Author: Press Release

Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil welcomes the Legaspi family as new brand ambassadors

The consistent number one canola oil brand and nutritionists-recommended Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil introduces the Legaspi family as its first family celebrity ambassadors this 2022, to strengthen the brand’s campaign of promoting the importance of healthy and delicious meals for the whole family.

One of the Philippine entertainment industry’s famous celebrity families, Zoren, Carmina, Mavy, and Cassy Legaspi represent the typical Filipino family that bonds over food, made healthier and extra special with Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil.

“We are grateful and honored to be the first family ambassador of Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil,” Carmina says. “Nakakatuwa kasi it’s a new chapter for us, lalo na malaki na ang kambal,” Zoren adds.

The family that eats together…

Zoren and Carmina have been together for nearly two decades as a certified power couple in local showbiz. Their kids, twins Mavy and Cassy, have just turned 21 years old in January and are beginning to make their mark in the industry. In spite of their busy schedules, the Legaspi family makes it a point to cook at home and eat meals together to be updated with each other’s life.

“Number 1 thing in the Legaspi family is that being busy is not an excuse; we need to spend time together as a family especially during mealtime,” says Cassy.

Mavy agrees, adding they always find ways to bond, such as connecting via video call when one of them is inside a locked-in taping. “We’re all busy doing our own types of work, but when we all gather at the dining table, it brings us closer together. We talk about anything under the sun.”

Healthy and delicious

As for what they usually have on the table, they said cooking and eating healthy have always been a priority. Carmina admits to having cheat days, but the key is to balance what’s healthy with what makes you happy. In her own words, “healthy pero masarap.”

“Noong dumating itong pandemic, mas naging conscious kami in making sure that we cook and eat healthier food,” she says. “Mas gusto naming home-cooked meals than food deliveries para we know the ingredients, the way it’s cooked and prepared, at ano ‘yung cooking oil na ginamit. ‘Yung mga ganung details na akala natin hindi importante, sobrang mahalaga pala.”

Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil serves as every Filipino kitchen’s heart-healthy companion for everyday meals. It offers the lowest amount of saturated fat or “bad fats” versus other types of vegetable oils. Bad fats increase bad cholesterol levels in your body which may lead to heart disease.

Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil has high amounts of monounsaturated fats or the “good fats” that helps lower bad cholesterol levels in your body. It contains Omega 3 and 6 which are essential to your heart, brain, and overall body development. Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil is the consistent number one canola oil in the market, trusted by health professionals who value its health benefits, and high versatility – perfect for a wide range of dishes.

A heart-healthy and nutritionist-approved pantry staple

Every member of the Legaspi family shares their own favorite home-cooked meals. Carmina’s favorite is adobo, while Zoren goes for “anything with noodles or pasta.” For Mavy, it’s “Salpicao ni Mama,” and for Cassy, it’s “Mommy’s tuna pasta.”

“I usually cook with whatever’s in the pantry,” Carmina says. “So, anything gisa-gisa. And when you sauté, you need canola oil. Ang pinakamadali, gambas. Kapag dinner time, I prepare salmon escabeche or pag wala ako maisip – salpicao!”

Carmina may be commanding the Legaspi kitchen today, but it was actually Zoren who was the first in their family to learn how to cook. He enrolled in CCA, a prestigious culinary school. He invited his wife to join him but Carmina was hesitant at first and said she would rather stick with doing the groceries instead. Eventually, she was inspired by Zoren’s dedication and decided to finally try her hand at cooking. She never looked back since.

“Ang pagluluto kasi, it’s a gift pala. It’s a talent,” she says, adding even Cassy and Mavy are starting to find themselves in the kitchen more often.

Cassy says it’s essential to prepare all the ingredients first. Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil, in particular, is an important pantry staple. Aside from all its health benefits, it also has one of the highest heat points that make it ideal for frying, especially for deep-frying.

The Legaspi family calls on everyone to keep their family ties strong, starting with cooking and sharing meals whenever they can. With Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil and its health benefits, bonding moments are made extra special with home-cooked meals that are good for the heart.

Jolly Heart Mate Canola Oil is available in supermarkets and grocery stores nationwide, and online on Lazada, Shopee, and AceMarket.ph. For more information, check out the brand’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JollyHeartMateCanolaOil

July 20, 2022
The Bootleg Beatles Live In Concert 2022

To all those long-time fans still young at heart , and to all old souls out here in the archipelago and “Across The Universe”, get ready as the world-renowned tribute act The Bootleg Beatles return to the Philippines for a series of wonderful concerts in select cities and prime live music venues.

