lifestyle and culture

November 5, 2021

Columbia Pictures PH cinema line up until February 2022

Excited to go to the movies? I am too. And we've got a lot to see in such an exciting time of the year. Columbia Pictures Philippines released the titles releasing in theaters now that we're in at more comfortable quarantine level after a long 19 months of staying at home.
From November 17 to February 2022, come to the movie theaters around Metro Manila and witness these diverse genres of new titles and sequels of your favorite films and actors.


Safety protocols are still in place to keep you safe and healthy while enjoying the movies. See you soon at the theaters!

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November 4, 2021

Meet the men of DUNE

“Dune” gathers some of the most brilliant male actors working today to portray these complex characters in this very human story: Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgard, Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa.

PAUL ATREIDES (Timothée Chalamet): The son of a Duke born into a destiny greater than his royal title, young Paul is thrust into an epic adventure of discovery that will take him across the galaxy to a barren and inhospitable world with danger around every corner. Paul must rise to conquer his fears as the fate of the galaxy rests on his young and untested shoulders.


“It was an awesome opportunity to play someone so lost, someone so conflicted, but with so much responsibility at a young age," says Chalamet. “I thought that was a kind of beautiful dichotomy and rare to see as a lead of a movie. Paul is not the everyday romantic protagonist and I relished the idea of this being a character I could really play with.”

DUKE LETO ATREIDES (Oscar Isaac): Duke Leto is a man guided by two watchwords: honor and duty. The noble and beloved head of House Atreides, he must lead his people in an exodus to a new world and protect his son Paul as malevolent forces gather, threatening to permanently erase the Atreides name from the pages of history.


Isaac notes, “When we first meet him he has an unease but is feeling optimistic and he wants to infuse his son with strength. That was so intriguing to me: the idea of what you want to leave to your kids, the lessons you want to teach them, the ethics you want to pass onto them, particularly when the easiest option is to do things against your principles.”

GURNEY HALLECK (Josh Brolin): Trusted advisor of Duke Leto, Gurney Halleck is an irreverent and quick-witted artist with a sword and equally skilled at wielding a song with his chosen instrument, the baliset. When the House Atreides relocates to the dangerous world of Arrakis, Gurney will do whatever it takes to protect the Duke and his family — people as dear to him as the family he lost to the Harkonnens.


“Gurney is strict but fun, he's visceral, paternal, maternal to Paul,” explains Brolin. “He’s helped raise Paul, so he feels very protective of him. Gurney pushes Paul very hard because he wants him to be able to protect himself in any given situation.”

BARON VLADIMIR HARKONNEN (Stellan Skarsgård): Evil personified, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen is a Machiavellian force of malevolence, determined to feed his addiction for cold, remorseless brutality upon the innocent. A gravity-defying monster of a man, gliding through the air like a phantom of cruelty, the all-consuming figurehead of House Harkonnen rules through fear, determined to take back the throne of galactic power and reclaim the spice-rich sands of Dune from House Atreides by deadly means.


“It’s a small role but with such a strong physical presence that he would cast a shadow over the entire film, and that’s necessary for a bad guy,” says Skarsgard of the role.

GLOSSU “BEAST” RABBAN (Dave Bautista): As animalistic and savage as his name implies, the Beast Rabban is the towering enforcer and nephew of the sadistic Baron Harkonnen. Tasked with keeping the Baron’s many financial interests in line by any means necessary, he is a brutal force of nature. Those who cross him or the Harkonnen name once, do not live to do it twice.


“Rabban is not afraid of anything—except for his uncle,” says Bautista. “He is the one person Rabban admires and he would do anything to please his uncle, but I think Baron Harkonnen sees Rabban as more of a pawn in his big game.”

DUNCAN IDAHO (Jason Momoa): Known as the “killer extraordinary,” Duncan is a tactical combat expert and confidant loyal to House Atreides. The most gifted Swordmaster in the Known Universe, he is the eyes and ears of the Duke, always watching the horizon in a world of unknown dangers. Forging a bond of mentorship with young Paul and a bond of duty and brotherhood with Duke Leto, Duncan is the first Atreides soldier sent by the Duke to scout out the forbidding planet of Dune. He will need all of his skills to navigate this dangerous new world.


“Duncan has a bit of mystery to him but he is a very loyal and honorable man,” shares Moma. “Denis wanted someone who’s powerful and would be able to be respected by all his troops and be convincing as the head knight watching over and protecting Paul and his mother, Jessica—that's his sworn duty.”

