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Enjoy a funtabulous February on HBO and HBO GO

February may have less days than the other months of the year but it certainly won’t lack for movie magic.

Whether on your large-screen TV via HBO (ch 54 SD | 168 HD on SKYcable) or your handy mobile device via HBO GO, you can enjoy blockbuster movies as soon as they have their TV premiere.

Enjoy a fantabulous February when you catch these new movies on HBO and HBO GO.

Unpregnant
Premieres Saturday, 6 February at 9pm

Seventeen-year-old Veronica never thought she’d want to fail a test—that is, until she finds herself staring at a piece of plastic with a blue plus. With a promising college-bound future now disappearing before her eyes, Veronica considers a decision she never imagined she’d have to make. This never-taken-lightly decision leads her on a 1000-mile hilarious road trip to New Mexico over three days with her ex-best friend, Bailey where they discover sometimes the most important choice you’ll make in life is who your friends are.

This HBO Max original film adapted from the young adult HarperCollins novel by authors Jenni Hendriks (How I Met Your Mother) and Ted Caplan (music editor for The Hate U Give, The Greatest Showman) offers a mix of humor and grounded human emotion as it tackles complicated friendships and the difficult road to adulthood, all while in a stolen Trans-Am. Stars Haley Lu Richardson, Ramona Young and Sugar Lyn Beard.

Birds Of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
Premieres Saturday, 13 February at 9pm

Harley Quinn is back for more freaky fun and malevolent mayhem, as she dumps the Joker and teams up with Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from Gotham City crime czar Roman Sionis. Stars Margot Robbie, Mary Winstead and Ewan McGregor.

Dolittle
Premieres Friday, 12 February at 9pm

After losing his wife seven years earlier, the eccentric Dr.John Dolittle, famed doctor and veterinarian of Queen Victoria’s England, hermits himself away behind the high walls of Dolittle Manor with only his menagerie of exotic animals for company. But when the young queen falls gravely ill, a reluctant Dolittle is forced to set sail on an epic adventure to a mythical island in search of a cure, regaining his wit and courage as he crosses old adversaries and discovers wondrous creatures. Stars Robert Downey Junior, Tom Holland and Emma Thompson.

Midway
Premieres Sunday, 14 February at 9pm

This epic war picture chronicles the ferocious battle that occurred from June 4-7, 1942. Six months after the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, the United States Navy and a squad of intrepid fighter pilots take part in one of the most vital fights of World War II: the Battle of Midway. Stars Ed Skrein, Patrick Wilson and Woody Harrelson.

Allen vs. Farrow
Premieres Monday, 22 February at 10am on HBO GO with a same-day encore at 10pm on HBO

From award-winning investigative filmmakers Kirby Dick & Amy Ziering and Amy Herdy comes this four-part documentary series that goes behind decades of sensational headlines to reveal the private story of one of Hollywood’s most notorious and public scandals: the accusation of sexual abuse against Woody Allen involving Dylan, his then seven-year-old daughter with Mia Farrow; their subsequent custody trial, the revelation of Allen’s relationship with Farrow’s daughter, Soon-Yi; and the controversial aftermath in the years that followed. Once celebrated for their on and off-screen partnership, Farrow and Allen’s lives were irrevocably fractured and their sprawling family torn apart with the public disclosure of the abuse allegations and the vitriolic disputes that followed.

This gripping series interweaves new investigative work – meticulously pieced together via intimate home movie footage, court documents, police evidence, revelatory videotape and never-before-heard audio tapes – with exclusive, in-depth interviews on the subject with Mia Farrow, Dylan Farrow, Ronan Farrow, family friend Carly Simon, prosecutor Frank Maco, relatives, investigators, experts and other first-hand eyewitnesses – many of them speaking publicly about the events for the first time. The series also includes prominent cultural voices exploring Allen’s body of work in a broader context and reflecting on how public revelations about the personal lives of artists can lead to re-evaluations of their work.

Allen v. Farrow includes an intimate look at Farrow and Allen’s charmed courtship and emergence as one of Hollywood’s power couples, making thirteen influential films together over a decade. Over time, Allen becoming a father figure to Farrow’s children as well as their shared children. Yet, threaded throughout all of their professional success and personal achievements, there were dark undercurrents at play.

