Events: Mickey Mouse Celebrates 90 Years of Magic in the Philippines at ‘Share-A-Smile’ Fair in SM

Retail campaign ‘Share-A-Smile’ kicks off across all SM stores
with exclusive Mickey Mouse merchandise and mall activations

Mickey Mouse kicks off his 90thanniversary celebration in the Philippines through the ‘Share-A-Smile’retail campaign with SM. In photo are: SM Executives (L-R) SM Supermalls SVP for Marketing Jonjon SanAgustin, Toy Kingdom EVP Rosemarie Dy-Lim, SM’s Mara Coson, SM Supermalls SAVP for Marketing TJCuenca; and The Walt Disney Company Philippines Executives (L-R) Head for Studio Entertainment LeeEsguerra, Country Head Veronica Cabalinan, and Head for Consumer Products Yara Macalindong.

Celebrating 90 years of Mickey being The True Original and 60 #AweSM years of retail innovation, The Walt Disney Company Philippines and SM Supermalls and SM Retail team up for a spectacular Mickey Mouse experience with ‘Share-A-Smile’ – a retail campaign with SM celebrating Mickey’s 90th anniversary in the Philippines. With Mickey-inspired merchandise – from shirts, toys, bags, and so much more – fans of the beloved Mickey Mouse can definitely kick-off Mickey’s birthday celebrations in the Philippines starting this September. Until October 31, SM mall-goers are in for an immersive retail experience across 10 SM supermalls in Metro Manila. 

“Coming together to share smiles among mall-goers, we are honored to partner with Disney as they celebrate a magical milestone of giving unparalleled joy to kids and kids-at-heart,” said Jonjon San Agustin, SM Supermalls senior vice president for marketing. 

Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc., supported by SM Cares, joins the celebration and were given the opportunity to meet and greet Mickey Mouse (photo with the kids from the Down Syndrome Association of the Philippines Inc. courtesy of SM).

“Mickey has become a friend of every kid and everyone who is a kid at heart. This year marks our milestone year as we are celebrating 90 years of fun, laughter and smiles that Mickey Mouse has brought to fans all over the world,” shared Veronica Cabalinan, Country Head of The Walt Disney Company, Philippines. “We are happy to be collaborating with SM in a series of celebrations, activations and retail promotions that will allow Mickey to celebrate his anniversary with all his Filipino fans.”

‘Share-A-Smile’ Retail Program

Until October 31, wear the iconic Mickey by choosing from 60-exclusively designed Mickey-inspired shirts from SM Youth. The 60 Tees for 60 Years shirts tell the story of the iconic Mickey Mouse and how he remains to be the icon of style icons through the years.

As part of the celebration, Disney and SM are releasing special-edition Mickey and Minnie plush toys marking the milestones of both companies, which will be available on Toy Kingdom nationwide.

More so, celebrating Mickey’s anniversary comes with a bonus! For a minimum spend of Php1,000 for any Mickey ‘Share-A-Smile’ / SM 60th merchandise or Mickey Classic products, shoppers are entitled to a limited edition Mickey Tote Bag for free! Shoppers can choose from four designs.

These and more Mickey True Original merchandise, such as toys, shirts, bags, stationery, home accessories, are available in SM malls nationwide! 

Mickey Mouse surprises the guests! Joining him are the SM Little Stars strutting the latest Mickey Mouse collection for kids (photo with SM Little Stars courtesy of SM).

‘Share-A-Smile’ Roving Caravan

Want to stay in the Disney radar? Fully experience the festivities around Mickey’s 90th anniversary by visiting the ‘Share-A-Smile’ mall caravan in the following SM malls: North EDSA, Megamall, Mall of Asia, Aura, Southmall, Fairview, Manila, San Lazaro, East Ortigas, and Marikina! 

Share smiles with friends and the whole family and visit Disney’s ‘Share-A-Smile’ caravan in participating SM Metro Manila malls. For more information, visit www.smsupermalls.com. Share your experience using the hashtag #MickeyTrueOriginal.

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For exclusive news about SM Supermalls, visit www.smsupermalls.com or follow SM’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram; and get an insider access to all the fun happenings at SM Supermalls nationwide through SM’s Viber Public Chat. Tweet your thoughts, upload and share your photos about your memorable moments at SM, then use its official hashtag #EverythingsHereAtSM.

