The word is out: Chris Hemsworth is headed to Manila for the Asia Pacific red carpet screening of Netflix’s “Extraction 2” on June 5, 2023 at the SM Mall of Asia, and Smart Postpaid is giving subscribers the chance to see him live through an exclusive raffle promo.
To join, new and existing Smart Postpaid customers simply have to activate their complimentary Netflix subscription, which comes with their Smart Signature SIM-Only Plans+ 999, 1499, 1999 and 2499 or Smart Signature Plan 599 with Netflix, then sign up for the promo at https://smrt.ph/NetflixExtraction2 until May 31, 2023.
Customers who wish to activate or upgrade their Netflix subscriptions with their Smart Signature SIM-Only Plans+ may do so via https://smrt.ph/activate-Netflix.
Aside from access to the Asia Pacific premiere tickets, the chosen Smart Signature customers may also win Premium items from NETFLIX. All the winners will be notified by an official Smart representative.
High-stakes, action-packed mission
In this much anticipated sequel, highly skilled commando Tyler Rake is back from the brink of death to take on another dangerous mission: saving the imprisoned family of a ruthless gangster.
Smart Signature subscribers have all they need to binge-watch “Extraction 2” and “Extraction,” along with other award-winning shows and series on Netflix, with their Smart Signature Plans+ 999, which comes with Netflix Mobile Subscription on Us, Unlimited 5G for 12 months, Unlimited All-Net Calls (including Landline Calls) and 20 GB Open-Access Data .
Smart Postpaid is powered by the Philippines’ Fastest and Best Mobile Network according to Ookla, the global leader in mobile and broadband network intelligence. To get this rare and prestigious citation, Smart won both the Fastest Mobile Network and Best Mobile Coverage awards within the same reporting periods of Ookla in Q1-Q2 2022 and Q3-Q4 2022.
Ovation Productions brings back the top-tier adult contemporary balladeer, Peabo Bryson in the Philippines. The two-time GRAMMY winner and Living Legend Trumpet Awardee is set to hold his Philippine concert tour 2023 in Manila on July 19 at the New Frontier Theater, in Cebu on July 21 at the Waterfront Hotel, and in Davao on July 23 at SMX Convention Center. Ticket selling will start on May 31.
Robert Peabo Bryson has established a career as one of the premier male vocalists in contemporary music of the last quarter century. Bryson’s first break came during a recording session at Atlanta’s Bullet/Bang Records. The young singer caught the ear of the label’s then-general manager, Eddie Biscoe. Biscoe signed Bryson to a contract as a writer, producer, and arranger and encouraged. Bryson to perform his own songs. For several years Bryson worked with hometown bands and wrote and produced for Bang. In 1976, he released his debut LP, “Peabo”. The project featured Peabo composing nearly all of the songs (some with the great Thom Bell), a young Luther Vandross among the background vocalists, and sexy black film star Tamara “Cleopatra Jones” Dobson showing him love on the back jacket.
Bryson moved to Capitol Records in 1978, where his album “Reaching for the Sky” went gold, and the title track was a number six R&B hit. With his LP “Crosswinds” (gold,1978), he truly penetrated the hearts of soul fans everywhere with the title tracks “Feel the Fire” and “I’m So Into You”, which spent two weeks as the nation’s number two R&B hit. He was paired with Capitol label-mate Natalie Cole for the 1979 project “We’re the Best of Friends” and a year later with Roberta Flack for the double-LP “Live & More” (on Atlantic Records). Peabo delivered four more albums for Capitol before making a second, even bigger album with Flack titled “Born to Love”, a gold seller that featured the smash “Tonight I Celebrate My Love” (Top 5 R&B and #16 Pop). That led him to sign a deal with Elektra Records for four albums, the second of which, “Take No Prisoners”, featured the crossover smash “If Ever You’re In My Arms Again” (Top 10 Pop and Top 10 R&B).
