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  • “Tayo Sa Wakas” Earns P12 Million on Opening Day, Posts Biggest Local Film Debut of 2026, Now Showing

    “Tayo Sa Wakas” Earns P12 Million on Opening Day, Posts Biggest Local Film Debut of 2026, Now Showing

    Love is back on the big screen as “Tayo Sa Wakas” continues to resonate with audiences, earning P12 million on its opening day last May 27 and securing the biggest opening-day gross for a local film in 2026.

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    The romantic drama stars Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan and serves as Star Cinema’s 33rd anniversary offering. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Cathy Garcia-Sampana, the film presents a moving story about love, ambition, and the difficult choices that come with growing up and growing apart.

    According to Garcia-Sampana, while the film explores a compelling “lovers to rivals” dynamic, its heart lies in reminding viewers that love remains worth believing in.

    A Story of Love Tested by Dreams

    At the center of the film are Cisco (Donny Pangilinan) and Cheska (Belle Mariano), a couple whose long-term relationship is challenged as their individual aspirations begin leading them in different directions.

    As they face uncertainty about their future together, the two embark on a promised breakup trip. What begins as a final goodbye soon becomes a journey of reflection, forcing them to confront whether their relationship has reached its end or if their love deserves another chance.

    Blending romance, heartache, and hope, the film captures the realities of modern relationships while exploring the sacrifices often required in pursuit of personal goals.

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    Expanding to More Audiences Worldwide

    Following its strong local debut, “Tayo Sa Wakas” is currently showing in 250 cinemas across the Philippines. International screenings are also scheduled to roll out in the coming weeks.

    The film will premiere in:

    • Australia and New Zealand on June 11
    • United States, Canada, and Guam on June 12
    • Hong Kong and Macau on June 21
    • Malaysia this June
    • Taiwan beginning August 7

    Screenings in the Middle East will be announced soon.

    TAYO SA WAKAS POSTER

    Catch “Tayo Sa Wakas” in Cinemas Now

    Experience the emotional journey of Cheska and Cisco and discover why audiences are connecting with this heartfelt story of love, choices, and second chances.

    “Tayo Sa Wakas” is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

    For more information, visit tayosawakas.com and follow Star Cinema on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.

  • Viral Animated Phenomenon “The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act” Opens in PH Cinemas June 5

    Viral Animated Phenomenon “The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act” Opens in PH Cinemas June 5

    Fans of The Amazing Digital Circus have one last reason to step into the tent.

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    Encore Films Philippines is bringing The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act to cinemas nationwide beginning June 5, giving audiences the chance to witness the highly anticipated conclusion of the internet-breaking animated series on the big screen.

    Known for its colorful visuals, surreal comedy, and surprisingly emotional storytelling, The Amazing Digital Circus has become a worldwide phenomenon since its debut. Beneath its playful and chaotic exterior lies a story filled with mystery, existential questions, and unforgettable characters that have resonated with millions of viewers around the globe.

    The Curtain Falls on a Global Sensation

    After captivating audiences online for nearly three years, Pomni’s journey is finally approaching its end.

    In The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act, the beloved cast faces their greatest challenge yet as they uncover long-hidden truths about the Digital Circus and the strange virtual world that has trapped them. As the mystery surrounding their existence begins to unravel, the characters must confront their pasts and decide what comes next.

    Fans can watch the official trailer here:

    A Feature-Length Finale Fans Won’t Want to Miss

    The theatrical release combines Episode 8 with the all-new, hour-long Episode 9, allowing audiences to experience the series finale before anyone else in the world.

    With Caine mysteriously absent and the circus shrouded in darkness, Pomni, Ragatha, Jax, Gangle, Zooble, and Kinger are left alone with their memories, regrets, and unresolved traumas. As eternity looms over them, they uncover the hidden history of the Digital Circus and the truth behind their reality.

    The Amazing Digital Circus Poster PH

    The question remains: will they accept what they discover, or choose another path entirely?

    Of course, fans can still expect the signature humor that helped make the series famous. After all, it would not be The Amazing Digital Circus without a few laughs along the way.

    From YouTube Hit to Worldwide Phenomenon

    Created by Gooseworx and produced by Glitch Productions, The Amazing Digital Circus first premiered in October 2023 and quickly became one of the biggest animated success stories on the internet.

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    The pilot episode broke records on YouTube, helping the series accumulate more than 600 million lifetime views across its episodes. Its popularity soon expanded beyond streaming, leading to international merchandise collaborations, fan communities across multiple countries, and dubbed versions in more than 15 languages.

    The series also found success on Netflix, where it reached the Top 10 in several territories, introducing even more viewers to its unique blend of comedy, mystery, and psychological storytelling.