About The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia:

The Walt Disney Company (TWDC), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with four business segments: Direct-to-Consumer & International, Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products, Studio Entertainment and Media Networks. TWDC Southeast Asia merges the regional markets of Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam. In Southeast Asia, the Company has a broad range of businesses including Studio Entertainment, Media Networks, and Consumer Products and Interactive Media. Building around core brands Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars, the organization is dedicated to creating high quality branded entertainment experiences for consumers in the region. In 2017, The Walt Disney Company was ranked #1 within the entertainment industry in Fortune Magazine’s list of “World’s Most Admired Companies” survey- a testament to the Company’s strategy to successfully expand the brand and its franchises beyond North America. For more information about The Walt Disney Company please visit: https://thewaltdisneycompany.com.

Disney Brings A-Game To “Hall D,” Dazzles Fans With Surprises

Kenneth Cobonpue, TWDC PH Country Manager Veronica Cabalinan, Legendary Disney artist Mark Henn, and TEDC SEA Media Networks Marketing Director Daniel Tan

MANILA, July 31, 2018 -- The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) Philippines took the AsiaPOP Comicon 2018 by storm when it presented “what’s now and what’s to come” from its powerhouse brands.

"Mickey has brought nine decades of smiles, laughter, hope and happiness to fans all over the world, and to mark this milestone year, we are so pleased to bring Hall D at AsiaPOP Comicon," said Veronica Cabalinan, Country Manager for The Walt Disney Company Philippines. "It’s amazing to see so many Disney Fans gather for the first-ever Hall D in Southeast Asia."

Delightfully billed as “Hall D” (echoing names of fan convention panels in the US), the presentation treated Disney fans to first-look unveiling, jaw-dropping exclusive content and surprise revelations.  By the time legendary animator Mark Henn bid the crowd goodbye as the final speaker, the crowd was on its feet, cheering with a standing ovation.

The panel started with a presentation on DisneyLife (the World of Disney in one app) and the big-reveal of new TV programs from Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD.

Legendary Animator Mark Henn Headlines Disney’s “Hall D” At APCC, Touts Latest Film “Ralph Breaks The Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2”

MANILA, July 27, 2018 -- Legendary Disney animator Mark Henn flew-in to town to spearhead and serve as the main attraction in Disney’s first-ever `Hall D’ in Asia through AsiaPOP Comicon scheduled at SMX Mall of Asia on Sunday, July 29.

“It’s an incredible honor to be part of Disney’s first-ever `Hall D’ in Asia, and I’m as excited as ever to meet and engage with Disney fans in the Philippines,” said Henn who’s a first-time visitor to the country.

A veteran animator at Walt Disney Animation Studios for 38 years, Henn is currently serving as the 2D animation supervisor for the studios’ upcoming feature film, “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” (in Philippine cinemas November 21).

Events: Disney Life Launch

Launch of Disney Life at the Glorietta Activity Center 

I'm one of those kids who literally grew up with Disney movies. I remember my preschool teachers admiring my "Beauty and the Beast" monologues, I "performed" scenes from  the movie because I had memorized all the lines and the songs, from watching it again and again on VHS tape. I remember dancing to the music of "The Little Mermaid" with my cousins, from a cassette tape which we played over and over again. And I think that there's an embarrassing memory of performing songs from "Aladdin"  with my neighborhood friends. So 'yes' in short I had the Disney childhood and as an adult I guess I'm just so lucky that Disney has also 'grown' with me, it has amassed popular properties and has continued to spread its Disney magic so that those of us who grew up with it can enjoy the classics and future generations can fall in love with them as well. Of course its a bonus that so many can also enjoy the new material they are coming out with as well. 

And now to make it even easier to access these, Disney and Globe have joined together to bring all the Disney content we can enjoy in one magic app! 

You can read more on the launch of Disney Life below! :) 

Dressed in the traditional Barong taglog and Baro't saya, Mickey and Minnie are joined by Disney and Globe executives at the launch. 

MANILA, PHILIPPINES, 25 May 2018 – Disney fans in the Philippines can now enjoy their favorite Disney content everywhere they go. Globe Telecom, together with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia, today introduced DisneyLife: The World of Disney in One App.

Through Globe Telecom, DisneyLife makes its first release in Asia. Disney fans can enjoy over 350 movies from Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars; more than 5,000 kids’ TV episodes; and over 6,000 music tracks, all in one app. Fans of all ages can access the best of Disney’s world-class stories at their fingertips and enjoy shorts, behind the scenes and other exclusive content on-the-go. In addition, all content on DisneyLife can be downloaded and enjoyed for offline viewing and listening.

