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  • Nicole Laurel and Basically Saturday Night’s Collab Song ‘The One’ is Out Now

    The latest song of multi-talented artist Nicole Laurel  Asensio co-written with upcoming band Basically Saturday Night as a result of a collaboration process in creating music together for the first time. 

    “The One” brings the old soul flavour into present times. A combination of Basically Saturday Night’s signature rhythm, silken guitar licks and their lead singer Migie Garcia’s deep smoky vocals, mixed with Nicole Laurel Asensio’s sultry yet powerful and unique tone and prowess in blending rock and jazz genres as well as beautiful embellishments from her formidable horn section. 

    The original composition is a simple expression between two people who have shed their uncertainties and given themselves entirely to their one true love. The message of the song intends for people to continue seeking, cherishing and living for their own interpretation of “The One”.

    Nicole Laurel 1

    THE FIRST TIME

    “I first heard Basically Saturday Night’s music because our head A&R at Warner Music, Kelley Mangahas and I were on a video call and he told me, “Nicole, there’s a band that I really think you might have a good time writing with, let’s see if you guys can collaborate.” Earlier in the call, I had expressed how I was longing to work with more musicians and grow more as a singer-songwriter. I heard their music and immediately added it to my listening playlist. Days later, Kelley me and the band were in communication setting up our first jam. The jam was in their drummer Faisal’s house which they have nicknamed “The Lab” I walked in there not knowing what to expect especially because they all knew each other very well and I was the stranger walking into their creative bubble. But as soon as we started free-jamming, the rhythms, melodies and impromptu lyrics were spouting out from every corner of the lab. I knew this first time was something special. It just felt natural. Even if I am now a solo artist, I understand the band culture very well, I still like to write like a band player, collaboratively. it was a culture that I guess I was secretly craving too and being around these immensely talented gentlemen eased that longing. within the second hour we had written our first song.” 

    Nicole Laurel Asensio 2

    CHEMISTRY IN THE LAB

    “It was instant chemistry! I think this stemmed from having shared the same reverence for soul, jazz, and blues artists, which made it much easier to find common ground. It was definitely a learning experience for the band to come into a session with a highly experienced musician like Nicole – I think it forced us to try and play at our very best. I think that both Basically Saturday Night and Nicole have a shared appreciation for the greats that have come before us, as well as the modern artists who pay tribute to the greats that came before them. Having that common ground made it easier to decide what might work for our collaboration. It just felt like good energy was traveling throughout the session.”

    Nicole Basically Saturday Night 2

    FINALLY FINDING “THE ONE”

    “During a break in our first session, Nicole suggested that we go for a slow and groovy vibe. I started out on a chord melody with Jairus (Keyboard), Kurt (Bass) and Faisal (Drums) jumped in. Nicole started improvising some lyrics and melodies. Migie came back into the session and within minutes, most of the song had already been ironed out.” – Junoy Manalo 

    “We had just finished writing our first song and the boys were noodling through some riffs. I had this melody in my head that simply wouldn’t leave… Junoy played that first chord progression of the verse, and it all clicked! it fell together very easily. We got up to the chorus idea when Migie who was enjoying a fine cigar outside came back in with a smile and dove straight into the the second verse with his soulful touch. I like singing with him, I like the nuances. Smoke and velvet. We revisited the song another day to polish a few things and work on the voicing. Once done, shared a wonderful meal together and booked our recording session in Wildgrass Studio. To further the collaborative spirit, it was on my wish list to have my go-to horn section on this track, I asked Lester Sorilla (trumpet) to write a horns arrangement for the boys to check out and see how they felt. Migie had also expressed to me that having horns join them was definitely on their wish list too. There was so much love in wildgrass studio on recording day the smiles on everyone’s faces was proof that Kelley knew exactly what he was doing when he matched us up on this musical blind date.” – Nicole Asensio

    WHAT’S THAT SOUND?

    “Modern soul music. “The One” has beautiful vocal melodies that represent Nicole’s love for modern soul singers like Emily King, it has sonic textures that tip the hat to Mayer’s “Continuum” album, and it also weaves together the group’s love for soul music from the past.” – Junoy Manalo 

    WHAT’S NEXT?

    “It goes without saying this collaboration is the first of many down the line! This collaboration has brought about an almost familial aspect to it, and there’s no telling how many more songs can be churned out in the future.” – Basically Saturday Night

    “I will forever remain grateful for opportunities to collaborate with great artists and continue to learn. Working with Basically Saturday Night, their manager, Rem, this production, my horn section and Warner Music has been such an enjoyable experience, we’re like musical family now, and I doubt it will be our last project together. For the rest of 2022, a collection of more original compositions are set to be released. I am also excited to continue ventures in film and concerts.” – Nicole Asensio

    The One was released on all digital platforms last February 11 under Warner Music Philippines. The music video directed by award-winning director Gorio Vicuna will be released by the end of February 2022.

