You plan to move to the Philippines? Wollen Sie auf den Philippinen leben?

There are REALLY TONS of websites telling us how, why, maybe why not and when you'll be able to move to the Philippines. I only love to tell and explain some things "between the lines". Enjoy reading, be informed, have fun and be entertained too!

Ja, es gibt tonnenweise Webseiten, die Ihnen sagen wie, warum, vielleicht warum nicht und wann Sie am besten auf die Philippinen auswandern könnten. Ich möchte Ihnen in Zukunft "zwischen den Zeilen" einige zusätzlichen Dinge berichten und erzählen. Viel Spass beim Lesen und Gute Unterhaltung!


Visitors of germanexpatinthephilippines/Besucher dieser Webseite.Ich liebe meine Flaggensammlung!

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Friday, May 2, 2025

Summer movie guide 2025: Here’s what’s coming to theaters and streaming from May to August

BY ASSOCIATED PRESS


AT A GLANCE

  • May also brings big studio releases like a live-action “Lilo & Stitch,” “Mission: Impossible 8" and a new Wes Anderson film.


The official movie posters of 2025 films to be released from May to August (AP).png
The official movie posters of 2025 films to be released from May to August (AP)

NEW YORK (AP) - Ethan Hunt’s last mission? A new Superman? Happy Gilmore as a dad? Three genre-spanning Pedro Pascal movies, including a romance, a superhero movie and an A24 Ari Aster thriller? Hollywood is pulling out the stops this summer movie season, which kicks off with the release Marvel’s “Thunderbolts(asterisk)” on May 2.

May also brings big studio releases like a live-action “Lilo & Stitch,” “Mission: Impossible 8" and a new Wes Anderson film. June heats up with race cars in “F1,” adventure in “How to Train Your Dragon,” zombies in “28 Years Later” and a New York love triangle with Dakota Johnson’s matchmaker in the middle in “Materialists.

July is supercharged with “Jurassic World Rebirth,” “Superman” and “Fantastic Four: The First Steps.” And August closes out the season with comedies, big (“The Naked Gun”) and dark (“The Roses”), horror (“Weapons”) and a lighthearted body-swap (“Freakier Friday”).

Here’s The Associated Press’ guide to help make sense of the many, many options in theaters and at home.

May movie releases

May 1

“Another Simple Favor” (Prime Video, streaming): Chill those martini glasses, Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick reunite with their “A Simple Favor” director Paul Feig for this Italy-set sequel.

May 2

“Thunderbolts” (Disney, theaters): Marvel’s antiheroes Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Red Guardian (David Harbour) kick off the summer movie season in superhero style. “It’s a group of misfit toys that have been essentially thrown away at the beginning of the movie and have to figure out if they can work together to get themselves out of that mess,” director Jake Schreier told the AP. (Read AP’s review.)

“Bonjour Tristesse” (Greenwich Entertainment, theaters): Chloë Sevigny and Claes Bang star in this new adaptation of Françoise Sagan’s lusty, stylish coming of age novel about a playboy father and his teenage daughter (Lily McInerny) on the French Riviera.

“Pavements” (Utopia, theaters): Alex Ross Perry takes an experimental approach to the traditional music biopic in his portrait of the indie rock group Pavement that’s better experienced than described.

“Rust” (Falling Forward Films, theaters and VOD): The Alec Baldwin Western “Rust” is actually coming out after years in limbo and litigation. Cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was fatally shot on set in October 2021 and director Joel Souza was wounded during a rehearsal. Souza said at the film’s premiere at a festival in Poland in November that it was Hutchins’ husband, Matthew, who wanted the film to be finished.

“The Surfer” (Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions, theaters): Tensions are high on a “locals-only beach” when Nicolas Cage and his son return to try to catch some waves.

“Magic Farm” (MUBI, theaters): Amalia Ulman directs this absurdist comedy about a documentary crew who ends up in the wrong town, starring Chloë Sevigny, Alex Wolff and Simon Rex.

“Words of War” (Decal, theaters): Maxine Peake and Jason Isaacs star in this political thriller about journalist and human rights activist Anna Politkovskaya. Sean Penn produced.

“Vulcanizadora” (Oscilloscope, theaters): A black comedy following friends on a dark mission deep in the woods of Michigan.

May 9

“Friendship” (A24, theaters): Paul Rudd and “I Think You Should Leave” comedian Tim Robinson star in this absurd, comedic film about male camaraderie.

“Shadow Force” (Lionsgate, theaters): Kerry Washington and Omar Sy star in this Joe Carnahan-directed action thriller about a couple of ex-assassins running from their old boss (and trying to protect their young son).

“Nonnas” (Netflix, streaming): Vince Vaughn stars in this Stephen Chbosky-movie based on a true story of a Brooklyn guy who hires Italian grandmothers to be the chefs at a restaurant after the loss of his own mother. Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire and Linda Cardellini also star.

“Fight or Flight” (Vertical, theaters): Josh Hartnett, sporting bleached blonde hair, is a mercenary on a flight full of assassins in this bloody action-comedy at 30,000 feet.

“Caught by the Tides” (Janus Films): Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke takes footage spanning 22 years to tell a story of love and longing that had Cannes critics raving last year. Zhao Tao stars.

“Juliet & Romeo” (Briarcliff Entertainment, theaters): Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers get the (pop) music treatment in this colorful take starring Clara Rugaard and Jamie Ward.

“Clown in a Cornfield” (RLJ Entertainment): This slasher from director Eli Craig (“Tucker & Dale vs. Evil”) features a killer named Frendo.

“Lilly” (Blue Harbor Entertainment, theaters): Patricia Clarkson plays equal pay activist Lilly Ledbetter in this biographical drama.