From “Love Me Do” to “Let It Be”, from the Cavern to the Apple rooftop, from black and white to psychedelic technicolour, the world’s Premier Beatle band returns to take you on a whistle-stop journey through the most vibrant revolutionary and divisive decade of all – the Swinging Sixties.

It’s all here..the iconic mop tops , the Chelsea boots, the witty Beatle banter , the Chesterfield suits.

This talented quartet, composed of Steve White (Paul McCartney), Stephen Hill (George Harrison), Tyson Kelly (John Lennon), and Gordon Elsmore (Ringo Starr) not only sound authentic …but their resemblance to the originals is uncanny.

As one reviewer put it…”It’s not The Beatles …but you “simply won’t believe it.”

Featuring a special set to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of the Please Please Me LP …which of course, gave birth to other timeless hits “Twist And Shout”, “I Saw Her Standing There”, don’t miss this amazing multi-media show . It’s an absolute must-see for Beatle fans of all ages.

The Bootleg Beatles have previously performed sold out tours in the Philippines during their 2016 & 2018 tours here. Moreover, they are fresh from performing at this year’s Glastonbury Festival. So, to all Pinoy Beatles loyalists out there, you better prepare to witness their remarkable concert production behold for a one-of-a-kind live music experience like no other this 2022 featuring the finest repertoire of the world’s most popular band ever.

The Bootleg Beatles are performing in the following dates and cities this coming October 2022:

SMX Convention Centre, Davao City – Thursday, October 27^th 2022 – 8pm
Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City – Saturday, October 29^th 2022 – 8pm
PICC Plenary Hall, Pasay, Manila – Sunday, October 30^th 2022 – 8pm

Ticket sales for The Bootleg Beatles, Philippines 2022 Tour will commence on Friday 22nd July 2022, Tickets available from all Ticket World & SM Ticket outlets and Online.

Thursday October 27, SMX Convention Center, Davao City,

Ticket prices;

VIP – Reserved Seating – 3,500 Peso
Platinum – Reserved Seating – 2,500 Peso
Gold – Reserved Seating – 1,500 Peso
Silver – Free Seating – 750 Peso

* Exclusive of ticket service charge

SM Ticket Outlets or log on to www.smtickets.com or call 8470-2222
Ticket World outlets or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999

Saturday October 29, Waterfront Hotel & Casino, Cebu City,

Ticket prices;

VIP – Reserved Seating – 3,800 Peso
Platinum – Reserved Seating – 2,800 Peso
Gold – Reserved Seating – 2,000 Peso
Silver – Free Seating – 1,500 Peso
Bronze (Balcony) – Free Seating – 800 Peso

* Exclusive of ticket service charge

SM Ticket Outlets or log on to www.smtickets.com or call 8470-2222
Ticket World outlets or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999

Sunday October 30^th, PICC Plenary Hall, Pasay, Metro Manila,

Ticket prices;

VVIP – Center Reserved Seating – 5,800 Peso
VIP – Left/Right Reserved Seating – 4,800 Peso
Platinum – Reserved Seating – 3,800 Peso
Gold – Reserved Seating – 2,000 Peso
Silver – Free Seating – 1,200 Peso
Bronze – Free Seating – 750 Peso

* Exclusive of ticket service charge

SM Ticket Outlets or log on to www.smtickets.com or call 8470-2222
Ticket World outlets or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999

For more information;

www.bootlegbeatles.com or /@ bootlegbeatles on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
www.concertrepublic.com or /@concertrepublic on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

July 19, 2022
“The Black Phone” Rings Box-Office Success Globally

Ringing beyond the $100M-mark global box-office, Universal Pictures’ “The Black Phone” has successfully brought in the horror genre fans once again to the cinemas and continues to do so, making it one of the “biggest non-sequel horror” films to-date.

“The Black Phone” comes to Philippine cinemas on July 20, starring a subtle powerhouse of veteran and young talents led by Ethan Hawke along with Mason Thames and Madeleine McGraw who continue to earn praises and raves for their work in the film.

