A love story nearly erased. A voice that brings it back to life.
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A love story nearly erased. A voice that brings it back to life.
The International Silent Film Festival Manila (ISFFM) 2025 officially kicked off on June 17, 2025,
at Shangri-La Plaza, warmly welcomed by members of the press and media. After years of
pause and reflection, the festival returns with renewed energy and purpose, bringing together
cultural institutions, musicians, and film lovers in a celebration of cinema, music, and
international collaboration.
Mr. Johnny Rios, Retail Operations Head of Shangri-La Plaza Corporation, also graced the
event and offered his warm welcome to the partners and media in attendance. He expressed
the mall’s excitement in supporting ISFFM as one of their special cultural collaborations with
participating countries, envisioning Shangri-La Plaza as a space for world cinema to thrive and
be experienced by wider audiences.
This year’s festival embraces the exclamation point as its central symbol—a mark of excitement,
urgency, and joyful noise. In the spirit of silent film, where expression is everything and every
gesture is heightened, the exclamation point becomes a fitting emblem for a festival that seeks
to amplify its voice in silence. It signals a bold return, a shared declaration: we're back.
The 2025 edition reassembles its international community, reconnecting participating countries
and introducing new voices, with an eye toward growth and reinvention. This is not just a return,
but a reimagining of what the festival can be. Once again, ISFFM affirms its role as a platform
for cultural dialogue, artistic experimentation, and cinematic exploration.
This year’s edition features new partnerships with Instituto Cervantes, the Philippine Italian
Association, Japan Foundation Manila, the Austrian Embassy, and the Goethe-Institut
Philippinen. Their curated films include Gigantes y Cabezudos (Spain), The Scent of Pheasant’s
Eye (Japan), Wie Sich Der Kientopp Rächt, Aschenputtel, and Geschichten von Freiheit und
Freundschaft (Germany), Beethoven (Austria), and Fra Diavolo (Italy)—a rich tapestry of stories
from across cultures and eras.
These films will be accompanied by live musical scores from a compelling lineup of Filipino
musicians. Featured performers include the genre-bending Psychic Surgeon, Pepe Manikan’s
Progharmonic Orchestra, Hearlife Verein, the experimental duo Ma.Ma, and the all-female trio of
Teresa Barrozo, Pat Sarabia, and Mariah Reodica — each bringing their distinct sound to this
celebration of silent cinema.
Opening the festival on July 11 is Japan’s featured film, accompanied by a special performance
from Nanako Yamauchi, a benshi or silent film narrator. Yamauchi will provide a live
interpretation of the Japanese silent film, reviving the traditional art of benshi narration and
offering audiences a rare and immersive cultural experience.
The festival runs from July 11 to 13 at Red Carpet Cinemas, Shangri-La Plaza, with a pocket
screening event taking place on July 14 at Cine Adarna, UP Film Center.
ISFFM 2025 promises not only a revival of the beloved silent film tradition but a fresh encounter
with its enduring power. The excitement is palpable—and this year, it ends not with a period, but
with an exclamation point.
For more details kindly visit International Silent Film Festival in Manila on Facebook
(https://www.facebook.com/InternationalSilentFilmFestivalManila) and @ISFFM on Instagram.
The Beauty Empire Grand Media Con last June 17 was a star-studded affair. Apart from its stars Barbie Forteza, Kyline Alcantara, and Sam Concepcion, Korean star Choi Bo Min also attended the event.
Dressed to impress, Bomin looked dashing in a suit designed by the renowned Filipino fashion designer, Francis Libiran. His stylish ensemble perfectly complemented his charismatic presence, capturing the attention of fans and media alike.
Beauty Empire, which tells the story of the cutthroat beauty industry, is currently streaming on Viu and is set to premiere on GMA Prime on July 7. The series is getting a lot of attention, particularly after the release of its second episode, which showcased the undeniable chemistry of its stars. The on-screen interactions of Bo Min with Barbie and Kyline have been a focal point for viewers, drawing parallels to their playful TikTok collaborations that have taken social media by storm. One example of this is the viral TikTok of Bo Min and Barbie dancing “Me Jalo” inside a set that looks like a train, which has generated millions of views.
For more kilig moments and undeniable chemistry, catch Bo Min, Barbie, and Kyline in Beauty Empire, now airing on Viu and premiering on GMA starting July 7.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Excellent. Five thumbs up. Truly wonderful. This Netflix film is the film that we've been waiting for all our life. A kind of film that will haunt you, stab your heart, and feel anew the goodness of the human heart - alongside with the kindness of strangers.
Though the female lead actress of this film, a black woman whose love for her daughter had reached the echoes of heaven - suffered so many hardships, and bad lucks, and wrong judgements- with the concern and care of other human beings, she could have died and shot carelessly by the sniper bullets of the policemen and NBI agents, whom all thought that she was a bank robber and the experimented toy (made by her daughter) she was carrying was a bomb.
Yeah, the kindness of some total strangers could save lives. Thanks God, there were two black women like herwho could feel and understand her. One, the bank manager who stood for her and chose to be beside her until the end, and second, the policewoman who communicated with her and fought hard for her to be understood. And with that, people who watched via the FB LIVE of a hidden cp of a bank teller, knew what really happened to her. People flocked to the bank and rallied for her LIFE.
A highly -dramatic and suspenseful film with many twists and turns, surprises overload and unexpected events, STRAW, the film could be just another Netflix film, but this one has a PURE HEART.
That, amidst the evilness, corporate ways, selfish policies and rules of banks and other business establishments, harsh landlords, and road rages -, ... a few living angels and ordinary real-life heroes will still keep-up with your faith for HUMANITY and its undying spirit.
With edgy and profound Cinematography, crisp Sound, perfect lighting and artistic Production Design - and wow, a very awesome and great direction of the film's director and the whole cast's perfect acting showcase...
STRAW IS THE KIND OF FILM
THAT WILL LAST
FOREVER.
WATCH THE OFFICIAL VIDEO DIRECTED BY CHRIS VILLA HERE
CO-PRODUCED BY GRAMMY® WINNERS BLAKE SLATKIN AND JOHN MAYER
“DRIVE” FEATURES SHEERAN JOINED BY MAYER ON GUITAR AND DAVE GROHL ON DRUMS
SUPERCHARGED COMPANION ALBUM TO APPLE ORIGINAL FILMS’ HIGH-OCTANE,
ACTION-PACKED FILM F1® THE MOVIE FEATURES 17 MASSIVE NEW TRACKS
FROM EXHILARATING LINEUP OF SUPERSTARS, INCLUDING DON TOLIVER, DOJA CAT, ROSÉ, DOM DOLLA, CHRIS STAPLETON, MYKE TOWERS, TATE MCRAE, TIËSTO, SEXYY RED, RODDY RICCH, RAYE, BURNA BOY, MADISON BEER, PEGGY GOU, AND MORE
ALL-NEW SOUNDTRACK CURATED BY THE PRODUCERS OF THE
OSCAR®, GRAMMY® AND GOLDEN GLOBE® AWARD-WINNING BARBIE THE ALBUM
F1® THE MOVIE ONLY IN THEATERS AND IMAX® + F1® THE ALBUM
EVERYWHERE ON FRIDAY, JUNE 27
“One of the most high-profile soundtracks of 2025” – BILLBOARD
“In F1’s soundtrack, Atlantic Records promises a high-rpm joyride for the ages, and they have yet to build a car that can get us to premiere day fast enough” – ROLLING STONE
Atlantic Records’ upcoming F1®THE ALBUM, the supercharged and star-studded musical companion to Apple Original Films’ high-octane, action-packed film F1® THE MOVIE, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), is speeding towards the finish line with today’s premiere of “Drive” by 4x GRAMMY® Award-winning, RIAA Diamond-certified global superstar Ed Sheeran, available everywhere now HERE. F1® THE ALBUM is available now for pre-order HERE and arrives in stores and at all online retailers on Friday, June 27th in conjunction with the theatrical release of the feature film, distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Produced by GRAMMY® Award-winner Blake Slatkin (Lil Nas X, Lizzo) and 7x GRAMMY® Award-winner John Mayer, “Drive” sees Sheeran backed by an all-star combo that includes Mayer on guitar alongside Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl on drums, legendary bassist Pino Paladino (Eric Clapton, The Who), and keyboardist Rami Jaffee (Foo Fighters, The Wallflowers), with additional keyboards and drum programming by Slatkin. The dynamic new track is joined by an official music video, directed by filmmaker Chris Villa (Post Malone, Morgan Wallen, A$AP Rocky, Young Thug), premiering today on YouTube HERE.
