Experience award-winning cinema at its finest as “Hamnet,” Best Picture winner at the Golden Globes, and nominated for 8 Academy Awards, arrives exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas on February 18 Early Access screenings available on February 14

 

The critically acclaimed Golden Globe winner for Best Picture and eight-time Academy Award–nominated film HAMNET, directed by Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao, arrives exclusively at the home of award-winning films, Ayala Malls Cinemas, starting February 18, offering Philippine audiences the rare opportunity to experience one of the year’s most celebrated films on the big screen.

Hamnet, a powerful story that inspired Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece Hamlet is written and directed by Academy Award winner Chloé Zhao, is based on Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning novel of the same title, and stars Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, and Joe Alwyn.

The film stands as one of the most recognized films of the awards season, nominated for Best Picture, Best Director (Chloé Zhao), Best Actress (Jessie Buckley), and major craft categories including Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, and Best Original Score. Hamnet has also won in two Golden Globes categories, with the film taking home the Best Motion Picture award in the drama category, and Jessie Buckley winning Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama. Praised for its emotional depth, intimate storytelling, and masterful performances, Hamnet is the latest addition in Ayala Malls Cinemas exclusives, a collection of critically-acclaimed stories that spark emotion and discussion. 

Set in England in the late 16th century, Hamnet is the tale of legendary poet William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes. A love affair turns into a marriage and three children, and as Will sets off to London for a career in theater, Agnes is left to support the family alone. Their bond is tested as tragedy strikes, and as their once unshakeable foundation starts to crumble, the experience leads into the creation of Hamlet.

Ayala Malls Cinemas invites audiences to experience Hamnet within a sanctuary of cinematic artistry—where every frame in the period drama comes alive through superior digital projection. The film’s hauntingly beautiful original score unfolds in rich, immersive surround sound, wrapping viewers in its emotional embrace. With thoughtfully designed premium seating and an atmosphere of refined and refreshed comfort, Ayala Malls Cinemas offers a space where one can fully surrender to the film’s profound story. Celebrated for its dedication to showcasing award-winning masterpieces, this is the perfect setting to witness Hamnet’s quiet power and timeless grace on the grandest screen. Films like Hamnet and more await as Ayala Malls Cinemas exclusives ensure there’s something for everyone, be it the latest in store or classics that deserve another period in the spotlight.

Producer Steven Spielberg is convinced that the story of Hamnet was in the best of hands with Chloé Zhao. “The beautiful and memorable storytelling in Maggie O’Farrell’s best-selling novel deserved to be brought to the screen by a filmmaker who would protect the material’s integrity and demonstrate an intuitive understanding of the emotional and complex journey that the characters—and the audience—take over the course of the story. There was only one director I knew who would bring Hamnet to the screen with such compassionate care, and that is Chloé Zhao,” says Spielberg. “In adapting the novel with Maggie, Chloé’s inherent humanity, unerring sense of narrative, and gift for getting remarkable performances infuse every frame of Hamnet”.   

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/TTxl99bfvyA?si=kHf2c1ocMqrnNhXG

Make your Valentine’s Day unforgettable with a romantic movie night as you become among the first to experience Hamnet on the big screen. Early Access screenings take place on February 14 at 6:30 PM at select Ayala Malls Cinemas: Trinoma, Glorietta 4, and Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Hamnet arrives exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas beginning February 18. Book your tickets now at www.sureseats.com For latest updates, visit Ayala Malls Cinemas’ official channels or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.  

Black Roses this Valentine's Day with “The Rose: Come Back To Me” A-Exclusive Valentine’s Treat Exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas, February 14 to 20

 

 Photo credit: Ayala Malls Cinemas

BLACK ROSES, THIS ONE’S FOR YOU!

Ayala Malls Cinemas proudly presents “The Rose: Come Back To Me,” an A-Exclusive Valentine’s Week core that transforms music, love, and healing into a touching big-screen experience, available exclusively from February 14 to 20. The Rose, a Korean Indie-Rock band, invites fans, Black Roses, to celebrate Valentine’s Day with their intimate documentary film through music connection, resilience, and shared emotion about their career and journey in the music industry.

Ayala Malls Cinemas brings this story to the big screen, continuing to be a haven for Hallyu fans, offering plush seats with generous legroom, and premium audiovisual experiences with Dolby Sound and Dolby Atmos that make every experience feel up close and personal. 

