LG Teams Up with Prime Video for New Series, Citadel, Available on LG Smart TVs

Complete with Dolby Vision, Dolby Atmos and automatic FilmMaker Mode,

LG OLED TVs are set to shine a light on the action of Prime Video’s latest hit series.

Starting this week, LG Smart TV owners worldwide can enjoy Citadel, Prime Video and Amazon Studios’ epic spy-thriller series and the latest global sensation in streaming television. With LG OLED TV’s self-lit technology allowing for deep blacks and life-like color, viewers are placed at the center of the action-packed Citadel universe and can enjoy the show with intended color, aspect ratio, and frame rate, thanks to Automatic FilmMaker Mode. LG OLED TVs also feature Dolby Vision® for stunning ultra vivid picture and incredible immersive Dolby Atmos® sound, which further elevate the cinematic experience when enjoying your favorite titles available in Dolby.

Starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Citadel is set after the fall of the titular spy organization, as two spies attempt to piece together what happened. The two spies embark on a mission that takes them around the world, all while contending with a relationship built on secrets, lies, and a dangerous-yet-undying love.

Citadel premieres exclusively on Prime Video on Friday, April 28, with two adrenaline-fueled episodes, followed by a new episode released weekly every Friday through May 26. Citadel will be available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.

To mark the launch of the cinematic new television series, Prime Video and LG teamed up to bring the characters and high-tech world of Citadel closer to its fans, through a series of exclusive visuals, rolled out across multiple channels, including online, in-store, in New York’s Times Square and London’s Piccadilly Circus.

This is not a first for Prime Video and LG, as it continues a long relationship between the streaming service and smart TV manufacturer. Both have a combined goal to deliver the best viewing experience to millions of customers across the world who stream Prime Video’s great content with the LG OLED evo superior technology.

From launching the first 4K HDR streaming experience on LG OLED TVs in 2015, to enabling Filmmaker Mode on Prime Video’s movies and series in 2021, to bringing opted-in personalized recommendations on the LG home screen for customers to discover the best Prime Video content in 2022, LG’s long relationship with Prime Video continues to lead to innovations in the home watching experience.

“At Prime Video, we are always looking for new ways to innovate and provide our customers the best viewing experience,” said Andrew Bennett Head of Global Video Partnerships for Prime Video, MGM+ and Amazon Freevee. “Our relationship with LG and joint commitment to customers has allowed us to continuously raise the bar with new technology that enhances the overall user experience”

This comes as LG aims to boost marketing efforts designed to offer customer value through the delivery of unique experiences across a variety of touchpoints. Prime Video was a natural partner to expand LG’s marketing relationship given their global reach, continued tech innovation, and engaging content. LG plans to introduce more exciting collaborations like this in the future.

“LG is actively collaborating with its content partners like Prime Video to provide customers with an engaging experience on the big screen at home, and beyond,” said Chris Jo, senior vice-president of platform business at LG Electronics Home Entertainment Company. “We are happy to kick off this initiative with Prime Video, whose global partnership and shared passion for innovation through the years helps us provide a best-in-class experience for customers”.

For more details, follow @LGPhilippines on Facebook and @LGPhilippines on Instagram. LG products are available in all authorized dealers nationwide both in-store and online. Visit lg.com/ph for a complete list of our retail partners. You can also visit LG's Official Flagship Stores in Lazada and Shopee.

Read More

Every day is Earth Day at SM Supermalls!

SM Supermalls, in collaboration with its corporate social responsibility arm, SM Cares, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units and partner schools and organizations joined the rest of the world in celebrating Earth Day at SM malls nationwide on April 22, 2023.

With the theme "Invest In Our Planet, Invest In Our Youth," SM Supermalls and SM Cares lined up various activities that aimed to raise awareness among children and their families about the importance of coming together across various sectors to take care of the environment. SM malls nationwide simultaneously held relevant and impactful celebrations with activities such as Children’s Storytelling, Coloring, and Sustainability Tours, gathering 1700 children and 350 employee volunteers. These activities aimed to encourage everyone in the family, particularly the young ones, to protect and respect Mother Earth.

Earth Day is an annual celebration led by the Earth Day Network that puts the spotlight on issues that are affecting the environment. First held in 1970, Earth Day was the result of a need for a unified response against various environmental problems like pollution and resource depletion. Today, the event is considered the biggest environmental movement in the world, with millions joining celebrations every year.

