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  • G to Chill? GCash Offers Access to Major Entertainment Content Platforms

    GCash, the leading e-wallet app in the country, has partnered with major entertainment content platforms, including Spotify, Netflix, Viu, and Apple to provide every Filipino access to the most streamed content. As the most convenient payment option to a variety of streaming platforms, GCash enables everyone to finally enjoy their favorite shows, artists, songs, and movies worldwide – even if they don’t have a credit card.

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    Most subscription plans were previously available through credit card or direct billing and only a select few can get access to a variety of entertainment content. But with GCash now available as a mode of payment for entertainment subscriptions, it’s now easier to explore trending series and movies, discover new songs and listen to the latest podcasts.

    To bring this entertainment experience to life, GCash partnered with Indie Manila to deliver a good live music experience with #GToChill: A Night to Unwind. Content creators and GCash users were treated to live musical performances from the country’s up-and-coming and rising Spotify artists while enjoying free-flowing drinks and food, all hosted by long-time GCash content creator Joao Constancia.

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    dia maté opened the night with her songs Faded and Fantasy while singer-songwriter Elise Huang, brought the audience to a chill mood with her live rendition of Lonely, Blind and Call Me What You Want. Rising indie-pop icon fern. charmed the crowd with his rendition of Whatever This Is, Faith and Lost. Closing the night is One Click Straight with hits Velvet, Paraiso, and She, along with their newest single Hahayaan.

    Dia Mate Elise Huang
    dia maté opened #GtoChill followed by Elise Huang with her best hits
    Fern One Click
    fern. serenaded the crowd with his top songs on Spotify and One Click Straight closed the show

    To level up the #GToChill experience, lucky winners from the crowd were also treated to vouchers from partners such as Spotify, Viu, Boozy, FoodPanda, Google, Apple and Gong Cha, which they can use to chill whenever, wherever beyond the night.

    Joao Food Panda
    Lucky guests brought home vouchers from GCash partners during the raffle
    Joao with Zo

    Joao shares the stage with Zo Canaria, GCash Head of Growth Marketing for Ecommerce Usage

    Fight the FOMO with GCash

    For GCash users who missed out on the fun, there are still many ways to enjoy the #GToChill experience. GCash and Indie Manila partnered with  Tomorrow Label and Strange Mercy to create limited edition merchandise you can wear when you’re #GToChill wherever you go. Tote bags and t-shirts can be ordered through Indie Manila website: https://indiemanila.live/ and Tomorrow Label website: https://tomorrowlabel.com/ and can be checked out through GCash.

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    #GtoChill exclusive merch available for purchase online via GCash

    Checking out new releases or wanting to expand your music discovery? Music is best enjoyed when you have Spotify Premium – get ad-free music listening, play any song on your phone and get u

    nlimited skips for as low as P7. With GCash as a safe and hassle-free way of paying for your Spotify Premium, you don’t have to use a debit or credit card to replay your favorite songs and discover new ones.

    Beyond music, GCash can also be used to pay for entertainment streaming platforms. No need to miss out on the latest series, K-Drama or movie online because you can now pay with GCash for your subscriptions on your favorite streaming platforms such as Netflix for as low as P149.

    Ordering food while you binge-watch your much-awaited series or updating your fashion haul for the next gig is also made more convenient and rewarding because you can use GCash to pay for almost everything! With GCash being available in 139,000+ merchants in-store and online, not only will you find shopping more convenient, but also more rewarding with exclusive promos and flash deals that GCash has to offer.

    Be Ready To Discover Bigger Things with Your First E-Wallet, GCash Jr.

    Now kids and teens can also have the opportunity to kick-start their digital financial journey. Ready, Set, G with GCash Jr. The time to finally achieve financial freedom also means getting easier access to watch their favorite shows and non-stop listening to music when they pay with GCash.

    Whatever your kind of fun, and wherever you want to unwind, you’ll always be #GToChill with GCash, available on the App Store and Google Play. Download now and be #GToChill when you #PayWithGCash – no credit card needed!

  • ‘Psycho-Pass Providence’ Anime Film Announced

    A new Psycho-Pass film has been announced during a special revival event for the 10th anniversary of the popular anime series.

    Psycho-Pass Providence is set to be the latest addition to the franchise, and is already in the works at Production IG with Naoyoshi Shiotani at the helm. Further details about the film are still under wraps, but the announcement came with a key visual for fans to check out.

    Psycho Pass Providence
    Photo: Crunchyroll website

    After its two seasons, the Psycho-Pass franchise continued to bring its cases to the big screen with its last movie dropping last 2019. Several novels and manga were also spawned by the franchise through the years.

