A few weeks before the month comes to a close, the pop culture scene saw fresh hits and much-anticipated flicks that are up for release. From upcoming tracks, must-see films and events to catch, sporting events and buzz on the Internet, we rounded up new stories from the week that was featuring releases and online discussions that’s worthy to be on your radar.
Listening Station
Jessi’s “ZOOM” records her fastest, most viewed MV to date
Following the release of Jessi’s “Zoom” last April, it took the song a little over two months to reach a new milestone. Officially, “ZOOM” has surpassed Jessi’s previous record of almost seven months and 19 days set by “NUNU NANA” reaching views to hit the 100 million mark.
With this, Jessi has been the first female K-pop soloist to cross 100 million views on YouTube, setting a new record for fastest video to this feat.
SB19 releases new song “Win Your Heart”
SB19 released their new heartfelt track “Win Your Heart” that is set to be the theme song of the upcoming Binibining Pilipinas 2022 by end of the month.
While it is available in all streaming platforms, the lyric and music video are now available on the PPop group’s official YouTube account.
Niki releases new single “Oceans and Engines”
Indonesian singer-songwriter, Niki Zefanya, released her new single “Oceans and Engines” that tackles long-distance love. The song reportedly garnered the the artist her fastest track to reach 1 million streams on Spotify.
From this milestone, the multi-talented musician is preparing for her new album set for release this August, along with a world tour in September and October 2022 both entitled “Nicole”.
Sabrina Carpenter releases fifth studio album, “Emails I Can’t Send”
Sabrina Carpenter finally answered the prayers of her fans with the release of her fifth anticipated studio album last Friday, July 15. The album consists thirteen tracks, including the three singles that she first released last year, “Skinny Dipping” on September 2021, “Fast Times”, released earlier this year on February and the album’s third single, “Vicious”, earlier this month, under Island Records.
While it’s been a long gap from her last album, “Singular: Act II”, on July 2019, Carpenter teased the public through a nonstop posting of some snippet videos of her on her personal social media accounts, often playing her piano and singing parts of her new songs. The young American singer and actress has been dropping hints in her interviews that have piqued the interest of her fans since June 2019.
Screening Room
The Black Phone is coming to PH theaters on July 20
Supernatural crime-thriller The Black Phone is set to be released in Philippine theaters this July 20 after preview screenings in Manila cinemas on July 11 and 12 in select cinemas nationwide.
The film follows the story of Finney, a shy but clever 13-year-old boy, who is abducted by a sadistic, serial killer. Trapped in a soundproof basement where screaming is of little use, things take a mysterious turn as the young protagonist finds a disconnected phone on the wall, hearing the voices of what seemed to be the killer’s previous victims.
ABS-CBN drops trailer of the long-awaited film turned television series Darna
Early this month, the official trailer for the drama series, Darna, was released by ABS-CBN, years after the long-awaited onscreen adaptation of the well-loved franchise saw numerous cancellations and hold-ups. The trailer shows the new star Jane De Leon, getting passed the torch with by her mother and super heroine played by Iza Calzado.
The trailer also served as the first look into iconic characters like Ding played by Zaijan Jaranilla, Valentina, by Janella Salvador, and the character of Brian, played by Joshua Garcia. The much-awaited drama is set to premiere this August on various platforms: Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, Jeepney TV, A2Z, and iWantTFC.
Nadine Lustre is set to star in new Mikhail Red techno-horror film Deleter
The shooting of upcoming film Deleter, from director Mikhail Red made headlines as it gets green lit for production. Multimedia superstar Nadine Lustre is set to play the role of a content moderator in Red’s technological horror film.
“This genre film attempts to unlock the dark secrets and consequences of their world, especially in a world where the truth is filtered and distortion is prevalent,” Red highlighted in an interview.
DC League of Super-Pets hits the big screen on July 27
Warner Bros. presents a new animated superhero film based on the DC Comics superhero team Legion of Super-Pets. Directed by Jared Stern, DC League of Super-Pets stars the voice of Dwayne Johnson as Krypto, and Kevin Hart as Ace.
Krypto the Superdog together with a ragtag group of animals is set to be launched a rescue mission this coming July 27 in Philippine cinemas nationwide, ahead of the US release date.
Amsterdam unveils official trailer
David O. Russell’s star-studded film Amsterdam releases its first official trailer that made cinephiles more pumped up and engaged to wait for its release by November this year.
Amsterdam is a crime epic that revolves around three friends who witnessed a murder. The massive buzz became louder after the trailer came out featuring three top actors Margot Robbie, Christian Bale, and John David Washington. Joining these stellar names are Taylor Swift, Robert De Niro, Rami Malek, Anya Taylor-Joy, Chris Rock, Zoe Saldana, Mike Myers, Michael Shannon, Matthias Schoenaerts, among others. The film marks the end of the film director’s seven-year hiatus.
Events & Festivals
Oh Wonder to hold concert in the Philippines
Concert promoter Karpos Live announced the return of alt-pop duo, Oh Wonder’s return in the Philippines this coming September. The British pair is set to hold its concert in Filinvest Tent Alabang.
The tickets went on sale last July 10 via tickelo.com. Fans will be able to hear the songs from their new double album “22 Break” and the upcoming “22 Make” via this one-night concert.
Sports & Culture
PVL returns for the 2022 Invitational Conference
The Premier Volleyball League (PVL) is finally back as the league launched its Invitational Conference last Saturday. The new conference will be joined by seven local teams including the last open conference’s champion Creamline alongside Petro Gazz, Cignal, Choco Mucho, PLDT, Army Black Mamba, and Chery Tiggo.
Added to these packs are two international teams such as Kobe Shinwa Women’s University of Japan and Taipei King Whales of Taiwan Volleyball League, which are set to bring action for the semis. The PVL Invitational Conference 2022 games are live on OneSports, OneSports+. Matches are also available on livesteram via PVL.ph and kumu.
F1: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc wins Austrian Grand Prix
On July 10, 2022, Charles Leclerc takes the plum at the Formula One Austrian Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg, Austria going against Max Verstappen, his closest opponent and the current leader of the Formula One world championship.
Pulse
Donnalyn Bartolome apologizes after the Internet calls out controversial shoot
“It was an honest mistake, it was never my intention to enable one of the most horrifying acts here on Earth.”
Donnalyn Bartolome pens apology after receiving backlash for suggestive sexy baby-themed 28th birthday shoot concept. After drawing flak, Bartolome removed all posts for “sexualizing” children and “enabling” pedophilic fantasies.
This isn’t the first time an online celebrity gets heat over reckless content released in their platforms. Acknowledging this lapse in judgment, Bartolome wrote, “Thank you to everyone who let me know, especially those who did it so kindly, you’re the type of people who help me become a better person everyday as I hold the responsibility of influencing millions. It’s not easy.. but I’ll do my best.”
Compiled by Loi Dimaapi, Kael De Guzman, Lorena Makiling, Jovy Dagala, Mark Layson, Daniella Granada, Rylyn Sabijon, Sheila Vendero