Aurora Music Festival to bring OPM Chart-Toppers and Hot Air Balloons in Cebu this November

Cebu peeps, we hope you are ready for an unforgettable night of vibrant skies and top-notch musical festivity later this year!

We are too stoked to announce that the Cebu Aurora Music Festival is back! One of the country’s most anticipated music events is set to ignite the Queen City of the South on Saturday, November 22, 2025, bringing together the brightest stars of OPM today and a premium hot-air balloon experience! And yes, for the first time, vibrant hot air balloons will soar above Cebu’s skies, creating a breathtaking backdrop for all of the festival goers!

Get ready for an explosive day of jaw-dropping performances, electric vibes, and a sky bursting with color at City di Mare! Fresh from slaying it in Clark, Pampanga, last May, the country’s premier touring OPM music festival is set to ignite Cebu with the soul of Original Pilipino Music, uniting thousands of hyped-up fans! We know the South’s music lovers are ready to turn it UP—let’s make this the WILDEST, most unforgettable party yet!

 

This year, fans can look forward to an outstanding OPM lineup in a one-day celebration like no other. The Aurora Music Festival will bring together some of the most talented and popular Filipino artists for an unforgettable day of music and entertainment. Audiences will be treated to incredible performances by these sought-after acts: SB19, the Kings of P-Pop that need no introduction and are a festival must-see for their high-energy sets and passionate fanbase called A’TIN. Certified hitmaker and timeless OPM rock legend Rico Blanco will also be there. Our best friend, Koriks, has electrified the Aurora Music Festival stage more than once and is very willing to do it again, so get ready to hear all of your favorite hits, OPM fans! Ben&Ben, the 9-piece folk-pop band act known for their knack for connecting deeply with listeners and being always best experienced on large-scale stages; Cup of Joe, who popularized the breakout hit “Multo,” which hit #1 on the Billboard Philippines Hot 100; and Maki, one of the most sought-after young breakout OPM artists, are also joining us in Cebu. He easily appeals to younger audiences craving fresh, relatable music with viral hits like “Dilaw,” “Saan,” and “Kahel na Langit,” to name a few. Earl Agustin, a hot rising artist known for the hit song “Tibok,” which has nearly 150 million streams on Spotify, will also bring a modern edge to our festival experience, allowing us to see all of these artists on a world-class stage that only the Aurora Music Festival can deliver.

While these awesome OPM artists ensure a buzzworthy spectacle that will draw diverse crowds, vibrant hot air balloons will soar across the Cebu sky, creating a breathtaking and colorful backdrop for this year’s musical festivities.

Colorful hot air balloons will float above Cebu’s skies, creating a stunning backdrop for this year’s music festival—a vibrant celebration for the South’s devoted fans! Pag-andam, Sugbo, kay kining pasundayag usa ka makapakurat nga pista nga dili nimo malimtan! Secure your tickets, gather your friends, and dive into the heart of Filipino music. Presented by EP!C Events, Eggstop, Mr. Macchiato, Dookki—Korea’s #1 Hotpot & Buffet, and Manila Taxi PH.

Tickets On Sale!

Visit our website for tickets: https://ticket.epiceventsph.com/

Visit www.smtickets.com and all SM Tickets outlets.

For inquiries, please call 09605266210, 09674911488 or @AuroraMusicFestivalCebu 

#AuroraMusicFestivalCebu2025  

#EPICEVENTS

#AuroraMusicFest

#AuroraLightsUpCebu

Facebook: @CebuAuroraFest @AuroraMusicFestivalCebu 

Instagram: @aurorafestival_

Tiktok: auroramusicfestival

VIAJERO KULTURA PILIPINAS: CONCERT

‘Weapons’ The Must-See Horror Thriller of the Year

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

 

“It’s so rare to watch a movie and not know where it’s going, what’s going to happen,” says Zach Cregger, writer/director/producer of horror/thriller “Weapons.” “And I feel confident that that’s the case with ‘Weapons.’”

