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  • Holy Week 2022: Hotel Staycation Deals in Metro Manila for the Easter Weekend

    Do you have plans with the family for Holy Week? It’s much easier to travel now that COVID-19 protocols are loosening up, but if you’re still not comfortable going out of town, why not stay at your favorite hotel instead? For Easter weekend, we’ve listed down hotel staycation deals around the metro that are perfect if you plan on relaxing and unwinding for the entire weekend. No passport or long drives are required, just your vaccination cards!

    Note: This list is subject to change and will be updated when more promos are announced by hotels in Metro Manila.

    Crimson Hotel

    Experience a different kind of Easter with Crimson Hotel’s Easter Staycation packages from April 16-17. With rates starting at P7,700 net for a Deluxe Room, play, relax and enjoy the hotel’s exclusive amenities, breakfast buffet at Café Eight, two (2) tickets to the Farm Easterville event, and complimentary late check-out. 

    Diamond Hotel

    Diamond Hotel is back with another exciting Easter celebration for the whole family! Reserve the Easter Room Package for a stay on April 16 or 17, 2022 and get access for two (2) persons to the ballroom event. Rate starts at Php 7,000 net for an overnight stay in a Deluxe Room, good for 2 adults and 2 kids age 12 below. Accommodation is inclusive of breakfast for 2 persons, use of the swimming pool and complimentary WiFi access.

    Book now at diamondhotel.com, call 8528-3000 or email reservations@diamondhotel.com

    Dusit Thani

    Plan a safe and memorable escape for the whole family this Easter with the splendor of childhood magic when you book the Prince and Princess room package. The little royal guests are in for a regal treat with access to Easter activity at the Umu garden, a tent set-up when you book a suite and a choice of instant gift whether a board game, ticket to Fun Farm or loot bag for the kids. Rates start at PHP 6,000++ in a Dusit Room with buffet breakfast for two adults and one child. 

    Grand Hyatt

    Celebrate a fun Easter staycation at Grand Hyatt Manila

    Have an amazing and relaxing holiday celebration with the whole family at Grand Hyatt Manila. Book a stay on Easter weekend and get a complimentary access to the hotel’s grand Easter Wonderland event, exclusive to all registered in-house kids. Little adventurers will enjoy exciting Easter activities including face painting, Easter egg decorating, fun arts and crafts, movie screening, board games, food carts, and a dedicated play area, on April 16 and 17, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at The Gallery. Get your 3rd night for free when you book a 2-night stay. Book through the hotel’s official website at manila.grand.hyatt.com.

    Holiday Inn Makati

    Enjoy the holidays this Holy Week and Easter break while you can! Avail of the special room package for as low as Php 5,000 nett and get a discounted rate of Php 1,000 nett per ticket at the Flavors Academy Back to School Easter activity on April 17, 2022, 9am to 12 noon. The booking period is from April 4 to 17, 2022 and the stay period is from April 11 to 17, 2022.

    For inquiries and reservations, please contact us at +63 2 7909 0888 or email hism.reservations@ihg.com.

    Marco Polo Ortigas

    Easter promises new beginnings and opportunities for those who embrace its hopeful ambiance. At the Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila, guests can look forward to rediscovering the wonders of the city with its promotions for this memorable season. 

    Families can look forward to making the most out of their urban getaway with the Spring Escapes stay package, which is available across all Marco Polo hotels in Asia. Guests booking this offer can enjoy 20% savings on room accommodations until 29 April 2022. This package includes breakfast for two and access to wellness facilities such as the indoor temperature-controlled swimming pool and fitness center on Level 22.

    For more information about Marco Polo Ortigas, Manila, its promotions, and available stay packages, call (+632) 7720 7777 or visit marcopolohotels.com.

    New World Makati

    Residence Clu Deluxe Room

    From April 15 to 17, guests can avail the Easter staycation package that comes with two passes to the Easter Fair at the poolside with loads of fun activities. With a choice between a Deluxe or Residence Club Deluxe room, the package comes with breakfast for two adults and two kids (11 years and below). The Residence Club Deluxe room package also provides exclusive access to the Residence Club Living Room on the 24 th floor.

    The Deluxe room package is priced at PHP7,000++ while the Residence Club Deluxe room offer is at PHP8,500++. For reservations, guests can visit https://bit.ly/NWEasterStay.

