Author: Press Release

Disney+ Announces ‘Strange World’ Streaming Debut this December 23

Disney+ has an exciting holiday gift for fans as Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Strange World is heading to the streaming service beginning Dec. 23. New key art and a special look are now available to download and share.

They’re in their element when exploring this world…

Join the Clade family and experience Disney’s #StrangeWorld, streaming December 23 only on #DisneyPlus! pic.twitter.com/uLIU4xC2iq
— Disney+ (@DisneyPlus) December 12, 2022

“Strange World” introduces a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob called Splat; Legend, the family dog; and a slew of ravenous creatures. The voice cast includes Academy Award®- and Tony Award®-nominated actor Jake Gyllenhaal as Searcher Clade, a family man who finds himself out of his element on an unpredictable mission; Emmy®- and two-time Golden Globe®-nominee Dennis Quaid as Searcher’s larger-than-life explorer father, Jaeger; comedian, actor, writer, filmmaker and musician Jaboukie Young-White as Searcher’s 16-year-old, adventure-seeking son, Ethan; actress, producer, bestselling author and TIME100 cover honoree Gabrielle Union as Meridian Clade, an accomplished pilot and Searcher’s partner in all things; and critically acclaimed actress, producer, director and fine artist Lucy Liu as Callisto Mal, Avalonia’s fearless leader who spearheads the exploration into the strange world. Helmed by director Don Hall (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Raya and the Last Dragon”) and co-director/writer Qui Nguyen (co-writer “Raya and the Last Dragon”), with Roy Conli (Oscar®-winning “Big Hero 6,” “Tangled”) producing, “Strange World” is in theaters now.

For more information, visit Disney+ www.DisneyPlus.com

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Interview with the Filipino Artists Behind Disney’s ‘Strange World’

December 16, 2022
Buy 1, Get 1 blender, food steamer & more as low as ₱20 in S&R Treats 99% Off

Naughty or nice, with membership card or none, everyone is welcome to awesome discount deals in the S&R Treats 99% Off, exclusively via MetroMart this December 16-19, 2022.

The S&R Treats 99% Off, exclusively via MetroMart, will have various items available at a big discount within a limited time slot per day. These items include Spam Luncheon Meat, Member’s Selection Fruit Cocktail, Planters Cheez Curls, Hershey’s Syrup, Pasta Toscana products, and many more.

There is also a special flash sale of kitchen appliances available at noontime for each day of the S&R Treats 99% Off, and sold in Buy 1, Take 1 bundles, too. The featured items are from top brands like Kuchenluxe, Blakk, and Baumann, and are also at 99% off discount.

Please see the S&R Treats 99% Off itineraries below:

Customers can also double down on the discounts with Payday Specials, running this Dec 15-18, 2022. By using codes DECPAYDAY 300, DECPAYDAY200, and DECPAYDAY100, shoppers may also avail of ₱300, ₱200 and ₱100, respectively. This promo is valid for ALL Users, for a one-time redemption within the promo period, and applicable across all stores, terms and conditions apply.

The S&R Treats 99% Off, exclusively via MetroMart, are applicable to New and Existing Users of MetroMart. An S&R membership is not required for online orders via MetroMart. A minimum spend of only ₱2,000 is required in order to avail the discounted items. Only completed checkout of orders within the scheduled day and time can avail the sale items.

The S&R Treats 99% Off is available in participating branches of S&R, and can be availed with or without a membership card. The Payday Specials promos are available across all stores via the MetroMart app and website. MetroMart’s online delivery service is available all over Metro Manila and key locations throughout the Philippines, including Baguio, Pangasinan, Batangas, Davao, Cavite, Cebu, Iloilo, and more.

“The countdown to Christmas is at its closest ever, and the MetroMart family are very pleased to provide such great deals to all Filipino families for the holidays. We can celebrate the spirit of giving and togetherness, and welcome the new year, too. We’ll definitely have so many more great discounts and promo events like this slated for 2023, so be on the lookout and ready to seize those deals!” MetroMart CEO and co-founder Steffano Fazzini said.

