David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Tommy Gormley.
Starrring Tom Cruise, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Rebecca Ferguson, Vanessa Kirby, Hayley Atwell, Shea Whigham, Pom Klementieff, Esai Morales, Henry Czerny, Rob Delaney, Cary Elwes, Indira Varma, Mark Gatiss, Charles Parnell, Greg Tarzan Davis, Frederick Schmidt.
Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning – Part One is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #MissionImpossible and tag paramountpicsph
Photo and Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”
