Wind down after a long week by streaming these titles on HBO GO

Looking forward to a lazy, relaxing weekend? Snuggle up in bed, light some scented candles, grab your favorite snacks, and pick out a show or movie! 

 

This weekend, find comfort in rewatching your old faves or joy in discovering new ones. Whether you’re into comedy, action, sci-fi, or fantasy, you’ll definitely find a show that suits your taste on streaming service HBO GO. 

 

We understand decision paralysis, so we’ve narrowed it down for you. Below, we’ve got six of the best shows and movies to stream this weekend: 

 

For sitcom lovers

For a fun, lighthearted fare, you can’t beat Friends. This beloved series, which ran for around a decade, features six twenty-somethings trying to navigate adulthood, career, and relationships. Now, 17 years after the last episode aired, watch Rachel, Monica, Phoebe, Joey, Chandler, and Ross as they join celebrity guests in this one-off reunion special. Stream with the rest of the world starting May 27.

 

For parents looking for a family-friendly movie

 

 

Is your whole family staying in for the weekend? Keep kids and adults alike entertained with Tom & Jerry. This animated movie brings these two nemeses and their silly antics to modern-day New York. Kids will definitely enjoy this slapstick animated film, while kids at heart can reminisce about their childhood days by watching along. Stream starting June 4.

 

For DC loyalists

 

With theaters closed last year, Wonder Woman 1984 made its Philippine debut exclusively on HBO GO. This superhero film follows Diana’s journey to learning more about the human world and of course, defeating supervillains—this time, the nefarious Cheetah and Maxwell Lord. Eighties babies will enjoy all the throwbacks referencing the colorful decade. Stream now. 

 

For fantasy fans

 

You can’t call yourself a proper fan of the fantasy genre if you haven’t seen Game of Thrones! This show tells the story of noble families—the Lannisters, Starks, and Targaryens, to name a few—warring to win sovereignty over the fictional land of Westeros. Throw a lot of drama, romance, dragons, and monsters into the mix. You can now stream all eight seasons, a reunion special hosted by Conan O’Brien, and its feature documentary, The Last Watch.

 

For genre bender aficionados

 

 

If you like mixing your genres, check out The Nevers. This show combines sci-fi and drama in Victorian era-London and follows a band of women with special abilities, called the “Touched.” Tune in to watch these superwomen battle their enemies with grace and panache, hoop skirts and all.

 

For sci-fi enthusiasts

 

Christopher Nolan’s latest Academy Award-winning movie, Tenet, is a thrilling sci-fi adventure. Its nameless protagonist is a CIA agent who manipulates complex rules of time travel to prevent global destruction. This is definitely a cerebral film, so it may require several viewings to fully digest! 

 

To watch Friends: The Reunion, Tom & Jerry, Wonder Woman 1984, Game of Thrones, The Nevers, Tenet, and other cool shows and movies, get your HBO GO subscription on Shopee: https://shopee.ph/hbogoofficialstore.

 

Don’t forget to top up your ShopeePay for more deals! This June 6, enjoy up to 66% coins cashback when you use ShopeePay.

 

Download the Shopee app for free via the App Store or Google Play.

Cebu Pacific announces its new and improved CEB Flexi product

Cebu Pacific (CEB) enhances its CEB Flexi product – a flight add-on that now allows passengers to voluntarily cancel their flights for free, up to two (2) hours before departure, and store the value of the booking in a Travel Fund.   

The amount may be used to book new flights or purchase other add-ons such as seat selection or travel insurance.  

The enhanced CEB Flexi, which may be purchased for as low as PHP499 during initial booking on the CEB website or mobile app, supports the airline’s goal to continue allowing guests to travel with peace of mind while supporting the industry in its efforts to rebuild passengers’ trust and confidence in air travel. 

With this add-on, everyJuan will also be able to enjoy unlimited rebooking, following CEB’s permanent removal of change fees in March. A minimal fare difference may apply.  

Cebu Pacific offers more flexibility with the improved CEB Flexi product that allows passengers to voluntarily cancel their flights for free, up to two (2) hours before departure, and store the value of the booking in a Travel Fund.   

 

"We continue to listen and put our customers’ needs first as we work on developing products for everyJuan. We understand that while there is still a pent-up demand for travel in this new normal, plans can still change at the last-minute, and this product gives them added flexibility they need when booking flights with CEB,” said Candice Iyog, CEB Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience.  

Passengers can also avail of the CEB Flexi product as a bundle through GO Flexi, and enjoy free cancellation,  checked-in baggage with a combined weight of up to 20 kilos, and a standard seat.  

