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  • Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Keanu Reeves Lead Voice Cast of “DC League of Super-Pets”

    In “DC League of Super-Pets,” Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime in Metropolis side by side. When Superman and the rest of the Justice League are kidnapped, Krypto must convince a rag-tag shelter pack—Ace the hound, PB the potbellied pig, Merton the turtle and Chip the squirrel—to master their own newfound powers and help him rescue the Super Heroes.

    In addition to bringing together some of the DC Universe’s biggest names, the film boasts a huge casting coup as well, with the one and only Dwayne Johnson as Krypto, together again with Kevin Hart as Ace—no dynamic duo plays off each other better and who but Johnson and Hart banter with such a biting wit?

    Johnson, who also serves as a producer on the film under his Seven Bucks banner, observes, “When you think about the conceit of what this is, about the pets of these Super Heroes, and the fact it has never been done before in cinema history!?  That is pretty remarkable, considering the genre of superheroes films as a whole.  What kind of pets would your favorite DC Super-Heroes have, from Superman to Wonder Woman to Batman to Flash to Green Lantern?  So, when I first heard the idea, I was in without hesitation, 100%.  And when you think about the players—from Warner Bros. to DC, and the love that we at [our production company] Seven Bucks Productions have for the superhero genre and for animation as well—we jumped at the partnership and the opportunity.”

    Dwayne Johnson
    Dwayne Johnson as Krypto (Photo from Warner Bros. Pictures)

    Hart’s Ace is the de facto leader of the shelter pack.  The actor was drawn to the story right away, noting, “It’s a big movie with big characters.  I feel like there are so many moments throughout the script where the verbiage on the page popped, and they put the right people into those positions and the material just blows you away—they did a great job casting.  That’s what you want on a movie like this—to be part of an amazing ensemble that feels special.  You really feel, ‘Hey, we got something here.’”

    The ensemble that the filmmakers assembled to voice the four-legged reluctant heroes and delightfully villainous baddies featured in the film include Vanessa Bayer as potbellied pig PB, Diego Luna as scaredy squirrel Chip, Natasha Lyonne as vision-impaired turtle Merton, Kate McKinnon as evil genius guinea pig Lulu, with Lulu’s main mutant guinea pig recruits, Keith and Mark, voiced by Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz.

    Kevin Hart
    Kevin Hart as Ace (Photo from Warner Bros. Pictures)

    For the film’s two-legged heroes, John Krasinski voices Krypto’s bestie and Metropolis’s own Clark Kent, aka Superman, and Olivia Wilde is the voice of his sweetheart, Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane.  The Justice League members seen and heard in the film are Batman, voiced by Keanu Reeves; Wonder Woman, by Jameela Jamil; Aquaman, by Jemaine Clement; The Flash by John Early; Green Lantern by Dascha Polanco; and Cyborg by Daveed Diggs.

    “In an animated movie, the most important thing is that the actor’s voice is the perfect voice for the character, but we got lucky that they also happened to be huge movie stars,” director Jared Stern smiles.  

    rev 1 DCSP FP 0009rv2 High Res JPEG
    (Photo from Warner Bros. Pictures)

    Amidst all the high-flying action and adventure, the film also touches on the importance of friendship and family—and emphasizes that anyone’s real superpower, no matter how many legs you stand on, is being true to yourself.

    “DC League of Super-Pets” will be released by Warner Bros. Pictures in Philippine theaters July 27.  Join the conversation online and use the hashtag #DCSuperPets

  • Going Strong for the Filipino Youth through Shop2Give Year 5 with Unilever, UNICEF, and Lazada 

    Whether it’s self-care or caring for others, people need care all year round. With this in mind, Unilever is partnering with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Lazada for Shop2Give Together Super Brand Day sale, now on its fifth year! A portion of the proceeds from the Shop2Give Together campaign will help more children and youth get improved access to quality basic education.