"In the three years we’ve been working with Disney we’ve provided our audiences many unique and innovative entertainment experiences. Today we are launching the first complete entertainment app in Philippines that carries movies, TV series, and music from the world’s biggest family entertainment company. The DisneyLife app will super-serve Filipinos with entertainment when they want it, where they want it,” said Ernest Cu, President and CEO of Globe.

“DisneyLife is a unique digital content offering for fans of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars in the Philippines. Globe Telecom has been a valuable partner in our endeavor to be a part of the everyday lives of Filipino kids and families,” said Mahesh Samat, EVP and Managing Director, The Walt Disney Company South Asia.

DisneyLife offers fan-favorite stories, characters and music from memorable Disney movies and television shows over the decades. Fans can look forward to heartwarming moments from classic Disney animation films like The Lion King, Disney•Pixar classics like The Incredibles, and Star Wars journeys like Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi whether they are at home or on the go. In its first year, DisneyLife will also carry the top grossing movies of all time in the Philippines – Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Age of Ultron, The Avengers, and Iron Man 3.

Kids and families can enjoy new episodes of their favorite Disney television series first on DisneyLife. These episodes and the classics can be streamed from the biggest library of Disney Kids’ TV series including favorites such as Disney Channel’s Big Hero 6 and Tangled; Disney Junior’s Mickey and the Roadster Racers; and Disney XD’s Spider-Man and Star Wars Rebels.

 DisneyLife users will have access to an extensive library of soundtracks from Disney movies’ and TV series’. Through the magic of music, fans of all ages can wander the seas with Moana, feel empowered with Frozen, and enjoy family moments with Coco.

Guests were treated to a performance of Frozen's "Let It Go"

Globe customers can also look forward to DisneyLife promotions:

●       All existing Globe Postpaid customers and new or recontracting customers on ThePLAN or ThePLAN PLUS 999 and above get a free 6-month subscription to DisneyLife. DisneyLife offers are coming soon with GoWATCH for Prepaid mobile customers. In the meantime, they can watch out for wonderful surprises from Disney and Globe. Stay tuned to the Globe Facebook and Twitter pages!

●       New and existing Globe At Home Postpaid customers who applied or upgraded to Plan 1,299/up, will get a free 6-month subscription to DisneyLife. An additional free 3-month subscription to DisneyLife will be given to customers who purchase Globe Streamwatch Roku Powered. Enjoy unlimited DisneyLife movie nights with Globe At Home's Go Unli Plans with speeds up to 100Mbps and unlimited data.

Apart from mobile and broadband offerings, Globe now offers consumers DisneyLife for a monthly subscription of P149. With each subscription, consumers can create 6 accounts, register up to 10 gadgets, and use the DisneyLife app simultaneously across four devices.

The DisneyLife app is compatible with iOS and Android devices and is also available to download on the App Store and Google Play Store. To learn more about DisneyLife promos, visit a Globe Store now or go to www.disneylife.ph or www.globe.com/content/disneylife for more details.

Click HERE for More Photos! 

MOVIES: DISNEY TO OFFER SEVEN EVENT FILMS IN 2017

After a record-breaking $7-billion haul the global box-office for 2016, Disney proudly announce its formidable slate for 2017: seven titles that have the potential to make it another landmark year for the studio. A live-action fairytale, two Pixar adventures, two Marvel superhero films, a highly awaited Pirates sequel and the eighth episode of the Star Wars saga. Everyone's invited to be Disney's guest, indeed.

Beauty and the Beast. The story and characters audiences know and love come to spectacular life in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic Beauty and the Beast, a stunning, cinematic event celebrating one of the most beloved tales ever told. Beauty and the Beast is the fantastic journey of Belle (Emma Watson), a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast (Dan Stevens) in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart of the true Prince within. (Opens March 15).

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Set to the backdrop of ‘Awesome Mixtape #2,’ Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel cinematic universe continues to expand. (Opens April 26).

Pirates of the Caribbean: Salazar's Revenge. Thrust into an all-new adventure, a down-on-his-luck Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) finds the winds of ill-fortune blowing even more strongly when deadly ghost pirates led by his old nemesis, the terrifying Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil’s Triangle, determined to kill every pirate at sea…including him. Captain Jack’s only hope of survival lies in seeking out the legendary Trident of Poseidon, a powerful artifact that bestows upon its possessor total control over the seas. (Opens May 24).

Cars 3. Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez, with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage! (Opens August 23).

Marvel's Thor: Ragnarok. Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok—the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Cate Blanchett). But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo)! (Opens Nov. 03).

Coco. Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history. (Opens Nov. 22).

