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| The cast of the second season of ABS-CBN Studios' Made For YouTube series "Zoomers" (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Trending Gen Z loveteam Harvey Bautista and Criza Taa will bring kilig once more as ABS-CBN’s most viewed Made For YouTube youth-oriented series “Zoomers” prepares for its second season after its first run garnered 4.2 million views. “Zoomers” and its cast members became hot topics on social media for its reality component, which made viewers get to know each of the artists better, as well as relate to their characters’ struggles as Gen Zs.
Harvey, whose pairing with Criza became an instant hit with viewers, expressed his gratitude for the support they received since they started, saying, “Hindi namin akalain ni Criza na mangyayari ‘yun. We were overwhelmed kasi di namin inexpect ‘yung feedback ng mga tao na ganoon ka-positive. Overwhelming pero at the same time very thankful na pumatok ‘yung pairing naming dalawa." Ralph De Leon shared how the series taught them to be themselves as they portray their respective characters while Krystl was happy about the positive response of the viewers to her and Kei Kurosawa's tandem. In its second season, the series will still revolve around the lives of the Zoomers composed of Jiggs (Harvey), Hope (Criza), Atom (Ralph), Tanya (Krystl), and Kokoy (Luke Alford) who now find themselves spending their last summer together before entering college. Witness how they encounter unexpected twists and turns as a barkada and how these challenges test the strength of their friendship.
Throughout its first season which can be viewed worldwide on ABS-CBN Entertainment's YouTube channel, “Zoomers” was lauded for tackling the experiences and challenges faced by many Gen Zs such as drugs, bullying, mental health, bisexuality, and many more. At the same time, the audition process done by the cast members became an inspiration for aspiring artists to pursue their dreams. “Zoomers", which is under RCD Narratives, will also feature Kapamilya teen artists Zabel Lamberth, Hadiyah Santos, Luis, Vera Perez, Erika Davis, Kei Kurosawa, and Zach Castañeda. “Zoomers” Season 2 is directed by Kevin Alambra with creative producer Theodore Boborol and written by head writer Carmela Abaygar and episode writers Carol Navarro and Airic Diestro. The series’ first season was directed by Chad Vidanes who now serves as a line producer in the upcoming season.
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100 Days Of Miracles: LG Announces Call For Entries For 2024 LG Ambassador Challenge
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/LG Electronics Philippines) |
Continuing its steadfast dedication to fostering positive change within communities since 2022, LG is proud to announce the reopening of entries for the LG Ambassador Challenge, effective last March 1, 2024. Spearheaded by LG Philippines and Korea Food for the Hungry International (KFHI), this global initiative reaffirms LG’s unwavering commitment to actively engage in local communities and promote sustainable growth. Originating in 2017 in Bangladesh, the LG Ambassador Challenge has since expanded across South Asia, inspiring individuals and organizations to submit proposals aimed at driving meaningful transformation within their communities. The primary objective of this initiative is to empower local changemakers to devise plans that facilitate positive societal impact. Selected proposals receive grants to support the realization of their initiatives.
In the inaugural LG Ambassador Challenge for the Philippines, ‘Ride for Hope’ by Bahay Aruga and ‘Roof for Siargao’ by Red Charity Gala emerged as the winning projects. Last year’s winners including initiatives such as ‘Life is Good, When Life Has Light’ in Calauan, Laguna; 'Flowing Water for Growing Future’ in Lawaguin, Nagcarlan, Laguna; and ‘Paliparan Community Livelihood’ in Dasmariñas, Cavite exemplify the profound influence community-driven endeavors can have on fostering positive change. LG Philippines Managing Director Nakhyun Seong eagerly anticipates the influx of new proposals for the program’s third year, emphasizes, “The LG Ambassador Program for the Philippines epitomizes our commitment to spreading the ‘Life’s Good’ motto. We have always sought to actively contribute to the welfare of Filipinos, and this program allows us to do so with a focused, grassroots approach. It provides us with fresh perspectives and innovative avenues to extend our assistance and bring smiles to the community and to the world.”
Aligned with the overarching vision of fostering collaboration across various sectors to enhance quality of life for all, the program welcomes participation from groups dedicated to effecting positive change and addressing social issues. This year, LG and KFHI aim to address United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) #1 – Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere, and #4 – Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, leveraging LG products and technologies. This presents a unique opportunity for individuals, groups, and organizations to make a tangible difference in their communities.
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TNT's Viral SIM Registration Video Wins Gold At AdFest 2024
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/Smart Communications Inc.) |
TNT, the value brand of PLDT mobile wireless subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. (Smart), has bagged a gold award for its viral SIM Registration video entitled “Mother" at the prestigious AdFest 2024, touted as Asia’s most celebrated regional creative festival. “Mother", which is part of a series of public service reminders encouraging subscribers to register their SIM, shows a woman who is struggling to prove her identity to her skeptical family as she spews out lines commonly used by scammers. The video, which TNT produced with GIGIL Philippines and Arcade Film Factory, bested over 200 entries from all over the region in the Film Craft – Script category of AdFest’s Lotus Awards.