New York Times music critic Jon Pareles called Bryson the “Pavarotti of soul singers”. His duets with Natalie Cole – “What You Won’t Do for Love” – and Roberta Flack – “Tonight, I Celebrate My Love,” a Top 15 pop smash – had earned Bryson the tag “King of Balladeers.” With “If Ever You’re in My Arms Again,” which landed in the Number 10 spot on the pop charts, he scored another crossover hit and solidified his mainstream audience. Both “Tonight” and “If” went to Number One on the adult contemporary charts. A return to Capitol in 1989 for the album “All My Love” earned him his first R&B #1 single with a remake of the late Al Wilson’s “Show & Tell” (a song he proudly keeps the torch lit for in all his shows). He hit the R&B chart-top a second time with the smash “Can You Stop The Rain “, the title track of his R&B chart-topping first of two albums for Columbia Records. The single won Bryson a 1991 Grammy nomination for best R&B vocal performance by a male, as did “Lost in the Night” in 1992.
But it was two songs for Disney animated films that earned Peabo his two Grammys. The first was 1991’s “Beauty and the Beast” with international pop singer Celine Dion which was a Number One pop hit. The very next year, Peabo struck gold again receiving another Grammy for “A Whole New World (Aladdin’s Theme)” from Aladdin which he performed with Regina Belle. Both “Beauty and the Beast” (1991) and “A Whole New World” (1992) won Oscars for “Best Song”. Since these milestones, he has been even more sought after as a guest vocalist and duet partner, resulting in his collaborations with Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga on “We Kiss in the Shadows” (#1 on the Classical Crossover chart from a new recording of “The King and I” score), Melissa Manchester’s “Lovers After All”, and Kenny G’s “By The Time This Night is Over” (from the chart topping Contemporary Jazz CD, “Breathless”), which enjoyed a three month run on the Hot 100 in 1993. In June of 1993, Bryson sold out seven consecutive shows at Radio City Music Hall.
Demonstrating his skills as an actor, he appeared in the lead role for the touring production of the Tony Award-winning “Raisin” (based on “Raisin In The Sun”) and in the role of The Wizard in a touring company of “The Wiz.” In 1998, he appeared in the Michigan Opera Theater’s 100th anniversary production of Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” and recorded two songs for the soundtrack for the “Barney” movie, one of which, the Bryson-produced “DREAMS,” became the lead song for the album. He also released a whopping three Christmas CDs, lovingly filled with music he has performed for years in the annual touring holiday music extravaganza, “The Colors of Christmas.”
In late 2005 Peabo released “Live in Concert: Ladies’ Request” in association with Time-Life, for whom he has been the spokesman for their soul retrospective collection. “Live In Concert” is an excellent collection that covers many of Peabo’s biggest hits and shows that his voice is still as strong and smooth as ever; to date it has sold over 3 million copies. He followed this in early 2006 with “The Very Best of Peabo Bryson”, a compilation of his biggest hits recorded on multiple record labels.
Peabo Bryson Philippine Tour 2023 is promoted and produced by Ovation Productions. Tickets for Manila concert are available at TICKETNET.com.ph and priced at 6055, 5555, 5055, 3955, and 2955.
While concert tickets for Cebu and Davao are available at SMTICKETS.com, Cebu tickets are priced at 5000, 4500, 4000, 3000, 2000, and 1000, and Davao tickets are priced at 5000, 4000, 3000, and 2000. All Peabo Bryson’s concert tickets have ticketing charges and ticket selling will start on May 31.
From venue styling, couture, featured musical acts, to menu du jour; engaged couples are spoilt for choice asthey walk into hallstransformed into mood boards of inspiration for the big day with seasoned specialists to take them through a memorable journey. Edsa Shangri-La, Manila in partnership with Wedding Treasures and Fashion Pulis brings featured industry talents, animations, keynote speakers, and signature musical acts in a weekend that’s got everyone saying “I Do.”
In a stylish blend of tradition, meaningful and sustainable innovation, Unveil 2023 presents Upcycled Shades of Weddings by Edsa Shangri-La. With household names in venue and production styling including Allen and JP of Blooms Events Styling by Allen and JP, Dave Sandoval, Gary Dacanay, Jo Claravall, Kathy Sy King, Kyno Kho, Nikki Chatto, Randy Lazaro, and Robert Blancaflor, marvel at preloved elements transformed into magical wedding destinations.
