"Elvis" Shakes Up Cannes With a 12-Minute Standing Ovation

The stars (led by Austin Butler and Tom Hanks) and filmmakers (led by director Baz Luhrmann) of Warner Bros.’ “Elvis” were out in full force at the movie’s gala premiere in Cannes Film Festival, where the film received a 12-minute standing ovation -- the longest at this year’s event.  

Check out the images below from the daytime photocall and evening red carpet events for “Elvis” in Cannes. Don’t miss the film only in theaters across the Philippines starting June 22.

About “Elvis”

ELVIS is an epic, big-screen spectacle from Warner Bros. Pictures and visionary, Oscar-nominated filmmaker Baz Luhrmann that explores the life and music of Elvis Presley, starring Austin Butler and Oscar winner Tom Hanks.

Globe 5G network logs over 2M devices in Q1 2022

Globe has logged over two million devices in its 5G network as of end-March this year, ahead of target, showing that many customers are already enjoying the higher speed, lower latency, and more reliable data service that the new technology brings.

At least 96% of the National Capital Region and 85% of key cities in Visayas and Mindanao now have Globe 5G outdoor coverage.   The digital solutions platform has also allocated a large portion of the P89 billion in capital expenditures this year to roll out more 5G sites and in-building solutions, upgrade more cell towers to 4G LTE, add more 4G cell sites, and lay down more fiber to the home lines.

This buildup is part of Globe’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which highlights how infrastructure and innovation are key in driving economic growth and development under SDG No. 9.

“We anticipate higher 5G device penetration among our customers this year with the continuous expansion of 5G coverage in the country and the release of more affordable handsets,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO.

A chance to win a new HUAWEI smartwatch? Make way for HUAWEI’s Watch Me Run Challenge!

Run, walk, or even cycle your way for a chance to win a brand new HUAWEI WATCH GT 3 Pro or HUAWEI Watch Fit 2 in HUAWEI’s Watch Me Run Challenge happening on May 27-June 30. 

We all know that it’s easier to take charge of your health with a handy smartwatch that can serve as a fitness buddy, helping you power through every step of the way. The HUAWEI WATCH GT 3 Pro and HUAWEI WATCH FIT 2 are perfect companions for the job, as both are equipped with all-day health management features, and over 100 fitness modes to choose from. 

Miles Teller, Glen Powell at the Top of Their Game in "Top Gun: Maverick"

Miles Teller and Glen Powell break from the pack as navy fighter pilots Lt. Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw and Lt. Jake “Hangman” Seresin in Paramount Pictures’ Top Gun: Maverick, now playing cinemas across the Philippines.

“Rooster” Featurette: https://youtu.be/TcLv7B5_HmY

“Hangman” Featurette: https://youtu.be/lvaDCEC04TU

Miles Teller

In the 1986 Top Gun, a training accident killed Goose (Anthony Edwards), one of the most adored characters in movie history, the father of the young boy we will now meet as a man. “And I’ve got to say,” says lead star Tom Cruise of Teller’s performance as Rooster, “that guy showed up.”

P1M worth of cash prizes up for grabs hidden in the music video!

Maya launches a powerful youth anthem with Shanti Dope 

The secret's out! All-in-one money app Maya has partnered with rap phenom Shanti Dope to create what's set to be the anthem of this generation. Now, there's even P1,000,000 worth of cash prizes hidden in plain sight in its music video!  

Embodying Maya's mantra "defiance with optimism," the powerful anthem honors young Filipinos who fearlessly hustle to achieve their goals. With the intent to inspire others to dream and work hard amid adversity and barriers, the brand's namesake song "Maya" has taken on a fresh meaning behind the iconic Filipino bird—the young, energetic generation who possess the spirit to soar high and forge their own paths.   

Tate McRae drops highly anticipated debut album, i used to think I could fly

Multi-platinum selling singer/songwriter/dancer Tate McRae releases her highly anticipated debut album, i used to think i could fly today via RCA Records/Sony Music. 

The album is released on May 27th via RCA Records and showcases Tate at the top of her game. The album features all-star writing collaborators and producers including Greg Kurstin, Finneas, Charlie Puth, Alexander 23, Blake Slatkin, Louis Bell and more.  The album will feature already released tracks “feel like shit,” “she’s all i wanna be,” “chaotic,” “what would you do?” and more.  