    If you’re not yet familiar with the series, Psycho-Pass is set in a dystopian, cyberpunk world where law enforcers can use technology to calculate a person’s potential to commit a crime and act upon it. The anime follows Akane Tsunemori who joined law enforcement to uphold justice, but begins to question if the present system really is just when it comes to keeping the peace in the community.

    ALSO READ
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    The two seasons of Psycho-Pass are currently available for streaming on Netflix. Follow us on  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!

  • WATCH: ‘Cabinet of Curiosities’ New Trailer Bares Guillermo Del Toro’s Frightening Anthology

    Netflix has just revealed a new trailer for its terrifying anthology from Guillermo del Toro, Cabinet of Curiosities.

    Known for his dark and gritty style in films like Pan’s Labyrinth, The Shape of Water, and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, the Academy Award-winning director Guillermo del Toro is set to frighten viewers once more in his curated eight-part anthology series, with sinister stories told through the direction of of the most revered horror directors today.

    Watch the first look teaser for Cabinet of Curiosities below:

    The teaser has revealed that the series will be comprised of the following titles: The Autopsy directed by David Prior, The Outside by Ana Lily Amirpour, The Viewing by Panos Cosmatos, Dreams in the Witch House by Catherine Hardwicke, Lot 36 by Guillermo Navarro, Pickman’s Model by Keith Thomas, Graveyard Rats by Vincenzo Natali, and The Murmuring by Jennifer Kent.

    We also got to see some of the unsettling creatures in the show, most of which would remind you of Del Toro’s signature style of monster-making in his films. The pilot episode for the series is coming to Netflix this October 25, with new episodes dropping daily.

    Follow us on  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!

    ALSO READ
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    Homestream image from Netflix.

  • “Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero” Reveals Main Poster

    Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero has just unveiled its payoff poster and the character one-sheet of Piccolo.  Check them out below and watch the film exclusively in cinemas across the Philippines starting this August 31.

    Watch the film’s trailer below:

    About Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero

    Distributor: This is the first truly globally-distributed theatrical release for Crunchyroll and is distributed in North America by Crunchyroll. Internationally, the film will be distributed by Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

    Synopsis:  The Red Ribbon Army was once destroyed by Son Goku. Individuals, who carry on its spirit, have created the ultimate Androids, Gamma 1 and Gamma 2. These two Androids call themselves “Super Heroes”. They start attacking Piccolo and Gohan… What is the New Red Ribbon Army’s objective? In the face of approaching danger, it is time to awaken, Super Hero!

    DBSSH Phil Payoff Poster HZ

    Official Description:  The film, with full commitment and deep involvement from Dragon Ball’s original creator Akira Toriyama, has the legendary manga creator behind the film’s original story, screenplay and character design.

    Additionally, the film will be directed by Tetsuro Kodama and the Japanese voice actors for the film include Masako Nozawa (Son Goku, Son Gohan, and Son Goten), Toshio Furukawa (Piccolo), Aya Hisakawa (Bulma), Ryō Horikawa (Vegeta), Mayumi Tanaka (Krillin),  Takeshi Kusao (Trunks), Yūko Minaguchi (Videl),  Yūko Minaguchi (Pan), Miyu Irino (Dr. Hedo), Hiroshi Kamiya (Gamma 1), Mamoru Miyano (Gamma 2),  Volcano Ota (Magenta), and Ryota Takeuchi (Carmine).

    DBSSH Phil Character Poster

    The English voice actors include Kyle Hebert (Son Gohan), Sean Schemmel (Son Goku), Robert McCollum (Son Goten), Christopher R. Sabat (Piccolo, Vegeta), Monica Rial (Bulma), Sonny Strait (Krillin), Eric Vale (Trunks), Kara Edwards (Videl), Jeannie Tirado (Pan), Zach Aguilar (Dr. Hedo), Aleks Le (Gamma 1), Zeno Robinson (Gamma 2), Charles Martinet (Magenta), and Jason Marnocha (Carmine).

    The Dragon Ball phenomena began in 1984 when Japan’s well-known manga from Akira Toriyama premiered in Shueisha’s “Weekly Shonen Jump” – becoming a top ranked title throughout its 10 and a half years of publication. Since then, the manga’s popularity has continued to grow with an astonishing record of 260 million copies sold worldwide and counting. And with Dragon Ball’s ever-increasing popularity, it has expanded beyond manga to include TV animation, movies, games and merchandising. Now 38 years after the launch of the original manga, Dragon Ball continues to evolve and will reach new heights starting with this new large-scale movie.