    Novotel Manila Araneta City

    Cap off the Lenten season with a staycation in Novotel Manila and lots of inclusions to make your Family Eastercation a memorable one. Booking dates are from March 30 to April 17, 2022 while stay dates are from April 11 to 17, 2022. Rates and inclusions are as follow:

    Superior Room: Bed and Breakfast PHP 6,000 nett | Room only PHP 5,400 nett
    Deluxe Room: Bed and Breakfast PHP 6,500 nett | Room only PHP 5,850 nett
    Executive Room: Bed and Breakfast PHP 9,000 nett | Room only PHP 8,100 nett
    Executive Suite: Bed and Breakfast PHP 11,000 nett | Room only PHP 9,900 nett

    Inclusions:

    • Bed and breakfast for two adults and two children (15 years old and below) at Food Exchange Manila
    • Guaranteed late check-out until 6PM
    • Special access to Premier Lounge for those booked in an Executive Room or Executive Suite
    • PHP 500 worth of dining credits (excluding In-Room Dining and Take Me Out)
    • Complimentary two scoops of Indulge Gelato
    • Complimentary access to Easter Sunday activities for two children (15 years old and below) where kids can enjoy a fun-filled day with Games N Fun (inflatables), Flick N Chill (film showing), Frolic N Play (balloon twisting, hand and arm painting, magic show), Arts N Crafts (coloring and painting activities), and Easter-ific Photo Wall

    To book your staycation in advance, please call +632 8990 7888 or +632 8705 4444 or email H7090@accor.com.

    Sofitel Manila

    Indulge the family with a magnifique staycation at the city’s unrivaled urban oasis. Kids are welcome to join and will have a chance to win exciting prizes for the family, such as a relaxing staycation at Sofitel Manila or a dining voucher for a sumptuous dining experience at Spiral.

    For room bookings and inquiries about the Hippity, Hoppity Easter Egg Hunt, you can call them at +63 (02) 8-573-5555.

    The Peninsula Manila

    Staycation

    Throughout the Easter holiday weekend, from April 14 to 16, The Peninsula Manila’s youngest guests can delight in Easter painting kits, playtime in bubble baths and in the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool, lavish breakfast buffets in Escolta, and a fun Easter experience in the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt on April 17, Easter Sunday, when their parents book the It’s Hip to Hop to The Peninsula this Easter room package.

    Rates start at Php 10,000 for a Deluxe Room (exclusive of taxes) and include a breakfast buffet in Escolta for two adults and two children, one Easter painting welcome amenity kit, and one passport to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt on April 17, Easter Sunday. Stay dates are April 14, 15, and 16, 2022 

    Only one complimentary passport per room booking to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday. Only one accompanying adult per one child 10 years old and below.

  • Indoor Aqua Playground ‘Wetpark Adventure Lagoon’ Opens April 8 at Venice Grand Canal Mall

    With Metro Manila maintaining Alert Level 1 eased restrictions until April 15, more people can enjoy quality summertime with their families in the metro. If you’re seeking water adventures without having to drive far away, this new water park is something the kids and kids at heart can check out!

    Wetpark Adventure Lagoon Opens April 8 at Venice Grand Canal Mall
    Photo: Venice Grand Canal Mall Facebook page

    Venice Grand Canal Mall at McKinley Hill recently shared in a post online that the country’s first-ever indoor aqua playground is set to open this weekend.

    Wetpark Adventure Lagoon Opens April 8 at Venice Grand Canal Mall
    Photo: Venice Grand Canal Mall Facebook page

    Wetpark Adventure Lagoon is opening this Friday, April 8, and kids of all ages are welcome to experience a new aquatic adventure on the third floor of Venice Grand Canal Mall. The new indoor water park has a pirate theme, with different water playgrounds and activities for everyone. The establishment will also have a retail space where they will offer different swimming merchandise and souvenirs.

    Wetpark Adventure Lagoon Opens April 8 at Venice Grand Canal Mall
    Photo: Venice Grand Canal Mall Facebook page
    Wetpark Adventure Lagoon Opens April 8 at Venice Grand Canal Mall
    Photo: Venice Grand Canal Mall Facebook page

    Wetpark Adventure Lagoon opens on April 8, 2022 and is located at 3/F Venice Grand Canal Mall. It will be open from 11am to 10pm. For more updates on the new indoor aqua playground, follow Wetpark Adventure Lagoon on Instagram and Facebook, and follow Venice Grand Canal Mall on Instagram and Facebook.

    ALSO READ:
    8 Bonding Activities in Metro Manila for Your Fam & Barkada This 2022

    —

    Photos from Venice Grand Canal Mall Facebook page.

