Over One Million Children at Risk: Save the Children Launches “Lahat Dapat Safe” to Provide Urgent Relief After Typhoons

 PRESS RELEASE

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES – As the Philippines reels from the aftermath of Typhoons Julian, Kristine, Leon, Marce, and Nica battering the country in rapid succession, Save the Children Philippines is ramping up efforts to protect children and communities through the launch of the #LahatDapatSafe campaign. These storms have left over 1 million children vulnerable to devastating impacts—displaced from their homes, separated from their schools, and exposed to the dangers of disease. 

“I am afraid to sleep because the wind is so strong. I worry about my family, and I don’t know where we will go next. The rain reminds me of that terrible night when we lost everything,” said 12-year-old Mica, a child affected by Typhoon Julian.

Children like Mica, along with countless others, face compounded risks of hunger, trauma, and long-term developmental delays. The devastating impact of these typhoons requires immediate, coordinated action. In response, Save the Children has launched the #LahatDapatSafe campaign to ensure that children are not only kept safe but also given the resources they need to recover and rebuild their futures. The campaign aims to provide food, hygiene kits, educational materials, and emotional support to thousands of children and their families in affected regions such as Camarines Sur, Batangas, and Calabarzon.

Through the #LahatDapatSafe campaign, Save the Children has already mobilized urgent relief efforts with the help of key partners and donors. These include Lifestrong Marketing Inc., FWD, and others who are helping to ensure a swift and effective response. On the ground, The Miss Philippines and Mister Pilipinas Worldwide have been actively involved by packing essential relief items such as hygiene kits and household supplies, which will be distributed to affected families in the hardest-hit areas.

“A child’s safety and well-being should never be at risk, especially during such a critical time. The #LahatDapatSafe campaign ensures that children who are affected by these disasters receive the immediate relief and long-term support they need to recover and thrive,” said Atty. Alberto Muyot, CEO of Save the Children Philippines. “Through the help of our partners, we are committed to supporting these families and helping them rebuild their lives.”

For more information about the #LahatDapatSafe campaign and how you can help make the holidays brighter for children and their families, visit http://bit.ly/LahatDapatSafe. 

EU “Pathways to Excellence” starts at EHEF 2024

 

EU invites students, academicians, and researchers, to join

this year’s most exciting higher education fair

To promote student mobility and the pursuit of academic excellence, the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines and the European Union Member States’ Embassies are organising once again, the European Higher Education Fair (EHEF) 2024.

The Fair will be held onsite on 22 and 23 November 2024 at Robinsons Galleria, Ortigas with its online editions to be held on 25 November 2024 via Zoom online sessions and through the FB page of the European Higher Education Fair at @ehefphilippines. 

The biggest and longest-running education fair in the country, the EHEF offers a unique opportunity for Filipino students, professionals, academe, researchers, and university officials to engage directly with some of the top higher education institutions from the EU. 

EU Ambassador Massimo Santoro said “The European Higher Education Fair reflects the EU's commitment to providing an immersive platform to explore a diverse array of opportunities, resources, and insights for Filipino students interested in pursuing their higher education in the European Union.” 

EHEF 2024 will feature 77 higher education institutions and diplomatic missions participating on-ground and online from Belgium, The Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Hungary, The Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland, Sweden and the European Union. 

On-site seminars will be hosted by the EU Member States' Embassies and Cultural Institutes. These engaging sessions will provide in-depth information on higher education systems, “student life” in the EU, research grants, and scholarship opportunities like Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions, and Jean Monnet, open for students and educators alike. 

Online sessions will be held on 22, 23, and 25 November 2024.

Registration and entrance to the fair are free of charge. Interested participants may visit ehefphilippines.com for more information or @EHEFPhilippines on Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). 

Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to the Philippines Dr. Ana Isabel Sánchez-Ruiz (7th from left) along with Ms. Mabel Gutierrez from the Commission of Higher Education, Mr. Jess Zulueta from Robinsons Galleria, representatives from participating member countries, and university partners for the 2024 European Higher Education Fair.

This yearly fair is organised by the Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines, together with EU Member States’ Embassies, education services and institutes and in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education, and supported by professional organisations and media partners.

