THE NUN - the fifth entry to The Conjuring universe.

THE NUN

THE NUN takes us back to 1952 Romania where a young nun chose to commit suicide in a very remote convent. A priest with a haunted past, and a noviciate were sent from the Vatican to investigate. The setting of this film is very conducive to scares - there are long hallways, a deserted chapel and cemetery, etc. The first act spent lots of time in setting up the scenario; and the scares were mostly funny.

It took awhile before we see the titular Nun. In The Conjuring 2, the demonic nun was put to very good use. All scenes with Valak were very effective. However, in its supposed origin film, the Nun was relegated to the final act and minimal exposure. It's like they were saving it for last, but then giving it limited time onscreen.

When Valak finally appears and wreaks havoc to the convent, that's when the good scares begin. This prequel sure has lots of jumpscares, and some of them gave me goosebumps. I just feel like they could have done more with the demonic nun. If you like old school horror films, and if you love the Conjuring universe, you'll enjoy this fifth entry of the series.

I did enjoy the performances of the cast especialy the three main protagonists namely Taissa Farmiga, youngest sister of The Conjuring's Vera Farmiga, as Sister Irene. Demian Bichir as Father Burke, and Jonas Bloquet as Frenchie. Story written by Gary Dauberman and James Wan. Directed by Corin Hardy. Produced by Peter Safran and James Wan for Warner Bros Pictures. Rated R. 

Catch THE PREDATOR and A SIMPLE FAVOR at SM Cinemas !

PRESS RELEASE
Feel the thrill of “The Predator” and “A Simple Favor” in SM Cinema

Prepare yourselves to witness a hunt and solve some mystery with the two latest movie features of SM Cinema, “The Predator” and “A Simple Favor”.
From the bloody R-Rated franchise, “The Predator” brings the universe’s most lethal hunters back on Earth.
Set in a small town, a young boy accidentally triggers a signal that called the Predators and landed on their area. Now, a group of ex-soldiers and a science teacher will have to face the Predators, who evolved and became stronger, smarter and deadlier after they upgraded their DNA with other alien species.
“The Predator”, directed and co-written by Shane Black, features lead actors Olivia Munn, Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key and Sterling K. Brown.

Another R-Rated film, “A Simple Favor” will go through solving the mystery behind the disappearance of a woman with dark secrets.
Originally a novel by Darcey Bell, “A Simple Favor” will follow the life of Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick), a mommy vlogger, as she met an ultra-glamorous mom, Emily Nelson (Blake Lively), and how they became friends.
One afternoon, Emily asked Stephanie for a simple favor and as Stephanie agreed, Emily mysteriously disappeared. After Stephanie found out that her friend is missing, she goes to rescue and find her missing friend. As she continues her journey looking for Emily, she will discover several things about her friend’s mysterious past.
Directed by Paul Feig, “A Simple Favor” is a stylish thriller filled with twists and betrayals, secrets and revelations, love and loyalty, murder and revenge.
Experience the thrill of “The Predator” in IMAX and SM Cinema branch near you and solve the mystery of “A Simple Favor” in Director’s Club and SM Cinema branches nationwide starting September 12. Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app.  You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!

Win a DUCATI from OLD SPICE !

PRESS RELEASE

Old Spice and Ducati Motorbike Honor Today’s Man with the          Spice Up your Ride Raffle Promo

In photo (from left): Cage Liongson, National Sales Manager of RPG Distribution Services, Inc., Dante Robles, Market Manager of Old Spice Philippines; Kyle De Vera, Senior Marketing Specialist of RPG Distribution Services Inc.; model / blogger Christian Busby;
 chef / obstacle course racer Noel Agra; and Dulah Lipardo, General Manager of RPG Distribution Services, Inc.

A man’s man is not a man who shies away from the crowd nor a man who hides when the going gets tough. He is someone who is loud, proud, and stands out from the crowd by being their absolute best in every aspect, even in their personal care. Old Spice, the manliest grooming brand on the planet, has recently launched the ‘Spice Up Your Ride’ raffle promo, where a lucky guy gets to win an exclusive Old Spice Edition of the equally confident and striking Ducati SuperSport motorbike.

