Author: Press Release

For “Smile” Star Sosie Bacon, Horror Genre Runs in the Family

Trailer Courtesy of Paramount Pictures International

In Smile, after witnessing a bizarre, traumatic incident involving a patient, Dr. Rose Cotter (Sosie Bacon) starts experiencing frightening occurrences that she can’t explain. As an overwhelming terror begins taking over her life, Rose must confront her troubling past in order to survive and escape her horrifying new reality.

Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures International

Bacon’s innate warmth and her natural gift for connecting with people struck director-writer Parker Finn as essential traits to portray an empathetic clinical psychiatrist. Just as importantly, she had the acting skill to capture the emotion and anxiety of someone on a perilous downward spiral. “I believe Sosie’s given one of the most astounding debut lead performances in recent years,” Finn says. “She’s in almost every scene, and she’s operating at extreme levels of stress, fear, and panic for most of the movie. Maintaining those emotions can really take a toll on an actor, but she’s deeply committed to her craft and just knocked it out of the park.”

Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures International

Bacon describes Smile as an intense psychological horror film told through the eyes of a character that you can’t help but root for. “I play a woman who’s been coping with a lot of pain in her life, and after witnessing a violent incident at work, she’s forced to confront a supernatural threat that fixates on her,” she says. “It’s visually striking and it will absolutely freak you out!”

Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures International

Although Bacon has been acclaimed for her nuanced supporting performances in film and television series including “Mare of Easttown” and “13 Reasons Why,” Smile represents the biggest role of her career so far, and she admits it affected her emotionally and physically. “Truthfully, I wasn’t fully aware of how much this part would wear on me when I began the movie,” she says. “It’s physically demanding, because your body doesn’t understand the difference between acting and real life. But honestly, I don’t know that anything can prepare you for an experience like Smile.”

In cinemas across the Philippines September 28, Smile is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/paramountpicsph/; Instagram at www.instagram.com/paramountpicsph/ and YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsZ7igjHZB-5k8DDM7ilVJw. Connect with #SmileMovie and tag @paramountpicsph

September 26, 2022
#JoinTheJoy with Aperol Spritz Sundown at Sofitel Manila

Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, in collaboration with Aperol, is bringing the iconic vibrant drink—also dubbed as the Italian sunset in a glass—to Sunset Bar for Aperol Spritz Sundown.

Starting this September, guests can indulge in a relaxing and tranquil afternoon with a glass of perol Spritz in hand as they bask in Sofitel Manila’s picturesque background of the Manila Bay sunset. Enjoy an exclusive offer from 4 PM to 6 PM: Buy 1 glass, and take another one, on us! Aperol Spritz’ unique bittersweet taste derives from a secret and original recipe that has remained authentic through the years. The infusion of selected primary components including oranges, herbs,and roots makes this concoction a perfectly balanced combination.

Aperol Spritz is the perfect apéritif that can be enjoyed with friends and family, whether it’s for celebrating small wins or toasting to life’s milestones. Guests can enjoy this quintessential afternoon drink at Sunset Bar complemented with the restaurant’s wide range of culinary offerings, such as Tex-Mex signatures, sizzling dishes, rice bowls, and the newly launched Pizzeria menu. Furbabies are also welcome to join the joy with their furparents as Sunset Bar offers a Posh Pooch Menu—a curated selection of delicious treats especially made for them! Patrons can also lounge at the SoChill area by the bay—perfect for capturing those Instagram-worthy sunset shots.

Aperol Spritz Sundown is available daily at Sunset Bar starting this month until February 2023 for just Php 450 nett. For reservations, please contact (63 2) 8832-6988 or H6308-FB12@sofitel.com

September 23, 2022
CCP MET Opera in HD Season 7 is Back at Greenbelt

After two years of silence due to the pandemic, operatic arias will once more resound in at the theater this September as the Cultural Center of the Philippines relaunches the MET Opera in HD Season 7 series in cooperation with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, Filipinas Opera Society Foundation Inc., and Ayala Cinemas.

The CCP MET Opera in HD Season 7 will open on September 27, 7:30 PM at the Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1 with Georges Bizet’s Carmen.