Allen v. Farrow examines the shattering effects of trauma on a family and is a haunting depiction of the skepticism and backlash that can result from an accusation

The Invisible Man
Premieres Saturday, 27 February at 9pm

In a terrifying modern tale of obsession inspired by the classic monster character, Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss stars as a young woman who escapes her abusive relationship with an optics engineer only to have him fake his death and return as the titular terror –who makes it his sole mission to terrorize her. Stars Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge and Oliver J Cohen.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month.

SKYcable subscribers can activate HBO GO via Lazada

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Not yet on SKYcable? Subscribe now. Get your priority pass.

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Show details and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

Disclosure: I work for SKY and part of my job is promoting its products and services, especially the content it provides to its subscribers. I consider being able to share my love for TV shows and movies and the experience of watching and talking about them with like-minded people some of the biggest perks of my job.

What’s on HBO GO this January

Here are some great shows for your New Year streaming playlist! HBO GO opens the year with the hottest premieres from movie blockbusters to fresh installments of award-winning series that you can watch on-demand wherever you are and whenever you want. Check them out:

Tora-San, Wish You Were Here
Premieres Friday, 1 January at 10pm

Fifty years after Kiyoshi Atsumi’s wandering salesman first appeared on the big screen, the beloved long-running Tora-san film series comes to a close in this 50th and final instalment, exploring the lives of the ones he left behind. Hidetaka Yoshioka reprises his role as Tora-san’s nephew, Mitsuo.

1917
Premieres Saturday, 2 January

At the height of the First World War, two young British soldiers, Schofield and Blake, are given a seemingly impossible mission. In a race against time, they must cross enemy territory and deliver a message that will stop a deadly attack on hundreds of soldiers – Blake’s own brother among them. Directed by Oscar winner Sam Mendes, this World War I epic stars Oscar winner Colin Firth, Oscar nominee Benedict Cumberbatch, Golden Globe winner Richard Madden and Golden Globe nominee Andrew Scott.

The Rook
Premieres Monday, 4 January
New episode premieres every subsequent Monday

This series tells the story of Myfanwy Thomas, a woman who wakes up in the rain beside London’s Millennium Bridge with no memory of who she is and no explanation for the circle of dead bodies splayed out around her. When she discovers that she’s a high ranking official in Britain’s last secret service for people with paranormal abilities, she’ll have to navigate the dangerous and complex world of the agency to uncover who wiped her memory – and why. Stars Emma Greenwell, Golden Globe nominee Joely Richardson and Olivia Munn.

Tiger
Premieres Monday, 11 January at 10am
Part two premieres at the same time the following Monday.

An HBO two-part documentary offering a revealing look at the rise, fall, and epic comeback of global icon Tiger Woods. The series paints an intimate picture of the prodigy whose dedication and obsession with the game of golf not only took his fame and success to new heights, but also down a dark, spiraling road that eventually led to a legendary sports comeback, culminated by his victory at the 2019 Masters.

C.B. Strike: Lethal White
Premieres Thursday, 21 January at 10am
New episode premieres every Thursday

Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger return in the brand-new second season of C.B. Strike, based on the best-selling crime novels written by Harry Potter creator J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith.

Euphoria: F*ck Anyone Who’s Not A Seablob
Premieres Monday, 25 January at 10am

In the second of two special episodes of the Emmy® winning HBO drama series Euphoria, we follow Jules (played by Hunter Schafer) over the Christmas holiday as she reflects on the year. Schafer also serves as co-executive producer on this episode, which she co-wrote with Euphoria creator Sam Levinson.

HBO Original Series as well as live channels are also available for streaming to SKYcable subscribers on HBO GO for as low as Php99/month. To subscribe, call your local SKY office or fill up this form.

Show details and images provided by HBO in a recent press release.

Where to Go in the Awesome Tarlac Neighborhood

Tarlac offers an awesome neighborhood in Northern Luzon. Pangasinenses, Ilocanos, Kapampangans, Bulakenyos, and even Tagalogs flock to the province to enjoy a time for adventures and leisure.

If you’re looking to explore the neighborhood in Tarlac, here are some of the best spots that you need to visit.

Capas National Shrine

If you want to learn about the stories of the war, then Capas National Shrine is the best place to visit in Tarlac. This was built to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Bataan Death March. It’s an even more meaningful place as the site used to be a concentration camp, even reminding us today about the repercussions of war.

