Miss Universe Philippines 2024 and PLDT Home Ambassador Chelsea Manalo talks about staying connected with her loved ones and being her best self in Metro.Style’s latest digital cover story.
Chelsea impressed the whole nation with her performance in Miss Universe Philippines’ swimwear and eveningwear segments. But it was her Q&A about overcoming restrictive beauty standards that captured the hearts of Filipinos and ultimately secured her the win.
Speaking to Metro.Style, Chelsea candidly talks about being away from her family in Bulacan, especially now that her Miss Universe journey is running at full speed. A lesson that she learned from her Miss Universe Philippines stint is the importance of maintaining connections with loved ones.
“(I always) value the time with the people who are really close to my heart,” she tells Metro.Style. When away from home, Chelsea makes sure to keep in touch with loved ones via landline, mobile, or the internet with reliable connection powered by PLDT Home. The new PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399 with speeds of up to 100 Mbps and unlimited landline and mobile calls covering 5 Smart/TNT numbers in the family allows her to go all out with stories and updates for her loved ones – providing her no limits as she inches closer to her dream.
During her Q&A at Miss Universe Philippines 2024 most especially, Chelsea mentioned her mom to be instrumental in building her self-confidence – with constant reminders to believe in herself. Being the first Filipina of African descent to represent the Philippines, Chelsea not only aims to bring representation and diversity to the international pageant, but also to inspire women as her mom did.
Chelsea shows that staying connected with people who lift you up will bring out your best self. It’s also proof that your best self starts at home – with family and friends who have always been there since the beginning. Now, it’s her turn to use this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to empower women not just in the Philippines but from around the world.
Read Metro.Style’s cover story on Chelsea Manalo here. Know more on who have always been there for her through her journey — and how she relies on PLDT Home to connect with her loved ones, fulfill her advocacies, and ultimately conquer her dreams here:
Just like Miss Universe Philippines 2024 and PLDT Home Ambassador Chelsea Manalo, you too can be your best self at home by subscribing to PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399, designed to give customers the best value for their money. Go super charged as you enjoy unlimited Fiber connection with speeds of up to 100Mbps, unlimited entertainment with Cignal, and unlimited calls to Smart/TNT all in one plan!
Never miss a connection with your friends and family. To know more about the PLDT Home Fiber Unli All Plan 1399, visit pldthome.com/fiber for more details.
Good news to all the Wi Ha Jun fans! This is your chance to experience the exciting and jam-packed fan benefits for the upcoming “WI HA JUN 2024 FAN MEETING TOUR <A Wively Day> in MANILA” on September 15, 2024, at the New Frontier Theater. For the upgraded perks, all ticket holders are entitled to a group photo session. Additional perks also include an on-site fan signing event and a one-on-one photoshoot for VIP ticket holders.
Aside from the added perks, all ticket holders are eligible for a hi-touch session and will also receive photocards. Lucky fans will also get a chance to have signed posters and signed polaroids. This variety of perks offers a great opportunity for fans to interact with Wi Ha Jun and support him in a fun and memorable way.
Wi Ha Jun is a talented and charismatic South Korean actor who has captured the hearts of audiences around the world with his charming smile and exceptional acting skills. He is also known for his role as Hwang Jun-ho in the most-watched Netflix series, Squid Game, and he also starred in the films Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum, Shark: The Beginning and Midnight, as well as the television series Something in the Rain, Romance Is a Bonus Book, 18 Again, Little Women, Worst of Evil with Ji Chang Wook, and Gyeongseong Creature with Park Seo Joon and Han Soo Hee. Currently, he leads the series “The Midnight Romance in Hagwon.”
His solo fan meeting tour, “A Wively Day,” will also take place in Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Jakarta. His Manila show is presented by Ovation Productions and Applewood. Tickets are available at ticketnet.com at the following ticket prices: 10,500 (VIP) / 8,500 (Patron 1) / 6,500 (Patron 2) / and 4,500 (Loge).
