Watch Spencer at a drive-in
CINEMA One will hold a drive-in screening of the film Spencer on Dec. 4 at the Vertis North Estate. The movie chronicles the events that led to the late Princess Diana’s (portrayed by Kristen Stewart) decision to end her marriage with Prince Charles and her mental health problems during a Christmas holiday with the royal family in Norfolk, England. Tickets for the drive-in cinema experience can be purchased via TicketMelon, priced at P600 with up to three people per car, to P800 with up to four people per car. Gates will open at 6 p.m. while the film showing will start at 8 p.m. For more details, visit the Cinema One Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Cinema1channel/).
Ben&Ben pushes the mental health discussion in music video
BEN&BEN tackles mental health in the new music video for their latest song “Lunod.” The music video is accompanied by an EP release featuring multiple versions of the track, and an exclusive launch of Lunod-themed café. Ben&Ben chronicles the experience of drowning in torrential distress and anxiety on the music video of “Lunod.” Directed by filmmaker Jerrold Tarog, the visual narrative pushes the discussion forward with its metaphorical depiction of individuals trying to keep their head above water and find their way out of a dark, harrowing tunnel. “Lunod” serves as the band’s reunion project with Mr. Tarog, who helmed the music video for their 2018 track “Susi,” off the historical epic drama, Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral. Ahead of the music video release, the nine-piece collective dropped a live acoustic performance of “Lunod” last month. The version, which features collaborators Zild and juan karlos, strips down the bluesy, classic rock arrangements of the original for a more subdued take. The intimate interpretation of the song is part of the EP release featuring multiple iterations of “Lunod” in various formats, including an extended version of the track. Apart from the Lunod EP, Ben&Ben and its label, Sony Music Philippines, recently opened a Lunod-themed café at Latitude Bean+Bar in Malate, Manila as part of Ben&Ben’s Kuwaderno Pop-Up Café activities, which will run from Nov. 25-27. The pop-up café includes a Lunod art installation inspired by Zelijah’s Bipolar Remix, as well as other art activities related to mental health. The two other exclusive pop-ups are located at Jess + Pat’s in Maginhawa, QC, and Kale Café in Fairview, QC. Music fans can also purchase tickets to Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert directly at the three pop-up locations in Metro Manila. The digital concert will be integrating live music performance with theater, dance, orchestra, and technology to create an audio-visual spectacle. The Lunod EP is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Kuwaderno: A Ben&Ben Online Concert, will be held on Dec. 5, 8 p.m
HBO GO’s December shows
FILIPINOS can enjoy the holidays and travel to different parts of the world with shows streaming first on HBO GO this December. Revisit New York through the eyes of Carrie Bradshaw and her best friends Miranda and Charlotte in And Just Like That…, a brand-new chapter of Sex and the City, then jump to Nottingham for a love story with a twist in Landscapers. Next, go to the Philippines and Japan in the HBO Asia Original movie Gensan Punch. Visit post-apocalyptic America in Station Eleven. For fans of reality shows, there is Finding Magic Mike. And Just Like That… premieres on Dec. 9 on HBO GO. Now in their 50s, Carrie, Miranda and Charlotte embark on the next phase of their lives. Landscapers premieres Dec. 8 on HBO GO. Inspired by real events, this new HBO Original limited series follows the blossoming relationship between a seemingly ordinary British couple who become the focus of an extraordinary investigation following the discovery of two dead bodies in the back garden of a house in Nottingham. It stars Olivia Colman and David Thewlis. Gensan Punch premieres Dec. 16. This HBO Asia Original is inspired by the true story of Naozumi Tsuchiyama, a Japanese man who dreams of becoming a professional boxer despite having a prosthetic leg, so he travels to the Philippines to pursue his ambition. Directed by Brillante Ma. Mendoza, the film is in English, Japanese, and Tagalog and stars Japanese actor Shogen, Beauty Gonzalez, and Ronnie Lazaro. A limited drama series based on Emily St. John Mandel’s international bestseller, Station Eleven premieres on Dec. 16. This post-apocalyptic saga spans multiple timelines. In the wake of a devastating flu outbreak, survivors attempt to rebuild and reimagine the world anew while holding on to the best of what’s been lost. Finding Magic Mike premieres Dec. 16. Ten men who have “lost their magic” come together to compete for a cash prize or the chance to perform on the Magic Mike Live stage in Las Vegas. These are just some of the shows premiering on HBO GO in December. Subscribe to HBO GO online at http://www.hbogoasia.ph or the mobile app via the App Store or Play Store.
