How’s the start of 2023 been going? Many of us are welcoming the start of a New Year with renewed motivation to work hard for our goals. But the harder we work, we must not forget to also treat ourselves with the break we deserve!
To help you make your vacation plans this year, we’ve plotted out the 2023 long weekends based on National Holidays and the official government proclamation in this nifty cheat sheet, so you can file your vacation leaves as early as possible!
Bookmark this page, save the calendar to your phone, and share it with your friends!
[Note: This graphic guide is based on nationwide holidays declared in Proclamation No. 90 s. 2022, which does not include Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha. These dates may be modified as official changes are announced.]
Netflix has just released the trailer for its upcoming rom-com, Your Place or Mine, starring Reese Witherspoon and Ashton Kutcher. From the writer of The Devil Wears Prada, 27 Dresses and Morning Glory, Aline Brosh McKenna looked to her own life for the inspiration to write Your Place or Mine. The upcoming Netflix film follows the story of Debbie (Reese Witherspoon) and Peter (Ashton Kutcher), long-time friends and keep in constant contact despite living in different cities. She craves routine with her son in LA; he thrives on change in NY. When they swap houses and lives for a week they discover what they think they want might not be what they really need.
Courtesy of Netflix
The trailer showcases the chemistry between Witherspoon and Kutcher, as well as the comedic timing of both actors. The cast also includes Steve Zahn (The White Lotus), Zoë Chao (Senior Year), Tig Notaro (Army of the Dead), Jesse Williams (Grey’s Anatomy), Vella Lovell (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend) and Griffin Matthews (Dear White People). It also provides a glimpse of the beautiful locations where the movie was filmed, including New York City and Los Angeles.
The trailer has received positive feedback from audiences, with many praising the leads’ performances and the relatable storyline. Your Place or Mine will stream globally on Netflix on February 10, 2023, just in time for Valentine’s Day, and fans are eagerly waiting for its release.
Your Place or Mine looks like a charming and funny rom-com that is sure to entertain audiences. With a talented cast and crew, this film promises to be a great addition to Netflix’s lineup for 2023.
Acer today announced refreshed models of its Aspire all-in-ones and laptops, designed to support families’ day-to-day productivity and entertainment needs, while adding a touch of style to the home environment. The sleek Acer Aspire S all-in-one PCs come in both 27-inch and 32-inch models and are equipped with up to the latest 13th Gen Intel® Core™ processors[[i]] and Windows 11 to empower a seamless computing experience. Providing efficiency and reliability for multi-tasking users working from home, the Aspire 5 Series laptops come with the latest 13th Gen Intel Core processors and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX® GPUs, while the lightweight Aspire 3 Series notebooks deliver ready-to-go performance.
Acer Aspire S Series All-in-One PCs
The Acer Aspire S Series all-in-One PCs provide users with a minimalist yet modern workspace to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes. Designed to support families’ everyday computing and entertainment demands, the 32-inch version comes with up to 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700 desktop processors and Intel® Arc™ A-Series Graphics[1], while the 27-inch model is powered by the latest 12th Gen Intel Core i5 and i7 processors as well as Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics[1], delivering superior multi-tasking performance where it is needed most. The all-in-one also boasts a sleek aluminum chassis, with a carefully designed ergonomic tiltable display to provide comfortable viewing when working or browsing.
Users are also treated to a multi-dimensional, audiovisual experience on the Acer Aspire S all-in-one PCs. The models’ sharp, near-borderless WQHD displays boast crisp, brilliant imagery on a near-borderless screen, while its dual speakers produce exhilarating sound with DTS Surround sound audio. Video calling and content creation are now a breeze with the magnetically mounted 1080p FHD webcam and an optional 1440p QHD webcam[1] with a ring light accessory to capture users’ best on-screen appearances. Thanks to Acer EyeSense™ facial recognition software and Windows Hello fingerprint reader, users can experience password-free biometric security for easier access to Windows 11 devices, while their personal data continues to be secured. Adding to its bundle of features, the Acer Aspire S all-in-one PCs host a generous number of ports and connectivity options and implement Wi-Fi 6E, while taking advantage of seven additional 160 MHz channels to experience three times faster[2] connectivity to local networks.