    Special Fan Screenings on June 4

    Fans eager to experience the finale ahead of the nationwide release can attend special fan screenings scheduled for June 4 at 11:00 PM in select SM cinemas:

    • SM Megamall
    • SM Aura
    • SM City Fairview
    • SM Mall of Asia
    • SM City Marikina
    • SM City North EDSA
    • SM City Dasmariñas
    The Amazing Digital Circus Fan screening

    Tickets are priced at ₱800 and come with exclusive fan collectibles, including:

    • An A3 poster
    • A collectible ticket
    • A commemorative lanyard

    One Last Trip to the Digital Circus

    Whether you’ve followed Pomni’s story from the very beginning or recently discovered the phenomenon, The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act promises an unforgettable farewell packed with mystery, emotion, humor, and revelations.

    Catch the final curtain call when The Amazing Digital Circus: The Last Act opens in Philippine cinemas nationwide on June 5.

    For updates on screening schedules and upcoming releases, follow Encore Films Philippines on Facebook and @encorefilmsph on Instagram.

  • MOVIE REVIEW: In Praise of the Toxic Male—A Review of ‘Tayo sa Wakas’ and the Strong Perfomaces of Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan

    MOVIE REVIEW: In Praise of the Toxic Male—A Review of ‘Tayo sa Wakas’ and the Strong Perfomaces of Belle Mariano and Donny Pangilinan

    There’s a shift that happens in the second part of Tayo sa Wakas that cuts away at the charm of the film, making me question how the film approaches its themes, how it romanticizes a toxic character, and how it highlights his redemption arc. It’s a strong enough story at the beginning; Cathy Garcia-Sampana’s directing is dynamic and strong, while lead stars Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano show off their impressive on-screen chemistry. Mariano is capable of such immense range and nuanced acting, while Pangilinan shines in the heavier, more dramatic requirements of his role. 

    But Tayo sa Wakas is centered on Pangilinan’s character, Cisco. It’s really his film, with Mariano’s Cheska serving as the romantic lead, though her character’s point of view is withheld from the film – and there is a story element as to why. Cisco is the typical romantic lead presented as the forlorn lover who cannot move on from a breakup. Despite this framing, Mariano is just so good that her character’s presence is felt all throughout the film, even when she is off-screen, her presence lingers. It’s an amazing feat, Mariano really is a powerhouse.

    The film, written by Vanessa R. Valdez, opens with a dizzying flashback of a break up between Cisco and Cheska. It’s hurtful. Cheska questions whether Cisco really deserves her love, and he walks away. We cut to the present, where Cisco has shaved his head. His family is scared for him as he insists on borrowing a car to visit someone. Not getting any help from his family, he goes to a friend (played by Joross Gamboa) who lends him a car and gives him advice. As Cisco is about to leave, Cheska appears and insists on going on a breakup trip. On the road, the two rehash their moments, the ones Cisco wants to hold on to and the ones Cheska wants to remind him of, when everything went wrong.

    Belle Mariano as Cheska in Tayo Sa Wakas
    Belle Mariano as Cheska in Tayo sa Wakas | ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. (Star Cinema)

    Through these flashbacks, we see a highly competitive Cisco who falls in love with the new intern, Cheska, who recognizes his ideas and talent even when others aren’t sure about them. We see the ways in which Cisco falls for her and makes his moves, and she falls too. It’s a classic romance story as the couple move in together. But in such close proximity, with work as a shared space, Cheska begins to rise and the highly competitive Cisco finds himself uncomfortable with his lover and protege’s growing success.

    Donny Pangilinan as Cisco in Tayo Sa Wakas
    Donny Pangilinan as Cisco in Tayo sa Wakas | ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. (Star Cinema)

    The first half of the movie has all the trappings of a romantic film, maybe even that of a rom-com (though every time it cuts back to the present, we know this won’t be a full-on comedy with a happy ending). Garcia-Sampana’s direction keeps the narrative busy and energetic. She even brings the two leads into the realm of the sensual, showing a lot of physical intimacy and skin. It looks grown-up, but it’s deceptive. It’s the lure of youth and young love, but the hard demands of the adult world will come calling, and they will find themselves unready.

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    Tayo sa Wakas | ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. (Star Cinema)

    But the truth is, Cheska is ready with the hard answers. Cisco, with all his privilege and bravado, is not. This is exactly where I felt more and more uncomfortable as the film progressed: Cisco is toxic. He fails at every turn when their relationship gets serious and when work gets in the way of their relationship. Throughout the film, we see only Cisco’s point of view. Garcia-Sampana’s direction tries to soften and humanize him, making the storytelling feel increadibly lopsided. Cheska’s perspective is just as important here, but the answer to that happens later in the film, leaving us entirely with Cisco’s road to redemption.