Isdaan Village

Looking for an awesome place with great food? Then, Isdaan Village is the place to go. It’s a floating restaurant that offers a variety of Filipino and other Asian cuisine. Dining in at Isdaan is also an experience with singing cooks and overlooking picturesque views. The place is perfect eating with your family or a large group.

Aquino Ancestral House

If you want to appreciate the democracy of the Philippines more, then you should head on over to Aquino Ancestral House. This is the house where the late Senator Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino lived before he entered into local and national politics.

Kart City Tarlac

Do you enjoy the adrenaline rush? You should check out Kart City Tarlac! The place is perfect for kids at heart with their F1 carts available for driving! If you’re bringing your children, you won’t need to worry as there’s a designated place specially designed for them.

Mount Pinatubo

As the province borders Mount Pinatubo, this means more adventure for you! You can enjoy a nice ride by 4×4 trucks going uphill and a hike by foot going to the summit. What’s even more wonderful is meeting friendly Aeta locals along the way.

Tarlac has indeed an awesome neighborhood that makes for a perfect getaway spot in Luzon. More than visiting from time to time, the great thing is that you can also easily secure a home in the province!

If you want to purchase a home in Tarlac, there are affordable houses that BellaVita offers. Settling a home in the province means that you’re one skip away to these amazing destinations – which is a great benefit for you.

For more information about the location of their homes and their pricing, visit BellaVita website or Facebook page.

Header photo by JC Galidon on Unsplash

Padi’s launches Barkada Bar Tour with Gloc-9, Shanti Dope and other Asintada artists

The Party heats up at the country’s widest and number 1 Restaurant & Bar Chain, Padi’s.

Padi’s Point, now simply called “Padi’s”, undoubtedly remains at the top of the industry as the premiere party place in town, with twenty-six branches Luzon-wide.

It has long carried the distinction of being the favorite gimik venue for barkadas, with nightly entertainment of live bands, DJs that play hype dance music and party hits, plus food and drinks served for the barkada appetite such as the Party of Six, Barkada Feast and the signature three-liter Padi’s Cocktail Towers!

This year, Padi’s is taking it to the next level asnit once again shows its appreciation to the millions of “kabarkadas” who come to celebrate at its branches, as it welcomes Asintada promotions to the party for the Padi’s Barkada Bar Tour 2020! The tour invites barkadas to catch the country’s hottest artists headlined by Filipino rap icon Gloc-9 and rap phenom Shanti Dope, as they visit Padi’s branches from May to June 2020 for a total of eleven gigs.

Also bringing the heat are rap-acoustic princess, Lirah, the artist behind the popular single “May sahod na ba?”, and the smash hit alternative band Sandiwa. They will be bringing the house down on nineteen schedules stops in the bar tour from February to June 2020. Lirah will also be lying solo in Padi’s Baguio on March 21.

Former Tawag ng Tanghalan contender JKris will also be hitting it as Shanti Dope’s front act and will be joining Lirah at Padi’s Binan on February 29.

Tara na to the barkada’s top choice for the best parties, dancing and music – Padi’s Restaurant and Bar!

For the complete schedule o the Barkada Tour 2020, visit Padi’s website or Facebook page.

Details and cover image provided in a recent press release. All other images are mine.

Moymoy Lulumboy 6 and other fantasy titles lead Lampara Publishing’s new releases

With ABS-CBN picking up the rights to develop the beloved fantasy series into a multimedia franchise, Moymoy Lulumboy 6 instantly became one of the most anticipated releases on the biggest and longest running book fair in the Philippines.

The sixth installment debuted during the first day of the Manila International Book Fair (MIBF) last September 13 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City.

Following Moymoy Lulumboy’s journey as a fascinating character who continues to grapple with the complexities of adolescent life, Lampara Publishing’s latest novel succeeds in debunking the preconceived notions about aswang by going beyond its role in popular culture.

In addition to Moymoy’s adolescent issues, the book marks the boy-aswang’s return to the enchanting world of Gabun where he saves his brother Alangkaw and childhood friend Hasmin from evil forces.

Moymoy Lulumboy: Ang Ugat at ang Propesiya is Segundo Matias Jr.’s sixth offering from the Moymoy Lulumboy series. When asked about the novel’s transition towards a more “Young Adult” direction, the award-winning author pointed out his fascination on writing characters that navigate a flawed life. “Gusto kong gumawa ng isang YA novel na gaya ng Mga Batang Poz. Yung buhay ng isang teenager o young adult: nag-e-explore, madalas magkamali at pagkatapos ay natututo sa buhay.”