  • With Spielberg directing, ‘West Side Story’ shines even brighter than before

    ‘West Side Story’ first debuted on stage in 1957 and is considered one of the greatest musicals of all time. It takes the Romeo and Juliet star-crossed lovers plotline and gives it a distinctly American flavour by transporting the narrative to then-present New York with the warring families represented by White Americans and Puerto Rican immigrants. It was turned into a film in 1961 and has been revived over and over again, even coming to the Philippines in 2017 courtesy of a British touring cast.

    It is that touring production back in 2017 that made me very afraid of this new revival. ‘West Side Story’ has some of the most beautiful music and songs of musical theater. The score of Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim are legendary and so many of these songs are ingrained into many of us, even if they aren’t musical aficionados.

    The 2017 touring production presented the show as is and it failed to capture the depth that the show can reach. After all, it’s a story about racial war and gangs. There’s a scene where a woman is ganged up on by a group of men and the Latin community finds the portrayal of the Puerto Ricans in both the original play and the 1961 movie to be problematic.

    What made me still want to see it despite my fears is that it is directed by the great Stephen Spielberg, a master storyteller who is well-versed in the nuances of a story’s humanity. I was later overjoyed to discover that Tony Kushner wrote the screenplay for their adaptation and what a powerhouse these two make.

    This new remake manages to keep all of the songs but make significant changes that only serves to really highlight the elements in the story that really make ‘West Side Story’ such a timeless story.

    West Side Story Review
    Photo: 20th Century Studios Asia

    In this version, Spielberg and Kushner allow the women to be much stronger in their portrayal in this film. It is still set in the 1950s but the women seem to have a stronger voice to make repeated calls for the two gangs – The Sharks, the Puerto Rican group, and the Jets, the American gang – to stop fighting. In this version, the women have hopes and dreams and even the lead character, Maria, who is usually so naive and innocent in the stage and the previous films, has a little more fire. Rachel Zegler’s performance gives her version of Maria a conscious choice to be with Tony (played by Ansel Elgort) while knowing full-well what this could mean. It makes the character, and the love story, so much more poignant.

    There is also a backstory that is given to Tony that adds a stronger redemption arc to the character and adds weight to events that unfold in the story. This new backstory makes Tony someone you want to root for because there’s a goal for something that is worthwhile and meaningful for the character other than love.

    West Side Story Review
    Photo: 20th Century Studios Asia

    The new changes also elevate what was once a love-at-first-sight story into an attraction born out of their surroundings. With Tony’s new backstory, seeing Maria is like seeing the purity and innocence of his new goals (of a more peaceful life) come to life. He is attracted to her because she’s a breath of fresh air. For Maria, Tony is a newcomer. He’s not one of the Jets that she knows of (though she later finds out he is) and he’s not one of the Puerto Ricans her older brother is forcing on her. For Maria, she’s looking to be free of her brother’s oppression and to enjoy the liberation that living in America promises. Tony becomes that for her. And in the process, they fall in love.

    Spielberg, ever the master storyteller, expands the world of ‘West Side Story’ and makes the city – the territory that the Jets and the Sharks are fighting over – as a character. Everyone is on the brink of eviction and some buildings have already been demolished in preparation to build the Lincoln Center. This tough neighborhood that is becoming a ruin becomes symbolic of the brokenness of the country. The city is a battleground and the fact that the discrimination is not addressed by the government and the police in any realistic and practical way bears weight to the story.

    Because unlike previous revivals, there is no painting of gray areas in this version. The Jets are a gang. The film doesn’t make any excuses for their racism. The song ‘Gee, Officer Krupke,’ which is usually sung and performed with a bit of humor in former performances becomes a scary insight in how some groups use the failure of the system as an excuse for their bad behaviour. Here, the Puerto Ricans have jobs. They’re in a gang to protect the neighborhood. In this film, the Puerto Ricans are in the right.

    West Side Story Review
    Photo: 20th Century Studios Asia

    And you can see it subtly even in the choreography. A big, wonderful dance number at the gym where Tony and Maria first see themselves is a showcase of fantastic dancing and camera work and editing. But in my perspective, the Americans – as good as they are – are not as impressive as when the Puerto Ricans burn the dance floor. Ariana DeBose (who received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in this movie) is a powerhouse. Her dancing and singing skills is equally matched by her spirited performance of Anita. She kills each number she’s in and like many wonderful actresses who played Anita before, steals the show by juggling the different textures of the character.

    It is also a brilliant choice of Stephen Spielberg to not use subtitles in all the Spanish parts of the film. There’s quite a number of long stretches of conversation in Spanish that you understand contextually from the sheer clarity of the filmmaking. It’s a powerful move because it puts the Puerto Ricans as equal to the Americans. Spanish is not second to English.

