Author: Press Release

CCP Brings the Curtain Down on its Main Building for a 3-Year Rehabilitation

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) gives way to the long-overdue rehabilitation of its Main Building and decides to close its theaters and indoor venues starting January 2023 until December 2024.

After more than 50 years, the Tanghalang Pambansa (CCP Main Building) undergoes a major facelift through a three-year rehabilitation plan.

“We will not keep any stone left unturned. The CCP rehabilitation plan emanates from the building audit done from 2018 to 2019. We initially planned to start reconditioning the Main Building right after the 50th anniversary, but the pandemic happened and we had to make do with what we can, with the budget we have,” shared concurrent CCP president Margie Moran-Floirendo.

The renovation works have already started at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) this year, as well as the Silangan Hall, the fourth floor, and the former Design Center Building where the offices will transfer in the coming months.

Executive offices and conference rooms will move to the Ramon Magsaysay Center, located in Malate, Manila.

While the renovation proceeds as planned, the programs and projects of the premiere art institution continue. In the next two years, the CCP will mount performances, concerts, and other events inside and outside the CCP Complex, fully utilizing its outdoor venues.

The inauguration of the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez is a welcome development for the Center. The new Black Box Theater has 320 seating capacity with flexible theater expanse, adjustable to the artistic and technical needs of any productions.

Named after the generous businessman who wants to give back, the experimental theater will be inaugurated on September 8, with performances highlighting its limitless possibilities as well as its inaugural artistic season offerings, including Tanghalang Pilipino’s Anak Datu and Repertory Philippines’ Carousel, among others.

The cultural complex also has several outdoor venues that can be utilized as performance areas, such as the Liwasang Ullalim, which was the venue for the Cinema Under the Stars, the plaza inside the Harbor Square, and the CCP Concert Ground, among others.

Maximizing its strong cultural network, the CCP intends to expand its reach to the regions with its outreach programs and art education projects. The Cultural Exchange Department and the Art Education Department have programs in various parts of the country and will continue to do so in the coming years.

For the fourth quarter of the year, the CCP artistic season goes full blast, starting with the CCP Anniversary Gala. Celebrating the 53rd founding anniversary, the CCP presents Musikal II on September 10, featuring excerpts from original Filipino musicals staged from 2015 to 2021.

The Bulwagang Juan Luna (CCP Main Gallery) will have its last exhibit before the venue closes down. On display from September 4 to December 4, 2022, “Imelda Cajipe-Endaya: Pagtutol at Pag-asa” exhibits over 200 artworks and archival materials surveying the artist’s intensive practice in printmaking, painting, collage, and installation from the 1960s to the present. This is the first retrospective exhibit on the life and works of Cajipe-Endaya.

During the time when the CCP galleries are shut down, the CCP art collection will be on traveling exhibitions, starting with a print exhibit at Arthaland Century Pacific Tower on 5th Avenue and 30th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, opening on October 13.

Part of the collection will be on loan at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, and at the National Museum.

This year, CCP Met Opera in HD returns with a screening on September 27 at Greenbelt Cinema. In partnership with Ayala Land, Inc. and Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc., this program runs until March 2023, showing classic opera masterpieces such as Carmen, La Traviata, Aida, La Fille du Régiment, Dialogue des Carmelites, and Samson et Dalila.

Giacomo Puccini’s well-loved opera Turandot is coming to the CCP Main Theater on December 9, 8pm, and December 11, 2pm. This production is in cooperation with the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation Inc. and the Rustan Group of Companies.

The CCP performance season ends with Handel’s The Messiah on Dec. 16. Not to be missed are the annual holiday events at the CCP, including dawn masses and facade lighting.

“The CCP Main Building might be closed, but we promise that we remain true on our mandate to promote artistic excellence, nurture our artists, create artistic and educational contents, and engage the broadest audiences in art making and cultural experiences. We are committed to remain the leading art institution in the country,” concluded Moran-Floirendo.

For inquiries and ticketing concerns, contact 8832-3706, 8832-1125 loc. 1803, 1806. Email contact_us@culturalcenter.gov.ph or customercare@culturalcenter.gov.ph. Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

September 6, 2022
Reach Out and Melt Someone’s Heart with the Goodness of Cadbury Dairy Milk!

