CCP’s Cinema Under The Stars opens with Tao Po, Cinemalaya films
AFTER a series of postponement due to lockdowns and quarantine restrictions, Cinema Under the Stars (CUTS) will finally roll out on Dec. 16 and 17, at the Liwasang Ullalim in the CCP Complex. A project of the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Film, New Media and Broadcast Division, CUTS is an outdoor hybrid drive-in theater where movie-goers can watch at the comfort of their vehicles or set up picnic blankets under the stars. The outdoor cinema is open to riders, bikers, joggers and walkers. Select films from Cinemalaya 2020 and 2021 will be screened on Dec. 16, 4 p.m. Catch the winning short films of the 16th edition of the country’s biggest independent film festival including Tokwifi by Carla Pulido-Ocampo, Ang Pagpakalma sa Unos by Joanna Vasquez Arong, and Quing Lalam Ning Aldo by Reeden Fajardo. These will be screened back-to-back with Cinemalaya 2021 winners including Beauty Queen by Myra Aquino and An Sadit na Planeta by Arjanmar Rebeta. To be shown on Dec. 16, 7 p.m. is Pan de Salawal by Che Espiritu. The Dec. 17 screening starts at 4 p.m. with Gawad Alternatibo 2020 and 2021 winners including Sarung Banggi by Dominic Barrios and Meowbot vs Fishzilla by Mio Dagsaan. The final film, screening at 7 p.m., is a twin bill of Tao Po by Mae Paner and Maynard Manansala, and Kabaligtaran ng Gunaw by Jerrold Tarog. There will be a talkback with director-actress Mae Paner and other guests who will be onsite for the panel discussion. The first three screenings are free to the public, but everyone is encouraged to get their tickets at Ticket2Me. Tickets for Tao Po are priced at P250. To buy tickets, visit https://ticket2me.net. For full instruction, check out the CCP and Cinemalaya Facebook pages. Those who are watching CUTS screenings are advised to bring their own headphones and download a radio app in advance. To ensure safety, please read CCP’s new normal health protocol at http://bit.ly/CCPNewNormalProtocol.
Parokya Ni Edgar releases new album
ROCK band Parokya Ni Edgar has released its long-awaited studio album Borbolen under Universal Records. It is the band’s first album in over five years, following Pogi Years Old in 2016. The new album has 14 tracks and features the carrier single “Rosas,” a love song with a 1980s-esque alternative rock sound. The album also includes previously released singles “Smile” and “Pati Pato (Parokya Remix)” with Shanti Dope and Gloc-9. Parokya Ni Edgar is Spotify’s second most streamed OPM group in 2021. Borbolen is available on all digital streaming platforms.
Troy Laureta releases new OPM album
A YEAR after launching the successful OPM collective KAIBIGAN, Filipino-American music director Troy Laureta releases his new album, GILIW: A Troy Laureta OPM Collective Vol. 2, featuring Grammy award-winning artists All-4-One, Deborah Cox, and American Idol Season 2 winner Ruben Studdard. The 13-track album includes “Magkasuyo Buong Gabi,” a duet by Cox and Studdard; a reimagined version of “Laging Tapat” by American singer Skylar Stecker, and “Paano Ang Puso Ko” performed by male R&B and pop group All-4-One. More American artists are singing OPM (original Pilipino music), with classical singer Fernando Varela also joining the album with his rendition of “You Are My Song,” while singer-songwriter Shoshana Bean renders her version of the classic ballad “Kailangan Ko’y Ikaw.” “Never Enough” singer Loren Allred is also featured in a track with her rendition of “Araw Gabi.” On the local front, Boy Abunda makes a surprising appearance in “Interlude: Pag-ibig,” while Jona sings her version of “Someone to Love Me.” An initiative of Mr. Laureta in collaboration with ABS-CBN Music International, GILIW follows the well-received KAIBIGAN OPM collection of local classics with fresh interpretations by Filipino and non-Filipino collaborators. GILIW is available on music streaming services worldwide.
