REEL DEAL: “INSIDIOUS” Co-Creator Now Directs “CHAPTER 3”

After penning the scripts for “Insidious” and “Insidious: Chapter 2,” Leigh Whannell takes the reins on “Insidious: Chapter 3” by stepping in for co-creator James Wan and directing the new film.

Producer Oren Peli says, “Leigh understands the world of Insidious so well and also sees all sorts of possibilities for `The Further' and for the characters grappling with it, all of which made him the perfect choice to direct the new chapter.

Producer Jason Blum elaborates, “The people who created a movie make the best sequels – which I don’t talk about with them until after they’ve made the first movie, so that it isn’t compromised – and carry the storytelling forward. When Leigh said, ‘I have an idea for a new movie,’ that was ideal. We wanted to make it as comfortable as possible for Leigh to get to do what he wanted to do in taking the director’s chair, because we all felt he should be the next director for these stories.”

XSTIG: Lazada.com.ph brings the ALCATEL FLASH PLUS to the Philippines

Lazada.com.ph announces its exclusive partnership with ALCATEL ONETOUCH to launch their FLASH PLUS smartphone. Built for selfie addicts and mobile warriors, the FLASH PLUS is the latest addition to the list of exclusive products offered by the one-stop online shopping destination.

“Consumers are always looking out for the best in mobile technology. We are very excited to partner with ALCATEL ONETOUCH to bring the FLASH PLUS to the Philippines. The smartphone is packed with great features which are available exclusively to our customers,” said Inanc Balci, CEO of Lazada Philippines.

MUSIC LYF: Iconic DJ Cash Money To Join MTV Music Evolution 2015

With 3 more sleeps to the MTV Music Evolution 2015, which is set to take place at the historic Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park in Manila on Sunday, 17 May 2015, MTV today announced several news highlights in its ramp-up to the highly-anticipated one-night-only outdoor live music event this Sunday:

One of the most prolific DJs in hip hop history, DJ Cash Money, will join the show’s current performers’ line-up consisting of the iconic and Grammy Award-winning hip hop act, Naughty by Nature, Billboard Hot 100 hip hop artist, YG, Filipino-American rapper, record producer and dancer, Apl.de.ap, the Philippines’ most celebrated rapper, Gloc-9 and Philippines’ hottest hip hop act, Abra. He replaces DJ Mustard who will not be able to perform at MTV Music Evolution 2015 due to personal reasons. DJ Mustard sends his sincere apologies to all his fans in Asia.

Amongst the thousands anticipated at the show, one lucky fan will win an exclusive paid-trip1 for two to the MTV World Stage Malaysia 20152. Fans at the event can take part in an Instagram contest with the hashtag #mtvmusievo to stand a chance to win this exclusive trip to Kuala Lumpur later this year. This includes chances to win limited edition MTV merchandize. Entries can be a selfie, wefie, #ootd (i.e. Outfit of the Day), or fans’ best hip hop moves through an instavid.

McJim Dreams Get Real champions are rocking the OPM scene

Barely a year after they were declared the champions of the first McJim Classic Leather “Dreams Get Real: The Search for the Next OPM Star,” three emerging recording artists have stamped a mark in the local music industry already.

With chart-topping and viral hits; malls, bars and corporate gigs across the country; and radio and television guest appearances, last year’s triple-tie winners—Fifth Dynamics, JBK, and Neo Domingo—are already rocking the music scene after McJim took a chance on them and helped them with the direction of their careers.

REEL DEAL: Status Complicated In The Romantic Comedy “ALOHA”

Directed by Academy Award winner Cameron Crowe (known for the unforgettable “Jerry Maguire” and “Almost Famous” movies), his latest romantic comedy “Aloha” brings together the most charismatic actors onscreen in a compelling and fascinating story about love and the unpredictability of life. 

Set at the backdrop of alluring Hawaii, “Aloha” stars four-time Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper as Brian Gilcrest, a brilliant military contractor, who once worked for the US Space Program, based in Honolulu.  More than a decade after leaving the Space Program, he is a celebrated military contractor, working for a wealthy industrialist, Carson Welch (Bill Murray). Gilcrest returns to Hawaii on assignment and falls for Captain Allison Ng, a dynamic Air Force pilot, played by Emma Stone. But he is also reunited with a former girlfriend, Tracy (Rachel McAdams), who is now married with children for whom he still has strong feelings.

