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November 8, 2021

Spider-Man: No Way Home poster reveals returning villains

Sony Pictures and Columbia Pictures reveals Spider-Man's foes in the first teaser poster of Spider-Man: No Way Home. The movie is set to premier on December 17, 2021 worldwide and January 8, 2022 in the Philippines.


And it's not just Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina) who Peter Parker (Tom Holland) will be encountering in the movie, but also Sandman and the Green Goblin which are also visible in the background. As we know that he reached out to Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) to unleash the multiverse, a strike of lightning is also seen in the poster. In the words of Doctor Helen Cho in Age of Ultron, "Will Thor be there?"

The excitement increases in this epic movie experience of Spider-Man and the squad in Spider-Man: No Way Home. Also casting Zendaya, Jacob Batalon, Marisa Tomei and more, directed by Jon Watts.
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November 6, 2021

A unique new world view in Netflix's Hellbound

Anticipation just continues to build up as Netflix series Hellbound slowly unveils itself. Director Yeon Sang-ho’s next-level imagination and penetrating message are packed in the newly-released main trailer. Netflix series Hellbound explores a world swept by a supernatural phenomenon where executors from Hell suddenly start to condemn people to Hell, and a new religious group called the New Truth emerges amidst this chaos, while others try to uncover the truth behind the series of events.



The main trailer starts off on an appalling note, laying bare what a hellbound decree actually is. While joyfully celebrating her birthday with her beloved kids, Park Jungja (played by Kim Shin-rok) out of the blue receives a hellbound decree from an angel. The sudden encounter with an angel leaves not only Park Jungja but also the viewers aghast. The composed voice of Jung Jinsu (played by Yoo Ah-in) then plays over the scene of the world that turned into utter chaos, further heightening tensions. Jung Jinsu claims that the supernatural phenomenon is God’s warning to sinners, and that the accompanying fear will set people free of their sins. However, in the run-up to the live streaming of Park Jungja’s execution, the world spirals into an apocalypse. People become suspicious and hateful of each other, turning the world into a living hell. Jung Jin-su’s words, “I’d like to welcome you all to the new world,” hint at the unforeseen stories to unfold in the anarchistic society. Watch it below:
 

Hellbound, providing utmost suspense with hellbound prophecies which are just beyond anyone’s imagination, is based on a webtoon of the same title. Director Yeon, who has acutely penetrated the uncertainties and injustice in current society through his works like The King of Pigs, The Fake, Train to Busan, Peninsula, and The Cursed: Dead Man’s Prey, once again consolidates his worldview by creating the story for the webtoon and directing and co-writing the script for the live-action adaptation. Director Yeon’s compelling story Hellbound, the epitome of his worldview, swept the cast off their feet too. The cast commented that: “Hellbound simply depicted the hell we now live in,” (Yoo Ah-in) “You can enjoy the suspense and then it suddenly strikes with a deep message,” (Park Jeong-min) and “The script was just so immersive. People who repeat irreversible mistakes, people who stick to their convictions, people who sacrifice themselves… The circumstances, stories and attitude of each of these people stand in stark contrast with one another, which can convey a number of different messages depending on the perspective” (Won Jin-a). Director Yeon’s shrewd portrayal of the chaotic society and different aspects of people is keeping fans on the edge of their seats.

The exceptionally immersive main trailer of Hellbound alludes to the birth of yet another legendary Netflix series. Hellbound will premiere globally on Netflix on November 19th.
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Nicole Laurel Asensio releases new Christmas single on November 26

Multi-talented artist Nicol Laurel-Asensio is all set to release her new song "Christmas Without You" this coming November 26 in Spotify. “Christmas Without You” is a prequel of sorts to last year’s original composition “See You This Christmas” and describes a couple saying their sweet goodbyes and exchanging well wishes as one of them needs to leave to work abroad to support their loved one.


The characters continue to find ways to remain hopeful during the holiday season, even if they are separated from one another. It is through the little holiday rituals they once shared, that the memory of one another comes alive, and they are renewed by the thought of being together again in due time.


The creative process was just simple according to Nicole as she started humming a melody and developed the first verse. She also watched Netflix movies in hopes of lyrical inspiration. A call with Nigerian-songwriter Sam Akins, whom she also had previous musical projects, gave his creative opinions and made a few adjustments and gave a soulful flavor in the song.

As it was set, it's all ready for a music video. PBB housemate Ranty Portento joins the team as Nicole's partner. From an initial Zoom call to fulfill the leading man role, he was easy to work with. The music video will also be released soon to give us sweetness, laughter, light and comfortable way for a Christmas feel.

Nicole Laurel-Asensio and Ranty Portento

Christmas Without You's full music team consists of Nicole Laurel-Asensio for vocals, music and lyrics with Sam Akins. Arranged and produced with Michael Guevarra, Ira Cruz. The band takes Otep Concepcion on drums, Simon Tan for upright bass, Ira Cruz for guitar and bells, Nikko Rivera on electric piano, Michael Guevarra on saxophone, Lester Sorilla on trumpet, Darius Mendoza on trombone. This song is distributed and published by Warner Music Philippines.

Follow Nicole Laurel Asensio on Spotify. You may also subscribe to her Youtube channel, Apple Music, Instagram and official Facebook page.
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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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