 

The latest movie from Cregger, writer/director of the cult hit “Barbarian,” has impressed “critics—”Weapons” currently has a 100% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. IGN described “Weapons” as “a delicious, scary-yet-funny blockbuster that never lets up… The mystery of a mass disappearance and its impact on a small town unfold in a fascinatingly layered way that gives every character a chance to shine; the wise decision to break their stories up into multiple, time-scrambling chapters creates multiple cliffhangers that set up a shattering finale.”

SlashFilm was all praises as well. “A wonderful mixture of bad vibes and macabre fun, ‘Weapons’ is one of the best horror movies of the year and further confirmation that writer-director Zach Cregger is one of the most exciting voices in the genre right now,” they wrote.

AwardsWatch commended the film, too, calling it “a chilling masterclass in suspense and POV storytelling that exposes a culture with dwindling empathy that tolerates dehumanizing acts.”

In their 5-star review of the movie, CinemaBlend described “Weapons” as the best horror movie in what has been a remarkable year for horror movies. “It’s intimate while also being epic, it’s scary while expertly utilizing humor as punctuation, and even the most dedicated cinephiles will be rocked by its surprises. It’s perfect and a must-see,” they wrote in their review.

In “Weapons,” when all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. “Weapons” stars Josh Brolin, Julia Garner, Alden Ehrenreich, Austin Abrams, and Cary Christopher, with Benedict Wong and Amy Madigan.

 

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/mvHJBNJM_CQ?si=utj-omy4OgBlMWcg

 

Watch the mystery unfold when “Weapons” opens only in cinemas and IMAX August 6. Join the conversation and use #WeaponsMovie, and visit MaybrookMissing.com for more information.

 

Contacts:
Ad Pub Hub:

Joanna Mendoza, joanna@adpubhub.com, 0928 506 1217

Jodie Cheng, jodie@adpubhub.com, 0928 508 2853

Warner Bros Discovery:

Bonch Santos, 0917 588 7213

 

VIAJERO KULTURA PILIPINAS: FOREIGN MOVIE RELEASE

Bob Odenkirk Returns As All-Around Family Man And Deadly Assassin Hutch Mansell

Credit: “Universal Pictures”

 

The life of an assassin is never easy, but the work-life balance of Hutch Mansell (Bob Odenkirk) gets catastrophically unhinged in Nobody 2. A new chapter in Hutch’s life as a workaholic assassin: he agrees to take his wife and kids for a much-needed vacation at Wild Bill’s Majestic Midway and Waterpark. A minor encounter with the town bullies pulls Hutch and the family into the crosshairs of the town’s corrupt theme park operator, a shady sheriff, and a bloodthirsty crime boss.

Watch the trailer: https://youtu.be/WpbNrOaH1zM

 

After the events of 2021’s Nobody, the filmmakers wanted to form the next steps in Hutch and his family’s life, now that his identity as an assassin is out. “Three years have passed since the events of the first film, and we see how Hutch and his family have evolved,” producer Kelly McCormick says. “They went through a lot in the first film, and with Nobody 2, they go through even more.”

As Hutch struggles to balance his unconventional job with family life, filmmakers saw these developments as an opportunity to create a very relatable story. “The challenge in a sequel is, once the genie is out of the bottle, how do you tell a compelling story and create suspense?” producer Marc Provissiero says. “We know that Hutch has a particular set of skills. We decided to show the challenge and create themes around work-life balance. Even with the job that Hutch does, he’s still got to come home to a family. That evolves the story into universal relevance.”

They throw a wrench in the works as the classic family vacation gets violent, as things often do in Hutch’s line of work. “Hutch’s penchant for violence may be the thing that makes him great at his profession, but it’s not such a great thing in other areas of life,” McCormick says. “So, while they are on vacation, Hutch gets agitated and gets into some trouble, and now he has got to figure out how to get out of that trouble while his family is by his side every minute. When you are on a family vacation, you are much more connected, and you don’t have your normal routine, so this time his family is much closer to the danger, and Hutch has to figure out how to navigate that.”

