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New Year, New Binge: Must-Watch Movies & Series on Prime Video This January 2026

Kick off the new year with an exciting lineup of fresh stories, big stars, and binge-worthy series on Prime Video. This January 2026, expect everything from gripping action thrillers and heartfelt dramas to high-stakes competition shows and long-awaited series returns. Whether you’re in the mood for edge-of-your-seat suspense, romance, or explosive entertainment, Prime Video’s January slate has something to keep your watchlist full.

Movies

She Rides Shotgun
January 2, 2026

After years in prison, Nate (Taron Egerton) has made some dangerous enemies, including the powerful criminal gang he worked for on the inside. Desperate for a fresh start, Nate cuts ties with his old crew on his release from prison, but the gang retaliates by putting a hit on his family. Nate picks up Polly, the shy eleven-year-old daughter he hardly knows and goes on the run to keep her out of harm’s way. As they attempt to stay off the radar, it becomes clear that their enemies are relentless and won’t give up easily. Nate teaches Polly how to survive and watches her transform from a timid little girl into a force to be reckoned with. And Nate, in turn, learns what it is to love unconditionally as he bonds with his daughter and battles for their future.

Sigue Mi Voz (Follow My Voice)
January 2, 2026

After a health crisis that keeps her at home for 76 consecutive days, Klara does nothing but listen to her favorite radio program, “Sigue Mi Voz” (“Follow My Voice”). But one day, she wonders: is it possible to fall in love with someone you’ve heard on the radio, but have never met? Can she truly feel something for Kang, the radio show host whose voice she’s only heard once? Will she overcome her fears and venture out into the world again?

Der Tiger
January 2, 2026

The five-man crew of a German Tiger tank is sent on a secret mission far behind the fiercely contested front line. Fueled by the Wehrmacht’s methamphetamine, their mission increasingly becomes a journey into the heart of darkness.

Preparation for the Next Life
January 19, 2026

An Uyghur woman, trained by her military father, migrates to NYC where she finds herself laboring in Chinatown’s underground kitchens. She fatefully encounters a young American soldier who just returned from three tours in the Middle East.

The Wrecking Crew
January 28, 2026

In this action comedy, two estranged half-brothers, Jonny (Jason Momoa) and James (Dave Bautista) are forced to reunite after their father’s mysterious death. As they set out to uncover the truth, buried secrets resurface and loyalties are tested, unveiling a conspiracy that can tear their family apart. Together, they are ready to WRECK anything that gets in their way. Set in the streets of Hawaii, the film is directed by Angel Manuel Soto (Blue Beetle) and also stars Claes Bang, Jacob Batalon, Stephen Root, and Morena Baccarin.

Series

Spring Fever
January 5, 2025

Based on a web novel, Spring Fever is a rom-com drama that follows Yoon Bom (Lee Joo-been), who moves to the small town of Sinsu for a new beginning. Having closed off her heart, she works as a school teacher and tries to keep to herself. Sun Jae-gyu (Ahn Bo-hyun) is an unpredictable native to the rural town. Upon seeing Bom, he is instantly smitten and pursues her unabashedly. Initially detached and cold, Bom gradually opens her heart after meeting Sun Jae-gyu.

The Darwin Incident
January 6, 2026

The Animal Liberation Alliance, an eco-terrorist organization, rescues a pregnant chimpanzee from an animal testing lab-only for it to give birth to a half-human, half-chimpanzee “humanzee” named Charlie! Fifteen years later, Charlie’s human foster parents are finally ready to send him to a normal high school, where he makes his first friend: a human girl named Lucy. In the meantime, however, the ALA’s stance has become ever more extreme, and now they’re here to drag Charlie into their terrorist plot…

Beast Games Season 2
January 7, 2026

After a record-shattering first season, Beast Games is back! Bigger, bolder, and more intense than ever. MrBeast has assembled 100 of the planet’s strongest competitors and 100 of the world’s smartest minds. “Strong vs. Smart” will battle for an eye-watering $5,000,000 prize. As players face off in the ultimate collision of brain and biceps; alliances will form and trust will break. Every challenge pushes the limits of human strength, intelligence and strategy. What wouldn’t you do for $5,000,000?

The Night Manager Season 2
January 11, 2026

Jonathan Pine (Tom Hiddleston) thought he’d buried his past. Now living as Alex Goodwin – a low-level MI6 officer running a quiet surveillance unit in London – his life is comfortingly uneventful. Then one night a chance sighting of an old Roper mercenary prompts a call to action and leads Pine to a violent encounter with a new player: Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos (Diego Calva).

On this perilous new journey, Pine meets Roxana Bolaños (Camila Morrone), a businesswoman who reluctantly helps him infiltrate Teddy’s Colombian arms operation. Once in Colombia, Pine is plunged deep into a deadly plot involving arms and training of a guerrilla army. As allegiances splinter, Pine races to expose a conspiracy designed to destabilise a nation. And with betrayal at every turn, he must decide whose trust he needs to earn and how far he’s willing to go before it’s too late.