May 16

“Final Destination: Bloodlines” (Warner Bros., theaters): It’s been 25 years since the “Final Destination” franchise kicked off and they’re still finding new horrifying ways to kill off their characters.

“Hurry Up Tomorrow” (Lionsgate, theaters): The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) plays a fictionalized version of himself in this psychological thriller about an insomniac musician from Trey Edward Shults, co-starring Jenna Ortega and Barry Keoghan.

“Love” (Strand Releasing): This Norwegian film about two health care workers discussing relationship philosophies closes out Dag Johan Haugerud’s “Sex, Dreams, Love” trilogy.

“Sister Midnight” (Magnet Releasing, theaters): This black comedy about an unhappy arranged marriage and a series of chaotic events was a Cannes selection in 2024.

“The Ruse” (Seismic Releasing, theaters): This thriller centers on a caregiver and the mysterious patient she’s caring for in a remote home on the sea.

May 23

“Lilo & Stitch” (Disney, theaters): This live-action reimagining of the 2002 classic about orphaned Hawaiian sisters who unknowingly adopt an alien was directed by “Marcel the Shell with Shoes On” filmmaker Dean Fleischer Camp. Sydney Agudong, who plays older sister Nani, said, “The beauty of this movie is that it highlights the idea of Aloha and Ohana and the family dynamics that happen here along with the aliens and the Hawaiian roller coaster ride.”

“Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning” (Paramount, theaters): Nothing ever really ends in the land of franchise filmmaking, but the “final” in the title suggests this could actually be Tom Cruise’s last ride as Ethan Hunt. Even if it isn’t, audiences can trust it’ll be full of death-defying spectacles worthy of the big screen.

“Fountain of Youth” (Apple TV+, streaming): Natalie Portman and John Krasinski play siblings on a dangerous quest for the fountain of youth in this globe-trotting adventure from Guy Ritchie.

“Pee-Wee As Himself” (Max, streaming): This riveting two-part documentary about the life of Paul Reubens was crafted from some 40 hours of interviews and thousands of hours of archival footage.

“Jane Austen Wrecked My Life” (Sony Pictures Classics, theaters): A Parisian bookseller gets invited to the Jane Austen writers’ residency in this contemporary Austen-inspired romantic comedy written and directed by Laura Piani.

“Fear Street: Prom Queen” (Netflix, streaming): Prom queen candidates begin to vanish in this latest “Fear Street” installment, set in 1988.

“The Last Rodeo” (Angel Studios, theaters): Neal McDonough plays a retired cowboy who decides to return to the ring in a bid to pay his son’s medical bills.

May 30

“Karate Kid: Legends” (Sony Pictures, theaters): Jackie Chan and Ralph Macchio unite for the newest “Karate Kid” film, set three years after “Cobra Kai” and focusing on a new kid, Li, played by Ben Wang. “It kind of harkens back to the previous entries in the franchise,” Wang said. “It’s a kid who is a fish out of water who comes to a new city and has to face down bullies.”

“Bring Her Back” (A24, theaters): “Talk to Me” filmmakers Danny and Michael Philippou return with this creepy new movie about death, resurrection and the arrival of an adopted kid who is not quite right. Sally Hawkins plays the mother.

“The Phoenician Scheme” (Focus Features, theaters): Benicio del Toro stars as one of the richest men in Europe, and father to nine sons and one daughter (Mia Threapleton), in Wes Anderson’s newest film, featuring a typically starry ensemble including Tom Hanks, Michael Cera, Scarlett Johansson, Riz Ahmed and Benedict Cumberbatch.

“The Kingdom” (Metrograph, theaters): This Cannes breakout is about a teenage girl who goes on the run with her estranged mob boss father one summer in Corsica.

“Ghost Trail” (Music Box Films, theaters): Jonathan Millet directed this revenge thriller about a Syrian man in France who is in pursuit of the man who tortured him at an infamous military prison.

“Tornado” (IFC Films, theaters): Kōki, Jack Lowden, Takehiro Hira and Tim Roth star in this revenge thriller set in 1790s Britain.

June movie releases 

June 6

“Ballerina,” (Lionsgate, theaters): Ana de Armas leads this “John Wick” spinoff about a deadly (and classically trained) assassin.

“The Life of Chuck” (Neon, theaters): This is not your typical Stephen King adaptation. Mike Flanagan directs the sentimental and supernatural story about the life of an ordinary man named Charles Krantz, told in three chapters. Tom Hiddleston, Mark Hamill, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mia Sara, Benjamin Pajak and Karen Gillan are among the large ensemble cast.

“The Ritual” (XYZ Films, theaters): Al Pacino and Dan Stevens as men of the church performing exorcisms? Sure, why not.

“Dangerous Animals” (IFC Films, theaters): Jai Courtney plays a serial killer who feeds his victims to sharks in this bonkers-sounding movie.

“I Don’t Understand You” (Vertical, theaters): Nick Kroll and Andrew Rannells are a couple vacationing in Italy in this dark comedy with an escalating body count.

“Straw” (Netflix, streaming): Taraji P. Henson leads this Tyler Perry drama about a single mother.

“Dan Da Dan: Evil Eye” (GKIDS, theaters): More adventures of Momo and Okarun in this series based on the popular manga by Yukinobu Tatsu.

June 12

“Deep Cover” (Prime Video, streaming): Bryce Dallas Howard plays an improv comedy teacher recruited by an undercover cop (Sean Bean) for a mission for which she enlists two of her students (Orlando Bloom and Nick Mohammed).