Acer Aspire 5 Laptops
New models in the Acer Aspire 5 line feature powerful 13th Gen Intel Core processors and are paired with up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 GPUs infused with advanced AI technology for ray tracing, making them an ideal choice for users who demand performance and versatility. As a well-rounded home notebook, the Aspire 5 Series also comes with up to 32 GB of DDR4 memory and up to a 1 TB M.2 SSD, providing bloggers, photographers, and students with the essential tools to allow them to get things done and express their passions through a host of applications all at once. All that power lies beneath its aluminum[3] chassis which is available in multiple stunning colorways.
Users are treated to clear and comfortable viewing with the home laptops’ stunning display as the 15-inch laptop showcases a QHD display and a 16:9 aspect ratio, while the 14-inch version features an FHD display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, and narrow bezels on an eye-catching IPS wide viewing angle. The experience is heightened even further as the laptops are equipped with Acer’s suite of visual technologies for dynamic color optimizations. The Aspire 5 also makes a great choice for streamers and users constantly on video. Its 1080p FHD webcam and digital microphones utilize Acer’s Temporal Noise Reduction (TNR) technology and Acer PurifiedVoice™ for high-quality video feeds and crisp audio output when streaming or making conference calls.
Lastly, the Aspire 5 laptops stay cool inside and out with TwinAir Cooling and an air inlet keyboard for improved thermal capacity and to expel more heat. These also feature a wide range of port options to connect or charge devices, with a full-function USB Type-C with Thunderbolt™ 4 port, Wi-Fi 6E[4] and HDMI 2.1 for increased functionality when streaming or file sharing.
Acer Aspire 3 Laptops
The Acer Aspire 3 Series are budget-friendly, easy-to-use laptops made for practical multi-tasking functions and catering to all members of the family. The laptops for home are always ready to go with the new Intel® Core™ i3-N series processors to get more out of work, study, or play. With performance and productivity at its core, the improved thermal systems showcase a 40% increase in fan surface area[5] and an additional 17% thermal capacity[6] for optimized airflow and cooler internals, allowing for longer and more efficient usage while unplugged.
The Aspire 3 line was purposefully designed to be lighter and thinner, weighing just 1.6 kg[7] with a slick 18.9 mm[7] metal casing available in a range of vibrant colors. Families are treated to sharp, detailed images when browsing the web or streaming movies thanks to its 1080p FHD[8] display, while Acer’s BlueLightShield™ technology reduces the emission of blue light to help minimize eye strains. All models are also equipped with a USB Type-C port, HDMI 2.1 ports and Wi-Fi 6E[4], providing increased functionality for the whole family’s connectivity essentials.
Price and Availability
Exact specifications, prices, and availability will vary by region. To learn more about availability, product specifications and prices in specific markets, please contact your nearest Acer office via www.acer.com.
[1] Specifications may vary depending on the model and region. All models subject to availability. [2] Information is based on Official release by Intel on What Is Wi-Fi 6E? – Intel. Specifications may vary based on official release [3] Specifications may vary depending on model and/or region.Wi-Fi 6E-compatible devices are required to reach the stated speeds/benefits of Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax). [4] Wi-Fi 6E-compatible devices are required to reach the stated speeds/benefits of Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax) [5] Compared with Aspire 3 (A315-58) [6] The performance is based on Acer Internal lab’s data. Testing conducted by Acer in 2022 using Aspire 3 (A315-58) 15‑inch Aspire 3 systems with AMD CPU, compared with Aspire 3 15 (A315-510P). Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Aspire 3 (A315- 510P). [7] Specifications may vary depending on the model and region. All models subject to availability. Actual product appearance may differ from images shown due to photographic variables and conditions. We reserve the right to make changes without prior notice. All specifications are subject to change without prior notice. Please refer to product specification pages for full details. [8] Specifications may vary depending on the model and region. All models subject to availability.