Steal
January 21, 2026

Steal is a contemporary, high-octane thriller about the heist of the century and the ordinary office worker, Zara (Sophie Turner), who finds herself at the heart of it. A typical work day at a pension fund investment company, Lochmill Capital, is upended when a gang of violent thieves burst in and force Zara and her best mate Luke (Archie Madekwe) to execute their demands. But who would steal billions of pounds of ordinary people’s pensions and why? DCI Rhys (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) is determined to find out, but as a recently relapsed gambling addict, Rhys must keep his own money problems at bay while dealing with the secret agendas and competing interests at the center of this far-reaching crime.

The series comes from executive producers Greg Brenman and Rebecca de Souza, and producer Nuala O’Leary. Amazon MGM Studios is producing alongside Drama Republic.

What to Watch First?

From emotional father-daughter journeys and pulse-pounding heists to romance, war stories, and massive reality show spectacles, Prime Video’s January 2026 lineup sets the tone for an unforgettable year of streaming. Clear your schedule, grab your snacks, and get ready to press play—your next obsession is just a click away.

January 2, 2026
Celebrate the New Year with Signature Feasts at City of Dreams Manila

To usher in the New Year, City of Dreams Manila whets up the appetite for festive dining at its signature restaurants Crystal Dragon, Haliya, Nobu Manila, and The Café with special menus inspired by the spirit of the season. The Café and CenterPlay take New Year’s Eve events a notch higher as bands hype up the beat to a midnight countdown.

Crystal Dragon Festive Family Menu

The integrated resort’s signature restaurant for Cantonese and regional Chinese specialties continues to offer its seven-course Festive Season Family Set until January 1, 2026 for lunch and dinner at P36,000++. The menu, which is good for four to six persons, blends refinement, tradition, and seasonal signatures and consists of a combination platter of Wok-fried Green Lobster with XO sauce and Stuffed Tiger Prawn with spinach and crabmeat egg white sauce; and Double-boiled Abalone, Fish Maw, Dry Scallop and Stuffed Morel Mushrooms with chrysanthemum tofu in consommé.

Completing the Festive menu are the Steamed Live Sea Grouper in sour broth with fresh enoki mushroom; Shanghainese-style Braised Duck in caramelized five spice soy sauce; Sea Scallops Tossed with Celery Heart in pepper truffle sauce; Wok-fried Fragrant Rice with wild mushrooms and smoked honey-glazed pork belly; and Steamed Taro-shaped Lava Custard Bun.

Crystal Dragon is open from 12 noon to 11 pm daily.

Haliya’s Bagong Taon Menu

City of Dreams Manila’s restaurant for reimagined Filipino cuisine, Haliya thoughtfully curates a “Bagong Taon” a la carte menu available for dinner on December 31 and January 1, 2026.

For appetizer, Haliya entices with Pulpo Tocino with char-grilled cauliflower, pumpkin puree, roasted bell pepper, pickled kamias, mesclun, and microgreens. The restaurant’s creative take on Sopas is also offered, which deliciously combines sous vide chicken breast, sweet potato gnocchi, celery, carrots, and asparagus. The Beef Mechado is the menu’s pièce de resistance consisting of slow-roasted Angus beef tenderloin, potato truffle puree, chorizo salsa, and grilled eggplant. The menu’s dessert, Coconut Foam, a medley of crème caramel, persimmon, sugar palm fruit, mango, berries, kiwi, and coconut cream spuma (foam) is sweet welcome to the new year ahead.

Haliya’s New Year menu is available from 5 pm to 11 pm on both dates.

Nobu Manila Omakase and Sunday Brunch

A refined dinner awaits guests at the Manila outpost of celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s globally renowned restaurant, which puts into spotlight a five-course New Year Omakase menu available on December 31 and January 1,2026 at P6,653.57 net per person. The dinner menu commences with a chef’s choice of zensai, followed by a refreshing first course of a mouthwatering Octopus Sashimi with lemon, ginger and aji amarillo. It continues with a chef’s choice of assorted Nobu-style Nigiri and Wagyu Inaniwa Noodles with Japanese negi (leeks). Further exciting the palate are the next courses of Grilled Lobster with nashi pear, dry miso, crispy yuba (tofu skin) and chives, and Grilled Wagyu with truffle amazu ponzu, crispy onion, and truffle. The tasting menu ends with Watermelon Pavlova with meringue, fresh berries and watermelon sorbet.

The Café Buffet

Hyatt Regency Manila’s interactive show kitchen is making the New Year’s celebration exceptional with its December 31 lunch and dinner buffets, with the latter offering two seatings at 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm. A live band and a DJ rev up the mood at dinner leading to a special countdown at midnight.

The Café buffets tempt diners with Roasted Salmon Tuscana-style, Osso Bucco, and mouthwatering variety of premium meats at the churrasco counter, and alive teppanyaki station.
The carving station features an Herb-crusted Striploin for lunch, and Slow-roasted Angus Prime for dinner. In addition, freshly cut sashimi from a whole tuna plus a whole salmon at dinner are certain crowd pleasers, together with the irresistible seafood selection consisting of prawns, Chilean mussels, Manila clams, blue swimmer crabs, slipper lobsters, curacha, served alongside an assortment of sushi, maki, and nigiri. Not-to-missed are the signature dishes of various cuisines: Italian, Indian, Chinese, Thai, and Filipino, among others. An array of cold cuts and cheeses, a variety of holiday-themed cakes and confections, an indulgent chocolate fountain, and local dessert favorites elevate the New Year’s Eve indulgence.