The enduring family classic Harold and the Purple Crayon has a playful new twist in the film adaptation, where Harold is no longer a toddler, but grows up and travels to the real world. Playing the titular character is Zachary Levi, who’s no stranger to showing off his comedic chops with roles like Billy Batson in Shazam! “Zac embodies everything that Harold stands for: whimsy, childlike wonder, a kind of joyful optimism,” says executive producer Jeremy Stein. “I really, truly look at Zac and think of Tom Hanks in Big. He sells Harold’s journey with such magnificent maturity and sympathy.”
Levi is excited about Harold’s new journey beyond his fantastical world, and the deeper meaning behind all the laughter. “When I saw the script, I loved the idea of Harold getting out of his comfort zone, going into the real world, and embarking on an adventure with innocence and wide-eyed naivete,” Levi says. “That quest for answers is a driving force for him.”
Tanya Reynolds, Levi’s co-star who plays Harold’s friend Porcupine, feels that there’s a lot of Harold’s qualities in Levi. “Harold is filled with joy and thrilled to be alive,” she says. “Zac has that same lovely, playful, and wholesome energy.”
Levi shares that his friends have been excited to see him don the iconic Harold onesie when they found out about his role in the film. “When I tell my friends I’m working on Harold and the Purple Crayon, they try to figure out who I’m playing,” says Levi. “When I tell them Harold, they just laugh. I think they’re hoping to see me running around in Harold’s onesie.” He grins. “They may or may not get to see a little of that.”
Inside of his book, adventurous Harold (Zachary Levi) can make anything come to life simply by drawing it. After he grows up and draws himself off the book’s pages and into the physical world, Harold finds he has a lot to learn about real life – and that his trusty purple crayon may set off more hilarious hijinks than he thought possible. When the power of unlimited imagination falls into the wrong hands, it will take all of Harold and his friends’ creativity to save both the real world and his own. Harold and the Purple Crayon is the first film adaptation of the beloved children’s classic that has captivated young readers for decades.
In cinemas in August, Harold and the Purple Crayon is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #HaroldAndThePurpleCrayon @columbiapicph
Blake Lively has had the biggest motion picture opening of her career as a lead actress to date with It Ends With Us, with a US weekend gross of $50 million, and $30 million from the rest of the world. The emotional adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s #1 New York Times bestseller of the same name was also produced by Lively, and is directed and co-starred by Justin Baldoni.
Jenny Slate and Blake Lively star in IT ENDS WITH US.
Watch Blake Lively and hear her thoughts on “It Ends With Us” below:
It Ends With Us also blossomed across Philippine theaters, with a local box office opening of PHP 26.5 million on its first 5 days of release August 7 to 11, exceeding expectations. Audiences flocked to the cinemas to watch the film, with the top twenty best performing cinemas in the country as follows:
Powerplant
PHP 1,230,861
SM North EDSA
PHP 770,834
Uptown Cinemas
PHP 765,110
SM Megamall
PHP 742,647
Ayala Malls Center Cebu
PHP 660,888
Ayala Malls Central Bloc
PHP 613,622
Gateway Cineplex
PHP 432,714
SM Mall of Asia
PHP 424,416
SM Baguio
PHP 393,675
Ayala Malls Capitol Central Bacolod
PHP 373,568
Greenbelt 3
PHP 371,138
SM Fairview
PHP 371,118
Robinsons Magnolia
PHP 355,084
SM City Cebu
PHP 353,220
Bonifacio High Street
PHP 350,173
SM Clark
PHP 324,972
SM Aura Premier
PHP 315,027
Vista Cinemas Evia Lifestyle
PHP 310,120
Alabang Town Center
PHP 306,996
SM Seaside Cebu
PHP 306,240
Watch the emotional journey unfold as It Ends With Us continues its run in Philippine cinemas.
