Growing up is a beast in Turning Red

Disney and Pixar won't leave us without a movie this 2021. They'd just released a teaser trailer of a new animated movie that talks about teenage life in Turning Red. But the catch is that "growing up is a beast."

The story is about Meilin Lee, an average Asian student and very human when calm and then transforms as a red panda while being stressed or when she's having a panic attack. Watch the trailer below.

For now, her mother only knows her secret. What would be the consequences when everybody in school and her community finds out? Aside from the battles in life that's already scary, being an animal as an alter ego would be another disaster.

The film is the latest from Domee Shi, who won the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film in 2018 with her Pixar-backed “Bao.” Coming to theaters in March 2022.

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SALE ALERT! The SM Store Clearance Sale this July

You’ll love great fashion finds and markdowns at The SM Store’s Big Clearance Sale from July 12 – 25, 2021.

After more than a year of keeping safe and healthy, now is the best time to refresh your wardrobe with new clothes, shoes, accessories and so much more. We otherwise call it, "a wardrobe makeover" and it's making our shopping muscles excited to strut in the halls of shopping heaven.

Candy colored button down shirt from SMYTH - now at P300

SM Accessories Men's Backpack and Duffle Bag now at P500 each

Tough Kids Gareth Sneakers for boys - now at P300 each

Re-visit the SM Store and re-discover how much fun it is to shop for style for your online meetings, small gatherings with family and friends, and running errands.

What’s in-store at SM? Check it out at m.me/SMFashionWomen, m.me/SMFashionMen, m.me/SMFashionBabiesKids and m.me/SMFashionYouth.

Visit The SM Store and check out more items on sale. Also available via SM Call to Deliver #143SM (#14376).

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MOVIE REVIEW - Black Widow

After being delayed by more than a year, Marvel movie highlighting Black Widow did not disappoint, as it served well of much-anticipated solo movie for the strongest woman Avenger.

Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff Black Widow

Starting by tracing Natasha Romanoff's (Scarlett Johansson) younger years, which I thought she was Alexei (David Harbour) and Melina's (Rachel Weisz) younger child because it looked like a boy, we can already sense or her strong will and strenght to protect anyone who tries to harm her family. We've already seen a part of her past in Age of Ultron but I thought we're going to see more of her growing up in the Red Room. Then after many years of being separated, and her values changed becoming an Avenger, it was not really the happiest family reunion because all of them had become weapons of the group that they serve individually.

Scarlett Johansson, David Harbour, Florence Pugh

They also acknowledged the characters that we're missing in the MCU like Captain America, Ant-Man, Iron Man and Clint Barton. Her dark past was also explained further so we're going to feel her sadness despite she being so stiff and focused on her missions. Becoming an Avenger has changed her a lot. At least we also get some humor with Yelena disowning Natasha's landing pose in every fight.

 The action scenes hightened up from the first half of the movie to the second part but I think her sky fight was breathtaking. The punches and kicks are so solid and I almost felt it. I wish it could be seen in IMAX.

Like every other Marvel movies, you have to stay until the post-credits as it may usher another chapter in the MCU. Scarlett Johansson has given her best performance as Black Widow and this exit was a great achievement for her and the MCU. Her character will surely be missed. Kudos!

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Welcome to Casa Madrigal!

We have been missing a lot of family gatherings but Disney gives us a new family film added with a magical twist.

Welcome to Casa Madrigal. A hidden place in Colombia's forests is also the center of this year's Encanto -- an animated musical film that focuses on a family whose members are gifted with a unique ability except for one, Mirabel. The trailer shows us how their family and environment are very special, watch it below.

Casa Madrigal

While Mirabel's siblings have different gifts like super strength, shapeshifting, talking to animals, or nurturing the nature where they live, she considers herself as special as them.

Would Mirabel's family accept her as she is, or will she be able to discover her hidden power? What is her unknown purpose? Let's all discover this November in theaters.

Mirabel Madrigal voiced by Stephanie Beatriz

Encanto also features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, written by Jared Bush, screenplay by Charise Castro Smith. Directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard, and Charise Castro Smith.

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Open a new world in Disney's Encanto

Disney has released a teaser poster for its newest animated film "Encanto" which will be in theaters this November.

The poster features a door with engravings of a candle that seems like a portal to a new world. A candle on the lower part seems like it's the key to the magical world when lit. We also get to see a few animals, a toucan, a capybara, and a parrot which may have special roles in this movie. A few picture frames hang on the wall, which might be telling us about the family who possesses magical powers.

Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, and charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope. Encanto will be the first animated movie of the Colombian culture and it said to be a musical featuring Latin American beats.

Stephanie Beatriz voices the lead character in the movie. Directed by Jared Bush, Byron Howard, Charise Castro Smith. And written by Jared Bush, screenplay by Charise Castro Smith and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

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The King's Man featurette tells the story of the spy agency

Twentieth Century Studios released a featurette of the origins of The Kingsman movie franchise. We are served with a historical narrative of the league of secret agents starting with its formation in 1849.

I really love watching The Secret Service and The Golden Circle as this comes very fresh from the 007 franchise, matched with a few LXG manners. Watch the featurette below.

King's Man's legacy started when tailors clothed the world's most powerful individuals. In 1919, a lot of its members vowed to preserve peace and protect life. And then its founding fathers realized that they can channel a vast influence for the greater good so they formed an intelligence agency operating at the highest level of discretion. Then the rest is history.

Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Djimon Hounsou and Harris Dickinson

Ralph Fiennes and Harris Dickinson

From suits, cars, weapons to their flawless fighting skills, this is worth the hype and I am very much excited if I will get to see this in theaters this Christmas. The King's Man already has its release date in the US on December 22.

Ralph Fiennes

The King's Man casts Ralph Fiennes, Harris Dickinson, Gemma Arterton, Djimon Hounsou, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Stanley Tucci as Merlin and more. Directed by Matthew Vaughn.

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Netflix releases My Amanda trailer

The much-awaited movie and Alessandra de Rossi's directorial debut, My Amanda, unveils its trailer.

My Amanda stars Alessandra de Rossi and Piolo Pascual playing best friends, Amanda and TJ, who discusses about how they will consider their relationship. In the trailer, TJ (Piolo Pascual) vows via voice over, that he will take care of his special someone. Amanda's grandmother teases why would he not consider her as TJ's girlfriend and answer back that he treats her as a sister. The trailer shows a glimpse of their relationships and heart-to-hear talk. Watch the trailer below.

Watch My Amanda starting July 15 only on Netflix.

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Searching for a bigger show in SING 2

Illumination, the maker of Minions and Despicable Me series, released the trailer of the beloved fable-talent search entitled Sing 2 which is scheduled to be released this Christmas.

The trailer begins with a lemur's creepy performance that made producer Jimmy Crystal (Bobby Cannavale) freak out as he sets up a new show. In their dedication to being included in the new show, Buster Moon (Matthew McConaughey) and his friends must find and persuade a reclusive rock star Clay Calloway (Bono) to join them for a grand opening act. Watch the trailer below featuring the covers of the songs by Alicia Keys (Girl on Fire), U2 (I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For), Eminem (My Name Is) and more.

Cast composed of Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly and Nick Kroll returns to voice the gang of Rosita, Meena, Ash, Gunter, Johnny and joined by Halsey (Porsha Crystal), Pharrell (Alfonso), Nick Offerman, Letitia Wright, Eric Andre, and Chelsea Peretti.

Bono as Clay Calloway

Sing 2 is written and directed by Garth Jennings.

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Rise up, dear Survivor

Dear Survivor,

You've gone through a lot and it's been harder this year.

I know you have struggles, and you almost lost yourself.

You're hurt, you cried, you're wounded, and you fall.

It's all right, you can cry, it's okay to be hurt.

But then, you hunger for more.

Making mistakes enables you to learn.

If you fell down, learn to rise up.

If you cried, learn to wipe them off.

If you're hurt, learn to be stronger.

You always have an option.

You can always choose to be wise, and brave.

Face it, don't be afraid.

Stand up with your limbs, your heart, and your mind.

Pray, it works. Talk to the people who care for you.

Shout it out with all your might.

Release your inner power. Be what you want to be.

Work on it. Be patient.

Be kind to everyone around you, don't be afraid to ask for help.

Comfort them if they need you.

And it will all fall into place, in the perfect time.

I was contemplating myself while I write this poem. 2020 until now has been very hard for many of us. While I think I was privileged compared to many, there are still ups and downs while I look back. There have been the lowest of lows when I whine alone but then I clear my mind. They say that you can see more when your mind is clear, which may be true. So I think that is a great opportunity to fill the clear spaces in my mind -- read more, watch more, eat more. My body's hunger is not just physical, but also for my spirit. Food, entertainment, experience, and prayer enable me to grow.

I wish that I can impart something. I want to take part. I'd like to give my best potential and I want to inspire. I am very thankful for the people who've been there for me. They inspire me to become happy, to do what I am capable of doing.

This post hopes that I can inspire you, dear reader, to reach your potential. I also hope we can help each other to move forward and go up.

This story is an entry to ComCo Southeast Asia’s “Write to Ignite Blogging Project Season 2: Dear Survivor”. The initiative continues to respond to the need of our times, as every story comes a long way during this period of crisis. The initiative aims to pull and collate powerful stories from the Philippine blogging communities to inspire the nation to rise and move forward amidst the difficult situation. The “Write to Ignite Blogging Project” Season 2 is made possible by ComCo Southeast Asia, with Eastern Communications and Jobstreet as co-presenters, with AirAsia and Xiaomi as major sponsors, and with Teleperformance as sponsor.

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The modernized Filipiniana at Kultura Filipino

In this time when more intimate gatherings following strict health protocols have become a trend, it is quite right to dress up and stand up for any occasion. We could still look fun and exciting and appropriate while tracing back to our roots in the modernized look of the Filipiniana that is offered in Kultura Filipino.

 

A cropped terno top worn with slim silk pants . . . Art Deco-inspired black embroidery on a white silk terno top and ruffled skirt . . . an exquisitely embroidered capelet over a red shantung silk gown . . . a playful inabel terno top with pineapple designs. 

The iconic butterfly-sleeved terno gets a fresh new look worn with pants and other modern pieces. Natural materials like pinasilk and jusi are woven by local artisans into stylish pieces with exquisite hand painting and embroidery. Inabel fabric from the Ilocos region is updated with innovative designs.

The collection consists of both classic and modern silhouettes - tops, skirts and dresses that can be worn together or mix and match. Many of the pieces are embroidered or hand-painted by artisans in our partner communities of weavers, embroiderers, farmers and workers, making each unique and a true labor of love. They could have been your Independence Day look, too, this year. Find the whole collection here.

 

Perfect for small intimate events and special occasions, the Modern Filipiniana and Barong Tagalog collection is available at Kultura stores. You can also shop thru our website: www.kulturafilipino.com or thru Call to Deliver 09175174096. Kultura ships here and abroad.

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