From the label that brought you the award-winning, blockbuster soundtracks Barbie The Album, Twisters: The Album, The Greatest Showman, Suicide Squad and more, F1® THE ALBUM will feature massive new tracks from an unprecedented lineup of superstar artists, including Ed Sheeran, RAYE, Burna Boy, Madison Beer, Peggy Gou and more. See below for the full tracklisting.
F1® THE ALBUM was produced and overseen by multi-GRAMMY® Award Winner, 7x GRAMMY® Award nominee, and Atlantic Records West Coast President, Kevin Weaver (Soundtrack Album Producer of Barbie The Album, Twisters: The Album, The Greatest Showman, Suicide Squad, Daisy Jones & The Six, Birds Of Prey) along with Atlantic Records’ EVP and Co-Head of Pop/Rock A&R, Brandon Davis and Atlantic Records’ SVP A&R/Marketing, Joseph Khoury. Named by Rolling Stone as a “soundtrack guru,” Weaver has produced numerous multi-platinum soundtrack projects that have amassed tens of millions of albums sold worldwide. Additional key players involved in the project include Soundtrack Album Executive Producers Joseph Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer, and Music Supervisors David Taylor and Jake Voulgarides.
ABOUT ED SHEERAN:
Ed Sheeran is an era-defining artist, responsible for some of the biggest songs of this decade, selling nearly 200 million records across the globe, and amassing over 100 billion streams worldwide. One of the most influential singer-songwriters of his generation, the 4x-GRAMMY award winner was also one of the first artists to earn three RIAA-Diamond certified singles, with “Thinking Out Loud,” “Shape of You,” and “Perfect” all achieving sales equivalents exceeding 10 million in the US alone. Widely regarded for his incredible live performances, Sheeran is currently in the midst of his record-breaking Mathematics Tour, smashing attendance records at stadiums all around the world. Closing the chapter on his Mathematics series of albums - which began with his debut full length “+” (plus) in 2011 and includes “x” (multiply), “÷” (divide), “=” (equals), and “-” (subtract) - Sheeran is stepping boldly into a new phase in 2025 with his much anticipated album Play, set for release on September 12.
ABOUT F1® THE MOVIE:
From Apple Studios and the filmmakers of Top Gun: Maverick comes the high-octane, action-packed feature film F1® THE MOVIE, starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski. The film is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, Kosinski, seven-time FORMULA 1® world champion Lewis Hamilton, Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, and Chad Oman.
Dubbed “the greatest that never was,” Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt) was FORMULA 1’s most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he’s a nomadic racer-for-hire when he’s approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He’ll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team's hotshot rookie, intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny’s past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition—and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone.
F1® THE MOVIE also stars Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Kim Bodnia, and Javier Bardem, and was shot during actual Grand Prix weekends as the team competes against the titans of the sport. Kosinski directs from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger, story by Kosinski & Kruger. The film is executive produced by Daniel Lupi. Collaborating with Kosinski behind the scenes are his creative team, including director of photography Claudio Miranda, production designers Mark Tildesley and Ben Munro, editor Stephen Mirrione, costume designer Julian Day, casting director Lucy Bevan, and composer Hans Zimmer.
Apple Original Films Presents a Monolith Pictures / Jerry Bruckheimer / Plan B Entertainment / Dawn Apollo Films Production, A Film by Joseph Kosinski, F1® THE MOVIE, distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, in theaters and IMAX nationwide on June 27, 2025, and internationally beginning June 25, 2025.
F1® THE ALBUM
TRACKLIST
Written by RMS
SCORE 3/5