June 13

“How to Train Your Dragon” (Universal, theaters): Unlike most live adaptations of animated movies, filmmaker Dean DeBlois is behind both. DeBlois said their goal was to make the film “really immersive,” to dial up the sense of urgency and peril and “to just pull the audience in and make them feel like these dragons are real, that you could own one, you could fly on the back of one.” Mason Thames plays Hiccup and Nico Parker takes on the role of Astrid in this epic fantasy sure to enchant a new generation (and the one who grew up on the original).

“Materialists” (A24, theaters): Dakota Johnson plays a matchmaker torn between two prospects (played by Chris Evans and Pedro Pascal) in love story from “Past Lives” filmmaker Celine Song. “It’s a modern love story that’s set in New York City and it’s inspired by the brief time that I worked as a professional matchmaker,” Song said. “I really tried in this film to be really honest about the marketplace of dating, as the people actually experience it and live it today.”

“Echo Valley” (AppleTV+, streaming): Claire (Sydney Sweeney) shows up on her mother’s (Julianne Moore) doorstep covered in someone else’s blood in this thriller from Brad Ingelsby.

“The Unholy Trinity” (Roadside Attractions, theaters): Pierce Brosnan and Samuel L. Jackson lead this Western, set in 1870s Montana.

“Prime Minister” (Magnolia, theaters): This documentary follows Jacinda Ardern through her tenure as prime minister of New Zealand.

June 17

“Sally” (NatGeo/Disney+, streaming): Blue Origin who? Sally Ride, the first American woman to go to space, is the focus of this new documentary that chronicles her professional accomplishments and her lesser-known personal life.

June 20

“28 Years Later” (Sony Pictures, theaters): The original team behind “28 Days Later,” including director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland, return with a new entry featuring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes.

“Elio” (Disney/Pixar, theaters): This intergalactic adventure centers on an 11-year-old earthling (Yonas Kibreab) who is abducted by aliens and assumed to be a world leader. Oscar-winner Zoe Saldaña is part of the voice cast.

“Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore” (Kino Lorber, theaters): Marlee Matlin gives an unflinchingly honest account of her experiences as a deaf actor in this funny and revelatory documentary, directed by Shoshannah Stern, who also is deaf. The film is closed captioned and includes verbal translations for hearing audiences.

“Sovereign” (Briarcliff, theaters): Dennis Quaid, Nick Offerman and Jacob Tremblay lead this crime thriller about anti-government extremists and a police standoff.

“ Bride Hard” (Magenta Light Studios, theaters): Rebel Wilson is a secret agent whose skills come in handy at her friend’s wedding when a hostage situation emerges in this Simon West-directed comedy.

“Everything’s Going to Be Great” (Lionsgate, theaters): Bryan Cranston and Allison Janney are lifelong actors in regional theater trying to raise their very different sons.

“Alma and the Wolf” (Republic Pictures, theaters): Ethan Embry and “Sinners” breakout Li Jun Li star in this psychological horror about a mysterious wolf attack and a police officer’s missing son.

“KPop Demon Hunters” (Netflix, streaming): An animated action comedy about K-pop superstars who also hunt demons on the side.

June 27

“F1” (Warner Bros./Apple, theaters): Brad Pitt plays “the best that never was,” F1 driver Sonny Hayes, who’s recruited to mentor a young up-and-comer (Damson Idris) in this high-octane film from “Top Gun: Maverick” filmmaker Joseph Kosinski. Real racing cars were used, driver Lewis Hamilton consulted and a new camera system was developed to give audiences an immersive experience. “It’s a story about a last-place team, a group of underdogs, and Sonny Hayes in his later years having one more chance to try to do something he was never able to do, which is win a race in F1,” Kosinski said.

“M3GAN 2.0” (Universal, theaters): The creepy, dancing doll is back — as is an even more dangerous version on a killing spree whom she has to stop. Any questions?

“Sorry, Baby” (A24, theaters): One of the big breakouts from this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the debut feature of writer-director-star Eva Victor follows Agnes, a grad student, in the aftermath of a sexual assault. “I wanted to make a film that was about feeling stuck when everyone around you keeps moving,” Victor said. “I really think the thing it’s about is trying to heal and the slow pace at which healing comes and how it’s really not linear and how there are joys to be found in the everyday and especially in very affirming friendships and sometimes, like, a sandwich depending on the day.”

“Hot Milk” (IFC Films, theaters): Things heat up on the Spanish coast, where Sofia (Emma Mackey) and her mother (Fiona Shaw) have gone in hopes of helping her mysterious illness. There Sofia meets a beguiling stranger (Vicky Krieps). This Berlin selection is based on a novella by Deborah Levy.

July movie releases

July 2

“Jurassic World Rebirth” (Universal, theaters): Filmmaker Gareth Edwards (a “Jurassic Park” superfan and the director of “The Creator”) is ushering in a new era of “Jurassic” movies and harkening back to the Steven Spielberg originals in this film with Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey. Much about the film is being kept top secret, but Edwards said David Koepp’s script read like a love letter to Spielberg’s early work. “It’s basically a mission story where these military types go to this island to get this DNA, then there’s a twist,” Edwards said. “This family ends up involved and it becomes a story of survival. It’s like one giant roller coaster ride and once it gets going, it sort of doesn’t stop.”

“The Old Guard 2” (Netflix, streaming): Charlize Theron is back with her immortal team for a new mission. KiKi Layne, Matthias Schoenaerts, Marwan Kenzari and Luca Marinelli also reprise their roles.

“Heads of State” (Prime Video, streaming): Heads of state get a glow up in this action comedy, in which Idris Elba plays the British prime minister and John Cena is the U.S. president who are forced to work together (along with Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ MI6 agent) to defeat a foreign adversary.