From the picturesque setting to threads for the wedding, witness the fabulous works of featured designers make their way down the runway. Val Taguba headlines this year’s custom creations along with Hannah Kong, Haydee Garcia, Merri Chan, Morato Dapper, Steph Tan, Studio Ceremonie and Zandra Lim.
Seasoned events specialists and our team of masterful chefs are on the ready to guide you through the look, touch, and taste of what your big day could be like. Join us at Unveil 2023: A Wedding Fair by Edsa Shangri-La, Manila. Register for free at bit.ly/Unveil2023 to witness transformative styling, design, talks from some of the industry’s finest, and a chance to enjoy 3 Days and 2 Nights stay at Shangri-La Boracay.
For more information and updates, stay connected @edsashangrila on Facebook and Instagram.
ART HOUSE, a dynamic multi-channel creative platform, breathes new life into Philippine art and culture. Championing a refreshing perspective, it weaves a colorful tapestry of mediums, collaborations, and partnerships that intricately link creativity to purposeful endeavors. Each unique exhibition, auction, or show that ART HOUSE curates intentionally serves to fuel conversations on topics like environmental preservation, sustainability, and nation-building. Through its diverse offerings that span retail, travel and developmental initiatives, ART HOUSE also endeavors to reach out to audiences beyond the walls of an art gallery or exhibition space.
This May, ART HOUSE pays homage to the life and works of Philippine National Artist and cubist painter, Vicente Manansala. The exhibit, aptly dubbed Alab, will run from May 25 to 28 at the North Court of Power Plant Mall. It will showcase the work of 15 trailblazing visual artists whose works pay tribute to the master and father of Transparent Cubism. Pieces on exhibit will include paintings, sculptures and objets d’art.
Anita Del RosarioEdgar DoctorJC IntalJoemarie Sanclair
The 26th of May, will mark an NFT auction, done in collaboration with Artifract, an Asian fine arts NFT pioneer. It will take place on the 38th Floor of Rockwell Center’s Manansala Building from 5PM-9PM. Digital artworks on the auction block will showcase rare, artist-proof, privately-owned artworks by Vincente Manansala that have never been put on exhibit or circulated commercially.
ART HOUSE Chief Executive Officer, Juan Carlos Pineda, explains, “Through these NFTs, collectors get a chance to own a piece of these private artworks that would otherwise not be accessible to the public.”
Pieces by MANANSALA selected for NFT minting provide an intimate look into the life and times of the master–as a friend, contemporary, grandfather, student, and finally, a prime mover of abstractionism and transparent cubism in the Philippine contemporary art scene.
Participation will require a Php 3,000 registration fee, which is consumable during the event. Every registration also serves as a single entry to the Artifract X Arthouse raffle, where winners get the chance to win an NFT tile complete with Giclee fine art print, and Certificate of Authentication.
Artifract X Art House Auction Night featuring Manansala NFTs happens on May 26 5PM at the 38th floor of the Manansala Building, Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center. To find out more, follow our IG @thearthouse_ & FB @thearthouseph.
Mark your calendars as OctoArts Entertainment brings a collection of K-POP super acts THE SUPER STAGE BY K-POP IN MANILA! The highly awaited K-pop show featuring an all-female ensemble of K-POP groups MAMAMOO+, KEP1ER and LAPILLUS is happening LIVE at the Mall of Asia Arena on August 11, 2023.
MAMAMOO+ is the first sub-unit of the girl group MAMAMOO, composed of MAMAMOO’s leader and vocalist Solar and rapper Moonbyul. In 2022, the powerhouse duo released their debut single “Better” featuring South Korean rapper Big Naughty. In March this year, MAMAMOO+ made their comeback with their first single album “Act 1, Scene 1” with title track “GGBB”. The single album surpassed 100,000 copies sold on Circle Chart.Moomoos will be sure not to miss the sub-unit’s first ever performance in the country!
Buckle up and brace for the “First Impact” as the 9-member multinational project girl group KEP1ER comes to Manila for the first time. Kep1er was formed through Mnet’s reality survival show Girls Planet 999 – in search for top female trainees from China, Japan, and South Korea. The group made their debut on January 3, 2022 with their first mini album, First Impact. The carrier single “Wa Da Da” debuted at #84 at the Billboard Hot 100 on the week of its release.