Star Wars: Episode VIII. (Opens Dec. 15).

MOVIES: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST” ASSEMBLES MAIN CHARACTERS FOR PAYOFF POSTER

Disney has just unveiled the main poster art for Beauty and the Beast, showcasing the principal cast. Check out the poster below and watch the film when it opens in the Philippines on March 15, 2017.
Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is a live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs.

Beauty and the Beast is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within.

The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar® winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric, but lovable father; Josh Gad as Le Fou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumière, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Cadenza, the harpsichord; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; six-time Tony Award® winner Audra McDonald as Madame De Garderobe, the wardrobe; Hattie Morahan as Agathe, the enchantress; Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.
Directed by Oscar® winner Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, Beauty and the Beast is written by Evan Spiliotopoulos and Stephen Chbosky and Bill Condon and produced by Mandeville Films’ Academy Award® nominees David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman, with Emmy® winner Jeffrey Silver, Thomas Schumacher and Oscar nominee Don Hahn serving as executive producers. Eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the animated film, provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as three new songs written by Menken and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice.

Beauty and the Beast will be distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International. Like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #BeOurGuestPH.

Movie Review: Moana

I grew up watching Disney movies, I was obsessed with "The Little Mermaid", "Aladin", "Beauty and the Beast", "Mulan", you name it.  I grew up watching these films, memorizing the lines and songs, having all kinds of merchandise from lunchboxes, sleeping bags. I can also break out into song from any of these films (with hand gestures) much to the discomfort of my office seat mate. 

So you can say that with Disney such a big part of my life, I was excited to meet a new Disney Princess and this is "Moana". Which is refreshing as the 56th Disney animated feature film based on an original idea about Moana Waialiki (Auli'i Cravalho), the daughter of a Village Chief from a Polynesian tribe, who sets out with the demigod Maui (Dwayne Johnson) to save her home. 

The film starts out with similar Disney themes, Moana is too adventurous for her island, where the people are forbidden to sail beyond the reef. Just like Ariel (The Little Mermaid) before her, who was curious about the humans on the shore. The heroine's first hurdle is to listen to that "voice inside" who is telling her who she really is. In Moana's case, she is to inherit being village chief and the responsibilities that come with it, when all she really wants is to sail out into the ocean. 

As I was watching the film, I thought of this recurring theme which has been the same throughout the years and I felt that it was because there is always a new generation of children who can definitely use this empowering messaging and I'm glad that I got to see the film with two of my nieces. :) 

While the film may begin with these timeless themes, which is no surprise given that Ron Clements and John Musker, the directing team behind Oscar-winning classics The Little Mermaid and Aladdin are behind the film.

 "Moana" takes on its own adventure and for me the film takes on its own feel from that scene when they meet the "Kakamora", for a little added information, that scene which includes these cute-err-terrifying coconuts is actually inspired from Mad Max: Fury Road and I actually thought of it when I saw it, without knowing about it first.  Also one of the Kakamora has the face of Baymax (Big Hero 6) painted on it. (I want a Kakamora!) 

Oh and I also have to commend the music! For the longest time, I have been looking for memorable songs in the recent Disney films but they didn't seem to have that "magic" like the old films did but "Moana" did and with a team made up of “Hamilton” composer-lyricist Lin-Manuel Miranda, Disney music master Mark Mancina, and Opetaia Foa’i, the lead singer of South Pacific fusion band Te Vaka, I was had high expectations which is met. The result is a fun, authentic soundtrack, which will be your newest last song syndrome.   

I'll go ahead and say it "Let It Go" (Frozen) was overrated but in "Moana" it's not only the heroine's song which is memorable but all of the songs! (I kid you not) I was even impressed by Dwayne Johnson's Maui's catchy "You're Welcome" song, "The Rock" had an amazing singing voice (who would have thought right?) and we also enjoyed Tamatoa (Jemaine Clement) Prince inspired "Shiny". The songs reminded me of the older Disney movies where all the songs were good.

 *Currently listening to the soundtrack as I am writing this* 

There is a scene in the film that made me go "Whoah!" (I never thought I'd have that reaction in a Disney movie) and this was when Moana comes face to face with Te Ka, it is a breathtaking moment and seeing that in 3D is just spectacular. 

10/10! (My Nieces gave perfect scores too! And yes, even Paul gave a perfect score! Which is as rare as it sounds.) 

I also personally enjoyed making jokes at Disney's own expense: 

Case in point: 

On top of a high mountain, Maui tells Moana: "If you start singing, I'm going to throw up." This of course is a shot at Disney Princesses bursting into song. 

