Christmas is the season of giving. It is a time when we share our blessings with those we love and value the most. It’s also the time of year when many of us try to make a difference in the lives of others. This year, Araneta City is doing its part to make the Holidays merrier through various programs that aim to uplift lives in time for this most special season.
The City of Firsts together with the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF) announced during Araneta City’s giant Christmas tree lighting event last October 28 that they are giving children from five groups and organizations – Bahay Kalinga, Father’s House, St. Martin de Porres Center, Inc., GK Munting Pamayanan PWD Community in Project 4 Quezon City, and the Laura Vicuña Foundation, Inc. – a special experience for a Christmas celebration like no other.
Helen Valenzuela, JAAF’s Outreach Program Coordinator, said the kids will be treated to an exciting fun-filled day at two classic Christmas attractions that will make an exciting comeback in Araneta City. They will be given free unlimited rides at the modern Fiesta Carnival theme park, and will have the best view of the returning Christmas on Display show – a well-loved holiday tradition that features animatronic puppets that portray classic Christmas tales – in time for the National Children’s Month celebration.
“This is our simple way of giving [them] a happy and memorable holiday celebration like no other. We look forward to seeing the kids very soon and we hope that [they’ll] have a wonderful time here at the City of Firsts,” Valenzuela said.
Aside from this, Araneta City and JAAF also reactivated on October its Operation R.E.A.C.H. (Relief Efforts of Araneta City-zens to Help) donation drive, this time to provide for communities affected by Typhoon Paeng. Donation boxes were placed at Gateway Mall and Tower, Ali Mall, and Farmers Plaza to gather donations such as bottled water, canned goods, rice, mats and blankets, face masks, and alcohol and hygiene needs.
“Many of our fellow Filipinos were devastated by the recent typhoon and we know that by working together and helping each other out, we can at least alleviate the difficulty of the victims,” Diane Romero, JAAF Executive Director, said.
Araneta City and JAAF will host the chosen children and will turn over donations this November.
“Christmas is a time for sharing and giving. Many of our countrymen are now faced with the prospect of celebrating the Holidays under difficult circumstances. This is our way of helping them feel the light of Christmas even during the harshest times,” Marjorie Go, Araneta City’s AVP for Marketing, said.
The CCP Visual Arts and Museums Division presents its final venue grant exhibition for the year, “Komiks: Sining Biswal,” on display from November 15 to December 15, 2022, at the Pasilyo Vicente Manansala (CCP 2F Hallway Gallery).
The exhibit, curated by Randy Valiente, features original works and illustrations by select comic artists and illustrators from different eras. Pieces from the private collections of Alfredo Alcala Jr., Bambi Eloriaga-Amago, Jay Ignacio, Mickey Serafica, Damian ‘Ian’ Velasquez III, Dr. Tedi Gustilo Villasor, and Louie Villegas are also included. It aims to showcase portions of the rich artistic history of Philippine comics and some examples of the prevailing comic styles from various eras.
Participating artists include: Ding Abubot, Bambi Eloriaga-Amago, Roland Amago, Lui Antonio, Ardie Aquino, Alfredo P. Alcala, Kajo Baldisimo, Mitzi Bajet, John Becaro, Jio Beltran, AJ Bernardo, Elmo Bondoc, Jun Borillo, Amado S. Castrillo, Joanah Rose Tinio Calingo, Melvin Calingo, Tony Caravana, Mel Casipit, Ernie Chan, Christine Faye Villanueva Chelaban, Francisco V. Coching (+), Karl Comendador, Alloise Al De Freed, Ched De Gala, M.A. Del Rosario, Meyo de Jesus, Jess Escalona, Rod Espinosa, Rommel Fabian, Aaron Felizmenio, Tenny Henson, Xerx Javier, Jim Jimenez, Lady Storykeeper, Jun Lofamia, Jo Luna, Derrick Macutay, Rey Macutay, Florence Maglalang, Renn Maglalang, Nestor Malgapo, Mervin Malonzo, Lan Medina, Rudy Nebres, Alex Niño, Ed Padilla, Tepai Pascual, Gener Pedrina, Bernard Kenneth Peña, RH Quilantang, Mars Ravelo (+), Francisco Redondo, Nestor Redondo, Virgilio Redondo, Amparo Roxas, Dexter Roxas, Amiel Rufo, Noah Salonga, Mar Santana, Hal Santiago, Rolly Santiago, Donato Santos, Paolo L. Simbulan, Hal Solitario, Randy Valiente, Vicatan, Rudy Villanueva, Antonio Velasquez, EV Yu, and Jon Zamar.