For more information on CEB’s products, visit www.cebupacificair.com or message Charlie the chatbot on the CEB website or the official CEB Facebook page. Contactless flight procedures, updated schedules, travel document requirements, and FAQs may be viewed via https://bit.ly/CEBFlightReminders  

CEB operates the widest domestic network in the Philippines covering 32 destinations, on top of its six (6) international destinations, spanning Asia and the Middle East.  

Watch Justine's Chismosang Marites ala Pride and Prejudice, gossiping like a stereotypical Filipino neighbor

TikTok has turned out to be the perfect platform for funny guy Justine Luzares to express himself creatively. He always knew that he wanted to write funny skits, but didn't consider becoming a comedian himself, until he started using TikTok. "I realized I can actually act the part," Justine shares. "We're on TikTok to have fun and be entertained. Putting smiles on people's faces is the easiest way to sell your content to people."

 

Apart from showing off his funny side, his videos also give him the chance to showcase his ability to put on different accents, a talent he learned from watching movies. He first tried it out after seeing the 2004 movie, Troy, which starred Brad Pitt and Eric Bana. He says, "It was a long process. I started learning it when I was still in 7th grade. It didn't happen overnight. It took quite a lot of movies just to somehow master it." Mimicking speech patterns of characters from the popular TV series, Game of Thrones, particularly Viserys Targaryen, also helped Justine refine his accent. Since then, he has learned how to do Indian and Australian accents as well. 

 

Justine responds to a fan's request to do an Indian accent here. 

 

https://www.tiktok.com/@justine_luzares/video/6917620407021374722

Here's a sample of his Australian accent.

 

https://www.tiktok.com/@justine_luzares/video/6817701963682123009

Born and raised in Leyte, Justine actually has a degree in Agribusiness from Visayas State University, where he graduated Cum Laude. Currently based in Alabang, he works as a process trainer in the BPO industry, and does TikTok for fun. Among his videos, his Marites series has become his most popular, even reaching viral status on the platform. "I have received overwhelming support every time I post a Marites video, especially the ones you can duet," Justine says. "I guess people just found an excuse to showcase or just try a British accent through my videos."

 

Watch Justine's Chismosang Marites ala Pride and Prejudice, gossiping like a stereotypical Filipino neighbor, but with a British accent.

 

This is what Chismosang Marites would be like as a Game of Thrones character. 

 

Discover all the hilarious comedy creators that you can follow on TikTok. Download the app on your iOS and Android devices today to get started.

 

Huawei partners with DOT to showcase the PH world-class tourist spot

HUAWEI has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department of Tourism (DOT) today to promote the Philippines' tourist destinations, arts and culture to its more than 600 million users around the world.

 

Attendees present at the signing ceremony were Department of Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, DOT Assistant Secretary Howie Uyking, Huawei Philippines Vice President Daniel Guo, and Huawei Hong Kong Service COO, Mr. Wang Zhihui.

 

The partnership aims to showcase the Philippines' world-class tourist spots, Filipino products and tourism-related events to HUAWEI Themes users in over 170 countries and regions. Under the MoU, HUAWEI Themes users can explore the Philippines curation series now under the “Pinoy Favorites” category on the app homepage. 

 

The DOT will be the photo contributor under this partnership to provide source images related to the Philippines’ arts and culture. Among others, the popular tourist destinations in the Philippines such as beaches, islands, heritage towns, and deep seas will be featured in the app. Moving forward, DOT will also offer domestic tourism vouchers for hotels, attractions and tours to HUAWEI Themes users. 

 

In her speech, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat expressed her gratitude to Huawei for supporting the DOT's efforts in handling the pandemic's effect on the tourism industry by lending its wide reach of smartphone users.

 

"Our strategy for the safe and gradual reopening of tourism in the Philippines will be greatly supported by this digital content partnership as it will offer Huawei users anywhere in the world with glimpses of our country's beautiful destinations and allow them to customize their mobile devices with images of our tourism offerings," Romulo-Puyat said. The Tourism Secretary hopes that through this project, Huawei smartphone users will be inspired to visit the Philippines once the government resumes international travel. 

 

Meanwhile, Huawei Philippines Vice President Daniel Guo emphasized that Huawei's collaboration with the DOT is in line with the "glocalization" approach of Huawei Philippines and Huawei Mobile Services (HMS). "Huawei has established an extensive cooperation with the government, local businesses and communities, to continuously bring innovative digital services to consumers and create greater social values," he said.

 

"Through the collaboration, we will curate a series of Philippines-centric wallpapers and smartphone themes, including the scenery landscapes and tourist attractions of the Philippines, as well as creative themes created by local artists, photographers, cartoonists and animators," Daniel Guo added.

 

The MoU will not only help promote beautiful places in the Philippines but will also open a door of opportunity for talented Filipinos. Mobile themes created by passionate marine environment artist AG Saño and digital artists Mariel Garcia, Nelvin Supilanas, Rehts Merejilla and Mark Magnaye are now available in HUAWEI Themes.

