Spotify launches Daily Drive playlist
SPOTIFY has a new playlist, Daily Drive, that it says “revolutionizes the way on-demand audio content is consumed.” It is a new mixed-media playlist that combines music with relevant news from reputable local and global sources. Leveraging Spotify’s algorithmic and editorial expertise, Spotify’s Daily Drive playlist gives listeners access to news, talk, and personalized music content all in one place to start their day. Key features of Daily Drive include: short, timely local news updates from ABS-CBN News Flash and ANC Market Edge, international headline news from BBC Minute and CNN 5 Things, and a local perspective on current events from Teka Teka, and Think About It by Ted Failon; personalized music featuring songs the listener already likes with a few discovery tracks; and short-form (three to 10 minutes) podcast content by Vox Quick Hits, Ted Talks Daily, and Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication. Users can search for “Daily Drive” on Spotify or access via the Home and Browse. “Daily Drive” can also be found within the “Made for You” and “Daily Drive” hubs. Daily Drive is now available from Spotify both for Free and Premium Users. The link is: https://open.spotify.com/playlist-format/daily-drive.
GMA Network premieres new drama series
THE NEWEST show on GMA Network’s Afternoon Prime block is the TV adaptation of the 1988 film Nagbabagang Luha, about the rivalry between two sisters. The network brings back the classic movie of renowned filmmaker Ishmael Bernal with the remake starring Glaiza de Castro and Claire Castro as the feuding sisters, Rayver Cruz, Mike Tan, Gina Alajar, Allan Paule, and Archie Adamos. Directed by Ricky Davao, Nagbabagang Luha premieres Aug. 2, and will air from Monday to Saturday after Eat Bulaga on GMA Afternoon Prime. Viewers abroad can also catch the program via GMA Pinoy TV. It will also be available for streaming via iQiyi International or IQ.com for subscribers in the Philippines.
HBO Asia’s On The Job series goes to Venice Film Festival
On The Job, a new six-part HBO Asia Original series continuing the saga of Erik Matti’s 2013 film of the same name, will premiere in September on HBO GO. Select episodes from the crime thriller series will play in Competition at the 78th Venice Film Festival in September as On The Job: The Missing 8. It is the only film from Asia out of the 21 international films in Competition at this year’s Venezia 78. The series centers around crime syndicates that temporarily release contracted prison inmates to carry out political assassinations for those in power, except that the crime syndicates are run by politicians. The series also puts a spotlight on the real-world predicament concerning fake news and how easily truth can be manufactured and disseminated to the public in today’s digital age. Conceived and directed by Erik Matti, the series in English and Filipino is filmed in the Philippines and stars Joel Torre, John Arcilla, Piolo Pascual, Dennis Trillo, Gerald Anderson, Joey Marquez, Dante Rivero, Christopher De Leon, and Lotlot De Leon. While the first two episodes of the series were shown as a film as part of the Director’s Fortnight at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival where it received a standing ovation, the episodes on HBO GO are remastered and include never-before-seen and exclusive content.
Jose Mari Chan medley for Ayala’s Festival of Lights
SINGER-SONGWRITER Jose Mari Chan is producing a Christmas medley for Ayala Land and Make It Makati’s Festival of Lights: Virtual Edition, Ayala Land announced. The music icon best known for his Christmas songs, Mr. Chan will be coming out with a new Christmas track. He will also make a Christmas medley for the digital version of the Festival of Lights. Mr. Chan and representatives from Ayala Land held an intimate signing ceremony at Ayala Triangle Gardens, Makati to formalize their newest Christmas collaboration. In 2020, the Festival of Lights held its first ever virtual event via Facebook and YouTube. Typically held at Ayala Triangle Gardens in Makati, the venue was recreated and designed within the digital space to present a 360-degree animation, with an orchestration of laser lights, string lights, meteor lights, holograms, and helix lights dancing to modernized renditions of traditional songs. This November, Ayala Land is hosting the annual event virtually once again in partnership with Globe Studios led by filmmaker and director, Quark Henares.
iQiyi on has Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
iQiyi, is bringing Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos to iQiyi’s international app, which is available in 191 countries including the Philippines. Dolby Vision boasts ultra-vivid imaging — brightness, contrast, color and details that bring movies to life — while Dolby Atmos is a sound system that moves around the viewer for extra realism. iQiyi International’s VIP paid subscribers in both Standard and Premium tiers with compatible devices can now enjoy its content with unparalleled audio and video. One of the first titles available in Dolby will be The Ferryman: Legends of Nanyang, which will be released in Dolby Atmos. More shows with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision will be added to iQiyi’s growing library of content over the next few months.
Tomorrow X Together is Smart’s new ambassadors
Following the successful launch of its partnership with BTS, Smart Communications Inc. announces Tomorrow X Together (TXT) as its new international ambassadors. The five-member K-pop group’s latest release, The Chaos Chapter: FREEZE, reached no. 5 on the Billboard 200. The band has been globally recognized by names such as Radio Disney and the MTV Video Music Awards. Smart is teaming up with the band to introduce “Build Your Own Giga,” Smart Prepaid’s latest offer for prepaid subscribers. Smart is set to unveil the new campaign in August.