Filipinos are genuinely kind and generous, but due to their differences, it’s easier for them to do nothing, detach themselves, and build barriers around each other. However, Cadbury Dairy Milk wishes to inspire Filipinos to reach out and share meaningful moments with others through its smooth & creamy chocolate goodness. Cadbury believes true generosity lies in this act of reaching out and showing a little softness in order to make goodness happen.

Cadbury Dairy Milk is the #1 chocolate brand in the Philippines in modern trade and supermarkets. It’s a familiar name that evokes warm and soft feelings of deliciousness and generosity.

Chocolate: Delicious and Inspiring

The brand found that chocolate and indulgent snacks’ roles in people’s lives have changed since 2020. According to the State of Snacking Report, 74% of people shared they can’t live without chocolate. What’s more, snacks like chocolate are no longer consumed just for their taste – although that does play a big factor. In fact, snacks help improve consumers’ physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. Consumers say there are snacks for nourishment, and then equally as important are snacks that are just for enjoyment and satisfaction. Additionally, 8 out of 10 people don’t want to sacrifice on flavor when looking for indulgent snacks. People want snacks that uplift their mood, taste great and help them feel better.

These insights are from the 2021 State of Snacking Report commissioned by Cadbury Dairy Milk’s parent company Mondelēz International and compiled by the Harris Poll and Next Atlas. The report highlights the expanding role that snacking plays in the lives of consumers and inspires the Company to continue to deliver the right snack, at the right time, made the right way.

Cadbury Dairy Milk’s Goodness that Melts your Heart

With this understanding of consumers’ needs for snacking, Cadbury Dairy Milk launched a new campaign last August 2022 in line with the brand’s goal to inspire goodness in Filipinos. Supported by a lighthearted and poignant TVC, the brand aims to remind Filipinos that the unselfish act of kindness and generosity in reaching out makes both them and the other person feel good, as inspired by the softness and deliciousness of Cadbury Dairy Milk.

Together with this new campaign, the brand is releasing new and limited-edition decorative sleeves to adorn its various chocolate variants. They don’t only look good but also encourage consumers to reach out and melt someone’s heart by sharing a delicious chocolate bar with their loved ones. As a bonus for e-shoppers, Cadbury Dairy Milk has an exclusive free tote with every minimum purchase of Php 500 of any Mondelēz participating products on Shopee and Lazada! Check it out and check out today on Lazada and Shopee.

“Chocolate, like Cadbury Dairy Milk has come to mean so much more to people, especially in light of the past two years of the pandemic,” shares Raf Baradas, Cadbury Dairy Milk Brand Manager. “In the face of such confusion and hardness in the world, we seek familiar, simple and yet comforting things to help us reach out and make something good happen. We want to expand the role of our brand from being something you enjoy, to something you share to create enjoyment for others. After all, we could all benefit from a little generosity, a little softness and a little chocolate in our days and Cadbury Dairy Milk is here to support that.”

September 6, 2022
Artifract Previews the Country’s First Fine Arts NFT Collection Featuring Juvenal Sansó

The first Fine Arts NFT collection in the country, showcasing the work of Juvenal Sansó, was sold out at a special dinner by Artifract, an arts NFT platform developed by UBx and operated by Unit 256.

Fundacion Sanso, a non-profit organization that exhibits the works of globally famous painter Juvenal Sanso, expressed its excitement about this collaboration to safeguard the integrity and security of all Fundacion Sanso paintings for future preservation.

$Artifract 2$
(From L-R): UBX: Nasser Gerald Diamante, Anne Yosuico (Managing Director), Alfredo Jr. Divino (CFO), Jaime Garchitorena (Managing Director), John Januszczak (CEO) ; Unit 256 representatives: Brian Poe Llamanzares, Marvin Agustin, Edison Tsai, Stephanie Oller, Magellan Fetalino

The event also hosted a private auction. It has sold out, selling off Juvenal Sansó’s NFT collection listing Serendipitous Visions and Flower Vendor to various art collectors. The next auction will presumably be conducted in October 2022.

“We in the foundation are of the belief that NFTs are the latest and one of the most promising art platforms of both today and the future. It is a medium that many of the young, aspiring, and technologically-minded individuals and collectors can easily identify with,” Fundacion Sanso said in a statement.

“We are happy and honored that Unit 256 chose as its very first project artworks by Presidential Medal of Merit Awardee Juvenal Sanso,” it added.

Artifract, a forerunner in fine arts NFT in Asia, aims to help art estates, museums, private collectors, and artists preserve fine arts by securing the copyright of each piece and ensuring the continued viability of these collections through the utilization of blockchain technology.