“At SM, every day is Earth Day. However, today we are reminded of our responsibility to protect the planet we live in. We believe that we must all come together and take the necessary steps against this climate crisis and accelerate a greener and more equitable future for everyone,” shared Ms. Liza B. Silerio, SM Supermalls Vice President for Corporate Compliance and SM Cares Program Director for the Environment. 

SM Supermalls featured the art of multi-awarded Filipino artist, sculptor and illustrator, Manuel Baldemor. His works depict the rich cultural aspects of the Philippines and can be found in multiple institutions worldwide. His drawings and Earth Day poem inspired the Earth Day program at SM, reflecting a long-time partnership on SM Cares programs for the environment, starting with his design of SM’s first eco bags in 2007.

A storytelling activity featured a special Earth Day story based on Baldemor’s artworks at the SM Malls in Rizal. The story reflected simple ways children can participate in living sustainably on their own and with their families. Meanwhile, kids and kids-at-heart were welcomed at the coloring activity section. Participants were given art materials and a selection of Baldemor's drawings to color in. Malls used recycled materials in designing the activity areas. 

And to cap off the celebration, a sustainability tour was held in SM City Masinag, SM City San Mateo, SM Cherry Antipolo and SM Center Angono, wherein pupils participated in a guided tour to one or more of the mall’s eco-friendly facilities such as the EV charging stations, water recycling treatment plants, waste segregation bins, Plastic Waste Collection booths, E-waste Collection bins and various bicycle amenities.

The Earth Day celebration is just one of the numerous ways that SM is promoting sustainable living among Filipinos, and the company has other programs aimed at helping care for the environment. These are the Trash to Cash Recycling Market held every first Friday and Saturday of the month; daily water recycling systems, and environmental campaigns such as the Green Film Festival, Green Retail Agenda, and the International Coastal Cleanup Drive, just to name a few. 

SM Cares is the corporate social responsibility arm of SM Prime Holdings, responsible for initiatives that promote sustainability and the development of the community. SM Cares’ advocacies include programs on Women and Breastfeeding Mothers, Persons with Disabilities, Senior Citizens, and Children and Youth, as well as the Bike-Friendly SM initiative, in addition to its Programs on Environment.

To learn more about these, visit www.smsupermalls.com/smcares.

Read More

Denzel Washington takes on the mafia in the gripping trailer for "The Equalizer 3"

Vengeance meets his equal. Denzel Washington is back as Robert McCall in the final chapter of The Equalizer.

Watch the action-thriller’s official trailer below and watch The Equalizer 3 in cinemas across the Philippines this August.

Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, and written by Richard Wenk, based on the television series created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. The film’s cast is led by Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, David Denman and Gaia Scodellaro.

The Equalizer 3 is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

Read More

ZTE reports Q1 2023 net profit of RMB 2.64 billion, Securing a 19.2% year-on-year growth with “precise and pragmatic operation”

ZTE Shenzhen

- Adopting the business strategy of "precision and pragmatism for steady growth"
- Harvesting a revenue of RMB 29.14 billion for Q1, an increase of 4.3% year-on-year
- Net cash flows from operating activities in Q1 increased by 95.9% to RMB 2.33 billion

April 2023, Shenzhen, China - ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of information and communication technology solutions, today announced a revenue of RMB 29.14 billion for the first quarter of 2023, an increase of 4.3% year-on-year.

Likewise, ZTE’s Q1 2023 results show that the net profit attributable to holders of ordinary shares of the listed company reached RMB 2.64 billion, an increase of 19.2% year-on-year. The net profit after extraordinary items attributable to holders of ordinary shares of the listed company for the same period was RMB 2.45 billion, representing a year-on-year rise of 25.7%. Its net cash flows from operating activities increased by 95.9% to RMB 2.33 billion, compared to the same period last year.

As the global environment remains complex and volatile in 2023 which poses challenges to corporate business operations, ZTE will continue to adopt the business strategy of "precision and pragmatism for steady growth". ZTE aims to enhance its foresight, resilience and adaptability to uncertainties by positioning its business precisely, allocating resources efficiently, and optimizing processes continuously.

With its long-term expertise in ICT full-stack core capabilities, ZTE delivers a comprehensive and efficient digital foundation across network, cloud network, and computing power to customers worldwide. It also capitalizes on the opportunities arising from China's digital transformation and artificial intelligence applications. The overall performance in the first quarter of 2023 is secured steady growth, as it continues its operational efficiency and resilience.

Read More

Exclusive! Largest Nationwide Job Fair at SMX Manila this May 1!

