Friday, January 17, 2025

Fall in love once more as Renée Zellweger returns for one last chapter in “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” Opens in PH cinemas on Feb 12

 


Follow Bridget Jones in another comedic and heartfelt chapter to her story, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Renée Zellweger reprises her role as romantic-comedy icon Bridget Jones, who tries to rekindle the spark in her life after the death of her husband Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth. Now a single mother to two children, her loved ones encourage her into pursuing a new path into life and love, often with hilarious results.


Watch the trailer: https://tinyurl.com/2b69nzny


The film also stars Hugh Grant, Emma Thompsion, Leo Woodall, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Isla Fisher. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is the perfect Valentine’s Day movie as it opens in Philippine theaters on February 12. Follow Universal Pictures PH (FB), UniversalPicturesPH (IG), and UniversalPicsPH (TikTok) for the latest updates.


About Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy



Two-time Academy Award® winner Renée Zellweger returns to the role that established a romantic-comedy heroine for the ages, a woman whose inimitable approach to life and love redefined an entire film genre.  

 

Bridget Jones first blasted onto bookshelves in Helen Fielding’s literary phenomenon Bridget Jones’s Diary, which became a global bestseller and a blockbuster film. As a single career woman living in London, Bridget Jones not only introduced the world to her romantic adventures, but added “Singletons,” “Smug-Marrieds” and “f---wittage” into the global lexicon. Bridget’s ability to triumph despite adversity led her to finally marry top lawyer Mark Darcy and to become the mother of their baby boy. Happiness at last.


But in Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Bridget is alone once again, widowed four years ago, when Mark (Oscar® winner Colin Firth) was killed on a humanitarian mission in Sudan. She’s now a single mother to 9-year-old Billy and 4-year-old Mabel, and is stuck in a state of emotional limbo, raising her children with help from her loyal friends and even her former lover, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).


Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michael Morris (To Leslie, Better Call Saul), from a screenplay by BAFTA nominee Helen Fielding, based on her novel, with contributions from Emmy winner Abi Morgan (The Iron Lady, Eric) and Oscar® nominee Dan Mazer (I Give it A Year, Bridget Jones’s Baby). 


The film is produced for Working Title by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, whose films, including The Danish Girl, Darkest Hour, Fargo, Les Misérables and The Theory of Everything, among others, have earned 14 Academy Awards® and six Best Picture nominations. The film is also produced by Jo Wallett (Wicked Little Letters, Catherine Called Birdy). The film is executive produced by Helen Fielding, Renée Zellweger, Amelia Granger and Sarah-Jane Wright. Working Title has produced all the Bridget Jones films. 

Ayala Malls Cinemas exclusively brings award-winning film “Anora” in theaters starting Jan 22

 



Ayala Malls Cinemas continues its run of carrying award-winning films to the big screen with “Anora,” coming exclusively to Ayala Malls Cinemas this January 22. The film follows a young sex worker from Brooklyn. Anora gets the chance of a lifetime when she meets and impulsively marries the son of a Russian oligarch. The fairy tale comes back to reality once the news reaches Russia, and the son’s family sets out for New York to get the marriage annulled. Anora is written and directed by Sean Baker, and stars Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yura Borisov, Karren Karagulian, and Vache Tovmasyan. The film has been nominated for multiple awards, including five nominations for the Golden Globes, and three nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Awards.Nominations include Best Actress, and Best Director, and Best Motion Picture for the Golden Globes, and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for the SAG Awards. It has also won the Palme d’Or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.


Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/UShV9xVzc1U


Anora was first announced as part of the QCinema line-up, much to the anticipation of film festival-goers. The film sold out most screenings for the duration of the festival, and received rave reviews from critics and the general audience. Manila Bulletin praises the film, writing, “It’s sexy, it’s disturbing, it’s laugh-out-loud funny, and it’s poignant. There are not many films around that can claim to take us successfully through so many moods and emotions.” Daily Tribune also leaves a glowing review on Anora, writing, “Anora, easily the best film I’ve seen this year, is exactly what you crave in a cinematic experience—uninhibited, wholly entertaining, yet firmly grounded in reality. Sean Baker, known for his indies that focus on the marginalized, especially sex workers, crafts a comedic anti-fairytale that won this year’s Palme d’Or, with clarity and a deep understanding of the mind and heart.”