Unit 256, an art-tech venture that aspires to make Philippine Arts accessible and help institutions in art preservation, and the company that manages Artifract have announced their plan to launch Juvenal Sansó’s Fine Arts NFT collection in September 2022.

“We intended to do a private dinner to feel the response of the art community to the technology that we are introducing with UBx. We did not expect such a warm reception, selling out tiles of the initial Sansó masterpieces,” Unit 256 stated.

“With such successful precedent, the Artifract team looks forward to launching publicly this September 2022. We are also excited to share that soon enough, we will be launching partnerships with more Philippine Masters.”

John Januszczak, president and CEO of UBx, the leading open finance platform in the Philippines, has likewise expressed appreciation for the growing partnership

“It is not just about digital and it’s not just about NFTs, what it is about is unlocking the value of these works of art so we can enable organizations like Fundacion Sanso, the galleries and the museums to come to further the cause of fine art in the Philippines,” he said.

Fundacion Sanso, under the leadership of Chairman Joaquin M. Teotico, Managing Director Ricky Francisco, and the founders of Unit 256, Brian Poe Llamanzares, Marvin Agustin, Stephanie Oller, Edison Tsai, and Magellan Fetalino, inked the partnership agreement in July of 2022.

“This event of launching NFTs of several of Sanso’s seminal works can only give us great pride and joy. We offer our best wishes for a very successful launch, and may Unit 256 be blessed with even more successful projects in the years to come,” Fundacion Sanso further stated.

September 6, 2022
The Global Rick and Morty Fan Experience Continues with The Latest #Wormageddon Scene Revealed in Manila

Rick and Morty fans across the world are on the hunt for spectacular displays that are part Adult Swim’s ongoing #WORMAGEDDON global “living episode”. #WORMAGEDDON is an immersive adventure that brings the two-time Emmy® Award-winning animated hit comedy series to life. It features 14 unique scenes that bridge the events of the season five finale with the season six premiere starting Monday, September 5, on HBO GO.

#WORMAGEDDON has already thrilled fans with custom builds in places such as Mexico City, Malibu, Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and the Netherlands. The custom builds in Atlanta and Mexico City were revealed to fans immediately, while scenes in Malibu, The Netherlands and Pittsburgh were part of nine scenes featured in an ongoing global treasure hunt that began on August 22.

Following along via RickandMorty.com, fans are invited to decipher clues and discover nine hidden builds. With scenes reaching every continent except Antarctica, the first fan to find each hidden location in person is rewarded on the spot with a life-size golden “Rick” head.

The Philippines was revealed on September 1 as one of the global locations taking part in #WORMAGEDDON. Located within Timezone SM Megamall, this #WORMAGEDDON scene features Rick and Morty character Noob-Noob, the intern of The Vindicators superhero team. This build is also the only one in the ongoing #WORMAGEDDON fan experience where fans stand a chance to win limited edition Rick and Morty merchandise.

Fans can visit this Rick and Morty #WORMAGEDDON scene from 10:00AM to 10:00PM until September 10, 2022. More chances of winning may await those who come as their favorite characters from the series.

“We are so blown away by how engaged and excited Rick and Morty fans are for #WORMAGEDDON. Each of our hidden builds were found only mere hours after the first clue was posted!” said Tricia Melton, Chief Marketing Officer for Warner Bros. Discovery Kids, Young Adults and Classics group. “It’s so incredible to bring both our fans into this immersive Rick and Morty living episode.”

Filipinos can stream or download season six of Rick and Morty from Monday, September 5, same day as the US, exclusively on 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 6, 2022
An Immersive Coffee Experience at Nespresso One Bonifacio High Street

Coffee culture is thriving in many cities. Now more than ever, people are interested to learn and taste various coffee beans and roasts, and individuals of all ages enjoy their cup in a relaxed or social setting. A good cup of joe can brighten a conversation, which in turn opens up deeper connections between people, giving a great coffee experience to coffee lovers everywhere.

Nespresso One BHS – Boutique Facade

Nespresso takes coffee experiences up a notch as it opens its boutique in the vibrant and bustling community of BGC. The newest store located at One Bonifacio High Street mall features an immersive space that will help patrons better understand the brand and its well-crafted offerings.

A new immersive Boutique awaits

Nespresso provides its customers with not only the most luxurious coffee but also an immersive coffee experience through its beautifully crafted space.