This year’s Philippine Regional Hubs include University of Santo Tomas (Metro Manila), Wesleyan University (Luzon), and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan (Mindanao); and University Partners Ateneo de Manila University – European Studies Programme, De La Salle University, Enderun College, Holy Cross of Davao College, Lyceum Philippines University – Cavite, Mabalacat City College and World Citi College.

EHEF 2024 also has the support of professional organisations such as the Philippine Communication Society and European Studies Association of the Philippines. Media partners include Adobo Magazine, Backend News, The Daily Guardian, Gadgets Magazine, Iloilo Metropolitan Times, iOrbit News, Malaya Business Insight, Manila Bulletin, Mindanao Gold Star Daily, SEA Wave Pop Culture Magazine, Subselfie, The Daily Tribune and When in Manila. COMCO Southeast Asia is the PR and Communications partner of EU Delegation of the Philippines for EHEF 2024.

Elevating Everyday with the New Samsung Galaxy A16

 

The latest additions to the Galaxy A series smartphone family feature larger screens, enhanced designs, and improved reliability for an exceptional user experience.

PHILIPPINES – Nov 13, 2024 – Samsung Electronics announced in the Philippines the launch of the latest Galaxy A smartphones — the new Galaxy A16 5G and LTE. These new, affordable smartphones bring stunning improvements to the A series lineup, combining immersive visuals, sleek designs, and secure, reliable experiences; elevating everyday experiences for its users.

Galaxy A16 5G and LTE adopt Samsung's signature Galaxy design language, featuring refined, rounded corners and a linear camera lens layout. Available in a range of premium colors, the Galaxy A16 5G offers Blue Black and Gold. The Galaxy A16 LTE on the other hand comes in Black, Grey, and an online exclusive color -- Light Green, giving users plenty of stylish options.

Immersive experience with FHD+ Super AMOLED display

Galaxy A16 5G and LTE feature a 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display, a notable upgrade from last year’s 6.5-inch screen on the A15 series. The Super AMOLED display provides scenes with true-to-life colors and sharp clarity, making the display ideal for watching videos, gaming, or browsing content.

The Galaxy A16 series also introduces an improved, sleeker design, with a thinner body measuring just 7.9mm—down from 8.4mm in last year’s A15 series. The streamlined bezels further emphasize the 6.7-inch FHD+ Super AMOLED display, helping users better immerse in content and gameplay while enhancing the overall screen size and visual experience. 

In addition, the key island design provides a sleek look and feel, which contributes to an easy and intuitive grip on the Galaxy A16, making the device more comfortable to hold for daily use.

Reliability and enhanced security

Samsung’s commitment to reliability and security is at the core of the Galaxy A16 series. Both the A16 5G and LTE are IP54-rated for dust and water resistance.

The Galaxy A16 series will also receive 6 generations of One UI and Android OS updates, as well as 6 years of Samsung Security Maintenance Releases (SMR), keeping the device secure and up to date. Samsung Knox Vault is also integrated into the Galaxy A16 series, providing high-level security to protect private, personal data such as user passwords and secrets from hardware-based attacks including voltage glitches, temperature tampering, and laser interference.

High-resolution triple camera

For photography lovers, the Galaxy A16 5G and LTE variants come equipped with a versatile triple lens, headlined by a 50MP main sensor that captures stunning photos in any conditions. Accompanied by a 5MP ultra-wide and 2MP macro lens, the A16 series ensures every shot is detailed and vibrant. Selfie enthusiasts can enjoy sharper, more joyful selfies with the 13MP front camera, which can focus on details, sharpness, and color rendition if any.

Enhanced performance and long-lasting battery life

Under the hood, the Galaxy A16 5G boasts a performance boost thanks to its advanced octa-core processor, ensuring smooth and flawless performance for high-quality videos, games, and multitasking. The Galaxy A16 series’ robust 5000mAh battery with 25W Super-Fast Charging capability enables users to stay connected throughout the day.