In this celebrated production mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine is opera’s ultimate seductress, opposite tenor Roberto Alagna, who captivated Live in HD audiences as Don José in 2010. Soprano Aleksandra Kurzak sings Micaëla, alongside bass Alexander Vinogradov as the swaggering bullfighter Escamillo. Louis Langrée conducts Sir Richard Eyre’s lively production, a favorite in the Met’s repertoire. Carmen will have a second screening on October 4, 6:30 PM.

CCP MET Opera in HD Season 7 will feature one MET Opera in HD production every month until February 2023 at Greenbelt 3 in Makati.

Forthcoming are:

·         LA TRAVIATA by Giuseppe Verdi on November 15, 6:30 PM. In his first Live in HD appearance as the Met’s Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer Music Director, Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducts Michael Mayer’s richly textured new production, featuring a dazzling 18th-century setting that changes with the seasons. Soprano Diana Damrau plays the tragic heroine, Violetta, and tenor Juan Diego Flórez returns to the Met for the first time in five seasons to sing Alfredo, Violetta’s hapless lover. Baritone Quinn Kelsey is Alfredo’s father, Germont, who destroys their love.

·         DIALOGUES DES CARMÉLITES by Francis Jean Marcel Poulenc on December 6, 6:30 PM. The Met’s Jeanette Lerman-Neubauer Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin leads an accomplished ensemble in Poulenc’s devastating modern masterpiece of faith and martyrdom. Mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard is the young Blanche de La Force, opposite Met legend Karita Mattila as the First Prioress.

·         LA FILLE DU RÉGIMENT by Gaetano Donizetti on January 10, 2023, 6:30 PM.  Bel canto stars Pretty Yende and Javier Camarena team up for a feast of vocal fireworks on the Met stage. Baritone Maurizio Muraro is Sergeant Sulplice, with mezzo-soprano Stephanie Blythe as the outlandish Marquise of Berkenfield. Enrique Mazzola conducts.

·         SAMSON ET DALILA by Camille Saint-Saëns on February 7, 2023, 6:30 PM. Saint-Saëns’s biblical epic stars mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča and tenor Roberto Alagna in the title roles; Live in HD audiences last saw the pair together in the acclaimed 2010 transmission of Bizet’s Carmen. Bass-baritone Laurent Naouri co-stars as the High Priest, with baritone Elchin Azizov as the Philistine king Abimélech and bass Dmitry Belosselskiy as the Old Hebrew. Darko Tresnjak, the Tony Award–winning director of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder, makes his debut directing the first new Met production of the opera in 20 years. Sir Mark Elder conducts.

For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates.

September 23, 2022
Free Cake Alert! Max’s Restaurant Celebrates Family Day with a Sweet Week-long Promo
Max’s Restaurant, the iconic Filipino restaurant chain famous for its Sarap-to-the-Bones® Fried Chicken is joining the whole nation in celebrating National Family Day with a special week-long surprise. Gather the family because it will give free cake slices from September 21 to 27 only.

Max’s is extending the celebration to invite everyone to spend more time with loved ones and strengthen family bonds. Eating together has always been a good time to reconnect and at the same time enjoy sumptuous Pinoy dishes so customers can avail the offer for every order of any Half Family Set Meal. A set starts at P1,949 and can be enjoyed by a group of five and consists of the following:
- Max’s Regular Fried Chicken
- Chicken Pancit Canton
- Chicken Lumpiang Shanghai
- Chopsuey
- Caramel Bars®
- Plain Rice
- Nilaga Soup
Five free cake slices will be given as dessert to add joy to the family feast. The promo is valid for dine-in transactions in all stores except Palawan, Naga, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The brand also prepared a treat for those who prefer take-out or delivery and devour meals at home. Guests can get a free 1.5 liter Pepsi for every order of Set to Sizzle bundle. It already includes Regular Fried Chicken, Tofu con Pork Sisig, choice of Nilagang Baka or Pocherong Baka, Lumpiang Shanghai, and Large Rice. Price starts at P1,899 for take-out. Orders can be made via delivery.maxschicken.com or 888-79000 (Metro Manila).

For more information, visit the official Facebook page at @MaxsRestaurant and use the hashtags #MaxsFamilyWeek and #EveryDayToTheMax
September 22, 2022
Singapore’s Top Celebrity Chef Justin Quek Brings his Culinary Creations to Solaire

Solaire brings back its “Culinary Masters Series” with Singapore’s top celebrity chef Justin Quek as he returns to Manila to serve his signature Franco-Asian flair at Red Lantern and Oasis on September 20 to 25, 2022.