About It Ends with Us
IT ENDS WITH US, the first Colleen Hoover novel adapted for the big screen, tells the compelling story of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively), a woman who overcomes a traumatic childhood to embark on a new life in Boston and chase a lifelong dream of opening her own business. A chance meeting with charming neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid (Justin Baldoni) sparks an intense connection, but as the two fall deeply in love, Lily begins to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents’ relationship. When Lily’s first love, Atlas Corrigan (Brandon Sklenar), suddenly reenters her life, her relationship with Ryle is upended, and Lily realizes she must learn to rely on her own strength to make an impossible choice for her future.
Blake Lively stars as Lily Bloom in IT ENDS WITH US.
Directed by Justin Baldoni and produced by Alex Saks, Jamey Heath, Blake Lively and Christy Hall. The film stars Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Amy Morton and Brandon Sklenar, from a screenplay by Christy Hall, based on the book by Colleen Hoover.
Blake Lively stars as Lily Bloom in IT ENDS WTH US.
Now showing in cinemas, It Ends with Us is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #ItEndsWithUsMovie @columbiapicph
Global Japanese apparel retailer UNIQLO celebrates the 5th anniversary of its Alabang Westgate branch, the brand’s first roadside store in the Philippines. Since opening its doors in 2019, the store has steadily taken root in the Metro South not only as a standalone LifeWear shop that presents next-level shopping convenience, but also as a valuable member of the community in Alabang and nearby areas.
UNIQLO roadside stores are designed and built with the community in mind. Each one sits in a local neighborhood, offering a one-stop shopping experience the whole community can enjoy with a carefully designed space and accessibility for all.
“Marking the 5th anniversary of UNIQLO Alabang Westgate roadside store, our commitment to loyal UNIQLO shoppers in the Metro South community remain the same – continuously elevating shopping experiences and ensuring they have seamless access to our diverse LifeWear collection,” notes Geraldine Sia, UNIQLO Philippines Chief Operating Officer.
For the 5th anniversary of UNIQLO Alabang Westgate, shoppers can take part in tons of exciting promos and fun events from August 9 to 15. Listed down are all the festivities lined up for the big celebration of the country’s first UNIQLO roadside store that has been elevating lifestyles through LifeWear.
Exclusive Anniversary Promotions and Exciting Freebies
Customary to any milestone UNIQLO celebration, exclusive promotions and exciting freebies abound for the 5th anniversary of UNIQLO Alabang Westgate Roadside Store. Check out the deals here:
South girls are known to have a good fashion sense. Perfect for their effortless and laidback style are the Halter Neck Bra Sleeveless Top, now for only Php790 from its original price of Php990, along with the Ultra Stretch AIRism Jogger Pants, available for only Php990 from Php1,490.
For men from Alabang and nearby areas, who always seem relaxed in their comfortable outfits, there’s the DRY-EX Crew Neck Short Sleeve T-Shirt, available for only Php590, originally priced at Php790. Even the Ultra Stretch DRY-EX Tapered Pants and Jogger Pants are on sale at Php990, previously at Php1,490.
Meanwhile, the Dry Sweat Mini Skort for kids is now at Php490, discounted from its original price of Php690. It’s the ideal piece to start them young on the trademark relaxed Southern vibes.
All these LifeWear items perfect for southerners are on sale for a limited time only exclusively at UNIQLO Alabang Westgate Roadside Store.
Moreover, there are lots of exciting freebies that shoppers should look forward to, ranging from thermal cups to fitness classes. Here’s a breakdown:
Expand your novelty collection and get a free limited edition UNIQLO thermal cup with a minimum spend of P3,500 from August 9 to 15. Customers must scan their UNIQLO app to claim the freebie.
Who said shopping doesn’t make you fit? Enjoy a free indoor cycling class from Fitness First Platinum Alabang with a minimum spend of P3,500 and a purchase of one participating UNIQLO Sport Utility Wear item from August 9 to 15
Time to get your hands dirty with a new craft. Get a free P500 voucher for any regular ceramic classes from Mess We Made Manila with a purchase of one participating UNIQLO Bra Top item from August 9 to 11.
