BEFORE the popularity of LED Christmas light displays which families and friends use as a background for selfies, there was a prominent holiday attraction of moving mannequins whose indelible images were imprinted on childhood memories.

IN EARLY February, one of the country’s most prominent film directors — Erik Matti — bemoaned the state of Philippine cinema, saying that despite the “industry being the busiest [it has been] in the past three years” only a handful of movies have achieved box office success. He called his lengthy Facebook post on Feb. 7 a “plea for help” for the government to intervene to save the industry.

THE INITIAL idea was to use the 40 banigs — mats which had been woven in Basey, Samar — as gifts and room decor. It was the plan when Philippine Ambassador to Portugal Celia Anna M. Feria arrived in Lisbon in May 2017 to assume her post.

SAN MIGUEL, known for its beer and gin, is set to shake up with beverage market with a new product: wine.

IN 1992, Filipino singer Lea Salonga, having just made a splash on Miss Saigon, got what many believed was a gig of a lifetime — a chance to sing what was sure to be a worldwide hit for a Disney animated movie. “A Whole New World” from Aladdin introduced her — or at least her voice — to a new generation of fans worldwide.

Roberto Jose “Bert” Nievera, known for singing ballads including “Salamat sa Pag-ibig” (1996), passed away at the age of 81 on Tuesday, March 27. News...

WHEN Insatiable first came out last year on Netflix, it was an immediately hit but spawned a backlash about fat-shaming. But its stars remind its audience — as it enters its second season, premiering on Oct. 11 — that this is a cautionary tale, not a morality tale.

A LITTLE boy is eager to wear a colorful costume for the first time; a new mother who recently returned as a festival dancer, is dedicating her performance to her daughter; and last year’s best female performer from Badoc hopes to bag the same award for a second consecutive year. They have been preparing their routines, props, and costumes since November, and rehearsing along with 49 other performers for a month.

CONTI’S Bakeshop and Restaurant, the well-loved source of holiday Mango Bravo cake along with other goodies, was gobbled up by Davao-based Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp. last year. As it stands, expect a few changes in the coming year for the familiar brand including a major expansion.

ANYBODY OF THE opinion that no one reads physical books definitely hasn’t been to the annual Manila International Book Fair (MIBF), which traditionally welcomes hordes of bookworms. On its 39^th season, the fair, which runs from Sept. 12–16 at the SMX Mall of Asia, is expecting around 150,000 visitors.

A LESSER-KNOWN historical event that took place during the administration of President Manuel L. Quezon is the topic of the film Quezon’s Game. Directed by Matthew E. Rosen and produced by ABS-CBN’s Star Cinema, it will be released nationwide on May 29.

IF Ang Kwento Nating Dalawa (2015) became a cult favorite because of its “rawness” as described by the film’s director, its sequel — which comes four years after the first — is anything but as Nestor Abrogena wanted to make Tayo sa Huling Buwan ng Taon, which opens in cinemas on May 8, something more than its predecessor.