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Vintage Mickey Mouse posters to fetch thousands at auction

LONDON — Seven rare vintage posters of Mickey Mouse are expected to fetch thousands of dollars at an auction that coincides with the 90th anniversary of the cartoon character’s first film appearance.
The seven posters, dating from the 1930s and 1940s, went on display on Friday at a commemorative exhibition in London organized by Disney.
They are going under the Sotheby’s hammer in an online auction that runs until Nov. 26. A price list in a statement from the auctioneer and Walt Disney Co. UK & Ireland suggests they could fetch more than £130,000 ($165,000) in total.
“We’re expecting a lot of interest… There are collectors who collect animation posters from all over the world and Mickey Mouse historically is the most valuable of all the animation characters,” Bruce Marchant, Sotheby’s film poster consultant, told Reuters.
“They’re particularly rare posters from England, France, Belgium and two of them are the only known surviving examples and for three of the others, there are certainly less than five known.”
Such posters were reused several times at cinemas and, being made of paper, most eventually fell apart and were thrown away. “So they were never meant to be looked at 80-90 years later” or viewed as works of art, Mr. Marchant added.
The exhibition, Mickey’s UK Art Collective Exhibition, is also showcasing new Mickey-inspired works by established and emerging UK artists including Jimmy C, Michael Bosanko and Pal Kumar. — Reuters

8990 plans 3-4 leisure projects in next 5 years

HOUSING developer 8990 Holdings, Inc. is planning to launch three to four leisure properties every year within the next five years.
“We recognize the fact that tourism is really a permanent fixture already in the Philippine landscape and secondly, we want to build up on our recurring income and we feel that the subsidiary we are going to embark in — this company which handle the resorts and hotels — we will be able derive in five years, at least 20%-25% of our gross income from this company,” Mariano D. Martinez, Jr., 8990 Holdings chairman told reporters on the sidelines of the subsidiary’s launch on Nov. 14 at the Green Sun hotel in Makati City.
The newly formed unit 8990 Leisure and Resorts has earmarked P5 billion for the development of three hotel brands: Adama, a five-star luxury family resort; Kura, a luxury hotel; and Argo, an urban hotel.
During the event, the company said it will launch the Adama resort brand in Puerto Princesa, Siargao, Lapu-Lapu City, Baguio, Boracay and Siquijor.
The Argo brand will be introduced in Cebu, Iloilo, Manila, Makati, Alabang, Legazpi and Clark.
Kura, described as a luxury hotel “a notch lower than a Mandarin Oriental,” will be in the same locations as the Argo hotel except in Legazpi and Clark.
Mr. Martinez said the company plans to open the first Argo hotel in December. Located along EDSA, the hotel will offer 250 rooms with sizes ranging from 13 square meters (sq.m.) to 30 sq.m.
8990 is also planning to open the first Adama resort in Siquijor by the first quarter of 2020. The resort will have 22 family villas.
“Some of the locations [we chose] was because we already owned [the land]… but [in the case of] Siargao, it’s because we really like the place,” said Willibaldo J. Uy, president and CEO of 8990 Holdings, Inc., during the same event.
Mr. Uy said the launch of the Adama Siquijor resort will be timed with the opening of the new passenger terminal building of the Siquijor airport.
Mr. Martinez said they will continue to have construction company Megawide Construction Corp., as their preferred builder because of their technology.
Despite creating 8990 Leisure and Resorts, this isn’t the first time 8990 has entered the hospitality business, as it already owns two properties in Boracay and Baguio under the Azalea brand.
The good performance of the Azalea properties gave 8990 the confidence to build its hospitality portfolio, Mr. Martinez said. The Azalea brand will not be folded into 8990 Leisure and Resorts.
“We’re happy with what Azalea was able to give right now, but we’re going to develop already Adama, Kura and Argo,” Mr. Martinez said.
“Azalea started as a timeshare [property] and we’re not going to do timeshare anymore. That’s why we cannot weld the two together,” he added. — Zsarlene B. Chua

