Viu Launches First Pinoy Musical Narrative Series "STILL" featuring a Powerhouse Cast of Talented Artists

Viu, PCCW’s leading pan-regional OTT video streaming service, proudly launches its first original musical narrative series titled "Still" featuring a powerhouse cast of Filipino artists from the country’s music, film and theater scene.

"Still" was created by Palanca-awardee Pat Valera, who is known for award-winning shows Dekada ‘70 the Musical and Mula Sa Buwan. Theater industry greats Giancarlo Abrahan and Nicco Manalo co-created the series with Valera. On the director’s chair is Treb Monteras II of the internationally-acclaimed rap musical Respeto. Multi-awarded screenwriter, director, producer and editor Monster Jimenez produced the series.

Ms. Arianne Kader-Cu, Country Head of Viu Philippines, said, “We are extremely honored and thrilled to be working with such a talented team that has produced a musical we hope impresses the world over. The story itself is relevant and we believe that STILL will resonate with all of us who have gone through this pandemic. We can’t wait for our Viu-ers to have access to STILL and get to know and love the characters, be hooked on the storyline, and sing their hearts out to the beautiful original soundtrack featured in the program.”

The eight-episode series follows the story of talented upcoming artists participating in Daloy Himig, a music camp that abruptly ends when the pandemic hits. With quarantine protocols placed around the country, the campers are left stuck in Balay, with only their music and each other to keep them company.

Leading the campers are estranged best friends Laura, always the relentless dreamer who fights for herself, for the people she loves and for the limelight (played by Julie Anne San Jose, Asia’s limitless star), and Sab, the voiceless writer who wants to follow her dreams but can’t (played by Gab Pangilinan, Philippine theater princess). The two instantly become friends with veteran camper Iggy (Mike Shimamoto), always ‘the happy pill’ Tugs (Abe Autea) and tired-but-still-a-fighter Leigh (Lance Reblando). Along with their mentors Nikolas (Christian Bautista, Asia’s romantic balladeer) and Annette (Bituin Escalante, veteran stage and concert singer), the campers’ lives and stories intertwine through powerful and poignant music. Through song and stage, they hope and rage to prove to the world that they still have a voice – that they still matter.

"Still" is available now on Ticket2Me. New episodes will be added every week and can be viewed multiple times within a 32-hour window. For a special rate of P599, Viu-ers can avail of an Exclusive Viu Package (a free six-month Viu Premium subscription plus a free digital STILL chord book) with early access per STILL episode. Meanwhile, Viu subscribers can start streaming STILL on their devices on November 26, 2021.

Filipinos can also listen to the show’s 13 original songs performed by the country’s best talents via Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer and Tidal.

Watch STILL and a whole lot more of your other favorite KDramas, reality and variety shows, Japanese dramas and anime, Chinese dramas, Thai dramas, Viu Originals, TagDubOnViu for free! Download the Viu app now and #ViuItRight!

Stay updated on the latest news and releases, like and follow Viu Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, Kumu and TikTok. Join and spazz with us on Viuniverse, on Twitter and on Facebook.

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ABS-CBN's Christmas ID "Andito Tayo Para sa Isa’t Isa" Hits Millions of Views in Less Than a Week, Touches the Hearts of Netizens

Messages of praise and gratitude outpoured on social media as netizens were touched by the stories of Filipinos featured in ABS-CBN’s “Andito Tayo Para sa Isa’t Isa: Ang Christmas ID ng Pilipino.”

In less than a week, the music video already registered 1.3 million views on YouTube, while it has recorded 1.9 million views on the Facebook page of ABS-CBN Entertainment. The lyric video on the other hand, garnered 3.4 million views on YouTube and 7.6 million views on Facebook as of this writing.

Together with Kapamilya stars, the stories of families, the youth, teachers, medical frontliners, OFWs, community heroes, drivers, economic frontliners, and safety and security personnel sparkled brightly in the music video.

Netizens said that their hearts are full after watching the latest Christmas ID ng Pilipino as it is now part of the Christmas tradition of Filipinos.