    Boasting some amazing set pieces, great choreography that is pretty to look at but always bursting with violence and rage, and some truly wonderful new renditions of beloved songs, ‘West Side Story’ is a marvel of filmmaking. It has the grandeur and sweep of a classic movie musical but it has all the energy and spirit of a contemporary movie. It’s only drawback is the many allegations that have come out about Ansel Elgort’s offscreen activities. He does a good job as Tony, though he’s not the strongest in the group. He delivers a sincerity that we’ve seen in films like ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ but it’s a heavy burden to see him there knowing what he’s done outside.

    But I won’t let that one piece of casting ruin what is otherwise a wonderful remake that corrects a lot of the dated portrayals of the original and the conservative approach to some of the themes. By fully committing to the story and its themes, Spielberg’s and Kushner’s ‘West Side Story’ is truly marvelous.

    My Rating:

    5 stars - Don't Look Up review




    ––


    West Side Story is released by 20th Century Studios and opens in Philippine cinemas this Wednesday, February 16.

    ALSO READ:
    WATCH: The Official Teaser to Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’
    WATCH: The Cast of ‘West Side Story’ Performs Songs from the Musical

  • Mckenna Grace is the Adorable Girl Genius Phoebe in ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’

    She recently starred in New Line’s Annabelle Comes Home and in the hugely successful Captain Marvel opposite Brie Larson. Now, Mckenna Grace stars budding scientist, Phoebe in Columbia Pictures’ new action-adventure Ghostbusters: Afterlife in Philippine cinemas on February 16.

    At the center of Ghostbusters: Afterlife is a small family: single mom Callie (Carrie Coon), her 15-year-old son Trevor (Finn Wolfhard), and her 12-year-old daughter Phoebe (Mckenna Grace). After they are evicted from their Chicago apartment, the family moves into a ramshackle Oklahoma homestead where they begin to discover their connection to the original ghostbusters and the secret legacy their grandfather left behind.

    GBA PRudd MGrace 1

    “Phoebe is brilliant and could only be played by an actress who is as intelligent as she is,” director Jason Reitman says. “Mckenna is exceptionally smart – she’s probably read more books than I have – very thoughtful, and very funny. She’s perfect for Phoebe –a young, misunderstood woman who finds herself in ghostbusting.”

    GBA PRudd LoganKim MGrace 1

    “In Phoebe, I wanted the audience to meet a young girl who is a genius and who feels like an outsider,” says Jason, “someone who is looking for friends in the moment that she discovers she’s just like her grandfather. She is a scientist. She is someone who can make things, who wants to fix things. She is the kid who wants to break open the toaster and see how it works, but instead of a toaster, she gets a proton pack.”  

    BTS IvanReitman CarrieCoon Mckenna Grace Finn Wolfhard Jason Reitman 1

    Grace says she feels blessed to play this role. “I get to be the character that unravels her grandfather’s life and discovers their family tree.  She’s not at all like other kids her age. She’s incredibly smart.  She’s very into science experiments. When we are first introduced to her, she is pulling cords through a giant hole in the wall and causes a power outage in the whole house. She’s very inventive and resourceful,” Grace concludes.

    Ghostbusters: Afterlife is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.  Use the hashtag #Ghostbusters

  • Missing % Arabica? 8 Cafés Serving Spanish Latte in Metro Manila

    If you’re one of the few who was shocked about % Arabica‘s sudden disappearance, you are not alone. This coffee shop that originally hails from Kyoto is known for its custom-made espresso machines and bright spaces. Initially started with their flagship store in Japan, they are now available in more than 90 locations worldwide with a tagline “see the world through coffee”.

    We may have been ghosted for a bit but they actually care for their customers, they gave us an explanation. On January 31, they announced that they ended their collaboration with their previous partner but have a new collaboration in the works. “We have selected a new partner already and will make a fresh start this year to expand throughout the country,” the company added. They also said that we have to wait for a couple of months for the new opening announcement. So, while we wait for this but already missing one of their signature drinks, we’ve actually listed down a few cafés that offer a mean Spanish latte in Metro Manila:

    FUN FACT:
    A Spanish latte is an espresso-based drink made with full cream milk and condensed milk. It’s sweeter than a normal latte and is best served cold.

    BREWED Specialty Coffee

    Operating Hours: 9am to 11pm (Monday to Friday); 7am to 11pm (Saturday and Sunday)
    What To Order: Spanish Latte (P160/hot; P170/iced)

    But First, Coffee

    Operating Hours: Multiple branches, operating hours may vary. Message them on Facebook.
    What To Order: Spanish Latte (P120/12oz hot; P130/16oz iced; P170/500ml jar; P460/1L bottle concentrate)

    Dot Coffee

    Spanish Latte in Metro Manila

    Operating Hours: Dot Coffee is available on madeats.co. They’re open for orders daily from 10:00 AM-8:00 PM.
    What To Order: Iced Spanish Latte (P150/16oz). As of writing, it is on promo at only P99.

