10:57 p.m. May 20, 2025

International collaboration gives hope to the Philippine film industry in its efforts to enter the world market.

This was true again after Japanese art film “Renoir”, co-produced by Nathan Studios, officially became a part of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 17.

“Renoir” is a collaboration among Japan’s Happinet Studios, France’s Ici et Là Productions, Singapore’s Akanga Film Asia, Indonesia’s Kawan Kawan Media, and the Philippines’ Daluyong Studio and Nathan Studios. The international sales are being handled by Goodfellas.

Filipino actress and producer Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde, the chief executive of Nathan Studios, said she is grateful for having co-produced the film as it led to the company getting a chance to foster international partnerships and broaden its international market, aside from achieving another red-carpet appearance in the Cannes Film Festival at the city of Cannes, France.

“This international collaboration creates a massive positive impact to the Filipino film industry, it also gives a lot of hope to Filipino film producers to go to the global market, especially here in Cannes,” Sanchez-Atayde said.

“Malaking impact ito, the mere fact na three years pa lang kami nagpupunta sa Cannes as a producer, isa na kami sa nakapag-partnership sa international productions at nakapag-red carpet muli dito sa Cannes,” she added. “I am hoping for more Filipino film producers to enter the global stage whether it is solo or collaborations, with other foreign producers.”

Two of Nathan Studios’ earlier movies — the psychological thriller Cattleya Killer in 2022 and action flick Topakk in 2023 — also premiered in the Cannes Film Festivals, starred both by veteran actor and Quezon City first district reelected Congressman Juan Carlos “Arjo” Atayde. The movies gained the attention of international film buyers, film aficionados, and distributors for the last three years.

Sanchez-Atayde, who celebrated her birthday in the European country, also said she is “ecstatic” that the “Renoir” film is part of the main competition in Cannes.

“I’m still in disbelief and absolutely ecstatic that Renoir (directed by Chie Hayakawa, and co-produced with Eiko Mizuno Gray and Jason Gray, Christophe Bruncher, Yulia Evina Bhara, and Alemberg Ang) was selected as part of the 2025 Cannes’ competition slate,” Sanchez explained.

“When we were starting out with Nathan Studios, this was only something we dreamt of and aimed for—and now, it is finally here. All the hard work, determination, belief, and prayers finally bore fruit!” she added.

“Renoir” is a coming-of-age drama that depicts a daughter coping with the illness of her father is making waves at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and has the potential of winning the highly coveted Palme d’Or or grand prize.

“Renoir,” directed by noted Japanese auteur Chie Hayakawa (Plan 75), tells the story of Fuki, whose father is fighting a terminal illness, and mother is stressed out from caring for him. She later becomes fascinated with telepathy and leads herself into her own fantasy world.

The film, which will be released in Japan on June 20, stars newcomer Yui Suzuki as the 11-year-old Fuki, alongside Hikari Ishida and Lily Franky.

‘Glowing reviews’

Reviews for the film are glowing, with Deadline’s Stephanie Bunbury noting that while the film is scattered, it does not “detract from the film’s beauty or the strength of the performances,”

“If this story doesn’t coalesce as seamlessly as her first film does, it still has the power to touch and then to haunt us. It does not take a fortune teller to predict that Chie Hayakawa soon will make her masterpiece,” Bunbury noted in her review.

Writing for Variety, Jessica Kiang said that Hayakawa’s film is a “slender but appealingly impressionistic story of an inquisitive young girl’s summer of life, death and amateur parapsychology,”

““Renoir” is a more diffused yet in some ways more interesting sophomore feature, that follows where its lovely, mercurial central character leads and, taking a cue from the painter of the (rather tangential) title, lets the brushstrokes show to deliver a firsthand impression of growing up in 1980s Japan,” Kiang added.

The Hollywood Reporter’s Lovia Gyarkye, on the other hand, said the movie is a “poetic meditation” on a crucial summer of Fuki as she navigated her father’s battle with cancer, her mother’s ambient stress and persistent loneliness.

“Part of the reason Renoir, despite its modesty, hits emotionally of Suzuki’s compelling performance. The newcomer has a wide-eyed, penetrating stare that at once communicates the reality of Fuki’s innocence and the depth of her curiosity. In the actress’ hands, the character becomes someone you come to feel deeply protective of, ” Gyarkye noted.

5:39 p.m. May 8, 2025

Experience Professional-Grade Imaging in the Palm of Your Hand 

HONOR Philippines proudly unveils the HONOR Magic7 Pro, a groundbreaking flagship smartphone engineered to redefine mobile photography.

Designed with creators and photography enthusiasts in mind, the HONOR Magic7 Pro combines cutting-edge technology, exceptional design, and user-friendly features to deliver professional-grade images and videos effortlessly. 