The boutique boasts locally inspired designs including a seagrass wall mural to give guests an authentic Pearl of the Orient feel. Seagrasses have a long and diverse history of use in the Philippines. It is commonly used as compost, upholstery, insulation, and even provides food and habitat for various marine animals. The boutique’s seagrass wall art is proudly made by ‘Rolyolikha at iba pa Handicrafts’ – a social enterprise that creates a sustainable, feasible, and viable livelihood for communities. Their beautiful creations are made from sustainable materials and ethical practices, made possible by ignited passion, creativity, and dedication.

Continuing on the immersive experience is a window-to-farm feature that gives a virtual view of coffee farms with the aim of bringing customers closer to the natural origin of the coffee and a greenery wall that symbolizes the local coffee plantations where the coffee beans are sustainably sourced. There will also be an Atelier table where a coffee specialist is present to demonstrate their expertise by answering all Nespresso coffee-related questions, explaining the specifics of Nespresso’s coffee selections, and providing recommendations to help guests find the perfect coffee that suits their unique palate.

Sustainable steps towards a brighter tomorrow

The brand further solidifies its commitment to sustainable business practices by incorporating a recycling corner at the shop, encouraging patrons to drop off their used Nespresso aluminum capsules at the store to be repurposed later on into common household items.

A new element that patrons can look forward to at the fourth boutique is the AAA dashboard, a new feature from Nespresso which creatively shows the company’s sustainability program all over the world.

Immerse yourself in a world of good coffee, art, culture, and sustainability when you visit Nespresso One Bonifacio High Street Boutique located at the Lower Ground, One Bonifacio High Street Mall from 11 AM to 9 PM. Follow @nespresso.ph on Instagram and @nespresso.phl on Facebook for updates, or visit www.nespresso.ph.

September 6, 2022
Reese Witherspoon Produces Inspiring Tale “Where the Crawdads Sing”

Trailer Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Where the Crawdads Sing tells the story of Kya, an abandoned girl who raised herself to adulthood in the dangerous marshlands of North Carolina. For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunted Barkley Cove, isolating the sharp and resilient Kya from her community. Drawn to two young men from town, Kya opens herself to a new and startling world; but when one of them is found dead, she is immediately cast by the community as the main suspect. As the case unfolds, the verdict as to what actually happened becomes increasingly unclear, threatening to reveal the many secrets that lay within the marsh.

“I read the novel in one day. I just couldn’t put it down,” says Witherspoon. “I fell in love with Kya as a main character, as a little girl who’s growing up in a very rural area, shunned by society and trying to find a way to just save herself, just survive. The experiences she has with the two men in her life are both so touching but also terrifying. Delia Owens wrote this book with such authenticity, you could just tell she really grew up in this place.”

Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

A literary phenomenon, the book skyrocketed to the top of the bestseller lists when Witherspoon picked it for Reese’s Book Club – and its record-breaking run has lasted over 191 weeks. With over 12 million copies sold in total, it was the top-selling book of 2019 and 2020 and set a new record for the most weeks at #1 on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestsellers list.

“I remember when Reese first told me about this book,” says producer Lauren Neustadter, President, Film and Television at Hello Sunshine. “We loved Kya, we loved the world, we loved the story of her survival, against all odds. When we thought about it as a movie, there was so much that was so appealing. The backdrop is absolutely magnificent and the story is epic in scope. The marsh itself is incredibly cinematic. The lush greens and also the world that she lives in, the lagoon, the beach all of the settings are so incredibly beautiful and romantic. And then Kya herself is such an extraordinary character – an unconventional heroine and certainly the hero of her own story. To see this remarkable woman against such a beautiful backdrop felt inherently cinematic, and it felt perfect to bring to life on screen.”

Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

“I don’t know where my book would be without Reese Witherspoon,” says Owens. “First it was her Book Club, then the Best Seller list, and now the movie. She’s done a lot for this book and for many, many authors.”

3000 Pictures presents in association with HarperCollins Publishers a Hello Sunshine production, Where the Crawdads Sing. Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson, Michael Hyatt, Sterling Macer, Jr., and David Strathairn. Directed by Olivia Newman. Produced by Reese Witherspoon and Lauren Neustadter. Screenplay by Lucy Alibar. Based upon the novel by Delia Owens. The executive producers are Rhonda Fehr and Betsy Danbury. The director of photography is Polly Morgan, ASC. The production designer is Sue Chan. The editor is Alan Edward Bell, ACE. The costume designer is Mirren Gordon-Crozier. The music is by Mychael Danna.

Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

In cinemas across the Philippines starting September 14, Where the Crawdads Sing is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #CrawdadsMovie

September 5, 2022
“The Woman King” to World Premiere at the 47th Toronto Film Festival

Trailer Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for…

Directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, the story is by Maria Bello and Dana Stevens and the screenplay by Dana Stevens. Produced by Cathy Schulman, Viola Davis, Julius Tennon and Maria Bello, Peter McAleese serves as executive producer. The film stars Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and John Boyega. The action drama is co-financed by Entertainment One (eOne).

Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

TIFF is also delighted to announce that Viola Davis and director Gina Prince-Bythewood will be participating in the festival’s audience-pleasing “In Conversation With…” series which features in-depth conversations with film artists, writers and cultural figures about their creative process.

The Woman King marks a new high point in both Davis and Prince-Bythewood’s remarkable careers. While Davis wowed fans in her role as whip-smart and charismatic defence lawyer Annalise Keating in the hit TV series How to Get Away With Murder (2014–2020), the Oscar, Emmy, and Tony Award winner has also built an impressive resume leading ensemble films such as Fences (2016), Widows (TIFF ’18), and, most recently, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020).

Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

Prince-Bythewood shot onto the film scene with her beloved feature directorial debut, Love & Basketball (2000), for which she also wrote the screenplay. Since her debut, she has proven her storytelling, writing, and directing prowess again and again, focusing on stories about Black women in particular with such influential films as The Secret Life of Bees (2008), Beyond the Lights (TIFF ’14), and the wildly inventive blockbuster action thriller The Old Guard (2020).

As TIFF hosts the World Premiere of The Woman King at this year’s Festival, Davis and Prince-Bythewood will sit down for an in-depth conversation about the journey of making this stunning, paradigm-shifting film, their creative collaboration, and their respective artistic paths in Hollywood.

Photo Courtesy of Columbia Pictures

In cinemas across the Philippines starting October 5, The Woman King is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #TheWomanKing

September 5, 2022
U.P. Town Center opens the first Landers Superstore in Ayala Malls

The freshly-launched membership-shopping destination offers a wide assortment of goods—from grocery and organic food to home decors and appliances—to fit various lifestyles and needs. It also has in-house dining choices to satisfy sweet and savory cravings of hungry customers who need a pick-me-up after hitting the shopping aisles.

U.P. Town Center (UPTC) is the first to introduce Landers membership shopping to Ayala Malls patrons. This is also the second Landers Superstore in Quezon City, and the seventh branch in the Philippines. The hub sits at Phase 1B of the shopping district that caters to mall-goers, as well as nearby communities within the area of Diliman.

The store opening was attended by Former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo; Atty. Lowell Yu, CEO, Landers; Gwen Lim, President, Landers; Mark Sablan, Leasing Head, Ayala Malls Inc.; Pivi Diaz, Cluster Head, Ayala Malls Inc.; AC Legarda, Vice President and Central Head, Ayala Malls Inc.; and Ydonna Alvendia, General Manager, U.P. Town Center.

Go super! Go to Landers Superstore!

Members can enjoy premium shopping experiences every time they visit Landers UPTC. Upon entering, they will find aesthetically designed interiors and Instagrammable spaces, which they can freely interact with to share their super-shopping adventures to family and friends. The space also boasts of wide aisles and an extensive variety of local and important products including grocery, home, health, beauty, fashion, kid’s, and event pet care items.

Aside from its massive retail area, Landers UPTC houses a spacious dining space, consistent with all its other branches. After hours of shopping for home necessities and pantry stocks, members are welcome to dine and drink at the superstore’s in-house diner and coffee shop. Its diner, Landers Central, is best known for its drool-worthy New York-style pizza, pasta, chicken, and refillable drinks. Alternatively, diners may opt for a more laid-back dining setup at Doppio, with more eats and sweets plus hot and cold drinks available. Aside from these stores, shoppers may also get their fix at Dough and Co., which features bread and pastries at a discounted price.

Want perks? Become a member!

With each membership comes unique finds and endless perks! Aside from exclusive deals, Landers also offers free haircuts and blowdry for a minimum-purchase receipt at Federal Barbers. Shoppers can also enjoy member discounts for their health and wellness needs at Landers’ pharmacy, Capital Care.