MetroMart is the #1 online grocery delivery service in the Philippines. Our grocery partners include S&R (with or no membership card required), Robinsons Supermarket, Landmark, The Marketplace, Shopwise, All Day Supermarket, Merrymart, Super8 Grocery Warehouse, Ever Supermarket, UltraMega Supermarket, and over 500+ specialty store retailers like Pet Express, No Brand, Baby Company, Toy Kingdom, Toys”R”Us, National Book Store, Office Warehouse, Southstar Drug and AllDay Rx. Customers can order from their favorite stores on the MetroMart app and have it delivered to their door in 2 hours! For more updates on MetroMart, like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok at @metromartph. Order groceries online or download the app via https://bit.ly/DownloadNowMM

December 16, 2022
A Home For Every Heart at Novotel Manila Araneta City

Araneta City, also known as the City Of Firsts, has long been known as the Metro’s Christmas Blueprint as family time, community and holiday merriment have been the focus of what the holidays should revolve around. Without fail, this blueprint has proven to be successful for decades. Even before the eye-catching yuletide displays,
a lot of QCitizens, and even those who lived in the far-flung provinces of Luzon, consider Araneta City as their home for the holidays.

Since the pandemic and for the previous two Christmases, Novotel Manila has released original music compositions with uplifting messages devoted to its supporters and front liners to touch the hearts of numerous Novo-Fans. This time around, Novotel Manila switches things up and opts for a different way of using a video narration to touch the hearts of its viewers entitled “Home” produced by the hotel’s Marketing Communications team in collaboration with Halikon Films directorArvin “Kadiboy” Belarmino and director of photography and editor Tristan Cua.

The Hotel’s moving narrative depicts the life of a busy vlogger, Hayley, who no longer has time for her parents. But since it is the Christmas season, it’s a common tradition for Filipinos to reconnect and gather for the holidays. It is a relatable story as we have all occasionally been caught up in life’s busyness, yet Novotel Manila embraces every heart yearning for true love and connection. Families, couples, and friends can enjoy and make themselves comfortable in their one and only home in the City of Firsts, thanks to all the festive deals planned by the hotel’s Heartists for this special season.

HAVE A MERRY MAGICAL STAY
Enjoy the best time of the year with Merry Magical Stays curated to satisfy the needs of families seeking a joyous staycation. Bed, breakfast, and dinner packages in December start at PHP 8,000 nett for non-holiday dates, while stays during the holidays (December 24 and December 31) start from PHP 12,000 nett. Each merry magical stay includes complimentary use of the InBalance Fitness center and pool, free use of the Kids Club by Novotel for one hour per day for two children, and a 10% discount on all massage treatments at the InBalance Spa from 10 AM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Early check-in and check-out are alsoincluded, subject to room availability.

TASTE THE MERRY MAGICAL FLAVORS AT FOOD EXCHANGE MANILA
This is the official season for overindulgence and festive meals. Bring the whole family to Food Exchange Manila to enjoy a wide array of festive buffet selections such as Roasted Tandoori Australian Lamb Leg, Roasted Turkey, Roasted Chimichurri Salmon, Singaporean Chili Crab, Glazed Christmas Ham and much more for only PHP 2,888 nett per person. Choose from the highlighted buffet dates: December 24 (6PM to 10PM) Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet, December 24 (11PM to 2AM) Christmas Midnight Buffet or Noche Buena, and December 31 (6PM to 10PM) New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet. A glass of red wine, white wine or a special holiday beverage is served to each diner as a beautiful end to the meal.

A MERRY MAGICAL BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 31ST
Every ending is followed by a fresh start. The days till 2023 are being counted down at Novotel Manila. On December 31 from 7PM to 1AM at Monet Grand Ballroom, join in the fun and enjoy a memorable countdown celebration with lots of delicious food, sparkling drinks, great music, and merriment with family and friends for only PHP 2,888 nett per person, inclusive of 1 glass of sparkling wine or sparkling juice. Admission begins at 7 PM, and the buffet is available from 8 PM to 11 PM. This offer is available to in-house guests for just PHP 2,223 nett per person.

With your family and friends surrounding you this Christmas season, find the meaning of true ‘’home’’ this holiday season at Novotel Manila, a home for every heart. Packed in this highly regarded international brand hotel is a complete experience where you would feel at home and take time to enjoy the moments that matter. For inquiries and reservations, please call (63 2) 8-990-7888 or email H7090@accor.com. More information about Novotel Manila Araneta City, its facilities and services are available at www.novotelmanilaaranetacity.com.

December 16, 2022
Kasama Ka Bukas: Student-first brand Bukas marks over half a billion tuition funded for the Filipino youth
Four years into its mission of bridging the education gap in the country, Bukas hits a momentous milestone of funding over P500M worth of tuition for Filipino students in hopes of a brighter future.

