SM’s Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) brings relief to Typhoon Carina victims

As Typhoon Carina and the enhanced southwest monsoon unleashed torrential rains and widespread flooding across Metro Manila and nearby provinces, SM opened their doors to thousands of displaced residents. Serving as vital lifelines during this crisis, not only shelter was provided but also essential relief and support through the efforts of SM Supermalls and SM Foundation’s Operation Tulong Express (OPTE).

Free coffee brings a moment of warmth to a typhoon victim at SM City Marilao.

More than 23,000 Kalinga Packs filled with essential supplies were delivered to hard-hit communities across Metro Manila, Bulacan, Bataan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Rizal, and Cavite. SM Supermalls employees have been instrumental in packing and distributing these relief packs.

To provide immediate assistance to those affected, SM have opened their doors to evacuees, offering temporary shelter, comfort, and basic necessities such as free overnight parking, WiFi, and phone charging stations. Help desks have been set up to assist those in need, while ample supplies of water, food, and essential items have been made available. Beyond providing physical shelter, SM is committed to supporting the emotional well-being of evacuees. By creating a safe and comfortable environment, SM aims to alleviate the hardships faced by those affected by the floods.

Mallgoers find refuge at the Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) Command Post in SM City Masinag amid the heavy flooding

SM City East Ortigas becomes a haven for flood-stricken mallgoers, thanks to the Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) Command Post.

Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly find solace and assistance at the Operation Tulong Express (OPTE) Command Post in SM City Marikina as heavy flooding inundates the area.

SM City Grand Central offers free meals to typhoon-affected mallgoers.

OPTE, a social good initiative of SM Foundation in partnership with SM Supermalls and SM Markets, is designed to quickly deliver essential supplies to communities affected by calamities and crises. With a focus on vulnerable populations, the program ensures critical aid reaches those who need it most.

SM is dedicated to expanding its relief efforts to reach more communities in need as the situation evolves.

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Community Creators Participate in the Annual Philippine Expo in Japan

Community Creators, Inc., owner and developer of Amiya Raya in San Mateo, Rizal, launched its condominium development, Shanti by Amiya Raya, during the annual Philippine Expo held on June 7 to 9, in Ueno Park, Tokyo, Japan.

Courtesy visit to the Phil.Embassy in Tokyo,Japan. In photo First Secretary and Consul Darell Artates, and Chay Garcia, President & CEO of Community Creators,Inc. developer of Amiya Raya in San Mateo Rizal

Shanti by Amiya Raya is Community Creators' 11-story condominium within the master-planned residential development. A mere 15-20 minutes away from the bustling cities of Quezon City and Marikina, Shanti offers an alternative way to condominium living with the advantages of living in or near a city. Due to this excellent convergence between nature and urban living, Shanti presents an incredible opportunity to earn passive income through a vacation rental business. Each Shanti unit offers generous living spaces in elegant finishes and has a wide balcony with expansive views. Each home has split-type aircon units in the living and bedroom areas, a refrigerator, an electric stovetop, a range hood, and Smart Home features. 

Shanti team members of CCI L-R Paulo Borja, Cathy Antonio and Mary Grace dela Fuente

Helping Filipinos in Japan in growing their investment portfolios, Shanti team members Mary Grace dela Fuente and Paolo Borja

The Ueno Park Philippine Expo is an annual cultural event celebrating the country's independence and the friendship and goodwill between Japan and the Philippines. About eighty thousand people enjoyed the three-day gastronomic and vibrant event that featured a medley of food stalls showcasing local Filipino delicacies like halo-halo, balut, and street foods, a dance battle between Japan and the Philippines, the Nippon and Pinoy Karaoke Challenge, and various song and dance performances with some big names in Filipino and Japanese pop alike making an appearance. Jed Madela, a singer, songwriter, TV host, performing artist, and the first Filipino inducted into the Hall of Fame of the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA), graced this year's event.

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Korea’s All-Time Favorite Crime Busters Return and Head to PH in The Roundup: Punishment

Opens August 14 exclusive at SM Cinemas

The latest installment of Korea’s most-loved action blockbuster The Roundup: Punishment starring Don Lee finally takes its action in the Philippines.