Now that the holiday season is upon us, it’s time to hit the mall and fill your carts. Revel in the beauty of Christmas through giving and sharing baskets of joy and love to family and friends. Become a member by signing up in-store or online for only P700 to enjoy more discounts and savings on amazing items at Landers Superstore, U.P. Town Center.

September 5, 2022
PETA marks theater comeback with Batang Rizal

After Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) big digital breakthrough during the pandemic: a string of successful online show streams and virtual workshops, the pioneering Filipino theater company is making a big theater comeback for its 55th Theater Season!

The return to the theater features no less than a PETA classic, Christine Bellen’s Batang Rizal! First to launch online via streaming from October 14-16, the well-loved musical will be the first show to open PETA’s theater stage in November.

Co-written, directed for stage, and choreographed by Dudz Teraña, with musical direction, arrangement, and composition by Vincent de Jesus, Batang Rizal is a remarkable piece because of its ability to resonate with audiences across generations. Its power rests in its simplicity and relatability, while carrying a deep challenge for audiences to become everyday heroes.

Even after a decade and a half, the magic of Batang Rizal has not wavered. PETA artistic director, and Batang Rizal video director, Maribel Legarda, says that one of the most powerful aspects of the show is “how Rizal’s story is told not through the eyes of an adult but that of a child’s.”

“We hope to inspire children and young people to imagine a world where they can participate and contribute in a healthy way. We want them to be conscious of not only their own reality but also of the world around them,” she adds.

First staged in 2007, Batang Rizal won the hearts of critics and audiences because of its imaginative storytelling, together with timeless songs, including the well-known PETA classic “Pag-asa Ng Bayan,” which originated from the show.

It is for this reason that the story of Batang Rizal lives on, always remaining fresh for new, young audiences. However, older audiences are still able to enjoy the show, as it serves as a reminder of a Filipino’s duty to family, friends, and country.

Perhaps, Legarda continues, it is also because of how the social realities during Rizal’s time are not too far from the issues and problems our society faces today. “Batang Rizal is timeless and it will always be able to speak to any generation and inspire them to believe in and be part of that heroism.”

After fifteen years since its original run, the 2022 staging now features a new cast, new set, and new animations. The cast features Tim Mabalot, Yhuan Gatbunton, Gold Villar-Lim, Norbs Portales, Carlon Matobato, John Moran, Teetin Villanueva, Jovy Vieja, Raven Relavo, and Marynor Madamesila.

Watch Batang Rizal’s online streaming via KTX.ph from October 14-16, 2022, and the limited run at the PETA Theater Center on November 25 and December 2 (9:00 AM and 3:30 PM).

For ticket inquiries and touring packages, contact Mitch Go at 0917-539-1112.

For streaming tickets, go to www.ktx.ph/category/batang-rizal.

Batang Rizal is also part of PETA’s Hero Vision creative campaign, which aims to trigger conversations and reflections on heroism – and to inspire Filipinos to choose to live heroically every day.

September 5, 2022
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Attracts More than 25 Million Global Viewers on its First Day, Marking Prime Video’s Biggest Premiere Ever

Last September 3, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) announced The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power attracted more than 25 million global viewers on its first day, breaking all previous records, marking the biggest premiere in the history of Prime Video. The serieslaunched exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios, said: “It is somehow fitting that Tolkien’s stories – among the most popular of all time, and what many consider to be the true origin of the fantasy genre – have led us to this proud moment. I am so grateful to the Tolkien Estate – and to our showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, executive producer Lindsey Weber, cast and crew – for their tireless collaborative efforts and boundless creative energy. And it is the tens of millions of fans watching – clearly as passionate about Middle-earth as we are – who are our true measure of success.”

Episodes of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will launch weekly through the October 14 season finale on Prime Video.

Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and one of the greatest villains that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared reemergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the farthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

The series is led by showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay. They are joined by executive producers Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, J.A. Bayona, Belén Atienza, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Bruce Richmond, and Sharon Tal Yguado, and producers Ron Ames and Christopher Newman. Wayne Che Yip is co-executive producer and directs along with J.A. Bayona and Charlotte Brändström.

A world-renowned literary work, and winner of the International Fantasy Award and Prometheus Hall of Fame Award, The Lord of the Rings was named Amazon customers’ favorite book of the millennium in 1999 and Britain’s best-loved novel of all time in BBC’s “The Big Read” in 2003.The Lord of the Rings books have been translated into over 38 languages and have sold more than 150 million copies.

September 5, 2022