Boasting an industry-leading quad-camera system, the HONOR Magic7 Pro is more than just a smartphone, but a creative tool that empowers users to capture life’s finest details with precision and artistry. 

“With the HONOR Magic7 Pro, we’re not just introducing a smartphone; we’re giving our users a chance to push their creative boundaries. This device reflects our commitment to innovation, empowering users to create stunning visuals and experience photography like never before.” said Stephen Cheng, Vice President of HONOR Philippines. 

A New Era of Mobile Photography 

To showcase the revolutionary camera system of the HONOR Magic7 Pro, some of the most talented photographers in the industry were invited to test its capabilities. The results speak for themselves: 

• Sherard Yu delivered striking portrait shots that reveal the device’s expertise in capturing subtle lighting nuances and intricate details.  
• Dookie Ducay showcased vibrant color reproduction and remarkable sharpness in his fashion-forward imagery. See more here. 
• Rainier Gonzales leveraged the ultra-wide camera for expansive landscapes, demonstrating its ability to encapsulate breathtaking vistas. 
• Ryan Tasic pushed the boundaries of low-light photography with the Night Vision Pro feature, capturing atmospheric and detailed images even in dim environments. 

Unmatched Camera Features for Every Shot 

The HONOR Magic7 Pro delivers unparalleled versatility with its sophisticated quad-camera system: 

• 200 MP Ultra HD Main Camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS): Ensures sharp and dynamic shots with extraordinary resolution. 
• 50 MP Ultra-Wide Lens with a 120° field of view: Perfect for capturing expansive landscapes and group shots. 
• 64 MP Periscope Telephoto Camera with 10x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom: Enables high-clarity close-ups, even from a distance. 
• 12 MP Macro Lens: Focuses on intricate details, capturing subjects as close as 2.5 cm. 

The camera system is further enhanced by next-generation imaging technologies such as: 

• AI Ultra-Clarity Mode: Merges multiple frames into one image for unmatched detail and color vibrancy. 
• Night Vision Pro: Ensures brilliant low-light performance, producing stunning shots even in the darkest settings. 
• 8K Cinematic Video Recording: Offers HDR10+ support for videos with exceptional sharpness, vividness, and dynamic range. 
• Super Stable Video Mode: Guarantees smooth, jitter-free recordings, even during fast-moving scenes. 

Discover More About the HONOR Magic7 Pro 

Available in Lunar Shadow Grey and Black, the HONOR Magic7 Pro is now officially available nationwide for only Php 59,999! Order now at any HONOR Experience and Partner Stores or online via Lazada https://bit.ly/Laz_M7Pro_PR, Shopee https://bit.ly/M7ProLaunch_PR, and TiktokShop https://bit.ly/TikTok_M7Pro_PR. 

For more affordable offers, the HONOR Magic7 Pro is also available at Home Credit for as low as Php 2,484/month with 0% interest and payable up to 18 months. 

To know more about HONOR Magic7 Pro, head on to: https://bit.ly/Web_M7Pro_PR. For more exciting announcements, you may visit HONOR’s website www.hihonor.com or social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram(Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

10:10 p.m. March 28, 2025

Filipina tennis sensation and Globe ambassador Alex Eala once again made the nation proud with her stellar performance at the Miami Open, where she showcased remarkable skill and determination against some of the biggest names in the sport.

The 19-year-old wildcard and world no. 140 delivered a breathtaking run in the tourney, defeating three Grand Slam champions— world no. 25 Jelena Ostapenko, world no. 5 Madison Keys, and world No. 2 Iga Swiatek— before bowing out in a hard-fought semifinal match against American Jessica Pegula on Friday.

Despite an early lead and a valiant comeback in the second set, Eala ultimately bowed out, missing a finals berth but drawing rousing applause from the crowd following a remarkable run. 

Alex was the first Filipina to make it as a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 1000 Semifinalist and the first in the Open Era to beat top-10 players. She is expected to reach her career-best ranking of 75 in the WTA when the rankings get published on Monday, becoming the first Filipina in history to debut in the top 100 of the WTA rankings.

“Alex has once again demonstrated the heart and fighting spirit of the Filipino. Her Miami Open journey is a testament to her relentless drive and unwavering dedication to the sport,” said Ernest Cu, Globe President and CEO. “We are incredibly proud of her achievements and will continue to support her as she inspires young athletes across the country.”

Eala, who has been a Globe ambassador since she was eight, has continuously raised the bar for Philippine tennis, showing that Filipino talent can shine among the world’s best. Her Miami Open campaign cements her status as a rising star in professional tennis and a beacon of inspiration for future generations.

Globe remains committed to continue supporting Eala as she continues her journey on the global tennis stage.