    ALSO READ:
    MadEats Launches Fourth Food Concept, Dot Coffee

    Habitual

    Operating Hours: Salcedo Village, Makati (8am to 5pm); Vertis North, Quezon City (11am to 7pm)
    What To Order: Spanish Latte (P100)

    Latitude

    Operating Hours: 11am to 7pm (Monday to Friday); 9:30am to 7pm (Saturday and Sunday)
    What To Order: Iced Malate (P155/hot; P165/cold)

    Morning Habit

    Operating Hours: Mondays to Fridays
    What To Order: Spanish Latte (P150/regular; P240/oat)

    Niseko Coffee

    Operating Hours: 11am to 7pm (daily)
    What To Order: Niseko Signature Latte (P170)

    Stout Coffee

    Operating Hours: Monday to Friday, available on Grab Food and foodpanda
    What To Order: Spanish Latte (P170/250ml; P320/P500ml)

  • 8 Android & iOS Games to Play on Meowbile If You Love Cats

    Heads up, cat lovers! If you can’t get enough of the fluffy and fabulous felines, why don’t you exhibit your love for them in the digital world? Grab your smartphones, head to the App Store or Play Store, and download these mobile games that are loaded with kitty cat cuteness!

    Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector

    Android | iOS

    Set up your yard with toys and attract playful cats with food! Collect more than 40 varieties of cats, including rare ones, to add to your Catbook and become the next master kitty collector! You can even make albums with photos of your cats and use them as your phone’s wallpaper.

    Mobile Games with Cats Neko Atsume
    Photo: Google Play Store

    Purrfect Spirits

    Android | iOS

    In this game, you play as a ghost who doesn’t know how to pass on, so you just pass the time watching the cats that visit your abandoned home. Feed the cats, redecorate your home, and watch them interact with the things and trinkets you’ve laid out for them!

    Purrfect Tale

    Android | iOS

    This visual novel-style game puts you in the shoes of a girl who wakes up to find herself transported back in time when she was just a student. Create your cozy home, befriend cats, and watch them turn into humans! Just remember, the choices you make will impact your story so be sure to make the right decisions for a purrfect tale.

    Mobile Games with Cats Purrfect Tale
    Photo: Google Play Store

    KleptoCats

    Android | iOS

    From the creators of Adorable Home comes KleptoCats, which lets you collect cats that will bring you all kinds of gifts. Send them away, see what treasure they will bring next, and watch your room transform from an empty space to a cool nook with eye-catching clutter.

    Cat Simulator

    Android | iOS

    What if instead of collecting cats, you become one instead? Cat Simulator lets you play and goof around as a kitty who seems to get away with anything thanks to its cuteness. Explore different environments, interact with other animals, and unlock new cats!

    Cats Are Cute

    Android | iOS

    If collecting cats in your home isn’t enough for you, then check out this game. In this game, you get to fill a whole town with adorable felines! Relieve some of your stress by building establishments around Meow Town and watching the cute cats roam free.

    Super Cat Tales 2

    Android | iOS

    Super Cat Tales 2 is a cute platformer where you join Alex the Cat and his feline friends as they save Cat Land from mysterious tin soldiers. Presented with a retro aesthetic, go on an enjoyable adventure and become the hero as you clear over 100 levels, unlock new cats, discover hidden secrets, and more!

    Cat Jump

    Android | iOS

    Here’s another game that gives you a dose of retro. Mechanics may seem simple– just go jumping over obstacles with your cat, and collect new cats in the process– but this arcade game can easily become addicting with eye-popping visuals and high-flying levels.

    ALSO READ
    10 Free iOS & Android Games for Your Much-Needed Dose of Cuteness
    5 Video Games that will Turn Your Devices into Virtual Pets
    7 Cute Mobile Games Like ‘Adorable Home’

    Looking for more video games to play? Check out our latest video game lists. Stay in the loop and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

  • ‘Forecasting Love and Weather’: Interview with Song Kang and Park Min-young

    A melodious pitter-patter of romance dropped on Netflix over the weekend with the premiere of the K-drama Forecasting Love & Weather. Whether you’ve watched and enjoyed the first two episodes already or are still forecasting your feelings if you’re ready to gush over another Korean series, you probably are most curious about the latest loveteam the show has to offer.

    Park Min-young who everyone loved for her energy in What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim plays the serious chief forecaster Jin Ha-Kyung of the Korean Meteorological Administration (KMA), while Song Kang of dramas Navillera and Nevertheless plays the funny and innocent special reporter Lee Si-woo. In this rom-com series, the two would fall for each other while carrying the responsibility of giving the most accurate weather forecast possible.

    Watch the show’s trailer below:

    In a recent roundtable interview with the show’s main stars, we got to ask Park Min-young and Song Kang about their characters, experiences going into the show, and of course, their chemistry together. Check out some of the highlights of the interview below.