Funding The Future

Bukas, a tech-enabled education financing platform by its parent company ErudiFi, stemmed from the vision of building a better tomorrow for Filipino youth starting with affordable tuition loans. In the course of its operation, the student-first brand has helped over 15,000 students across 90 partner campuses nationwide, a proof of its consistent year-on-year growth.

Having onboarded more partners this year including expansions in Bacolod and Zamboanga, Bukas broadens its reach to help more Filipino students. Partners in Metro Manila include De La Salle University, Centro Escolar University, Technological Institute of the Philippines, Adamson University, Mapua University, National Teachers College, Our Lady of Fatima University, Far Eastern University and FEU Tech among others. In line with the vision of delivering inclusive and accessible education, Bukas is also partnered with schools outside the metro including Saint Louis University, Cebu Institute of Technology-University, PHINMA Education, and University of the Visayas, and is looking forward to growing this list soon.

The company’s growth also attests to the real demand for accessible education financing in the country. “Despite the pandemic the past 2 years, we’ve managed to continuously grow our portfolio. We’re confident that we can scale the business to help even more students continue their studies for a better tomorrow,” says Jon Robert Emlano, President of Bukas.

Angel Aquino, a nursing graduate of Universidad de Dagupan, expresses her thanks for Bukas’ help, “My school recommended Bukas to me. Thank you very much, Bukas, for the opportunity na binigay niyo sa isang tulad kong estudyanteng ina para po makapagtapos o mairaos ko ang aking pag-aaral. Dahil po sa inyo ay naipagpatuloy ko po nang maayos yung pag-aaral ko.”

Kasama Ka Bukas

A student’s journey can be quite a rollercoaster ride– gruelling projects, suspenseful grade reveals, nerve wracking presentations, and on top of it all is the pressure to do well. Surviving the student life requires a strong support system, and Bukas is determined to be part of that for many young Filipinos.

Going beyond providing tuition loans, Bukas launched its “Kasama Ka Bukas” campaign (bukas.ph/kasama-ka-bukas) where students may expect help for their studies in more ways than one.
- Content. The Bukas Blog (bukas.ph/blog) offers a wide array of content from course, career, and financial literacy that can help students navigate through their journey.
- Advice. Tomaximize each student’s learning, Bukas works together with partner schools to mount online and offline events that will help students discover more about their passions, seek advice to guide them on their path, and discover new opportunities to help enrich their lives.
- Community. Joined by the same vision of achieving a brighter tomorrow through education, Bukas reinforces the importance of one’s support system. Uplifted by inspiring stories and shared experiences, students, through an exclusive community, can come together to create valuable connections.
With Bukas showing no signs of slowing down, the team is determined to add more value to the lives of its students and partner schools, and overall improve the state of education in the country through education financing and beyond.

“Our goal next year is to be aggressive in covering more schools outside Metro Manila, providing better access to affordable financing across the country. We are also working on expanding our products and services to cater to more students and improve the user experience for the school admin and the students,” shares Emlano.
December 15, 2022
Catch the Simbang Gabi at the CCP

In keeping with the Filipino Christmas traditions, the Cultural Center of the Philippines holds its nine dawn masses, collectively known as Simbang Gabi, celebrated in cooperation with Our Lady of Sorrows Parish, from December 16 to 24, every 5am, at the CCP Main Ramp.

There will also be Anticipated Masses from December 15 to 23, 2022, at 9pm, via the official CCP Facebook Page and CCP’s YouTube Channel. The anticipated masses will be celebrated in partnership with regional parishes: December 15 – Our Lady of Piat Basilica in Cagayan Province; December 16 – Cathedral Parish of St. John The Baptist, Diocese of Kalibo, Aklan; December 17 – St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral-Archdiocese of Cagayan de Oro; December 18 – St. Joseph the Worker Chapel II in Clark, Pampanga; December 19 – Sta. Cruz Chapel of St. Joseph Husband of Mary Parish in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija; December 20 – San Nicolas de Tolentino Cathedral in Surigao City, Surigao del Norte; December 21 – Our Lady of Salvation Parish and Diocesan Shrine in Joroan, Tiwi, Albay; December 22 – Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño in Tacloban, Leyte; and December 23 – Sanctuario dela Nuestra Señora La Virgen Del Pilar (Fort Pilar Shrine) in Zamboanga, Zamboanga Del Sur.

The virtual anticipated masses aim to reach out to Filipinos and other Catholics from across the archipelago and the world. The Masses will be in English and/or Filipino language.