Mobile service providers must scale up to meet subscriber growth, continued digital shift

Mobile operators must continue to expand their network capacity to support rising demand for mobile connectivity and match customers’ increasing reliance on digital services. According to international mobile industry organization GSMA, subscriber growth will persist within the next three years along with an increase in mobile services’ contribution to the global economy.

In its recently published The Mobile Economy 2022 Report, GSMA projected that there will be nearly 400 million new mobile subscribers by 2025, 148 million of whom will come from the Asia Pacific region. The group added that “mobile data will more than triple in most regions over the next six years, driven by increasing smartphone adoption and video usage.”

GSMA previously reported that over 333 million people from across the Asia Pacific region will start to use mobile internet for the first time by 2025. This will take the penetration rate to 52% of the region’s total population.

Employee innovations save Globe US$6.7 million, reduce processing time by 80% using Google AppSheet

Employees often have many ideas to make their jobs more efficient, making it beneficial for enterprises to nurture a culture of innovation in the workforce. Citizen Development is one of Globe’s employee engagement strategies that bring out innovation and support for high-potential initiatives that result in better ways of doing business.

The digital solutions platform encourages individuals and teams to use Google Cloud’s no-code development platform, AppSheet, to create workplace apps without the need for coding.

Cebuana Lhuillier and Bayad intensifies partnership through real-time bills payment services

Cebuana Lhuillier, one of the leading micro financial service provider companies in the Philippines, boosts its bills payment services through its intensified partnership with Bayad, a trusted multi-channel payment solutions.

Meralco bills can now be paid conveniently in more than 3,000 Cebuana Lhuillier branches.

“Cebuana Lhuillier has always been committed to offer efficient micro financial solutions to our clients, and partnering with the biggest and widest multi-channel payment platform in the country will surely optimize one of our essential services. As we continue to expand our network and improve our digital payment facilities, we will provide our clients more convenient options for their bills payment needs,” Cebuana Lhuillier President and CEO Jean Henri Lhuillier shared.

Sponge Cola reveals the inconvenient truth about regret on new single “Laman Ng Panaginip”

The new single is inspired by the power ballads of the ‘80s and ‘90s

Filipino alternative rock outfit Sponge Cola addresses the truth about regret and longing on their heart-wrenching single “Laman Ng Panaginip”—released via Sony Music Philippines.

Redefining love songs with reckless abandon, the Filipino quartet expresses the complexity of impossible choices in a world that is grounded in the familiar and often neglected reality of prioritizing practicality first before anything else, including love.

“This idea is mentioned concretely in the song almost as blunt exposition,” lead vocalist and guitarist Yael Yuzon stresses. “I really wanted the listener to feel that slab of reality to the face as opposed to something vague and symbolic. No figures of speech here; just feel it and let it all out. It’s the type of material that deserves to be sung out loud in the videoke over drinks with our friends and family for some kind of release.”

According to Yuzon, the song is about a love that never was. “The courage and reckless abandon that goes with singing a power ballad oftentimes come from a place of regret.” 

In terms of sonic approach and arrangement, “Laman Ng Panaginip” is inspired by the power ballad movement of the ‘80s and early ‘90s. With guidance from producer Joey Santos of Love One Another Studios, the track delivers another high point in the band’s career with indelible catchiness and impressive musical chops to back it up.

“It's a direct reference to a specific genre and time period that had a very influential impact in our formative years,” guitarist Armo Armovit shares in a statement. “It was recorded in Love One Another with producer Joey Santos making sure each layer of production had meaning and told the story.”

The song’s release is accompanied by an arresting visual helmed by filmmaker Ken Tan. Referencing Armovit, the MV director “did an excellent job in conveying the dream vs reality theme with the most minimal of elements.” The Sponge Cola’s resident guitarist adds, “The dancer, Ysabel Lava, delivered a captivating and emotionally charged performance with every move she choreographed herself.”

“Laman Ng Panaginip” is the fifth single released off their upcoming new album, CLASSIC—to be released sometime this year. The new record will serve as the band’s eighth full-length album, following a string of multiplatinum and critically acclaimed hits that span for more than two decades.

Sponge Cola’s “Laman Ng Panaginip” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Philippines. Watch the music video here.