Lunch is at P3,150, while the dinners are at P4,288 (first seating) and P4,988 (second seating). The package is inclusive of free-flowing house red and white wines, draft beer, soda, iced tea, juices, coffee, and tea.

CenterPlay’s New Year Countdown

Besides The Café, City of Dreams’ New Year countdown party is focused around CenterPlay, the entertainment bar destination, featuring adrenaline-pumping beats that start at 6 pm, climaxing at 11:30 pm as the clock ticks close to midnight from live, high-energy band performances of Part 3, Zyncxation, Eye Candies, and DJ Merlzie. CenterPlay makes available various countdown packages based on seat preferences, which all include party favors and a special media noche platter consisting of kinilaw na tanigue (Spanish mackerel ceviche), camaron rebosado (deep-fried battered shrimp), crispy lechon belly, and vegetable atchara. The countdown package rates start at P2,500 net for single-seats, inclusive of a glass of Heartcraft sparkling wine and P1,000 net consumable food and drinks from the bar’s regular menu; P10,000 net for a VIP table for four persons, inclusive of one bottle of Heartcraft sparkling wine and P4,000 net consumables; and P20,000 for a VIP table of eight persons inclusive of two bottles of Heartcraft sparkling wine and P8,000 net consumables.

For inquiries and reservations, call (63 2) 8800-8080 or e-mail guestservices@cod-manila.com. For more information, visit https://www.cityofdreamsmanila.com/en/whats-on . Explore more of City of Dreams Manila’s promotional offers, rewards, or instantly check Melco Club points with the new Melco Club App, available for free download on iOS and Android.

December 31, 2025
MMFF 2025 Review: Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins

The Shake, Rattle & Roll has become a sort of MMFF tradition – the staple horror film of the season – and it makes its return to the festival with its 17th installment Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins. As per usual, the film is divided into three shorter films, an anthology of horror films, usually by three different filmmakers (some earlier installments were directed by only one or a pair of filmmakers). But this time, there’s a twist. For the first time ever, the three stories are sort of interconnected; telling stories from three different timelines but with a narrative link.

The first film, set in 1775, is set in a cloister, where a mysterious crate arrives and holds a dark evil within. If the darkness within isn’t terrible enough, the nuns have their own issues to deal with, including the harsh, rigid leadership of Madre Juana (Janice De Belen).

Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins

A lot of the nuns and novitiates have a dark past, and even one is held captive (Carla Abellana) for her prophetic visions. Director Shugo Praico amps up the claustrophobia, keeping the scares in tight spaces and in the darkness of candlelight and lamplights. What makes this segment unwieldy is how the dramatic set-up feels better suited for a full-length.

Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins

The film is probably less than an hour but there are so many characters – played by Loisa Andalio, Ysabel Ortega, Ashley Ortega, Elijah Alejo, Arlene Muhlach, and Ara Mina – and each with their backstory, the film gives us all this narrative material but never really gets to explore these before the evil is released and begins wrecking havoc.

Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins

There are some really frightful scenes and its share of jump scares but the narrative is too bogged down by all its characters. It doesn’t help that the nun’s habit only gives us the faces of the actors that it’s quite difficult to tell them apart in some scenes. The dramatic set-up and each novitiate’s backstory is really something that they could have explored more and could fill up a full 90 minutes.

The second segment, set in 2025, is the strongest of the three and is a lot of fun to watch. Historically, the second segment of ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ is usually a comedy horror, and while ‘2025’ does have its share of laughs, it operates more in the realm of the thriller and the slasher film.

Set during a Halloween masquerade ball in the basement of some unidentified structure, teens have to survive when they are attacked by a vicious cult, who need human blood and sacrifices for a demonic ritual. DirectorJoey De Guzman stylizes his scenes for a hypnotic aesthetic amplified by the excellent score by Mikhail Ali Hooshmand but still manages to take the time to really allow us to get to know our protagonists – Faye (Francine Diaz) and Sky (Sassa Gurl) – who are gatecrashing the party so they can steal from the rich kids at the rave.

But Faye catches the eye of Sean (Seth Fedelin), a rich kid with some issues with his father who is a politician. Along with DJ Elle (Fyang Smith) and James (JM Ibarra) and a few others, the survivors of the initial attack must now play a deadly game of hide and seek all over the underground complex to find the elevator to get them out of this death trap.

Joining them is Faye’s parents, Malena (Manilyn Reynes) and Bano (Alex Calleja), who are catering for the party, who have access to the other parts of that complex.

‘2025’ is a fun, slasher film with Diaz and Fedelin showing strong chemistry and handling the genre very well. As actors, they hold your attention and get you to care. Reynes is always a strong actress and elevates the piece by giving Faye and Sky someone to really care for but it’s Sassa Gurl who really stands out and elicits the strongest laughs.

Sassa Gurl’s Sky becomes more than just a comic relief and her interactions with Francine Diaz’s Faye also helps the audience to invest in these characters – which is so important in a slasher film.