Robinsons Galleria unveils a fresh new look

By Zsarlene B. Chua
Reporter
ROBINSONS Galleria, one of the first shopping malls that opened along EDSA in 1999, has gotten a much-needed makeover.
It took more than two years to complete the renovation of Robinsons Land Corp.’s flagship mall, which included widening the atrium, introducing more wood tones, removing the scenic elevator, and improving the lighting.
“The mall itself is an old one…so the renovations took time,” Myron Lawrence T. Yao, regional operations manager for the commercial centers division of RLC, told the media during a run through on Nov. 13.
Robinsons Galleria has a gross floor area of 215,000 square meters spread across five levels.
Mr. Yao said the renovation is 94% completed, and is expected to be finished by yearend. He said the mall only needs to re-paint its exteriors and finish the upgrade of the cinema, which will include a premium cinema with recliner seats for around 100 people.
To make the mall feel more modern, RLC used more wood in Robinsons Galleria’s interiors, particularly its ceilings, and installed more lights. Mr. Yao noted mall goers have often told them that the mall seems a little dark.
With the goal of making the space more open, Mr. Yao said they decided to remove the scenic elevator in the atrium. The new space is currently occupied by a 32-foot European fir tree Christmas tree which can be seen from all the mall’s floors.
Despite the extensive renovations, Mr. Yao said Robinsons Galleria maintained most of its tenants with the mall having 98% occupancy. He said the mall also increased the number of food retail partners, which now stands at 20% of the total tenants from 10% previously.
The mall’s food court, located at the lower ground floor, also increased the number of seats to 1,200 from 1,000.
Next year, Mr. Yao said Robinsons Galleria will also launch a new steel parking building near Saint Pedro Poveda College. The carpark structure will be able to accommodate 250 cars and 250 motorcycles and is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of 2019.
ROBINSONS MAGNOLIA EXPANSION
Meanwhile, Robinsons Magnolia is set to open a new wing by the second quarter of next year.
In an email to BusinessWorld, Arlene G. Magtibay, general manager of RLC’s commercial centers division, said the new wing will add “55,000 square meters in floor area to the existing mall.”
Robinsons Place Manila will also undergo renovation in 2019 “to refresh and reinvigorate the malling experience,” Ms. Magtibay added.
Next year will also see RLC opening Robinsons Galleria South in San Pedro Laguna, which, as Ms. Magtibay describes, will be their “premium mall in the south.”
But before 2018 ends, RLC is scheduled to open their 51st mall in Valencia City, Bukidnon on December 12. This will be the company’s seventh mall in Mindanao and will have a floor area of 47,000 square meters spread across three levels.
The new mall will have around 200 stores and restaurants, six cinemas and a green park with a pond.

Smart Padala aims to launch int’l remittance service by Q1

PLDT, Inc.’s mobile remittance brand under PayMaya Philippines, Smart Padala, is targeting to launch international remittances by the first quarter of 2019, through a partnership with Western Union.
PayMaya Philippines Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director Paolo Azzola said during the briefing the company is in talks with Western Union to enable foreign money transfers through Smart Padala’s partner agents.
“We’re working with Western Union to potentially have the opportunity… at Smart Padala centers also. As you know, having 26,000 touchpoints, ensuring that all of them are complying with international regulations, all of them are well-funded because international transactions tend to be bigger, it’s a more complicated affair than a domestic basis. So it takes a little more time for us to actually roll it out, but we’re expecting in the future we’ll be partnering with Western Union and others,” he said.
Smart Padala channel head for domestic business Butch C. Conejos said Smart Padala transactions are all domestic at the moment. He noted a week-to-week spike in transactions implies Smart Padala’s common customers are daily wagers sending money from the city to the provinces.
“Actually we’re looking at first quarter next year to have it on international. Western Union pa lang [initially],” Mr. Conejos told reporters on Monday.
Smart Padala’s agent base has grown 73% to 26,000 as of November, from 15,000 as of end-December 2017, fueled by its efforts to expand in Visayas and Mindanao. Smart Padala is now present in 85% of municipalities in the country.
By next year, Smart Padala aims to grow its agent base by 10,000 more.
“Ini-expand namin yung [We expanded our] reach in terms of manpower in Visayas and Mindanao… Ang ginawa namin [What we did was], on a certain area of a region for example Mindanao, nagdagdag kami ng mga tao in strategic locations [we added people in strategic locations]… So that alone spurred the growth,” Mr. Conejos said.
Of the 26,000 agents, Mr. Conejos said 70% are in Luzon and only 30% for both Visayas and Mindanao. But with the continued expansion in these regions, the numbers will likely go up next year.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a majority stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Denise A. Valdez

