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| (Image Source: Random Republika/Netflix Philippines) |
Hellbound, the epitome of dystopia envisioned by Director Yeon Sang-ho, is a global phenomenon. Hellbound is a Netflix Original Series on supernatural events caused by otherworldly beings who appear out of nowhere to issue a decree and condemn individuals to hell, causing mayhem and enabling the religious group The New Truth to grow in power and clash with those trying to uncover the truth.
According to Netflix’s “Global TOP 10” Website (top10.netflix.com), Hellbound recorded an accumulated 43.48 million hours watched 3 days since its release, and ranked number 1 in the top 10 list in 12 countries, including not only South Korea but also Singapore, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, crowning it as Netflix’s Global Top 10 TV (Non-English) as of November 24, 2021. The series has also landed in the Top 10 List in 59 countries including India, US, France and Germany. This result is more outstanding considering Hellbound’s record only includes 3 days’ sum of the viewing hours out of the week (November 15th to 21st) since its release was on Nov 19th.
Hellbound’s superb reception was anticipated even before its release. Global interest in K-Content is at its peak following Squid Game, and Director Yeon Sang-ho has already awed global audiences before with Train to Busan. What added to the hype was Hellbound’s partial release in prestigious global film festivals, such as Toronto International Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival and Busan International Film Festival, where the series was acclaimed for its quality. As expected, Hellbound won the hearts of global viewers. In addition to co-writing the original webtoon series, Director Yeon Sang-ho took charge of co-writing the script and directing to expand his own unique universe. With the shocking and refreshing premise of sentencing people to hell, Director Yeon awes and stimulates the audience, forcing them to ask questions on universal topics like life and death, crime and punishment, and justice. On top of that is the stellar cast lineup of seasoned actors – Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-joo, Park Jung-min, Won Jin-ah, Yang Ik-june – that lures the audience to Hellbound.
Netflix launched its “TOP 10” website on November 17 which unveils lists of the most popular series and films on Netflix on a weekly basis. The weekly lists are based on the total number of view hours, updated every week on Tuesday (4:00 pm PST/4:00 am every Wednesday Philippine Time) with data from Monday through Sunday. The list is separated into English and non-English, and Film and TV.
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DOST-SEI, Knowledge Channel Ink Content Partnership
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| Top: DOST Science Education Institute Director Josette T. Biyo and Chief Science Research Specialist Ruby R. Cristobal Bottom: Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) President and Executive Director Elvira Lopez-Bautista and Director Of Operations Edric C. Calma (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/Department of Science and Technology - Science Education Institute) |
The Department of Science and Technology – Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI) entered into a partnership agreement with the Knowledge Channel Foundation Inc. (KCFI) towards making the Institute’s educational content more accessible to students and teachers throughout the Philippines via the Knowledge Channel’s on-air and online platforms.
On the heels of the COVID-19 pandemic, the DOST-SEI set out to adapt its educational programs into distance learning initiatives in line with the Institute’s mandate to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). These initiatives included novel video programs such as RadyoEskwela sa Siyensya and TuklaSiyensya, as well as beloved mainstays such as the Indie-Siyensya Filmmaking Competition, the imake.wemake Youth Innovation Prize Award, the #Push4Science Campaign, and the Climate Science Youth Camp — all of which have been revamped for online learning. KCFI is a non-profit organization that develops, acquires, and distributes Department of Education K-12 curriculum-based multimedia learning resources on-air, online, and offline to supplement the effective and relevant delivery of basic education, improve the engagement and learning of public school children, and contribute to national development and progress. The company works towards educating and empowering poor and marginalized children through media, and is well-known for its educational shows such as Sineskwela and Math-Tinik.
Through the newly-signed Memorandum of Agreement, DOST-SEI and KCFI look to collaborate on bringing the Institute’s programs to a wider audience, leveraging the Knowledge Channel’s on-air and online platforms. The agreement was signed on behalf of the DOST-SEI by its Director Josette T. Biyo and its Chief Science Research Specialist Ruby R. Cristobal. The KCFI was represented by its President and Executive Director Elvira Lopez Bautista and its Director of Operations Edric C. Calma. Bautista welcomed the agreement, pointing out that it is just the latest of many private-public partnerships between the TKCFI and the DOST. In particular, she noted that the DOST-SEI’s mathematics and science courseware have reached hundreds of schools nationwide thanks to the Knowledge Channel’s portable media libraries. “We are thrilled to enter into yet another exciting collaboration. We’ve been on this adventure of introducing our young Filipino children to the world of STEM for many years,” she said. “Through this partnership, we will be able to reach new horizons and bring STEM closer to our youth as the DOST-SEI and The Knowledge Channel collaborate to uphold the value of science, technology, and innovation in building up the next generation of Filipino youth,” Biyo concluded.
