HBO’s Food Lore honored at ContentAsia Awards
AFTER being prominently featured in the 34th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) last year, the Philippine episode in the HBO Asia Original series, Food Lore, received two additional feathers in its cap at the inaugural ContentAsia Awards held on Aug. 28. The director of the episode “Food Lore: Island of Dreams” Erik Matti won Best Director of a Scripted TV Program while the series itself won the Best Asian Drama for Regional/International Market category at the Awards. “Food Lore: Island of Dreams” explores the life of Nieves (played by Angeli Bayani), an ambitious and hard working woman, who left her husband and children to work as a domestic helper in Metro Manila to provide them with a better life. Returning home for their annual fiesta, Nieves realizes that she may have grown estranged to her family due to unexpected changes in her life. The episode, which also touches on the diaspora of Filipino workers overseas, is written by Michiko Yamamoto. The ContentAsia Awards recognizes the best content representing the best Asia has to offer in the local and international markets. The HBO Asia Original anthology was recognized for its unique weave of different stories for Asian and global markets. Food Lore is an eight-episode series that explores human conditions with narratives inspired by Asian cuisines. Helmed by Singapore filmmaker Eric Khoo, Food Lore gathers some of Asia’s best storytellers to develop stories that reflect an emotional journey filled with passion, treasured memories and a little spice of Asia. Food Lore can be streamed exclusively on HBO GO. HBO GO is available via SKYCable and Cignal or at https://www.hbogoasia.com/.
Classic OPM song gets a modern twist for a good cause
WITH everything going on right now, the whole world could use a little more sunshine this summer. That’s why Malibu Caribbean Rum — through a partnership with platinum-selling American DJ and producer Dillon Francis and over 30 Malibu Ambassadors from the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and South Korea — is sparking that sunshine with the launch of #TheCoconutChallenge dance as a way of sending out good vibes. For #TheCoconutChallenge, Francis remixes a classic Filipino pop tune, “The Coconut Song” (“Da Coconut Nut”) by Philippine National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, into “The Coconut Nut Malibu Remix,” giving the song a fresh and modern twist, making it popular again as the foundation of this season’s latest viral dance challenge. #TheCoconutChallenge is not just for show — it’s part of a bigger movement to help out businesses in need after the global COVID-19 pandemic affected them. Malibu has pledged an initial $150,000 to the National Urban League to support African American-owned businesses in the US, and also donated $1 for each #TheCoconutChallenge post from netizens in the US and Canada for a maximum contribution of $250,000. For more information, visit: www.maliburumdrinks.com/en/thecoconutchallenge and www.youtube.com/maliburum.
Asian-American rapper Blahza drops new single ‘Bandz’
LOS-ANGELES based Asian-American rapper Blahza releases his first solo single “Bandz” under Umami Records on Aug. 28 on all digital platforms worldwide. The latest single follows his previous collaborations with Singaporean electronic producer Xinister on “Break” and with Malaysian lo-fi producer OnlyM on “Perfect.” On the sparse, trap-influenced track, Blahza rhymes about hustling in life, minding your own business, and keeping your cool when the chips are down. “Bandz” is the lead single from Blahza’s upcoming EP, Sad Songs For Happy People, scheduled for release in 2021. Blahza also has several collaborations dropping later this year. Listen to Bandz via Umami Records: https://www.umamirecords.sg/bandz/
Miss S is the next HBO Original
WARNERMEDIA’S next HBO Asia Original series is Miss S, a 30-episode hour-long Chinese scripted drama and a format adaptation of the globally popular Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. The series will premiere first and exclusively on the regional streaming service HBO GO later this year. The series, which is set in 1930s Shanghai, stars award-winning actress Ma Yili in the title role of Miss S, also known as Su Wenli, a beautiful and witty socialite who forms an unlikely duo with the righteous and serious inspector Luo Qiuheng played by Gao Weiguang. HBO GO is available via SKYCable and Cignal or at https://www.hbogoasia.com/.
Rico Blanco releases fun, upbeat single
ALTERNATIVE rock icon Rico Blanco spreads love and positivity amidst difficult times on his new single, “Happy Feelin,” which was released on Aug. 25, on all digital platforms worldwide. For his second release this year under Sony Music, the award-winning producer and singer-songwriter delivers a bright, upbeat number that soars with an inescapable chorus and a rockabilly vibe. “Happy Feelin” is the second song written and produced by Blanco in his home studio during the lockdown period. It’s the follow-up single to “This Too Shall Pass,” which was released in the first week of May. Stream Rico Blanco’s latest single at https://lnk.to/RB-HappyFeelin.