“The Black Phone” is based on the short story by Joe Hill (son of legendary horror author Stephen King) where Ethan Hawke takes on the role of The Grabber, a child abductor and serial killer. Both the short story and the film follow 13-year-old Finney (Thames), abducted by The Grabber in a small town in northern Denver. Locked in the killer’s soundproof basement, Finney discovers that he can hear the killer’s previous victims through a disconnected black rotary phone on the wall.

In most films about child abduction or serial killers, the victim needs to be rescued by an intrepid, driven detective or other adult. In The Black Phone, the well-meaning adults are essentially useless and the kids – Finney himself, the voices of the dead boys on the phone, and especially Finney’s younger sister, Gwen (McGraw) – are the only people who can possibly save Finney from certain torture and death. Beyond the blood-chilling terror, it’s a film about the strength of children, their ability to believe in unseen forces, and the power of family and love to endure even the darkest, most unthinkable events.

Set in the ‘ 70s, for Gen Xers, this was a time without anti-bullying initiatives, where, for boys in particular, learning to defend yourself against mean kids was considered a normal rite of passage. “My earliest memory up until high school was the violence of the neighborhood that I lived in,” director Derrickson says. “The primary feeling that I remember having as a child was fear. I was the youngest kid on the street full of bullies.”

Hawke was, in fact, hesitant at first since The Grabber is a failed magician who is shrouded in darkness. “Some part of The Grabber’s soul has been so eroded that he can justify doing things that most of us can’t even think about,” Hawke says. “It’s hard to play that level of malevolency because it’s impossible to justify.” The script, and in particular the relationship between Finney and his sister Gwen, changed his mind. “I thought it was special because, yes, it’s a scary movie, but it has a heart of gold,” concludes Hawke.

A Universal Pictures International film, answer the call when “The Black Phone” opens on July 20 in local cinemas nationwide.

“The Black Phone” is rated R-13 by the local censors board (MTRCB), only 13 years old and above are allowed inside the cinema.

July 19, 2022
Rakuten Viber aims to inspire more Pinoy-preneurs with Pinoy Dream Negosyo

The event rounds off the series of online challenges and activities that the top three participating entrepreneurs from the Raket PH and FoodPHViber channelshad to undergo for the opportunity to pitch their business ideas and receive a business grant from Viber and its partners Inquirer Group of Companies and Grab Express.

Pinoy Dream Negosyo is in line with Rakuten Viber’s mission to educate, enable, and empower Filipino MSMEs by giving them a platform to share their entrepreneurial journey and by providing business owners with the know-how and tools to help implement their business plans, and scale their business operations.

Lana Macapagal, PR Lead for APAC at Rakuten Viber

“Pinoy Dream Negosyo didn’t happen overnight. It is a byproduct of the team’s hard work to meet and answer the needs of the Filipinos back in 2020,” said Lana Macapagal, APAC PR Lead for Rakuten Viber. “When there was a surge in users and communities actively using Viber, we asked ourselves how we could help them further. That led us to our goal, which is to champion Filipino MSMEs.”

Viber, one of the world’s leading apps for free, secured, and easy communication, has been instrumental in helping small businesses grow and stay connected to their consumers and each other, especially during the pandemic.

Viber saw an increase in the use of its Channels feature during the Covid-19 lockdowns. Viber Channels helped entrepreneurs reach out to potential customers and like-minded individuals, allowing them to grow and manage their businesses.

Among the helpful tools for small businesses were the Raket PH and FoodPH Viber channels.

Raket PH serves as a Viber channel for MSME owners and side hustlers who want to promote their side businesses. Since its launching, Raket PH now has over 203,000 subscribers.

Food PH,on the other hand, is an online food channel that helped small and micro food entrepreneurs adapt to the “new normal” during the pandemic through contactless online purchases. FoodPH eventually evolved through its bot, serving as a transaction point for buyers. The Food PH channel has grown significantly to attract over 560,000 subscribers.

Making MSME dreams a reality

Pinoy Dream Negosyo opens the doors to MSMEs who want to share their business journeys and acquire the knowledge and tools to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality.

Pinoy Dream Negosyo has two categories, Raket Mo ‘To and Da Best of FoodPH.

At the event, three entrepreneurs from Raket PH and three from Food PH had the opportunity to inspire other aspiring Filipino entrepreneurs by sharing their stories and pitching their final business ideas for a chance to receive a business grant from Viber and its partners.