    What were the challenges you faced in preparation for your roles?

    Park Min-young: It was my first try as a public servant, so we had to dress differently because they had stricter rules in public offices so I would wear a long skirt. And the director and the screenwriter also said that I shouldn’t look too dressed up or pretty, so they would prefer me looking [plainer and like Jane Doe], so I would have to wear suits because I’m a chief forecaster. And also about the language, newbies could stutter but because I’m a chief forecaster, everything should come naturally to me so I’m trying really hard not to stutter and so I really practiced my pronunciation, but sometimes I would have bloopers.

    Forecasting Love and Weather 2
    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    Song Kang: Usually, when I would talk about the weather, it was okay. But when I’m in a scene where I’m upset or I’m angry, people tend to speak faster when they’re upset but you have to have the speed plus the terminology has to be correct. So those scenes were really difficult for me because I couldn’t go as fast as I would want to with the terminology. But as I got used to it, I could really express my full emotions even when I’m speaking faster, but that is more towards the end of the show so I really have a lot of respect for the professionals.

    Forecasting Love and Weather 3
    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    How did you two first meet and how did you build your chemistry?

    Park Min-young: The first time we’ve met is when the creator Kang Eun-kyung, the director, and us met for the first time. At the time, Song Kang was still in his last work’s character so he had this black halo behind him so I was like ‘uh-oh, what’s going to happen?’ But on the second and third reading of the script, he came as himself, and I knew that the chemistry between us is going to just naturally come to us. And after that, he delved directly into Si-woo, and after he became Si-woo, there was no problem at all. I think Si-woo is like naive and is a pure soul, which is very different from who Ha-kyung– my character– is, so I think this actually gives a lot of chemistry because they’re so different so they actually go together.

    Song Kang: This was my first try at a romantic comedy, so I put a lot of thought into it. Really, Min-young solved a lot of my problems for me and as she said, the two characters are really different, and I think, I really like the fact that the two different characters came together and helped each other grow personally.

    Forecasting Love and Weather 1
    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    Working on drama after drama, what do you do to rest and reset before going into another project?

    Song Kang: First of all, I like to work out and I also like reading novels. I also build legos and there are miniature houses that I like to build. So I basically do anything that I can at home. I watch dramas, I watch a lot of films. Because when I start working, I spend very little time at home, so I try to do everything that I can at home.

    What do you find most interesting about meteorology during filming?

    Park Min-young: I saw this documentary and in the documentary, this professional from the Korea Meteorological Administration [spoke] and he has this pure face like Si-woo and he said “If we didn’t forecast rain, but there is rainfall then that is our teardrops.” So when I listened to him, I really felt him and I thought the subject was very appealing to me so I wanted to immerse myself into these people who are really crazily in love with weather.

    Forecasting Love and Weather Park Min young
    Photo courtesy of Netflix

    If you were to choose one season for the entire year, what would it be?

    Park Min-young: I would choose spring because I was born in spring and I like the feeling of freshness that spring gives us. It’s like the feeling of starting something new, and there are also cherry blossoms in Korea that bloom in the spring. And my nickname is Spring Park because my personal color is spring so I would choose spring.

    Song Kang: My favorite season is winter. I am a homebody, I like to stay home. So when it snows, I like to stay at home and watch it snow outside. I also like wearing a short T-shirt, and when I have a T-shirt on and a padded jacket on, I like the cool feeling that I have on my arms, so I would choose winter.

    Forecasting Love and Weather Song Kang
    Photo courtesy of Netflix


    Directed by Cha Young-hun and written by Sun Young, Forecasting Love and Weather also stars Yoon Bak and Yura. You can now stream the first two episodes on Netflix, with the next 14 episodes releasing every Saturday and Sunday.

    ALSO READ
    Everything You Need to Know About the Netflix K-Drama ‘Forecasting Love and Weather’

  • Love Happens at Robinsons Malls Through Exciting Treats and Surprises This Love Month

    Robinsons Malls celebrates love in all forms with “Love Happens,” a series of Valentine exclusive events, promotions, and activities specially prepared for its valued shoppers and diners this February. 

    “The Valentine season is a very important occasion for us and we want all our customers to create special memories and fun moments together in our malls. This year, we prepared to treat them to more exciting events and delightful offers to make their shopping, dining, and leisure experiences more memorable,” says Arlene Magtibay, SVP and General Manager of Robinsons Malls.