In the borderless action-comedy, The Roundup: Punishment timely touches on the controversies of online gambling, locally known as POGOs (Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators) as it sees the team of Ma Seok-Do (Don Lee) track down one of Korea’s dangerous criminals Baek Chang-gi (Kim Moo-yul) who now operates an online gambling business in the Philippines.

In the Philippines, ex-special forces mercenary Baek Chang-gi monopolizes Korea’s illegal online gambling business by means of abduction, confinement, assault, and even murder. Meanwhile back in Korea, IT genius CEO Chang Dong-cheol (LEE Dong-hwi) is hatching even bigger plans.

In a recent interview with Variety, Lee shared “I want the action to evolve (from film to film) and the story to keep up with current times. It’s important that the characters evolve further, becoming wiser with each sequel.”

Tracing the murder of a young Korean professional who escaped from Chang-gi’s gambling operations, beast cop Seok-do’s team takes on the streets in the Philippines riding jeepneys and forming alliances with the local police. Along with the team is returning character Jang I-su (Park Ji-hwan) disguised as a local who can also communicate in Filipino as he sets up an illegal online casino business to trap the gambling kingpins suspected in the abduction and murder of missing Korean citizens.

The shooting in the Philippines not only magnified the film’s scale but also perfectly captured the reality of borderless, turfless online crime by switching locations back and forth from Korea to the Philippines. While the location of the main villain Baek Chang-gi’s home turf in the film was in the Philippines, the Emperor Casino (the casino Baek runs) and his hideouts were filmed from the various cities of the Philippines such as Angeles and Tarlac City.

Hailed as Korea’s no. 1 action franchise, The Roundup: Punishment has dominated the Korean box- office for four consecutive weeks with a cumulative total of $75 million (source: Variety) since it opened and is now the fastest Korean film to surpass 11 million moviegoers in just 33 days (source: Times of India).

The Roundup series has become Korea’s most-loved crime and action blockbuster series. The action-packed and comedy-filled film created a syndrome for crime blockbusters, becoming the third most-watched rated-R movie in Korea. In the Philippines, The Roundup: Punishment is rated R16 by the MTRCB.

The Roundup franchise has left an unforgettable mark in Korean cinema and has proven that a Korean film series could be successful - with Don Lee’s portrayal of Detective Ma Seok-do known for his signature one-punch action, unique lines, countless parodies of scenes along with the irreplaceable allies and villains.

Distributed by Black Cap Pictures, “The Roundup: Punishment” opens August 14 exclusively at SM Cinemas.

Follow Black Cap Pictures on FB @BlackCapPictures, IG @blackcappictures, YT @BlackCapPictures and on TikTok @blackcappicturesinc.

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A bolder sneak peek at "Joker: Folie à Deux"

“Joker: Folie à Deux” opens only in cinemas, including IMAX, October 2

When you’re smiling, the whole world smiles with you. From acclaimed writer/director/producer

Todd Phillips comes “Joker: Folie à Deux,” the much-anticipated follow-up to 2019’s Academy

Award-winning “Joker,” which earned more than $1 billion at the global box office and remains the

highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. The new film stars Joaquin Phoenix once again in his

Oscar-winning dual role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, opposite Oscar winner Lady Gaga (“A Star Is

Born”). “Joker: Folie à Deux” opens only in cinemas October 2.

Joker: Folie à Deux

“Joker: Folie à Deux” finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him. Watch the new trailer below.

Todd Phillips, who was nominated for Oscars for directing, writing and producing “Joker,” directed “Joker: Folie À Deux” from a screenplay by fellow Oscar nominee Scott Silver & Phillips, based on characters from DC. The film was produced by Phillips, Oscar nominee Emma Tillinger Koskoff and Joseph Garner. Lady Gaga served as music consultant. The film’s executive producers are Michael E. Uslan, Georgia Kacandes, Silver, Mark Friedberg and Jason Ruder.

Joaquin Phoenix

Lady Gaga

The film stars Oscar winners Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck/Joker and Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, as well as Oscar nominees Brendan Gleeson (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) and Catherine Keener (“Get Out,” “Capote”), alongside Zazie Beetz, reprising her role from “Joker.”

In cinemas October 2, “Joker: Folie À Deux” is distributed in the Philippines by Warner Bros. Pictures, a

Warner Bros. Discovery company.