Partly inspired by Western comic strips and comic books, Filipino komiks were first introduced in the 1920s. It gained popularity from the 1970s to the 1980s. However, due to the introduction of new entertainment and the economic challenges in the publishing industry, komiks suffered a decline. There have been efforts to revive the Filipino komiks industry in recent years, especially with the advent of graphic novels and their multimedia iterations, and the resurgence of independent publishing initiatives.
Exhibition hours are from Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 6 pm, and are extended until 9 pm on evenings with shows at the CCP Main Theater. There will be a special artists reception on December 3 (Saturday), at 11am, with pop-up booths by Libreriangelo, Komikon Inc., Haliya Publishing, MIXD, Chopsoy Comics, ANN Group, and Urban Sketchers Manila until 4pm.
For inquiries, contact the CCP Visual Art and Museum Division at 8832-1125 loc. 1504/1505, email vamd@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Follow the CCP and CCP VAMD social media accounts in Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for more updates.
It’s no secret that sunscreen is the single most imperative step in any skincare routine. Gone are the days when SPF protection is limited to beach trips and sun care. By now, it is common knowledge that sunscreen use is not only key to skin cancer prevention (which truly saves lives!), but is also the best go-to product for anti-aging!
UV protection has therefore become a bare minimum requirement in skincare. Korean-inspired skincare brand, Hello Glow, knows this by heart. Having been the first local brand to champion third-party laboratory test certifications in all its SPF claims, in line with its goal to educate the Philippine market about the importance of transparency in product labeling and understanding skincare ingredients.
This time, Hello Glow takes it up another notch, introducing a new multitasking sunscreen jampacked with myriad skincare benefits due to popular demand: the Hello Glow Ultralight ++ Matte Sunscreen SPF 30+ PA+++ in an economical 50g pouch!
Raved by top-tier dermatologists and skincare vloggers for its high-tech formulations and commitment to clean beauty, followers of Hello Glow may recognize its new release as the 10g day cream product part of the brand’s flagship skincare set, the Hello Glow Advanced Rejuvenating Set.
“We are a firm believer that the best sunscreen is one that you will be willing to use and reapply regularly every single day! We received so much feedback asking for a bigger size because our users simply loved the formula,” says Denice Sy-Munez, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer at Ever Bilena Cosmetics, Inc. and the founder of Hello Glow.
According to Sy-Munez, beyond sun protection, their innovation team focused on creating a “comfortable and lightweight serum-like consistency” as well as incorporated active ingredients that are proven to be effective in addressing the major skin concerns of Filipinos.
“Most of our users are either seasoned skincare enthusiasts or recent converts from the ‘rejuv’ market,” shares Sy-Munez. Thus, the Hello Glow Ultralight ++ Matte Sunscreen utilizes an innovative blend of Centella Asiatica with 3 types of Ceramides to effectively calm and soothe skin, while simultaneously nourishing and repairing the skin barrier.
It also contains 4% Niacinamide, a popular multitasking skin-brightening agent that helps control oil production, blurs the appearance of pores, treats acne, and lightens dark spots. Sy-Munez states that “dermatological journals have shown that 4% Niacinamide is 80% as effective as 4% Hydroquinone in treating melasma, without the harmful and irreversible side effects!”
The sunscreen consists of an innovative and powerful brightening active ingredient Hexylrescorcinol for further antioxidant protection. Sy-Munez adds that the synergy of Niacinamide boosted with Hexylresorcinol can even out discoloration and reveal visible and superior anti-aging benefits. “It’s not as commonly used or known in the Philippines, but trust that it can do wonders for your complexion!”
To support its sun protection claims, the Hello Glow Ultralight ++ Matte Sunscreen has a BioNest certified DAISO UV Transmittance Analyzer SPF rating of SPF 43+ PA+++. The sunscreen can also be used as a primer before applying makeup, and as a nourishing daily barrier sealing moisturizer.