These vulnerable, colorful and inspiring creatures populate Segundo Matias Jr.’s string of young adult titles such as Angelica, Ang Multo Ng Balete Drive, whose heroine broke ghost rules to save a friend’s life, and Moñito, Ang Mabait na Demonyo, a kindhearted demon born without a horn and a tail. Both novels were launched on the same day as Moymoy Lulumboy: Ang Ugat at ang Propesiya, leading Segundo Matias Jr.’s growing roster of fantasy titles.

Completing the publisher turned novelist’s showcase during MIBF week is Mga Batang Poz, a 2018 young adult novel whose digital series adaptation is considered to be one of the most viewed streaming titles on popular online platform, iWantv. Threading an important step forward in understanding the lives of People living with HIV-AIDS, the book garnered generally positive acclaim from various critics and publications, with Philippine Star Supreme praising the material for bringing attention to a subject that has long been derided by religious conservatives.

Moymoy Lulumboy: Ang Ugat at ang Propesiya, Angelica, Ang Multo Ng Balete Drive, Moñito, and Mga Batang Poz are available on Precious Pages retail outlets, National Book Store, Pandayan book shop and leading books stores nationwide. For inquiries you may contact, inquiry@lamparabooks.com.ph.

Immerse yourself in the world of Westeros at the SKY Alive at SM MOA until April 28

If your weekly dose of Game of Thrones episodes is not enough to fill your craving for your favorite TV show, why not enjoy your favorite scenes and characters in the flesh at the SKY Alive Tour at SM Mall of Asia Atrium.

Envisioned by SKY as a way to bring its exciting shows to life for its subscribers, the SKY Alive Tour, organized in cooperation with SKY’s channel partners, has been spotted in various malls throughout the country since 2015. This current SKY Alive Tour ongoing until April 28, is organized together with HBO, as part of the activities to promote the final season of the mega-hit TV series Game of Thrones. The show is slated to air its final episode on May 20.

At the SKY Alive Tour, attendees can look forward to Game of Thrones-inspired activities and attractions which include:

Riding the Dragon.

A GOT Pop Quiz.

Playing the Game of Faces.

Sitting on the Iron Throne.

Here, attendees will be serenaded with GOT tunes by the 4G String Quartet. They can also interact with cosplayers of GOT characters.

So head on to the SM MOA Atrium and immerse yourself in the World of Westeros.

New episodes of the eighth and final season of GAME OF THRONES will air in Asia same time as the U.S. every Monday at 9am, with a same day encore at 10pm, exclusively on HBO GO and HBO (SKYcable ch 54 SD | 168 HD in Metro Manila).

Based on the popular book series “A Song of Ice and Fire,” by George R.R. Martin, this hit Emmy®-winning fantasy series chronicles an epic struggle for power in a vast and violent kingdom. Members of the ensemble cast for the seventh season included Emmy® and Golden Globe winner Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey, Emilia Clarke, Aidan Gillen, Kit Harington, Sophie Turner and Maisie Williams. Season seven credits: executive producers, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Carolyn Strauss, Frank Doelger, Bernadette Caulfield; co-executive producers, Bryan Cogman, Guymon Casady, Vince Gerardis, George R.R. Martin.

HBO GO is HBO’s online streaming service that gives subscribers a chance to watch and enjoy the world’s best movies, HBO Originals and more through the website or the mobile app. Subscription to the app also gives SKY subscribers free access to cable channels – HBO Hits, HBO Family, and HBO Signature. To register your SKY account and subscribe to HBO GO, visit mysky.com.ph/hbogo.

Video Credits: SKYcable on Youtube

Photo Credits: Gail Dupalco of SKY for the pictures of cosplayers and the 4G string quartet.

All other images are mine.

Check out my other recent posts on Game of Thrones:

SKY treats subscribers to exclusive Game of Thrones events

Notable character developments leading to the Avengers: Endgame

Seven years after Earth’s mightiest heroes assembled in one epic movie in Avengers, band together again against another global threat in Avengers: Age of Ultron and were then left to face the aftermath of The Decimation at the end of Avengers: Infinity War, many of the team’s character arcs may be considered completed by the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame.