6cyclemind releases new single
POP-ROCK band 6cylemind returns with “Langit,” the first single off their upcoming seventh studio album. “Langit” is a song about chasing one’s dreams. “It won’t always be a smooth ride. There will be bumps on the road, but what matters is whenever you fall you get back up and soldier on,” vocalist Tutti Caringal said in a statement. Still on the top of their game 20 years after the launch of their career-defining debut, 6cyclemind loves a good challenge. “What makes the single a cut above the rest is that the recording process challenged everyone in the band to give his best with limited physical and moral support from other members,” bassist and backing vocalist Roberto Cañamo said. “Langit” is available on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Philippines.
Christmas at Bonifacio Global City
BONIFACIO Global City (BGC) marks the holiday season with a line-up of activities. The streets in the district are fully decorated with lights, with Bird Cage Chandeliers hanging on trees along Bonifacio High Street, Hanging Stingray Lamps at One Bonifacio High Street Park, Red Bells with ribbons on BGC lampposts, and Christmas shaped stop lights all over the estate. There is a one kilometer stretch of canopy lights (from Fully Booked until OBHS). A special installation by Monkey Shoulder’s The Giving Tree at C1 Park (beside 5th Ave) comes with a pop-up bar. Get free cocktails every Friday and Saturday, 7 to 8 p.m. Experience a safe meet and greet with Santa at the indoor Christmas tree at the One Bonifacio Mall during Sundays from 2-5 p.m.
I Juander turns 10
THIS December, the TV show I Juander is celebrating 10 years of dishing out stories about Filipinos’ identity and culture. It marks the occasion with a two-part special airing on Dec. 12 and 19 on GTV. The show is hosted by veteran broadcast journalist Susan Enriquez and co-host Mark Salazar. I Juander is all about being a Filipino and has touched diverse topics from food to travel, and history. Celebrate with I Juander on Sundays, 7:45 p.m., on GTV.
Lego holds Build-along Workshops on YouTube
THIS Christmas, The Lego Group is introducing a series of live streamed build-along workshops on YouTube to encourage parents and children to spend quality time as they build and rebuild. There is a Lego play experience for everyone with different interests to unbox and create new holidays traditions together. As a bonus for those giving Legos as gifts, the following sets come with discount (up to 37% off): the Duplo Alphabet Truck, the Disney Princess Frozen 2 Arendelle Castle Village, the DOTS Creative Party Kit, the Vet Clinic Rescue Helicopter, the Classic Large Creative Brick Box and Classic Creative Building Bricks sets, the City Race Boat Transporter, City Stuntz Park, and City Stuntz Competition sets, the Creator Monster Burger Truck, the Technic Getaway Truck, and Technic McLaren Senna GTR. These sets are available on bankeebricks.ph; all Lego Certified Store (LCS) branches in Trinoma, The 30th Mall, BGC, Greenbelt, and Alabang Town Center; and select online retailers such as Lazada, Shopee, Dotcom, and Zalora.
New Pokemon released
THE POKÉMON Company introduces a new Pokémon: the Hisuian form of Voltorb. With a striking resemblance to Poké Balls in Hisui, this new Pokémon has a glossy, spherical body and looks very similar to the Poké Balls of the Hisui region, with wood grain-like makeup on its body’s surface and a hole on the top of its head that seemed to be packed with countless seeds. Occasionally, this head spouts seeds out of this hole. The Hisuian Voltorb will be available in the Nintendo Switch software titled Pokémon Legends: Arceus! On Jan. 28, 2022. For more information and updates, please go to official webpage, https://legends.pokemon.com/en-us/.
SB19’s sister group releases pre-debut single
AFTER being publicly launched last month by ShowBT Philippines, the global entertainment company behind the group SB19, P-Pop girl group KAIA has released its pre-debut single “KAYA” via Sony Music Philippines. The upbeat electro-pop track tackles the importance of coping with the turbulent times, and being able to bounce back stronger amidst the adversities in life. The song is written by Maegan Adriano and KAIA. Produced by Lee Oh Won (SB19, SHINee’s Taemin, Stray Kids, TVXQ and Wanna One) and Han Seungtaek, “KAYA” is built around contemporary pop trends and hip-hop/EDM elements. Last month, ShowBT Philippines welcomed the members of KAIA (Charlotte, Angela, Sophia, Alexa, Charice and Joanna) through a series of concept videos and photos. According to ShowBT Philippines, the girls from the breakout pop group were handpicked from a number of trainees who joined the auditions. “KAYA” is out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Philippines.