For those who prefer a watery-like sunscreen or a tinted moisturizer with SPF protection, Hello Glow offers two other multitasking sun care products respectively, the Hello Glow 3-in-1 Lightweight Sun Care Gel and Hello Glow Anti-Pollution Tinted Sunscreen with tone-adapt technology.
Hello Glow is available online at Shopee, Lazada, Tiktok, and Zalora, in physical stores like Watsons, The SM Store, Robinsons, SM Supermarkets, Alfamart, Puregold, Waltermart group, Gaisano group, among other leading retail outlets nationwide. Hello Glow can also be purchased through its resellers and Ever Bilena Direct Sales dealers.
With all the information available online, sometimes you feel that you are already an expert when it comes to skincare. But before you go further and (skin) deeper, ask yourself first – are you really sure about that product for your skin type? Is that product endorsed by an influencer really meant for your skin? Are you making the right choices when it comes to skincare or are you just unwittingly harming your skin?
If you don’t know the answers to these questions, why don’t you talk about skin with someone who is passionate about skin perfection. Dr. Sheena Joyce Bautista-Angeles, a certified Aesthetic Physician and CEO of Sheena’s Choice Skincare and Beauty, is a fast-rising beauty specialist who is now known for her personalized patient care and curated dermatological solutions.
Sheena’s Choice was born during the pandemic — with Dr. Sheena using social media to market her products as clinics were not allowed to open because of the lockdowns. “Even with the challenges of the pandemic, I still considered myself very lucky… my products were all sold out just days after launching online,” she said.
Her clients and patients welcomed her new products, which sparked a successful business startup. From products for skincare, weight loss, whitening, and oral healthcare, Sheena’s Choice helped women maintain their beauty and achieve younger-looking skin despite being in lockdown in their homes.
Dr. Sheena named her brand “Sheena’s Choice,” which was inspired by Ye Jin, a businesswoman whose brand (a curated clothing shop) is “Seri’s Choice” in the popular K-drama “Crash Landing on You.” Sheena’s Choice is somewhat similar to the fictional Seri’s Choice as Dr. Sheena also personally curates the skincare regimen or treatment for each patient.
Curated dermatological solutions such as having a skincare regimen allow the skin to look younger and healthy. There is no “one skincare product that fits all.” “We don’t sell something that we really haven’t tried, or we don’t believe in,” Dr. Sheena said. “Each skincare product is carefully chosen, tested, and curated.”
As the pandemic restrictions are easing up, people are once again looking into their skin as they’re going out. Even though skincare products are very popular now – from local to international brands – a lot of consumers don’t know how to properly use them. This is where Dr. Sheena comes in as her personalized skincare considers a clients’ needs, budget, and even personality.
As of the moment, Sheena’s Choice Skincare and Beauty offers home service, which was very appropriate during the pandemic. Dr. Sheena also invested in various machines, which were brought to the homes of the patients. She even caters to those living outside Metro Manila, allowing clients to receive beauty treatment without the hassle of traffic.
The best choice of anti-aging treatment
In partnership with Merz Aesthetics, one of the milestones of Sheena’s Choice Skincare and Beauty is this collaboration. “As the CEO and owner of Sheena’s Choice, Ultherapy is my choice for non-invasive face lifting and tightening,” says Dr. Sheena.
Ultherapy is a nonsurgical ultrasound technology used to kickstart collagen production and tighten skin. It is used to treat signs of aging such as skin sagging and wrinkles on the face, neck, and chest, as well as brow drooping. It is quite unique because it can harness ultrasound waves in terms of heating up portions of your facial skin and in doing so, tighten it without damaging the surface, making your face younger and more radiant over time.
“Ultherapy is the gold standard for non-invasive skin lifting and tightening,” said Dr. Stephen Claudio, the Medical Affairs Manager of Merz Aesthetics. “It’s the gold standard because it is recognized by aesthetics experts worldwide – to be the only one with real-time visualization and declared by aesthetic experts to be a separate device entity from other energy-based devices for skin lifting and tightening.”
A beautiful future ahead
The future is bright and clear for Dr. Sheena, as she shared her plans. “In the near future, we would like to open a clinic and expand, and develop and look into more products. We also aim to expand our reach so more people can benefit from beautiful, healthy skin. With beautiful skin, you can also boost your morale and mental wellbeing.”