“40 Acres” (Magnolia, theaters): Danielle Deadwyler and Michael Greyeyes lead this post-apocalyptic thriller about a plague that has caused worldwide famine.

July 10

“Brick” (Netflix, streaming): In this German horror, a couple wakes up to find they’re trapped in their apartment.

July 11

“Superman” (Warner Bros., theaters): James Gunn is ushering in a new era of Superman, with a fresh face in David Corenswet and the promise that he’s a different Superman than what audiences have seen before. Gunn told the AP that this is “a Superman that’s both more grounded in his own personality and his relationship, which is much more complex than has been in the past. And then also the big magic world of Superman being in the world of the DCU with flying dogs and robots and giant monsters.” There’s romance with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane, and a “pretty scary” Lex Luthor in Nicholas Hoult. “He’s actually going to kill (Superman),” Gunn said. “And that’s cool to see.”

“Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight ” (Sony Pictures Classics, theaters): Actor Embeth Davidtz directs and stars in this critically acclaimed adaptation of Alexandra Fuller’s bestselling memoir of growing up on a farm in the former Rhodesia before and after the 1980 election, as the colonial system crumbles. The story is told through the eyes of 8-year-old Bobo (Lexi Venter).

“Tyler Perry’s Destination Wedding” (Netflix, streaming): Madea goes to the Bahamas.

“Skillhouse” (Fathom, theaters): 50 Cent stars in this horror about influencers who are lured into a “content house” and forced to compete in deadly challenges.

July 18

“I Know What You Did Last Summer” (Sony Pictures, theaters): Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. reprise their roles from the 1997 slasher in this new installment featuring an eerily similar situation and a cast of pretty young up-and-comers including Madelyn Cline, Chase Sui Wonders, Jonah Hauer-King and Tyriq Withers.

“Smurfs” (Paramount, theaters): Rihanna produced and stars as Smurfette in this new musical adventure. “There’s a purity to the Smurfs mythos,” said Nick Offerman, who voices Papa Smurf’s brother Ken. “That, I think, is what makes their appeal so timeless. They’re a benevolent group of wee blue villagers who, you know, want to love one another and lead productive lives while fending off the world’s forces of evil, usually represented by the machinations of some wizards out for ill gotten gains.”

“Eddington” (A24, theaters): Ari Aster re-teams with Joaquin Phoenix for this film about a standoff between a small-town sheriff and a mayor in the early months of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Pedro Pascal, Emma Stone and Austin Butler also star.

“Unicorns” (Cohen Media Group, theaters): A young, single father from Essex (Ben Hardy) is disarmed when he falls for a drag queen.

July 25

“The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (Disney, theaters): Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn and Ebon Moss-Bachrach unite to play “Marvel’s first family” in this retro-futuristic world set in 1960s New York. Director Matt Shakman (“WandaVision,” “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) said they are the only superheroes in their world and are the leading lights of their age. While the scale and world building were on another level, Shakman said, “it’s also no different from all of the great comedies and dramas that I’ve done — in the end, it comes down to character, to relationships and to heart and humor.”

“Happy Gilmore 2” (Netflix, streaming): Adam Sandler returns to the green (and one of his most beloved roles) after almost 30 years, along with Shooter McGavin (Christopher McDonald), Hal (Ben Stiller), Virginia (Julie Bowen) and Doug (Dennis Dugan) and an army of newcomers, including some Gilmore offspring. “The first one is so iconic, we all kind of knew the world that we were stepping into,” said Conor Sherry, who plays one of his sons. “We were like the newest additions to a long, long, long family.”

“Oh, Hi!” (Sony Pictures Classics, theaters): Molly Gordon and Logan Lerman lead this dark romantic comedy about a married couple’s first romantic weekend getaway.

“Diciannove” (Oscilloscope, theaters): Luca Guadagnino produced this coming-of-age film about a 19-year-old’s journey of self-discovery.

July 30

“Together” (Neon, theaters): Real life couple Dave Franco and Alison Brie play a frighteningly codependent couple in this inventive body horror that had Sundance crowds raving.

August movie releases

Aug. 1

“The Bad Guys 2” (Universal, theaters): Sam Rockwell, Marc Maron, Craig Robinson, Awkwafina and Anthony Ramos return for another animated heist, but this time they’re teaming up with a new squad called the Bad Girls (voiced by Danielle Brooks, Maria Bakalova and Natasha Lyonne).

“The Naked Gun” (Paramount, theaters): Liam Neeson flexes his particular set of comedy skills as Frank Drebin Jr. in this irreverent new entry from Lonely Island veteran Akiva Schaffer, featuring Paul Walter Hauser and Pamela Anderson.

Aug. 6

“Sketch” (Angel Studios, theaters): This horror comedy about a girl’s drawings that come to life stars Tony Hale and D’Arcy Carden.

Aug. 8

“Weapons” (Warner Bros., theaters): Children are disappearing in filmmaker Zach Cregger’s eerie follow-up to “Barbarian,” starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner and Alden Ehrenreich.

“Freakier Friday” (Disney, theaters): Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan are back as the body-swapping mother and daughter duo.

“My Mother’s Wedding” (Vertical, theaters): Kristin Scott Thomas directs and stars in this drama about a woman getting married for the third time, which is an occasion for her three daughters (Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Emily Beecham) to come home.

Aug. 13

“Fixed” (Netflix, streaming): An adult animated comedy from Genndy Tartakovsky about a dog’s quest for one last adventure before being neutered.

Aug. 15

“Nobody 2” (Universal Pictures, theaters): Bob Odenkirk’s former assassin Hutch Mansell can’t catch a break. This time, Keanu Reeves joins the bloody fun.