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New Cartoon Network Original Series We Baby Bears Premieres On January 8th
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| (Image Source: Polygon.com/Cartoon Network Studios) |
Pinoys can travel up, up, and away to faraway places with the 2-episode premiere of the original animated comedy series We Baby Bears on January 8 (Saturday) at 10:30 am on Cartoon Network followed by a new episode that will premiere every subsequent Saturday. Produced by Cartoon Network Studios, We Baby Bears embarks on magical adventures with the beloved siblings in search of a place they can call home.
Warner Bros. Head of Kids and Family Programming Amy Friedman said, “Partnering with TRI.BE on the original theme song to convey their message, ‘We are perfect as we are,’ doubles down on themes of inclusivity and acceptance we think kids everywhere will be drawn to.” The original theme song for the series is performed by up-and-coming Universal Music Korea K-Pop supergroup, TRI.BE. Their first-ever highly anticipated mini-album “Veni Vidi Vici” was recently released in October and they have been steadily growing their fanbase worldwide. Quadrilingual, the group is the first of its kind speaking and singing in Chinese, English, Japanese and Korean.
We Baby Bears will also feature an otherworldly list of guest stars including Anjali Bhimani, Rhys Darby, Janeane Garofalo, Young M.A., Jason Mantzoukas, Stephen Oyoung, Willow Smith and Bernardo Velasco. A spin-off of the hit Cartoon Network series We Bare Bears, We Baby Bears follows Grizz (Connor Andrade), Panda (Amari McCoy), and Ice Bear (Max Mitchell) – as their younger baby selves – traveling in a magical box to fantastic new worlds searching for a place to call home. Along the way, they meet new friends, learn a few lessons and discover that “home” can mean wherever they are, as long as they’re together.
We Baby Bears is executive produced by Daniel Chong and Manny Hernandez. Filipinos can catch We Bare Bears and more on Cartoon Network via Cignal SD channel 74 and HD channel 220 and SKYcable SD channel 43 and HD channel 178.
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GMA Pinoy TV Launched 2021 Station ID "Stronger Together"
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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/GMA Network) |
GMA’s flagship international channel GMA Pinoy TV is unveiling its grandest offering for the Kapuso abroad this year via the 2021 station ID dubbed, “Stronger Together.” Masterfully performed by no less than Asia’s Limitless Star Julie Anne San Jose and all-female vocal group XOXO, the upbeat GMA Pinoy TV station ID encourages everyone to get back on their feet and move past the dark moments as they face a brand new day together. The Stronger Together station ID was officially launched last November 28 on All Out Sundays.
‘Stronger Together’ is GMA Pinoy TV’s umbrella campaign for the year-round celebration of its 16th anniversary. The campaign includes the successfully-launched “Stronger Together: The GMA Pinoy TV Podcast” which showcases conversations with Kapuso personalities, global celebrities, and Filipinos around the world who remain strong and resilient amidst life’s challenges; “Pockets of Hope,” interstitials that inspire everyone to share the things that helped them weather these trying times; Frontliners Stronger Together, another interstitial that features Filipino Frontliners who share inspiring and unforgettable stories on how they were able to surpass the challenges during this pandemic; Stronger Together Viber Stickers that make chatting with friends and loved ones even more colorful; and “Pinoy Abroad Fun Connect,” the virtual meet-and-greet event that enables Pinoys from across the world bond with their favorite Kapuso stars and personalities.
“For us at GMA Pinoy TV, ‘Stronger Together’ has deeper layers of meaning that transcends across borders and social issues that concern Filipinos all over the world. Aside from the pandemic, our campaign was released at an opportune time during the heat of #StopAsianHate, women empowerment, the call for inclusiveness in the mainstream pop culture, and more awareness for mental health and resilience. Amidst these challenges, what proves to be true is that we get our strength from each other and that when joined together, we can be stronger than any of the adversities that come our way,” says GMA International First Vice President and Head Joseph T. Francia. “We offer the new GMA Pinoy TV station ID as a battle cry and as a reminder for all our beloved Kapuso abroad that we are here for them no matter the circumstance and no matter the distance,” he assures. “The new Stronger Together station ID spotlights migrant Pinoys’ resilience during the global pandemic and hopes to encourage them to continue with the ‘fight,’” adds GMA International Senior Assistant Vice President and Head of Programming Cheri C. Domingo.
