Love and Revolution at CCP Arthouse Cinema
WHAT better way to celebrate the month of love and arts than the screenings of films and documentaries from the archives of Cinemalaya and Gawad Alternatibo, as well as some well-loved Philippine cinema classics? The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Arthouse Cinema’s “Of Love and Revolutions,” features stories of love and revolutions in different types and forms daily until Feb. 26, at 3 p.m., via the CCP Vimeo Channel. All screenings are free. To be shown is Ligaw Liham, directed by Jay Abello and Manny Montelibano, about the town simpleton who falls in love with a beautiful married woman. Love for the country rules in Signos, Sister Stella L., EDSA People Power: The Philippine Experience, Revolutions Happen Like Refrains in a Song, and In the Middle of the Night. Mike De Leon’s documentary Signos featuring press freedom icon Joe Burgos, nationalist Jose “Pepe” W. Diokno, director Lino Brocka, human rights lawyer Rene Saguisag, Manila Archbishop Cardinal Sin, and sectoral representatives from the peasants, labor unions, and religious groups who spoke truth to power during the dark years of the 1970s under a dictator. Most of the personalities shown and interviewed in Signos became the inspiration behind the characters portrayed in the acclaimed film Sister Stella L., starring Vilma Santos and also directed by Mike De Leon. It tells the story of the social and political awakening of a nun as she becomes involved in a labor strike. EDSA People Power: The Philippine Experience is a series of video clips shot during the People Power Revolution stitched together in remembrance of the role of the people in toppling a dictator. It was directed by the “Filipino People” and Eva Mari Salvador. Revolutions Happen Like Refrains in a Song is director Nick Deocampo’s love song about the historical struggle of the Filipino people that led to the 1986 People Power Revolution. The documentary chronicles the filmmaker’s personal history as it intersects with the social upheaval of the 20 years climaxing in the 1986 People’s Power Revolution. In the Middle of the Night puts the spotlight on President Duterte’s War on Drugs. Awarded first prize during the 2017 Gawad Alternatibo, director Bryan Kristoffer Brazil documents the different yet similar cases of brutal killings in the Philippines that have become so rampant and their aftermath. To watch the films, go to vimeo.com/ondemand/ofloveandrevolutions and use the promo code RADICALOVE. For updates, follow the official CCP and CCP Media Arts Division Facebook page.
M Lhullier carries streaming platform POPTV
KNOWN for its remittance service, M Lhuillier has partnered with the newest streaming platform POPTV. POPTV subscriptions are now available in more than 2,600 M Lhuillier branches nationwide. To join, the customer should go to a M Lhuillier branch, fill out the form, pay, and wait for their subscription to be activated. They may also opt to use the ML Wallet App. Log in, go to Bills Payment, and select POPTV. Fill out the details and purchase the subscription using the ML wallet. POPTV carries movies and series that include local blockbusters from ABS-CBN, VIVA, Regal, and TBA Studios, as well as tagalized K-dramas, BL series, animes, Asian movies, and many more. To download the streaming app, search for POPTV PINAS on Google Play, Huawei App Gallery, and Apple App Store. Users can avail its P49 subscription good for 10 days or P99 for 30 days. For more information visit facebook.com/poptvph or visit www.poptv.ph.
YouTube stars in Sponge Cola’s music video
YOUTUBE content creators Agassi Ching and Jai Asuncion are featured in Sponge Cola’s latest music video of “Siguro Nga.” The onscreen and offscreen love team amassed a fandom in social media with pranks, viral videos, and challenges. In the music video, they portray a fictional romantic couple in disarray. The music video also comes with a meta-karaoke version of the track that allows fans to sing and engage with the narrative. Inspired by the hit K-drama, StartUp, Sponge Cola’s “Siguro Nga” was written by Yael Yuzon as a tribute to one of its characters, Han Ji-Pyeong. Its lyric video features footage from Seoul, South Korea that includes locations from the series. The music video of “Siguro Nga” is out now on YouTube.
Ben&Ben’s releases new song
FILIPINO folk-pop group Ben&Ben officially dropped a new single called “Inevitable” on Valentine’s Day via Sony Music. Inspired by recent events surrounding the band’s lives, their latest song encourages listeners and music fans to live in the moment freely and truthfully without the need to succumb to expectations. It was written by Paolo Benjamin (lead vocals and acoustic guitars) during an afternoon run by the beach near where Ben&Ben live. Production-wise, the song retains the sonic hallmarks of the group’s prior releases, while employing experiments in texture and tone, described in a release as “world music-meets-acid jazz.” The song eventually made it as the official theme of Smart Communications’ newest commercial ad featuring Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin, stars of the popular Korean drama, Crash Landing on You. Ben&Ben’s “Inevitable” is out now all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music.
Balik sa Bohol Sale
IN A BID to reinvigorate the tourism industry of Bohol, several hotels and resorts are holding the Balik sa Bohol: Bohol Online Sale from Feb. 21 to March 14. In order lure tourists back, massive price drops (by as much as 70%) in rooms, food, tours and related services will be offered by resorts, hotels, and tour operators during the sale, which is organized by the private sector and supported by the Department of Tourism (DoT), the Tourism Promotions Board, and the Provincial Government of Bohol. The participating hotels are: the Amarela Resort, the Amorita Resort, Be Grand Hotel, the Bohol Bee Farm, The Bellevue Resort, Best Western Plus The Ivywall Panglao Resort, Bluewater Panglao Beach Resort, the Bohol Beach Club, the Chocolate Hills Adventure Park, The Acacia Glamping, Donatela Resort and Sanctuary, the Loboc River Resort, Mithi Resort and Spa, South Palms Resorts Panglao, Angels’ Wings Tours and Travel, Baclayon Travel & Tours, Bohol Holidays Travel & Tours, Inc., Coordinates Tours and Travel, and Travel Village. The sale platform is powered by Atlantis and is co-sponsored by Cebu Pacific Air. For more information, contact Margie Munsayac at margie.munsayac@bluewater.com.ph.
2 new songs from Zack Tabuldo
ASIAN television has been the inspiration for Zack Tabuldo’s two latest songs. His newest single “Iyong Iyo” — out now on all digital platforms worldwide via MCA Music, Inc. — is loosely based on the K-drama Hey Ghost, Let’s Fight, in which an exorcist falls in love with a wandering spirit. In “Iyong Iyo,” the singer gives everything to his love — literal possession. Meanwhile, “Elizabeth” — which is set to be released in two weeks — is a bright, 1980s pop-inspired anthem inspired by the original Thai song for the hit comedy, Let’s Fight Ghost. “Iyong-iyo” is currently available on all music streaming sites while “Elizabeth” is set to drop on Feb. 26.
Rally of Hope concert reaches 63 nations
MILLIONS of people from 63 nations convened online on Feb. 6 to call for the healing of the nation and the world at the Rally of Hope Philippines concert, sponsored by the Universal Peace Federation, (UPF), an NGO holding general consultative status with the United Nations (UN). Dubbed as “One Million People Praying for the Healing of the Nation and the World,” the event was telecast on PTV 4 and was simultaneously live-streamed on radio, cable TV stations in different parts of the nation and in countries as far as Fiji, and other social media platforms. The event was an online interfaith gathering to collectively pray for the healing of the world from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the healing of Mother Earth from the ruins of climate change, and the healing from social divisions. Some of the Filipino performers at the rally were Jed Madela, Gerphil Flores, 4th Impact, Reo Brothers, FCPC Baliktanaw, and the Philippine Meistersingers.