“Clika” (Sony Pictures, theaters): A small-town musician (Jay Dee) goes viral in this drama set in the world of Mexican American music. It’s the debut feature of Rancho Humilde CEO Jimmy Humilde’s production company.

“East of Wall” (Sony Pictures Classics, theaters): Kate Beecroft’s debut film about a young horse trainer grappling with financial insecurity and grief in the South Dakota Badlands won the audience award in the NEXT section at the Sundance Film Festival.

“Eli Roth Presents: Jimmy and Stiggs” (Iconic Events, theaters): A low budget “splatter fest” for horror devotees, Joe Begos wrote, directed and stars.

“Witchboard” (Atlas, theaters): “Stranger Things’” Jamie Campbell Bower stars in this supernatural horror set in New Orleans (a remake of a 1986 cult classic).

Aug. 22

“Lurker” (MUBI, theaters): Another Sundance gem, this paranoid thriller is the feature debut of “The Bear” and “Beef” writer Alex Russell, about celebrity, fandom and being very online, featuring a buzzy young cast led by Théodore Pellerin and Archie Madekwe.

“HONEY DON’T!” (Focus Features, theaters): Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza, Charlie Day, Billy Eichner and Chris Evans star in this dark comedy from Ethan Coen about a small-town private investigator and a string of mysterious deaths.

“Americana” (Lionsgate, theaters): This Sydney Sweeney-led crime thriller, a revisionist Western set in South Dakota, debuted at South by Southwest in 2023 and concerns the theft of a valuable artifact.

“Eden” (Vertical, theaters): Ron Howard directs Jude Law, Ana de Armas, Vanessa Kirby and Sydney Sweeney in this survival thriller set in the Galapagos after the first World War.

“Relay” (Bleecker Street, theaters): Riz Ahmed plays a corporate fixer in this contemporary riff on the paranoid thriller from “Hell or High Water” filmmaker David Mackenzie.

“Grand Prix of Europe” (Viva Pictures, theaters): “F1” for the preschool set? This animated film is also set in the world of car racing.

Aug. 28

“The Thursday Murder Club” (Netflix, streaming): Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley and Celia Imrie play retirees who spend their time solving cold cases in this adaptation of Richard Osman’s bestseller, directed by Chris Columbus.

Aug. 29

“Caught Stealing” (Sony Pictures, theaters): Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky’s film is written by and based on the Charlie Huston books about an ex-baseball player (Austin Butler) who gets tangled up in New York’s criminal underworld in the 1990s. Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, Liev Schreiber, Matt Smith and Bad Bunny also star.

“The Roses” (Searchlight Pictures, theaters): The modern reimagining of “The War of the Roses” stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch as the feuding couple. It was written by Tony McNamara, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of “Poor Things” and creator of “The Great,” and directed by Jay Roach.

“The Toxic Avenger” (Cineverse and Iconic Events Releasing, theaters): Peter Dinklage stars as the titular superhero in this supremely gory and graphic film, which sat on the shelf for a few years in search of a distributor. Elijah Wood, Jacob Tremblay, Kevin Bacon and Taylour Paige also star.

Teach Filipino students in their mother tongue

BY ANNA MAE LAMENTILLO


NIGHT OWL

Anna Mae Lamentillo.jpg

 


National identity is vital for a country aspiring to chart its own future independently amid global pressures. For the Philippines, a country rich in diverse cultures and languages, fostering national identity begins fundamentally in the classroom, with the choice of language as the medium of instruction. While the widespread use of English is often highlighted for its global economic advantages, insisting on English as the official language of education inadvertently weakens student comprehension and undermines the nation's ability to fully realize its potential.


Language, at its core, is more than a mere tool for communication; it shapes understanding, cognitive development, and cultural identity. Filipino students naturally comprehend concepts best in their native language—the language they speak at home, the language of their everyday lives. When education aligns with this linguistic reality, students experience enhanced cognitive growth, stronger foundational learning, and improved overall academic performance.


Studies consistently demonstrate that students taught in their mother tongue during their formative years perform significantly better academically, gaining deeper conceptual understanding and more substantial critical thinking skills. This approach is crucial, especially in foundational subjects such as mathematics, science, and social studies, where clarity and comprehension deeply influence long-term academic success. Filipino, or the native regional languages spoken by students, ensures greater clarity, allowing educators to convey complex ideas more effectively and students to grasp them readily.


Furthermore, education in the mother tongue is inherently empowering—it validates students' cultural heritage and identity. When learners see their language and culture reflected in their educational experiences, they develop stronger self-esteem and cultural pride, leading to more engaged, motivated, and confident individuals. This cultural affirmation is essential for nurturing a robust national identity that unites diverse groups within the Philippines and strengthens societal cohesion. 


Opponents of using local languages often cite global competitiveness as justification for maintaining English as the primary medium of instruction. However, proficiency in global languages such as English can still be effectively cultivated as second-language subjects without compromising comprehension in other academic areas. The goal of education should not merely be to speak another country's language fluently but to understand, innovate, and contribute meaningfully across various fields—goals more readily achieved when students fully comprehend the subject matter through their native languages.


Indeed, teaching Filipino students primarily in their mother tongue does not isolate them from global opportunities; rather, it equips them better academically and intellectually, making them more competitive globally. Comprehensive bilingual or multilingual education models that begin with strong mother tongue instruction before transitioning into second languages have proven effective globally. Such approaches help students master both local and global contexts, making them versatile, competitive, and prepared for international engagement.


