Regine Velazquez’s Freedom concert rescheduled
THE POSTPONED Freedom: Regine Velasquez-Alcasid Digital Concert has been rescheduled to Feb. 28 (Sunday). “Regine tested negative for COVID-19 and will soon resume preparations for the show,” a press release said. All previously sold tickets will be honored on the new concert date. Tickets are available on KTX (ktx.ph). Exclusive access is also available on iWantTFC and TFC IPTV Pay-Per-View and will also be available on SKY Pay-Per-View.
New judges for Born To Be A Star
BORN to be a Star reality talent search returns with a new set of talents and judges. Produced by VIVA Entertainment for Cignal TV and TV5, the show puts a spotlight on aspiring and talented individuals from across the Philippines. At stake is a P1-million cash prize and a recording and management contract under VIVA Entertainment. The reality show is now hosted by singer-actress Kim Molina and actor Matteo Guidicelli. It also has a panel of “Star Judges” who will deliberate over each contestant’s progress throughout the show. The judges are: rap singer Andrew E; singer Katrina Velarde; former Born To Be A Star finalist Janine Tenoso, G-Force founder and choreographer Georcelle Sy, and singer Sam Concepcion. Auditionees were asked to submit videos through Tiktok, and 40 applicants were shortlisted for the TV try-outs. Born To Be A Star airs on Saturdays at 7 p.m. on TV5 with a catch-up airing every Sunday, 8 p.m., on Viva Entertainment’s SARI-SARI Channel on Cignal TV CH. 03. The show is also available on SatLite CH. 30 and on Cignal Play on Android and iOS and cignalplay.com.
Woody Allen, Mia Farrow docu out on HBO
HBO Documentary Film’s Allen V. Farrow, from award-winning investigative filmmakers Kirby Dick, Amy Ziering and Amy Herdy, is a four-part documentary series that goes behind decades of sensational headlines to reveal the private story of one of Hollywood’s most notorious and public scandals: the accusation of sexual abuse against Woody Allen involving Dylan, his then seven-year-old daughter with Mia Farrow; their subsequent custody trial, the revelation of Mr.Allen’s relationship with Farrow’s daughter, Soon-Yi; and the controversial aftermath in the years that followed. Once celebrated for their on and off-screen partnership, Ms. Farrow and Mr. Allen’s lives were irrevocably fractured and their sprawling family torn apart with the public disclosure of the abuse allegations and the vitriolic disputes that followed. Allen V. Farrow premieres on Feb. 22, 10 a.m., on HBO GO and HBO, with a same day encore at 10 p.m. on HBO. New episodes will premiere subsequent Mondays at the same time.
New show, new season, new film on Netflix
THE SECOND season of the Netflix Original Series Love Alarm and a new film called Yes Day will both premiere on March 12. Based on the popular webtoon of the same name, Love Alarm is set in a world where a mobile app alerts you if someone within a 10-meter radius likes you. The show stars Kim So-hyun, Jung Ga-ram, and Song Kang. Love Alarm S2 is directed by Kim Jin-woo of Good Doctor, Queen of Mystery, and Suits. Meanwhile, Yes Day follows a couple who, always feeling like they have to say “No” to their kids and co-workers, decide to give their three kids a “Yes Day” — where for 24 hours the kids make the rules. Little do they know that they are going on a whirlwind adventure around Los Angeles that would bring the family closer together. Directed by Miguel Arteta, the show stars Jennifer Garner, Édgar Ramírez, Jenna Ortega, Julian Lerner, Everly Carganilla, H.E.R., Nat Faxon, Molly Sims, Fortune Feimster, and Arturo Castro. Meanwhile, premiering on March 25 is DOTA: Dragon’s Blood, an eight-episode anime series based on the popular DOTA 2 video-game franchise by Valve. The fantasy series tells the story of Davion, a Dragon Knight who becomes embroiled in events much larger than he could have ever imagined.
