Misalucha, Seguerra headline e-concert
LANI Misalucha and Ice Seguerra will headline Handog at Pasasalamat: Benefit e-concert, presented by A Teacher Party-list, slated on Dec. 11, 6 p.m. It will be streaming on the group’s Facebook page, the YouTube channel Sessionslive, and Kumu for free. Joining Ms. Misalucha and Ms. Seguerra are a cappella group Pinopela, Tawag ng Tanghalang Season 2 grand finalist Sofronio Vazquez III, alternative band Love Commercial, and the youth chorale group Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish Church Angelico Voce Chorale with Mary Elaine as conductor.
8 BALLIN’ releases new single
THE FILIPINO rap group 8 BALLIN’ explores new grounds with the release of its debut single, “Di Na” under Def Jam Philippines. The crossover anthem allows the group to set an acoustic-tinged blueprint for local hip-hop and infuse it with a contemporary-sounding approach to production. The track tackles love in its many forms, rejecting stereotypical presentations. The music video for “Di Na,” which is helmed by budding filmmaker TMP, will be out on Dec. 3. “Di Na” is available on all streaming platforms worldwide.
Ballistik Boyz release new single, album
COMPRISED of seven members from Japan — Ryuta Hidaka, Yoshiyuki Kano, Ryusei Kainuma, Miku Fukahori, Rikiya Okuda, Riki Matsui and Masahiro Sunada — the Ballistik Boyz have come out with a new album, Pass The Mic, and lead single, “All Around the World.” The song talks about how the group’s members believe in themselves and their capabilities as they aim to make their dream of making it big in the world. The music video for “All Around the World” can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiJpKiE0x_A. The group’s previous releases can be seen and heard at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiJpKiE0x_A.
No Time to Die in cinemas on Dec. 15
IN NO Time to Die — Daniel Craig’s final outing as James Bond — Bond is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when an old friend from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology. The film, directed by Cary Fukunaga, is a reunion of different cast members from previous Bond films. Previews begin on Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. and on Dec. 14 (whole day) before opening nationwide on Dec. 15. Check local listings for schedules.
Nintendo Switch releases Original TikTok effect
THE POKÉMON Company, as part of the release of the Nintendo Switch titles, Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and Pokémon Shining Pearl, recently released a special Original Effect available for use on the short-video platform TikTok for a limited time. Now, trainers can play with their favorite Pokémon by making faces with them. Trainers can also easily create and record their own posts by accessing the Effect Page with this link https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSeSxHULv/. “Make Faces with Pokémon” on Tik Tok is available until Feb. 2, 2022.
Catriona Gray facilitates course in Nas Academy
MISS Universe 2018 Catriona Gray met her students during the “Meet-the-Creator” segment of her “How to Be a Queen” online course at Nas Academy. The global edtech platform opened the Catriona Gray Academy in November, with almost 1,000 registered students aspiring to follow in the footsteps of a beauty queen. Ms. Gray’s course centers on personality development and confidence-building, where students are coached on making a powerful first impression and becoming the best version of themselves. Nas Academy is building a community of Filipino educators and learners by offering courses on personal development, small business empowerment, and content creation on its platform. The Catriona Gray Academy, alongside the Carlo Ople Academy and the Anthony Francisco Academy, are among the first batch of Filipino creator academies that are open for enrollment. In September, Nas Academy also launched its Community Classes, with 7,000 students in its first month. The classes were offered, and will continue to be offered, free of charge.
Sex and the City sequel kicks off Dec. 9
THE 10-EPISODE sequel to the HBO series Sex and the City, And Just Like That…, will debut at the same time as the US with two episodes on Dec. 9 on HBO GO. The following eight episodes will premiere weekly on subsequent Thursdays. And Just Like That…, from executive producer Michael Patrick King, follows Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Charlotte (Kristin Davis) as they navigate the journey from their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s. Also in the cast are Sara Ramírez, Sarita Choudhury, Nicole Ari Parker, Karen Pittman, Chris Noth, Mario Cantone, David Eigenberg, Willie Garson, and Evan Handler. Stream or download And Just Like That… from Dec. 9 or catch up on all six seasons of Sex and the City as well as the two Sex and the City movies, all of which are now available, on HBO GO.
Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga concert airing on MTV
MTV announced the world premiere of MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga exclusively on MTV in the US and globally. Fans in Southeast Asia can catch the same-day premiere on Dec. 17, 6 p.m. PHL, 7 p.m. WIB, 8 p.m. SG, and 9 p.m. MY. The episode, filmed earlier this year in front of an intimate audience in New York City, features the duo coming together to perform a combination of stripped-back duets and solo songs from the album Love for Sale. The critically acclaimed collaborative album celebrates the Cole Porter Song Book and is the culmination of the two singers’ decade-long recording history and friendship. MTV Unplugged: Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga will premiere during “Love Music With MTV,” a month-long global celebration of the brand’s best music series and moments from the VMAs to Unplugged.