“We want today’s man to not settle for the bland and the conventional. Today’s man should be able to stand out and be fully confident of themselves. With Old Spice, you get to spice up your ride, making you feel confident in whatever endeavor you are in to, whether it is about your career, your sport, your social life, or your personal life. We want you to take charge. And with our friends in Ducati, you get to do this by elevating your game with the limited edition Old Spice Ducati SuperSport”, shared Old Spice Philippines at the launch event in Social House, Circuit Makati, Makati City.

However, what does it means to be today’s man, a man’s man? Old Spice has scouted the nation in search for Filipinos who have spiced up their rides by going the extra mile in the things they are passionate about while looking good and feeling confident.  Two standout men were recognized, Noel Agra, who is not just a well-trained chef but also an avid obstacle course racer, and Christian Busby, a model whose passions include blogging and going on adventures.

They were asked what drove them to confidently pursue the things they love. “As a fat kid, I have always loved food so I decided to become a chef. While for obstacle course racing, I did one with my dad two years ago and ever since, we got hooked and we wanted to share this love for obstacle course racing here in the Philippines”, explained Noel. Christian, a Filipino-English model and travel-oriented blogger shared, “Since I was young, I already love exploring new things, learning about new cultures. The thing that fascinates me is just seeing a different culture and trying to adapt. “

Now as guys who are not only pursuing what they love but excelling in them, they imparted meaningful pieces of advice for those who want to man-up and become a man’s man. Noel, recalls a memorable quote from Kung Fu Panda 3, “If you only do what you can, you will never be more than what you are now”. That, for him, has always kept him growing and has always challenged him. For Christian, he has two secrets for success. First, you have to set goals that are really high and then reach it. Second, he said, “You got to be confident in yourself. Groom yourself well, put Old Spice on you and smell good. Confidence is a huge key.”

Just like Noel and Christian, you can also spice up your ride, and one way is by participating in this initiative. The ‘Spice Up Your Ride’ promo is perfect for a man’s man, someone who wants to feel fresh and at their best in not just the personal level, but also when it comes to exploring the world through the bikes they ride.

To join the promo, all you have to do is man up and purchase any Old Spice product. You can submit your entry at www.oldspiceph.net, where you will have to fill out your personal information, contact details, and the receipt number of the purchased product. For the complete mechanics of the promo, as well as more information about Old Spice, you check out the website (www.oldspiceph.net) and Facebook page (www.facebook.com/OldSpicePH). The promo runs from July 15 to October 31, 2018 with the draw happening on November 5, 2018.

Old Spice is the authority on the male grooming experience and it brings authenticity, performance, and confidence to men all around the world. It offers a wide array of products for the modern man such as antiperspirant deodorants, deodorants, bar soap, shower gel, body sprays, after shaves, and colognes.  It comes in various scent collections, allowing the man to choose the perfect man-smell for oneself given any and every situation. You can man-up today as Old Spice is found in all leading supermarkets and stores nationwide.

CRAZY RICH ASIANS - It's Remarkable !

CRAZY RICH ASIANS

Based on the best-selling novel by Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians is a grandiose showcase of the lifestyles of the rich and famous of Singapore, that is, the rich Chinese of SG. One can't help but feel envious of their cars, their huge mansions, and the lavish parties that they throw for their families & friends.  

Rachel Chu (Constance Wu), a Chinese-American, accompanies her boyfriend  to Singapore to attend the wedding of his bestfriend, and meet her beau's family. Rachel doesn't have a clue on how wealthy her boyfriend is. 

Nick Young (Henry Golding) is the most eligible and sought-after bachelor in Singapore, whose family is into real-estate, hotels, etc. Golding, who looks more Filipino than Chinese, is great in his first acting gig. He's British-Malaysian and a travel show host.  Constance Wu comes from the American tv series Fresh Off The Boat , and she's able to show every emotion that her role required of her. There is undeniable chemistry between these two. 