Don’t miss the chance to watch her story unfold, as Anora arrives in the Philippines on January 22, exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas. Ayala Malls Cinemas continues to provide critically acclaimed films from all around the world for moviegoers, paired with Dolby Atmos sound and luxurious seats for the ultimate cinematic experience. Cinema patrons can also pair their experience with delicious treats and beverages from The Movie Snackbar. Take your film-watching experience to the next level at Ayala Malls Cinemas, where great cinema experience makes their home. 



Keep updated with Anora and all the latest cinema experiences from Ayala Malls Cinemas by following the official Ayala Malls Cinemas FB and IG pages



Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Succumb to the darkness. “Nosferatu” arrives in PH cinemas on Feb 26


 




Universal Pictures Philippines has announced a release date for the highly anticipated Robert Egger’s gothic reimagining of the classic 1922 vampire film, Nosferatu. The film is a tale of obsession between a haunted young woman, Ellen, and the vampire Nosferatu. He becomes infatuated with her, causing untold horror in his wake. 


Watch the trailer here: https://tinyurl.com/yck67hvd


The critically acclaimed film stars Bill Skarsgård as the titular vampire, along with Nicolas Hoult, Lily Rose-Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney, and Willem Dafoe.




Nosferatu is haunting Philippine theaters starting February 26 Follow Universal Pictures PH (FB), UniversalPicturesPH (IG), and UniversalPicsPH (TikTok) for the latest updates.



“Paddington in Peru” promises laughter, warmth, and a joyous celebration of family as a new chapter unfolds




As the beloved brown bear Paddington sets off on a brand new adventure, the team behind Paddington in Peru weighs in on bringing the latest tale to the big screen. Hugh Bonneville, who reprises his role as Mr. Brown, was excited just upon reading the script. “I was delighted that on page one I was chuckling, which is always a good sign,” he says.


Watch the trailer here: https://youtu.be/0l52k4m7GNs?si=HbMS0AixH7qiUL3A


Director Dougal Wilson, who takes the helm from Paul King, director of the first two films, understands the responsibility of handling an enduring story and is excited to share Paddington in Peru with the audience. “These films and the character of Paddington himself have become very cherished, beloved and have essentially created a lot of anticipation for a bit more Paddington,” he says. “That's why I'm really excited for audiences to see the next part of the story that we’ve decided to tell. It’s obviously a huge responsibility and quite nerve-wracking, but I really hope this new chapter will be full of surprises and an appropriate expansion of Paddington’s world.”


Ben Whishaw, who returns to the film series as the voice of Paddington, was more than happy to be back on this journey. “After the success of the first two films, you couldn’t help but feel trepidatious about what the next film might involve. There is also a sense of pressure to not repeat the same thing. But I thought the concept was great because it is much more of an adventure than the other films. Paddington is much more in a position of jeopardy and risk. I thought it was very exciting, very funny, and moving too, so I was super excited by it.”


Emily Mortimer, who joins the rest of the gang as Mrs. Brown, feels like the creative script is the perfect continuation of Paddington’s story. “I just loved the adventure of this script. I thought it was so enjoyable and so inventive,” she says.


Another member of the Brown family is Sam Joslin, returning as Jonathan Brown. Joslin appreciates the wider world that Paddington is placed in with Paddington in Peru. “It felt so much bigger and so much more expansive,” he says. Joslin’s on-screen sister, Madeleine Harris, who plays Judy Brown, was also completely captivated by the brand new tale. “It’s a completely different ballgame with this film, and so it’s super exciting. It’s more adventurous, there’s a lot more action-based scenes, and I’m just really, really excited for this film,” she says.