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    Images from: ABS-CBN Film Productions Inc. (Star Cinema) FB Page

    It’s not a pleasant movie to watch, though it starts out that way at the beginning. Mariano is magnificent all throughout, while Pangilinan seems more comfortable with the heavier, dramatic aspects of the narrative, feeling a bit out of place during the rom-com atmosphere of the film’s first half. There is a serious dramatic actor in Pangilinan, and I hope they give him more roles that play to his strengths. Yes, he’s attractive and his chemistry with Mariano is electric, but he doesn’t seem as natural in the kilig scenes as he is in the more emotionally demanding ones. 

    Sitting through this film became difficult after a while. So many movies have put toxic men and their high expectations of women in relationship into the spotlight, but they always seem to get their hard lessons served right up to them. I can recall Never Not Love You, Un/Happy For You, and just the recent The Loved One. In those films, the woman’s perspective served as the balance that kept the narrative from romanticize the man’s toxic behaviour. As good as Pangilinan is here, not even Marianos’ fantastic performance can fully balance this narrative’s gaps.

    My Rating: 2.5 Stars

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    Tayo sa Wakas is a beautifully acted drama where the undeniable, explosive chemistry of Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano makes the journey worth taking. Check your local showtimes and watch it on the big screen this weekend!

  • Celebrate Pride Month with Luca Guadagnino’s Acclaimed Drama “Queer” at Ayala Malls Cinemas This June 10

    Celebrate Pride Month with Luca Guadagnino’s Acclaimed Drama “Queer” at Ayala Malls Cinemas This June 10

    As Pride Month shines a spotlight on stories of identity, love, and self-expression, Ayala Malls Cinemas continues its tradition of bringing meaningful and inclusive films to local audiences. This year, moviegoers can look forward to QUEER, the latest acclaimed work from award-winning filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, arriving exclusively in Ayala Malls Cinemas beginning June 10.

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    Recognized as an Official Competition entry at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in 2024, QUEER captivated audiences and critics alike, earning a nine-minute standing ovation during its premiere. Adapted from the novel by celebrated writer William S. Burroughs, the film offers a poignant and intimate portrait of longing, connection, and emotional vulnerability.

    Daniel Craig Leads a Stellar Cast

    Headlining the film is Daniel Craig as William Lee, an American expatriate navigating life in 1950s Mexico City. Living on the fringes of a small foreign community, William’s routine existence begins to change when he encounters Eugene Allerton, portrayed by Drew Starkey.

    As their bond deepens, William finds himself confronting emotions he has long kept at a distance. What unfolds is a deeply personal journey that explores desire, companionship, and the complexities of human connection.

    Joining Craig and Starkey are Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Henrique Zaga, and Omar Apollo, completing a talented ensemble that brings depth and authenticity to the story.

    A New Perspective on a Literary Work

    Known for his visually stunning and emotionally layered storytelling, Guadagnino offers a fresh interpretation of Burroughs’ unfinished and semi-autobiographical novel.

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    Rather than focusing solely on themes of alienation, the director emphasizes the tenderness at the heart of the narrative. Through his lens, QUEER becomes a moving reflection on the human need for connection, revealing moments of vulnerability that resonate long after the credits roll.

    The film examines how individuals seek understanding and intimacy, even when faced with uncertainty, fear, or emotional barriers.

    A Meaningful Pride Month Screening

    For Ayala Malls Cinemas, presenting stories that celebrate diversity and representation remains an important part of its commitment to audiences. Over the years, the cinema chain has provided a platform for films that encourage dialogue and foster greater empathy through powerful storytelling.

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    This Pride Month, QUEER stands as a compelling addition to that tradition. Its themes of identity, acceptance, and emotional truth offer viewers an opportunity to engage with a story that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.

    An Elevated Cinema Experience

    Beyond its captivating narrative, QUEER can be experienced with the premium comfort and technology that Ayala Malls Cinemas is known for.

    Equipped with Dolby Audio and Dolby Atmos systems, the cinemas deliver immersive sound that enhances every scene and emotional nuance. Combined with plush seating and spacious legroom, audiences can enjoy a cinematic experience designed for both comfort and engagement.

    Queer Ayala Malls Cinemas

    Catch the Early Access Screening

    Fans eager to watch the film ahead of its official release can attend the Early Access Screening on May 30 at 6:30 PM at TriNoma, Glorietta, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

    Experience one of the year’s most talked-about films and witness Luca Guadagnino’s acclaimed adaptation on the big screen. QUEER opens exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas on June 10.