With this, I thought a review of characters’ initial appearances and growth over the course of the franchise quite fitting.

Warning: This post may contain spoilers on previous MCU movies, but no spoilers about Endgame. I promise.

So here’s what the original Avengers have gone through so far:

Clint Barton aka Hawkeye

Played by Jeremy Renner

During his first appearance in Thor, he was a wise-cracking deadshot agent of SHIELD. In his later appearances, we learned that he was the one who decided against eliminating Black Widow and recruited her as a fellow SHIELD agent instead. Their shared adventures and strong bond outside the Avengers include the “Budapest Incident” and Nat’s familiarity with Clint’s wife and children.

Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow

Played by Scarlett Johanson

Nat has certainly come a long way from her first outing as Black Widow in Iron Man 2 as a SHIELD operative under cover as Pepper Potts’ stunningly gorgeous assistant. Her kick-ass fighting ability was apparent from the get-go, but we got glimpses of her dark past such as her training as an assassin in the Red Room, her loyalty to Nick Fury and Steve Rogers as they revealed Hydra’s infiltration of SHIELD, as well as her budding romance with Bruce Banner which was cut short when Hulk decided against returning to the fold after the events of Age of Ultron.

Bruce Banner aka The Hulk

Played by Mark Ruffalo

The Hulk’s origin stories were told in teo movies that came prior to the start of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, played on-screen by Eric Bana and Edward Norton, respectively. Throughout the movie franchise, Banner’s disdain for his alter-ego is apparent, referring to the Hulk as “the other guy,” and always seeking ways to suppress him. After serving as a gladiator in Sakaar, helping in the Battle of Asgard in Thor: Ragnarok, he was soundly defeated by Thanos at the start of Infinity War, owing to Thanos’ possession of the Power Stone. The Hulk has since then refused to join the fray in succeeding battles, explained by the Russo brothers as stemming from his resentment of Bruce Banner, and how he is disdained despite always being called upon the save the day.

Thor

Played by Chris Hemsworth

The favored son of the Norse god Odin Allfather, Thor has experienced epic losses in the course of the films such as the death of his mother in Thor: The Dark World, the death of his father and the destruction of his home Asgard in Thor: Ragnarok, and the death of his adoptive brother Loki at the start of Infinity War. Throughout the franchise, he has displayed his earnestness and tenacity; despite being left for dead by Thanos, he pursued the forging of a weapon capable of defeating the Mad Titan.

Steve Rogers aka Captain America

Played by Chris Evans

Considered the First Avenger, Steve is the “man out of time.” Woken up from decades of cryostasis into modern times, his struggle is to find his place in today’s world after losing most of the people from his past.

Tony Stark aka Iron Man

Played by Robert Downey, Jr.

The man who started the MCU, Tony Stark dealt with his father’s death and legacy, the consequences of his billion-dollar empire built on weapons manufacturing and his self-assumed responsibility to protect the Earth from all possible threats.

I’ve just gotten home from watching the movie and I can say that it ended well. To avoid spoiling it for those who haven’t watched it yet, I won’t write about how these character arcs played out in Endgame. Instead, I’ll update this post after a week, which will also give me some time to digest the experience.

For over a decade, the Avengers have been a part of my life, taking me along on their adventures and letting me peek into their family. For me, the Avengers saga is not just superhero movies: it is comprised of stories about love, family, friendship, sacrifice and hope.

I’m happy to be alive at a time when a movie based on comic books can have such an impact, not just on pop culture, but on me personally as well.

Relive the adventures of the Avengers by streaming the MCU movies on your mobile device. Join Amazon Prime, to have unlimited access to shows and movies which include:

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Avengers: Age of Ultron

Avengers: Infinity War

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SKY treats subscribers to exclusive Game of Thrones events

SKY subscribers who are die-hard Game of Thrones fans were recently given one-of-a-kind experiences: an ice skating spectacle inspired by HBO’s phenomenal hit TV series and an exclusive live screening of the final season premiere in one of the trendiest establishments in Poblacion, Makati.

On April 12 and 13, they witnessed Fire or Ice: A Musical Spectacle at SM Megamall’s Skating Rink.

There, they were treated to the outstanding performances by the country’s top figure skaters Joel Minas and Sofia Guidote. Minas, who has bagged over 30 gold medals in various local and international skating competitions, masterfully brought King in the North Jon Snow to life on the ice. Guidote, on the other hand, in her role as Mother of Dragons Danaerys Targaryen, displayed the grace and athleticism that helped her bag the gold medal for the third year in a row at the Philippine National Competition. Together, they gave absolutely stunning performances.

