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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre mark their highly anticipated reunion in a comedy-drama film about a mother’s unconditional love in “Call Me Mother”, an official entry to the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival, out in local cinemas beginning December 25. The movie’s official trailer earned a total of 20 million views after more than 24 hours across social media platforms and the hashtag #CallMeMotherFullTrailer was the top trending topic nationwide following the trailer release on December 2. Helmed by award-winning filmmaker Jun Robles Lana, the movie delves into the complexities of unwavering love, commitment, and sacrifice throughout motherhood that will warm the hearts and bring joy to families this Christmas season.
“Call Me Mother” is a story about two mothers Twinkle (Vice) and Mara (Nadine). Twinkle is a former queen maker turned adoptive, loving queer mother to Angelo (Lucas Andalio) who proves that motherhood isn’t about biology but about choosing love and devotion. On the other hand, Mara, Angelo’s biological mom, is a former teen pageant prodigy turned high-fashion model who lives with deep regret when she made the life-changing decision to abandon Angelo in order to follow her dreams. Twinkle reaches out to Mara to finalize the adoption that will allow him to bring Angelo to his new job abroad. However, Mara will only agree to sign the adoption papers if Twinkle helps her win the biggest beauty pageant in the country. From a reluctant parent to fully embracing motherhood, can Twinkle live up to his end of the bargain with Mara despite her growing closeness to Angelo?
Produced by Star Cinema, The IdeaFirst Company, and Viva Films, “Call Me Mother” also stars “Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab” housemates Klarisse De Guzman, Mika Salamanca, Brent Manalo, Esnyr Ranollo, River Joseph, and Shuvee Etrata as well as Chanda Romero, Carmi Martin, Ces Quesada, John “Sweet” Lapus, MC Muah, Iyah Mina, Jennifer Sevilla, Robert Ortega, Tanya Gomez, and Divine Tetay.
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PETA Announces “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4”
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| (Image Source: Starmometer/Philippine Educational Theater Association) |
The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) proudly announces the newest — and wildest — addition to the iconic “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank” universe. After two blockbuster films and one hit series, the franchise is finally leaping from screen to stage with its live theatrical installment on June 19-August 16, 2026. Bringing the beloved satire to an entirely new medium, PETA’s “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4” promises a chaotic, sharp-witted, and laugh-out-loud look at the world of Philippine theater-making. In true Septic Tank fashion, the show takes audiences behind the curtain — then tears it down — exposing the ego, ambition, absurdity, and beautiful mess that fuels the industry today.
Returning to the role only she can play is the incomparable Eugene Domingo as herself, joined by everybody else in the theater world as themselves. Serving as the franchise’s boldest evolution, this stage adaptation embraces PETA’s signature approach: entertainment paired with razor-sharp cultural commentary. Expect a riotous experience that reflects the chaos of real-life theater-making while preserving the company’s teeth — its commitment to socially relevant, politically aware, and artistically daring storytelling. As the home of smash-hit originals like “Rak Of Aegis”, “Walang Aray”, and the musical adaptation of “One More Chance”, PETA is poised to deliver a production that’s as groundbreaking as the films that inspired it.
Written by Chris Martinez and directed by Maribel Legarda, this installment is set to become as iconic as its predecessors, only bigger, bolder, and even more meta. “Ang Babae Sa Septic Tank 4” is co‑presented by Metrobank, PETA’s official bank partner for 2026. Metrobank credit cardholders will have first access to tickets during a special presale when tickets launch in the first quarter of 2026. For more information and updates about the show, follow @petatheater on social media.
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Erik Matti Announces First Collaboration With Netflix, BuyBust: The Undesirables Starring Anne Curtis And Gerald Anderson
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| (Image Source: Manila Bulletin/Netflix) |
A first look at the expanded world of BuyBust: The Undesirables was recently unveiled at JAFF Creative Asia 2025 held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Acclaimed Filipino director Erik Matti, together with Indonesia’s Joko Anwar, took center stage at the event's Creator-to-Creator session to spotlight Netflix’s continued commitment to investing in original content for the region’s library and exploring the brand’s role in the ever-evolving opportunities available to creatives across the region.
The filmmakers’ session served as the perfect platform to announce Netflix’s first collaboration with Matti whose creative direction and meticulous character exploration in BuyBust: The Undesirables make the project one to watch out for. The clip offered a glimpse into the depth of Matti’s world-building and reintroduced viewers to several returning characters from the 2018 film including Anne Curtis and the addition of Gerald Anderson, alongside a slate of new characters and an even bolder narrative that pushes the original story to new heights. During his panel at JAFF, Matti shared that shortly after the film’s release in 2018, they partnered with Netflix Philippines to expand the original Buybust universe through a 9-episode series set to be released sometime in 2026. When asked about the expanded universe of BuyBust on Netflix and what it will focus on, he said, “We moved on from the drug war story and we made it about rich and poor — the powerful and the powerless. We wanted to talk about the Philippines as a country and whether it was impossible to ‘clean it up’ without going political. We are focusing on real characters and the real conflicts of each of them.”
Slated to be released worldwide in 2026, BuyBust: The Undesirables is poised to underscore not only Netflix’s ongoing commitment to expanding its repository of robust original Southeast Asian titles, but also the brand’s dedication to elevating the most compelling and distinctive creative voices in the region.