  • THEATER REVIEW: Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo Delivers a Powerhouse Performance as Maria Callas in Philippine Opera Company Production of ‘Master Class’

    THEATER REVIEW: Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo Delivers a Powerhouse Performance as Maria Callas in Philippine Opera Company Production of ‘Master Class’

    Terrence McNally’s play Master Class is an imagining of one of the sessions of famed opera diva Maria Callas’ master class, which she held a few years before she died, after her voice had given out and her retirement. It is a fictional account of what a master class would be like with someone so important and revolutionary in the world of opera that her teachings would give way to asides that would talk about art, discipline, fame, and her own personal life. It is funny and brutal, it’s casual and accessible and yet it reaches out and engages thoroughly with the sophisticated world of an elite art practice. In efforts to demystify and humanize Callas, McNally allows humour – formed by Callas’ self-confidence and belief in herself and her brutally honest and frank way of critiquing the students and anybody else who catches her attention – into the script and interweaves it with explorations of what it takes to truly express the truth in art while also wrestling with Callas’ own personal demons.

    Philippine Opera Company Master Class

    The Philippine Opera Company’s latest staging of Master Class has Jaime Del Mundo in the director’s chair, and he strips away the theatrics of the Carlos P. Romulo Theater at the RCBC Plaza and turns the stage into a rather simple venue for a master class.

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    Terrence McNally’s Master Class by The Philippine Opera Company | Photos by Myra Ho

    There’s a piano, a high chair with a music stand, and a table filled with books at the back. Before the start of the play, a projection of Maria Callas is screened on the backdrop, a textured screen that remains dormant until the finale, which gives way to the only spectacle Del Mundo allows for this play.

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    Terrence McNally’s Master Class by The Philippine Opera Company | Photos by Myra Ho

    There are no theatrics here. The spectacle is the performance of Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Maria Callas, a force of nature walking in from the audience’s side who, through sheer aura and stage presence alone, grabs all of our attention.

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    Terrence McNally’s Master Class by The Philippine Opera Company | Photos by Myra Ho

    Lauchengco-Yulo does not try to mimic or imitate Callas. Instead, she takes all of the opera diva’s essence and truth and presents it in her line delivery, her posture, and her facial expressions. It’s a commanding role, with the majority of the play’s two acts centered around her. Callas knows she’s a star and that this class is filled with people who want to be like her, and Lauchengco-Yulo runs with it but, at the same time, is hiding something deep inside.

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    Terrence McNally’s Master Class by The Philippine Opera Company | Photos by Myra Ho

    This is presented in moments while her students are singing; she enters into her own interiority, and delivers a gut-wrenching monologue that mines all of the character’s emotional struggles into a powerful moment for Lauchengco-Yulo.

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    Terrence McNally’s Master Class by The Philippine Opera Company | Photos by Myra Ho

    She does this twice – once before the end of act one and a second time before the end of act two – and it’s really the highlight of the show.

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    Terrence McNally’s Master Class by The Philippine Opera Company | Photos by Myra Ho

    The cast surrounding her – her accompanist on the piano, Manny (Louie Angelo Oca), the three students, Sophie de Palma (Alexandra Bernas), Anthony Candolino (Arman Ferrer), and Sharon Graham (Angeli Benipayo), and a stagehand (Nelsito Gomez) – feels directed to play in total contrast to Lauchengco-Yulo’s Callas.

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    Terrence McNally’s Master Class by The Philippine Opera Company | Photos by Myra Ho

    As she is grounded in emotion, the supporting cast feel exaggerated and hyper-real; as Callas is striving for truth, the people around her are playing to people’s expectations.

    Terrence McNally’s Master Class by The Philippine Opera Company | Photos by Myra Ho
    Terrence McNally’s Master Class by The Philippine Opera Company | Photos by Myra Ho

    The contrast is apparent, and the magic really happens when Ferrer and Benipayo have to sing, with Lauchengco-Yulo, in character, directing them through the songs. I grew up listening to opera arias when my dad would play them while working. I know very little about it, but I could hear the shifts and tones when Ferrer and Benipayo began to imbibe Callas’ teachings.

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    Terrence McNally’s Master Class by The Philippine Opera Company | Photos by Myra Ho

    They are singing difficult pieces – one from Turandot and the other from Verdi’s MacBeth – and they are acting through them. The largeness of their spoken scenes is given nuance and texture as they sing their arias and learn how to find truth in the performance. By the time they exit the stage, Ferrer and Benipayo have changed their approach and Callas has done her work.

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    Terrence McNally’s Master Class by The Philippine Opera Company | Photos by Myra Ho

    Maria Callas, as a character, is not easy to like, though you can admire her. She’s abrasive and self-possessed and we can hang on to her story because she has lived a truly remarkable life. Lauchengco-Yulo plays her head on, without begging for sympathy, and the result hits like a hammer to the head. It’s a bravura performance from Lauchengco-Yulo that realises the full extent of McNally’s play, but it also makes the piece feel somewhat inaccessible unless you truly love the practice of art like I do. There were people around me who couldn’t grasp the full nature of the show; taking the master class tone and setting to mean they were not in the theater, they began talking incessantly from the middle of the first act.