The novena masses will culminate with a Misa de Aguinaldo (Christmas Eve Mass) on December 24, 2022, 8pm, live on-site at the CCP Main Theater to be celebrated by Rev. Fr. Mario Sobrejuanite, S.S.P. There will be a pre-mass program at 7pm, featuring the invited choral groups while the Manila Symphony Orchestra will perform traditional tunes in welcoming the mass goers, as well as special classical numbers from Myramae Meneses, soprano.

As a finale, the Philippine Madrigal Singers will lead a 100-voice chorale in singing time-honored Christmas carols with the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

The Simbang Gabi is made possible with the hermanas and hermanos – the Philippine Navy, Manila Broadcasting Company, Star Parks Corporation, Harbour Square, Seascape Village, Senate Spouses Foundation, and the Philippine International Convention Center.

For more information, please call the CCP Venue Operations Division at 8832-1125 loc. 1412/1413. Or follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tiktok. Hashtag: #CCPSIMBANGGGABI2022 #CCPSIMBANGGABI #CCPLive #CCPPasko2022

December 15, 2022
Max’s Restaurant Makes Mornings Better with an Indulgent Breakfast Buffet
Max’s Restaurant, the iconic restaurant chain famous for its Sarap-to-the-Bones Fried Chicken is making mornings more delightful with an indulgent Breakfast Buffet. Jumpstarting the day gets easier when one’s first meal is made up of an abundant selection of dishes.

The Max’s Breakfast Buffet consists of all-time breakfast favorites such as tapa, tocino, corned beef, Vigan longganisa, and crispy bacon chips. There is also an egg station where a cook prepares the dish depending on the customer’s preference. This can either be sunny side up, scrambled, or omelette with various tasty fillings. Guests can also enjoy Pinoy morning meal staples like a warm bowl of hearty and filling congee or sweet champorado.

Since eating bread has always been part of morning routines, there is also a variety of fresh baked goods from Max’s Corner Bakery that will give everyone the energy for the day. The buffet also includes drink options such as Brewed Coffee, Juice, Hot Chocolate, and Iced Tea.

Get unlimited refills of all the dishes and drinks for only P699. Guests can get a special sneak peek of this new breakfast experience at select stores around the metro starting December 14.

This exclusive offer is available for dine-in in the following Max’s stores from 7AM to 10AM:
- Max’s Sucat – Saturdays and Sundays
- Max’s Antipolo – Saturdays and Sundays
- Max’s Tagaytay – Saturdays and Sundays
- Max’s Malate – Saturdays and Sundays
- Max’s Matalino – Thursdays and Fridays
For more information, visit the official Facebook page at @MaxsRestaurant.
December 15, 2022
WATCH: ‘Scream VI’ Teaser Trailer Takes Ghostface to New York

In a city of millions, no one hears you scream. Check out the official teaser trailer for Paramount Pictures’ “Scream VI”, in Philippine theaters March 8, 2023.

Following the latest Ghostface killings, the four survivors leave Woodsboro behind and start a fresh chapter. In Scream VI, Melissa Barrera (“Sam Carpenter”), Jasmin Savoy Brown (“Mindy Meeks-Martin”), Mason Gooding (“Chad Meeks-Martin”), Jenna Ortega (“Tara Carpenter”), Hayden Panettiere (“Kirby Reed”) and Courteney Cox (“Gale Weathers”) return to their roles in the franchise alongside Jack Champion, Henry Czerny, Liana Liberato, Dermot Mulroney, Devyn Nekoda, Tony Revolori, Josh Segarra, and Samara Weaving.

Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Media Group Present A Project X Entertainment Production, A Radio Silence Film, Scream VI.

Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett, produced by William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, Paul Neinstein, written by James Vanderbilt & Guy Busick, based on characters created by Kevin Williamson.

Scream VI is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #Scream6 and tag @paramountpicsph

Photo & Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”

December 15, 2022
Watch the biggest basketball games At The Big Dome

When it comes to basketball, there’s no other place like the Smart Araneta Coliseum. And as many of our favorite basketball leagues are winding down their respective seasons, nothing can beat the Big Dome in bringing you right at the center of the action.

This December, the Big Dome is the place to be for the biggest games of your favorite collegiate leagues. Just recently, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) held the second game of the Finals of Season 98 between the Colegio de San Juan de Letran and the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, with Benilde besting Letran and forcing a third game to decide the winner once and for all.

