Alden Richards meets Tom Cruise and the cast of Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning at the Seoul Red Carpet Premiere

Tom Cruise and Alden Richards at the Seoul Red Carpet Premiere of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning

Alden Richards was a man on a mission.

The newly crowned Philippine Box Office King recently flew to Seoul, South Korea, to join the red carpet premiere of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, and there he met Hollywood superstar and action legend Tom Cruise.

“Ethan meets Ethan… I have no words!” wrote Richards on Instagram where he posted a video of his meet-and-greet with Cruise. Ethan is the name of Richards’s character in the box-office breaking “Hello, Love, Goodbye” and “Hello, Love, Again” movies. In the Mission: Impossible franchise, Cruise’s character is named Ethan Hunt.

Alden Richards shaking hands with Tom Cruise at the Seoul red carpet premiere of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning on May 8.

At the film’s premiere, Richards and the other guests got to watch Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning with Cruise and the rest of the cast in attendance – Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, Greg Tarzan Davis, as well as with director Christopher McQuarrie.

Check out more photos from the premiere!

With Hayley Atwell

With Simon Pegg

With Greg Tarzan Davis and other VIP guests at the premiere.

Pom Klementieff, director Christopher McQuarrie, Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Hayley Atwell and Greg Tarzan Davis at the premier of Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning. 

At the Tokyo premiere two days before, Cruise shared his excitement about the latest film in the popular Mission: Impossible series. “This film is a culmination of the last 30 years of making this franchise,” he said. “And I’m telling you, everything has led to this.”

Don’t miss Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, in cinemas starting Saturday, May 17.

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BONGGANG SIDE-BY-SIDE: Jon Santos returns to the stage with The Sandbox Collective’s Bawat Bonggang Bagay and Side Show!

A Bonggang Pagbabalik for Pride Month

Jon Santos reprises role in The Sandbox Collective's Filipino adaptation of "Every Brilliant Thing" -- "Bawat Bonggang Bagay"

Multimedia artist, comedy icon, and master impersonator Jon Santos will reprise his role as The Sandbox Collective restages a strictly limited run of its hit one-act play, BAWAT BONGGANG BAGAY (BBB).

Presented by The Sandbox Collective’s new arm, Sandbox Co.labs, in partnership with Ayala Land and Circuit Makati, BBB will bring back its hilarious and heart-warming portrayal of love, loss, and mental health to Filipino audiences.

In celebration of Pride Month 2025, BBB returns after its sold out engagements in 2023 and 2024. This year’s BBB also marks Santos’ fourth run of the show.

BAWAT BONGGANG BAGAY is the Filipino-translated staging of Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe’s Every Brilliant Thing. Award-winning playwright, translator, actor, and director Guelan Luarca worked on its translation and original staging in 2023.

BBB is an intimate and interactive play that follows the story of a young child growing up with a parent suffering from mental illness. The show continues the conversation on mental health by bringing real and pressing issues to the forefront, and by creating a safe and communal space where audiences become part and parcel of the storytelling.

Jenny Jamora will once again be stepping in as director, having directed all of the previous runs, and winning Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play at the 12th Gawad Buhay Awards.

Joining Jamora in the production team are Marcel David as assistant director, Mark Dalacat as set designer, Kiefer Sison as lighting designer, Arvy Dimaculangan as sound designer, Yabs Yabut as technical director, GA Fallarme as projections designer, KC Kane as costume stylist, Charyl De Guzman as production manager, and IJ Romero as stage manager.

BBB will run at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater in Circuit Makati from June 14 to June 22, 2025 for a strictly limited engagement. Tickets are now available at TicketWorld via bit.ly/bbonggab25.

BAWAT BONGGANG BAGAY (Every Brilliant Thing) is licensed through Concord Theatricals.

Jon Santos Showing us Who's Boss

Jon Santos, performer extraordinaire, shows us who’s boss by taking the stage once more in SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL. Santos opens the sideshow as “The Boss,” who takes the reins and introduces us to the mystical world of the freaks, led by the Hilton twins.

Set in 1930s America, SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL is a fictional depiction of the life and times of real-life conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton who found fame and notoriety in the vaudeville circuit in 1920 and 1930s.