    In Philippine cinemas August 31, Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero is distributed by Crunchyroll and Columbia Pictures.  Connect with the hashtag #DragonBallSuperSuperHero

    Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”

  • Cinemalaya 2022 Winners: ‘The Baseball Player’, ‘Blue Room’, & More Bag the Balanghai Trophies

    The 18th Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival has awarded its much-revered Balanghai trophies to the winning entries in a program held at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo last August 14.

    The Baseball Player by Carlo Obispo was named Best Film, Best Screenplay for Obispo, Best Editing for Zig Dulay, and Best Actor for Tommy Alejandrino, who starred as a Moro child soldier dreaming to become a baseball player.

    Meanwhile, the box office hit Blue Room by Ma-an Asuncion-Dagñalan took home the Special Jury Prize, as well as the Best Direction for Dagñalan, Best Cinematography for Neil Daza, Best Supporting Actor for Soliman Cruz, and Best Production Design for Marxie Maolen Fadul. Blue Room follows the members of the indie rock band Rebel Rebel who are arrested for drug possession and must decide if they would use their privilege to get away with it.

    Other winners of this year’s Cinemalaya include Max Eigenmann who won the Best Actress award for her performance in 12 Weeks by Anna Isabella Matutina, which also won the NETPAC Award; Ruby Ruiz winning the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Christian Paolo Lat’s Ginhawa; Kargo by TM Malones won the Audience Choice Award; Pepe Manikan for Best Sound in Bula Sa Langit; and Isha Abubakar of Retirada for Best Musical Score.

    Meanwhile, here is the list of winners for the Short Film Category:

    • Best Short Film & NETPAC Award – Zig Dulay’s Black Rainbow
    • Best Direction & Special Jury Prize – Gabriella Serrano’s Dikit
    • Audience Choice Award – Mga Handum nga Nasulat sa Baras (The Dreams That Are Written On The Sand) by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico

    After two years of streaming online due to the pandemic, Cinemalaya officially returned to onsite screening this year. Twelve finalists from the pool of 2020 and 2021 Cinemalaya entries competed for the full-length category and 12 films also competed for the Short film category.

    The Cinemalaya finalists will continue to screen in select partner cinemas nationwide until August 16. The festival will also go to Dapitan in Zamboanga del Norte on September 9 to 15, followed by its online run in October via the CCP Vimeo Account.

    For more information, visit the CCP and Cinemalaya websites.

    ALSO READ
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    Cinemalaya 18 Reviews: ‘Bakit ‘Di Mo Sabihin?’ and ‘Kaluskos’
    Cinemalaya 2022 Unveils Lineup of Full-Length Films & Short Films

    Follow us on  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!

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    Homestream image courtesy of Cinemalaya.

  • Jordan Peele’s ‘Nope’ Transcends Sci-Fi Horror Genre

    Filmmaker Jordan Peele, also known for Get Out and Us that disrupted and redefined the horror genre, reinvents the sci-fi horror genre this time in his latest film Nope.  Shot with large-format and IMAX cameras, Peele, along with the film’s director of photography Hoyte Van Hoytema (whose work includes Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and Tenet) teamed up to capture the impossible on camera. A Universal Pictures release, Nope opens in local cinemas on August 17.

    Jordan Peele was eager to expand his cinematic canvas and embraced a new challenge unlike any in his filmmaking career so far and tackle the granddaddy of genre movies: the summer event film. ‘Nope’ is both a spectacle and an examination of how spectacle shapes cultures and ideas of ourselves. The film puts siblings OJ and Emerald Haywood back together (played by Oscar® winner Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer) when their legendary father dies and leaves them the ranch estate to manage, known for training horses used in big Hollywood productions. As they delve deeper in managing the ranch, both notice something unusual – something is in the sky and it is abducting people and animals, and the Haywood siblings are determined to uncover the mystery behind it.

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    A man of few words but noble actions, OJ is the moral center of the film. Although he works in Hollywood, his world is mostly isolated to the Haywood Ranch in Agua Dulce, and he’s most comfortable doing his work and keeping his head down. When his sister Emerald (Keke Palmer) returns to the ranch, some old tensions and wounds begin to surface. “What I love about Jordan’s films is that they’re hard to describe,” Kaluuya says. “They have to be experienced. There’s always a real eternal premise and then a real truth in the middle of it. I always lean in when I don’t know what something is,” Kaluuya continues. “But I can only lean in when I know that the director is passionate about it, that they understand it, that they feel it. And that’s always true of Jordan.” 

