Entertainment News (06/21/22)

ABS-CBN unveils Darna mural

ABS-CBN formally unveiled its Darna mural at its Quezon City headquarters. Jane De Leon, lead star of the upcoming series, Mars Ravelo’s Darna, led the unveiling ceremonies at the ABS-CBN Compound along Eugenio Lopez Drive in Quezon City. “We offer this to our real-life heroes who prove in their own little ways that there is a hero in all of us, that we can always find Darna in everyone,” she said. Darna stars Janella Salvador and Joshua Garcia also joined the special tribute. Multidisciplinary visual artist Anina Rubio designed the huge mural featuring people from all walks of life wearing the Darna insignia. Helmed by director Chito S. Roño together with Avel Sunpongco under ABS-CBN’s JRB Creative Production, Darna will soon air on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, TV5, Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, and iWantTFC.

Cinemalaya announces 2022 short film finalists

THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. have announced the competing films in the Short Film Category of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2022. The 12 finalists are: Ampangabagat Nin Talakba Ha Likol (It’s Raining Frogs Outside) by Maria Estela Paiso; Black Rainbow by Zig Dulay; City of Flowers by Xeph Suarez; Dikit by Gabriela Serrano; Distance by Dexter Paul de Jesus; Duwa-Duwa by Nena Jane Achacoso; Mga Handum Nga Nasulat Sa Baras (The Dreams That Are Written in the Sand) by Arlie Sweet Sumagaysay and Richard Jeroui Salvadico; Mata Kang Busay (Vision of the Falls) by Nino Maldecir and Cyphor John Gayorgor; Kwits by Raz de la Torre; Roundtrip to Happiness by Claudia Fernando; See You, George! by Mark Moneda; and Si Oddie by Maria Kydylee Torato. The selection committee, composed of Teddy Co, Joel Ruiz, Manet Dayrit, Lee Briones, and Martika Escobar, chose the finalists from 199 submitted entries. The 12 short feature film finalists will be screened during the 2022 Cinemalaya Festival, happening from Aug. 5 to 14 at various CCP venues and select partner cinemas. The best short feature film will be awarded P150,000 and a Balanghai trophy during the Cinemalaya Awards Night on Aug. 14, at the CCP Main Theater. On its 18th year, the Cinemalaya returns to on-site screenings after being held via online streaming. For more information, visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph and www.cinemalaya.org.

Director Olivia Lamasan shares her passion

THE LATEST installment of Sagip Pelikula Spotlight this June features veteran writer-director and former ABS-CBN Films Productions, Inc. head Olivia M. Lamasan. Her digitally restored works will be shown along with a special pre-show interview with the director. In a one-on-one conversation with ABS-CBN Film Restoration head Leo Katigbak, Ms. Lamasan recalls her humble beginnings as an aspiring filmmaker before becoming the industry’s “Inang”(mother). The full pre-show interview with Ms. Lamasan in the latest installment of Sagip Pelikula Spotlight, featuring the digitally restored 2002 hit Got 2 Believe, starring Claudine Barretto and Rico Yan, is now streaming on KTX for P150. Some of Ms. Lamasan’s other works including Maalaala Mo Kaya… The Movie, Milan, Sana Maulit Muli, and The Mistress are all available on KTX. Sagip Pelikula will also be showing the digitally scanned and enhanced version of LVN’s 1960 classic film The Triplets, which will be streaming for free on June 23, 7:30 p.m., on ABS-CBN Film Restoration’s Facebook page. For more details on its upcoming film showings, follow ABS-CBN Film Restoration on Facebook (facebook.com/filmrestorationabscbn), Twitter (@ABS_Restoration), and Instagram (@abscbnfilmrestoration). 

TM holds concert in CDO

MOBILE network TM will hold the TM is The Key Reunion Concert on July 2 at the Pelaez Sports Center, Cagayan De Oro (CDO) City. TM endorsers including Alden Richards, Seth Fedelin, Matthaios, and The Juans will be performing, along with guest artists such as Zack Tabudlo and December Avenue, and CDO-based bands, Inside City and Cyber Band. Raffle prizes will be given away throughout the show including Huawei Watch, TM 5G phones, and P50,000. TM will also announce the grand raffle winner of the TM is the Key Raffle promo, with a cash prize of P2 million. The TM is The Key Reunion Concert is free and open to the public. The whole event will be streamed online through the TM Tambayan Facebook page, starting at 5 p.m.

Westworld season 4 kicks off June 27

THE EMMY-winning HBO Original drama series Westworld will debut its eight-episode fourth season at the same time as the US on Monday, June 27, 9 a.m., on HBO and HBO GO, with a same-day encore at 10 p.m. on HBO. Subsequent episodes will follow every Monday at the same times. Returning cast members include Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, Luke Hemsworth, Aaron Paul, and Angela Sarafyan. Oscar-winner Ariana DeBose joins the Westworld cast as a recurring guest star this season. Westworld is based on the film written by Michael Crichton.

Cafe Minamdang coming soon on Netflix

IN the new Korean series Cafe Minamdang, a suspicious business that offers the services of a purportedly all-knowing shaman catches the attention of a tenacious police inspector. The show will star actors Seo In-guk and Oh Yeon-seo. Cafe Minamdang will be available only on Netflix, starting June 27.

Kung Fu Panda series to stream on Netflix

JACK Black returns to Kung Fu Panda in the new series Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight. When a mysterious pair of weasels set their sights on a collection of four powerful weapons, Po the panda must embark on a globe-trotting quest that finds him partnered up with an English knight named Wandering Blade voiced by Rita Ora. Together, these two mismatched warriors set out on an epic adventure to find the magical weapons first and save the world from destruction. Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight will be available on Netflix starting July 14.