The final segment, directed by Ian Lorenos, is set in the future. Entitled ‘2050,’ the film is set in a post-apocalyptic Manila where aswangs have ruled the earth and the remaining humans are in hiding.

Edris (Ivana Alawi) is in search of a woman who may have the key to stopping the aswangs for good and comes across a small community of survivors: Rosdan (Richard Gutierrez), his brother Riel (Dustin Yu), Dong (Matt Lozano), Dong’s younger sister Drea (Celyn David), and Rosdan and Riel’s aunt Malena (Manilyn Reynes).

‘2050’ relies heavily on CGI to reimagine a ruined Manila while the film takes on the action and horror genre. While the film serves well as the finale for this trilogy, this film can also be adapted for a full-length but the screenplay by Noreen Capili and Gina Marissa Tagasa keeps it simple so that it can hold on its own at its shortened length. What burdens the film is that the action sequences can be quite messy and chaotic, that we don’t get to feel the full force of the spills and thrills.

Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins

While Gutierrez is very comfortable in the action genre from his previous work, the others don’t do as well so it sometimes feels that Lorenos is directing around the limited capabilities of some of his cast.

Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins

It could hit harder, could be shot with a little more clarity of the choreography so we can enjoy the full range of action that the film offers. There are enough moments to get the audience to scream but this could have been tighter and more stronger.

Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins

Surprisingly, Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins is a lot more gory and brutal than I remember the franchise to be – probably an influence over our times – but it has the DNA of a proper Pinoy horror flick.

My Rating: 2.5 Stars

Check showtimes now and catch Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins on the big screen. This MMFF horror staple is best experienced where the screams are loudest.

December 29, 2025
From Raw to WrestleMania: WWE Takes Over Netflix Philippines This January 1
A Slam-Bang Start to the New Year

Filipino wrestling fans, hold on tight—the action is about to get bigger, bolder, and undeniably exciting. Beginning January 1, Netflix Philippines steps into the squared circle as the new home of WWE, delivering world-class sports entertainment straight to viewers across the country.

With just a click, fans can now experience the spectacle, emotion, and high-impact storytelling that has made WWE a global phenomenon for decades.

Netflix and WWE: A Match Made for the Main Event

As one of the most celebrated sports-entertainment brands worldwide, WWE is known for its explosive performances, compelling rivalries, and unforgettable moments. By teaming up with Netflix, the franchise brings its signature blend of drama and athleticism to a platform built for seamless streaming—anytime, anywhere.

For Filipino audiences, this partnership means uninterrupted access to premium WWE content, wrapped in Netflix’s reliable and user-friendly experience. Quite the winning tag team.

What’s Streaming for Filipino Fans

WWE’s arrival on Netflix Philippines opens the ropes to its year-round serialized storytelling, keeping fans hooked 52 weeks a year. Viewers can stream weekly favorites such as:
- Raw
- SmackDown
- NXT
And when it’s time for the grandest stages of them all, Netflix also delivers WWE’s most iconic Premium Live Events, including:
- WrestleMania
- Royal Rumble
- SummerSlam
- Money in the Bank
- And many more must-see showdowns
From shocking twists to career-defining matches, every moment promises high-octane entertainment.

Expect Drama, Glory, and Larger-Than-Life Superstars

WWE is more than just wrestling—it’s storytelling at its most intense. Fans can look forward to unforgettable rivalries, emotional victories, and jaw-dropping performances from the industry’s biggest superstars. Sometimes heroic, sometimes ruthless, always entertaining—each episode brings something fresh to cheer for.

Because in the WWE universe, the unexpected is always part of the thrill.

Press Play and Feel the Impact

The countdown has begun. Starting January 1, witness the spectacle, passion, and adrenaline of WWE—exclusively on Netflix Philippines.

The ring is ready. The superstars are waiting. Are you?
December 29, 2025
Makati in Full Color: A Proudly Pinoy New Year’s Eve Countdown Takes Over Ayala Avenue

Ushering in a new year of hope, energy, and transformation, Ayala Land, the local government of Makati, and Make It Makati invite the public to welcome 2026 with “Makati in Full Color: Ayala Avenue New Year’s Eve Countdown to 2026.” Part of the broader Makati in Color campaign, the celebration brings together music, community, and Filipino pride in one of the country’s most iconic city streets. The New Year’s eve countdown at Ayala Avenue has been championing global Filipino artists since it was relaunched 3 years ago in 2023.

On December 31, Ayala Avenue transforms into a vibrant, people-first celebration starting 6:00 PM, as the city opens its streets for a night of live performances, shared moments, and collective countdown energy. Designed as a proudly Pinoy New Year’s Eve celebration, the event spotlights homegrown talent, Filipino creativity, and the joy of coming together as one community.

Headlining the night are two of the country’s most beloved acts: rock icon Ely Buendia, whose music has shaped generations, and chart-topping band Cup of Joe, bringing a fresh, contemporary sound that resonates with today’s audiences. Other notable performers are Morissette, Juan Karlos, Sofronio Vasquez III, Divine Divas, and Theater Group Asia’s “A Chorus Line”. Their performances set the tone for an evening that bridges nostalgia and the future, much like Makati itself.