“The Rose: Come Back To Me” tells the story of The Rose’s members Kim Woosung, Park Dojoon, Lee Hajoon, and Lee Jaehyeong, who left the K-pop trainee system to create their own path in the music industry. Featuring “Trauma,” an original song written for the documentary’s release, the film traces The Rose’s rise to millions of listeners across multiple music platforms, while giving voice to how they endured challenges such as legal battles and a hiatus that tested them, revealing their journey of redemption and resilience as they dedicate their craft to their fans.

Ayala Malls Cinemas encourages the fans to reserve early at www.sureseats.com to secure tickets for this exclusive theatrical run, a Valentine’s Day treat from Ayala Malls Cinemas, set to play at Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Bonifacio High Street, Glorietta 4, Greenbelt 3, U.P. Town Center, Marquee Mall, Centrio, Capitol Central, Solenad, Feliz, Vermosa, and A-Giant Cinemas at Trinoma and Ayala Center Cebu. 

Spend your Valentine’s day with The Rose, and share your special movie date on social media using #TheRoseComeBackToMe #ValentinesWithTheRose #AyalaMallsCinemas, and join the fandom nationwide in celebrating love for music, hope, healing, and the brotherhood of Woosung, Dojoon, Hajoon, and Jaehyeong through their comeback, and heartfelt chronicle on the big screen—only at Ayala Malls Cinemas.

Visit Ayala Malls Cinemas’ Facebook and Instagram for more updates. 

A Love That Doesn’t Fold (But Your Phone Can): The Samsung Galaxy Guide to Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is defined by the small, intentional details that turn a simple date into a lifelong memory. This year, Samsung invites you to discover how the Galaxy devices act as the ultimate lifestyle partners. By letting Galaxy AI take the lead on planning and perfecting the details, the powerful Galaxy Z Series alongside the Galaxy S25 Series and Galaxy S25 FE ensure that the only thing a couple needs to focus on is their connection. 

Planning the Perfect Date with Galaxy AI

The perfect celebration starts with a surprise, and Galaxy AI handles the logistics so you can focus on each other. A simple Circle to Search with Google gesture instantly identifies boutique florists or hidden-gem bistros, while Gemini Live acts as a digital concierge to curate a bespoke itinerary tailored to your partner’s favorites. By streamlining every detail, Galaxy AI ensures the only thing left to do is chill and savor the moment.

Unfolded and Uninterrupted

For those who value style and presence, the Galaxy Z Series offers a unique way to stay connected while remaining fully in the moment. The Galaxy Z Flip7, with its upgraded 4.1-inch Flex Window, lets you manage reservations or glance at messages without the distraction of unfolding. Complementing this, the Galaxy Z Fold7 provides an expansive canvas for handling logistics or viewing shared memories in immersive detail—the ultimate lifestyle companion for those who want to see and do more together. 

Samsung has also integrated advanced AI tools to ensure every "we" moment looks professional-grade. The Galaxy S25 Ultra’s 200MP camera and AI ProVisual Engine master Nightography, capturing breathtaking detail even in soft, candlelit settings. Should an unwanted element clutter a shot, Generative Edit allows for the seamless removal of distractions with a tap, while Audio Eraser ensures videos focus purely on your conversation by filtering out ambient noise.

Galaxy AI Connects Love Beyond Borders

Whether navigating a long-distance surprise or traveling on a romantic getaway trip, the dual-screen Interpreter mode on the Galaxy Z Fold7 and real-time Live Translate ensure the language of love remains universal. These features facilitate natural, flowing conversations in real-time, allowing every heartfelt sentiment to be understood exactly as intended, regardless of the distance or language spoken.

To make these premium lifestyle experiences more accessible, Samsung is introducing the "Perfect Pair" Valentine’s offers, valid through February 28, 2026, which allow users to give the latest innovation through flexible payment terms of up to 36 months. During this period, the Galaxy S25 Ultra is available for as low as Php 2,455.28 per month, while the Galaxy S25+ and Galaxy S25 start at Php 1,966.39 and Php 1,502.50 per month, respectively. 

For those seeking the chic versatility of the foldables, the Galaxy Z Fold7 is offered at Php 2,988.61 per month, with the Galaxy Z Flip7 available at Php 1,858.06 and the Galaxy Z Flip7 FE at Php 1,535.83 per month. 

Rounding out the collection, the Galaxy S25 FE provides a sophisticated entry into the ecosystem for as low as Php 871.94 per month. With these promos, you can orchestrate the perfect itinerary to capture every glance in high definition, Galaxy turns the vision of a perfect Valentine’s into a seamless reality. 

For more information on how to make this Valentine’s the most memorable one yet with the latest Galaxy S and Z Series, visit any authorized Samsung Store nationwide or the official Samsung Philippines website. 