The iconic Mystery Inc. gets a reboot in the upcoming animated series Velma! The first trailer for the new adult animation show has been released, giving us a look at the origin story of Velma Dinkley. Check out the trailer below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSm_Y3yS7bA
Dubbed as an original spin on the franchise that “unmasks the complex and colorful past of one of America’s most beloved mystery solvers,” Velma will focus on the story of the brains behind the beloved gang. In the show, we’ll get to see Velma solving mysteries in school while enlisting the help of Daphne, Norville, and Fred.
Velma stars the voices of Mindy Kaling, Constance Wu, Sam Richardson, and Glenn Howerton. It debuts on HBO Max today, January 12.
The Last of Us takes place 20 years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal and heart-breaking journey as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival.
The cast includes Pedro Pascal as Joel, Bella Ramsey as Ellie, Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Anna Torv as Tess, Nico Parker as Sarah, Murray Bartlett as Frank, Nick Offerman as Bill, Melanie Lynskey as Kathleen, Storm Reid as Riley, Merle Dandridge as Marlene, Jeffrey Pierce as Perry, Lamar Johnson as Henry, Keivonn Woodard as Sam, Graham Greene as Marlon, and Elaine Miles as Florence. Ashley Johnson and Troy Baker also star.
The Last of Us, based on the critically acclaimed video game of the same name developed by Naughty Dog exclusively for the PlayStation® platforms, is written and executive produced by Craig Mazin and Neil Druckmann. The series is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television and is executive produced by Carolyn Strauss, Evan Wells, Asad Qizilbash, Carter Swan, and Rose Lam. Production companies: PlayStation Productions, Word Games, The Mighty Mint, and Naughty Dog. Stream or download The Last of Us 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 new 12-month plan. Or access HBO GO via Cignal, Globe and Skycable. HBO GO is also available on Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV – and comes with AirPlay and Google Cast functionality.
From Damien Chazelle, Babylon is an original epic set in 1920s Los Angeles led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, with an ensemble cast including Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo and Li Jun Li. A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.
Babylon is the result of 15 years of research and world-building that started in Chazelle’s head long before he typed the first draft of the script and stepped behind the camera to bring his long-gestating epic to life.
“I wanted to look under the microscope at the early days of an art form and an industry, when both were still finding their footing,” says Chazelle, “and, on a deeper level, I liked the idea of looking at a society in change.”
“There was an incredibly diverse group of pioneers building an industry from scratch combined with a manic pace of creativity that created a strange brew of sex, drugs and music that may never be duplicated,” Chazelle continues. “It’s that alchemy that attracted so many fascinating characters to the edge of the desert to create a new industry and turn motion pictures into a new art form that was still really in its infancy when the movie begins.”
“That’s what I wanted to explore — the madness and the ambition and the drive of the people who were first in line in creating this art form and this industry, because through all the pain and the heartbreak, the highs and lows of their crazed lives, all that they gained and all that they lost, what they pioneered still lives on today,” concludes Chazelle.
In Philippine cinemas starting February 1, Babylon is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #BabylonMovie and tag @paramountpicsph
Photo & Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”
The trailer and poster for the 25th Anniversary Re-Release of James Cameron’s Academy Award® winning “Titanic” are available now. The film remastered in 3D opens in Philippine theaters on Wednesday, February 8.
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, a remastered version of James Cameron’s multi-Academy Award®-winning “Titanic” will be re-released to theaters in a remastered 3D version. With a cast headed by Oscar® winners Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, the film is an epic, action-packed romance set against the ill-fated maiden voyage of the “unsinkable” Titanic, at the time, the largest moving object ever built.
“Titanic” won a record 11 Academy Awards® including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction-Set Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Original Dramatic Score, Best Original Song, Best Sound, Best Sound Effects Editing and Best Visual Effects. Upon its initial release in 1997, the film became the #1 all-time global box office champ and is currently the third highest grossing film worldwide.
Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Studios present A Lightstorm Entertainment Production, “Titanic,” starringLeonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Bernard Hill, Jonathan Hyde, Danny Nucci, Gloria Stuart, David Warner, Victor Garber and Bill Paxton. James Cameron. Written and Directed by James Cameron, the film was Produced by Cameron and Jon Landau, with Rae Sanchini serving as Executive Producer.