    KV Unilever Shop2Give Together

    Unilever’s 5th Super Brand Day sale is happening this July 18. On this particular day, Unilever and Lazada will give online shoppers a treat through exclusive all-day discounts, freebies, and limited-time discount vouchers on your favorite Unilever brands like Surf, Dove, TRESemmé, Cream Silk, Pond’s, Breeze, Knorr and many more.

    “Education unlocks opportunities, enables social mobility and aids in building an equitable and inclusive world.” Benjie Yap, CEO of Unilever Philippines said. “We’re proud to continue our partnership with Lazada and UNICEF Philippines in pursuit of a better tomorrow for the youth.”

    UNICEF has been a long-standing partner of both Unilever and Lazada. The funds raised from the campaign will go towards UNICEF programs to support learners that cannot access formal education or have dropped out of school.“Thanks to Unilever and Lazada’s continuous support through this campaign, we have been able to reach more vulnerable children and youth in the Philippines. This year, the funds will help provide opportunities for out-of-school children and youth, offering flexible pathways to complete their basic education,” said Isy Faingold, Chief of Education of UNICEF Philippines.

    Exclusive Promos Ahead

    Not only will online shoppers be able to share their care for Filipino youth, but they will also enjoy exciting promos on the 5th Super Brand Day sale. On July 18, shoppers can get all-day discounts up to 50% off! Not only that, but they can also take advantage of FREE SHIPPING with no minimum spend.

    Shoppers will also get to enjoy EXCLUSIVE freebies with every purchase and have the chance to get limited-time discount vouchers up to 15% OFF! Thus, shoppers can get the self-care essentials they need at a fraction of the price.

    “Lazada is proud to work with Unilever once again to help more Filipino youth pursue their education for a better future,” Carlos Barrera, CEO of Lazada Philippines said. “As a leading e-commerce platform in the country, we are committed to providing people across the country with the basic needs. Everyone deserves some self-care time, and we’re more than happy to help provide for their needs.”

    Last year’s ‘Shop2Give Care’ campaign raised funds for UNICEF to provide educational supplies and support for young children and their parents and caregivers to conduct home-based development and learning activities with a focus on the most disadvantaged areas.

    Unilever and Lazada aim to continue their momentum to give Filipinos the self-care products they rightfully deserve and provide UNICEF support to help more youth pursue their education.

    This year’s Shop2Give Together campaign marks the fifth year of the annual Unilever-Lazada sale for a cause. For more information on Unilever and Lazada’s Shop2Give Together sale in support of UNICEF Philippines, visit the Unilever Philippines Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UnileverPhilippines/

    For more information about UNICEF’s programmes in the Philippines visit the Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/unicefphilippines/  or www.unicef.ph

  • Celebrate Local Cultures in Asia with Starbucks x Line Friends City Exclusive Collection

    This summer, the beloved LINE FRIENDS characters are joyfully returning for the third time, to celebrate and honor Asia’s iconic landmarks and traditions through the first-ever ‘City Exclusive’ collection at Starbucks.

    This time, BROWN, CONY, and SALLY travel across Asia to your cities to experience the vibrant local cultures of these places, inviting you to see your hometown in an exciting new light. From enjoying delicious dim sum in Hong Kong, visiting Thailand’s beautiful islands, or shopping around Myeong-dong in South Korea, BROWN and his friends are ready to explore exciting activities with you in your local area.

    1080px x 1080px LINE FRIENDS in Philippines Collection

    The adorable Starbucks® X LINE FRIENDS City Exclusive collection features lifestyle essentials, including a ceramic mug, tote bag, plastic cold cup, and tumbler in unique and colorful designs, so you can show off your hometown with pride as you explore your area’s iconic landmarks and delicious delicacies. 