  • PizzaExpress Opens a New Branch at Power Plant Mall

    It has been four years since PizzaExpress first opened its doors in Manila with their first branch at Uptown Bonifacio. Now with two branches under their belt, PizzaExpress Philippines continues their expansion with their third branch at Power Plant Mall, now open for dine-in, takeaway, and delivery. The newest Power Plant Mall branch joins the over 500 restaurants PizzaExpress currently has all over the world, which are located in 13 countries across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

    Pizza Express 2

    Even with PizzaExpress’s numerous branches, the quality of their signature pizza and pasta remains consistent—after all, they’ve been serving hand-crafted pizzas made with the freshest ingredients and by skilled pizzaiolos since 1965. At the newest Power Plant Mall branch, you can expect the same excellent handcrafted pizza and delicious Italian fare. PizzaExpress signatures like the Le Rose and Truffle Pizza will be available, as well as The Good Green, their menu of plant-based pizza and pasta like the Beyond Teriyaki and the OmniPork Spaghetti Bolognese. Make sure to leave room for dessert: The Dough Balls With Nutella is a must-try. 

    Pizza Express 3
    Pizza Express 4

    PizzaExpress is really proud of its pizzas, its love for music, and supporting meaningful causes in the community. Each pizza is made to order by skilled Pizzaiolos (pizza chefs).  Beautiful pizza served in a socially-responsible and creative environment; this truly is ‘Pizza in Style’.

    PizzaExpress Power Plant Mall is located in 2F Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, Makati and is available for delivery via GrabFood, Foodpanda, Pick-a-roo, bit.ly/pizzaexpressph-order, and  thegridfoodmarket.com.

  • 8 K-Dramas To Watch If You Already Miss the Cast of ‘Forecasting Love and Weather’

    Last weekend, Forecasting Love and Weather wrapped up, leaving us with memories of kilig, frustrations, heartbreaks, and inspiring moments involving the life of weather forecasters. Despite giving us sixteen episodes, we still can’t help but feel that we need to see more of its main stars Song Kang and Park Min-young, and even Yura and Yoon Park! If you’re like us who can’t wait to see them on the screen again, why not join us as we take a look back at the shows that these actors have appeared in in the past!

    Nevertheless

    Nevertheless pairs up Song Kang with Han So-hee. It follows Yoo Na-bi, a student at Hongseo University’s Sculpture Department whose bitter experience in love has made her vow not to fall in love again. This vow is challenged, however, when she meets Park Jae-eon, a charming guy who likes to flirt but only sees romantic relationships as a bother.

    Where to watch: Netflix

    What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?

    Park Min-young and Park Seo-jun lead the cast of the romantic comedy ‘What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?‘. The smart, rich, and handsome Lee Young-joon serves as the vice president of a large company. His secretary, Kim Mi-so, has been with him for years but when she suddenly decides to quit, Young-joon realizes how big her role is in his life and does everything to keep her by his side.

    Where to watch: Netflix

    Love Alarm

    Starring Song Kang, Kim So-hyun, and Jong Ga-ram, Love Alarm‘s romantic story is propelled by the eponymous app that notifies people if someone within 10 meters has romantic feelings for them. Kim Jojo is a high school student who has to deal with a lot of hardships at a young age, and must navigate her relationships with the Love Alarm app changing the world’s landscape for romance.

    Where to watch: Netflix

    Her Private Life

    Another Park Min-young drama, Her Private Life follows the talented chief curator of Cheum Museum of Art, Sung Deok-mi, who is secretly a fangirl of the Korean boy group White Ocean and its member Cha Sian. When rumors that the two are dating start to spread, Deok-mi fakes a relationship with the new gallery director Ryan Gold to avoid the bullying of Sian’s fans. Real romance soon buds between the two.

    Where to Watch: Netflix

    Navillera

    Starring Song Kang and Park In-hwan, Navillera is an inspiring tale about a 70-year-old man who just retired from his job and wants to pursue his longtime dream of being a ballet dancer despite his family’s disapproval. In his pursuit of this dream, he meets a young man who also aspires to become a ballet dancer but is hindered by life’s challenges.

    Where to Watch: Netflix

    When The Weather is Fine

    Another Park Min-young starrer, this Korean drama follows Hye-Won, a cello player whose trauma from people who hurt her emotionally leads her to move back to her hometown Bookhyun Village. Here, she meets Eun-Seob, a bookshop owner who has a simple and peaceful life. When the two collide, their lives are forever changed.

    Where to Watch: iQIYI

    Sweet Home

    Song Kang plays a very different role in Sweet Home. The Netflix thriller follows the residents of an apartment complex who are trying to survive amid a mysterious phenomenon where human beings transform and become dangerous creatures that manifest their desires. Song Kang plays Cha Hyun-soo, a survivor who is trying to tame the monster within him.