SM Supermalls, the primary and official partner of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), invites you to join the BIGGEST Job Fair Nationwide!

Since 2008, Supermalls has been holding job fairs across various SM malls in the Philippines, and it’s making a big comeback in time for Labor Day at the SMX Convention Center! And even after May 1, this partnership will continue to keep their malls open as an official venue for job fairs all over the country.

The job fair aims to provide employment opportunities for job seekers as well as support the government's efforts to reduce unemployment in the country.

The job fair is open to all job seekers, including fresh graduates, returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), and those who have been displaced from their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. DOLE has invited various companies to participate in the job fairs, offering a wide range of job opportunities in different industries such as retail, hospitality, business process outsourcing (BPO), and the like.

During the job fairs, job seekers can submit their resumes and undergo initial interviews with the participating companies. Some companies even conduct on-the-spot job offers, which means that qualified applicants can receive job offers on the same day.

As the official venue of DOLE for job fairs nationwide, Job Fairs will also take place on May 1 at SM City Grand Central, SM Southmall, SM City BF Paranaque, SM City Sucat, SM City Baguio, SM City Marilao, SM City Pampanga, SM City Olongapo Central, SM City Tuguegarao, SM City Cabanatuan, SM CDO Downtown Premier, SM City Davao, and SM City San Jose del Monte.

In recent years, LGU and PESO have also embraced online job fairs, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when physical gatherings were restricted. This year, they strategically selected SM City Marikina and SM City Lipa (May 1) under LGU, and SM City Roxas (April 25 and May 1), SM City Bacolod (May 5 and 6), SM City Puerto Princesa (May 1), SM Cherry Antipolo (May 12), and SM City Novaliches (May 1) under PESO by connecting job seekers with employers and promoting employment opportunities.

Take your career to the next level with new opportunities and #ExperienceTogetherAtSM.

Grab this great opportunity to find your dream job! Visit the SMX Convention Center for the biggest and grandest job fair on May 1!

For more information and updates, check out www.smsupermalls.com or follow @SMSupermalls on social media.

Read More

PETA Summer Workshop is BACK!

The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is back to offering its face-to-face summer theater workshops starting May 2023!

The year marks an important milestone for Philippine theater as this is the year stages reopened and live performances returned for Filipino audiences post-pandemic. As PETA celebrates its 56th year in the industry, and wraps up its last month of the successful and highly-anticipated run of its newest original musical, Rody Vera’s Walang Aray (a farcical adaptation of Severino Reyes’ class zarzuela Walang Sugat), we can expect more theater activities in store for everyone in the coming months!

The next big thing everyone can anticipate is the return of PETA’s annual Summer Workshops, which shifted to an online, and eventually, a hybrid set-up during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. From May-July 2023, PETA Summer Workshops will now take place fully in-person at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City, offering five courses:

● Children’s Theater 1 (6 to 8 years old) is a safe space for little kids to get immersed in the art of rhythmic movement, dance, songs, puppetry, storytelling, and many more;

● Children’s Theater 2 (9 to 12 years old) offers kids a journey of artistic discovery through music, visual arts, poetry, story writing, storytelling, and drama improvisation;

● Teen Theater (14 to 17 years old) employs PETA’s one-of-a-kind Integrated Theater Arts approach to create a combination of a fun and challenging workshop course designed for teens looking to nourish their artistic spirit through creative drama, sound and music, and visual arts;

● Musical Theater for Teens (13 to 17 years old) is rooted in experimentation and discovery for musically inclined teens, offering a workshop course that aims to develop the connections between body, music, and storytelling through various theatrical activities;

● Theater Arts (18 years old and up) is a beginner’s course for adults that will teach the fundamentals of theater acting, dramatic improvisation, and theater production;

● Acting 1 (18 years old and up) is an adult’s course that focuses on the specialized skill of acting, to develop and enhance one’s acting tools by exploring different acting styles and principles for experienced performers to level up in their discipline; and

● Creative Musical Theater (18 years old and up) is a course for musically inclined adults which explores the fine art of musical theater by allowing participants to experience the elements of musical performance, composition, and production in order to understand the harmonization of the different fields that make a successful musical show.

The PETA Summer Workshops offer a range of courses for people of all ages, and participants can expect to learn a range of skills, from the fundamentals of theater acting to creative drama, sound and music, and visual arts.