It’s off to a brand new adventure as Paddington in Peru arrives in Philippine theaters on January 29.



About Paddington in Peru


Full of Paddington’s signature blend of wit, charm, and laugh-out-loud humor, Paddington in Peru finds the beloved, marmalade-loving bear lost in the jungle on an exciting, high-stakes adventure. When Paddington discovers his beloved Aunt Lucy has gone missing from the Home for Retired Bears, he and the Brown family head to the wilds of Peru to look for her, the only clue to her whereabouts a spot marked on an enigmatic map. Determined to solve the mystery, Paddington embarks on a thrilling quest through the rainforests of the Amazon to find his aunt…and may also uncover one of the world’s most legendary treasures.

 

The third Paddington film stars Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Imelda Staunton, Carla Tous, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, and Ben Whishaw returning as the voice of Paddington.


Coming on January 29 in Philippine cinemas, Paddington in Peru is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #PaddingtoninPeru @columbiapicph


Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”

 


Wednesday, January 8, 2025

Meet the family trapped in Blumhouse’s latest nightmare “Wolf Man” In cinemas January 15

 


Effective horror is anchored in a grounded world, and director Leigh Whannell and screenwriter Corbett Tuck laid the foundation with the story of Blake Lovell, along with his family. With his past seemingly behind him, long buried secrets get unearthed and threatens his family as they explore the Lovell farm, an inheritance from his deceased father.


Watch the Wolf Man trailer here: https://youtu.be/ndqqU-Y25rY


Blake, a struggling father and husband, is played by Christopher Abbott(Poor Things), who director Whannell thinks breathes life into the tortured character. “Chris is unable to be inauthentic,” Whannell says. “He doesn’t hit a false note. He’s not a showy actor, and he’s allergic to performative acting or reaching. He just wants to bring it into a living, breathing zone, and it’s a magic trick to watch.”    


They’ve also gone to great lengths to match that authenticity with practical makeup and prosthetics as Blake transforms into a monster, with lengthy discussions on how Abbott would interpret this evolution. “Leigh and I talked a lot about illnesses from Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s,” Abbott says. “In terms of the transformation, it was letting go of the reality of what it is to be a healthy human and stripping that away.” 




Julia Garner(Ozark, Finding Anna) plays the role of Charlotte, the breadwinner of the Lovell family. Keeping the family afloat atop a very demanding job as a journalist stirs resentment within her, directed at her husband Blake. “In terms of her emotions, Julia is such an open wound,” Whannell says. “They’re so close to the surface, and she’s able to tap into them in such a real way. When Julia’s getting ready to go  into character, she wants to live it. There’s no lounging around on her phone waiting for the take to start. She is just bristling with energy, and it changes the temperature of the set. When someone walks on in that headspace, everyone goes quiet.”


As her husband goes through a dark transformation, Charlotte goes through her own psychological changes. Garner found herself riveted by the script and drawn to this story of love and loss. “It’s about connection and grief,” Garner says. “When somebody’s in front of you and they’re slowly disappearing, it’s not a sudden death, but a slow process. Early on, Leigh discussed wanting to connect and then having that person not be there anymore. When we started prepping, I told him that I wanted it to feel that the audience was going through the seven stages of grief in one night. When Blake is going through the physical stages, Charlotte is going through the mental ones.”


The heart of the Lovell family is 8-year old Ginger, who is played by Matilda Firth. As her father, Blake, begins to transform, we see his struggle between his fierce paternal instinct and the emerging monster. 


Starring in a horror movie is no easy feat for Matilda, but she found joy in the scary scenes. “One of my favorite scenes was when I was sitting at the table in the kitchen and putting lipstick on Chris,” Firth says. “I also loved the stunt work up on the greenhouse with Julie. It was freezing cold, but we had hot water bottles to keep us warm. For the scene I had to climb across and try to reach Julie. They cut a hole in the greenhouse where I could drop through and the monster is jumping up trying to get me.”