Lastly, spruce up your space with a unique photo. Take home a free live portrait by visual artist Jassy Laragan aka Pajama Art with a minimum spend of P500 and a purchase of one participating UNIQLO Wide Bottoms item from August 9 to 11.
By Your Side: Supporting the Community with Sustainability Events
As part of the 5th anniversary celebrations, UNIQLO also extends a helping hand to the community, staying true to their commitment to sustainability.
UNIQLO has partnered with Oikos Helping Hand (OHH), a non-profit organization dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of residents in the slums. Through this partnership, UNIQLO employees will engage with children in exciting activities to build their confidence and foster their love for the community.
Avail of the limited offers and special promotions at UNIQLO Alabang Westgate. To learn more about #UniqloPH and #LifeWear, check out www.uniqlo.com/ph/en/ and follow @uniqlo on Facebook and @uniqlophofficial on Instagram.
Warner Music Philippines’ We Play Here is back, this time with a new set of amazing artists and exciting activities that fans and music enthusiasts can’t miss!
A Curated Music Celebration
We Play Here is a series of unique music experiences designed to bring local and international Warner Music Group artists front and center. The We Play Here ecosystem features live performances, fan engagements, and exciting partnerships – ultimately bringing together Filipinos through music.
Coming from the success of last year’s event, this year’s We Play Here is bigger and better than ever. To bring their artists’ exciting performances to a wider audience, an expanded series of events will be hosted in different schools running from this year into next.
Local and International Headliners
Dilaw makes a comeback at the We Play Here stage, much to the delight of their fans. The Filipino band is well known for their single “Uhaw (Tayong Lahat),” which went viral in 2023. They have over three million monthly listeners on Spotify, and have recently released a new track titled “Nilalang.”
Stell, the main vocalist of SB19, will also be giving a dance-inducing performance. After making his solo debut, Stell released an EP called “Room,” which features songs that fans can expect to hear during We Play Here. Another headliner not to miss is pop artist Arthur Miguel, who continues to shine in the local music industry with hits like “Lihim” and “Ang Wakas.”
Marking her first performance in the Philippines, this year’s We Play Here international headliner is British singer-songwriter Griff. Fans will be treated to electrifying songs from her debut album “vertigo,” which was released earlier this year. Despite the upbeat nature of Griff’s songs, a deeper examination reveals themes of introspection. One good example of this is “Tears For Fun,” which shows the complexity of knowing something isn’t good for you, but not being able to resist. On the other hand, “Anything” talks about a relationship where you would do anything for your significant other. Overall, the album offers a relatable look at relationships and love.
Griff has hit many milestones throughout her career, from opening for Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour in 2023 for a few European dates including Portugal, Switzerland, Denmark, Sweden, and the Netherlands, to opening for Taylor Swift’s Era’s Tour in London and being a supporting act for Sabrina Carpenter’s US tour later this year.
Performing alongside these headliners are up and coming artists Kahel, Letters from June, Sugarcane, Paul Pablo, and PLAYERTWO.
Fans will get to experience special interactive booths at the event, such as Arthur Miguel’s “What if?” and “AM Hugots” wall, Dilaw’s “Nilalang” Portraits, and Sugarcane’s “Pagbigyan” Tarot Readings.
Other installments include Charli xcx’s BRAT photobooth, Griff’s Gachapon Machine, and the “Sikat Sa Pinas” Music & Lyrics booth. The famous WishBus will also be parked in front of the venue, with its final schedule to be announced by Wish FM 107.5.
Presented by Warner Music Philippines in partnership with KDR Music House and UP Adcore, We Play Here will kick off on August 23, at the University of the Philippines College of Science Amphitheater. Early Bird tickets are sold out, but fans can still buy regular tickets (P750 each) here.
Stay updated on the different We Play Here promos and and announcements by following their Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts.