The show must go on: Rico J.’s final concert repurposed into a tribute

LIKE THE total entertainer he was, death is not enough to stop Rico J. Puno.
The concert which he was supposed to perform in before his death on Oct. 30 will go on as scheduled — Nov. 23 at the Theatre at Solaire stage — though this time, as a celebration of his life and his songs.
“I know my Papa will say — the show must go on!” Tosca Puno, Mr. Puno’s daughter, was quoted as saying in a press release.
The concert, which was supposed to be the second of the “Music and Laughter” concert series titled Sana Tatlo ang Puso Ko, not has a subtitle: A Tribute Show for Rico J. Puno.
“I just love how the audience laugh and fall off their seats from our jokes. Only Rico and I can pull something that naughty and still appear respectable after the show,” singer and comedian Giselle Sanchez was quoted as saying in the press release.
“I am so happy that so many stars have agreed to join this musicale because this is exactly how Rico imagined it to be. He had so many ideas and was so excited about our concert and he told us this will be our biggest concert in 2018. Rico, we promise not to let you down. This will still be our biggest concert in 2018 and you are the biggest part of it. We love you, Corics,” she said, referring to Mr. Puno by his nickname.
The original show was supposed to be a concert/comedy show with Mr. Puno performing with seasoned singer/comedians Giselle Sanchez and Marissa Sanchez.
Now, as a tribute, the show will also feature performances by other OPM (Original Pilipino Music) greats — Marco Sison, Nonoy Zuniga, Nanette Inventor, and Eric Nicolas — with the special participation of Mr. Puno’s children: Tosca and Rox Puno.
“We expect that all who will participate in the tribute show will deliver a very nice interpretation of Rico’s songs. I will surely miss his performance as a total entertainer and his jokes,” Gerry Matias, Mr. Puno’s long-time musical director and who is also working on this show, said.
Mr. Puno, whose career spanned four decades, first caught the public’s attention in 1973 when he released his first single, “The Way We Were.”
He then went on to become a prolific concert artist, holding regular sold-out concerts in Quezon City’s Araneta Coliseum — the biggest performance venue at the time — and going on tours of the US.
He was also known for cracking tongue-in-cheek, often off-color, jokes which led him to be called the “Total Entertainer.”
Some of his hits include “May Bukas Pa,” “Macho Gwapito,” “The Way We Were,” and “Magkasuyo Buong Gabi,” among others.
Music and Laughter: A Show Tribute to Rico J. Puno will be held on Nov. 23, 8 p.m., at the Theatre in Solaire Resort and Casino, Parañaque City. Tickets, which range in price from P800 to P8,800, are available via TicketWorld (891-9999, www.ticketworld.com.ph). — ZBC