    Valentine at Robinsons Place Jaro

    V-Day Attractions are set to delight mall-goers with a variety of seasonal installations and pop-ups so they can capture priceless moments together. Couples, barkadas, and families alike can take their photos and have them printed at the pop-up booths in Robinsons Galleria and Robinsons Magnolia.  Couples can seal their love for each other through the Love Locks corner at Robinsons Metro East. For those with preference for more adventure-filled celebration, they can go karting and driftito in Pair Rides at Galleria South and East Deck Lifestyle Hub.  Furparents can also have a lot of fun taking snaps of their furbabies at the different Insta-worthy themed decors at various malls nationwide.  And they get the chance to win a prize too if they post their photos and join thr Picure Paw-fect Promo.

    Mass wedding events have been set at Robinsons Place GenSan, Robinsons Place Valencia, Robinsons Place Pavia, and Robinsons Novaliches for all the #couplegoals who have yet to tie the knot! Truly, #LoveHappensAtRobinsonsMalls.

    Photo Booth at Robinsons Place Antipolo

    Even kids have special treats waiting for them this Heart’s Day, with “Cupid’s Drive-Thru Treats” happening at Iloilo malls. And if you thought pediatric vaccination can’t possibly be any fun, Robinsons has gone the extra mile to prepare various Valentine’s-themed programs for kids in several malls.

    Hugots and declarations of love are sure to fill the air, too, with Rhythms of the Heart that are set to serenade shoppers with acoustic band performances, classic piano renditions, spoken word poetry, and a special performance by the QC Symphonic Band. Date Deals also abound for diners at various Robinsons Malls locations: from special bundles to discounts, bouquet arrangements, and heart balloons, mealtime is sure to get sweeter any time of day.

    And whether you choose to celebrate Valentine’s solo or with family or friends, you’re sure to get the best deals at Robinson’s Lovely Finds promo, during which a vast array of merchants will offer deals and discounts to Robinsons Malls shoppers. 

    Flower Fest at Robinsons Magnolia
    Valentine Bazaar at Robinsons Place Iloilo

    For those who choose to celebrate at home – personal shoppers Robbie & Rosie offer special Valentine’s treats including waived shopping fee and a surprise gift for a minimum purchase.

    So go ahead and plan that  shopping trip! However you plan to celebrate love, whether it’s with a special someone, with family, or by just treating yourself to a nice pair of shoes, your favorite mall has got you covered. 

    The sweet deals get even sweeter with RMalls+ App, the mall’s newly-launched mobile app. For the whole month of February, Robinsons Malls shares the love with valued shoppers through app-exclusive vouchers, freebies from partner restaurants and shops, and first dibs on special offers, all redeemable via the RMalls+ app.  Shoppers get to also enjoy VIP experiences this love month with FREE parking, access to the VIP Pay Lounge, free PlayLab passes and a lot more.   To download the app and claim your exclusive vouchers,  click here or visit http://onelink.to/rmallsplusapp.

  • TV Guide: Movies Showing From February 14 to 20, 2022

    Isn’t it a bummer when you see your favorite movie already playing halfway through when you turn on the TV? Fret not! From rom-com and action to horror and thriller, we’re giving you a heads up on all the must-watch movies on TV from February 14 to 20, 2022.

    February 14, Monday

    Between Maybes
    (5pm, Cinema One)
    A man lives as a recluse in Japan until a washed up actress arrives. As he checks up on her, the two lost souls find comfort in each other.

    I Love You, Hater
    (7pm, Cinema One)
    A boy tries to help his family survive while a girl hopes to prove herself.

    Crazy, Stupid, Love
    (8:05pm, HBO)
    Cal Weaver is living the American dream. He has a good job, a beautiful house, great children and a beautiful wife, named Emily. Cal’s seemingly perfect life unravels, however, when he learns that Emily has been unfaithful and wants a divorce. Over 40 and suddenly single, Cal is adrift in the fickle world of dating. Enter, Jacob Palmer, a self-styled player who takes Cal under his wing and teaches him how to be a hit with the ladies.

    Horrible Bosses
    (10pm, Cinemax)
    Nick, Dale and Kurt are workers who would like nothing better than to grind their oppressive employers into the dirt. Quitting their jobs is not an option, so — fueled by alcohol and dubious advice from a criminal — the men devise a complex and seemingly foolproof plan to permanently rid themselves of their terrible bosses. The problem is, any plan is only as clever as the brains behind it.

    Horrible Bosses 2
    (11:40pm, Cinemax)
    Tired of always answering to others, Nick, Dale and Kurt go into business for themselves. After demonstrating the prototype for an invention called the Shower Buddy, the guys attract the attention of Rex Hanson and his father, Bert. Bert invests in the trio’s product, then cancels the order and steals their idea. Now heavily in debt and with no legal recourse, Nick, Dale and Kurt decide to kidnap Rex and use the ransom money to pay off their loans.

    February 15, Tuesday

    Mr. & Mrs. Cruz
    (11am, PBO)
    Raffy and Gela find themselves taking off for Palawan to escape the not so great realities of their current lives and catch up on their respective me-time. But as fate would have it, they find themselves meeting and enjoying each other’s company.