During an over-the-top ceremony that capped off a historic D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event weekend, The Walt Disney Company honored 14 new Disney Legends who have left an indelible mark on the company’s historic legacy. The 2024 honorees included Colleen Atwood, Angela Bassett, Martha Blanding, James L. Brooks, James Cameron, Jamie Lee Curtis, Miley Cyrus, Steve Ditko, Harrison Ford, Mark Henn, Frank Oz, Kelly Ripa, Joe Rohde, and John Williams.
This year’s ceremony, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, was the largest in the 37 years since the first Disney Legend was honored, with a Hollywood-level production that brought the magic of this historic event to even greater heights. And for the first time ever, the Disney Legends Awards Ceremony will be available to stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning Monday, August 12 at 2pm PT/5pm ET (August 13, 5AM PHT).
Disney CEO Bob Iger welcomed guests to the ceremony and highlighted the historical significance of the award.
“The Disney Legends Award is the highest honor our company bestows,” Iger said. “It’s presented as a celebration of talent, a recognition of achievement, and, above all, a sincere expression of our deep gratitude. Disney Legends are bound by the special place they have earned in our history for their tremendous contributions in service of entertaining and delighting fans around the globe.”
Each Disney Legend was honored by a special video tribute and surprise guest appearances, including popular film, television, and music stars, devoted Disney cast members, and major musical ensemble performances.
2024 Disney Legends Award Presentations
Harrison Ford, with a special presentation from Walt Disney Company CEO Bob Iger.
Speaking to Ford’s immense range and the iconic characters he originated, Iger noted, “He is the definition of the leading man, who stands alone in a category all his own.”
A tribute video honoring Ford featured commentary from Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Karen Allen, Adam Driver, Anthony Mackie, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Daisy Ridley, Ke Huy Quan, and Disney Legend George Lucas.
Jamie Lee Curtis, with a special on-stage presentation from best friend Jodie Foster and Freakier Friday co-star Lindsay Lohan.
From the stage, Lohan said, “Every character she plays is different, and she always brings something unique to the role.” Foster added, “She is inventive, fearless, and full of surprises.”
A tribute video honoring Curtis featured commentary from fellow Disney Legend James Cameron and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Kelly Ripa, with a special on-stage presentation from Ryan Seacrest.
While presenting the award to his longtime friend and former “Live” co-host, Seacrest said, “You truly are the definition of a Legend.”
Seacrest was also featured in a tribute video for Ripa, alongside her “Live with Kelly and Mark” co-host Mark Consuelos.
Martha Blanding, with a special on-stage presentation from Derek Hough and a performance of “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Disneyland Resort’s The Dapper Dans and the Disneyland Band.
From the stage, Hough spoke to Blanding’s profound impact on every Disneyland guest she encounters: “She is a part of the foundation that makes Disneyland the happiest place on Earth.”
A tribute video honoring Blanding featured commentary from Dwayne Johnson, Heidi Klum, Tim O’Day, Noah Elias, and Walt Disney Company colleagues and cast members Jada Young, Clark Jones, Chris Sheppard, and Michelle Harker.
James L. Brooks, with a special animated video from The Simpsons characters and an on-stage presentation from Danny DeVito.
From the stage, DeVito said, “Jim is a genius. He creates moments that are so funny, sad, and eloquent — unique windows into the human condition.”
A tribute video honoring Brooks featured commentary from the stars who voice the beloved The Simpsons characters: Dan Castellaneta, Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, and Yeardley Smith.
Colleen Atwood, with a special on-stage presentation from director Rob Marshall.
Marshall commented that Atwood is the first costume designer to be honored as a Disney Legend, saying, “Simply put, there is just no one like her.”
A tribute video honoring Atwood featured commentary from Marshall, Colin Farrell, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Melissa McCarthy, James Bobin, Jonah Hauer-King, Halle Bailey, and Eva Green.
Frank Oz, with a special on-stage presentation from Pixar Chief Creative Officer Pete Docter.