Their name combines ‘Kep’, which means catching dreams, and the number 1, which means the nine girls coming together as one to be the best. It is also a reference to the planet ‘Kepler‘, named by German astronomer Johannes Kepler. They will be active for roughly two and a half years on a special contract before it ends sometime in June 2024.
Be ready to shine bright as LAPILLUS returns for their first-ever Manila concert. The six-member girl group LAPILLUS is a multinational group, composed of Chanty, a Filipino-Argentinian; Shana, Japanese; Yue, Chinese-American; and Bessie, Seowon and Haeun, Koreans. The K-pop group undoubtedly has good ties with the Philippines after being appointed as ambassadors of the province of Ilocos Sur. In September of the previous year, the group released its first mini album titled “GIRL’s ROUND Part. 1” with 5 tracks dabbling in the pop and dance genres.
“BETTER be ready to BURN WITH LOVE on the LVLY and SUPER K-POP experience we prepared for you! #THESUPERSTAGEBYKPOPINMANILA at the Mall of Asia Arena!”
TICKET PRICES
VIP STANDING P11,800
VIP SEATED P10,500
LOWER BOX P9,000
UPPER BOX A P7,000
UPPER BOX B P5,500
GEN AD A 3,250
GEN AD B P2,750
The Super Stage by K-Pop in Manila is on August 11, 2023, 7pm at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Tickets are available starting 11am of June 3, 2023 via SM Tickets Outlets nationwide or thru www.smtickets.com
For more updates on THE SUPER STAGE BY K-POP IN MANILA, check out the official social media of SUPER STAGE on Facebook & Instagram: @octoartsentertainment; Twitter: @OctoArtsEnt.
Get ready, Manila! Filipina-American Idol sensation, Jessica Sanchez, who took the world by storm in the eleventh season of American Idol, is set to captivate audiences with a one-night-only performance at Salon de Ning in The Peninsula Manila on May 25, Thursday at 8:30 pm.
The California-raised singer-songwriter’s portfolio is impressive. With one album and a numerous singles, she has sung for the former US President Barack Obama and his family at the White House and also made a notable appearance in the popular TV series Glee.
Jessica Sanchez’s Salon de Ning show, entitled “Jessica Sanchez Live in Salon de Ning” will be a night of the music and stories that shaped Jessica. She will be performing hits by Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Roberta Flack, along with her original songs. Accompanied by her musical director Adonis Tabanda and the band Day One, Jessica is ready to transport you into a world of mesmerizing music.
Tickets are priced at P3,500, inclusive of taxes, and comes with a two-hour open bar. The doors of Salon de Ning open at 8:00 pm, giving you ample time to settle in for the unforgettable night ahead.
For inquiries or more information about “Jessica Sanchez Live in Salon de Ning,” please contact The Peninsula Manila at (63 2) 8887 2888 (trunk line), extension 6691 and 6694 (Restaurant Reservations), e-mail Dining PMN@peninsula.com, or visit the website peninsula.com/manila.
Experience the adrenaline-charged beats, heart-pumping rhythms, and electrifying energy of YAMATO, the world-renowned traditional Wadaiko drum group from Japan. Get ready to have your soul stirred and your passion ignited as this internationally acclaimed drumming ensemble delivers pulse-raising performances. Mark your calendars for their upcoming shows in the Philippines: catch them at the Theatre at Solaire in Manila on June 11 and at the Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai International School in Davao on June 13. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary musical experience!
Drumming Up Excitement
Organized by The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) and presented by JT International (Philippines) Inc., YAMATO THE DRUMMERS OF JAPAN Live! Philippine Tour 2023 will be a show to remember. This Philippine Tour marks the group’s first return to the country in over a decade. With more than 4,000 performances under their belt in 54 countries, YAMATO has a global reputation for their breathtaking choreography and explosive drumming, bound to enthral both returning fans and first-timers.