After mounting critically acclaimed productions of musicals Little Shop of Horrors and Next to Normal, The Sandbox Collective, under managing artistic director Toff de Venecia’s direction, will be staging SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL in July 2025.

Joining director Toff de Venecia in the artistic team is Ejay Yatco serving as musical director. Rounding out the artistic team will be Mark Dalacat as assistant director and set designer, Carlos Siongco as costume designer, Gabo Tolentino as lighting designer, and JM Cabling as choreographer.

SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL will open on July 26, 2025 and will run until August 17, 2025 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Black Box Theater, Circuit Makati. Cast, Ticketing and Show Buying information will be released in the coming days. #SandboxSideShow

SIDE SHOW: THE MUSICAL is licensed through Concord Theatricals.

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An Evening of Couture and Culture: Alexis Monsanto Brings Qin Dynasty-Inspired Fashion to the Bowers Museum

The world class Bowers Museum in Orange County has commissioned Hollywood fashion designer Alexis Monsanto to present his latest couture collection, inspired by the Qin Dynasty, in conjunction with the highly anticipated exhibition, World of the Terracotta Warriors: New Archaeological Discoveries.
The exclusive unveiling of Monsanto's collection will take place during the museum's fundraising gala on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Known as "Hollywood's Fashion Expert," the Filipino-born couturier, an alumnus of the Otis College of Art and Design and founder of the Hollywood-based Alexis Monsanto Atelier, will showcase his signature blend of feminine, timeless and elegant designs crafted from exquisite fabrics with origami treatment, manipulation, and 3D processing.

Alexis Monsanto

Guests will experience the unexpected looks direct from his Los Angeles atelier, featuring dramatic, bold, and sophisticated contemporary silhouettes with hand-painted silk, embroideries, intricate embellishments like Swarovski crystals, laser cutting, embossing and impeccable craftsmanship. Monsanto's collection promises to be a captivating visual complement to the Terracotta Warriors exhibition.

Monsanto drew his inspiration and color palette from the beautiful jewels and precious stones displayed by women in Emperor Qin’s court and from the depictions of mythological dragons and other creatures used in the colorful art of the era.

The May 22 Gala, spearheaded by the exhibit’s chair, Anne Shih, will offer an unforgettable evening of philanthropy, art, fashion and international cultural exchange.

Monsanto is collaborating with a select group of international artisans and luxury brands, including Delvaux, the esteemed leather goods house, which will provide the show with exquisite red-carpet clutches and jewelry from Van Cleef & Arpels.

Monsanto's journey from the Philippines to Hollywood is an inspiring story. In 2011 he was a finalist in the KTLA5 Catwalk competition. He then became the station’s red carpet commentator during awards season.

He has been a leading figure in the fashion industry for over a decade. He headlines LA Fashion Week and has been recognized by LA Fashion Magazine as “runway visionary” for his innovative designs and theatrical presentation.

 
He has dressed many of Hollywood’s stars, including Charlize Theron, Kate Beckinsale, Karol G, Mariah Carey, Felicity Hoffman, Jennifer Coolidge and Olympic Gold medalists.

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How to Make All Your #TravelGoals Come True This Year

Discover how you can unlock exclusive travel promos with the GCash Card

Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore – these are just some of the top destinations of Pinoy travelers last year. Whether it's a quick getaway, an adventure abroad, or a return trip to your favorite country, making your #travelgoals a reality starts with good planning.

With 2025 well underway and everyone eager to tick off the countries on their bucket lists, here are a few tips and tricks for a fun, stress-free, and memorable trip abroad while ensuring you always get the most out of your money.

Create a travel budget and track all your expenses

It is so easy to get carried away by the sheer excitement of traveling abroad. This sometimes leads us to make expensive mistakes, like booking overpriced hotels, plotting too many expensive activities in your itinerary, or buying too many clothes and goodies that cause you to exceed your baggage allowance.

While it’s great to splurge once in a while for a trip abroad, setting a budget can help you financially stay on track, and can help you prevent unexpected expenses. Who knows? You might just save enough to be able to go on another trip later in the year!

An easy way to keep an eye on your budget is by tracking all your expenses down in a notebook, an online spreadsheet, or an app – what matters is finding what works best to help you stay on top of your expenses so you can see where you can ease off of spending.