In conclusion, if the Philippines truly seeks to chart an autonomous, prosperous future, it must prioritize national identity starting from the classroom, teaching students in their mother tongue. This method enhances comprehension, empowers cultural pride, and ultimately positions Filipino students to compete more effectively on the global stage. Embracing local languages in education is not merely preserving culture—it's a strategic choice that builds a stronger, smarter, and more globally competitive nation.

Therapist-author: 'K-dramas transform lives but should not replace therapy'


 

Korean-American therapist and author Jeanie Chang


Kristofer Purnell - Philstar.com

May 1, 2025 | 5:57pm


MANILA, Philippines — Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional Jeanie Chang is very much aware how much K-dramas can affect people's lives and their well-being.

Chang is the Korean-American author of "How K-Dramas Can Transform Your Life: Powerful Lessons on Belongingness, Healing, and Mental Health," a best-selling book that draws the correlation between K-Dramas and livelihood.

The therapist visited Taguig last April 26 for an intimate talk and book signing session, where she briefly discussed the topics her book tackles.

She told those present, including Philstar.com, that she wrote the book for herself, "What you're reading is my own mental health and self-care."

For Chang, the reason why K-dramas do well or connect a lot to viewers is because they talk about people.

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Chang said she loves hearing people say they feel validated about watching K-dramas, noting the core of human nature is to be understood, which many fans K-dramas make them feel.

"[K-dramas] allows the space to feel something like crying, we all have our emotional experiences," Chang continued. "Mental health hygiene is finding a way to navigate all the moments of your life."

The author shared that K-dramas are mostly written by women, and writers get a lot of say over the directors (which are mostly men). Chang also pointed out that most K-drama audiences are women.

The cover of Chang's book features the Korean word "jeong," which means kinship, belongingness, attachment, and in the Filipino context, "bayanihan."

The concept is touched upon in the book and in K-dramas as is "noonchi," the Korean art of emotional and social intelligence. In fact, Chang's name on social media is Noona's Noonchi.

Related: Lee Dong Wook, Lee Joo Bin lead 'The Divorce Insurance' cast

Chang said the concept of "noonchi" is keenly observing and assessing relational dynamics, showing empathy and compassion in decision-making, and heightened attunement and discernment.

Another concept tackled in her book and in K-dramas is filial piety — deep sense of family obligation, pleasing parents, and bringing honor — which has Eastern origins but is universal in nature.

e therapist shared that grief is the biggest issue brought to her by readers and viewers, trumping depression. The Korean author shared her list of Korean dramas that they can watch in addressing this issue. These include "My Mister," "Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha," and "Vincenzo."

Chang stressed that after watching K-dramas, people should not let it replace therapy.

"Series are only powerful healing tools, if you think you need therapy then you should get it," Chang ended. "Lean into a community, you don't have to be alone or lonely."

‘West Philippine Sea’ back on Google Maps

 


Jean Mangaluz - Philstar.com

May 1, 2025 | 4:59pm


A screenshot of Google Maps showing the West Philippine Sea label, taken on May 1, 2025.

MANILA, Philippines — The “West Philippine Sea” label is back on Google Maps, according to a spokesperson from the tech firm on Thursday, May 1.

The Philippine government initially welcomed Google’s use of the “West Philippine Sea” label, which carried significance amid China’s continued claims over the country’s territorial waters. However, users later noticed that the label had been removed from Google Maps.

A spokesperson from Google told Philstar.com that the label disappeared due to an error. 

"The label was temporarily missing due to a technical issue — it's now back on Maps,” they said. 

China has claimed most of the South China Sea for itself, despite the waters having multiple claimants, including the Philippines. 

As a result, Manila designated the waters within its exclusive economic zone as the “West Philippine Sea,” while areas outside this zone remain labeled as the South China Sea.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration reinforced the Philippines’ ownership over its territorial waters after China asserted that it has a historical claim over the waters. 

Despite this, China has continuously been found to roam around the area, even clashing with Philippine patrolmen on multiple occasions. 

China recently claimed the Sandy Cay for themselves, posting a photo of them supposedly reclaiming the reef. 

When Philippine authorities went to Sandy Cay to verify this, they said no one was there.

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Rondina-Pons tandem back on sand to banner PH campaign

BY MANILA BULLETIN SPORTS


AT A GLANCE

  • Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons officially make their comeback to the national beach volleyball team as the country hosts the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Futures Nuvali starting on Thursday, May 1, in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.


Sisi Rondina and Bernadeth Pons officially make their comeback to the national beach volleyball team as the country hosts the Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Futures Nuvali starting on Thursday, May 1, in the City of Santa Rosa, Laguna.

BVR-Bernadeth-Pons-Sisi-Rondina-october-31-2021.webp
Sisi Rondina, right, and Bernadeth Pons lead PH run in  Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour (BPT) Futures Nuvali. (BVR)

Gold medalists in the BPT Future Subic Bay in 2022 who went on to become rivals on the domestic indoor professional league, SiPons reunites with sights set on the Southeast Asian Games gold after twice earning bronze in the regional meet.

They begin battle at the world-class Nuvali Sand Courts on Thursday along with four other Alas Pilipinas women’s pairs and four men’s tandems in the event featuring teams from 19 countries, including the US, Germany, Latvia, the Netherlands, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Italy.  

Focus will also be on young stars Khylem Progella and Sofia Pagara of the Universoty of Santo Tomas, who have proven their worth outside the collegiate arena with solid performances in recent international events, as they vie for honors in the tough tournament that also has teams from Czechia, Greece, Lithuania, Finland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Vanuatu, Israel and Japan.

Sunnie Kalani Villapando, who played for Stanford and University of Southern California in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and now among the players looking to compete for the Philippines in the SEA Games, again teams up with Jen Gaviola of the Coast Guard after a promising stint last month in the Songkhla Futures in Thailand where they split their matches.