    Where to Watch: Netflix

    Radio Romance

    Before Forecasting Love and Weather, Yoon Park and Yura worked together in Radio Romance as Lee Gang and Jin Tae-ri respectively. It follows Kim So-hyun’s Song Geu Rim, a radio program writer with great passion, but lacks talent in writing. When her radio program is on the verge of cancellation, she gets to work with top actor Ji Su-ho who can’t do anything without a script.

    Where to Watch: Netflix

    ALSO READ
    Everything You Need to Know About the Netflix K-Drama ‘Forecasting Love and Weather’
    ‘Forecasting Love and Weather’: Interview with Song Kang and Park Min-young

  • FEU filmmakers recognized in National and Interschool Filmfests

    Student filmmakers from Far Eastern University (FEU) took home various awards from recent interschool film competitions organized by the University of San Agustin’s Augustinian Communicators’ Guild, University of the Philippines Cinema, and Adamson University’s Silip@Lente.

    FEU filmmakers recognized in National and Interschool Filmfests

    Francis Tavas’ “Waltz of Qualm” won the Juror’s Choice Award at USA-ACG’s 2022 FilAr Peace Film Festival while Sophie Casasola bagged Best Cinematography for the same film at the recently concluded Piling Obrang Vidyo XVIII. UP Cinema’s POV has been home to many student filmmakers since 2004.

    In the film, a teenage girl (Joyce Macalia) finds a broken mirror as she wanders around the forest. Driven by curiosity, she touches it and discovers the one thing she has been trying to escape from all her life.

    FEU filmmakers recognized in National and Interschool Filmfests

    “The exploration of one’s identity is filled with challenge and mystery. Despite the uncertainties filled in such a phase, what I would like to emphasize is the beauty of not just the aftermath but also the in-betweens before arriving at the end of the road,” Tavas shared in his director’s statement.

    “This particularly reflects what I have been through especially when it comes to my sexuality. Considering the prejudices and judgments that my 12-year-old self has faced, I was not able to treasure the moments before such discovery,” the FEU Communication student revealed.

    FEU filmmakers recognized in National and Interschool Filmfests

    “Thus, in order to make up for it, I have opened myself up to any circumstances and have now lived my life the way it is now – filled with kindness and liberated from the perception of others,” he added.

    Meanwhile, three other FEU films, Kyle Cabarrubias “Hiraya,” Luke Del Castillo’s “Saksi ang Paslit,” and Roberto Capio, Jr.’s “Muling Pagsisimula sa Katapusan” also brought home awards from Silip@Lente-AdU’s Realifilm 2022.

    FEU filmmakers recognized in National and Interschool Filmfests

    “Hiraya” won for Cabarrubias and Sine Sibol the Realifilm Bronze Award, Best Original Song, and Best Actress, also for Macalia. “Saksi ang Paslit” earned the Realifilm Award for Excellence for Del Castillo and Talahib Films while “Muling Pagsisimula sa Katapusan” took the Realifilm Award of Virtue for Capio and Random Strangers Production.

    “Hiraya” and Patrick Pangan’s “We Were Never Really Strangers” also made it to the SineDisipulo X Film Festival organized by CINEMATA of University of San Carlos in Cebu.

    Like Tavas, Casasola, Cabarrubias, Del Castillo, Capio, and Pangan are FEU Communication students under the Digital Cinema track and members of the FEU Film Society, the university’s film organization.

    Both Tavas and Pangan also have other films officially selected to be part of the 14th Cinema Rehiyon film festival, a flagship project of the National Committee on Cinema under the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

    Aside from “Waltz of Qualm,” Tavas’ other films “Sila-Sila” and “Diva, Divine” were also shown in the hybrid film festival which was held online and in Davao City in celebration of the National Arts Month.

    “Sila-Sila” is Tavas’ first experimental film project while “Diva, Divine?” is a documentary which focuses on the life of Angelica Mapanganib, an entertainer and gay beauty pageant contestant or “beauconera.”

    Pangan’s other film “Shapeshifters” was also screened at the event, which wrapped up last March 31. “Shapeshifters” tackles extrajudicial killings through Philippine folklore.

  • Hunting for an Exceptional Easter for the Family? Check Out These Offerings at The Peninsula Manila

    After sheltering at home these past few years, The Peninsula Manila is inviting guests back to celebrate Easter Sunday on April 17 with a variety of activities and experiences for the whole family that include splashing in the pool or enjoying classic holiday traditions such as Easter Egg Hunts and special meals together as a family.