Speaking about his friend, Docter commented on Oz’s incredible career from the stage, “Frank has truly created some of the best characters in the history of entertainment.”
A tribute video honoring Oz featured commentary from Disney Legend Mark Hamill, Robert De Niro, and Disney Legend Steve Martin.
Miley Cyrus, with a special on-stage presentation and performance from Lainey Wilson. Wilson performed “Best of Both Worlds,” the iconic song made famous by Cyrus from Hannah Montana.
A tribute video honoring Cyrus featured commentary from John Travolta, Bret Michaels, and Chappell Roan.
Steve Ditko, with a special on-stage presentation from Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Feige presented the award posthumously to Ditko’s nephew, Mark Ditko.
On Steve Ditko’s impact, Feige said, “Steve Ditko was an incredible artist and creator, and one of the original architects of the Marvel Universe.”
A tribute video honoring Ditko featured commentary from Feige, Disney Legend Stan Lee, and creative storytellers from Marvel, including C.B. Cebulski, Tom DeFalco, Ralph Macchio, David Bogart, and Ryan Meinerding.
Mark Henn, with a special on-stage presentation from fellow Disney Legends Jodi Benson, Paige O’Hara, Linda Larkin, Ming-Na Wen, and Anika Noni Rose. For over 40 years, Henn helped create or animate some of the most timeless characters in Walt Disney Animation Studios history, including Tiana, Mulan, Young Simba, Jasmine, Belle, Ariel, and Mickey Mouse.
A tribute video honoring Henn’s work featured commentary from Tony Bancroft, John Musker, David Block, and Rachel Bibb.
Joe Rohde, with a special video message from Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE and an on-stage performance from Walt Disney World Resort’s Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe.
In her video, Goodall said of Rohde, “You’ve contributed so much to the success and reputation of Disney’s theme parks over the years and given so many people an exciting and wonderful day.”
A tribute video honoring Rohde featured commentary from Goodall, fellow Disney Legend James Cameron, Walt Disney Imagineering Chief Creative Officer Bruce Vaughn, and creative partners from Walt Disney Imagineering including Jeanette Lomboy, Carmen Smith, Zsolt Hormay, Emily O’Brien, Jennifer Gerstin, and Mark LaVine.
Originally from the Congo, in Central Africa, the Tam Tam Drummers of Harambe set the rhythm at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Band member Amadou Ndaw presented Rohde with his award.
James Cameron, with a special video message from Kate Winslet and an on-stage presentation of the award from Zoë Saldaña.
Winslet said in her video to Cameron, “You’ve revolutionized the filmmaking process too many times to count, developing cutting-edge technology to create an immersive realistic experience for the audience.”
Saldaña, who will have worked with Cameron for over 16 years when Avatar 3 releases in 2025, said, “Working with you has been a wild ride. Your passion, your dedication, and your eye for detail are truly unmatched.”
A tribute video honoring Cameron featured commentary from Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sigourney Weaver, and Kate Winslet
Angela Bassett, with a special on-stage presentation from Ryan Coogler and the Dora Milaje from Marvel’s Black Panther.
Coogler praised Bassett’s profound legacy, saying, “She [has] always given these incredible larger-than-life performances that somehow still feel incredibly real and tangent. What she does is truly a gift.”
A tribute video honoring Bassett featured commentary from Coogler and Courtney B. Vance.
John Williams, with a special on-stage presentation from fellow Disney Legend Harrison Ford and Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, followed by the Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s performance of some of Williams’ most iconic film scores.
Ford said, “For over half a century, each and every time John Williams composes a new score, he finds a way to imbue the films’ stories and characters with a timeless and essential quality. That’s because John is a storyteller.”
Kennedy added: “It’s no exaggeration to say that John Williams is the greatest film composer of all time. His music has transcended cinema and become a part of our global culture, touching the hearts of billions, both young and old.
A tribute video honoring Williams featured commentary from Ford, Kennedy, Steven Spielberg, Frank Marshall, Disney Legend Mark Hamill, Ke Huy Quan, Daisy Ridley, and George Lucas.