Solaire’s Culinary Masters Series brings some of the world’s most acclaimed chefs to Manila for special dinner events and offers that highlight their culinary skill and ingenuity for discerning guests to experience.

Chef Justin Quek’s most popular culinary creations will be available in curated menus at Red Lantern and a special afternoon tea promotion at Oasis Garden Café.

From September 20 to 24, experience a limited seating Wine Pairing Dinner which highlights Chef Justin’s incredible creations paired with a selection of wines, while the a la carte menu offered until the 25^th showcases some of his dishes including his trademark smoked mackerel parfait with Superior Oscietra Caviar and drunken clams in Huang Jiu, lime cream and Ikura roe. An elevated Red Lantern Dim Sum Lunch Buffet starts on the 21^st with a unique Singaporean touch with feature items like white corn cappuccino, Singapore chilli crab dumplings, and pan-roasted pavé of salmon with cauliflower puree, hazelnut oil and aged balsamic.

Oasis’ own Afternoon Tea also gets the Justin Quek twist starting on the 20^th with savory bites such as truffle croque monsieur and a JQ spicy prawn noodle soup, as well as sweet indulgences like durian puffs, salted almond tuile, and odeh odeh, a glutinous rice treat made with grated coconut, coconut milk, pandan, juice plum sugar and sponge cake.

Chef Justin Quek has worked in highly reputable properties across Asia and esteemed Michelin Star restaurants across Europe where he refined his skills and established his personal culinary style that blends both the mastery of French techniques and his Chinese heritage.

Returning to Singapore, he was appointed as the first Singaporean chef to serve the French ambassador, and later becoming a partner and the opening chef de cuisine for famed French fine dining restaurant Les Amis. Apart from Chef Justin’s achievements in his home country, he managed to expand his presence in Asia by heading various French fine dining establishments across Taiwan, Hong Kong and Shanghai before being invited back to Singapore to open and serve as the Principal Chef for Marina Bay Sands’ 240-seater fine-dining restaurant, Sky on 57.

Aside from being a well-decorated chef, he also has his hand on being an entrepreneur. In 2016, Chef Justin launched Grignoter, the first wine bar in Singapore and Southeast Asia to be endorsed and supported by the Bordeaux Wine Council (CIVB). The same year, he opened Xingzhou Laoye, a luxe Southeast Asian diner, and Just In Modern French, a contemporary French dining room, both of which are in Beijing. His latest venture takes him back to Marina Bay Sands where he is responsible for two new concepts: JustIn Flavours of Asia, a relaxed and laid-back restaurant that elevates the Singaporean comfort food experience; and Chinoiserie Modern Asian, an exclusive fine dining restaurant which only serves the best French-Asian cuisine.

For inquiries and reservations, please call 8888-8888 or email restaurantevents@solaireresort.com.

September 22, 2022
Justin Jesso EP ‘Finding The Opposite Of Loneliness’

Life is full of contradictions, and as humans, we all know there are two sides to each story. Just like most people, L.A. based singer and songwriter Justin Jesso has experienced the light and the dark, good and bad times, and knows that the secret to happiness lies in finding the right balance and learning to navigate between the ups and the downs. On his EP “Finding The Opposite Of Loneliness”, he takes listeners on a sonic and emotional ride across nine incredible tracks that are all based on his own life experiences.

Divided into two parts, “Finding The Opposite Of Loneliness” kicks off with the tracks “Lose Ya” and “Clarity”, which were both released earlier this year, and deal with the loss of oneself as well as a significant other, and exploring the confusion of trying to get both back. “If You’re Meant To Come Back” is about the realization that you really can’t control anything, and that if it’s meant to come back to you, it will. “There is both sadness and peace in that one,” Jesso explains about track #3 on the EP, which is followed by the dramatic up-tempo ballad “Lifeline”. Track #5 is one of two songs on the EP which are unreleased to date: “Drink Alone”, which touches on the subject of coping with loneliness. With dark and pounding piano chords and heartfelt vocals, the track once again showcases Justin Jesso’s incredible talent for wrapping deep emotions into authentic, melodic earworms that many can relate to.

