Entertainment News (03/11/25)
Johnoy Danao to hold first solo concert
FILIPINO singer-songwriter Johnoy Danao will be serenading audiences at his first solo concert, Liwayway at Dapithapon, happening from March 14 to 15, 8 p.m. onwards, at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. The two-day musical celebration marks a milestone in Mr. Danao’s 25-year journey as an artist. Produced by Minsan Studio, the concert will also feature guests: jazz duo Project Yazz and a 15-piece orchestra led by Ria Villena-Osorio. Tickets for the concert range from P2,400 to P5,000, available via Ticketmelon.
Award-winning A Real Pain to stream on Disney+
A THOUGHT-PROVOKING emotional journey about complex relationships is arriving on Disney+ this month. A Real Pain stars Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin as dysfunctional cousins on a road trip in Poland. The film follows their adventure honoring their grandmother, with old tensions resurfacing against the backdrop of their family history. Lauded for its universal themes of heritage, acceptance, and family, Mr. Eisenberg was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars for the story, while Mr. Culkin took home an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Searchlight Pictures’ A Real Pain begins streaming on Disney+ on March 19.
Hans Zimmer And Friends screens exclusively at Opus
THE concert film Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert documents the legendary composer conducting some of his famous scores and having conversations with friends. In the Philippines, it will be screened at Opus Premier Cinemas’ VIP Cinemas on March 19, 25 and April 1, all at 7 p.m. Filmed in Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena, the concert includes music from Dune, Gladiator, Interstellar, The Lion King, and many more. Some of the celebrities Mr. Zimmer speaks with in the film are Billie Eilish, Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, Finneas, Jerry Bruckheimer, Pharrell Williams, Timothee Chalamet, and Zendaya. Hans Zimmer & Friends: Diamond in the Desert will be at Opus Cinemas with tickets costing P900.
Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender star in spy thriller
FROM director Steven Soderbergh comes the new spy drama, Black Bag, where intelligence agents and married couple George (played by Michael Fassbender) and Kathryn (played by Cate Blanchett) Woodhouse balance their dangerous career with their marriage. Here, Mr. Soderbergh teams up with screenwriter David Koepp to dive into the lives of elite officers who work in the shadows. Black Bag also stars Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Regé-Jean Page, and Pierce Brosnan. The film arrives in Philippine theaters on April 2.
Ramdiss releases new rap track
FILIPINO rapper Ramdiss has released his latest single, “Anino,” an intense rap song about friendship, envy, and life’s divergent paths. The song tells the story of two friends who grow up together, only to find themselves on vastly different trajectories — one filled with success and the other with inadequacy. The track is also about how envy is a deadly sin for a reason. “Anino” is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.
Prime Video announces Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX anime series
THE exclusive global premiere of the highly anticipated anime series, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX, will be on Prime Video on April 8. It marks a collaboration between Studios Khara and Sunrise, who are the creators of the Evangelion and Gundam anime franchises. The series follows Amate Yuzuriha, a high school girl in a space colony, who gets involved in illegal mobile suit dueling and encounters an unidentified Gundam. Available in over 240 countries and territories, the series will be dubbed in 10 languages and subtitled in 29 languages.
Lady Gaga to stop in Singapore for her world tour
GLOBAL star Lady Gaga has announced that she will be returning to Singapore this year as part of her world tour attached to her recently released album, MAYHEM. Performing in the country for the first time in 13 years, the four-show run at National Stadium will take place on May 18, 19, 21, and 24. Singapore is the only stop in Asia, a move similar to Taylor Swift’s tour last year which had six sold-out shows in Singapore catering to various Southeast Asian countries flying there for the concert. For Lady Gaga’s concerts, Klook members will be able to enjoy exclusive pre-sale access from March 19 to 21. Klook is the Official Experience Partner for the tour.
GMA podcast Barangay Love Stories earns Spotify Creator Milestone Award
GMA NETWORK’S flagship FM radio station Barangay LS 97.1 Forever! and its highly popular podcast, “Barangay Love Stories,” received a Spotify Creator Milestone Award after recording over 50 million streams. The award was accepted late in February by GMA’s First Vice-President for Radio Operations Glenn F. Allona, Manager for FM Radio Operations TJ Herrera, Drama Director Eduardo “Papa JT” Lubrin, and Mr. Barangay Love Stories himself, Papa Dudut.
Song of the Fireflies wins Best Film at MIFF
MUSICAL film Song of the Fireflies has been awarded Best Film at the 2nd Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) in California, USA. The festival is dedicated to films made by Filipinos from around the globe. Produced by Culturtain Musicat Productions, the film tells the story of internationally renowned Loboc Children’s Choir. Morrissette was also awarded Best Actress for playing humble teacher and choir master Alma Taldo, while Rachel Alejandro won Best Supporting Actress for the role of Equit Butalid, an influential patron of the choir. Noel Comia Jr. also bagged Best Supporting Actor for playing Herbert, one of the teenagers in the choir.
Noah Alejandre releases new single on friendships
FILIPINO singer-songwriter Noah Alejandre, who gained recognition as half of the award-winning alt-pop duo reon, is back in the spotlight with a new single that tugs at the heartstrings. He takes a more introspective approach with his latest track “Mga Kaibigan.” The melancholy track muses on how friendship changes over time, written when Mr. Alejandre moved away from his hometown. “It’s a song about how life naturally pulls people in different directions, not out of choice but out of necessity,” the Leyte-based artist said in a statement. “Mga Kaibigan” is out now on all digital music streaming platforms.
Crunchyroll to bring Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle to the PHL
ANIME distribution company Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment will be bringing the first movie of an upcoming anime trilogy to cinemas in the Philippines on Aug. 20. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle, from the animation studio ufotable, serves as the final arc and culmination of the hugely popular award-winning anime series Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer). It will also be shown in IMAX cinemas.
Black Eyed Peas to perform in Manila in August
GRAMMY Award-winning trio Black Eyed Peas is coming to Manila on Aug. 27 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. Presented by Wilbros Live, the concert will have the Los Angeles-based group composed of will.i.am, Apl.de.Ap, and Taboo perform some of their biggest hits like “I Gotta Feeling,” “Where is the Love?” “Pump It,” “Boom Boom Pow,” “My Humps,” and many more. Tickets go on sale on March 15, 12 p.m., via SMTickets.com and SM Tickets outlets nationwide.