“This is what we Filipinos look forward to every holiday season especially Christmas. They [ABS-CBN] never fail to amaze us and make us cry in a good way,” YouTube user Artemisly said.

Another YouTube user, Jewel Winter, lauded the overall production work of the music video. “Wow, simply superb! From the song, the artists, the hand movements, the message it imparts to people, the recognition of frontliners, highlights of Filipino kindness, faith in God, family, unit…galing!”

Meanwhile, Twitter user @thisistonitoni tweeted, “that clapping of hands in the last part made me cry. We all deserve a clap ‘coz even if we’ve been through a lot in this time of pandemic, we remain strong and faithful. We continue to give and share.”

Even YouTube vloggers in the country and abroad were touched and amazed by the new Christmas ID ng mga Pilipino. Some of the vloggers who made reaction videos include Music Game News, Waleska Herrera, Luis Portelles, and Dong A.

Because it is now the holiday tradition of Filipinos to create their own version of ABS-CBN’s CIDs, ABS-CBN is inviting the public to be part of the Christmas ID ng Pilipino by joining the #ChristmasIDChallenge.

Kapamilyas just need to use the instrumental version of the song on Facebook, Twitter, Tiktok, YouTube Shorts, and Kumu Klips and record themselves singing their version of “Andito Tayo Para sa Isa’t Isa: Ang Christmas ID ng Pilipino.” After recording the video, indicate in the caption to whom the video is dedicated and post it on social media with #ChristmasIDChallenge. Those who join the challenge may be included in a special version of the Christmas ID to be shown this December.

Meanwhile, the limited edition “Andito Tayo Para Sa Isa’t Isa” Christmas shirts and face masks are now available. Buy the official merchandise for your family and for gifts this Christmas from authorized partners, which are Shirts and Prints PH via Facebook and E-commerce stores for Andito shirts, and InstaMug on Facebook and Instagram for Andito Masks.

Watch the “Andito Tayo Para Sa Isa’t Isa: Ang Christmas ID ng Pilipino” music video on ABS-CBN cable channels like Kapamilya Channel and online via Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, ABS-CBN Entertainment Facebook page (https://fb.watch/9k9Yhmw9Nz/) and YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sE2L800CqM4) and other ABS-CBN digital platforms. 

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Watch BTS' Live Performance at the 2021 American Music Awards (AMAs) Exclusively on Smart GigaPlay

Leading mobile services provider Smart Communications, Inc. through its new GigaPlay App is bringing the 2021 American Music Awards (AMAs) exclusively to its subscribers, live on November 22 at 9am PHT. Hosted by multi-awarded rapper Cardi B, the 2021 AMAs is set to excite the hearts of music fans everywhere when it brings together the biggest artists at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. In this time of pandemic, Smart makes the biggest acts available to Filipinos through amazing live streaming technology.

Headlining the event is Korean supergroup and Smart endorser BTS (방탄소년단), who will be doing two separate performances during the show. First is the remix of their hit song “Butter” live for the first time together with fellow AMAs winner and nominee Megan Thee Stallion and a performance of their recent chart-topping collaboration with Coldplay, “My Universe.” The six-time AMA-winning group is also nominated for three major awards this year, including Artist of the Year - a first for any Asian act.

The 2021 AMAs will also feature live performances from the hottest artists today, including Bad Bunny, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, New Edition, New Kids on the Block, Jennifer Lopez and part-Filipina singer Olivia Rodrigo, who marks her debut on the AMAs stage.

Rodrigo topped this year’s nominations with a total of seven nods including Artist of the Year while her hit single Driver’s License is up for trending song, music video, and pop song nominations. The Weeknd, on the other hand, earned six AMA nods in close second. For group acts, Silk Sonic is up for three nods including best duo or group, video, and soul song/R&B.

To experience the whole show, simply download the GigaPlay App via smrt.ph/gigaplay. Select the 2021 American Music Awards live as long as you’re on PLDT Wifi or Smart network. The GigaPlay App is available to all Smart subscribers and the opportunity to experience live HD concert technology is all but a few taps away on your Smart-powered devices at no extra cost.

Expect more music, entertainment's biggest events plus Video on Deman of previous specials on the Smart GigaPlay App. Smart’s GigaPlay App is available through the App Store or Google Play.

