 |
| (Image Source: GMA Network) |
Digital powerhouse GMA News And Public Affairs continues to create innovative and engaging content as it launched its first original podcast "The Howie Severino Podcast" which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other available audio streaming platforms every Thursday. Bannered by multi-awarded GMA News pillar and veteran broadcast journalist Howie Severino, the weekly podcast features insightful conversations with personalities from across different fields and industry.
Also serving as GMA Network's Vice-President for Professional Development, Severino is one of the hosts of the topnotch multi-awarded documentary program i-Witness. He is also one of the first bloggers on the network's online platforms and previously led GMA News Online as its editor-in-chief. “My colleagues and I developed this idea of creating a podcast as a safe space for sharing insights with leaders and interesting people across diverse backgrounds,” shares Severino. “I have been a journalist for 33 years but podcasting is fresh territory for me,” he adds. Asked how “The Howie Severino Podcast” differs from his shows on TV and digital space, Severino notes that this will be “pure conversation, no visuals,” where podcast enthusiasts can expect “wide-ranging discussions, where both guests and host bring many years of experience, eclectic interests and quirky thinking to bear on timely topics.” “It will hopefully be something edifying to listen to while driving, cooking, gardening, or doing the laundry,” he says.
In 2020, GMA News And Public Affairs launched its own podcast channel that brings Philippine television's hard-hitting journalism and documentary storytelling towards the podcasting space. Earlier episodes included previously aired snippets from various public affairs programs "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho", "Bawal Ang Pasaway Kay Mareng Winnie", "Brigada" and episodes from digital shows "Frontliners", "SKL", "Need To Know", and "Quarantined With Howie Severino".
* * * *
Wonder Woman 1984, Tom And Jerry To Stream In PH On HBO GO
 |
| (Image Source: Adobo Magazine/HBO GO Asia) |
With movie theaters across different parts of the country still closed due to the continuing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, two highly-anticipated blockbuster movies are slated to be shown on television screens and mobile devices in the Philippines via HBO GO - Wonder Woman 1984 starting April 21 and Tom And Jerry starting June 4.
Hot off the heels of the release of Zack Snyder's Justice League which premiered exclusively on HBO GO, Filipino superhero fans can enjoy viewing and streaming Wonder Woman's next big adventure where they find her riding lightning across the sky, donning wings of gold, and chasing a dream while in pursuit of two formidable foes Max Lord (Pedro Pascal) and The Cheetah (Kristen Wiig). From director Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot in the title role and packed to the brim with bigger action and higher stakes, the new chapter in Wonder Woman's story finds Diana Prince living amongst mortals in the 1980s - a vibrant, sleek era of excess driven by the pursuit of having it all. She maintains a low profile, curating ancient artifacts and performing superheroic acts incognito while she has come into her full powers; however, Diana will have to step into the spotlight and muster all her wisdom, strength, and courage to save mankind from a world of its own making.
On the other hand, one of the biggest rivalries in history is reignited in an eye-popping blend of classic animation and live action rolled into one fantastic movie for all generations to enjoy. While Jerry moves into New York City's finest hotel on the eve of the "wedding of the century", this forces the desperate planner Kayla to hire Tom to get rid of him. The ensuing cat and mouse battle threatens to destroy her career, the wedding, and possibly even the hotel itself. However, when an even bigger problem arises, the iconic characters are eventually forced to do the unthinkable - working together to save the day.
Aside from Wonder Woman 1984 and Tom And Jerry, also available on HBO GO are Wonder Woman, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn Of Justice, Man Of Steel, Justice League, Suicide Squad, Shazam!, Joker, and Birds Of Prey And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn as well as more than 17 Tom And Jerry animated series and movies. HBO GO is available via SKY, Cignal, and https://www.hbogoasia.com. Download the HBO GO app on your mobile device from Google Play and Apple App Store. HBO GO can also be accessed via Android TV, Apple TV, LG TV and Samsung Smart TV and comes with Airplay and Google Cast functionality.