This remarkable event was made possible by SKY’s partnership with SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc.

On April 15, selected SKY subscribers were invited to an exclusive live viewing party at the Johnnie Walker House in Poblacion. SKY partnered with Diageo, the company behind the Johnnie Walker brand, in hosting the event. Guests were treated to a sumptuous breakfast with food items that whimsically reference Game of Thrones characters and locations. Ten bottles of White Walker, Johnnie Walker’s limited edition Scotch whiskey inspired by the show’s most chillingly enigmatic of characters, were also raffled off to lucky winners.

Of course, the real highlight of the event was the live screening of the Season 8’s premiere episode in full high definition on HBO HD (SKYcable ch 168), all the better for attendees to see (and obsess over) every detail as they happen onscreen.

During both events, attendees were asked to choose their side: vote for their choice on who will sit on the Iron Throne and rule over the seven kingdoms by the series’ end.

They were also serenaded by 4G String Quartet who performed their own haunting renditions of the show’s theme songs and musical scoring.

Cosplayers from Westeros Cosplay PH also graced the events, bringing the show’s lead characters to life, and gamely posed with the show’s fans for selfies and photo opps.

With these two events, it is certainly a great time for a GOT fan to be a SKY subscriber!

Game of Thrones fans can look forward to more immersions into Westeros with the upcoming SKY Alive event at the SM Mall of Asia on April 27 and 28. Here, they can participate in games and contests, interact with their favorite Game of Thrones characters through the attending cosplayers, be entertained by more performances by 4G String Quartet, and experience what it’s like to sit on the Iron Throne!

Video Credits: SKYcable on Youtube

All other images are mine.

Check out my other recent posts on Game of Thrones:

Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix

Have you ever found that while you possess so much stuff that you hardly have enough room for all of them, you still find yourself wanting to acquire more? Have you ever thought that getting a new outfit, accessory or gadget will make all the difference?

Marie Kondo, author of The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, espouses gratitude for the things you already have and letting go of those that no longer “spark joy.” Jumping off from the Japanese word tokimeku (“throb, flutter, palpitate”), Kondo advises homeowners to clean in one fell swoop: keep only what brings you joy, discard all other items, and assign a proper place for everything.

For so many of us, there may be a lot of things that hold us back from letting go items that we don’t really need. We could be holding on to them on the assumption that we might need them again in the future, we feel that our possessions are tied in to our identity or we associate them with happy memories from our past.

To help homeowners sort through their emotions, as well as their stuff, Kondo has introduced the KonMari Method. It encourages tidying up by category – beginning with clothes, then books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and finally, sentimental items – instead of location.

In her new Netflix series dropped on New Year’s Day, Kondo visits cluttered homes in the US and advises homeowners on tidying up using the Konmari Method. Among my takeaways from the episodes are:

Greet your space. Before proceeding with tidying up, Kondo takes the time to quietly “introduce” herself to the home. At the same time, she encourages the homeowners to envision their ideal home or ponder their intention for the space. For me, this exercise helps in getting me in the proper and thankful frame of mind, feeling a sense of gratitude for the home for the shelter and protection it provides for my family, and in strengthening a resolution to take better care of it.

When discarding items, thank them for their service. With each item to be sorted, Kondo advises holding them for a while and asking oneself if they “spark joy.” If they do, decide to keep them; if not, discard them. However, rather than just dumping these items in a bin, Kondo encourages homeowners to thank them for their service, for whatever joy they contributed to their lives. I find that with this action, I feel gratitude for the items I say goodbye to and hope that they provide happiness to others, rather than guilt for accumulating so much stuff.

Find a proper home for every item you keep. Ideally, the items you choose to hold on to should be kept where they can easily be seen and accessed. For instance, folded clothes should be stored vertically and miscellaneous items should be placed in clear boxes. This helps the homeowner to easily locate the items and keep track of how much stuff they already possess. In my case, since these items spark joy, seeing them and easily accessing them will only accentuate that joy.

Who would have thought that getting rid of, instead of acquiring, stuff could be a joyful activity?

So, how will you start ensuring that all things in your life spark joy?