“We’re going to be competing, training, getting our mind right for the SEA Games,” Villapando said. “This is mental preparation.”

University Athletic Association of the Philippines champions Honey Grace Cordero and Kat Epa of National University are also seeing action, while Alexa Polidario teams up with Dij Rodriguez in the tournament organized by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation led by its president Ramon “Tats” Suzara, also chief of the Asian Volleyball Confederation and executive vice president of the world volleyball governing body FIVB. 

Volleyball World Beach Pro Tour Futures silver medalists again lead the Alas Pilipinas roster in the men’s division.

Jude Garcia and Jaron Requinton, members of the four-man Philippine team that bagged bronze in the 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, also team up again for flag and country.

Lerry John Francisco again plays with Edwin Tolentino, while the Ronniel Rosales-Alex Iraya tandem has been retained.

Men’s world No. 88. Eylon Elazar and Kevin Cuzmiciovof Israel eye another title after ruling the BPT Futures Songkhla in Thailand last month.

Top guns out to bring the heat as National Open fires off

BY REYNALD I. MAGALLON


AT A GLANCE

  • The scorching summer heat is just about to get hotter as the Philippine Athletics Championships fire off Thursday, May 1, with no less than Paris Olympians, national team veterans and up-and-coming athletes out to strut their wares in a thrilling four-day competition at the New Clark City Stadium here.


CAPAS, Tarlac –The scorching summer heat is just about to get even hotter as the Philippine Athletics Championships fire off Thursday, May 1, with no less than Paris Olympians, national team veterans and up-and-coming athletes out to strut their wares in a thrilling four-day competition at the New Clark City Stadium here.

Congratulations_to_our_national_athlete_Lauren_Hoffman_for_winning_two_gold_medals_at_the_ICTSI_Philippine_Athletics_Championships!Lauren_also_broke_the_Philippine_record_in_the_110m_hurdles_once_again_202.jpg
Lauren Hoffman

Over 800 athletes are set to see action including around 60 bets from other countries like Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, India and Papua New Guinea but all eyes should be on the country's very own track stars in Olympians John Cabang Tolentino, Lauren Hoffman and Kristina Knott.

The country’s top guns are certainly bringing their A-games in the competition since the National Open dangles valuable points for their qualification points for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan in September.    


Hoffman is expected to provide the highlight in the opening day where a total of 24 golds will be at stake, including the women’s 400m hurdles where she is gunning for a third straight gold after ruling the last two editions in Ilagan City in Isabela in 2023 and in Pasig City in 2024.

The 26-year-old hurdler and national record holder is also looking to use the competitions as a springboard to future competitions, like the world meet and the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand, this December.

Although a favorite in her race, Hoffman is seen to face stiff competition especially since she is coming off an Achilles injury and her opponents, which included former Asian women's 400-meter hurdles champion Robyn Brown, are surely eager to make an impression with the National Open also serving as part of the selection process for the national team for the SEA Games.

“It’s been an uphill battle with the Achilles issues this year but things are slowly trending upward,” said Hoffman. 

The opening day events begin with the women open 10000m walk and men U18 5000m walk in the morning session before Hoffman and Brown’s 400m hurdles qualifying round at 2 p.m. and then the finals at 6:40 p.m.

Knott, a Tokyo Olympian and SEAG double-gold winner, likewise, is seeing action in the opening day when she races in the women’s 200m qualifying round in the afternoon and then the finals at night 

Other medal events are men’s 400m hurdles, men’s 200m, men and women’s open discus throw, men’s long jump, and men’s and women’s open 5000m along with several finals for the U18 categories.

Ex-K-pop girl group member accuses her agency’s CEO of sexual harassment

BY JONATHAN HICAP


A former member of a K-pop girl group has filed a complaint for sexual harassment against the CEO of her agency. 

Ga-eun, 19, former member of idol group Madein, accused CEO Lee Yong-hak of 143 Entertainment of sexual harassment. She is also seeking a formal apology and the termination of her exclusive contract with the agency. 

Madein (2).jpeg

Madein (1).jpeg

K-pop girl group Madein (Instagram)Gaeun2.jpeg

Former Madein member Ga-eun (X)

On April 29, Ga-eun’s side, including her mother, held a press conference about the sexual harassment, which reportedly happened in October last year.  

During the press conference, a handwritten memorandum allegedly made by Lee Yong-hak was released. 

The memorandum stated, "I sincerely apologize for the sexual harassment. In future contractual relationships with 143 Entertainment, I will step down from the position of legal representative director and take responsibility to ensure that I am not disadvantaged. I will also give Ga-eun the right of first choice in contract extensions and other contractual relationships,” Korean media reported. 

143 Entertainment issued a statement, saying, "It is also deeply regrettable that Ga-eun's side demanded a large sum of consolation money based on one-sided claims related to an incident that was already reported last year, and when this was refused, they filed a criminal complaint about six months after the incident occurred." 

The controversy was first reported by a current affairs program of Korean TV channel JTBC in November last year. 143 Entertainment denied the allegations. 

Also last November, 143 Entertainment announced the departure of Ga-eun from Madein and denied the sexual harassment allegations. 

Madein, formerly Limelight, debuted in September last year. The group’s current members are Mashiro, MiU, Suhye, Yeseo, Serina, and Nagomi.

Labor Day: A tribute to work and the worker

BY MANILA BULLETIN


E CARTOON MAY 1, 2025 (1).jpg

 

Today, the global community observes Labor Day — a day to pay tribute to the workers, the backbone of our societies. Being a holiday, it is more than a day of rest, Labor Day is a powerful reminder that labor is not just an economic input — it is the heartbeat of our nation, the engine of progress, and the soul of everyday life.


Labor is everywhere. It is in the hands of farmers who cultivate the rice and vegetables that nourish us; in the strength of construction workers who work on our buildings, bridges, and roads; in the commitment of teachers who shape minds and prepare future generations; in the resilience of factory workers who power our industries and exports; and in the precision of health workers who safeguard our lives.


Our lives are made convenient by labor.  The linemen who maintain telecommunications networks give us connectivity. We are secure in our homes, work places and on the road because of public safety officers and soldiers. The conveniences of mobility and efficiency are provided by drivers, clerks, and domestic workers who keep services running smoothly. Behind every product or service, there is a worker whose time, effort, and skill made it possible.


The origins of Labor Day date back to the 19th-century labor movements, born from demands for humane working conditions. In the Philippines, the first Labor Day celebration was in 1903, led by the Union Obrera Democratica de Filipinas. Since then, the Philippines has made significant legislative strides — from the Labor Code of the Philippines (PD 442) to RA 6727 on wage rationalization, and RA 11058 on occupational health and safety.


But laws gain meaning only when enforced. Labor organizations have long been catalysts of this enforcement — securing landmark legislation like the Batas Kasambahay (RA 10361), ensuring domestic workers are no longer invisible.  Because of that law, domestic workers’ basic pay and benefits are not only dependent on an employer’s kindness. 


Still, millions of Filipino workers remain vulnerable. Many endure inadequate pay, job insecurity, and unsafe workplaces. Informal workers, including street vendors, tricycle drivers, and home-based micro-entrepreneurs, contribute to the economy daily but often without any social safety nets.


Modern challenges compound this reality. The pandemic highlighted frontline workers — nurses, hospital staff, janitors, supermarket clerks, delivery riders — who risked their safety to keep society functioning, often with little compensation or protection. Meanwhile, gig workers — freelance designers, content creators, ride-hailing drivers — continue to face uncertain income, no health benefits, and few labor protection, despite their growing role in sustaining modern digital economies.


Encouragingly, more companies are embracing better labor practices — offering mental health support, safety programs, flexible work arrangements, and skills training. These demonstrate that productivity and worker welfare are not at odds — they thrive together.


Let Labor Day be more than a ceremonial gesture. Let it be a national moment of reflection and action — one that compels us – in government and private sector – to ensure dignified work across all sectors, and protect those who labor in silence. Let it spark conversations about shared prosperity.


Nation-building does not begin in the halls of power, but in the fields, classrooms, kitchens, offices, and streets — where millions labor with hope, skill, and sacrifice. It is not merely growth we should pursue, but growth that uplifts those who make it possible.


To every worker — visible and unseen —we pay tribute not just for the work you do, but for the life you help us live.

Rente steigt um 3,74 Prozent

Rentenerhöhung
3,74 Prozent mehr Rente erhalten die Rentnerinnen und Rentner ab 1. Juli. (Symbolbild) © Marijan Murat/dpa/dpa-tmn

Zum Abschied sorgt die Ampel-Koalition noch einmal für mehr Geld bei den Rentnerinnen und Rentnern: Turnusgemäß brachte das Bundeskabinett ein spürbares Rentenplus auf den Weg.

Berlin - Die mehr als 21 Millionen Rentnerinnen und Rentner in Deutschland erhalten zum 1. Juli um 3,74 Prozent steigende Bezüge. Dazu beschloss das Bundeskabinett die Rentenwertbestimmungsverordnung des geschäftsführenden Arbeitsministers Hubertus Heil (SPD), wie es in Regierungskreisen hieß. 

Mit der Verordnung wird der Rentenwert so hoch festgesetzt, dass mit ihm das gesetzlich vorgeschriebene Rentenniveau von 48 Prozent erreicht wird. Beispielsweise bei einer Rente von 1.000 Euro bringt die Erhöhung monatlich 37,40 Euro mehr. Für eine Standardrente bei durchschnittlichem Verdienst und 45 Beitragsjahren bedeutet die Rentenanpassung einen Anstieg um 66,15 Euro im Monat.  Das Rentenplus geht vor allem auf gestiegenen Löhnen in Deutschland zurück – laut offizieller Statistik betrug das für die Rente maßgebliche Lohnplus 3,69 Prozent. 

Heil wertete die Erhöhung der Rente als „gute Nachricht für die Rentnerinnen und Rentner“. Dank der guten Lohnentwicklung stärke die Rentenanpassung ihre Kaufkraft. „Das ist wichtig, denn viele fleißige Menschen sind auf eine anständige Rente nach einem fordernden Arbeitsleben angewiesen“, sagte Heil. „Stabile Renten sind kein Almosen, sondern hart verdient und Ausdruck der Leistungsgerechtigkeit.“

Rentenniveau dauerhaft bei 48 Prozent

SPD-Fraktionsvize Dagmar Schmidt verwies darauf, dass die geltende Haltelinie von 48 Prozent Rentenniveau in diesem Jahr ausläuft. Doch wolle die neue Koalition das Rentenniveau dauerhaft bei diesem Wert sichern, bekräftigte Schmidt. „Ohne gesetzliche Handlung wird das Rentenniveau langfristig sinken. 2038 hätten Rentner mit einer Rente von 1.000 Euro im Monat dann knapp 750 Euro jährlich weniger im Geldbeutel als bei einem stabilen Rentenniveau von 48 Prozent.“ 

Heils Renten-Verordnung für die Anpassung in diesem Jahr tritt – vorbehaltlich der Zustimmung des Bundesrates – am 1. Juli 2025 in Kraft. dpa