Something’s Brewing: Italian Film Festival 2025 Returns This June!

The stories, the laughter, the moments that stay with you—Italian Film Festival 2025 is back.

Happening on June 6 and 7, 2025 at Cinema 2, SM Aura, McKinley, Taguig, this two-day celebration of contemporary Italian cinema brings back the magic of shared screenings, stirring emotions, and cultural connection.

Presented by the Embassy of Italy in Manila and the Philippine-Italian Association, this year’s edition promises a vibrant lineup of films that speak of joy, longing, love, absurdity—and everything in between.

We’re just getting started. The full film schedule and details will be announced soon.

For more information and updates, follow The Embassy of Italy in Manila on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ambasciatamanila), Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/italyinph/) and The Philippine Italian Association on Facebook (www.facebook.com/philippineitalianassociation). 

Experience la dolce vita on the big screen. Viva il cinema italiano!

Ben Wang, Jackie Chan, and Ralph Macchio, and the rest of the cast hit the black carpet at the New York premiere of “Karate Kid: Legends”

Now in PH cinemas

Jackie Chan, Ben Wang, and Ralph Macchio attend the New York Premiere of Karate Kid: Legends

The cast and filmmakers of Karate Kid: Legends turn up in the black carpet premiere held in the SVA Theatre in New York. Fans, dressed up in their Karate Kid gear, got a chance to take pictures with the actors, with Jackie Chan bringing his stuffed panda plushies for the pictures. Action also hit the black carpet as martial artists in different disciplines provided a powerful demonstration in front of the crowd. 

Get ready to fall in love in the new trailer of “Materialists,” the newest romcom from A24 and Celine Song

Coming soon in PH theaters

She’s the perfect matchmaker, but who is her perfect match? Dakota Johnson, Chris Evans, and Pedro Pascal are caught up in a love triangle in Materialists, the newest romcom from A24. The film is directed by Past Lives director Celine Song.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/oZSFKLV_Bu8

Materialists is out to catch people’s hearts in Philippine theaters soon.

Spotify unveils BALASA: A new way for A’TIN to celebrate SB19’s latest Simula at Wakas era

SB19 is back with Simula at Wakas — a bold new chapter in their music journey. To take the comeback even further, the P-Pop kings have teamed up with Spotify to launch BALASA — a brand-new in-app experience built just for this era.

Live on Spotify, BALASA invites A’TIN to go beyond streaming and experience Simula at Wakas in a whole new way — through a fandom-powered quest.

The journey starts on the This Is SB19 playlist, where five tracks each hold a hidden BALASA card — one for every member of the group. To complete the quest, fans can stream and share the right songs, with clues hidden in Canvas: the looping visuals that play on each track. The more A’TIN engage and share, the more surprises may unfold along the way!

HOPE Launches Generation HOPE with Filipino Brands to Build Classrooms for the Next Generation

Generation HOPE is a partnership between HOPE, the Department of Education, and beloved Filipino brands BDO, Carmen’s Best, Grab, Penshoppe, Aivee Clinic, SM Supermalls, and Sunnies. In the photo are (from left) Grab Philippines Country Head Ronald Roda, BDO Unibank Senior Executive Vice President and Head of the Consumer Banking Group Rolando Tanchanco, Sunnies Studios Co-founder and Head of Product Development Bea Soriano-Dee, SM Investments Corporation Vice Chairwoman Teresita Sy-Coson, Department of Education Secretary Sonny Angara, HOPE Founder Nanette Medved-Po, HOPE Board Member Tootsy Angara, SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, The Aivee Group Founder and President Aivee Teo, Golden ABC President and Chief Executive Officer Alice Liu, and Metro Pacific Agro Ventures Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Jovy Hernandez.

HOPE, the Philippines’ first certified B Corp and a pioneering impact organization, launches Generation HOPE—a partnership with the country’s most beloved brands to help address the urgent need of building more public school classrooms nationwide.

Thai horror movie “Don’t Sleep,” starring Atiwat Saengtien of “Pee Nak," to open exclusively in Ayala Malls Cinemas June 4

Are you ready to face your darkest fears? 

Ayala Malls Cinemas is exclusively bringing to Philippine theaters another Asian horror film this coming month. Following last year’s zombie-themed “Operation Undead,” comes the Thai horror-thriller “Don’t Sleep,” starring Atiwat Saengtien (“Pee Nak” comedy-horror movie series) and Pantipa Arunwattanachai (“Oh My Ghost: The Finale”). Opening only in cinemas June 4, “Don’t Sleep” is rated R-16. 

Watch the trailer: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1217415273350723

BlackB x Polygroove Productions - Rocking Independence Day with Music and Celebration

The stage is set, the lights are on—are you ready for a music revolution? Prepare for a night of unfiltered energy, homegrown sound, and pure musical freedom. 

Save the date for Black B x Polygroove Productions Malaya: In Celebration of Araw ng Kalayaan, celebrating Independence Day and happening on June 11, 2025, at 70’s Bistro, Quezon City for an epic musical experience. The stage will blaze with performances from some of the most exciting upcoming bands in the local scene, including Wax.wav, The Revisors, Kettle Mata, A for A, and Dear Dina. 

Don’t miss out on the celebration of artistic independence, cultural pride, and the unstoppable rise of the new wave of OPM. Support the scene, wave your flag, and let the music move you at Malaya: In Celebration of Araw ng Kalayaan. 

You can purchase tickets via https://tinyurl.com/malayagigjune112025. This event is presented by Black B Productions and Polygroove Productions

Hbo Original Harry Potter Television Series Sets Cast For Roles Of Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, And Ron Weasley

The HBO Original Harry Potter television series has cast screen newcomers Dominic McLaughlin in the role of Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. 

Francesca Gardiner (Showrunner, Executive Producer) and Mark Mylod (Director of multiple episodes, Executive Producer) quote: “After an extraordinary search led by casting directors Lucy Bevan and Emily Brockmann, we are delighted to announce we have found our Harry, Hermione, and Ron. The talent of these three unique actors is wonderful to behold, and we cannot wait for the world to witness their magic together onscreen. We would like to thank all the tens of thousands of childre

Look Up! “Superman” Filmmakers James Gunn And Peter Safran And Stars David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan To Visit The Philippines On June 19 Ahead Of The Dc Studios’ Film’s Summer Release From Warner Bros. Pictures

Superman is flying all over the world. His first stop: Manila, Philippines.  

In a post shared on Instagram today, James Gunn, Peter Safran, David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan announced their upcoming world tour for this summer’s epic action adventure “Superman” – and Manila is their very first stop! “‘Superman’ is coming to a city near you,” they teased in the video.  

Watch the announcement here: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1G7NXMaaPb/

The film’s writer/director/co-producer Gunn, Superman/Clark Kent himself Corenswet, Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane, and new Lex Luthor Hoult will be joined by Gunn’s fellow DC Studios head and co-producer Peter Safran. “Superman” opens only in cinemas and IMAX July 9.  

Bohol’s Roads Welcome the Return of Giro d’Luca for a Scenic Ride

The province of Bohol once again served as the dynamic backdrop for the Giro d’Luca, a three-day, non-competitive cycling celebration held from May 23 to 25, 2025. Covering close to 500 kilometers, the event brought cyclists through a scenic journey across Panglao, Loboc, the famed Chocolate Hills, and other iconic locations across the province. 

Now in its twelfth year, the Giro d’Luca has grown from a private birthday ride into a well-loved regional cycling tradition. It was first launched in 2012 by Gianluca Guidicelli, a restaurateur, entrepreneur, and multisport athlete, as a way to share his passion for health, community, and the natural beauty of the Philippines.