DTI Permit Nos. FTEB-246048, 245565 

HOPE builds 25 classrooms in 2025

 PRESS RELEASE 

From its 2025 Impact Report, HOPE, the Philippines’ first certified B Corp and a pioneering impact organization, together with its partner organizations and businesses, successfully embarked on the building of 25 public-school classrooms in 2025.

Some of the completed and under-construction HOPE classrooms in 2025 

Since its founding in 2012, HOPE has built a total of 167 classrooms, providing safe and conducive learning environments for over 53,000 Filipino children nationwide, and will continue to benefit future generations of students. This underscores HOPE’s long-term commitment to improving access to quality education for Filipino youth. 

As a way to help the future of our country, HOPE recognizes the need for investments in the Philippine education sector, specifically public school classrooms, and giving attention to the “last mile schools” or those located in the remote areas in the country. 

“I am deeply grateful to be rooted in the work of HOPE at a time when the world continues to ask so much of the human spirit. The past year was shaped by people who chose HOPE and translated that choice into action through partnerships, communities, and everyday decisions that moved our work forward,” said Nanette Medved-Po, HOPE Chairperson and Founder. 

One of HOPE’s highlights of 2025 is the launch of Generation HOPE, a partnership with the country’s most beloved brands to help address the urgent need of building more public-school classrooms nationwide. Together with BDO, Carmen’s Best, Sunnies, Grab, SM Supermalls, The Aivee Clinic, and Penshoppe, different initiatives were kick-started to invite every Filipino to join the wave of building public-school classrooms. 

Generation HOPE merchandise and programs launched in 2025, together with partner brands

“To every individual who chooses to support, share, and participate, this is your impact. Your belief fuels this work and allows hope to reach more communities, classrooms, and futures across the Philippines,” she added. 

To know more about HOPE’s 2025 Impact Report, please visit https://generationhope.ph/hope-impact. Please follow HOPE on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/generationhope.ph or @generationhope.ph on Instagram for more updates. 

A heart-pounding crime thriller awaits in “Crime 101,” starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, and Barry Keoghan

In PH cinemas Feb 18

High stakes, higher returns. Crime 101, a crime thriller with a dazzling all-star cast consisting of Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, and Barry Keoghan. The film is adapted from Don Winslow’s acclaimed novella of the same name, and helmed by Bart Layton as writer and director. 

Layton is no stranger to stories of people living outside the shadow of the law, and he saw the perfect setting for his next endeavor in Crime 101. “I felt like many of the characters are slightly trapped in that sense of ‘I'm never going to feel good about my place in the world unless I have this,’” Layton says. “L.A. is a place that really nurtures that sense of: if you want to really be somebody and feel like you are of value, you need to have all the external trappings of great success. I think status anxiety is a constant thing.”

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/jnrf3f4PVXI

Crime 101 is a tale of the elusive but prolific thief Davis, who has a penchant for pilfering jewels and makes his haunt around the 101 freeway in Los Angeles, California. The heist of a lifetime happens upon him, and crosses paths with jaded insurance broker Sharon Coombs, played by Halle Berry. Complications from her career selling protection for the treasures of the Los Angeles elite put her at a crossroads in her life. Meanwhile LAPD investigator Detective Lou Lubesnik, played by Mark Ruffalo, has been haunted by the 101 freeway crimes, and all three of their lives intersect as Davis sets off for the biggest job of his career.

Director Layton took inspiration from a passion of his, which was classic heist thrillers such as Steven Soderbergh’s Out of Sight (1998), Michael Mann’s Thief (1980), The Sting, and Norman Jewison’s The Thomas Crown Affair (1968). “They were grownup movies,” he says. “They had real characters and were kind of tonally not simply a comedy, a drama or a thriller. They had light and shade. I definitely thought it would be nice to remind people that those are still great experiences to have in the cinema.” 

Actor Chris Hemsworth and Layton have a shared love of old-school heist dramas, so coming onboard for Crime 101 was a no-brainer for the actor. “I read the script and loved it because it felt like a real throwback to ‘90s thrillers,” Hemsworth says. “There was a sort of nostalgia to the story that you don’t see too much these days. I was a fan of Bart’s work and loved American Animals. It was a very character-driven drama with elaborate intersecting storylines. After our first meeting I thought not only has he written an incredibly compelling script, but he also has a brilliant vision for the film.”