Michelle Yeoh as the cold-hearted matriarch is excellent. Gemma Chan as Astrid is gorgeous, while Awkwafina is hilarious and she steals every scene she's in. Kris Aquino made an impact in her short, but sweet appearance as Princess Intan. She's very regal. Another Filipino, Nico Santos, is amusing as the gay cousin-fashion designer. The men especially Henry Golding, Chris Pang, & Pierre Png are presented as hunky Asians, far from the stereotypical Chinese martial arts experts. Harry Shum Jr. from GLEE  appeared only in the mid-credits, but I think he'll get a bigger role in the sequel.  

This is an entertaining film which will make you laugh, and swoon to your heart's content. It will also make you cry. So ladies, be warned. It's remarkable seeing all these Asians in a major Hollywood movie. It's been 25 years since The Joy Luck Club. This is a cinematic milestone ! You'd be Crazy to miss this ! Looking forward to the sequels. Directed by Jon M.Chu. From Warner Bros. Pictures.  

12th International Silent Film Festival at SM Cinemas !

PRESS RELEASE
12th International Silent Film Festival Manila
August 30 – September 2, 2018

Scoring the Silents Again!

Bereft of sound but brimming with feature films accompanied by live musical performances, the much-anticipated annual International Silent Film Festival Manila (ISFFM) is back!

Established in 2007 as the first of its kind in Asia, the ISFFM promises to bring once more to Manila film buffs and music aficionados an extraordinary experience.  From the 1890’s to the 1920’s, audiences around the world were enchanted by the magic of watching soundless images on a screen accompanied by live music played by different performing artists.

This year, the Philippine-Italian Association, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, the Embassy of France, the Goethe-Institut Philippinen, the Japan Foundation Manila, the Embassy of the United States of America, the Instituto Cervantes, and the Embassy of Austria, are extremely proud to present the 12th iteration of the International Silent Film Festival in Manila.  Scheduled from August 30th to September 2nd at SM Cinema 2 of SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City, the 2018 ISFFM brings together the very best of silent cinema from its eight member-countries, to be accompanied by the best Filipino musicians in the scene.

The Festival reels off at 8:00 pm on Thursday, August 30th with the Philippine-Italian Association, the Italian Embassy and the Italian Chamber of Commerce presenting the most important of those stylish melodramas made-in-Italy, Rapsodia Satanica (Satanic Rhapsody 1915-1917), directed by Nino Oxilia.  The film tells the story of ageing Italian aristocrat Dame Alba d’ Oltrevita who discovers a particular and special solution for her beauty by forging a pact with the devil.  The blues band Miles Experience will accompany this film with a live performance.

On Friday, August 31st, at 7:00 pm, the Film Development Council of the Philippines will present a unique offering in The Lost Film Triology which is composed of “Filipiniana”, “Aswang (1933),” and “Juan Tamad Goes to the Moon (1898)”; and an excerpt from “Nitrate: To the Ghosts of the 75 Lost Philippine Silent Films (1912-1933).”  A live musical performance by Khavn & the Kontra-Kino Orchestra will accompany the film.

At 9:00 pm, also on August 31st, the Embassy of France will present the drama La Passion de Jeanne D’Arc (1928), directed by Carl Theodor Dreyer.  The film tells the story of the trial of Joan of Arc in 1431.  The film will be scored by the multi-awarded pianist and versatile musician Dingdong Fiel, alongside Andrew Constantino (Clarinet) and Kyongmin Nam (Cello).

On Saturday, September 1st at 4:00 pm, the Goethe Institut will screen The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920), dubbed as “the first true horror film”.  Directed by Robert Wiene, the film tells of a mad doctor suspected of sending a corpse on a killing spree.  The movie will be live scored by Kontemporaryong Gamelan Pilipino, widely identified as Kontra-GaPi.

