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Marina Summers is a true ‘Filipina winnah’ radiating beauty and charisma in the music video of her single “AMAFILIPINA" which has accumulated over 360,000 online views on YouTube and peaked at #18 on trending videos for music. “AMAFILIPINA" is Marina’s adaptation of Maymay Entrata’s iconic song “AMAKABOGERA" which she performed in the premiere episode of “Drag Race UK vs the World" where she won. It has also already earned over 168,000 streams on Spotify.
The song talks of being a proud Filipina, with Marina being the only Pinay and only Asian representative in the “Drag Race” competition. It has tweaked lyrics that Marina co-wrote with Kumare Harvey. It was produced by Roque “Rox” Santos and released under ABS-CBN’s Tarsier Records label. In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Marina shared that she had always wanted to give her own take on “Amakabogera". She said, “And 'yung 'Amakabogera' pambakla talaga siya, gurl. Pambakla talaga siya even from the title itself. So I wanted to pay homage to that and do my own rendition of it, like how would the gays do it, how would the drag queens portray it, like how they would sing it on an international level.”
Marina is one of the recording artists signed under Tarsier Records. She previously released the singles “Divine” and “ride 4 me". The drag queen emerged as the runner-up in the first season of “Drag Race Philippines". Last year, she also appeared in RuPaul's Drag Con and won the WOWIE Awards Rising Star of 2023 during the said event. Marina was likewise chosen by Spotify to represent the Philippines and Southeast Asia for their Global PRIDE x Glow campaign in 2023 with a feature in a New York Times Square billboard.
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Anji Is Full Of "GRIT" In New EP
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Kapamilya artist Anji Salvacion shines with a message of bravery and resilience in her new EP "GRIT". The EP, released under ABS-CBN Music’s StarPop record label, contains six tracks that heavily revolves around the themes of confidence, empowerment, love, and letting go. “‘GRIT’ refers to having an unbreakable or indomitable spirit. Being brave enough to take chances in life, being strong and resilient enough to learn from one's mistakes without losing sight of the importance of being an authentic person with humility and integrity, and lastly, having tenacity — the determination to pursue one's goals no matter what,” said Anji.
The key track “You Didn’t” shows how people can have no hurtful feelings and be able to live on amid a breakup. It was composed by Trisha Denise and produced by StarPop label head Roque “Rox” Santos. The music video shows Anji in her full on pop star era which is directed by renowned Filipina drag queen Marina Summers. Other tracks in the EP are “Happy” composed by Lian Dyogi, “Just Stay” composed by SAB and C-Tru, “Masterpiece” composed by SAB, “Don’t Lie 2 Me” composed by Kio Priest, and a remix version of “Paraiso” composed by Alex Gordeev and Anne Marie Ala. The mini album was over-all produced by StarPop label head Roque “Rox” Santos.
Anji was first introduced to the public after she joined the first season of “Idol Philippines” in 2019. Her first big break came in 2022 after winning “Pinoy Big Brother: Kumunity Season 10” where she became known as the “singing sweetheart ng Siargao". She entered the music scene with various soundtracks including “Buo” from “Marry Me, Marry You", “Keeps on Coming Back” from “Unloving You" and “Don’t Be Afraid” from “My Sunset Girl". She previously released her debut EP “Kasingkasing Dalampasigan” which contains self-penned tracks and spawned the single “Dalampasigan” that has amassed over two million streams across different platforms. Last year, she delved into a bright and pop sound with her single “Paraiso” which has more than one million streams on Spotify.
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Everybody Feels The Love As "Bob Marley: One Love" Opens Globally At US$80M, Arrives In PH Cinemas On March 13th
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| (Image Source: IMDb/Paramount Pictures) |
"Bob Marley: One Love", a film celebrating the legendary reggae musician, opened at No. 1 across several countries worldwide with an estimated gross of $80M, including $51M in North America. The movie broke the record for the biggest opening day for a music biopic in several markets, including the UK, New Zealand, and Jamaica, where the film boasts the biggest opening day for a movie ever. Arriving in Philippine cinemas on March 13, "Bob Marley: One Love" was made with the close guidance and blessing of the Marley family with two of Marley’s children – Ziggy and Cedella – and his wife, musician Rita Marley, at the helm as producers. Alongside them are executive producers Brad Pitt, Richard Hewitt, Orly Marley, and Matt Solodky, who assembled a cast that’s led by Kingsley Ben-Adir and Lashana Lynch as Bob and Rita Marley.
Director and co-writer Reinaldo Marcus Green acknowledges the scale and responsibility of creating a movie based on the icon. “There are films. And then there are films about Bob Marley," says Green. During the process of making Bob Marley: One Love, Green says people always have a story to tell about the musician. “He had that power. He was everyone’s best friend, you know? ‘I saw him in concert…’ Or, ‘He changed my life when I was 15…’ People think they know Bob Marley, have a version of him in their mind, because of how we all connect with his music.”