Veteran producer Eric Fellner was convinced that Crime 101 was going to steal the imagination of the audience, and is more than proud of the film he helped shape. “I found it inspiring how good everybody was in the film, and that goes from in front of the camera to behind it,” Fellner says. “There is unbelievable production design, cinematography, costume, hair and makeup, editing, music—just every aspect.” The result is a passion project for all involved, which he hopes resonates with the viewers: “When you're making something, the hope from a producer is that audiences will lean in, emotionally engage, and at the end breathe out a huge sigh of joy and go: ‘Wow, that was great.’”

Crime 101 delivers thrills in Philippine cinemas starting February 18. 

Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”

ENCORE FILMS PHILIPPINES Why "NOBODY" Is a Fun, Feel-Good Animated Film That Captures You with Its Tale Opens in PH Cinemas on February 4

 

Photo credit: Encore Films Philippines

Nobody expects much from a pig, a toad, a weasel, and a gorilla, but that’s exactly what makes NOBODY such a delightful, fun animated 2D film this 2026. Witness it on the big screen starting February 4. 

NOBODY is about the adventure of these four nameless little demons who leave their ordinary lives on Mount Langlang, setting them on a rollercoaster ride journey where they experience danger, discovery, and unexpected growth of themselves. 

Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqTJKSBOzAA

Here’s why NOBODY captures audiences with its tale:

Four Loveable Underdogs

The pig, toad, weasel, and gorilla are individually unique yet loveable characters, despite being underdogs. Their distinct personalities, flaws, and quirks bring comedic antics that drive them toward their goals. Although they are neither legendary nor powerful, they are clever, resilient, and their determination makes them both relatable and endearing. Along their journey, these unlikely “heroes” show that being a nobody doesn’t mean you can’t make a difference because sometimes, you are THAT difference. 

Photo credit: Encore Films Philippines

Animation and Hand-Drawn Style

NOBODY’s 2D animation style, with its lush hand-drawn visuals and watercolor stroke aesthetics, has caught the attention of early critics and viewers of the film, as it blends traditional techniques while presenting the feel of classic Chinese landscape painting, perfect for its waggish and mystical setting. NOBODY pays homage to its cultural roots while giving a playful twist to tales like Journey to the West.

Photo credit: Encore Films Philippines

The Heart and Soul 

The pig, the toad, the weasel, and the gorilla may seem flawed and often underestimated, yet their dynamic turns everyday mischief into shared purpose, trust, and heartfelt moments, making their journey chaotically entertaining, funny, and touching. What starts as an adventurous chase for recognition becomes a heartfelt exploration of bravery, learned through laughter, failure, and the unwavering companionship of these four.

NOBODY’s heart lies in the laughter that opens space for tenderness, and in how courage and friendship reshapes oneself, while the soul is the belief that bravery and kindness make anyone extraordinary, and that even “nobodies” have stories worth telling. 

Photo credit: Encore Films Philippines

Prepare yourself to laugh out loud, and get ready for a heartfelt journey that redefines what it means to be a “nobody.”

Get to know more about our four nameless little demons in NOBODY, and check out other updates only at Encore Films Philippines on Facebook and Instagram @encorefilmsph 

NOBODY Film Review: A Fresh, Heart-Warming Extraordinary Journey

 By: Edgar Allan E. Yu

If you’re searching for a film that’s both visually stunning and rich in meaning, look no further than NOBODY. Based on the Yao-Chinese Folktales anthology, this film delivers a truly unique spin on the classic Journey to the West tale. Instead of focusing on the legendary Sun Wukong, NOBODY shifts its spotlight to four “low-level” monsters—a pig, a toad, a weasel, and an orangutan—who hilariously pretend to be the famous pilgrims in pursuit of sacred Buddhist scriptures.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/nqTJKSBOzAA?feature=shared 

What sets NOBODY apart is its perfect blend of humor and life lessons. As these unlikely heroes embark on their adventure, they face life-threatening challenges that not only test their courage but also reveal profound truths about friendship and self-worth. The narrative is heart-warming without ever feeling heavy-handed—a rare feat that makes it accessible for both kids and adults.

The film’s background visuals are nothing short of breathtaking; every scene looks like it has been lifted straight from traditional Chinese scroll paintings. This artistic choice adds depth and authenticity to an already compelling story.

Ultimately, NOBODY proves that even those considered insignificant can achieve greatness. It’s easy to see why this movie has become the highest grossing 2D animated film in China—it’s entertaining, visually captivating, and deeply inspiring. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary journey; it’s a cinematic experience you’ll cherish long after the credits roll.

#NobodyPH 

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@encorefilmsph

Photo credit: "Encore Films PH"