GRAND BESTie Mon Cabsag with Viber executives Lana Macapagal and Veronica Feleo together with judges Ruth Navarra-Mayo and
Gerick Manalo

In selecting the GRAND BESTie of DA BEST OF FOOD PH, Viber sought the help of an esteemed panel of judges, including writer and editor Ruth Navarra-Mayo, restaurateur and celebrity chef Gerick Manalo, and Rakuten Viber’s Business Development Manager Veronica Feleo.

Raket Mo To grand winner Richmond Argosino of Ken Goods and Apparel and the Grand Bestie of FOOD Ph
Mon Ramlher Cabsag of The Bistro Box

For Raket Mo ‘To of Raket PH, the panel of judges was: Joseph Arnold De Guzman, Go Negosyo mentor and Chairman and CEO of First Food Link Distributors, Inc.; Jennivev “Nene” Tamayo-Plamio, a celebrity mompreneur and one of the pioneer members of the GrabExpress Madiskarteng Boss Club, and; Chris Aguilar, APAC Marketing Director for Rakuten Viber.

In the end, two budding Filipino entrepreneurs became one step closer to fulfilling their entrepreneurial dreams as they each received a business grant from Viber and its partners. The judges chose Mon Cabsag of The Bistro Box as the GRAND BESTie of FOODPH and Richmond Argosino of Ken Goods and Apparel for Raket Mo ‘To of RaketPH.

For his final challenge, Mon Cabsag created his version of a popular regional food called nilupak, a traditional Filipino delicacy. In his entry, he prepared the cassava with nata de coco, mung beans, sugar, condensed milk, ube, ultimately wowing the judges with a nilupak that resembles the flavors of halo-halo, a Filipino favorite dessert.

The winners were chosen under the supervision of DTI representative Edsel John Lingon.

Cabsag, during the media QnA segment of the event, said that he will use the prizes to upgrade his business equipment to better serve his customers. “It was a memorable and exhilarating experience for me. I met and interacted with a lot of entrepreneurs like me and gained more perspective about running a business,” he added.

Viber, a long-time supporter of entrepreneurs in the country, looks forward to the next set of enterprising individuals whose dreams it can help make a reality.

July 19, 2022
Former Stunt Double of Brad Pitt Now Directs “Bullet Train”

Brad Pitt stars as Ladybug, an unlucky assassin determined to do his job peacefully after one too many gigs gone off the rails. Fate, however, may have other plans, as Ladybug’s latest mission puts him on a collision course with lethal adversaries from around the globe—all with connected, yet conflicting, objectives—on the world’s fastest train. The end of the line is just the beginning in this non-stop thrill-ride through modern-day Japan.

For director David Leitch, the chance to direct a movie that was unlike any other presented an unmissable opportunity. “I was attracted to how bold and original it is, and that’s the kind of movie I like to make,” he says. “It has a tone of relentless fun and snappy dialogue. But the most important thing to me was that it had well-defined characters that gave the actors a lot to chew on. It’s a fun action-thriller with crazy, bombastic characters – and it’s a meditation on fate. Really.”

Brad Pitt & David Leitch (Photo: Columbia Pictures)

“All of these characters show their humanity,” adds Leitch. “Ladybug wants to be a better person. But you also see it in the characters played by Brian Tyree Henry and Aaron Taylor-Johnson in their brotherhood – they clearly care for each other. Joey King’s character is a sociopath, but she has a dynamic with her father that we can all connect with. You can go on this journey with these remorseless killers and still feel for them, have fun, laugh at the jokes.”

Photo: Columbia Pictures

That makes it a movie that fits squarely into Leitch’s vision as a director. “It’s hard these days to strike out and make an original movie – not a sequel or a superhero story – but we’re up for the challenge,” Leitch continues. Through his company 87North, Leitch is seeking to bring his own personal stamp to action movies and the way action is portrayed. Having entered the business as a stuntman, and rising to become a stunts supervisor and choreographer before staking a groundbreaking directorial style with the films Deadpool 2, Atomic Blonde, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, and John Wick, Leitch says that there are boundless opportunities to stretch the action genre. “There’s action in comedy, there’s action in thrillers, there’s action in horror,” he says. “My entire adult life has been action on film. Action is in my DNA. So I’m excited by the idea of taking big, provocative swings and making bold choices, as we keep it action-adjacent.”