Sta. Lucia set to open Lakewood country club

STA. LUCIA Realty is set to open this weekend the country club for residents of The Villages at Lakewood City in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.
Touted as the biggest and most modern country club in the province, the Lakewood Country Club offers residents of Bel Air, Bellevue, and Belgrove villages a chance to enjoy sports and recreational activities.
A blessing ceremony for the country club will be held on Nov. 24, and attended by officials from Sta. Lucia Realty and its brand ambassador and actress Bea Alonzo. A Family Fun Day will be held on the same day, starting at 9:30 a.m.
“The opening of Lakewood Country Club is really an exclusive privilege for all residents of The Villages at Lakewood City. To be able to do all these recreational activities within a secure community and close to where you live is a luxury that can provide you an enhanced, and well balanced lifestyle. For someone as busy as me, having a Country Club like this in my community is definitely something I would look forward to,” Ms. Alonzo was quoted as saying in a statement.
The Lakewood Country Club has function rooms, a grand ballroom, a fully equipped gym and a covered basketball court, and landscaped parks.
Aside from the country club, The Lakewood City also offers an 18-hole championship golf course at the Lakewood Golf Club.
“The Villages at Lakewood City offers homes set amid nature’s splendor, replete with all the features and amenities that do not only provide a host of exclusive privileges and a highly conducive environment to raise families, but also create a premium, holistic lifestyle for all its residents,” the company said.
For those interested in checking out The Villages at Lakewood City, they can join the Family Fun Day for free on Nov. 24. Aside from Ms. Alonzo, Blackwater Elite basketball player Renz Palma, and UAAP basketball player Krusev Ferrer will also attend the event which will feature games, food, and music. Please call Royale Homes Marketing Corp. at (02) 584-1164 or at 0917-5458800 for details on how to attend the Family Fun Day.

Centro partners with Japanese firm to manufacture insulated sandwich panels

FILIPINO company Centro Manufacturing Corp. has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nippon Fruehauf Japan to form a joint venture company that will build and sell in the Philippines insulated sandwich panels for temperature controlled vans or reefer vans.
In a statement, Centro said it had already bought a 10,000 square meter property in Cavite for the factory.
Under the MoU, the joint venture will include locally assembling ref van bodies using the insulated sandwich panels for any truck brand and model and for any brand of refrigeration system.
Nippon Fruehauf (NF) President Hiroyasu Hiruma and Centro President Raphael T. Juan signed the MoU in the presence of Trade Secretary Ramon M. Lopez, and Romulo V. Manlapig and Marissa Concepcion, head and deputy head of the Board of Investments’ project management office.
Mr. Juan said he expects to finish construction by the end of the first quarter next year, with commercial operations and sales to start by the second quarter.
“In the meantime, we will first order CKD (completely knocked down) kits from NF Thailand and parts from NF Japan to be able to serve the current demands for the new products,” he said.
Mr. Juan said an initial investment of P100 million will be used for the establishment of a plant in Maguyam, Cavite, the required production facilities, and the working capital.
He said the planned expansion and new products that would be developed would require an allocation of P500 million over the next five years.
Mr. Hiruma said Nippon Fruehauf chose to invest in the Philippines because of the strong economic growth, increasing consumer base, growing cold chain market, and booming logistics industry.
The insulated sandwich panels will be locally manufactured using Japanese materials, technology, process and quality standards, Mr. Hiruma said.
“We are in fact transferring to Centro a modern technology, the use of extruded polystyrene in lieu of the old injected polyurethane as insulating material. Because polystyrene has a lesser water absorption capacity, then it is more durable, will last longer and will be easier to maintain. It is common knowledge in Japan that polystyrene sandwich panels outlast polyurethane sandwich panels under similar operating conditions. Our studies indicate that its estimated useful life will definitely match the service life of the truck chassis on which it will be mounted,” he said.
Mr. Juan said the foreign investment inflow from NF bodes well for the government since aside from the additional value-added tax and income taxes, the joint venture would initially employ about 100 employees.
“This will also provide more job opportunities to both our upstream and downstream support industries and more business opportunities to SMEs (small and medium enterprises) that comprise the majority of our supplier base,” he said. — Victor V. Saulon

DILG to meet with Ang Probinsyano producers over their differences on how the PNP is portrayed