Pricing and availability

The new Galaxy A16 5G and LTE will be available at 9,990 (LTE) and 13,990 (5G), and at selected retailers from Nov 13 (5G) and Dec 4 (LTE). For more information on the new Galaxy A devices, visit https://www.samsung.com/ph/smartphones/galaxy-a/galaxy-a16-5g-gold-256gb-sm-a166pzdiphl/buy/. 

About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Samsung inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, home appliances, network systems, and memory, system LSI, foundry and LED solutions, and delivering a seamless connected experience through its SmartThings ecosystem and open collaboration with partners. For the latest news, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com. 

DECEMBER 2024 MOVIES

 

Don’t miss these movies, opening in cinemas in December!

#GladiatorII

December 4 - Gladiator II (Paramount Pictures)

Cast: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, with Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Trailer: https://youtu.be/c0kJwlah7A8?si=u-v1v583bdw8pCy-

From legendary director Ridley Scott, “Gladiator II” continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people. 

#KravenTheHunter

December 11 - Kraven the Hunter (Columbia Pictures) 

Cast: Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott and Russell Crowe

Directed by: J.C. Chandor

Trailer: https://youtu.be/Tu1MTm4MWuU?si=cOJMAKgCQgPXeHqR

“Kraven the Hunter” is the visceral, action-packed origin story of how and why one of Marvel's most iconic villains came to be. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Kraven, a man whose complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff (Russell Crowe), starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared. 

#LOTR

December 11 - The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim (Warner Bros. Pictures) 

Stars: Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, Luke Pasqualino, Miranda Otto

Directed by: Kenji Kamiyama

Trailer: https://youtu.be/J8-ZcT-gx54?si=XLPazXZKU_N9sRHj

Set 183 years before the events chronicled in the original trilogy of films, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan. A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg – a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Héra, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction. 

#thechosenholynight

December 11 - Christmas with the Chosen: Holy Night (SM exclusive) 

Stars: Joshua Aaron, Sara Anne, Rom Barkhordar, Andrea Bocelli, Matteo Bocelli

Directed by: Dallas Jenkins, Jacob Schwarz, Aaron Edson

Trailer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ajwTDSVehXXfE8Fu3Y1FRjEq1P9s33-8/view?usp=drivesdk 

“Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night” is the retelling of the birth of Jesus, as seen through the eyes of Mary and Joseph, that beautifully weaves the stories of The Messengers and The Shepherd into an all-new remastered feature in time for the holiday season. 

It features a live video message from “The Chosen” creator and director Dallas Jenkins, encouraging reflection on the deeper meaning of Christmas, along with captivating performances from renowned artists, including the legendary Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo. Other musical performances include The Feast Worship, adding a uniquely Filipino touch to the celebration.

*Schedules are subject to change 

without prior notice.*

SERGEI KRAVINOFF BECOMES “KRAVEN THE HUNTER” IN BLOODY NEW VIGNETTE

“This is Sergei Kravinoff becoming Kraven,” actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson talks about his character’s journey into becoming the iconic villain, and his own adventures of stunts and training in the “Making of a Villain” vignette from Kraven the Hunter.

Watch the redband vignette: https://youtu.be/chxIFs9V7kE

“I’m so lucky I get to do the stunts. Old school, real, raw, barefoot running through the streets of London. Doing flips and running off the wall, because you needed to have that kind of authenticity,” Taylor-Johnson continues. “He’s [Kraven’s] not a superhero. He’s a man who’s been trained and is a skilled hunter and killer.”

Director J.C. Chandor also weighs in on the tragic background of Kraven: “There was some element of bloodlust that he [Kraven] seems to love,” Chandor says. “There was a justification for it, and that feels good. But he is also this very inconsistent, ethically compromised individual, but yet, still, you’re rooting for him.”

The hunt begins as Kraven the Hunter arrives in Philippine cinemas on December 11.

About Kraven the Hunter

 

Kraven the Hunter is the visceral, action-packed origin story of how and why one of Marvel’s most iconic villains came to be. Aaron Taylor-Johnson plays Kraven, a man whose complex relationship with his ruthless father, Nikolai Kravinoff (Russell Crowe), starts him down a path of vengeance with brutal consequences, motivating him to become not only the greatest hunter in the world, but also one of its most feared. 