Actor and producer Bob Odenkirk says that this is the perfect recipe to create humor, action, and heart in Nobody 2. “Nobody 2 is a bigger film, and it’s been a bigger job,” star and producer Odenkirk says. “I had extra responsibility trying to make the story work, and there’s just a lot more to it. There’s more fighting, character, and story; there’s more everything.” The result, Odenkirk says, is a film that is “powerful, funny, surprising, out of control, bloody—and sweet.”

An action-packed Nobody 2 awaits as the film arrives on August 13 in Philippine cinemas. Follow Universal Pictures PH (FB), UniversalPicturesPH (IG), and UniversalPicsPH (TikTok) for the latest updates.

VIAJERO KULTURA PILIPINAS: FOREIGN MOVIE RELEASE

Dakota Johnson Is On A Mission For The Perfect Match

Photo & Video Credit: “Columbia Pictures”

 

For Academy Award-nominated director Celine Song, her sophomore film Materialists lifts from a chapter in her life as a matchmaker in New York City. Song based her character Lucy around that career and Materialists around modern dating culture. “She’s (Lucy) very clear about the fact that love really does baffle her, but she’s excellent at the math of dating,” Song describes.

Song felt like there was an immediate connection when she met Dakota Johnson for the role. “We were having a meeting, and the way that she is so vulnerable and so funny and sharp, I remember walking away from her thinking, ‘She’s Lucy,” Song recalls.

 

Watch the “First Look” featurette: https://youtu.be/T2Yi3D3CDzU

 

Materialists follow the story of Lucy, a young matchmaker in New York City, whose successful career doesn’t translate into real-life romance. In a series of chance encounters and coincidences, she finds herself torn between the perfect match and her imperfect ex.

For Johnson, Lucy’s skill with matching people feels like the reason she distanced herself from love. “She’s extremely nonjudgmental,” Dakota Johnson says about Lucy. “She is genuinely committed to helping others find love, yet she remains quite detached from that pursuit herself.”

Johnson fell in love with the role and how Lucy changes throughout the film. “I was drawn to the role because it’s so complex,” Johnson says. “Lucy has so many different dynamics in the film, so there are many different Lucys. She’s a bit of a different person with every other character—she’s a chameleon in that way. And then you’re left wondering which version of her is the truth, which I thought was just so fun to explore.

Song sees a versatility in Johnson that mirrors Lucy’s strength and underlying fragility. “Lucy is so beautiful, but she’s very vulnerable when it comes to these things that come from her intimate self-perception and self-objectification, which I think Dakota actually does understand from being in public forever,” Song notes.

Watch Lucy find love for others and herself as Materialists opens in Philippine cinemas on August 6.

Contact:

Jodie Cheng, jodie@adpubhub.com, 09285082853

 

VIAJERO KULTURA PILIPINAS: FOREIGN MOVIE RELEASE

The End is Near. The Conjuring: Last Rites

Photo & Video Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures”

Discover why this case ended it all. Watch the final trailer for “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” starring Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson, now! Only in cinemas September 3.

Watch The Final Trailer For “The Conjuring: Last Rites.”

Trailer: https://youtu.be/Nt6-4QdDRqE

 

Official synopsis:

From New Line Cinema comes the ninth entry in the more than $2 billion theatrical “Conjuring” universe, “The Conjuring: Last Rites,” directed by franchise veteran Michael Chaves and produced by franchise architects James Wan and Peter Safran.

“The Conjuring: Last Rites” delivers another thrilling chapter of the iconic “Conjuring” cinematic universe, based on real events. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite for one last case as renowned, real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in a powerful and spine-chilling addition to the global box office-breaking franchise.

Don’t miss “The Conjuring: Last Rites” when it opens in Philippine cinemas September 3. #TheConjuring

 

About “The Conjuring: Last Rites”

From New Line Cinema comes the ninth entry in the more than $2 billion theatrical Conjuring universe, The Conjuring: Last Rites, directed by franchise veteran Michael Chaves and produced by franchise architects James Wan and Peter Safran.