After two online editions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Japan Foundation, Manila brings back the on-site screenings of its beloved film festival, the Japanese Film Festival (JFF), featuring 10 award-winning and must-see full-length films, on January 20 to February 22, 2023 in various venues in the Philippines.
One of the largest and most popular film festivals in the country attracting over 25,000 audiences every year, the Japan Film Festival kicks off its on-site screenings on January 22 to February 3, at the Shangri-la Plaza in Mandaluyong City.
It will have simultaneous screenings at SM City Baguio, SM Seaside Cebu, SM City Davao from January 27 to 31, 2023; followed by Cinematheque Manila, Cinematheque Negros, Cinematheque Iloilo, Cinematheque Davao, Cinematheque Nabunturan from January 28 to 29.; and UP Cine Adarna (Quezon City) from February 17 to 22.
The festival opens with Belle (竜とそばかすの姫), a film by director HOSODA Mamoru, starring the voices of NAKAMURA Kaho and SATOH Takeru. The 2021 animated film tells the story of a high school girl Suzu (Nakamura Kaho) who lost the ability to sing when her mother died in an accident when she was young. One day, a friend invited Suzu to join the virtual world known as “U” which has over 50 million members. There, she created her own alter-ego and became popular throughout the world as the singer Belle.
Intolerance (空白), by director Keisuke Yoshida, follows the story of a junior high school girl who figured in an accident after allegedly trying to shoplift, then eventually died. The father, wanting to prove her innocence, doggedly goes after the manager, but then turns into a terrifying monster and chases down everyone involved. The drama film stars Arata Furuta and Tori Matsuzaka.
InBlue (ブルー), directed by Keisuke Yoshida, Urita loves boxing more than anyone, but continues to lose. Meanwhile, his younger rival Ogawa is close to becoming the Japan champion and is preparing to marry Urita’s childhood friend Chika. Though everything he ever wanted is within Ogawa’s grasp, Urita continues to work toward his dream. Actor Kenichi Matsuyama plays the titular role.
And So The Baton Is Passed (そして、バトンは渡さ れた) narrates about Yuko (Nagano Mei) who has been raised by parents unrelated to her and has changed her last name four times. She currently lives with her father-in-law Morimiya (Tanaka Kei), but things are not going well. Meanwhile, the freewheeling Rika (Ishihara Satomi) has been showering her daughter with love, but one day suddenly disappears. And then Yuko receives a letter. This is a film by director MAEDA Tetsu.
In ANIME SUPREMACY! (ハケンアニメ!), Hitomi Saito works for a major animation production company. After giving up her stable career as a public servant, she joins the anime industry and has at last been given her first chance to direct a series called “Soundback: The Kanade Stone.” Despite her eagerness to make the most of the opportunity, storm clouds soon gather over the production floor. Yukishiro, the producer who handpicked Hitomi for the job, is also a tricky character who’ll go to ruthless lengths to ensure his “product” sells. Sure enough, he frequently clashes with Hitomi, who is determined not to compromise her creative vision. Directed by YOSHINO Kohei, the film stars YOSHIOKA Riho, NAKAMURA Tomoya, EMOTO Tasuku, ONO Machiko.
BLUE THERMAL (ブルーサーマル), a film by director TACHIBANA Masaki, is about Tamaki (Hotta Mayu) who wants nothing more than an ordinary life in college. Unfortunately, she damages a glider shortly after school starts and ends up taking a gofer position with the aviation club to pay back the damages. Tamaki becomes fascinated with the world of the skies from the moment she takes flight in the glider operated by club captain Kuramochi (Shimazaki Nobunaga).
Directed by ZEZE Takahisa,IN THE WAKE (護られなかった者たち へ) follows a series of baffling serial killings where the victims were tied up and left to starve. Tone (Satoh Takeru) who was just released from prison after serving his sentence surfaces as a suspect but detective Tomashiro (Abe Hiroshi) cannot nail down a conclusive proof.