Spotify adds lyrics to the music
SPOTIFY Lyrics, an interactive and shareable experience, is now available on Free and Premium across iOS and Android devices. It can also be accessed on Playstation 4, Playstation 5, and XBox One, along with Android TV, including FireTV, Samsung, Roku, LG, Sky, and Comcast. Lyrics can be found on the Spotify desktop app (from the “Now Playing” bar, click on the microphone icon while a song is playing and lyrics scroll in real time while the song plays); the SpotifyTV app (open the “Now Playing View” on a song, navigate to the right corner to the “lyrics button” and select enable Lyrics and see the lyrics in the “Now Playing” View). Lyrics can also be shared on Social Channels via Spotify (to share, tap the “Share” button at the bottom of the lyrics screen and then select the lyrics to share and where to share it.)
Robinsons Malls welcome the kids back
AS THE COUNTRY eases back to normalcy, Robinsons Malls has prepared special welcome-back presents and activities for children to enjoy. For more than a year and half of not being able to explore the outside world, children will be pampered by Robinsons Malls. Starting Dec. 10 at Robinsons Galleria, children will get free character balloons, get to play for free at Shoot that Ball and Shoot that Duck booths, and receive free game tokens from Tom’s World. To access these, visit the Christmas tree at Level 2, take a picture of the children, share it on FB or IG, tag Robinsons Galleria and the children will get these instant prizes. At Robinsons Magnolia, starting Dec. 4, can get character balloons and free Tom’s World game tokens when they snap and share their pictures with the Golden Christmas tree and snowball at the ground floor or with the outdoor Christmas tree at The Garden area. Plus, they get to meet and greet Geoffrey, the mascot of Toys “R” Us. Get the same treats at Robinsons Place Manila starting Dec. 4, by snapping and sharing the children’s photos at the Christmas tree in the Midtown Atrium. At Robinsons Starmills, free Daiso candy bags and free Handyman food keepers and collapsible candy tumblers will be given away on Dec. 4. At Robinsons Place Antipolo, families can look forward to weekend attractions at the Picnic Grounds. The fun continues at Robinsons Place Las Piñas, Forum Robinsons, Robinsons Otis, Robinsons Novaliches, Robinsons Place Pangasinan, Robinsons Place Ilocos, Robinsons Place Lipa, Robinsons Place Palawan, Robinsons Galleria South, Robinsons Place Tuguegarao, Robinsons Place Naga, Robinsons Luisita, Robinsons Place La Union, Robinsons Sta. Rosa, Robinsons Tagaytay, and Robinsons Place Santiago on Dec. 4 as children spotted near the mall Christmas trees will receive free twisted balloons. To know more about Free Treats for RKids, follow Robinsons Malls on Facebook and Instagram.
The 12/21 releases pop-punk banger
THE 12/21’s latest release, entitled “She’s Electric,” is an upbeat banger. The band of three Filipino brothers had a successful tour in the Philippines before the pandemic, including appearances on live television in Manila. In 2019, they won the 2019 Jim Beam National Talent Search in Canada and also performed at the Canadian Music Week in Toronto. The 12/21 band of brothers consists of Roman Maceda on vocals and guitar while the twins Rico and Roque are on the bass/vocals and drums respectively. For this song, they chose to go with a different sound that still captures the essence of the band. “She’s Electric” has a groovier and a more pop-like feel to it compared to their previous releases. Even though they’re currently based in Canada, they continue to embrace and uphold their Filipino roots by creating songs in both Tagalog and English. The Maceda brothers are on a roll this year especially after being featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds Philippines list. The 12/21 has also signed a record label deal in the Philippines under Blacksheep Records and Viva Records.