    My Rating: 3.5 Stars

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    Driven by a commanding, bravura performance from Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, this production is a must-see for true lovers of the craft. Don’t miss the final weekend of Terrence McNally’s award-winning masterpiece, Master Class. The final shows will run on May 30 at 3 PM and 8 PM at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. You can secure your tickets now by calling 09176452946 or by visiting Ticket2Me.

  • MOVIE REVIEW: Inde Navarratte Delivers a Breakthrough Role in the Terrifying ‘Obsession’

    MOVIE REVIEW: Inde Navarratte Delivers a Breakthrough Role in the Terrifying ‘Obsession’

    Stemming from a very simple premise, Obsession finds its chilling horror in the many ways a single wish can go wrong. With minimal characters, a lean plot, and sparse set pieces, director-screenwriter Curry Barker maximizes the scares by exposing the extremes a person would endure for their desires and the sheer damage it inflicts on the human body and those around them. While the hook is supernatural in nature, Barker utilizes very little supernatural horror and keeps it grounded in the depths of human willpower and raw emotion. Ultimately, what makes this film scary is its depiction of how far a person can go for the object or person that they want.

    Baron “Bear” Bailey (Michael Johnston) is a shy, sensitive young man who is in love with Nikki (Inde Navarrette), his childhood friend and co-worker at a music store. Together with their other friends and co-workers, Ian (Cooper Tomlinson) and Sarah (Megan Lawless), Bear is constantly with Nikki, yet he cannot open up to her about his feelings.

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    The One Wish Willow box from the film OBSESSION, a Focus Features release.
    Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

    Bear happens upon a a magic shop and purchases a “One Wish Willow” novelty toy, that supposedly grant a single wish when snapped in half. He was supposed to give it to Nikki but when he can’t even do that, he uses it for himself and wishes that Nikki would love him “more than anyone in the world.” The shift is instantaneous. Nikki’s affection changes into a consuming obsession and begins to do anything and everything to be around Bear, pushing further and further what a person is capable of doing to show their love for someone.

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    The One Wish Willow display from the film OBSESSION, a Focus Features release.
    Credit: Manny Liotta / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

    Barker sets his world and most of the scenes at night, always filling the screen with shadows and darkness, using only minimal light to illuminate the faces of his cast. From the get-go, Nikki’s transformation is already frightening. She’s lying and making up stories – and not very good ones – just to find any excuse to be with Bear.

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    OBSESSION, a Focus Features release.
    Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

    But later on, it breaks beyond the border of obsession; Nikki is constantly at Bear’s periphery. And he tries to rationalize that the novelty toy actually granted his wish, Bear reveals a side of him that was probably always there, but never exposed until the narrative gives him more chances to show his true persona.

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    Inde Navarrette stars as Nikki in OBSESSION, a Focus Features release.
    Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

    Obsession does not shy away from visceral blood and gore in this film. The lengths by which Nikki would go to just to keep Bear near her and for him to pay attention to her is frightening. But Barker also gives her some scary movements, almost as if she’s possessed by some unnatural force. She would do things that would push her body’s limits just to prove her devotion to Bear. In some cases, the film leads to some terrifying jump scares that don’t feel cheap because it feels earned by the dramatic situation. Nikki becomes a patient predator, waiting in the shadows, in the sidelines, bidding her time until the best time she can be with Bear. It is surprising and it predicates that the wish has hollowed Nikki out, leaving he a captive host to an insatiable force.

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    Inde Navarrette stars as Nikki and Michael Johnston as Bear in OBSESSION, a Focus Features release.
    Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

    Without being too obvious about it, the film can easily be viewed through a feminist lens. It portrays how the wishes of men can sometimes boil down to wanting a woman to be completely devoted to them, even if it is against her will and to the ultimate detriment of her own mind and body. Bear does not automatically try to find a way to break the spell; instead, he only seeks to minimize its harmful effects. Even though she is acting strangely, and is clearly dangerous to herself and to others, he still tries to find a way to keep her, just without the apparent harm. While it is never explicitly emphasized or stated, it is a powerful feminist statement if I ever saw one.

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    Michael Johnston stars as Bear in OBSESSION, a Focus Features release.
    Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

    Johnston is incredible as Bear, playing into his soft-boy persona while also being completely overwhelmed by the story’s situation. There is a multitude of emotions running through him, and Johnston allows us to see all of them coursing through his body. It’s an excellent portrayal that demands an immense amount of skill and talent. But this movie is truly a showcase for Navarrette and her unbelievable commitment to the character and the dramatic situation. She is fearless and unpredictable. She’s a force of nature that transcends the film’s horror genre, turning it into a layered dramatic performance of a person whose entire personality has been reduced to the singular, simple wish of “loving someone more than anyone else in the world.” It’s an intensely physical role, one that is totally devoid of ego. And she is in it all the way; a star is born.