The Disney Legends Awards is a 37-year tradition of The Walt Disney Company, which began when Fred MacMurray (The Shaggy Dog, The Absent-Minded Professor, The Happiest Millionaire) was honored in 1987. Including this year’s honorees, a total of 318 Disney Legends have been named. Past Disney Legends include Tim Allen, Dame Julie Andrews, Howard Ashman, Kristen Bell, Robert Downey Jr., Annette Funicello, Whoopi Goldberg, Sir Elton John, Dame Angela Lansbury, George Lucas, Steve Martin, Alan Menken, Hayley Mills, Fess Parker, Ellen Pompeo, Robin Roberts, Robert and Richard Sherman, Marty Sklar, Dick Van Dyke, Barbara Walters, Ming-Na Wen, Betty White, and Robin Williams among many others.
The Sunday festivities followed two nights of marquee showcases with exciting performances and announcements from Disney Entertainment and Disney Experiences. Throughout the weekend, tens of thousands of fans from around the globe were treated to a back-to-back, specially curated slate of programming and experiences from across the worlds of Disney, including star-studded appearances, headline-grabbing announcements, and the largest show floor in D23 history. This unique and historic event allowed fans to engage with the Disney stories, characters, and brands they love on an even larger scale than ever before in a way that only Disney can.
To play tech billionaire Slater King in her feature film directorial debut “Blink Twice,” Zoë Kravitz immediately wanted Channing Tatum. At the time she didn’t know him, but she wanted to see him do something unlike anything he had ever done before, and thought he would be a perfect match for Slater. His naturally good-natured demeanor would lure the audience – and Frida (played by Naomi Ackie) – onto the film’s mysterious island.
In the psychological thriller “Blink Twice,” when tech billionaire Slater King (Tatum) meets cocktail waitress Frida (Ackie) at his fundraising gala, sparks immediately fly. He then invites her to join him and his friends on a dream vacation on his private island. But as strange things start to happen, Frida begins to question her reality. She’ll have to uncover the truth if she wants to make it out of this party alive.
When the script got into Tatum’s hands he found it both “exciting” and “terrifying.” Slater offered up a new challenge for him in that he would have to inhabit a person who was nothing like him. “Almost every dude I’ve ever played I’ve had some sort of connection to them,” he says. “There’s nothing really to love about Slater. There just isn’t, he’s a full psychopath.”
But Tatum was also intrigued by the possibility of doing something daring, and in Kravitz he found an eager collaborator in challenging himself. “We’ve talked about lots of different versions of Slater,” he says. “The one thing that we both agreed upon is that we didn’t want to do the, the very stereotypical movie moment in a thriller where you reveal the bad guy.”
Finding her Frida was a “whole other journey” for Kravitz. “It’s a hard part,” Kravitz says. “She’s many things at once. You kind of never really get a real handle on who she is. How manipulative is she? How unaware? Is she the villain? Is she the victim? There’s so many different elements to that character.” Casting director Carmen Cuba offered up an option: Naomi Ackie, star of films like “Lady Macbeth” and “Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Kravitz was not as familiar with Ackie’s work, but once she watched her projects like “Master of None” and “The End of the F***ing World” she was blown away. “I was like, ‘What a beast!’” Kravitz says. “And also her face is like so cinematic.”
Ackie remembers that what was supposed to be an initial chat with Kravitz turned into a two-hour conversation around the ideas of the film. “There was a lot that conversation brought up for me around the idea of the pursuit of power, about sexual assault, but also about Frida’s want for something more,” Ackie says. “Her relationship with the symbol of power that is Slater, how that affects her and that gives her blind spots to certain things. There’s many different things going on at the same time about how people are interacting with each other when it comes to these ideas of status and money, and they’re all abusing it in one way or another. We talked about Frida as quite an interesting, imperfect character, and how that made her a really interesting victim.”