Globe x Line Parters For Affordable Premium Calls

Globe, LINE offer discounted calling rates to Globe and TM customers in the Philippines Offers Line Premium Calls for only P4.00 per minute beginning May 12.

Philippines’ no.1 mobile brand Globe Telecom is beefing up its presence worldwide with its partnership with world’s leading life platform, LINE to provide Filipinos around the world an affordable way to connect with their families and loved ones in the Philippines. 

With the partnership, LINE users calling Globe and TM customers in the Philippines can save over 35% off in per-minute calling rates compared to calling other mobile networks in the country. 

The Globe International Business Group further strengthens its partnership with LINE with a new promo to offer discounted calling rates to Globe and TM customers in the Philippines. Celebrating this new announcement are Head of LINE Philippines Stephan Kang and Globe Senior Vice President for International Business Rizza Maniego-Eala

DepEd publishes partial list of schools that will offer SHS nationwide

Pasig City – As part of the continuous preparations for the full implementation of the K to 12 program, the Department of Education (DepEd) released the initial list of Senior High Schools (SHS) online, comprised of DepEd and non-DepEd schools, higher education institutions (HEIs), technical vocational institutions (TVIs), state universities and colleges (SUCs).

DepEd Secretary Br. Armin Luistro FSC said that “the 2014 and 2015 budgets already have allocations for 30,000 classrooms for SHS.” He also mentioned that the initial target for the proposed 2016 budget, which is subject for approval, is over 20,000 classrooms for SHS. The government shall further allocate investments for SHS.

Globe Telecom And Disney Seal Multiyear Collaboration

Filipinos to enjoy Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Maker content via video-on-demand, interactive content and promotions on mobile and broadband 

Philippines’ number one mobile brand Globe Telecom once again enhances the Filipino digital lifestyle experience with a comprehensive and multi-year collaboration with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia.  This  collaboration will give Filipino customers access to video-on-demand, interactive content, promotions and other related services across multiple devices and affirms the relationship of Globe with Disney whose brands include Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars and global leader in short-form video, Maker Studios. Globe customers will now have access to an array of Disney content offerings including long- and short-form programming, interactive content and games, theatrical releases and retail promotions. Offerings include:

REEL DEAL: Teaser Trailer, Poster Up For “RICKI AND THE FLASH”

The teaser poster and trailer for the new Meryl Streep film, “Ricki and the Flash” have just been released by Columbia Pictures, and may now be seen here at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGpDTun_Kuo.

Three-time Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep goes electric and takes on a whole new gig – a hard-rocking singer/guitarist – for Oscar®-winning director Jonathan Demme and Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody in the uplifting comedy “Ricki and the Flash.”

In a film loaded with music and live performance, Streep stars as Ricki, a guitar heroine who gave up everything for her dream of rock-and-roll stardom, but is now returning home to make things right with her family. Streep stars opposite her real-life daughter Mamie Gummer, who plays her fictional daughter; Rick Springfield, who takes on the role of a Flash member in love with Ricki; and Kevin Kline, who portrays Ricki’s long-suffering ex-husband.

The film also stars Sebastian Stan (“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”).

Opening soon in cinemas across the Philippines, “Ricki and the Flash” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

REEL DEAL: No Inhibitions In New “MAGIC MIKE XXL” TRAILER

Sexual innuendoes spice up the new trailer of the Warner Bros. Pictures' “Magic Mike XXL” which may be viewed at https://youtu.be/HMsjXCj5x_g.

The opening cards of the trailer read “We didn't want to show the best parts of the movie in this trailer, but it was very...very...hard...to resist.”

Then, it closes with “This summer...#come again.”

“Magic Mike XXL” reunites Channing Tatum, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez and Gabriel Iglesias, stars of the 2012 worldwide hit “Magic Mike.”

Featured in brand new roles are Elizabeth Banks, Donald Glover, Amber Heard, Andie MacDowell, Jada Pinkett Smith and Michael Strahan.