    United by the brands’ shared aspirations to continue creating delightful everyday moments, the ‘City Exclusive’ collection aims to inspire customers to experience their hometown with a renewed sense of appreciation. This marks the third collaboration between Starbucks and LINE FRIENDS, following the launch of the joyful LINE FRIENDS Holiday and Earth Day collections, loved by customers around the world.

    The limited-edition collaboration will be available beginning July 15th at select Starbucks® stores in Hong Kong, South Korea, the Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan while supplies last.

    About Starbucks

    Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 32,000 stores around the globe, the Company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at starbucks.ph/stories or www.starbucks.ph.

  • ‘Stranger Things 4’ Star Noah Schnapp Reacts to Will’s Sexuality & his Feelings for Mike

    Stranger Things 4 is packed with surprising twists and events, and one of the big revelations this season is that Will Byers is actually gay and that he’s in love with his best friend, Mike.

    While huge hints were already being dropped earlier this season, the show finally made it evident to viewers during the car scene in Volume 2 where Will showed his painting to Mike. He went on to assure his friend that Eleven will always be needing him despite his many doubts about their relationship. When Will starts to burst into tears, fans were finally convinced that his evident pain is tied to Mike and Eleven’s relationship, because he had romantic feelings for his friend.

    In an interview with Variety, actor Noah Schnapp further confirmed the revelation about his character in the show, and shared his thoughts on Will’s character arc.

    “Obviously, it was hinted at in Season 1. It was always kind of there, but you never really knew, is it just him growing up slower than his friends? Now that he’s gotten older, they made it a very real, obvious thing,” said Schnapp. “Now it’s 100% clear that he is gay and he does love Mike. But before, it was a slow arc. I think it is done so beautifully because it’s so easy to make a character just like, all of a sudden be gay.”

    According to Schnapp, it was only recently that the show’s creators, the Duffer Brothers, talked to him about Will and his sexuality. “Years ago in Season 1, I didn’t know where the Duffers wanted to go with this character,” he said. “So I was kind of figuring it out along with the audience. But now that I’ve spoken to them and seen the show, I know what they want to do with it. They obviously don’t tell me anything, either. I’m always spoiling stuff, so they will never share anything with me. So it’s a lot of figuring it out on my own. And kind of realizing later on, like, ‘Oh this makes sense and this was intentional.’”

    The actor also shared a heartwarming encounter he had with a fan regarding Stranger Things 4. “People have come up to me – I was just in Paris and this, like, 40-year-old man came up to me and he was like, ‘Wow, this Will character made me feel so good. And I related to it so much. That is exactly who I was when I was a kid.’ That just made me so happy to hear. They are writing this real character and this real journey and real struggle and they’re doing it so well.”

    Stranger Things 4 is now streaming exclusively on Netflix.

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

  • Viva La V! The Fave Filipino Jewelry Brand Opens Its Newest Store at Shangri-La Plaza

    Proudly Filipino jewelry brand V! known for its chic and playful collection of modern luxury pieces recently opened its new store at Shangri-La Plaza—a treat for all modern Filipinas in the #ShangCommunity.

    V Thumb

    Offering every day and statement jewelry, V! has a variety of rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets in refreshingly youthful designs mainly using ethically sourced Palawan South Sea pearls as their centerpiece. The pearl is the world’s only organic and living gem that comes from a living creature, the oyster. The South Sea pearl is considered as the largest and rarest of them all. No two V! pearls are alike, and each has unique characteristics that make it distinct from another.

    With a name derived from vivere that means “to live” in Latin, V! delivers an aesthetic that celebrates the beauty and joy of life in all its colors. This sustainable jewelry brand offers creations made with other gemstones like diamond, sapphire, and ruby. Every gem is cut, polished, and perfectly set in each piece to withstand everyday wear and tear. 

    V 2

    Some of the eye-catching South Sea pearl jewelry from V! includes its newest collection: Flow, which reminds us that the beauty of nature lies in the details. The Bloom earrings, necklace, and ring set captures the beauty of flowers using 14k yellow gold and South Sea pearls. Complete any bold look with the lariat style Cascade necklace that features a single pearl gently dropping from a ring, available in either yellow or white gold. Another one is the Lily necklace that features a delicate butterfly charm with a diamond stone gracefully perching on a pearl.  