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    Michael Johnston stars as Bear, Megan Lawless as Sarah and Cooper Tomlinson as Ian in OBSESSION, a Focus Features release.
    Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features / © 2026 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

    Barker’s pacing and direction allow the film to build and build, allowing things to get worse and worse and earns its big finale. It’s one of those movies where the audience in the cinema begins talking out loud to the characters on screen because they simply cannot contain their fear and anxiety over what is unfolding onscreen. This is absolutely a film made for the big screen.

    My Rating: 5 Stars

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    Fearless, brutal, and absolutely unmissable. Obsession is a masterclass in tension that demands to be seen with a crowd. Don’t wait for the spoilers, check showtimes now and witness Inde Navarrete’s powerhouse performance on the big screen!

  • MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Colony’ Boasts Refreshing Twists While Featuring Jun Ji-hyun in a Role She Does Best

    MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Colony’ Boasts Refreshing Twists While Featuring Jun Ji-hyun in a Role She Does Best

    From director Yeon Sang-ho, who previously gave us the excellent Train to Busan before veering into the middling territory of Peninsula, Colony emerges as an action-packed horror film that amps up the stakes while containing the chaos inside a high-rise building complex in downtown Seoul to maintain an intimate and intense narrative. By confining the humans inside one location, it often takes the tone and mode of a horror/thriller until the story pushes it towards more action-oriented fare. While the storytelling remains clear, its emotional core is relegated to the supporting characters rather than the protagonist. Nevertheless, Colony is a fun, exciting movie to watch in the cinema as Yeon Sang-ho knows how to utilize the big screen for maximum visceral impact.

    Colony centers on a group of people who get trapped within a commercial complex, encompassing a shopping mall, corporate offices, and a convention hall, after a man-made outbreak transforms the population into hyper-aggressive zombie horde operating under a singular hive-mind.

    Colony

    Jun Ji-hyun (credited as Gianna Jun, which is her international name) leads the cast as Kwon Se-jeong. a brilliant, tough, and demanding biotech professor who arrives at the building to attend the Chain Bio Conference with her ex-husband, Han Gyu-seong (Go Soo).

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    While trying to get a job interview with the Chains Bio CEO, Se-jeong witnesses a confrontation between the executive and Suh Yeong-cheol (Koo Kyo-hwan), a disgraced former Chains Bio scientist who was fired because his research had deadly consequences that threatened the fate of humanity’s future.

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    Determined to take revenge and prove his research would not only improve the human race but help him exact his revenge on everyone who had wronged him. Yeong-cheol injects both himself and the CEO with a bio-weapon virus, now a zombie, unleashing a localized patient zero, an infects other who rapidly turns the entire complex into a claustrophobic house of horrors.

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    The building perimeter is quickly sealed off as the attacks intensify and trapping a small cluster of survivors within the building. Among them are the complex’s security officer, Choi Hyun-seok (Ji Chang-wook), his sister Choi Hyun-hee (Kim Shin-rok), who needs a wheelchair to move, and a few other desperate civilians.

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    Trapped in the building, without any exit strategy, the survivors is forced to navigate through the maze-like building, executing tense evasion tactics to bypass a rapidly multiplying, hive-minded horde to avoid detection if they want to make it out alive.

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    The structural set up is very clear and precise. Yeon Sang-ho, co-writing alongside Choi Gyu-seok, injects a new twist into the zombie genre by adding elements of biotech elements into the mix. Rather than acting on standard rabid instinct, these zombies are patterned from certain parasitic fungus and ants colonies. They communicate with each other and exchange information through pheromones.

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    Consequently, any intelligence and information gained by a single zombie is shared with another. Se-jeong must use her intellect to try and outsmart the hive-mind horde to find a cure or find an escape route before they all succumb. 

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    Much like Train to Busan, Yeong Sang-ho fills the surviving party with the familiar genre archetypes – the law enforcer, teenagers (including bullies and the bullied), the vulnerable older person, and a rich man who thinks his wealth dictates the value of his life.

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    And among them is the everyman, in the form of Ji Chang-wook, who actually works as an everyman despite his good looks – but he plays against type and creates new and refreshing dimensions with these characters. Some people are not what they seem and they play out in the survival aspect of the movie in unpredictable ways.

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    But make no mistake: this is entirely Jun Ji-hyun’s movie. The camera and the world revolve around her, leaving Ji Chang-wook to merely playing support. Yet, it provides the film with a much-needed emotional core with Ji Chang-wook’s relationship with his sister, played by Kim Shin-rok, who is always excellent in anything she does. As a person with physical disability, Kim Shin-rok’s Choi Hyun-hee is initially framed as a liability, however, a beautifully planted character trait completely shifts the narrative landscape later on. It’s their sibling bond that lends the film its genuine heart, but it is ultimately Jun Ji-hyun’s presence as Se-jeong that gives the film forward momentum.