[Watch Jason Momoa’s “Becoming Duncan Idaho” featurette at https://youtu.be/A8y30Uyqc1E]

STILGAR (Javier Bardem): A leader of the mysterious tribal peoples of Dune known as the Fremen, Stilgar will do anything to protect the lives and cultural identity of his people. He is revered by his tribe as a man of wisdom born of a deep symbiotic relationship with the wilds of Dune; a primal survivor who has made the most dangerous planet in the universe his home. With the shadow of the Harkonnen threat looming over House Atreides, the wise and reluctant leader of the Fremen sees something special in Paul and agrees to an uneasy alliance with House Atreides.


“There are a lot of Arabic and Hebrew influences in the novel, so I wanted to bring some Bedouin or Tuareg elements into Stilgar,” says Bardem. “I wanted him to appear that he has belonged to the desert since he was born, and that his ancestors have, too. He is carrying the weight of his people, who have been chased and persecuted. Stilgar is a great mixture of warrior, fighter, thinker and leader.”

Only in PH cinemas starting Nov. 10, “Dune” is distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a WarnerMedia Company.
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November 1, 2021

Share A Toy at The SM Store

SM shoppers can play Santa this Christmas with their Share-A-Toy project happening from November 1-December 31, 2021. Give cheer to less fortunate children by purchasing from Toy Kingdom's adorable stuffed Teddy bears, books, play sets or educational toy sets. You can also buy these in Share-A-Toy booths in SM Supermalls nationwide. You can also donate bought or pre-loved items to the booths for the benefit of SM Foundation beneficiaries.


Shoppers can also be entitled to a P100 discount coupon for every item donated which can be redeemed on a minimum single-receipt purchase worth P1000.

These toys will be donated to thousands of less fortunate children from The SM Store and SM Foundation’s partner organization within the branch vicinities. These include organizations catering to kids 10 years old and below, schools, socio civic and government organizations, and NGOs in a simple turnover ceremony that can be also be done online.



Through the Share A Toy campaign under the SM Share Movement, The SM Store and its loyal customers join together to celebrate this joyous season of giving and hope with a generous heart as a way of bringing smiles to children and sharing the happiness and hope to them even amid pandemic. Other SM Store also campaigns like Donate a Book and Share a Gift have received overwhelming support from customers.

Share A Toy purchases and donations are also valid in-store and Call To Deliver transactions. For more updates about the SM Share Movement and ways on how you could donate, visit www.thesmstore.com  and follow its social media pages @thesmstore on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
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SM City Masinag welcomes Christmas

The season of giving and happiness is unboxed in SM City Masinag. The centerpiece display at the mall atrium invites everyone to take their photos and capture fun memories only at SM Masinag.

(L-R) Violinist Michaella Torres, Antipolo Tourism OIC Mar Bacani, Councilor Rico de Guzman, Brgy. Mayamot Chairman Pablo Oldan, Councilor Susan Say, Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan, Santa Claus, Rizal Vice Governor Reynaldo San Juan Jr, Former Antipolo Mayor and Cong. Angelito Gatlabayan, Rizal Board Member Randy Puno, SM City Masinag Mall Manager Raymond Bonifacio and SM Supermalls Regional Operations Manager Dennis Martel

Before opening the lights, spectators watched a performance by Michaella Torres of Christmas tunes and a ballet performance by Airdance Philippines.

Christmas Medley on violin by Michaella Torres

Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy - Airdance Philippines

Before switching on the lights, messages of hope and inspiration to uplift our pandemic woes by SM City Masinag's Mall Manager, Raymond Bonifacio, Antipolo Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan and Rizal Vice Governor Reynaldo San Juan Jr. Truly, Christmas will not be cancelled nor delayed for everyone especially with humanitarian activities led by SM Malls and local government units. The spirit is truly alive in SM Supermalls one by one opening their Christmas displays to spread cheer to everyone.

 

 

SM City Masinag's Christmas centerpiece adorns the mall atrium with a magical flora design, with butterflies lighted up with all the hollies and twines of glitter and red and green motif. Mallgoers can take their photos with the tall Christmas tree and in the gazebos for their social media posts. It is truly a sight to behold and to tell everyone that Christmas is already here. Spot Santa Claus and make a wish and let's make it a wish for everyone to have a merrier Christmas this year.

*Starting November 12, SM City Masinag is again launching its Bears of Joy, an annual charity program of SM Supermalls wherein shoppers can also participate by buying a pair of Christmas teddy bears for P200 from the Bears of Joy booth. One of the two bears will be donated to a selected charity while the other one is already yours! SM City Masinag will give the accumulated donated bears to a chosen charity.

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October 29, 2021

Getting the BOQ Vaccination Certification for COVID-19

The government mandates that we should always submit our records for contact tracing purposes since we are still in a pandemic. But as the restrictions came to ease with the new Alert Level classifications, it would cause so much hassle to always log your name in different establishments. That's why they are now considering QR codes and vaccination cards as your pass when coming inside buildings and/or dining out.