Directed by J.C. Chandor with story and screenplay by Richard Wenk, Art Marcum, and Matt Holloway, based on Marvel Comics. The film is produced by Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, and David Householter.

Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ariana DeBose, Fred Hechinger, Alessandro Nivola, Christopher Abbott and Russell Crowe.

Opening in Philippine cinemas on December 11, Kraven the Hunter is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Connect with the hashtag #KravenTheHunter

Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”

From singing live, voice retraining, and getting matching tattoos, Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo share their journey together as Glinda and Elphaba in “Wicked”

 

Wicked has always been a journey of self-discovery, and rising up against adversity, but in the heart of it all is the friendship between two young women, Glinda and Elphaba. The right actresses were critical for the film, but director Jon M. Chu and his fellow filmmakers knew instantly that Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were the perfect choices.

Check out the “Singing Live” featurette here: https://youtu.be/GMRimg3C86g

From the start, their bond was unmistakable. The pair had dinner at Chu’s house, with producer Marc Platt and composer Stephen Schwartz.  “Stephen went to the piano and said to Cynthia and Ari, ‘Shall we sing, ‘For Good’?” Chu says. “Cynthia and Ari didn’t rehearse it. They’d never done it together. They sang it, and my four-year-old daughter’s jaw dropped to the floor. No one has ever seen two powerhouses like this before. It’s been beautiful to see how well connected they are.”

For Ariana Grande, her connection with Glinda was deep, and she was able to draw from her experiences to embody the role. “Spending this time with Glinda has been a profound journey of self-discovery and healing for me,” Grande says. “It’s remarkable how embodying her character and embracing self-trust has brought about such personal growth and inner healing. Through this experience, I’ve learned to trust myself more and have found a newfound sense of understanding and empowerment. It’s a beautiful thing—I think we all healed through these characters and through each other. This story is so important, especially now, when everything is boiled down to headlines or cherry-picked quotes. It fights for truth, humanness and the complexities of being misunderstood. It shows that a person can be good and wicked. We all have these women within us; we can all recognize pieces of ourselves in them.”

Grande put in the work to train for a role that she’s possibly been preparing for a decade.  “I had been chasing producer Marc Platt down for about ten years, wondering when this movie was going to happen and when I would have the opportunity to audition,” Grande says. “When I finally found out about the audition, I started training every day with my vocal coach Eric Vetro and my acting coach Nancy Banks. I had to retrain my voice to sing more classically and operatically, which is my range but a style I hadn’t done since I was much younger. It takes the chords a while to reacclimate, like any other muscle, which requires a lot of training.”

Meanwhile, director Chu has found the perfect Elphaba, a character who has been an outcast, whose pain has hardened her but has not touched her compassionate heart, in Oscar nominee and Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner, Cynthia Erivo. “To have Cynthia Erivo, a woman of color, play a woman who is green makes all the world of difference,” Chu says. “When she sang ‘Defying Gravity,’ she blew the roof off. We were stunned. As soon as Cynthia left the room, we said, ‘our search is finally done.’”

Cynthia Erivo also put in months of training for her role, so that she can harness the power needed for belting out Elphaba’s lyrics. She often found joy in the work, saying, “I hope that this joy keeps growing. I hope we find something to spark joy in every day. This was a long process, and I knew that it would get hard sometimes. But I knew, even on those days, that we would find something that makes us love and reconnect to what brought us here.”

At the end of the journey, Grande and Erivo honored each other and their roles by immortalizing it with tattoos. “We got tattoos together,” Grande says. “I got an ‘E’ for Elphaba in a heart on the back of my leg and she had a little ‘G’ for Glinda on the back of hers.” Erivo says that their bond is anchored by a sense of joyful exploration. “I hope that we don’t lose our love of play,” Erivo says. “That’s something that I really enjoyed—this need to keep wanting to learn and discover. Ariana and I used that to make these beings as humane and full as possible. When we worked together, something special happened.”

Tickets out now! Head to your local cinema, or check out their ticketing sites to reserve your seats for Wicked, in Philippine cinemas on November 20.