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“IT ENDS WITH US,” the Movie Adaptation to the #1 New York Times Bestselling Novel

#1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover is excited to share with her fans in the Philippines the big screen adaptation of her romance novel It Ends With Us. The film follows the journey of Lily Bloom (Blake Lively) as she chases her lifelong dream of opening her own business, while she wrestles with childhood trauma and a former flame, and a chance meeting with a charming neurosurgeon that sets off immediate sparks.

Hoover’s It Ends With Us, published in 2016, but it experienced a surge in popularity as it became viral on TikTok from the BookTok community. The book sold over a million copies worldwide, and became the best-selling novel of 2023. “It Ends With Us,” has also been translated into over twenty languages.

Describing the writing process for It Ends With Us, Hoover says that it is the hardest book she’s ever written, as it is based on the relationship between her mother and father. Critics have praised the novel for its handling of difficult topics such as domestic abuse, with The Slate writing, “‘It Ends with Us’ has probably left the most impact on me more than any other book I have read. Reading through this book was an emotional rollercoaster. There were times where I felt angry, sad, happy and giddy. Prior to reading it, I never considered how difficult it is to leave a domestic abuse relationship.”

Watch Lily Bloom’s story unfold on the big screen as It Ends With Us opens in Philippine cinemas on August 7. Directed by Justin Baldoni and produced by Alex Saks, Jamey Heath, Blake Lively and Christy Hall. The film stars Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, Hasan Minhaj, Amy Morton and Brandon Sklenar, from a screenplay by Christy Hall, based on the book by Colleen Hoover.

In cinemas August 7, It Ends with Us is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

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DITO Launches New and Improved Level-Up Packs With More Data and Prime Video

Nag-upgrade na ang paborito niyong DITO Level-Up Packs! Now packed with additional data, calls, and texts, plus access to Prime Video Mobile Edition, you can indulge in more streaming, gaming, and video calls—mas pinaraming data up to 30 days!

Enjoy more data up to 30 days and access to Prime Video Mobile Edition with DITO Telecommunity’s new and improved DITO Level-Up Packs!

With the new Level-Up Packs, you can enjoy more data plus calls and texts for as low as Php 99. DITO Level-Up 99 is packed with 9GB data valid for 15 days perfect for more streaming, gaming, and video calls! Meanwhile, DITO Level-Up 109 and 129 are also packed with generous data allocation of 8GB and 10GB, respectively, with 30 days validity, giving you more time to make the most of your subscription.

But wait, there’s more!  Enjoy on-the-go entertainment and seamless streaming with Prime Video Mobile Edition, available with DITO Level-Up 109 and 129. Dive into a library of movies, series, and exclusive content like My Lady Jane, Last One Laughing Philippines, Jinny's Kitchen Season 2, and many more!

The new and improved DITO Level-Up Packs is indeed the ultimate choice for tech-savvy and lifestyle users. With more data up to 30 days and bonus Prime Video Mobile edition, enjoy seamless browsing, streaming, gaming, and more DITO!

For more details about the new and improved DITO Level-Up Packs, check out @DITOphofficial on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok or visit https://dito.ph/.

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LG releases 2024 Q2 Financial Results

Company Sets New Records for Second Quarter Revenue and Operating ProfitThrough Balanced Qualitative Growth in Core and Future Businesses

LG Electronics Inc. (LG) today announced second-quarter 2024 consolidated revenue of 15.82 billion USD and operating profit of 894 million USD, reflecting an 8.5 percent year-over-year increase in revenue and a 61.2 percent surge in operating profit. These figures mark new records for the highest second-quarter revenue and operating profit in the company’s history.

Key drivers of this performance include the home appliance and vehicle component sectors, both achieving their highest quarterly revenues to date. Sales from LG’s Home Appliance & Air Solution Company and Vehicle component Solutions Company combined reached 8.4 billion USD, up 8.2 percent from the previous year. Both Companies also reported record-high second-quarter operating profits, totaling 556 million USD, which represents a 45 percent year-over-year increase.

These results highlight LG’s balanced growth across its core and future businesses. This growth demonstrates not only external expansion but also solid profitability, contributing to qualitative improvements in overall performance.

LG continues to transform its business portfolio towards a future-oriented approach, maximizing the potential of existing businesses while securing new growth opportunities. The company is also focused on rapidly advancing high-growth potential new businesses.