How about spreading that joy to others? Your pre-loved clothes, footwear and accessories can be donated to Segunda Mana, while old toys can be given to the Philippine Toy Library. Old books, on the other hand, may be donated to the Reading Club 2000.

Tidying Up with Marie Kondo is now available for streaming on Netflix. If you’re a SKY subscriber, you can subscribe to Netflix and charge it to your SKY bill. More details can be found here.

Check out some home organizing solutions available on Amazon.com.

Simple Houseware Foldable Cube Storage Bin – 6 Pack

Cardboard Safari Bamboo Organizational Box Set

Utiao Plastic Storage Baskets Organizing in Classroom, Office, Home, 6 Packs(Medium)

Learn more about the KonMari Method with Marie Kondo’s books on Amazon.com.

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up (The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up)

Life-Changing Magic: A Journal – Spark Joy Every Day

This post contains affiliate links.

Check out my blog posts about other Netflix shows:

8 Facts you may not know about Game of Thrones

We still have quite some time to wait until the much-anticipated final season of HBO’s juggernaut of a series Game of Thrones hits the TV screens in April.

Based on George R. R. Martin’s book series, A Song of Ice and Fire, the TV show chronicles the struggles of nine noble families for power in the land of Westeros, as an ancient enemy rises up to threaten the entire land.

With its far-reaching influence and popularity, not just in entertainment, but in general pop culture, you would think that the show’s fans know all there is to know about their favorite show.

But here are some facts you may not know about Game of Thrones.

1. The show’s creators are referred to as D&D.

When you hear “D&D” in the context of Game of Thrones, this actually refers to the showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss.

2. Peter Dinklage (“Tyrion Lannister”) and Lena Headey (“Cersei Lannister”) are good friends.

They may snipe at and antagonize each other on-screen, but, away from the cameras, actors Peter Dinklage and Lena Headey have been friends for years. In fact, Dinklage was the one that recommended Headey to D&D for Cersei’s role.

3. The show’s cast includes actors from the Harry Potter franchise.

Among prominent cast members who also appeared in the Harry Potter movies are: Natalia Tena (“Osha”) played Nymphadora Tonks, David Bradley (“Walder Frey”) played Argus Filch, Michelle Fairley (“Catelyn Stark”) played Mrs. Granger, Ciaran Hinds (“Mance Rayder”) played Aberforth Dumbledore and Jim Broadbent (“Archmaester Ebrose”) played Horace Slughorn.

4. Four actors also appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy.

Jack Gleeson (“Joffrey Baratheon”) and Richard Brake (“The Night’s King”) appeared in Batman Begins while Aidan Gillen (“Littlefinger”) and Burn Gorman (“Karl Tanner”) were in The Dark Knight Rises.

5. Two cast members were cast as leads in Marvel’s Iron Fist.

Finn Jones (“Loras Tyrell”) and Jessica Henwick (“Nymeria Sand”) headline the Netflix series Iron Fist as Danny Rand and Colleen Wing, reapectively.

6. Jon Snow and Ygritte ended up together in real life.

Kit Harington and Rose Leslie who played ill-fated lovers Jon Snow and the wildling Ygritte fell on love while filming, got engaged in 2017, and got married in 2018. Harington was even prodded by actress Nicole Kidman about proposing to Leslie while on The Late Late Show with James Corben when she found out that they have moved in together.

7. Two of the female leads have played the same character from the Terminator franchise.

Both Lena Headey and Emilia Clarke (“Danaerys Targaryen”) have played Sarah Connor: Headey in the Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and Clarke in Terminator Genisys.

8. A prequel series is in the works.

A spinoff starring Naomi Watts is being developed. Set a thousand years prior to the events of Game of Thrones, it will chronicle Westeros’ descent from the Age of Heroes to the Longest Night.

Game of Thrones’ eighth season is set to premiere in April 2019 on HBO, available on SKYcable Ch. 54 SD/Ch. 168 HD (For Metro Manila, Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, Lipa-Batangas) or on Ch. 402 SD/710 HD (For Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo). SKYdirect subscribers can watch it on Ch. 22 HD.

If you haven’t watched the series yet or want to review previous episodes, Game of Thrones Seasons 1 to 7, as well as other HBO Original Series are also available for streaming on HBO GO which is exclusively available to SKY subscribers. To subscribe, call 418-0000 or your local SKY office or visit www.mysky.com.ph.

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