    Kids Fun Staycation (complimentary access  to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt)

    Throughout the Easter holiday weekend, from April 14 to 16, The Peninsula Manila’s youngest guests can delight in Easter painting kits, playtime in bubble baths and in the hotel’s outdoor swimming pool, lavish breakfast buffets in Escolta, and a fun Easter experience in the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt on April 17, Easter Sunday, when their parents book the It’s Hip to Hop to The Peninsula this Easter room package.

    The Peninsula Manila Easter 1

    Rates start at Php 10,000 for a Deluxe Room (exclusive of taxes) and include a breakfast buffet in Escolta for two adults and two children, one Easter painting welcome amenity kit, and one passport to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt on April 17, Easter Sunday.

    Stay dates are April 14, 15, and 16, 2022 

    Only one complimentary passport per room booking to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday. Only one accompanying adult per one child 10 years old and below.

    Easter Egg Large

    Easter Egg Hunt at The Conservatory
    Children can spend a fun-packed morning or afternoon full of enjoyable activities at The Conservatory while filling their Easter baskets with eggs at The Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt. This year, they can choose one of two sessions for the hunt, with a morning session taking place from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon, and another in the afternoon from 2:00 pm. to 4:00 pm.

    The Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt activities include:

    1. Felt Eggs decorating
    2. Craft Lollipop decorating 
    3. Papier-mâché Bunny, Bear, and Chick painting
    4. Candy Jenga Corner
    5. Ice Cream Stacking Corner
    6. Playground
    7. Easter Egg Hunt

    Date: April 17, 2022
    Time: 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
    2:00 pm – 4:00 pm

    Only guests availing of the Easter room package or Escolta restaurant’s Easter Sunday Brunch Buffet will enjoy complimentary access  to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 17. Only one accompanying adult per one child 10 years old and below.

    Seafood Dinner Buffet in Escolta

    Lovers of seafood can gather in Escolta and choose from a varied menu featuring the ocean’s bounty, making it the ideal “soul food” restaurant for the Lenten season. 

    Date: April 15 and 16, 2022
    Time: 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm
    Price: P3,500 (adults)
    P1,400 (children under 12)
    Inclusive of taxes

    Easter Sunday Brunch Buffet in Escolta (complimentary access  to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt)

    Gather with loved ones and enjoy a delectable brunch buffet on April 17,  Easter Sunday, featuring an expansive spread that includes soups and mixed salads, fresh seafood, a variety of cheeses, pasta creations, a carving station, breakfast specialties, and of course, sweet treats from a dessert buffet. Children under six years old get one passport to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt on April 17, Easter Sunday.

    Date: April 17, 2022
    Time: 12:00 noon – 3:00 pm
    Price: P4,300 (adults)
    P1,700 (children under 12)
    Inclusive of taxes

    Only one complimentary passport to the Peninsula Candyland Adventure and Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday per one adult and one child 10 years old and below availing of Escolta restaurant’s Easter Sunday Brunch. 

    Easter Bunny with Ribbon

    Afternoon Tea at The Upper Lobby with a Crepe, Bibingka, and Puto Bumbong Live Station

    This Easter weekend, The Peninsula Manila is putting on a wonderful afternoon tea at The Upper Lobby. 

    Tuck into macarons and chocolate cake and French pastries,  in addition to the usual suspects of smoked Scottish salmon sandwiches and hot scones. There will also be a live station where guests can help themselves to fresh crepes and delicious Filipino merienda specialties such as bibingka and puto bumbong.

    Date: April 14, 15, 16, and 17, 2022
    Time: 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm
    Price: P3,000 (with one flute of Champagne)
    P2,400 
    Exclusive of taxes

    Sweet Easter Surprises at The Peninsula Boutique

    Visit The Peninsula Boutique at the basement arcade where Easter-themed treats will be available from April 5 to 17.

    Date: Open Daily
    Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

    Easter Lollipop

    Asian Delights in Spices

    Enjoy the culinary delights of Southeast Asia and India while dining al fresco or indoors.

    Date: Wednesday to Monday
    Time: 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
    6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

    For inquiries or reservations on The Peninsula Manila’s Easter room packages and culinary experience, please call The Peninsula Manila at +63 2 8887 2888 (ext. 6630 for Rooms Reservations or 6694 for Restaurant Reservations), or email reservationpmn@peninsula.com or diningpmn@peninsula.com.