THE Department of Interior and Local Government will meet with the producers of the prime time television show Ang Probinsyano this week to discuss their differences over the show’s portrayal of some of its characters.
“The producers of the show have approached us to discuss ways to resolve the issues raised by the Philippine National Police (PNP). As we said previously, we are always open to dialogue and we look forward to meeting with them soon,” said DILG Secretary Eduardo M. Año in a statement released on Monday, Nov. 18.
Last week, the DILG and the Philippine National Police expressed their dismay over the negative portrayal of police officers and other government officials in the prime time show of ABS-CBN.
The network immediately responded and assured the public that “elements of the show are purely fictitious.”
FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano is an action-drama television series based on a 1997 film of the same name which starred Fernando Poe, Jr.
The series, which has had over 800 episodes so far (it has been airing daily since 2015), follows police officer Ricardo “Cardo” Dalisay (played by Rodel “Coco Martin” Nacianceno) as he battles drug syndicates, terrorists, and now — on the series’ third story arc as a retired police officer and vigilante — the corrupt national government led by the president Lucas Cabrera (played by Eduardo “Edu” Manzano) whose henchmen include an equally corrupt police chief Alejandro Terante (played by Soliman Cruz).
CAN’T USE LOGO, UNIFORMS
DILG’s Mr. Año said: “We recognize that Ang Probinsiyano is a work of fiction and purely entertainment and we do not question their right to freely determine the script of their show but under the law there are limits to what you can do with the PNP name, logo, insignia, uniform, and materials.”
He added, “We do not wish to dictate on the producers the show’s plot or storyline nor do we want the show to be canceled. But we take issue with the use of PNP uniforms, insignia, etc. in a show that paints a grossly inaccurate picture of the entire police organization. If they wish to proceed with the show’s current plot, they are free to utilize a fictional law enforcement agency. That would be consistent with their claim that the show is completely a work of fiction, which unfortunately is not the case.”
Meanwhile, DILG Spokesperson Jonathan E. Malaya said: “Under Article 179 of the Revised Penal Code, it is prohibited for any person to publicly and improperly make use of insignia, uniforms or dress pertaining to an office not held by such person or to a class of persons of which he is not a member. This is reinforced by Executive Order No. 297 entitled an Order Regulating the Sale, Distribution and Use of PNP Uniforms, Insignias, and Other Accoutrements.”
Mr. Malaya also noted that the PNP and Movie and Television Review and Classification Board signed a Memorandum of Agreement in 2017 regarding the appropriate way of wearing police uniforms on television programs and movies.
“We are the first to admit that there are bad eggs in the police ranks which is why the DILG is serious in our internal cleansing program. Unfortunately, the show reinforces the stereotypes which the DILG has been tirelessly working to change. Such is unfair to the thousands of good and honest policemen who are laying their lives on the line just to serve the public,” said Mr. Malaya.
REACTIONS
A number of celebrities and government officials have reacted to the PNP-Probinsyano affair over the last few days. Interaksyon quoted Senator Grace Poe-Llamanzares — who is the daughter of Mr. Poe who starred in the original 1997 film — as saying, “How the people view the police is based on the actions of the real police they see on the streets and not on the acting of fictional cops they watch on screen.”
Meanwhile, Senator Panfilo Lacson, Sr., who served as chief of police from 1999 to 2001, criticized the series, calling it “unfair” to portray the police negatively. “I support the move of PNP chief [Director General Oscar Albayalde}… Don’t make the image of the PNP that bad because they are trying hard to lift the personnel’s morale and credibility,” he said in the vernacular during a press briefing on Nov. 15, according to The Philippine Star.
“First was Goyo [referring to the recent historical film on Gregorio “Goyo” del Pilar] and a politician. Now it’s a TV series and the PNP. Authorities want TV and film to show ‘better’ things about them… Hah,” actress Jasmine Curtis-Smith, who plays one of Coco Martin’s love interests in Ang Probinsyano, said on Twitter.
Director Kip Oebanda, who directed the Martial Law film Liway (2018), also took to Twitter to air his opinion: “DILG is trying to force Ang Probinsyano to make the police look good. Guys, the show’s title is Ang Probinsyano not Ang Propaganda. You know what’s ruining your image? Censorship,” he said in the vernacular.
In the same thread, Mr. Oebanda listed several PNP offences that he thinks are truly negatively affecting the image of the country’s police force, including President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s 2016 remark calling children killed in the ongoing drug was as “collateral damage”; killing a mayor in prison (Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa was killed in an alleged shootout in 2016 while he was incarcerated); and the rape of a minor in exchange for the freedom of her parents who were taken in as drug suspects.
“So obviously, this is the fault of Probinsyano,” Mr. Oebanda said sarcastically. — Vince C. Ferreras and Zsarlene B. Chua