Disney has even starting making pee jokes and that was just hilarious! 

A fresh new Disney adventure featuring stunning 3D animation (just makes you want to go to the Beach) the story, while maintaining classic themes finds its own lessons to share. Plus a colorful look into the Polynesian culture, which is always a plus for me. 

Moana is the Disney Princess for a new generation. Without an exaggerated tiny waistline, the studio finally leaves the 'love interest' plot behind, focusing on a more important adventure, well for a young wayfinder at least. 


*By the way, there's a post-credits scene, if you guys want to stick around for that*

               

At the Philippine Premiere of "Moana" with my nieces Jasmine and Jillian. 

I rarely post personal photos with my movie reviews but I think I will make an exception for this one. Moana is in cinemas Nov. 30. 

Use the hashtags #MoanaPH #FindYourWay for your Moana posts!

 Photos (c) Walt Disney Studios. 

Movies: “CARS 3” TEASER TRAILER WARNS EVERYTHING WILL CHANGE

Wasn't really excited when I first heard that there was going to be a 3rd Cars movie BUT when I saw the surprisingly dark and cryptic trailer I was impressed and now curious. 🚗

The unexpectedly dark teaser trailer of Disney/Pixar's Cars 3 is off to the races, arriving with a cryptic tagline, “From this moment on, everything will change.”

Check out the trailer at https://youtu.be/E4K7JgPJ8-s and watch Cars 3 when it opens in the Philippines in 2017.

In the film, blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez, with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!

Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“) and produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short), “Cars 3” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Philippines.

Movies: HAWAIIAN TEEN LENDS VOICE TO NEW DISNEY HEROINE “MOANA”

Teen actress Auli'i Cravalho helps bring to life Walt Disney Animation Studios’ newest heroine in “Moana.” The 15-year-old Native Hawaiian is the voice of the determined and fearless lead character in the animated comedy adventure, which is directed by animation greats John Musker and Ron Clements (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin”).

Filmmakers auditioned hundreds of talented young women throughout the Pacific Islands before finding the gifted Auli‘i, who did not initially pursue the coveted role. The film’s Hawai‘i-based casting director recalled her singing performance from a video submission for a fundraiser/talent showcase and asked Auli‘i come in and try out. Three auditions later, including her first trip to Burbank, Calif., she earned the title role, thanks to raw talent.

In the film, Moana is an adventurous, tenacious and compassionate 16-year-old who is struggling to find her true self. While her father, Chief Tui, guides her to follow in his footsteps and lead their island one day, Moana is drawn to the sea. At Chief Tui’s behest, the people of her village are forbidden to go beyond the safety of the reef, yet the open ocean seems to beckon Moana. “It doesn't seem possible for her to fulfill her heart's desire and still be true to her people and her culture,” says director Ron Clements. “She descended from navigators, but she doesn’t know it—yet.”

When her island is threatened by a terrible darkness, Moana breaks her father’s rules and sets sail on an epic adventure to save her people and find the answers she’s been searching for her whole life. Says director John Musker, “She is inspired to solve the problem of this world that has been haunting them and has made voyaging impossible. If she can face this problem that’s plagued them for a thousand years, perhaps voyaging could resume.”

“She is a strong hero who sets out to retrieve what her people lost a long time ago,” says producer Osnat Shurer. “This isn’t a love story—it’s action, adventure, fun and drama. Moana wants to save the world—literally—even though she’s just about the only person who realizes it needs saving. She’s a powerful role model for today’s audiences.”

The 15-year-old, who turns 16 the day before “Moana” opens in the U.S., admires her character. “When I have a lot going on at school and it gets to be too much, sometimes I want to call it quits and crawl under my covers,” says Cravalho. “But Moana would never do that. She’s incredibly strong and down to earth. It takes a lot to stand for what you believe in, yet she follows her own path. She’s such a relatable character, it’s easy to want to root for her.

“I connect with Moana in many ways—growing up on an island, as well as the way I love the ocean,” concludes Cravalho. “She is braver than I am though—literally sailing so far out of her comfort zone. I hope to push to new horizons like Moana does.”

Opening across the Philippines on Nov. 30, Moana is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #MoanaPH.

Movies: DIRECTORS OF “THE LITTLE MERMAID,” “ALADDIN” RETURN WITH “MOANA”

"The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin" were a big part of my childhood. Knowing that the directors of these films are behind the upcoming "Moana" makes me more excited to see the film! 