 

Follow Universal Pictures PH (FB), UniversalPicturesPH (IG) and UniversalPicsPH (TikTok) for the latest updates on “Wicked.” 

“GREAT IDEAS AND HUMAN DRAMA TAKE TIME TO CRAFT. HOPEFULLY THE RESULTS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.” FILMMAKERS TALK ABOUT MAKING THE LONG-AWAITED SEQUEL “GLADIATOR II,” IN CINEMAS DECEMBER 4

Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal have a bloody battle in Gladiator II.

Credit: Paramount Pictures

Gladiator II has been under discussion since the first film’s initial success when it was released in 2000, according to director Ridley Scott. “The popularity of Gladiator just kept growing,” he explains. “The film stayed in the public’s mind. I knew we should consider a sequel, but it took years to figure out what the story was going to be.”

Producer Michael Pruss, who has been collaborating with Scott for more than a decade, adds: “The world of the Roman Empire and the unforgettable characters of Gladiator were so brilliantly crafted. Recreating that on an even grander scale [for the sequel] was a necessity. We wanted that same powerful motivation for revenge but something that was also fresh and modern and unique. It took longer than anybody anticipated, but great ideas and human drama take time to craft. Hopefully the results here speak for themselves.”

Find out how Gladiators are made. Watch the Training Featurette: 

https://youtu.be/_SPG_6hLBuo 

Connie Nielsen and Joseph Quinn in Gladiator II.

Credit: Paramount Pictures

“We knew we had to top the original’s gripping action, but also try to capture its emotional intimacy,” according to producer Lucy Fisher, who began developing the new film alongside partner Douglas Wick in 2001. “It took a long time to get a story that we thought would be worthy of being a sequel to Gladiator. But once we grabbed onto the character of Lucius [played by Paul Mescal] as an angry young man, exiled and abandoned, and committed to destroying the city that had both made and betrayed him, our story began to unfold. Lucius would be a lost prince, wanting to be anywhere but Rome, and yet all roads would lead him there.” 

That, says Wick, felt like a story worth telling. “But we soon realized that one of the biggest challenges we were going to face was a dilemma the ancient Romans knew well,” he says. “The audience has seen grand combat many times over and their thirst for MORE was unquenchable. Whatever we created had to provide captivating new thrills. A true spectacle for the ages.”  

In 2021, Scott approached screenwriter David Scarpa, who wrote the director’s 2017 true-crime drama All the Money in the World, to craft a compelling tale based on a story by Peter Craig (writer of Top Gun: Maverick). It is 15 years after the death of Maximus Decimus Meridius, Russell Crowe’s character in the original. Combat in the Colosseum has become more deadly, violent and spectacular as bloodthirsty crowds urge the half-mad emperors Caracalla and Geta (Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn, respectively) to new heights of cruelty. The Roman Empire continues its relentless march across the world, expanding its borders, pillaging every culture in its path and forcing the survivors to fight for their lives in the ring. 

“I knew and loved the original,” says Scarpa. “When Ridley approached me, I was extremely excited. Gladiator is such an esteemed classic and a touchstone for historical action films. I was both honored and a little apprehensive about working with the people who created that world. Ridley has a very strong directorial voice, and his vision is central to the movie.”

Denzel Washington in Gladiator II.

Credit: Paramount Pictures

Filmmakers, actors and everyone else who worked on the film are excited for movie audiences around the world to watch it. “Ridley is at the top of his game with Gladiator II,” says Wick. “Imagine coming to the movies after a tough day of work and having Ridley Scott as your tour guide to Ancient Rome. He will transport you into another world that’s vibrant, emotional, dangerous and extremely theatrical, a world full of corruption and deceit. And in his own unsentimental way, he will lead you to last vestiges of strength and honor and you will watch them prevail. It will be a unique and satisfying experience that engages all the senses, but most of all the heart.”

For Scott, one of cinema’s masters of the period picture, Gladiator II is at once specific and timeless. “This film is about the Roman Empire, obviously,” he says. “But it’s also about the way humanity never learns its lesson. We keep repeating history again and again and again.”

In cinemas December 4, Gladiator II is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with the hashtag #GladiatorII and tag @paramountpicsph

Photo & Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures”