PLDT, Smart, TV5 and Solar Converge to Bring the Ultimate Miss Universe 2016 Experience to More Filipinos

Leading Philippine telco and digital services provider PLDT and mobile leader Smart Communications together with broadcast station TV5 bring the much anticipated Miss Universe 2016 closer to Filipinos everywhere through the country’s most extensive and robust fixed line and wireless networks.

In partnership with the Miss Universe Organization and official Philippine broadcast partner of Miss Universe 2016 Solar Entertainment, the PLDT Group will enable the best viewing experience of the pageant in the Philippines through its various terrestrial and digital channels, across multiple screens at home and on-the-go.

“With the Miss Universe crown currently in our homeland, the enthusiasm for and connection of Filipinos to the global pageant is now stronger than ever,” PLDT Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan said. “With the combined reach of PLDT, Smart and TV5, we are providing our countrymen more ways to enjoy the pageant. We are giving them exclusive access to behind-the-scenes and key events such as the very popular swimsuit and long gown competitions, and of course, real-time viewing of the much-awaited coronation night. With our robust network capabilities and the largest consumer base of over 75 million Filipinos, millions of fans can watch the pageant events via multiple platforms, whether on TV, laptop or mobile—whenever they want, wherever they want. For years, we have been revolutionizing the way entertainment is consumed in the nation, offering our subscribers an extensive entertainment portfolio featuring top digital entertainment partners. Miss Universe is one platform we would not miss out on.”

PLDT and Smart will provide fixed broadband and mobile connectivity to power the Miss Universe pageant throughout their stay in the Philippines. With the country’s widest Fibr broadband network which delivers symmetrical speeds of up to 1Gbps and Smart’s superior mobile LTE network, consumers can be assured of the best real-time Miss Universe experience.

“The Internet and social media will undoubtedly play a substantial role in Miss Universe in the Philippines,” PLDT and Smart Chief Revenue Officer Eric Alberto said. “We are ready to contribute our top notch products and services to make it a more engaging experience for everyone. Miss Universe 2016 will be using PLDT and Smart’s services throughout their entire journey, while fans will be able to immerse themselves in not only the coronation night, but also on all the exciting events leading up to it. True to our promise of bringing the ultimate Miss Universe experience, our subscribers will get a chance to witness the coronation night live via free ticket promos.”

On top of the complete broadcast coverage of the coronation night, TV5 will give viewers access to the preliminary show, specifically the swimsuit and long gown rounds. “Filipinos can look forward to watching their favorite contestants compete even before the grand finale, which is something only TV5 can offer,” TV5 President and CEO Chot Reyes said. “We aim to bring the pageant to life by bringing it closer to the hearts and enthusiasm of every Filipino.”

TV5 signed with Solar for the partnership which encompasses on-air, on-ground, and PR values—the blocktime airing of the Coronation Night on January 30, the exclusive airing of the long gown and swimsuit preliminary competitions on January 28 and 29 which will also be available online on the same day, powered by PLDT and Smart.

Solar Entertainment takes pride in collaborating with TV5, PLDT, and Smart in the hope of delivering the optimum broadcast quality coverage of this momentous event, showcasing the wonders and beauty of the Philippines, and giving our fellow Filipinos the ultimate Miss Universe experience. “Bringing Miss Universe to the Philippines is one of the top events that we have ever invested in. It is an opportunity that we did not want to miss,” said Mr. Wilson Tieng, President and CEO of Solar Entertainment Corporation. “For Miss Universe, we have jam-packed activities that will be happening at the same time and we’re excited to share it with the viewers.”

   

For more information, visit http://www.solarentertainmentcorp.com/, http://www.tv5.com.ph/, http://pldthome.com/, and http://smart.com.ph/.

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‘Seklusyon’ to Release Director’s Cut Version

Hot on the heels of its successful run at the recently concluded Metro Manila Film Festival where it ranked as the only consistent blockbuster nationwide, Erik Matti’s acclaimed horror thriller, “Seklusyon” will re-open in limited cinemas starting January 14 (Saturday) with its complete Director’s Cut, rated R-16 by the MTRCB.

Also known as the film’s international release, the Director’s Cut of “Seklusyon” is the original version that drew rave reviews from various Hollywood publications, The Hollywood Reporter and VARIETY after its well-received world premiere at the International Film Festival & Awards Macau (IFFAM2016). 

Calling the film “a grainy, gory parable about the triumph of evil,” The Hollywood Reporter’s Clarence Tsui wrote, “[‘Seklusyon’] drips with a ferocity about how false messiahs manipulate meek minds who, as the film's finale suggests, then propel even more malicious pretenders onto the pedestals of power. The film is Matti's call for an awakening, and it certainly stirs with spine-tingling moments aplenty.”

Meanwhile, Maggie Lee of VARIETY notes, “The film is veteran Filipino genre director Erik Matti’s skillful reworking of the “Omen” conceit, in the elegant, nostalgic style reminiscent of Spanish horror films like “The Devil’s Backbone.” SEKLUSYON recalls the hushed horror of Matti’s earlier ghost mystery “Pa-siyam” as both draw on Christian orthodoxy and indigenous superstitions to unmask human hypocrisy. Here, the film’s sardonic denouement hints at what’s at stake for democracy in our so-called “post-truth generation.”

Director Erik Matti says his version of “Seklusyon” delves further into the relationship between Anghela Sta. Ana, the mysterious child with miraculous healing powers played by MMFF Special Jury Prize winner Rhed Bustamante and the equally enigmatic Madre Cecilia portrayed by MMFF Best Supporting Actress Phoebe Walker. 

The Director’s Cut of the film also further expands on the backstory of Madre Cecilia and her particular effect on one of the deacons, Fabian played by young actor, Dominic Roque. 

Shot with a modest budget of P25 million, “Seklusyon” is both a commercial and critical success at the MMFF. The film went on to gross nearly P100 million at the box office and consistently ranked number 2 among top-grossing films in Metro Manila and in the provinces. 

It also won the most number of awards in the MMFF with a total of eight honors that also includes Best Screenplay (Anton Santamaria), Best Cinematography (Neil Bion), Best Sound Design (Lamberto Casas, Jr. and Albert Michael Idioma), Best Production Design (Ericson Navarro) and Best Original Theme Song (“Dominus Miserere” By Francis de Veyra). 

“Seklusyon” drew rave reviews from local critics which contributed to the strong word of mouth that made it the number one trending topic on social media throughout the film festival’s 10-day run and its subsequent five-day extension period. 

Set in post-war 1947, the film follows the story of four deacons (Ronnie Alonte, Dominic Roque, John Vic de Guzman and JR Versales) who are required to undergo a one-week retreat in a seclusion house prior to their ordination as full-fledged priests. Trained to resist the devil’s temptations, the four are instead forced to confront their inner demons. Their stay in the seclusion house is compounded further when they are joined by Anghela and Madre Cecilia.  

Produced by Reality Entertainment, “Seklusyon” also stars Neil Ryan Sese, Lou Veloso, Elora Españo, Jerry O’ Hara and Teroy Guzman. The R16 version opens Jan 14 in select cinemas.

Seklusyon was recently featured on Variety: http://variety.com/2017/film/asia/seclusion-film-review-1201954687/

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