Photo: Columbia Pictures

Leitch had gained Pitt’s trust by serving as his stunt double on several of the actor’s classics – Fight Club, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Troy, and more – before making his mark as a director. Pitt knew he’d be in safe hands. “It was a little funny to me, watching Brad play a stuntman in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. I can tell you that the relationship between actor and stuntman that was part of that movie is real,” says Leitch. “You develop a close and collaborative relationship. We went in different directions for a while, but fate wasn’t done with us, and I’m so glad it’s brought us back together.”

In Philippine cinemas August 03, Bullet Train is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #BulletTrainMovie

July 19, 2022
Ellis Co gives a glimpse of his debut collection for urban high fashion label ARCHIVES

Young Filipino designer Ellis Co invites everyone to “reminisce the future” with his upcoming collection “Memoirs of the Future.” Merging the past and what’s to come through design, the collection is set to mark the launch of his urban high fashion label ARCHIVES, established earlier this year.

In making the collection, Ellis took influences from Brutalist architectural style from the ‘50s and ‘60s and New Brutalism from Berlin and Copenhagen. Known for its monolithic appearance and geometric beauty, the architectural movement is combined with the Japanese fashion aesthetic. This makes the collection a showcase of ensembles that reimagines silhouettes aiming to redefine clothing function and reimagine the idea of fashion for individuals.

“I chose the brand name ARCHIVES because the clothes that I design are timeless and lasting pieces, and in itself, a collection of historical records,” Ellis, the brand’s founder, and director of design, says. “I perceive these pieces as the remnants of me as a designer for years to come, and years after I’m gone.”

“For this collection, I tasked myself with redefining function by adding and creating new functions on my designs,” he adds.

This is not the first time Ellis dipped his toes in fashion. At age 16, Ellis started designing shirts and selling shoes. While working as the Assistant Vice President for Operations for his family’s real estate and construction company, Sunwest Group Holdings Company, Inc., the 21-year-old designer established two fashion brands prior to ARCHIVES. In his latest endeavor, he is joined by visual artist Reika Mayani, who serves as the creative director of the brand.

During a press preview, members of the media got a glimpse of the “Memoirs of the Future,” presenting the pieces designed with the idea of “deja vu” in mind. “When I design, I’m very focused on the silhouette, how the shape looks, how the piece drops on the body, especially, the minor details,” Ellis muses. “Basically, I’m trying to make something that hasn’t been done yet but is still familiar. I try to find the familiarity in the unfamiliar.”

ARCHIVES’ “Memoir of the Future” collection will be revealed on July 27, 2022, at Whitespace Manila in Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati City, which will be live streamed online. Beyond just a traditional runway show, the collection’s launch will be a truly multi-sensory experience with a graphic projection of the line’s inspiration, a taste of the future with molecular gastronomy, and a scentstation, all leading to the unveiling of the collection with a unique sound experience as the designer will produce original music for the show.

July 19, 2022
Filippo Berio: His Signature. Our Promise

Since the mid-1800s, the Filippo Berio brand has become synonymous with Italian olive oil excellence thanks to modern production facilities, uncompromising quality standards, and a strong brand integrity. Its unique flavour has made it one of the leading brands in the world.

If there was one thing for which Filippo Berio was particularly proud of it was the exceptional quality of his olive oils. He worked hard to ensure that each bottle was made from the best olives using ‘tried and true’ production methods.

In every deliciously rich bottle of Filippo Berio olive oil lies 150 years of skilled craftsmanship. We treat our heritage with great care, ensuring Filippo Berio’s signature today represents the same uncompromising quality that our founder intended.

Today, his stringent quality standards are still applied at every stage of the production process, which takes place in SALOV’s state-of-the-art production facility just outside Lucca, Italy.

Filippo Berio’s highly-experienced tasters sample 6,000 olive oils each year, yet only 6% are actually selected to become Filippo Berio olive oil.

During the selection process, stages of analysis must be passed in order for an olive oil to be considered Extra Virgin.

The very best and purest form of olive oil is extra virgin which is stored or bottled immediately after pressing, just as it is. To obtain this prestigious classification however, the olive oil must undergo a range of stringent tests to ensure that its acidity levels are below 0.8%. All oils above this limit are sent to a refinery and blended with extra virgin olive oils to add flavour, the resulting product is known as standard or pure olive oil .

Filippo Berio Olive Oil has become a staple ingredient in the kitchen that some of the country’s renowned chefs use it as an everyday cooking oil.