An Ancient Art with a Modern Twist
“As an instrument that has accompanied people since ancient times, taiko’s deep reverberations have always inspired and encouraged them,” said YAMATO’s artistic director, Masa Ogawa. “Our mission is to share the beauty of taiko with the world and make it resonate more.” JFM Director Mr. Ben Suzuki shared, “The year 2023 marks the 50th commemorative year of ASEAN-Japan relations. ASEAN and Japan agreed to designate the year 2023 as the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. To celebrate this milestone, JFM has invited YAMATO, one of the world-class Japanese Drummers, to perform again in the Philippines. The live sound of Japanese drums will provide an authentic cultural experience that has been missed due to the pandemic, and we hope it encourages people and celebrates this memorable anniversary of the relationship between Japan and the Philippines. Moreover, in Davao, we will commemorate the 120th anniversary of Japanese Migration in the Philippines.”
Admission to the concert is free of charge, but the audience must obtain tickets via the TicketWorld for the Manila performance and Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai for the Davao show.
The event is presented by JT International (Philippines) Inc., supported by the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, and the Japanese Association, Manila. The Davao performance is co-organized by Philippine Nikkei Jin Kai (PNJK), Mindanao Kokusai Daigaku (MKD), and PNJK International School, with support from the Consulate General of Japan in Davao. Event partners: Theatre at Solaire, Philippine Airlines, and Nippon Express (Philippines) Corporation.
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to immerse yourself in a unique cultural experience. Feel the rhythm, experience the energy, and let YAMATO’s Japanese drums stir your soul!
All Good Things Do Come to an End: Musica FEUROPA, Far Eastern University’s annual choral competition and festival will have its final run this year.
From just four choirs in 2009 mostly from the City of Manila, the number rose to an all time high of thirty one choirs hailing from all over the Philippines. What used to be a competition for college choirs expanded to two categories: High School and Open including but not limited to university, church, company, government and other ensembles.
Musica FEUROPA became one of the definitive choral competitions in the Philippines.
Tiffany Liong Gabuya, Station Manager of long-time media partner DZFE wrote: “We are all aware that the classical music tradition… which today is multi-national and multi-generational in its practice and appeal—has European roots.
In our work of fostering an appreciation for classical music, DZFE continues to support Musica FEUropa inasmuch as it remains one of the too few initiatives here encouraging the hard labor of studying and performing European repertoire. We have also seen how Musica FEUROPA fosters a spirit of patriotism and pride among the participating local choirs. All in all…, the competition has demonstrated the kind of good that can come of a sustained cross-cultural initiative.”
The key criterion for Musica FEUROPA is that each choir has to sing two songs: one from any EU composer in any EU language and one from a Filipino composer in any Filipino language or dialect.
In the last 13 years, choirs sang songs in different European languages such as Czech, Latvian, English, Basque, Spanish, Italian, Latin, German, Finnish, French, French-Flemish, Flemish, Hungarian, Lithuanian and Filipino languages such as Tagalog, Cebuano, Bisaya, Ifugao, Ilokano, Itneg, Kinaray-a, T’boli, Maguindanaoan, Yakan and Hiligaynon.
Through Musica FEUROPA, Filipino choirs and audiences have become more exposed and appreciative of the works of European and Filipino composers.
The impact of Musica FEUROPA is such that in the last 13 years, it has become one of the significant events in the Philippine choral calendar.
Musica FEUROPA definitely leaves a musical legacy when it ends after 14 years.
Musica FEUROPA 14 takes place from 1:30 -5 PM on May 27, 2023 at the historic Auditorium of Far Eastern University, Manila.
Tickets are at P100 for members of the FEU community, students in general and seniors and P200 for the general public.
The participating choirs for the final round of Musica FEUropa are the NU Chorale, PNU Chorale, SaSeSi, Kammerchor Manila, Tarlac Mannerchor and the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng San Pablo Chorale.
The adjudicators for this year are internationally recognized stalwarts in the choral industry: Anna Abeleda-Piquero, Arwin Tan, Dr. Ed Manguiat, Jonathan Velasco and Ramon Lijauco, Jr..