In Tatum, Ackie found a supportive partner to play off. “I think there was an awareness for both of us that we were tapping into some really hard sht,” Ackie says. “His character as this awful guy who does really f**ing awful things, and my character as someone who is suffering from those awful things. Those aren’t easy, so we had to balance it with silliness and goofiness and making sure that everyone felt safe.”
Of Ackie, Tatum says she’s “probably one of the more talented people I’ve worked with.” He adds: “You walk into a scene and you’re like, man, this is kind of a hard scene. And she’ll just walk right through it. Like, not a problem at all.”
Don’t miss “Blink Twice,” distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Discovery company, opening only in cinemas August 21. #BlinkTwiceMovie
Look Back found the voices for the main characters, Fujino and Kyomoto, in Plan 75’s Yuumi Kawai and Mizuki Yoshida from Alice in Borderland, respectively. Look Back is the anime film adaptation of a one shot manga from Tatsuki Fujimoto, creator of Chainsaw Man. The film is helmed by Kitoyaka Oshiyama, with animation coming from Studio Durian.
Look Back tells the tale of two girls who couldn’t be more different, as Fujino is confident and Kyomoto is a shut-in who doesn’t leave the house. Their mutual love for drawing manga brings them together in a story of growing up and moving forward.
Yuumi Kawai lends her voice to the confident artist Fujino, who worked hard to embody her character. “Look Back” is a manga that touched the hearts of many people. This time, Director Oshiyama and the rest of the production team created an animation, and I added breath and voice to the story in an attempt to add new color to the time that Fujino and Kyomoto lived. This was the first time I had the opportunity to participate in the world of anime, and I did my best to convey the earnest voice that goes along with Fujino’s body, which moves wonderfully in the drawings,” she says.
Playing the role of the shy Kyomoto is Mizuki Yoshida, who recalls reading the manga for the first time, saying, “When I first read Look Back, I was shocked by the realistic world that Tatsuki Fujimoto had drawn, and I was really curious to see how this work would be turned into a movie. I was looking forward to it.”
Yoshida was ecstatic to be part of the world creator Fujimoto has built. “When I auditioned for the role of Kyomoto and saw the video for the first time, I was so moved that even though it was an unfinished picture, I said, ‘Wow! That world is alive!’ and I burst into tears during the recording, even more so when I saw the footage of Fujino and Kyomoto. I fell in love with the book. It was my first time working as a voice actor, but I put my heart and soul into my role,” she says.
Go on an emotional journey as Look Backopens in Philippine cinemas on August 28. Follow Encore Films PH on Facebook and @encorefilmsph on Instagram for the latest updates.
Anya Taylor-Joy and Chris Hemsworth star in Academy Award®-winning mastermind George Miller’s iconic dystopian world he created more than 40 years ago with the seminal Mad Max films. Miller now turns the page again with an all-new original, standalone action adventure that reveals the origins of the powerhouse character from the multiple Academy Award®-winning global smash Mad Max: Fury Road.
jasinboland@gmail.com
As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.
jasinboland@gmail.com
Warner Bros. Pictures presents a Kennedy Miller Mitchell Production. Directed by George Miller, produced by George Miller and Academy Award®-nominated Doug Mitchell, co-written by Nico Lathouris. Furiosa: A Mad Max Sagawill be available to streamfrom August 16 on HBO GO. Subscribe to HBO GO online at https://www.hbogoasia.ph/ or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store for only ₱1,190 on the 12-month plan. Or access HBO GO via Cignal and Globe. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
About HBO GO
Warner Bros. Discovery’s HBO GO is a regional streaming service in Southeast Asia, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Programming includes award-winning HBO Original series, movies and documentaries, Max Originals which tell compelling stories from around the region and beyond. This is supplemented by exclusive, first-run content from major Hollywood and independent studios that offers a mix of originals and acquired content – including kids and family content from Cartoon Network and Warner Bros. – available to download or stream anytime, anywhere. Log on to www.hbogoasia.com for more information.