  • 12 Wizarding World Titles Hold HBO GO Spellbound as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Opens in Theatres

    Expecto Patronum! Hogwarts’ wizards, witches and magical creatures are taking over HBO GO and Cartoon Network this April. Building even greater buzz around the theatrical release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore in Philippine cinemas on April 16, Wizarding World titles will enchant fans young and old on the streaming platform and kids’ channel.

    Relive all 12 Fantastic Beasts and Harry Potter titles on demand with HBO GO now. In addition, the Harry Potter Movie Marathon runs from April 8 – 23, 8pm daily on Cartoon Network. Here are some of the Wizarding World’s hit shows that have captivated fans globally:

    12 Wizarding World Titles Hold HBO GO Spellbound as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Opens in Theatres

    Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)

    In the second Fantastic Beasts film, the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp) is captured by MACUSA (Magical Congress of the United States of America). But, making good on his threat, Grindelwald escapes to gather followers, most unsuspecting of his true agenda: to raise pure-blood wizards up to rule over all non-magical beings. To thwart Grindelwald’s plans, Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) enlists his former student Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne), who agrees to help, unaware of the dangers ahead. Lines are drawn as love and loyalty are tested, even among friends and family, in an increasingly divided wizarding world. Stars an ensemble cast that includes Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Jude Law, Johnny Depp, Zoë Kravitz, Callum Turner, Claudia Kim, William Nadylam, Kevin Guthrie, Carmen Ejogo, and Poppy Corby-Tuech.

    12 Wizarding World Titles Hold HBO GO Spellbound as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Opens in Theatres

    Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)

    In the first Fantastic Beasts movie, Academy Award® winner Eddie Redmayne stars as Newt Scamander, the wizarding world’s preeminent magizoologist. In 1926, Scamander has just completed a global excursion to find and document an array of magical creatures. Arriving in New York for a brief stopover, he might have come and gone without incident… were it not for a No-Maj (American for Muggle) named Jacob, a misplaced magical case, and the escape of some of Newt’s fantastic beasts, which could spell trouble for both the wizarding and No-Maj worlds. Also stars Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Samantha Morton, Jon Voight, Carmen Ejogo and Colin Farrell.

    12 Wizarding World Titles Hold HBO GO Spellbound as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Opens in Theatres

    Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts

    Fans are invited on a magical first-person journey through the beloved film franchise as it reunites Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and other esteemed cast members and filmmakers across all eight Harry Potter films for the first time to celebrate the anniversary of the franchise’s first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Alumni in the memorable tribute also include Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Ian Hart, Toby Jones, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, producer David Heyman and filmmakers Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell and David Yates.

    12 Wizarding World Titles Hold HBO GO Spellbound as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Opens in Theatres
    Shoot ID 1050048, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses, Helen Mirren

    Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses

    Hosted by Academy Award®-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren, Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses celebrates the 20th anniversary of the film and continues the Wizarding World spirit showcasing ultimate fan glory on a never-before-seen scale. Featuring hundreds of trivia questions and special guest surprises, this unforgettable event of a lifetime will unveil which fans know the vast, intricately detailed universe like the back of their hand as they compete to take home the title of House Cup Champion.

    12 Wizarding World Titles Hold HBO GO Spellbound as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Opens in Theatres

    Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)

    Having grossed more than US$381 million at the worldwide box-office, Harry Potter’s final adventure concludes with the climactic final battle against the Dark Lord Voldemort. Making their final stand upon the ramparts of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter and his friends Ron and Hermione face their greatest foe and make the ultimate sacrifice on the landmark journey that spanned a decade. Laced with visual magic and haunting storytelling, the film franchise is brought to its triumphant close with long-time screenwriter Steve Kloves, acclaimed director David Yates and its award-winning cast including Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Warwick Davis, Ralph Fiennes, Michael Gambon, the late John Hurt, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Maggie Smith, David Thewlis and Julie Walters.

    12 Wizarding World Titles Hold HBO GO Spellbound as Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets Of Dumbledore Opens in Theatres

    Filipinos can stream and download all 12 Wizarding World movies and series now on HBO GO. The Harry Potter Movie Marathon airs from April 8 – 23, daily at 8pm on Cartoon Network (Cignal: Ch. 74 (SD), Ch. 220 (HD), Sky Cable: Ch. 43 (SD), Ch. 178 (HD)). Subscribe to HBO GO online at www.hbogoasia.ph or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store on your device for as low as ₱99.70/month. 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.