“Bigger than” rings in part two of “Finding The Opposite Of Loneliness”, and talks about going after what is most important, with its follow up song “Miracle” (the second brand new track on the EP), covering the discovery of just that in a happy-go-lucky tune. In “400 Trillion”, Jesso sings about how incredible it is to find that special someone against all statistic odds, with “The End” – the last track on the EP – marking the beginning of a next chapter and discussing the realization that what you had and might have lost will always have a place of significance.

About dividing up the EP, Justin Jesso explains: “I split this EP into two parts – The songs where things are aspirational or going well, and the songs where I am struggling with the loss either of myself or of a significant other. The first part of the EP is where I am the loneliest … where I am struggling to find happiness or myself. The second part of the EP is where I have found the opposite of loneliness and am most happy.”

Aside from his own releases, Justin Jesso has made a name for himself writing for superstars like Ricky Martin, Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, and even the Backstreet Boys. Furthermore, his hit single, “Stargazing” with legendary artist Kygo, has garnered him hundreds of millions of streams, views, gold and platinum certifications in countries all across the world, and even a Grammy nomination. Describing his musical development, he says: “My Musical style is evolving. This two-part EP covers songs that were released right at the top of the pandemic, most reflective of me coming into myself and my sound, and newer songs like “Lose Ya” that push the envelope on where I plan to go musically.”

“Finding The Opposite Of Loneliness” (EP) by Justin Jesso is out now.

September 22, 2022
CCP Arthouse Cinema’s ‘ON VERS(E/U)S AND DRONES’ to Screen ‘Ang Hupa’ and ‘Respeto’

The Cultural Center of the Philippines Arthouse Cinema proudly presents a two-day special screening event with the theme “ON VERS(E/U)S AND DRONES” this September 2022. Featuring two excellent masterpieces that capture and preview our current timeline, the films exhibit how poetic verses and the panoptic humming of drones remind us to defend our humanity in the face of violence and indifference.

Lav Diaz’ “Ang Hupa” shows a fictional 2034 AD where Southeast Asia has been in the dark for the last three years, literally, because the sun hasn’t shone as a result of massive volcanic eruptions at the Celebes Sea in 2031 and madmen control countries, communities, enclaves and bubble cities. It exposes cataclysmic epidemics razing over the continent where millions have died and millions have left. The film will be screened at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde on September 21, 2022 at 2 PM with a running time of 4 hours and 39 minutes.

On the following day, Cinemalaya 2017 Best Film “RESPETO” by Treb Monteras II will be screened at 2 PM which then, exhibits the underground Pinoy hip-hop culture and on how we, as artists and individuals, find the words to find ourselves.

Both films will have a talkback session after the screening and are FREE to the public. A reminder to everyone as well that due to the still existing pandemic, the new normal protocol of the CCP will still be implemented. You can find out more about CCP’s new normal protocol here: https://bit.ly/CCPNewNormalProtocol2022

For more information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) and follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates.

September 22, 2022
“Babylon” First-Look Images Capture Decadence of Early Hollywood

A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess. Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Tobey Maguire lead the stellar cast of Paramount Pictures’ new original epic, Babylon from La La Land director Damien Chazelle.

Brad Pitt plays Jack Conrad and Diego Calva plays Manny Torres in Babylon from Paramount Pictures.

Check out the film’s first-look images below and watch Babylon in cinemas across the Philippines January 2023.

Watch the film’s uncensored trailer below:

About Babylon

Paramount Pictures Presents A Marc Platt / Wild Chickens / Organism Pictures Production A Damien Chazelle Film BABYLON.

Lukas Haas plays George Munn and Diego Calva plays Manny Torres in Babylon from Paramount Pictures.

From Damien Chazelle, BABYLON is an original epic set in 1920s Los Angeles led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, with an ensemble cast including Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Jean Smart. A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

Margot Robbie plays Nellie LaRoy in Babylon from Paramount Pictures.

Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, produced by Marc Platt, Matthew Plouffe, Olivia Hamilton, executive produced by Michael Beugg, Tobey Maguire, Wyck Godfrey, Helen Estabrook, Adam Siegel

Margot Robbie plays Nellie LaRoy in Babylon from Paramount Pictures.

Starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, P.J. Byrne, Lukas Haas, Olivia Hamilton, Tobey Maguire, Max Minghella, Rory Scovel, Katherine Waterston, Flea, Jeff Garlin, Eric Roberts, Ethan Suplee, Samara Weaving, Olivia Wilde

Diego Calva plays Manny Torres and Jean Smart plays Elinor St. John in Babylon from Paramount Pictures.

Director Damien Chazelle on the set of Babylon from Paramount Pictures.

Babylon is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Connect with #BabylonMovie and tag @paramountpicsph

September 22, 2022
Mitch James Returns With New Single ‘Motions’ Out Now, and Announces Sophomore Album Patience Out November 4th

Mitch James is back with an anthem for the times releasing ‘motions’ and announcing his sophomore album patience out November 4^th, 2022.

On motions, Mitch says “it’s for all of you who have been lost or just look at life and think ‘are you fu@#ing serious right now?’

I had to open the album with this song. If I were to describe this song in one sentence I would say ‘it’s about the inevitability of losing yourself on the way to finding yourself.’

I had an extremely shit 4 years since my first album. My own health issues, family health issues, constant roadblocks in my career, COVID, failed album attempts, singles that didn’t

work. I had to write a song that summarised that feeling of helplessness with life drowning you – but still having that will to see it through and stick it out to the other side.

It’s a powerful song that truly means a lot to me, and I hope you can relate to it in your own way. I remember being in the studio and coming in – Graham & Ryan already laid down the guitar chords. All I had to do was as channel the truth, and the words just came out.”

An official visualiser is being released with the track.

Today Mitch also announced his sophomore album patience is to be released November 4^th this year.

“The whole focus of the writing was to be brutally honest and brutally vulnerable,” James says.

The bulk of the album was written and recorded in early 2022, after James travelled to Los Angeles and met up with writer, producer and former Tonight Alive guitarist, Whakaio Taahi.

James and Taahi struck up a creatively stimulating rapport, which allowed James to access new creative territory and fully embrace his position as a pop front person. Crucially, Taahi gave James the freedom to be himself.

“I’m a bit of an over-sharer,” James says. “That’s who I am and that’s who my fans want me to be.”

To date Mitch James has over 200 million streams globally, 6 million TikTok views and over 3 million video views and the release of ‘motions’ and his upcoming album patience is set to only increase these impressive numbers!

‘motions’ is available everywhere now and patience is available to pre-order now.

September 22, 2022
“DC League of Super-Pets” Premieres September 26 on HBO GO

Trailer courtesy of HBO GO

In DC League of Super-Pets, Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack – Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the turtle and Chip the squirrel – to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the Super Heroes.

Photo courtesy of HBO GO

The film also stars the voices of Kevin Hart (the Jumanji and Secret Life of Pets films), Kate McKinnon (Saturday Night Live, Ferdinand), John Krasinski (the Quiet Place films, Jack Ryan), Vanessa Bayer (Saturday Night Live, Trainwreck), Natasha Lyonne (Show Dogs, Russian Doll), Diego Luna (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Maya and the Three), Marc Maron (Joker, GLOW), Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley, Godzilla: King of the Monsters), Ben Schwartz (Sonic the Hedgehog, Duck Tales), and Keanu Reeves (the Matrix and John Wick films).

Photo courtesy of HBO GO

Stern, a veteran writer/consultant on the LEGO^® movies, makes his animated feature film directorial debut, directing from a screenplay he wrote with frequent collaborator John Whittington, based on characters from DC, Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. The film is produced by Patricia Hicks, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia and Jared Stern. The executive producers are John Requa, Glenn Ficarra, Nicholas Stoller, Allison Abbate, Chris Leahy, Sharon Taylor and Courtenay Valenti.

Photo courtesy of HBO GO

Stern’s creative team includes production designer Kim Taylor (The LEGO^® Ninjago Movie) and editors David Egan (Game Night, Vacation) and Jhoanne Reyes (Teen Titans GO!, Young Justice). The music is by Steve Jablonsky (the Transformers films). Stream or download DC League of Super-Pets from September 26on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at https://www.hbogoasia.ph/ or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store. 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.

September 21, 2022