* * * *
"Death Of Nintendo", "Oda Sa Wala", "Motel Acacia" Comes To KTX.ph, iWantTFC On April 23
 |
| (Image Source: Star Cinema/ABS-CBN Film Productions) |
Filipinos movie buffs can enjoy three internationally recognized local films for the price of one as "Death Of Nintendo", "Oda Sa Wala", and "Motel Acacia" comes to the Philippines via KTX.ph and iWantTFC on April 23. Viewers can get access to these three films via Black Sheep's Black Pack exclusive pass which is priced at only Php250 on solo.to/BlackPack until April 22. After April 22, regular tickets priced at Php300 will also be available.
In the 90s-set coming-of-age movie "Death Of Nintendo", four teenagers go through puberty together and explore young love, circumcision and horror stories after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Directed by Raya Martin and starring Noel Comia Jr., the comedy film made its world premiere in 2020 at the Berlin International Film Festival. Meanwhile, "Oda Sa Wala" is a story of an old maid portrayed by Pokwang who leads a miserable and lonely life as the owner of a funeral parlor until her life changes when she meets a corpse. The 2018 film has won multiple awards including Best Picture and Best Director at the QCinema International Film Festival and two FAMAS awards and was shown in international film festivals in Laos, Malaysia and Czech Republic.
Boasting of a stellar cast of actors from around the world headlined by the Philippines' very own JC Santos and Agot Isidro, the horror film "Motel Acacia" made its world premiere at the 2019 Tokyo International Film Festival and revolves around the story of a son who is forced by his dictatorial father to take over their family business that exterminates undocumented immigrants. "Death Of Nintendo", "Oda Sa Wala", and "Motel Acacia" will be available for streaming in the Philippines on KTX.ph and iWantTFC beginning April 23.
* * * *
The Apprentice ONE Championship Edition Premiere Is Most Watched In Asia
 |
| (Image Source: Esquire Philippines/ONE Championship) |
The premiere episode of The Apprentice ONE Championship Edition, first aired on AXN last March 18 followed by additional free-to-air TV channels and digital platforms across the region, is the most-watched 2021 season premiere of all English-language reality television series in Asia by broadcast reach alone after racking up about four million viewers and smashing viewership records, beating out the premieres of other top-rated reality competitions including America's Got Talent Season 20 and The Voice Season 20 among others. In the Philippines, the episode's broadcast reach on AXN and TV5 outperformed the timeslot average by 60% and 57%, respectively, based on data from Nielsen Media Research.
A production marvel considering that it is filmed in Singapore during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Apprentice ONE Championship Edition invites sixteen candidates handpicked from around the world to compete in a high-stakes competition comprising of physical and business challenges. The winner will receive a US$250,000 job offer to work directly under ONE Championship Founder, Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong in Singapore for one year as his apprentice. Among these candidates representing the Philippines are Louie Sangalang and Lara Pearl Alvarez who was eliminated in the third episode following her team's loss in the business challenge. The Apprentice is one of the biggest non-scripted reality television programs in history, judging the business skills of candidates who are competing for a job offer under a high-profile CEO.
“When we came up with the concept for ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition,’ we knew immediately we had something special on our hands,” said ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong, who also hosted the show. “I am extremely grateful for the support of all our passionate fans across Asia who tuned in, our production partner Refinery Media, our brand sponsors, and broadcast partners, as well as the entire team at ONE Championship for the hard work they put in. ‘The Apprentice: ONE Championship Edition’ is not your grandfather’s ‘Apprentice,’ and I look forward to sharing this journey over the next 12 weeks.” Consisting of 13 episodes, The Apprentice ONE Championship Edition is seen in the Philippines on Thursdays at 8:50 pm on AXN, Saturdays at 11:00 pm on TV5 and Mondays at 9:00 pm on One Sports.