    The jeweler also has dainty and versatile pieces perfect for daily wear. Some of these are the stackable Visionary Bracelets, and the Louise Two-Way Pendant Ring, which  can be worn on the Simone Chain as a pendant or mixed and matched as a ring. For something more colorful, V! offers the Glow Bracelet with a rainbow of semi-precious stones.

    V1 1

    Whether looking for pieces that give life to an everyday look or something more striking for more formal affairs, #ShangRecommends checking out the inspired offerings of Filipino jeweler V!, located at Level 2, Main Wing.

    For updates and inquiries, follow Shangri-La Plaza on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shangrilaplazaofficial and on Instagram @shangrilaplazaofficial. Find V! @vjewelryoffcial on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about the brand.

  • Ternocon 3 Workshop-Mentoring Culminates

    The first lock-in workshop-mentoring of Ternocon 3 held last week at the Teachers’ Conference Center in Batangas City culminated last July 10, 2022.

    For the last day of the workshop, the finalists completed their toiles (an initial version of a garment) for the competition and presented them to mentors Joey Samson, Dennis Lustico and Chito Vijandre with Ricky Toledo.  In the evening, a closing program was hosted by the City Government of Batangas at the Sampaguita Farm where CCP President and officer-in-charge of the Artistic Director’s Office Margarita Moran-Floirendo was present along with Atty. Reginald Dimacuha, Chief of Staff and Secretary to the Mayor of Batangas City.  The 1930s balintawak ternos made by the finalists were worn by the dancers of Likhang Sining Dance Company in a special Subli dance performance.

    TERNOCON 3 Workshop Mentoring 7

    Ternocon Artistic Director Gino Gonzales acknowledged the continuing support of the CCP and Bench thru the generosity of Ben Chan, Chairman.  He addressed the finalists and emphasized “Ternocon allows its participants to undergo a process that involves attitude change, as we are not merely addressing fashion or dress issues.  Our country has so many problems, and we simply cannot solve everything.  As designers, you can be part of the solution by dealing with issues within your backyard.  When you grapple with the national dress and make it for your countrymen, you make a significant contribution to the nation.  At TERNOCON, we all come from different backgrounds and perspectives, different religions, different regions, different political inclinations… but what unites all of us together is our love for country, and I think this should be your primary motivation for creating ternos that will be showcased at the CCP stage in the final phase of this competition.  Love for country.”

    In her closing message, Ms. Floirendo stressed that “Ternocon has somehow made a good impact on how Filipinos of today think of the terno.  We have seen a remarkable increase in the number of Filipinas wearing the terno for many different occasions.  Despite this, we all know that we still have a long way to go in fulfilling our mission.  But with everyone’s support and cooperation, we can succeed.”

    The 12 finalists are: Amor Albano (Ilocos Norte), Glyn Alley Magtibay (Oriental Mindoro), Bon Hansen Reyes (Rizal) and Gabbie Sarenas (Rizal) from Luzon.  Bree Esplanada (Cebu), Karl Nadales (Iloilo), Al Rey Rosano (Negros Oriental) and Marc Carcillar (Iloilo) from Visayas.  Glady Rose Pantua (Zamboanga) and Ron Santos (Davao) from Mindanao.  From the National Capital Region (NCR), Yssa Inumerable (Parañaque) and Cheetah Rivera (Quezon City).  The three semi-finalists who are from Batangas and NCR are Geom Hernandez, Dee Javier (Manila) and Daryl Maat (Caloocan).

    Ternocon 3 is a joint undertaking of CCP thru its Cultural Exchange Department and Bench/Suyen Corporation in cooperation with local partners, Batangas City Government and the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation Inc.