Jollibee and its creative agency Publicis JimenezBasic (PJB) show the kind of Christmas that Pinoys love and have longed for in the fast-food chain’s latest ad for the holidays. Titled “SaJollibee, Sarap ng Pasko!”, the video depicts different exciting reunions and celebrations of families, made even better with best-tasting Jollibee favorites like Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, and Burger Steak.
While the past two Christmases have veered away from the usual holiday festivities that Filipinos are known for, Christmas in 2022 is shaping up to be much brighter and exciting. Pinoys now look forward to making up for the missed celebrations and once again sharing the all-out joy this season – and Jollibee hopes to capture this in the video and its upbeat jingle.
“The campaign is special because in essence, it took two years in the making. This campaign stands for two years of missed reunions, hugs, and long Christmas dinners—things that made Christmas special are now back. This year is the year kung kailan babawi tayo sa sarap at saya, and we’re doing it together with Jollibee,” says Lucas Luchico, Creative Director of PJB.
The beginning of the video shows how past get-togethers were done online—a shared experience of many as everyone navigated pandemic restrictions while making it a point to still connect with loved ones during a challenging time.
“The creative process was a personal one for all of those involved. It was filled with retrospection, and it was a creative expression of our collective wish to bring back the ‘sarap ng Pasko’ that we all miss,” adds Luchico.
As Jollibee endeavors to bring back the happy and fun moments people look forward to during the most wonderful time of the year, the rest of the video shows several vignettes of joyful Christmas celebrations. This includes a family going to a brightly lit Jollibee Drive-Thru, a group of friends having their Christmas get-together in a Jollibee store, mascots, store teams and delivery riders happily dancing, and an extended family coming together to celebrate the holidays at their beautifully decorated home.
“We share in our customers’ excitement and joy to once again have the all-out celebrations that Christmas in the Philippines is known for. Through this campaign, we want to remind our customers that Jollibee will always be there to add even more sarap and saya to their gatherings through our great-tasting food. Whether dining in or bringing their favorites at home, Jollibee wants to be part of every Filipino family’s celebrations during the most wonderful time of the year,” says Dorothy Dee-Ching, Vice President of Marketing of Jollibee Philippines.
Parents and their little ones can now join a team of incredible crimefighters to protect the streets of Gotham City! Ride with the Batwheels as they square off against evil alongside Batman, Robin, Batgirl, and more DC Super Heroes streaming now on HBO GO and airing on Cartoon Network’s Cartoonito preschool block on weekends at 9.00am.
Batwheels is DC’s first-ever Batman preschool series. Led by Bam (The Batmobile), this relatable and aspirational series follows the Batwheels as they learn the ins and outs of being a super team as well as the growing pains that come with being a kid.
Underneath the superhero adventures, the series teaches children about what it means to be a hero by showcasing different character strengths and how they contribute towards a greater good. This aligns with the Humancentric Learning framework of Cartoonito – a programming “block” of content that aims to empower every child to embrace their unique selves and encourages them to interact with others with empathy and respect.
From cool characters, awesome vehicles and more, here’s why you and your little caped crusaders should bond over Batwheels:
A Fleet of Iconic Vehicles from The DC Universe
The Batwheels are an awesome sentient group of super-powered, crime fighting vehicles. Like his hero Batman, Bam (voiced by Jacob Bertrand) has a strong sense of justice and tries his best to lead the team. Redbird (voiced by Jordan Reed) is Robin’s zippy sports car that’s
always eager to prove himself a worthy sidekick. Bibi (voiced by Madigan Kacmar) is Batgirl’s brave and bold motorcycle, and the fastest among the Batwheels crew.
Other members of the Batwheels include the supersonic jet plane Batwing (voiced by Lilimar), and Buff (voiced by Noah Bentley), a Bat-styled monster truck who can ram through any obstacle in his path. Together, they are supervised by The Batcomputer (voiced by Kimberly D. Brooks), and maintained by Moe (voiced by Mick Wingert), Batman’s well-equipped, highly efficient robot repairman who can fix almost any mechanical glitch.
New Adventures for The Bat-Family
Alongside the Batweels, the Dark Knight and his allies go all-out in keeping Gotham safe from the Legion of Zoom or Gotham City’s notorious Super-Villains.
Batman (voiced by Ethan Hawke) serves as a father figure to the Batwheels. He is joined by Robin (voiced by AJ Hudson), The Boy Wonder who loves a good mystery, and Batgirl (voiced by Leah Lewis), the tech-savvy daredevil of the Bat-Family.