“What’s great about using Filippo Berio olive oil is that you get a longer shelf life with your pastries as compared to butter,” says Chef Angelo Comsti.

“Filippo Berio Extra Virgin olive oil, it’s really high quality, very flavorful and they’re experts in olive oils” says Chef Jackie Laudico.

Filippo Berio Oils are also certified Kosher and Halal.

Aside from high quality olive oils, Filippo Berio creates delicious Pestos. Pesto is an Italian sauce. The name ‘Pesto’ derives from the Italian verb, pestare, meaning to crush or grind. Available in the market are the classic pesto, sun-dried tomato pesto, and tomato and ricotta pesto.

Filippo Berio also has Balsamic Vinegar of Modena which is made from specially selected grapes and assures its origin in Modena, Italy which is known for its production of Balsamic Vinegar. Its unique flavor, which is a perfect complement to our fine Extra Virgin Olive Oil, is ideal for salad dressings, marinades, or even drizzled over grilled fish, meat, and vegetables.

Filippo Berio is available in all major supermarkets nationwide and in e-commerce platforms like Lazada and Shopee.

To know more about Filippo Berio and discover its products, cool recipes, videos, chefs’ tips, and more, you may visit the official Filippo Berio global website, Facebook, and Instagram

July 18, 2022
‘The Sandman’ Announces August 5 Release, Mark Hamill’s Character

Welcome to the dreaming… The Sandman debuts globally on Netflix on August 5th. Mark Hamill will voice a beloved character.

When the Sandman, aka Dream (Tom Sturridge)–the powerful cosmic being who controls all our dreams–is unexpectedly captured and held prisoner for over a century, he must journey across different worlds and timelines to fix the chaos his absence has caused.

Based on the beloved award-winning DC comic series written by Neil Gaiman, THE SANDMAN is a rich, character-driven blend of myth and dark fantasy woven together over the course of ten epic chapters following Dream’s many adventures. Developed and executive produced by Gaiman, showrunner Allan Heinberg, and David S. Goyer, THE SANDMAN is produced by Warner Bros. Television. The series also stars Boyd Holbrook, Patton Oswalt, Vivienne Acheampong, Gwendoline Christie, Charles Dance, Jenna Coleman, David Thewlis, Stephen Fry, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Mason Alexander Park, Donna Preston, Vanesu Samunyai (formerly known as “Kyo Ra”), John Cameron Mitchell, Asim Chaudhry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Joely Richardson, Niamh Walsh, Sandra James-Young and Razane Jammal.

Out of their panel at Geeked Week, Neil Gaiman, Allan Heinberg, and the cast revealed the official teaser and news that Mark Hamill will voice the beloved character Merv Pumpkinhead.

July 18, 2022
Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Keanu Reeves Lead Voice Cast of “DC League of Super-Pets”

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.

In addition to bringing together some of the DC Universe’s biggest names, the film boasts a huge casting coup as well, with the one and only Dwayne Johnson as Krypto, together again with Kevin Hart as Ace—no dynamic duo plays off each other better and who but Johnson and Hart banter with such a biting wit?

Johnson, who also serves as a producer on the film under his Seven Bucks banner, observes, “When you think about the conceit of what this is, about the pets of these Super Heroes, and the fact it has never been done before in cinema history!? That is pretty remarkable, considering the genre of superheroes films as a whole. What kind of pets would your favorite DC Super-Heroes have, from Superman to Wonder Woman to Batman to Flash to Green Lantern? So, when I first heard the idea, I was in without hesitation, 100%. And when you think about the players—from Warner Bros. to DC, and the love that we at [our production company] Seven Bucks Productions have for the superhero genre and for animation as well—we jumped at the partnership and the opportunity.”

Dwayne Johnson as Krypto (Photo from Warner Bros. Pictures)

Hart’s Ace is the de facto leader of the shelter pack. The actor was drawn to the story right away, noting, “It’s a big movie with big characters. I feel like there are so many moments throughout the script where the verbiage on the page popped, and they put the right people into those positions and the material just blows you away—they did a great job casting. That’s what you want on a movie like this—to be part of an amazing ensemble that feels special. You really feel, ‘Hey, we got something here.’”