At 6:00 pm, the Japan Foundation, Manila will screen A Straightforward Boy (1929) by Yasujiro Ozu that tells a story of Bunkichi who kidnaps a boy, Tetsubo, who has an appetite for sweets.  This screening will feature Silent Film Narrator Tito Genova Valiente, who will provide a live interpretation of the silent film.  The screening and narration will be accompanied by contemporary pop folk/ethnic sound group Tanikala Tribe.

Closing the night at 8:00 pm will be the U.S. Embassy's screening of the film Our Hospitality (1923), considered to be a groundbreaking work for the comedy film genre.  Directed by and starring Buster Keaton, the film tells the story of Willie McKay, who gets caught in the middle of the infamous "Canfield"–"McKay" feud, an obvious satire of the real-life Hatfield–McCoy feud.  The film will be scored by Brass Munkeys, a band of veteran musicians known for their lively and bold performances on stage.

On Sunday, September 2nd at 5:00 pm, the Instituto Cervantes will present the musical comedy Frivolinas (1926).  Directed by Arturo Carballo, Frivolinas is about a widower who loves the nightlife, and a comedian who falls in love with the old man’s daughter.  Tapati, a collaboration of artists embracing influences of rock, reggae, blues, jazz, pop, folk and Philippine Neo-ethnic tribal music will accompany the film.

Culminating the festival at 7:30 pm will be the Embassy of Austria’s Die Kleine Veronika (1929), directed by Robert Land.  The film tells the story of Tyrolean mountain girl, Veronika, who travels to Vienna to visit her aunt, only to find out that the city experience she has been dreaming of is not all the fun and glamorous life she had previously imagined.  The live score will be played by avant-pop electronica solo Joee & I.  The Embassy of Austria presents this year’s entry in partnership with Hearlife Foundation, Inc., a non-stock, non-profit organization created to champion the Filipino deaf, and MED-EL Philippines, an affiliate of cochlear implant provider MED-EL WorldWide from Innsbruck, Austria.

This year's film festival experience will have a unique addition, an exhibit at the SM Cinema lobby.  The exhibit will be presenting a visual installation of this year’s participating films.

The 12th International Silent Film Festival is made possible in partnership with SM Cinema, SM Cares, Amici, Sunny16 Lab, Cineteca Bologna, Institut Français, Embassy of Japan, Embassy of Spain, Filmoteca Española, Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union, HearLife Foundation, Inc., Med El, Fringe Creatives, and the Barista & Coffee Academy of Asia.

All screenings will be open to the public on a first come, first served basis.
For more information on the schedule and inquiries, please check our Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/InternationalSilentFilmFestivalManila

Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018 at SM Cinemas !

PRESS RELEASE
SM Cinema Celebrates the Brilliance of Philippine Cinema with Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino 2018

Get ready to witness world-class Filipino films at SM Cinema with the premiere of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) 2018! With their existing partnership with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), SM Cinema fully supports the local film industry as they feature these 8 shortlisted movies that will bring unique cinema experiences to their audience.