    The next round of consultations (face-to-face and online) will be in August-September, while the 2nd part of the workshop-mentoring will be in October 2022.  The final competition with cultural show is slated for January 28, 2023 at the new CCP Black Box Theater or Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez.

  • Anne-Marie Dysfunctional Tour In Manila

    British singer-songwriter Anne-Marie announces Dysfunctional Tour coming to Manila on October 16, 2022 at the New Frontier Theater. Presented by Wilbros Live. Tickets go on-sale on Tuesday, July 19 at 10AM via TicketNet.com.ph and at all TicketNet outlets nationwide.

    Anne Marie Poster

    Anne-Marie’s rise to stardom has been nothing short of meteoric. A former 3x world karate champion and West End child star turned multi-platinum-selling artist, Anne-Marie has gone onto become one of the world’s most-loved and successful pop stars of our times. Following a string of chart-busting singles over her career to date – from her Ed Sheeran co-write and UK Top 3 ‘2002’ to the garage-infused juggernaut and KSI collaboration ‘Don’t Play’ – Anne-Marie is an artist who wins on her playful commentary, magnetic vocals and infectious personality, as was perfectly showcased her 2016 debut and four million-selling, Speak Your Mind, which became that years’ biggest-selling debut release in the UK.

    Last year saw Anne-Marie make new strides, too. Making her prime time debut as a new judge on talent show The Voice this year – a show she won – Anne-Marie released her much-anticipated and critically acclaimed second studio album, ‘Therapy’. A title that holds an extremely important message to the Mind Charity ambassador, Anne-Marie has continually campaigned for the conversation surrounding mental health, be that in her YouTube documentary titled ‘How to be Anne-Marie’ or fronting ITV’s Britain Get Talking campaign. Anne-Marie also released her debut book, You Deserve Better; part memoir, part practical self-help, Anne-Marie drew on her own experiences to help readers tackle life’s challenges, embrace opportunities and celebrate their successes.

    Over her career to date, Anne-Marie has become a BRITs Critics Choice finalist; Nordoff Robbins ‘Best Newcomer’ winner; LGBT ‘Music Artist’ winner for 2021; 9 x BRIT Award nominee; an official ambassador of The Princes Trust and more.

    Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: @WilbrosLive

  • Mekeni’s Tocino is Coming to The US Market

    Another Mekeni food product will be available in the US market soon as Mekeni Food Corporation announced that they are bringing their well-loved tocino through Island Pacific Supermarket.

    Mekeni President Prudencio Garcia said that this new development in their world-market journey is a testament to their commitment to uplift the lives of Filipinos and bring pride to the country.

    Mekeni products available in the US

    “This is another step for us to introduce our own Timplang Atin to the rest of the world. When we introduced our first batch of Mekeni-branded products to the US, we want Filipinos abroad and foreigners alike to have access to the world-class quality and taste we offer,” said Garcia.

    Last January, Mekeni made their Kikiam and Fish Balls available on the West Coast also through its partnership with Island Pacific Supermarket, one of the area’s biggest Asian/Filipino supermarkets.

    The products were widely accepted by the Filipino community on the West Coast. Stocks immediately ran low just a few days after the new products were announced by Island Pacific on their Facebook page.

    “We received a lot of positive feedback from families, friends, and friends of friends in the US. Some even asked us to bring more Mekeni products, said Marilou Uy, Mekeni AVP for Export. This inspired Mekeni to speed up its efforts to bring its tocino to the US.

    “This is a major feat for a brand like Mekeni that started as a backyard business of a simple family. This milestone is a celebration of the efforts of the whole Mekeni family through the years,” Garcia said.

    Before the US, Mekeni exported food products to international markets such as Dubai, Bahrain, Brunei, Qatar, Australia, Canada, and the UK. It is also the first company accredited by the Japanese government to export cooked products to the country.