    Colony Still 13

    Both Jun Ji-hyun and Koo Kyo-hwan make for strong lead characters – the protagonist and the antagonist – in roles they have mastered in their many dramas and films before this. These characters are types they’ve played before, but it is so fun watching them do it. 

    Colony Still 02 Shots

    Ultimately, Colony is a tight, exceptionally fast-paced, and action-packed ride. It makes full use on the claustrophobic setting to create an exciting cat-and-mouse thriller, that surprises with some twists in the second and third acts that ensure the story remains unpredictable and refreshing. It has dynamic, sweeping camera movements that keeps the action scenes breathlessly kinetic and heart-pounding while the choreography of the zombie horde is distinct and frightening from start to finish. 

    My Rating: 4.5 Stars

    stars 4 5


    Don’t miss the claustrophobic terror and relentless thrills of Colony. Gather your friends, buy your tickets, and experience the hive-mind horror on the biggest screen possible. Now playing in cinemas nationwide! Check your local theater listings for showtimes.

  • ASUS and Republic of Gamers to Showcase Next-Generation AI and 20 Years of Gaming Innovation at Computex 2026

    ASUS and Republic of Gamers to Showcase Next-Generation AI and 20 Years of Gaming Innovation at Computex 2026

    ASUS will present AI innovations at Computex 2026 across edge computing and everyday experiences, while ROG marks 20 years of gaming excellence.

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    KEY POINTS

    • Advancing AI: Guided by its vision of Ubiquitous AI. Incredible Possibilities, ASUS advances its AI strategy to enable scalable, real-world applications
    • End-to-end experience: At the ASUS booth, visitors will experience AI scenarios across enterprise, creator, healthcare, and everyday computing
    • ROG 20-year milestone: A showcase celebrating 20 years of gaming innovation, featuring ROG Lab–inspired experimental zones at the ROG booth

    PASIG CITY, Philippines (May 26, 2026) — ASUS and Republic of Gamers (ROG) announced their booth showcases at Computex 2026, set to spotlight their latest innovations in an immersive on-site experience. The showcases highlight ASUS’s continued advancement in intelligent computing across enterprise and consumer ecosystems, as well as ROG’s 20-year milestone in gaming innovation and design evolution.

    The exhibition will take place from June 2–5, 2026, between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., except on June 5, when it will run until 3:30 p.m., at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 1 (4F). The ASUS booth will be located at M0820, while the ROG booth will be at M0504.

    ASUS booth (M0820)

    At the ASUS booth, visitors will experience Ubiquitous AI. Incredible Possibilities, where AI is integrated across infrastructure, enterprise platforms, and intelligent edge systems. The showcase demonstrates how ASUS enables end-to-end AI adoption across industries and everyday computing, delivering scalable, practical solutions for businesses and users alike, with a focus on more efficient, sustainable AI computing:

    • AI Infrastructure / Cloud: The foundation for enterprise-scale AI adoption, featuring scalable AI servers and integrated systems such as the ASUS AI POD, delivering the compute, systems, and orchestration needed to power modern workloads across data center environments and distributed enterprise ecosystems.
    • AI On Premise: Solutions that enable workflow automation and intelligent orchestration through enterprise AI agents.
    • Sustainable AI: Enables continuous, AI-driven optimization to improve enterprise efficiency and sustainability outcomes.

    The ASUS vision also extends to AI at the edge/IoT, delivering real-time intelligent computing solutions that bring AI closer to users and devices across diverse environments. These capabilities span multiple application domains:

    • Workspace AI: AI-enabled devices and systems for modern productivity.
    • Industrial AI: Edge AI systems and industrial computing solutions enabling intelligent operations.
    • Everyday AI: Human-centric AI experiences across PCs, desktops, and connected devices.
    • Creator AI: ProArt ecosystem supporting AI-driven creative workflows.
    • Healthcare AI: Intelligent tools supporting diagnostics, monitoring, and care accessibility.
    • Gaming AI: AI-enhanced gaming systems and devices delivering improved performance and immersion.

    ROG Booth (M0504)

    At the ROG booth, visitors are invited to celebrate 20 years of gaming innovation through an immersive showcase inspired by the experimental spirit of ROG Lab, exploring new frontiers of gaming experience where AI is also being integrated to support more powerful creative tools and enhanced gameplay.

    ROG will present a dedicated 20th-anniversary showcase featuring a legacy exhibition that highlights its journey of engineering excellence, design evolution, and community-driven innovation. The showcase will also introduce the ROG 20th-anniversary special edition, a flagship collection that combines performance engineering with commemorative design elements that reflect ROG’s legacy and next-generation engineering.

    Visitors can also participate in an on-site PC DIY experience, offering hands-on interaction with ROG hardware and customization culture.

    The experience extends into experimental zones — including Future Gamer, Codeverse, Humanlink, APEX Craft, Illumotion, and Mechano — each exploring new dimensions of gaming, creativity, interaction, and immersive technology.