The Conjuring: Last Rites delivers another thrilling chapter of the iconic Conjuring cinematic universe, based on real events. Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite for one last case as renowned, real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren in a powerful and spine-chilling addition to the global box office-breaking franchise.

Farmiga and Wilson star alongside Mia Tomlinson and Ben Hardy, who portray Ed and Lorraine’s daughter Judy Warren and her boyfriend, Tony Spera, as well as Steve Coulter returning as Father Gordon, Rebecca Calder, Elliot Cowan, Kíla Lord Cassidy, Beau Gadsdon, John Brotherton, and Shannon Kook.

Chaves directs from a screenplay by Ian Goldberg & Richard Naing and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, with a story by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick & James Wan, based on characters created by Chad Hayes & Carey W. Hayes.

The executive producers are Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Natalia Safran, John Rickard, Hans Ritter, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. Chaves is joined behind the camera by his creative team, including director of photography Eli Born, production designer John Frankish, editors Elliot Greenberg and Gregory Plotkin, visual effects supervisor Scott Edelstein, visual effects producer Eric Bruneau, and costume designer Graham Churchyard, with casting by Rose Wicksteed and Sophie Kingston-Smith.

Ian Broucek serves as the music supervisor, while Benjamin Wallfisch composes the music. New Line Cinema Presents A Safran Company/An Atomic Monster Production, “The Conjuring: Last Rites.” The film will be released worldwide by Warner Bros. Warner Bros. will exclusively release the pictures in theaters and IMAX® in North America on September 5, 2025, and internationally on September 3, 2025.

 

Contact:

Ad Pub Hub:

Joanna Mendoza, joanna@adpubhub.com, 0928 506 1217

Jodie Cheng, jodie@adpubhub.com, 0928 508 2853

Warner Bros Discovery:

Bonch Santos, 0917 588 7213

VIAJERO KULTURA PILIPINAS: FOREIGN MOVIE RELEASE

Ed Sheeran New Album ‘Play’ Finally Drops this September!

(A giant pink “PLAY”-themed balloon has been spotted atop Venice Grand Canal Mall!)

 

Exciting news!

Warner Music has officially launched the promotional installation for Ed Sheeran’s upcoming album PLAY—featuring a massive hot air balloon activation now live at the Venice Grand Canal Mall!

Ed’s third single, ‘‘Sapphire’’ from the ‘Play’ album, was released last June.

Ed Sheeran’s newest album, Play, drops this September 12, 2025—don’t miss it!

 

VIAJERO KULTURA PILIPINAS: ALBUM RELEASE; MUSIC FOREIGN ACT

 

 

War of the Worlds 2025, Invaders vs. Earth Hacker Tech

The 2025 film War of the Worlds, directed by Rich Lee and starring Ice Cube as William Radford, reimagines H.G. Wells’ classic alien invasion story from a gritty, urban survival perspective. Now, the battle is fought and centered on keyboards and science. Set in Los Angeles, this version blends sci-fi, social realism, and action-thriller elements, creating a story that feels both modern and sharply political.

The film depicts white and black hat hackers (disruptors) against government agencies (Big Brother spying, dubbed Goliath) and the invaders, allowing viewers to see the action through phones, computers, and tablets. Almost all the action happens on a computer screen, with menus, commands, hack codes, breaking news, and video calls. This unique storytelling style pulls you into the action, giving a sense of fighting for survival. This time, the aliens are after the most critical data the US has had in about a hundred years. Worry not, the design of the invaders wasn’t far from its original appearance. Only updated.

With its distinctive mix of character-driven storytelling, street-level chaos, and philosophical themes about humanity and excessive government overwatch, this version stands out among adaptations—especially when compared to Orson Welles’ infamous 1938 radio broadcast and Steven Spielberg’s 2005 Hollywood blockbuster starring Tom Cruise.