Research, research, and research

With a set budget in mind, your next planning focus would be finding the most ideal flights, accommodations, and tours. Now it’s time to do some research to find some options and see if they match up to your expectations. Researching for your trip can be as simple (and fun!) as reading blog posts and watching travel videos about your dream destination. You can also check out reviews of certain hotels, restaurants, and activities, to see if they’re worth booking or not.

Before you finalize anything, make sure you also take a look at online promos and discounts, because it’s usually cheaper to book in advance online, rather than when you get to your destination. Also, make sure the travel apps and websites you’ll be booking on are safe and legit!

Get exclusive deals with your GCash VISA Card

One way you can unlock exclusive travel deals is by paying with the GCash VISA Card. Available in 200+ countries and territories and over 80 million merchants, the GCash Card opens up endless possibilities - from the planning stages of your trip until you're at your destination.

Using your GCash Card to pay for hotel bookings at Agoda gives you an exclusive 8% discount on hotel bookings. Lifestyle and travel content creator Kara Rodriguez knows all about this convenient deal.

During her recent stay with her mom in Cebu, she was able to take advantage of this discount on her hotel booking which offered all the things she was looking for to really connect with her! Check out her vlog here, and remember that with smart planning and your GCash Card always on hand, you can secure deals just like Kara did.

@karaysabella Treating your loved ones this holiday season? Get an additional 8% off of your @agoda bookings by paying with your @GCash Visa Card! 💙 #kayamo #igcashmo ♬ Christmas Lights - Vladislav Kurnikov

But that's not all! You can also book hotel stays with IHG and use your GCash Card for up to 20% off in participating hotels in Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Maldives, Laos, Japan, Micronesia, Australia, New Zealand, and South Pacific Islands!

Enjoy your travel adventure

With your bookings finalized, time to pack your bags, grab your passport, and get your OOTDs ready. Take lots of photos and videos, check out your destination’s hottest food and culture spots, and make unforgettable memories. Most of all, don’t forget to bring the all-new VISA-powered GCash Card, with you for more convenient travels!

Easily order one without the need for required documents through the GCash app, turn your #travelgoals into a reality! To learn more, visit GCash at www.new.gcash.com/services/cards.

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Watch the Behind-the-Scenes of Mission: Impossible -- The Final Reckoning

Paramount Pictures has just dropped a thrilling behind-the-scenes featurette for Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, giving fans a closer look at the adrenaline-fueled action, jaw-dropping stunts, and passionate performances that define the iconic franchise. As Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, this latest installment promises to push the limits once again — and from what we've seen, it delivers in spades.

The featurette offers exclusive glimpses into the making of the film, showcasing Cruise’s signature dedication to practical stunts, and the creative vision of director Christopher McQuarrie. The commitment from cast and crew is palpable, with every frame crafted to elevate the high-octane legacy of Mission: Impossible. Watch here:

“Our lives are the sum of our choices,” the synopsis teases. And in this chapter, every decision carries more weight than ever before.

The star-studded ensemble includes returning favorites and powerful new additions: Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Henry Czerny, Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Tramell Tillman, Angela Bassett, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, Mark Gatiss, Rolf Saxon, and Lucy Tulugarjuk.

Produced by Tom Cruise and Christopher McQuarrie, and executive produced by David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, and Chris Brock, Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning is based on the classic television series created by Bruce Geller. The screenplay is written by Christopher McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen, ensuring a gripping narrative that matches the franchise’s storied legacy.

Catch all the action only in theatres starting Saturday, May 17, in Dolby Cinema, 4DX, Premium Large Formats, and IMAX.

Don’t miss out on exclusive sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes moments — FOLLOW @TOMCRUISE for more content straight from the source!

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National Parks Development Committee presents 'Adhika' on May 11

The National Parks Development Committee, as part of the Concert at the Park series, in celebration of the founding anniversary of the Department of Tourism proudly presents ADHIKA featuring the Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe - Manila and the Parangal Dance Company -  California, USA on Sunday, May 11, 2025, 5:30 pm at the Open Air Auditorium, Rizal Park, Luneta, Manila. This is open to the public. Free Admission.