    Superman Returns
    (5:15pm, HBO)
    While Lex Luthor plots to destroy him once and for all, the Man of Steel returns after a long absence to a much-changed world. Lois Lane has moved on with her life, and society has learned to survive without him. Superman must find a way to reconnect with her and find his place in a world that may no longer need him.

    Sisterakas
    (7pm, Cinema One)
    Bernardo hires his half-sister Bernadette as an assistant and she has no idea who he really is. Bernardo plans to make her life hell until a rival tries to lure Bernadette away and he has to fight to keep her.

    February 16, Wednesday

    Camp Sawi
    (1:30pm, PBO)
    A group of brokenhearted women goes to a resort that specializes in helping people ease their pain.

    Bridget Jones’ Diary
    (3:05pm, HBO)
    At the start of the New Year, 32-year-old Bridget decides it’s time to take control of her life — and start keeping a diary. Now, the most provocative, erotic and hysterical book on her bedside table is the one she’s writing. With a taste for adventure, and an opinion on every subject – from exercise to men to food to sex and everything in between – she’s turning the page on a whole new life.

    Space Jam
    (3:55pm, Cinemax)
    Swackhammer, an evil alien theme park owner, needs a new attraction at Moron Mountain. When his gang, the Nerdlucks, heads to Earth to kidnap Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes, Bugs challenges them to a basketball game to determine their fate. The aliens agree, but they steal the powers of NBA basketball players, including Larry Bird and Charles Barkley — so Bugs gets some help from superstar Michael Jordan.

    A Moment in Time
    (5pm, Cinema One)
    A high-spirited guy working as a waiter and painter meets a shy violinist from a rich family, and love blossoms — until a dark secret is revealed.

    Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason
    (5:40pm, HBO)
    The sequel to “Bridget Jones’s Diary” finds Bridget working as a TV host and still dating barrister Mark. But Bridget is jealous of the time Mark spends with a co-worker, and, despite a vacation meant to smooth things over, ends their relationship. On assignment in Thailand, she has a dalliance with her disreputable ex, Daniel, and is temporarily jailed on the false accusation of drug smuggling, before Mark comes to the rescue.

    February 17, Thursday

    Kimmy Dora: Ang Kyemeng Sequel
    (5pm, Cinema One)
    The first installment to the Kimmy Dora series, the film centers on a woman who tries to help her twin.

    Dunkirk
    (9pm, HBO)
    In May 1940, Germany advanced into France, trapping Allied troops on the beaches of Dunkirk. Under air and ground cover from British and French forces, troops were slowly and methodically evacuated from the beach using every serviceable naval and civilian vessel that could be found. At the end of this heroic mission, 330,000 French, British, Belgian and Dutch soldiers were safely evacuated.

    Sid & Aya: Not A Love Story
    (9:30pm, PBO)
    A successful stockbroker who suffers from insomnia hires a woman to keep him company during his long, sleepless nights.

    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
    (11:50pm, Cinemax)
    Disgraced financial reporter Mikael Blomkvist finds a chance to redeem his honor after being hired by wealthy Swedish industrialist Henrik Vanger to solve the 40-year-old murder of Vanger’s niece, Harriet. Vanger believes that Harriet was killed by a member of his own family. Eventually joining Blomkvist on his dangerous quest for the truth is Lisbeth Salander, an unusual but ingenious investigator whose fragile trust is not easily won.

    February 18, Friday

    Feng Shui 2
    (7pm, Cinema One)
    Lester Anonuevo struggles to make ends meet for his family. Having difficulties in earning a decent living, he accepts an offer from a mysterious Chinese woman to recover a specific bagua for a handsome fee.

    The Grudge (2020)
    (11:55pm, Cinemax)
    A detective investigates a murder scene that has a connection to a case that her new partner handled in the past. The killings occurred in a haunted house that passes on a ghostly curse to those who dare enter it. Soon, the curse spreads to a terminally ill woman and her husband, and another unsuspecting couple who were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

    February 19, Saturday

    This Time
    (5pm, PBO)
    Childhood friends start having feelings for each other, but a long-distance relationship becomes a great challenge for both of them.

    Charlie’s Angels
    (6:05pm, HBO)
    Elena Houghlin is a scientist, engineer and inventor of Calisto — a sustainable energy source that will revolutionize the way people use power. But when the cutting edge technology falls into the wrong hands, Elena turns to the Townsend Agency for help. Now, it’s up to the Angels — Jane, Sabina and the newly recruited Elena — to retrieve Calisto before it can be transformed into a weapon of mass destruction.

    The Hows of Us
    (9pm, Cinema One)
    A young couple dream of growing old together as they deal with the struggles of being in a long-term relationship.