    For over 30 years, it has been known for its world-class manufacturing capabilities. Mekeni is the first in Asia and the second in the world to receive the certificate of compliance with ISO 22000 Food Safety Management System standard. In 2012 and 2013, Mekeni received the Century International Quality ERA Award (Gold Category) in Switzerland and The International Arch of Europe Platinum Award in Germany, respectively, which further cemented its commitment to food safety and quality.  

    For more information about their products, visit Mekeni’s official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mekeniph.

  • Alt Scoops Launches Alt Pops, its Oat-Milk Low-Calorie Ice Cream in Popsicle-Form

    Alt Scoops, the oat-milk-powered, low-calorie ice cream brand just launched 3 decadent dairy-free ice cream bars. They’ve perfected their 3 bestselling flavors (Oat Milk, Strawberry, and Cappuccino Crunch), dipped them in rich dark chocolate, and put them on a stick for a medley of flavors you won’t want to miss. A generous yet guilt-free bar on a stick. 

    Enter—Alt Pops. These undeniably delicious, yet guilt-free indulgences will make a dairy-free believer out of any hardcore dairy ice cream fan. Popsicles that will literally leave you to pop ‘til you drop. 

    Alt Scoops’s creamy, just-the-right-amount-of-sweet oat milk ice cream is wrapped in a perfectly thick and crispy chocolate shell comprised of Auro’s 64% Dark Couverture Chocolate. Each bite starts with a crack of a generous coating of Auro, followed by an explosion of mind-blowing flavors brought forward by their 3 bestsellers: Oat Milk,  Strawberry, and Cappuccino Crunch.  

    Alt pops w box

    A generous yet guilt-free bar on a stick. The scrumptious contrast between the slightly lighter consistency of oat milk ice cream, in combination with the thick and rich coating of dark chocolate, envelopes your palate almost instantly.  

    Alt Pops presents itself as a grab-and-go snack that’s sweet but never too much with an incredibly simple ingredient list. A truly satisfying treat made for adults and kids alike. Bonus: these 3 flavors come in the cutest packaging. 

    About the Flavors 

    Oat Milk  

    A decadent yet simple combination of oat milk dipped in Auro’s award-winning couverture 64% dark chocolate for a perfectly thick and crisp outer shell. 

    Alt Pops Groupshot4
    Cappuccino Crunch2

    Strawberry 

    Just like our OG pints, our newest Alt Pops Strawberry is composed of freshly and locally sourced Cordillera strawberries. Each one is harvested by hand when perfectly ripe. Perfectly captured in each stick.  

    Cappuccino Crunch 

    Smooth flavors from Italian Arabica Espresso beans, but with a kick. Creamy but with a crunch of Auro’s award-winning couverture 64% dark chocolate and almonds.

  • Colleen Hoover Shares News on ‘It Ends With Us’ Film Adaptation

    In case you missed it, Colleen Hoover’s romance novel It Ends With Us is being adapted into a movie! The author shared an update on the film through Facebook, stating that she’s confident with the adaptation of her book, having seen the script from its producer, Justin Baldoni’s Wayfarer Studios.

    “Seeing how much effort they’ve put into this script and into wanting to give readers what they want, I’m confident you are all going to be very happy,” Hoover wrote in her post. She also stated that she would post more photos, “but when you’re sitting in a room of creatives, listening to them discuss scenes and characters in a lively way that you developed all alone from your own head, it’s hard to break out of that trance and take pictures.”

    Published in 2016, It Ends With Us tells the story of a girl named Lily, who just moved to Boston to start her own floral business. Here, she meets the surgeon Ryle, and romance begins to blossom between them, but an encounter with her first love Atlas will complicate their relationship. A sequel to the novel, It Starts With Us, is also slated to get published on October 18 this year.

    More details about the movie, including its cast and release date, are yet to be announced.

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

    —
    Homestream images from Colleen Hoover’s Facebook page and website.