Ever imagined a life without the Internet? In Ang Babaeng Allergic sa Wifi, a girl named Norma is suddenly diagnosed with Electromagnetic Hyper-sensitivity. She is then forced to move to the province to start a new and simple life, away from everything she has been used to for so long. The movie is directed by Jun Robles Lana and stars Sue Ramirez, Jameson Blake, and Marcus Paterson.
The romantic musical Bakwit Boys features four musically-gifted brothers. When a chance at stardom is presented to them, their relationship is tested as they deal with love, heartbreak, success, and failure. Directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, Bakwit Boys stars Vance Larena, Devon Seron, Nikko Natividad, Ryle Santiago, Mackie Empuerto, and Kiray Celis.
Director Adolfo Alix, Jr. tells a story inspired by the ongoing war against drugs in Madilim ang Gabi. Renowned actors Gina Alajar and Phillip Salvador star as a couple whose son, played by Felix Roco, has gone missing and is feared to have been a victim of the deadly war.
Pinay Beauty tackles the ridiculous beauty standards set by today’s society. In a journey to self-love and self-acceptance, Annie (Chai Fonacier) is dead set on doing everything to transform into her ideal “beautiful” self. The movie also stars Edgar Allan Guzman and is directed by Jay Abello.
Small town secrets are unearthed in Signal Rock when Intoy (Christian Bables) tries to help his embattled sister abroad win a child custody case. The movie is helmed by Chito Roño.
When a man hires a woman to keep him company, he doesn’t expect to become attached to her. The Day After Valentine’s stars Bella Padilla and JC Santos and they are back to give a heart-wrenching performance on the big screen under the direction of Jason Paul Laxamana.
Vhong Navarro stars as Benedict in the comedy movie Unli Life. After his break-up with the woman he loves, Benedict drinks a mysterious beverage given by a bartender (Joey Marquez) that transports him back in time where he hopes he can win back his ex-girlfriend (Winwyn Marquez). Unli Life is directed by Miko Livelo.
In We Will Not Die Tonight, an underpaid stunt woman played by Erich Gonzales is forced to fight for her life when a supposed big-time deal goes wrong. The movie also stars Alex Medina, Maxine Eigenmann, and Paolo Paraiso under the direction of Richard Somes.
Catch the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino from August 15-21 at any SM Cinema branch near you. Awarding of winners will take place during the PPP Thanksgiving Night on August 19. Book your tickets through the website, www.smcinema.com or download the SM Cinema mobile app.  You may also follow /SMCinema on Facebook and @SM_Cinema on Instagram for updates!

Eastern Communications' 140 Years !

PRESS RELEASE
Eastern Communications celebrates 140th year, launches new products for the modern workplace

As it celebrates its 140th anniversary, Eastern Communications unveiled a suite of products designed to answer
the connectivity needs of the modern Filipino workplace.
At the event held at Penthouse by the Bay at the Rizal Park Hotel, Eastern Communications launched a variety of
connectivity products and solutions, which included Global Data, DDOS Protection, Microsoft Azure and Office 365 and Managed SD-WAN (Wide Area Network) services.
High Speed Global Data Services
Eastern Communications has added EIPL (Ethernet International Private Line) and Global MPLS (Multi-Protocol
Label Switching) to its data portfolio. Their EIPL and Global MPLS services provide high speed, point-to-point, and point to multipoint service that transmits simultaneous two-way traffic between customer locations in the Philippines and across the world. These services are well suited for businesses in industries with overseas branches and offices such as banking and finance, manufacturing, transport and distribution, ICT and business process outsourcing companies.
Through partnerships with global carriers, Eastern Communications is able to provide global business
connectivity with reliable and scalable high bandwidth speeds starting at 1Mbps or higher. They can also commit to industry standard service levels with guaranteed network availability based on service level agreements between Eastern and global carriers.
Managed Software Defined-Wide Area Networks
Managed Software Defined-Wide Area Network or Managed SD-WAN enables enterprises to dynamically route traffic across a hybrid WAN. Perfect for companies with multi-site and multi-branch businesses, the use of a Hybrid WAN allows for improved routing of bandwidth and the optimization of network transport services. It means more bandwidth availability for business-critical apps for better performance.
This service also delivers other benefits such as improved network visibility and control, security, and better network planning and operations as companies can control the entire network through a single interface and enforce policies with ease based on business requirements.
Managed WiFi Mesh
Managed WiFi Mesh allows households or small businesses to have access to strong internet across the entire house or office. Without the hassle of cabling and setting it up, Eastern Communications’ WiFi Mesh creates a whole new WiFi network, different from your current router’s WiFi that provides rich interconnection beyond concrete walls and multi-stories. Most importantly, there will be zero dead spot as the WiFi Mesh completely
covers the customer premise.
Better Cybersecurity through DDOS Protection
DDoS attacks or Distributed Denial of Service attacks are one of the fastest growing threats in the cyber-attack
landscape. A Denial of Service attack is when a server is deliberately targeted with very large numbers of
requests, in order to block or crash the server. DDoS attacks are even more difficult to protect from as it aims to
make online services unavailable through overwhelming traffic from multiple sources.