The visual tone of the 2025 War of the Worlds is soaked in concrete grays, warm oranges, and smoky blacks, reflecting the style of realistic deep government conspiracies, or was it? It’s practically art imitating life. Just too real for comfort. Cinematographer Christopher Probst captures a close-up feeling of paranoia amid large-scale destruction. Rich Lee’s direction prioritizes tension over spectacle. There are large alien machines, yes—but most of the fear comes from what’s unseen, unheard, or just around the corner. Moments of stillness, moral ambiguity, and slow-burn suspense make it feel less like a blockbuster and more like a psychological war drama crossed with survival horror.

What never changed was how the invading aliens were defeated. As the tripods start to fall, killed by a designer organic bacteria created by William Radford’s daughter, with the support of his son (who’s revealed as the leader of the ‘Disruptors’), the story begins to unravel.

Supporting Ice Cube are Eva Longoria and Clark Gregg.

VIAJERO KULTURA PILIPINAS: FOREIGN MOVIE RELEASE

Fantastic 4: The First Steps In The Right Direction!

The visual style of The Fantastic Four: First Steps marks a departure from its earlier versions. If you grew up in the 1960s and 1970s, you’ll likely recognize the setting and vibe of the film. Watching just the first 30 minutes feels like flipping through the pages of a comic book brought to life. The film’s grainy, warm, and saturated look gives it a retro feel that fits its 1960s setting. The feature definitely feels like a standalone sci-fi period epic.

Befittingly, it’s part of the 828 Universe of the DCU, as envisioned by James Gunn. Forget about historical accuracy with the film’s use of anachronistic technologies to move the story forward. Think The Jetsons caught in the 60s or Men In Black 3. Credit goes to Jess Hall for the cinematography, returning from his work on TV’s WandaVision. Jess Hall clearly drew on his experience with the ”50s-’60s-inspired WandaVision series on this one.

The kids from the ’90s, along with the Gen Zs and Gen Alphas, will definitely need to suspend their disbelief a bit longer before the movie’s plot fully sinks in. After all, the film is meant to depict a story set in a 60s comic book universe, from the period-appropriate costumes to the 60s-inspired Fantasticar. Additionally, the 2005 Fantastic Four vehicle looks sleeker and more futuristic than the First Steps’ version of the futuristic car, even though the latter appears to be more technologically advanced than it actually is.

Story-wise, First Steps seems to borrow some elements from the 2007 movie, Rise of the Silver Surfer, except for Sue Storm and Mr. Fantastic having a child, Franklin Richards (played by Vanessa Kirby and Pedro Pascal, respectively), a female Silver Surfer with a backstory (Julia Garner), and Galactus (Ralph Ineson) in live action. This film definitely sets up Avengers: Doomsday, as the mid-credit scene suggests, so it’s definitely worth watching!

 

The Cast:

Pedro Pascal brings a soft-spoken intensity to Reed Richards. This Reed isn’t arrogant or manic—he’s emotionally bottled, socially awkward, and haunted by leadership mistakes. Vanessa Kirby’s Sue Storm may be the most nuanced take yet. She’s neither a damsel nor a nag—instead, Kirby’s Sue is quietly fiercebrilliant, and morally grounded. Taking over Michael Chiklis’s Ben Grimm is Ebon Moss-Bachrach. You may remember Ebon playing Keanu Reeves’ younger brother in the time-travel flick The Lake House. He plays a much more grounded TheThing with a soulful, working-class presence reminiscent of 70s antiheroes.

And finally, playing Johnny Storm and taking over Chris Evans’ OG is Joseph Quinn. His portrayal brings a mature edge to the hothead archetype—not just comic relief, but deeply layered with a sense of inferiority and recklessness that reflects his time.

Compared to the other iterations, Fantastic Four: First Steps offers richer characterization, period flavor, and stays faithful to the comic. First Steps finally gives The Fantastic Four the prestige treatment it deserves.

VIAJERO KULTURA PILIPINAS: FOREIGN MOVIE RELEASE

YY Entertainment Productions in cooperation with Onstage Promotions, bring you, Sweetnotes, The Canada Series

Another exciting series of shows to look out for! Sweetnotes Music will be doing live performances in Canada in September 2025. Let’s go! Most shows have only a few tickets left. Hurry and get yours now.