The Power of Self-Confidence, Friendship, and Teamwork
Just like kids, each of the Batwheels has unique personal strengths. Bam is a loving leader, Redbird is highly inquisitive, and Bibi loves to take action. Every episode showcases a different character strength such as self-awareness, courage, perseverance, and concern for others – ultimately showing viewers the importance of overcoming both personal and interpersonal challenges.
The series also highlights the values of friendship and teamwork. While the Batwheels may be a group of super-vehicles fighting crime, the main message of the series is how their heroism is fueled not by high-tech gadgets and amazing abilities, but by character strengths such as being a good friend and working well with others.
For the first time, Korean girl group MAMAMOO will finally be coming to the Philippines as they kick off their first-ever world tour titled “MY CON” with MANILA on Sunday, February 12 at the Araneta Coliseum. Promoted by Wilbros Live.
This year, MAMAMOO released their 12th EP “Mic On” with the chart-topping hit “Illella”, which came one after the release of its seventh anniversary album “I Say Mamamoo: The Best.”
MAMAMOO debuted in 2014 as a quartet with members: Hwasa, Moonbyul, Solar and Wheein. The KPOP superstars are well-known for its consistent chart-toppers including “Um Oh Ah Yeh” (2015), “You’re The Best” (2016), “Décalcomanie” (2016), “Yes I Am” (2017), “Starry Night” (2018), “Egotistic” (2018), “Wind Flower” (2018), “gogobebe” (2019), “HIP” (2019) and “AYA” (2020).
MOO MOOs in the Philippines will finally see the queens perform their greatest hits and more in this much-awaited concert tour. Tickets go on-sale on November 30, 10AM via TicketNet.com.ph and TicketNet outlets nationwide.
Follow @WilbrosLive on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.
After much excitement and anticipation, The Walt Disney Company’s streaming service, Disney+, is available to consumers in the Philippines starting from today. With Disney+, consumers can access an incredible collection of beloved stories, global and Asian original tentpole titles and thousands of hours of movies, shows and binge-worthy general entertainment content from Disney’s iconic brands, including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and Star.
Starting from today, consumers in the Philippines can join the Disney+ streaming service with a new range of subscription plans that will deliver more choices than ever before. The expanded line-up of plans includes a monthly Mobile Plan for ₱159, or annual Mobile Plan for ₱1,150. The Premium Plan is available for ₱369 monthly, or ₱2,950 annually. In addition, Alipay+ and Globe are offering special packages for consumers to subscribe to Disney+.
“As Disney+ continues to expand globally, we are excited that from today, consumers in the Philippines can access Disney+ and start enjoying our extensive collection of general entertainment content,” said Jay Trinidad, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Direct-to-Consumer, The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific. “I am proud that through Disney+, we are able to bring joy and happiness to more fans, families and friends in my home country of the Philippines who can now connect with their favourite characters and enjoy some of the world’s best stories.”
With Disney fans and families now able to join the Disney+ streaming service, The Walt Disney Company is celebrating the service’s expansion to the Philippines by treating consumers to “A Night of Wonder with Disney+” featuring musical performances from some of the nation’s beloved stars including Morissette and Christian Bautista. Audiences can watch the show at 8pm tonight on the Disney+ service, or by logging onto Disney+’s social media pages including on Facebook , Twitter and Tiktok.
From today, viewers can watch an exciting and ever-growing library of global, regional and Asian language content on Disney+. In the coming days and weeks, consumers in the Philippines can look forward to watching many new movies, shows and series on Disney+ including:
Nov 17: Limitless with Chris Hemsworth – Global movie star Chris Hemsworth (Extraction, Thor, The Avengers) explores the revolutionary idea that we could combat aging and discover the full potential of the human body in this National Geographic Original series.
Nov 18:Mickey: The Story of a Mouse – A fascinating Disney documentary about one of the world’s most beloved icons who today is recognized as a symbol of joy and innocence in virtually every corner of the globe.
Nov 18:Disenchanted – An all-new live-action musical comedy and sequel to Disney’s box office hit Enchanted about a lovable maiden from the fairy tale world of Andalasia who finally found her Prince Charming in the kingdom of New York City.