    Complete list of Wizarding World titles streaming on HBO GO:

    No.Wizarding World Titles
    1Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (2018)
    2Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016)
    3Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts (2021)
    4Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses (2021)
    5Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (2011)
    6Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010)
    7Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
    8Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
    9Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
    10Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
    11Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
    12Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

    Harry Potter Movie Marathon airing Apr 8 – 23, daily from 8pm on Cartoon Network

  • MetroMart Wins Praise for Commitment to Sell Only Cage-Free Eggs Nationwide by 2025

    MetroMart, the country’s largest e-commerce grocery delivery platform, won praise today from U.S.-based global NGO Lever Foundation for its new commitment to source and sell only cage-free eggs nationwide by 2025.

    “MetroMart is committed to social responsibility and benefiting the community, including through selling high quality, safe and humane food products,” said Evreem Fortich, Chief Operating Officer at MetroMart and ambassador of the company on the issue. “We’re pleased to share our new policy of selling only cage-free eggs to consumers on our platform by 2025, and we look forward to working closely with our partners to achieve that goal.”

    MetroMart Wins Praise for Commitment to Sell Only Cage-Free Eggs Nationwide by 2025
    Evreem Fortich, COO and Cage-Free Egg Ambassador at MetroMart, holds a box of cage-free eggs. Under the new policy, all the eggs sold by MetroMart nationwide will be cage-free by 2025.

    MetroMart’s e-commerce platform connects consumers with local supermarkets and retailers including The Marketplace, Marks & Spencer, Landmark and All Day Supermarket. The company delivers throughout the Manila and Cebu regions, with plans to expand nationally. MetroMart has been actively promoting sustainability initiatives by using banners on its platform to raise public awareness of environmental issues, and offering promotional discounts for ethical and sustainable products.  

    Numerous studies have found cage-free eggs are safer and have more vitamins and minerals and a better nutritional profile than caged eggs. Research by the European Food Safety Authority and others has found that cage-free egg farms are up to 25 times less likely to be contaminated with key strains of salmonella compared to hens raised in cages. Hens raised in cage-free systems enjoy better bone health, are free to move and express their natural behavior such as foraging, dust-bathing, flying and nesting. 

    MetroMart Wins Praise for Commitment to Sell Only Cage-Free Eggs Nationwide by 2025
    MetroMart Wins Praise for Commitment to Sell Only Cage-Free Eggs Nationwide by 2025

    “We applaud MetroMart for its commitment on this important issue, which will benefit the company’s customers by increasing food safety and quality while also improving the welfare of animals in its supply chain,” said Robyn del Rosario, Sustainability Program Manager at Lever Foundation, which worked with MetroMart on its pledge. “With e-commerce leaders like MetroMart rising in popularity and importance during the pandemic, the company’s commitment to socially responsible policies that benefit the community sets a stellar example for other retailers and food brands.”

    Leading animal protection and food safety organizations around the world encourage a switch to cage-free eggs, which are less cruel to animals and safer for consumers. On caged egg farms, each egg-laying hen is confined for nearly her entire life in a cage so small she can barely turn around. Battery cage egg production has been banned throughout the European Union as well as in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, India, and parts of the United States. 

    In recent years a growing list of restaurant, hospitality, retail, and packaged foods brands have pledged to use only cage-free eggs in the Philippines, including KFC, Pizza Hut, Burger King, Marriott, Nestle, Unilever, and many others. MetroMart is the first retailer in the Philippines and the first online grocery delivery platform in Asia to make the same pledge.

  • 5 botanical blends from Sekaya that will help you take on the new normal

    While quarantine restrictions are eased, now is not a good time to hit the brakes and let our guard down in the new normal. Filipino plant-based brand Sekaya offers the Sekaya Botanic Infusions, a curated line of botanical blends for your health and wellness goals, that can give your body an added boost as it performs its many functions. Each blend is made with 100% organic plant ingredients that are non-GMO and non-irradiated and have been certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Quality Assurance International (QAI). 

    5 botanical blends from Sekaya that will help you take on the new normal
    Each blend is made with 100% organic plant ingredients that are non-GMO and non-irradiated and have been certified organic by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Quality Assurance International (QAI).

    We’re dishing on 5 Sekaya Botanic Infusions to keep in your pantry as we step closer to the new normal: 

    Strengthen the body’s immunity with Immune Brew

    Fight off viruses and other bugs with proper rest, and lots of fluids that include this infusion that aims to boost your immune system at its most vulnerable. Subtle and fruity, it contains botanicals like echinacea purpurea leaf, lemon peel, elderberries, and ginger root that have been traditionally used to keep the common flu and simple infections away.