Ron Clements and John Musker, the directing team behind Oscar-winning classics The Little Mermaid and Aladdin now brings to the screen Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 56th animated feature “Moana,” the sweeping, CG-animated film about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest.

During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds.

“Moana is a vibrant, tenacious 16-year-old growing up on an island where voyaging is forbidden,” says Ron Clements. “But Moana has been drawn to the ocean since she can remember. She’s torn between what’s expected of her and what she is compelled to do.”

John Musker shares what drew him to the sweeping adventure of Moana. “I was fascinated by the world of Oceania,” he says. “I read novels by Joseph Conrad and Herman Melville. But once I began to explore their history as voyagers and read the mythology—particularly about this cultural hero called Maui—I was hooked, so to speak.”

When first thinking of setting an animated feature in the beautiful Pacific Islands, Clements and Musker recalled from their youth beloved novels and paintings about the Pacific. But once they began exploring the incredible tales within Polynesian mythology a few years ago, the filmmakers realized they needed to dive much, much deeper. They knew they needed to go to the islands of the Pacific to see the places and meet the people in person.

Among the many people they met, one meeting stood out, recalls Clements. “An elder on the island of Mo‘orea asked of us something so simple and so revealing: ‘For years, we have been swallowed by your culture,’ he said. ‘This one time, can you be swallowed by ours?’”

The Pacific Ocean is home to thousands of islands and island nations, known to generations as Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia. But, as the filmmakers learned, many Pacific Islanders consider the entire region not in sections, but as the whole of Oceania. Further, while the islands themselves range in size, inhabitants of these islands consider the ocean between them very much a part of their world—a world many times bigger than the United States. Filmmakers were deeply inspired by the people who live there, the cultures they celebrate, and the history and traditions passed down from generation to generation.

So Clements and Musker, along with a group of artists from Walt Disney Animation Studios, traveled to the southern region of Oceania. Their mission was to experience the islands not as tourists, but as observers, researchers and students—to listen. “We came away from these trips not only with ideas, images and inspirations for our story, but with an even stronger resolve that we wanted to make something that the people we met would embrace,” says Musker. “We aren’t making a documentary, of course; it’s an animated feature and a work of fiction. But our experiences infused our imaginations in a way we hadn’t anticipated.”

Opening across the Philippines on Nov. 30, Moana is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #MoanaPH.

Movies: “MOANA” ANSWERS CALL OF THE OCEAN IN HIGH-SEAS ADVENTURE

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people.

“Moana is the 16-year-old daughter of the chief of Motunui,” says director Ron Clements. “She’s athletic, nimble, compassionate and incredibly smart. She has a never-say-die attitude and a profound connection to the ocean.”

“So it’s troubling to her, to say the least, that her people don’t go beyond the reef surrounding their island,” adds director John Musker. “They stay within the confines of that reef, and Moana doesn’t really understand why.”

The story is inspired in part by the oral histories of the people and cultures of Oceania. Three thousand years ago, Polynesian voyagers, the greatest navigators in the world, voyaged across the vast Pacific, discovering thousands of islands. But then, according to scholars, for approximately a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one knows exactly why. “Navigation is such a big part of Pacific culture,” says Musker. “The ancient Polynesians found their way across the seas without the use of modern instruments, using their knowledge of nature, the stars, the waves and the currents.”

Adds Clements, “We heard many times that the ocean doesn’t separate the islands, it connects them. Voyaging is a real source of pride for Pacific Islanders, a part of their identity. They were, and continue to be, some of the greatest explorers of all time. What they did was quite sophisticated, borderline miraculous.”

There are many theories, but no one is certain, about what may have led to this 1,000-year gap in exploration; this sparked the filmmakers’ imaginations. Says Musker, “In our story, our heroine, Moana, is at the heart of the rebirth of wayfinding.”

During her journey, Moana meets the mighty demigod Maui, a larger-than-life character who was inspired by multitudes of varied tales and legends about him throughout the Oceania region. Says Musker, “We were fascinated by the stories we read, the tales told to us by experts in the region. Maui was larger-than-life, a trickster and a shapeshifter. He could pull up whole islands from the sea with his fishhook; he had the power to slow down the sun. He is an incredible figure.”

Maui, who’s on his own journey of self-discovery, reluctantly guides Moana in her quest to become a master wayfinder and save her people. Together, they sail across the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity.

“It’s a story that takes place many, many years ago, but with a contemporary feel,” says producer Osnat Shurer. “Our hope as filmmakers has been to create a universal story that is also an homage to the beautiful people of the Pacific Islands who inspired us along this journey.”

