Sneak peek: 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2'

MANILA -- Sony Pictures and the entire the Sony family united in support of the teaser trailer for its highly anticipated film, "The Amazing Spider-Man 2," which will be released in the Philippines on April 30, 2014, and in the United States on May 2, 2014.

The trailer, which will also be shown simultaneously on AXN and beTV at 8:10 p.m., and on Animax at 8:30 p.m. on Sunday, is available in multiple languages including English, German, Italian, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Japanese and Chines.

The trailer also appear on numerous Sony networks, internet sites, and other Sony properties, including the movie’s official site (TheAmazingSpiderMan.com) and social pages.

In “The Amazing Spider-Man 2,” Peter Parker finds that a greater conflict lies ahead. With the emergence of Electro (Jamie Foxx), Peter must confront a foe far more powerful than he. And as his old friend, Harry Osborn (Dane DeHaan), returns, Peter comes to realize that all of his enemies have one thing in common: OsCorp.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Voice US' season 5 premieres with original coaches

MANILA -- While “The Voice of the Philippines” ended its successful first season on Sunday night, with Mitoy Yonting taking home the top prize, fans of the worldwide talent competition can look forward to the start of the fifth season of the US version of “The Voice,” which kicks off on Monday.

The Emmy-nominated show premieres its latest season on September 30 on cable channel AXN, airing Mondays and Tuesdays at 8:10 p.m., in the same week of the US telecast.

For “The Voice Season 5,” the original team of celebrity musician coaches will be reunited, as it promises to bring back “the amazing chemistry” between Blake Shelton, Maroon 5’s Adam Levine, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green.

Last season, Usher and Shakira joined Shelton and Levine, after Aguilera and Green went on a break for their individual commitments.

Aguilera, who spent time with her five-year-old son and traveled during her break from the show, explained: “I have to take breaks, stay connected with myself. I’m a mom. When I leave here I put on sweats and a T-shirt, I check out. I needed some time to do that. I am revived and renewed.”

Returning from performing the “Cee Lo Green is Loberace” show at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Green added: “I missed everyone. I'm happy to be here.”

Both return to a series that is now looking like “The Blake Shelton Show” as the country music star has already coached three consecutive winners of “The Voice” since season 2.

As with previous seasons of “The Voice,” the four stars will once again start picking their teams by only hearing contestants sing in the signature blind auditions. If a coach is impressed by the contestant’s voice, a button is pressed to select the artist for his or her team, and only at this point, the coach's chair will turn to face the contestant. If more than one coach push their buttons, the contestant gets to choose his or her coach.

Once the teams are set, the battle is on. Coaches, with help from additional celebrity advisors, dedicate themselves to develop their teams of talents, offer advice and share the secrets of their success. Fans will revel in the thrills and spills of the vocal training and elimination competition through the battle, knockout and live performance rounds. And in the end, America’s TV audience will decide who among the coaches’ protégés wins the prize of $100,000 and a recording contract as “The Voice.”

Also with the show for all five seasons is host Carson Daly who praised Aguilera and Green for not having “missed a beat” upon their return. Calling the coaches a “solid” group, Daly also called “The Voice Season 5” the “best season” that they have ever made.

Meanwhile, the producers have confirmed that Usher and Shakira will be back next season.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Pinoy in Top 2 of 'Apprentice Asia'

MANILA – Jonathan Allen Yabut, a senior product manager of a pharmaceutical company in the Philippines, is only a step away from becoming the first winner of the reality series “The Apprentice Asia.”

Yabut made it to the Top 2 of the regional adaptation of the popular US series, along with lawyer Andrea Loh Ern-Yu of Singapore.

In a two-part finale which will be aired on the cable channel AXN at 9 p.m. on July 24 and 31, AirAsia’s Tony Fernandes will decide who between the two candidates will become his first “apprentice.”


Yabut is one of the two Filipinos who competed in “The Apprentice Asia.” The other is Celina Le Neindre, a food and beverage consultant, who only made it to the final six in the competition.

A University of the Philippines graduate, Yabut said he has been a fan of “The Apprentice” ever since he was in college.

“I was jumping up and down! Sabi ko sa brothers ko, ‘it’s here, may ‘Apprentice Asia!’ I was telling the other contestants [that] if there was a fan club in Asia, I think I would vie for the president. I really watched everything. Like I’ve watched ‘Apprentice US, Spain, Italy, Australia, Ireland, you have it. And I think it’s a good way to prepare because you know how the tasks are done and you’re psychologically and mentally prepared,” he told ABS-CBNnews.com and other members of the media during the premiere screening of “The Apprentice Asia” last May.

Yabut, 27, said he did not feel the pressure of competing with older and more experienced players.

“I didn’t feel it (pressure) at all. There were both immature and mature people in the show. And since you’re from different backgrounds, you really tend to compromise. So I think the age didn’t really matter at all. You wouldn’t even know what the ages of the people are until you ask,” he said of his fellow competitors, which included a business owner, a financial coach and an auditor, among others.

He ended by saying that he hopes to show the rest of the world that Filipinos can do well, particularly in terms of sales and marketing.

“If you watch other ‘Apprentice’ shows or other seasons, it’s all about marketing and sales. So I felt something and I want to prove that the Pinoy can really do well,” Yabut said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Animax Carnival to make 3rd stop in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – The Animax Carnival, an event targeted at anime and cosplay lovers, is set to make its third stop in Manila next month.

The event will be held on December 9 at the Robinsons Place Manila’s Midtown Atrium in Malate, Manila, following successful stops in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Taipei, Taiwan.

A highlight of the event will be the final round of Animax’s search for its next “Ani-Mate” presenter, who will have a chance to accompany Filipino cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao in the cable channel’s events and shows.

Gosiengfiao is also one of the five judges in the competition, where the winner will take home a cash prize of P25,000.

“Animax is the destination for top anime programs in the Philippines and across Asia. We believe Animax Carnival is an extension of the colorful and fun Animax entertainment experience beyond TV. Fun and engaging, the event will offer something for everyone,” Ricky Ow, executive vice president and general manager for networks in Asia of Sony Pictures Television, said in a press statement.

Animax is managed by Sony Pictures Television, along with other cable channels such as AXN.

Aside from the Ani-Mate search finals, the Animax Carnival will also see Gosiengfiao reveal her newest cosplay costume, which is based on one of the shows aired on the cable channel.

Attendees may also get to be anime voice actors for a day in the event’s dubbing booth, which includes characters from the programs “Beelzebub,” “Naruto,” “Bleach,” “K-On!,” “Fairy Tail” and “Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan.”

There will also be carnival and stage games, and an “AniChan Kids Corner” where children can engage in activities like anime eyes painting and manga drawing.

The Animax Carnival will be held at the Robinsons Manila Midtown Atrium on Sunday,  December 9, from 10 a.m. For more details, watch Animax or visit www.animaxasia.com.

source: abs-cbnnews.com