THE countdown is on, ka-Sweetnotes Music 🇨🇦🍁
Catch them perform LIVE in the following cities:
(Note: Limited tickets left)
Sept 13 Winnipeg – GEN AD TICKETS LEFT Northern Lights Entertainment & Services
Sept 14 Fort McMurray – SOLDOUT SanRillo Services Incorporated
Sept 20 Saskatoon – ALMOST SOLD OUT Caleb Joveth Cayden Al’s Kitchen
Sept 21 Ottawa – Fil Caballes
Sept 26 Yukon – ALMOST SOLD OUT Yukon Yep
Sept 27 Vancouver – ALMOST SOLD OUT Silent i Productions

YY Entertainment Production x Onstage Promotions #SweetnotesMusic #sweetnotesconcert #sweetnotescanadatour

PHILTOA Launches the 36th Philippine Travel Mart: Boosting the NextGen Tourism

 

Metro Manila, Philippines – July 25, 2025—The Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) proudly launched the 36th Philippine Travel Mart (PTM) with an exclusive media event at The Peninsula Manila, setting the stage for the country’s most anticipated travel expo happening on September 5–7, 2025, at the SMX Convention Center Manila.

This year’s theme, “Boosting the NextGen Tourism,” reflects a bold commitment to innovation, sustainability, inclusivity, and wellness, shaping a travel industry that’s more connected, responsible, and future-ready. The event is co-presented by the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board, with the invaluable support of their official credit card partner EastWest Bank and sponsors GCash and Philippine Airlines, all working hand-in-hand to bring meaningful, modern travel experiences to life.

“The 36th Philippine Travel Mart is more than a showcase of destinations; it’s a celebration of how far Philippine tourism has come and where it’s headed,” said Mr. Arjun Shroff, President of PHILTOA. “With the theme ‘Boosting the NextGen Tourism,’ we’re bringing together technology, sustainability, and community in one dynamic space. This year, we’re not just selling travel—we’re inspiring a new way to explore.”

 

What “Boosting the NextGen Tourism” Means

PTM 2025 is grounded in four core pillars designed to meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s travelers:

  • Sustainability: Promoting green travel, responsible tourism, and support for eco-conscious destinations and communities.
  • Digitization: Embracing smart travel tools, AI-driven experiences, and seamless cashless transactions that make travel smarter and more efficient.
  • Inclusivity: Offering travel options for everyone, from solo adventurers to families, senior citizens to PWDs, ensuring no traveler is left behind.
  • Health & Wellness: Prioritizing well-being through curated trips that combine rest, rejuvenation, and mindful exploration.
What to Expect at PTM 2025

Visitors can look forward to:

  • Exclusive travel deals on flights, hotels, and tour packages
  • Over 300 exhibitors representing local gems and international hotspots
  • Engaging cultural shows, travel talks, raffles, and live demos
  • A first-hand look at the future of travel through cutting-edge solutions and curated adventures

We envision PTM 2025 as a launchpad for the next generation of Filipino travelers—and a global audience looking to experience the Philippines,” Mr. Shroff added. “Through this expo, we also highlight our commitment to sustainability, technology, and community—because tourism isn’t just about movement, it’s about meaning.”

As tourism continues to evolve, the Philippine Travel Mart remains a key platform that highlights not only destinations but also the people, platforms, and practices that make travel more purposeful and impactful.

 

Tickets to the 36th Philippine Travel Mart are now available at www.philtravelmart.com/buyticket

Take advantage of the early bird rate of ₱100 until July 31; after this period, a regular rate of ₱120 will apply.

 

Follow @official_philippinetravelmart on Instagram and fb.com/philtravelmart for the latest updates, highlights, and promos.

 

Co-Presented by:
The Department of Tourism and The Tourism Promotions Board

 

VIAJERO KULTURA PILIPINAS: WANDER WELL