    Ramp up your drive with Energy Mix

    Beat mental fatigue, clear your head and keep up with the day’s to-dos with this young Hyson green tea botanical blend that matches your busy lifestyle. It also has eleuthero that may increase stamina and invigorate energy, ginkgo that can enhance memory with its positive effects on the vascular system, and ginger to support improved thinking and memory capacity. Together, they make a mellow, minty, sweet botanical infusion that you can switch with your afternoon cup of joe. 

    Beat stress by getting quality zzzs with Easy Nightcap

    A good night’s sleep is a pillar of good health. Make sure you get more than a wink of sleep by steeping and sipping a cup of Easy Nightcap that can help calm down anxiety and relieve stress and tension for more quality sleep. Boasting a delicate and herbal taste, it contains catnip that can help reduce chronic anxiety and stress and skullcap leaves to help calm the mind. 

    Enhance your body’s healing functions with Gentle DTX

    It combines traditional botanicals that are meant to help strengthen the body’s daily detoxification actions. With a light and exotic flavor, Gentle DTX has burdock root that’s commonly used as a diuretic and a digestive aid, and dandelion root that’s known as a bile tonic and something that can help improve digestion. 

    Keep your skin glowing with Skin Cleanse

    Wearing face masks has taken a toll on our skin health. Get your glow back with a cup of Skin Cleanse. Having a spiced and sweet aroma with a hint of earthiness, it contains a blend of botanicals that have been long used to help clear the skin of impurities. Licorice root is a natural detoxifier that’s used to treat various skin conditions, while cinnamon bark has antifungal and antibacterial properties that are useful against acne and blemishes. 

    Get Sekaya Botanic Infusion for your new normal needs in boxes of 8 teabags at a Watsons or The Marketplace branch near you or through their online stores at https://www.watsons.com.ph or  https://themarketplace.com.ph. Cans of 16 teabags are available at Landers or Landers online at https://www.landers.ph.

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    Learn more about how you can benefit from plant-based solutions, and get health tips and information at https://www.sekaya.com.ph and by following @sekayaph on Facebook and Instagram. 

  • Manila’s Oldest Indian Restaurant, Kashmir, Now in One Bonifacio High Street, BGC

    Established in 1975, Kashmir is the first-ever Indian restaurant in Manila and the longest-running one at that. The 47-year-old family-run restaurant which first opened in Ermita has now opened in BGC under the new stewardship of Leon Araneta. What started as a means to pass the three sisters’ time has become a well-loved institution in the F&B industry.

    Since then and over a long and colorful past, Kashmir has held on to the idea of “Introducing Indian Hospitality to Filipinos by turning Mystique into Magic.” For 47 years, they’ve been serving traditional North Indian dishes using high quality ingredients including curries, dried nuts and fruits, yogurt, ghee, paneer, fresh vegetables, and premium cuts of meats.

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    What to order at Kashmir?

    One of the original founders, Sita Advani, created the recipes in Kashmir. “Having inherited such a wealth of decades-tested recipes from Sita were the greatest gift,” shares Leon Araneta, Kashmir’s new owner. “These recipes are the heart of the restaurant. Her food continues to charm our guests to this very day.”

    At the new Kashmir, classic favorites like the Chicken Tikka Masala, Mutton Seekh Kebab, Palak Paneer, and Rogan Josh are still on the menu. But innovative dishes like Mutton Seekh Burger or the vegetarian-friendly Paneer Burger are also available.

    Kashmir Indian Restaurant

    In keeping with its North Indian roots, Kashmir is bringing its vegetarian and vegan offerings to the forefront. “After my own travels to India, I realized that we haven’t even scratched the surface of the wealth of plant-
    based dishes,” shares Leon. Vegan and vegetarian dishes like the Organic Mushroom Tandoori, Dhal Chana, Okra Curry, and Kashmir Organic Green Salad will make any meat-loving guest happily reconsider their opinions on meatless eating.

    Their delectable food and drink offerings are just a few things that you will swoon over when you visit. At the new Kashmir, design is what will complete your dining experience. They’ve commissioned a Bangalore and Delhi-based graphic designer, Smruthi Gargi Eswar, to share her India. Her art honors her culture’s historical and artistic past but is portrayed from a more contemporary perspective.

    Kashmir Indian Restaurant

    While most of the furnishings are new, Kashmir remains grounded, honoring its past. They have kept wall molding from the original restaurant, forty-year-old chairs from the founders’ homes, and have reused them at the new Kashmir. “These are small details. But they are part of our history that we should care for,” Leon adds.

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    Kashmir is located at Level 3, One Bonifacio High Street, 5th Avenue corner 28th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. For reservations or inquiries, visit kashmir.ph or call +639175316023. Follow Kashmir on Facebook and Instagram.