With this film, Green hopes to give the audience a side of Bob Marley that not a lot of people have seen, based on real conversations with friends, family, and acquaintances. The authenticity that "Bob Marley: One Love" delivers is the direct result of collaborating so closely with the musician’s loved ones. The result is a powerful snapshot of a legend whose calls for peace and togetherness made him a target. A man with faults and challenges like any other, but a force for change that did good for his family, friends, and the world.
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"I Am Not Big Bird" Earns Rave Reviews, Offers Fresh Take On Masculinity
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Enrique Gil’s big comeback movie “I Am Not Big Bird” has earned more than just positive reviews for its ballsy, raunchy, and hilarious humor. The latest Black Sheep offering, in partnership with ANIMA Studios and Immerse Entertainment, is also being praised for its refreshing perspective on masculinity as it continues to delight critics and audiences for its bold approach. Now showing in over 100 cinemas nationwide, the film centers on brokenhearted Carpio and his big mission in Thailand with his friends Macky and July and their hired tour guide Prajak played by Pepe Herrera. Carpio’s uncanny resemblance with a popular porn actor will get him into a series of trouble with various people. The film tackles themes of friendship, identity, masculinity, and self-discovery with humor and heart.
Independent journalist and Instagram influencer Pola Del Monte (@MissChiefEditor) commended the film for its respectful treatment of women, noting its departure from exploitative tendencies often found in sex comedies. Pola wrote in Instagram, “I think it’s a huge step for Philippine cinema, given that raunchy shows or movies tend to exploit women. I didn’t get offended (though honestly mildly shocked), but I would recommend this even to girls my age to watch with fellow tita friends. It’s raunchy but it doesn’t put women in bad light." Other reviews on the film have highlighted the dynamic camaraderie among the main protagonists, Carpio, Macky, and July portrayed in the movie by Enrique, Nikko Natividad, and Red Ollero, respectively. Philbert Dy’s review on Spot.ph praised the trio’s chemistry, eliciting laughter from moviegoers. He wrote, “The prickly dynamic between the three leads is fun, especially when they get on each other’s nerves. It just feels like they all understand the assignment, playing three guys who’ve known each other forever, and are prone to turning off their filters when they’re together.”
Roy Remorca of Cinegeeks Podcast shared, “Feeling ko nga parang ito yung sine na first time in a long time na ang konti ng pahinga ko ng tawa.” Film review platform Maganda Ba? posted, “Mahuhusay silang apat na main cast. It’s definitely a good decision for @enriquegil17 na ito ang comeback movie niya. The movie got some balls (literary and figuratively). Matapang ito na sumubok ng bagong kwento. Definitely a good watch for me!” Goldwin Reviews also lauded the guts of the film. “It has opened doors for others to create more gutsy and refreshing concepts for the Filipino audience to see,” wrote Goldwin on Facebook.
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MYX Global Launches Season 2 Of "Booked"
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There is no dearth of evidence that Filipino singers – recording artists and live performers – can go toe-to-toe with the best talents the world could offer. Bruno Mars, H.E.R., Olivia Rodrigo, Lea Salonga, Arnel Pineda, Darren Criss... the list could go on and on. But in the insanely competitive world of entertainment, talent is never enough. A star may be born for 15 minutes, but to last in the business and get consistently booked for gigs and projects, one essentially needs a plan, a team, and a prayer. MYX Global – a premier media and entertainment brand that celebrates the diverse voices and talents of the global Filipino and Asian community – takes its international audience behind the scenes to look at Filipino artist experiences as they book and make their way into new global markets via "BOOKED Season 2".
"Fans really only get to see the highlight reels of celebrities but never the journey to get to that final destination. They miss out on the discipline it takes to reach those goals. They go through rigid schedules, mental, emotional, and physical ups and downs while continuously learning about music trends and markets, vocal and live performance training... this is what you don't see every day. 'BOOKED' gives the fans a whole new perspective in appreciating and respecting their favorite music talents as they witness what it takes to stay on top of the game," said MYX Global head of content and programming Nino Llanera. For "BOOKED Season 2", expect to see today's Filipino superstars on their way to global conquests like BINI, Ben&Ben, MayMay, BGYO, Janine Berdin and more.
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"FPJ's Batang Quiapo" Goes All Out In 1st Year Anniversary Festivities, Makes Season 1 Episodes Available For Free Worldwide On YouTube
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“FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” continues its extensive celebration of its first year anniversary by making full episodes of the entire season one available for free worldwide on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel. The offering, which will allow viewers to relive the start of Tanggol’s (Coco Martin) journey as well as iconic scenes, is one of the series’ many gifts to viewers as Coco promises to give back to their supporters for their never-ending love and appreciation.
As “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo” enters a new chapter filled with non-stop action and major revelations, viewers can continue to watch fresh episodes live and on-demand on Kapamilya Online Live in the Philippines, Asia, Australia, Europe, and New Zealand. Apart from the availability of “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’s” episodes on YouTube, Coco continues to lead the cast in celebrating their anniversary with a series of thanksgiving events throughout the country. Last February 17, the “Batang Quiapo” cast kicked-off their motorcade around different barangays in Cavite as thousands of fans joined in the fun.