As the clock strikes midnight, the Makati skyline comes alive with a spectacular fireworks display accompanied by a Filipino version of the ball drop, welcoming 2026 in full color and marking the moment with optimism, hope, and shared celebration.

For those looking to enjoy the countdown with added comfort and exclusivity, VIP tickets are available via TicketWorld, offering access to a dedicated VIP lounge with a buffet dinner, prime viewing areas, and a more relaxed way to experience the festivities while remaining at the heart of the celebration.

The night doesn’t end at midnight. Guests are invited to keep the energy going at the street party with beats by DJ Cupcakes. This is followed by an after party with beats by The Studio Dance Club, at Ayala Triangle Gardens, extending the festivities into the early hours of the new year.

More than a countdown, Makati in Full Color is a celebration that reflects Makati’s continued evolution as a city that champions culture, creativity, and community. As 2026 begins, Makati once again opens its street, inviting everyone to celebrate the future together.

“Makati in Full Color” is presented by Ayala Land, the local government of Makati, Make It Makati, together with Ayala Corporation, Globe Telecom and Circuit Makati with additional support from Avida.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticket World at https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/. For updates, ticket information, and event details, follow Make It Makati on Facebook.

December 29, 2025
Jack Black and Paul Rudd Turn Up the Laughs at the “Anaconda” World Premiere and London Photocall — In Cinemas January 8

A star-studded premiere with a giant surprise

The cast and filmmakers of the original comedy adventure Anaconda made a lively splash at the film’s world premiere last December 13 at the iconic United Theater on Broadway in Los Angeles, California. The evening was packed with laughter, flashing cameras, and one unforgettable guest—a giant anaconda figure cheekily peering from the top of the photowall.

Naturally, the oversized snake became an instant crowd favorite, with the cast playfully posing alongside it. Leading the cheerful chaos were Paul Rudd and Jack Black, who brought their trademark charm and easygoing chemistry to the red carpet.

They were joined by fellow cast members Daniela Melchior, Steve Zahn, Thandiwe Newton, and Selton Mello, all glowing as they celebrated the film’s big moment. The atmosphere felt energetic and positive, setting the perfect tone for a movie that thrives on humor, friendship, and wild adventure.

Matching outfits, maximum charm in London

The fun didn’t stop in Hollywood. Just days later, Rudd and Black took their antics overseas for the Anaconda photocall at Claridge’s on December 19, 2025, in London, England—and they arrived with a delightful surprise.

The comedy duo stepped out in matching jumpsuits, complete with their names embroidered on the tags, instantly stealing the spotlight. The playful fashion choice drew laughter from fans and photographers alike, reinforcing the film’s lighthearted spirit and the duo’s undeniable chemistry.

Watch the trailer:

An original adventure with bite

THIS IS NOT A REBOOT. Anaconda is an entirely original comedy inspired by the cinematic “classic.” The film follows Doug (Jack Black) and Griff (Paul Rudd), lifelong best friends who have always dreamed of remaking their all-time favorite movie.

When a midlife crisis pushes them to finally chase that dream, they venture deep into the Amazon to start filming. But their already chaotic production takes a dangerous turn when an actual giant anaconda appears—transforming their passion project into a high-stakes fight for survival. What unfolds is a powerful mix of comedy, courage, and unexpected heart.

Slithering into PH cinemas this January

Anaconda opens in Philippine theaters on January 8, distributed locally by Columbia Pictures, the Philippine office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Stay connected and join the conversation using #AnacondaMovie, and follow @columbiapicph for the latest updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and exclusive content.

December 29, 2025
One Place, Endless Combos: Inside BGC’s Newest Food Hall

Sundry Food Hall officially opened its newest branch in Bonifacio Global City with a grand opening celebration on Monday, December 15, inviting diners to experience a more elevated take on casual group dining—one where barkadas and families can share a table while ordering from multiple crowd-favorite brands in one destination.

Designed to feel like a cozy place to linger (not just a quick stop), Sundry Food Hall BGC puts the spotlight on what the brand calls its “mix and match” experience: a lineup of well-loved food and dessert concepts gathered under one roof—so groups don’t have to split up (or settle on just one cuisine) to satisfy everyone’s cravings. Guests can enjoy a wide range of offerings, from a boneless rice meal at 24 Chicken and a comforting bowl of beef noodle soup from Wann Mann, to a decadent chocolate cake from Big Al’s or a refreshing Panda Milk Tea from Coco—among many other options. The concept also carries over to delivery, where customers can order across different brands with a single delivery fee—a core convenience feature of Sundry Food Hall.

Expanding into the New Year

Sundry Food Hall began as a cloud kitchen during the pandemic and has since expanded its footprint across Metro Manila. Today, Sundry Food Hall has seven, including the newly opened BGC branch, operational locations—España, Taft, Pasig, Commonwealth, Makati, and Parañaque—as it continues to grow its presence and bring more branches into dine-in.

Located at GSC Corporate Tower, Triangle Drive, BGC, founders and husband-and-wife team Jai Reyes and Josephine Kamiyama shared their excitement for the latest branch to open.

“Sundry Food Hall was built around how people actually eat today—especially in groups. With our BGC branch, we wanted to create a place where friends and families can sit together, mix and match their favorite brands, and enjoy the experience without compromise,” explained Reyes.