    Keke Palmer in NOPE
    Keke Palmer

    An aspiring actor, singer and stuntwoman, Emerald Haywood, played by Keke Palmer, seems, at first, to be the opposite of her brother OJ in fundamental ways. A defining moment from her childhood forever shaped her relationship with OJ and their father. She has a tight bond with OJ, despite her avoidance of her role in the family business.  For Palmer, the experience of making Nope and working with Peele inspired her to reflect on the state of our culture and ourselves. “For me, the film is about chasing something far outside of yourself and chasing it to such an extent that you don’t realize, until it’s too late, what you already had,” Palmer says.

    Daniel Kaluuya in NOPE
    Daniel Kaluuya

    “Nope was written in 2020 during the pandemic,” Peele says. “It was this crazy time. In a lot of ways, the film is a reflection of all the horrors that happened that year and are still happening.” As for the title, he says, “Nope means a lot of things. I always love to get into the head of my audience. I was inspired by the feeling of existential helplessness in us all, then this idea of spectacle, to bring people out to the theatres and help invigorate their love for the cinematic experience, and at the same time I asked myself the reason why we are obsessed with spectacle.”

    A Universal Pictures release, Nope opens in local cinemas on August 17.

  • WATCH: ‘Haikyu!! Final’ Movie Trailer Teases Exciting Ending for the Karasuno Team

    The beloved sports anime Haikyu!! is set to wrap up in the 2-part feature film Haikyu!! Final which has released its first trailer.

    The finale for the anime will feature Karasuno and Nekoma’s volleyball teams going against each other at the Tokyo Nationals Tournament, as well as the final arc for the series as seen in the manga. Watch the trailer for Haikyuu!! Final below:

    The successful anime franchise ended its fourth season in 2020, and while it was not followed by a fifth season, fans will finally see the ending for the beloved anime, not just on their small screens but on the big screen.

    While there is no release window yet for Haikyu!! Final, a kick-off event for the films is scheduled for August 2023. For more details, you can check out the announcement made by Crunchyroll.

    Haikyu!! is a slice-of-life, sports anime series by Haruichi Furudate which begins with Shoyo Hinata joining the volleyball team of Karasuno High. Here, he gets teamed up with the prodigy setter Tobio Kageyama, who he considers a rival. Despite their differences, Shoyo and Kageyama would soon become a promising duo that could help Karasuno redeem its reputation as a powerhouse school for aspiring volleyball players.

    ALSO READ
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    Follow us on  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!

  • Nathalie Emmanuel Attends the Wedding of Her Nightmares in “The Invitation”

    (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

    Emmy-nominated actress Nathalie Emmanuel is best known for her remarkable performance in the role of Missandei in the critically acclaimed HBO series Game of Thrones.  She also made a mark as Ramsey in the seventh and eighth installments of the blockbuster film series Fast and the Furious. Now, Emmanuel stars in the lead role of Evie in Columbia Pictures’ new horror thriller The Invitation.

    After the death of her mother and having no other known relatives, Evie (Emmanuel) takes a DNA test…and discovers a long-lost cousin she never knew she had. Invited by her newfound family to a lavish wedding in the English countryside, she’s at first seduced by the sexy aristocrat host but is soon thrust into a nightmare of survival as she uncovers twisted secrets in her family’s history and the disturbing intentions behind their generosity.

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    Nathalie Emmanuel in Screen Gems THE INVITATION (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

    Emmanuel was attracted by Evie’s story being given a modern point of view. “Marriage can be a beautiful thing, but if you think about it, a long time ago, marriages were made so that two families could further their prosperity, in money or land,” says Emmanuel. “We’re making that modern. Times have changed and Evie has real power and agency. When things take a  turn, she is going to fight back.”

    Emmanuel’s portrayal of Evie is as a very compassionate person, in a way that doesn’t fit in with her newfound family. “When she gets to the castle, she introduces herself to the maids, she gets to know their names and who they are as people – to the horror of her aristocratic English family,” says director Jessica M. Thompson. “She sees humans as humans, and not as a class or status. And she maintains that throughout the film – if she’s going to go down, she’s going to go down fighting for these women, to save them from her fate.”

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    Nathalie Emmanuel in Screen Gems THE INVITATION (Courtesy of Columbia Pictures)

    For producer Emile Gladstone, part of the key was setting up Evie as a character yearning for something. “There really isn’t a nightmare unless there’s a dream first,” he says. “It starts off Gatsby-esque and inspirational: Evie goes to this incredible wedding and finds this incredible guy, and finally thinks the worm has turned for her.  And then the penny drops, and the dream turns to nightmare.”