The fast growth in LG’s B2B sector significantly contributes to establishing a future-oriented business structure. Despite a temporary slowdown in EV demand, the vehicle component business continues to grow, supported by a diversified client base of electric and internal combustion vehicles and a strong order backlog. Additionally, LG’s heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) business, which includes high-efficiency chillers, is exploring growth opportunities within the AI infrastructure sector.

In the B2C domain, LG is accelerating the integration of new business models that combine traditional hardware sales with intangible, non-hardware offerings such as content, services and subscriptions. The webOS content and services business is expanding beyond TVs into IT and infotainment, with projected revenues set to surpass 729 million USD this year.

Additionally, the subscription business, which merges products with services, is gaining remarkable momentum. After achieving success in Korea, LG is now expanding this subscription model internationally. Last year, subscription revenue exceeded 729 million USD, with growth accelerating this year. In June, 36.2 percent of major home appliances sold at LG Brand Shops in Korea were subscription-based. This model, particularly popular among young Korean customers, is now being introduced to global markets. For example, LG has launched LG Rent-Up in Malaysia, offering subscriptions for nine products, including washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators.

LG is also expediting the advancement of new businesses. The smart factory business, which combines the company’s manufacturing expertise with AI, is expected to secure orders worth 218 million USD this year, expanding its customer base in industries such as semiconductors and biotechnology. Furthermore, LG’s partnership with ChargePoint, North America’s leading EV charging company, is set to boost the EV charging business by combining ChargePoint’s chargers with LG’s commercial display advertising solutions, ‘LG DOOH Ads,’ creating new market opportunities.

The LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company generated second-quarter revenue of 6.4 billion USD and an operating profit of 506 billion USD. Compared to the same period last year, revenue increased by 11 percent and operating profit by 16 percent, marking the highest revenue for a single quarter and the strongest second-quarter operating profit to date.

In the second quarter, LG’s volume zone strategy – designed to address polarized market demand – proved effective by diversifying its product lineup and pricing to meet growing needs in emerging markets such as Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Contributions from new business areas, including subscriptions and Online Brand Shop sales, bolstered the strong performance. Looking ahead to the third quarter, LG intends to remain agile in adapting to market shifts and to continue expanding its B2B sectors, particularly HVAC and built-in appliances. The recent acquisition of smart home platform company Athom is expected to create synergies within the home appliance sector. Additionally, LG will leverage its top-tier global manufacturing capabilities to secure robust profitability.

The LG Vehicle component Solutions Company achieved second-quarter revenue of 1.96 billion USD and an operating profit of 59 million USD. Revenue increased by 1 percent year-over-year, and the operating profit turned positive. This quarter’s revenue was the highest for any quarter, and the operating profit was the strongest for a second quarter.

Despite a temporary slowdown in the EV market during this period, LG saw growth by effectively addressing increased demand for premium in-vehicle infotainment products and plans to continue expanding its vehicle components business. This strategy includes increasing sales of premium new products as well as safety and convenience solutions, such as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, in line with existing order programs.

The LG Home Entertainment Company posted second-quarter revenue of 2.64 billion USD and an operating profit of 70 million USD. Revenue increased by 15 percent compared to the same period last year, driven by a recovery in demand in Europe, a key market for premium OLED TVs. Growth also continued in the webOS content and service business. However, operating profit declined due to increased costs, including rising LCD panel prices.

Overall TV market demand is expected to show modest growth in the third quarter compared to last year, with premium OLED TVs anticipated to outperform the broader market. LG will aim to maintain operational efficiency by minimizing cost burdens, such as rising LCD panel prices, through increased sales of OLED TVs.

The LG Business Solutions Company reported second-quarter revenue of 1 billion USD and an operating loss of 4.3 million USD. Revenue increased by 9.9 percent year-over-year, driven by expanded sales of strategic products such as LED signage, electronic whiteboards and gaming monitors. However, profitability was impacted by cost increases, including LCD panel prices, and ongoing investments in growth areas like EV charging and robotics.

In the third quarter, market growth for premium products such as commercial displays and gaming monitors is expected to continue. The Company will focus on expanding sales of strategic products and improving profitability through efficient resource management.

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