Best developers honored at Lamudi awards

ONLINE property marketplace Lamudi recognized the year’s best real estate developers and projects at The Outlook 2018 Philippine Buyers’ Choice Property Awards.
At the gala dinner on Nov. 15, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Diwa C. Guinigundo said the central bank does not see any signs of a property bubble in the country and expects strong demand for real estate projects to be sustained.
“We believe that there is no substantive evidence of asset price bubble in the Philippine property market nor is there overheating in the macroeconomy as increasing property prices and property demand are supported by favorable economic and market conditions. Our robust macroeconomic fundamentals serve as an anchor for the real estate industry,” he said in speech.
Ayala Land, Inc. bagged the Best Developer of the Year for Luzon award while Megaworld Corporation was named the Best Developer of the Year for Visayas and Mindanao.
The Best Boutique Developer for Visayas and Mindanao was King Properties, Inc., while Primehomes Real Estate Development, Inc. won for Luzon.
For the special awards, Solana Verde of Imperial Homes Corporation was named Best Green Project of the Year, while Miramonti Green Residences of Italpinas Development Corporation was named Best Innovation Project for 2018.
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. President Jeffrey Lim received the award for Personality of the Year.
Here’s the list of properties in Luzon that won awards:

Best Affordable Condo of the Year 2018
Sorrento Oasis of Filinvest, Inc. (Value for Money) and Ridgewood Towers Premier of C5 Mansions Development Corporation (Investment Opportunity)

Best Premium Condo of the Year 2018
Kai Garden Residences of DMCI Homes, Inc (Amenities) and Avida Towers Asten of Avida Land Corporation (Trust and Reputation of Developer)

Best Luxe Condo of the Year 2018
Grand Hyatt Manila Residences of Federeal Land, Inc. (Customer Service) and Copeton Baysuites of Anchor Land Holdings, Inc. (Location)

Best Affordable House of the Year 2018
Claremont of Filinvest Land, Inc.

Best Premium House of the Year 2018
Portofino Alabang of Brittany Corporation

Best Mixed-Use Development of the Year 2018
McKinley Hill of Megaworld Corporation (Amenities and Location) and SM Mall of Asia Complex of SM Prime Holdings, Inc (Investment Opportunity)

Here’s the list of winning properties for Visayas and Mindanao:

Best Affordable Condo of the Year 2018
Amaia Steps Mandaue of Amaia Land Corporation

Best Premium Condo of the Year 2018
Solinea of Alveo Land Corporation

Best House of the Year 2018
Casa Mira South of Cebu Landmasters, Inc.

Best Mixed-Use Development of the Year 2018
Iloilo Business Park of Megaworld Corporation

“The quality of the nominations this year just goes to show that the local property development market is thriving and evolving according to the changing needs of the market. Needless to say, we had a difficult but nonetheless remarkable job of sifting through the submissions as each was deserving of recognition in their own right,” said Bhavna Suresh, chief executive officer of Lamudi Philippines, in a statement.
Now on its second year, The Outlook 2018 is organized by Lamudi to give credit to the best real estate developers and projects in the past year that were chosen through a survey among 10,000 Filipino property seekers.
Lamudi is part of the Rocket Internet Group, an online venture builder. The property platform has over 100,000 listed properties ranging from luxury condominiums to warehouses from Quezon City to Zamboanga. — Vincent Mariel P. Galang