Nov 21:Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium – In a special once-in-a-lifetime live event, fans from around the world will feel like they have a front-row seat to witness the magic of the Rocket Man in Elton John’s final North American show in Los Angeles.
Nov 25:The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special – In this Marvel Studios’ Special Presentation, the Guardians head to Earth in search of the perfect present to make Christmas unforgettable for Peter Jason Quill, a celestial-human hybrid.
Nov 30: Willow – An all-new sequel series to George Lucas’s 1988 fantasy adventure in which the Nelwyn sorcerer returns, years after rescuing the infant empress Elora Danan, to lead a group of misfit heroes on a harrowing rescue mission through a world beyond imagination.
Dec 7: Connect – A Star Original coming exclusively to Disney+ about a man kidnapped by a gang of organ harvesters who wakes up following the procedure to discover his eye missing and that he has the vision of an infamous serial killer.
All this is in addition to the vast array of global and regional content from The Walt Disney Company’s iconic suite of brands and franchises including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and general entertainment content under Star.
Disney+ gives consumers access to some of the world’s most original stories told by talented creators across the globe – anytime, anywhere. Viewers in the Philippines can enjoy high-quality streams with up to four concurrent streams available with the Premium Plan.
Disney+ is now accessible on a wide selection of compatible mobile and televisions subject to users’ chosen subscription plans, including smartphones and tablets (Android or iOS), smart TVs such as Samsung and LG and connected TV devices including Google TV and other Android TV OS, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD, and Chromecast.
Through Jollibee’s Buy One, Gift One delivery promo in partnership with the Jollibee Group Foundation, more Filipino families will get to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year with great-tasting food.
From November 16 to December 15, customers who order any of the participating Family Pans via the Jollibee App will be able to donate pans of the same variant to underprivileged families. Farmer communities, homes for seniors and the differently abled are just some of the groups that will benefit and have an extra joyful holiday salu-salo this season with every Family Pan ordered by customers.
Simply head to the promos page of the Jollibee App and pick from any of the participating Family Pans: Jolly Spaghetti Pan (P220), Palabok Family Pan (P456), Double Jolly Spaghetti Family Pan (P439), Family Pan Duo (P649), 8-pc. Burger Steak Family Pan (P410), 8-pc. Burger Steak with Jolly Spaghetti Familiy Pan (P590), or 8-pc. Burger Steak with Palabok Family Pan. Every purchase will then be matched by Jollibee and donated to selected Jollibee Group Foundation beneficiaries across the country.
So, this Christmas, mas pasarapin at pasayahin pa natin ang Pasko! Join Jollibee’s Buy One, Gift One Delivery promo via the Jollibee App and share the joy! For more info and updates, visit Jollibee.com.ph, follow Jollibee on Facebook at facebook.com/JollibeePhilippines, and on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok at @Jollibee.
The late French New Wave director, Jean-Luc Godard, once said that “with mobile phones and whatever, everyone is now an auteur.”
In QCinema’s specially-curated section, Screen International, however, the bar is certainly set higher as it showcases the world’s renowned directors whose distinctive styles make their acclaimed works undeniably their own.
David Cronenberg, Canada’s body horror master, is back in form with his sci-fi horror, Crimes Of The Future, with Viggo Mortensen, Lea Seydoux and Kirsten Stewart. The film premiered in Cannes’ main competition.
Cronenberg’s latest film was from a script he had written twenty years ago. It follows a world-renowned performance artist couple, who performs surgery to audiences, in a future world where human evolution has accelerated for some individuals.
Also from Cannes competition, Jerzy Skolimowski’s EO, which was awarded the Jury Prize.
With more than 20 films since his debut in the early sixties, this Polish auteur has been the recipient of top prizes in Cannes and Venice.
EO is inspired from a Robert Bresson classic film, Au Hassard Balthazar, and it follows the life of a donkey born in a Polish circus. The circus animal encounters good and bad people along its journey through Europe, experiencing both joy and pain. Isabelle Huppert, who recently visited the country, joins the cast of Polish actors.
Arthouse favorite Hang Sang-soo graces QCinema’s screens for the first time with his latest ouevre, Walk Up.
A recipient of the top awards in Berlin, Locarno and Venice, he works another variation of his casual encounters and chatter that grace his works with melancholic gentleness. The film reflects on familiar spaces and characters that the prolific Korean master has been known for.