    Prior to the booth showcase, ROG will host a Press Event & Party at Syntrend Creative Park in Taipei on June 1, from 5:00 to 10:00 PM.

    For more updates and on #AlwaysIncredible ASUS products, visit the ASUS PH Facebook page and ROG PH Facebook page.


  • foodpanda’s Pro Weeks comes back this June

    foodpanda’s Pro Weeks comes back this June

    Reaching the midyear mark naturally triggers a financial gut-check. After six months of balancing bills and everyday expenses, staying on budget shouldn’t mean sacrificing the food and conveniences you love. Instead, the focus is entirely on maximum affordability – finding smart, budget-friendly ways to stretch your peso while protecting your wallet.

    To help everyday consumers beat the midyear pinch, foodpanda’s Pro Weeks is back with budget-saving deals. From June 1 to 7, pandapro subscribers can unlock exclusive perks and discounts  across food delivery and groceries.

    pandapro offers up to 50 off

    Whether you’re ordering a solo lunch, stocking up the pantry, or feeding the whole family, Pro Weeks cuts down your expenses significantly, with up to 50% off on select restaurants such as Andoks, Shakey’s, Gong Cha, from June 1 to 7. Those savings also extend beyond meals, allowing pandapro subscribers to get up to 50% off on select pandamart items and up to 20% off on select Puregold items—helping users manage grocery restocks and household essentials more conveniently from home.

    For those planning bigger orders, additional discounts make the experience even more sulit. From June 5 to 7, users can enjoy ₱200 off on select food and grocery vendors with varying minimum spends, adding even more value to barkada meals, family orders, or weekly restocks.

    Ultimately, staying on budget shouldn’t feel like a chore. With deeper discounts across food delivery, groceries, and more,  Pro Weeks proves that eating well and staying stocked can be both convenient and highly affordable.  As daily costs rise, making intentional, money-saving choices is the smartest midyear reset you can do.  Don’t let these budget-friendly perks pass you by – make your money work harder for you during this limited two-week savings event.

  • Contemplate the Future with “Of Art and Wine Series: Conrad Manila Presents “Harbinger Metropolis” by Ivan Co 

    Contemplate the Future with “Of Art and Wine Series: Conrad Manila Presents “Harbinger Metropolis” by Ivan Co 

    Conrad Manila unveils the 41st installment of its highly acclaimed Of Art and Wine series with Harbinger Metropolis by Ivan Co, now on exhibit at Gallery C until 25 July 2026. Featuring ten visually compelling and thought-provoking kinetic sculptures, expertly curated by resident curator Nestor Jardin, this latest exhibition offers a powerful meditation on the accelerating pace of progress, and the choices humanity faces on the threshold of an unpredictable future.

    Photo 1

    “Ivan Co’s works are a compelling centerpiece to the celebration of Conrad Manila’s 10th anniversary this June,” said Rupert Hallam, general manager of Conrad Manila. “Magnificent in form and profound in meaning, the collection invites guests to reflect on both the uncertainty and the boundless possibilities of what lies ahead. It seamlessly aligns with the hotel’s commitment to providing meaningful and enriching experiences.”

    Photo 2

    Harbinger Metropolis showcases ten meticulously crafted automaton, gravitram, and pendulum sculptures adorned with semi-precious gemstones. Through these dynamic works, Co depicts a world in constant motion, alluding to the transformative shifts already underway. Rather than offering definitive answers, the collection sparks curiosity and encourages viewers to contemplate the evolving landscape shaped by rapid technological advancement.

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     “The intricate gears of the automaton, the relentless journey of the gravitram, and the hypnotic swing of the pendulum all serve as harbingers, which are symbols of the accelerating change that will inevitably reshape our urban landscapes and our very existence,” featured artist Ivan Co shared. “Through this collection, I invite all viewers to confront the precipice of a new era, where the boundaries between utopia and dystopia blur into an uncertain horizon,” he added.

    Photo 4

    “The intricate gears of the automaton, the relentless journey of the gravitram, and the hypnotic swing of the pendulum serve as harbingers, symbols of accelerating change that will inevitably reshape our urban landscapes and our very existence,” shared featured artist Ivan Co. “Through this collection, I invite viewers to stand at the precipice of a new era, where the boundaries between utopia and dystopia dissolve into an uncertain horizon.”

    Photo 4B

    The exhibit’s opening ceremony was attended by distinguished guests, including Elizabeth Sy, President of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Peggy Angeles, Executive Vice President of SM Hotels and Conventions Corporation; Rupert Hallam, Conrad Manila’s General Manager, and featured artist Ivan Co.

    Photo 5

    All artworks on display at Gallery C are available for acquisition. For inquiries and more information, guests and art collectors may contact (63 2) 8833 9999 or email Conrad.Manila.info@conradhotels.com.