Cemex faces lawsuit over Naga landslide

CEMEX Holdings Philippines, Inc. (CHP) is facing an environmental class suit in relation to an affiliated firm’s quarry operations in Naga, Cebu, following a landslide that left at least 78 people dead last Sept. 20.
In a disclosure to the stock exchange on Monday, the listed cement manufacturer said it has received a summons order for the class suit, alongside APO Cement Corp. The defendants also include APO Land & Quarry Corporation (ALQC), Mines and Geosciences Bureau (MGB) Regional Office VII, City Government of Naga and Province of Cebu.
CHP’s subsidiary, APO Cement, sources its materials from ALQC, which in turn had been conducting quarrying activities in Naga City. Operations have since been suspended due to the landslide.
“The class suit seeks the restitution of damage of natural and human environment, application for the issuance of an Environment Protection Order against quarry operations in Cebu Island with the prayer for Temporary Protection Order, Writ of Continuing Mandamus for the determination of the carrying capacity of Cebu Island and rehabilitation and restoration of the damaged ecosystems,” CHP said.
Petitioners sought P4.33 billion in damages for the incident.
CHP said it has yet to assess the impact of the class suit on its operations. — Arra B. Francia

Dark, new ‘Fantastic Beasts’ movie grounded in real world

LOS ANGELES — Albus Dumbeldore is a young professor at Hogwarts School; the charismatic but evil Gellert Grindelwald is determined to manipulate the world for his own ends; and Newt Scamander, with his magical suitcase of strange creatures, is trying to stop him.
The wizarding world created by J.K. Rowling returned to the big screen last week with Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, and its dark themes are grounded firmly in the real world.
Set in 1927, some 70 years before Ms. Rowling’s best-selling Harry Potter books and movies, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald is the second in a spin-off movie series that explores the fight between good and evil, and between tolerance and acceptance.
“The thing that has always been extraordinary about Ms. (Rowling’s) work is people relate to aspects of it, whether it is specific character traits or vulnerabilities or a political climate,” said Eddie Redmayne, who plays Scamander.
“Yet she shrouds it in this world that is so magical and sort of wonderful that you don’t feel like you’re being hit by it until you start thinking about it afterwards,” the actor told Reuters Television.
Ms. Rowling has said that the rise of populist politics in modern times was on her mind when she began writing the screenplays for the first two movies, but she has not said if she had a specific person or country in mind.
The new film’s 1927 setting sees Grindelwald, played by Johnny Depp, address huge rallies that incite his followers to violence.
“One of the things that Grindelwald does so well is that he has an insane goal. But… he makes it sound so reasonable,” said Alison Sudol, who plays mind-reader Queenie Goldstein in the movie.
Zoe Kravitz, who plays Scamander’s love interest Leta Lestrange, said she thought the Grindelwald character could be modeled after any kind of person with seductive power.
Whatever the inspiration, Mr. Depp was a good choice to play him, Ms. Kravitz said.
“He is so charismatic and intelligent and I think he’s the perfect person to play a villain like this. He’s so kind of seductive in a way,” she said. — Reuters

DMCI Homes plans new condo in Pasay

AFTER the success of its two projects in Pasay City, DMCI Homes is planning to develop another residential condominium development called Aston Residences in the area.
In a statement, DMCI Homes said the single-tower resort-inspired development is located along Dominga St., a stone’s throw from its La Verti Residences project along Taft Avenue. The property developer said both La Verti and Fairway Terraces in Villamor Air Base have already been sold out.
“Pasay City has always been a sensible choice of address for urban dwellers looking for a convenient and dynamic lifestyle because of its strategic location near business centers,” DMCI Homes President Alfredo Austria said, noting the city’s access to main thoroughfares and the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Mr. Austria said the company expects Aston Residences to do well because of its proximity to business districts, entertainment hubs, and educational institutions.
Aston Residences will have DMCI Homes’ trademark generous open spaces and resort-inspired amenities such as pool complex, landscaped atriums, podium deck garden, outdoor fitness area, children’s play area, sky promenade, Sky Patios, and fitness gym.

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