Spanish film fest continues
THIS coming weekend will see the second film in a series dedicated to Spanish actress Ángela Molina, La Mitad del Cielo, a drama directed by Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón in 1986. In the film, Molina plays Rosa, a young woman who, after the Civil War, is forced to move from her home to Madrid. Over time she opens her own restaurant, which she transforms to a political and intellectual center of the capital through her hard work and ability to navigate in a patriarchal society. The movie bagged the Golden Shell at the San Sebastián Film Festival and Ms. Molina received the Silver Shell award for best actress. La Mitad del Cielo will be accessible for free online from the Philippines only on Feb. 20 and 21 (Saturday and Sunday). It is in Spanish with English subtitles. To access the film, go to: https://vimeo.com/502198538. For further information on the film visit https://www.facebook.com/events/346035060067014/.
Spotify introduces original Pinoy podcasts
AUDIO streaming service Spotify launches seven new Original Filipino podcasts available exclusively on Spotify for Free and Premium users. The newly launched slate of shows features content made by homegrown personalities such as Pia Wurtzbach, Donnalyn Bartolome, Will Dasovich, and more. This is the next step in Spotify’s podcast focus in the Philippines following the nine Exclusive shows launched in September 2020 including Sleeping Pill with Inka, Adulting with Joyce Pring, and Boiling Waters PH and marks the first time Spotify has commissioned original content with Filipino creators. The seven original podcasts are: Between Us Queens, led by Miss Universe 2015 winner Pia Wurtzbach together with fellow beauty queens Bianca Guidotti and Carla Lizardo, which serves as an avenue for these former pageant ladies to share their experiences and talk about what it means to be a modern Filipina; Itatama Pa Ba o Tama Na? which has internet personality Donnalyn Bartolome helping real life lovers settle the score or mend things; Superhuman, where cancer survivor and vlogger Wil Dasovich deep dives into the ever-changing world of health; The Raid with Alodia & Ashley, where the country’s biggest Facebook game streamer and cosplayers, Alodia Gosiengfiao is joined by sister Ashley as they geek out on all things anime, gaming, and give people a sneak peek into what an otaku sibling duo’s life is like; Huwag ‘tong Makakalabas, spoken-word artist, film writer, and Pinoy pop culture fanatic Juan Miguel Severo flips through his old journals and hidden letters, performing spoken word pieces and his thoughts in a 15-minute episode; Payaman Insider, a weekly spontaneous chat show with Team Payaman’s Junnieboy, RogerRaker, Peachy Twice, and Boss Tryke; and, Growing Up with Ben and Kris, YouTuber Benedict Cua and his manager Kristian Somera reflect on the next chapter of their lives.
Giveon tops PHL streaming charts
BUOYED by its popularity on TikTok and other video-sharing platforms, Giveon’s “Heartbreak Anniversary” currently ranks as the most streamed song in the Philippines this week. The R&B ballad shot straight to No. 1 on both Spotify Philippines Top 50 and Viral 50 charts, respectively. Tallying close to 50 million streams on Spotify worldwide, the song has also gained traction from international music critics and publications, with Cool Hunting praising the track for “fusing modern R&B with the baritone deliveries of legendary artists like Frank Sinatra and Bobby Caldwell” and for its “simple instrumentals that radiate while Giveon’s vocals dive deeper.” “Heartbreak Anniversary” appears on Giveon’s new EP, Take Time, which was released last year by Epic Records. Giveon’s “Heartbreak Anniversary” is now available on all digital platforms worldwide via Epic Records and Sony Music.
Digital Binibining Pilipinas experience through augmented reality
NOW one can view this year’s Binibining Pilipinas national costume photos in a more interactive way via augmented reality (AR). To check out the costumes using a smartphone, scan the QR code found at the Ali Mall photo exhibit or on the Binibining Pilipinas online pages; point the mobile phone camera to the photo of the candidate (whether in the exhibit, or posted online); and wait for the video that will appear on the smartphone screen. Through this digital feature, fans will get a closer look at the details of each meticulously-designed costume. This serves as a preview of what the public would expect when the candidates showcase their unique outfits in the National Costume show which will be held before the grand coronation night on April 17. The Binibining Pilipinas national costume photo exhibit is on view at the Ground Floor of Ali Mall, Araneta City. For more news on Binibining Pilipinas, visit www.bbpilipinas.com.