Kiyo releases debut full-length album
FILIPINO underground hip-hop artist Kiyo captures his love for vast spectrum of sounds and music styles on his debut full-length album, HARANASA, now out via Dyecast Ent. The album features collaborations with fellow contemporaries, including Shortone on the dub-meets-trap jam “Hey,” Space Moses on the jazzy but chill “G,” and YZKK on the stripped-down, laidback tune “Dantay.” With eclectic music influences that range from lo-fi rap to trap, experimental hip-hop to tropical jazz, ambient electronica to bedroom pop, the 15-track HARANASA pushes the culture forward with soulful samples, ingenious production techniques, and captivating storytelling. Earlier this month, the rapper/producer released “Harana Sa Sarili,” the first single off HARANASA which peaked at No. 17 on YouTube’s Trending for Music charts, and earned placements on high-profile Spotify playlists such as Hip-Hop DX Asia’s Sunday Slowdown. Kiyo’s new album is out now on all streaming platforms worldwide.
LEGO Star Wars releases new AT-AT Construction Set
THE LEGO Group has released the new LEGO Star Wars AT-AT set — the latest launch in the Ultimate Collector Series set (UCS) line-up. The AT-AT (All Terrain Armored Transport) first appeared in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, its huge presence appearing over the horizon on the icy fields during the Battle of Hoth, ready to attack the Rebel Alliance’s shield generator. This new LEGO model is massive in size and detail, paying homage to the gigantic vehicles in the film. It features 6,785 pieces, a movable head, spinning guns, adjustable legs, and side panels that open to reveal detailed interiors. The set comes with nine minifigures and accessories, including Luke Skywalker, General Veers, two AT-AT drivers, a Snowtrooper Commander, and four Snowtrooper minifigures, as well as two speeder bikes and an E-Web cannon set accessories — plus plenty of interactive elements and easter eggs. A set for display or action, the set can also fit an army of Snowtrooper minifigures inside – 40 in total. The packaging displays imagery of the final set from all angles, whilst all the pieces are stored in four internal boxes, which combined show the famous Battle of Hoth scene. This model has been designed by legendary LEGO Design Master Henrik Andersen. The set forms part of the Ultimate Collector Series, which also includes the LEGO Star Wars UCS Millennium Falcon set, LEGO Star Wars UCS A-wing set, and the recently released LEGO Star Wars UCS Republic Gunship set. The LEGO Star Wars AT-AT set is now available via LEGO Certified Stores and its official online store at www.bankeebricks.ph at P46,999. As an added bonus, customers will receive Luke Skywalker’s Lightsaber set as a gift with purchase while supplies last.
The Silent Sea on Netflix
NETFLIX’s Korean science fiction series The Silent Sea premieres on Dec. 24. It follows an elite team on a special mission to an abandoned research base on the moon in 2075, as resource depletion has devastated the Earth. They must carry out the confidential mission on the moon’s research base, located in the center of the moon in an area called “The Silent Sea,” where much mystery remains. Directed by Choi Hang-yong and written by Park Eun-kyo, The Silent Sea stars Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, Lee Joon, Kim Sun-young, Lee Mu-saeng, and Lee Sung-wook.
MYX and Tinder team up for a new season of dating game
MYX MUSIC channel, and dating app Tinder are collaborating for a new season of MYX and Match. Tinder will be the official casting partner of the online dating game show, where a guest searcher in every episode picks her “match” among the participants after a series of compatibility challenges for a chance at a budding romance. MYX VJ and a MYX and Match season one searcher Ai dela Cruz will host season 2 as it goes live on video-sharing platform, TikTok, through @myxglobal’s account. All MYX and Match participants will be selected via Tinder, which will open call for voluntary participation in December. To register, interested participants should download the Tinder app via Google Play Store or Apple App Store, create an account, and match with the MYX and Match profile card when it appears on the screen. Read the terms and conditions before submitting an entry. For details, follow MYX on Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, kumu, TikTok, and Instagram.