The PETA Summer Workshops have gained immense popularity among children and adults for their long-term impact, aiding participants in their respective fields and disciplines. The courses offer a unique opportunity to learn from experienced PETA Artist-Teachers, who have been part of iconic PETA shows like Walang Aray, Rak of Aegis, and CareDivas.

Registration and enrollment is currently ongoing. Interested applicants can register for PETA Summer Workshops 2023 now at www.bit.ly/petasummerworkshop! For more information, contact Betita Sarmiento at 0926-406-6858, betitasarmiento@petatheater.com, or follow PETA on its social media accounts: @petatheater.

Read More

SUPER MARIO BROS. movie review

It's a total nostalgia for 80s and 90s kids who grew up with the best video game franchise. The Super Mario Bros. Movie takes us to all the worlds where the Italian plumbers Mario and Luigi have taken their adventure to.

The animation from Universal Pictures and Illumination has lots of elements from the video game that gamers will be spotting throughout the movie. It's an eye candy for the fans actually.

Though the plot is quite simple, Mario saving Luigi from the wrath of Bowser, needing lots of help from Princess Peach, Toad and the King Kongs, it excites the viewers to every scene. You'll be taken to the dark forests, rainbow road for a kart ride while powering up with mushrooms and fire flowers. It's a blockbuster treat that we really did not want to miss.

Super Mario Bros. Movie opens tomorrow, April 19 in theaters nationwide. Featuring the voices of Chris Pratt, Charlie Day, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jack Black, Keegan Michael Key, Seth Rogen and more.

Don't miss the scene at the end of the credits.

Read More

DICK TALK - a no-nonsense talk about manhood.

The topic of the man's sex organ has been almost a taboo but this day and age slowly makes the people more open on the topic of its size and purpose in a person's life. In V-Roll Productions' theatrical debut, Dick Talk, the phallus is described not just an object of pleasure but also plays a vital factor in the character of 5 different men, who had their own share of stories that will make them treasure the thing between the thighs.

It starts with how men talk about things comfortably -- with drinks. They take the audience on a constant mention of the word titi / tite so everyone will be get used of the word and remove the awkwardness in the topic. The monologues surround men of different age groups, who will be talking about their thing maturely. Beginning with a young man played by Gold Aceron who pleases himself in front of pornographic materials and then caught in power outage that made him wonder about getting his confidence with his unusually-shaped banana. The performance tells us that it's perfectly normal for every guy to play with the dingdong while young and the little secrets are safe even to the closest people in your life.

The next  is interesting and perhaps getting the political insights shaken during the performance of Rob (Nil Nodalo) - a woman who identifies herself as a man to the extent that she is willing to undergo surgery. His statement at the opening is like an alarm that makes you think why did he mention "5 men with 4 dicks." His story raises the interest and deserve an applause for opening an understanding in the trans people.

Third is probably the best material in the series performed by Mikoy Morales. Cecile, a soft man often mistaken as gay firmly emphasizes as straight. His upbringing and vanity maybe the reasons why he is left by his only love. He also regarded the penis and sex (which he stressed as love making) as the very sacred and beautiful things for him - and the audience would definitely fall for his character because we will believe that there is still a person like him.

Mr. Archi Adamos' piece gives us an idea on where we'll be -- senior years. And our manhood is no escape from the sunset of urges. It makes us overthink of what to do when that time comes. We might be very nonchalant in our current state but he warns us that there will be a time that passion regresses.

Lastly, Jake Cuenca's monologue puts the vulnerability of the macho. If I'm not mistaken that he is also a side gigolo somehow chains him in the expectations of his clients or partners. Behind that strong, and friendly face that will take you to pleasure, his deep disappointments in himself makes him to retaliate to the world, I guess.

Dick Talk is not your expected titillating material that would suggest erotic innuendos. It's informative actually and gives an understanding of the male psyche. For me the best material is from Cecile (Mikoy Morales) because it suggests that the environment is a great factor in the personality development of a person. A man is influenced by his surroundings and there will come a point that an individual may suffer from these influences.

Dick Talk is now playing at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium until April 21. For tickets, you may visit https://premier.ticketworld.com.ph/shows/show.aspx?sh=DICKTALK23. 

Read More

Xavier School president named 2023 Outstanding School Leader

The Henry Gaisano Outstanding School Leader award was conferred on Fr. Aristotle Dy, SJ, on April 15 at the Philippine International Convention Center. The award is known in Chinese as the Shi Weipeng (Cebu Anonymous) Model Educator Awards, which also recognizesoutstanding Chinese language teachers.

