The debate is on: will you chase the sun as an ‘Outdoor Explorer’ or embrace indoor comfort as a ‘Stay-in Squad’? No matter your preference, here are ways you can create new core memories and make the most of the season.
Life and Style + T R a V e L + F o o D Discovering life stories--with a large cup of Lemon Green Tea.
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Friday, May 30, 2025
Choose your kind of adventure with Smart
Friday, May 23, 2025
Chris Evans and Dakota Fanning's 'Push' Is the Underrated 2000s Superhero Thriller You Need to Watch
Psychic warfare meets gritty rebellion in Push—Chris Evans’ criminally overlooked pre-MCU cult favorite.
Long before he wielded the iconic shield as Captain America, Chris Evans starred in an ambitious, mind-bending superhero thriller that has flown under the radar for far too long. Push (2009), directed by Paul McGuigan (Wicker Park, Lucky Number Slevin), is a gripping exploration of psychic warfare, family loyalty, and the cost of freedom. It may not have achieved blockbuster status, but its imaginative premise, tense action sequences, and stellar performances make it a hidden gem worth revisiting--or watching for the first time.
A World of Psychic Abilities and Dangerous
Agendas
Push introduces us to a shadowy world where
governments have been secretly experimenting with psychic powers since 1945.
These powers are categorized into abilities like Movers (telekinesis), Pushers
(mind control), Watchers (clairvoyance), and more. The U.S. Division, a
sinister government organization, seeks to weaponize these abilities, but not
everyone is willing to play their game.
At its heart, Push is a story
of rebellion and survival. The plot kicks off when Nick Gant (played by Evans),
an unassuming telekinetic, is thrust into a high-stakes mission. Nick, burdened
by his father’s dying wish and hiding from the Division, is forced to team up
with Cassie (a young clairvoyant played by Dakota
Fanning) to protect Kira (Camilla
Belle), a Pusher and Nick’s former flame. Together, they must uncover
secrets, outsmart their powerful enemies, and fight for their freedom.
The story’s layers are built upon a morally complex web of betrayal,
deception, and psychic showdowns. It’s a movie that keeps you guessing while
delivering plenty of pulse-pounding moments along the way.
Chris Evans Before the Shield
Chris Evans’ performance as Nick Gant showcases a different side of the
actor audiences might not expect. While Captain America is noble and
self-assured, Nick is scrappy, reluctant, and visibly flawed. He’s not a
clean-cut hero; he’s a down-on-his-luck underdog just trying to survive. Evans
brings charm, vulnerability, and physicality to the role, reminding us why he’s
one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood.
This role serves as a precursor to the charismatic leading man we’ve
come to know. It’s fascinating to watch Evans balance Nick’s self-doubt with
moments of resourcefulness and resolve, a far cry from the polished and
confident Captain Rogers.
Why You Should Watch (or Rewatch) Push
Despite its intriguing premise and strong cast, Push didn’t receive the recognition it deserved upon release.
Competing against bigger-budget films and lacking the marketing push (pun
intended) of major franchises, it flew under the radar for many moviegoers.
However, time has been kind to Push.
Its cult following has grown as audiences rediscover its thought-provoking
narrative and inventive world-building.
What makes Push so unique is
its approach to the superhero genre. Unlike many of its contemporaries, it
forgoes flashy costumes and larger-than-life city destruction. Instead, it opts
for a gritty, grounded tone, blending noir-inspired storytelling with dystopian
sci-fi vibes.
The setting in Hong Kong adds another layer of intrigue, offering a
visually dynamic backdrop that feels gritty yet alive. The bustling streets and
neon-lit alleys become an integral part of the film’s aesthetic, making Push visually distinct from more
traditional superhero movies filmed on sound stages.
If you’re a fan of complex, character-driven stories with a touch of
sci-fi, Push deserves a spot on your
watchlist. Don’t let this one slip through the cracks again; it’s time to give
it the recognition it deserves. Give this underrated gem some love when it comes
to Lionsgate Play on May 23 via PLDT Home and Smart.
Thursday, March 20, 2025
DonBelle and Maine Mendoza Join Lucky Smart Subscribers for a Special Group Date
In line with Smart’s commitment to empower subscribers with amazing experiences that go beyond connectivity, select subscribers enjoyed some rare quality time getting to know Smart ambassadors Donny Pangilinan, Belle Mariano, and Maine Mendoza in a series of meet-and-greet sessions.
Through Smart’s Holideals promo, Donny and Belle treated fans like family last February 15 while Maine had an extended bonding session with her supporters last February 22.
Group date with DonBelle
For DonBelle fans who joined the Smart Holideals Meet-and-Greet promo, there was no better way to spend the love month than with the country’s most-sought after on-screen loveteam.
Ten lucky fans—who also participated in getting-to-know games moderated by Rammy Bitong— went all out to prepare personalized gifts for DonBelle and even sang Happy Birthday for Donny who celebrated his birthday last February 10.
The event also saw DonBelle interacting with each subscriber, taking time to truly talk to each of them about their own personal experiences, and even making video calls for their friends. The winners did not just have their photos with DonBelle taken but were also able to share their stories with the loveteam, who in turn reminisced about their career and personal journey through the years.
“We really enjoyed spending time with you guys. Thank you for coming out here. We know marami rin kayongagenda sa buhay or pinagdadaanan but you still showed up for us," said Donny.
"Belle and I would not be here without you guys. We consider you guys family. We just hope we all could all continue to lift each other up and spread positivity. Thank you, guys. We love you so much. Thank you, Smart, for this opportunity,” he added.