Watch the Lovell family live through the nightmare as Wolf Man arrives in Philippine cinemas on January 15, 2025. Follow Universal Pictures PH (FB), UniversalPicturesPH (IG), and UniversalPicsPH (TikTok) for the latest updates.


About Wolf Man:



From Blumhouse and visionary writer-director Leigh Whannell, the creators of the chilling modern monster tale The Invisible Man, comes a terrifying new lupine nightmare: Wolf Man.


Golden Globe nominee Christopher Abbott (Poor Things, It Comes at Night) stars as Blake, a San Francisco husband and father, who inherits his remote childhood home in rural Oregon after his own father vanishes and is presumed dead. With his marriage to his high-powered wife, Charlotte (Emmy winner Julia Garner; Ozark, Inventing Anna), fraying, Blake persuades Charlotte to take a break from the city and visit the property with their young daughter, Ginger (Matlida Firth; Hullraisers, Coma).


But as the family approaches the farmhouse in the dead of night, they’re attacked by an unseen animal and, in a desperate escape, barricade themselves inside the home as the creature prowls the perimeter. As the night stretches on, however, Blake begins to behave strangely, transforming into something unrecognizable, and Charlotte will be forced to decide whether the terror within their house is more lethal than the danger without.


The film co-stars Sam Jaeger (The Handmaid’s Tale), Ben Prendergast (The Sojourn Audio Drama) and Benedict Hardie (The Invisible Man), with newcomer Zac Chandler, Beatriz Romilly (Shortland Street) and Milo Cawthorne (Shortland Street).


Wolf Man is directed by Whannell and written by Whannell & Corbett Tuck. Whannell’s previous films with Blumhouse include The Invisible Man, Upgrade and Insidious: Chapter 3.


The film is produced by Blumhouse founder and CEO Jason Blum p.g.a., and Ryan Gosling (The Fall Guy, Lost River) and is executive produced by Leigh Whannell, Beatriz Sequeira, Mel Turner and Ken Kao. Universal Pictures and Blumhouse present a Gosling/Waypoint Entertainment production, in association with Cloak & Co: Wolf Man. 

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

New Year, New Bod: Here are 5 tips on achieving your fitness journey this 2025 with Century Tuna

 


PRESS RELEASE


The New Year is the perfect time to reset, refocus, and recharge your health goals. As the ultimate partner for a healthy lifestyle, Century Tuna is here to help you jumpstart your 2025 fitness journey with simple yet effective tips that you can incorporate into your daily routine. Whether you're just starting or looking to elevate your progress, Century Tuna has your back every step of the way.


Here are five practical fitness tips from Mauro Lumba, the Century Tuna Superbod 2014 champion and personal fitness coach to Century Tuna brand ambassadors Aga Muhlach and Richard Gomez, to guide you to the best you:


Start Small, Stay Consistent



Start your fitness journey with small, consistent steps. Photo by Freepik


Big goals are achieved through small, consistent steps. Begin with manageable changes, like adding a 15-minute walk to your daily routine or swapping unhealthy snacks for nourishing options like Century Tuna Flakes in Oil. These small efforts compound into significant results over time.


Plan Balanced, Nutritious Meals



Fuel your fitness journey with Century Tuna and Grilled Sweet Potato


Your fitness goals are fueled by what’s on your plate. Incorporate protein-rich foods like Century Tuna into your meals to support muscle recovery and boost energy. With a variety of flavors, including Herbs and Paella, Century Tuna makes eating healthy both easy and delicious.


Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate



Make sure to be hydrated during your workout. Photo by Freepik


Staying hydrated is crucial for overall health and fitness. Carry a water bottle wherever you go and stay hydrated to maintain energy levels, aid digestion, and improve your workout performance.