Filmmakers cast newcomer Auli‘i Cravalho as the voice of Moana, and Dwayne Johnson lends his voice to demigod Maui. The voice cast also includes Jemaine Clement as Tamatoa, a self-absorbed, 50-foot crab ; Rachel House as Moana’s trusted Gramma Tala; Temuera Morrison as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Alan Tudyk as the voice of dumb rooster Heihei; and Nicole Scherzinger voices Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina.

Helmed by Clements and Musker, the directing team behind “The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” “The Princess & the Frog,” and produced by Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), “Moana” features music from a diverse and dynamic team that includes Tony®-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (Broadway’s Pulitzer Prize-winning and multiple Tony-winning “Hamilton”), Grammy®-winning composer Mark Mancina (“Tarzan” “The Lion King”) and Opetaia Foaʻi (founder and lead singer of the world music award-winning band Te Vaka).

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 56th animated feature “Moana” sails into Philippine theaters on Nov. 30, 2016.

“Moana” is distributed in the Philippines by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #MoanaPH.

Movies: “MOANA” MASTERS THE SEAS IN NEWLY LAUNCHED PAYOFF POSTER

Disney has just released the payoff poster for the new, seafaring animated adventure “Moana” starring Dwayne Johnson and Auli'i Cravalho. The film sails into Philippine cinemas Nov. 30.

Three thousand years ago, the greatest sailors in the world voyaged across the vast South Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, for a millennium, their voyages stopped – and no one today knows why.

From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated adventure about a spirited teenager who sails out on a daring mission to prove herself a master wayfinder and fulfill her ancestors’ unfinished quest. During her journey, Moana (voice of Auli’i Cravalho) meets the once-mighty demi-god Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson), and together, they traverse the open ocean on an action-packed voyage, encountering enormous fiery creatures and impossible odds. The film is directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,”, “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”) and produced by Osnat Shurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”).

“Moana” is distributed in the Philippines by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #MoanaPH.

Movie Review: Pete's Dragon

There has been an absence of good family adventure movies of late but Disney's "Pete's Dragon" surely fills in that gap. Based on the 1977 Disney live animation musical of the same name, 2016 gives it's own spin with impressive (as always) CGI from Weta, oh you know, the guys behind "Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit". It was interesting how they brought the eponymous "Elliot" (Pete's Dragon) on the big screen. Considering he is unlike lost dragons, you see, Elliot is a 28 foot green furry-yup, you read that right, -furry dragon.

At first, I wasn't so sure about the whole "furry dragon" bit, but then I was reminded of "Falcor" the lucky dragon from the 1984 fantasy adventure "The Neverending Story", Falcor actually looked more like a dog that a dragon, so okay I can dig the "furry dragon". The things about Elliot is that he grows on you, he's so damn cute, you'd have a heart of stone not to have a soft spot for him. As I was watching the movie, he also reminded me a green "Sully" (from "Monster's Inc."). 

I can't help but think that Weta worked on the greedy, ruthless Smaug, (a dragon of a different kind) on the "The Hobbit" and then had to go 360 with Elliot. I remember seeing a feature on creating Smaug, that each scale was unique and different. I'm sure they gave the same attention to detail, because Elliot was really, really furry. 

Sorry, I think I got carried away there, let's go back to the story shall we?

Robert Redford is grandfather goals in "Pete's Dragon". 

(Ahem). In the forests of the Pacific Northwest, there are stories of a big green dragon, with eyes as red as hell-fire, as told by an old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) -who looks really old in the film by the way but has that sweet grandfather vibe so still heartwarming. For years he has delighted the local children with his stories. My guess is that the movie was also set in the 1970's, which is why children still gathered around for tales about dragons and didn't have their faces in front of hand held devices, which was refreshing. 

While the kids were entertained, Grace (the beautiful Bryce Dallas Howard) Mr. Meacham's daughter isn't so keen about these stories, she should know since she works as a park ranger in the woods. That is of course, until she meets Pete, (impressive acting from Oakes Fegley) a mysterious ten year old, who reminds you of "The. Jungle Book's" Mowgli, he is dirty, has overgrown hair, is dressed in scraps of cloth and can sure run fast and climb trees.

Grace takes Pete to town supposedly to turn him over to Social Services but she is surprised at Pete's claims of living in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliot and based on the description, Elliot seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr. Meacham's stories. 