    Final Destination 2
    (10pm, Cinemax)
    Kimberly has a premonition of a horrible highway accident killing multiple people — including her and her friends. She blocks the cars behind her on the ramp from joining traffic — and as a police trooper arrives, the accident actually happens. Now, Death is stalking this group of mistaken survivors — and one by one they are dying as they were supposed to on the highway.

    Final Destination 3
    (11:30pm, Cinemax)
    Six years after a group of high-school students first cheated death, another teen has a premonition that she and her friends will be involved in a horrifying roller-coaster accident. When the vision proves true, the student and her fellow survivors must deal with the repercussions of cheating the Grim Reaper.

    February 20, Sunday

    On Vodka, Beers and Regrets
    (11:30am, PBO)
    Romance blossoms between a former child star and a handsome singer.

    She’s Dating The Gangster
    (5pm, Cinema One)
    Seventeen-year-old Athena Dizon unwittingly plays a trick on resident heartthrob and bad boy Kenji de los Reyes. All of a sudden, she finds herself pretending to be his girlfriend to make an ex jealous; however, she falls in love with him.

    Jumanji: The Next Level
    (5:05pm, HBO)
    When Spencer goes back into the fantastical world of Jumanji, pals Martha, Fridge and Bethany re-enter the game to bring him home. But the game is now broken — and fighting back. Everything the friends know about Jumanji is about to change, as they soon discover there’s more obstacles and more danger to overcome.

    Coach Carter
    (5:25pm, Cinemax)
    In 1999, Ken Carter returns to his old high school in Richmond, California, to get the basketball team into shape. With tough rules and academic discipline, he succeeds in setting the players on a winning streak. But when their grades start to suffer, Carter locks them out of the gym and shuts down their championship season. When he is criticized by the players and their parents, he sticks to his guns, determined that they excel in class as well as on the court.

  • WATCH: ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’ Unveils Official Trailer

    Today Marvel Studios debuted a brand-new trailer for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness that took viewers on a mind-blowing whirlwind through the Multiverse. In addition, Marvel Studios also released a new poster for the supernatural adventure—available now.

    In Marvel Studios’ “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness,” the MCU unlocks the Multiverse and pushes its boundaries further than ever before. Journey into the unknown with Doctor Strange, who, with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.

    “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Xochitl Gomez, with Michael Stühlbarg, and Rachel McAdams. 

    Marvel Studios Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Payoff Poster

    The film is directed by Sam Raimi, and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Eric Hauserman Carroll and Jamie Christopher serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Michael Waldron. 

    “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” releases in Philippine cinemas May 2022.

  • What to Watch on Netflix PH, HBO GO, & More This Week of Feb. 14 to 20, 2022

    Streaming services have really redefined entertainment for everyone, and with more viewers exploring more shows across different platforms, the demand and competition between these streaming sites have resulted in a vast pool of content one can watch from their own TVs and gadgets.

    If you’re always on the lookout for the latest releases on Netflix, HBO GO, and other streaming services here in the Philippines, we’ve got you covered! On this list, we round up new movies and series that are heading to your favorite streamers from February 14 to 20, 2022!

    Netflix

    AI Love You (Film)

    February 15 | Watch it here

    Starring Mario Maurer and Baifern Pimchanok, this romantic film follows an AI who fell in love with a real woman due to a software glitch. Following his feelings, the AI enters the body of a real man to win her affection.

    One of Us is Lying (Series)

    February 18 | Watch it here

    After five high school students share a time in detention together, their secrets and a mysterious killing would continue to tie them together outside detention.

    Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Film)

    February 18 | Watch it here

    This sequel is set in the modern day where a bunch of influencers who want to revive a ghost town in Texas becomes the target of the infamous killer Leatherface.

    Space Force, Season 2 (Series)

    February 18 | Watch it here

    The workplace comedy series headlined by Steve Carell resumes its operations as they try to prove their worth under the new administration.

    The Cuphead Show! (Series)

    February 18 | Watch it here

    In this series adaptation of a hit video game, viewers can follow the adventures of siblings Cuphead and Mugman as they journey across the surreal Inkwell Isles in search of fun and adventure.



    HBO GO

    Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In (Film)

    February 17 | Watch it here

    This documentary details the life of the legend, Sir Alex Ferguson, and how he became one of the greatest football coaches of all time.

    GULLY (Film)

    February 19 | Watch it here

    This film follows the lives of three teens in LA who, in the course of 48 hours, go on a rip-roaring ride of drugs and murder across the city, unhindered by the chains of society.


    Upstream

    Huling Ulan sa Tag-Araw (Film)

    February 14 | Watch it here

    Starring Ken Chan and Rita Daniela, this film features an unexpected romance between a seminarian looking for a sign and an entertainer longing for more time.

    Eiffel (Film)

    February 16 | Watch it here

    Eiffel is asked by the government to design something spectacular for the 1889 Paris World Fair, but he only wants to design the subway. Everything changes when he meets a mysterious woman who inspires him to change the Paris skyline forever.

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