For her part, Belle said, “It’s rare that we get to have this kind of interaction with you na talagang very intimate. You know so much about us so it’s really nice to have this opportunity for us to know more about you.”
She also echoed Donny’s sentiments by saying, “I agree with Donny na tayong lahat, marami tayongpinagdadaanan but despite all that, we have each other to lift each other up. We have different fan groups but it’s nice that we can create a community and grow together as a family and this event does just that. To our Smart family, thank you so much for doing this. We truly appreciate this!”
The supporters took time to do a group video about the event to collectively thank Smart: “We weren’t expecting this meet-and-greet to be this personal. Thank you so much to Smart!”
A trip down memory lane with Maine
On the other hand, Maine Mendoza immediately took off from her noontime show to surprise nine lucky Smart subscribers having lunch at a restaurant in Quezon City. The fans were in knee-deep conversation with P-Pop Daydream member Denise Silva, hosting the event and reminiscing about Maine’s colorful career.
Among them is 36-year-old Elvira Abad, who traveled all the way from Meycauayan, Bulacan to interact with her idol. Elvira has been a Smart subscriber since 2015. “Very relatable siya nung nag-start pa lang siya sa showbiz. As a fellow introvert, medyo naka-relate ako sa part na ‘yun,” Elvira shared.
Another lucky Smart subscriber for 21 years, 52-year-old Leonora Aquino from Navotas, said that like Maine, Smart makes her life easier, especially in her work at school. “As a teacher, ginagamit ko ‘yung PowerAll for my school presentations. Hindi ko na dinadala ang laptop ko; ini-screen mirror ko na lang siya kapag walang Wi-Fi sa school. Ginagamit ko ‘yung mobile data para magpanood ng educational YouTube videos sa klase,” Leonora shared.
Meanwhile, Mary Graze Oalog, a former OFW in Saudi Arabia said it was worth it going back home to meet Maine. “Actually, sumasali kami sa Smart promos dahilkay Maine. Nung nasa abroad ako, siya ‘yung stress reliever namin,” she recalled.
Maine, who is celebrating her 10th anniversary in the entertainment industry this year, also thanked the Smart subscribers for supporting her all this time.
“Ang dami nating firsts today! Ten years na kayongsupporters ko at ang dami pa nating nalalaman about each other. Kasi hindi talaga natin ito nagagawa. It’s always fast meetings and encounters. Today, sobrang dami kong nalaman na stories na ngayon ko lang narinig so thank you for sharing, thank you for letting me know, and thank you for the experience,” said Maine.
To learn more about Smart’s special promos and meet-and-greet rewards, load PowerAll 99 with the following inclusions: Unli Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram or Unli TikTok; 10 GB for all apps; unlimited calls; and unlimited texts—all valid for 7 days.
For more details, follow Smart’s Facebook (Smart Communications, Inc.) and @livesmart on Instagram, and X.
Friday, March 7, 2025
Smart proudly supports the 2025 FCC Women's Run PH
“We are proud to be the official telco partner of 2025 FCC Women’s Run PH, which is one of the many ways we at Smart celebrate and pay tribute to Filipino women for their invaluable contribution to society,” said Lloyd R. Manaloto, FVP at Smart.
To know more about the 2025 FCC Women’s Run PH, visit its official website at https://raceroster.com/events/
Monday, February 10, 2025
Smart Prepaid’s Power All Now Gives You Unli FB or Unli TikTok
With many young Filipinos using Facebook and TikTok to express their creativity and explore side hustles, Smart Prepaid has taken its Power All 99 offer to the next level with even more value for money products for subscribers.
Now, Power All 99 comes with additional 2GB data for a total of 10 GB of data for all sites and apps, plus a choice between Unli access to Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger or Unliaccess to TikTok valid for 7 days.
This is complemented by Unli All Net Calls and Texts, allowing users to cover all their connectivity needs.
To register to Power All 99, subscribers can simply dial *123# on their smartphone, log in to the Smart App, or head to authorized retailers nationwide.
Don’t worry, be Unli
With the enhanced Power All 99 offer, Smart Prepaid subscribers can confidently pursue their passions online without worrying about data limitations.
Whether it's starting a small online live-selling business on TikTok, setting up a shop or catalog for pre-loved items, or promoting online services such as editing or designing, livestreaming or even gaming, subscribers can rely on Power All 99 to confidently thrive in the digital world.
Subscribers can also turn to Power All 99 to showcase their creativity on TikTok, engage their followers in real time, or simply browse for inspiring tips to start and grow their side hustle without running out of data.
Power to do it all
“With our enhanced Power All offer, we are truly giving our subscribers the power to do it all,” said Kristine A. Go, Senior Vice President for Wireless Consumer Business at Smart.
“This way, they can set their connectivity worries aside and just focus on their online passions and side hustles, powered by our superior mobile network,” she added.
Beyond Power All 99, Smart Prepaid also offers other denominations with bigger open access data, such as Power All P149 with additional 6GB for a total of 16 GB for all sites and apps data for 7 days, and Power All 449 with additional 10GB for a total of 30 GB for all sites and apps for 28 days.
Just like the Power All 99, these come with either UnliFacebook, Instagram, and Messenger or Unli TikTok, plus UnliAll Net Calls and Texts.
To know more about Smart Prepaid’s Power All offers, visit https://smart.com.ph/prepaid.#
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Smart empowers subscribers via the Smart 5G Max Experience
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