The ensemble that the filmmakers assembled to voice the four-legged reluctant heroes and delightfully villainous baddies featured in the film include Vanessa Bayer as potbellied pig PB, Diego Luna as scaredy squirrel Chip, Natasha Lyonne as vision-impaired turtle Merton, Kate McKinnon as evil genius guinea pig Lulu, with Lulu’s main mutant guinea pig recruits, Keith and Mark, voiced by Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz.

Kevin Hart as Ace (Photo from Warner Bros. Pictures)

For the film’s two-legged heroes, John Krasinski voices Krypto’s bestie and Metropolis’s own Clark Kent, aka Superman, and Olivia Wilde is the voice of his sweetheart, Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane. The Justice League members seen and heard in the film are Batman, voiced by Keanu Reeves; Wonder Woman, by Jameela Jamil; Aquaman, by Jemaine Clement; The Flash by John Early; Green Lantern by Dascha Polanco; and Cyborg by Daveed Diggs.

“In an animated movie, the most important thing is that the actor’s voice is the perfect voice for the character, but we got lucky that they also happened to be huge movie stars,” director Jared Stern smiles.

(Photo from Warner Bros. Pictures)

Amidst all the high-flying action and adventure, the film also touches on the importance of friendship and family—and emphasizes that anyone’s real superpower, no matter how many legs you stand on, is being true to yourself.

“DC League of Super-Pets” will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures in Philippine theaters July 27. Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #DCSuperPets

July 18, 2022
Going Strong for the Filipino Youth through Shop2Give Year 5 with Unilever, UNICEF, and Lazada

Whether it’s self-care or caring for others, people need care all year round. With this in mind, Unilever is partnering with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Lazada for Shop2Give Together Super Brand Day sale, now on its fifth year! A portion of the proceeds from the Shop2Give Together campaign will help more children and youth get improved access to quality basic education.

Unilever’s 5th Super Brand Day sale is happening this July 18. On this particular day, Unilever and Lazada will give online shoppers a treat through exclusive all-day discounts, freebies, and limited-time discount vouchers on your favorite Unilever brands like Surf, Dove, TRESemmé, Cream Silk, Pond’s, Breeze, Knorr and many more.

“Education unlocks opportunities, enables social mobility and aids in building an equitable and inclusive world.” Benjie Yap, CEO of Unilever Philippines said. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Lazada and UNICEF Philippines in pursuit of a better tomorrow for the youth.”

UNICEF has been a long-standing partner of both Unilever and Lazada. The funds raised from the campaign will go towards UNICEF programs to support learners that cannot access formal education or have dropped out of school.“Thanks to Unilever and Lazada’s continuous support through this campaign, we have been able to reach more vulnerable children and youth in the Philippines. This year, the funds will help provide opportunities for out-of-school children and youth, offering flexible pathways to complete their basic education,” said Isy Faingold, Chief of Education of UNICEF Philippines.

Exclusive Promos Ahead

Not only will online shoppers be able to share their care for Filipino youth, but they will also enjoy exciting promos on the 5th Super Brand Day sale. On July 18, shoppers can get all-day discounts up to 50% off! Not only that, but they can also take advantage of FREE SHIPPING with no minimum spend.

Shoppers will also get to enjoy EXCLUSIVE freebies with every purchase and have the chance to get limited-time discount vouchers up to 15% OFF! Thus, shoppers can get the self-care essentials they need at a fraction of the price.

“Lazada is proud to work with Unilever once again to help more Filipino youth pursue their education for a better future,” Carlos Barrera, CEO of Lazada Philippines said. “As a leading e-commerce platform in the country, we are committed to providing people across the country with the basic needs. Everyone deserves some self-care time, and we’re more than happy to help provide for their needs.”

Last year’s ‘Shop2Give Care’ campaign raised funds for UNICEF to provide educational supplies and support for young children and their parents and caregivers to conduct home-based development and learning activities with a focus on the most disadvantaged areas.

Unilever and Lazada aim to continue their momentum to give Filipinos the self-care products they rightfully deserve and provide UNICEF support to help more youth pursue their education.

This year’s Shop2Give Together campaign marks the fifth year of the annual Unilever-Lazada sale for a cause. For more information on Unilever and Lazada’s Shop2Give Together sale in support of UNICEF Philippines, visit the Unilever Philippines Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UnileverPhilippines/

For more information about UNICEF’s programmes in the Philippines visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/unicefphilippines/ or www.unicef.ph

July 18, 2022