“From starting as a cloud kitchen to opening more dine-in food halls, our goal has always been to make great food more accessible and enjoyable. The BGC branch reflects how we’re elevating that experience—bringing comfort, convenience, and variety together in one space,” added Kamiyama.

At the heart of Sundry’s model is an experience built for modern eating habits: dine-in, take-out, and delivery—in one place. Sundry Food Hall describes itself as “the only food hall in the Philippines optimized for dine-in, take-out and delivery.”

The “mix and match” feature supports that promise, enabling customers to bundle orders from multiple brands—while keeping delivery streamlined. For merchant partners, Sundry Food Hall presents a smarter, more accessible path to expansion. Its plug-and-play concept dramatically lowers operating costs by removing the need for heavy capital investments, with fully equipped units ready for immediate use. This allows restaurants to enter new locations quickly and efficiently with minimal upfront expense. Some merchants even report saving up to 90% in capital costs when opening a new branch within Sundry Food Hall.

A Little Something For Everyone

The BGC branch’s opening also highlighted a merchant lineup that includes CoCo Fresh Tea & Juice, 24 Chicken, Wann Mann, Bangkok Station, Potato Corner, Big Al’s Cookie Jar, Hearts & Bells, Merry Moo and Louie’s Buko.

To celebrate the opening, Sundry Food Hall BGC is running a First 100 Customers offer starting December 16: the first 100 customers who make any purchase will receive a Sundry Food Hall tumbler plus a free CoCo Milktea or Bangkok Station’s Mango Sticky Rice.

Moving forward, Sundry Food Hall also shared plans to expand its dine-in footprint further, with intended expansion in Alabang and Sta. Rosa, Laguna, responding to the growing demand for its popular partner brands.

“Sundry Food Hall focuses on creating spaces where people can come together over their favorite food. As we expand, we’re excited to bring that same Sundry experience to more neighborhoods, both in and beyond Metro Manila” shared Kamiyama.

December 29, 2025
MMFF 2025 Review: Bar Boys: After School

There’s something warm and fuzzy about Bar Boys: After School. A direct sequel of director Kip Oebanda’s Bar Boys, which came out in 2017, the film follows the characters from the first movie almost a decade later, as as they face new challenges and witness a whole new batch of law students preparing to take the bar exams. Bar Boys: After School, directed once again by Kip Oebanda and written by Oebanda, Carlo Catu, and Zig Dulay, feels like a tight hug in what some would describe as a really tough year. The movie leans into sentimentality and even being corny at times, but as the film unfolds, I found myself asking, “Why not?”

The movie is meant to inspire, to appeal to the kindness of the Filipino people, and to take lawyers to task in preserving the law and fighting for justice. There’s an ambiguity surrounding the role of lawyers in the first film – a discussion that was made about whether criminals have a right to a strong legal defense – and while it was discussed, was never really given a definitive answer. In the sequel, we see through one of the main characters, Erik Vicencio (Carlo Aquino), that he has taken this to heart and works at a law firm that helps underprivileged people, sometimes accepting crops as payment instead of cash, as that is what his clients can afford.

Bar Boys: After School

Torran Garcia (Rocco Nacino) questions his role as a corporate lawyer, finding more meaning and value in teaching law at a school.

Bar Boys: After School

It’s his story that connects us to the younger cast, which includes Trisha Perez (Sassa Gurl), a trans woman vying to graduate with honors, and Arvin Asuncion (Will Ashley), struggling working part-time to pay for his studies.

All of this unfolds while Justice Hernandez (Odette Khan), the mentor to the four main characters, lies in the hospital with a terminal illness.

Gone are the neutrality and bare-faced facts of the first film (though it had a lot of heart). Now, Bar Boys: After School is presenting to us the ideal. As each character goes through personal challenges – additionally, among the main cast, Christian Carlson (Enzo Pineda) returns home from America as he is coming to terms with the breakup of his marriage, while Joshua Zuniga (Kean Cipriano) is now a has-been actor who is going to law school himself – the film takes the most heartwarming road toward a positive resolution. It doesn’t shy away from the hardship, we get to see it firsthand, but it is always aiming for something that will uplift your spirits.

Bar Boys: After School

I found myself resisting the film at the beginning, but as the film continued, I found myself warming up to the warm embrace of its goodness. For the Christmas season – and for all the tough times that may come in 2026 – this movie feels like the warm hug I mentioned earlier. Oebanda painstakingly creates a fiction that inspires and motivates us to be better. It’s so sincere, and that sincerity, in all honesty, is refreshing. I’m happy for it.

Unfortunately, the film is weighed down by its large cast and the need to give each character a moment and a storyline. The strongest storyline here is that of Erik Vicencio and his battle for justice for some farmers, Toran Garcia and his role as a teacher, and Justice Hernandez and what she means to people. Aligned with this, all of Toran’s students, Trisha and Arvin and CJ (Therese Malvar), help solidify the film’s thematic core. Sadly, the storylines of Christian Carlson and Joshua Zuniga don’t necessarily fit squarely into the film and seem like they are only there for the purpose of continuing the stories of their characters. I honestly wouldn’t have minded if they took more of a supporting role, as the film is strongest when it works with the three storylines of Erik, Toran, and Justice Hernandez.