One of Costa Rica’s renowned filmmakers, Valentina Maurel, scored multiple wins in Locarno, winning Best Actress, Best Actor and Best Director awards for I Have Electric Dreams.
Its young adult protagonist lives with her mother while struggling to reconnect with her estranged father. This, as she tries to balance the tenderness and sensitivity of teenage life.
Denmark-based Iranian film director and screenwriter Ali Abbasi’sthird feature film Holy Spider will also be screened at QCinema.
Holy Spideris an internationally co-produced Persian-language crime thriller that depicts a fictional female journalist investigating a serial killer. It is based on the true story of Saeed Hanaei, a serial killer who targeted sex workers and killed 16 women from 2000 to 2001 in Mashhad, Iran.
The film was selected to compete for the Palme d’Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. It won for Zar Amir Ebrahimi the festival’s Best Actress Award. It was also selected as the Danish entry for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards.
The 2022 drama film of Austrian filmmaker Marie Kreutzer, whose films were screened at Berlin, Cannes, Toronto, and New York, Corsage is also at Screen International.
Corsage had its world premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival on May 20, 2022, in the Un Certain Regard section. It is a fictional account of one year in the life of Empress Elisabeth of Austria. On Christmas Eve 1877, Elisabeth, once idolized for her beauty, turns 40 and is officially deemed an old woman; she starts trying to maintain her public image.
Close, French-language Belgian drama film, is directed by Belgian film director and screenwriter Lukas Dhont.
The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, to critical acclaim and the Grand Prix. It is Belgium’s submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards.
Close is about the friendship between two thirteen-year old boys Leo and Remi, which suddenly gets disrupted. Struggling to understand what has happened, Léo approaches Sophie, Rémi’s mother.
QCinema’s other sections showcase other established directors in their latest works that exemplify their stature as master storytellers.
At the Special Screenings section is Love Life, Koji Fukada’s newest film since his last, A Girl Missing, which screened in QCinema’s 2019 edition. Fukada previously won the Cannes Un Certain Regard Jury Prize for Harmonium, a 2016 critical hit.
The compelling Japanese drama tells about a couple whose routine is disrupted by a sudden family tragedy which reunites the wife with her mute ex-husband.
Also from the same section is a surprisingly candid coming-of-age story that deserves greater exposure.
Janchivdorj Sengedorj, one of Mongolia’s most prominent directors with a particular affinity for depictions of contemporary youth, won the Best Feature award at the New York Asian Film Festival for The Sales Girl.
Its an amusing portrayal of an introverted student’s new job in a sex-shop and her growing bond with the owner, a former exotic dancer.
Philippine cinema’s renowned auteur, Lav Diaz, is back in the festival for the third time, with his Venice out-of-competition entry, When The Waves Are Gone.
Shot in 16mm, Diaz’s characteristic black-and-white new opus untypically clocks in at a modest 3 hours 7 minutes – a far short from his usual long-form meditative narratives.
Frequent collaborator, John Lloyd Cruz, heads the cast of this revenge tragedy that focuses on two corrupt cops with a grudge, loosely based on Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo.
This year’s Silver Lion winner in Venice is at the New Horizons section.
Saint Omer is the first narrative feature of Alice Diop after working as an acclaimed documentary filmmaker.
It centers on a pregnant novelist in France who attends the trial of a Senegalese woman accused of murdering her baby. In the course of the court proceedings, she tries to blend the accused woman’s fate into the novel she is writing, a modern adaptation of the ancient myth of Medea, but things don’t go as expected.
Argentina, 1985, by Santiago Mitre, is one of the acclaimed titles in the new festival section, Advanced Screenings.
Based on real events, the story follows a team of lawyers on the heads of Argentina’s bloody military dictatorship during the 1980s, in a battle against odds and a race against time. Winner of the Venice FIPRESCI Award and San Sebastian People’s Choice Award, this gripping historical drama is presented by Prime Video Philippines.
The venues for the 10-day festival include Gateway Cineplex, Trinoma Cinemas, the new Cinema76 (in Tomas Morato), Rockwell Power Plant Cinema, and SM North EDSA.
Details about in10City, QCinema’s 10th anniversary presentation will be available at qcinema.ph and updates are posted at its social media accounts – Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