 

HUAWEI Themes is one of the first self-developed apps by HMS, In 2020, it achieved over 1.8 billion total themes download. By end of 2020, 96% of the PH local top apps, including Gcash, Paymaya, BDO Digital Banking, UnionBank Online, and SSS Mobile, have integrated with HMS Core and onboarded to AppGallery. 

 

Through the open HMS Ecosystem, Huawei shares a number of innovative capabilities with its partners from various sectors, including tourism, which enable high-quality, convenient and safe applications to reach every Huawei device user in a more direct way. Through this, Huawei is able to lower the connectivity cost and expand service coverage, bringing modern digital services to a wider user base. By providing localized service applications in more countries and regions, Huawei makes All-Scenario services more accessible to users, jointly improving service efficiency and digitization level of services.

 

PLDT Home showcases the real stories of parents who continue to conquer parenting fears and parent guilt in this pandemic

Being a mom is one of the toughest yet most rewarding jobs in the world. Aside from taking charge of the growth and development of their children, mothers carry a lot of responsibilities in the household. Mothers experience a lot of pressure that often times lead them to feel doubtful and critical about themselves. 

 

PLDT Home tackles these parenting concerns in new video series, showcasing the real stories of parents who continue to conquer parenting fears and the struggles of parent guilt especially in this pandemic. Inspired by the series, other celebrity moms took to social media to speak up on their own concerns, learning to embrace their unique parenting styles. 

 

Mother of four and wife to chef Luigi Muhlach, Patty Muhlach admitted that raising children in a pandemic is a major challenge despite genuinely enjoying each other’s company and being happy most of the time.

 

Instagram post by Patty Muhlach

 

 “Our days are not always as rosy as this. We also have our worst days as a couple/family. Luigi and I had to work hard on self-improvement and our marriage. [Our struggles] made us stronger and closer,” she said.

 

It’s also important, Patty said, that parents acknowledge that “there is no roadmap when it comes to parenting especially during [a] pandemic.”

 

“At the end of the day, I think it is about having fun and loving each other,” she claimed.

 

Instagram post by Mikka Padua

 

The same is true for Mikka Padua who admitted that her biggest takeaway from last year is “having to adjust my expectations.”

 

“I had to recalibrate the standards I set for myself, my daughter, and my family. [But this] doesn’t mean lowering our expectations, it only means resetting our daily expectations to a more doable amount,” said the mother of Mischka and founder of curated lifestyle platform, Seek the Uniq.

 

Being a new mother during a pandemic is scary and for style and travel blogger Camille Co, the realities of postpartum depression made it more challenging.

 

Watch Camille Co’s #NoMomLikeYou video here

 

“I’m fully aware of postpartum depression. It’s something a lot of people are talking about but I feel like we are not showing this more. So even though you know in your head it’s possible to have postpartum depression, that it’s possible to feel sad about what you’re doing, it’s possible to feel bad about yourself as a mom, it doesn’t really feel real because people just talk about it but they don’t really show it,” she said.

As a new mother to newborn Sienna, Camille’s experience with postpartum depression made her braver as she learns to prioritize what really matters. “I feel like my priorities have shifted to not entirely just focusing on my baby but to make room for my baby. Don’t forget to do things for yourself because when you’re happy, the baby is happy and when you give love to yourself, then you’re also able to give more love to your baby,” she added.

 

And loving yourself as a person and as a parent meant accepting that you can make mistakes and it’s okay to have flaws because according to DJ and radio host Andi Manzano-Reyes, “Even if you think you have a lot of baggage, or you have a lot of flaws, in the eyes of your kids, you’re perfect.”

 

Watch Andi Manzano-Reyes’ #NoMomLikeYou video here

 

Andi admitted that she always set such a high standard for herself as a mom and along the way, the mother of Olivia and Amelia realized that she needed to accept herself just as she is.

 

“One piece of advice I’d probably tell myself is: you’re doing great,” she said.

 

The same realization is what model and entrepreneur Tweetie de Leon-Gonzalez discovered: it’s okay if things don’t work out because what’s important is that kids “see the generous manner, connection, and exchange happening in the family.”

Instagram post by Tweetie de Leon-Gonzales

 

“[Children] are aware parents aren’t perfect beings and mistakes are episodes to pick up wisdom and humor from. We can just start over,” Tweetie explained.

 

The constant reminder to not be too hard on yourself as a parent has likewise helped journalist Marie Lozano navigate parenting on social media.

Watch Marie Lozano’s #NoMomLikeYou video here

 

“There’s just too much noise, too much opinion about parenthood right now. People felt like they had the right to comment asking me about being a mother or asking me about my past relationship. What’s important is living a life that’s real. You don’t have to please anybody,” she said.