The whole cast, though, is very strong. There are fantastic performances all around, with Odette Khan and Sassa Gurl standing out with such strong performances, but the ones that stood out most for me are those of Rocco Nacino, Will Ashley, and Sheila Francisco, who plays a lawyer representing the landowners at odds with Erik’s clients. Francisco embodies the antithesis of Justice Hernandez and relishes the role, without ever turning her into a caricature. It’s a role with little screen time but with great impact on the entire film. If the movie is meant to inspire goodness and kindness, Francisco is ably allowing a contrast.

Rocco Nacino is effortless in his portrayal of Toran. He is the moment, in his character’s skin, that everything he says and does feels spontaneous and right in the pocket. He comes off so naturally that it never feels like acting.

Will Ashley, meanwhile, is a powerhouse. He draws you into Arvin Asuncion and makes it real, making his character’s struggles palpable, tangible. There is a scene (as seen in the trailer) where he talks about his hardships that had me completely attentive and I just started crying. He musters a vulnerability that grabs you and, and having seen his other MMFF film Love You So Bad, I can see he has incredible range. He’s going to be a star

Bar Boys: After School is a refreshing, feel-good movie that doesn’t resort to escapism but instead appeals to our best nature, inspiring us to do good and be good. It feels like a film from another time, yet it is so well-suited for the era we’re in. It’s the perfect film for the MMFF.

My Rating: 3.5 Stars

Catch Bar Boys: After School this MMFF and feel the warmth, inspiration, and heart that only this film can deliver, don’t miss it! Get showtimes here.

December 28, 2025
Disney+ Streaming Series Review: Made In Korea

The first two episodes of the explosive six episode series of Made In Korea has dropped in Disney+ and aside from its star-studded cast – Hyun Bin, Jung Woosung, Woo Do-hwan, Seo Eun-soo, Won Ji-an, Jung Sung-il, and many more – Director Woo Min-ho has delivered a gripping period political action thriller that ends 2025 with a bang and promises a spectacular finish by the finale on January 14.

The show’s premise follows a “rising KCIA agent (Hyun Bin) who leads a double life as a night-time smuggler.” But his extracurricular activities have put him in the crosshairs of a relentless prosecutor (Jung Woo-sung). The two become bitter rivals who battle to bring the other down against the chaotic backdrop of 1970s South Korea.

Made In Korea

The show’s first episode plays out like a movie, focused primarily during a real-life event in Japan and South Korea’s history, the show openly fictionalizes the hijacking of Japan Airlines Flight 351 to introduce us to Hyun Bin’s Baek Ki-tae. Ki-tae is smart, cunning, physically capable of taking down a plane of hijackers by his lonesome, while maneuvering through his own double life as an agent for the KCIA and as a smuggler. The episode is thrilling, suspenseful, and action packed and allows us a glimpse of how capable our protagonist is and how dangerous he can be.

The second episode takes on noir sensibilities, introducing us into the world of Jung Woo-sung’s Jang Geon-young. Jung Woo-sung is not afraid to show him as utterly relentless, the press material and press conference defines him as “dogged” in his obsession with his work.

When a string of murders and drug dealings leads him to Baek Ki-tae, we see an epic showdown coming to a head. Jang Geon-young is no team player, for sure, but he’s smart, crafty, and punctuates his obsessiveness with a loud, maniacal laugh that is very off-putting. He may technically be on the side of the law, the one we should be rooting for, yet Jung Woo-sung’s performance and Director Woo Min-ho are not afraid to approach him like a villain.

Rounding out the cast are Seo Eun-soo as Oh Ye-jin, a detective who wants to be a prosecutor in a period when women weren’t allowed to be prosecutors. While obviously taking on a symbolic feminist role, she playfully portrays Ye-jin, turning into a fangirl when fawning over her boss, Jang Geon-young, but switches gears when in pursuit.

Evoto

Won Ji-an plays Yuji Ikeda, the power behind the Yakuza throne. Though we only get a glimpse of her in episode one and hear a mention in episode two, we know that her role will get bigger as she and Baek Ki-tae will probably have to cross paths as they both seem to want the same things.

Woo Do-hwan plays Baek Ki-hyun, Baek Ki-tae’s younger brother, who is in the military. When we first see him, he is rigid, much like that of someone in the military academy, which Baek Ki-hyun is. His relationship with his brother appears strained, and we have no real insight yet as to what he thinks of his brother and his work, how much he knows, and whether this seemingly upstanding soldier will be on his side or against him. Considering the actor, his billing, and the set up for his character, we know that this is going to be another important dynamic in Baek Ki-tae’s story.

While the series gears up to be a thrilling, action-packed political drama, its social commentary involved does not go unnoticed. Set in a time period and the way the South Korean government uses the KCIA for its own purposes, outside of its government mandate, pokes questions at the way the government uses institutions to benefit themselves and consolidate power. It frames each character by their own desires and amplifies the age-old adage: “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This series already hits the ground running and with a confirmed second season, this is shaping up to be an event drama for 2026 and, hopefully, another season in 2027.

My Rating: 5 Stars

Buckle up for intrigue, action, and power plays, stream Made In Korea now on Disney+ and witness the thrilling chaos of 1970s South Korea unfold!