    “Nathalie has a beautiful presence,” shares Thompson.  “She’s the most empathetic person – she really feels deeply for her characters and finds the humanity in them. All of the nuances – from the way she wears her clothes, to the way she creates her art, to the way she honors her mother… all of those little details give Evie so much breath and life.”

    In Philippine cinemas August 24, The Invitation is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.  Connect with the hashtag #InvitationMovie

  • Capture and awaken the senses with Avon Attraction Sensation

    The Filipino dating scene is all about wooing the other person with your best foot forward. Dressing up to the nines, putting on alluring makeup, or donning the trendiest hairstyle can pull the right people in any room you walk in.

    In a post-pandemic world, social distancing will put everyone in a caution to flirt and socialize. But to really grab attention, one needs an intoxicating scent to maintain a magnetic kind of interest to pull your target in without them even realizing it.

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    Gayuma-like fragrance with Avon Attraction Sensation

    The thrill of the chase and the exhilaration of seduction is no easy feat to achieve. To reel in their person of desire, some have gone as far as resorting to classic folklore in the form of the mystical love potion known as gayuma.

    With just a whiff, one can be pulled into an unwavering attraction towards the person using it—a lingering spell that plays to the user’s desires.

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    AVON Attraction Sensation

    In celebration of its 44th anniversary in the Philippines, Avon is bringing in a cult favorite from its world-class fragrance line: Avon Attraction Sensation, the first-ever pair of fragrances that captures the gayuma effect in a scent. Designed by two of the world’s most prestigious perfumers, Laurent Le Guernec (Avon Attraction for Her) and Michelle Defina (Avon Attraction for Him), these sophisticated olfactives are especially made for Her and for Him to awaken the five senses: Sight, Touch, Hearing, Taste, and Smell.

    Floral, oriental, and fruity notes embody the Avon Attraction Sensation for Her, and the thrill of irresistible attraction begins when you breathe in this new intoxicating scent. The body reacts instantly to Spicy Ginger and Oriental Mandarin. The heart beats faster with the alluring Jasmine. Orris and Midnight Freesia create a hypnotic feeling. With Bold Leather accord, it connects you to your partner with an intensified and intoxicating scent.

    Meanwhile, Avon Attraction Sensation for Him is an Oriental Fougeré that pulls the ladies with the magnetic force of spicy seduction induced with top notes of spicy Black Pepper and Ginger Oil that increases the heart rate. The intoxicating thrill intensifies with sensual Clary Sage and the fresh and robust Lavender Oil. Addictive Patchouli and Vetiver release a high dose of adrenaline.

    Both scents are imbued with Bold Leather accord, which helps you instantly connect with your partner through an intensified sensation that is undeniably irresistible.  When rubbed against the skin, this special accord is tied to memory and highlights sensuality.

    Stimulate the senses and keep them coming back for more. It’s time to put yourself out there and use the senses to open the gates of attraction. Get the gayuma effect and be irresistible whenever you wear Avon Attraction Sensation. 

    Visit  avonshop.ph to purchase the Avon Attraction Sensation or contact your trusted Avon Representative to get your hands on this product.

  • An Open World ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ Mobile Game is in the Works!

    Square Enix London Mobile has soft-launched the new open-world mobile game Avatar: Generations, based on the hit Nickelodeon series Avatar: The Last Airbender.

    The game has now been soft-launched in Canada, Denmark, South Africa, and Sweden, and is set to expand territories in the following months. Available on both Android and iOS, Avatar: Generations is a free-to-play tactical RPG that explores the beloved stories of Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Zuko, Appa, and Momo, in their globetrotting quest to fulfill the Avatar’s destiny. Moreover, it also teases future expansions which will follow Avatars Kyoshi, Korra, Roku, and more.

    The adventure game is set to feature squad-based battles with deep upgrade and party customization systems. Players will also be able to play fan-favorite locations, stories, and events in this open-world game, which also adds some brand new stories expanding the Avatar universe.

    Further details on the game’s global launch have yet to be announced. For more information about the game, visit its official website, avatargenerations.com.

    Nickelodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender is set in a world where people can “bend” or manipulate the elements. The series follows the Airbender Aang, who must restore balance in the world as the Avatar, the master of all four elements, and put a stop to the Fire Nation and their tyrannical Fire Lord Ozai who wants to take over the world. A live-action adaptation of the animated series led by a Filipino-Canadian actor is also in the works on Netflix.

    Follow us on  Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to get the latest news on film, TV, and more updates around the city!

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