But what about if you're travelling abroad? There is a single solution that is accepted by the World Health Organization (WHO) that should be adapted and accepted by all countries -- It's the Vaccination Certification card (VCC) that holds all your vaccination record so you will have a safe trip anywhere you go. This can be very useful to seafarers, travellers, basically everyone who has plans to go abroad. I already got mine and I'd like to share how you can have one too.


Of course, you have to secure your vaccination in your locality and an active passport. I recently got mine so I can use it as an additional ID and requirement for getting the VCC.

1. Go to icv.boq.ph to get an appointment. It's the official website for the Department of Health's Bureau of Quarantine.


2. Select your location, whether it's NCR, Luzon, Visayas or Mindanao. They have satellites that you can process your VCC.

3. Click on appointment. Look for the most convenient date and time for you. Read the Terms & Conditions and fill up all the information needed in the Individual Application form.


4. Your bill will be P300 plus processing fee depending on the payment method you chose. It also includes your chosen appointment date and time. Print the receipt and keep it until your appointment. It should contain the QR code that you need to present on-site. Also check your email regularly as they may send some announcements and changes in your appointment -- I initially booked at their Main Branch in Manila but I was transferred to Robinsons Place Manila which I think was more convenient.

5. Go to your appointment venue with your LGU's vaccination card and passport. You need to present these to the proctor where he/she will encode it in the system and for you to double check.

Then wait for about 5-10 mins in the final step and your name will be called with your VCC with all your records. You can already present this any where you're travelling. This record will also be reflected in vaxcert.doh.gov.ph in case you want to verify it online.

If you have any questions regarding your appointment or more, you can message them at BOQ Online Booking Support.
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October 27, 2021

N is for Netflix and November

Download Netflix now and subscribe as you don't want to miss these films and series this November.


Headlining next month's line up is the original and exclusive Red Notice starring Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds teaming up for a manhunt to find the world's most wanted thief (Gal Gadot). The movie premiers on Netflix starting November 12.

Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson (Tick, Tick.. BOOM!)

Meanwhile, have another musical dose from the directorial debut of Lin-Manuel Miranda in Jonathan Larson's Tick, Tick... BOOM! starring Andrew Garfield playing the late composer as he navigates on the struggles in life while dreaming to write what he thinks as the next greatest American musical. Witness the story on November 19.


Vanessa Hudgens comes in three in the Christmas rom-com fairytale The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star. Taking on 3 delightful roles with Remy Hii, Nick Sagar and Sam Palladio. The search for a Christmas relic begins November 18.

Season sequels of Narcos: Mexico, The Good Doctor and Keeping Up with the Kardashians are also up this November for you to follow your favorite series. Watch the full offering trailer below.


Visit this album and see the full list of movies and series to watch on Netflix this November.
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Usher in Christmas with Holiday Hues from SM Home

The season is closely coming in and we're feeling it already in the halls of SM Home. It's the time again to get creative with Christmas decorations, and different hues and themes add a contemporary touch to your homes and celebrations.


This year, Frosty White, Classic Red, Blush Luxe, and Dusk are SM Home’s four main color themes to bring the holidays to our homes.

With probably the widest assortment of décor in town, and more than 500 ornaments to choose from, SM Home shares with us some imaginative ways- and colors - to celebrate all that is inspired, inventive, and innovative.
  • Frosty White. A white palette makes your fir or frosted-berry tree merry and magical. Deck your tree with sparkly silver and white ornaments, blended with luxurious ribbons to create a cozy, snowy and wintry wonderland. Also, add some dazzle it with some glittered snowmen and penguin plushies.

     

  • Classic Red. Create a cozy and casual holiday living room with classic reds that never go out of style. Add shades of white, and don’t forget a bit of sparkle for added flair. Nutcracker toy soldiers, potted berry trees, wreaths and Christmas trees, snow globes, and miniature vintage villages will help showcase a traditional holiday scene at home.


  • Blush Luxe. Metallic hues make an elegant and polished holiday look. This year, add a rosy palette update of white and blush pink into your Christmas design. Glam up your tabletop with Nordic Gonk plushies or Pink Angel dolls for your little girl’s dreamy Christmas.

     

  • Dusk. Bring in the cozy cabin and rustic vibe with a twist by decking out your tree with copper, blues, and other jewel tones ornaments. Add some neutral-toned reindeers and burlap Christmas trees for more green and neutral vibes.

     
Check out the latest SM Home Christmas catalog and shop online with The SM Store website
www.thesmstore.com or via the SM Store’s Call to Deliver services #143SM (#14376). For more
info and updates, follow them at SM Home at the SM Store in Instagram or visit thesmstore.com website.
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