Follow Musica FEUROPA on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Discover the epic new features of the Galaxy S23 series in unforgettable evening revels you surely won’t want to miss! Immerse yourself in experiential content rooms, listen to the country’s top content creators, and get the chance to win the latest Galaxy devices.
Whatever you’re into, Epic After Hours definitely has something for you!
Experience Nightography at its finest
Immerse yourself and capture the night with the many experiential content rooms that you can explore. Three stations will be available to best experience the genius behind the Galaxy S23 series – from the Expert RAW app which enables DSLR-style image shooting to the multiple exposure feature for some cool and unique snaps for the ‘gram. You might even be featured at the event’s exclusive Shot #withGalaxy Gallery alongside top Filipino photographers!
A Nightography booth will also help showcase this incredible feature of the Galaxy S23 series. Nightography allows the Galaxy S23 series’ cameras to adjust to nearly any lighting condition for impeccable detail while low-light images and videos are steadier than ever, thanks to a doubled optical image stabilizer (OIS).
Move from behind the lens to in front of it thanks to award winning photographer JL Javier and take advantage of the opportunity to have your portrait taken professionally during the event. But if center stage isn’t for you, perhaps a little distance will be rewarding at the Zoom in to Win contest. Simply test out the stunning zoom capabilities of the Galaxy S23 Ultra which boasts 200MP by capturing photos of the stage from afar for the chance to win exciting prizes.
A celebration of epic passions
The Samsung Galaxy S23 series phones understand that creativity takes many different forms, which is why various passion booths for self-expression, gaming and productivity will be on-site.
If you’re more of a gamer, check out the gaming lounge to experience the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Processor and game booster to take on the night your way. As the most powerful and efficient platform ever in a Samsung Galaxy smartphone, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is the fastest available today. At the Creativity Hub, check out how the Galaxy S23 series allows your artistic skills to shine – with the S Pen drawing feature.
Join the epic movement for sustainability
The Galaxy S23 series was designed with the planet in mind so Samsung is continuing this important conversation on sustainability through this station. Check out famed artist and environmental advocate Leeroy New’s immersive art installation and watch the live sustainability themed mural painting session. You may also visit the Trade-in-Station to make that switch to a greener planet.
The Galaxy S23 series not only raises the bar for premium technology but it also helps contribute to a healthier planet. Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has 12 internal and external components made from recycled materials, including pre-consumer recycled aluminum and glass and post-consumer recycled plastics sourced from discarded fishing nets, PET bottles and water barrels.
Epic Guests
Throughout the week-long event, expect to see special appearances from #TeamGalaxy, with content creators talking about their passions and how the Galaxy S23 series helps them take these to another level. If all that wasn’t enough to convince you, you can also expect special performances throughout the week at epic after parties, from various artists beginning 7:00pm onwards!
Let your epic passions come alive at night at the Samsung Epic After Hours happening on May 25 to 31, 2023 at the Bonifacio High Street Amphitheatre, Bonifacio Global City.
Following its mandate to nurture the next generation of artists and audiences who appreciate and support artistic and cultural work, the Cultural Center of the Philippines brings engaging artistic and cultural experiences to every kanto of the country through its Kanto Kultura program.
A banner project of the CCP Board of Trustees, Kanto Kultura seeks to encourage Filipino talents to create artistic content that showcases innovation and creativity. Launched in February 2021, the next phase of the program will kick off on May 19, 7pm, at the Plaza Independencia Lipa Stage in the town of Lipa, Batangas.
“The first edition” of Kanto Kultura will feature performances by viocalist Jobry Cimafranca, singing group Acapellago, and other local talents from Lipa. It will be hosted by ‘Suntok sa Buwan’ actress Charm Aranton.
Prior to the concert, there will be a Flores de Mayo at 4:30 pm, and a mass at 5:30 pm. There will also be baraptasan (a melding of the words balagtasan and rap), Sublian (a traditional dance of Batangas) performance, hip hop dance, and buskers, among others.
In partnership with the local government unit of Lipa, Batangas, the Kanto Kultura: #EatPRayLoveLipa is free and open to the public.
Visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph) for more information. Check the official CCP and Facebook page and follow CCP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates on its various programs and shows.