“This prestigious award is a result of a huge collaborative and creative effort by our internal teams and agency partners, who took to heart TNT’s mission of providing ‘saya’ or fun to subscribers even in conveying important public service reminders. We also offer this recognition to our 34-million strong TNT subscribers, who comprise the Philippines’ biggest mobile brand, and serve as our inspiration for coming up with relevant services and impactful campaigns,” said Smart Head of Consumer Wireless Business Alex O. Caeg. Launched in April 2023, TNT’s SIM Registration campaign videos quickly racked up over 100 million views across social media platforms including Facebook, YouTube and TikTok with viewers organically sharing them for being “creative", "funny” and “unskippable.” Within just 10 days since the videos dropped, over 7 million subscribers registered their SIM, proving the campaign’s effectiveness.
TNT’s gold Lotus Award at Adfest 2024 adds to a string of local and international recognitions for the viral SIM Registration campaign video which includes being shortlisted at the New York Festivals 2023 Advertising Awards, winning Silver at Boomerang 2023 Awards, and bagging Crystal Awards at Korea’s MAD Stars 2023, among others. TNT is powered by Smart which delivers the Philippines’ Best 5G Coverage and Best 5G Availability according to independent analytics firm Opensignal.
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Filipina-Owned CLOVER-FI Games To Represent PH In Google Play's Indie Games Accelerator Program Class Of 2024
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| (Image Source: MegaBites/Google Play) |
The Philippines will solely be represented in 2024 in Google Play’s Indie Games Accelerator (IGA) program by one-woman game developer and publisher Camilla Santiago, also known as CLOVER-FI Games, who is known for her indie mobile game Window Garden, the beta version of which was released on Google Play back in October 2021, created after she learned app development during the COVID-19 pandemic. Window Garden, an idle game that lets players plant and decorate their virtual indoor garden and relax in its chill vibes, lo-fi music, and cottagecore aesthetic, has been well-received by gamers with a 4.7-star rating (as of this writing) on the platform.
The Google Play IGA is a 10-week course designed for high-potential indie game studios to access the best of Google’s programs, products, people, and technology to be able to build and improve a successful organization. Last year's Philippine representative in the program was Ranida Games which had created a one-on-one fighting game Vita Fighters and improved it through the benefits granted by the IGA. In the same vein, Santiago’s goal is to create cozy games that are accessible to everyone through mobile platforms, and the IGA is set to equip her with the skills and experience needed to create another hit like Window Garden as well as a potentially successful career in game development.
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Columbia Business School MBA Students Visit ABS-CBN, Learn About Its Transformation
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| Columbia Business School MBA students with Professor Medini Singh inside ABS-CBN (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/ABS-CBN Corporation) |
A delegation of Masters in Business Administration (MBA) students from Columbia Business School students flew all the way from New York in the United States to Manila to visit various companies in the country including ABS-CBN as part of their MBA subject titled “Global Immersion: Philippines: Asia’s Rising Tiger". During their visit at ABS-CBN, the graduate students learned more about the company’s transformation from a broadcasting network to a global storytelling company.
Led by Professor Medini Singh, the students engaged in enlightening discussions with ABS-CBN management consultant Raymund Miranda, head of news Francis Toral, and head of corporate communications Kane Errol Choa about the transformations the company underwent and the challenges it faces since 2020. After their learning sessions, the ABS-CBN Corporate Communications team gave a studio tour for the students and Prof. Singh who also became part of the live studio audience of the long-running noontime variety show “It’s Showtime". The class also watched a live newscast of “Dateline Philippines", one of the flagship newscasts of ANC (ABS-CBN News Channel). “Our students will benefit much from this visit to the Philippines, and getting an unvarnished look into the situation that media is facing,” said Prof. Singh said during their visit.
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Star Cinema's "Rewind" Tops Netflix In PH, Five Middle East Countries
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
The highest grossing Filipino film of all time “Rewind” starring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera achieved another milestone as it immediately hit the number 1 spot on Netflix’s Top 10 movies in the Philippines and several Middle East countries a day after it became available on the platform. The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 and Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) 2024 entry, which started streaming on Netflix last March 25, 2024, led the top 10 movies not just in the country but also in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates (UAE) based on data published by streaming analytics site FlixPatrol.
The inspiring drama film is likewise making waves as part of the top 10 movies on Netflix in Canada, Hong Kong, Malta, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and Singapore. Directed by Mae Cruz-Alviar and co-produced by Star Cinema (ABS-CBN Films), APT Entertainment and Agosto Dos Pictures, “Rewind” features the story of a man named John (Dingdong) who gets an extraordinary opportunity to rewind time and save the life of Mary (Marian), the woman he loves. The blockbuster movie recently received commendation from the Philippine Senate, via Senate Resolution No. 909 authored by Sen. Robin Padilla, which underscored the film’s role in revitalizing the local film industry.