Rounding up the cast of humans is. Natalie (Oola Laurence) the eleven year old daughter of Jack (Wes Bentley) who owns the local lumber mill. Personally, it's nice to see Bentley in a role, where he's not a psychotic killer (American Horror Story: Hotel), Jack shares mill duties with his shoot-now-think-later brother. Gavin, (Karl Urban). We love Karl Urban as "Bones" in the new "Star Trek" movies, so to see him play the comedic antagonist was rather refreshing.

Karl Urban is not your likeable "Bones" in "Pete's Dragon". 

Speaking of comedic, I love the subtle humor in the film - such as police standard operating procedures when it comes to pursuing dragons and even a golden moment when a patient falls of a gurney. I know, I know, that was mean but super hilarious, without trying too hard which makes it effective. 

I would have loved to see more badass in Grace, her character seemed like a perfect godmother in the story, it was hard for me to ground her, yeah the throwing of keys was nice but I would have wanted more of that. I would have also preferred for the last shot of the movie, to just be Pete looking up and just having that implication that Elliot was there, and then end with a big blackout with Pete's face happy, amazed and maybe just a hint of a dragon's shadow in the end, but then again, that's just me.

7 out of 10. The heart of the film, isn't about the existence of dragons but the love of family, even if you don't have the same blood flowing in your veins or even if you're covered in green fur. It's more than just the story of "a boy and his dragon" but a beautiful story about finding our families and keeping them and in these trying times, we need more of these. 

Pete's Dragon is in cinemas September 07. Photos courtesy of "Walt Disney Pictures" 

Movies: MEET THE OTHER GIANTS IN DISNEY'S “THE BFG”

Not all giants in Disney's “The BFG” are friendly. Based on the beloved book by Roald Dahl, the film tells the imaginative story of a young girl named Sophie and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country. But Sophie’s presence in Giant Country has attracted the unwanted attention of nine fearsome giants – the brothers of the BFG himself -- who have become increasingly more bothersome.

The cannybull and murderful motley group of mythical beasts who roam the earth gobbling up human beans provided all kinds of opportunities for invention, creativity and frightening fun for Steven Spielberg, his actors and his creative team.

Of all the evil giants who inhabit Giant Country, the BFG’s nine brothers are the worst. Substantially larger in size, they treat the BFG with cruelty and disdain, but in typical Roald Dahl fashion, they are also there to make us laugh. Dahl was somewhat of a giant in real life himself, standing 6-feet, 6-inches-tall.

Fleshlumpeater, who is played by the multi-talented actor, comedian and musical artist Jemaine Clement (“The Flight of the Conchords”), is 52-feet-tall with a big ego and a very small head. While he is the leader of the pack, the alpha male, in truth he is just a bully and a coward and not the brightest of the bunch. “My character is just a pile of muscles,” says Clement. “The BFG describes him as a cannibal, which is pretty accurate as he finds humans – especially children – delicious.”

Actor and comedian Bill Hader (“Trainwreck,” “Inside Out”) is Bloodbottler, the real brains of the pack. He is 43-feet-tall with a big beard and can always be found at Fleshlumpeater’s side telling him what to do. “In reality, Bloodbottler wants nothing to do with any of the other giants…he just wants to be left alone,” says Hader. “He does not like the BFG and he has created his own set of rules that the BFG is somehow breaking by just being himself.”

British actor Adam Godley (“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”) is Manhugger, the thin and slowest moving giant. He does the least of anyone and thinks only of himself. At 39-feet-tall, Gizzardgulper is the shortest of the nine giants. As played by Chris Gibbs (TV’s “Reign”), he is also the peacekeeper of the group and idolizes Fleshlumpeater. Bonecruncher is played by Michael David Adamthwaite (“Final Destination 5”) and is the youngest of the group and a troublemaker who often puts the others in danger.

Meatdripper, who is played by Canadian actor Paul Moniz de Sa (TV’s “The Flash”), is the jokester of the group and loves to go hunting for children. Jonathan Holmes (TV’s “Descendants”) plays Childchewer, Meatdripper’s best friend. He is the best looking of the group, and as a result, is always concerned with his appearance. Icelandic actor Ólafur Ólafsson (“The Last Witch Hunter”) is Maidmasher, who is the most stylish of the group. While masculine in his demeanor and appearance, 

he is also very in touch with his feminine side.

Finally, Butcherboy, who is played by Daniel Bacon (“The Day the Earth Stood Still”), walks with a limp, the result of a fight with Meatdripper which left him partially paralyzed. He would love to someday be top dog but knows it will never happen, and he has a chip on his shoulder as a result.

Opening across the Philippines on Aug. 10, “The BFG” is distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #TheBFGPH.