 

Reminding herself that what’s important is that she's giving her 100% as a mom and as a friend to 13-year-old Nikos is not only more than enough--it’s everything.

 

“I love him unconditionally, better is not necessarily the best. Another parent could be a better parent but I’m the best for him because I’m willing to do anything and willing to try,” Marie said.

 

In the end, Patty, Mikka, Tweetie, Andi, Camille, and Marie may be in different stages of parenting and may have different parenting experiences but one thing they all agree on is that every parent that gives everything and loves their children is the best parent.

 

“There has never been a time like this and there has never been a mom like you,” they declared.

 

As the country’s fastest fixed network, PLDT Home enables families to enjoy the strongest connections that allow them to do all things better and together at home.

 

Watch the latest heartwarming digital video series in this link: PLDT Home and join the movement by posting online with the hashtag #NoMomLikeYou. 

 

Google organized a Well-being Day to facilitate a helpful discussion led by Ronald Del Castillo, PsyD, MPH of DIWA Mental Health

As the pandemic continues to take a toll on people’s mental and digital well-being, Google organized a Well-being Day to facilitate a helpful discussion led by Ronald Del Castillo, PsyD, MPH of DIWA Mental Health. Other speakers include Geia Lopez from Google, and YouTube creators Janina Vela, Lyqa Maravilla, and Madam Ely. You can rewatch the event on Google Ph’s YouTube channel. 

 

Here are some tips from the discussion that can help protect your mental and digital well-being:

 

1. Try journaling

 

If you’re feeling overburdened, try journaling and writing down positive experiences. Using an actual pen and paper can help slow down your mind as it will follow the pace of your writing hand. This also provides an opportunity for positive self-talk and identifying negative thoughts and behaviors. Identifying stressors will help you work on a plan to resolve problems.

 

2. 25 on, 5 off

 

For working professionals, try the technique of working for 25 minutes straight followed by a five-minute break throughout the day. Do this four to five times then take a longer break for 15 minutes. By repeating this process throughout the day, you can be productive and less stressed at the same time on a busy day.  

 

3. Take deep breaths

 

Feeling overwhelmed? Try the 4-7-8 breathing technique which involves breathing in for four seconds, holding your breath for seven seconds, and exhaling for eight seconds through the mouth. This type of deep, rhythmic breathing is relaxing and may help ease people into sleep.

 

4. Practice doing nothing

 

Being constantly busy can lead to higher levels of stress. There is value in spending time in silence, nature, and not engaging in constant external stimulation. We need time doing ‘nothing’ to be our best selves: this means disconnecting from gadgets, media, and work for a few minutes or an hour. 

 

5. Have healthier arguments

 

Arguments are part of life and there are ways to make them healthy. According to Dr. Del Castillo of DIWA Mental Health, having healthy arguments means using “I” rather than “you” statements: do not call each other names, focus on the issue at hand, offer a solution, check your voice and tone, and most importantly, listen and take turns.

 

6. Set bite-sized goals, not mouthful chunks

 

When there are many things that demand your attention, it’s important to take a step back and list down priorities. Break down big tasks to small ones and set realistic deadlines. Making small yet progressive strides is efficient and can give a sense of accomplishment which is important in reducing stress levels. 

 

7. Find a balance with technology

 

                  

 

Google’s Digital Wellbeing tools can help you be more aware of your digital habits to be able to form healthy ones. For instance, its Dashboard feature gives a daily view of how often you check your phone and how frequently you use different apps. It allows you to set limits with daily app timers which pause apps or websites for the day when the timer runs out.

 

8. Minimize the number of times you pick up your phone

 

To minimize distractions and the number of times you pick up your phone, you can use Google Assistant to do simple tasks like checking the time without actually having to hold your phone.

 

9. Focus when you need to

 

Minimizing distractions is key. Through the Digital Wellbeing’s Focus Mode, you can see which apps distract you the most and choose which ones you want to pause or take a break from. Once set, your distracting apps will be inaccessible until the timer goes off.

 

10. Create a bedtime schedule and stick with it

 

        Having consistent bedtime routines plays an important role in reducing late-           night stress and anxiety. With Digital Wellbeing’s Bedtime mode, you can set a bedtime schedule that will automatically turn on the Do Not Disturb feature so that you won’t be alerted by notifications. It also fades your screen to grayscale to prevent bright colors and light stimulating your brain when you need to shut down.

 

11. Get help when you need it

Acknowledging you need help is the first step towards a solution and healthier mental well-being -- but where does one go to get said help? Google Search now instantly shows the National Center for Mental Health Crisis Hotline (0966-351-4518) when a person types in related keywords to remind and prompt people to seek professional help during their vulnerable state.

 

For more information about Digital Wellbeing tools and programs, visit wellbeing.google.