Move More, Every Day



Just like Century Tuna brand ambassadors Richard Gomez and Aga Muhlach, you can be consistent in your fitness journey.


You don’t need a gym to stay active. Find an activity you love—dancing, biking, or yoga—and make it part of your routine. Take inspiration from Century Tuna ambassadors Richard Gomez and Aga Muhlach, who began their fitness journeys 10 months ago and have been consistently incorporating exercise into their busy lifestyles ever since.



Keep Your Goals Realistic and Track Progress



Set realistic workout plans using a journal or a fitness app. Photo by Freepik


Set realistic goals and celebrate your milestones along the way. Progress, no matter how small, is still progress. Keep a journal or use a fitness app to track your achievements and keep yourself motivated.


#TheBestYouStartsNow, and the New Year is the best time to take that first step on your #JourneytoSuperbod. With Century Tuna by your side, becoming the best you has never been more attainable.


For more information, please visit https://centurytuna.ph/ or follow Century Tuna on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/centurytuna or @centurytunasuperbods on Instagram for more updates. 






Friday, January 3, 2025

TP, recognized Sustainable Business Champion at French Chamber PH Awards


PRESS RELEASE 



Pierre Berube, Senior Vice President for Shared Services and Capability Development (middle), receives the Prosperity Award on behalf of Teleperformance. Several flagship programs of Teleperformance in the Philippines for inclusivity and sustainability include the revolutionary remote work solution, TP Cloud Campus; the inclusive talent-sourcing program of TP for All; and the TP Skills Training to Employment Program (TP STEP) which equips marginalized groups with the competencies they need to thrive in the IT-BPM industry.

Taguig, Philippines, November 2024 – Teleperformance (TP), global leader in digital business services and citizen experience management, has been honored with the Prosperity Award at the The Le Trophée Bleu: Sustainability Business Awards, presented by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines (CCIFP) recently at the Shangri-La, The Fort, Manila.

The Prosperity Award celebrates French and Filipino organizations in the country that combine economic success with impactful social contributions. Several flagship programs of Teleperformance for inclusivity and sustainability include the company’s multi-awarded remote work solution, TP Cloud Campus; the impact-focused talent-sourcing and development program TP for All; and the TP Skills Training to Employment Program (TP STEP) which equips marginalized groups with the competencies they need to thrive in the IT-BPM industry. 

“Receiving the Prosperity Award is a proud moment for us, as it underscores our commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and our promise to create positive experiences across the communities we serve,” said Rahul Jolly, Chief Executive Officer of Teleperformance Philippines. “This recognition inspires us to continue driving innovation and inclusivity, ensuring that our programs create meaningful opportunities and lasting impact across the country.”  

Doubling down on its strategic commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, TP recently inked several partnerships with national and local organizations to expand employment opportunities for individuals from marginalized communities. These include collaborations with agencies such as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), and the Project Inclusion Network. Each partnership is instrumental in broadening TP Philippines reach and impact, allowing the company to connect with and support a wider range of talent from communities facing significant barriers to employment. 

“TP’s sustained efforts also extend to empowering our employees, regardless of background or tenure, through leadership development programs and advocacy groups. By addressing barriers to employment and creating equal opportunities, TP continues to be a driving force for local economic development,” said Chief People Officer Jeffrey Johnson. 

Hosted by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines (CCIFP), a prominent bilateral organization that promotes trade and investment between France and the Philippines, the Le Trophée Bleu: Sustainability Business Awards recognizes the achievements of French and Filipino companies that have demonstrated excellence in formulating sound policies and programs revolving around the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

For more information about Teleperformance in the Philippines and its programs, visit please visit https://www.teleperformance.com/en-us/locations/philippines-site/philippines/ 

Fall in love once more as Renée Zellweger returns for one last chapter in “Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy” Opens in PH cinemas on Feb 12

  Follow Bridget Jones in another comedic and heartfelt chapter to her story, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy. Renée Zellweger reprises her...