Meanwhile, the University Athletic Association of the Philippines’ (UAAP) Men’s Basketball Finals between the Ateneo Blue Eagles and the UP Fighting Maroons will be held at the Big Dome on December 14. UP could go home as the season’s champ, or Ateneo could get even to make way for Game 3, serving up a pre-Christmas slugfest for lovers of the sport.

Now, onto the professional league! The PBA finals will also be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum starting December 28. Whoever ends up in the finals of this much-anticipated final games will take home the Commissioner’s Cup.

“The Smart Araneta Coliseum has always been the home of basketball here in the Philippines. Since it opened its doors in 1960, the Big Dome has always welcomed fans from far and wide to celebrate the sport that many of us Filipinos love,” Irene L. Jose, COO of Uniprom said.

Smart Araneta Coliseum, is regarded as one of the premier entertainment and sports venues in the country. To date, the Coliseum has hosted over 6,000 world-class shows viewed by 35 million people since it opened in 1960. Over the years it has hosted sporting greats like Muhammad Ali, Kobe Bryant, and Joe Frazier.

“We are proud of the heritage of the Big Dome as the country’s premier sporting venue in the country, and we remain committed to delivering the best experience to both athletes and fans alike. So for basketball fans, make sure to book your tickets early because Smart Araneta Coliseum is the place to be when it comes to the biggest basketball face-offs,” Jose added.

To learn more about the Smart Araneta Coliseum, please visit www.smartaranetacoliseum.com. To purchase tickets for the games of the NCAA, UAAP, and the PBA, you may visit https://www.ticketnet.com.ph/. And to see all the upcoming events at the Smart Araneta Coliseum and book tickets for these upcoming games. You may also like and follow them on https://www.facebook.com/TicketNetPH/.

December 15, 2022
The Holiday Movie Event of the Year, ‘Avatar The Way of Water’ now in Philippine cinemas

Experience the amazing world of Pandora like never before as “Avatar: The Way of Water” arrives in cinemas nationwide today. The film makes stunning use of cutting-edge technology that allows viewers to feel as if they are in the blue world itself, showing why it is best seen in 3D, 4D, or IMAX formats!

“Avatar: The Way of Water” is the long-awaited second installment to James Cameron’s Academy Award-winning 2009 epic adventure ‘Avatar,’ the highest grossing film of all time.

Set more than a decade after the first film, “Avatar: The Way of Water” follows the story of the Sully family as they continue to live – Jake (Sam Worthington), Neytiri (Zoe Saldaña), and their children–within the blue world of Pandora. After an old enemy returns and threatens the existence of their world, the Sullies must not only fight to protect their home but also each other. With the Na’vi army on their side, can the Sully family survive not only the battles but also the tragedies that come their way?

Directed by James Cameron, “Avatar: The Way of Water” features a stellar ensemble of new and returning cast members including Sigourney Weaver (“Kiri”), Stephen Lang (“Miles Quaritch”), Cliff Curtis (“Tonowari”), Joel David Moore (“Norm Spellman”), CCH Pounder (“Mo’at”), Edie Falco (“General Frances Ardmore”), Jemaine Clement (“ Dr. Ian Garvin”), Giovanni Ribisi (“Parker Selfridge”), and Kate Winslet (“Ronal”).

The screenplay and story are written by James Cameron, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver, with co-writers Josh Friedman and Shane Salerno. The film is produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau, with David Valdes and Richard Baneham serving as the executive producers.

“Avatar: The Way of Water” is a must-watch spectacle and is definitely the perfect movie for the holidays. Grab your tickets now and get ready for an action-packed adventure in the world of Pandora!

For more information on showtimes, visit this link. For block and corporate screenings, click here.

Join the conversations online using #AvatarTheWayOfWaterPH. You can also follow 20th Century Studios Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube for more updates.

December 15, 2022
WATCH: The Trailer of “65,” New Epic Adventure from “A Quiet Place” Writers

About 65

After a catastrophic crash on an unknown planet, pilot Mills (Adam Driver) quickly discovers he’s actually stranded on Earth…65 million years ago. Now, with only one chance at rescue, Mills and the only other survivor, Koa (Ariana Greenblatt), must make their way across an unknown terrain riddled with dangerous prehistoric creatures in an epic fight to survive.

From the writers of A Quiet Place and producer Sam Raimi comes 65, a sci-fi thriller starring Adam Driver, Ariana Greenblatt, and Chloe Coleman. Written and directed by Scott Beck & Bryan Woods and produced by Sam Raimi, Deborah Liebling and Zainab Azizi. Also produced by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods.

65 is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #65movie

Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”

December 15, 2022