ADHIKA will also feature Culture Bearers - Kalinga: Ophelia Grace Addom; Karl Duane Cusay Bawer Maguindanaon: Faisal Monal Tausug: Airia Askalani Obeso, co-directed by Ronnie del Barrio and Eric Solano, ADHIKA is a stirring, vibrant collaboration of Philippine indigenous and traditional dance bringing to life the rhythms, rituals, and stories that shape the Filipino spirit.

Ophelia Grace Addom and Karl Duane Cusay Bawer

ADHIKA is a living tribute to the Philippines’ cultural roots. From Luzon’s festive movements to the sacred traditions of Mindanao and Sulu, each piece invites you to journey through the diverse landscapes of Filipino identity.

More than a performance, ADHIKA is a call to remember and celebrate. It honors cultural bearers, inspires new generations, and keeps the legacy of indigenous traditions alive — vibrant, relevant, and proudly Filipino.

The Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe (PB) began as a mixed dance class in the 1940s at Philippine Normal College (now Philippine Normal University) under founder and creative director Dr. Paz Cielo Angeles-Belmonte – and thus the longest-running Philippine cultural performance troupe of its kind. With a rich history of training generations of dance educators and performers, the troupe honors Philippine tribal and traditional dance through music, song, and dance. Now led by Creative Director Ronnie del Barrio, PB has performed extensively in the Philippines, ASEAN, and worldwide over the past seven decades. The troupe offers annual workshops, events, and stage productions, continuing its mission to celebrate and preserve Filipino cultural heritage.

The Parangal Dance Company is a non-profit, Filipino Folk Dance & Music Company based in the unceded Ramaytush Ohlone Territory, also known as San Francisco in California, USA. Parangal’s mission is to give tribute to Philippine heritage by preserving and promoting ethnic attire, music, and dance through research, workshops, and performances.

Parangal aims to serve as a bridge, inspiring and connecting Filipinos in diaspora to their roots to give them a sense of pride and identity, while educating diverse communities to foster awareness and appreciation of Philippine culture.

For further inquiries contact: Ronnie del Barrio +639455572161 Email: hello@philippinebaranggay.com

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New Stores, New Experiences at SM Malls in the East Metro

The East Metro just got a whole lot more exciting with the latest lineup of tenants opening their doors at your favorite SM Malls! Whether you're craving something delicious or looking to upgrade your wardrobe and essentials, there’s something fresh and delightful waiting for everyone.

At SM Center Antipolo Downtown, foodies can now indulge in Japanese comfort food at Le Katsu, known for its perfectly crispy and tender tonkatsu dishes. Pair your meal with a refreshing drink from RoyalTea, which offers a variety of cheese teas and fruit-infused drink  perfect for cooling down after a busy day.

Over at SM City Marikina, a familiar favorite is back—Max’s Restaurant has re-opened its doors, ready to serve its iconic fried chicken and Filipino classics in a cozier, revamped space.

Iconic Filipino restaurant, Max's, reopens its doors at their new location at the GF of SM City Marikina

For sweet cravings, try the creamy delights of Bebang’s Halo-Halo, a modern and premium twist to the Pinoy classic dessert. If you're in the mood for a quick snack or something to go with your coffee, drop by Pretzels & Cinnamon for freshly baked goodies that hit the sweet spot.

Crowd favorite, Bebang's Halo-Halo is now open at SM City Marikina

Pretzels & Cinnamon now open at the 3F of SM City Marikina

Coffee lovers are in for a treat at SM City Masinag with the arrival of Zus Coffee, a Malaysia-born brand making waves for its affordable, premium brews in a variety of exciting flavors. It’s the perfect spot to fuel up during a shopping break or for casual meetups with friends.

ZUS Coffee at SM City Masinag is your new go-to for affordable coffee experience

And for stylish yet comfortable footwear and bag options, SM City San Mateo welcomes Alberto. Whether you’re looking for formal shoes, trendy sandals, or work-friendly options, Alberto combines fashion and function to keep your steps on point.

Stylish and comfy fashion available at Alberty SM City San Mateo

These new additions make shopping, dining, and hanging out at SM Malls in the East Metro even more fun and rewarding. And the best part? There's more to come! Watch out for exciting new shop openings in the coming months—bringing even more variety and surprises your way. Come visit SM Center Antipolo Downtown, SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, and SM City San Mateo today—your newest shopping and dining discoveries are just around the corner!

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