December 28, 2025
Disney+ Exclusive: Highlights from the Korean Press Conference of “Made in Korea”

Last December 15, Disney+ held the Korean press conference for one of the most highly anticipated Korean dramas of the year: Made In Korea. Starring Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Woo Do-hwan. With Director Woo Min-ho, who is known for politically charged films like The Man Standing Next and the hit webtoon adaptation Inside Men, makes his directorial debut in dramas with this retro political thriller about the chaotic political era of 1970s Korea. His previous film, Harbin starred Hyun Bin and drew over 4 million admissions, cementing its status as a hit.

At the press conference, Director Woo and the three lead stars were joined by the rest of the ensemble, including Seo Eun-soo, Won Ji-an, Jung Sung-il, Kang Gil-woo, Roh Jae-won, and Park Yung-woo.

Made In Korea

As usual, the event began with each cast member coming up to take their photos, all looking serious, except for Woo Do-hwan, who was the only one smiling as he waves. He even struck a second pose, saluting the press, invoking his character in the series, Baek Ki-hyun, a cadet at a military academy.

Made In Korea | Woo Do-hwan (Baek Ki-hyun)

Members of the press were given access to the first two episodes of the six-episode series, which uses fiction to create a thriller that reimagines real events in Korean history. Like the first episode’s retelling of a hijacked Japan Airlines Flight 351, when Japan Red Army faction took the plane to fly to North Korea. It was retold to introduce Hyun Bin’s character to the audience and to showcase Director Woo Min-ho’s cinematic coverage and dense narrative storytelling style. It highlights the series’ gripping and high-tension action sequences while signaling to us that it will take creative licenses with real events of that era.

Made In Korea | Director Woo Min-ho

Here are some highlights from the press conference:

Made In Korea | Hyun Bin

Director Woo Min-ho and Hyun Bin were asked about working together again since Harbin. Hyun Bin shares that he has “an immense amount of trust” with Director Woo, and that working with him has proven that “he can bring out a different side of me” as an actor. Director Woo is quick to point out that “Harbin was about a real person” whereas Made in Korea is purely fictional so he says that “we could play more” in the show. He talks about having a collaborative spirit on set that all the actors got to “collaborate freely and really play on set.”

Made In Korea | Park Yong-woo

It was implied that every actor had a hand in the creation of their character. Park Yong-woo, who plays Hyun Bin’s boss, shares that it was his idea that Hwang Guk-pyeong, the head of the controversial KCIA in Busan, to wear a wig. Throughout the first episode, Guk-pyeong’s obsession with primping it and making it look good, so much so that Jung Sung-il remarked that when his character first appears, on his first day at the set, his reaction to Guk-pyeong’s wig makes for a funny reaction.

The ensemble on stage is a feast of talent and Director Woo remarked how he feels “so lucky to have all these actors in the call sheet.” It was so much fun working on the set that he felt emboldened to say that “this is the most fun I’ve had on set. It’s my most entertaining work out of all that I’ve done.” He even confessed feeling nervous saying this, unsure of how people would react.

Made In Korea | Jung Woo-sung

For Jung Woo-sung, it was the “bold imagination” of the story that attracted him to the project. “It gave me a lot of courage as an actor,” he shares, “because we can really explore” in that kind of creative working environment. He plays Jang Geon-yeong, a “dogged prosecutor” who becomes obsessive in his pursuit of criminals and Hyun Bin’s Baek Ki-tae gets caught in his crosshairs.

Made In Korea | Won Ji-an

Rounding up the cast is Won Ji-an, who plays Ikeda Yuji, the power behind the Japanese yakuza throne. We catch glimpses of her in episode one and a brief mention in episode two, but we are assured through the video clips shown at the press conference that her role will get bigger as Hyun Bin’s Baek Ki-tae and Ikeda Yuji work together to consolidate more power and money. For Won Ji-an, she really focused on mastering the language. “I had to get it right,” she said, portraying a character raised by the yakuza and had lived in Japan. She also shared how much she has “learned from all my senior actors and Director Woo.”

Playing a wild card in the show is Woo Do-hwan’s Baek Ki-hyun, identified as Ki-hyun is identified as Ki-tae’s brother who is in the military academy. “I love my brother,” Woo Do-hwan says of his character, “but I don’t want to be under his shadow.” He shared how he worked closely with Director Woo in finding “the balance of the character. To make him strong but not vague.” He studied people in the military academy and wanted to try to capture the rigidness of their speech and to find a way to create nuance from blank expressions. You could hear how much work and detail Do-hwan and the rest of the cast invested in perfecting their characters for the show.

The cast and director shared their excitement about working on the show and how Director Woo ensured to make all six episodes feel like six standalone movies. Director Woo didn’t want to use CGI so he looked for locations that could portray the 1970s architecture of that period, filming in Kobe, Japan, and Thailand for the Vietnam scenes. This show looks and feels epic already from the way the whole team is talking about it and from the first two episodes that the press were allowed to view. Some of the actors and Director Woo himself already hinted that a second season is in the works, so we are sure that we will be exploring the dark, chaotic 1970s in Korea for a little while longer.

December 27, 2025