Fr. Ari Dy has been school president of Xavier School since 2013. His approach to education is to serve the needs of the 21st century learner, where the focus is on developing a growth mindset. This approach emphasizes the development of lifelong learning skills and attitudes rather than just focusing on the specific – and narrower – curriculum of each subject area. Assuring the quality of the school’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme for Senior High School students has proved to be one way of promoting academic rigor. This focus on growth and quality also involves the expanded integration of technology in education, highlighted by the school’s successful transition to online learning during the last three pandemic school years, and its status as an Apple Distinguished School. Living in a world that is transforming at a faster rate than ever experienced in history, he notes, “School leaders and teachers must constantly renew themselves. We must be bold in trying new things so that we can be better equipped to help young people who must navigate a world of constant change.”

Under Fr Ari Dy’s leadership, the school’s Chinese language program was strengthened and updated to fit the present-day context of the students. This includes a strategic shift to listening and speaking skills as the priority areas in learning the language, setting competence standards and using the HSK exams administered by the Chinese International Testing Center for international benchmarking, and the recruitment and professional development of teachers from China. The Xavier China Experience, a 6-week credited study trip to China for high school students of Xavier School San Juan, became a mandatory program under Fr Dy’s leadership. Through his efforts, the school also provides developmental assistance to other Chinese schools, namely Tiong Se Academy and Northern Rizal Yorklin School.

The award was established in 1984 by the Philippine Chinese Education Research Center at the behest of Mr. Henry Gaisano (Shi Weipeng) who wanted to anonymously promote the teaching of the Chinese language in the country by recognizing outstanding administrators and language teachers. It was only upon his death in 2004 that his son, Benito, revealed his identity to the community and pledged that the family would preserve their father’s legacy in Chinese-Filipino education. The recognition comes with a cash prize which Fr. Ari is donating to the scholarship fund at its Xavier School Nuvali campus to support full scholars, who are recruited from public schools in Laguna.

Read More

Wrestling Legend TAJIRI Set to Boost Manila Wrestling Federation’s Roster in Annual Extravaganza “MWF: Republika 2023”

Multi-time WWE Cruiserweight and Tag Team Champion faces rising Pinoy Wrestling star Jomar Liwanag at MWF’s biggest event in history

The Manila Wrestling Federation (MWF), the country’s rapidly growing athletic entertainment brand, once again delights Pinoy Wrestling fans with its annual spectacle MWF: Republika 2023 – boosted by the presence of WWE and ECW legend TAJIRI. The event will be held at Power Mac Center Spotlight PMCS Blackbox in Circuit Makati on April 30, Sunday, at 4:30 PM.

The “Japanese Buzzsaw” TAJIRI, who has won the WWE Cruiserweight Championship in multiple occasions as well as Tag Team Championship runs with fellow wrestling superstars Eddie Guerrero and William Regal, is set to compete in the ring with one of MWF’s rising stars – Bro. Jomar Liwanag. Liwanag has entertained the MWF fan community since his wrestling debut in 2017, via portraying his unforgettable comedic-yet-sinister character of a Pinoy religious zealot and cult leader.

Also headlining this year’s MWF: Republika is current MWF Pinoy Wrestling Champion Fabio Makisig, who will be defending the unique “Jeepney Belt” against fellow MWF pillar Nigel “Suplex” San Jose. Makisig has faced TAJIRI one-on-one twice in 2019 and had scored a win over the Japanese wrestling legend in their second encounter.

A special triple threat showcase is also set to bolster the event’s already high-profile line-up of matches – featuring “Mr. Philippine Wrestling” Jake De Leon and the “Queen of Philippine Wrestling” Crystal, who will be tested in the ring by Fil-Japanese wrestler Yappy from Japanese wrestling promotion Ice Ribbon.

MWF: Republika also features fan favorites such as El Katipunero with Super P, Aaron Liwanag with Bro. Benny Soriano, CJ Serafin, Danny Zamora, Dabid Ravena, Khayl Sison, Migs Valdez with Frankie Thurteen, Razael, Ken Cifer, St. John Martin, Robin Sane and Main Maxx. Surprise special guests may also appear, alongside newcomers led by Chelsea Marie and Isaiah Valencia.

Tickets to MWF: Republika are available now at Ticket2Me . The event will later be uploaded in episodic form in MWF’s fan-exclusive channel on Gank . For more details, visit www.manilawrestling.com, or MWF’s social media pages ( Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter ). Be part of the conversation by using MWF’s official hashtag: #PinoyWrestlingTayo.

Read More