Powered by the Philippines’ fastest network

Smart’s new GigaPlay app is home to the most exclusive live events, concerts, entertainment shows, sports, and K-content from all around the world. Combined with the convenient convergence of other Smart services in the GigaLife app and the fastest network connection in the country, enjoy the best customer experience wherever, whenever.

Smart subscribers enjoy next-level speeds with the country’s fastest and most reliable 5G mobile network as reported by Ookla. To date, Smart has already fired up around 6,400 5G base stations nationwide making it the country’s first, fastest, and widest 5G network.

Smart has also reasserted its dominance as the Philippines’ fastest mobile network for the fourth year in a row, based on analysis by Ookla of tests taken with Speedtest® covering the first half of 2021.

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Big Reveal: "Spider-Man: No Way Home" Movie Trailer

We started getting visitors… from every universe. Watch the new trailer for Columbia Pictures’ action-adventure Spider-Man: No Way Home, coming exclusively to Philippine cinemas January 08, 2022 HERE: https://youtu.be/bSo7ypG9IVQ

For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero's identity is revealed, bringing his superhero responsibilities into conflict with his normal life and putting those he cares about most at risk. When he enlists Doctor Strange’s help to restore his secret, the spell tears a hole in their world, releasing the most powerful villains who’ve ever fought a Spider-Man in any universe. Now, Peter will have to overcome his greatest challenge yet, which will not only forever alter his own future but the future of the Multiverse.

Directed by Jon Watts, Spider-Man: No Way Home is written by Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers, based on the MARVEL Comic Book by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

Produced by Kevin Feige, Amy Pascal with executive producers Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, JoAnn Perritano, Rachel O’Connor, Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach.

The cast is led by Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jon Favreau, Jacob Batalon with Marisa Tomei.

Spider-Man: No Way Home is distributed in the Philippines by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.

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Look: TV5 Christmas 2021 Station ID “Atin Ang Paskong Ito, Kapatid” Redefines Christmas with Message of Renewed Solidarity

As a way to encourage Filipino communities to come together in celebration of the merriest season of all, TV5 invokes the spirit of camaraderie and solidarity through its newest Christmas Station ID "Atin Ang Paskong Ito, Kapatid" which will be launched officially this coming November 22.

Featuring music by Sing Galing’s very own Sing-nior Hitmaker Rey Valera, the “Atin Ang Paskong Ito, Kapatid” Christmas Station ID conveys that this is the year to reclaim the spirit of Christmas that was once lost because of the pandemic. The Kapatid Network spreads the much-needed Christmas cheer, reminding us that this is our time to bring back the joy and the hope we feel during the merriest season of the year.

As a prelude to the November 22 grand launch, the lyric video of the most-awaited TV5 Christmas Station ID was launched in the November 4 episode of Sing Galing, directed by Winnie Cristobal, performed by the Sing Galing cast: Randy Santiago, Rey Valera, K Brosas, Allan K, Ronnie Liang, Ethel Booba, and Donita Nose, featuring Mandarhyme, who co-wrote the lyrics alongside Peter Edward Dizon and Ivy David, with musical arrangement by Elhmir Saison and vocal arrangement by Elke Saison-Ortiz.

“We invite everyone to join us in celebrating Christmas with renewed hope for better and happier days ahead. Through our new Christmas Station ID, we look back at the challenges and lessons that made us stronger; and at the same time, we march forward with stronger faith in God, in ourselves, and in our capacity to recapture the magic of Christmas as a whole community. Sama-sama, ikaw, ako, tayo, Atin ang Paskong Ito, Kapatid,” shared Cignal and TV5 President and CEO Robert P. Galang.

Don’t miss the launch of TV5’s “Atin Ang Paskong Ito, Kapatid” Christmas Station ID, which also features the Mandaluyong Children’s Choir, on November 22, Monday, before FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano. Tune in to TV5 and witness how the brightest stars come together to spread the Christmas spirit to all Filipinos wherever they are in the world.

For more information, visit the TV5 website at www.tv5.com.ph or check TV5’s official social media pages.

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