InLesson in Murder (死刑にいたる病), Masaya Kakei attends a low-ranked university, a situation he finds depressing. One day, he receives a letter from Yamato Haimura, a high-profile serial murderer convicted and sentenced to death for nine of the 24 killings he had been accused of. Before his capture, Yamato ran a local bakery, which Masaya frequented while attending junior high school. Reaching out to Masaya, Yamato freely admits his guilt but insists the ninth conviction was a frameup and implores him to find the true killer. As Masaya delves into the case, the truth proves to be cruel beyond imagination. The film is directed by SHIRAISHI Kazuya and starred ABE Sadawo and OKADA Kenshi.
INU-OH (犬王), a 2022 historical animated film by YUASA Masaaki, is about an encounter between Inu-Oh who was born with an unusual appearance and Tomona who is a young biwa (lute) minstrel. The two become inseparable friends. As they mutually foster one another’s talents, they release successive hit songs and gradually rise to stardom.
InEvery Day A Good Day (日日是好日), 20-year-old Noriko (Kuroki) and her cousin Michiko (Tabe Mikako) start taking tea ceremony lessons with Takeda, who has a reputation for being an extraordinary teacher. At first, Noriko is confused by the intricate rules, but after two years she comes to realize the profundity of the tea ceremony. Director OMORI Tatsushi casts YOSHIMURA Tomomi, KANAI Takaharu, and KONDO Takahiko in the film.
Tickets are priced at Php100 per screening. Follow Japanese Film Festival on its official Facebook accounts (facebook.com/japanesefilmfestPH) for more information and complete screening schedule.
Launched in 1997, the Japanese Film Festival (JFF), formerly known and appreciated in the Philippines as EIGASAI, is presented and run by the Japan Foundation, Manila. Since then, it has grown to become one of the largest film festivals featuring a wide variety of cinematic delights from drama, anime, and mystery to recently released films. JFF also brings guests from Japan for special talks and discussions.
While we await his return in Joker: Folie à deux, Academy Award winner Joaquin Phoenix is set to star in the upcoming Ari Aster film Beau is Afraid. Known for telling the terrifying tales of Hereditary and Midsommar, it seems that Aster’s latest movie is a horror comedy, taking us on a trippy journey in its first trailer.
Watch the trailer for Beau is Afraid below:
According to A24’s synopsis of the film, Beau is Afraid follows a “paranoid man who embarks on an epic odyssey to get home to his mother.” Alongside Phoenix, the film also stars Nathan Lane, Amy Ryan, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zoe Lister-Jones, Armen Nahapetian, Parker Posey, and Patti LuPone.
Beau is Afraid is set for release in US theaters this April.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines collaborates with TikTok through a partnership to pursue opportunities to champion the best of Filipino arts and culture.
Through a Memorandum of Understanding, both CCP and TikTok aim to create a digital innovation for audience reach, interaction, and appreciation in keeping up with the times, as well as pave the way for CCP to become relatable to the youth, and serve as a medium in flourishing the youth in preserving Filipino arts and culture.
TikTok is a video-sharing app that allows users to create and share short-form videos on any topic. It is mainly mobile-based, although one can still watch TikTok videos using the web app. The platform allows users to get creative with their content using filters, stickers, voiceovers, sound effects, and background music.
Present at the MOU signing held on December 14, 2022 at the CCP were (Seated, left): CCP Board Trustee and Vice Chair Michelle Nikki Junia, Ms. Alexis Soon (Community Operations Manager for Entertainment, TikTok Philippines), Mr. Kristoffer “Toff” Rada (Head of Public Policy, TikTok Philippines), CCP President Margie Moran-Floirendo, CCP Board Trustee Junie del Mundo, Atty. Lorna Kapunan (CCP Board Trustee); Standing, left: Atty. Krischelle Matas (CCP Legal Office), Alexander Cortez (CCP Technical Advisor for Artistic Matters), CCP Board Trustee Benedict Carandang, CCP Board Trustee Marivic del Pilar, CCP Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan.