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Karina Bautista And Aljon Mendoza Reunite In “The Last Resort” On iWant
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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
Former “Pinoy Big Brother: Otso” housemates Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza reunite as “KarJon” in the upcoming iWant’s original movie “The Last Resort” which premiered last December 8, 2025 and is now exclusively available on the platform. Set within the peaceful “La Mera Resort”, the film explores suspicious and frequent deaths of married male guests with incidents repeatedly attributed to accidents by its management.
Karina stars as Katrina, a housekeeper with hidden motives, while Aljon plays Jacob, a visitor whose arrival coincides with a surge of suspicious activity within the property. Also starring “Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11” alum Patrick Ramirez, Elyson De Dios, Rania Lindayag, Paulo Angeles, John Arcenas, Randy Villarama, Emma Viri, at Brian Scott Lomboy, the film marks a bold departure from the typical romantic image associated with “KarJon”, offering the actors a chance to showcase deeper, more complex performances in their comeback pairing. Directed by Christian Paolo Lat, “The Last Resort” blends psychological tension with immersive storytelling, exploring themes of vengeance, suspicion, trauma, and the hidden lives of people who appear ordinary on the surface.
Enjoy “The Last Resort” along with iWant Originals and exclusive content through plans starting at only ₱35 per month. Feel every story, anytime, anywhere only on iWant. Download the app now and subscribe via Google Play or the Apple App Store or via www.iwanttfc.com.
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Puregold CinePanalo, Asia Pacific Film Institute To Grant Scholarships And Tuition Discounts To Student Filmmakers
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| (L-R) Puregold CinePanalo festival director Chris Cahilig, Asia Pacific Film Institute (APFI) General Manager Russel Frederick Oledan, and Puregold Price Club Inc. Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad formalize the CinePanalo–APFI partnership granting scholarships and tuition discounts to student filmmakers (Image Source: Interaksyon – PhilStar.com/Puregold Price Club Inc.) |
Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival recently forged and formalized a partnership deal with the Asia Pacific Film Festival (APFI) which would grant full scholarships and tuition discounts to outstanding student filmmakers, more particularly winners of the festival's Student Shorts category. The agreement adds to the festival’s Php200,000 creative grant for each student short. Now in its third year, CinePanalo has positioned itself as one of the country’s leading film festivals, backed by funding that supports emerging filmmakers including students.
Under the partnership, APFI will grant full scholarships to the recipients of the Best Film, Jury Prize, and Best Director awards. The institute will also offer full scholarships for selected subjects including Advanced Cinematography, Production Design, Scriptwriting, Acting, Editing, and Sound Design. All student participants, crews, and members of each competing film — whether in the student or full-length categories — will receive a 10 percent tuition discount on designated APFI courses. The institute will also host career talks during the festival to guide student filmmakers pursuing work in film and media. APFI General Manager Russel Frederick Oledan said the collaboration aligns with its mission as an independent, industry-focused film school that supports young storytellers. He also stated that participants have already shown strong potential and the school is “honored to support their journey”.
Puregold Price Club Inc. Senior Marketing Manager Ivy Hayagan-Piedad said the partnership strengthens CinePanalo’s efforts to support Philippine cinema by investing in new filmmakers. The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival will be held on August 7-18, 2026 at Gateway Cineplex 18 and select Ayala Cinemas, featuring seven full-length films and 20 student shorts. Several past CinePanalo films have screened and won awards at local and international festivals including Kurt Soberano’s “Under a Piaya Moon” and Sigrid Bernardo’s “Pushcart Tales”.
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SMDC’s Symphony Homes Launches Official Soundtrack — A First In Philippine Real Estate
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| (Image Source: Manila Standard/SM Development Corporation) |
For the first time in the Philippine real estate industry, SM Development Corporation’s (SMDC) Symphony Homes is giving homeownership a new sound with the launch of its official brand soundtrack, now streaming on Spotify. The original track, “Symphony Homes”, captures the Filipino dream of having a home to call one’s own, filled with joy, hope, and the feeling of finally arriving. More than just a jingle, it’s a heartfelt anthem that celebrates the milestones of every family working toward a better life.
Alongside the soundtrack, Symphony Homes has also released a curated playlist of original songs inspired by the real journey of homebuying — from dreaming and planning to moving in and making memories. Among the featured tracks, “Finally Home” tells the story of someone who’s waited and worked hard to find their place while “Oh Symphony” offers a light, cheerful beat — a song about finding that perfect match in a home and feeling right where you belong. With a mix of pop, acoustic, and soulful sounds, the playlist mirrors every emotion of homeownership: excitement, hope, love, and pride. It’s music that speaks to every Filipino’s journey toward stability and belonging.
This launch brings to life the brand’s message of “A House And A Lot More”. Beyond offering quality house-and-lot developments, Symphony Homes builds communities where families can grow, connect, and find meaning in everyday living. By creating its own official soundtrack, Symphony Homes becomes the first real estate brand in the Philippines to give music to the dream of homeownership, turning every Filipino story into a song of hope, joy, and home. Listen to the full playlist here.
